Happy Birthday Emile!

So, my amazing husband is turning 29 today. It is the last year of his second decade here on this earth. I have had the pleasure of spending this last decade with him. And, in this past decade, we have seen and done a lot together. I couldn't be more happy for him on this day because today is HIS day. The day that HIS existence is actually called to the front of our minds and we make him feel as special as we can. So, in honor of that... I want to show you a few things that make me smile when I think of him.

Happy Birthday! I am always laughing and loving you!

Look what I did!

Ok... so I got another creative streak and look what happened! I can't wait for Simon to sport this out in public.

First overnighter

Here's another big THANKS to UNCLE LEE for letting the boys borrow his cool sprinter van for the weekend.

The boys had their first "Father/Son Overnight" to the coast.
Here they are before they took off.

And while they were gone.. Mom got sick. So Simon and I had a party watching a chick flick, eating sushi and salad. :D Minus being sick... it was kinda special being with this little guy.

Mother's Day

Today is Mother’s day and on this special day, I have had the opportunity to look forward and think about where I want to be as a mother. What kind of values I want to instill in my children, and I have also had the opportunity to do a lot of reflection on my own childhood. The good thing, is that we all had or have a Mother. What did she teach you, what wonderful memories do you have of her? I am grateful for my mother. She taught me some of life’s most important lessons. To name a few, she taught me that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; that prayer and scripture study are the keys to finding peace, stability and answers in life. I am grateful for all the times that she made a conscious effort to let the spirit into our home. It did make a difference, and I hope that as I raise my children that I can have that same influence on them. I am grateful that my mother taught me to believe in myself, to be responsible, to celebrate others and their accomplishments. She taught me to banish bitterness, and to set my standards high. She has never stopped being a mother. Somehow I thought that when I became an adult that I wouldn’t need my mother as much as I did as when I was a child, I was wrong. I find myself appreciating what my mom has to offer more now than I ever have before. I find myself calling on her and asking how long to cook the pork for, or how to deal with teething a baby. My mom was born to be wonderful.

Celebrity look alikes...

Really? Hmm... I think I want to try again....



AHHH!!!! BOY GEORGE!!!??! I'll take Eva though. Who do YOU come up with??

A new makeover

This site has been LONG overdue for a makeover.
What do you think of my new do?

Cinco De Mayo

I love living in a place where we look for any excuse to celebrate! And, I think that Cinco de Mayo is a perfect time to get together, and have some fun.

Our good friends, the Poe's had us over for a Cinco de Mayo party with this cool pinata! Isn't it cute?

Avery and Trenton were not the greatest at hitting the pinata, but they quickly starting enjoying it more when they realized there were treats inside.

These two nerds are the ones that really went crazy. I'm so glad they invited us for the fun, food, drinks, and music! I can't believe I didn't take a picture of the margaritas (virgin of course), the tacos, dips, chips, etc.

Does anyone even know what Cinco de Mayo is a celebration for? Have you ever even seen any native Mexicans celebrating this holiday before? I think I usually just see American's (like us) in our yards, celebrating their holiday because we can. :D Whether you know what you're partying for or not, I hope you all had a happy Cinco de Mayo!

The needy

What would you do for 35 cents?

I'm not sure I would do anything. Today as I was at Safeway, and a grimey, un-showered, overweight man rode his electric cart up to the express lane in front of me. He gave the cashier 3 receipts for bottles. I was trying not to pay attention, but overheard the cashier say, "here is your 35 cents, sir".

I thought to myself, 35 Cents? 35 Cents!!!

I was shocked and left feeling slightly embarrassed at all the little extras I had in my hands at that moment. After the embarrassment, my heart started to swell with compassion that he would have worked to save so little. I am overwhelmed with a new desire to not judge those who are needy and to work a little harder to be more generous with my abundance.

What would you do for 35 cents?

Coolest Uncle Ever

So, Trenton can't stop talking about how cool his Uncle Lee is! I hear about him all the time. When he is in trouble, he calls to Uncle Lee to save him. When he is having a fun time, he wants to know where Uncle Lee is. Even when he is going to bed, he says his prayers and is most thankful for Uncle Lee. Lee is so cool that he even took the time to take this adorable picture of Trenton on his cool big bike in a leather jacket he found for him.

What I love most about Uncle Lee is that he loves our boys as much as we do. When Lee is learning Spanish, he brings over Spanish videos for Trenton. When his fiance, Sarah (aka Aunt Sarah) was studying to be a doctor, they brought him a book about bodies. He is known to be a great babysitter, and who would have thought that he had such a soft spot for kids?

Lee also found this awesome helicopter and gave it to Trenton the other night just because he felt like making us all look like lame ducks compared to him.

Watch this video to see just how nifty this little toy is. Emile is enjoying it just as much if not more than Trenton.

We are really sad that he is moving to Texas in a few months. We are going to miss him (and Aunt Sarah too!!!). We should all wish that we had an Uncle Lee.

new scrubbies

On our trip to the store last night, we both ended up in the section where you can buy scrubbies at different times. I noticed them and picked out the white scrubby. Emile came behind a few minutes later and put the "other" scrubby into the cart. As I couldn't take my eyes off of the colors radiating from the cart, it caused me to wonder. Do these say anything about our personalities?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAINA!!

I know most of you think this is Raina's blog, but I figure since I guessed her password its my blog now too. I just wanted to take a minute and wish my sweetheart a very happy birthday. She makes my world complete and I wouldn't enjoy life the same without her. I know all of you could say the same, your life wouldn't be as good if it didn't have a little Raina in it. So lets all raise our drinks and toast to today...April 14th....Raina Day!!

Happy Birthday Raina!!

Spring Cleaning

I love spring cleaning. Not my own spring cleaning but other people's. I usually manage to hit some fantastic garage sales in the beginning of spring. I am thankful other people have great toys that they are willing to sell for almost nothing.
Look what I managed to steal for $12.

- 7 Classic books (like the bear hunt :D)
- a ring toss game
- Chicken croquet (the chicken gets hit... starts squawking and lays an egg)
- Life
- Another board game with a map on it (Carmen Sandiego)
- A fish game
- a TON of Legos
- a basket full of matchbox cars
- a rocket launcher
AND
- a plinko type marble game

I hit the jackpot today. I can't wait until the big sale. Enjoy your spring cleaning!

Love those Choo Choo Trains

What more can I say??
Shonda + My boys = my favorite pictures

Still in love

He has us laughing all the time!

Take the other day for example. Dad was having a moment with his son watching some golf.

Emile in his excitement tried teaching Trenton who Tiger Woods is. Tiger had on his typical red shirt, black pants and black hat. A few minutes later, they showed another golfer (Vijay Singh) . Trenton being super observant noticed him and said... "it's another Tiga Woods". Emiles reply "He's kinda like Tiger Woods, but a bit different." Then another golfer wearing red & black (not sure who) was shown on TV and Trenton screamed "looky.... a white Tiga Wood". We just about died laughing.

"Tiga Woods"
"another Tiga Woods"
"looky..a white Tiga Woods"

Movie help

I need friendly help. See, we have this blockbuster movie thing (kinda like Netflix) and I can pick movies online that will be mailed to me. My Queue is nearly empty, and I'm looking for all of you to come out of the wood work and share with me some great movies that you have seen lately. I barely have time to watch any movies, so when I sit down, I'd like to know it was seen by someone else and enjoyed.
Can anyone recommend something great to watch?

Happy Easter

Weloming Simon ...

I always look forward to making videos of my kids, and I rarely get the chance to make them. With a new baby, I had a chance to make this video of his debut. Since the video is slightly personal I have debated even putting it on here.

If seeing a baby seconds old makes you a little uneasy, then this video is NOT for you. Nothing TOO graphic.

With no further adieu.

I made truffles

I did it. Although, they didn't quite turn out like I wanted.

I was making these little truffles to drop off at friends houses, but only a few turned out even half decent. So instead, I have been slowly eating them. I think slowly eating doesn't seem like.. really eating. See, if I sat down in one sitting and devoured (let's say) 5 of these truffles, I'd feel yucky. But since I eat one... wait awhile, then eat another, and then later... think about just one more. Then I forget that I'm eating them and continue going back until they are all gone.

I will send this formal apology for being modest about the poor chocolate dipping job, and promise that if I EVER make truffles again, I will share with others and not eat them all myself.

Simon's Blessing

Thanks everyone for coming! This is all of us outside of the church looking our Sunday Best. :D

And... here I am a few days before. I don't often post pictures of myself.. ESPECIALLY without make-up. But, the photo was taken... i was smiling (he was not) and here I am.

She did it again...

Yep.. Shonda took amazing pictures AGAIN!!! This time she has it on her new blog. I'll add some different pictures to my site as soon as I get them, but in the mean time... enjoy them on her blog.
Thanks Shonda!

FOUND:

FOUND! OK... the rascal got out to the street (a big no no), and then someone thought he was terribly lost. So, they picked him up in an attempt to help us. The sad thing is, if they would have told him to "go home" he would have mozied across the street back to the drive way. We get him back tonight though. At least he is safe and sound.

Missing:

Kona Alert!!!

MISSING! Lhasa Apso/Shih tzu mix. 7 years old. Gray with white chest. Missing as of late afternoon Sunday. Please call if you are in the neighborhood and see him.

(It was a Christmas card...if you knew us then... then we go WAY back!) :D