"And He Cooks Too!"

My husband Rob loves to cook! He enjoys going on the web to find new and creative recipes with lots of ingredients that I don't even know how to pronounce sometimes. His newest place to find recipes is Men's Health Magazine (we are on a "healthy" kick right now). He's all into cooking "lite" but, not having it "taste lite". On his quest to find these yummy recipes all I have to do is sit back and be the taste tester! My first dish to try was, Coconut Curry Red Snapper on a bed of sauteed mushrooms and bok choy. It deserved 5 stars. For lunch tomorrow, fresh Gazpacho. It's chilling in the fridge right now. I know, I am spoiled!

"First Grade is Tiring"

Usually after school the house is filled with Payton's sweet loud voice and laughter.

But, not today. It was quiet! I went upstairs to

investigate and found her curled up in bed getting some shut-eye. She must have been really tired to go upstairs and take a nap

without anyone telling her to. All I have to say is First Grade must be tiring!

"Student of the Month Lives Here"

Madison was chosen as the first "Student of the Month" for the school year. We are so pleased with her accomplishment. The value for the month was "Courtesy". And those who know Madison knows she fits the bill perfectly. This is what the certificate from her teacher said on it..."Madison is an incredible role model. She is always courteous to others. I can always count on Madison to make appropriate decisions in the classroom and the playground. As a result, she is well liked and respected by others. In addition, Madison is an outstanding student academically. I am so proud to have her in my class. Keep up the great work! From, Mrs. Fojtasek.
Good job Madison, always remember, "Nice Girls DO finish first!"

"It Was All About Me!"

This past weekend was ALL about ME! My friend invited me on a quick gettaway to Palm Springs and I couldn't say no. I did absolutely what I wanted to do! I ate everything I wanted to. I slept in for how ever long I wanted to. I read what ever I wanted to. I watched what ever I wanted to on the T.V. I went to see two movies in a row because I wanted to. I bought what ever I wanted to. I went to bed when ever I wanted to. I ate Hot Tamales and Turtle Chex Mix in bed because I wanted to. I got a massage because I wanted to. I sang Karaoke because I wanted to. I layed out by the pool and fell asleep because I wanted to. And then I went HOME because I wanted to. After spending three days with friends and doing what ever I wanted to, I began to miss my family. It's so nice doing what ever I want, but it's even better to feel needed and to be a mom doing "things" for my family! Thanks Rob for letting me remember that!

(The Gettaway Car)

(Breakfast in Bed)

(The Girls)

(catching up on some shut-eye by the pool)

(Karaoke at the Dive Bar on the way to the spa)

(Rachel & Allison)

(The La Quinta Spa)

(No spa is complete without Cucumbers)

(Sisters soaking up the sun by the pool)

(Enjoying the Bell Boys golf cart, it was too hot to walk)

(When do I ever get to stay in bed and

read People magazine in bed till 10 AM?)

"Fire Drill" How I Spent My Summer Vacation: Edition 4

Over the summer R.J. was in charge of a Family Home Evening. Smart kid "killed two birds with one stone", he not only passed off a requirement for scouts but, one for Faith in God as well. He planned to make our family "Fire Safe"! We went through the house looking for potential fire hazards, we checked all the fire alarms, we drew a fire-emergency escape plan. I think the kids favorite part was practicing the "Stop-Drop-and Roll" method. R.J. did a great job being our own personal fire marshall. After all that we had a "Practice Fire Drill". I guess all these activities were bringing some old memories to the surface for Payton. During our escape she started to cry a little bit. After we reached our "Safe Meeting Spot" (the mail box) I finally understood why, she is still nervous from last year's San Diego Wild Fire fire evacuation. I made her realize that we should have nothing to fear if we are prepared. And that is why we are doing this practice fire drill, so if it does happen again, we will know what to expect. Next month will be a year since the fires threatened our homes. This year we will be prepared, but hopefully we won't have to be!

"How I Spent My Summer Vacation" Edition 3: Summer Pajamas

This summer we broke out the old sewing machine again. The girls love to sew but, I am a very limited seamstress. My wonderful mother could whip up anything quickly and even without a pattern. But, I unfortunately did not inherit her talent! But, I always do my best with what I got. I can sew a mean pair of pajamas. So, we decided to make "Summer P.J.s". We made capri style because it has been so hot this summer! The girl's favorite part of sewing is going to the fabric store! They love looking at all the possibilities for their pajama material. And of course they always make sure they have seen every bolt of fabric first before they make their final decisions. My favorite part of sewing is seeing the girl's final fabric choice, it always seems to reflect and match their cute personalities perfectly. This time is was all about Cats! Madison is truly learning how to sew. She did everything pretty much herself. At this rate she'll be passing me up and be requiring lessons from Grandma! At least I still have Payton who needs to sit on my lap to sew. She does the handwork, I step on the peddle. We make a great team. I just hope one day they will be able to teach their daughters how to sew. Even if it is only a pair of pajamas!

*Thanks mom for teaching me the little things so I can pass it on to my daughters.

"Farewell to the Fire & Ice"

"We will miss you this winter! You have been so good to us this summer. We appreciate the happiness you have brought to us these past few months. Just because we keep you way in the back of the garage now does not mean we don't love you. We will think of you fondly until we meet again (hopefully in early April, if the weather permits). Farewell sweet Fire & Ice!"

If you are not familiar with a Fire & Ice, you are missing out. It is a Bar-B-Q grill on the top (the Fire) and a cooler on the bottom (the ice). The best part about it is it's on Wheels. You can take it anywhere you want, we prefer to take it to the beach! I got this cool Bar-B-Q for Rob for Father's Day when we moved to San Diego about five years ago. And it has been put to good use. He loves to cook and I love to eat so, this was a gift that kept on giving! His favorite thing to make is Brats on soft Hoagie Buns, topped with a sauteed mushroom, leek and onion combination. Friends and Family love to come to the beach when we bring this little number along (just look at those smiles in the picture). Now that it's Fall and the weather is going to be cooling down it's time to retire the Fire & Ice till next Spring. We will definitely miss it!

"She Lokkd So Prety!"

I went to Back to School Night last week. It gave me an opportunity to check out the teachers and their classrooms and to do my favorite thing, try to "Squeeze" my big body into a little body's desk (no easy feat)! Payton's teacher made sure to point out some of the work on the wall that the kids have done that week. I made my way down the line of pictures, reading what various kids wrote about their First Day of School, "I felt nervous", "I was happy", "I had fun". I had to laugh when I saw Payton's, "I lokkd so prety". And here I was all day hoping she wasn't feeling scared! I had nothing to worry about. Just as long as she looks cute, she'll be fine.

"Soccer Season"

Yes, It is that time again when we sit on the sidelines of the field in the hot sun and cheer 0n our kids to, "Kick that GOAL!!!!" It's SOCCER TIME. Madison's team is the "Red Hot Chili Peppers". And let me tell you, she IS Caliente! This is her third year playing and she just keeps getting better. She love to be the goalie, and is very aggressive and doesn't let anything past her. I hate it because my finger nails are always gone at the end of the game. It shocks me that she loves to play that position. Payton is on the "Tigers" team. She has a new coach that doesn't seem to know too much about soccer but, makes up for what she lacks with enthusiasm. The coaches name is Rachel. Yes, it is me. Don't ask how I got talked into it, Rob just volunteered me. At least he is the assistant coach. I have never ever played soccer, I don't know any rules except you can't touch the ball with your hands. The only soccer skill I have practiced in the past is making the hair bows for the whole team (the orange and black ones turned out cute, don't you think?). These 5 year old girls and I are going to be learning soccer together. But, we are having a lot of fun doing it. Payton is like a new child on the field compared to last year. Last season Rob had to bribe her to at least kick the ball 5 times per game. She has now turned into an animal and dominates the field. She made 4 goals last game. I am pretty proud of my Tigers, they really get into it and are undefeated so far. Not that I keep score or anything! When I get too excited on the field, my assistant coach has to reel me back. I should have warned the soccer directors that I am competitive even with sports I hardly know how to play! The girls and I are looking forward to a great soccer season, I just hope I don't get thrown out of any games!

"The Big Five"

My dear, sweet sister Michele did it to me...she "Tagged" me! So, like the good sister I AM, I have to oblige. So, here goes "The Five".

10 years ago I.....


1. Was Pregnant with sweet Madison
2. Was moving into a new house in Discovery Bay, Ca.
(Northern CA)
3. Moved into the Brentwood Ward
4. Met fellow bloggers, Jenibelle & Celia
5. Got my appendix out 1 week after Madison was born



5 Things on Today's To Do List...
1. Exercise (never happened)
2. Help host a Baby Shower
3. Go to Maddie's soccer game
4. Coach Payton's soccer game
5. Go on a date with my love

5 Snacks I Enjoy...
1. Chocolate Chip Cookies
2. Milk Chocolate Milanos
3. Turtle Chex Mix
4. Hot Tamales
5. Any and everything chocolate

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire...
1. Make my parents move closer to me (buy them new house)
2. Hire a Chef/Nutritionist
3. Travel
4. Go on a Disney Cruise and treat my whole family
5. Buy a fully loaded, pimped out RV, with a matching car being towed in the back

5 Places I Have Lived...
1. Fullerton, CA
2. Provo, UT
3. San Ramon, CA
4. Brentwood, CA
5. San Marcos, CA



5 Jobs I Have Had...
1. Telemarketer
2. Fragrance Model
3. Second Grade Teacher's Aid
4. Youth Advocate for the State of Utah
5. Nanny

I "Tag" anyone who wants to do the "Five".

It was fun going down memory lane!