"Molly and McGee"

Our family has just been diagnosed with a rare sickness called "MOD". It stands for Molly Obsessive Disorder. A week ago my sister Laura told us about Molly and McGee. They are owls that have come to live and lay eggs in a man made owl box. A retired couple who live in San Marcos, put up a owl box on a 15 feet pole about 2 years ago. Finally, Molly and McGee came to live there and start a family. Carlos Royal put a camera inside the box so he could see live 24/7 what the owls were doing. He passed along the link to his friends and they passed it to their friends and so on and so forth. Now over 3 million people all over the world

from Alaska to Hong Kong have viewed Molly and McGee's live feed! And we are one of them! We have watched her eggs hatch and have seen McGee bring Molly food for her and the sweet owlets! We can't stop watching

this circle of life right before our eyes. Molly is such a sweet mother to her babies. We are waiting for only one more egg to hatch. Four already did, their names are Max, Pattison, Austin and Wesley. We have become so attached to these cute little owls. Madison even texts me during the day to get updates on their family. We are so excited because R.J.'s science class gets to skype

with Carlos and Molly and ask questions on the live feed. Molly and McGee have become San Marcos' biggest celebrities! I think we are all going to be so heart broken when those babies learn to fly and leave the nest. But, for right now we are all happy peeking into the Owl Box.

"Band Class with the Kids"

At the end of the year Mr. McGee (the band kid's band teacher) always invites the parents to spend the periodwith their kids. It give the parents an opportunity to fully experience what the kids do in class and to see how much they have really learned. Since R.J. and Madison both take band, I got to go twice! First, I went to Madison's class. She has really excelled at the clarinet. My favorite song they played was "Love Me Tender". I had a good time watching her play, she made me promise not to laugh at her when she squeaked! Then, I got to be with R.J. He too amazed me with his musical talent. My favorite song he played was the theme from "Chariots of Fire". He even had a solo in one of the songs. I wish their Grandpa Hazen could have been there to watch them. He would have been so proud. I am so glad the kids have a love for music and I hope they keep developing their talent for playing their instruments.

"Mitt Romney Book Signing"

For Family Home Evening we took part in a little piece of history. We went to Mitt Romney's f book signing for, "No Apology: The Case for American Greatness". We wanted

the kids to be able to meet a former Governor of Massachusetts and candidate for the Republican nomination of the 2008 Presidential Election. Some say he is the front runner for the 2012 election. Who knows,

maybe the kids just meet a future President of the United

States. There were over a 1000 people in line. We got there kind of early to by pass all the crowd. It was fun to be with all his supporters. Michele and I even got

interviewed by the abc news. It was also good to see his son, Matt Romney there at the signing. Michele and I

went to school with him up in Utah.

The kids thought it was cool being able to shake the guy's hand who organized the Utah Olympics, I am still keeping my fingers crossed he becomes our next president! Then I can say I met him and have a picture to prove it!

"California Utah Women's Conference"

Clara invited Mom, Michele and I to join her and Mary Elena to the California Utah Women's Conference. California Utah Women is an organization comprised of California women who share a Utah heritage. The mission of CUW is to unite

sisters in friendship and give of their time and talents to strengthen home, community, nation and world. Each year CUW holds a large luncheons. Each luncheon features a

highly rated crafts boutique with items from over 100 vendors.

Net proceeds from the luncheon and the boutique are donated to Ettie Lee Youth & Family Services, a multifaceted, non-profit agency, addressing the

problems of at-risk youth on probation and children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. The luncheon was held at the Disneyland Hotel and the Keynote speaker

was Mary Ellen Edmunds. She was worth the price of admission. We actually saw her in the hall and asked if we could get a picture with her. She was so gracious and sweet and kindly said yes. We had a great time together shopping and eating. Things we like to do best. I am so glad Clara invited us and hope we can make this a yearly tradition!

"St. Patrick's Day"

The little green men struck again! They left a trail of 4

leafed clovers that led to St. Patrick's

Day goodies. Payton's Leprechaun Trap didn't work this year. Instead

of catching a tiny green

man, she got a pile of gold.

Chocolate

gold that is! The kids also got new

"Green" Shirts to wear

to ward off any hard,

nasty pinches. And it just wouldn't be St. Paddy's Day with out some Lucky Charms for breakfast. They seemed pleased with their Lucky finds. Then for dinner we had a traditional Irish meal ofCorned Beef and Cabbage! It smelled so good all day

cooking

in my pot. The kids and Hubby loved it.

"Sunny Hills Drama Reunion"

Michele and I got tickets to the musical Wiz at Sunny Hills High School. It was so weird to be back at our old stomping grounds. We had made so many great

memories in that Theater. I had my first singing solo on that very stage in "Little Shop of Horrors" and danced like crazy in "Funny Girl". This night of the production was reserved for only past Drama Alumni. It was going to be the last production directed by Mrs. Krell-Oishi. KO was hands down my favorite teacher! I think

I got away with a lot due to the fact I was Michele Melendez little sister.

From Freshman to Senior year she had an impact on my life. I learned a lot from her and really enjoyed what she taught me. I can't believe she is now

retiring. It was so good to see some of the old friends

I made in some of the plays I was in. We even got to see and visit with our old Dance Production Teacher Ms. Beguin and

our Cheerleading Advisor Ms. Hallbauer (Mrs. Kline now!) Th

ey have not changed one bit and I am glad they remembered me! Going back to school has really made me excited to go to my High School Reunion this summer. I can't believe it's really been 20 years!

"Teacher Experience"

One of the Fundraisers at SEES is a "Teacher Experience". The teacher's plan an activity outside of school that will go up for auction. Then the parents bid on these fun activities for their child and a couple of their friends. Some experiences in the past have included golfing or bowling with the teacher. Going to the movies and having a pizza party. The kids love going on these experiences with their teachers because they get special one on one time with them and receive their undivided attention they usually have to share with 20 other children. So, this year Payton and a few of her friends won her Teacher's Experience. She was elated to be able to spend time with her teacher. Her teacher planed for her group of friends to go to eat at Bucca De Bepo. She received an invitation, the theme was, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." They were seated in the coveted Pope Room. All the kids were so cute seated around this huge round table. Payton's friends in her group was Caitlin, Lindsey and Alan. Alan was such a gentleman, he gave each girl a

beautiful rose. During the dinner they kids played games like bingo, word searches and they colored. after dinner Mr. Versteeg presented each child with a gift bag. In it was the book, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs." You would have thought these kids had dinner with the real Pope by the way they

were acting and talking about their eventful night. I am so glad Payton was able to go on this experience with Mr. Versteeg, it will be a night she doesn't forget!

"Take Me Out To the Ball Game..."

R.J. finally had his "Opening Day" for baseball. It has been put off a few weeks due to the rain. We are all excited for baseball season. My girls for the snack bar, R.J. for the pitching and me for seeing my boy in action. R.J. is wearing the old blue and gold and playing on the Padres team. He moved up a level this year and is playing on the Pony League with 13 and 14 year olds. He may be one of the young ones on his team but, he looks like one of the oldest. Rob is once again coaching his team with Bill Steinecke. They both have very similar ways of teaching and coaching so this pairing works great. We can't wait to see what this season holds!

"Birthday Boy"

It is every boy's dream to be surrounded by big screen T.V.s and 6 video game consoles. R.J. and his friends were in wii heaven! We had the "Game Truck" for R.J.'s birthday party. It was a party in a can. So simple! No set up, clean up and the kids were actually quiet and sat in one place for a couple of hours. All the boys had a blast.

The morning of his big day R.J. was awoken to the smells Chocolate Chip Pancakes and Bacon cooking. He was excited to eat on the "You Are Special Today!" plate. He couldn't wait to open his presents, he got a new outfit to wear to school. His main present would be opened at his birthday dinner. He was going to have to wait in suspense all day! I don't know if he was more embarrassed or happy to see the "Happy Birthday" posters on our gate. It is a community tradition to put posters on the gate for all to see for special occasions. That evening we went to R.J.'s pick to eat, B.J.'s. there he had his favorite Pizookie. At dinner we gave him his other present. We handed him two envelopes and he had to put a puzzle together to figure out what it was. A big smile spread across his face when he realized it had to do with the San Francisco, Giants. We got him tickets to the Giant's Opening Day, first home game of the season! Him and Rob fly out on April 9 to San Francisco. He was very happy! Later that night we sang happy birthday to him and had his favorite chocolate cake. Then we kept with tradition and I layed in bed with him and we looked at his baby book and I told him the story of his birth. As my boy layed his head on my shoulder I was amazed at how the time really does fly. And it's times like these when I wish I could turn back the clock to live some moments again!

"Teenager"

R.J. you are a teenager! I still can't believe how many years have passed. It seems like only yesterday when you were born and I was holding you in my arms. Since you are getting older, you must come to understand all the great things that are going to come to pass in your life. After you were a few years old, you received a letter in the mail from your Grandpa Melendez. He was impressed to write these words for you:

R.J.,

These are some of my thoughts and feelings that are in my heart, and I wish to express them to you to be used as guidance in the future. Since your first days of birth, I have called you "MI HIJO". This is a Spanish word for "MY SON". It is a phrase that is used to express a deep and tender love for someone special.

You are the first born of my daughter Rachel, who was named after Rachel, wife of Jacob in the Old Testament. Your presence into this world was an amazing blessing. You were a very impressive young baby destined by your size and quick mind to achieve great things in this life. It pleases me to see you grow. You have been blessed with the following attributes:

You are gentle, kind and have a friendly smile and that will bring you many friends. Always be a good example to your sister. That is one of the major blessings a first born can have to his family. From your example others will follow.

You have a great desire to succeed, having been blessed with a drive necessary to accomplish great things. Heavenly Father will be very pleased with you. You have been blessed with the ability to learn quick and to remember details once they have been given to you.

Education is as important as food and water. Do not starve yourself, seek for a higher education. The church and your family need educated man. Be loyal to your Heavenly Father, your spouse and country. Be a man of good repute. Remember you carry the name of Hazen and Melendez, protect them well.

When you loose a ball game, it is expected that you shall take defeat with honor. For that is what Grandpa would expect of you. I shall always love you and pray that you will always be happy and content with yourself.

Grandpa Melendez

In these past 13 years some of these blessings have already come to pass. We are so proud of the young man you are becoming. Your presence in our family has

blessed our lives. Please use your Grandpa's words of guidance in your life as you grow older. I have known since you were born how special you are! Don't ever waste the person you were meant to be. We can't wait to see what the next years of your life brings. Happy Birthday Baby, we love you!

xoxo,

Mom & Dad