Catching Up...It's Been Too Long!

Over the past few weeks we have had a lot going on and I haven’t had a second to update our blog. I finally am making myself take a moment to share with you the latest and the greatest… First of all the most exciting news we heard this week is our cousin Justine got engaged to her long time boyfriend Brian. They truly are wonderful together! We are excited that they have chosen to spend the rest of their lives together - and we are looking forward to the big day!!!

Recently, I just started volunteering at Michelle’s Place. Michelle’s Place was founded in 2001 to provide support and resources to women battling breast cancer as well as to educate those not yet impacted by breast cancer. Michelle’s place provides emotional and educational support and I am so honored to be a part of such a great cause. If you are interested in volunteering or donating to the cause I encourage you to go to: www.michellesplace.org. If you could donate just $10 a month you could provide many women with many opportunities. I am on the decorating committee for the Spring Fling which is Friday May 15th. It is a fun event held at South Coast Winery and all proceeds benefit Michelle’s Place – if you are interested in attending this Black and Pink magical night let me know and I will give you more information.

Mike has decided to finish up his college classes in Business at California Baptist University. He will become a Lancer student this March. We are all so excited and proud of him. Mike is still at American Capital Home Loans – this is just something he wants to do for himself. So, in the Toner household we are all going to school full time, working, and most importantly taking care of our family running here and there! I am half way done with my first semester in the Masters of Counseling Psychology, MFT program. I am truly enjoying every step of this path. God has put the most amazing people in my life during this course and has opened my eyes, ears, and heart to new and exciting things and I look forward to what doors will open next.

Michaela and Preston are up for promotion in Karate – in March they will officially become purple belts. Currently, they are learning how to defend and fight with a Bo Staff. I can’t believe how good they are with it. They both decided to do Soccer in the spring so they are all signed up and ready to go.

It is our hope and pray that everyone will remember to live in the "now" and to always count their blessings! Everything happens by God's divine time!!!

Enjoy the pictures and the memories of the last few weeks…

My friend Beth had a passion party at the end of the last month - it was a fun night to let your hair down and have fun with the girls!!!

Michelle, Megen, Crystal, Sue, Angel and Janet

Crystal, Angel and Janet (We were playing a game and somehow the three of us all have done the same thing so we sitting in each others lap!)

Everyone who was at the party!

Me and Little J

Oh Boy ….Super -Bowl!!! Our friends Mark and Lisa (TRUE CARDINAL FANS) had us over to help them cheer on their home team….and will we all know what happened but we had a blast all hanging out together. One of my favorite parts about watching football is watching how everyone gets so into it – cheering, screaming and celebrating!!!

The Sparks Family - the little one was sleeping!!!


The hostess with the mostest - Lovely Lisa


Looking to cool - Lukas

Mark and Lisa

Lisa with Michaela and Miranda

Mike and Jason

Mike and Me

Megen and Austyn

Miss. Sassy girl Corryn...

Michaela and Miranda - the Cheerleaders!

Everybody at half time...watching the 3D funnies

We had a little ladies nite out a few weeks ago...we went to Chills for dinner and then painted earth. We shared some good times, good laughs and created wonderful memories!!! It was fun, fun, fun, fun!!!

Crystal, Angel, Jamie G., Jamie N., Michelle and Holly

On February 8th it was our nephew Malachi’s Birthday. He turned 4! I can’t believe how fast the time has gone by…it feels like just yesterday he entered into this world. I was so blessed by Malachi’s parent’s for allowing me the opportunity to be there and watch Malachi enter this world. It was such a beautiful thing…now this little one is not so little!!! He had the world’s biggest cupcake for his birthday cake and he was sure proud of it!

Mike and I knew how important it was to the kids that we spend Valentine's Day together so Mike surprised me with a couples massage at South Coast Winery the day before so we could have our own special day - alone and together! On actually Valentine’s Day we took the kids to Johns Incredible Pizza - it is like an amusement park for kids but it’s a pizza joint. They have wanted to go there so bad and due to our weather we thought it might be best to plan on being in doors. The kids had a blast! We also went to Harveston Park, a Reptile store (which I hated!!!), and then out to dinner - came home and tired to get in the spa but that didn’t work out so we watched a movie. It was a perfect family day!!!! The kids had no school on Monday so we spent that rainy afternoon at Painted Earth and making gluten free pizza. Preston painted a monkey (of course) and Michaela painted a dog for Odie! Mike and I together painted a chip and salsa dish! The camera wasn't with me that day but it was part of our long celebration of love for each other!!!

This is when the kids and I went on one of the rides at John's we were spinning in circles so fast -kinda like the tea cup ride....Look at Michaela's hair blowing in the wind...and Preston was laughing so hard. I think it looks like their eyes are going to pop out!

Our two Little Monkeys

Mr. Preston John Thomas Toner

Ummm...yes Mike is on his phone - talking to Brent wishing him a Happy Valentines Day!!! =)

Mike Hit the JACK POT not once but two times!!! 1000 TICKETS

...but again he wins another stuffed animal!!! Preston always wins at this machine no matter where it is...

Look at how many stuffed animals Preston won....

And finally Michaela wins by hitting the JACK POT!!! Almost 600 tickets for her!!!! The kids had so many tickets that both of them were able to get lava lamps plus some toys. It was kid heaven for them and pure joy for us to see how excited and pleased they were.