Playing in the sand

We are so happy right now.  Allisandria is loving the sand and going in the water.  Dave even taught her how to catch sand crabs....she is so sweet, while bella is snoozing


Xoxo, Tricia

Beach video

Xoxo, Tricia

Oceanside California

We are at the beach! We are eating lunch at the famous Rubys Diner at the end of the Oceanside peir!  We are so excited to be enjoying our first family trip to the beach at one of my favorite places. I came here in high school and have loved it ever since.

Xoxo, Tricia

Exhausted

After visiting with Grandma Riggio and celebrating Grandpas birthday,  we are all exhausted.  Driving everywhere...allisandria has only napped in the car.  We sure loved our visit with great grandparents.  Grandpa suffers from alzheimers...so he remembers what he can.  I could see in his sweet blue eyes though that deep in there he remembered us.  He kept on looking at me, staring.  I just smiled.  I got some great pictures of him.  It,s a crazy thing, alzheimers, I think the Lord is somehow protecting them.  I don't think he would take all their memory like that. I think those who suffer from it are stuck inside themselves in a way, they just can't portray their actions the way they want to.  Looking into grandpa John's eyes...I saw him in there...I did and I know he knows that we love him.


Xoxo, Tricia

Visit with Great Grandma Riggio

Today we surprised daves grandma Riggio. We took her to lunch at Macaroni Grill and she was just beside herself.  It is so fun to surprise her.  She gets so happy. I love it!


Xoxo, Tricia

Meet Anabella

I wasn't even all the way in the door when we arrived and they were kissing Anabella in the car seat.  They love her.  Such a doting grandfather.  We love it!


Xoxo, Tricia

A few of my favorite things

Oh cabazon oh cabazon, oh how I love thee.  Its the perfect little pit stop...to fulfill my needs.
With your stores doors waiting right open, for me to partake,  of the sweet pleasures and lovely blessings for my little hearts sake.
Oh. Cabazon oh cabazon how I love thee. Thank you for existing. You really complete me.


Xoxo, Tricia

Memorial Day Weekend road trip

Sure is nice having a bigger vehicle.  We all have tons of room and the back seats fold down into the floor.   We are headed to dave s dads for the weekend.  They haven't seen anabella yet.  We are so excited for them to love on her fat face. Sam, Daves dad, is such a proud grandfather.  Allisandria has been going in and on about "gpa sweek" (grandpa this week). Literally she will say it every five minutes even in the middle of a sentance.  She looooves her grandparents.


Xoxo, Tricia

Splish splash I was takin a bath

Look at this fat baby!


Xoxo, Tricia

Sleeping beauty

Falling asleep in the arms of the man
She loves allisandria slumbers softly in the warmth of Andy Rizleys chest. She loves him so much.   They watched our girls today so we could attend the Gila River Temple dedication that was broadcasted to our stake center.  That was church today. All other meetings were dismissed.  It was so neat to somewhat be in attendance.  I have to admit I wasn't all that anxious to go...but since it was in place of all our church meetings today, we went.
It was amazing.  I was changed.  It makes me want to stand up to people more for what I belive in.  I am always confronted about the marriage in the temple rules. Who can attend and who can't.  I don't care if they thinks it,s not fair.  Its what it is...sacred, holy, and symbolic.  The more important it is that we filter who walks in the doors of those Holy places.  If it is so important for us, as members to stay worthy...and sometimes that is hard for people, then of course we aren't going to just let anyone in.  The name of God is defiled so much already, if we let evryone in that walked this earth, think of how much more horrible the world would treat our Heavenly Father and Jesus.  I could care less what they think...this is something my $ pays for...I want it to be special, scared and Holy.  I only want the best to enter the House of the Lord.  That is the place I get to go to because I am worthy...I worked hard to be there...it is my temple.  I don't want anyone there that doesn't know, appreciate, and love it as much as I do.  Because of these temples I am not seperated from my family at death...we are still connected for eternity.  That is why I love my temple.  Wouldn't you keep something that is yours safe?

Xoxo, Tricia

Are You Kidding Me...Seriously=?UTF-8?B?Pw==?=

Last night, going to bed, I tripped over Bo...our dog...stubbed my last three toes on my right foot and heard a pop.  I just stubbed my toes right?  Wrong!   I broke my pinky toe.   Woke up this morning. To it throbbing in pain...I limped to the kitchen to make a bottle for bella...it is black and blue...seriously?  Aaah c'mon!


Xoxo, Tricia

Smoothies to Go Go

Since I am surrounded by so many stick figures of friends and sisters, I decided that I needed to lose the lb's. I needed to lose it anyway. Especially after having a baby, weighing over 200 lbs...it was depressing. I don't want to be as skinny as I was in High School, but I do want to lose about 30 lbs. That will put me at the weight I was when I got married. Around 175 lbs.

When I started my new eating habits I was weighing 210 lbs. that was 2 months ago...and now I weigh 193. Thats what...17 lbs? I started the kick off with a detox/cleanse. 1 day of drinking this awesome drink mix in 2 gallons of water and some aloe extract. Thats it. I wanted to gag at the thought of drinking that last glass at 11pm. It tasted good, but after that being the only thing I could eat/drink the whole day...you know...it sucked. Day 2 was 5 shakes of the Herbalife Wellness plan. Better than just pure liquid...I got some substance and I could change the flavor of my shakes. That was better. In that 2 days I lost 8 lbs adn I dont' even know how many inches. Instantly I noticed my waist and hips thinner. I wish I would have measured. oh well. now as a continuance of my weight loss, I substitute 2 of my 6 small meals a day with an Herbalife Shake, and take some vitamins. In this past 2 months, I have been able to fit into some jeans that took me over a year to fit in with the last baby i had. Now...I am on my way. I like this new meal plan because I still get to eat things that I love. But seeing the weight i have lost and feeling as good as I do, it helps me make better meal choices. Some days it is still hard to just make a shake when I want something else and sometimes I forget to take my vitamins. But when I weigh myself once (or twice) a week, I have still lost some weight. That makes me smile.

The down side to being over 6 feet, is that 17 lbs isn't much. Yes, i look a little slimmer, but not as slim as you would think with losing 17. It has been melted off my whole entire 6 foot body. But dont' worry it is still coming off and I am finally feeling like I fit in with my sisters and friends. I had never had a bad body image of myself til my thyroid went to hell and my body went crazy. I gained 30 lbs in my first year of marraige. my Thyroid went bonkers, I got married, and was attending Beauty School. That all contributed. Now that my thyroid is under control, the depression has dissappeared, and my energy level has come up some. Still though it is hard to get off the weight.

Since hearing from my friends about the Green Smoothies...I added that to the mix of my shakes. I get my veggies, fruit and protein. Allisandria loves them too. Now to get Dave in the mix...

I will get pictures of my "hot" body up soon. I need to lose a few more. Then I will do a before and after.

Goodbye...it's not forever

me and Gabby...windy day at the park

Me and Becca...I have soooo many petite little friends...very few tall ones. Opposites attract right?

Gabby and Sandy...the start of a flowering sisterhood

Rachel and Becca...such good friends.

favorite things at the park...swings. "Push faster Momma, Faster"

"cheese"

Our last "Girls Lunch" with a few of us. Not everyone was able to make it...but it was nice to be there together anyway.


Today was wierd...having the last "GIRLS LUNCH" with Becca in attendance. I thought that I would be the first to say goodbye to our group of friends...but I'm not. I moved to this place not expecting to feel at home like I do...finding friends that I consider family...finding a ward that I am completely comfortable in...like I did. But now...my friend...is about to leave.

Becca came to my house one day, offering dinner to my family and me after moving into a new house down the street. After that, it turned into occasional babysitting while I worked. Our girls...like sisters. That then turned into talks on the couch...favors...borrowing that cup of sugar that everyone seems to do. THat has then turned into friendly outings, babysitting swaps, trips to the zoo, becoming an American Citizen and being there when our babies were born.

It isn't too often that you find someone you can just rely on...no matter what. I have found that here with ALL MY GIRLFRIENDS. How did I get so lucky?

Becca and I were pregnant together with both of our children...how cool is that? I was able to be there for the birth of her second, Olivia Grace just 6 weeks ago. It was so special. A sisterly thing to do. Sometimes when thinking about Becca and her sweet little family, I cry...of course, cause I am losing a part of myself. She keeps reminding me that we are going to still be friends... i know that, but it won't be the same. The everyday random phonecalls about questions, or recipe ideas...just seeing each other multiple times a week. I won't have that with her anymore. There will be a hole.

My friends that I have made are everything and more. When the time comes for me and my family to move...it won't be fun. My sisters said when they were here visiting, "You will find friends like that anywhere you go." I dont' think that is true. After having our girls trip to the Ellen Show, I cried at the thought of leaving them. It could be soon. I DON'T want to find girls like this where ever I end up. I don't want to replace them or try to get what we have with anyone else...it won't compare. They are top notch.

Becca is Top Notch...Totally real...happy...beautiful...tender...woman...mother...friend.

I will never find another like her...that is why we are all different. we are not the same. We just make room in our hearts to keep on loving all the people that step into our lives...then if things change, we will be forever changed. I am changed...Becca has left an impression. It won't be lost, or replaced...It will only get bigger as our friendship continues to grow.

Thanks Becca for a great couple of years of being close neighbors and friends. Can't wait to see how far we go in life together and watch our friendship only grow stronger. ps...happy birthday!

XOXO,

Tricia

Giggles

Lately this little miss has just been so smiley and extra happy. She even started giggling a little.  She loves her new seat.  It is a nice change of scenery for her.


Xoxo, Tricia

Me

why do i complain when someone else far more in need than I is greatful for the messes her children make, and the loud obnoxious noices that exit their sticky little mouths? Why do I sometimes think I have it so hard when I have to remind allisandria to quit pulling on the dogs tails, or quit moving the chair to climb up and reach things, when someone else is greatful that she is even here to remind her children to obey.

sometimes i want to enter into the pure little brain of anabella and see the world through her 3 month old eyes. why don't we remember those young memories of being a baby? I think we are too pure, too close to the veil still. Those time that I look down at her from across the room and see her smiling up in the corner, or when she is looking at me smiling and i don't see her but out of the corner of my eye. I think my late grandfather is making faces at her. He could be possibly putting "bunny ears" on me. Or my late cousin Gabe, might be mocking me and making silly faces at me to make her smile. Little babies are so fresh, the transition so new, they are so full of love, that I think they need and get to have extra moments with the ones they left to be here with my family.

Our life...hard, demanding, rewarding, impossible at time, but then turns around, fun, complete, content, excrutiating, difficult, blessed...if we were perfect, we wouldn't have these moments like i am having right now, to be greatful, and feel blessed and have those little tender mercies from the Lord. We would't get to better ourselves and try harder... if we were perfect on this earth, we would just be, instead of just trying. I would rather Try than just Be.

Today I yelled at Dave. "Do I have to tell you to get a bottle?". I am glad that he is here... to help me even if I have to tell him.

I couldn't ask for anything more than what I have here. If it means not cleaning the house til the children slumber softly, then so be it. If it means to put the sewing stuff away, even though my brain is exploding with imagination and colorful ideas. then Family, my family...my perfect, trying, demanding and rewarding family is what I need right now. At the end of the day, when the rooms fill with silence, then I can reflect, while i scrape the scrambled egg that has hardened on the plate, about my life and the wonderful blessing I have to be a mother and wife and friend. This time here, the days here are short. The more you fill it with the things you love, the comprimise is that it goes faster. So make the things you love count. Make them lift another. I know that when I dance around with Allisandria, that I have done something good. In her mind, that is the best thing she has done. In return, her giggles and sweaty kisses while we twirl are the greatest things I recieve. I like being me...Me is a Daughter of God.

Yummy Strawberries

What a cute mess

Happy Mother's Day

This is such a cute picture of Anabella. I made her that cute head band so she had something to match her bright yellow skirt. She was adorable at church. She is just a good accessorie to have on my arm. Dave and I argue over who gets to hold her and feed her during church. She is such a sweet heart.

We all wanted to look pretty. So here is how we chained ourselves together. Allisandria and I both wore a french braid accompanied by hand made hair clips. Anabella and I had the same flowers on our clip and Headband. We all were linked together by our hair. Dave was such a sweet man today. it started in the middle of the night when he said he would get up with Bella if needs be to feed her. He did. He then wanted to make me breakfast, but I had my Herbalife shake. So he made himself a really good omlette. He then made me Dinner today. We had Chicken Wraps. Chicken breast, yellow bell pepper, cheese, lettuce, spinach, carrots, cucumber, pickle and ranch dressing. It was really good. Thanks Honey. I have just been relaxing and playing on the computer. I found a cool website that you can do free photo editing. That is why our pictures from today look awesome!!. This takes my photos to a whole other level. The website is http://www.picnik.com/ really easy and fun to see all the different things you can do. Happy Mothers Day to all you hot ladies out there. Remember you don't litterally have to be a mother to be celebrated.

xoxo,

tricia

Sleeping beauty

Today dave was excited to be a part of a golf tournament one of the realtors signed him up for.  Since it is Saturday, it is usually a day that I am cooped up in the salon room working all day, and dave is over seeing the child care.  But today I had to work and be a mom at the same time.  Somedays it works out and ends happily, other days I want to duck tape allisandrias mouth shut, buckle her in her high chair and quit being a mother and a hair dresser.  Today, I experienced both. 
  There are many advantages of being a "stay at home" mom and business women.  No child care expences or the guilty thoughts of putting someone out with babysitting.  Since my 2 year old has started a stubborn phase, her actions are unpredictable during my work hours, the reason why I prefer doing hair appointments during nap time.  There are the occasional appointments that require a morning or late afternoon slot, and I warn my clients that children are present and a pause from the haircut might be expected to check on the quite, silent noise coming from the other rooms.  This is the only time when silence among your kids is a bad thing.
  So as I worked this morning, starting at 6:30 with a beautiful upstyle for a bride-to-be, the girls were good.  The dvd player was running with "homeward bound" and we were good.  After that appointment, I had about an hour and hailf til the next one came. I fed and bathed the girls, ate my breakfast and started some laundry.  That is when things started getting un raveled.  I had to stop numerous times to check on the silence.  The bathroom stool had been moved to the counter so pia could reach the fruit snacks on the counter. She helped herself to 2 bags.  Her pink bear was sitting at the computer chair and some program I didn't recognize was running and the dogs food bowls were accompanying her tea party set.  She knows how to get things done fast and quietly.  Scary.   I was stressed.  I had to make it through one more appointment.  The whole time I was thinking, "dave better be having a lot of fun and win something or he is dead meat."  He had offered a babysitter, but I was giving pia the benefit of the doubt that she would behave well.  New rule...never more than one appointment while I have the kids...no matter what.  Luckily, the women I did services for today totally understand and love that I get to work from home.  They were really great, or I probably would have ended up in tears. 
  During the last appointment, there was clinging, whining, getting into hair product like it was lotion, a hungry baby and a mom that wanted to call it quits.  That was the most exhausting couple of hours. It litterally wore me out.  I fed pia lunch and put her down and I laid on the couch with bella in my arms sleeping.  Of course I couldn't sleep, but is did get caught up on a few of my dvr favs.
  Dave was gone from 6:30 til 4:30. All he brought home was, "I was this close to winning $10 k for a whole in one shot."  Suck a duck.  No winning prize, but a goodie bag filled with coupons and useless magazines each player got form entering the tourny. Aaaah.
Bad day...
Chipotle sucked for dinner, chicken was too spicy.
The upside to it all....we ended the night with a dance party to owl city's "fireflies",  enchanted's "happy working song" and "how does she know".  A girl who went down in her big girl bed great, a baby that couldn't be sweeter to watch snuggle her blanket and a husband that just offered to make me dinner tomorrow.  I couldn't ask for more. Even though I want to pull my eyeballs out with a rusty fork at times, I wouldn't have my life any other way.

Xoxo, Tricia

New Giveaway

I have a new giveaway over at Baby Night Night Botique. Check it out http://www.babynightnightbotique.blogspot.com/

Mrs. Sensitive.

So lately (since I have had children) I cry over the dumbest things.
1.  I can't even make it through singing "because I have been given", the national anthem, and the cute song "cinderella".
2.  I cried entering the gates of Disneyland.  It really is the happiest place on earth.
3.  I cried when we went to the train park in scottsdale...ah c'mon, seriously?
4. Cried coming home from our girls trip while Heidi was saying a prayer of safety for the drive home.
5. I just totally had tears in my eyes so bad my vision was blurry while watching "Homeward Bound".  I have watched this a million times cause pia loves it.  We rent it from the library every week.
6.  I did cry in new moon...for only a split second though...please don't laugh.  I really felt for jacob.
7.  I cried driving along the freeway when I saw a massive group of bikers ( well over 100 riders) riding. I guess it was some event, but yes, I cried.  I remember thinking " oh that is so sweet for them all to get together like that. Bikers get such a bad rap."

What weird things have you cried over?
Xoxo, Tricia

sweet

This is my cute cousin, Kelsey and her little babe, Sadie. Love you guys. These pictures are amazing.