Child Chefs-part 2

On our last Iowa visit, Doug's Mom thought of a brilliant way to keep 4 hyper grandchildren in check while cooking lunch: play "cooking show!" She had the kids pretend they were cooking in front of the camera and had to explain what they were doing.
I reproduced that idea into our home and held a "cooking show" while baking cookies. We used our best British accents and explained to Aunt Collette-(who was actually filming this for the use of blackmail) what we were doing. They had to wiggle their butts when "shaking" an ingredient into the bowl. They then had to be my taste testers...which turned into the cutest picture opportunity!! They were so cute about both licking the mixer together!!

This picture is going on my wall!! SOO cute!!

6th Anniversary

Doug and I celebrated our 6th Anniversary this year!! We had so much fun at our favorite sushi bar- the RA!! It was so yummy. We stuffed ourselves beyond belief and I've been craving it ever since!! Here is a picture of one of the sushi rolls we ate-it's call the Las Vegas roll!! Super yummy!!

We've been through a lot in 6 years!! We've moved 8 times, experienced many job changes and trials, received many college degrees, shed many tears, shared many more laughs and many joys, birthed 2 beautiful children together, grew up together and can't wait to grow old together!! I love you Dougie!! Happy Anniversary!!

Child Chefs

A friend of ours had us over for a fun play date to make individual pizzas. The kids rolled their own dough, spooned the sauce on, and completely covered it with cheese and pepperoni! What a fun idea! Josh and Brooklyn had so much fun!

Ketchup Shots!!

Our darling daughter has been known for drinking ranch out of a cup, but today amazed even me. We went to McDonalds for dinner and I filled up 6 mini paper cups with ketchup, and Josh was asking for more ketchup by the time all the food was disbursed. I thought maybe I'd forgotten to put them on the tray, so went back and filled up more. When I returned, I realized that Brooklyn had actually horded all the ketchup and actually drank-or gulped-or swallowed-all the cups of ketchup. Ugh!

My Very own Online Craft Store!!

I have to thank my friends and family for pushing me to develop my paper-crafting talents!! I love creating cards and scrapbook and other home decor, but have recently started to sell my creations. I opened an account with Etsy.com and opened my very own craft store (within their website). I'm so excited to keep creating, and share items that I am truely passionate about!! If anyone would like to request cards or creations, I am happy to think of new ideas! Contact me by e-mail if you would like to purchase something, instead of buying it online (I will give you a better price! :-)

If you would like to look at my new shop, the website is...
http://www.justbeccuz.etsy.com

I will be updating my store and posting more items constantly.
Thanks for your support!!!

Happy Birthday Doug!!

Doug has reached his final year in his 20's!! Happy 29th Birthday Handsome!! We celebrated his b-day a few days early and picked him up early from work and went to dinner at a Mongolian Grill and then watched Ice Age 3 as a family!! Hilerious movie
On his actual birthday, Doug was treated to golfing with his buddies, and then ate a fabulous dinner of frozen pizzas and cupcakes!! We are so gourmet!! I wanted to make Doug a family calendar for the past few years, and never had the time, but I was determined to finish it this year as his b-day present. I'm posting the pages below so that my sister, Jessica (who helped me with this project) can see the final outcome!! Happy Birthday Sweetie!! I love you!!

These are the calendar pages...

Midestern Vacation

Joshua, Brooklyn and I had the opportunity to take a month-long vacation to visit our Midwestern families. We traveled to Iowa, Chicago and Michigan and had so much fun visiting and catching up with different family members.

Some of our trip highlights included:
My littlest sister's graduation party
Swimming in Lake Michigan
My best friend's wedding
Girl's nights in Chicago and then again in Iowa!
Losing my nephew!
Getting addicted to "burn notice"
Stoker 4th of July party hosted by Bill and Jenny including an array of games, and contests including the infamous pie-eating contest
Catching up with friends and family members!

Princess Tea Party!!

Brooklyn attended her final dance get together of the year! They had the cutest little Princess party packed full of dress up costumes, pedicures, lunch and swimming!! I don't think any girl could ask for a more pampered party!!

Little Explorer

The kids were playing in the zoo clubhouse, but our little explorer, Josh found a little stream and decided it was time to cool off!! He warned me to be careful because he didn't want me to get bit by an alligator!! What a thoughtful little guy! Always looking out for me!! :-)

New Cards!

This month I have been so excited to put my craft room to good use and create some new cards!Father's Day Cards!!

Newborn baby Cards with fun little charms! I thought the shoe for the girl was so appropriate!

Birthday Cupcake Cards!! I found a similar idea online and just loved it and had to copy it!!

Brooklyn's 1st Dance Recital!!

Brooklyn had her first dance recital today!! She worked so hard and was so very excited!! She looked so cute and did a wonderful job posing for pictures. She danced a teddy bear dance, but froze on stage with everyone watching her!


Brooklyn and her friends in her dance class.

Brooklyn in her adorable tutu getting ready for recital. Can she get any cuter?

Brooklyn was famished after a long morning of dancing and posing for pictures, so she plopped in a corner with her brownie!

Veggie Garden Harvest!!

Today we picked so many veggies from our garden!! I can't believe how well it is doing! We picked so many zucchini, squash, English cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, and onions!! Doug is going to spend the rest of the afternoon making salsa!! YUMMY!!

Big Girl Update!!

Brooklyn has been officially potty trained! She started wearing "big girl panties" two weeks ago and is doing so well with it!! With only one major accident since then, and diapers at night, she is potty trained! I can't believe she picked it up so fast, and that she is getting to be such a big girl!! Next thing I know she'll be driving...or starting preschool in the fall...both are a big deal!! :-)

Memorial Day!!

I can't think of a better way to spend Memorial Day then BBQing by the pool!! We were able to do just that this year!! We spent the day soaking up the sun with our wonderful friends, the Abercrombies. Doug was our Master Chef and BBQed a delicious dinner, while the kids swam. The best part of the day was that the kids were so exhausted that they fell asleep the minute we got home! Can it get any better than that!?

Josh and Kenzie jumping off the ledge.

Surprise Visit!

I was very surprised to see my High School best friend Katie calling me late one night last week! We haven't seen eachother in several years, and she was on a business trip in Phoenix and surprised me with a visit!! We had such a good time catching up on our families and reminishing the "good 'ole days." It's so funny that after many years and many changes, it just felt like old times and that we picked up right where we left off! Here's to all my girls out there that have been there for me through the years!! I love you gals!!

Garage Sale Queen!!

I love a good deal! I often clip coupons and scour the store ads for the best deals in town. My forte is bargaining for good deals at garage sales. I sometimes find a few good items, and other times come home empty handed, but today I hit the jackpot!! Moving sales!! I spent a total of $25 and bought everything you see in the pictures below! I received 2 colorful rugs, 10 baskets, 15 books, silk flowers, a paper filer, 5 school shirts for Josh, toy horses, 10 tubs of playdoh and accessories and 4 tubs of dishwashing soap...yes dishwasher soap! Moving sales are the best!

Big Girl!!

Today Brooklyn used the Big Girl potty for the first time!! We are so excited to start this fun adventure of potty training!! We are going to have a "party" tonight and eat cake and ice cream in her honor of becoming a Big Girl!! :-)