taste . mama says om

Here is our FIRST homegrown watermelon. Also, the only one. But, none the less, it was very exciting to have grown ONE watermelon from seeds and have it be so yummy and juicy. Now, we have one pumpkin just about ready for Halloween. For those that know me, I do not have much of a green thumb, so maybe we'll do even better in our next planting adventures.

I thought these photos were definitely a yummy taste of our enjoyment in tasting our yummy watermelon.

first day of kindergarten

Well, we're already starting our second full week of kindergarten tomorrow and AJ is just loving it! I meant to post this picture up here sooner... he was so excited to be posing for pictures on this proud day that he gave us some of his amazing smiles, not his goofy faces. AND he kept asking me to take more. On the second day of school, he even asked if I was going to take pictures of him again.

beauty is… mama says om

I thought I'd dig up this picture from my stay in Italy back in 1999. My uncle had decided to elope with his then girlfriend (now wife) while I was studying abroad in Firenze (Florence). They flew me from Firenze to southern Italy where my ancestors are from to a town called Bari. It was such an amazing experience, really what you picture Italy to be like - unlike the more urbanized Tuscany. Though I absolutely love Firenze, something about our experiences in Bari will never leave me.

One afternoon, during siesta, we were wandering through the streets of the town. All the families were home, eating meals, enjoying each others company. We passed one "casa" that was blaring the Beatles "Let it Be" — another family invited us in (I can't believe we declined the offer).

Then, we came upon one little girl standing on the street and I just had to take a picture. Well, then the mother sent out another little girl and another. After a series of shots — this is what I had.

Beauty IS!

train . mama says om

I was excited to see this topic on Mama Says Om today... I knew I'd have a lot of photos to choose from in the slew of pictures taken during my many travels through Europe. But, one in particular came to mind. This was what I call a lucky shot... one of my own faves if I dare say so. Taken on a moving train in Germany (I think... could have been Austria). You can also see the shot featured in the design of my website at: www.LuisoArt.com.

Well the annual Kick Off Dinner for the Walk to D'Feet ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) was last night! So, I've finally started recruiting Walkers for my team Dad's Detail... and asking for donations to support the cause. Money raised goes to provide patient services for the patients themselves as well as effected family members — and goest to help find the cause and cure of this fatal disease.

Any amount helps. Plus we are ALWAYS looking for more volunteers.

check it out >> click here to join my team or show support!

camp - mama says om

Last day of UK Soccer Camp playing goalie in the "World Cup" as Germany's Poldoski!

simple - mama says om
sometimes the simplest things are the most beautiful.

taking pictures of the moon with the man I love last valentine's day.

Wacky Wednesday at Soccer Camp

Best $100 we've spent, and the week isn't even over yet.
AYSO UK Soccer Camps!

Read more about the quick costume we had to put together here >>
Tomorrow he needs to dress up as Germany...

tumble - mama says om

Behind the Scenes - Walk to D'Feet ALS Blog

So, I've already started another blog... many of you may know I volunteer for the ALS Association of Orange County.
Our annual Walk to D'Feet, to help find a cure for Lou Gehrig's Disease and to raise money for patient and family services, is quickly approaching.

I thought I would help in spreading the word and share my experiences as to what is going on behind the scenes of planning the days events – share recruiting tips as I build my own team and raise funds – and post our needs for donations, volunteers, etc.. for the day's events.

Please check it out and spread the word.

Bookmark in and check back for updates. Or email me if you want me to send you an email when new posts are made.
























Dad's Detail - Walk to D'Feet 2006

relax - mama says om

fair fun

90+ degree weather
slathered in sunscreen
running late as usual these days... Aaron
(he'll never read this... i hope)

daddy scared of rides
auntie cole scared of rides
friend brendan might go on a couple of rides
risa and aj ready to get on as many rides as possible
tilt-a-whirl height requirement now 48"... too short
risa squishes into dragon coaster... can she get out?

yummy food $
yummy treats $
lots and lots of $ drinks

deep-fried oreos made daddy's day
risa and aj wished they could stay and play

photo booth pictures...
to remember the "fun fair day"

first rock concert at age 5

Three hours before Pearl Jam was to take stage at the LA Forum last night - the friend I was to go with was MIA - my boyfriend had injured his leg at work and couldn't bear the thought of standing for hours on end - and it seemed that every friend I called just couldn't make it. Now mind you, Pearl Jam has been my favorite band since they began about 15 years ago - I had been to the same concert the night before - and was about to just go by myself...

Well, needless to say I have exposed AJ to much of their music. And this kid just loves rock and roll! He has an electric guitar that santa brought him for Christmas and has been in piano lessons for about 3 months now and is flourishing! Every chance AJ gets to pick up the end of the hose nozel and put on a concert, he does.

So, after some careful consideration weighing the pros and cons with his father, I interupted his cartoons and asked: "So, how would you like to go do something so cool, that most kids your age never get the chance to?" He seemed to know what I was going to say next... and once I did... without hesitation... he was jumping up and down and flipping in circles, then he stopped in his tracks, looked at me and said, "I'll go get my shoes!".

He was in complete awe. It was amazing to watch and I knew we had made a good decision... for this child. AJ noticed everything: the lights, the people, the different color seats – and YES – everybody noticed him. I have to say, that we were very fortunate with the people sitting around us. Two young guys to the left were getting the little man hiped up about what he was about to see - "rock legends". And the woman to right, who reminded me so much of his Grandma Mary helped hail down the drink guy for some water. Aaron later commented... a guardian angel.

He only lasted about 45 minutes and I added another 30 by picking him up on and off (nearly 50 pounds now). And though we left about halfway through and I missed seeing Eddie perform another 90 minutes of amazing vocals - I wouldn't change it for anything. Seeing AJ pick up his guitar today (that he hasn't touched in a month or so) and start spouting out "I am a rock star!" was priceless!

We hope that it will be something that inspires him and motivates him with his ambitions in music and in anything he wants to do. It WILL be the first of many concerts to come! I never imagined we'd take him so young (maybe at 8 or 10, I thought), but with supervision and guidance I'd say it's an eye-opening and awe-inspiring experience.

whimsy - mama says om

Yes - I know - there seems to be a pattern here with the subject matter of my photo selections, but... I just can't help it. However, I have to say that choosing a whimsical photo was more difficult than I had imagined. Not because it was hard to find a pic that suited the topic, it was that I had too many to choose from.

treat - mama says om

father's day gift

Okay... so I'll try this blogging thing

So, I've thought about it, become a member of a few blogging sites, thought about it some more, and now I'm finally sitting down to write my first blog. I've watched a friend of mine, a colleague and really an inspiration, become just about the most avid blogger I know. Check out Tracey Clark at: Mother May I and Picture This. I'm sure my blogs won't even compare...

The last thing I want to do is bore people, so I will try to keep it short and sweet.

I figured this would be a great way to keep family and friends up-to-speed on all the goings on of this new "family" of mine! There are many more ideas stirring up in this head of mine for other blogs, but let's just see how this goes first.

What better way to start than a photo of the two most amazing guys in my life!

oregon hunting