Legally Blonde

By the apparel table...it was not all set up yet, but we took what we could get!

I felt like a big kid Tuesday night. Jason surprised me with tickets to Legally Blonde: The Musical. He knew how much I wanted to go and worked hard to get the best tickets! We sat in the orchestra section, 4 rows back. The seats were amazing. I could see every wink, wince, fist pump, shimmy, and drop of sweat! The smile did not leave my face, from start to finish. This play had my name written all over it, it was amazing. I have been to many plays, growing up in Seattle my family was blessed to have access to all the big shows. We saw Cats, Les Miserable, Oliver, Annie, etc. To me, none of them compared to Legally Blonde. The actors/actresses were so enthusiastic, full of energy. I love dance, I love cheer and this play had so much of both. They took the basic story line from the movie and added in their own twists, it was current, it was funny, it was lighthearted, it was a good time. I have had so much stress lately, between test scores and competition cheer I have not been able to relax! This was such a treat. There is nothing better than a feel good, laugh out loud date with my amazing husband. Thank you J for such an amzing surprise, you knew just want I needed. I loved every second of it.

Hugs,
Annie

The curtain...

My Favorites

I know, I know, I skipped last week. I promised myself I would be consistent on reflecting each week, picking out those things I am most thankful for. I don't have even the slightest excuse for not posting last week. It's a motivator for me to pause and remember it is the little things that make life so beautiful. So here are my favorites, my most thankful and precious moments of the past week. Enjoy! Have a fabulous week, make the best of each moment.

Hugs, Annie

Ella...lounging on my Father-in-Laws desk at the Fresno High Basketball game...Love hanging out with my dogs. No matter what, they are always so excited to see me. I live for this moment every day, I can't wait to get home to my tail-wagging, licking puppies!

I love Starbucks...so many great conversations have been shared over a Starbucks skinny vanilla latte. Every morning when I walk into Starbucks a conversation I once shared jumps into my head and makes me smile. So many different people, topics, bible studies, and homework assignments have unfolded here. I am always greeted with a smile and a good morning. It is the perfect way to start my day.

Charlotte: sweet angel. I love this girl, she makes my heart melt. I lover her giggles, her smiles, and her cuddles. Her mommy and I have been friends for years, she is like my little adopted niece and I can't get enough of her sweet love. How could this precious face not be the highlight of your week? On Saturday night I got to hold this baby girl as she fell asleep on my shoulder...nothing can compare...

I love watching my husband with kids. Every Sunday we go to J's grandma's house and the kids are there. These kids are the closest things we have to nieces and nephews and we love them so much. Every time I watch Jason with the kids I think about what a wonderful father he is going to be. These moments are priceless to me...I wouldn't trade them for anything. Thank God for these moments of contentment.

Game Night

Girls' Team...ready to take on the boys...

Rema: Focusing (she's not competitive at all :) )

Chris, Steph and Jason all thinking of and writing their "laughable law"

Charlotte partied too hard...she passed out! My Favorite!

Stacy and I...Love this girl!

Last night we headed over to Blake and Christina's house for our bi-monthly, wanna be monthly, game night. Christina and Blake are always such great hosts with clever ideas. I can never wait to see what new dinner idea Christina has created. Tonight was by far my favorite and for sure one I will use in the future (thanks Christina) Mini personal pizzas! Blake and Christina had every topping you could imagine, pepperoni, chicken, ham, olives, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, bell pepper, onion, olives, pineapple, cheese, tomato, even BBQ sauce if you wanted to go CPK BBQ chicken style. Each couple took turns spreading on their sauce, sprinkling cheese and picking out their personal favorite toppings, then they popped them in the oven! It was delicious and such a fun idea! After dinner we headed to the living room to the usual candy table full of sweet treats like hot tamales, milk duds, licorice, gobstoppers and the fan favorite, sour patch kids. We played a new game this time, Balderdash, it was a nice change, but the girls' still lost! We all decided next time we are playing Mall Madness! It was a night full of laughter, memories, and new nicknames...Nozzle ring a bell Steph?! :) We all left with a tummy ache, not just from the sugar overload but from the laughter we all create when we are together. It was a fabulous night of friends, the sweetest treat of all: Charlotte and the priceless giggles she let out. Until our next game night friends!

Hugs, Annie and Jason

Blessed

Let me fill you in on my new venture. I find that in today's culture we are often overwhelmed with what we don't have. I would be lying if I told you there weren't times I didn't find myself consumed in this very thought, surrounded by desires, feeling the "have to haves" of life. I've decided to embrace what I do have, to reflect on and be thankful for the simple things that make my life so wonderful. I like to think of it as my "highs" of the week. My dear friend Sophie always asks for the highs of an event after it is all over. So in true Sophie fashion...I want to reflect on my highs, I want to force myself to focus on what I am thankful for. Every single week. At the end of the year I will be able to read and reflect on my posts. What a wonderful reminder it will be of the blessed life I live. Below I have included pictures of my highs, the things I am MOST thankful for this week.

My first high of the week fits perfectly into this post. Last Sunday we were at family dinner. Logan was in the bathtub, Katie was giving her a bath, I was holding Luke and chatting with them. Margo (their grandma, Jason's aunt) came in the bathroom to ask Katie what Luke needed for his Birthday. "He needs a bottle, Jesus, and his blanket," chirped the sweet voice of Logan DeManby. I melted. Katie explained that they had been focusing on the differences between needs and wants over the past week. Wow, if that wasn't a reminder for me. Thank you Logan for sharing that insight with me.

Precious Logan at Noni's house...

The rest of my most thankful moments this week...

This handsome smile who helped me clean the house with a smile on his face all day Sunday.

My workout shoes whom have made the 4:30am trek with me to the gym this week.

A sucker that, if you read my post on Luke's Birthday, taught me a valuable lesson in life: Get excited over small things, it's okay to act like a big kid.

Stacy, a loyal friend, one I have had for almost 10 years. This girl rocks.

Mini Shopaholic, the new book I started reading that makes me laugh out loud.

What are you most thankful for this week?

Hugs, Annie

Zanatta Family Reunion

Saturday night I experienced the Italian culture and family to the fullest! Jason and I went to his family reunion...the Zanatta family reunion. I have heard so much about the Italian culture, and Jason's big Italian family, I finally got to experience it all. I enjoyed stuffing myself silly, listening to all the toasts (always animated with the hands), watching a game of Morra (an Italian number game that gets very loud), and being indoctrinated into this big, loving, welcoming family. It was incredible to watch and listen to the traditions that the Zanatta family reunion holds. We watched home vidoes from past reunions. It was wonderful to see them laugh at themselves and reminisce. It was just a reminder of how important traditions and culture is. The highlight of the evening: knowing that I now belong to this group of wonderful people!

Hugs,

Annie

The Papi side of the Family...just missing the Lakovich's

The beginning of the initiation into the family...
Getting indoctrinated into the family by Dean Jelmini...

Lukie's 1st Birthday!

The beautiful Family, Travis, Katie, Lucas and Logan
Lucas DeManby: You are the most warm, snuggly, handsome 1 year old I know. I love when you melt into my arms, lay your head on my shoulder and fall asleep. Today we got to celebrate you. There were so many people there who love and care about you. You are a handsome, handsome boy and I love you so much!

We celebrated Luke's 1st Birthday today at the Dry Creek Park. We munched on yummy sandwiches, chips and pasta salad while watching all the little kiddos run around with their balloon swords that Bubbles the clown made. They were so precious. I could sit and watch these kids all day long. It made me smile when Bubbles the clown pulled out a container of suckers and ask who wanted one. The kids erupted, jumping up and down, "I do! I do!" It's moments like these I miss being a kid. Why can't I get excited over a sucker? Has my life gotten so complicated that I can't stop to take joy in a good old sucker? I am thankful for these moments, they make me grounded. Thank you for a great party Katie and Travis, J and I cherish these moments we spend with you and the family. You have the most beautiful kids that we love with our whole heart. You are so special to us!

Hugs,

Annie & Jason

Date Night

Date night at Pismo's!

I love to share and brag about the friends in our lives, we have such great ones. I take every opportunity to do so. Last night we went to Pismos for dinner with Melissa and Aaron Waldrum. I have been friends with them for many years now. When Jason and I first started dating I was excited to introduce him to Aaron and Melissa, I knew he would love them. He did. Aaron and J are such great friends, they talk more than girls do. When we go out with them we get in our own little zone. No one or nothing else matters. No matter where we are we end up shutting down the place. Last night was no exception, we were the last ones to leave Pismos and we carried our conversations to Starbucks until they kicked us out. I was a bridesmaid in Melissa and Aaron's wedding, she was a bridesmaid in ours. Not only that, but they were in on Jason's sneaky and surprising engagement plan, we couldn't have done it without them! Melissa is the most giving and thoughtful friend. She is always thinking of others and will sacrifice herself for them. She has been by my side through so many things and always been my number one supporter. We share the love of shopping, celebrities, reading, Disneyland and Sprinkles Cupcakes! She always has a positive outlook on life. Her sweet voice can get me through the most draining days. Aaron is one of the most positive, balanced, and inspirational people I know. He is the model of a great friend. He puts in the effort. He cares. He makes us laugh. He says it how it is. He is much like Jason, no wonder they are such great friends. Jason and I cherish the time we all spend together. Thanks Aaron and Melissa for being such great friends to us. We love doing life with you. Next on our date list...Disneyland!

Hugs, Annie & Jason

Calling all Teachers...

So, I am heading to bed as soon as I finish this post. Why? Because I go back to the grind tomorrow. Back to the kiddos. Back to the 5 am mornings. As it is, I am already up past my week night bedtime! I wanted to share with all my wonderful colleagues something that I read to freshen up and re-charge. This excites me. It motivates me. It makes me want to wake up at 5 am. Bottom line...I should read this everyday. So, as I go back to work tomorrow this is on my heart. Let me live this. Second half of the year and I am all in. Bring it!

Read the link below...
http://www.janebluestein.com/articles/make.html

Hugs,
Annie

Happy New Year!

Last night I officially said good bye to 2010, I finally put away all my holiday decor and freshened up the house for a new year full of opportunity, and love with many memories to make. I can hardly wait for a new baseball season, the Easter Classic Baseball Tournament, spring break, Disneyland trips, my sister and Trevor's 21st Birthday in Vegas, weddings, and summertime, just to name a few. I have never been one to make a new years resolution. I am not going to start now. However, I am a goal setter, I thought I would share my top 5 goals this year. In doing so, I hope that you, as my friends and family, will hold me accountable to reach these goals!

1. Run the half marathon in May ( I have always wanted to do this)

2. Read 1 book a month

3. Smile when I wake up everyday, each day is a fresh start

4. Clean out and organize our garage

5. Consider the idea and maybe, just maybe work on adding a little Papi to our lives!

Cheers to 2011, a year filled with opportunity!

I had to post these pictures I took New Year's night, the girls were headed to the groomer the next day, they were in DESPERATE need of a haircut! However, they looked like rockstars with their party hats (their hair) on! Love them!

Happy New Year!

J & Annie

My Birthday Week!

I titled this post my Birthday week because that is exactly what it was. I am so blessed to have so many people in my life who wanted to celebrate with me. My week started with dinner at Pismo's with my in-law's and the Oliver family. Dinner was delicious, atmosphere enchanting, company was wonderful. We ended with ice cream cake at Michelle's. It was a perfect night. The next day Jason and I finalized my car purchase and I got to drive my new car to meet my dad, his wife, my sister, and Trevor at Red Robin. I filled up on bottomless steak fries, delicious! After dinner we headed back to our house where my sister, Trevor and his friend joined us for a game of Catch Phrase. The Birthday girl took last place in the game, I thought they might take it easy one me but they had no mercy. The next day was my actual Birthday. Jason and I got bagels and coffee in the morning before heading out to a day of shopping. J was such a trooper, he went wherever I wanted and sat in many dressing rooms without complaining once! We ate dinner at P.F. Changs. I forgot how yummy that place is. After dinner we rung in the New Year with Jeff and Jamie Prieto. It was a perfect day. The next day J was a trooper once again. Instead of watching New Years Day football games he drove me to Modesto to get a camera. We had searched up and down the coast of California and finally found the camera I wanted in Modesto! They held it for us, we hoped in the car and made it there in record time! I was so excited to get my new camera. I will have much better pictures to blog with from this point on. When we got back from our trip we headed to Yosemite Ranch to have dinner with my mom, Emily and Trevor. Once again, the dinner was delicious! I don't think I have eaten this good since we have been married! Today I celebrated with my friend Sarah, it was great to sit down and catch up with her over lunch. I had such a great week and felt so much love. Thank you to all my friends and family who helped celebrate my last year in the 20's! Love you all!

Hugs,

Annie

Emily and I at Yosemite Ranch...

Emily, my mom and me
My Love...

Our First Christmas as a Mr. and Mrs.

There are so many wonderful things to note about Christmas this year. It was me and Jason's first Christmas as a married couple. I loved every second of it. Christmas Eve was spent at Jason's Grandma's house. My father in law puts on his Santa costume every year for the kids, he is such a trooper. He pretends to ride his sleigh to the front door and then knock, we answer the door and he comes in to bring the little ones gifts. It is so much fun to watch their reactions. The kids opened up a karaoke machine and the whole family had a blast! It was so joyfoul to listen to Hannah sing Jingle Bells on the microphone. Logan belted out Taylor Swift and the boys couldn't get enough "Dynomite." It was such a refereshing reminder of what Christmas is all about, family, being with the ones you love the most. No matter what, if all those people are in the same room, you know it will be a good time, a celebration of love. When we came home that night my sister came over to spend the night. It is tradition that my sister and I stay the night together every Christmas Eve. I was so excited to have her. In the morning my mom and Trevor came over and we spent the morning opening gifts and eating a delicious breakfast! We headed over to Michelle's after that to open gifts before heading to meet the whole family at Jason's Aunt Margo and Uncle Stan's house! We were very blessed this year, I am so thankful. I have married into the most amazing family, I love and adore my mother, father and sister in law. They are so gracious, caring, and supportive. When we pulled up to the Papi's we saw that the Castro's brought over the Wii and Just Dance 2, I thought karaoke was fun to watch...this was even better! No one could beat Cody, he had all the moves memorized! Food was great, cheer was felt all around, entertainment comical, company even better. Let me tell you about my favorite gift: My sister and I have been at different places the past few years and this year we got to spend the entire day together. My sister is my best friend, I can't tell you enough how much it meant to me to have her join us this Christmas. There was no better gift. On top of this I spent much of the evening holding Luke, Katie and Trav's baby boy, his smile is priceless, his snuggles heavenly. I just love that boy. The cherry on top? My husband. He has a heart of gold and it is his desire to make me smile every second of every day. My cup runneth over with love. Merry Christmas.

Hugs, Annie

Christmas Eve Pictures

Logan took this picture of J and I...
Santa, aka: Uncle Ken with Hannah Girl

Santa with Logan...

Precious Hannah and Logan

Christmas Day

My Sissy, Luke and me

Emily and Trevor

Jason and I...Our first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs.!

A Christmas Tradition: English Toffee

The best memory I have of the Christmas season is making english toffee with my mom and sister. This is a recipe that has been passed down to my mom from my grandma. Weeks before Christmas every year we put on Christmas music and get out my mom's le creuset grey pot and stir away. Growing up this consisted of my sister and I being the taste testers as my mom made the candy. Now I am a grown up, I'm married. I have to carry on this tradition in my own household. So, today I ventured down this path and made my first batch of toffee in my first home with my own pot. The same smell spread throughout the house, and the familiar sound of the boiling ingredients filled the kitchen. There is so much tradition and meaning in this toffee, it is so much more to me than delicious candy. It is late night conversations with my mom and sister, it is an argument over who is going to stir (it takes forever), it is my grandma's old candy thermometer, it is a tin delivered to my favorite high school teachers, it is a pot full of love, a tradition I will continue with my kids one day. A tradition I hope means as much to my kids as it does to me so that they pass it on to their kids. This is one of those LITTLE THINGS that I love so much about Christmas. I could never imagine that a piece of candy could have so much meaning. Hold so many memories, be so special.

Merry Christmas!
Annie

Lots of stirring still to go...

Ready to eat!

Happy Birthday Michelle

On Monday night we celebrated my sister-in-law, Michelle's, Birthday. We went to dinner at the Santa Fe Basque and enjoyed a yummy ice cream cake. It is always so fun to celebrate the people we hold closest to our heart. Michelle is the most warm and welcoming person I know. She is amazing. When she smiles, the whole room does, her laughter is contagious. She has done so much for Jason and I over the last couple years. She is always worried about others and the first to call to make sure everything is going okay. Jason and Michelle are so close, they talk everyday and I think it is adorable! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful sister-in-law. I look forward to celebrating her every year. Happy Birthday Michelle! We love you!

Hugs, Annie

I didn't take a picture that night but here is one of Michelle and I at the wedding...

Happy Early Birthday to...ME!

On Monday my friend Christina arranged a girl's lunch to celebrate my Birthday, my early Birthday! This was perfect because my Birthday is on New Year's Eve and it is that busy time of year that is so hard to get a group together! We went to Pane, one of my favorite lunch spots! Christina was so thoughtful and brought mini cupcakes, perfect for an afternoon treat, and my favorite! I had a wonderful time chit-chatting with some of my closest friends, it meant the world to me to have them there! There is just something about having all my close friends together in the same room, or at the same table that is irreplacable! It is such a comforting feeling, a place where you can be yourself. I am so thankful for the true friends I have in my life, the ones that I have created meaningful friendships with, ones that will last a lifetime. What a perfect Birthday gift, the friend I have in each of them! Thank you Christina for arranging it and thank you to all my friends who joined, it was a perfect afternoon!

Hugs, Annie

The Whole Gang!