The Perry's

Pinterest.

2012-01-31T18:17:00.000-08:00

Yes. I'm an Addict. I can't help it when I see so many wonderful recipes, organizational tips, paper crafts, desserts with a twist or a make-over on a piece of old furniture. I just HAVE to pin them all!! And then it inspires me to get my creativity juices flowing, and that can be dangerously fun. With all the Valentine's floating around Pinterest, I just couldn't wait to do another paper project, or for that matter, bust open my new Sillhouette Cameo!! (*sigh*) I still have a LOT to learn, and thanks to a good friend for showing me the basics (similar to a cricut, but better in a sense that I can create whatever I want with the program it comes with!)

I can't wait to do the next project! (picture found here.)

Happy Valentine's Day!

5 Ingredient Salsa

2012-01-20T15:30:00.000-08:00

One of the easiest, most delicious salsa recipes is right here! My kids love to eat it and any one can make this, it's fool proof. You can keep two of the ingredients on hand year round. The other three will last about a week or so in your fridge, but I usually have these anyway...we love Mexican food in our home! Ready for simple and delish?

The 5 ingredients are.....

Hunt's canned tomatoes, drained. You probably don't want to use any other brand....seriously. These are the most delicious, consisten flavor; you get the same yummy tomatoes every time. You can get the Whole Peeled tomatoes or you can get any others that you might like. I love these kind.
1 Jalapeno....add as much or as little of the seeds as you like, that's where the heat is.
1/2 bunch of cilantro
1/2-1 tsp Garlic salt (to taste)
1 freshly squeezed lemon. (I used these lemons from my Lemon Meyer tree I just picked yesterday! There is nothing zippier, tastier, fresher than from your own back yard!)

Put everything into a blender and mix til combined.

Today I added a bit more seeds, so its got a kick to it, but the fresh lemon is to DIE for!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-19T20:19:00.000-08:00

Well, since I missed Thanksgiving & Christmas, might as well start with the present! January always gives me a fresh start for our family in keeping goals, and sticking to a better routine with scripture study, more family time and chore charts! With that said...It's been super busy here at the Perry household and quite frankly, I look forward to the days that I don't have much to do. That's when I can do all the fun stuff, like make baby blankets, or some craft.

Most recently I made "scripture bags" for the Sun Beams I teach. They were so much fun to make and extremely simple. (I can do simple!) I got the idea from www.sugardoodle.net, a wonderful source for my lessons and activities each Sunday.

I went to a fabric store and got clear plastic vinyl. (it was about 1 1/4 yards worth, we have 16 sunbeams! and I wanted a few extra to make for my kids, too!). I got felt, and by freehand just drew the first letter of their name and then sewed it on first.

I also got matching ribbon for the handles and sewed them on each of the corners before stitching the sides up. The handles were the most time consuming, and once those were done, finishing the side seam was quick!

For the embellishing, I found some cute felt stickers to dress up the bags. For the girls, I found ladybugs, bumble bees and butterflies. For the boys I found fish and dinosaurs. I wished I took pictures of them all before I gave them away just to show the Ladybug bag...it was so cute with the red & black!

Now my kids have every excuse to remember their scripture bag and to get in the habit of bringing it to Church every Sunday!

Disneyland trip Part I

2011-10-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

We did it again! Disneyland, that is! Our favorite place this past year, and what a fun getaway it has been for our family. I loved having annual passes and I am sad they expired. BUT, that means we will have different vacations this next year and still the same amount of fun!

Starting off the trip, we went straight over to Midway Mania per Maddox's request!

Then the merry-go-round for Cali!

Screamin' was for Bryanna! To say that she loves this ride would be an understatement!

And I go on it with her, because I love her!

As you can tell by my face in the picture, it can give me a slight headache at the end!

With all that we did in the first 30 minutes, you could say it was equivalent to drinking a coke for breakfast...who needs caffeine when there's pure adrenaline?

I think the roller coaster developers created Tower of Terror just for me. I love this ride!

Maddox goes on it with me, but I'm not sure he loves it like I do! lol!

Cali loves the churros!

Mark's favorite ride...the wet Grizzly River Raft!

I love Disneyland because we bond in fun ways together! I love this place!

Redwood Creek park fun!

Disneyland, here we come!

I think it was best Cali didn't take a picture with Jack, since she didn't even like Mickey Mouse!

Heading over to Tom Sawyer's island!

And going back!

Holiday Wreath

2011-10-30T20:39:00.000-07:00

Thought I would share of some of the fun crafts my ward did for our super Saturday. This wreath cost $8 and then I spent $4 more on the bulbs and spriggs to brighten it up! I am making 4 to give to my sisters for Christmas this year!

Update!

2011-10-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

Time has just gotten away from me, I can't believe how I let almost 4 months go by with out blogging!! Sheesh! I guess its just one of the things that gets put off last. We have been busy and I almost feel overwhelmed sometimes with how much is going on. Can I even pick up a book to read? I think not... Which is truly sad. I love to read and I feel guilty picking up a book when I have sooo much to do.

I have started yet another side business {petal hats} to add to the bracelet watches that I make. It has been absolutely INSANE! I am so grateful to my family who come to my rescue to create new hats when orders have come in too fast for me to get them all done. I have been selling at home parties and fall festivals just about every week sometimes twice in a week!

First grade has been wonderful for Bryanna. I love how she has matured and developed into a young lady, which was leaps and bounds from Kindergarten. She amazes me with her wit, but more importantly I see how compassionate and kind she is with her classmates. The moment she steps off the bus, I get an ear full of how her day went, Bryanna is a wonderful little student and it warms my soul to know how much she enjoys being at school learning from {& with her} friends. I look at her and I see myself all over again!

Maddox genuinely enjoys preschool this year. He loves his teacher and has lots of fun learning! Doing homework this year is helping his writing come along and his reading. He has play dates with his buddies everyday after preschool and I think it has been wonderful in developing his little personality and social skills!

Cali has turned into a Daddy's Girl as Mark has had the priviledge of working from home. It has given me a little bit of freedom in which I don't have to find someone to tend the kids while I go play tennis twice a week! Cali is such a sweet heart and I feel so lucky to have her big spirit in our home!

I am a lucky {crazy busy} mom....and wouldn't trade my life for a high-powered career...ever.

Its Fishing Time!

2011-07-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

Here it is. Beautiful Tri Creek. Our family's favorite fishing spot. What more majestic scenery to fish in than this?

Daddy, getting all the poles ready!

Baby C above and Baby J below...best friends!

My B-girl...love her so much!

Goofy kids!

Uncle J...this is his favorite thing ever!

My beautiful sis...and my baby C. BTW, she is 6 months preggers with a boy! YAY!

My favorite people in the world!

Folks....he caught a fish! I think it was the only one of the trip...or two!

BFF's!

like father like son!

the kids had a total blast!

Aunt J and her college rommie...enjoying some nature at that!

I think we have some posers on deck!

and its FREEZE TAG TIME!

S'mores time!

Sissy time!

one last hook of the line before packin' it in!

Lacrosse time! Thanks James for showing M boy how to play!

Let Freedom Ring

2011-07-07T23:06:00.000-07:00

We spent the 4th of July on a 'stay-cation'. It was the shortest drive to the most fun holiday! Mark's friend hooked us up with a ginormous suite.

With a JACUZZI in the middle of our hotel room. It was a very cool "sa-weet!"

The kids were SOOO excited to actually be "visitors" in our own city!

the man who makes these fun things happen! love him!

still trying to figure out the new camera...but here's the NY NY hotel inside!

and the Brooklyn bridge outside!

We walked across the street to eat on the 4th floor of Outback steak house...it was sooo yummy. I hadn't had the Bloomin' Onion in years!

Hee Hee, Maddox is always so sweet with his baby sister. So cute to watch him steal kisses from her.

The "strip'!!

We had fun walking up and down the strip. We even waited for fireworks!

Exploring the new City Center. I have never set foot down there until Independence Day! Ha!

Inside the mall there was a very cool art-interactive display of whirl-pool cylinders.

The kids were entertained for long while!

So here we are. Waiting. And waiting. And waiting some more. Oh, for fireworks, that is.

Ya, they never came. So we headed back to our hotel room and crashed like rock stars!

Refreshed legs for more walking!

We headed over to the MGM lion habitat.

the kids loved seeing them so close!

walking through all the craziness. I personally do not like walking through the casinos (for many reasons, but the #1 reason is breathing in the second hand smoke. so I walk like I'm in a race or something, no one likes to walk that fast though!)

Into the forum shops and out of the smokiness....

the new addition to the Forum Shops was quite impressive...it looked very roman-ish.

as parents, i guess we will never get sick of taking pictures of our kids. even if she sits in the same stroller every day...she has the sweetest expressions all the time!

We walked through a bit of heat to get to this place. BUT, I thought it was worth it. AND I would probably do it again. Serendipity 3 has THE BEST frrrrrozen hot chocolate ever. And they have these massive doughnuts that the kids shared.

And licked the wrapper clean. Yup. My kids love sugar!

And Frrrrozen Hot Chocolate!

Happy Independence Day!

This year there were no fireworks, but that doesn't mean we didn't celebrate with a bang!!

i'm in love!

2011-07-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

Seriously. There are many loves in my life and this one I've always lived without. Until now. Meet my new camera. Uh um, I mean, my new Canon Rebel T1. I have been teaching swimming lessons for the first two weeks of summer, and all the proceeds went to this amazing camera. I JUST got it last night, and well, why not start some fun summer memories already?

dancin' in the streets!

2011-06-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

OK. Its more like Running in the streets. YES! I have been running 3-4 times a week this summer! I would have always stopped my running come June, but I have been so proud of myself! I've been getting up early (imagine that!) to run 3-4 miles. Thanks to a wonderful running buddy, she motivates me to workout on the off days in the gym, too. I am bound and determined to get an extra 15 lbs off this summer!! I will periodically update you all on my progress!

Wish me luck, grit, discipline...and whatever else it takes!!

Summer Fun Chart

2011-06-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking of all sorts of things to do with my kids this summer, especially since school is out...TODAY! I found a list of wonderful ideas at The Crafting Chicks, which inspired me to create my own list of Summer fun with the kiddos. While browsing around, I happened on to this super cute Picnic Blanket from She Wears Flowers, {where she also had wonderful pictures of making over her art studio...and gave me plenty of ideas for our loft!}.

Our Summer Fun List:
1. Go Swimming at our Pool (a lot!)
2. Play at the Splash Park
3. Visit family in Utah
4. Visit family in Idaho
5. Go to Bear World while in Idaho
6. Visit the Library (hopefully that will be a weekly trip)
7. Teach Bryanna the basics of sewing by making her own picnic blanket!
8. Go to Disneyland
9. Fishing at the Cabin in Beaver Utah
10. Slip n slide in the back yard!
11. Make bird feeders for humming birds
12. Attend many a water slide parks
13. Attempt to go camping!
14. Take pictures of all our activities and make a scrapbook with them!
15. Go to the Beach House!
16. Watch a play at Spring Mountain Ranch with our picnic blankets.
17. Go to some Baseball games...the ultimate American summer fun!
18. Watch fire works
19. Slurpies
20. Stargazing
21. Read-A-Thon
22. Have a fun photo shoot with props!
23. Build forts and play in them!
24. Memorize a scripture
25. Have a bike/car wash
26. Squirt bottle tag
27. Make an obstacle course
28. Make sand castles
29. Dig for sand crabs
30. Make our own Popsicles!
31. Create hand/footprint artwork
32.Write & Illustrate your own story
33.Make a treasure map and go on a treasure hunt!
34. Go to the free movies at Town Square!
35. Paint
36. Write some Thank you notes
37. Make your own memory game
38. Go on bike rides
39. Go hiking behind our house
40.Go on a Scavenger Hunt
41. Homemade Movie nights!
42. Serve a Neighbor
43. Sleep on the Trampoline
44. Tour Anderson Dairy Ice Cream (yum!)
45. Have a Dance Party
46. Make a Family Tree
47. Zoo
48. Tour the Shark Reef
49. Go to M & M World
50. See the Conservatory at the Bellagio Hotel
51. Play Pretend Restaurant
52. Make an ABC book
53. Make homemade fingerpaints
54. Home-made fruit smoothies
55. Go on Roller coasters!
56. Write Messages with Invisible Ink!
57. Arby Splash Park
58. Eat at Sumo Sushi with the girls! (the BOYS don't like sushi!)
59. Go to the Drive In Movies!
60. Boating at Lake Mead

What are you doing this summer????

Freezer Meals 101 & then some...

2011-06-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

I started a Freezer Meal blog, mostly because I love to cook and wanted to share it with the world! AND my Freezer Meal Group ROCKS!! They have brought some of their BEST dishes to the group! So, tell your friends to check out our recipes that freeze well, taste good, and help YOU get dinner on the table!

Click HERE to check it out!! Be ever so kind and leave a comment to tell us what you think, too.

I'm going to First Grade!

2011-06-08T22:22:00.000-07:00

Yup, {b} girl finished Kindergarten!! Holy smokes, I can't believe it. All the fun songs they were singing made me tear up today. I wish I could freeze time, put my kids in a bubble and always have them stay cute, little, innocent, funny, whimsical, ticklish and well, ya know...my little peanuts forever!!

My pazzazzie {almost} 1st grader!

getting ready to get on stage

singing all the songs that made me cry! ~~Boo hoo~~... I mean Hurray!

Miss Natalie, the aide to Bryanna's teacher. (and yes, she is wearing a timeless beads watch!)

Diploma stand for : moving on to bigger and better things. Like 1st grade. Personally, I think it doesn't get much better than Kindergarten!

Kendall, who lives around the corner from us, thankfully! We will still see all her friends at the community pool this summer, yay!

Beloved Mrs. K...we love you. I love you. Thank you for helping mold {b} girl this year. Thank you for being patient with her, and helping her develop into a helper, a go-getter, a reader, a mathematician, an artist, a speller, and most of all, a writer!

Pretty soon sweet Maddox will be in Mrs. K's class...hopefully not too soon. I still love him at home with me!

Proud Dad. Proud Mom.

One question....why do these two like each other already? don't they know they are only kindergartners????

cat in the hat

2011-06-06T15:14:00.000-07:00

So I've been dying to make some accessories to add on to my hat. And last week, it all came together! I am tickled pink that these fun fabric rosettes turned out so stinkin cute, and of course it helps to have a little bling in the middle!

This petal hat took a lot more time and a little more green to make. I had to buy a new blade for my cricut (the heavy duty cutter), but it was worth it! My friend let me borrow her cartridge for all the flower designs, and this one was my favorite. I bought a few hats from PetalChicBoutique, and I couldn't rest til I could make my own! I am stoked that I have a patriotic flower petal hat now! I just need to find a navy blue or red hat to make it really pop, kinda like a night on the 4th of July, ya feelin me?

End of Year.

2011-06-04T09:48:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking of giving something to {b}'s Kindergarten teacher as the school year is coming to a close, and once I saw my friend's clipboard she was making for her kids' teachers, I knew this was the perfect thing! I already had this scrapbook paper in my stash, so for this project all I spent was: clipboard ($1.44 ea), red paint ($.97), modge podge ($6.78), and paint brushes ($.97) That's $11.60 for both teachers!! I must give thanks to Teri for also letting me pick through her ribbon collection to spruce up the clipboard. If she didn't let me have free range through all the ribbon, I would have gladly spent a little extra because the ribbon just sends this gift THROUGH the ROOF!!

Because this was my first time really doing a project with Modge podge, it was tricky in the beginning, but as soon as I figured out that you have to spread the glue on every surface (clipboard and paper) before you try to stick the paper on the clipboard, the air pockets disappeared!

paint the edges and sides to match your paper & let dry.
Cut your paper to size. You can be creative...using as many or as little paper as you like. I also used a corner rounder to get the corners just perfect.
Start the mogde-podging! spread a think layer on the board and the backs of all the paper. Then fit them on accordingly. After you get them all on, spread the modge podge all over the tops of the paper. Press out any air pockets. Let dry. On the front side, I cut out the letters of her teachers names and glued them on a separate strip of paper, and pasted it with modge podge. Let dry.
Repeat step 3 on the back of the clipboard.
Spread a layer of clear-dry Polyurethane over the front. Let dry. After completely dry, do it on the back. This gives it an extra shine and the finished texture is smooth.
Tie on coordinating ribbon to the "clip" part of the clipboard. I tied double knots and I heated the ends of the ribbon so they don't frey.

Front

This is the back of the clipboard. I fell in love with this paper and I love how "teacher-ish" it is. I can't WAIT to give {b}'s teachers these fun clipboards!! I want to make one for me now!

{Snips & Snails}

2011-05-14T15:53:00.000-07:00

I recently got a sewing machine. The first one I can call "mine". I have been wanting one for a few years, but afraid of getting wrapped up in another hobby. So, after some inspiration and motivation to make some baby gifts for my sister's upcoming baby shower...I did it. I put together {with some crooked seams} a car seat cover and a matching blanket. Its not perfect, but it was made with a lot of love!

After I was feeling confident with sewing projects, I became even more brave! I decided to make another set for a gal whom I was throwing a baby shower for! It was much easier on my nerves putting it together for a second time {and even better for a third, I had to make one for my own sweet baby c}

For the baby shower, I was in two weeks of prep time, using my cricut to make signs and banners to go with the puppy dog theme!

{Boys are made of Snips & Snails and Puppy dog Tails}

Cupcake toppers aren't a new party decor, but it seems they have certainly been reinvented. I'm regretting not getting a better picture of the cupcakes, so you'll have to squint to see the different toppers!

The fun clothes line always makes for a "baby" touch! What it really says to me is, "Hello Laundry pile!"

Diaper cakes can almost be the main attraction with the right embellishments. This one was a very beautiful centerpiece! I had no part in this, but so glad some wonderful friends put it together.

"Its A Boy" Banner was fun to create, I love the cricut just for making these puppies!! Ha, no pun intended!

Easter and then some!

2011-05-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

Cali was very excited to get to her basket, can you tell?

These two are best friends!

our three angels!

finding what the easter bunny left behind!

sweet cousins, only four months apart!

the gang getting ready to start the hunt!

having a grand ole time!

looking for the 'golden egg'

checkin out all the goods

Timeless Beads!!!!

2010-11-10T19:04:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my new venture...Timeless Beads!!!
So Do you think I could pile more onto my plate with having two kids and a nursing baby? Well, I just did!!! These are my lovely creations...interchangeable watch bands! I have been so dang busy that I haven't had time to create the website yet, although we have the domain name. Stay tuned for that one!

I am selling at Swap meets, I do home parties, and I've even popped over to a few Office parties! This is not the entire collection, but here's the gist of it!

I hope you like them as much as the rest of the world, because they have been demanding more and more and more......

Prices: $10 per Face watch, Zebra Face is $12
Bands: $25 for one band. Buy two and they are $20/band
Girl watches: $10/face, $12/band
Email me for an order at: stacyanchan@hotmail.com

carmel apple time!!

2010-10-24T20:21:00.001-07:00

Here are a few of my favorite creations this year:

Some of our other wonderful apples from the girls that came over:

And my own wonderful creation!! Cali, you are so mobile, I can hardly believe it!!!

Another fun October filled with some wonderful friends and family who love me!

its batty around here!

2010-10-24T20:14:00.001-07:00

We started "Booing" our friends in the ward last week, and we had a blast running around dropping off goodies, knocking and running like a bat out of, well...you know!

So the kids love that we had a REAL bat perched on our house!!! How cool for that to happen in the month of October!! Pretty cool, huh!

Mark caught it with one of our nets and then let it go....thank goodness it didn't fly into our house, like a bird did a few weeks ago!

cuties

2010-09-29T16:35:00.001-07:00

I LOVE these kiddos SOOO much!! I love to get my kids jammies for the summer, Halloween and Christmas!
I'm so thrilled I found Bryanna and Cali matching ones....with their size difference this might be the last year I can buy them without having to make them myself!

Mark has a class twice a week, so its two nights I am doing the bedtime routine solo! They were so good for me, I let them watch a bit of TV after their bath.

oh and Beau...our new adopted dog!! we love him...although not completely house trained, he is a very even-tempered, sweet puppy with lots of spunk and energy to keep Putter going to hours!

A funny I have to write down so that we won't forgot!

Maddox was driving in the car with my sister as she was on her way to pick up her kids from school. He was sleepy and was in the state of falling asleep when he broke out this funny stuff:

Maddox: Jemfer, if you stop driving bumpy, I'll give you a great, big kiss!

Jennifer: Oh, ok Maddox. I'll try!

He repeated it a few times....I thought he was so cute and clever using the age-old tactic....something for something!

28

2010-09-20T21:40:00.001-07:00

Mark turned 28. Finally...he's 28. Haha! I have to laugh because 28 came and gone for me a few years ago! We had a fun day with him...with two kids in school, Mark and I went out to lunch and it was fantastic just the two (and a half) of us! :)

Also, as another awesome thing that I totally love about him is his motivation to help us stay organized around the house. We have been working on building our food storage for the last few years...you know, a little bit every month or so...with no place to put it!! Until now.... ya...check that out...lots and lots of storage for our dehydrated and canned food...that should last us til we've been married for 36 years!

Except Putter...he won't live that long, but he was sure cute climbing between shelves checking it out!

And Mark's cake request this year was a piece of yellow cake with chocolate frosting *and the Halloween sprinkles* were not his idea, but the kids...of course!

I love all 28 years of you, Mark...for the wonderful husband, provider, protector and daddy that you are. Happy Birthday, again!

2010-09-20T21:05:00.001-07:00

I can't believe sweet baby Cali Kaye is already 6 months!!
She is sitting up!
Loves her Rice cereal and Oatmeal!
Loves our Putter Doggy.
And Lights up with coos and giggles when her big brother and sister play with her!

No teeth yet!!

She is sleeping like a champ...12 hours at night and two naps during the day!
She is sooooo good...I seem to have easy babies...what a blessing!

Bryanna just LOVES Cali...we all do for that matter!

Its amazing how much Cali looks like Bryanna's baby pictures...they could pass for twins!

first day of school!

2010-09-11T09:42:00.001-07:00

The kids got a Father's Blessing on Sunday to prepare for the big day!

And little miss Cali as happy as ever!!

We are sooo excited for Bryanna!

So, the whole family came for her very first day of school!!!

It was pretty crazy...seriously, there were people EVERYWHERE!

Bryanna LOVES school...of course she didn't love school the first week.

She cried the first two days, and it got much better from there. She is so happy to be there, her teacher loves her and she loves her teacher. The kids in her class are so cute, too! I've gone in twice already to help out and the teacher has done a fantastic job keeping the kids busy and learning. I'm so proud of Bryanna, she is doing a wonderful job in school!

5 MONTHS?????

2010-08-12T13:51:00.001-07:00

Has it been 5 months already????

I absolutely LOVE this baby girl SOOOO much!!!
She's always happy!!
Cali is the best sleeping baby I've ever had!!
She is full of smiles!
She is just about ready to crawl...she pushes herself up on her tummy and I'm preparing for a mobile baby soon!
No one can resist her and her sweetness!
We LOVE you baby Cali!!

And of course, we LOVE you, too, Maddox!!
He's the best boy!
Maddox is full-on swimming completely on his own now!!
I knew the summer would get him through with no swim lessons,
just lots of help and encouragement from mommy and daddy!
He is such a silly boy, always making us laugh!
Maddox does chores and gets paid for them. He says he is saving up for a "big gun" and for his mission!! What a smart little boy he is!

new niece!

2010-07-27T16:26:00.001-07:00

Baby Joycee is Here!!!

Just a few minutes old!!

Look at that head of hair!

Happy Momma!!

Congrats to Camille and Josh!

Joycee (1 day old) and Cali (4 months old)

Cali is thinking, "Yay!! A new cousin to play with!!"

Maddox...my really silly boy!!

These kids are my life...I love them more than anything!

Gone Fishing!

2010-07-22T14:32:00.000-07:00

We had a fabulous time going fishing this last weekend! Good ol' Utah always gives us a good time in their ponds!

Bryanna's first catch on her new Barbie pole!

Mark...just getting started for the weekend!

She's looking like a pro already!

Maddox's first catch on his Spiderman pole!

This girl has got the fishing thing down!

And so do the dogs!!

Jamie is giving Maddox a little bribery for some kisses!! He's very picky about giving away his kisses!

Posing with the pole!

We not only caught the fish, but cleaned them and cooked them tin foil style!

it was yum yum!

telling camp fire tales

Maddox and his silly face with his daddy!

He's a pro too!

Baby Cali did her baby thing...she was cute, adorable and full of sweetness!

There's the man that started it all! Thanks bumpa for a really fun weekend!

Cali is the sweetest thing ever!

4 months

2010-07-14T21:22:00.001-07:00

This sweet baby girl is the best baby I've ever had! And all my babies are really good, she's just the best of them all!! I can leave her with anyone and before I leave, I'll nurse her and I can be gone for up to 4-5 hours and she'll be so good and eat right when I get back. I can just count on her to be an angel.

Some wonderful things about her are:

She smiles at everyone...
She sleeps through the night
There is a lot of napping during the day
Bryanna and Maddox help make her laugh and play with her when she is fussy
Cali is rolling over already and she likes to lift her head up and push her arms up while on her tummy...I think she's getting ready to crawl!
Her favorite spots are her swings, her car seat, the walker and in her mommy's arms!
She is grasping toys and bringing them to her mouth
Cali loves to talk and practice her little voice with the sweetest noises
She loves to giggle and squeal, and it is just music to our ears!
She does NOT like a pacifier, and surprisingly, she doesn't really need it! (YAY!!)
Cali LOVES being in water, taking a shower, being in the tub or swimming in her infant floaty in the pool...she's definitely a water baby!
She loves to nurse and so do I!

If I could have 100 more babies just like her, I would! We love you Cali and can't imagine life without you!! Thanks for being the world's best baby!! Here's to 4 blissful months!!

I love America

2010-07-06T13:42:00.001-07:00

Oh, say can you see?

By the Dawn's Early Light!

America the Beautiful!
Land that I love!

Morgan Family!

Johnson Family!

Louder Family!

Maddox boy...having a grand ol' time with some sparklers!

Mark--the man in charge of the pyro-maniacs!!

The Doxey's

Lilly and Bryanna

The Newbry's and their beautiful brand new baby!

The 4th was total blast!!

Some pre-4th of July Celebrating also went on!!

Something my family always looks forward to around this holiday...jello-layer cake!

And no 4th of July would ever be appropriate without some swimming!

Momma and baby Cali!

Our one good picture (out of 7) and Mark's head get's chopped a little!! Oh well, I don't think he minds missing the top of his bald head anyway?

And the bundt cake with some patriotic icing....it was very yummy too!

Hope you had a safe and sane 4th full of the best colors in the world...red, white and blue!!!

The Lake

2010-07-02T15:01:00.000-07:00

Another summer, another fun time at the Lake!

Baby Cali's first time at Lake Mead...and definitely not the last!

Two thumbs up, on the weinie!

wow, SIX kids on that thing!

And the precious baby sister...sleeping like an angel, behaving like an angel. She is the angel in the family!

The boat driver....kinda crazy, but 100% fun!

I tried getting up on the wake board, but after three kids, just couldn't do it. Bummer. Big Bummer!

But Brooke, the 17 yr old got up...

Dallyn is the dude!

The Angel...being absolutely adorable!

Alex wake boarding, showing the thirty something how its done!

Good lookin' boat...with a good lookin' group!

Here come the swamp things...

Clay statues!

Jamie with the babe!

And the girls' boy friends!

It's a bird...its a plane....

No...its just a three yr old on that tube!

Flag duty!

Beating the heat...having lots of fun...what more could we ask for!!

Well, we could ask for a really crazy boat driver to whip us around on the tube behind the boat!

And whipped to the other side!

and to the other...

man, this is fun!

Summer babes with their pretty long legs!

Thanks Jen for a rockin' fun time!

It was a blast!

Now for some cliff jumping!

I can't help but put up some sweet pictures of the baby girl!

We've got some dare devils on our hands!!!

Father's Day

2010-06-26T15:04:00.001-07:00

I'm about a week late with this post, but I couldn't just surpass this one! After getting in from our vaca last Saturday, Mark and I had lots to do to prepare for Father's Day. I say Mark, because he helped me with my dad's gift. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of it before I handed it off to my dad! We made all the letters my dad wrote to me on my mission into a book (acutally into 4 books because there were so many). On top of that, I had to finish writing my talk for Father's Day. It was a great welcoming home task, no wonder I had such a strong desire to stay in California! Also, Mark was put in as the Elder's Quorum President Sunday...and as Mark put it, 'We were hit with a double whammy on Sunday!'

It was wonderful at the same time because I invited my dad (and mom and sisters) to our sacrament meeting...so dad could hear the roast I was giving him and so Mark could have some help while I sat up on the stand. It was also special because our stake president is getting released tomorrow and we have loved him very much, and he was able to set Mark apart in his new calling for the last time (very bittersweet).

Upon coming home from church, we snapped the kids some very cute pictures in their Sunday best, it was a very comical time with Maddox especially!

Maddox is a very funny little boy who likes to tease (and be teased). This is his version of posing (like Bryanna!)

Now here he is trying his best to smile, normal!

Some days I blink and I see my first born growing into a young little lady right before my eyes and I want to reach out and stop the clock that instant. Its just not fair how fast kids grow.

And here's to Mark, the bestest dad in the entire world, who works so hard for our family, so I can stay home with the kids. He's a hero in all 4 of our eyes! We love you daddy!

the beach

2010-06-25T12:44:00.001-07:00

Well, another great vacation has come and gone. Here's what our week entailed:

Laying out on the beach

Reading good books

Swimming in the ocean

Catching some waves

Eating ice cream

Going out to our favorite spots for dinner

Relaxing, chilling

or just...chilaxin'

Our first day on the beach, Bryanna got right down to business...

Bryanna's favorite cousins wearing matching hats, what adorable cutie pies!

SSSSHHHH, don't tell anyone how cute these girls are!

Baby Cali's first beach trip! This sweet little baby was so good, she kept to her routine and slept through the night. Cali would agree we all had a fantastic trip!

Bryanna was the popsicle queen...seriously!

And getting some smashball action in too!

Maddox was the chocolate milk King!

And Cali was the smile queen, boy did she give us a good talkin' to, telling us all about baby stuff!

The San Clemente beach was our favorite spot. When the kids weren't playing in the sand, they were swinging. And they did a heck of a lot of swinging!

Thank goodness for the older cousins who didn't mind pushing most of the time!

Me, Jamie and Mom....beach bums we are!

Didn't I say we had a queen of smiles on our hands???

The cutest onesie, and very appropriate, too!

these two cousins have developed into the best babysitters ever!

And these two kids had the time of their life!
(You can't tell, huh!)

Our favorite spot for ice cream....yummo!

The guys givin' us a gun show!!

Beautiful babes...and matching, too!

my Nana with all the grandkids...we are so glad Nana and Grandpa decided to come down afterall. Old age ain't for sissies...it took alot of talking to, to get them packed up and in the car.

Jamie and her girlfriends...and the cousins...it was a rockin' good time!

Daddy with his kidlets...it was so nice to see Mark for a consecutive 7 days!! Now that he is Elder's Quorum President, we won't be seeing so much of him, especially on Sundays!

And my favorite view...daddy playing with the kids...all...the...time!

Best of Buds!

Playing chicken with the waves! Maddox was a giggling fool!

Digging for Sand crabs

Princess Cali and her cute little self...she was the best baby (still is)

Also a favorite thing of mine...doing nothing!

buried alive!

Eating inside at Fisherman's Wharf...Mark and I shared some crab legs...it was delicious!
One last picture in front of our favorite spot on earth (besides home)

And so goes the photo session....

Finally, we got a keeper!

And to end the trip we hit the OC swap meet...my personal favorite place to get the best deals on practically everything!
Dad and Grandpa finishing up some carnitas!!
That's all folks...

I'm back!

2010-06-25T12:36:00.000-07:00

So, I can't believe how long of a break from blogging I've taken!! It was unintentional, but I have been busy with life!!

Bryanna had her dance recital at the end of May, she really loved her dance class this last year. I did, too, it was close and convenient!

Smiles!! Among other things

2010-05-15T12:53:00.000-07:00

Here she is, Ear to Ear!!

The kids are crazy about her...can you tell?

I think I forgot to mention a funny. The first week Cali was home, Bryanna said to me, "Mom, I wish you could die so that I could take care of baby Cali!" Thanks Bryanna....at least I know you love you sister!

A few weeks ago, I went on a walk with my sister with my kids and our dogs...we came to feed the ducks, and our dogs almost got a snack out of it, too! They jumped into the water and swam after the ducks!!

My mom and I went to Michael's and bought some beautiful silk flowers to arrange in this gorgeous vase I have, just something fun for Spring and I don't have to worry about watering it!

Maddox got into my mom's dental chair to get his teeth cleaned...but alas, I was the only one who walked outta there with a sparkly, clean mouth!

He's just too cute sitting in the chair.

Home improvement segment:

When we got our new TV, the media niche shelf had to be knocked out and moved up to fit everything. I have to say I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO happy to have a new cabinet to hide all our electronics with their cords...no more an eye sore!! And to make it even sweeter, the plant on the right side I bought at Michael's. Guess how much I spent? Well, the tag was $39.99...and yes, I was willing to fork out 40 bucks to get it. Well, it rang up for a whopping $1.99!! The lady at the register didn't believe it, rang it up for different times and called management up just to make sure...they gave it to me for 1.99...it was my lucky day, and happened to be my birthday weekend anyway!!

Another wonderful thing Mark finished recently....before we had wooden spindles. Thanks to Bryanna, she kicked one out and let's just say it was a safety issue when Cali would become mobile. So we didn't get mad, but actually thanked the big sister so we could use that as an excuse to do what we've been wanting to do all along! Iron!

Here it is stained and finished!

8 weeks

2010-05-14T12:55:00.001-07:00

Baby Cali is growing and getting so big!! She is such a joy and a sweeheart to have in our home. Bryanna and Maddox love her and now that she is smiling, its so much fun to see her sweet little face light up! And not to mention her cute, chubby rolls on her leggies!!! Now, with all her cuteness, if only she were sleeping 8 hours! She regularly gets 6 hours in the first block at night, but boy! Wouldn't I be a new woman if I got a continuous 7-8 hours??? Mark would definitely agree!!

Oreo Cheesecake

2010-05-14T12:39:00.001-07:00

My infamous Oreo Cheesecake!! I made this for our Mother's day dinner last Sunday. I pull this one out on holidays, otherwise it would be too dangerous to keep around!!!

CRUST:

2 cups oreo cookie crumbs (take out the filling of the cookie before you crush them in the food processor)

6 Tbsp. melted butter

4 Tbsp. sugar

FILLING:

5 pkg (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened (or 2 1/2 lbs)

1 cup sugar

3 Tbsp. flour

1 Tbsp. vanilla

1 cup light sour cream

4 eggs

3 cups crushed oreo cookies

1 tube cream cheese frosting

12-15 whole oreo cookies for the top

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Mix crumbs, sugar and butter, press firmly onto bottom and up the sides of a spring form pan. Bake 10 minutes.

Beat cream cheese, sugar, flour and vanilla in electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add sour cream, mix well. Add eggs mixing on low speed after each addition just until blended. Stir in crushed oreos. Pour over crust. Bake 1 hour 10 min. or until center is almost set. Cool completely, keep covered in fridge for 4 hours or overnight until ready to frost, decorate and serve. Frost cake with cream cheese frosting and decorate with whole oreo cookies.

Makes 16 servings, one slice each. ENJOY!!

My New Life

2010-05-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day weekend

2010-05-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

I have been getting the royal treatment for 4 days now!! It all started on Thursday at Bryanna's Preschool...

They sang beautiful songs to us, and we got some yummy treats along with a book about Bryanna's favorite things she knows/likes to do with me.

A few of the funny things in the book...

Q: How old is your mommy?

A: 6 1/2 yrs. old....Thanks Bryanna!

Q: What is your mommy's favorite thing to do?

A: Feed Cali

Q: What is your mommy's favorite treat?

A: Chocolate...you guessed right sissy!

Q: What is your mommy's favorite food?
A: Yogurt

On friday, Mark scheduled my first ever facial!! It was heavenly, and that won't be the last one, either!!

And to top it off, Mark cleaned the carpets in our entire house....it's just so clean now!!

He got me flowers, chocolate and some really cute cards!!

Saturday, we went over to a friend's house for a "weed pulling" party and swimming party afterwards! It was so fun and it was Cali's first time in a pool, too! So we had to document it on camera!

Her belly looks so cute in the swimsuit...she loved hanging out in the jacuzzi! We kept getting splashed by her brother and sister, and she still didn't mind. I only minded the wind bothering my allergies...my eyes were killing me that day!

Four reasons that make motherhood the best ever!!!
1. Bryanna

2. Maddox

3. Cali

4. Married to my best friend! Thanks babe for making this day fantastic!

Cali's blessing and a very happy birthday

2010-05-03T16:15:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was such a special day!

Baby Cali was blessed and it coincided with my 31st birthday!! It was truly a magical day!

We had lots of family come into town to celebrate with us, and it was a beautiful day. Mark did such an amazing job with her blessing, the spirit was so strong and we both were so emotional before, during and after the blessing. We were both teary even through the opening song of sacrament meeting, usually I'm the one with the watery eyes!

Here are some pictures to show off Cali in her blessing dress.

She was really giving us a show for the camera...what an angel she is!

Mark and my parents with baby Cali, Mrs. Brown and Bryanna

Uncle Casey and Aunt Katie came down for the blessing. Casey is Mark's buddy from the mission, and he is more like a brother!

Here's the whole gang!

Pres. McCracken and my Nana

Sister McCracken and my sisters and nieces and nephew

DD and her kids, we love them!!

Maddox with his favorite person in the whole world...his Mimi, and my neighbor growing up who watched us to help my mom out while she was working...Mrs. Brown, a saint sent to my mom! Mrs. Brown is 86 yrs old! She will always be a part of the family.

Beckie & Jared

Older, Wiser...another year gone by. Yesterday was so wonderful, I feel so blessed to have Cali in our family and we know she is loved so very much. I know the Lord watched over her while I was pregnant with her through all the complications. It is such a relief to know that she is healthy and strong, and perfect!

Anniversary dinner

2010-05-03T16:06:00.001-07:00

We went to Brio's, an Italian Bistro in Town Square...a favorite place to dine and shop. We had a blast...the food was fantastic and so was the conversation! Can't wait to go back for some crab cakes!!

Prom and 18

2010-05-03T15:54:00.000-07:00

My cute, adorable, lovable, outgoing, friendly, smart, hard working, social, happy, beautiful, blonde BABY sister turns 18 today!! I can hardly believe it!

And here she is in her Prom dress on Saturday!
I think she is stunning!

6

2010-04-22T14:33:00.001-07:00

Happy 6th Anniversary!! WOW how time flies, especially when we're having fun!

Here's to 6!!

6 fantastic trips (2 to Hawaii, 3 Mexican Riveria Cruises, 1 trip to the East Coast)

5 Cars through our marriage, but thank goodness we only have 2 now. I don't think our neighbors would like us having 5 cars sitting out front our house!

4 Houses...a curse and a blessing in this recession...I'd like to think through rose colored glasses...definitely a blessing!

3 kids who are the center of our universe...what would we do without these sweet, beautiful children who Heavenly Father sent especially to us???
2 big rennovations on our current house, surprised I lived through each one without a nervous breakdown...(actually was worth living through to have more space and a nicer kitchen now!)

1 dog...we love you Putter!

Now if only we could get our skinny bodies back we had 6 years ago today...a work in progress!

Happy Anniversary Honey...its been the best 6 years of my life!

SaKe'S aLiVe....

2010-04-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

BrYaNnA's FiVe!!!!

These are all her friends that came to celebrate her birthday today! We had lots of fun!!

And of course, baby Cali sleeping right through it!

Birthday girl with her friends!

Time for some GAMES!!

this one is red light green light!!

Cousin Dallyn has the leader of this game and the girls were so funny getting to him!

Cousins and a friend, Lexy, Bailey and Abby

Birthday Princess

My mom and I

Dallyn, Obteen & Jen

Daddy...what a silly guy!

Playing another game...Red Rover, Red Rover!

...And Duck, Duck, Goose!

Cake Time!!!

Can we leave out Maddox? He had his own special cake today too! Thanks to Aunt Jen for loving this kiddo, she couldn't leave the store without getting a Spiderman Cake!

Pinata Time!

Only a few wacks and this sucker was done for!

Present time!!

She got a leapster from mom and dad...we hope she enjoys this on road trips especially!

Pin the Princess on the Castle!

After the party, we were cleaning and straightening, when both Mark and I thought it was a little too quiet around the house. I searched outside for him and Mark searched upstairs...this is what he found!! Maddox needed to go potty, and made himself comfortable on the floor....fell asleep!

Scotty's Castle

2010-04-12T17:54:00.001-07:00

Our Easter...

2010-04-05T10:56:00.001-07:00

The kids had an absolute blast this year!! Here is our easter at home!

Bryanna begs for press on nails every time we go to the store...so the easter bunny granted that wish!
She's not at all excited over it!

And what easter is complete without some peeps and cadbury eggs??

Maddox loved his tansformers, candy and coloring book!

And the ultimate egg hunt on top of my parents' waterfall!

that peter rabbit is clever, clever, clever!!

my nephew Dallyn is giving a heroic effort in trying to get the most impossible egg ever!! Watch the video for some funny stuff!

easter break

2010-04-03T08:42:00.001-07:00

Happy Easter!!

My little sister put together these beautiful floral arrangements with a friend for my mom's center pieces on Easter Sunday. Aren't they so pretty?

And here comes Peter Cottontail....

Hoppin' down the bunny trail!!

We had so much fun dying Easter eggs! My kids really got into it this year!

Bryanna has loved hanging out with her cousins. We went swimming EVERY day this week...spring break has been the best!!

Jamie and Alex...BFF's

Maddox loved dying easter eggs this time...he did it all by himself!!

We made a special treat for the first time!
This wreath will be one of the other center pieces for dinner, filled with some lovely flowers! :)

We put an easter egg in the center of some cookie dough, then baked it in the oven. Here's how they turned out:

Jamers & Alex

And Brooke!

My Nana holding Baby Cali...that's a four generation difference!! I feel so blessed to have my mom's parents alive and well, enjoying life still!

We had parents day for Bryanna's dance class. She's such a sweet, beautiful little dancer!

Its been a fun and eventful week!!

Happy Easter!

my sweeties

2010-03-30T19:35:00.001-07:00

baby cali

2010-03-29T19:31:00.001-07:00

My wonderful cousin and talented photographer, Stacie, (she also has the best first name! :) came over and snapped some shots of my kids with brand new Cali.

Click here to check out her photography blog!

I'll post more pictures when they come in the mail!!

love at home

2010-03-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

We have been having a wonderful time with baby Cali at home. Our home is filled with so much love, hugs and kisses!! Maddox has been occupied with his recent birthday presents...especially his "big guns"! I have been cleaning up the nerf bullets all over my house, they are in every nook and cranny! I can thank his Mimi for that! :)
Bryanna has loved having a "real baby" in the house. She is such a fantastic older sister, she loves to hold her, give her the pacifier, even burp her, and she likes to "just watch" us change diapers, but usually ends up helping handing us a few wipes or taking the diaper to the garbage!

Bryanna and Maddox are such good little pals, it melts my heart to see them play with each other constantly. And it made it worth it to have them 23 months apart.

All is going well on the home front...I wouldn't mind a little more sleep, but I feel so blessed to have sweet baby Cali in our family, I would lose sleep for her anyday!

Cali Kaye Perry is HERE!

2010-03-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

This was taken just before we left for the hospital!

Getting Ready

She was a small thing compared to the other 2!

All Clean!

Maddox was putting on a show the whole night. I wonder if he is excited to be dethroned as the youngest?

Bryanna is playing with the toys that Cali brought for the kids. Cali knew exactly what Bryanna liked! An Ariel Polly Pocket!

Maddox got a movie, Orange Tic Tacs (his favorite), and Cars sippy cups.

Daddy and his kids.

In case you are wondering why this post isn't as beautiful as others, It is MARK. I'm sure Stacy will post a better one once we get home. We should be coming home sometime today. Mommy and Baby a doing great!

Cali's baby shower

2010-03-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

Some wonderful friends threw me a baby shower! It was so beautiful and elegant! Just look at the spread of food!
And of course, no baby shower would be complete without some nothing bundt cakes!
Look at this diaper cake....isn't it the sweetest, most adorable thing ever??? How cute did that turn out?!?! Some great friends made that for me, and I just LOVE it!
My sister, Jen, helped bring some of the delicious spread, it was so yummy!

And the cute little girls getting to come to the baby shower!! Bryanna, Abby, Lexy and their friend Julie.
How cute is this little guy....on a chair playing with the balloons!!!
Camille, Monica, Bryanna, Alissa, Michelle
Mom got these adorable matching jammies...aren't they sooooo gorgeous? Bryanna wore them last night, I think these little jammies are her new favorite!
Christa, the quilting queen, made this precious butterfly quilt to go in Cali's room! It is SO sweet, she is seriously such a pro with quilts, and she is such a good friend! Love this lady!
And my sis got this cuper cute Petunia Picklebottom Diaper bag...its vinyl so I can keep it nice and stain-free!
one of my favorite things during the newborn stage are the dress jammies....no zippers or snaps or buttons to mess with in the middle of the night...how cute are those ruffles?
did they have to get THAT face on film?
My first little angel with the balloons...she is so excited to finally have baby Cali get here!
I get to be induced this week...HURRAY!! It's nice to know when she will get here...we have lots of things "to do" this week in prep for the new arrival...like get the dog to the groomer...put in the laundry room sink...put in a new banister upstairs, bryanna accidentally kicked out one of the spindles. Darn! Now Mark gets his wish of putting in an iron banister!

We are so excited to have a new spirit in the family!

Maddox turns 3!!!

2010-03-12T21:42:00.001-08:00

Here we are, nana, jen, mom and I at Abby's 8th birthday party...and that was a LOT OF FUN! The kids loved bowling and can't wait to do it again! And the birthday boy requested his favorite thing ever....a Transformer birthday party!!!! little camden, swing batter!!! and little Liam! and the birthday boy!!! birthday boy's sister! birthday boy's aunt! and his favorite thing ever....the transformer cake!!!

Ain't Misbehaving!!

2010-03-04T16:39:00.001-08:00

So, yesterday, I was able to play tennis at 36 weeks!! I paid for it last night, but it was worth it and fun. Just for the record, Jen and I won in three sets...5-7, 6-0, 6-3. (Yes, the pregnant lady bageled them in the second set!! :) I got there a hare late and our opponents wouldn't give us a five minute warm up, so I guess the first set could count as our warm-up! In the six years I've played league here, no one has ever been that much of a stinker...no warm-up??? Come on, they were just asking for a spanking!! I originally stopped playing tennis two weeks ago, but my team was in a bind and I had to play or we'd default a position. So what's a girl to do? I'm not misbehaving!!! I thought I'd get one last picture, pregnant in our team uniform!

This is my cute sister, Jamie and one of her BFF's, Alex, who recently joined the church. They are grubbing after a hard core swim team practice. Jamie is such a good friend and example to all she is around. Aren't they such cute girls?!?!?!?!
Photographer---Bryanna

And of course, Bryanna the photographer wanting to take more pictures...

My mom's dog had puppies a while ago, and they kept 1 of the 3. Meet Beauregard (but we call him Beau for short). He's the sweetest and most obedient little pup ever...and the kids just love to cuddle and squeeze and give him lots of kisses!

I couldn't forget to post pictures of the almost finished Baby room. I still have to get the dresser, but I know the exact one I want, its just a matter of getting it!! I will put it right under the picture here.

And to finish this wall, I found a mirror at Home Goods. It should be complete right around the time Cali arrives... just two-three weeks left!!!

life

2010-02-22T12:24:00.000-08:00

I think the anticipation of a baby coming makes life slow down a little bit...we know the big due date...count down the weeks...prepare the nursery...gain weight (yahoo!)...etc. I have just about a month left and it will be a very long month, the end of every pregnancy goes by a little slower than the rest because tasks zap more energy out of me and I feel like I move around like a turtle. I love to stay busy, and I look forward to having projects to do, anything to keep my mind off of the obvious and the uncomfortable. So I have a few things that won't take much time, but still will help me keep my eye off the goal. It also doesn't help that my cold has moved down my throat...practically down in my lungs. Now from just being stuffy and sore, I'm coughing too. Cali is growing and doing well...I need to kick this cold before she arrives, and get my kids on the same healthy track so our home can be happy and feeling groovy for her big debut.

This cold + pregnancy has put me into the dead among the living mode. The days Bryanna doesn't go to preschool, I sometimes stay in my pj's til I know Mark is coming home from work. Although I could stay (and some days do) locked up in the house all day, I get a little stir crazy and would LOVE to go shopping...that for some reason always brings sunshine to a rather dull day.

And talk about shopping, last friday I was going through my make-up drawer and found a $25 gift card to Kohl's and a $50 gift card to The Cheesecake Factory!!! Now its really game on!! It's like finding a $20 bill in your back pocket of some jeans you haven't worn in a while...jack pot!!

Thank goodness for crafts to keep the kids happy. They really are getting so big and I just can't believe how much older they have been behaving. I have tried to stay consistent with discipline, which help them know the limits and boundaries, although Bryanna likes to test them occasionally. Maddox just gives right in and is easier to coax.

cold

2010-02-17T08:53:00.000-08:00

so I have this darn sore throat and its creeping up into my ears. I know, adults shouldn't get ear aches, but then explain why my ears hurt so much, along with my throat and my neck? Being sick totally stinks. Remind me to never get sick again. I'm hoping the antibiotic kicks in fast, it hasn't felt like its made a difference yet, so we'll see. I can't remember feeling so miserable before.

Any suggestions for kicking a cold fast?

deepest influence & 300th post!!

2010-02-15T08:05:00.000-08:00

"Motherhood has its marvelous power-blended pain and joy-and the deepest influence in the world. That it brings joy no one can doubt sees the mutual love of mother and child. Perhaps its chief grace lies in the fact that it is a ministry in which there is blended purposeful self-sacrifice with the confident expression of love in its purest quality."
-The New York Times, May 10, 1929

That quote was on my little daily calendar over the weekend, and I have kept thinking about it. How eloquently put. I think about my own mom and all the wonderful things she has done for me in my life, being an amazing cheerleader, encouraging me to no end. Watching her sacrifice growing up, but at the time just thought that's how life was, and now older and realizing she worked her tail off for us.

I hope I can be the mom I had. She is still the sounding board of advice.

Here's to the 300th post and to a fabulous Valentine's Day, one of my favorite holidays. Ever.

Mark arranged the entire date, lasting 6 hours! It was all a mystery to me, and I was VERY curious as to exactly what we were doing. Mark is very predictable, which is one of my favorite things about him because I can count on him with his word. But he doesn't give any clues when he has something up his sleeve, and that's the part that I can't stand! Anyway...on to the date...

We first headed to get a massage. They call Mark back first. My massage therapist takes me back to the room and she stares at me. Then she asks, "Did you just have a baby?" I'm thinking she's kidding, and by the look on her face I can tell she's not. I reply, "No, I'm still pregnant." Then to clarify she says, "You are pregnant?"

I'm just getting it now, and hoping that my stomach doesn't naturally hang out this far after the baby comes.

Mark forgot to mention when he made our appointments that I'm pregnant and to schedule a licensed prenatal therapist. But, since he was already "in session" I didn't know what his appointment scheduling conversation was. It was a bit awkward having to tell the manager and all the receptionist that yes, indeed, I am pregnant, and explaining the obvious is such a ridiculous feeling. And that my husband better know I'm pregnant at this point and why wouldn't he say so when he called in. The licensed prenatal therapist was already booked for that hour and so I got to sit in the lobby while Mark got his massage. And it really wasn't so bad. I read a few articles in the Golf Digest magazine.

Lesson Learned: Always state the obvious. Even when you think they have your required OBGYN's approval note on file.

Mark felt terrible, as I was expecting he would. I actually wasn't too bummed out about not getting my massage and had to let him know not to feel so bad. I rescheduled for tonight anyway!

Mark and I get a babysitter for going to the temple and try not to get one "just because" we feel like seeing a movie or whatever. With the last year of re-adjusting our budget, we've spent a little less on babysitting and take the kids with us. If it were me, I'd love for Mark to take me out every weekend with out the kids.

This is why I love Valentine's Day. Mark makes it extra special and I totally relish in being pampered by him.

After Mark's massage (LOL!!), he took me out to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory...which we haven't been in two years. It was delicious, but learned that they discontinued making my favorite cheesecake. Bummer, but not really. Any cheesecake they bake is darn good.

Then he took me to see the movie, Valentine's Day....which I HIGHLY recommend seeing. I was a little cautious thinking the movie might be a hit out of the ball park with so many huge movie stars in it, maybe they need all those movie stars because the plot is lacking...but it was NO disappointment. It was that high flying home run, over the fence hit!! Go see it, even if you have to take your kids with you to the theater!

And to top the night off, Mark took me to a favorite store to stock up on lotions that I was running low of. In fact, I really can't imagine living without these lotions, I got into the habit of lotioning down after I shower (Vegas is a desert) and so now it just seems like something I have to do, kind of like shampooing and conditioning your hair...same with the skin.

I have to say that I had a fabulous date, one of the best in a long time, even despite sitting in the lobby of the massage place. I LOVED going out and getting spoiled by my honey. It was a terrific weekend and I can't say thanks enough.

8 months

2010-02-12T15:44:00.000-08:00

Here's to 8 months!! 33 weeks and just a few more to go!! Bryanna took my picture for me, and as you can see, she progressively got better!! She had lots of fun being the picture taker!!

I must say that I sleep much better (when I can finally settle in) at this stage in the pregnancy than I have with the other two. Maybe its because I'm trying to keep up with Bryanna and Maddox? Those kids have so much energy! I have been able to play tennis still, which I'm so grateful for. The first week of league was this past wednesday and I played with my sister. I have to write the score down just to remind myself in years to come, we won 6-1, 6-0. Yes, I'm a little proud of that, but only a pregnant lady would know that moving around chasing after a little yellow ball isn't the easiest of tasks!

32 weeks

2010-02-05T21:28:00.000-08:00

oh my goodness...can I just say how uncomfortable I am....all the time? I can't sit still, I feel like a little kid who has ants in their pants, CONSTANTLY!! I remember how the end of all my pregnancies are just sooooooo uncomfortable, but I really did forget how extreme it is for me. The worst part of each day is the evening and into the night. I can hardly sit still even writing this post!!! I can feel every little itch all over my body, and to top it off, I'm running to the bathroom to empty my bladder every hour (sometimes on the half hour). Sheesh...I'm sure all this uncomfortableness makes it that much more pleasurable to be up every few hours with a new born through the night and live on little sleep...let's hope I do get more than 5 hours every night.

I have about 6-7 weeks left (6 weeks if my body decides its time and 7 weeks for inducement) and I am grateful the end is in sight. I feel like I still have a lot to get done before Cali gets here, so I hope I can pass the time wisely and check off my to-do list all in good time!!

Here's a little of what we've been up to...re-organizing the garage, AGAIN, but it always needs organizing for some darn reason!
Some wonderful friends in our ward recently moved out and let us have these amazing wall mounts for the baskets and bikes and the wood shelves. I wish I had before pictures so you could see the clutter improvement!! Boxes were stacked way too high for me to even attempt to find anything, only with Mark's big muscles to manuver things around for me!

painting extravaganza!

2010-01-31T09:10:00.000-08:00

We had a very fun and busy time painting Cali's room. Thanks to Mark and all the help he was in this project...oh ya, and the kids too...couldn't have done it with out their help!

Bryanna was so excited to help paint, she actually did quite a bit of painting and wanted to keep doing more. This project was right up her alley!

Maddox was in the thick of it too...sword and all!

Before stripes:

After:

I have to purchase a few more furniture pieces (like a dresser), then the fun part, accessorizing!! I'll get more pics up when we finish!

mini fruit pizzas

2010-01-28T12:30:00.001-08:00

This has become one of my favorite treats lately, and I don't feel as guilty because of the yummy fresh fruit atop! I served these last night for Book Club and they were all gone!

Easiest treat ever, my own version:

Mini Fruit Pizzas

1 (18-oz) pkg. refrigerated sugar cookie dough
1 (8-oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. powdered sugar
2 T sugar
1 T fresh lemon juice
2-3 peeled, sliced kiwis
8-10 fresh strawberries, quartered
1 c. fresh raspberries or blueberries or both

Bake refrigerated cookie dough according to package instructions. Cool cookies completely. In mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, both sugars and lemon juice and mix until smooth. Refrigerate 30 minutes. (If I know I am making these I usually do the frosting one day ahead of time and let frosting refrigerate overnite.)Spread each cookie with the frosting and arrange fruit on top. Serve immediately.

big boy bed

2010-01-27T10:05:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend we moved Maddox into his very own big boy bed!! He was excited, but I was hesitant because I didn't want to mess up his nap time during the day or the nighttime routine. In fact, we bought his bed frame in October, but I kept putting it off. On the whole, its been a very smooth transition and he still gets his nap in just fine. Although the last couple of nights he has gotten out of bed and crept into our room each time about 9:45...maybe I let him nap too long. He's been under the weather this week with a runny nose and swollen glands (but the dr. didn't think it was serious enough for antibiotics...ugh!) so I'm letting him sleep as long as he can. Oh what to do, what to do! He seems to be growing up too fast and getting so big. I can't believe he's almost three and will be a big brother soon!

Speaking of becoming a big brother, baby Cali moves like a wild woman. She's constantly kicking, squirming, punching...its very uncomfortable. You'd think I'd be a little more used to it being the third go, but not so much. I can remember with the last two pregnancies that the babies didn't move nearly this much. Its making me wonder as to what kind of baby she'll be. Bryanna and Maddox were angel babies, and I use angel with every meaning of the word. I anticipate meeting her and learning more about the little person she already is and hoping she'll be an easy new born baby.

Bryanna has been saying some really funny stuff lately. The other day we were watching some football on T.V. and Mark just happened to not be in the room with us.

B: Mom, are they in high school? (pointing to the football players on T.V.)

M: No, they are old like mommy and daddy.

B: Oh, so that's their work?

M: Ya, they get to play football for work!

B: But not daddy. He works at the office and talks to people.

M: Yup!

I think she empathized for Mark that maybe his job isn't as fun as playing football!

tiddliwnks

2010-01-25T16:53:00.000-08:00

I ordered this cute crib bedding, called Tiddliwinks Raspberry Garden, from target.com and I can't wait for it to come next week!! As soon as I get my little paws on it, I can get paint matches and start designing Cali's room! I feel like I finally have something to do around the house besides cooking, cleaning and doing laundry! Yay!

The last two months of my pregnancies, I start nesting BIG TIME! I have to have everything clean and perfect so by the time I get home from the hospital, I can focus on the kids and just trying to stay happy with the little sleep I know I'll be getting.

I was able to get this sweet travel system, so I'm really feeling prepared to welcome this baby! While Mark was waiting for me to get to target with the kids, he was browsing and found this travel system on sale for $160, when its normally $199! We got rid of our last infant car seat after Maddox, knowing that its only a 2 year life on most infant car seats.

showers

2010-01-20T15:51:00.001-08:00

We have been loving the rain here, and trying to enjoy every minute outside, even though it is pretty chilly (according to a las vegan!)

I just love these two kids and I'm so grateful I can take care of them, watch them grow, and see them develop into the wonderful little people they are becoming. This is the best time of my life.
Maddox and Bryanna are constantly playing with each other and making silly faces and poses. They really are best friends, and I'm so glad they have each other to play with. (I think it was intended truly by the Lord, they keep each other entertained to give me a little break) Maddox is totally and completely into all boy things. And Bryanna into all girl things. I love that they are complete opposites, but get along fabulously (most of the time...they both have their tiffs).

7 months

2010-01-16T18:43:00.001-08:00

Now that I actually LOOK pregnant, instead of just feeling pregnant, here's a picture for evidence. I normally don't feel up to taking pregnant pictures, but then I usually regret it afterwards, not showing the kids when they "used to be in my tummy" shots.

29 weeks and counting...I feel like I'm on the last leg of this trek and I'm so glad!! I'll try to remember to post a picture at 8 months.

a 10 minute down pour

2010-01-13T15:43:00.000-08:00

At the point we finally got all our rain gear on, the rain had already moved on. But we still had some fun outside and Bryanna just loves it when we can pull out the umbrella!

We hope to play in the rain and not the aftermath of it...

Home Depot

2010-01-12T21:18:00.000-08:00

Yes, we do alot of projects around our house. Yes, we get our supplies mostly from Home Depot. Yes, the kids have to go with us a lot of the time. Bryanna calls it the "Boy Store" Maddox loves it because the kids always get to pick out a little treat at the cash register. So....what does this all mean??????

Monday Night: We did FHE.

FHE topic: Joseph Smith...lately Bryanna's favorite church song is "Praise to the Man"...she's been humming and singing the tune quite a bit. So we figured we'd teach her a little more about who the "man" is in the song.

FHE prayer: Maddox, the 2 year old, says the opening prayer and it goes something like this:

"Dear Heavenly Father, Thank for this day. Thank for my family. Thank you for my blessings. Thank you for Family Home Depot...."

I can't remember the rest because I was laughing and giggling that he said Family Home Depot instead of Family Home Evening.

Needless to say, we had a great lesson about Joseph Smith and tried to reiterate that we were having Family Home EVENING, but I don't think that one kicked in.

Yes, FHE has an entirely new take for our family!!!

keeping me up at night

2010-01-11T09:05:00.000-08:00

Oh My!! I loved reading this book. Its the kind of book that is suspenseful, thrilling, gut-wrenching and most of all entertaining. Holy cow, you have got to read this book.

At first, when I saw the title on Goodreads when my friends would write a review, I thought "Diet Book...not reading that one!" Obviously, I never read the review! Then, I started to see more and more goodreads reviews pop up, and that was convincing enough to see what the plot was all about. And to top it off, I would go in for my OBGYN appointments and I would see other ladies in there with their nose in this book.

OK....if I haven't convinced you yet to read the book...go online, look up this book and read some reviews. It is a strange plot...but its a thrilling suspense that keeps you up at night. Another thing that I liked about this book is that its free of curse words and sex scenes. And there is one more twist to it, romance!!

5 stars to Hunger Games...and I'm almost done with the sequel Catching Fire!! Hunger Games Book Three comes out in August this year, so that will be a long, horrible wait, but well worth it!

resolutions

2010-01-03T15:42:00.001-08:00

So, Mark is very good about writing down, EVERY YEAR, his new year's resolutions. I am 50-50 with it. But every year I have a mental note of all the things I feel I need to improve on. It usually has to do with making a better effort in living and eating more healthy, exercising more regularly and reading my scriptures more often. Throughout the year I go in spurts with all three of those categories and so in retrospect, I feel that I partly achieved some of these "goals". And then I have to ask myself why can't I stay on task the whole year? Well, life happens on a rollercoaster and so some things have more priority than others depending on the height the rollercoaster. And 2009 was the most wild and crazy rollercoaster I've had in my life. But looking back, I have so much gratitude in my heart towards the mercies of Mark's job and the economy here in Las Vegas. I was really bitter at the beginning of last year when he took a pay cut and I kept questioning all sorts of things involving that, but looking back, I can see that our prayers have been answered, and we have been blessed. I hope I can keep those lessons close to heart and try to apply them in 2010. I had great expectations that things would improve in all areas in our lives in 2010, but with the way 2009 went, the only expectations I can hold for this new year is that Mark will stay employed and we can have health this year. Other than that, we'll do our best and be grateful for all we have. Happy New Year!