Feliz Christmas!

Merry Navidad to all!

This Christmas was spent in Las Vegas, more specifically Circus Circus. We left on Thursday (after I got out of work) and got to the Primm Outlets around 5:30 p.m. The boys, Maddie, Bryan and I were so excited to do a little bit of shopping... Believe it or not, the boys were probably more excited than I was (and believe me, that is shocking!). We got some nice things and headed out to Circus Circus around 7:30 p.m. or so. We checked in and waited for my brother to come from Utah with Lydia! When they got there, my mom gave each of the grandchildren their Christmas gifts (the boys got $75 each and the girls got $50 each). I must admit, I wished I was her grandchild at that moment :) The rest of the night was spent catching up with my brother and Lydia.
Friday was the day for all the girls to go get on rides. We bought Maddie, Lizzy, and Lydia their all-day bracelets and we took them on all sorts of rides... I got to ride for free because Maddie wasn't tall enough to go on her own! All the while, the boys and Bryan went to GameWorks and spent the whole morning playing in the arcade. We all ate at the buffet and we finished off the night winding down in the hotel room.
Saturday was our big day for fun because it was our turn to buy the all-day bracelet. We got on rides with Maddie again and it was a blast getting on the roller coasters (you guys should know me and rides). We also went to Midway, or the amazing carnival games located in Circus Circus. My favorite games are the horse races and the chicken-in-pot game. I always enjoy playing at Midway because it reminds me of a time not too long ago (really, like five years ago LOL). We won A LOT of stuffed animals, and of course Maddie was fascinated with all the "toys". Bryan had a lot of fun too, especially since he won FOUR 50" BEARS and FOUR GUITARS (and the ones you can actually play on). He won them at the game where you have toss a bean bag at three stacked blocks and knock them completely off the little table. Walter's truck was full of stuffed animals on the way back.
Sunday was a little more calm because we didn't go on the rides anymore. We did go to Midway again but that was pretty much it... I stayed in the room with my mom and Maddie while Bryan went out with my sister and Walter. From what I heard, they had a lot of fun at the Sahara. While he was away, I spent time with the boys at Midway and we remembered our good times we had as kids.
Today was our last day there and we actually left at 10 a.m. because I needed to be here in Lancaster at 3 p.m. on time for work. We really enjoyed our stay and of course, Maddie was in heaven with all the new bears and stuffed animals we won for her. I can't wait to go back to Vegas!

I Suck at Blogging

My post's title says it all... I try and try to keep this thing updated but I just can't find the time or energy or whatever it is that I need to keep it refreshed. And if there's anything that I suck at more, it is the fact that I do not take pictures of anything! I guess I hesitate in posting comments and news because I lack the photographic "Kodak" moments. But having said that, I have decided that I will post new blogs even though I might not have proof of these happenings with pictures. Each blog will describe everything I have done in detail!

My Maddie

My Maddie is growing up! She will soon be turning two in October (which I am celebrating at Build-a-Bear) and I just cannot believe how fast time has gone by. She finally walked after turning a year and now she can't sit still... She says quite a few words, including: mama, papa, ball, candy, cookie, juice, baby, cheese, elmo, pee pee, poo poo, nasty, eww, doggy, no, agua (water), salchica (hot dog wiener), yogur (yogurt), pacha (bottle), izzy (Lizzy), coca (Oscar), vi (Vinny), and Pee Wee. She is just so cute and sometimes I just want to smother her with kisses and hugs. She is my pride and joy and I cannot see myself without her. I love playing barbies and tea parties with her (my inner child comes out to play with her). I love her so very much and I hope that our relationship can continue to grow strong. She will be my best friend. The picture above was taken at Ezra's birthday party (and it's the most recent picture I have on the computer). I promise to post more later!

Random Events

These are just random events that I will post (simply because these are the only events I have pictures for LOL). My sister and I have callings in the Young Women organization and therefore, we went to Girls Camp this Summer! It was great to finally go to a camp with another family member! This was my sister's first camping trip EVER and it was great to see her go through this experience. Of course, she did trip and land flat on her face, but I'm sure she learned a lot about camping with all these little experiences.

We also celebrated Ezra Flores' second birthday! They had a huge party out in Lake Los Angeles and we all had a blast; we even went horseback riding!

Working Woman

On January, I started working at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Lancaster! I owe this job to Gaby Flores... Thanks, Gaby! I absolutely love working here; I couldn't have asked for a better immediate boss. She works with my school schedule (which I will go over a little later) and she is a well-liked person. And I'm not kissing butt because she doesn't see my blog LOL My co-workers are great and I each one of them has a unique sense of humor. For being my first job, it's not bad! Of course, I still want to be an immigration lawyer and I'm working hard in accomplishing that goal.

My school schedule is packed, as usual, and I hope to transfer to Cal State Bakersfield next Fall. This semester I'm taking 15 units and they're basically all English classes; I can't complain because I love English!

My overall schedule is crazy and I barely have "me" time, but I love staying busy! A typical day for me is: wake up to Maddie's kicking, take my nephews to seminary, drop them off at school, feed, bathe, and change Maddie, get ready for school, go to school, go to work right after, come home at 11:30 p.m. and do it all over again the next day at 5:30 a.m. But, honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way... I love being a mom/student/worker/ because it doesn't leave me time to mope around and do nothing.

My Apologies

It has been ten months since I last wrote in my blog; if you don't know by now, I procrastinate these types of things :) A lot has happened in these past months, and I simply don't know where to begin...
My father passed away on November 12th, 2009, at 10:25 p.m. I remember that Thursday as if it had been two days ago that I lived it. It was a regular, common day and I had errands to run. I went to my English 101 class at 8 a.m. and soon after came home. I remember going into the kitchen and sitting at the table, while Bryan went to my dad's room to ask him if he wanted to come with us to eat chinese food. Bryan had just gotten paid that day and we wanted to treat my dad to lunch, since he had been taking care of Maddie for us. My eyes get watery as I remember Bryan coming to the kitchen and telling me that my father wasn't responding. I went to go check on him and my heart is racing now, just like it was at that precise moment. I walked in on him laying on his side, as if he were a baby. I called to him and shook him but all that would come out were grunts. The rest of the day was filled with brethren coming over and showing their love and support. There truly was not one brother or sister that I could pinpoint as being unbelievably charitable, but the truth is, everyone was just so supportive. My father passed away in a good atmosphere; he was surrounded by close friends and family members. It has been very difficult for our family to get through this, but things have gotten a lot better. What has gotten us through this is our love for each other and definitely, our support. We visit my dad's grave frequently and I know that he is with us in everything we do. I miss him, but I know that he will be waiting for me when my time comes. I love you, Papi Freddy!

FAMILY REUNION

We just came back from our family reunion with my brother. We went to Las Vegas and then to Utah for five days. We left Wednesday night and spent the night at Luxor. On Thursday, we headed out to Utah and we got there like at 10 p.m. Friday was really fun because we went shopping! Bryan took us to a really big Distribution Center and after we went to Deseret Thrift Store. Bryan, Maddie, and I got really good clothes for cheap. We spent some time at home with my brother, Anita, and Lydia. Saturday was fun as well because we broke a pinata for the girls. My mom wanted to celebrate her granddaughters' birthdays all together so went made them break a pumpkin pinata. We also took family pictures that day (and don't worry, I will post some soon). Sunday was amazing beyond belief because we were able to go to General Conference. It was so much fun and of course, very spiritual to be able to witness the presence of our beloved President Thomas S. Monson. In the evening, we got together with Terry, Mardi, and the kids and we chatted for a little bit. We then went home and got ready for the long drive back home. Monday was exhausting but we finally got home at like 7 p.m. The trip was lots of fun and I can't wait for all of you to see my pictures!