Girls' Night

I am still on a high from my wonderful girls' night! Christina, Melissa, Sophie and I all met for dinner at the restaraunt Five tonight. We had an extra special girls' night with the added bonus of celebrating an early birthday for Miss; her birthday is next Friday (she is turning the big 2-5)! We caught up on everything from our television shows to our favorite photographers. Sophie brought cupcakes from Chiffono's for dessert, they were delicious. On my drive home I couldn't stop thinking about what a fun foursome we have. When we all get together we just can't stop chatting and laughing about life. I cherish the time with each of these girls and look forward to many more nights like these!

Hugs, Annie

Warriors Update!

The Warriors have come to the end of the regular season road. They are about to turn down the path to the playoffs! They finished the regular season with a 22 and 5 record and a 1st seed in their playoff division! Way to go Warriors! They are gearing up this week for their first playoff game Friday against the winner of the Sanger/Independance (from Baskersfield) game. Their first game is a bye (would have been on Wednesday) due to their 1st place seeding. Come on out and support the Warriors on Friday! The game starts at 4:00pm at Fresno High, would love to see you!

Melissa and Aaron came to the game last Friday, sporting the purple shirts and all!

Lets go Warriors!

Date Night

Another Papi/Waldrum date night! As always, wonderful times! We started off with the movie, "Something Borrowed" and finished the night with a wonderful dinner at PF Changs. We shared laugh after laugh, and story after story! I am beyond blessed by the friend I have in Melissa. She is loyal, thoughtful, sweet, and self-sacrificing. Every time we are together it is so comforting, I know I can tell her anything, seek advice on anything, and count on her to cheer me up if I need it! When J and I leave our date nights with the Waldrum's we are both so happy and can't stop smiling. The four of us are the perfect mix. Cheers to many more date nights! We love you guys!

Hugs, Annie & J

Charlotte's First Birthday!

Last Saturday we celebrated Charlotte's 1st Birthday at her house! Stacy had the backyard all decorated for a "Celebrity." Ryan barbecued, and Stacy had all types of different salads, from fruit to pasta. Charlotte didn't know what to think of all the people there to celebrate her but she was sure cute! Jason and I bought Charlotte her first pair of Tiny TOMS, they are pink sparkles and adorable. After opening all her gifts Charlotte dug into her very own cupcake and oh boy...she didn't hold back. She loved her cupcake...must take after her Auntie Annie! I adore this girl, her smile is contagious, she is such a happy girl. Loved sharing this monumental moment in Charlotte and Stacy's life. Love you Charlotte Joyce!

Hugs,

Annie and Jason

Stacy and I

The most amazing man I know...
Trying on the pink, sparkly Tiny TOMS...
Charlotte eating her Birthday cupcake!
Happy Birthday pretty girl...chocolate mess and all!

Teacher Appreciation Week

This being my first year in the 6th grade I did not know what to expect during teacher appreciation week. Being a kindergarten and first grade teacher in the previous years I was showered with love and hugs. Those little kiddos love to dish it out. Making the jump to a 6th grade teacher this year I wasn't surprised to find that most of the kiddos don't give as many hugs as the little ones. This is why I was pleasantly surprised during teacher appreciation week. I'll be honest, my students brought tears to my eyes. I walked out to pick up my class one morning and I saw them all huddled together signing something. They had their little messengers whispering, "she's coming!" "she's coming!" By the time I reached them some of the girls were in the front of the line handing me a giant card they had made. It was adorable. They had taken the time to come up with an acrostic poem and write messages to me. The best part...they did this all on their own, no parents, no other teachers, just them, straight from the heart. I couldn't help but tear up reading it. They are so sweet, I will miss them in four weeks!

Hugs!
Annie

Birthday #2: Mother In Law and Elle Belle

Yesterday was two very special birthdays, my mother-in-law, Peggy and my precious baby girl...Ella! It is always so much fun to celebrate wonderful people, and dogs, that I love so much! My mother-in-law is absolutley amazing. She is the most caring and thoughtful person. Since the day I have been introduced to her she has treated me like her own daughter. There is not a day that goes by that she does not do something nice or say something kind to Jason and I. There is not a day that passes that she does not make contact with one of us, if not both of us. She gives everything she has to her kids. It lights her up. Here is a great story that shows her heart. About a month ago Jason and I found a table that we wanted for our patio. However, we decided to wait and not purchase it at the moment because it was more than we wanted to pay. That night we were with Peggy and we were talking about the table, how we had passed it up, and that we were hoping we did not make a mistake. The next night Jason and I were at home relaxing and there is a knock on the door, it was Ken and Peg...and the table! She surprised us with the table because she knew how much we wanted it. BUT...the best part was watching her, she was so happy because we were happy. She had an ear to ear smile the whole time they were at our house. What a heart...a heart with a desire to make those she cares about happy, no matter the sacrafice. She lives life like this everyday. So, to have an opportunity to celebrate someone as special as this was great! Our Ella turned one today as well, it is so fun to think that a year ago she was born! We think of her and treat her like a child, we love her so much and are so thankful we have her!

Love these two with my whole heart!

Annie & Jason

Dinner at The LandmarkMake a wish!

Happy Birthday Elle Belle, 1 year old today!

Brady Boy's Birthday!

May is the month of Birthday's and to start it off (well late April really) we celebrated Brady Costa last Saturday. Recently our friend's Heather and Jamie Costa have moved to Harlan Ranch...they are our new neighbors! We are so excited and we have gotten a chance to see a lot more of the little Brady boy...and man is he a kick! We love him. Adore him. Can't get enough of him. The things he says are priceless. He will tell you that his Daddy's office is pimp...sucka, that you put the Dodgers in the trash can, and he can sing you a full out rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Brady and I have fallen in love...he is my boy! He even wanted me to sleep over after the party! :) I just love having the Costa's close by, we have so many memories to make. We enjoyed watching Brady in the bounce house, eating his pizza, blowing out his candles, eating his cupcake and opening his presents (which the other kids there were more into than him). Thank you for having us at your party Brady...we love you!

Hugs,

Annie & Jason

McKenzie...having her own party
Blowing out his candles...
Brady loves his mommy...beautiful Heather!
We love you Brady!

Love this girl

Easter

I know it has almost been two full weeks since Easter has passed but it is State Testing time for my students and I am worn out! So here it goes...our first Easter Sunday as a Mr. and Mrs.! What a gracious day...a blessed day, a day to reflect on Jesus and the gift he gave us...the perfect day to humbly enjoy family and life. That is exactly what we did, we enjoyed family...every last bit of it. We had breakfast together, we had dinner together...we just hung out, one big, happy family. I am having more and more moments in my life when I look around and find myself thinking about how lucky I am. My job, house, neighborhood, friends, family are just a few of the blessings I have in my life. Easter Sunday I tried to remember just that; be simple, be grateful, be humble. Treasures...that is what these days are, days to relax with family, BBQ, laugh, eat, share stories and make new ones. Hope everyone's Easter was as special as ours!

Happy Easter!
Annie and Jason

Luke...so happy coming down the slide Jason, Nicholas and Cody taking a break from playing baseball

Me and Logan in the yard at Noni'sHappy Easter from the Papi's!