Vasquez Rocks

OK-here are some pictures from yesterday when we were at Vasquez Rocks. I haven't edited any of them, but they are not so bad without it. So, just a quick history lesson/geography lesson, this area was formed 25 million years ago! And when the continental plates were moving and collided, the rock had to do something...so it made them push upwards. Pretty cool stuff. And who says history and geography are boring?? Oh, and here a funny note...what can you expect from us right? Rocio had to tell me that there are lots of coyotes and rattlesnakes here...what a mistake that was! I was unsure of walking through here so close to dusk, but she wanted me to actually climb up some of the rocks to take my picture. "You want me to do what?" So I did, VERY SLOWLY! She kept on asking what was taking me so long, but all I could hear was my mother's voice ringing in my ears, "Beware of your surroundings!" I was just trying to be cautious, but she thought I was just paranoid! I guess I sorta was! She got a great laugh at my expense. But so did I, b/c it wasn't as deadly as I thought it would be. LOL! I survived! Anyways, enjoy the pics!

It's 5 o'clock Somewhere??

Are you ready for this? Sunday night was ended with dinner at the Elephant Bar and Restaurant. The food and atmosphere is so fun! And the Strawberry Banana Cyclones.....even better! Somehow my talent of tieing a cherry stem in a knot in my mouth, using only my tongue came up...well, Rocio didn't believe I could do it so we asked our waiter for lots of cherries with long stems on them. Yeah, imagine his confusion. LOL! I got the cherries and away I went. Rocio was quite impressed! LOL!
Anyways, along came Monday. It was a quiet day here in the Santa Clarita Valley. We went to the office so Rocio could get a little work done, yes, only a little! Who can work when I'm around! :-) Then, it was off to Val's work. We picked her up and had lunch with her at a great burger and sandwich place. We, of course, laughed and talked about everything. We even entertained some LA County Firemen with our girly chit-chat and antics! What can I say, its one big GOOD TIME out here. OK-so after lunch, it was a few errands, back to the office, then we hit the mall! Yippee!
Wow! Where has the day gone? We picked up the kids at daycare, dropped Victoria off at the office with Chris and took Braden with us. We ended our day taking some beautiful pictures of Vasquez Rocks in the canyons. The sunset was awesome! I will post pictures of that on another post. There are some really beautiful ones, and then there are some goofy ones. Because what else can be said when Rocio and I are together?? LOL! :-)
Well, gotta run. Been up since 5 the morning! We are dropping the kids off at daycare and we are off to get into trouble in HOLLYWOOD!
Stay tuned! And enjoy the pics below!

Here we are...drinks in hand!

I told you we had lots of fun!

My secret talent exposed!

Rocio pretending to work!

Actually working here, but striking a pose!

Chris trying to hide from my camera! And he is really working!

MONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY MOOONNNEEEYYYYY!!!!

Still trying to hide from me!

No comment! LOL!!

Here's VALERIE!!!!

Me and Val- We are full of smiles 'cause we just ate! LOL!

The 3 stooges!! One of the firemen taking our picture!

What's up in Sunny California?

OK- so we have been busy! Saturday, Rocio and I painted pottery-sorry no pics of that, I am not sure how mine will turn out. I will post a picture after we pick it up. OK- what else? Oh! We had our toes pampered...it was great! Only in CA can you get the best pedicures! And then where else could I end up??? Yeah, Wal-Mart! Haha! After that, a night in with 2 movies...27 Dresses-great movie, very funny, and the movie, 21 with Kevin Spacey. Its about card counting in Black Jack, long, but awesome!

So-on Sunday...we went to the Paseo Club, the gym they belong to, Victoria played her 1st round of tennis with her new tennis racket. Her Papa and Grandpa tried, but hey, she's 2...it was so cute! Then it was off to Mimi's Cafe where I surprised my friend, Valerie! I had been planning this surprise with her husband, Danny. Val was so shocked, she got all teary-eyed and was just speechless! It was great! So after really good breakfast, we all went to the Swap Meet. It was mine and Tim's fav place to go get cheap deals on stuff and buy the best produce. So it was fun going back, unfortunately, it was HOT!!! So we left quickly! Now its a quiet afternoon at home. We are conserving energy for the crazy week that's coming up!

Anyways, I guess I will go for now. Hope everyone has a great week! And I will put some pictures on here from my journey so far!

Love, Lori

Mr. Braden-8 months old

Miss Victoria AKA Princess- 2 years old

Our pretty pedi's! Rocio-top, Me-bottom.

1st Tennis Lesson

Future Tennis Pro or just a Tennis Model?

Danny with Christian falling asleep on his juice.

Nathan and Val...Nathan was hamming it up for the camera!

I'm Goin' Back To Cali, Cali, Cali

OK-How many of you remember LL Cool J's song "I'm goin' back to Cali, Cali, Cali" Those who remember, I bet you started singing it in your head when you saw the title of my post...DOUG!??? I know you were!! It was your cassette tape that I used to steal and listen to. LOL! :-)

HEY!! Sorry its been a few days...I am in CALIFORNIA!! WoooHooo! Man, I missed this place...yes, I said that! I MISS VALENCIA! Every corner of this town has brought back a precious memory of my Big Guy! Its so awesome to be here. I am staying with our friends, Rocio, Chris, and their 2 kids, Victoria (2) and Braden (8 months). I plan on seeing Danny and Val and their 2 babies, too! Its going to be a big surprise for Val. Danny knows I am here, but we kept it from Val. Anyways, Rocio and I are going to be typical tourists! We are going to see and do so much while I am here...I will keep the blog updated with our outings and adventures...you never know what the hell Rocio and I will do! We are 2 peas in a pod! She's the California "organic" side of me! LOL! :-) I am the blond hair, blue-eyed "typical" Cali girl of the 2 of us. She teases me all of the time saying I look more California-ish than she does! OK-so maybe I would fit in here more than I think...
Anyways, did I mention how much I miss my baby!! And my hubby! I regret not living in the moment when e did live out here...Its a great town! I want to come back here to live! Wow! Yes, I said that. And some weird part of me is thinking of baby #2...maybe its b/c I am in the birth town of my love bug!!! But maybe not...maybe its b/c I am around my friend and her 2 babies, its not as hard as I think it would be! ??????? WHAT??????? LOL!
Well, we are off to paint pottery, get Starbucks, eat McDonald's, and get pedicures...it what Rocio and I did almost daily when we were pregnant here together. Just reliving the past a little, but I miss my boys!
Its harder leaving than I always think...
Love you boys! I love you Kainaan!
OK-post again soon!
Stay tuned...
Love, Lori

Look Who's Becoming a Big Boy!

So, Last week we were in Wal-Mart...surprise, surprise. And Kainaan spotted Thomas the Train. It was big boy underwear...so we got them, and the Cars ones, and the Vinyl pants to help with accidents. Well, so far Kainaan is potty training himself. He tears off his diapers and goes to the potty when he feels like it. But he is still going in his diaper too. Hey, at least we are on track, right? I think that he thinks he is being like Daddy. Crossing our fingers and saying a prayer, we haven't had an accident yet, but I am sure they are on the horizon! Well, he is so funny in his new big boy undies, I thought I'd share the comedy! He is growing so fast!
PS- Well, can I jinx myself or what?? As soon as I hit the Post button, Kainaan runs out of his room to let me know that he "pee pee mess in room." All I could do was laugh at myself! oh this is going to sooo fun! :-)



Kainaan is so proud of his Cars Big Boy Undies!


And now he shows off his Thomas Undies!

The Future Mr. TJ & Mrs. Karissa White

This weekend I took pictures of some friends of ours, TJ & Karissa. They got engaged not long ago, and they asked me to take some engagement pictures for them (and their new baby...an 8 week old Min-Pinn named Rush)! We went all over the Downtown Knoxville area. There are so many beautiful places to take pictures! Its so awesome! We have World's Fair Park, The Fountains & Waterfalls, the beautiful landscaped garden areas, and all the old buildings and creepy doorways a photographer could ask for! Anyways, it was a lot of fun! And now they want me to do their wedding next year! Yay! Anyways, I will post some of their pictures. Sorry about the KTL Photography stamp on the pics...its just so people on the Internet can't copy and steal their pictures.

Go Ducky, Go!

What a day?! We went to Volunteer Landing on Tennessee River today with Brett, Alison, Hunter, and Viv (Brett's mom)! It was the annual Knoxville Duck Race. We bought 3 ducks...no, not real ones...cute, yellow squeaky ducks. All of the money goes to The Boys and Girls Club. Anyways, 40,000 rubber ducks were bought and dumped into the river. The 1st 12 ducks to cross the finish line 1.5 miles down the river wins various prizes. And while we waited and waited for the ducks to be dumped, there was a kiddie fair and of course, water fountains. So, we stood around and Kainaan and Hunter played in the water. The whole time we were waiting for the duck drop...it had already happened. Yep, we missed the truck dumping 40,000 ducks into the water. When the ducks reached us, we got to see how they moved them down the river...people were on jet skis herding them like cattle. It was funny. We hung out a little while longer and called it a day. It was a fun family outing. It gave us something to do. Enjoy the pics!

Here's the gang!

The Dump Truck that holds 40,000 rubber ducks!

Kainaan is content with his balloon. And here's the boys!

Kainaan went down the jumpy slide over and over!

Kainaan took off down the river walk b/c he saw "Thomas" or so he thought.

Weee! That water is cold!

Such a waterbug!

Where's Kainaan?

What is he doing??

Peeing or pooping? Any bets?

There are ducks...the yellow blob. Is that really 40,000 ducks?