Tequila

Tonight we had a little early birthday dinner for my amazing Mama and the kids Nama. It was a fun and festive evening. We went with a Mexican theme. The kids were a little sad that I didn't get a pinata. The kids had a blast playing with their cousin Esther. It was so much fun to see Esther walk and crawl all around. Emmeline was in heaven with some special girl time with her Aunt Rachel. She hasn't stopped talking about playing the piano or getting to braid her aunt's hair. And now she asks me daily if she did 100 strokes while brushing her hair.

We were all a little spoiled by my brother's homemade margaritas. No store bought mix for him and unfortunately I don't own a juicer so he really had to work to get all that lime juice. Jon, I promise to have a juicer if you promise to make the drinks again. Even Grandma was drinking the margarita mix and Nama was doing shots of tequila!!! This could make for interesting family photos.
It was a fun and festive celebration for my amazing Mom.

Celebrate

Today I was able to celebrate two AMAZING woman.
I started out at a beautiful celebration of life for a truly amazing woman. There was not a dry eye in the house. To hear her husband talk about her was touching. Her life is such a testament of how to live your life. She battled so many things and had such a great outlook on everything. I was blessed to know her and thankful for her love of young married couples and all the love her and her husband showed us.
After crying my eyes out and causing the biggest headache EVER I headed to celebrate a pretty amazing lady turning 40. My husband is still in shock and believes there must be a mistake! It was so much fun to meet so many of the ladies I hear about. The party was perfect from the food, drinks, the cake (Erin makes the best), music, and the fantastic weather. Such a fun evening with friends. And the best part we finally took a moment to snap a photo of the adults celebrating. I have a million pictures of my kids and their friends but rarely get one with me and my girls.
Thank you Cari for including me in your very special celebration!

Who the Flock is 40???

Tonight I got to feel like a teenager again in  an attempt to totally embarrass our dear friend  Cari.  So as a teenager you toilet paper, but as an adult you flock. Tiffani, Erin, and I met up in the wee hours of the morning  yeah right... more like 10 o'clock at night (we are old!!!) and set up at least 40 bright pink flamingos to greet Cari in the morning. We tried to be stealth, but a yappy dog, metal stacks that kept falling, and the loudest roll of tape resulted in not so stealth mission. While the Metchos slept through it, I am pretty sure the rest of the neighborhood heard us.  With a big sign in the yard and a bunch of pink of flamingos scattered around, not many would miss the fact that Auntie Cari turned 40!!!! Jack Jack LOVES his Auntie Cari and I am so glad we found a special way to let her know how much we love her!!! Happy Birthday Auntie Cari!

Still Hot At 40

Today my kids were good sports and sent with me on a hot sauce search. The poor lady at the store thought I was crazy for buying a case of Tapita hot sauce. 

After wiping out one store we found enough bottles at another store. 

My husband was shocked to learn she was turning 4-0. And like the favor states, Still Hot at 40, I hope I'm at least half as hot and put together as Cari! The favors and the cake topper are ready. I can't wait to celebrate a big day for a special friend! 

A New Angel

Today we enjoyed our extra day off with a busy morning of dentist appointments for the kids, a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory, and my favorite Chuck E. Chesse. I endure Chuck E Cheese twice a year and twice a year only. The kids know we go as a special treat after the dentist. After naps had by all we headed to Wesley's house to play. We came home to sad news. Our dear friend and an amazing woman of God went to be with The Lord. God has an incredible new angel. She was an amazing example of God's love and grace. I am so thankful for her and her husband. They had a passion to minister to newleyweds. They opened their home and hearts to us for a weekly bible study. She was there to pray with me when I suffered my first painful miscarriage. She always seemed to know what to pray for and a verse to give. She fought the most courageous and faith filled battle of cancer. She always gave it all to Him. She had a remarkable story of her cancer disappearing. The doctors couldn't explain it. It breaks my heart that this happened so suddenly, but I thank God that he gave her a reprieve from pain to spend some extra time here on Earth with her family before he called her to be with him. I pray for comfort for everyone who knew Lisa and especially for her husband, Bruce and her girls. 

A-dor-a-ble

Today Emmeline, Caden, and Jackson met Baby Jacob. It was love at first sight for Emmeline. She hasn't stopped talking about how cute and adorable he is. Oh I mean A-DOR-A-BLE!!! I really need to record Emmeline saying it. It seems to be her new phrase. It's pretty adorable when she says it. Hmmm... I wonder where she  gets it???

Emmeline spent the rest of the day talking all about Jacob and how when he cried she did a little bump, bump, bounce. Wow, she is getting so grown up. I'm thinking we have a future baby sitter on our hands. 

The Book of Mormon

Tonight I was treated to an extra special Girls' Night with my bestie. We headed to the city by BART - which I have to mention dropped us off right at the theater and had an interesting "preshow" on the way. The show was hysterical. So many moments I really shouldn't have laughed, but I couldn't help it. My cheeks hurt from laughing so hard. It was such a great time. We might have to make this a yearly tradition. And in a couple years we might be able to leave the kids and spend the weekend in the city. So thankful for such a fun and thoughtful best friend! 

Happy 1st Birthday

Today we headed to San Jose to celebrate a special little girl. It is still hard to believe that my sweet niece is one. What a way she came into the world a year ago. We are so thankful that we were able to celebrate her today. She had a beautiful Parisian party that was full of lots of pink and lots of yummy food. Esther was as precious as could be. Our kiddos did really well. Jackson traveled without having an accident and didn't have an accident at the party. Emmeline loved playing with the kids, but wanted to be a part of anything Esther was doing. Caden did great with the crowd and found a spot to hang out when he needed to get away. 

It was a great day and I can't wait to cuddle and play with Esther. 

The Doctors Are In

Daddy had a rough day of appointments. He started out at dermatology getting a mole checked and finished the day with a  filling repair at the dentist. Not a fun way to spend the last day of break! Lucky for Chris he had 3 helpful and caring doctors taking care of him and checking him when he got home. 

Prima Ballerina

Today there was a very happy little girl in our house. Emmeline started her new ballet class at a classical ballet studio. No more fun and games - this is the real deal. Mama was way more nervous - Emmeline did amazing and was asking to go back tomorrow. I am so excited for her and it makes me smile watching her pure joy while she is in class.