Jazzin It Up

This weekend some awesome friends gave us SWEET tickets to the Jazz game. Unfortunately because it was last minute we were not able to find a sitter for the kids so we decided to have Lee take Ben.

As excited as I was to go, seeing these pictures made me happy that it worked out the way it did. Ben needs all the guy time he can get with his daddy. Being in a house full of girls takes its toll on him once in a while. They had a great time together and that excites me more than seeing the Jazz play!

Pay It Forward

My good friend Mara is the master mind behind this cute idea. She is all about spreading the love. I just HAD to get in on the action. Here's how it goes:

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice--for you! This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make NO guarantees that you will LIKE what I make! (I can only hope)
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It WILL be done this year.
4. You have no CLUE what it’s going to be … it may be cards, a bookmark, something delicious or a complete surprise to you (and me!) … who knows?
5. Most importantly, you MUST offer the same deal on your blog - the first 5 people to comment on your blog get something made by YOU!

5 Item Fashion Tag

Emma's cute little friend (and mine too) Hannah tagged me on her blog. It's a Fashion Tag. Hannah did a fantastic job on her tag. She really is quite the Glamgirl. For those of you who know me know that I am not very fashionable and am in need of some serious help in this area. So I think it's a little funny that I would be answering fashion questions but I will do my best:

5 Types of Shoes That I would Buy at the Mall:

1. I love cute strappy summer shoes.
2. Flip Flops
3. I have always wanted some wooden Dutch shoes. If they had those at the Mall I would buy them.
4. Definitely NOT these...
5. This reminds me of the last time Lee and I went out on a date. We were killing some time before a movie and doing a little window shopping. We came across some boots that looked very similar to these...

I asked Lee if he would love me more if I wore boots like that. I am still waiting for his reply. Well, wouldn't you know it, when we were in line to buy our tickets for the movie the girl behind us had the very same pair of boots that I saw in the window. I think I should take that as a sign that I should go back and buy them. What do you think?

What Accessories Suit You best?

1. My glasses are my only accessory. I don't really wear jewelry, I'm not one to buy cute handbags, I don't even wear a watch.
2. I AM sporting a pretty blue color polish on my toes right now.
3. I have some leftover crumbs from dinner on my shirt. Does that count?
4. My four cute little kumquats aka Emma, Eva, Ben and Ella.
5. My Der.

What's Your Idea of Dressing Up?

1. Wearing makeup.
2. Wearing shoes rather than flip flops.
3. Actually doing my hair instead of just a quick ponytail.
4. Wearing pants that don't have draw strings or elastic waists.
5. Being uncomfortable. Isn't that what dressing up really means?

What Are Your Favorite Stores at the Mall?

1. I don't even know what stores are in the Mall.
2. On the RARE occasion that I shop for myself I usually have good luck at Macys.
3. Does the Food Court count?
4. It's not in the Mall but I LOVE Target. It is my home away from home.
5. I could spend days in Barnes and Noble.

I read this post to Lee and he wants me to put that I am not as much of a slob as I make myself out to be. I also think he is a little bummed that I called him one of my accessories. ;)

Now I tag only those of you who are more slobby than me. I don't want to be reading about shopping sprees at Bloomingdales or how you have one outfit for every day of the year.

Utah! This Is The Place

Yesterday Emma had her 4th Grade Program. It was all about Utah.

She square danced like it was nobody's business and sang her little heart out. Aint she the cutest little pioneer there ever was?

Birthday Ben

Today is Ben's 6th Birthday!!

He is such a fun, easy going little guy. Ben is also a great brother to his sisters. I love how he is always laughing and being silly. There is never a dull moment when Ben is around.

He can also make the craziest faces...
...I call this face "Jim Carrey as a boy".

On Saturday, to celebrate, Ben invited his best buddies and cousins to Lil' Flippers for a flippin good time...

I love this picture even though it is blurry because he is showing off his disco dancing skills. This boy just doesn't care.

They jumped...

They flipped...

They dove...


They cannonballed...

They slid...

They threw...

They got steamrolled...

They jumped some more...

They launched Sharkie...

And they all sang Happy Birthday to Ben under this parachute...

Afterwards we all had cupcakes and opened gifts...

All these kids sure made Ben's day!!

After the party we headed back to the house for a family dinner and more cake. Yikes! Thanks to sisters, friends, cousins, aunt and uncle and grandparents for helping make this day a special one.

All Ben asked for this year is money so that he could go to Toys R Us to pick out what he wants all by himself. I think I know what we will be doing when he gets home from school.

Happy Birthday, my cutie boy!!

I know that soon enough you will not allow me to call you that, but you will always be my cutie boy!

Party Pooper

Happy St. Patrick's Day...

...or maybe not so much for me.

This is my problem. Every year I try to go all out to make St Patty's Day a fun one. Click here to see last year's festivities. Donovan O'Reilly, our very own leprochaun that suprises us every year, came again this year. He left the kids with oodles of gold treats which is the only thing they love about Green Day. That and being able to pinch people, but Mr. O'Reilly also turned our milk green which made the kids not want to eat their Lucky Charms. Next, I ran to Wal Mart to grab some cabbage to go with our corned beef that I am making for dinner and they were totally out. The nerve. Speaking of our dinner, the kids won't eat corned beef and cabbage so it really is just for me and Lee. And the green mint ice cream wasn't a huge hit last year either. My point is I need some new kid friendly St. Patty's Day ideas. What traditions do you have?

Junk In The Trunk

Is it just me or have the kids been looking a little extra curvy lately?

Who Knew?

Who knew...

...that 11 years later we'd be even happier?!

Happy Anniversary to us!

Eva Had To See The Principal

Eva was chosen to have lunch with the principal today!! She received a certificate from her teacher that read,

"Eva tries her best in all subjects at all times. She has a wonderful smile and seems very happy. She is good friends with everyone."

Way to go D'Eva D!!

8 Item Tag

8 Item Tag

Here are the rules:

1)Post the rules on your blog.

2)Answer the six '8' items on the tag.

3)Let each person know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

8 Favorite TV Shows:
1. The Amazing Race
2. American Idol
3. The Biggest Loser
4. Lost
5. Survivor
6. That's about it but sometimes I will try to catch a little Ace of Cakes or
7. Iron Chef America
8. ?


8 Things I did Yesterday:
1. Folded my mound of laundry
2. Stared at the dishes, never did them
3. Went for a little run
4. Played some team Battleship with the kids (My team won. My team always wins but who's keeping track?) ;)
5. Ate strawberry shortcake
6. Attempted to take a nice hot bath, but ran out of hot water. Why? I have no idea. We have two water heaters. That's not supposed to happen.
7. Read "Persuasion" by Jane Austen
8. Talked to Lee about our day until we fell asleep.


8 Things To Which I'm Looking Forward:
1. Wearing flip flops or going barefoot all day, everyday
2. 11 years of marital bliss
3. Getting a new kitty cat
4. A Memorial Day 1/2 Marathon which will hopefully help me get to #5
5. Fulfilling my life long dream of running a marathon. "Hip, don't fail me now!!"
6. Grass in our yard...could this finally be the year?
7. Soaking up the sun
8. Not having to "help" my youngest two in the bathroom. Now that's what I call bliss.


8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Cheesecake Factory
2. Star of India
3. The little mexican cart down the street
4. Osaka Sushi
5. Chilis - the fam fave
6. La Casa De Lee - any time Lee cooks I am in heaven. He is quite the chef.
7. Wahoos Fish Taco (HB)
8. Las Barcas (HB)



8 Things on My Wish List:
1. More genuine, uninterupted family time
2. A family trip to Hawaii...We started saving a couple weeks ago and we only have about 5 dollars so far. It's gonna be a while...
3. To have my cleaning lady, Cleo back. I had to let her go when we moved. I miss her!!
4. I wish that chocolate helped people LOSE weight
5. Lasik Eye Surgery
6. To be able to stop my kids from growing. Time goes by way too fast.
7. For Lee to be able to comprehend just how much I love him. Sorry for the cheez.
8. To be able to list things right off the bat when asked what my talents are. Don't you hate that question? I have to think about it for far too long.


8 People I Tag:
1. Emma
2. Eva
3. Lauren
4. Mara
5. Chrissie
6. Kami
7. Christian
8. Ange