Sunday, February 28, 2010

Visitors



Our favorite place to take Cole (the "field") which is just a few houses up the street in our neighborhood had some visitors this morning. Or are we the visitors? I think probably so.


Aside from our canine neighbors, we are thoroughly enjoying the splendor that a wonderful rainfall brings . . . snow-capped mountains, vibrantly green hills. It is spectacular!!


photo.php.jpgPhotos taken by my friend Steve Hallmark from his backyard.


Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Another Donation

BEFORE

AFTER

Brooke, Gwen Johnson, and Madison were so excited to have an appointment at the hair salon to all have their hair cut and donated!
This is my girls' THIRD time doing it, which amazes me considering Brooke is only 8 years old.
We are so proud of you girls!

Presidents Day Weekend 2010


President's Day Weekend was so beautifully fabulous that we took advantage and went to the beach . . . twice!



On Monday we went to Zuma with our friends the Johnsons. Baby Kate was so happy to be at the beach!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Monkey Brains, Snakes, Boulders, Mummies, Fedoras and BOYS BOYS BOYS!


Christian's Indiana Jones-themed birthday party was a huge success. Here are some of the highlights, and information because I'll probably forget in a couple of weeks how in the world all this came together.

John dressed the part of Indy and Christian was so proud!

We set up our huge tent in the front yard so the kids entered the tent first. Brooke had a table with all of the satchels (that I made from donated upholstery fabric - and they turned out fabulously) that the kids got upon 'check-in'.

The goal was to keep them in the tent until most of the kids arrived and the party could start. We blasted the theme music from the movie, and in came the REAL Indiana Jones - real treat for these 6-year old boys!

He's a happy boy.

Indiana Jones showed the boys the clues he found to start them on their adventure.
After they completed each task, he read the next clue to them and they had to figure out where to go and what to do next.

Pin the Hat on Indiana Jones!
Indiana can't have his adventures without his beloved hat.
It was hilarious watching the boys go all over the room trying to find the right spot.
After they completed this task, they earned their own fedora.
The Fedoras - which used to be neon colored!

Snake Lake
They had to carefully balance themselves as they walked across the lake full of venomous snakes, while carefully reaching down and choosing the snake that wouldn't bite them, and putting it in their satchel.

Off they go in search of the Archeological Dig Site to find more treasure.
They were so cute and cooperative!

They used special digging tools (chop sticks) to find buried treasure (chocolate) and other goodies hiding in the deep buckets filled with beans and rice.




The Mummy Gallery.
The boys wrapped each other up in toilet paper . . .

. . . then had fun with wrestling in the wads of TP.
Then they had to make their way to the banquet, where the bad guys just ate and dropped treasures in
Monkey Brains, Eyeball Soup, and Snake Guts.

The CAKE
oh, the cake.
The cake was very fun to make. I got many ideas from wonderful cyber folks who blogged their creations and we came up with a version of our own.

It's amazing what can be done with two cakes, some cookies, Legos and lots of frosting.


PRESENT TIME
After cake and ice cream, it was time to adjourn to the tent and open presents.
Lego was a popular theme, and young Indy was in heaven.
The party was a great success. I have been told by many different parents that the boys wore their satchels all weekend long and only took them off long enough to go to church. Except one even wore his to church.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Love is in the Air

Will You Marry Me?

YES!
17 years ago, John proposed with 2 red flowers (representing us) and one white (our eternal love). After work on Feb 2, he came home with this gorgeous bouquet, now with six red roses (we've grown!) and got on his knee in the middle of the kitchen. I'll say yes again! and again!


HEART ATTACK!

What fun to see this sweet surprise!

Many of the hearts had messages on them.


And a sweet plate of Valentine cookies!
I wonder what the neighbors think! I think it looks a lot better than TP!



Tuesday, February 2, 2010

A Birthday Shout Out

Today is your birthday, Shout Hooray!
Happy Birthday to my BFF Janae "Fashions" (say name with valley accent)
We grew up together in "The Valley" and would ride bikes to each other's homes.

My family always knew when I was talking on the phone with Janae because of my laugh.
-Janae always makes you laugh!

Stacey - high school friends - now we're all grown up with families of our own.

I'm not going to say how many years of fun we've had, because it's in the multiple decades and that would make me (us) sound too old, so I'm just going to say that we've been friends forever and always will be!
Happy Birthday Nae!