Living the Rich LiFe

Living the Rich LiFe

Friday, December 12, 2008

Family Traditions

Every year TR6 attends the lighting of the Bonney Lake Christmas tree. We have been going for as long as Rich and I have been married. This year we attended the Sumner Christmas Parade for the first time w/Bestie and her son Dane, Mom & Dad, Bill & Erica and their family. It was a nice family day full of traditions. That same night was the lighting of the tree, and we all attended that as well.

Some of our other traditions is going to the same Christmas tree farm and cutting down our Huge tree. That day is coming soon, I think this Saturday, but it takes us a while to all decide on that Special tree that gets to come home with us.
Aside from the Baking, and putting the lights up together, one of our most favorite traditions is adopting a family, or maybe I should say helping others. This year the Team has been donating to our local families in need by buying gifts for them and dropping them off at our Local Jamba Juice. I would like to think that they are giving with a good heart more then it being all about receiving 50% off any size and smoothie of their choice...but either way, it's going to a great cause. All the gifts stay local, and they get a little something in return.
I love this time of the year!

~Being Thankful 4 Families~

Turkey day was Amazing. We spent a little bit of the morning with my family at my sister Abbies house. Mom was scheduled to work at 2pm, so we ate early with her, but we still had to save room for our second stop at mom/dad Rich. It's such a great feeling to gather with the ones that you are truly thankful for, and look back and remember where you were last year, and think about how much blessing we have received. Prior to eating the delicious meal that was prepared for us, we as a family couldn't help but to discuss the year before, and what we were all doing, the events that took place, and just laugh. My Wilson side has a pretty well ROUNDED sense of humor. If you dont know us by now, then I guess we would come off a little rough to you, but as Polynesians & simple people, life has really been something we laugh about it, especially given our background and our up bringing.
So needless to say, we ALL like many families have TONS to be thankful for.
This year was absolutely Fabulous for me. I did not have to prepare anything big, just 2 Green bean casseroles. One for our first stop, and another for the second one. It was very low maintenance, and I was thankful for that.
My life has had it's plenty shares of ups and Downs, but I can honestly say that every year it has exceeded the last. Rich and I were reflecting back to last Thanksgiving, and where our lives were and where it is now, and we have had some Major upgrades. From financial stand points, to cars, people, goals, material things, and opportunities, we have definitely been blessed..no down grades at all, and that is what this day is all about....Being Thankful for life.
After mom left for work, TR6 had to roll out to Pacific to have dinner with the Richardson side.
This would be the first Thanksgiving with them in like 3 years..maybe more! My sister in law Erica was responsible for preparing the Bird and mom was doing the extras. Bill wanted to smoke a Turkey as well, so we had 2 kinds of gobble's that day. They were both Yummy! But we chillaxed and had a great time with them. Everything was delicious. I'm always Leary about eating traditional foods made by someone else. I'm just so use to the way my mommy prepares things, or myself that I was worried about being disappointed being that this is the only time of the year I like to eat Turkey. I always look forward MAINLY to the day after Turkey Samiches! Those are the best!
Although it wasn't what I'm use to, it was still very yummy.
We all played Guitar Hero World Tour for entertainment, and then just chillaxed and talked grown up talk with mom & dad which really felt good.
Not wanting to stay out late because Black Friday was the following day, I think we called it a night around 9pm. Overall it was Amazing. I enjoyed my Turkey day immensely. It was fo'sho, one to remember!

I am happy to report that the Sunday following Turkey day, we were all over at mom's house for our 3rd Thanksgiving dinner. Since mom wasn't really able to chillax a while the day of, we made up for it that Sunday. The Bird was just as I remembered...nothing like mom's good'ol Turkey, and you best believe that I had a Samich..2 of them in fact. We played our family bingo, and did our traditional what are you thankful for around the room, giving everyone a chance to share their thoughts. This is what it's about. Family, and good eats!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

An Adult Hair Cut

What is an Adult Hair Cut? Does that mean only Adults can get it? Or does that mean, when you cut your hair a certain way your going to look like one? Or maybe it means you might have to act like one!
This school year we had a long talk with our Daughter Leaniva a.k.a "Bear", about going into Middle School. We discussed new things she might be exposed to, peer pressure, being responsible, the new clubs, and exploring different things. BriCh and I were really shocked to discover that our Bear just totally took off like a bat out of you know where, and changed everything up on us....Who was this GIRL, and what has she done with our BEAR! The word New in New School year was exactly the word to describe everything about the chick....New School, New attitude, New wardrobe, and New PLAN! I'll get to that in a minute, but back to the whole topic of this Blog.
So we discussed with Bear about establishing a NEW look to go with this NEW HER. We talked about a perm which she was way excited for so we set a day to go out and do this.
After arriving at the Regis Salon in Walmart, the stylist educated us on a few things, and pretty much changed our minds about the perm idea. So she gave Bear some books and told her to choose a cut. After about 5 minutes we found one. I double checked with her to make sure that she was ok with taking soooooooo much off, and she was absolutely, positively sure. Because I knew she was expecting a dramatic change with the perm, and I figured we wouldn't be spending nearly close to the cost of a perm, why not do a cut & color. Which is where I went wrong.
After chopping off my daughters hair, the stylist then tells me that this is by far the most popular ADULT HAIR CUT that they have done here, and that it has never been done on someone so young...she then added that she was anxious as well to see the finished product.....HOLD up, wait a minute...what did you say???? ADULT HAIR CUT??
WHAT THE HECK DOES THAT MEAN?????
Did I just make a HUGE mistake here? I was about ready to pick up all Bears hair off the grown and clue it back on, and walk out of there screaming.." dont go in there this woman is crazy, look what she did to my daughters hair!" but I took a deep breath and though, how bad could it be? How adult is it really going to look?
Well a buck fifty later, I realized why it was called an Adult Hair Cut..because who else would spend that kind of money on a kids hairdo! So I was alright thinking that, as a matter of fact it was comforting to think that the amount was the reason for the Adult Cut..but after it was all said and done...I realized I was completely wrong.
~~~~~WHO IS THIS CHICK, AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH MY 11YR OLD DAUGHTER?~~~~
This was not my child...I was staring at a Young beautiful woman, and so was everyone else. She made me realize how much I wanted to hurt that lady who cut her hair...dont you think she should have told me that my daughter was getting an Adult Hair Cut? I'm her mother, I have a right to know! I demand a refund..I want a hair cut and style from the Children's Book. Preferably one that makes her look 8!!
What can I say..you live and learn.
She is our AllStar Player though. This year, she ran for the 6th Grade Student Council Rep, and won with her winning speech, she is active in 2 different clubs, and has decided to put off Basketball and try DRAMA this year! Yeah, that's another blog entry....but she has totally just took off, and sprouted! She has grown so much in just these few months and it's unbelievable. Who's that Girl?
But that's our Teen Angle...we love her and is soooo proud of her. You go Bear with your bad self mama!

The Bobcat Ceremony

Ok, like our new calling is Den Leader and Assistant Den Leader of the Wolf/Bear Pack. I was excited to receive this calling, but didn't know what to really expect. I do know that enjoy boys a whole heck of a lot more then girls...I mean, I love my daughters, and get along great with females, but I enjoy chillaxin w/the boys. I guess it's the childhood tomboy in me.
Anyways, so working with the boy scouts has been Amazing..I really do love this calling, especially working with the Handsome, and adorable Den Leader...he's HOTT!
Our son is apart of the Wolf Pack and has recently achieved his Bobcat badge, so there was a ceremony to present him with that. I was told that as his mother, I get to paint his face as part of the ceremony while the Pack/Troop leader informed him of the meaning of each symbol, and color. It was awesome..I about cried.
He loves scouts. I love seeing him excited to attend his Den meetings every Tuesday, and I have gotten to know the other scouts as well, and I just totally adore them all. Boys are Kool!

~my Besties Shower~

So like I'm way excited for one of my Besties because she is going to have her 2nd child here in like a few weeks..well the middle of January, but who knows Allison Bailey Burkholer might come soon...YOU NEVER KNOW!
But my other Bestie and I, Mi'chele threw her a shower, and it was way fun..my very first shower throwing experience..really it was all Mi'chele...I just made food, and bought gifts! I never attend these things because there boring...my first shower I attend was my sister inlaws..and it was alright, but hey at least I went.

Motherhood is freaking awesome..the whole caring another life in you is unexplainable! It's such a great feeling until the end...I dont know who really enjoys the arrival...not me! After having 4 precious ones, and the last one being over 6 years ago..I'm really ready to have more. Rich and I discussed the possibilities of having at least 2-3 more. I cant wait.
Financially we will prepared, emotionally...well, I think I'm ready, but the last time I was pregnant I was 24yrs old..My body has changed PLENTY since then TRUST! But I'm sure I'll be aight..but enough about me..this is about my Kristy...she has found a wonderful husband and partner for life, and they are about to have their first child together. Kristy, I want you to know how much I love you, and how much I am grateful that we met and have became as close as we are. You and yours mean so much to TR6, and we look forward to sharing many more memories, and this experience with you.

Monday, November 24, 2008

~~TwiLighT~~


Since our family has always been into Vamps...I was introduced to this saga as a definate MUST read. I couldn't put the book down, and was very surprised when I was done with it. It was the first book I had read in less then 2 weeks. When we got wind of it being a movie, I like soooo many other females in America, had a count down for it, and marked it on my calendar...so needless to say..we went and saw it.\
Despite what movie critics and other opinions, I LOVED IT! The family voted 5 to 1 to see it verses BOLT in 3D. We all enjoyed it, and will return to see it again...I have to...it's a must see again for me.

We have never really cared about what others thought regarding our Thang for Vamps..so I could give a hoot about those who desliked it, or have other negative things to say about the flick...I LOVE it and that's all that matters Right??

Friday, November 21, 2008

~Halloween~


TR6 enjoys Halloween, almost the same as Christmas. We usually deck the house all up, and really go all out like we do for Chirstmas..we have about the same amount of decorations! We have our annual traditions like we do for Christmas, we do family events, baking, spooky movies nightly up until the day of...so just like Christmas..we do tons of things to get us all into the Spirit of the Holidays..but it's a little different.

So all of TR6 got to pick what they wanted to be for halloween..Bear wanted to be a fallen angel Gothic Fairy..Luka wanted to be a Vampireand Lou wanted to be a DEAD Cheerleader

Rich and I dress up every year with the kids while attending Trunk~or~Treat..it's fun and it's the one day of the year that you can get away with dressing funky if not the traditional Spooky and Scary look.

Rich and I are just those types of parents that are not afraid to get down with our kids, and be kids ourselves..really, it's fun, and Rich is the biggest kid of them all..he loves halloween..he's twisted like that..In a good way..he's the kool parent!

Another memorable year..another year we were able to do our annual puNkin patch visit, our Trunk~or~Treat, spooky movies every night a week before Halloween..(Hocus Pocus) my all time favorite, and trick or treating at Sky Island..parking in front of the Carringtons home is our Spot..we've been parking there for the last 4 years..there was one place we were not able to do this year, which is attend one of the local churches Fall Festival..but no biggs!
Alls well that ends well.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

ILL'n @ the FaRm-Rich/Burk sTylE




TR6 Was glad 2 of shared our Annual Family Tradition w/my Bestie & her family this year! It was a freaking blast..even though Kristy,Bull,Bear,Holly,Taytay, and I got lost in the maze...but we paid very lil'money for our puNkins, had some good eats, and created life long memories together. I'm glad our families met, and have became good, and close friends...here's to many more good family times!!!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Family Tradition~The Maris Farm

When Rich and I got 2gether, we always said that we wanted to start some good old fashion family traditions that our children can remember, enjoy, and look forward to.
Since I grew up in Buckley, my Softball coach, who was also our Middle schools Liberian just so happend to be Mrs.Marris, one of the many owners of this Beautiful, Heaven on Earth piece of property that Hundreds of people flock to every year. We have been bringing our children here for the past 6 years.
Our family has picked puNkins here every year since then. TR6 looks forward to what new and exciting things that the Maris's has added to the farm.
One year, I think it was 2006, after doing the hookie pookie, a young man took center stage, which at that time was right under the covered area near the entrance and started to sing and play his guitar. He played locally, and had not yet been discovered. Shortly after that debut there at the farm, Blaine Larsen, was heard all over the radio and had excepted a music contract that took him to Nashville to fulfill his lifelong dream as a country music star.
We love the Maris FARM and our lifers...It's TR6's tradition, and this year we were able to go with one of my BESTIES and good friends Mark&Kristy Burkholder and their girls, and OUR solo and single Buddy T.

This year Rich chilled with the fella's while Kristy, Bull, Bear and I attempted the Corn maze. We made it to the 1/2 way marker which mean that we had to find checkpoints 6-10. Yeah, about 30 min later, we turned around, went back to the 1/2 marker and called it good...We had a pregnant lady with us who had to go potty...ok, I had to go as well...and NO ONE in there was could find #9..no one..we kept circle'n and passing the sames groups of people..and for the record...we were not the only ones that threw the towel in...so because of that failed attempt...Rich wants to go back and conquer this maze.
Another great year! We paid a whole whop'n $10 bucks for the kids puNkins..now that's what we call a DEAL..especially since they were pretty big.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Bonney Lake Elem-Open House

This year we only have 3 Vikings attending BLE. Last year all of TR6 was there, and open house was very Loooong! We have a 3rd,2nd, and 1st grader. They all were very excited for us to be there. We got to see a lot of their work, read the stories they wrote, and see some of their Art work. It was a pretty cool night.




They all just love school so much....and they are proud to be Vikings!

Americas Most FUNNIEST Family Pictures

The weekend our Brother Bill got married, Rich and I decided to stay gone for the whole weekend. We visited Belfair, Port Orchard, and Bermerton. While visiting these beautiful cities, we stayed in 2 different hotels and while we were in our room....strange things happend.

Bear turned into "Bernardo"The Rocker

A long lost family member






DONT HATE ON TR6....Be Skurd!

Friday, October 3, 2008

A year from TODAY.....

Big Rich and I will be renewing our VOWS in front of our Families and some Friends. Following the vow ceremony will be our long awaited, and overdue reception in Sumner WA at the Hansens place.
We are both so excited, and cannot wait. We made our list of what we need to purchase, the things we want, so we have been buying things here and there, and crossing it off our list. By this time next year, EVERYTHING will be bought and paid for. No to LOW stress. Our colors are Brown/Gold and a hint of Orange. My maids are set. Their dresses were decided upon by my Maid of Honor & Hubby.

We have already made a small deposit on the material through the dress company. The latest date to submit sizes and our order is May'09. Due to amount of dresses needed, we got a discount. I'm also going through the same company for the misses in waiting and the flower girls dresses. The picture shows the dress white, with a gold sash tie, but mine will be Gold with a brown sash tie.

Big Rich is still unsure about the Groomsmen. I guess he has time to decide..LOL! But I got on the ball with it. My dress will not be revealed until the day of. Plus, I'm not sure to go with the Irish tradition like Rich. He is going to wear the traditional Irish Kilt

Only the Groom, his Best man (which is his Brother) and his father will be found in these, not the whole line. He's going to get in shape to wear this...all of us are. My line and I are going to challenge each other to a weight loss competition..and I know I'm going to win..if there is one thing that Motivates me...IT'S MONEY! Small wager..the buy in is $20bucks per person..winner takes all.
I cant wait. Here's my ring

Engraved...Greg & Aniva Together forever 6/12/04. That's our Original date. That one will always mean the most to me. Our reception held 5 years later...man there is lots to do. Rich is doing the invites by DVD...he's almost more excited then me...ALMOST!

I love this man. He is my everything, my best friend, my air, my world, my life! Since I have met him, my life has just been nothing but AMAZING! I have experienced so much good with this man. He knows me inside and out...he knows me better then I know myself. I'm so GAGA over him...he is the reason behind my smile, my success in everything, and anything, he is my #1, I miss him when he is in the other room...being apart from him makes me crazy...I know it's good sometimes..which I always tell him that he put a spell on me..because I should be able to go down another isle in Walmart without missing the Heck out of him...Some may not EVEN comprehend..but it IS like it was yesterday that we hooked up...I still have butterflies, I STILL melt when he Kisses me...and I still WANT him More and MORE everyday. To US Gregorio...next year it will be all about us! I love you babe!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

My Treat..My reward...my Childhood Dream

I can remember like it was yesterday, being dropped off 2blocks away from school, sometimes further, or even walking to school, to avoid being seen in our family car. As a child, I can still recall the laughs, and being teased about the beat up old, raggedy, station wagon that my mother drove.
One time, the reverse went out in it, and she would have to park so that we could just drive straight on out of wherever it is that we were, but this time she had forgotten. So could you imagine our surprise when she told us after coming out of Big Way supermarket in HI, where everyone shops at being that it was the local market with the lowest prices...that had to push it BACKWARDS!!!! OMGosh...you have to be insane WOMAN! Which was my first thought...I cant remember if it was my brother who said..." We're just going to wait for the car in front of us to come out, then you can just go forward ".....but that never happend. So we did, we pushed it backwards, just so we could be stared at, and snickered at by the neighborhood kids that were there shopping with the folks. I HATED that car! But you do what'cha gotta do...of course I never knew that then, or could even come close to understand what my mother had to of felt.
But I remember sitting in the back of that old wreck of a car at a stop light, and a BMW, pulled up next to us. To myself, my thoughts were...when I grow up...I'm buying one of those. It had to be sign when I was walking to school the next day, and I seen the same car pull up to the curb to drop a new student off to our school...I remember her name was Anette Higa..she was a nerd, but her parents were loaded.
Anwyas, I made a promise to myself then that I'm buying one of those, I have to own one before I die.
Well, 22 years later and still no Beamer...well Not yet that is.
Once my promotion is finalized...Yup Yup...I'm buying me one of these...

I got my eye on this one. I like the late 90's models. It's a 98' and it's freaking CHERRY. I'm going to reward myself with my life long childhood dream car baby..and I'm going to ball my head off once I do! This is to you meaner (our new family word) kids that teased me in my mommies old wreck of a car! Wow that felt good to type..LOL, but alright, I gotta go to work..it's almost 6:15am. I have to go and do my thing if this CAR is going to be mine..let me rephrase that...It will be mine!
I should call the dealership (because it's actually available locally) and tell them to get it ready for me huh?? J/k..alright, until next time!
Keep reaching for the stars...I am and I'm making all my dreams reality.

Our Annual September Birthday Weekend

When September comes around, it might as well be an Early Christmas in our Aiga (family in Samoan). It use to be only 3 in our family, only counting the ones here in WA, otherwise it would be like 7. But for years it was only my brother Eliu, which is on the 21st, and both of my sisters Mona, and Lisa on the 26th.
Well for 12 years now, Maleko (one of our nephews) has joined the September Crew, his birthday being on the 11th day of September, and our son Puluta'atasi which is the
19th. So our Aiga does one big party for all of them, which was this last weekend.
We all headed up to Shelton for a weekend of Fun,Food, and Craziness!
I love getting together with my family. There is ALWAYS much comedy, which I have discovered that to be apart of this family, you have to have TUFF SKIN! Humor is Big in our Aiga, and if you cant handle it, then your never going to survive in our Krazee'ness!
You know one of the first things that I told Rich about my family before he met them was, " If they Joke with you, then....the Like you. If they make fun of you in some way, that's a good thing!"
Needless to say, he's adopted our humor, and fits right in. You just have to dish it back out when it's handed to you. In our Family, there really is no secret...SERIOUS! You might think your sharing something in confidence..but TRUST..there is someone there that knows about it...it might not surface right away...but lets just say, once you feel comfortable to expose whatever it was or is that you may have been harboring....you will soon discover that...Yup, they KNEW!
But once again, we all managed to meet at our Second Grandmas pad in the Boonies, to have some Yummy EATS..(which by the way, I so gained like 50lbs) GRREEAAT laughs, and just catch up with everyone. We stayed all weekend. Rich and I took Monday off to recuperate...it literally takes a whole day to recover...but we didn't make the drive home until Monday evening...it's always nice to have the Fab 5, the Original Wilson 5 together! I love my family.

The September Birthdays:

Puluta'atasi 9/19

Maleko 9/11

Eliu 9/21

Lisa 9/26
jus me posin
MoE 9/26


It was a Blast...good times like always! So far so good with no one being added to the September Madness! This year we did one cake, but every year before that..there has been one cake for each birthday person..and non stop EATS! Well it's non stop EATS at every family function of ours...but I miss them already! It's always nice to have everyone come up, or down..whichever. The kids are all getting so big and grown up. I always look forward to the September Birthday Weekend Getaway. Until next year.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Baby Update

My good friend Kristy is about 5 months along. I'm totally excited for her. This will be her second child, and we found out it's going to be a girl! Allison Bailey is her decided name. I already call her my Ally Girl! She is about 22 weeks old, and I cant wait for her arrival. Kristy has got to be the Hottest expecting mother I have ever met and seen. She makes being pregnant Hott! Like that hott Mommies club sticker is so deserved for her. Wear it Proud Girl. Her baby bump is just so darn cute. There we are...the 3 of us, me, Kristy, and Ally girl!
Aniva and me, look at my baby bump!
Poor Mark, he's going to have a House full of Chicks!
Baby Bump, 5 months...need to take more pictures of progress!!
There she is, looking great! It's such an amazing feeling of having that little someone growing inside of you! I so cannot wait to have more babies with Rich..I want at least 3 more!
Kristy is such an Amazing women. We have so much chemistry..it's unreal! My soul sista!
almost 5 months prego!! )
Ally girl is going to be born with a Jamba Addiction...that's my niece'ee all the way baby!