Our California Adventure....

A few weeks ago we drove to Disneyland with the girls for a family vacation. The drive was so much better than I expected, they were both shockingly good... Thanks to a navigation system, a dvd player, and music we just may try it again!
Things I want to remember about our trip-
The look on the girls faces when they met all the princesses.
Ella taking her purse from grandma every we went.

Including all the rides and occasionally leaving it on rides and in lines.
Nothing like a two year old cry for her missing purse!
Ella having to be carried every where and refusing to sit in a stroller or walk on her own.
Chris' face while he carried Ella around on our entire trip.
Rylee telling us she could sign her autograph book for the princesses because she was a princess. How do you argue with that?
The girls picking out their stuff at Build A Bear
Renting the "family Bike' at the beach. Not sure what it is called but holy crap those things are hard to pedal. They go really slow.
The girls crying because they only wanted to swim on our trip and didn't want to go to Disneyland.
Walking in the sand at the beach with a crying 2 year old who's feet were getting dirty.
Things I would like to Forget-
Ella coming in our room every night
Ella crying most of the trip and being carried
Chris losing our camera 3 times while at disneyland
Me having to wear flip flops the entire trip thanks to a broken toe

Trick or Treat

Presenting the cutest "princess" Dorothy and Snow White...

Our girls had so much fun this year dressing up. Neither one really knew who Dorthy was and they kept asking who Ella was dressed up as. Finally I got smart and said princess Dorthy of course and that was it. I wish we had taken our video camera with us trick or treating it was pretty comical. Ella would scream as loud as she could Trick or Treat but as soon as they came to the door she wouldn't say a word. It was ear piercing loud. They both are dying to know when it will be Halloween again.

We took the girls to their first pumpkin patch this year and it was a hit! Of course the free pony rides couldn't have been why? These pictures make me laugh because of everything Ella could have picked out she really wanted these 2 baby pumpkins. She insisted on having them and carried them around the house daily for weeks.

These are some pic.'s from my favorite Halloween house that we visit annually. The pictures never do it justice but is better every year. Now that we've moved we live even closer to it.

Are you afraid of spiders??

So these are REAL photos of a spider we caught on Sunday night. We've nick named it the Satan spider. I have never seen anything like it before. It's the coolest, ugliest, scariest spider around. I thought I wasn't afraid of spiders until this showed up at our door. Anyone want to come visit? Happy Halloween!

9 Years and Counting.....

On Saturday we celebrated our ninth anniversary.

It's hard to believe it's already been that long! The grand parents were nice enough to hold down the fort with the girls, so we could get away. It's funny to think how simple life used to be with out kids. It's a lot harder to sneak away these days. Oh but it's always so much fun coming home to them! I wouldn't change it for the world. I am so grateful to be a mother and a wife. I wouldn't be able to do any of it with out Chris. I would be too over whelmed. He is an amazing dad who is always helping out. I know how lucky I am to have a husband who helps clean and take care of the kids. Yep, that right ladies I said clean.... Chris thank you for always putting us first and for trying your best. I love you.

I am looking forward to the next chapter in our lives!

I had to have it!

I saw this and it was an amazing deal so I had to have it! I've never bought anything before if Chris hasn't liked it, but I had to... I just couldn't resist.. He hates it and thinks it's the ugliest thing he's ever seen and now it's at our house! I think it's perfect for the space. It's much better in person. What do you think, love it or hate it?

I also refinished our dining room chairs with the left over fabric from our drapes. I love the way they turned out. I don't think they even look like the same chairs.

Thanks for your help mom.

Finally.. It's finished!!!

I have been working on Rylee's "Grown Up " room for over a month now, I'm happy to say it's done! I can not believe how long it took! This project turned into a real HGTV episode. I am over budget and out of time! Rye is thrilled to be sleeping in her room again. She said she feels like a princess. I was able to reuse a few things we already had, by repainting them. I love the way it all turned out. We did copy the wall color of Ryann's room because I fell in love with it! We also loved the vanity that Sarah made her, so we had to have one too. It's only fair since Rylee insisted on having a new room after going to their house! Thanks a lot Sarah, I am sending you my bill! My favorite things in her room are the light fixture and the vanity. I am going to change out her door knobs to antic crystal ones, I think it will look so good with the dark wood. I just may have to move into Rylee's room, since it's now the only finished room in our house!

Working Blues....

I've decided I hate working! Who doesn't right?.... I started a new job and I have been working more hours. My life is officially over! I used to like working until I started to feel like my life is train wreck. It is so hard to balance work, family, and friends. The only benefit to working is the financial freedom it brings. I thought I'd make a list of all the things I miss about being at home with my girls! Does anyone know the secret to balancing work and family?

1. Spending quality time with my girls playing games & reading books

2. Getting to talk with friends about nothing when ever I wanted to

3. Sleeping in and wearing PJ'S til noon

4. Having a clean house

5. Being able to do my bills

6. Pretending I would exercise some day

7. Actually wanting to exercise but not having the time

8. Cooking dinners

9. Being able to remember birthdays

10. Play Dates with friends

11. Being able to call and make Dr. appointments

12. Decorating and organizing my house

13. Not feeling guilty about going out

14. Lots of play time for family and friends

15. Being able to watch TV

Welcome Home Jonny....

Chris's little brother Jonathan just got back from his mission to Norway. He left in July of 07 we are so excited to get to see him again! We got to see him Thursday night at the airport & on Friday at his welcome home party. We had all these "great" plans that we didn't get to do because we were sick all weekend. Jonathan flew to Alaska today to visit his cute girlfriend Liz. So once again we have to wait to catch up! We can't wait for him to get back and to be able to see Liz. We miss them both so much! Welcome home Jonny.

We love you & are so sorry we didn't get to spend more time with you!