Let's be honest

Fall Festival

2009-04-08T19:40:00.003-07:00

CTA Freedom

Amelia's school had it's annual Fall Festival

Horse racing
Pie Toss
Poor guy (he,he,he)

Face Painting
Bean Bag Toss

Quality time

2009-04-08T19:29:00.002-07:00

When we got back from the cold, wet, dirty mountains the car was a mess

so......

My little child laborer :)

Hey, she thought it was fun...
Family reading time (Where the red fern grows)

Sedona Part 1

2009-02-09T12:46:00.005-07:00

We drove up to Sedona on a rainy afternoon

I, of course, had to take a jillion pictures...

here are the highlights:

Brian and Amelia

The sweetest kid!

Playing and giggling among the leaves

Sedona Part 2

2009-01-12T09:57:00.009-07:00

Ameila and a GIGANTIC leaf! Sheesh.

My handsome husband :)

We came across this beautiful shopping center,

and of course we had to visit the sweet shop

Oh, the magic and wonder of a case full of candy...

Halloween 2008

2009-01-12T09:14:00.006-07:00

Amelia got to pick out her own pumpkin.

Can you tell how she feels about it?Cool, pumpkin guts!

On Halloween night we had a party with the Droegs.
We had dinner and then made glow-in-the-dark necklaces.

After trick-or-treating we ate lots of homemade treats and

watched Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and Hokus Pokus.

Trick-or-Treat time!
Amelia was a night fairy.
Tatum, Hannah, and Amelia
She flew from house to house...Trick-or-treat!
Best part of the night...

checking out the "loot"

Happy Halloween :)

Loved it!

2008-11-05T13:37:00.005-07:00

I love this clip... such validation for the feeling of wanting to fitting in, doing what your husband/children/parents want, and trying to make sense of your life and responsibilites. Go girls! I guess no matter how old we get, we still face the same issues...

Watch CBS Videos Online

Sunday

2008-10-26T18:58:00.005-07:00

I did Amelia's hair for church today and we were

both so proud that I had to take pictures

Grandma Nanna called today,

(she has been out of town for months) and of course,

Amelia loves talking on the phone... We miss you, Nanna.

Highlight Of The Week

2008-10-26T18:38:00.003-07:00

After we picked Brian up from the airport,

(work trip) we went to our daughters' favorite restaurant ever...

Rain Forest Cafe.

Dad brought her back the teddy bear as a gift
Amelia's happy place

Now I know where to buy all her Christmas present from...

Great Grandma Jackson

2008-10-19T18:53:00.005-07:00

Leona Jackson

My mom's mom

What a special lady

Snuggles with Amelia

Achievement of the week

2008-10-19T18:39:00.006-07:00

I had defrosted ground beef and was all set to make hamburgers when I discovered that my hamburger buns had freezer burn. Yuck. So to the Internet I flew to find a hamburger bun recipe. Dinner ended up being an hour and a half later than intended, but the buns made it all worth it. Brian and Amelia both thought I had bought them. Score!

P.S. I have attempted to make homemade bread at least 5 times before, all to know avail. This was not just bread making, it was a personal victory!

P.S. S. Yes, I know I have way too much time on my hands. :)

Happy Birthday To Me

2008-10-19T18:30:00.003-07:00

In reality my birthday was over a month ago, so these pictures are a little overdue... but here is my beautiful and decadent birthday cake (thanks mom) and the family picture of us all together.

Colorado Family Vacation Pt. 2

2008-09-14T14:05:00.007-07:00

The YMCA we stayed at
(See synopsis below)An average evening of movie watching
Driving around we found: baby pine trees...
amazing wildlife...

and my dream cabin (more like a mansion in the woods)

Amelia riding "strawberry" the pony

Our 3 hour horseback ride in the freezing rain.

Delightful.

All geared up for our rafting adventure

Beautiful Estes Park... in the rain
Watching a glass blowing demonstration
Getting a black bear hug!
______________________________________

Synopsis:

Our Colorado vacation was by far the best vacation we have been on to date!
The weather was absolutely perfect, minus the suprise rain storm

(but where we come from that was a treat, so we loved that too).

We stayed at the YMCA part of our vacation, where there was food, crafts, hikes, campfires, horseback riding, day camps and other various activites.
Amelia went to day camp for two of the days and they made paper mache volcanoes, bead necklaces, went on scavenger hunts, swam in the indoor pool, went on pony rides, went hiking, and had hot dog cookouts. She had a blast, and Brian and I had time with some alone with each other. We went shopping, hiking, and horseback riding. As a family, we did some great crafts, (including tie-dying, glass mosaic art, and beading) went white water rafting, and did lots of sightseeing.

__________________________________________________

If I could recommend one place to spend a summer family vacation,

Estes Park, Colorado would be it.

Colorado Family Vacation Pt. 1

2008-09-14T13:25:00.004-07:00

Colorado 2008

_____________________________________________________

On the way to Colorado,

Amelia's first airplane ride.

We meet my brother Jon, and three of his four kids.

His wife and his other son weren't able to make it.

We walked around some shops, ate lunch,

and then went for a hike in Rocky Mnt. Nat'l Park.

It rained off and on, but it was great being with family

(Jackie, Amelia, Natalie, and Jonny)

Hiking with the hubby

Spending quality time with the bro

Beautiful view, cool pic

The kids were so enthralled with the ducks.

Look at that cute camper!

After the hike we went out to dinner and ice cream

How lucky we were to spend time with family!

Fun For Everyone

2008-08-11T20:30:00.006-07:00

The nearby town of Queen Creek was having an opening day celebration for their new marketplace/shopping center. The big attraction was snow, so I took Amelia to check it out. They had booths for all of the retailers, and a line to play in the snow... which wrapped around the booths. We waited in line for over an hour, drenched in our own sweat, just to play in the snow for 3 minutes.

Look at all the crazy folk waiting for their 3 minutes of packed, shaved ice glory

Little Miss Personality

(Or as I call her: Sassy McSassy)

Oh, the delight of a 5 year old
Trying not to slip in the snow

Flip flops don't have that much traction on ice. That's odd.
Wet Butt!
Bummed out by the "times up" whistle
Afterwords we went to Chipotle for lunch
Scarfer :)

Later that night, Brian's MBA graduating class had a night out at some swanky nightclub in Scottsdale. There was a live Jazz/Blues singer there, which made my night
Mingling on the terrace
Hallalejuah! I've got my husband back!

My Heart Melted

2008-08-06T20:29:00.005-07:00

So, I had my blog open and Brian and I were downstairs listening to some relaxing music, when Amelia came down for hugs and kisses before bedtime. Brian and Amelia thought I was asleep, but I heard him ask Amelia if she wanted to dance. I snatched my camera from the coffee table and snapped a couple pictures. Dang, I wish I had a video camera. Anyway, the last one is a cheeser because they figured out I was taking pictures by then.

P.S. The song was I Hope You Dance. What are the odds?!!

Happy Birthday, Pops!

2008-08-05T14:20:00.004-07:00

Birthday Breakfast

Today is my Dad's 65th Birthday, and I just want him to know how special he is to me. He has been through a lot, yet he still has a huge heart and a never ending sense of humor. He can always deflate my drama with a quick joke, and helps me to put things in perspective. He is a great listener, and a tremendously hard worker. He has always been there for me, and made me see the sunshine in everday.

I Love You, Dad!

Dress Up Diva

2008-08-05T13:38:00.005-07:00

Summers End

2008-08-03T13:25:00.004-07:00

Our friends, The Johnsons, moved 4 hours away to Northern Arizona

last year... and now are moving to Northern Idaho

So Amelia and I drove up to see them before they moved even farther away.

The drive was all windy mountain roads, but Amelia just slept and played her magnetic games.

It was so green and rainy, we weren't sure if we were still in Arizona!

The trip was really laid back and we mostly watched T.V. ...

The kids played...

...and Katie and I got to have a girls day out (which mostly consisted of a scenic drive, lunch, and 4 hours of shopping in Walmart), but it was marvelous to have adult time!

Good times!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The day after we got back from our visit, was

Amelia's First Day of School!

Our Sweet Pea is all grown up!

She was nervous the night before and said:

"I don't want to be a big kid, they have to do hard stuff!"

"Big kids don't get to have fun, they just to boring learning!"

"What if I don't know the answers?"

We talked it through, and when I picked her up that first day she said:

"It was not bad, Mom!"

"I was worried in my heart, but it was fun!"

When I asked her what her favorite part of school was she responded

with THE classic answer:

"Lunch!"

The Gas Incident

2008-07-28T14:38:00.002-07:00

So last week Amelia and I were running errands in a hundred degree plus weather, and we stopped at Costco to get gas. Now every time Brian gets gas he lets Amelia help him, yet I always say no when she asks me. I often feel like the mean parent when it comes to child involvement, so this time when she asked if she could help... I said alright. I let her swipe the credit card and push the grade button, then I grabbed the hose and stuck it in the gas tank.

When she asked to hold the hose I thought she wouldn't be strong enough to hold the lever in, but she said she wanted to try... so I again said yes. She then grabbed the lever and tried to squeeze with all her might, but instead of standing there next to me squeezing the lever while I supervised, she decided to back up because she could "do it herself". In an instant the gas hose is out of the tank, and gas is gushing out like a geyser, squirting against the side of the car, and then washing over Amelia in a wave of gas. OMG!!!! I quickly snatch the hose away and yell at her to get in the car. "You are never helping with the gas again", I yell. She starts to pout and gets in the back seat.

Then, two men who had witnessed the tidal wave of gas, come running up yelling "She is going to burn, she is going to burn, take her clothes off, rinse her skin!" What?!!! How did I not know that? I am clueless. I yank her out of the car, and start undressing her right there in the middle of the Costco parking lot.

Then we go over to the attendant booth and tell the attendant about the incident. The first thing she says to me is "how did she get by the gas?" I'm thinking: Thanks lady, I know... I am a bad mom. The one time I let her help... why doesn't this happen when she is with dad? The attendant got on the phone and called her supervisor, who came over with a shirt from the store for her to wear, while I wiped Amelia down with baby wipes. Amelia is sobbing and through her sobs I hear, "I don't want to burn, I don't want to burn". I am so scared/embarrassed at this point that I can't even look at her. Nice, huh? The supervisor tells her that she won't literally burn, it just might give her a bad rash. "Does your skin itch?" he askes. No... phew.

So when we finally get back to the car, the attendant is mopping up the gas, wiping down our car, says it is all clean, and we are good to go. "Will my car explode or something as I drive home from all that gas?, I ask. "No, you should be fine, I cleaned it all. Did any gas get in the car?, she asks. Yikes, I made her get in the backseat while she was drenched... what else can I do wrong?!! It won't harm anything she tells me and then asks if I still want to fill up. I say no, because at this point all I want to do is go home and cry. On the way home the car is silent and as soon as we walk in the door Brian can see the look on my face and asks, "Amelia, what did you do?" Sheesh.

Just An Ordinary Day

2008-07-11T20:26:00.007-07:00

A day in the life of Amelia:

Amelia's annual check up:

Her pediatric office is neat, every room has a color theme,

and Amelia always requests the pink room

(you can't see it in the picture, but even the floor and the cabinets are pink)

Groov'n to my MP3 player tunes
She loves to pretend she is Hannah Montana ***

Gymnastic practice, her favorite part of the day! Mom and Dad's too,

because it helps expend some of that extra energy :)

Dinner with friends, the best way to end the day

*** We have a "no dancing in the kitchen" rule, because she loves to dance in front of the oven door (to see her reflection) and all that swaying and spinning can be dangerous in a small space filled with heat and sharp objects.

Dog sitting

2008-07-11T20:10:00.003-07:00

This past week we have been dog sitting, which has been the best experience for our family. Our friends the Droegs breed Yorkshire Terriers, so we have been watching their three pups for them while they are off vacationing. We have been responsible pet owners for the week, and it has been a load of fun for Amelia to feed them, give them treats, play with them, and say good night to them each night. Just take a look at these sweet balls of fur:

Random Photos

2008-06-21T20:24:00.003-07:00

Swimming with the Larsons @ Power Ranch Hi, girls!

Amelia getting her hair cut
Kaylene Rich: Our Favorite Stylist

Cuddle Bug

2008-06-21T20:06:00.003-07:00

Cuddling with Dad
Cuddling with Grandma Nana
Cuddling with Mom
Cuddling with a stray puppy

Ponytail practice

2008-06-21T19:50:00.005-07:00

So it is most likely not super critial that I document things like ponytail practice... But when she asked if I could teach her how to make an up high ponytail, since she already knows how to make one at the base of her neck, I was glad to teach her. I was so proud of her for listening, learning, and not giving up. She succeeded in making her first up high ponytail, although she says "My arms hurt too much, so I want you to do the up high ones...at least until I am 6."

Recent events

2008-06-14T08:29:00.008-07:00

The Water incident:
Amelia had a friend over and she decided to play in the sink in her bathroom. Except she has two sinks at her disposal because we have a jack and jill bathroom upstairs. They filled up all the water holding vesels they could find, tea sets, jewelery boxes, shoes etc. and proceeded to dump them on each other. Now, I love water games, mind you, just not in the house, on the carpet.
Consequence:
She cleaned it up, her friend went home, and she lost her dessert priveledge. We were going to grandmas that evening, who has candy on every surface (coffee table, entry table, kitchen table) so I knew that the dessert priveledge would sting a little. Little did I know that grandma wanted to walk to Sonic, get dessert, and walk home. Amelia cried, pouted, and glared the whole time while we happily ate our ice cream.

The Paint incident:
I woke up to wake up Amelia and there was pink stuff on her bed. What is this, I asked her? Um.....paint?? WHAT!!!!!! I told her to show me where she got it from and then throw it away. As she goes to show me, I turn the corner and... she had painted the bathroom! She had gotten up in the middle of the night and now---paint on the counters, the floors, the furnishings, the cabinets!!!! My beautiful raised panel maple cabinets now covered with pink handprints!
Consequence:
I woke Brian up to see the evidence before we made her clean it up. She also lost Water Party priveledge (Brian sister was going away to college and so we had a party... water ballons, super soakers, junk food, candy, and games) She could not participate, she had to jut sit and watch.

It was way worse, I just took the picture half way through the clean-up,

which took her most of the day.

Here is another piece of furniture that got "decortated"

Gym Junkie?!?

2008-06-03T15:28:00.004-07:00

The new gym
Fun for the kiddos

Group classes

So this week I joined the new local gym Fitness Works

I love it!!!

I really like the classes. The instructor is up on a small stage, and just in case you can't see them from where you are standing- they are also projected onto movie screens around the room! They have disco lights, great music, and it is almost like a party. Minus the grunting and sweating. The best part is I get a little time for myself. Amelia is busy running, playing, and creating stuff... and I can work out, take a shower, get dressed and ready- IN PEACE!!!

Now I know why people say excersise is a mood regulator.

Last Day of School

2008-06-01T18:54:00.003-07:00

Kindergarten musical presentation
There is my sweet pea!
Special last day of school breakfast at IHOP
Chocolate chip pancake with whipped cream smily face
Visiting Grandma at work
Amelias "makeup" wish... granted
Amelia, Coral, and Caitlyn
all "made up"

*Note to self: It may have been a cute idea to "make up" my little girl, but it felt like she lost her innocence. No more make-up (aside from the occasional Halloween) until she's a teenager.

Water Day @ Weinberg Elementary

2008-06-01T18:41:00.006-07:00

THE SINGLE-MOST ANTICIPATED DAY OF THE WHOLE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR!!!

Memorial Day Weekend

2008-06-01T18:30:00.003-07:00

Shopping at Old Navy
Walking her stuffed "pet cat" at Target
This picture is my favorite!!!
Having lunch at Chilis
Being a "little mommy" to Trey Rich

The Weekend Rush

2008-05-17T21:13:00.004-07:00

Somehow or other, we have been having fairly hectic weekends the last couple of weeks... who knows what thats about. Today we went to CPR training, we went to see a ballet production of Peter Pan, ran some miscellanous errands, and then went to Brians sisters graduation party. It was all enjoyable, albeit rushed, and thank goodness I don't have ten kids right now... can you imagine how that Saturday might have looked? Amelia had a great day, and now I am going to have to get her down from the activity high, or else she'll wake up tomorrow asking, "what are we doing/where are we going today, mom?" Do your kids ever do that?

Checking Airway/ Breathing

Chest Compressions

Look at all these devoted and caring dads

Practicing how to save a choking infant

Tea Party and Craft Time with Grandma Nana

Cousin Amy and Amelia during Intermission

All of us after Peter Pan

Daisy May

2008-05-15T10:19:00.007-07:00

Earlier this week, Amelia and I went to visit the Droegs. They breed Yorkshire Terriers, and have recently added a black Poodle pup (Daisy) to their mix. Amelia and I met her, fell in love with her, and just couldn't get enough of her.

Kelli offered to sell her to us and I instantly thought Yes, Yes, Yes! But how am I going to convince Brian?

Brian and I used to have a ShiTzu puppy named Dexter, but he ended up being an extremely agressive dog, so we gave him away. My husband is not an animal lover as it is, and after Dexter I think he is scarred for life. I don't really blame him - Dexter was a terror.

The great thing about this puppy is that Kelli offered to let us take her home for a while and see how it goes. You can't really do that anywhere else, and we could get a feel for how she interacts with us, how obedient she is, and how much work/responsibility she'll be.

They say Poodles are easy to train, good with other animals and children (they are often used in the circus). Amelia was picking her up like a baby, and putting her in all this awkward postions, and the puppy didn't bite or whine. I really think this puppy would be a great fit for our family, a great dog for the kids, and a sweet addition to our family.

Brian is worried about the money commitment (shots, vet bills, food, ect), the potty training, the pups temperment, and the effect it may have on receiving future children. (Some foster children may have tramatic associations with animals, may abuse/torture animals, or just plain have allergies).

I guess we have a decision to make.

Mothers Day Weekend

2008-05-13T08:52:00.004-07:00

We had a very busy weekend. On Friday night we had Brian's family over to celebrate his mother. On Saturday morning we had Brians MBA gradution, and then a celebratory luncheon. Next we went to my brothers house to celebrate our mother. Lots of reasons to celebrate!!! On Sunday we skipped church and just vegged out. We were all pooped!

Amelia making chocolate dipped strawberries for

Grandma Nanna's mothers day

...and eating some, of course.

Grandma and the cookbook she received for mothers day

The card that Amelia made for me in Kindergarten

Here is what she wrote:

My Mom:

She is 50 years old
She weighs 11 lbs.
She is 10 ft. tall
Her favorite food is hamburgers
Her favorite thing to do is cook
Her favorite thing to do with me is talk
She always tells me how was your day
She loves me because I am sweet

Brian and Amelia let me take a nap on Sunday, and when I woke up the house had been picked up, the garbages emptied, the dishes done, the kitchen counters wiped, and the floor swept. It was like little fairies had waved a magic wand!!!

Dad never cooks, and so for Mothers Day I got an "Anyone can cook" cookbook with lots of details and pictures so that Dad and Amelia can learn to cook... so now they can cook dinner once a week! For their first attempt they made hamburgers and oven roasted potatoes for dinner, and we had ice cream for dessert. Yum. It was so nice to be sitting at the table and have them serve me. What an awesome concept!!!

It was my first Mothers Day and it was just perfect! I am truly the lucky one. Thank you family.

Graduation Day Part Two

2008-05-13T08:38:00.002-07:00

Brian and the "future graduate"
I love this picture!

She just happened to be fooling around with the pom-poms on the grass.

Brian and his two sisters
Brian and his mother
Brian and his step-dad

Brian still has class till August, but because there is no graduation ceremony then, he walked early. I can't wait till he is finished for good... he will have his MBA and I will have my husband back!!!

Graduation Day Part One

2008-05-12T09:58:00.005-07:00

The Arena where the ceremony was held
Amelia was excited... Go Dad!Brian's Mom and Step-Dad anxiously waiting
This is what I did while we waited for Brian to walk...

Mature, eh?

Hooray, a glimpse of the graduate!

Taken from the Jumbo-tron :)

Making The Best Of It

2008-05-09T22:39:00.003-07:00

Company was coming over for dinner and so I asked Amelia to pick up all the stuff on the floor of her room and the extra room (the honorary "play room"). While she was picking up she somehow knocked the papasan chair off of it's base. She yelled down to me, while I was cooking downstairs, that she had broken the chair. I told her not to worry, that it was not really broken, and that when I came up to check on her progress I would fix it.

When I came up to check on her, she was watching T.V. in the papasan chair....

Who needs a base?

Date Night

2008-05-08T16:08:00.008-07:00

Ever since Amelia has joined our family we have made it a priority to have date night every week. Now, that is always a good goal as long as you can carve out the time as well as find childcare.

Well, we lucked out and our sweet sister, Lanae, agreed to give up her Wednesday evenings so we could go out. Man, is she a god-sent! I love that it is in the middle of the week so that I have something to look forward to sooner, and it breaks up my week.

Last night we went to Outback Steakhouse, and had a delicious dinner (more calories than I care to admit to). We must have looked like tourist when I asked the hostess to take our picture by the sign. Well, I had to have a picture for my blog, c'mon! Brian accepts the fact that I am now obssessed with blogging, but is not quite used to the fact that I have to take a picture everywhere we go...of everything! So here is the fruit of my labors:

Cinco De Mayo

2008-05-05T12:51:00.005-07:00

Today I volunteered to help Amelia's class paint and stamp
t-shirts for upcoming water day.

It was also Cinco De Mayo, so Mrs. Newberry let them make pinatas, color the Mexican flag, listen to ethinic music, and eat nachos! Ole`

Where a kid can be a kid... and parents too!

2008-05-03T23:33:00.005-07:00

Tonight we went to Chuck E. Cheese with our good friends the Baldwins. We stuffed our faces with pizza (just the adults, mind you, the kids were too busy having fun to eat much) and then we all played arcade games.

I Love Technology

2008-05-02T21:37:00.003-07:00

Okay, so maybe I am behind the times and not as techno savvy as some, but I just found what I think is the most amazing thing I have yet to find on the internet. BLURB. I was thinking about how much I love blogging and how, for me, it is bascially a journal and a scrapbook all in one. Wouldn't it be awesome if there was a way to take it from cyberspace to a physical book? Blurb was my answer. Eureka! Isn't technology great?!!

Sprinkler Fun

2008-05-02T18:01:00.005-07:00

After the field trip today, Amelia came home and took a great nap! But, inevitably she woke up, wanting to have something fun to do. So, I hooked up the sprinker head to the hose and sent her out in her swimsuit. She had fun, but it only lasted a short while because she thought the water was too cold. Well, I guess this is one of those activities I will have to save for when it breaks 100 degrees. So that is what, like 2 weeks away?

This one is my favorite! Attractive, eh? This will be the picture I bust out to show her future boyfriends!

Class Field Trip

2008-05-02T17:36:00.005-07:00

Today Amelia's Kindergarten class went to see the play based off the book:

The performance was held at the brand new Tempe Center for the Arts,

what a gorgeous place!

They don't allow cameras in the theatre, so most of the picts are after the fact: Here is Elia and Amelia on the bus, they are inseperable...

Remember hand games when you were young?!!

Afterwards, the whole class went to Tumbleweed Park and had a Pizza Party!

Reflections of Christ

2008-04-30T16:50:00.009-07:00

This photography exhibit is on display now at the Mesa Temple.

You will be blown away by the beauty and the testimony.

Please go to this link:

Reflections of Christ

A visit from friends

2008-04-27T18:36:00.006-07:00

Today our friends the Johnsons came to visit. They moved to Northern Arizona a year ago, so we don't get to see them as often as we used to.

Katie just had a baby boy six months ago, and today was the very first time we were able to see him. He doesn't look it in the picture, but he is a little bit of sunshine. Smiliest kid on the block!

The older kids got to play upstairs and in the backyard, and I snapped some pictures of them watering the plants. Man, it is good to have such great friends.

Family Game Night

2008-04-27T18:21:00.009-07:00

On Thursday evenings, Brian has class, so Amelia and I were invited to my Mom and Dad's for dinner. We played Uno Attack on the back patio after dinner and had the best time.

Grandma Jackson kept forgeting to say "uno" and Amelia just thought that hitting the Attach button was fun, not understanding that the winner was the one who got rid of all their cards first.

They both eventually caught on, and we would all double over laughing when the cards came spitting out to the unfortunate players dismay. It is undoubtably one of those things that is way funnier when you are in the moment, but needless to say a great time was had by all.

Citrus Picking, Anyone?

2008-04-27T17:58:00.007-07:00

In the East Valley there are citrus trees on every corner, and some of the new subdivisions are even built in old citrus groves. Our community of Seville is one of these aforementioned developments, and one of Amelia's favorite things to do with dad on a Sunday is walk around the park picking fruit. So, when Lanae's singles ward went citrus picking for an activity, she invited Amelia to come along.

Adoption Appreciation Dinner

2008-04-27T17:08:00.011-07:00

This Saturday, our adoption agency hosted an Appreciation Dinner for all the foster and adoptive families in our agency.

We invited our friends ,the Droegs, to join us at Rustlers Rooste where the dinner was held. We had a real cookout dinner with BBQ chicken and steaks cooked over large chuckwagon grills.

The restaurant is located on a peak on South Mountain, and the event was held on a large veranda overlooking the valley. There was beautiful weather and a spectacular view.

There was a raffle drawing, and Ryan and Kelli won two fire extinguishers (being they were the only ones to bid on them).

At the end of the night we took some goofy pictures, which must have been the result of the altitude and the high we felt from having the evening free of little ones.

Afterwards, we went back to our house and had a chocolate fondue feast.

De-lish!

High School Musical

2008-04-27T16:07:00.009-07:00

This Friday I went to Highland High School's musical production of Beauty and the Beast.

My sister-in-laws, Lanae and DaNae, invited me because their friend, Caitlyn, was in the play.

It was a really nice show (Gaston was my favorite character) and it brought back so many memories of when I was in my H.S. musicals. All the late practices, horsing around backstage, opening night jitters. Good times.

Here is the part I could have done without:
They assigned seating in the auditorium, and I was stuck sitting behind two H.S. kids who could not keep their hands off each other. This teenage couple was so abnoxious. It wouldn't have been so bad if they had just snuggled, but they were literally making out, which made it impossible to find a "window" to watch the play. Sheesh. Young love.

Overall, I adored the theatre and I loved spending time with my sister-in-laws.

Movie of the Year!

2008-04-22T07:52:00.010-07:00

I am currently obsessed with the new release, Dan in Real Life. It is an amazing comedy that is sad and frusterating, yet hilarious and touching at the same time. It is so true-to-life and the themes of family, life, and relationships are so spot on and it is easy to see yourself somewhere in the movie. The musical score is quirky, unique and touching. If you haven't seen it yet, go rent it! If you have seen it, watch it again... it just gets better and better!

Family Fun Center

2008-04-17T22:52:00.017-07:00

Tonight we went to Makutu's Island, which is literally a "jungle" gym. I have never seen anything like this place...it was like one big treehouse with tunnels, ladders, ropes, and slides. Our adoption agency sponsored the event and we were able to bring friends/family. I originally invited our friends the Droges, but at the last minute they were unable to come . So I called up my brother and sister-in-law (Bob and Dani) to see if they would like to come and bring their two children (Sam and Amy), and they quickly came to meet us. Brian was unable to go, because of school, and although we missed him, we had a great time.

My own personal soundtrack

2008-04-17T09:52:00.003-07:00

Okay, so I am pathetic. Since updating my blog and my play list, I have started leaving my blog open on another page while I browse around the Internet. I like my own music so much I use it as a soundtrack for the world wide web! I don't think that is what blogger had in mind... I guess I need to figure out how to use my MP3 player. Hey, it took me a year just to figure out this blog thing! Anyone have any suggestions?

Hey, maybe that will help me be not sooo bored on my elliptical that I never use?!!

Homework

2008-04-16T08:05:00.012-07:00

Having a five year old, means kindergarten. Kindergarten means the beginning of homework. Homework means sitting with them while they work on it. Now, I hope you have kids who love homework, but in my case it is the exact opposite. Homework might as well be torture at our house.

Amelia is bright, don't get me wrong, but addition and subtraction, money values, and reading are not her "most favoritest thing". The other day we had a battle of wills over homework time and it was not pretty. It seems as though she has days where she knows all the answers and others where it is "earth to Amelia". What should take 10-15 minutes takes 40... and we still have 10 more problems to go! Today my patience was so shot, that I had to have a time out! If I heard one more, "I can't do this... It is too hard!" I would have ripped up the homework and thrown it in the trash.

To top it off, Brian is working on his MBA in Finance, as well as working full-time... so he is never around because he is either at work, at class, at a study group, or he is working on homework. So I have one family member who I would love to have do their homework, and another whom I wish didn't have any at all. I guess no matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to get away from homework.

Comfortable With His Masculinity

2008-04-13T23:27:00.001-07:00

Now I've heard that grandparents have a special and unique love for their grandchildren, and that they are prone to overindulge them. Well, if this is not proof of that love, I don't know what is!!!! Grandpa Thorton watched t.v. with her, watered the garden with her, played baby dolls with her, and eventually got roped into getting his hair "done". Not to mention, consenting to photographic proof of the event. Here is one man who is comfortable with his masculinity.

Shutterfly At It's Best

2008-04-08T14:11:00.000-07:00

While exploring the wonders of the internet, I came across this unique book. I am now inspired to make my own with Amelia's favorite toy. Check it out.
http://community.shutterfly.com/gallery/post/start.sfly?postId=/gallery/1/post/GMGDFg1YuWbRm2ZjD0If3g

Fancy Nancy

2008-04-08T09:31:00.000-07:00

Aren't little girls wonderful? Look at this sassy pose! There is no question about it, she is all girl. The other day Amelia and I were on our way out the door to run some errands and she politely asked if she could bring her purse. Well, this little girl has more purses than pairs of underwear, and so I asked her which one she intended to bring. She quickly produced a small pink one. Phew, I thought. She couldn't fit much in there (less stuff to lose, thus less tears later), so I told her to bring it and hop in the car. While browsing the aisles at Target, random strangers began commenting on "what a stylish young lady" I had with me. I turned around and she had on a pair of sparkle sunglasses, 4 different necklaces, two rings, at least 6 bracelets on each arm, a hawaiian flower clipped into her hair, and a feather boa! When did she put that all on and how did she fit that all into that tiny purse?!!! Needless to say she left Target with a huge smile and a healthy dose of elevated self esteem after all the compliments she received. She is "Fancy Nancy" exemplified.

My Favorite Pastime

2007-04-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

Can I just say that I adore company? I like having guests over, entertaining, cooking, and attempting to impress. I like the excuse to try something new and to be creative. But most of all, I adore the company. I lucked out marrying the man that I married, because he likes the socialness of it all as well.

Sometimes I wonder if it is because we have no children and so we crave the interactions, but somehow I still believe that we would continue as we have been even if our children were here. The more the merrier! I know everyone has different personalities and so on, yet I don't understand how people can be so reclusive at times. Everyone gets so busy with life and it seems the older we get the more we have on our plates, but still... the relationships/friendships that I have are so special to me and part of the reason I get through the day. Wow, that sounds just a titch psycho/codependent, huh? Yikes.

Recently we had some married friends and some family over to our home, (not at the same time, mind you) and both instances were so gratifying. I just need to feel connected, that someone is out there caring about us as we care about them. That maybe we are experiencing similar circumstances, and can relate to one another.

Bottom line: I have no idea who I'd be/what I would do without these critical connections. Yup, still yikes.

Easily Overwhelmed

2007-04-22T21:51:00.000-07:00

Yes, my friends, it is indeed possible to over think something as simple and inconsequential as a blog... and surprise, surprise, I have managed to do just that. It's is not as though many, if any, will read this or even that anything I may share will be of any use to anyone but me... yet it seems like this massive step. Step towards what, you may ask? Who knows. But scared and intimidated I am, so feel free to come along with me to wherever it is I am going.