Year End Review!

2009 was the longest days of the shortest year of my life. Even though it seemed like it went by in a flash, a ton happened.
Matthew started off the year at a new job and I started off the year at home with my one month old baby daughter. As Matthew settled into his new job, I prepared to return to mine. In February, I returned to my job and after two days was ousted by the powers that be. What ensued was the five most difficult days of my life followed by a true test of strength as I started to fight for unemployment compensation that I was originally denied. Finally, I got my day in court and it was harrowing. I'll never know how some can lie on the stand with a Bible in front of you and a microphone taking down every word. I WON! And was in full swing taking care of the kiddo and searching for work.

In February the family took our first trip to Texas. Margaret proved to be a great little traveler at 2 1/2 months old. She got to meet 61 family members! In March we took another trip...this time to the Big Apple! This was the first of 5 trips Matthew made to the city in 2009. We had such a blast on both trips and can't wait to go back!

Later that spring I was diagnosed with Graves Disease. This was the beginning of my battle with this disease and putting a name to all the other ailments I was experiencing. In all, last year I had 10 blood tests, and EKG, Ultrasound, CTScan, MRI and Vestibular testing. Still battling but feeling much better!

During the summer we took several trips to the beach, had swim classes with Margaret and got visitors from Lula and Papi, Dandi and Pipaw, Grampa and Grammy Kaye and "Aunt" Shannon. I shot a commercial for Sprint that never aired and Margaret and I shot a commercial for State Farm. My head got cut out of the shot, but the camera was squarely focused on little M. The commercials aired during baseball games. I've never been so happy that baseball season lasts so long! Such a fabulous summer!

At the beginning of the fall, we began painting the house. What started as a 7 day project, concluded after 3 1/2 weeks! It was totally worth it. The house is gorgeous and a true stand out in the neighborhood.

In late fall we went to several parties and Margaret experienced her first Halloween. She borrowed costumes from her friend, June and went to the first bash as a monkey and the second bash as a skunk. Toooooo adorable!

In November, we stayed at home for Thanksgiving and began preparing for Margaret's one year birthday! Matthew and his dad built a gorgeous deck in our backyard in anticipation of the birthday party (a joint birthday party with M's best friend, Juliet). The whole deck was built during Thanksgiving weekend...a true feat especially considering we had a glorious feast prepared by the Sister's Hill and still managed to go to Hollywood to watch a TCU football game with other local alumni.

Margaret and Juliet's birthday party was a huge success! Friends, family, great food (provided again by the Sister's Hill) and many toddling toddlers couldn't have been better.

We ended the year traveling to Texas for the holidays. What a year! I can't give enough thanks and appreciation to my sisters, my mommy's group and my incredible husband. You all made this year happy and...possible!

I can't wait to see what 2010 brings!

Christmas 2009

What fun! The family took a trip to Texas for the holidays this year. It was such a wonderful visit. We got to see family we hadn't gotten to see in a long long time and meet new family members. We first flew in to Houston and spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the Clark's. Cousin Isaac and Margaret got portraits taken together (a tradition I truly hope repeats itself for years to come - to include new little ones as the families grow). We ate Christmas Eve lunch a the best Korean BBQ place I've ever had. Truly delicious! Christmas Day we all got together once again. This time, Matthew and I got to go on a double date with Sarah and Esteban and went to see "Sherlock Holmes". Just too fun!
The day after Christmas we headed up north to Gordon. ALL the family was there! It was such a treat! New spouces, new babies and one on the way! Our little family sure isn't little any more! Margaret got to see and play in snow for the first time with her Cousin Logan. We got to hang out in Weatherford for a few more days and see more snow!
We headed back to Houston for the New Years (which I'm proud to say that we stayed up long enough to see the ball drop in NYC...I didn't think i would make it to 9!) Then back to California and 75 degrees.
So long for now, Texas! We'll be seeing you again soon!!

Family Portraits

To end off 2009 we thought it would be a great idea to take much overdue family portraits of the California Clan. I phoned up my good friend, Rob, who took my pregnancy portraits. We had a one day break in the rainy weather we typically experience here in SoCal and we seized it! The day was SUPER windy but we still got some really superb shots. If anyone wants a copy, I can email you a high quality copy (please don't try to download off this website and print...it will look bad) :) Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Bug!

On December 1st, we celebrated Margaret's 1st birthday. It was such a lovely day. We started out at home and then headed to the Americana (an outdoor mall in Glendale). We had lunch and watched the water ballets (Margaret's favorite) and got a picture with Santa. Then we headed to the park and saw a coyote (ah, Southern California) frolicking nearby. Then we finished the day at our favorite Mexican Food Restaurant, Mexican Village. Margaret wasn't too keen on the cupcake we got her. She smooshed it in her hands and threw it on the ground. The restaurant gave us another cake, this time with a candle. We didn't feed her that cake because it had chocolate on it but she was overjoyed with the candle. Such a great day!



Margaret's birthday celebration was a joint party with her friend, Juliet. We decided on a theme of Lady Bug (Juliet's nickname is Lady and Margaret's nickname is Bug...too fitting). Matthew and his dad built a glorious deck the weekend before the party so the girls could celebrate in style. Lori and Laci were the caterers and did a magnificent job. Too many dishes to name, but everyone at the party raved! We were a little too busy having fun to take many pictures so we're waiting for our friends who attended to send us pictures. Here are the pictures we currently have. More to come!

Happy Birthday my lovely lady. You are the light of my life!