4th of July!!!

I am sorry I am terrible at doing this. Why would I create a thing in which I am responsible to write on .. when I hate writing. Ahh .. such is life.
Forth of July was wonderful. I tried to have Mariah all prepped a day in advance. Her outfit was laid out, new earrings put in, and of course the little one received her first manicure and pedicure from Mom. I didn't attempt to do this while she was awake. To say the least I took advantage of her while she was sound asleep.
The day started off at a church breakfast. Of course the event I forgot to bring the camera too. Mario showed off his skills as a chef making omelets to order. Pancakes, sausage, and bacon were severed as well. He had a line for almost 2 hours straight. By far the most popular food station. Mariah enjoyed playing at the park and chasing around all the bigger kids, who were not interested her.
Later that afternoon we met up with family and friends in Loveland. Mario attempted to fly the kite, but with merely the tree tops moving in the wind, the kite didn't take off. After much aggravation he finally gave up. I think the best part was watching him run back and forth, hoping to catch some air. Thank goodness the grass stains on his pants, from tripping over his own feet, came out easily.
Mariah enjoyed her first snow cone, cherry flavored. To Moms surprise it didn't end up all over her. Thank goodness (I am obsessed with keeping a clean child).
Until the fireworks, we played at the park. Mariah loves the swings. I am so excited to move to a home with a backyard. The first thing I want to purchase is a swing set (well .. maybe another kitchen table first).

Into the Wind

Mario and I bought a kite at small store in the pearl street mall. Of course we had to take the kite out for a test drive. I think the last time I fly a kite was when I was pretty little. I remember having a cheap plastic Barbie kite - like something you would find for 99 cents at Wal-mart. Mario had no recollection of ever flying a kite, but assumed somewhere along the way he probably had. So really having no idea what we were doing, we set out for some fun.
Kite flying turned out to be much easier then I imagined. First shot and the kite was off the ground. We managed to keep it in the air the entire time, with no nose dives into trees or telephone wires.
Mariah sat on the ground in complete awe for about 5 minutes, with her pointer finger aimed at the sky. She attempted to help daddy hold the line, but soon realized that it wasn't much fun sharing, she wanted to hold it all by herself. Mario suggested that next time we get something much larger; He needs more of a challenge!

Off to Pearl Street Mall

Mario had Friday off last week so we took the day to go out and have some fun. We went to the pearl street mall in down town Boulder. It is like a combination of the 16th street mall, and walking through the main street in Estes Park. Tons and tons of hippie shops -- although you have to remember this is boulder we are talking about.
We spent the afternoon looking at the stores and the nick knacks. Although I enjoy the walking this isn't really my thing. I hate small objects designed to create clutter around the house. We did end up buying one thing. A KITE!!! I am super excited. I haven't flown a kite since I was little. And better yet the thing is huge - like 6 feet huge. So hopefully sometime this week on a day that Mario has off, we can go out and test this thing.
In the middle of the shopping area they had several small fountains. I let loose (I don’t do this often) and allowed for Mariah to get wet and go play in the water with the other kids. It was so funny to watch her, one fountain would pop up and she would run over and wait by it till the water came rushing up again.
We watched several street performers. Although we didn't get there early enough to see some of the really neat performers, there were lots of musicians. Gentleman playing guitars and flutes at the same time. It was a lot of fun to watch. They even had a baby grand piano brought out the center of the square, and had someone playing and singing. Lots of people gathered to sing along. Mariah enjoyed dancing to the music.
We also got word on the house that afternoon. The bank countered our offer, but it was still within our budget so we accepted. The inspection is set for Wednesday morning!!! I am so impatient and wish these next few days would go by a little more quickly. To celebrate we joined up with a friend and ventured off to the cheesecake factory. Jamie (my sister in law) raves about the place. I am not sure whether I ordered something that isn't so good or not, but I certainly wasn't impressed. So I figure I will give them another shot, but next time Jamie and Ryan are coming with, this way no error can be made regarding my food choice.

I am so sorry that it took me so long to get this posted. Mariah awoke to Mario and I singing happy birthday. The morning began with breakfast prepared by daddy of sausage and eggs ... and a bottle of course. Mario's parents, sister, Tiffany Dixon, and Danny Sims joined us for a day of fun. Off to the zoo we went. Mariah enjoyed the fish and the giraffes most of all. Probably because these animals moved the most, making them easy for spotting. Halfway through the zoo trip we had to stop for an ice-cream cone and revive our bodies. We took Mariah into a bird cage where we were able to fee parrots nectar. When the cup o nectar was given to Mariah to hold, she crumpled it in her hand, bringing an end to the feeding of parrots.
Next came the petting zoo. There were goats, birds, and a giant turtle all for petting. Mariah chased the turtle all around the perimeter. He was perfect for chasing .. she could keep up with him!
After the zoo we all met up at Chukie Cheeses for pizza and fun. Little did we know they no longer have ball pits (our whole reason for going there). Most of the tokens were used by us older kids, only a handful Mariah used. Together we won enough tickets to buy Mariah a present. She ended up with a pink rubber ball with spiky appendages.
The day ended with the birthday cake. By this time of the Mariah was done and ready for bed. She didn't enjoy getting dirty very much.
On Saturday the 14th we had the birthday party hosted by the Perez family. We had piñatas, a pool, slip N slide, cake, and of course enough food to feed most of Colorado. Ausencio (Mario’s Dad) even made a pickle shaped piñata in honor of Mariah (pickle is her nickname). This time the cake was more fun to play in.
I still for the life of me can not believe she is a year old. I no longer need to keep track of my age, as long as Mariah is getting older, I know I am too.

A house!!!

As many of you know, Mario and I have been looking for the past month or so. We found one a couple of weeks ago but ended up getting outbid on the home. Today we found our dream house ... well dream house for the time being.
I had envisioned a huge home for our first house, but then Mario convinced me that I had to be more realistic. It is a 2005 ranch style home, about 2600 sq feet, with 2 finished bathrooms, 3 bedrooms, main floor laundry, vaulted ceilings, formal dining room, formal living room, eat in kitchen with a wrap around counter for bar stools, family room, and an unfinished basement with a third bathroom and 2 bedroom option.
Everyone keep your fingers crossed, hopefully the bank will take our offer!!!

My sister in law started using this to keep in touch with family and friends, and so I thought I would give the darn thing a shot.
New things:
In January Mario took a promotion as a sous chef for Cinzetti's. In order to take the promotion he had to put school on hold for a little while. His Boss is willing to work with him, and allow him to keep his current position and return to school in the fall if he chooses. We are still awaiting his decision.
Mariah will be turning one in June. I can't hardly believe how quickly time has passed. She is walking, saying a few words, and just broke the skin on her two bottom teeth .. I must say I am a little worried about her biting me while nursing. She is independent and hard headed ... can't say which side of the family those traits came from.
Classes for me are out for the time being. Nursing classes will pick up for me in the fall. I am anxious but nervous. Most of all I am excited to think about graduation in just a few short years!