American Girls!

I told myself that I WOULD NOT under any circumstances buy my girls American Girl dolls until they were 8.  I did not get mine until I was a little older that than and I think 8 is a great age for not coloring on them or cutting their hairs.  Well, the below picture says it all.....

I headed with the girls to LA for DeAnne's daughter, Avah, 5th birthday party.  There were about 12 of us walking around the store, many of us for the very first time.  I felt like such a little girl!  I walked out or there with 4 bags, which was not the plan!  I could not help myself.  I am sure many of you ladies had one or more of those dolls.  I can not remember which one I had, but I wish I had kept her.  I want my girls to have so many more good memories than I ever did.  So when I walked into the store and saw their faces, I melted and I think my debit card caught on fire..haha.

After the girls got there dolls, or those that had them already purchased clothes, we headed for the lunch at the restaurant.  OMG, it is the most adorable place ever.  The girls loved it!  The colors were bright and so girly.  The little dolls even got to borrow high chairs that connected to the table.  Oh and each doll got a goodie bag!  Super cute.  

After lunch we headed home in traffic because the girls had something, who knows what, but something and it was going to take me forever to drive from LA.  The girls were sad that they did not get to see Santa with all of the other girls, but I did get a cute picture of the girls.  Next time I want to walk around The Grove, but probably will not spend over $250 to get the free parking next time!  haha  

How did Derek take the news of my day of spending money on DOLLS?  Well, he was just fine with it because he has the same dreams for our girls like I do.  It is about memories.  He was so very proud that he can provide for his family in a way that us girls can have a great day.  They are in love with those dolls still and they go everywhere with us.  Here are the girls with BB for Lilly and Caroline for Emma.  I can not wait to go back and get a big girl doll for Lilly!  

  ***my camera phone stinks!!!

Max & Her Babies

My very good friend Maxine had another baby back in October and I GOT TO MEET HIM!  Baby George is the cutest thing ever.  He is like a butterball.  He reminds me so much of Drew at that age.  I even got to see Maxine's daughter Sophia for the 4th time EVER!  

Maxine finished up her PhD last year and took a post doc at NIH, so they up and moved to Maryland.  Even quit his job at the FED and is able to be at home more, even though he travels a ton.  That boy is always in a different country.  So, when Max came back to Cali to visit her parents...I was just tickled to death to hold that baby of hers.  We met up at Mar's parents and it was so strange to be surrounded by all four of their babies.  I, of course, did not bring mine.  It seems to be a running theme with us three mommies. We just show up at each others houses/parties with out our kids.  Our parents get a kick out of it.      

We even had a play date!  Max and the kids came over to our place and we had a fun time.  I of course just wanted to hold the baby.  It was funny.  With a bedroom full of toys and a backyard with a playhouse....they wanted the tablet.  Kids now a days!  Soso's hair is so curly!

But I will not have to wait much longer for my friends to come back with their kids.  Mar is coming back soon and Max is MOVING back this summer.  Yeah!  xo

JEEP-A-BYEBYE!

Oh so long ago Derek really wanted to go 4x4ing.  So we got his brothers Damon's jeep, which had a salvage title.  It did not even run and I think it was bent to the side....you get the point.  Well, how many years ago was that?  To long to remember.  He had fun for a few months with it, spent some money on it, lifted it, and made it straight.  That was for a few months.  Then life with the kids took up our money and time.  So Derek's dream of owning a 4x4 wheeling machine ended.  However, it took FOREVER for his mom to convince him to do so.  I said get rid of it, but everyone else would say things like, "dude it will be great some day," "you will finish it one day," "we will go out all of the time with it."  BTW, most of those came from men.  Well the day finally came and he got rid of it!!!!  YEAH!

Lilly was so excited that she danced and waved goodbye (but she always does that)..... 

Oh and did I forget to mention that his mommy said she would purchase him a ping pong table?

Bye Bye jeep and hello lots of fun that will be had for years and years!  Thank you Linda!!

Third Times The Charm!

Hopefully we will not have to go back to the mall again for a forth traumatic experience, aka ear piercing.  The last time we went Lilly had a seizure a few days later and we had to take them out for her CTscan.  I never put them back in.  THIS TIME, I took a partner with me!  Ms. Brenda.  I felt confident that with Lilly on her lap, cookie in my hand as a bribe, and a promise to go to lunch after that Lilly would do good.  Of course she screamed and cried, but she did great.  It was a fun time:)  **happy to report she has now switched to jellybean earring with smiley faces....she for now we are in the clear...haha**

 Then at lunch she put makeup all over her face......

Super Drew

Drew is so happy..........

Framed cape, Patty made that for Drew years back

I bought the paint almost a year ago.  I took decorations down in his room almost a year ago.  I made excuses for almost a year now.  Well, no MORE.  I finally redid Drew's room!  The pictures from my phone are not the best, but the room is REALLY cool.  Super Hero themed... I love to look at Thor everyday...with gray walls is exactly what Drew wanted.  All that is left is a new bed spread and frames for the posters.  But I do like the way it is now.  

My New Stress Relief

I run.  I mean I run and run and run and run!  I have always tried to run, but like many people I go too fast too quick and give up.  However, when I started to run in October I have not stopped.  As stated in the below post I love to walk for charity, but now I run for it...when I can.  My first official 5k that I ran was the Turkey Trot.  This was my third year, but first to run.  I ran into this fool Rodney........ 

And my friend.....

Then I started to to run when it was cold at night and am wearing headbands and reflective gear.  

DeAnne just did the LV Marathon, but subjected herself to a 5k dash at Angel Stadium....

Oh and another 5K

Oh wait and another this past weekend.  I had to leave at 5:30 to go down to South County.....horrible and hilly!

Oh and it was a Triathlon, whatever...

After I was done I stopped by a fellow dance mom's booth.  She has a non profit walk in October.

**I am really liking this thing I have been doing!  haha.  I just need to stop eating like crap and then maybe I will lose more weight!  I am running 4 days a week and training for a 10k.  I am running a 8k in 2weeks and hope I can do it.  But if I can do 5miles I guess I can do 6!  haha

My New Love

I just have to share my new LOVE when it comes to clothing.  I love to cut shirts!  I have always hated t-shirts that come so close to your neck.  I think it makes women look so much bigger than they are.  So, I cut them!  It started when Derek changed jobs and he had a few left over long sleeved shirts.  I did not feel like a girl, so I cut the neck.  I LOVE IT!  Just think about it and try it.  I swear you will love it!  If you have a problem just put the shirt in half and cut the neck that way.  It is pretty sexy when it hangs over one side too:)

Get Out There!

I have done countless walks for charity.  I LOVE to do it.  MS, Spinal Cord, ALS, Autism, and so many more...I should remember them!!  A few months back I walked  my first for Autism Speaks.  I wanted to show support for a dear Lee family friend's son, Liam.  He is just a few months older than Lilly.  Liam is the son of Jenny (aka honorary Jenny Lee) and Bill.  Liam has Autism.  I was so happy to be a representative for the Lee family for the walk.  It was a very nice day at the Great Park of OC.  I SOOOOOO wanted to run it, but it is a walk, haha.  There were many booths to look at, food trucks and etc.  Liam did great during the walk, hello he got to sit in a stroller...so not fair, haha.  I honestly loved walking around the old El Toro Marine Base air strip.  Thank you Jenny for the invite!!!

Cloudy, but great walking weather

Jen and Liam

Here we are!

Handsome Liam!

Start and Finish Line

I know that not everyone likes to do the things that I do, but these walks that take no time at all are such a great way to share, well share life.  To see the looks on the kids and parents faces when you show up to support their cause is so touching.  After all, I got to go home to my healthy children....... 

Ice Queen Avah

Who knew that I had never seen someone ice-skate before!  Yep at the age of 33, still had not.  That changed when the girls and I went to little Avah's competition.  It was so great to see her use what she learned from ballet on the ice.  She even got first place!  She was so stinkin cute skating to the disco themed music.  Woohoo Avah Grace!

oh my 'not so baby' Nate!

Avah warming up...

Grant is CRAZY!

Here is the winner!

Goodbye Aunt Pat

Derek's Aunt Pat passed away.  

She fought the good fight for so many years against Ovarian Cancer, but she succumbed.  She was one of the nicest people I had ever met.  She loved to hand make items like cards and paintings.  She was the PERFECT match for Uncle Gary.  She was just great.  I know she is painting in heaven and looking down on her family with a smile.  We loved and miss you very much Aunt Pat!