Reflect back on 2013

As I reflect back on 2013 this had been a year...

Jonathan Mercado and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary and marked 15 years together (wow) 🍷🎉🍷 we also moved to a larger home and were loving the space. 

Ashton started pre-school this year and moved up into pre-k in August. He does sports on Wednesday and loves it. I can't believe he is already 4years old going on 20 somedays😛.

Kaleia turned 2 this year and is loving life. She wants to do everything her big brother does. She pretty much has all her molars in now. She loves being so girly. She is my little Diva... Boy I'm I in trouble.

Jonathan had knee surgery this year but recovered well. His new love is his kayak and fishing off of it. I'll get some great dinner once in a while 😉

As for myself the biggest new I had this year was I cut my travel way back. I started a new job and loving all the extra time back with the family.

There have been some sad moment this year with the loss of family and close loved ones. We miss each of you everyday and think of you daily and know your with us in spirit. On a happy note we have had quite a few babies born into the family and or our friends. All beautiful bundles of joy an so excited to watch them all grow before our eyes. Also my best friend Lauren got married this year to her most amazing man. Congrats to you both and forever happiness to you both! 

And to end the year with a bang, we got to have everyone together this Christmas from my brother getting to come home for a quick trip and my in-laws from FL. It was so great to have everyone under one roof. 

Raise your glasses and cheers to 2014 for a new year of adventures, happiness, good health, success and many new memories to share! 

Cheer 2014 

Tree lighting in Carlsbad and boat show

Two evenings of pure fun with the kiddos!!! 

The boat show ...

Finding the perfect tree and doing the trimming

It's the season to be jolly and bright! Now it's time to find our beautiful tree all together and trim the tree with lights and love in our new home this holiday!!! 

The kids had a blast 

VS fashion show

The VS fashion show for 2013! My first year with the company and got to kick off the most hottest night on TV with the executive team for Vs and see the fashion show. Hope next year I can go see it live when it's taped the week before it airs. 

Hope you all got to enjoy it!!! Below are some of the highlights 

 

Fun day with jake & Travis

The kids don't get to see jake and Travis all that much so we try to do our best to get the kids together by New Years at least. So this year we were able to make it happen before that and do Xmas for the kids and celebrate Travis bday just a little!

The kids just love the boys to death! 

My heart breaks for a dear friend

My dear friend lost her sweet baby boy on November 18th. He is a twin and went in for a routine percider that is very common in children. All went well then when he was in recovery their were compilations and we lost him. He is such a wonderful ray of sun and always so funny. He's super outgoing and my son Ashton just loves him to pieces like we all do. His services was a great celebration of his life and will always be remembered in our lives. 

I have no words for her loss and no parent should ever have to watch something like that happen or Barry a child. My heart goes out to the whole family in Everyway possible. We are here for you and always here weather it's a shoulder to cry on, laugh at the funny things he use to do or just be there. It breaks my heart that there is nothing I can do to make her pain go away. 

So on this special day I give thanks for everyone In my life, the lives I've touched and the ones that are no longer with us but will always be with us in spirit and now our beautiful angels above to watch over us and keep us safe.

Thank you and pray today for your loved ones alike. Happy thanksgiving

Another dear friend sent this to me and it hit home. I hope this can help my dear friend in pain. Love you girl 

Halloween fun 2013

Our family fun from the pumpkin patch to Halloween night 

Birthday party fun!!!

From Ashton's birthday to William and to wrap up the weekend with Emery's birthday! You could say we had serious birthday fun last weekend... Happy 4th birthday to these three kiddos... Check out the silly kiddos and there fun together. 

Ashton's birthday celebration

We had his party at the gym this year in honor of TMNT and Ashton's 4th birthday! It was a huge hit 

Congrats to Lauren, leading up to her big day

( what type of Halloween costume did my mom put me in) ha ha - lo looks cute in mini mouse 

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I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am for my dear friend Lauren and her soon to be hubby Jason. I was just thinking about it last night and how we have truly been through more together then anyone else in my life from childhood to present. We have shared many great, exciting, fun, adventurest,  rewarding milestones and sad moments with my closest friends. But Lo and I have been friends for over 25 1/2 years. We have been friends since ELM. School. We were placed next to eachother on the first day of school and by last name, ha ha the rest is history! We hit it off and it was to funny that I'll never live this down but I took Lauren's hand and said come on let go play! All the funny things we do as kids.  It has been priceless growing up with Lauren and being around the whole family my whole life. I truly think of her, Tina/ Gary and the family as my family too. We grew up enjoying times with each others grandparents, parents, siblings and extended family. We have shared holidays, sleep overs, play dates, imaginary careers, acting like models/ super stars, dress up, dance classes, school, make overs, dances, friends, boy drama, jobs and career paths have crossed more then once in our adult life. 

We have seen eachother grow into the women we have become. We were their for eachother when we each went our own ways in college but each of us passionate about each others journey and paths we would take. No matter how far - well more so me then her moved, we could always come back to where we left off. We have been through hard times together, loss of loved ones, relationships, college graduations, careers, she was right there for me on my wedding day, her becoming an auntie and then the birth of my children and now it's Lauren's turn to have this special day as I know she will be the most beautiful bride. I'm so happy for her and Jason. I love you like a sister and can't be happier for you to have found the man of your dreams and the love of your life. 

When you brought him to my birthday dinner I had an idea maybe this is the one. It was like there 2nd or 3rd date.  I remember telling Jonathan and my mom I think she really likes him. In return my mom said well its a good name and if he treats Lauren right then he will be perfect for her. And now here we are...

Cheers to my best friend and welcome to the family Jason. I love you both and wish you nothing but love, happiness and   Wedding bliss for a life time of marriage. You deserve nothing but the BEST LO! 

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No matter how busy life gets we can always pick up and leave off where we started . And that's what true friendship is all about. 

Love you and happy wedding day LO!!!! You will be a beautiful BRIDE....