MY BOYFRIEND'S BACK!!!!!

and on Saturday I was able to see him up close and in person!

We headed out to Pasadena for the Amgen Tour of California and had a T-E-R-R-I-F-I-C afternoon. We arrived just in time to see them make the first of 5, 5 mile laps around the Rose Bowl.

Sarah enjoyed clapping for the motorcycles more than the cyclists.

Richard was in awe of how fast the team cars whip around the corners. Now he understands why there are always accidents at the Tour de France.

I was just looking for my boy...they fly by so quickly, you don't ever get a real good look but I did make out his chiseled face and number 2 jersey. Now while I do not condone the way he left his family, or the fact that he has been known to hang out with Mary Kate Olsen (gag), he does bring a magical spirit to the sport of cycling and for that reason I am glad he's back. I think this summer we'll have to upgrade our cable package to include Versus so I can watch the Tour. Oh, the magical tour!!

Afterwards we headed to Phillipes for french dipped sandwiches and coleslaw. Yum!

It was the perfect way to spend a cloudy Saturday--family, food, fun, and yes, LANCE!

He IS in the photo on the left. How cool would it be to have a Subaru with really expensive bikes on top, and someone else to drive it for you. Oh, that'll be the day. :)

Valentine Fun

Here's Sarah with some of her friends at a Valentine's Day gathering. Look how cute they are in their matching dresses.

Sarah Jane, Saylor, Ella, and Claire

Sarah was especially fond of this hiding spot and the farm animal toys.

Sarah and I made heart shaped valentines that said, "I'll never tire of our friendship!" and attached them to toy sand trucks. Yes, she actually helped with the making. We painted tire marks on them with toy cars. She only lasted a few minutes but got enough done to make all the cards. I look forward to when she lasts at a project longer than it takes me to set it up! :)

If Valentine's Day is always this much fun with kids, then I say bring it on!!

Sizing Up

Here's what happens when you have short, chubby, ADORABLE legs, and a belly to match...

Mom has to buy pants a size too big and a little high-waisted!!

3 Years

On January 28, Richard and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. Somedays I can't believe it's been 3 years and other days, it seems as though he's always been a part of my life.

We celebrated a little early and headed to San Diego for a weekend retreat. My Aunt and Uncle in Carlsbad watched Sarah for us while we were away. We rode our beach cruisers all over the boardwalk, ate fresh fish-n-chips and lobster burritoes, enjoyed a lovely mexican dinner in Old Town San Diego, and even went to a movie.

While we were away, Little Miss didn't miss us one bit. She was spoiled rotten and was attended to non-stop!

On our actual anniversary, Tina Surlin watched Sarah and we went to dinner, a session at the temple, and DeeDee Reese.

We don't ever get each other anything big for our anniversary but Richard does always get me the gift to represent the number of years we've been married. (see here so you can begin planning for your sweetie) Last year I got a bag of cotton balls and this year I received a lovely (???), "genuine leather" fanny pack. He knew the fanny pack was an iffy option and asked if he should take it back before he even gave it to me. I have actually been thinking lately that a fanny pack would come in handy sometimes, but I envisioned one a little bit cuter than this one...

I love these fun little gifts and they make our day even more memorable!

Thanks for making me smile everyday and for putting up with me Richard! Poor fella!

Family Photos

Over the Christmas holiday while my sister was here, she took some family photos for us. It was fun to get out and capture our little family near where we live. I opted for the cliche beach shots; something I thought I would never do, but figure, we live here and might not always, so why not.

We are H-A-P-P-Y with how they turned out. Thanks sister!!

Note To Self

**START PURCHASING CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE INGREDIENTS FOR OUR 1 YEAR FOOD STORAGE SUPPLY!!!!!

we NEVER have the ingredients to make cookies. here's why. if we make cookies (or any treat), when richard goes to work the next day there they are, starring at me, calling my name, and i can't resist them. so rather than having to be tempted, we just don't have the ingredients around.

BUT if there ever was an emergency and say the gas and electricty where out for weeks or months, i'd sure be needing something to spice up my beans and oatmeal, and it might as well be chocolate chip cookies, especially since we HAD TO learn tonight that they can be baked on your barbeque grill.

here's how i know this.

we had some friends over for the superbowl tonight and were making pizzas on the grill and chocolate chip cookies. when we went to put the cookies in the oven, we discovered it's not working and won't heat up past 100 degrees. what?! so rather than let all this magical cookie dough go to waste, we thought, why not, let's try the grill. we thought it a silly idea, and figured it wouldn't work. boy were we wrong. perfectly cooked, fluffy, chocolate chip cookies. personally i thought they cooked better than when we use the oven.

so now, cookie dough ingredients are a must have for the emergency preparedness pantry. and if ever it's just too hot to turn the oven on, but you must have yourself a treat, grill baby grill!

here are the recipes for the pizza and cookies; both of them are outrageous, especially I might add when grilled!!!

pizza
dissolve 1 T dry yeast in 1/4 cup warm water and let sit ofr 10 minutes. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups four, 1 t salt, 2 T olive oil, 2 T honey and 3/4 C water. add yeast mixture and knead for 5 minutes. add more flour if needed. form into a ball and place in a greased bowl. cover and rise for 1 hour.

makes 2 large pizzas or 4 personal pizzas. roll out or toss, like my talented husband does. coat each side with olive oil and grill for a few minutes each side. remove from grill, cover in desired toppings, return to grill until desired doneness. :)

chocolate chip cookies
cream together: 1 C butter, 1 C sugar, 1 C brown sugar

add: 2 eggs and 1 t vanilla

mix together: 2 C flour, 2 1/2 C oatmeal (turned to powder in a blender), 1/2 t salt, 1 t baking powder, 1 t baking soda.

mix everything together and add 12 ounces chocolate chips as well as 1-4 ounce grated chocolate bar

bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 10 minutes at 375 degrees or grill. (we just put the cookie sheet right on the grill! )

ENJOY!!!