Make a Smilebox slideshow

Pink Peppermint Design

When I was at Inspiration Unlimited this year, we were fortunate enough to have a mini workshop taught to us by the talented Tammy Mitchell. Her photography is amazing. I wish I could do what she does with the camera! Ive been trying to teach myself how to use my fancy smancy camera that i've had for years and hopefully will figure it out one of these days! Tammy also has an etsy shop called Pink Peppermint Design. She sells the cutest hair accessories that look great in photos!! And she's being so generous as to do a giveaway on her blog. All you have to do is leave her a comment about which 2 items you would pick if you won her giveaway! How cool is that! Of course I've already left my comment ;)
Anyway, so at Inspiration Unlimited... Tammy gave away free tuition to an upcoming photography class that she is going to be teaching online come January. And guess who won it??? Thats right..... NOT ME! LOL But my sister in law did! Isn't that awesome! I can't wait to hear about how the class goes!! I think it's going to be amazing! And Holly has to get a new camera for it, so I think that is even better! New camera + photography class = Fun and Happiness!!! :)
So, visit Tammy's blog and check out her etsy shop!! Her stuff is adorable!
Happy Day!

Inspiration Unlimited and More...

What a whirlwind of events.... Kim and Suzie came in a day early for Inspiration Unlimited this year, so that we had time to do some sight seeing. We went to Hoover Dam and Ethel M Chocolates on thursday before the opening events of IU.











Inspiration Unlimited started Thursday evening this year. It was great! We got to hang out, meet the teachers, see lots of their inspiring work that was on display. It was really nice and made it feel as though the event lasted just a touch longer than last year.



This year was so fun! last year was fun tooo but i think this year we had more fun! IU is so nice, because there is NO stress! We get plenty of time allocated to us for our class projects and it even allows us time to chat and get to know the teachers. It is a small event which is great because we are afforded the opportunity to get to know each teacher more personally. I thoroughly enjoy that part of it. I've been to two Creative Escape events and now 2 Inspiration Unlimited Events and I have to say the personal touch of Inspiration Unlimited really means a lot. It makes a noticeable difference in the way people interact with one another and the way the teachers interact with the students. I feel as though I actually know the instructors for longer than the event.



Kim, Suzie and Holly all came in from out of town for Inspiration Unlimited again this year. We had SOOOOO much fun together! We laughed so much and so hard. We just really enjoyed each other's company!!! Anita and Joan also came to IU, they ended up sitting at different tables though because we can only have so many at one. We all had a great time though, and did our best to be sure to interact with one another. Im sure they think we are a little bit goofy though! LOL



Here are just a few photos from the event, I took a bunch and still need some from the girls that I dont have....



This is me and Ginger, she is the Director of Inspiration Unlimited and does a fabulous job!!! She truly puts her heart and soul into this event and it is sooooooo obvious!!!







Here is me, Holly, Kim and Suzie! Doesn't Kim look a little pained???? I told her I was sorry to disappoint her that we are her nutty friends!! I have to threaten her to get her to smile! LOL









Here is me and Janna!! She is the sweetest thing!!! I just adore her!!! I truly enjoy her company! She is such a genuinely sweet person and so fun to be around!!!






This is me and Layle. She is so funny!!! I think she is such a sweet person who can throw out a quick joke or innuendo that others may not always catch on to but most do.... She is funny and sweet! I am going to miss her next year!




Here I am with Teresa Collins. She is also very sweet and compassionate. She has a huge heart and you can tell how much she loves this event and all that it represents. She pours her heart into everything she does and it is truly noticeable.

Here I am with Stephanie Ackerman. This gal is HILARIOUS!!! She is so funny and witty. She kept us laughing the entire weekend!!! I am so glad I got to meet her!!! I can't wait to see her again next year!!!

This is me with Tammy Mitchell. She is an amazing photographer, self taught, which I find so inspiring! The photos she showed us that she took were beautiful!!! I have to play with my camera now so I can put some of the things she taught us to good use!

All in all Inspiration Unlimited was simply fantastic. We got so much great stuff!! Lots of prizes, but also more importantly, stronger bonds with one another. I miss my girls already!!! I am looking forward to next year and can't wait for it to come!
I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make IU such a beautiful success!!! I appreciate it more than you know!

So now that IU is over, my girls are back home safe and sound.....

My kids and myself are sick :( which really sucks!! I've been in bed all day miserable. I had taken sabrina to the dr this morning but he says it's viral so he gave us nothing. Justin has been on antibiotics since saturday so he's beginning to feel somewhat better. Me and Sabrina are pretty wimpy to say the least. Hopefully we get well soon.

xoxoxox

~Sonia

Help support the Foundation Fighting Blindness!

Joshs cousin Julie is participating in a walk that is supporting the Foundation Fighting Blindness!
I think that it is a great thing to help any organization that is going to help others...
If you would like to support her in her endeavor please click here
Thanks for your support.

Time sure does Fly.....

Gosh, it has been 3 months since I blogged last! I can't believe it's been so long and doesn't feel as though it has been. So much has been going on I don't think I could honestly fill you in on everything.... Life can just be busy and hectic and blogging sometimes gets pushed to the side....

Well let's see as I go thru my photos, I can fill you in on the highlights....

May 18th, 2009 I walked in my graduation ceremony from CSN accepting my Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. It was very exciting and a big moment in my life. My brother and his family paid a suprise visit for the occassion and I was ecstatic to see them! It really meant a lot to me to have them here. 3 of my Aunts on my Dad's side also drove out from California for the ceremony, and then drove home after it was over. It was really awesome that they did that. I was so humbled to have my family there and knowing that they were all proud of me and that this was important to them as well. I took a million photos! Alot of them came out blurry because that trusty little Nikon I got for mothers day wasnt as great as they made it seem. I ended up exchanging it for a Canon!!! Once you go Canon you never go back! I've got the most awesome camera now!!! Anyway, back to my graduation... Here are some photos from that night....

For Father's Day we decided to take Daddy to Lake Mead and go on an afternoon cruise around the lake and the Hoover Dam. It was pretty cool and we all had a great time! Here are some pics of our day.....

So for our family vacation this year, we went to stay with my Brother and his family at their new home in California. It was awesome because we went on the weekend that they had a big family party to celebrate both Carter and Kylie's B~day's. We got to see a lot of family that we have not seen in some time and we had a lot of fun!!!! We also went to Olvera Street, I have not been there since I was in grade school and my hubby and kids had never been there, so it was really neat. We went miniature golfing that same evening. The next day we went to Magic Mountain. It was awesome! We had such a great time and so much fun spending time with everyone. It isn't too often that we get to spend time with my brother and his family. It brings me a lot of joy to get to see my kids play with their cousins. They are just so cute! Here are some photos from our fun vacation!

This is my Great Aunt Jean (91 yrs), myself and my Cousin, Missy.

Carter and Kylie blowin' out their candles...

Missy, Me, Holly and Dianna.....

My Great Aunt Jean and myself... I admire her very much. She is a wonderful woman....

Lots of us Cousins, and our families.... and to think, this is just a small portion of our family... there are lots more of us....

Our day at Olvera Street......

And then Mini Golfing.... wooohooo.....

Then for a day filled with fun at Magic Mountain!! I havent been there since I was in the 6th grade, and the kids and Josh had never been there before, so it was really cool!!! We had such a great time and of course I took a billion pics, but here are just a few.....

Here we are soaked off the Log Jammer!!

Sabrina and Justin got to go up on stage for one of the shows!! it was a lot of fun!

Always, on our way home from CA we stop in Fontana to see my family that lives there and to visit my Mama Juana who has been in a nursing home for about 5 years now. Sometimes she remembers me, sometimes she doesnt. Either way, I am just always glad to get to visit her. This trip I was lucky enough to see my Tio Rito, whom I've only met twice in my entire life, since he lives in Mexico. The first time i met him was a couple of years ago, when my cousin passed away. Here are some pics from that visit.

Luckily for us, we decided that we were taking off a few extra days to spend at home and relax, no obligations, no committments, just hangin out doing whatever we felt like doin. It was really nice to have no stressors for the most part.

We spent the 4th of July BBQ'ing as we usually do. We also went down to the Henderson Events Plaza to watch the fireworks. It was really nice. Of course I took a ton of pictures that night too but here are just a few to highlight our fun!

So July 22nd was mine and Josh's 9 year wedding anniversary! Isnt it crazy how time just passes by and you're thinking, where did it go? Yet in the moment, you never have enough time to do what you need to?? Anyway, Josh overdid himself this year. Normally we don't make a big deal out of our anniversary, but he sent me beautiful roses to work, and suprised me with dinner at a super fancy restaurant and an overnight stay at the gorgeous JW Marriott. And amazingly, he was able to keep it a suprise! I usually figure things out, but not this time! Here are a couple of pics from our celebration.....

This month we have been busy with work, life and the kiddos. Next week is back to school! i cant hardly wait! Weve been dealing with some seperation anxiety issues with my baby girl and finally got to the root of the problem. Plain and simple, she's bored and misses school and her friends. It's been a rough month with her, but I think once school is back in full effect, we will be good to go!! Im so excited that my little guy is finally entering Kindergarten! I can't wait! He is so ecstatic!!! Im worried though that he is going to be alot bigger than some of the other kids. Hes almost 6 but couldnt start last year because of when his birthday falls. Luckily I know he's more than ready for school though. His Nana Barb worked with him for years getting him prepared for this big day! He's such a smart kid and I know he's going to do well. Sabrina is going to be in 3rd grade!! Already! It seems like yesterday that I was taking her to her first day of Kinder! So exciting though to see them change and evolve as individuals! They are such beautiful kids and I cherish them with my whole heart.

Earlier this month I took on a project of reorganizing my scrap room for the 3 rd time already! lol I decided I needed more working surface. Plus Sabrina loves to come in here and work on projects while I am so I needed a space for her. It came out great!! I just love it! One of these days Im going to add a couple more cubes for some more storage. But here is a peek at my room

So my dear best friend, Cammi, moved to Texas this past Friday. She and I have been friends for about 13 years or so. I'm so sad that she left and hopefully our visits won't be so far apart. Im really going to miss her. We had a BBQ for her and Mike the Friday before they left to kind of just have one last shin dig. They have always been part of our family and we've been thru a lot together. Here are a couple photos of our evening....

I think I am all pictured out! It takes forever to put photos on here and put them where you want them! lol Not entirely user friendly....

anyway,

I am stoked about school starting! This weekend, is backpacks and shoes shopping!! woohoo!! I already have all the other stuff they need and I bought them each a couple new outfits. Since it's still hot here, I am waiting for other new clothes until the cooler months.

Sabrina is going to be 8 next week! Yay!!! She's growing up so fast! We finally got her birthday party plans in order. They only changed a few times! lol Hopefully her friends from school will come this year! Last year only one came. One that is very important to Sabrina, but still she invited her entire class and only one showed up. Rather disappointing.

Well I think I'm blogged out for now... Gotta put the rugrats to bed now. Justin is sick and we had to go visit the dr today. Now he's on antibiotics and will hopefully be 100%. Keeping my fingers crossed that no one else here gets sick! Especially with school starting next week!

If you made it this far you are a trooper!!!! And if you're on my facebook, there are a ton of photos on there!
Love to all!!!!