My Mom's Tribute

Jacqueline Hanna Lietz
April 14, 1950 – December 23, 2013 

Resident of Walnut Creek passed peacefully at home after a courageous battle with cancer. 
Jacquie was born and raised in New Jersey as an only child to Ruth and Ernest Zuccaro. Her zeal and energy for life started young and never slowed down.

As a child, Jacquie's competitive spirit and her love of horses led her to be recognized as one of the nation's top junior rider. As an adult she remained active in the horse community by judging and stewarding West Coast horse shows.

Jacquie married Walt in 1976 and they moved to California. They were blessed with two daughters, Heather and Heidi. Jacquie dedicated her life as a mother and volunteered for many organizations including Scottsdale Swim Club, Aquabears, Aquanuts, Northgate High School, Guide Dogs for the Blind and the Diablo Porsche Club. Her welcoming nature and love for hospitality always had her planning something fun. She loved cooking and entertaining and her door was always open to friends and family.

For 15 years Jacquie worked for the City of Walnut Creek's Civic Arts Education division. She loved planning events at the Shadelands Center. She was always at the front to greet everyone with a smile. Jacquie and Walt also enjoyed traveling and they visited over 20 countries. She loved experiencing new cultures and would jam-pack her trip with every Rick Steves itinerary.

Jacquie lived to help others with a generous heart and loving spirit. She touched so many people with her positive outlook and was thankful for each and every day. She is survived by Walt, her devoted husband of 37 years, her daughters Heather Maddox and Heidi McMillan, along with their husbands Jason Maddox and Danny McMillan, and her 6 darling grandchildren; Scott, Tyler, Roman, Kira, Paisley and Blake as well as her beloved “Jersey” Family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Civic Arts Education Foundation (www.friendsartsed.org), which provides scholarships for children taking art classes.

A celebration of life will be held at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, 399 Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek, CA on Tuesday, January 14th at 1:30PM followed by a reception. 

Update on My Mom

My sister wrote a beautiful post the other day about the journey we have been thru with my Mom and her battle with cancer. She touched on so many important points and the many emotions we have all experienced these past months. We ask that God blesses our family with peace, strength and faith to carry us thru during this difficult time. We ask that God carries my Mom home that she can end the suffering on this earth and be reunited with her parents, relatives and other special friends that are waiting for her in heaven.

My sisters post: http://dannyandheidimcmillan.blogspot.com/2013/12/my-mom.html

Halloween 2013

Always love Halloween and really the whole month of October. Lots of visits to the pumpkin patch, fun Halloween parties and of course, candy! Here are some of my favorite pics of the festivities.

Our favorite, Clayton Pumpkin Patch

MEOW! 

Her very own, Wheels on the Bus

These 2 always have fun together

Trunk or Treat at Heidi's Ward

Paisley really wanted to be a bunny this year.
I think she made the cutest bunny around. 

Cousins

Bobbing for donuts 

There was no question as to what Roman was going to be this year

IRONMAN and he even wanted an authentic Tony Stark mustache to make his costume complete

"Mr. Bones" from Pop's house. 

Paisley and Blake loved dancing with him. 

Neighborhood pre-trick or treat party

2 little cuties, Lucy and Paisley

Love these 2! 

We headed back to my parents neighborhood to trick or treat with my Mom and the cousins. Roman couldn't have been happier to be with his bud, Tyler

The girls favorite, Sunny (my parents neighbor's dog)

The cousin crew

The boys were pretty excited to run into a few cute older superhero girls

The kids had such a blast going Trick or Treating this year.

 We were probably out for 2 hours and they loved it. Always one of my favorite nights of the year. 

On our way home we hit up a house that is really decorated for Halloween.

It was a fun way to end the night. 

Checking out their loot

Both their favorite candy....Skittles! 

Happy Halloween! 

2013-2014 School Pics

These melted my heart when I received them. If only my kids wanted to cuddle like this every moment. Thank you Lifetouch for sucking me in to buying these. I loved them all!

When did Roman turn 10?

Little Doll

My heart is full! 

Paisley's "3" Letter

Paisley,

These past 3 years have been so fun with you in our lives. You bring happiness, joy, fun and sass. We have loved witnessing your personality come alive this past year and are so proud of the beautiful little girl you have become. 

You love life and are happy and easy going. You love going on outings and adventures and are very adaptable to any change that is happening around you. You still stay pretty close to my side at all times, but that has always been in your nature. You started school this past summer and were so eager to go. On the 1st day you ran to the playground and didn't even say goodbye to Mommy. I was proud of your independence and knew that you were going to love it. One of my favorite parts of the day is picking you up at school. You get so proud of your artwork, that you make me immediately stop, then you open up your bag and show me everything you have worked on that day. You love doing any art at home including coloring, painting, stamping and stickers. You can hold the pen really good and we still don't know if you are a righty or lefty (since you tend to hold the pen a lot in your left). You love stickers for rewards, which makes it very easy for us. I think your potty chart had 100 stickers on it. 

You were the easiest child to potty train. We waited until you were ready and all of a sudden 1 day you were motivated and that was the end to diapers. I'm sure I could make millions writing a book on my technique, however I have to give you ALL the credit. You were determined to fill up your sticker chart and that is all you needed to motivate you. 

You love going to My Gym and are a good listener. You also just started soccer and have a smile on your face running around and chasing the ball. You moved up to Promiseland this past Fall at church. I was sad to say good-bye to Bernita in the nursery. She has been so good to our family the past few years. You love waving to people and your smile is contagious. You are soft spoken, but at home you let it be heard if you are not happy. Your favorite phrases are "Stop It" and"Hmmmmm" (while giving the grump face). Speaking of the grumpy face, you have perfected it. I joke that you are all ready for middle school with that face.

You and Roman are best buds (most of the time). Occassionally you can turn up the attitude and really let him have it. You like to tease him and will pretend to steal his toys and hide them. He is so good to you and I know deep down you love each other more than anything else in this world. Your teacher told me that you will ask throughout the day at school what Roman is doing and sometimes even want to look into his window. When you get hurt all you want is a hug and a kiss from Roman. No one else can do that job, other than Roman. I am so thankful you have each other.

Your favorite things:
Color = Green and turquoise
Toys = Collecting junk and trinkets around the house, stuffed animals, doll house
Food = Breakfast: Pancakes and Waffles with whipped cream and fruit, bacon
Activities = Going to the park, the library, My Gym
Movie/TV = Doesn't keep your attention for long, but you will watch Mickey Mouse
Song = Wheels on the Bus
Bedtime Routine = Need your pink blankie, bear bear and binkie and like to read 3 books

Things you do not like:
Garbage trucks on Friday mornings, loud noises, men that you do not know and a few that you do, eating dinner (you might be a vegetarian), being told no

We love you so much and look forward to another fun year ahead.
THANK YOU Paisley for being you.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Paisley Is THREE

Did my little baby girl just turn 3? 

Whenever I would say it, it just sounded so old. 

But yes, Paisley is 3 and she was so excited for her Birthday (week of celebrations). 

It all started with her Bus Birthday Party. The "Bus" theme came a few months ago when we asked her what kind of cake she wanted Pop to make for her party. She said, "A Wheels on the Bus cake" (that is her favorite song). Every few weeks we would ask her what she wanted for her cake and she said remained set on a bus, so we were all set.

I found an awesome company called "The Tumble Bus" that is an actual school bus that drives to your house to do gymnastics inside the bus. I showed Paisley the bus and she was so excited. I loved that she wanted to be involved in all the choices and decorations (such a girl). 

Paisley was ready to go

The Little Ones (3 and under) started out on the bus first. I loved seeing all their smiles. Paisley loved it all, which made me so happy. 

Elliptical and exercise bike. These kids got a good workout

Paisley's special friend from school and church, Harper

Rock climbing

The Zipline was everyone's favorite

The older kids were excited to get on

Picking out their glitter tattoos

Everyone headed out back for a little parachute time

The girls loved their craft time (boys were nowhere to be found near the crafts)

She had this smile all day long. Such joy! 

Make a wish! 

Cousin Love! 

I was so happy that my Mom made it to the party. Made it the perfect day. 

The next morning opening presents. 

Making chocolate chip oatmeal cooking for school

Her special school star for her Birthday. She was so proud she wore it all day. 

The morning of October 5th (her actual birthday)

Opening some presents before breakfast. 

Every girl needs a new cellphone and some lip gloss. 

Paisley's Big Present this year was her dollhouse.

We gave Paisley a choice for her special day and she chose San Francisco, so we headed to Pier 39. The weather was amazing and it was the perfect day. 

We love the Aquarium. Only takes about an hour to go thru and it is perfect for little ones. Cool shark tank, jelly fish and petting area. 

Paisley's Favorite ride is always the Merry Go Round. We got to ride it twice. 

Roman opted for the trampoline with his Daddy. So proud of this boy. He loved it. 

Lunch and then cotton candy! 

One of my favorite memories of this day is her excitement over her first set of lipgloss. All day long she carried a purse and would stop (about 30 times) and apply her glittery lipgloss. Sometimes it got on her lips and other times on her chin or nose. People would stop and smile since she was taking it so seriously. I loved it! 

We ended the day with dinner (and another bus cake) at my parents house with all the cousins. What a week of Birthday Celebrations. We are so blessed. Happy Birthday Paisley. We love you so much! You bring us joy, happiness, laughter and sass. We feel so very blessed. You are Loved.