Lewis Family Blog

2008-11-01T15:55:00.000-07:00

The Girls and I have been going out as much as possible lately. Trying to keep things happy and light! Looks like it's working for them. I'm hoping I can fake it 'till I make it!

2008-11-01T14:47:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

The girls had a blast. Went to one of Maddy's friends house for a party and trick or treated with a bunch of friends from school. Anna was just as impressed with the holiday as she was last year. She could not believe we got to go to all these houses to get candy! After each house she'd say "We get to go to another house Mommy?!" Sooo Fun!

2008-10-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

36 years old.... Life has turned a corner. I can't wait to see the adventure ahead!! I had the best birthday in years. My girlfriends all got together, the girls and mom had a surprise party for me, and Karin had a dinner. I don't think I have ever celebrated so much!

2008-07-10T12:16:00.000-07:00

Jamie and Wes - Get Married Costa Rica 2008
My life long buddy got married last week and in Costa Rica. She gave me a 4 days heads up... Maddy and I were on our way to LA the next day gettig her a passport.

What an Amazing trip! I am so lucky to have a friend who enjoys to do crazy things!!

Costa Rica -2008

Beautiful Wedding!!!!

2008-06-27T21:55:00.000-07:00

Madeline had a birthday party early this year... She wanted a Surf Party and 4th of July weekend just is not a good idea for that!

2008-05-26T12:12:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day - May 11, 2008
Maddy had to show up at Mass in her First Holy Communion Dress.... The party lasts!

Karin AKA Omi was at Mass in the morning. So we got to spend time with her there. Later in the day she was off to Vacation in Big Bear.

We went to the park in the afternoon with Grandma and Franny and the crew. The kids had a blast.
What better way to spend Mother's day!

Anna and Adrian had a blast on his Quad. The were really going fast down some hills. You could tell they were having the time of their short lives!

2008-05-26T11:42:00.000-07:00

May 10, 2008
Madeline's First Holy Communion turned out to be a beautiful day.

Ken and I felt a little sad. I thought this day would be so far away, and it snuck up on us. Maddy looked beautiful and is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the out. We are so proud and blessed to have such an awesome kid.

Anna was calling out to me as we walked up the isle. "Mommy, I hold you! Mommy, I hold you!" I just smiled and kept on walking.

We were so excited and surprised to see Aunt Mary there. Mom sometimes is good at surprises! I did not even think to ask her to make the trip down. But mom did. We were very glad she made it and pretty excited because Charlie met her for the first time since he was a baby.

2008-04-13T14:21:00.000-07:00

Wow! Gotta love living in San Diego. The Girls love playing at the beach and I have to say, Ken I love it too. What a wonderfully cheap way to entertain the family!

2008-04-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

Carlsbad Strawberry and Flower Fields
We loaded up the car and headed out to the Strawberry and Flower Fields last weekend. It's a long drive and Anna isn't always happy in the car, so we resorted to Christmas songs to keep her Quiet.

2008-03-23T22:27:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter!

2008-03-20T16:36:00.001-07:00

St. Patrickday Party

2008-03-20T14:49:00.000-07:00

Cousin Chris is taking a break from School in SD. The girls and I showed him how to relax with the monkey's at the zoo!

2008-03-11T11:16:00.000-07:00

The Picture is not Great, but the Fijians sing beautifully!
Although Ken missed us, he had a great time hanging out with the Fijians and drinking the Kava Root....

2008-03-08T20:03:00.000-08:00

Ken Spent the last 2 weeks on a small island called Taverua in Fiji. He loved his getting away spending time surfing, swimming, relaxing, and playing backgamin with the Islanders.

2008-02-20T19:37:00.000-08:00

Sometimes you just gotta Decorate yourself!

2008-02-12T20:44:00.000-08:00

Maddy has taken to skateboarding. Mornings she puts on her helmet and waits for our carpool outside messing around on her board.

2008-02-12T15:11:00.000-08:00

We let Anna have a piece of gum after reminding her it is not OK to swallow it!

2008-02-12T14:34:00.000-08:00

We got to go see Princesses on Ice! The Girls loved it. Anna sat through the whole thing fasinated! Anna and I were out of the loop, because we happened to get tickets for the Spanish show. Good thing Madeline and Solie had translating covered for me... Anna could care less. It was amazing to her.

2008-01-09T14:31:00.000-08:00

The family had a very Merry Christmas. And the girls got way to much!

2007-11-29T22:49:00.000-08:00

While in Indio we went to se Enchanted. Anna tries to figure out the candy machine.

2007-11-29T22:22:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving 2007 in Indio,CA
Who would have thought! We had a great time Omi and Opi's timeshare. Lazy River, Pool, Sun, and oooh yea chasing our little monster around!
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2007-11-29T21:59:00.001-08:00

Horsback Riding in Palm Springs with Madeline was an adventure to say the least. Before we drove out to the place I called to see what time they were doing rides 'til. They told me 4:00PM. Mad and I got out there at 2:30PM. Every thing seemed fine until our guide proceed to make me feel like an idot for taking my daughter out this late in the afternoon.."Didn't I know it was the end of the day and the horses are hungry and tired. Did I think a horse is going to want to listen to a young child like her?" He was a jerk to say the least! Although he yelled at us to keep up and "Don't lag to far behind" most of the time... Madeline did not even notice and had a Blast riding her horse.

What a trooper!

2007-11-20T21:03:00.000-08:00

Went to Mom's house for Charlie's B-Day. He was in the Dessert, but we celebrated anyway. It was fun!

The picture of the girls was them cudding after a day of fighting a stomach virus. Both girls were sick, but Anna had it first.

2007-11-08T23:34:00.000-08:00

Surprise! Hannah Montana Tickets.

My cute girl had no idea! Had her there, picked up the tickets and she still did not get it until I told her!

2007-11-01T08:04:00.001-07:00

Halloween with the Kids on 33rd.

Halloween 2007 ----
Madeline is Hannah Montana. Too Cool. Anna is ......Snow White. Like her princess wave.

I'm getting Anna to say who she is. As you can see she is not thrilled with the idea. I think maybe because she really wanted to be Spiderman. I could not find it in her size and we had Snow White from Maddy. It's hard to be a second child.

2007-10-23T19:51:00.000-07:00

Hi Family and Friends,

Well it has been a crazy few days in SD. I am sorry to report that many families in San Diego are homeless tonight. Our whole family was pretty lucky, our homes have been spared. The fires got really close to mom, but did not reach her street. She left this morning around 2:00AM to come to my house because the fire was getting to close for comfort. She took some pictures and I will post them as soon as I get them.

Schools are closed for the remainder of the week. This would be good if I didn't have a ton of work to do! The poor kids are bored out of their minds. Ken took Madeline surfing today and I took Anna with all of our neighbors to Chucky Cheese. My favorite. :( I left with a headache and it's still not gone.

I'll post some pictures as soon as we get some. Just wanted to let all know we are safe and will hopefully stay that way.

Much Love,
Renee

2007-10-07T15:30:00.000-07:00

The Family headed out to the local Pumpkin Patch.

We had a blast!

2007-09-22T22:22:00.000-07:00

Uncle Charlie bought the girls a bench! The girls and all the neighborhood kids love it.

2007-09-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

Anna had her very first ballet lesson this morning. She lucked out. San Diegans are afraid of rain... so she was the only one that showed up today. Private Lesson :)

2007-09-15T21:46:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy week. The girls had their check ups on Friday. They are both growing and developing well. Anna and Madeline are both good an average 50% in height and just below that in weight.

The doc was pretty impressed with Anna's activity and vocabulary. Oh yea and did I mention activity. The kid did not sit still through the whole appointment and she threw a fit when it came time for the shots. She gets ready to throw down.
Madeline was a trooper. Madeline was the example for Anna. Maddy did a great job when it came to exam time,... but then it was time for shots! She never used to be afraid of shots, but for some reason she was terrified on Friday. You can just imagine the scene. Big girl Maddy being scared and crying and then Anna following suit, but just a lot more intense. I really don't like going to those appointments alone.

I'm uploading some videos because Anna was in rare form this evening. Sometimes I can't understand a word she is saying. But she sure is cute!
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2007-09-07T20:11:00.000-07:00

The last week of August was really HOT!

It actually hit over 100 degrees in our area. This is crazy in San Diego. The only AC we own is very small in Anna's area of the house. And it seemed it was hotter in our home then outside. If you knew the size of Anna's Space (can't even call it a room), I'm sure you'd find it funny that all of us would sleep in there. We laid out blankets and pillows on the floor. Let me just tell you it made for a few really uncomfortable nights.

The neighbors and I would pack up the kids and go to the zoo. It seems cooler with all those trees and the kids love to dance.

We also did Sea World in the evenings. There are plenty of oppurtunies to get wet and cool down there. I personally like the zoo better. It's closer and less of a production.

It's been a really good summer. I guess I should not complain that there was one unbearably hot week this summer. It's back in the 70s. Right where we here in SD like it. I have to say that although I would probably move given the chance, I really do Love San Diego. We have the best weather and a very beautiful city... with lots to do.

2007-09-05T19:20:00.000-07:00

Madeline Started 2nd Grade on 9/04/07.

Madeline started 2nd grade on Tuesday. Wow. They grow up so fast.
I think she is feeling confident and only one week back at school and I notice her spanish is sounding good again.

2007-08-12T19:30:00.000-07:00

Madeline rides tandem with Dylan. They had a blast at the beach today. It was really hard to get them out of the water. By the end of they day they were pretty much independent

2007-08-07T23:48:00.001-07:00

Madeline has made her father a happy man. Not only has she taken up surfing this summer, but she has begun Golf lessons and loving it! She began Golf camp on Monday. She's too cute.

2007-08-07T23:14:00.000-07:00

This has been a busy week. My good friend Jamie was visiting with her daugher Hailey. They came in Friday night and we were pretty much on the go until they left on Monday Night.
There was dinners out, night time zoo, surfing, shopping (of course), and pedicures. And to top it off Maddy started Golfing Camp on Monday! The kid is tired! But wants to keep going.

2007-08-07T22:57:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Anna's birthday on Saturday. She turned 2 on Friday, Aug 3 and had a blast being the Birthday Girl! It's hard to get our busy girl to pose with her sister. There is just to much to do!

Anna felt like a superstar on her birthday!

2007-08-07T22:45:00.001-07:00

Anna enjoyed her birthday!

2007-08-02T22:06:00.000-07:00

2007-07-14T22:49:00.000-07:00

11 years of Marriage

Last night Ken & I celebrated 11 years of marriage. It's hard to believe it's been that long. I remember our wedding like it was yeaterday, but when I look back it was a life time ago. So, much has changed.... so many really good things have happened over the past 11 years. So much to be thankful for. We remember where we have been and talked about where we're at, and where we want to go on this path of life.

Ken planned a wonderful dinner for us at the Brigitine in Del Mar. We sat by the lagoon and my husband after 11 years of marriage enjoyed a bottle of wine with me. Ken had never liked wine before last night. It proves that people do change!!

We celebrated with the girls today at the beach. Madeline even went surfing with her dad! That was a very big deal... She did great and loved every minute of it! Ken is so excited he finally has the surfing buddy he's always wanted.

2007-07-14T22:26:00.000-07:00

July 7, 07

Madeline had her 7th birthday party. Ken and I had intended on have a huge beach party for her with games and even surf lessons, but Mad of course had her own ideas. We ended up at Glam Girls where her and about 6 of her friends had a blast getting dolled up and then did some singing and dancing. That was just what she wanted to do.
I have to add that little miss Anna had a blast also. We had a hard time taking the mic out of her hands.
Ohhh Boy. What will we do with two divas?

2007-07-02T21:05:00.000-07:00

2007-07-02T20:09:00.000-07:00

Night Time Zoo w/ the 33rd st Posse.

It is said that AC is not needed in San Diego. I'm starting to disagree. For some reason my home gets really warm in the evenings. It cools off at night, but evening are rough!

I try and get the girls out of the house as much as possible with this heat. For some reason the zoo always feels more comfortable. We spend lots of evenings at the Zoo in the summer months. Pretty lucky we're only a mile away. Four of us moms all braved it together. What a blast, there were actually 8 kids all together. It was like being on a field trip.

2007-05-21T22:25:00.000-07:00

Anna says cheese as she looks at the camera. It is so amazing to me how she is turning into a kid over night! She is 21 months and talking more than Maddy was at this age. She is actually saying little sentences. Tonight she told me "Daddy sing nice." That was her own thought, something she was thinking about and wanted to tell me. Gotta love it!
Believe it or not Anna actually plays with the Leapster. I love it because it provides me with minutes of free time. If that is considered bad parenting then so be it!

Madeline had a ballet performance at The Prado theater in Balboa Park on Saturday. We thought she did a beautiful job. She has the grace of a true ballerina.

2007-01-14T11:32:00.000-08:00

Madeline and her buddies go to the Cheetah Girls Concert! In this shot we are in the parking lot before the show and Mad thinks she spots their Limo!

It was so much fun to watch Madeline and her friends enjoy themselves. She called Malia and Josephine to remind them to look fabulous.

Madeline is making me pose with her. We have to see if I'm sassy enough to handle the concert. I barely pass.

2006-12-27T11:55:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!
At first Anna was not to sure what to make of all the fuss so eary in the morning. But after her morning milk she got the idea!

2006-11-19T00:13:00.000-08:00

My Mexican Pilgrim.
Maddy's class had a Thanksgiving performance. It was cute and also very interesting to hear everything in spanish. I did not understand much, but they sure did look cute!

2006-10-29T19:57:00.000-08:00

To be fifteen months and ohhh so Busy!
Another month has gone by. The girls are growing... Anna is becoming busier and busier. I really did not think that was possible....oh but it is. In this shot she is wearing Maddy's skirt and talking on her cell phone. Watching her try to get into the skirt by herself was good enough for the winning prize of America's Funniest Home Videos.

2006-09-28T23:10:00.000-07:00

Anna's list of words...
Mommy, Daddy, (Maddy is Mommy too), Mo (more), ball, pease, and tap, tap, tap (from her show.. "Tap, tap, tap, Blast off!)
Madeline is doing great in 1st grade. Today when I picked her up from school, I heard her speaking with her teacher about homework. Her spanish is getting crazy good! We are so proud of her!

We went to the local moutains last weekend to take in the fall weather (that you can only get up there) and eat some yummy apple pie. The four of us had a blast and took some great pictures. We even had a biker snap some family photos for us at "look out point". To bad we left the camera in the car that night. When we woke up in the morning, my window had been smashed in and the camera and pictures were gone. It's par for the course right now.
In one hour and ten mintues my year of suffering will be over. I'm sure of it. 33 is gone forever. I have never been so excited for a birthday in my life. Renee means "Rebirth". I know from giving birth (twice)that being born is be painful. Well this year has been painful in many ways. Without going through my list of woes let me just say it's been bad and I don't want to ask if it can get any worse. Because it can always get worse and I just don't want to go there! I also know from giving birth that who ever is being born is happy about it later. Anna and Maddy don't remember the pain of being born. What they do remember is visiting family, dancing, running around outside with out any shoes on, and playing at the beach. They have a great life. So I decided that the being born part should be over for me, since it's my birthday and we can move on to the fun stuff now. There I wrote it ... Now please let it be done!
It feels good to write this stuff down and then put it out there. I'm wondering how many people read it any way.

2006-09-09T12:59:00.000-07:00

Madeline and her buddy Solie - first week of school. Solie has begun Kindegarten at Longfellow and Maddy is sure to tell her everyday..."Oh be glad your in Kindergarten. First grade is sooo hard..."

The girls are doing great. Anna is way too busy! I can not leave her alone for a second. She climbs everything. I caught her at the top of Maddies bunk the other day. Oh Boy!

2006-06-25T15:18:00.000-07:00

She's Taking Baby Steps!
As Madeline and I were on our way to a birthday party yesterday daddy called w/ the news. "Anna took 10 steps!" Anna has been taking a few steps here and there but never more than 4 at a time. So, Mad and I were pretty excited. Anna tries so hard to keep up with her big sis and Dad.

2006-06-18T21:43:00.000-07:00

Father's Day 2006!

A better day than Mother's day I must say. No running around. Just fun time at home and dinner at good old Applebees!

2006-06-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

Longfellow's Multicultural Dance Show! They were too cute!

Anna loves playing w/ Gigi and Jefferson. Only until they swipe the ball from her. Then she cries.

Thanks to Mommy's really bad back and the need for DRUGS, Anna is finally weened. Last weekend was long and miserable but she is now enjoying taking a sippy cup with Dad. Anna is also taking 3 to 4 steps at a time now. Ohh they grow so fast. I'm a bit sad.

2006-04-28T14:10:00.000-07:00

Big girl Anna has learned to stand and not hold on to anything!
So Proud!

2006-04-18T19:51:00.000-07:00

Does Anna look a bit like Daddy?

Granny's Birthday was a blast! The older girls went for afternoon tea at the Westgate! Pretty as a picture.

Anna saved the cute attire for Easter Sunday at Omi's

2006-04-02T17:10:00.000-07:00

Good thing Alex loves Anna.At every opportunity Anna is out to jump on, poke, and pull our girl cat Alex.
"Yea Me!"

2006-04-02T17:02:00.000-07:00

The Girls approve of Daddy's New Board! Skipper did a good job! Look, Anna's Got it Already.

2006-03-25T17:15:00.000-08:00

Opening Day at T ball

2006-03-15T18:27:00.000-08:00

T-Ball Practice!

Madeline Swings!

We gotta tell Mad she shouldn't be tapping the other player's bottoms! The boys might take it the wrong way!

2006-03-05T14:19:00.000-08:00

Family Day at Mission Bay Park.
Anna loves to swing!

2006-02-28T17:42:00.000-08:00

Crazy Hairday at Longfellow - March 1st
Sunday, Feb. 26th Madeline was in her first Hip Hop performance. There were over 500 people there. She came to life on stage. When it was all over Mad asked if she could be on stage over and over again. Monday morning line up!

2006-02-19T17:47:00.000-08:00

Today Madeline and Dad took a ride up to our local mountains.....
We got a pitiful amount of snow. But it was fun for them!
Anna started to crawl last night!

2006-02-18T10:59:00.000-08:00

Anna's first Valentine Day. Doesn't she look thrilled!
Maddy has a mailbox full of Valentine's!

2006-01-30T12:36:00.000-08:00

New York - Visiting with the family.

The Girls w/ Uncle Philly, Uncle John Paul, and Pop pop.
We had many more pictures, but all were erased on the 4th day of our 6 day trip. I tired to get as many in as I could before we left. Maddy loves Aunt Mary! What's not to love?

Cousins! Only 5 1/2 and 6 months old. Anna and Charlee duke it out over a book.

2006-01-07T10:49:00.000-08:00

After a long plan ride from NY to CA, Chris was wisked to the beach for an afternoon of surfing. He's a bit tired by dinner. Oh and Maddy won't leave his side!
Adrian eating what ever he can get his hands on!
Mom and Lou.

Stephi, Charlie, and Anna!

2006-01-05T16:27:00.000-08:00

Maddy lost her first tooth yesterday!

And Anna rolled over (many times) today! That picture is just because I thought she looks pretty cute in it!

2005-12-26T10:13:00.000-08:00

We went to visit Santa on December 23rd, just to make sure Madeline could add to her list!

Of course Anna was adorable the whole hour we waited on line. She fell a sleep not two minutes before we went in to see him! Then she woke up just as we were walking out and as you can see from her smiling face she was adorable as we were leaving. I guess she did not want to share that smile with Santa!

This Christmas was the best yet! Christmas eve was busy, but I would not have had it any other way. We saw most of the people we love. We started out at my dear friend Jennifer house. Were the men watched a game or surfing or something (I was not interested in), the women chatted, and the kids ran around like banshees. Very fun. That is Jen holding beautiful Savannah and Anna. I hate to say Savannah is 10 months old and Anna I think Anna might be on her way to out weighing her. Gotta love a Tubby Baby!

After Jen's we headed out for the big event. Mom's house where all the grandkids gathered for a photo. Let me tell you taking pictures at Grandma's house is not easy. There is just way to much for the kids to do and they do not want to sit still for a photo! But after much persuading we seemed to rally them up. I am always a bit disappointed the next day because I never feel I took enough pictures. We are missing Mom, Lou, Charlie, and the rest of Franny's clan. It was a very good evening. Mom is the best cook! And Uncle Charlie is so good with the kids, they sure do love him.

After we left Mom's, Ken thought a drink (Gin and Tonic) w/ his mother would be nice. So... At about 9:30 at night we were driving to Karin and Chuck's house. Were we they seemed very happy that we drove by.

After a long night Ken got the girls to bed, while I headed out to Midnight Mass.

Maddy was the best on Christmas Morning! Before she opened even one of her presents, Mad gathered all the ones that had Anna's name on them and helped her little sister open all of her gifts first. Then she tore into her own! Christmas Day we stayed in our PJ's most of the day and then had a nice dinner at Omi and Opi's house!

ohhhh!

Now it's the day after Christmas and our house is a mess. We are tired and we need some rest.

But our creatures are stirring and no rest is in sight. I guess we'll make the best of my corning rhyming plight.

I hope everyone had a Very Merry Christmas!

2005-11-26T17:13:00.000-08:00

November 25, 2005

So we cut off all of Madeline's hair last Friday! All her idea. I was a bit sad, but she is still adorable.
And of course I have some an updated photo of the baby too! Poor baby Anna is getting over a cold! She is quite a trooper and sooo sweet!

2005-11-14T21:33:00.000-08:00

Anna's Baptism
November 13, 2005 at Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church

This was a day to remember. It has to have been one of the most beautiful baptisms I have ever been too. Our friend Fr. John Amsberry baptized Anna during the 5:30PM Teen Mass. So the music was good and all of our friends were there. Fr. John started off by having us process down the isle with him. As were walking down the isle, people at the end of each pew were instructed to sign the cross on Anna's forehead. She was a trooper and was happy through the whole thing. Then after Fr. John's homily (which he focused on the meaning of baptism) he called Us (Ken, Mad, Anna, Judy, Skip, and I) to the altar to baptize our girl. After he baptized her, he held her up and walked her through the church. It was like she was a Simba from the Lion King. Everyone clapped and Anna loved it! The welcoming of Anna to the Church was such a special hour. We really felt God's presence!

2005-11-08T21:05:00.000-08:00

Halloween 2005

What a fun and long day! Madeline's school had a Halloween Carnival and Parade. And boy was it warm. I think is was over 80. Not fun for some of the kids dressed in lots of costume. Lucky for Madeline she was a cheerleader.

After school we went straight home and had a pasta dinner before heading out with the neighbors for a night of trick or treating. The neighborhood was lots of fun. People every where. We even saw a friend from Maddy's school. This is a big deal considering her school is across town.

Litte Anna is not yet big enough to enjoy the holiday. But I think Maddy had enough fun for the two of them.