Taco Bell: Mid 80's to 2009 - R.I.P.

My beloved Taco Bell,

I can't believe this is "goodbye". I first met you in my teens and have fallen in love with your adorable pinkish bell. Your delicious food and nutritious meat has kept me coming back for more. Really, where else did 69 cents get me a lunch in high school? I couldn't have been more thrilled when our new home was located so close to you. I used you as a landmark, a comfort food, a break from my walks to the nearby mall, a diet coke stop, and most of all for my fourth meal! Thank you, Taco Bell for creating that ever important fourth meal. See, my husband and I used to call it a "bed lunch", but thanks to you, I now have a real name for that late night craving. Even more, you offered supurb late night service. Common, not everyone is as dedicated as you were. It seems like just yesterday when your fourth meal saved me when I was pregnant. Your saucy refried beans were just what my developing babies needed. For years I could always count on you to come up with an endless menu using the same 6 ingredients. Genius!
TB, I will miss you. It was pain staking to watch this horrible creature of a tractor destroy you. Although I wouldn't have missed this chance to say our farewells.
R.I.P.

Spring fever.

I promise I haven't given up on blogging. The sun has been out! When the sun is out... I'm not in front of the computer. Instead I am chasing Trenton with his new bike and dinosaur helmet around.

and laughing at Simon with his Elmo helmet on..

Trenton had his first preschool field trip the other day, and he was FAR more excited to ride the bus than he was to go to the zoo.

and... I sat in front of him and his adorable buddy on the way there, and he was so fun to listen to. He is apparently a babbler, and the sweetest thing is that this buddy just listens and encourages him. See, after awhile... I sadly tune him out.. not her! She is SO good to him!!!
We LOVE preschool.

Oh yeah... I had a GREAT birthday!!!

And... Easter was wonderful. With all the egg hunts, church, and special meaning behind this holiday, I managed to snap a picture with my boys and their Great-Grandma. She is so cool!!!

My new cake class started. This cake isn't too fantastic, but it was exciting to make. Our next cake is a tiered cake. Hopefully it won't topple over before I can get some pictures.

Easter Best!

This is what Shonda did! The first photo with my boys TOGETHER... and the first picture with the cousins together.
I LOVE THEM ALL!

Just the miscellaneous in our life

I haven't forgotten about this blog. We just haven't done too much. We had some amazing weather and we did yard work (nothing worth taking pictures of), and the rest of the time we did some of this....

(ate food and made messes)

(drank smoothies ...aka... smoovies)

(smiled and made silly faces)

(drew pictures of ourselves)

(and...rode the new train)

Watch out Duff!

For those of you who aren't up on the Food Network's Ace of Cakes, the master cake maker is named Duff. He makes some pretty crazy cakes( ie snowboard terrain park, fire breathing dragons, tiki huts, etc.). I just wanted to state for the record that he better watch out! Here I come with my red roses, nicely arranged leaves, and dots. :D

This was all done in my new cake decorating class!!!
Just you wait and see what course #2 will bring!

Preschool prankster!

I am torn between being proud and emotional. I know it's a strange time to begin preschool, but thats just the way this little school works. We are so excited for Trenton to go, and a bit nervous. He has NO separation anxiety, which is GREAT, but a "good-bye Mom & Dad", might have been nice too.

Kona got SKUNKED!

Yes... skunked! Literally!
Most animals know instinctively to stay away from these lovely little creatures, but no.. not our genius dog! So, if we smell a little funny for a few days, I'll be hoping that you smell the febreeze, glade, vanilla, soap, and Listerine.
Poor Kona had to have a nice bath of Listerine to help get the smell out... he is minty fresh!

Golf on Valentine's

New clubs... clear skies...and love fluttering all around the driving range.

Emile was THRILLED to go with the boys to teach them a thing of two. Fortunately for me, I ended up with a few pictures, and a video to show you all.

Painting in our PJ's

I might have a Picasso on my hands... or maybe not. Either way, I think his art work is near perfect! Colorful, slightly abstract, unique, and very put together.

I tried!

So, I had a wild hair the other day to try to bake something I saw someone else do PERFECTLY! It required me to make fondant, which I've never worked with before, and it was supposed to turn out like this...
While it was fun to try, and I learned a lot. I managed to have a RAGING oven fire, cut my finger open, got red dye all over my tile counters and grout, destroyed the "truffles" into the melted chocolate... all while spending a small unnecessary fortune TRYING to make this.

At least I had fun...I have a few pictures to show... and I got to eat a little cake in the mean time.This is the bottom of ONE of the pans that got burned up in the fire.

Here is the heart cake... fondant on... no truffles though.

I may have goofed...

Back when I knew everything about parenting (i.e. before I had actual children), I knew my future children would be TV and video game free!

Have I done something wrong when all Trenton gets excited for is when he can play the "dinosaur" (Yoshi) on the "driving game" (Mariokart)?

Or when he discusses whatever Diego, Superwhy, Clifford, or Sid the Science Kid have had on their recent programming?

I couldn't believe my eyes!

I have officially seen everything!

Thank you Petco for carrying such a necessary item. Poor Kona will have to suffer through life with filthy ol tap water (maybe Brita if we're feeling nice).

The Big Day

Well, Friday was the big day for our little man and at exactly 2:30pm, Simon turned 1 year old. The sad thing is that the poor guy had a pretty bad fever and a nasty cough, but that didn't stop him from being king for the day.

I have a tendency to get really excited for the cake. This dinosaur turned out looking a little more like a dragon, but despite the confusion it was so much fun to make. I couldn't WAIT to have the party just to show off my creation.

Simon's First Birthday

My baby's birthday is tomorrow!
I can't believe this has been a year!?! (I know everyone says this when their baby has a birthday)
He still can't yet talk or walk, but we've noticed a few other changes...
From 7 lbs 12 oz... to some unknown chub o'tub.
From flimsy to football player
From dark hair to toe head

We love you Simon Nino!
Happy 1st Birthday!

Thanks for the killer photos Shonda.

(to be continued... birthday cake... candles... and of course a birthday pinyata)

To the rescue!

At any given time in our house, we are blessed to have some new super hero arrive. He is usually not wearing much, and trying to find anything to go around his neck. Well, problem solved. We now have Super Trenton, and he can be blue or red depending on his mood. He went CRAZY for his new identity, but after running around like a crazy man, he came to Emile whining...

Emile - Trenton, why are you whining?
Trenton - (pant, pant)... Dad... it's broken... I can't fly!

And... our Super Hero saved the day by letting our mice out into the WILD (said with a slight roar). We found a perfect home for them. A hole in a log on some school property.

After they each entered in.. We gave them their cheese, hay, and bread. I think they were pretty happy. Good luck little guys.