Happy Monday

In the hot tub, in the rain. Need I say more?

Pacifier Fairy

This week the Pacifier Fairy came to our house. In my opinion, a 3 year old doesn't need a pacifier. She doesn't need it. I didn't think she needed it at 2 either but I think we had a few valid excuses to keep it (family cruise, trip to Mexico in a house with no doors, ect...) but then laziness took over. Dayne's pacifiers have been in the crib for the past year. They were not allowed out ever.

So on Monday we tied pacifier's to balloons and went outside. Dayne shouted, " Pacs Fairy. I am done with my pac's. Come take them to a new baby". She threw her arms in the air and released the pink and purple balloons. The balloons promptly fell down. Apparently pacifiers are also excellent balloon weights. So I quickly ripped the suckers off, put them in my pocket and had dayne let go of the balloons again. We watched the balloons disappear into the darkness. Crewe was sure the Fairy grabbed them so they quickly beelined upstairs to Dayne's bed to see if she left a treasure for Dayne.

I am wearing the treasured lip gloss to show you that Fairy's do exist and dreams come true.

As long as they are not weighted down with a pacifier.

PS Isn't the picture U-G-L-Y? I couldn't resist using it. I don't think our Fairy looks like that?!

T-Ball Beginnings

If you know Crewe, you know this is Big. BIG. Crewe is going to play t-ball. He has really stepped up and loved practice. He has a practice game tomorrow. Opening Day is Saturday. I will miss his first game but Rich will be there. I am really proud of him. Wish us all luck!

I also turned 33

My birthday was great. My actual birthday was on a Sunday so that was a little off for me. I woke up to excited kids ready to give me thoughtful presents. Each child had gone shopping with Rich. They each bought me a charm for my Pandora Bracelet. Plus Rich and my parents also bought me one. Oooooh. I love it.

I also scored a couple of books, socks, cupcake decorating tips and a new nightgown. Thanks guys. Not to brag ..... BUT My brothers/wives both sent gifts. Aaron/Nat sent a book gift card. (so happy) Ethan/Nat sent me a very cool knife and a few of my favorite things. I also received a food scale from John and AJ. And a great homemade notebook from Kelli/Steve. Crissie and Dave bought me a frozen brie with walnuts, honey and cinnamon. It is wrapped in puff pastry. It is waiting for me to bake and consume. Good times. Listen I am lucky. I should also mention that I received many gifts from friends, phone calls, texts and emails.





The next day we went to the City for the day. We went to Houston's for lunch. Delicious! Then we went to the SOMA. My kids were really good. It was nice to watch the kids take in modern art.

It was a great couple of days. I am happy to be 33!

Disneyland Part II

Five Moments from Disneyland

5. Meeting Tinkerbell was HUGE for Dayne. But when it came time to talk to her. Forget it. Not this Tink. She worked Dayne over until she got the love. No small feat.

4. Our kids were amazing at all the walking. We walked over 17,000 steps. They did too. The second day, Crewe sat a lot in dayne's stroller and she sat on his lap. Hey. Whatever works.
3. We stayed at the Grand Califorinaian.

2. The great weather. It was perfect.
1. The Lines. What Lines? We could ride most rides as fast as we could get off and go to the front of the line. On Priates of the Carabean we just asked if we could stay on the ride. Already we were the only people on our boat. Life was good.

Thanks mom and dad we had a great time.

Disneyland Part 1

We had an amazing time at Disneyland. Our kids were a little unsure of what is was and if they were going to like it. It did not take long for them to figure it out.

I have been so sick and then out of town. So excuse the major pause. I will get back in the plan today......

Favorite Things- Countdown to Birthday

I am not sure if I ever blogged about my chair. We all know that I have deep feelings about my yellow chair. I have spent many hours, many in my yellow chair. Because I love to be in my chair to read, hold my kids, chat with friends, play on the laptop, even sleep, I knew that is was starting to loose its' life. (Plus my mom kept telling me it was looking gross). SO painfully I started to accept that I would need a new chair. This the the little beaut that came to live with us. It is not at all what I started out shopping for but once I sat in it, I was in love. It is super soft. It fits me perfectly. It is one of my new Favorite Things.

PS The yellow chair is still around. I moved it over by the TV. hehehe

Favorite Things- Countdown to Birthday

First, Sorry if I stole this picture.

Second, my favorite cooking blog is www.mykitchencafe.blogspot.com. It is my friend, Mel Walkers cooking blog. It is fantastic. I have not seen her since high school but she has turned us on to many new recipes.

Third, my Favorite pancake recipe. Really. The directions are also taken from her blog.

Oatmeal Pancake Mix

*Makes 10 cups of dry mix

3 1/2 cups rolled (quick) oats
3 cups whole wheat flour
2 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon baking soda
1 cup vegetable oil

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a mixer with a paddle (or by hand). With mixer on slow speed (or gently by hand), drizzle the vegetable oil into the bowl slowly while the mixer is running. When all the oil has been added, stop the mixer and squeeze a clump of mix in your hand. If it stays together, it is just right. If it is still crumbly, add another tablespoon of oil at a time until the consistency is correct (I've never had to add additional oil). Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks at room temperature or indefinitely in the refrigerator or freezer.

To make the pancakes: whisk together 1 cup of mix, 1 cup buttermilk (a combination of half plain yogurt and half milk will also work), and 1 egg. The mixture may seem thin at first but the oats will soak up the milk as it stands while the griddle preheats. Heat a griddle and drop the batter onto it. When the edges look dry and bubbles come to the surface and don't break, turn the pancake over to finish cooking on the second side. As a sidenote, buttermilk can be frozen indefinitely for future batches of pancakes, so it's worth keeping it around!

*1 cup of mix will make about 6-7 4-inch pancakes. ( i think it makes about 9-10)

Favorite Things- Countdown to Birthday

This is one of my favorite blankets. I LOVE it. It has a Paris theme, with scooters, birds and dots. My mom made it for me for Christmas. Nothing is better than reclining in my reading chair with this blanket and book. All is right with the world when that happens.

Favorite Things- Countdown to Birthday

I love Hawaiian Punch single packs. You add them to a boring bottle of water and viola, not so boring. Lemon-Berry is the best. Also these are super cheap. Can't beat that.

Disneyland

Where to go?Where to go? My parents offered to take us to Disneyland to celebrate my birthday (I wore a birthday pin while there). We had been to Disneyland before but never with both of our kids. We took Crewe a couple of weeks before he turned 3 so it had been awhile. I asked 2 Disneyland experts, my brother Aaron and Angie. Both who would have loved to have been there to help us with our first, "real" visit. They both listed rides and actions plans for me. I must admit that all could remember as we entered was, Peter Pan ride, then Dumbo and then ........ Where did we go?

*** good thing dayne had a map****

PS I am going to also try to fit in a few of my favorite things post. My birthday is in a week. So I am behind this year.....

Getting my Groove Back

Alright. We left early Sunday morning for San Diego. We did not tell our kids where we were going or who was going to be there. In the car, we sprung it on them. "Dad really wants Mexican food." "Yeah and my favorite place is far away in San Diego. It would take us a really long time to drive so let's fly there!" Dayne did her cheerleader shout of SAN DIEGO. Crewe kept asking if we were tricking him and really going to the zoo. And what was he going to wear. We didn't bring clothes. (Rich had put the suitcase in the trunk the night before.)

Once we got to SD we told our kids to look in the baggage claim. Wouldn't it be fun if we knew someone here? The shrieks of delight when they saw my folks sitting by the door. Then the running down the stairs, pass my dad who was standing with open arm, straight to my mom. Sorry Pops!

It was fun to see everyone and celebrate my Grandpa's 85th Birthday. (Especially because we had just come from Grandma Palmers Funeral).

The Score

Please notice Rich's Score. And yes, we had a great time. My computer is full so I working on being able to download pictures.... soon.

It's A Surprise

We have had a long week. Last Sunday we had to go to Rich's Grandma and say goodbye. She passed away that evening. She was 94 years old. She lived an amazing life. We will miss her.

Today we attended the funeral. My father in law gave a beautiful talk. It reaffirmed to me how happy I am to have family in my life. I am thankful for the Gospel and my knowledge that we will see loved ones again. Death is not the end.

Tomorrow we are still celebrating life. We are flying to San Diego to spend the day with my Grandpa. He is turning 85. Then we are staying and taking our kids to.......

Shhhh! It's A Surprise!

Pretend December

How to document a great day in the city?

The old hold your arm out trick and hope you both fit in the in the image.

Pretend December

This is our pal, Nathan cutting down our Christmas tree. Rich was out on injured reserve but look at him supervise. This year we went down to the Santa Cruz Mountains and cut our tree down. A few morsels for thought:

1. It was fun. 2. Kind of expensive

3. And very wet. Nothing like ringing in the Holidays with good friends, a tree cutting party and umbrellas.

Take 2

I feel pretty....

Oh so Pretty.....

Ah. Wait. This kind of Hurts.

kind of like getting back to blogging......