Old Friends

I had lunch today with my oldest and best friend Katie (and Bella of course). It was fun to catch up and gossip a bit. It has also been fun blog hopping together. Katie and I met in 1994 and have been friends ever since. Every milestone we have had we have shared together. First boyfriends, first cars, High School, moving out on our own, first heartbreaks, Marriage, children etc....

There have been plenty of fights and times or sorrow along the way but I still love the girl like she's my sister!

And I am grateful for her......and for camera's so our children know how lucky they are to have mom's like us!

Sorry! I couldn't resist!
Love you!
Oscar Eyeontcha, Mia, Lexthie

A crazy few weeks...

The Karafa family just got back from a quick trip to Idaho this past weekend. Blair's Grandma Krieger passed away and we went to attend her funeral. Idaho is so beautiful, I love to go there and see all the greenery. We were able to spend some time with cousins we hadn't seen for awhile and Jordan just loved playing with all the kids.

We went with Grandma & Grandpa & Jaxon to Bear World and had a fun time. They had added a small amusement ride area since our last visit and Jordan & Dillon liked the rides. Jordan even rode the rolly coaster all by himself!

Grandma has been away for a few weeks to take care of her mom so the boys have been watched by Brooke & Whitney Jenkins. The boys had a good time except for being sick with a cold and spreading it to the whole Jenkins family (sorry guys!). Jordan is my little sensitive guy and was so off his routine that he was a little weepy. Yesterday he called me at work in tears and said he missed me. It broke my heart! :(

Hopefully we will be sticking around home for awhile. We are looking forward to this Friday when The Beast and her brood are coming to spend the night. I wish they could stay longer but it will be good to see them for a few hours at least. Maybe while she's here I can finally get her to start a blog so you can see all my cutie niece's and nephew.

Vacation!

We just returned from our family vacation to California. This is the first trip we had taken alone since Dillon was born. The boys were so good. If I could transplant my house there I wouldnt have come home!

Here's the rundown of fun:

Day one- Drove from Buckeye to Newport Beach. Jordan threw up all over himself 45 minutes from destination. We took the boys to Yardhouse for dinner and then to the Beach to walk around.

Day two- Drove up to LA to sightsee around Hollywood. Walked around the Walk of Fame and saw the sights. Took the scenic (aka LONG) route home down the coast. Had PF Chang's take-out in the hotel spread out on towels.

Day three- Back to LA for famous Pink's Hotdogs (the line was way to long the day before). Went to Universal City for the city walk. Back to the Pier in Newport with better weather.

Day four- To Downtown Disney for shopping and fun at Rainforest Cafe. We thought for a brief moment about Disneyland but the line for parking was unreal! We'll save that for next year. To the resort in Carlsbad and swimming before bed.

Day five- To the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park. Took Jordan swimming.

Day six- To Legoland. Jordan loved the rolly coasters! To the beach to watch the sunset and play in the sand.

Day seven- To Sea World. We sat in the splash zone for the dolphin show and get soaked. Jordan loved the 3D Sesame street movie. It was fun to see him reaching out for things. Dillon slept through both!

Day eight- San Diego Zoo. Took the boys swimming in the family hot tub (not heated too high) and Dillon actually went in that.

Day nine- Home at last! Yahoo!

Jordan has become a Penny collector and had so much fun looking at each park for the machines. We got some cute video of him cranking away! Dillon even got in on the fun!

The Funeral

Grandpa Vowles funeral was very lovely considering. It was a beautiful cloudy day (sorry Mom) but it was beautiful. Grandpa looked like himself and I was glad to be able to say my goodbye's in person. I could have held it together if Betsy didn't blubber and drag me down with her!

Grandpa wanted his longtime neighbor Elder F. Michael Watson to speak and it was really nice. He was Grandma & Grandpa's home teacher and had some sweet recollections of the two of them. My cousin Michael gave a tribute from the Grandchildren's point of view that brought back so many happy memories.

Grandpa was a veteran of WWII and Korea and had a Veteran's burial. His coffin was draped with a flag and three Airmen came to the burial for the playing of TAPS and the flag ceremony. It was unexpected but I caught most of it on video:

RIP Grandpa. I love you and am so happy that your have been reunited with your beloved.

A to Z

Tag I'm it!
A ttached or Single: Attached
B est Friend: Katie, Kristin, Betsy & Blair
C ake or Pie: Cake with lots of frosting.
D ay of Choice: Saturday
E ssential Item: A big purse
F avorite Color: Pink, orange & red
G ummy Bears or Worms: Either one. Red & clear only!
H ometown: Anywhere in Arizona. Probably Mesa most of all.
J anuary or July: January
K ids: Have 2
L ife is incomplete without: My family & my debit card
M arriage Date: June 20th, 2003
N umber of Siblings: 2 sisters, 2 brothers
O ranges or Apples: Oranges
P hobias or Fears: My husband or children dying. I am very morbid.
Q uote: "Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice".
R eason to Smile: My children
S omething New: Sewing machine
T ag: Brooke & Kristin
U nknown Fact About Me: Not much, I'm an open book
V egetarian or Oppressor Of Animal: I like them both together
W orst Habit: Biting my nails
X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds! The good ones!
Y our Favorite Food: Chinese food. Especially PF Changs
Z oo Animal: Monkeys

Never enough Dillon

Dillon is not as cooperative as Jordy for pictures. I have found a solution. Wait until he is wrapped tight in his towel after a bath!!

The hopping ball

Do not shop at Wal-Mart immedietly after surgery. You may come home with one of these.