A Welcome to Fall Living

It's here!  Even if the weather is still in the 90's, I don't care, Fall is here.  If I wait for it to get cooler I'll miss the whole thing.  Anyhoo, here is a little recap of the past weekend we had.  Did I mention how excited I am that it's October?

Tommy's Preschool Art,  Maxers impression on Lola's arm

Mr. Daredevil, Tommy's Birthday dinner at El Charro

Building Tommy's first set of Lego's

Costco trip, We made the decision to go to Disneyland in November with Tyler's family.

Our Christmas gift to us.

Playing with new hair style's at Bunko, Watching General Conference on my small computer.  {I need a new one before the next conference!}

Love him!  Sorting and organizing a ton of the kids clothing while listening to Conference.  Been on the to do list for awhile.  Feels great to have it done!

Met at my friend Jill's house to hang and eat dinner during the Priesthood session.  Here's some of the cute kiddos.

After putting the two little's to bed {while Tommy and Tyler were still at the ASU game} I cuddled up into bed and watched a movie that I wanted to watch and did a little journaling.  It was heaven!  Tommy got to go to the ASU game with Tyler for the first time this season.  He loved it, and we won!  Bonus!

My first taste of Pumpkin pie this season!  First of two slices and many more to come!  Some of the little cousins hanging out together at Grandma's house in between conference sessions on Sunday.  We didn't stage this photo.  They were all sitting there on their own.  Too cute!

My nephew Cooper, age 7, was taking notes during the morning and afternoon sessions of conference.  These were some of his notes.  I just thought it was the sweetest thing ever!

Where we found the babies getting into trouble.  The craziness we endured during the afternoon session while trying to keep all the children quite.  We didn't get much out of that session, or at least I didn't.  But still nice to be with the family and feel of the spirit together.

Later Sunday evening we headed over to Spencer and Tiffani's house to share dinner with them.  It was a decent enough night to sit outside and let the kids play on some of the bikes and such.  I even took a little stroll through the neighborhood on Tiff's cruiser.  Then we threw all the kids into their massive shower.  After which we went to Granny and Papa's house to go for a little visit.  The last picture is of Thomas sitting in my bed next to me as I was journaling.  He wanted to journal too and I love watching him draw and come up with such cute little pictures so I was happy to have the company.  

A great way to end an amazing weekend!

Bunked Over

A few weekends ago I had the fun opportunity to take a little stay-cation with some of my closest friends.  We did it for the first time last year and it was such a fun getaway that we plan on making it an annual event.  Here's a little photo diary of some of the fun we had.

Driving in the car on the way there.  Marlo and Nor TOTALLY surprised us all by not telling us Lenor was going to be able to make it to the outing.  Her and her darling little fam recently relocated to another state, leaving us all very sad to see her go, but hopeful that she would make some fun trips home to hang and catch up.  We were all under the impression that she wasn't able to make it to the overnighter due to a wedding she needed to attend the same weekend in California.  Those little sly girls kept her coming a secret since April.  Needless to say we were ALL ecstatic at her jumping in the car to join the fun!!!!

The layout.  We booked a little two bedroom casita at The Pointe in Phoenix.  Not the finest establishment within the vast number of Hotels in this here valley, but it was within our budget so it suited us fine.

Cicily decided to don the provided bathrobe for a quick laugh, it didn't last due to the hot weather we were unfortunately unable to escape.

Trying to get a group shot once everyone arrived.  Minus yours truly.

However, we always come equipped with a photographer, so I was able to make it into the shot.

Thank you Jill!  {Myself, Molly, Cicily, Lindsay, Ashley, Kizzy, Sheri, Sarah, Lenor, Darcy, Marlo and Jill}

It was dubbed Ashley's month to take over the dinner in place of hosting a night at her home.  She {lucky for us} does a little business overseas in China and is always spoiling us with treasures she finds and brings back.  This time she bought us all purses!  We all love a new knockoff handbag!

We stayed up {well some of us} the entire night talking.  I took this picture outside our window at 5:30 am.  I haven't stayed up that late since I was single!  It was awesome and a little silly of us, all at the same time.  Jill and Darcy never even went to sleep.  When I was heading to bed they were heading out to make a doughnut run, crazy ladies!

The next morning, I got up around 11:30 to everyone else just hanging around in their jammies.  Lots of great conversation going on {unfortunately a lot that I missed between the hours of 8 and 11} and we were all totally happy with just lounging around and doing absolutely nothing all day!  We had no kids, no schedule and no worries.  {and on a side note, having 36 kids spread out between the 12 of us, is not an easy thing to plan a vacation around.  So it made it all the better that we were all there and ready to relax and spend some good girl time together!}

We finally got out of the cave and did a little swimming in the pools.  Which, come to find out, really wasn't all that refreshing in this AZ heat.  But a fun change non-the-less.

Then back to the room to try and catch a little nap.

More talking and lots of snacking!  Cicily was assigned to bring paper goods and totally bought us all our own cup!  I felt like we were at girls camp or something, it was too cute!  Next year I'm suggesting we do secret sisters {snicker}!

Later, after dinner, we decided to get out and take a little ride.  We went to literally pig out on some ice cream at Mary Coyle's.  We ordered the Hill, because when else would we ever do that?  It was a literal hill of ice cream, five different flavors all packed one on top of another with three toppings on the side.  I didn't get a picture of the before, this was taken after we all dove into the mess.  But take my word, it was big!

Then I had the brilliant idea of going to teepee my brothers house who lived just around the corner.  It was awesome!  I haven't done that since High School, obviously, and it was just as fun as it was back then.  We were really working on finding our inner child I guess.  I'm pretty sure we found them and rocked it all weekend all!

Then we headed back to the pad for more girl talk and hanging out.  We stayed up only till about midnight or so, knowing that most of us had to go to church the next day and needed to be back on our game for the kidlings.

It was a blast of a weekend and such a fun time to have spent with my girlfriends.  We were all so very grateful to our husbands for so willingly taking over the households to let us all have a little girl time.  I am especially thankful for a hubby who NEVER complains or makes me feel guilty for spending a little time away from the home front.  He's a rock star when it comes to taking over and being the man and woman of the house!

A few things I must mention so I don't forget:

• Surprise ala' Lenor
• Darcy's story about her Aunt.  Hookers, Care Bears and "chemistry, chemistry, chemistry"!  
• Trying to stay in one group at the lazy river
• The drunk man in the pool who didn't like China, Talking Politics with Marlo and who was surprised when we all weren't married to the same man {being mormon and all}
• Personalized cups by Cicily
• Mama got a new bag!!!
• Strawberry Coladas
• Way too much snacking!
• Lenor's Bib story, we were all crying with laughter
• Teepeeing! 
• The Hill at Mary Coyle's
• Laughing till it hurt.
• Jill's side notes during her stories and Marlo's "and their parents were Leonard and Florence" comment
• Squeezing into Marlo's car to get ice cream
• Staying up until 5:30 am
• Hummus and Spinach Dip
• Finding a dead cockroach when we moved the table, nice right?
• The Ants invading our kitchenette. lame!

Girls Night In

Last weekend I had the pleasure of hosting our "Girls Night Out" with my friends.  It was once a Bunco group but for the past three years or so we've just met once a month to chat and enjoy good company.

I ADORE my girlfriends!  We have such a random mix of personalities and come from all over the place, it's amazing how we ever found each other.  But we did, and we love it!  I only get the chance to host once a year so I knew I wanted to do something fun.  I could have chosen the easy way out {pizza or something quick} but I decided last minute to make a yummy breakfast.

We had Pop-up Pancakes with Fresh Whipped Cream and Berries in individual sized trifle bowls, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Blueberry Muffins, Yogurt and Granola.

Then I made Hot Chocolate and Orange Juice to sip on.  We dined outside under the soft twinkling lights draped over our porch, and later would light a fire and enjoy the chilly fall breeze.  It was perfect {if I do say so}.

Great company, conversations, weather, food and treats!  It's a night each one of us look forward to sharing each month.  I feel like EVERYONE needs good friends to share their lives with and help them get through motherhood as well as marriage, sometimes!

Thanks girlies for being such great company, love ya!

This is Marlo

She has a bus.

So naturally for girls night we had to play a bit.

We cruised around the {neighbor}hood, blasted some tunes, honked at cute boys.  

You know, normal "thirty something" mamma activities.

Cause we think were cool.

{Molly, Sarah, Lenor, Ashley, Jill, Mi, Cicily, Sheri, Marlo & Kizzy. Absent: Lindsay}

We may or may not take our Christmas card pictures in this.  You'll have to just wait and see.

Mother's Day Weekend

Friday.  Bunko night.  Marlo's turn.  Activity, gun shooting in the desert.  Not my idea of a fun evening, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much fun a dozen girls can have out in the middle of now where shooting guns and aiming our rage at a target.

Can you see the puff of smoke near the target?  Obviously, I hit the ground on that shot.

You honestly have to love a pregnant woman holding an AK-47.

The very yummy spread.  Chicken Chilli with all the fixin's and Raspberry Peach Cobbler for dessert.

For Real?  She even put flowers out.  Talk about covering all your bases!  Marlo and Nor, you rocked this adventure!

{Mind you, this picture was taken a little after midnight.  But I still think we all look fabulous!!!}

 Seriously ladies, such a fun evening.  Thanks for the memories!!!
Saturday... was spent in our normal fashion.  Yard work and lots of playing outside.  Tommy got a taste at his first roller skate riding.  The next door neighbor girl {Sophie} had just gotten them and gave Toms a turn.

Then Saturday night we had our fun date night.  Four Peaks Brewery and La Dolce Vita Gelato to finish it off.  Yummy stuff!


Tyler and Tim are showing off their Zoolander faces.  Sexy boys. really. very. sexy.

Sunday...it was so nice to start the day off with Tyler home before church.  He and Tommy came in to wake me up and give me my gifts.  I got a few DEB undershirts, a new razor {much needed}, and a certificate good for a bathing suit of my choice.  Also a summer must!

We got ready and went to Tyler's cousin Isaac's missionary farewell at 11.  Then back to our ward for sunday school and a very relaxing Relief Society.  All the Priesthood took over every calling so all of the Young Women's organization and Primary ladies were able to join us in a munch and mingle.  The bishop spoke a few words about mother's and then we were all served Cheesecake and left to mingle for the remainder of the block.  How nice, right?

Then Lola and I headed home to nap for a bit until we went to my In-Laws at 4 for dinner.  Then by 5:30 it was off to Phoenix to celebrate with my family.  My brother Jimmy had offered to hold it at his place so Mom could have the evening off.  It worked out so great.  Spaghetti and Meatballs from Grandma is ALWAYS the way to go!  My favorite!!!  Here are a few pics from the festivities.  Mostly just hanging around playing with the kids.

The NEWEST Mother of our group.  Katrina with Baby Rosie.  Love that hair baby girl!!

Here I am trying to remember that newborn feeling, it's getting so close!  How cute does Rosie look right here!  She's darlin!

The littlest rugrats themselves.  William is already walking around.  Come on Lola, get on board!

Lola trying to stand.  She was doing so good.  It was darling to watch her big smile when she'd actually get up on both legs.

Once again, our little dare devil.

Miss Buffy with Rosie.  Such a good helper!

Tommy fell down outside while playing with the kids and got his very first Bloody nose.  Poor kid, but soon he got over it and was playing and having fun once again.  Here he is with Chloe and Buffy.

Trying to get Lola to smile and pose for a picture is sometimes torture.  Here's the best shot.

Hope everyone else had a wonderful Mother's day weekend!  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful life.  Great family, friends and loved ones surrounding and supporting me.  Who could ask for anything more?  I love being a mother and have such sweet, happy and healthy children.  What a blessing they are in our life.  Thanks Babe for making it great and taking over so many of the "Home" responsibilities lately.  I'm sure this baby can't come fast enough for you.

Love you & thanks!