Happy birthday, Nats!

Happy birthday, Nats!!!!! Natalie is my 4th sister, who is a smart, sassy, talented, genuine, thoughtful, creative, stylish, creative, sweet & fun little sister that is a fierce volleyball player and amazing at doing hair.  She's a fabulous aunt to my kiddos and I'm sad we don't live closer. Love you, Nats!

62%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

OnePlusYou Quizzes and Widgets

Are YOU addicted to blogging? I just noticed that this is my 104th blog post! Happy belated birthday, blog. At 100, you have no wrinkles, age spots or gray hair. I love blogging because I don't have time to do traditional scrapbooking anymore, but I am learning about digital scrapbooking. Blogging is a good record for when I finally do have time to go back and scrapbook. I've also loved learning about HTML and layout, not to mention that I LOVE blog surfing. It's such a fun peek into the lives of my friends & family that I love. Since we don't live near my family and have friends all over the country since we've moved around so much, I hope you enjoy keeping in touch with us too!

Jump!!!

Ashlyn's been crazy about jump roping for about a year now. She'd tie her jump rope to a door or a chair and I'd turn the other end while she'd jump. My sister-in-law Kari found this amazing toy for Ashlyn called The Jump Dancer for her birthday last summer.  It connects to a door and turns the jump rope for her!  If your kids have been over to play, they've likely seen it in action. Here's your chance to see it too...

*Click here to see product online.

Go Jazz!

2-1 against Lakers and they play game #4 on Mother's Day. Go Jazz!

Happy Mother's Day, MOM!!!

I don't know what I did to deserve a mother like mine. She is my hero! If I can be half the mother she is, I will be incredible. So Mom, here are some of the things I adore about you:

1. She's smart, determined and creative. Always had great ideas for things like campaign slogans, homework projects, Christmas cards or answering a guy to a high school dance. 

2. She's adventurous and active. She scuba dives (even though she gets violently ill on rocking boats), hikes, bikes and has always been a good example to me by exercising regularly. She & my Dad are biking through Croatia in the fall! It's their favorite way to see a new country.

3. She's beautiful, inside and out. Besides the fact that my Mom is always kind and serves those around her, she has gorgeous olive skin and legs to die for! I wish I looked more like her.

4. She's loyal and generous. She says she'd rather shop for her grandkids than for herself. If my kids are dressed well, it's usually because my Mom's been to Gymboree or Children's Place.

5. She loves my Dad so much! Though we often tell my parents to "get a room" because they are so affectionate, they set a high standard for marriage for all the kids. Thank you!

6. She loves babies, 3 year-olds, teenagers, married kids...and all the ages in between.  My Mom taught me not to wish it away and to enjoy every stage in life.

7. She's amazing in the kitchen!  My Mom is a great cook and I'm grateful she taught me how. She entertains often and makes it look easy (even for a family of 23).

8. She is so easy to love. My friends always thought of my Mom as their friend too.  She'd make us waffles for a late-night study session or stay up late to talk. My husband loves her like that too.

Mom, I could go on & on. You are amazing!  Thanks for being such a positive force in my life. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Weekend with family...

Last weekend was a treat! My Mom & sisters Andrea & Lisa came to visit from Salt Lake! With the help of my other 2 sisters and their very understanding husbands, they even came without their kids. Dan took Corey & Ashlyn to the Fathers & Sons camping trip for the weekend (Ashlyn was the only girl there, just like last year) so we had the entire weekend to ourselves! We shopped 'til we dropped, sat by the pool and caught a late night chick flick. Claire loved having all the attention from her Nanny & Aunts and I loved having my family here to make some memories. My Mom & my 4 sisters are my closest friends (and my 1 brother who's on a mission in Brazil) and I miss them every day... 

"Twilight" movie trailer

After the 5th e-mail I got this morning with a link to the first official movie trailer for "Twilight," I have to admit, I'm surprised by the momentum and hype surrounding the movie. For you Harry Potter aficionados, Robert Pattinson is virtually unrecognizable as Edward Cullen, but I'm starting to see the appeal.  I think Kristen Stewart is perfect as Bella. As Stephenie Meyer's site says, I hope this is a vampire movie that "sucks."  It premieres on Corey's 6th birthday, Dec. 12th, 2008.....

*Click here for the trailer.