The 80's are back!

Today was 80's day at school. If I had more time I could have really gone all out but this is what we came up with on the fly. Tanner...tight rolled jeans, two polo's layered with the collars up, converse, and a side spike. He was excited about all this until he looked in the mirror. Then he burst into tears and got really mad. Unfortunately by the time he threw his fit he only had minutes until the bus came so I couldn't change his hair back, he did un-tight roll his pants though. Hopefully he won't be traumatized by the 80's. Taylor...white skinny jeans, converse, a big knotted tee shirt, bangles and high ratted bangs. The total opposite of Tanner, Taylor was loving it. They were not excited to have me take their pictures out in the 40 degree weather this morning though, which is pretty obvious by their expressions.

I'm gonna have to move the crib...

Lula has decided she has better things to do during nap time than nap. She figured out how to move the curtain back and check out what's going on outside. It keeps her busy for a little while then she does her usual screaming for 10 minutes until she'll finally give in and go to sleep. She's 10 months old now and I really can't believe how close she is to her 1st birthday. My friend Natalie asked me last month what I was going to do for it and I nearly bit her head off. I was not ready to face that milestone yet but she asked me again a few days ago and now my mind is working up ideas. Natalie makes AMAZING cakes and cupcakes and she has a kick butt idea for Lula's birthday cake. So now the birthday is evolving around the cake, it's gonna be awesome!

The end of a good day...

The Indochine tasted as good as ever. My spring rolls were delish so were my toasted sesame wraps. I was stressed about taking Lula with me because she's at an age where I don't really want to take her anywhere. She's a bit of a diva and she's not afraid to show it. I've been trying to leave her home more often and she's not liking it one bit. I decided to leave in the competent hands of Marissa (babysitter), with Taylor as backup I figured we be ok. We had only planned to be gone for a little over two hours but that didn't work out so well. Taylor called me just as I was taking my first yummy bite of delicious sesame wrap to tell me that Lula was hysterical and they couldn't calm her down. Apparently this had been going on for some time and they just didn't know what else to do. So I scarfed down my wrap and asked for the check and off we rushed to get the little bugger. Of course as soon as I walked in the door she was all smiles and giggles. All the way home she was just giggling away in the car saying "mama, mama, mama" this girl has serious attachment issues.
Once I got home we had cake and ice cream with the kids. They get so excited to give Alan and I presents. It's the sweetest thing. Alan took them all to the mall last week to pick presents out and they did not disappoint. I had dropped enough hints that my subliminal messages stuck and they got me exactly what I wanted. Taylor's really good about keeping the boys on track and steers them away from gifts like golf clubs or camping equipment. I'm loving my new perfume and my giraffe print purse. Alan knocked it out of the park by getting me the coveted apple green velvet sofa I'd been wanting as a studio prop. They really are to good to me!

The day so far...

It's been a fun day so far. I took the kids to the mall and we tooled around at Gymboree and Justice, girls are so fun to buy for! We decided to catch a movie while we were there so we went and saw Hotel For Dogs. It was pretty cute and the kids got a big kick out of it. I love to watch their faces when they're watching a movie. The little grins and giggles make my day!
I gave the kids their yearly valentine. This year was lollipops and light up pens.
My in-laws made a surprise visit to bring our family a valentine treat and my birthday present. The kids devoured the treat before they even left, I think that means they liked it! My present is awesome. It's a bag full of goodies to make fondue. A cute little pot, dipping chocolate, bananas, apples, strawberries and even pound cake. Looks like I know what desserts gonna be! YUM!
I'm on my way out to get the babysitter. We got a last minute invite to go to dinner with some friends. So it's off to the Indochine in Tacoma (my favorite)! I can't wait to have some fresh spring rolls. I'll have to bring my camera this time so I can take pictures. I hate lugging the big ole thing around so I don't take many snapshots but I'll do it just for you tonight!
We'll be doing cake and presents with kids tonight when we get home, so I'll have to update again tomarrow!



Lula's first valentines kiss!

Happy Birthday to Me! Happy Valentines Day to You!

For the first time in 12 years Alan and I arent spending the day together. He couldn't get the day off work so we went out for V-Day on Thursday. I think we'll keep doing that from now on. We went to a little french restraunt in Seattle and instead of having to wait an hour or make a reservation 2 months in advance we were the only people in the restraunt. It was great! So today we'll see what happens, I'm gonna hang out with my kids and try to come up with something fun to do. I'll keep you posted. For now Happy Valentines Day to all!!!

Happy Birthday Alaina!!!

Not to be confused with my sister Elaina. No this is Alaina, my best friend Nena's daughter. I've know the little squirt since she was 2. This is the little lady that is destined to marry Tanner, she just doesn't believe it yet! She's having a big ole slumber party tonight so I was called in as nail painting assistant to the master nail painter. Nena truly is a master nail painter. You want zebra strips, hearts, strawberries, palm trees, snowmen...whatever your hearts desire, she'll paint it on. I'm only the base coat consultant, although I did get to paint a few hearts tonight. I'm moving up in the world!

The Man Cold!

*Edited... by the way, he was feeling all better by the time I got home from church with the children! His cold lasted 3 hours on a Sunday afternoon, gotta love him!
I have been waiting months to post this on my blog. I found this hilarious video on youtube and I've had to wait to share it until my husband got sick. He almost never gets sick so I knew it would be awhile. Well he finally got a cold yesterday and as I expected the video tells my story...watch and you'll see what I go through a few times a year.

MY 100th POST!!!!

I can't believe I've made it to the 100 mark. One of my fellow bloggers did a 100 random facts post as her 100th and I'm going to follow her lead. Sorry, it'll be long and tedious but I've got to do it.

1. My birthday is on Valentines day.
2. I love being over 30.
3. I don't look even close to 30.
4. I didn't want more than 2 kids, I have 4.
5. I LOVE having 4 kids.
6. My kids all have T names...Taylor, Tanner, Tate and Tallula
7. I married a big huge kid, he'll never grow up.
8. One of my favorite things to do is read.
9. I secretly read romance novels, but I will never admit that again.
10. I'm in love with my computer.
11. I've always wanted to be an interior designer or a photographer.
12. I was a major tomboy growing up.
13. My favorite color is red.
14. My color code color is an even split between yellow and red.
15. That means I love to party but I'm a control freak.
16. I love to party!!!
17. I always go overboard with birthday and Christmas presents.
18. I'm addicted to baked goods.
19. My favorite baked good is cinnamon rolls.
20. I have an overwhelming need to do home improvements.
21. I get depressed when I'm done improving and decorating a home.
22. We've moved 10 times in 11 years.
23. I swear we're only going to buy 1 more house and stay forever. I swear!
24. I hate doing laundry.
25. I love to buy clothes.
26. Shopping makes me happy.
27. I hate to be cold.
28. I gave up snowboarding forever.
29. I was the scrum half on a Rugby team.
30. I look skinnier in my head than I do in the mirror.
31. I want to go to France soooo bad.
32. We bought tickets to go to Paris for our 10 year anniversary.
33. We've never been to Paris.
34. I used to have 5 piercings in my ears.
35. I kill everything I try to grow.
36. I've been to Mexico 4 times.
37. I need to loose 20 pounds.
38. My biggest pet peeve is having to repeat myself.
39. Don't make me repeat that.
40. I went to New Orleans the year before it flooded. It was dirty.
41. I still miss Georgia even though I know we'll never move back.
42. We still own a house in Georgia.
43. My dream car is 1958 Corvette.
44. I hate all other Chevy's.
45. The first car I drove was a Chevy S10 pickup, stick shift baby!
46. I didn't like babysitting when I was a kid.
47. My second toe is longer than my big toe.
48. I didn't wear make-up until after I was married.
49. I didn't wear heals until a few years ago.
50. I only wore a dress to school once and I will never forget how horrified I was.
51. I love to play sports but I hate to watch them.
52. I hate running.
53. Fish make the best pets.
54. I'm a night owl.
55. I wish I could sleep till noon every day.
56. Seafood of any kind make me gag.
57. I drive way to fast.
58. I wish I could pull my kids out of school and travel all year.
59. My husband works 13-14 hours a day which nearly makes me a single mom.
60. I hate it when feet touch me.
61. I'm equally grossed out by finger nails.
62. There is no one in this world I love more than my husband. He rocks!
63. I frequently bite the fat rolls on my baby. She's edible.
64. I can't hold a tune or play a note.
65. I cry really easily.
66. I'm addicted to Diet Pepsi but have recently gone to caffeine free.
67. I love to swim but hate to wear a swim suit.
68. I don't floss enough.
69. I like to cook.
70. I have to force myself not to decorate for Christmas before Thanksgiving.
71. I haven't scrapbooked in 2 years.
72. Photography is my passion.
73. I love to research...anything.
74. I've decided to be happy I'm done having kids.
75. I will make a better mother of teenagers than toddlers.
76. I want a Diet Pepsi right now!
77. I follow a budget but not always very well.
78. I have applied for every loan we have ever had.
79. Alan and I were married within 6 months of meeting.
80. We've been married almost 12 years now.
81. I love to be bare foot. I can't remember the last time I wore socks.
82. I don't wear a watch.
83. I rarely remember my dreams.
84. I love to be busy until I'm to busy.
85. Meeting new people makes me nervous.
86. I drive the same routes all the time, Alan calls me a creature of habit.
87. I have no patience.
88. I have a terrible temper.
89. This is taking way to long!
90. I've tried to give up sugar and I can't do it.
91. My purses are all big.
92. I never have baby wipes when I need them.
93. I'm afraid of dark water (ocean, lakes) I need to be able to see the bottom.
94. I'm terrified of Alligators, I can't even watch them on t.v.
95. We haven't had cable t.v. in our home in 9 years and I still miss it.
96. I love to eat out.
97. The best thing in my life is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
98. I'm not ticklish.
99. I'm claustrophobic.
100. I love blogging!

Crazy Max

This dog is nuts! Even though we changed his name from Boss to Max he still thinks he's the boss. He only listens to Alan and unfortunately Alan is only home a few hours a day. When all the kids are home it's mayhem!!! He has a serious biting problem. He is always following behind someone nipping at their feet or dragging behind them attached to a pant leg. Tate has taken to screaming like a girl any time the dog comes near him and jumping onto the nearest piece of furniture. It's seriously driving me crazy! I know he's a puppy and he's just doing what puppies do but it's got to stop. I say "no bite" at least 50 times a day. I hold his little nose together all the time and he's just not getting it. My friend says I need to walk around all day with a spray bottle and spray him every time he bites. I guess that's my next step since nothing else works. Here's a picture of him attached to Tanner's pant leg, then Tanner running for protection. What you can't see is that Tanner literally dove onto the slide as if his life depended on it. Tanner tries to wear those rubber boots in the house now because he says they protect him from bite wounds. It's getting ridiculous around here!




He's even trying to bite himself in this picture. I'm not kidding, that's really what he's doing.
P.S. Check out the spiked collar!!! Tanner finally caved in and let us get one, it's so stinking cute on him.

Taylor's 1st Concert!

Taylor is in 5th grade this year and she started playing the violin in orchestra this year. She had her first orchestra concert tonight at Rogers High School. It was really fun to go to because it was 5 elementary schools, 2 junior highs and 1 high school all together. They did such a great job. It's amazing to see how they progress in skill in just a few short years. I hope she sticks with it because Alan and I both love orchestra (not playing, just listening) and we look forward to years of concerts to come. Check out how beautiful she is, she's getting so grown up! Being in that high school tonight made me realize how close we are to that stage in her life, time is flying by to fast.

The Glorious SUN!

It's actually sunny today! I know I have been neglecting my blog lately, but it's only because I have nothing exciting to blog about. The sun coming out is the best I can come up with today. Around here that's pretty exciting. We live in the land of clouds and rain so when the sun comes out we take full advantage of it. Our culdisac is abuzz with children on bikes and scooters (don't remind me that half of those are mine). The dog (he's now named Max) even made his way outside for some play time. He's a bit of a sissy and dosn't like the cold at all, he thinks were torturing him when we make him go in the back yard any longer than it takes to pee.