THE BEAST!

My favorite feature is the touch light dimming... all you do is tap! can't see it but there are lights on both sides and one in the middle. It's distressed black wood with lots of character. THE BEAST!

I am sorry this post took so long. This is the long awaited arrival of our NEW ENTERTAINMENT WALL UNIT. Chris and I ended up very pleased with our purchase. It was one of those things where we looked and looked and when we saw this one, we both loved it. Anything we looked at after seeing this one, just wasn't as nice. Then we pondered a bit, waited to see if we could get a dog and we made a pact. If we can't get a dog, we are buying the entertainment center. If we get a dog, I told him I'd tell everyone, "I hope you think our dog is cute, because now we have no furniture! "

The purchase ended up being just the perfect fit for our living room and filled up the wall nicely!

Gotta go, now I have to find pretty stuff to fill it. My husband is excited about that :)

Keeping the Fame, Keeping the Name

My HK white and milk chocolate flowers! The white ones are WAY cuter!

Picture of the hello kitty (HK) plates. Notice the big flowers in the background, they match perfectly! The flowers are SO bubbly, I love it!

I recently was deemed " The chocolate dipper girl" by the other gals that are in my bff's wedding. We ended up making edible favors for the shower. I was telling them the kind of chocolate that has worked best for me in the past (my family and I have a great liking of the "Chocolate Dipped" thing.) WE LOVE CANDI QUIK!!!

So... to keep my Fame as the chocolate dipper girl, I decided to get a bit crafty. I happened across this flower ice tray at IKEA that matched the flower on the HK plates perfectly. Who wants flowered ice??? I instantly got an idea!. I noticed that there was an indentation on the center so I stuck some Matchy Matchy (pink, green and blue) sprinkles in there; then filled the rest with chocolate ... WAAAALLLAAAA..

I'm pretty happy with the outcome. The kids will be even happier when they have chocolate all over their cute faces.

HALLELUJAH!

We've been paying for high speed WIRELESS internet (from AT&T). However, a few months ago it started prompting us that a "Network Cable is Unplugged" and wouldn't connect to the internet. My husband came to the conclusion (as a quick fix) that if we kept the laptop plugged into the ethernet cable it would connect to the internet. If it's not connected to the ethernet, it wouldn't connect.

Well, the ethernet cable is underneath our dresser drawers (meant to hide) SO THAT MEANS= Because we haven't had the time or energy to call AT&T and listen to an automated recording for 5 minutes then be brought onto a LIVE Tech Support Associate for hours, WE'VE been sitting on the bed with our laptop hooked up to this cable; restricting you from moving an inch from the box in order to USE our WIRELESS INTERNET. IT WAS FRUSTRATING.

PEOPLE, LAST NIGHT WAS A BREAKTHROUGH. My husband called and I am using my WIRELESS laptop in the middle of the bed! Only because it's comfy and I wanted the quietness. Usually I like to take my WIRELESS out into other rooms so it's convenient. AND HALLELUJAH... I CAN DO THAT AGAIN.

Hallelujah!!!

okay, okay, so I've been really busy

We're Back!

Chris' parents gave us -the gift that keeps on giving- for Valentine's Day and renewed our DISNEYLAND ANNUAL PASSES. I KNOW, seriously, where did I find them? I have the BEST in-laws ever. We are so excited to be annual holders again and one of my resolutions is to go more this year, see more shows and visit new attractions with the girls.

BTW: Costco sells the Deluxe passes for $269 each and along with that you receive a $50 giftcard valid at any Disney resort, online shopping or Disney food and merchandise. We bought our 3 passes from them, so we scored $150 to spend at Disneyland this year. And, you also score the price of an admission on a gift card if you go on your birthday if you are an annual passholder so we'll earn more Disney money this year too! IT'S SO WORTH IT.

THANK YOU HAL AND SUE FOR A YEAR LONG GIFT!!! WE LOVE YOU....

The Best Bridal Shower

Me along with 2 other gals threw a Bridal Shower for my BFF Alicia. We ended up having the shower at Shenandoah in Los Alamitos. The shower was intimate, there was AWESOME food, great service, no clean up, good conversation. I think it was a hit. If you ever want to do a special occasion somewhere... this is the perfect place. The ambiance is shabby sheek and it's adorable. I wanted to steal a few things off the walls, but I composed myself ;) They are VERY reasonable and you get to pick a yummy menu for guests to choose from. I could go on and on.. Lastly, you don't need to decorate; the place has so much charm and it's just so quaint. CHECK IT OUT!

HELLY KITTY, HELLO KITTY!

My Alexa is turning 3 next Saturday! WHAT???? I don't believe it either. This year I said no Disney Princess theme, let's pick another one and so she picked Hello Kitty. Which brings me back to my childhood (If only I listened to my mom and saved all that money.. I spent all my childhood savings at that store) She had 2 big parties for her first and second so this year it's just family at our house, I'm serving lunch and we are having a bounce house for her and cousins. However, the next day we'll be going to Chuck E Cheeses with Papa Dan and Uncle Dale. Also, on the Friday before I will be having a playdate with our group and I'll be making cupcakes so the kids can share her birthday with her! So, even though a while ago the thought of not having a HUGE blowout like I have done in the past made me feel sooooo GUILTY. I think this might end up being her favorite year and she's definitely not lacking on the celebration. And just in case you were wondering. If you ask her what she wants " I want a chandelier and a picture frame!" Yep, my 3 year old wants a chandelier for her birthday. A daughter after her mom's heart. I LOVE IT.

So, I'm really sorry I've lacked in the blogging area but I've been a bit busy. I owe you a blog about our NEW ENTERTAINMENT CENTER AND ALEXA'S CHANDELIER.

My First Valentine

I got my first Valentine last night. I got a phone call about 9 o clock. It was my Dad and he wanted to bring something by.

It was a pleasant surprise. Daddy brought me my first Valentine and it's YUMMY. A 1 lb box of See's NUTS N' CHEWS. - I've already eaten half of it.

You know how once you have kids it's kind of a given that people come by to see them and not you. You don't really take it personal because it's just one of those things that you understand. Well, although I know my dad loves to see his grandkids more than anything. HE ALWAYS DOES A GOOD JOB AT MAKING ME STILL FEEL SPECIAL. I think he remembers that there would be no grandkids if I wasn't here first. :)

I love you Daddy, thanks for my valentine... it meant A LOT.

Sometimes it's the small things.....

The Deadbolt

As I'm in the shower....

Alexa: "I just saw the um, not the street sweeper, the ummmm....."

Me: " The trashman Alexa?"

Alexa: "Yeah, the trashman!" "He just looked at me."

Me: "Wait, you saw the trashman, as in... you went outside?"

Alexa: "Ya"

Me: "Alexa, you are not supposed to go outside by yourself, that's dangerous"

Alexa: "No, don't talk about that!"

Me: " Alexa, say: "I won't go outside by myself"

Alexa: "Sorry Mommy, I won't go outside by myself"

No wonder the trashman just "looked" at her, he was probably wondering where her mother was. That line struck me so funny, I bet she was waving and smiling and she's thinking "what's wrong with him?" :) She obviously was not happy with his reaction since she came and told me.

Time to start using THE DEADBOLT again!

The Simple Things In Life

Close-up of the white blossoms on our apricot tree.

Sometimes it's the simple things in life that make your day.

Like looking outside your window and the tree is no longer bare, it has blossomed.

Or

Alexa says "Mommy I'm gonna give you a kiss and a hug!"

Or

Your husband goes out late to get you Nacho Cheese Fries for that random indulgent craving

Or

You ask Brielyn for a kiss and she leans in; puckers up gives you a good one (even with sound effects.)

Or

Your friend that moved away calls randomly to tell you she misses you and how she's doing.

IT'S THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE!

THE PERFECT MATCH

The bed!

Close- up of the throw pillows; my favorite.

This is a close up of the quilt. It consists of pink with white polka dot; white w/pink floral; white with pink and green floral, white with green floral and white with green stripe and floral. I LOVE IT.

I have been looking for bedding for Alexa's bedroom for MONTHS! I had a criteria though... it needed to be a Quilt but not Grandma-ish, needed to have some pink; but not a lot since the walls are pink, needed to look Shabby Sheek to match the rest of the room. After Christmas this year, I vowed that I would not buy Alexa a single toy for her birthday in February. So, it was my mission to find her the perfect bedding before her birthday to complete her room. I happened to mention this to my sister and she suggested a few places. I had been in the market so long and saw a few pieces but just wasn't completely sold. As soon as I got this bedding home and put it on, I WAS IN LOVE. IT IS THE PERFECT MATCH. IT COMPLETED THE ROOM.

and most of all, it fits all criteria:

A Quilt

Not Grandma-ish

Pink but has the green accents

Looks Shabby Sheek

Fit for a Princess!

As a bonus: I found 2 sets (one for top and one for the trundle) of striped pink and green matching sheets! IT WAS MEANT TO BE, I LOVE WHEN THAT HAPPENS.

A DAY OF SAD GOOD BYE'S

The Girls- Me, Brielyn Atsuki and Alexa.... We're gonna miss having you around Atsuki!

Me and Atsuki

Atsuki and her Brie Brie

Atsuki and Alexa

Brielyn, Daddy and Alexa in Toon Town

Waiting for the rabbit to pop up!

Wow, either...that door is really big or Brielyn is really small.

But Mom, the sun is in my eyes!

Alexa and Brie posing in Dumbo-hi!

FEBRUARY 1ST '09 was a day of Good Bye's for us. Our passes expired for Disneyland on the 2nd so we went on Sunday to finish them off. The hardest part of our day was saying goodbye to OUR friend ATSUKI. Atsuki left Sunday night to move to Utah with her husband so he could finish college. Atsuki is very special to me. From day one she's loved my children as if they were her own. She's so sweet, loving, thoughtful, sincere and trustworthy. Atsuki is one of my very best friends and I've only known her for a short time. I will miss baking with her, just talking, playing with the girls together and having her over for dinner. Atsuki and I developed a friendship that takes some people years to make. Even though we aren't at the same stages in life, she knew how to be a GREAT FRIEND and that meant the WORLD to me.

ATSUKI: I LOVE YOU AND I will MISS YOU not being so close. I was so used to seeing you weekly. You are in my thoughts, prayers and heart. WE'LL BE HAVING LOTS OF PHONE CONVERSATIONS NOW! STAY WARM, BUNDLE UP AND COME BACK SOON. WE LOVE YOU!!

My Husbands Desk

Does this look like a good desk to you? The bed is ruffled because I'm laying on the other side trying to sleep. LOL

Nice Pink Chair.

Since we moved we've had a lot of space to fill and little furniture. We have this area in our entry way that we have been debating on what to do with. It's kinda awkward and we don't want to buy something to perfectly fit because we don't own this house. We want to get something that will move with us and will be usable wherever.

After the other night, I think we'll be purchasing a desk and making it work! We actually got rid of a desk right before we moved here because we didn't need it but Chris has those days now when he needs to do some paperwork at home. AND WE LIKE DADDY HOME.

This is a picture of Chris wanting to do some paperwork while I'm sleeping in the bed. He happens to be on the left side of the bed working on the laptop- with some files on the bed as a desk and he's sitting in the girls polka dot velour chair. NOT ACCEPTABLE.

TIME TO SAVE FOR A DESK NEXT!