LANIE'S LIFE

YAY! A New Project!!!!

2010-05-20T16:35:00.000-07:00

Come to my new old blog!

2010-01-16T17:12:00.000-08:00

As life changes so must I. I have decided to close this blog {well, for now anyway} think of it more like a move! I am re-opening my Pemberley Court blog to simplify things and to get to that creative side of me again. Merging everything onto one blog will be much easier! So be sure to change this on your google reader and on your saved fave's spot where ever that is on your computer!

Love Jane Austen?

2010-01-10T18:08:00.000-08:00

Then you absolutely must visit this place I just watched the movie Sense and Sensibility again yesterday (with a cup of tea of course) and I always wondered what the outside of Norland Park looked like. Hopefully someday soon I will get the chance to tour all the stately country manors of England!!

While you are on Hooked on Houses, check out all the pics of famous movie star homes and famous homes used in the movies!!!! My personal favorite house used in a movie is the one from The Pacifier! Love it love it love it!!!!

Antiquing for the first time with no little ones in tow!

2010-01-07T16:11:00.000-08:00

Today was a true first for me~ There's the first day of school the first day of work etc. but for me today was the first time that after I dropped Blake off at Preschool I went to this HUGE antique shop where I got lost. I was there for 2 hours!! No one to say "don't touch that!!!!" or "Please don't touch that again, or I swear if you touch one more thing!!!!!!" I have to admit that I didn't miss any of my sweet hearts while I was there. It was like my Disneyland!

There was soooooo much to look at that I didn't know where to start. I would take a step in one direction and then stop and turn because something else caught my eye. I am sure the lady behind the counter was looking at me strangely!

Here's what I didn't buy:(because I am trying not to impulse shop.....if I still want it and it is still there than maybe!)

The old hand mixer/egg beater
An old fashioned like my mom and her mom used to have flour sifter that you hand crank
A cast iron biscuit pan
A Robin egg blue pan (for Camryn to play with)
The sweetest Demitasse cups (for Toad in the hole) see my previous post!
A huge silver cake stand sectioned platter that was amazing!

Toad in a hole

2010-01-06T21:54:00.001-08:00

So, I totally love Judie Byrd's Kitchen! It's yet another cooking show but with less fancy and more reality! She's not perfect but so cute and funny!

Check out Toad in a hole recipe! It looked so cute and fun and my kids can't wait for me to make it tomorrow! I'll be sure to post a pic!

Lanie

Pizookie on Steroids....

2010-01-06T20:06:00.000-08:00

On our wedding night we ate at the BJ's in Seal Beach since we hardly had a bite because we were so busy dancing and talking and all that stuff you do when you are a newly wed couple! Down the street from our bed and breakfast was a BJ's and we b-lined it there and indulged in pizza and a Pizookie!
Flash forward 13 years and 4 kids later to the past Monday night when for Family Home Evening we went to BJ's and treated the kids to a couple of Pizookies. It was like the angels in Heaven were singing when the waiter brought out that icy hot delight!

They loved it.....actually a huge understatement! They devoured them like a starving mother wolf with a fresh kill in her den!!!!

Last night we had the craving again and decided to make our own Mammoth Pizookie...of course I didn't get a picture b4 but here is one that BJ's took and you can see what was left of ours as the "after" picture!

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T19:46:00.001-08:00

Out with the old and in with the new. For me that means purging and cleaning my life, home and now blog. I need to re-arrange my layout and change things up a bit. I am so sad that some of my blogging friends have given up on their blogs. 1st it was a month then 2 then 4 then 8 months and no posts!!! I will miss them. I love keeping up on what's happening but I understand that sometimes other things are just more important. I get that. And with Facebook now it seems like that has taken a lot of our bloggers away. Now onto the house and the "stuff" in my life that I just don't need. Oh there is so much!!!

Happy New Year!

Lanie

Doe this mean that I am a little crazy??

2009-12-22T17:33:00.000-08:00

OK call me crazy but I couldn't believe that my most favorite person in blog land posted a comment on my blog! She read my post! Can I just tell you how that made my day????
You must visit her blog. It is full of Christian motherly wisdom and she has her own awesome fashiony-ness about her that is so refreshing!
Thanks Edie for checking out my blog :) Click here to visit Life in grace, you'll be glad that you did!

I love a good cookie exchange!

2009-12-14T22:20:00.001-08:00

I had to take a pic of these scrumptious cookies right when I got home before they disappeared! Our Relief Society {ladies at church} holds an annual cookie exchange/Christmas party. We all look forward to it and anticipate the new delicious tidbits and old favorites!

{Notice the wreath cookie complete with holly?}

3 Generations of crafters!

2009-12-14T15:24:00.000-08:00

Here am I with my sister Jennie, her daughter Lauren and my mom.

{Isn't she so cute in that headband?}

So, we saw these headbands {first saw them on Good Things Utah online} and then at the Spanish Fork Craft Fair. We all loved them but not the price....so we decided that for the price of two headbands we could make at least 15! So that is what we did!

Jennie learned how to use her sewing machine and I was responsible for the accessories that would be attached!

Christmas Apothecary Jar

2009-12-14T09:52:00.000-08:00

Christmas Time is Here!

I had to set this jar at the end of my table because I had a little farmer playing with all his animals and big red wooden barn in the middle of our table!

So, this Christmas I decided to borrow from Mother Nature! In one of my apothecary jars we filled the bottom portion with found berries on twigs at Blake's preschool. I had the two cutest little helpers too. Blakey and Mimi. I really really like how it turned out! {And for no money!!!}

I love my girl.......and even my stinky Men/Boy folk too

2009-12-11T13:34:00.000-08:00

In this house full of men/boys I love that I have my sweet sensitive little girl who is mostly just like her mom! We can escape together to Mom's bathroom and do our nails and chit chat about the "mean girl" at school, her stuffed kitty cat "Puddy 3shoes" (because we left Puddy 2 shoes in St. George at Aunt Christina's house) and all her friends at church and school. We talk about fashion and decorating her room with a whole new look and how she no longer likes Hannah Montana, just Miley Cyrus now. {{sigh}} I look forward to our first mini break (as they say in Bridgette Jones) where we can pop off to some great hotel and spa and spoil ourselves while the men folk are dirtbiking or playing the xbox 360 and making the house stink! {Yep that's what men/boy folk do! Which is of course why I always have a candle at the ready and a can of Lysol Fresh Linen Scent!} Now, please don't get me wrong.....I love our stinky wonderful Men/boy folk....where would we be with out them! :)

The Best Chocolate Chocolate Chip cookies Evar!

2009-12-09T22:05:00.000-08:00

{{{Are You Ready???}}}

This is such an easy recipe with few ingredients

One box of Devils Food Cake

1 stick butter {at room temperature}

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1-2 cups chocolate chips {depending on how much you need chocolate on the day you make these babies}

All you need to do is.......empty 1/2 the pkg of cake mix with all of the ingredients minus the choc chips. Cream together, it will be thick but that's OK. When it is all mixed add the remaining 1/2 cake mix and mix. Then add the chocolate chips!

Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes and voi-la!

These would be incredible as ice cream sandwiches....I'll have to try that next!

Enjoy!

Cute piggies and random stuff!

2009-12-09T21:40:00.000-08:00

I guess someone had fun with the camera.....I promise I don't just leave it out in the open. But who can complain when you upload your photos and there are these cute tosies to look at!

Here he is for Halloween...{don't know what happened to the other kids pics...Cami was the sweetest sassiest cat ever in a pettiskirt}

Here Blake is with his preschool teachers and friends

My baby boy took this one of him mama {with my favorite cup}

don't you wonder what you look like with your eyes closed??? LOL Oh those darn camera flashes!

Anyone for a couple of sweet kittens???

2009-12-01T20:05:00.001-08:00

Yeah, kittens! Miss Lizzie found a beau the night we moved (she is always curious about those outside cats and what goes on out there!) I guess she was a little too curious??! Well, we have 3 sweet little kitties to show for it. One sadly didn't make it out of the 4.....the kids are learning some life lessons already. I was so sad to loose one.

Below is one of the girls. She is fluffy like here mom. I think these pictures were taken when they were about 8 days old. They are now 4 weeks old and getting fat bellies! Litter training is next.....thought I was done with the potty training!

The nursery

Looking for something to craft?????

2009-11-09T13:56:00.000-08:00

Blake and I collected some pine cones today for this project! It is so simple that I think Cami and I can do it together!

{just some hot glue and ribbon....shh no one has to know!}

Check out these sites for some inspiration!

Check out this adorable pumpkin center piece at Reinvented!

Edie {one of my favorite bloggers} is hosting a 12 days of handmade Christmas full of awesome tutorials. I am already making one of the tutorials on there!

Check out Country Living's Holiday decorating ideas here

My latest craft project......

2009-11-03T19:15:00.001-08:00

Owl Towel

This is the first time I have made my own applique` and actually sewed it onto something!!! It turned out so cute! (I think it actually looked better in person as I didn't have very good light when I took the photos)

This was a gift for my friend Amy for her baby shower. She is having her 4th boy in two days!!! I always make hooded towels....or hair bows. I love owls for boys. So cute! After she opened the gift, she passed it around the room where it was analyzed and questions were asked like how did you do this etc. I had to explain that it was my first applique and the machine gave me terrible fits all the way through! Why didn't I just get an outfit for him ??? LOL

Dinner tonight was.....

2009-11-03T18:47:00.000-08:00

Caramelized Kielbasa with brown sugar and BBQ sauce

This recipe I got from my brother. He made it for us a few years ago and it was Delish!

So simple:

One link of Kielbasa

2 T brown sugar(my donation to the recipe)

about 1/2 C of your favorite BBQ sauce

Slice kielbasa in bite size pcs. cook till brown on both sides then add brown sugar and cook for a minute but don't burn! Then add BBQ sauce and cook for another few minutes then call everyone to the table!

and......

I have been meaning to buy these bread bowls because my kids just love them at Panera but I hate forking out that kind of cash for soup and bread! So, I thought about what my kids like best as far as soup goes and came up with this recipe that EVERYONE raved and ranted about at the table and yes, they even went as far as to ask for SECONDS!!!!!

Here is the recipe

Creamy Chicken Soup

3/4 C. finely diced carrots

3/4C. sliced celery

1/2C. finely diced onion

Saute these ingredients in 1 T butter and 1 T Olive Oil until tender

Add 2 Chicken breasts diced and cook 'til no longer pink.

Add:

3 dashes/shakes of poultry seasoning

2 T chopped fresh parsley

2 T flour

(stir in with all ingredients in pot)

6-8 cups of water

3 cans cream of chicken soup

2 T. corn starch mixed with 2-3 T cold water to thicken

Salt and pepper to taste

You can adjust the amount of water and cream of chicken soup to your size family.

We like left overs and we love love love soup so I made more.

I miss my blog!

2009-11-03T13:20:00.000-08:00

Life has taken me in so many directions this past month that I haven't been around much. With the cold weather setting in (OK it was setting in and today it is 80 degrees out) I thought I would make some kind of yummy creamy chiken soup in a bread bowl for dinner tonight. I'll post the recipe and some pics later - that is if we all like it and I like how it looks in my bowl~ LOL

I have pics of the hooded towel that I made for my friend Amy's shower that I loved.....that I will get on here ASAP.

How have you all been???? For all my readers that don't have a google account...sign up already and get one so you can comment....or even start your own blog~ I would love to hear from you!

The Pumpkin Patch and Halle Berry? WOW!!!!

2009-10-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

I already posted this on Facebook....I mean come on, where else can you share your excitement and see it spread instantly???? Oh but I do love my blog! So, here are the pics that my friend shot of me with Halle Berry in the background, we didn't want to be too obvious after all. OK, there was NO ONE else around us....the petting zoo is kind of off to one side on the hill and we stalked her all covert like. I think we pulled it off! Of course we waited for her to get out of the petting zoo which was about 2 minutes and then I told her how cute her little girl (Nala?) was in her darling outfit! She said thank you and was quite nice and then proceeded to wipe goat and sheep poop off of her sparkley sandals. So there we are! Enjoy and yeah I know that was a bit of a run on sentence if you ever saw one! LOL Have a great day!

Here they are with the animals.

And me posing

Here she is washing her daughter's hands (the other little girl and lady were her friends) Total normal mom!

Hi! That's my head! But there is Halle! (I don't know what that thing is in her hand....anyone else know???)

You can click on THIS to see it bigger! (Thanks Linds)

It's my 2 year Bloggiversary!!!! and the U2 concert!

2009-10-18T19:02:00.000-07:00

Blogger isn't letting me upload any more photos for some reason! Darn it!!!! I have so many wonderful things to catch you all up on! I am so sad! {having my own pitty party right now}

So, I guess I will have to fill you in on my trip to Dallas with out all the fabulous pics!

So, my sis in law Cathy who is married to my oldest brother Jeff is a huge U2 fan....she knows everything about them and the two of us have seen many concerts together over the years. Well, since we were supposed to move to Dallas TX over the summer she went ahead and bought up tickets. {Isn't that sweet?} Well, you all know that we didn't move...yet. So, Cathy from ID, her sis Carol from VA and my sis Dallas from UT and me here in CA all flew out to Dallas to spend 4 days together doing all kinds of fun girly stuff! Shopping at the Galleria {amazing} 4 hours spent there and then a trip to the House of Blues, we had a driver and a Town Car to take us all over. We ate some really good food OK A LOT of good food!

Monday was the Big day! We got all dolled up and headed to the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. It was really nice. U2 was playing the inaugural concert and it was AWESOME!!!!! Totally Rad! LOL

The Muse opened up {love them!} and then "they" came on! I love Bono!!! I love all of U2 but I love the humanitarian in him too. He is happily married with kids and uses his fame as a platform for oppressed and forgotten people.

Here we are 13 rows away from the stage!!!!

This is Dallas my sister AKA my twin to everyone we ever met who didn't know us and to everyone on Facebook! My hair really did look cuter than the picture...promise! LOL

Did you see the lady drinking her beer behind us??? I laugh at that! The whole place was overflowing with beer. But we didn't have any crazy drunks though....sometimes they make a bad concert more fun but not on this night...no crazy drunks needed!

I have a few stories and pics to share that I have to post when it will let me! Stay tuned for the crazy taxi mini van driver!!!

It's a bit blurry but that man right there is Bono!!!! You know from U2? If you don't know who U2 is then I am so sorry for you! LOL

I can't believe two years has gone by so fast! I have really enjoyed blogging and keeping in touch with friends old and new and my family!!!! Hmmmmm........ what can I do to celebrate? I'll get back to you on that!

Sippy Cup Adeventures and why I haven't posted a picture lately!

2009-09-24T12:32:00.001-07:00

Truth be told...........we have been doing so much lately and here's the shocker! I don't know if my camera is broken or just dead!!! (Mike I hope that you don't read this post!) The charger is somewhere in storage and the reason that it could be dead is that Blake's Diego sippy cup with the straw (yes occasionally I still have him drink from one...I don't know if it is because I can't let go or if it is because of the mess that I can still prevent while he uses one!) Anyway, I put that sippy cup in my nice Dooney bag and put it and Blake in the Yukon and drove off into our day. When I turned the corner, my purse slipped off the center console onto the floor! Well, that sippy cup was loosened ever so slightly by a sweet lil boy just b4 I put it into my bag. Yep! Apple juice drowned the bottom of my bag where my camera sits in its lil protective case. I went to turn it on and NOTHING!! My only saving grace is that I knew that the battery was low the last time I used it. Oh and the bag is fine!!! You would never know that the lining was completely saturated with juice! The leather (did I mention that it is red?) is as beautiful as ever!!! Gotta love those Dooney people!

Anyway, look for pictures (hopefully soon) of a little boy playing peewee soccer and all sorts of other fun stuff!

Have a great day!

Happy anniversary

2009-09-13T20:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Mikey,

Well we are officially in the teens now!!! 13 years! I remember the first time I met you. You were so sure of yourself like you were gonna knock my socks off! Well, you did even though you made me play Clair de Lune infront of a hundred strangers(remember?)!!! We've known each other now for 16 years.....that is almost half my life! I loved that you were so fun and adventurous always making me try something new....mountain biking, hikes and most recently over the past few years you taught me how to ride my quad! Remember that guy on the Huntington Beach Pier that was kind of a wacky old drifter and how he played his guitar and sang "Mike and Elaine walkin down the pier...they love Jesus and Jesus loves them!" I think that was the night that you found out I was a baby! 18!! There you were a college guy who 5 months earlier returned from serving the Lord on a mission and had so many great experiences! I was so in awe of you. And now here we are....in our 30's happily married and raising our 4 incredible children. How did we get to be so blessed?

Looks like we are in for one of our "adventures" in real life now. If what has happened had to happen then I am glad it happened with you. You are so strong and wise, funny and great to look at. I am so proud of your decision to go back to school. Your first week back and your teacher already sends her praises!! You have had to make everything in your life happen completely on your own with almost no family support (except for Christina) and I know how hard that has been on you. You always come out on top no matter what life throws your way. It truly amazes me how our Father in heaven has blessed you! I will always be there for you and will always support you and be your help mate. We are your family and we love you. Thank you for my children.....I don't ever want to think of my life with out them (or you). Our 3 rough housing talented sons and one amazingly sweet beautiful daughter look up to you and love you so much. You are the man in Cami's life and her world, thank you for the way you treat her. It brings tears to my eyes to know that she has a soft place to land with her Daddy. She will have and does have the father/daughter relationship that I have always dreamt of for myself. She will have better self worth because of her relationship with you. Thank you thank you thank you. My babies have been the most incredible gifts...next to your love. Can't wait for our date tomorrow night. Did you get a babysitter??? :)

I love you...did I tell you today?

~Me

Fall is in the air.....and where have I been???

2009-09-13T20:16:00.000-07:00

I just love this photo...so incredible beautiful! I have been so busy with this "new season" of my life. I haven't had time to post any of the pics or events that have been happening around here lately!

Today Cami was outside visiting with a friend for a few minutes and she came in and said that she needed a sweatshirt because it was COLD outside!!! Can you believe it???? I love this time of year!

P.S.******* Don't you love it when you hit the spell check and it finds no misspellings???? *****

Busy Happenings

2009-08-15T15:36:00.001-07:00

So we have been crazy busy these past few days with all sorts of stuff for instance:

pushing the kitty in the stroller

lunching at El Torito

I don't think I'd go runnin' if I saw these lil cuties comin' after me with those horns!

YAY for Hello Kitty! What a lucky day!

While in the store Cami perused the aisles to no avail and ended up with a peculiar purchase! We saw these fantastic pink "Surprise" bags that she couldn't pass up {then started a frenzy in the store....people said "I want one too....can your daughter get one for me?" then the sales girl asked her if she wanted to spin the wheel {for $1.1.0} so we said sure! She landed on 1st prize!!!! The boys didn't dare come in with us....well Blake did but he's always with me! :)

The boys went with Nick (aka older brother(15) who is really our neighbor) to Tilly's and Zumies and all the skater places. They LOVED hanging out with him at the mall. I had to laugh because they went to the See's Candy store to get chocolates!!!!! Yep, they are my boys!

Here she is with her bags!

Above is the loot! So fun! Try the Surprise bag next time you're in the mood for some Hello Kitty!

The boys and Cami had a bake sale this morning at our yard sale.....they made $30! Selling cup cakes with homemade frosting, brownies and lemonade {which they quickly ran out of....see the picture below}

Gavin already wants to count the profits!

Good Charlotte concert in Ventura at the county fair!

So fun!

This is me with my friend Karen.......like a 5th sister! Seriously not the best picture....it was soooooo humid {and cold}that my hair just went limp! Ick!

Get me to the market!

2009-08-12T11:03:00.000-07:00

I can't wait to try this delicious recipe.....looks like it is to die for!!!!

Also, I am totally hooked on all of her videos and her style! Love it!!!

Let me know whacha think!

Girlfriends

2009-08-05T21:39:00.000-07:00

So, Camryn and her friend Skye have wanted to do a cooking class and a sewing class.....they are 7 and 8!

{Look what they made!!!!}

Cute adorable vintage style aprons. They learned the basics of the sewing machine and did great at sewing straight lines.

They also made delicious Devil's Food cupcakes with homemade chocolate frosting topped with SKOR bits! Soooooo yummy!

The bow tails are long for versatility....they can wrap all the way around to tie up front and add drama! You know we are all about drama!!! LOL

Today

2009-08-04T14:06:00.001-07:00

Today was a great day and I am feeling like my self again! I actually wanted to sew again and had a wild thought about slip covering my living room sofa and chair in a crisp white linen with burlap pillows all fancied up with crowns on them!~

I know this is old news but I just love it!

2009-07-30T22:20:00.000-07:00

Mike would absolutely KILL me but, I just love this cut!!!!! I may just get a wild hair and do it!

And I thought that I had it bad......

2009-07-24T22:58:00.000-07:00

Please please please read this over at The Nester{be sure to click where their story began}. It makes me count my blessings in a deeper way. I have really tried to be conscience about my many blessings.....(name then one by one...a few words from a favorite hymn) since this fiasco....or what I thought was a fiasco of my life began.....feb 28th. But (never start a sentence with but...I know) I would take my situation right now in life any day over the one that you should really read that is linked above! I am soooooo blessed. Everyday I am blessed to have 4 healthy children and a wonderful husband and my faith. I am so blessed. Just wanted to share, maybe you should/could read this?

What's a Mom to do?

2009-07-23T16:14:00.000-07:00

Today Camryn said to me that she wants to be homeschooled again!!!!! I am a huge supporter of homeschoolers!!!! I loved homeschooling {most days} but it just didn't work out for us at that time. She needs the social interaction badly! I wish I had had access to more social activities or h/s groups at the time. She doesn't have a sister to play with and with us moving to a new state she will really be cut off socially unless we are blessed to have lots (I'd be happy with 2-3) girls to play with. So, for now we are still on track for public school. We are really happy with the schools so far in the area we are looking at and I think we should give it a try b4 we change things......oh and Dad needs to be at work so he can stand us all being around if we h/s again! LOL {That was the big reason for us to put them back into p/s.} That was a hard time for me. Who knows what is in the future as far as this subject goes.....I miss it though. I am trying to find ways at home to supplement and give them a bit more of an edge. In fact my friend (who is a homeschooler) and I were just talking about this very subject yesterday. She is soooo good at it and her daughter is as smart as a whip! I sometimes think that my kids could be moving further ahead with the one on one ed that they get from h/s. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest!

Family Dinner

2009-07-23T15:46:00.000-07:00

So, this past week at our Sisters Weekend we talked about everything from tummy tucks to designer bags. In between those subjects, eating dinner as a family got brought up by one of my sis-in-laws. She said that my brother really preferrd everyone eating at the same time! "Another Sheets (that is my maiden name) rule!" I spoke up and said that my family eats dinner together every single night! I was proud that it was something that we almost never let slide. It is almost as important as going to church and as neccessary to me as breathing. The reason I bring this up is not because I think she is wrong....more like I think families miss out on valuable "table talk" and because today is one of those days that I actually let my self watch Oprah. ( I gave her up a while ago.....sometimes though she has some really great topics that are worthwile.) Today was all about living on less and living simply. I am glad that I already have developed a simple tradition of family togetherness. I love dinner time even though it is the "witching hour" here at that time, it is still sooooo worth it! If you need some simple famil togetherness time try it out this summer.....I know you will love it and so will your kids!

Girls Weekend {Sisters and Sis-in-laws}

2009-07-20T19:50:00.001-07:00

Girls weekend started {for Cathy and me on Wednesday} here is her loot.....don't even want to know how much is here!!!! This was her "play" money. That girl hits the jack pot every time......like she is the "slot machine whisperer!" No, her luck didn't run off on me:(

So my sis in law Cathy and I decided that we needed to have a girls weekend! It turned out to be the best idea! No kids, no husbands (we did miss them) and no responsibilities! We had some wonderful things planned and everything went off with out a hitch! We had so much fun bonding and acting like we were kids again and laughing till it hurt and we couldn't breathe. That is the best!!!! {Some of us even lost our drinks through our noses!!!} You know who you are!!! :)

~~~

This was our Friday morning scrap booking session. We went to bed the night b4 around 3 a.m. and it became a trend for each night! I think I got more sleep as a new mom!

In the pic below are just a few of the girls...the rest were to arrive in a few hours.

{Connie, Cathy, Dana, Dallas and LaDawn}

Jennie and Connie in the pool...I think it was like 113 degrees

Dinner out at the Sonoma Cellar in Henderson. The Chef came out to talk with us and take some pics. The man has a gift! The food was beyond amazing!

We had a private room with beautiful wrought iron arched doors and a huge chandelier

My brother's wife {the one who set Mike and me up on a blind date} Connie and me

My sis Dallas and me....she is soooooooo tan! She colored her hair that day and we played make-over with her. So fun and she looked so HOT!

Mom and me

Um, yeah we played some pranks on each other!

You never want to be the first one asleep!!!!

Brunch on Saturday was Delicious! Dallas made this salad

Jennie made Lobster and Crab omlets from the major left over of Surf and Turf that was ordered the night b4! Sooooo amazingly good!

Saturday was our big surprise! Cathy and I arranged a massage therapist and an esthetician to come and spend the day pampering all the girls! Some have never taken time out for themselves to get a massage and a facial! It was a HUGE HIT!!

Dana getting a facial

Barbara and her gifted hands with Mom! She was wonderful. If you are ever in the Vegas area and need a massage she is the one to call!

All of us on the waterfall wall above the pool. We arranged these gorgeous patten type bags filled with Sisters weekend t-shirts {that we are all wearing here in this pic} and also Twisty Turbies, gourmet chocolate bars and the best lotion and scrap booking kits!

Do you know how hard it is to get 9 girls to all look the same direction and not blink their eyes????

Girls weekend with my Sistas!!!

2009-07-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

I know it's only Monday, but I get to leave for girls weekend on Wednesday a.m.! I am so excited to have quality time with some of my favorite girls! They are my sisters!!!! My brother's wives, Mom and the 4 girls all get to spend 4 days together lounging by the pool, scrapbooking, shopping and much much more.....some things are going to be a surprise and I'll let you know all about it when I get back! I hope you all have a wonderful week!!!!!

So tomorrow I am going to make some of my family's favorite meals (Calzones, Pizza and spaghetti sauce...I think Dad can handle cooking the pasta...and turkey taco's so they can eat good while Momma is gone!

I hope that no major mis-haps occur and that my little sneaky boy doesn't get into too much mischeif while I'm away...

Church was great today!

2009-07-12T18:20:00.000-07:00

How Firm a Foundation...was one of the hymn's we sang today at church. Although I have sung this many times over my life time, today it had totally different meaning....it wasn't just another hymn! It was beautiful! Read on.....have a wonderful rest of your Sunday!

1. How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent word!
What more can he say than to you he hath said,
Who unto the Savior, who unto the Savior,
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

2. In ev’ry condition—in sickness, in health,
In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth,
At home or abroad, on the land or the sea—
As thy days may demand, as thy days may demand,
As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.

{I was feeling pretty good up to this part.....and then

we started singing the 3rd verse and the tears started

flowing!} Not because I am sad but because the spirit

confirmed what I already know is that I am NOT alone.

I am so blessed to know this!!!!

3. Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,
Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

I can't believe she asked for it!

2009-07-08T23:10:00.000-07:00

Well, we are moving to Texas! (Big hair!)

So the other day Cami and I were on an evening stroll through the "hood" and she told me amongst many other mother daughter secrets that she needed a BUMPITS! Oh and she would like a medium one and then proceeded to tell me that I needed one too! I think they would be fun! I guess someone is marketing to Mothers and older teens or something during Hannah Montana!

Do you have a favorite poem?

2009-07-07T20:45:00.000-07:00

I think tomorrow I will implement some memorization with the kids. I am thinking some kind of classic poem or maybe even one of our favorite Psalms. My friend Lara is having an "un-plugged" summer with her kids....well for most of the day anyway. We are spending entirely too much time in front of the t.v. I know it is hot and I wouldn't want to be out there running around, so instead of what we have been doing we will have some productivity during our week then they can play in the cool of the evening.

Any favorite poems out there???????? Maybe I'll post a video of the kids reciting one that gets suggested!

How was your 4th????

2009-07-07T20:34:00.001-07:00

We here on Carolyn Drive love us a 4th of July block party! It's a tradition we started a few years back (as our neighborhood is 7 years young) and we all love it! Not too big but definitely fun and spent with our favorite neighbors! I do have pics and I will post them as soon as I can find the cord thingy that plugs into the computer......Mike has his hidden spots for these kinds of techy things to keep them safe from the boy(Blake) and me I think!

We started the day off with our church's annual Ana Verde Ward Pancake Breakfast! We always have so much fun. The kids did 3 legged races, the men did pie eating contests blind folded while being fed the pie from some one across the table..(so funny to watch), a cake walk for the kiddies and finally the all time ever popular egg toss!

The evening wrapped up with lots of friends(from church and our neighbors) all gathered around watching our Pyro-technician AKA Mike down the street giving us all a wonderful fireworks show! This was our last 4th here in CA on Carolyn Drive and we will surely miss our wonderful neighbors!

Pics to come tomorrow!

Wanna see the cutest cake ever????

2009-07-02T19:18:00.000-07:00

This is NieNie's birthday cake! Isn't it delightful? Doesn't it just make you want to dash back into the 50's and break out your party dishes and while we're at it let's get June and Lucy to come eat some too!

Want a great recipe?

2009-07-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I made this last night for dinner (especially in the Summer time) yes I do. it's because I had everything on hand to make it (except the red wine...it was really good w/o it) and I could be lazy!!! No last minute trips to the store b4 dinner for this girl! (LOL) Put it in your recipe file or box or whatever you keep that stuff in......trust me on this one!

Things to come

2009-06-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

Well the clock is ticking and we have to make some decisions soon about our future. Especially when it comes to the kids and starting school in a new state.

What do you think about moving children after school has started????

Just want some real honest opinions! (Even yours.....haven't posted here b4? Go ahead let me know what you think!)

Thanks for your two cents!

Call me crazy!!

2009-06-27T15:39:00.000-07:00

Today was (as of 1:30) 103 degrees!!!! So what did I decide to do???? Why am I totally whacked out?? Oh, I decided that I couldn't stand that fact that the Yukon was so filthy~ I couldn't even see out the side view mirrors! To think about all the blind lane changes I had been making all week!!! I darn near passed out on the couch when I was all done.....I say darn near because I didn't pass out due to my 5 hour energy drink. Yes, I have entered the world of energy drinks officially as of today! I got the little 2 oz guy cuz I can't stomach the stuff! Mikey loves the big ol diet Rock Star....the smell makes me queasy!

I think I have met my new favorite Mommy's lil helper!

Today was such a blessing!

2009-06-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

It all started with a 6:30 a.m. phone call from Andrea! I was to be her official babysitter for her two boys when she went into labor. Well, Mike got to watch the boys and our kids while I got to take her to the hospital (due to her husband being on a quick business trip and all of her family is in Utah!) where I witnessed an amazing event. I got to watch for the first time (from the side lines) a beautiful baby be(ing) born. Andrea was amazing! Her labor once we got to the hospital was only 25 minutes! She was a 10 when we got there. She was 3 weeks early too. Well, I don't want to steal all her thunder...so all of you who are our mutual friends can read all about it I'm sure on FB or on her blog sometime soon. Oh yeah....she did it w/o any drugs!!! Way to go girl! I told her she could be a baby making machine....she handled everything so amazingly! Thanks for letting me be a part of this special special day! I'll post a pic once I ask her! Oh one more thing....it's a girl!

A BIG thanks Stacy for taking Cami cherry picking along with play goup...and thanks to Karen and Jacie for all the help you two gave today, you make everything run smoother!

Texas Part 1

2009-06-23T18:46:00.001-07:00

Yes, I am starting out this post with a pic of a tree! There were soooo many trees there! I loved it. We have a lot of brown right now here with it being summer.

I'll tell y'all all about the trip in another post! (did you like my y'all???) LOL

So, as many of you may know....we are really considering a BIG move to the Dallas area.

To make sure that this would be a great place to raise our 4 amazing children, their parents decided that they must go and investigate and do much fact finding! Boy were we surprised!!!!!! We fell in love as soon as we got out of our hotel and started exploring the city on foot! Yeah that's right on foot! We parked our rental car and off we went! We couldn't believe how clean and green...as in trees and how friendly people were. We loved the suburbs of the city too! I could go on and on about how much it agreed with us and our family's {philosophy} on life. Such family friendly "burbs!"

Here are some pics of the hotel room. {More HERE }I have more but I don't have time to get them all up right now.....will add more later.

We stayed at the Historic Warwick Melrose Hotel in down town Dallas. What a beautiful place.

I wish I would have gotten a good shot of the night stands...they were mirrored like old Hollywood style. My pics don't do the room justice.

You all know how I am looking forward to one of these! Couldn't wait to get in there! Love it!

Typical of the area's we were looking in...you get a pool and a water park or playground!

I guess everything in TX is bigger........the houses were huge.

They call this a Hearth Room....right off the kitchen

We loved this kitchen........

Historic neighborhoods......so beautiful!

Texas Part 2

2009-06-23T18:30:00.000-07:00

This is the Methodist church outside our hotel. Love the architecture so I had to snap a shot of it!

Here we are inside Matilda....the trolley. She came all the way from Australia! She is operated by volunteers only. Isn't that amazing???? She runs all the time too. We rode all around downtown.

Here we are passing the Ritz Carlton.

This is downtown by the museums. I love all the trees there. We really don't have them in our downtown here! (LA)

Because I am a crazy person that likes old cemeteries (I always have even as a child) I could not leave Dallas with out a visit to the Greenwood Cemetery. Would you believe that it is smack dab in the middle of the city??????

This one reminded me of the haunted house at Disneyland.

This one was a Civil war memorial where several soldiers were laid to rest. He looks like Teddy Roosevelt to me....Night at the Museum?

This ia an angel with a mother and child. It is at a family plot. I thought she looked so pretty and brave. She is holding a trumpet of sorts.

Such a beautiful place to be put to rest.

Texas Part 3

2009-06-23T18:19:00.000-07:00

On our last day in TX we decided to go to Fort Worth to see the historic Stock Yards. Many people told us that we needed to go check it out!

Below is a pic of the Main Street.

Here is Mike the "Sundance Kid" I think he was missing Butch Cassidy though! He looks so sad.

Big Tex!

Seriously, look at those horns!

The train's (historical as well) turn table!

On one part of the street.....Harley's (notice, no helmets)

and on the other....horses!

Texas here we come!!!

2009-06-16T09:02:00.000-07:00

I am so excited to be going on an adventure with my husband! Mike and I have not been "a lone" with out kids over night in almost 4 years!!!!!! I'm not sure how I feel about leaving the kids..well leaving Blake! He is going to miss his mommy and daddy! Grandma has a few things up her sleeve as far as entertaining the kids and I know they will love it!I am so blessed to have a mom who supports me! I love you mom!

Check back next Sunday.....0r Monday for pictures and the whole scoop!

Enjoy your week!

Have you seen these?????

2009-06-11T21:29:00.000-07:00

I couldn't get the picture to post, but if you ever have a June Cleaver moment or maybe even Lucy wore something like these too! You gotta see these!

Can I get an amen!

2009-06-10T21:24:00.001-07:00

Lately I find myself on my knees more and more. I am so grateful in my faith that I have a loving Heavenly Father to pray to and pour my heart out to when no one else can help. I have decided (as I have always known) that I have to give my life to Jesus totally! There are some days when I just don't know how I'm gonna get thru....then I am humbled and remember that He has been there before me and has suffered for me. When I can't deal anymore He fills the "void" and I feel whole again. I am soooooooooo totally blessed!

Thought you might like this....

2009-06-07T18:57:00.000-07:00

Since I really don't have anything new right now, check this out

{I think I'm gonna work on my kitchen tomorrow, seems I am always tweaking that room!}

I'm so excited....and I just can't hide it!

2009-05-29T09:58:00.000-07:00

{Love this kitchen...just a little inspiration.....this lovely kitchen was designed by Dave Stimmel.}

Photo courtesy of HGTV

Remember that song? It's really silly why I'm so excited! I love Hobby Lobby ! And.....since we are most likely moving to where there is one (only 6 miles away from the new town in the new state) it's making me super happy. Oh the finds they have! It will be fun making our new nest homey having one of those nearby!

A new inspiring find!

2009-05-26T14:05:00.000-07:00

{I'm just thrilled about this site! Check out the photos too}

My sister Jennie's (is that proper?) Mother In Law wanted my Homemade Laundry soap recipe! So I emailed her the link to my blog thinking she might need help navigating it. Boy was I wrong! She in returns tells me that she loves my blog and that her Sister In Law has a blog also that she thinks I would just love! She couldn't be more right!

Check it out......Here ! I was sooooo inspired by her ideas that I had to email my sis in law Cathy to tell her all about my new thoughts on our girls weekend in Las Vegas this July!

Really go check it out! Antique-ing, event planning and much much more!

Click on the links on the left side of the blog! The pictures are so wonderful!

So did you watch it?

2009-05-25T22:38:00.000-07:00

I can't believe Jon and Kate are actually talking Divorce!!!!!! I am shocked only because they just recently renewed their vows in Hawaii. Mike can never stand watching the show with me because of the way that Kate talked to Jon. They were definitely like two totally different people! So sad. I hope they can work things out.....like maybe Kate can turn the cameras off and just focus on her marriage and family. Write the books if she has to but if the paparazzi is really that bad than why not just say "we're done." She always said that when it wasn't fun anymore they would quit. I have loved their show since the first hour specials that they did.

The view from my front porch

2009-05-22T20:38:00.000-07:00

The other day the kids wanted to "do" sidewalk chalk and it was a perfectly lovely day so we headed out front!

Drawing a chalk line around Dad.

Jeffrey was still milkin it.....er I mean healing!

I may not have an ocean view but I'll take this view any day!

A Baby Shower for Andrea

2009-05-15T16:31:00.000-07:00

Last night I had the privilege of co hosting along with Stacy a shower for a good friend.

Everything turned out sooooo sweet! We did a Milk and Cookies theme inspired by this talented chick! Click on their link to see it ALL! Truly talented.

We took a different spin on our theme. Everything was vintage inspired using all Amy Butler papers for the invitations-to the Apothecary liners. We took it a little further with the jar name tags. Each cookie was named for a classic brand like Tiffany Tarts, Coco Chanel Charms etc. Our guest of honor is a shopper and we thought this was just perfect for her.

Thanks to our helpers Amy and Mary for the extra cookies, couldn't have done it with out you!

{I did touch up most of the photos for fun and because I didn't use my EOS Digital and the lighting wasn't my fave with my new tiny camera.}

Enjoy!

It's A Girl!

Catching up!

2009-05-15T13:36:00.001-07:00

I feel like it has been forever since I posted....but we have been very busy!

Here we are on a date with Blake at Love Sushi, he loves California rolls, miso soup and all the other good stuff there.

Our front porch and some work done by moi`! The kids helped me move the couch one night all the way from the back patio to the front porch. It was a team effort, I couldn't have done it with them.

Ugly barren urn that desperately needs some green and pink!

Ta da!

I have two urns on either side of the front door and they both look so good now!

These lovely girls with Camryn are our babysitting sisters! We just loev 'em!

Cami and her good friend Skye at Skye's baptism!

A couple of Sundays ago our good family friends the Tow's home. We were there celebrating their son's first communion.

Blake found the maraccas!

I just walked outside and these girls and boy were all perfectly arranged for a picture! So I couldn't pass it up!

The boys with Colton infront of Colton's church.

Cami, Sydney and Sarah.

The Kim Family was also celebrating their sons communions that day too.

I just got my free e-book from the Nester....want one too?

2009-05-06T09:01:00.001-07:00

It's all about her It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful motto!

Go get yours today!

Look what I made

2009-05-03T22:57:00.000-07:00

Yes it is a tassel! Isn't she lovely?

LL Cool G!

2009-04-27T22:58:00.000-07:00

Some great shots of G..... here he is on his skateboard...yes! in the house. I have really gotten soft over the years!

Boys and Bikes...Dirt bikes

2009-04-27T20:05:00.001-07:00

After about 5 years of riding their Honda 50's Jeff and Gavin had their first "real" accident. I say real because this time it involved going into shock. Gavin unfortunately had a blind spot with his goggles and couldn't see Jeff coming up along side him at full speed and accidentally turned into Jeff. (T-bone) Jeff's Bike landed right on top of him as did the spinning rear tire that took of a few layers of skin and left major tire marsk that are almost gone now. So, after an hour and a half (believe me this is the short version) of Jeff being in shock and thinking he had a broken wrist and possible broken ankle (we were very blessed to have some very experinced moms there) all he ended up with was a swollen ankle, some nasty bruising and icky skin missing on his leg! Lesson: Remember to always wear your riding boots even if you hate them!!! Gavin had some major guilt that day and we did our very best to reasure him that it was NOT his fault. I think he is feeling better about it now. Poor guy. I am so thankful that it was not more serious.

Above is Jeff's leg

This is G all happy and excited to ride!

This is Jeff's leg all patched up and sitting in the front seat at the drive thru at In N Out!

Remember these?

2009-04-24T18:00:00.000-07:00

With Mike's new soft ware I got a little artsy on these pics.

Camryn's bedding......I played around with the colors... the fringe is a lot more faded looking in real life. I like the shadow look like maybe it is in a dark room in an old house.

These were from a baby shower I did for Talia. I just got a little artsy with it. Love the way it looks! Don't you love how the counter stool looks so antique-ish?

I love this

2009-04-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

This is from Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic..Did you know that she had to close all her stores but one and her online store is closed as well? So sad. Her line is still available at Target for now. I think Santa Monica is the only remaining one (real Shabby Chic shop). I should take a trip there one day.

Waiting for this to arrive....

2009-04-24T14:13:00.001-07:00

Bought this on etsy the other day.

I am finding this to be quite fitting right now.

Have you ever seen this b4? It is from the WWII campaign. I think it belongs in a big fat black frame!

Love this...

2009-04-23T21:19:00.001-07:00

I love these verses. They are speaking volumes to me. Isn't it funny how scripture can touch your heart differently at different stages in your life? I don't know if 5 years ago this would have the same meaning for me as it does today.

Enjoy and Endure.

Proverbs 31:10-15

10 Who can find a virtous woman for her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens

Mike's bloggin debut!

2009-04-23T16:30:00.000-07:00

The photo posts below are by my main squeeze Mikey. He had so much fun with his new photo software......don't judge the pic of me with my hair in the wind...why he chose that???? I know, it's because our lil guy looks so dang cute~!

Dogtown Zephyr

2009-04-23T14:19:00.000-07:00

I want ice-cream

2009-04-23T14:17:00.000-07:00

Wild Animal Park

2009-04-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

Spencer Retro Style

2009-04-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

Summer Heat

2009-04-23T14:11:00.001-07:00

Look what I found....future baker?

2009-04-17T22:16:00.000-07:00

I was going through my pictures tonight and saw this one from December. I don't know how I missed it but thought I'd share. Isn't he cute? Doesn't he look so proud of his work? I don't know if there are quite enough sprinkles though!

2009-04-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

This picture makes me happy. I need that today even though today is almost over. I know I have so many blessings and so many reasons to be grateful. Can you see the but coming? But I need a light at the end of the tunnel. I am trying to find an inner strength to call on to carry me through. An inner strength to help me call on the Lord to carry me through. I have faith in Him and that this trial is in my life for a reason....it's just that I feel like I have already grown from it and can it now be over? I know tomorrow is a new day and a new start. I love tomorrows.

I wish I were going.....

2009-04-07T16:28:00.000-07:00

to the Farm Chicks Antique show!

Cute modest swimsuits!

2009-04-04T15:06:00.000-07:00

Check out {Lime Ricki} I can't wait to get one! Thanks Jaime for the tip~!

OK, I have a new favorite blog!

2009-04-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

For all you churchy homeschoolin' decoratin' crafty types or wannabe's! Check this out!

Look at her!

2009-03-30T17:14:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry but this has got to be one of the cutest things ever!!!! Imagine her on a pink or red Vespa cruising through the streets of Italy or Paris (with me of course, can't let her have all the fun!)

She learned last weekend and hasn't been scared off yet. She'll show those brothers of hers that girls can do it tooo!

Gavin's Birthday!!!

2009-03-30T17:06:00.000-07:00

Gavin requested and was granted doughnuts instead of cake for his birthday! (That's two out of four kids now.)

Can you tell what he is doing here and what sound effect???? I'll give you a hint, starts with f! What a boy! Always finding a way to slip in rude bodily function sounds!!!

I thought that I would make a scavenger clue hunt for Gavin to find his presents! He really had so much fun and it turns out that a few boys on our street wanted in on the fun.

Clues were hidden everywhere!

And here he is!!! Look at that smile! I made a fun lunch that he loved and so did his brothers and sister!

Camryn.....isn't she sweet?

2009-03-30T17:03:00.000-07:00

You must check this out!

2009-03-30T13:53:00.000-07:00

Gooey Choclatie pie bites ....or something like that!

Belle Grove

2009-03-29T10:38:00.000-07:00

I stumbled onto this plantation house a few years back while looking at historic homes and such in the Bayou and in Louisiana.

Here she is in her dilapidated state. Notice the columns on the side of the house? This was taken in the 1930's and there are no known pictures of the interior. This is a LA plantation. (Although I don't like what plantations were all about, I still have an appreciation for the structure of the house itself)

The house caught fire in 1952 and was bulldozed. I feel loss when I see it like this and then to think of it's demise. And, I have never seen it. Strange I know. I found a dead end when I was looking into it's past and why it was abandoned. Bet it had something to do with property tax!

Notice at the top of the picture you see a chandelier medallion. I am sure something beautiful hund there.

I have always wondered what this old plantation house would have looked like in her glory days.

Note: Check out Oak Alley! {Here}

Virginia Dreamin

2009-03-29T10:14:00.001-07:00

It's only 18 mil$. I think my equestrian sisters would love this for all the equine features! I of course love the pond and serenity and have always been fond of a great white house with glossy black shutters!

You can get lost in wonderful historic homes (mansions) here .

9 years ago today I became a Mom for the second time

2009-03-26T23:06:00.000-07:00

Camryn squeezed her way inbetween G and me! Here are a bunch of random photos that I thought I'd share with you all. I'll post today's birthday festivities tomorrow!

Here he is on his 4 birthday 5 years ago!

Happy Birthday Gavin!!! I love you soooo much. We are so blessed to have you in our family. You make it exciting and definitely interesting. You are so brave and daring yet so sweet and sensitive.

Homemade croutons

2009-03-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

Yum-o! Go check out the recipe at:

Our Best Bites

Two cute girls

2009-03-24T09:59:00.001-07:00

So if my camera battery hadn't died you would also be able to see the adorable flower bobby pin clips the girls made all by them selves. They even got to use the mini hot glue gun (with my supervision of course!)

My sweet lil girl

2009-03-23T20:47:00.000-07:00

Cami just came into the office and asked me if she could be the one to put Blake to bed. I of course said "sure!!!!!" Hey, any help I can get at bedtime I'll take. She really tried and he wasn't biting!He doesn't have Spring Break(for preschool) and wants to stay up with the kids. So, I am off to do my nightly mommy duties!

Get your front door decor

2009-03-20T21:46:00.000-07:00

Now in my {etsy }shop!

Tinyville or something like that...

2009-03-20T20:08:00.001-07:00

So I was on the computer and thought it was a bit quiet out in the kitchen....

I found Gavin (below) making a road out of construction paper and markers....
Cami decided to join the fun....
and then Blake! I helped Gavin finish the road and we made a whole town including a Village Car Wash, Mall, park and a Game Stop because every town needs one (or 10?) We have several in just a few block radius. Crazy! You'd think they were a Starbucks!

We even have a bridge with a stream running underneath!
Who'd have thought that we could have so much fun! Hours and hours of amusement!

New Drapes in the living room.....

2009-03-19T20:27:00.000-07:00

{Harrington House}

I have been contemplating new drapes for our living and dining room but haven't been {inspired} yet. Well that has changed! I stumbled onto this fabulous blog/typepad and can't wait to go find this {Waverly} at the fabic store tomorrow! Oh I hope it is there!

New favorite thing!!!

2009-03-17T21:00:00.000-07:00

What are they??? Yogurt covered almonds. You'd swear you were eating white chocolate they are that good! I got mine at WINCO all thanks to Mike's brother-in-law Steve. He gave 'em a try and they were so delish! Hi Steve Hi Christina, I know you are reading this and judging my grammar. Stop it! :) Get a google account already and leave a comment. Better yet start your own blog please!!!!! I need the humor of your writing Christina. Come on.....

Word verification

2009-03-17T20:56:00.000-07:00

So when I leave a post on someones blog I swear I get some of the funniest words!!! I actually catch my self chuckling. I know this is so lame but sometimes lame is what I need right now. Just something silly and dumb. Norchors? Terttart? Those were just two that I saw on the last comments I left. There have been funnier ones but come on I have 4 kids and a crazy life right now so forgive me for not remembering them all! :) Although they may sporadically appear in some of my future posts!

Jeffrey's Arrow of Light

2009-03-14T19:38:00.001-07:00

I don't know....it looks like a smile is emerging here!

Here he is trying hard not to smile....like it wouldn't be cool! (Even though he wanted to.) We built the bridge together. I have been waiting 4 years to do this with my baby. I can't believe that he is already half way out of the house already......I don't know why I keep thinking about that. I know that life is flying by so fast.

Here he is! We were all laughing so hard (accept Jeff which is why we were all laughing). Jeffrey has worked hard to accomplish this milestone in Cub Scouts. We have been a bit preoccupied with life so this post is very much over due! He is officially in the Boy Scouts now! I feel old. We are both so proud of him.

I'm gonna put it out there

2009-03-09T22:44:00.000-07:00

No, the bike is not for sale! But since I still can't find pictures since the "incident" I thought I would put Mike's one true great love (after the kids and me right Mike?)

My sweet hard working wonderful husband got "laid off" a week ago. I know! Can you believe it?

He is so talented and great with people. Everyone loves him. Although he was an outside sales mgr (rarely in the office), the office staff loved him. People cried and held on to him as he left. The company has been going through some tough times as GM is their major partner. Need I say more? He has had to say good bye to many clients as many have closed their GM dealerships down. These were people he has come to know and really like. People that we have vacationed with and had dinners with. Things don't look so good for "the company" as it stands now. Could be any day that they shut the doors. We are glad that we are out now instead of later. He felt really good about the lay off. He said he felt as though a weight were lifted from him and feels really positive about our future. (I am so glad that HE is optimistic) He was with the company for 9 years. It is time for a change. And if you know my husband you know he is so talented at what he did. It has been suggested though that he get an agent and start the comedy tour scene. Hmmmmm. If it brings home the bacon then I guess I would be OK with it?

Have you read Nie?

2009-03-08T22:59:00.000-07:00

If you haven't read the Nienie dialogues then you are truly missing out on a fantastic journey

see that blue square button thing over there--->?

The one with the cute little bird?

Are you a Mom in need of some motivation and renewing?

Go on and click on it already! You'll be glad that you did! I promise.

Dear Mike,

2009-03-06T17:45:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to let you know (and everyone else who reads this thing) how much I really truly love you. You are a source of stregnth to me. Remember today on the couch with Blake? I wasn't feeling to good about our situation and really feeling down. It didn't hit me right then but it did while I was in the Dr.s office with Camryn later. The feeling came to me that everything will be alright. You always take care of us. Always. I need to remember to have faith in you and in our Heavenly Father. Thank you my sweet sweet husband.

~me

Homemade pizza and more.....

2009-03-05T16:55:00.001-08:00

I am so bummed that I didn't get a picture of Camryn's talent. She did a magic trick! I will try to take one of her and post it later. She can hold a pencil(vertically) in the palm of her hand by the eraser and not drop it and not bend her fingers to help out. We have all tried it in our family and she is the only one with the gift! LOL

Gavin's talent for the Talent show at church was skating on his board to 1999 By Prince! Hilarious and he was really good at it. He also put on some Barbie tennis shoes on his fingers for them dance! Crazy kid!

Jeffrey and his award for his talent which was playing the piano and showing off a collection of Clones. He taught himself how to play Viva la Vida by Coldplay and Daylight by Matt and Kim. He is so very talented and intelligent I tell ya!
Silly face boy! He is eating his pizza upside down.....guess he likes the taste of the toppings first!
Pizza dough made in the bread machine! How easy!!!!!

New Beginings

2009-03-03T20:47:00.000-08:00

I just got back from New Beginings for our Young Women. What a fantastic night!!! Our theme was Operation Personal Progress Mission Possible! We did a whole Mission (Im)possible skit complete with secret agents and new recruits (our girls that came from Primary or new move ins) I got to be a special secret agent and deliver "mission assignments" to the 7 secret agent girls. There was one secret agent for each value...Faith...Divine Nature...etc. I had to look like I was undercover and deliver a mission to each of them secret like. I actually hid behind a plant that I held as I moved from agent to agent. Sometimes I was on the floor other times I was walking. It was so funny! I wish I had pictures! I love our girls so much!

Be careful of what you tell your kids to pick up!

2009-03-03T16:52:00.001-08:00

So Mike just got home from the mall with Camryn and Blake and told me a terrifying but some what humorous event that took place out side the car in the parking lot! As he was getting Blake out of his seat he noticed a shiny pink cd in a case on the ground. He told Camryn to go look at it because he though it looked like the Disney Princess ones we have seen b4. After Blake got out and Mike took a closer look he shouted NOOOOOO!!!! Don't touch it! Turns out it was some one's gross icky yuck "dirty" DVD! It was pink with a cute font that was very close to the Disney font! He quickly got rid of it! That could have been very disturbing for our sweet innocent little Cami if she had laid eyes on it! I am so glad to have a husband who is quick on his feet like that.

My new toy!!!!!

2009-02-27T14:16:00.000-08:00

It's a bread machine! I know they have been around for years but, I didn't know that you could delay the timer or just make pizza dough! I have some in the mixer now.......hot bread tonight!

My Last Country Home Issue

2009-02-24T14:14:00.001-08:00

Today I received my very last Country Home issue. I heard from The Cottage Nest a month or so ago that they would be closing the magazine. They did say however,(on the paper cover) that we would receive a few complimentary issues of Family Circle which I thought was a nice Gesture.

Cute P.J.'s

2009-02-23T20:21:00.000-08:00

On our way to preschool last week I had Mike snap a shot of lil man and me.

This is the new front door decor that I made a couple of weeks ago. I really like how it turned out. (I know there is a little straggler hangin..dang it I hate it when I see things like that after I have taken a pic of it!) I was inspired by Ballards Christmas catalog so I decided to make my own. I love it~!

My dog Spot jammy's for Blake and I think I might make some for Etsy

Here is the cute pin cusion and a cute boy! He helped my stick all those pins in there!

I was in a freak mode the other day and spent the entire day sewing! I made 2 pairs of capri pants for Camyrn (for some reason I didn't take a pic) and these adorable p.j.'s for Blake! I also made a fun pin cushion that I just love. It is nice and fat with lots of room for more!