CHUCK E CHEESE'S

CHEESE!

Brielyn's face is priceless... not too sure about him. SIDE NOTE: Who let Chuck E Cheese come out in baggy pants? I didn't know Chuck E was a gangsta!

Kaylin mastered this ride!

JACKPOT at the Wheel of Fortune booth! People were rushing over to see how they got those tickets asking Jenny how to play!

Those two could be real TROUBLE!

We Love Pizza

My Favorite In Action Photo; Sorry Lexa

We had a fun playdate at Chuck E Cheese's this past Friday. The pizza was good, Chuck E came out to visit and our friends made it a SUPER good time!

MY PHOTOGRAPHER ALEXA!

ALEXA got a hold of the camera, not bad for a 2 1/2 year old!

HALLOWEEN '08

Little funny girl Brielyn ... always making us laugh. She made the perfect Tinkerbell

It's horrible that you can take your kids trick or treating in shorts... I LOVE CALIFORNIA!

What a Princess

The girls!

Sorry it took so long to post these but they were on my mom's camera. I had to take a long walk down the driveway to get them; so it took a few days to get it done. (No sarcasm intended)

KIDS WILL BE KIDS

You may think the little one did this, but you are wrong, it was ALEXA. The worst part: as I was repremanding her, I look over and the roll had so much momentum that it was unraveling itself. I am closing my lips trying to keep a straight face, she looks over, sees it, looks up at me with a smirk and we both start CRACKING UP. So much for the discipline huh?

NO, REALLY... I don't think you understand how much Charmin double ply BIG ROLL that is, I had to give you a closer look.

This is so pathetic. After about 4 tries.. this is the best I could come up with. THAT IS WHAT MAKES IT SO FRUSTRATING WHEN THE ROLL GETS UN-DONE! Looks like this will be sitting on top of the toilet til it's gone! IT'S DEFINITELY NOT FITTING ON THE HOLDER.

RANDOM THOUGHTS/UPDATES

PLAYDATE: This Friday at Noon join us at Chuck E Cheese's -WHERE A KID CAN BE A KID!

We added MORE ORNAMENTS on the tree- come see .

Our Tangerine tree is loaded and this is a FREE INVITATION to our FAMILY and FRIENDS... Email me, give me a call or stop by, we'd love to share our Tangerines. Bring a bag and fill 'er up!! They are great snacks. Don't miss out on FREE PRODUCE.

We took a trip up to Grandpa and Grandma Hoff's house. WE HAD A BLAST. Pictures to follow of a Ranch that we visited. ALEXA IS OFFICIALLY A COWGIRL. SHE CLAIMED THE NAME.

Please pray for the Ponce Family. This is a really close friend of mine who's husband has cancer. Last year they operated on his hip and they just got news it came back on the other hip. This is such a rare form of cancer that they are awaiting a board meeting to hear what they voted to be the best treatment for his case. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors on the board, for strength for the both of them as they try and make it through their day at work and peace to get through this together WITH GOD.

Chris' party was a success. We had a great time although the smoke in the air changed plans a bit. The party was inside. No bocce ball, or lawn bowling but Chris made up for it by ORDERING THE FIGHT. Chris enjoyed himself and appreciated his close friends and family joining us to honor him for his birthday. THANKS FOR MAKING IT SPECIAL.

I'M EXCITED FOR THANKSGIVING, HOW ABOUT YOU???

I ROCKED THE LEGGINGS!

OH YES I DID!!!!

So... it was my husbands birthday PARTY and the dress was scandalous without something under. Blue jeans wouldn't work because all of mine have back pockets with flaps and they would protrude since the dress is fitting and it looked WRONG. So, that's when I knew it was time to bust out and buy the LEGGINGS. Although Alicia (you can visit her blog) would highly disagree, they were fun and comfy! Just the perfect asset to make the perfect party outfit (for a mother!)

YOU BE THE JUDGE. ARE THEY ROCKIN' OR NOT???

DO YOU WEAR LEGGINGS? LET'S HEAR IT!

DADDY TIME!

Daddy Piggyback Rides

Daddy found a new set of weights

Daddy kisses Lexa

Daddy loves his Brie Brie

Alexa, Chris and I played a game of Yahtzee.... Alexa in action.

Alexa contemplating (did I spell that right?) her next move! She did awesome she scored 224!




DISCLAIMER: NO CHILDREN WERE HARMED DURING THIS PHOTO SHOOT

NOVEMBER 13, 1984

This was a special day... the day that Christopher Robert Hoff was born. Little did we know that he would be one of the most handsome,intelligent, selfless, devoted, hard working man at the young age of 21. Chris is a man that I never thought existed. His love for God, his desire to be a father and start a family at such a young age and being selfless is almost unheard of. God had a definite plan that swept me off my feet. He gave me Chris. Because of the man that God has created and his choice to submit his life to God.. Chris has been the most AMAZING FATHER AND HUSBAND. And, today I am so thankful for that. He is my Prince Charming, my Savior (many times), my Rock and my Love. (Just to name a few)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE!!!

We celebrated last night by going to Black Angus. And on Saturday we will have family and close friends over to celebrate him once again with some pizza, Corona and some backyard Bocce, Lawn Bowling, Wii, Basketball and fun!

SORRY LADIES... HE'S TAKEN, ONE LESS CATCH IN THE SEA! ;)

TAMMY GRAHAM BROOKHART

Today I mourn the loss of an old co-worker and friend from Discus Dental. I got the news last week that on Saturday she was rushed to the hospital then transferred to Cedar in Los Angeles due to a Liver problem. She suffered two strokes and was in a coma on life support. So quickly, today (Saturday) I got the dreaded call. We lost Tammy last night at the young age of 35. Tammy was married and had a 10 year old daughter Chase. One of the most beautiful girls you have ever seen. Please keep her family in your prayers.

Chase, may God give you the strength to get through each day. May you look to him for Peace each night.

Kevin, may you draw near to the Lord through this difficult time and know that he loves you and is with you each step of the way.

*Tammy Graham Brookhart*

Beautiful

Hard Working

Spunky

Loud

Social Butterfly

I'll forever remember you that way. I'll never forget your smile. You will be missed!

The Lakewood Equestrian Center

Yes, that's drool!

Mmmm.. you taste good Brie!

Brielyn Petting her Pretty Pony

Saddling Up! Brie rode without me holding onto her this time! Big Girl, she loves it. This may be my Cowgirl.

I invited a group of mom's to join the girls and I at The Lakewood Equestrian Center. I had been doing Sidewalk Chalk and Paint Days and those were fun but I thought it might be fun to do other things as well. So far, this is our second outing... with our first being Hullabaloos Clubhouse. I think that was by far the MOST fun. It was great for all ages and the kids played their little hearts out.

Today, we went to ride ponies, feed some goats and just enjoy the outdoors. Poor Alexa didn't get to come along today, she has the stomach flu and is not quite over it yet. But Brielyn and I had a good time. I usually forget to take pictures; this time I didn't forget but I only got pics of Brie on the pony since she had to go by herself they were all taken up the first round. Next play date I will get some pictures of all the kids!

If you ever want to get out and see some beautiful horses, feed some hungry goats and enjoy nature, it's a FUN place there's also bunnies running all around. Brie and I stayed a bit longer and I just enjoyed walking around. We got to watch a trainer, training her black and white pony. Something about watching it run so gracefully around the circle, soothed me! We petted a few horses even though it says not to.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CAME OUT, THANKS FOR A FUN TIME AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT PLAY DATE!

YEAH FOR PLAY DATES!

IT WAS A RAT!!!!

Warren- our neighbor and friend

Rat #4... Wasn't it cute?

In a previous post I talked about an anonymous animal in our Grape Vine devouring our grapes leaving stains and trails every morning. Anytime you went outside at night you would hear rustling but you couldn't see a thing.

One day as Chris and I as well as our neighbor were talking about what this could be Chris looks over and says.. A RAT, LOOK but then it runs back in the vine. He was the only one who saw it. The Vector comes out and sets up traps with Hot Sauce, Chris isn't convinced and sets up his own traps with peanut butter and honey. The trap goes off 3 times that night but the rat is never in the trap. A few days later there's a dead baby rat laying on the ground... the next day the bigger rat Chris had seen laying dead on the ground... the next day another baby rat.. That's 3 DEAD RATS DOWN.. AND WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY MORE.

Well, the other day I went to throw away some old ice cream that had a few bites left (the flavor my grandma picked that no one else in my family eats) in the recycle bin and heard a flop as I walked back to the house... I turn around and on the other side of the fence is a baby rat sitting there with it's sides pulsating, it was dying. So I yell over the fence to June (our neighbor who was in the pool) to call for her husband. He comes out with a shovel and says.. turn your head you don't want to see this. And the rest is history! But the dead rat ended up in the ice cream tub... NOW THAT'S HEAVEN. RAT #4 DOWN.

HOW MANY MORE RATS ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD? WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE

NO ONE LIKES TO SMELL

Actually this post should be called DEODORANT-OR LACK THEREOF

I JUST REALIZED THAT I FORGOT TO PUT ON DEODORANT THIS MORNING.

So, it WAS me that smelled so bad. Every time I pushed Brielyn on the swing the wind would kick up that smell. I thought, No, I'm just being silly, it's probably the mom next to me pushing her kid. I let it go. But then, we get home and the girls are asleep; I kick my feet up to rest at home and my hand goes up and .....WHOOOOAAAA. Then it occurs to me.... Did I put on deodorant today? WHOOPS.

HAVE YOU EVER FORGOTTEN DEODORANT? DO TELL YOUR STORY! LEAVE A COMMENT!

I am such a freak about deodorant and always so self conscious of smelling. It actually was so bad at one point in my life, it kept me from wearing certain types of shirts. My family insists that they've never smelled me, but I think they are just being nice. I had my thyroid checked because I thought I had a problem since I sweat so much for a girl. They gave me a sample of this Prescription Strength Deodorant... Let's just say it felt like pins and needles were sticking me simultaneously in each armpit hair follicle. It was one of the most painful experiences I've ever had and I will never try that again! It's loaded with alcohol and you're supposed to wear saran wrap or a tight fitting shirt so it will clog your pores overnight.. NOT GOOD, DON'T TRY IT. In High School I would carry around deodorant in my backpack and re-apply often. I used to carry one in my car in the center console.

Today it's no joke, I SMELL!!! AND THE BEST PART IS: I CAN LAUGH ABOUT IT. I'm in the comfort of my own home.

OKAY, I'M GOING TO GO PUT SOME DEODORANT ON. MY FAVORITE IS SECRET PLATINUM :VANILLA CHAI

"I'm Living at Mimi's House!"

Alexa's new house!

Let me set the stage for you:

I tell the girls to go pick a tangerine for Mimi and take it to her house and say "Here's your breakfast Mimi!" And they did. Alexa starts playing and loves Mimi and her house. They are inseperable; Mimi can't go anywhere without Alexa. So it Began...

ME: Alexa and Brielyn let's go get our baths for the day and let Mimi eat her Tangerines.

ALEXA: Mommy, I don't want to leave, I want to stay and leave at Mimi's house. (In a sad voice)

ME: You mean LIVE at Mimi's house?

ALEXA: Yeah, I want to stay here and LIVE at Mimi's house (She clearly understood the correction of words used and was still serious

ME: Well living here means you have to go pack all your stuff and you can't come home. You better go tell Daddy what you are doing before he leaves for work, he's going to be sad!

ALEXA: Come on Mom, let's go get my stuff

So, Alexa, Brielyn and I take a short walk back home.

ME: Alexa, tell Daddy what you are doing! (As she's in her room ready to pack)

ALEXA: Daddy I'm living at Mimi's House.

DADDY: Alexa, that makes Daddy sad, I love you give Daddy a hug and a kiss. (She does)

DADDY: Alexa, who's going to snuggle me?

ALEXA: Mommy and Brie

DADDY: Who's going to eat cereal with me?

ALEXA: Brie

DADDY: Who's going to watch baseball with me?

ALEXA: Brie (notice she's smart and doesn't say Mommy, cuz that would be a lie, I REALLY dislike WATCHING BASEBALL!)

DADDY: Who's going to pray with me?

ALEXA: Mommy

Alexa leaves to go pack and Chris and I start to talk

ME: Wow, she really is serious about this, she has it all figured out!

CHRIS: What she doesn't know is Mimi eats Rough and Thick Oatmeal for breakfast and no more Barbie Escalade and... and...... and..

ME: Gosh, Chris, you are really getting upset about this. WHAT WE DON'T KNOW is how much sugar and candy she gets at Mimi's when we aren't there, THIS MAY ALL BE WORTH IT TO HER!

Alexa is ready and packed with a purse, doll, blanket and shoes

I open up the back door for her, then the gate and off she goes straight to Mimi's with no regrets. We'll see how long this lasts, she didn't take much but she sure love's Mimi's!