"Start Spreading the News, I'm Leaving Today..."

Okay not today, but really early tomorrow morning, We are going to the city that does not sleep... New York! This will be our third time but, we can't ever get enough of this beautiful city. We will be going with our friends the Weenigs (our second time with them). So, we are bound to have too much fun. Watch for us on T.V. Thursday or Friday night, we will be going to the taping of the David Letterman Show (I'm not sure which night!) We will be back on Sunday. Five blissful days, that will be jam packed with touristy activities. I can't wait! Thanks Laura and Michele (my sisters) for being the "Momma" to my sweet babies. Now if I can make it through the awful 5 hour flight! At least it's First Class, Thanks to Rob's Miles! He sure knows how to spoil me.

"It's That Time Again...GIRL SCOUT COOKIES!!!"

It’s Girl Scout cookie time again! Usually a source of joy and calories that I have always looked forward to, but now I look at them as the devil! My favorites are the Samoas, these delectable discs are covered with caramel, rolled in coconut, and striped with a rich chocolaty coating. Heaven right? No, they will be the death of me and my "Healthy Eating" lifestyle change (aka: Diet!) My sweet Girl Scout Madison is the cause of my demise. But, as any good mother would, I am helping her sell them and yes, BUY them. My plan is to freeze them till I have lost my desired amount of weight. They will be my reward for my weight loss, kind of ironic huh?! You know what they say, "Everything in Moderation!" So bring on the cookies! I'll be ready for them (in maybe about two more months). I must admit I do love Madison being a girl scout, cookies and all! So, which little devil is your favorite?

"Martin Luther King Day, Mexico Style!"

With a day off from school to celebrate Martin Luther King Day, we had to go somewhere and do something! The kids just got done with a three week winter break and we were running out of Fun Activities to do with the kids. So, we headed South to the boarder. We just parked the car and walked across. (the shootings in Tijuana last week did not scare this Chica away!) We basically went for lunch. No shopping today, a kid can only have so many necklaces, little guitars, and piggy banks! Rob gets these uncontrollable cravings for "Authentic" Mexican Food! You'd think living in San Diego there would be huge list of Restaurants to choose from, but there isn't. (If you have any suggestions, let me know.) We all got our fill of Carne Asada Tacos, Bean and Cheese Burritos on homemade tortillas. Rob was in heaven, Mexico served its purpose and we were on our way home! But, not without getting a bag of Freshly made Churros! Living near the boarder does have its benefits! Viva Mexico!!!

"Dump Your Bag Tag!"

I have been "tagged" again! But, this tag was actually fun and worth while. I am supposed to "Dump my Bag" and tell you everything that is in it! I guess the contents of one's purse can really describe what kind of person they are. I could have told you that I am a Messy, Pack Rat, that doesn't throw anything away, with out dumping my Purse. But, at least my purse will get a good cleaning out with this Post...

Purse Contents

-4 different kinds of gum

-4 different kinds of lipstick

-hair brush

-scriptures

-spoon

-compact

-entertainment coupon book

-Temple Ordinance Slip

-Sport Chalet gift card

-Gospel Doctrine Class Study Guide

-Sunglasses (that I never wear!)

-i-pod Shuffle
-Check Book

-Journal
-Kitten paper doll book

-Camera

-Cell Phone

-Morton's Dinner mints (thanks Matt for filling up my purse!)

-Change purse
-1 stale, stiff strand of Licorice

-5 movie ticket stubs

-2 different kinds of Protein Bars

So, do you feel you know me any better? Sorry but, now it is time for me to tag someone else (don't hate me!) Allison Weenig, Jeni Groseclose, And my sweet Sister-in-laws (You three count as one!) Tag you are it!!!

"Dora's Abuela!"

If I pass by the playroom during the day, Payton will at times snag me to play with her. She drops the old standby "You never play with me". So we decided to play Dora. Dora comes with a family including Grandma (Abuela). I didn't want to break character so Abuela spoke Spanish the entire time we played.

Abuela: Queires comer? (Do you want to eat?)

Payton: WHAAT?

Abuela: Quieres comer? (Do you want to eat?)

Payton: Dad stop the Spanish talk. Talk right.

Abuela: Quieres dormir? (Do you want to sleep?)

Payton: Dad. Stop the Spanish talk. I don't understand.

(So, the Abuela started to jump on the table and pretended to eat while saying "comer, comer, comer")

Payton: Eat?

Abuela: SI, SI, SI!!! (Yes, Yes, Yes)

I don't think Payton was too happy with the Spanish Speaking Abuela! Maybe one of our childeren will learn spanish after all! Their Grandpa Melendez will be proud!

"Introducing... Cat #3"

Meet Misty, our newest addition to the family! After 4 long months of hoping, it saddens my heart to write that our sweet Cat Zack was never found. It was tremendously hard on Madison and she has been patient with the process to find a Kitty to fill Zack's void in her heart. Zack was the best cat and will never be forgotten. For Christmas, Madison received a New Kitten Collar, Kitten Toys and Cat Food. She just needed a cat to go with them. After looking for kittens on the web we found one at a local shelter. She was an older Cat that seemed perfect. It didn't take long to find out she didn't like Colby, didn't like to be held and hid from us all the time. She was not a match for our family. The older the Cat, the harder it is to train them to adapt to your family's life style. We ended up taking her back, I know she will make someone else very happy.Finally, we found Misty at a non-profit private shelter. Maddie fell in love with her at first sight. She is an adorable Diluted Tortoise Shell breed. She doesn't mind being carried around all the time and she purrs the minute you touch her. Colby, well let's just say she doesn't mind him either. But, she'll get used to him, she's young. Madison is taking such great care of her baby. I only have to remind her once in a while to clean her litter box. It's so good to see the excitement in Madison's eyes again!

"It's That Time Again, Basketball Season!"

I love basketball season! It is R.J.'s fifth year playing in the league. He is playing in the 5th-6th grade division, good thing he is tall so he can hang with the big boys! He is starting to get use to his lanky, big body. He is using it aggressively and defensively it to his benefit (but, watch those elbows R.J.). The one thing that I don't like about basketball is the schedule. It always seems we have a game right at dinner time! My poor family's eating habits really suffer. The kids love it, hot dogs, nachos, candy, all the "delicious" snack bar food becomes their dinner of choice. And Rob and I are so bad because we keep feeding Payton dollar bills to get "more snacks" to keep her busy so we can watch R.J. in the game! I am glad it's only a Season, my kids with be "junk food junkies" for only a short time! I promise!!

"I Love My New Blog Design!"

My sweet friend Michelle from Shabby Creations http://shabbycreations.blogspot.com/ just designed my new look! It is exactly what I wanted! She is so talented, creative but really listens to your opinion and ideas to make you happy. She always adds her personal touch to make every blog speical, original and unique. Michelle is also easy to work with and is very quick with the turn around! I am sorry Michelle, but I have to sing your praises and say thanks for my beautiful Blog! You are the Shabby Queen!

Click on the link and take a look at her blog gallery!

"We Had SEW much Fun!"

We are hitting our third week of winter break and the kids are getting a little stir crazy! R.J. had a play date, so that left the girls and I to fend for ourselves. We decided to have a little "Mother-Daughter" time and do some sewing. I told you I am not the best seamstress but, my mom did teach me to sew a straight line. I thought it was about time to teach the girls to do the same thing. Maybe being this young they will be able to learn more than I did and actually sew more than just P.J. bottoms (I will keep my fingers crossed). So, today we attempted to SEW without patterns! We learned from trial and error and our creations turned out pretty good for beginners! Madison made a tiny tote for her cell phone and Payton made a scripture bag. I am really proud of the girls. They wanted to do everything themselves and they pretty much did! I just pushed the pedal for Payton because she was too tiny to reach it. Our next project-Purses! Baby steps, we will learn together. Maybe I will become a great seamstress yet! I hope my daughters learn to love sewing, I think it's a lost art!

"How to Keep An Andrew Down"

I told the kids (my kids and cousins) to "Keep an Eye On" baby Andrew while I took a quick shower. While I was getting dressed Rob came in from his office and showed me these.....

A picture of how they

"Keep an Eye On" Andrew

They really know how to keep a boy down! I promise Michele, I do really watch him. Where was "Payton Poppins" when I needed her?

*no babies were harmed in taking these pictures!

"Ice Skating in San Diego!"

Your Winter Season is never complete with out at least one trip to the ice skating rink! So, that's just what we did. We took our Young Women's group to have a little fun and of course my kids had to tag along. It was Payton's first time on the ice and by the end she didn't want to leave. Madison and LoLo were the quick, speed skaters, lapping Payton and I every chance they got. As you can imagine, Payton and I rested a lot in the Hockey Penalty Box to catch our breath and rest our shaky, weak ankles! R.J. spent most of the time making ice balls and pelting girls with them (is this how flirting begins?) I think he really enjoyed being surrounded by so many young women! I guess age doesn't matter when you are taller than most of them. We are in trouble. We had a great, cold, freezing time skating. Looks like our Winter Season is complete, I am now officially ready for the warmth of Spring!!

"Goodbye 2007, Hello 2008!"

What an eventful year 2007 had been but, it was great to ring in the New Year of 2008! We celebrated with the Cliffords and the Weenigs in Down Town San Diego's Gas Lamp District. We started the night off eating at Rob and mines favorite restaurant, Morton's Steak House. It was my last guilty meal before my New Year's "It's Not too Late to Get Fit in 08'" new body resolution. Dinner did not disappoint, how could Filet Oskar ever do that? The Gas Lamp was an experience, there was so much "People Watching" to do! We even boogied-down with the Hari Krishnas! And just when it was about to strike 12:00 Midnight, Rob decided to be a good Samaritan and help an Over-Heated Motorist in distress (my hero)! I hope you aren't worrying about the poor kids left at home? Don't!!! Lauren planned a Guitar-Hero Dance Party. The kids also carried on the tradition of Banging the Pots and Pans together at the strike of twelve (Happy Dad?)!! We made sure to call them at Midnight to wish them a happy New Year and tell them to go to bed. My high light of the night...my New Year's kiss, does it get any better than this!?

"Happy New Year!!!"