Spring Break '09- Part 2

Taking a ride on the train:

Getting our Sand on at the playground:

And a personal favorite picture... My little Gracie girl:

Part three coming manana!

To my sister...

Happy Birthday Beast! I saw a quote a few weeks ago that made me laugh because it was so fitting for our relationship:

"I smile because you are my sister. I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it!"

In your honor my dear here are 31 reasons why I like you so darn much!

1. You laugh at my jokes
2. Your feet are bigger than mine
3. You are a great mother
4. You are self-less
5. You hardly ever say no
6. You have soft skin
7. You let me pick your hair color
8. You make really cute kids
9. You once ate an entire cake in one day... alone
10. You are a nice Auntie
11. You had lisp when you were little
12. You don't make me feel bad about being fat
13. You don't make me feel bad about my messy house
14. You are an ugly crier...it's cute
15. You used to drive me places
16. You drive an awesomely large vehicle
17. You keep most of my secrets
18. You let me complain to you
19. You are a total prude...and have 6 kids. I still don't get it!
20. You like to play Cranium
21. You never swear
22. You have 6 kids and don't spank
23. You make yummy desserts
24. You are a Jello salad queen
25. You are always up for an adventure
26. You love your family
27. You love strangers
28. You like gossip magazines
29. You make the biggest splashes in the Cannon Ball contests
30. You are beautiful
31. You are the BEST big sister

Basically I like you a lot and love you even more. Happy birthday! I hope it is a wonderful year!

Hey Boo-Boo...

Our resident Yogi Dillon demonstrates a proper downward facing dog:

Nope, just a good old regular dog (notice the LICKING of the mat!)

Spring Break 2009

Well Spring Break is officially over. And we all survived... or did we?

A recap in photo's:

Three years and 5 (almost 6) months after it was purchased our hot-tub was FINALLY hooked up just in time for our Spring Breakers. Everyone has enjoyed it so much! Especially the yahoos.

Betsy and I braved the supposed 45 mph winds and took all the kids to the train park. We loaded up the Stoddard Shuttle (aka Beast's HUGE 15 passenger van) and headed East. The kids had a blast even if we wouldn't let them ride in the cattle car!

Such a drama queen... it wasn't THAT sunny!

The carousel was a big hit with all the kids. We even got Betsy and Brig on for a repeat ride.

Part Two & maybe three coming soon...

It's the 2nd Annual...

Camp Out under Mindy's roof during Spring Break-A-Thon! This year we have added Grandma. Brigham and Tootsie. We have also removed Noah from the list of attendees.

We surprisingly (or not so much) have one invitee who respectfully declines to be in attendance...BLAIR!

You can't really blame him!

4 hormonal women

8 children

+ 1 dog

-------------------------------

Not a very fun week for Blair

(also not surprising.... I really, really miss him! Friday can not come soon enough my dear!)

When not in use, turn off the juice!

I wish that I could say that I was joking... I really really do! Alas I am not! I am here at work with a light on in my office and the lights in the rest of the building turned off. Our corporate office would like us to save more energy. They have started a huge marketing campaign with posters, stickers etc (paper waste anyone?) with our new "going green" motto of:

"When not in use, turn off the juice"

I am all for going green to save this planet of ours. Really I am! Right now I am helping do my part in the following ways:

1. Water Conservation- by not doing my dishes

2. Energy Conservation- It takes electricity to vacuum!

3. Landfill waste- My dog eats our garbage... even the the diapers.

Baby steps!

'Ave a cuppa...

Milk Sir?

Pinkies up!

Or curled!

Nothing as refreshing as afternoon tea... milk.

Breakfast in Verrado...

The Boy Scouts of America have kidnapped my darling every Saturday in March so the children and I headed out for some early morning fun. It didn't hurt that Tootsie had a 7:00 am grooming appointment either.

If I had enough money, or the means to sell my house I would move to Verrado in a HEARTBEAT!! I love it! I figured I could also find some good photo practice spots. I didn't figure on the un-willingness of my 2 male models!

After all was said and done the best shots and most fun was eating donuts outside Bashas with the kiddo's. So of course they have chocolate and sprinkles all over the grubby mugs. I love them!

I love moments like this... they make up for all the arm-flailing, tackling, rolling on the ground fights these two get into. Almost!

This was so funny. Dillon totally picked a sprinkle off Jo-Jo's face and ate it.

Some more brother lovin, wow they really have the exact same hair color.

Someday this child will learn how to walk down stairs. Maybe...

A new toy...

Mom (that would be me) got a new toy today! A Nikon D40 DSLR. A what you say? A fancy new camera to learn how to use before we head to the Happiest Place ON EARTH come May. Thats what!

For whatever reason the UPS man does not arrive in East L.A./Kippy-aye-yay/ Buckeye until 6:00 PM. You better believe I was online tracking this puppy all day today!

I have had the camera ready and charged for 2.5 hours and already taken 150+ pictures. I would say a good 75% were out of focus. There is going to be a HUGE learning curve I'm afraid.

Here are some favorites from tonight...

Yes, Jordan had a haircut between shots. He was looking like a total ragamuffin! I much prefer a shorter 'do on that kid!

Jordan's Day...

Jordan requested to ring in his birthday with a familiar theme... Mickey Mouse Clubhouse! The cake specifically. After the Elmo debacle of December I felt like I needed to try a little harder this go round. He was happy with it. A happy Jordy = A happy Mom!

The front:

The back:

One super happy & slightly spazzed out 4 year old!

Grandma, Grandpa & Aunt Valerie braved Jordy's germs and helped us celebrate in style.

Daddy grilled us some Hot Diggity Dogs, and hamburgers complete with mini Mickey cheese. Jordan loved all his presents and has been playing non-stop ever since. Daddy got a basketball hoop and the boys have been having a great time. Dillon finds wearing a uniform helps him score more points.

An interview with our resident 4 year old:

M-   What was your favorite present?

J-     Suprise Clubhouse.

M-    What was the best part about your birthday?

J-      Superman icecream.

M-     Do you feel older?

J-      YES!

M-    Why?

J-     Cuz I'm 4!

M-    What are your 4 favorite things?

J-     1. To play with toys

        2. Watch TV

        3. Watching a Movie, like Wall-E

        4. Going to church

M-    What is your favorite color?

J-      Yellow, pink and blue. Light blue.

M-     What is your favorite food?

J-      Ramen and rice and milk and cinnamon.

M-     What is your favorite movie?

J-       Wall-E

M-     What is your favorite TV show?

J-       Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Jon & Kate + Eight, and even Phinneaus and Ferm (Ferb)

Happy Birthday little man!