Picture Time

My kids are so used to having a camera pointed at their faces. One of the first words they said, both of them, was "cheese." The ironic thing: I have the hardest time getting a decent portrait of them. While in San Diego, I decided to try to utilize the lush green setting and get a photo session in. It has been awhile since I have been able to get a nice picture of the two of them together. With an active almost two year old and a daughter that takes pictures like her grandma (eyes closed, rolled back, talking- you get the point- not good), it is a difficult task.

Here is my point proven:








I did manage to get a couple of gems in there. Can I just say- I LOVE THESE KIDS!!! The make my heart smile and bring me so much joy. Even when the pictures don't turn out.

Cooler Temps, Relaxation and a Little Pizza

Jason bid us farewell at the bright and early hour of 4:30 am (what I like to refer to in my ever-so-lady-like fashion as, "the butt-crack of dawn") to an all important conference in Dallas. Not to be out-did by the grassy knoll and cowboy hats, I decided it was time for a little trip of our own. Bags packed, car loaded and off to San Diego we headed. RRRRRRRrrrrrr... (the is my sound effect for screeching breaks) stupid Sunday traffic to CA- uh hum, I mean thank you to all the Californians who come to our lovely city, spend your hard earned dollars so I do not have to pay state taxes. Anyhow, nothing seemed to go right, but finally after potty breaks, traffic, dinner break, another potty break... we were welcomed to my brother's home by our favorite chocolate lab, Suzy. (Well, not really welcomed, at first, she was a little irked that we all came traipsing in the wee hours, but perked up quickly.)





We did not have a whole lot planned. My mom, sis-in-law and I planned to get a little scrapbooking in while the kids played. Now, don't get me wrong- I love living in Las Vegas. I take the brutal summers like someone living in say, North Dakota, takes the winter. It is not the greatest and you get a little cabin fever, but you put up with it for the other 9 great months out of the year. That being said, it was great that we did not have to wake up a 6 am to enjoy some outside play or wait until 9pm. (Or not have to be submerged in a pool) The kids played and played in the back yard and had a ball. I think Norah is happiest playing with her cousins, Brendan and "The Boy Rylan" (she has a friend that is "The Girl Rylan"- she refers to each just as that) She and Rylan get along famously and we do not hear a peep out of them. They turned the marbles from Hungry, Hungry Hippo into pearls, they took turns wearing Suzy's collar and played puppy and played baby bird with Cheerios snacks. So entertaining to listen to.

This little head of Rylan's peeked up when was taking a picture of N&E.

These two playing nice- such a lovely sight!

The difference between boy and girl:
Norah had a tea party under the umbrella, Rylan played drive-thru.


Then came a round of baseball...

My kids sat in the bleachers and watched a mean game of baseball.

I love that Norah's feet are crossed like a little lady as she takes in the game!

Everyone got a big cheer from their cheering section!

Soon, Evan got bored and played in the truck instead... gotta love that little face!

Don't forget: the world stops for a bug hunt!

Quite possibly the best part of the trip was the pizza! There is this fantastic pizza place in San Diego and they actually sell balls of dough to make your own pizza. Coupled with Leigh's homemade pizza sauce... mmm, mmm, mmm... can't get any better!

Oh yes it could... seeing my brother actually tossing the pizza dough! These are some serious pizza makers!

Aunt Leigh serves up the masterpieces!

Sophie's Choice: Pizza or Strawberries

Brendan Enjoying his Piece!

Thanks to my wonderful family for a fab weekend away! We miss you when we are away and always look forward to the next time! XOXOXO

Fresh Lawn

We had some renters down the street... not bad people, but had very irritating landscape issues. They let the lawn die- twice! It was so irritating to look at every time we drove to or from our house, we passed the dead lawn. My blood would boil because it looked terrible. Finally, they moved and the owners put a new lawn in, again. We came around the corner and were greeted with freshly laid, green sod. (Que: Angles singing praises unto Thee)

I said,"Oh Norah, look at the pretty new lawn! Doesn't it look gorgeous!?!"

To which she replied, " Yeah mommy, now it doesn't look like crap anymore!"

Hmmm... I realized right then and there that I think out loud way too much. I vow now to squelch my comments on stupid drivers, ugly sights and devote my car time to belting out tunes to temper my comments. Although, I am not sure which will be more damaging...

Silky, Smooth...

I was busy getting packed for a little trip we were taking and I hear Norah say,

"Ummm, mom? You better get in here for this!"

I casually walked out into the hall and this is what I found...



Evan snuck a travel moisturizer out of my toiletries bag and decided to lather up Zeus. There he sat like a kitty statue, doing everything he could to not use those cat reflexes to swat the little devil that submitted him to this humiliation!

Very proud of his project he exclaimed,

"Wook mommy... Wotion all over Zeusy! So niiiiiiice!"