WOKK conert

We enjoyed a concert last week featuring Kellie Pickler and other guests Bucky Covington and Nash Street. The concert was part of a local country radio station's 50th anniversary. Kellie and Bucky got into the country music scene after being on American Idol. The thunder/lightning and rain didn't stop us from having fun! :~)

Last day of school

School's out for summer! Mallory missed out on her class party last Friday and Fun Day on Monday since we were in California. Ms. Clay presented her class awards to her yesterday: Spelling Award, Most Improved Handwriting, and A.R. Reading award. Mallory also received a certificate for all A's in each grading period for 1st grade.

Mackenzie also received a certificate for all A's in each grading period for 3rd grade. Three students received all A's. She was the only girl in her class to have all A's. Mrs. Lantz was sick yesterday so Mac wasn't able to take a picture with her.

Girls are looking forward to a fun summer.

Fun day at the park

Family picnic with lots of food, games, and fun. Above is picture of lechon (Filipino roasted pig), Mallory and cousin Melina, MJ and Mal, family taking advantage of shade, Battle of the Beatles game. It was a great family reunion. Plans for next reunion in Canada 2010! :~)

More pictures from dinner

Dancing the night away...no dance is complete without the YMCA! Group picture of dad's first cousins and the next generation. We had family travel from Canada, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Mississippi, Alabama, and California.

Santiago reunion dinner

Thanks to our family from California for hosting this reunion. Everyone enjoyed the dinner, program and dancing. It was great meeting so many family members...about 100+ in attendance! Photo ops with family...top pic with Tina...Mallory and Sierra...family picture with relatives from Canada...Marijoy and Mallory...Romina and Andre

Santa Monica beach

Sunny days...record temps (100+)...cold water at the beach...traffic on way back to Burbank

Beverly Hills

We enjoyed our stroll down Rodeo Drive...window shopping :~) So many designer boutiques and fancy cars.

Hollywood

Pictures from Hollywood...kids said the sign was small...Adam Sandler and Tom Hanks shoes/hand prints...Chinese theater...Hollywood Walk of Fame.

California here we come...

Our family (minus Billy and Mackenzie) went to California for the Santiago family reunion. Mackenzie's D2 soccer team competed in the MS State D2 tournament and Billy was coach.
We flew from Jackson to Houston to Los Angeles. We had an Expedition big enough for all 8 of us and squeezed in our luggage. I was the designated driver from LAX to our hotel in Burbank. Traffic on the freeway was terrible (especially for a gal from little Meridian, MS with NO traffic at all!!). We had lunch at In-N-Out...the best burgers and fries ever!

Our first day was a lucky day. We planned for a tour through the hotel and to our surprise we were greeted by Sam and a Cadillac Escalade limo. Another first for us (limo ride). We toured LA, Hollywood, Beverly Hills in style. I took almost 200 pictures so it was tough narrowing it down for the blog. Enjoy the pictures!

Dance Diva

This year is Mallory's 4th year in dance at Suzie McCraw School of Dance. She's worked hard all year and it showed. Mallory was a star on stage! :~)

Dance Recital

More pictures from Mallory's dance recital. We were glad to have Lorrie and Mikaela, Rob, May, Harrison, Hayden and Hallie come. Everyone survived the 4 hour plus recital!

Dance Recital 2008

Mallory had her dance recital today. She was all smiles and did great! Photo op with Lolo and Lola. Backstage with her fairy friends Shelby and Leslie. Also pictured are Papa and Mimi.

30 something...

Happy Birthday to me! Lolo and Lola prepared a delicious birthday dinner. It's a tradition to have pancit (Filipino noodles). We also had BBQ pork on a stick and BBQ chicken. Rather than a cake, I had a hot fudge brownie with vanilla ice cream...mmm good!

It's official...pool's ready...

The pool's open so come on in! Billy, Mac, Mal tested the pool this afternoon. When Lolo and Lola came over to visit, Lola suprised everyone and jumped in with her clothes on!