Lisa's Graduation

We had the opportunity to attend my sister-in-law, Lisa's graduation from nursing school in San Diego. She and my brother, Joe, have both spent the last year and a half in school. Joe just graduated as well with his MBA. We loved spending some time with them to celebrate their graduations. What are they going to do with all their free time now? Take a trip to Italy!




This was such a big day for Joe and Lisa – Lisa graduated, got a nursing job and they bought their first house all in the same day! We were able to see their new home – gorgeous!

The Pinning

Congratulations to the Graduate!

After five long years of full time college while working for us as our nanny as well, my sister, Jessica, graduated from Sacramento State with a BA in Family Consumer Sciences with a concentration in Apparel Marketing and Design (in other words - don't go shopping without her). This was a huge day for all of us and I was filled with pride. She is the last of the four Davis children to graduate from college. Growing up, my parents instilled in us the value of an education and I always knew I would go to college. It was never a question of if...just where (and I never could settle on the "where" since I attended 4 universities and 3 junior colleges).  We started the day by attending her graduation ceremony.

Our family, her in-laws and her best friend all came to support her.

Here are three of the Davis kids - Jen, Jes and Joe. My brother, Joe, surprised her by flying in for the day from San Diego for her graduation (this is huge since he had a final in his Masters Program the next day and the following day we all left to Hawaii). She was so surprised when she saw him sitting in the audience. My older brother, Jeff, was already in Hawaii.

After the ceremony, we headed to a celebratory dinner at Olive Garden.  We had a lot of fun and Jes got to open lots of wonderful presents - including a new new MAC laptop - jealous!

For me, Jes graduating is bitter sweet.  I am so happy for her and this is such a big accomplishment.  But, she has been our nanny since Dawson was born six years ago.  She has been a second mother to my children and I have LOVED spending so much time with her.  Now she has graduated and it is time to find a "real" job.  I am happy and hopeful for what this next phase in her life has in store and will forever cherish the love and service she has shown our family.  She will need to teach me to make the delicious homemade pizza she makes for us every Friday.  Last month I decided I would give it a whirl and it was not the same. 

I love you Jes - Congratulations!

Davis Family Reunion

While my family was in town, we had a Davis family reunion with my Dad's entire side of the family at my parents house. It was great to see everyone, it has been far too long. Thanks everyone for making the drive!

The kids table - Dawson, Taya, Madison and Michael

We had a great time visiting, eating, playing Rock Band and taking pictures of each other. That seemed to be the theme of the day. No one wanted their picture taken, but they sure wanted to take pictures of everyone else!

Jeff - our family paparazzi

My dad and his sister, Debbie

Aunt Diane and Grandma

Grandma and Holden

Joe, Dad and Debbie

Jesi and Will

Dianne playing with Sydney

Jen and Jas

Joe, Ray and Diane

Evan - wow he has gotten old!

Jesi and Mom

Kevin and Debbie - so cute!

Valeriya and Maria

Joe and Lisa

Valeriya, Maria and her boyfriend

Dawson and Michael are the same age and were great buddies. They especially loved Rock Band. Michael was hilarious singing - he was quite the rocker.

Family Time

My entire family came to visit the first weekend of May. We had planned a weekend full of swimming and boating since the weather the week before was almost 100 degrees. But, it ended up raining all weekend. So, visions of sunny boating trips were traded in for rock band and lots of game playing.

The weekend started with dinner at my house followed by a little playtime and hot tubing for the kids. (Yes, that's Dawson as Darth Vader and no, it's not Halloween)

Dawson and Taya with their cousin Madison

My older brother, Jeff, has become quite the photographer. Although, it felt like the paparazzi was following us all weekend. Every time I went to take a bite - there's Jeff snapping a shot. He did get some great shots though - I love this one of my mom and my younger brother, Joe.

Here's a great one of Holden

Baby Toes - so sweet (Holden and Sydney)




Mom and Did did spend a small fortune heating up the pool so we could enjoy a pool party in bad weather.

Holden with his amazing eyes

Sweet Taya

Swimmin' Babies

We enjoyed lots of game playing and especially loved Settlers of Catan - everyone was mad I kept winning - sore losers!

And we had lots of fun with Rock Band

The kids had some fun with the Wii too.

With four people in the family still in school, there was a lot of time spent on the computers. There were papers written, tests taken and lots of studying. Many times there were four laptops running in one room. (My brother, Joe, is getting his masters and his wife, Lisa, is in nursing school. My sister, Jesi, and her husband, Will, are both in college completing degrees.)

More great pictures from Jeff

Aunt Jesi and Taya

Holden taking a tubby in the sink

Dawson cheesin' it up

Lisa, mom and Jesi

Heather and her Dr. Pepper addiction also visited. Jason welcomed the addition to Dr. Pepper in the pantry.

Jeff and Sydney

Sydney was born as a preemie, at 32 weeks so this was the first time she was able to travel. She is so healthy now - so great to meet her!

Grandpa being tackled by Taya and Madison

Lisa, Joe, Jesi and Will

Grandma and Taya