We Got Mail!

This came in the mail yesterday. Thanks Janae, we love it! Kyle is excited to finally have something to wear to the office other than a boring old suit and tie!

The Happy Place

We just got back from a little trip to California and Disneyland. Every time we head out that way, the beach is always top on my list. Even though it was probably warmer at home while we were there; there is just nothing like being at the beach.


Don't let this guy fool you, it was chilly out. Although, I do thank him for the entertainment.

We stayed at the Marriott Newport Coast Villas while we were there. Avery loved seeing all the fish in the koi pond.


My mom came with us on this trip and she stayed with Avery so we could go out on our Anniversary. She took Avery (and her underpants) swimming. -Whoops!
Thanks Mom, we loved having you with us for part of the trip.
Last year Kyle's Mom came with us. I think it will help Avery remember that her first two times to Disneyland were with her Grandmas.




We ate way too much on this trip, and it was so fun! Sometimes, it's just all about the food.


Last year Avery wasn't quite tall enough to go on a lot of the big rides, but this year she could go on most of them and she loved it! After Space Mountain, she said "I call we go on that one again!" It was so fun! We were there at a great time of year too, I think the only ride we waited in a line for was Finding Nemo...it's new.


I think this was the last year that Avery would be into the characters. At the Princess Breakfast she was at a loss for words, which is a rare thing for little Miss Talky Talkerton. I suggested that she could ask each princess a question and my mom said, "How about... How Much Do You Weigh?" (That Deb, she's a hoot.) I asked Kyle if he thought we should get Avery one of those autograph books to have each character sign, and he said, "Na, I can sign Ariel just as good as the next guy". I believe him.
We sure got good mileage out of our little Tinkerbell costume. I think it helped get a kiss on the hand from Goofy and bones from Grumpy at the parade. The parade is my favorite thing about Disneyland. This year they have a Pixar Parade over at California Adventure, and it was really fun too. I love a Parade!!

We had a blast, thanks for all the suggestions!

Celebrate Mom

January 2003 - Avery with her two Grandmas

We have been blessed with two wonderful Moms. My jump into motherhood was pretty overwhelming and these two wonderful ladies really helped me through that first year. I love being a mom and I am so thankful to have these two great examples to follow.

We just got back from a trip to Disneyland and Southern California. We had a great time and I am excited to blog all about it on Monday. Until then, I hope you all have a great weekend celebrating the moms in your life; and if you are a mom (a bloggin' mom), I hope you enjoy every minute of it and soak it all up, cuz it only comes once a year.

Happy Mother's Day!

Party Like It's 1999

For your viewing pleasure, we bring you the very best videography of 1999. We have carefully hand selected the highlights (um...lowlights?) and included lots of kissing for your enjoyment. Apparently, not all cheese gets better with age.

Now we are off to party like it's 1999!

Reunited And It Feels So Good

Today I had lunch with my old college roommates. I feel like this week has been a week of reuniting with old friends, and I have loved it! It was so fun to see these cute girls and catch up with them. I loved living with them. I couldn't have asked for better roommates. Here we all are:
Kami, Kimber, Tami & Jen


Here we are back in 1997 on a little road trip down to Phoenix where they lived. There is something about a road trip that really pulls people together. So many great one liners came from this little road trip, along with some great memories.

Tami, Jen, Kimber & I


I think I loved my college experience so much because I roomed with Jen. We were so much alike, all the way down to our matching hangers (funny stuff).

Jen & I - today

Thanks Jen, Tami & Kimber for a fun day!

Yay For T-Bob!

My little brother T.R. (aka T-Bob) graduated last night with his Masters in Social Work from the U. We are so proud of him. I thought I would list some of my favorite things about my little bro to celebrate this big accomplishment:

Anything he puts his mind to, he accomplishes.
For having three older sisters he turned out great!
He knows how to make my sister Shauna laugh like no one else.
He is passionate about music.
He is the only one of us to have run a marathon.
He loves to help others (he will be great in his profession).
He is handsome (and single).
He loves a good philosophical discussion.
He is such a great brother and we love him. Way to go T-Bob!!

Yesterday in a Nutshell

Yesterday I went to lunch with my old friend from college, Christy. It was so great to see her and catch up. We went to Magleby's for old time sake.
This is us now.

And this is us then (11 years ago). Crazy how time flies.

As always it was fun to see Doc (Grand-Doc as Christy calls him), ice cream tie and all.

Then last night we had our monthly GNO and we went to Texas Road House. As a T.R.H. virgin I ordered Mindi's Fave... road kill. Mmm... road kill. The food was great, I loved it!
I'm not really sure what is going on with my left eye in that picture. I think that is just what happens to my face when I eat too much in one day. "Help I'm in a nutshell"... I mean Help I can't fit into a nutshell".

When I am In The Shower...

stuff like this happens.


I know it could be a lot worse. (Sorry Mindi)

A Little Blogger Backup

Last night we a had a little Rio Night repeat, and this time we didn't mess around. We called in a few friends of ours, just to keep it fresh. Thanks Tib, Tif, Beck, and Shaun! It was a lovely evening.

Over The Weekend

We spent a night in Midway with friends at the Zermatt. We had a great time at dinner, relaxing in the hot tub, playing tennis and at yoga.

On Saturday we got to see our favorite Out-of-Towners.

It just makes me happy to see these three in the kitchen together.

It was great for Avery to be with her "Greats"!

Thanks Aunt Beck for tending Aves and for all the bounce house fun.

We loved it!

Last Night

Who do you think had more fun last night? Avery and I...



Or Kyle and my Dad?




Hey... wait a minute, Dad. What about the Too Much Fun Rule?

Saving Our Planet One Diaper At A Time!

For Day 5 of my Ode to Our Mother Earth Week, I thought I would give a little shout out about G Diapers. They are biodegradable and flushable. A friend of mine gave me a G Diaper starter kit and I loved it, mostly cuz she knows me too well. Truthfully I don't know if I am ready to be that committed, but I am excited to give them a try, I mean c'mon, aren't they cute?! I think they are worth a try from all of us bloggin' Moms, even if it means a few less diapers in landfills. Who knows, we might love them.

Yay For Baby Showers!

Last Night my good friend Laurie threw a baby shower for me and it was so much fun! After all we've been through trying to grow our family, it was SO nice to finally have something to celebrate! It was very thoughtful of Laurie to make the time and effort to make put this all together (more on that in a later post), and I was overwhelmed with how many people came to show their support! It was so great to celebrate the arrival of a new little one with friends and family. Everyone was so kind and thoughtful, it really was such a fun night. THANK YOU everyone, I loved it!!

Another Big Idea

Okay today's simple idea is drink from a glass (rather than a plastic bottle). I know it is a new concept (can you tell I am burnin' out?). Tomorrow's will be the finale - wahoo!

"Lumbo"

Last night after a walk, Avery invited her friends Syd and Kate to do the "Lumbo".
Even Rukkus got into it.

Our Human Footprint

Today's simple tip is one of my favorite quotes (I can't remember who said it):

Use it up, wear it out,
Make it do, or do without.

Happy Earth Day!

Today's simple idea is recycle yard waste. Did you know that grass clippings are 99% water? Would you fill a plastic bag full of water and put it in your trash? I know, it's crazy, but so many of us do it. Depending on where you live, yard waste pick up might be available. I know it is available in our area, because we use it. I don't compost, so in its place, I use this container to put any fruit or vegetable scraps, weeds, tree branches, etc. I am thankful for this service and for this beautiful planet we all share. Happy Earth Day!

I Love The Whole World

A Nice Day For The Park

Yay we did it! We kept these kiddos busy all week long! On Day 5 of Spring Break we went to a fun park with the coolest swings I have ever seen and a duck pond. It was great to be outside again in the warm sun before more cold comes our way. Thanks to all the Moms that joined in to make this such a fun week!

Here is Avery doing her favorite thing at the park - The Swings!


Avery's cute little friend Brooklyn

Avery and Brooklyn at the duck pond

Avery, Collin, Ethan & Brooklyn

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Kangaroo Zooians

Day 4 of Spring Break we went to Kangaroo Zoo! It was a blast! This is the perfect place for moms and kids. The kids can get all their energy out while the moms get to chat it up. So here is Day 4 in pictures.

Avery and her cute little cousin Leean.

Avery with her first boy - friend Koleman.

Colleen (Kyle's Mom), Logan (Kyle's sister) & me

Brooklyn, Brynley, Leean, Avery & Chayla (Avery's cousin)

Moms Gone Wild? (It is Spring Break)


On a side note: While we were there, I ran into another mom who had a little girl in the NICU at the same time Avery was there. Our girls were born the same day both weighing 2 1/2 lbs. I remember her being such a great support to me during such a hard time, since this was her second child born premature at 28weeks. It was so fun to see our two girls together five years later.

Evie and Avery

Dinos and Jello

Day 3 of Spring Break - The Dinosaur Museum. I'll be honest I wasn't planning on blogging this whole week of activities, but once I start something, I just can't stop. So here you have it in pictures (unedited, red eye, closed eyes and all). This is the kind of place that is fun to see once and thats about it for me. We did, however have a great time with a fun group of friends.





On a side note, this last weekend I made Rainbow Jello! I thought this looked so cool and it is! I have always wanted to make one of those layered jellos and this is the perfect one because you get the look of the whole rainbow in only three layers: Red, Yellow and Blue (makes you just want to break into song doesn't it?). So to all you mom bloggers out there go make some J-E-L-L-O! I promise, it won't disappoint. Get the recipe here. Thanks Design Mom!



Did I mention they jiggle?