Lightrail-date

Chantal, Clarissa, and I and our husbands all went on a super fun, note-worthy date last weekend. We took the lightrail over to Chase field and had dinner up at the TGIFridays and watched the last little bit of the diamondbacks game. We then took the lightrail back to Mill Ave and walked around and ended up hiking A-mountain. It was a little warm but it wasn't bad seeing as it was breezy and 10pm. We had so much fun laughing and playing like kids, without our kids! All except for the one moment on the lightrail when I got lost and thought everyone had left me. (Hence the sad-face).. they were all watching me squirm and thought it was pretty hilarious... punks!

Soccer Camp

Lacy just finished a 4 week soccer camp that she absolutely loved! We loved it too because it was indoors and kept her nice and busy. On the last day we noticed that she was the only girl in the class. It obviously never seemed to bother her (or us for that matter) seeing as it took so long for us to even see it. She loved it, learning about the game, the different positions, learning how to dribble, pass, and much more. She was so enthusiastic and most of all, she loved waving at us and making sure we were watching her "sweet moves!"

The only picture I snapped was the last day, with my phone, after the game when they were sitting around getting a thank-you and good job from the coach!

Shake it!

Lacy was playing on the wii doing some hula-hoop and it was just too hysterical not to share. The girl has got some serious moves! She is so funny!! I love this girl!

I wish I could dance...

Somehow dance gets me..

This dance didn't get the best reviews but it got me- kind of story of my life.

old life


so pretty


new life


I dont know why, But I just loved this week. So many pretty, meaningful dances. The first dance hit close to home, I cried my eyes out! The second dance was pretty and kind of an in-between dance and the last one was just plain sexy! You know they must have spied on Shawn and I for that idea, because we totally do that dance all the time!!!
Whatever, you are weird!

On Wednesday we had a super-fun boat trip with some awesome friends. The kids absolutely loved it, almost as much as we did! The lake is one of my most FAVORITE things about Arizona. (everything except the fish!!!) This time I took my first stab at wake surfing- it was SOOO FUN! Hugo got a hold of my phone this morning at deleted my video app which deleted all my video proof from the day. I did have this one saved with my pictures so here is one. Its my first attempt so its a little shaky.

I wish I could post the time Shawn was surfing and I hopped on the board with him, or Lacy being handed to Shawn on the surfboard and her freaking out, or Issac getting attacked by Shawn... or Shawn doing some wicked awesome moves on the wakeboard. Anyhow, thats a whole different story (me loosing my videos... boooo hoo)

Thanks so much Randal, Reed and Sara for inviting us to chill on your boat, it was an absolute blast!

Jack's Birthday Cupcakes

So I'm not a huge fan of cake so I was looking for something new for Jack's birthday. I decided to be a little adventurous and try something new. This is what I came up with and it was super easy and a HUGE hit!

First I got some neapolitan ice cream, let it melt and then I scooped just one or two scoops of it into cupcake liners and put them into the freezer and let them freeze into little ice cream disc's just the right size!Next I baked some rather small cupcakes. I just put the batter in the cupcake liners and didn't fill them as full as I normally would. Some of them were too big, but its okay, I was experimenting!

Then when they were all cool I took them out of the liners, put all new liners in the pan (this took a lot of liners!) and cut all the cupcakes in half. Then I put the bottom half of the cupcakes in the liner, then the little ice cream disc that I had frozen earlier, then the top of the cupcake on top of that. Then, to top it off I just used cool-whip for icing and stuck it back in the freezer to get it a hard again.

I think these may have been the absolute best cupcakes I have ever eaten!! They were absolutely scrumptious!! I just wish that more people were here to enjoy Jack's birthday with us. I think the whole family was out of town! Its okay though, it was a nice low-key day and he got lots of love!! Anyhow, you should try these out, it took a lot of time but they were actually really really easy and I felt my kids were actually eating less sugar. They didn't eat as much cake as usual and no additional ice cream than what was in the cupcake, and the cool whip is a lot better than the frosting would have been. They loved them too, I still have a few in the freezer and Lacy and Hugo beggggg for them every time they see them!

Lots of May Birthdays!!

First off in May was Chaz's birthday on the 3rd. I love Chaz... I wish she was either a few years older or me a few younger because we lived so close growing up and really didn't get to know each other until we were already sisters. I know we would have been best friends :) Chaz is funny and sweet and so thoughtful. You can always count on her to be the one to remember birthdays or to bring you flowers when you are sick or just call or text to tell you hi or how much she loves you! She is one of those "glue" personalities.. the type of people that keeps everyone else together. I love her so much, happy birthday pretty lady!

Then we had Mom's birthday ON Mother's day. She always gets so jipped when her birthday falls on Mothers day. She deserves 365 days each year to celebrate her aweseomeness! She is the rock of the family. She is strong and brave and I have NEVER met a more Christlike, selfless mother. She has given everything she has to her son's and I could not be more grateful. (If you know me well, I will openly say I have the best marriage of anyone I know... and I mean it!) Shawn is amazing and I know right where he learned it!! Its one of the first things I fell in love with about Shawn was how much he loved his mother. Kathy is also such a hilarious, fun partner in crime. I love having her as a shopping buddy or just to hang out with. I am so lucky to have a mother in law that I love as much as her, but even more so I consider her one of my dearest and closest friends. I love you so much mom.

Randal turned the big 3-0 this year on the 12th. He gave us all the best present and decided to come visit for the summer :) I love Randal. He is a genius!! He must remember everything he has ever read, heard, seen, etc. He is always up for good, intelligent conversation and I just love it. He is sweet to his boys and his wife and for that (among a million other things).. I love him!!
Happy Birthday Randal!

My sweet sweet baby Jack turned 1 on the 29th!! Jack is amazing!! I tell everyone (joking-ly... well sorta) that Jack is my gift from heaven for putting up with my first two. They were hard babies for me and so far... except the sleep thing, Jack is so sweet. He hardly ever cries, unless of course he is hungry then its just the end of the world! I am amazed at how much personality a one year old can have, but it is just exploding out of him. He loves music and loves to dance. He loves to be around people and to entertain. He loves to follow Hugo around and play with him, although to Hugo, its mostly torture. He loves to be thrown around by Lacy... He has the cutest laugh and has his Daddy's adorable dimples. He loves the bath, he loves to be outside, anytime the door is open he runs as fast as he can to the open door and if he misses the chance to get out, he isn't so thrilled. He already loves trucks, and he loves his mommy and daddy. We just adore Jack and every moment we get with him is such a treasure. Happy Birthday Jack Jack!!

Anna Banana turned 4 the day after Jack's birthday. She had given us all a huge scare a couple days before her birthday and so we are all thanking our Heavenly Father for Anna right now, along with all the miracles He is always giving us. Anna is such a spitfire. She is Lacy's little red-head twin cousin. We love Anna so much, we constantly just want to kidnap her and claim her as our own :) jk... but really she is such a sweet heart. She is thoughtful and imaginative and just so darling. We all love you so much Anna. You are the best!

I couldn't do May's birthday's and not include my BFF Elise's birthday on the 4th. We have been friends since middle school. Elise and I can not get together and not laugh like crazy. We have so much fun every time we are together. She has always been there for me and me her. She is the kind of friend you know you will talk to when you are 90 years old! I love her!! Thanks for being my BFF Elise, I LOVE YOU!!! Happy Birthday!

Dinner

What is it with kids and spaghetti?

(before)

(after)

they all just love it!

Piano

I have been procrastinating blogging lately. I'm in search of a camera that takes half decent pictures. I got this gorgeous piano from my aunt that I had to do some major renovating to, and my after pictures I took with my camera don't do the piano justice. I'll still post them but I wish I had something better.

This is the original picture my aunt sent me. It was being stored in a garage, it needed a LOT of work, but I could tell immediately I LOVED it and it was a prize! They had also had it recently tuned and it doesn't sound too bad!

This was my before picture I took, it was after I had been sanding it for a while. (You can also notice the walls, after finishing the piano I was inspired to paint my family room walls!)
a close up before

My lovely mother came to help me. We had to take some of the piano apart to clean and paint it. Bet you can't guess who is who?

We're twinsies!

Here are my after pictures. We got it all sanded, cleaned up and painted black.. I also painted my room blue. I still need to hang the picture- I'm excited to change the decorations with each season or holiday. Isn't it a treasure?!

Check it out

I posted about a very cool giveaway on my boutique blog.

And I put up info about 50, yes 50 bags we will be giving away the morning of the boutique. They are going to be awesome! You must come to the boutique May 1st. Check out the blog, here.

Words can't even describe

My sister is MY HERO!!

On Saturday Brian Jr., Katie, Lacy and Susan were swimming in the pool while my mom, Chantal and Clarissa were sitting on the porch watching them. Hugo and Bou were playing in the yard watching the kids swim. They told all the kids in the pool that if Hugo or Bou were to get too close to the pool or to fall in to scream like crazy HUGO/BOU ARE IN THE POOL over and over. Well Hugo was close and having a ton of fun taking turns pushing the kids in and they were all laughing like crazy. Well one time he pushed Lacy in and she must have grabbed his hands or shirt and taken him in with her (on accident). They all did their jobs perfectly and screamed like crazy, HUGO FELL IN THE POOL!! Now all three of the adults were watching carefully but none of them saw him fall in so it was so lucky they screamed. Chantal was the farthest from the pool, but with out one single moments hesitation she jumped out of her seat, hoped over the table, ran to the pool, leaped over the spa and jumped in fully dressed to rescue my bobbing 2 year old who does not know how to swim. She said he was holding his breath and when he got out he didn't cough up any water, but even at this very moment I can barely contain my emotions. I am so lucky to have a sister that reacted so fast. I was in the house doing some other work and when Clarissa came in screaming my name and I heard Hugo crying all I could think of was what would I do without that sweet boy! Thank you so much Chantal, words can not even describe my gratefulness to you. I always hope that I would be the one who's pants are on fire, who jumps up out of my seat and rescues the baby... I still hope I am. I know Chantal is. I have always wanted to be like Chantal, I still do, I always will, she is amazing, she is my Hero. I love you, thank you for saving my precious Hugo!

Hug your kids a little longer tonight, kiss them, talk a little sweeter and thank your Heavenly Father for all the blessing and miracles he does give you! (like sisters like Chantal)

This clip reminds me of Chantal. No Hesitation... If you watch Modern Family, this clip is so much funnier. (yes Elise... I'm hooked!)

Happy Birthday!

April 7th was Adelia's Birthday (second from the right) isn't she gorgeous? She lives in Idaho and we all miss her and her family like crazy! I talked to her on her birthday and it made me miss her and her babies even more. She is talented and always so perfectly put together. To be honest she has always intimidated me with how perfect she is! But she is also so down to earth, she always makes you feel like you are her best friend. She is giving and sweet and I love her to death. I can't wait to see you this summer, I love you! Happy Birthday.

Heather's Birthday was on April 9th. (far right). Heather is hilarious and funny and she totally gets me :) She used to live just a couple doors down and I totally miss it. It was the best thing in the world to have family so close and she really became my best friend. She is helpful and sweet and always gives with out ever asking or expecting anything in return. She has more patience than anyone I know! She is a beautiful, strong, gorgeous woman, friend, wife, mother and example, I love her to death. Happy Birthday girl!

Israel is turning 5 tomorrow. I haven't seen him in over a year I think... I can't even remember. Well I see him all the time via Skype.. but its not the same. They are kinda sorta planning on coming in May/June and I swear if they don't, I might just have a nervous break down. I miss those boys like crazy. Israel is such a witty funny sweet obedient Mama's boy. I love him so much. He is sweet and kind, just look at him! Don't you just want to kiss his face, I do!!! Right now! I wish I could be there to give him a big Birthday hug. I love all my brothers and sisters (blood and in-laws) but mostly when they move my heart breaks because I miss those babies!!!! Come home to me Israel and give me a kiss. I love you little man, Happy Birthday!

On the move

Guess who is now officially a pro at walking...

Easter

Since Easter fell on Conferencce weekend this year, my kids wore their new Easter outfits last week. We quickly snapped a few shots of them before running off to church. Aren't they the cutest?

Spring Break

For spring break we took a much needed trip to Huntington Beach. We stayed in Aunt Sharon's pop up trailer on their drive way and it was HEAVEN! We honestly loved every minute of it. Shawn's mom drove with us and she slept with Jack inside so it was really perfect. Hugo and Lacy both slept perfect!
While we were there we... went to main street and to the pier and happened to go during a fun kite flying festival. We took Lacy and Hugo to Disneyland for the first time. Jack was lucky enough to stay home with all his Aunties and his Mimi. He was really happy about it!! Aunt Lorie works at Disneyland so she got us in. She is amazing! She got Lacy a lanyard with pins on it and Lacy was so excited trading pins all day. She came in with us and went through the castle and a couple rides. Lacy adores all her aunts (as do I). Thanks Aunt Lorie, we LOVE YOU!!Lorie's son Tyler came with us too. It was so nice to have an extra pair of eyes to help out with the kids. He held Hugo a ton, Hugo just loves him! Thanks for coming, you were a great help and you are also so much fun.We got to meet Pluto, Mickey Mouse and Peter Pan, we saw Goofy, Buzz Lightyear and Minnie Mouse from a far as well.We could not go all the way to Cali and not go to the beach. It was FREEEEZING, but we could still not pass it up. We were the only ones on the beach that day and it was gorgeous!

I already can't wait to go back when its a little warmer and lay around on the beach all day soaking in the warm sun and letting the waves beat me up!

ps... we forgot our camera so all of these pictures are taken with Shawn and my i-phones. Not bad, eh?