Happy Birthday to Me!!

I am not big on big birthdays. Ok, clarification...I am not big on big birthdays for myself. I love to plan the kids birthdays, but I rarely do anything for mine. For a few years we went to Disneyland and the beach, which I loved, but living in Vegas made that much easier. The last few were very low key, dinner out and maybe a movie. This year was just as quiet. I spent a few hours out and about with my friend Brooke to Marshalls and World Market(my favorite!) and then Phil took me out to dinner at Rock City Grill which was really good. Then we picked the kids back up and had cheesecake and I opened a few gifts. Phil got me new grey converse! Love! He also got me my favorite wall scents from Bath and Body. My mom got me new jammies from Victoria's Secret and some cute hand towels for my kitchen. I had a nice birthday and figured I'd say so. I bet if I look back through the blog, you won't find any birthday posts for me. :)  Trying to be better at ALL the events in our lives. :)  Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes!

A few of my lovely gifts.

Not sure why, but Owen didn't want to cooperate for a birthday photo with Mom!

We tried, but to no avail. Ha!

The birthday girl. :)

Easter Weekend

Easter weekend was SOOOO pretty! The weather was gorgeous! So of course we went to the park almost every day!

                  

And of course we had to color our eggs for hiding! This was Owen's first time and he had a great time! Emma of course was a pro!

 I am not sure what was going on, but Owen rolled this egg all over his face! We died laughing! Must have been one super smooth egg!

Sunday started out well. Emma got us all up excited to hunt for eggs and see her basket. She woke Owen up before we could stop her! This may be what contributed to the rest of our day. Ha! It was Owen's first egg hunt and he loved it! He picked it right up and filled his carton of eggs. Emma was a great helper and led the way!

The kids dove into their baskets and then we had breakfast. Well except for Owen who had M&M's. Ha!  Then into our new Sunday best and off to church! This is where the day took its turn. Owen DID NOT want to put on his shirt and had a huge meltdown that continued for hours! We came home from church and I tried to get both kids to nap, but neither cooperated. So I did. Ha!

I made a delicious Easter dinner of Salmon, asparagus, and couscous. And for dessert I made Easter sugar cookies. That kind of made up for the hours of tears and unhappiness. Ha! Guess we can't win em all!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend with their families!

Owen's Birthday Party!

It was a Mickey Mouse party!

Owen had a fun low key Mickey party. Grandma came over and his friend Braxton and their family came. He got More Mickey and Cars stuff! He ran amuck and ate his "Hot Diggity Dog." He really didn't understand it was all for him, but he had a blast anyway!

I pretty much made everything. Our friends had asked if I painted the balloons myself and I said no, I just bought them. Then they asked if I made the balloons look like Mickey ears with the trio of them. Again I said no. Then they told me I was failing to impress and should have just said yes! lol! I did make the banner, the cupcakes, and the cups. :)

Owen had a great time and that's all that matters! Happy birthday to our little man!

Owen 2nd Birthday!

1) Owen's biggest birthday surprise was a big boy Mickey Room! Mommy worked real hard to have it all done in time. Hot diggity dog!

2) Owen's favorite new toy. A new slide for the back yard! Perfect for these warmer days that are now beginning to grace us. He played non-stop until dinner time!

 3) We are having a Mickey party with friends, so instead, we opted for a Car cake, Owen's other favorite thing. His Hot Wheels! (not my best, but it will do. ha!)

 4) We went to dinner and then came home and Owen opened a few gifts. He got a new puzzle, a ball for the yard, and a new Mickey!

5) This is a progression of Owen as we sang Happy Birthday. He felt embarrassed or something because the water works commenced. Look at that lip!

6)  He tried real hard to blow out his candle! Daddy helped.

7) Owen decided the cake was worth trying. He ate two whole pieces and had to take a bath to wash it off! Then we watched a movie(Rise of the Guardians. Cute!) and he made another mess with Red Vines. 

Happy Birthday buddy! We hope you enjoyed your day of fun! Such a big boy now! I love you so dang much!

Owen is 2!!!

The Birthday Boy is 2! I cannot believe it! How is that possible?! ( I know I say that all the time! Sick of hearing it yet?!)

Owen has always been our more serious kid, but he has been growing the greatest personality! He makes such silly faces and responds with the funniest phrases. I think he will have a wonderful sense of humor! He keeps us on our toes that's for sure.

He is still our Destroyer. Do not leave anything with in his reach that is breakable etc. And if you think you wanna clean, forget it. He will be right behind you like a wave of destruction! Ha!

Owen LOVES Mickey Mouse. Loves everything about it. Asks to watch it everyday. He has stuffed toys, t-shirts, and shoes. He is Mickey's #1 fan!

He LOVES anything to do with "hars." That's cars to you. Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Monster Truck, the movie Cars, or anything with wheels really. Totally all boy!

He has a pretty large vocabulary, though you have to be listening to understand it.

Owen is VERY active and its hard to get him to take a nap when he needs one. Its sort of phasing out. That makes Mom a little sad. :)

He loves Red Vines. Loves them! He would eat a whole pack if you let him with several in each fist.

A few foodie favorites...chocolate milk, hot dogs, and macaroni and cheese.

We started to move right before his birthday, and we knew it was the right home because Owen refused to go back to the old house when we had to. Would throw a total fit! Was pretty funny.  He settled in without batting an eyelash!

Along with his love of cars, he loves to go for rides in the car. His favorite place to go is Walmart or the Mall. We go there often enough he recognizes the way, and if we go off course, you can bet we'll hear about it.

Owen is still a blankie boy! Loves his two soft blankies and has to sleep with them every night. They get dragged around the house every day.

He loves music and LOVES to dance! He has a wiggle that is hilarious!

Owen HATES bed time. Oops. He must be related to me. Ha! Once he figured out how to get out of his crib, it was all over.

He thinks he like Pepsi still. Its a total war in this house if there is a Pepsi bottle. lol!

On a nice warm day, Owen loves to go in the back yard and play in the dirt. Again, I say all boy.

And of course like any boy, he is covered in bruises and sometimes has 2 baths a day. Ha!

These are just a few of his funny quirks and likes that we adore!

Owen is a character and we love him so much! I can't get over the fact that he is 2. That he has grown into such a strong a vibrant little boy. No longer my tiny baby. His silky blond hair, his green eyes, and full lip.  His laugh, his stormy temper, and his spontaneous loves. I cannot imagine life with out him. Happy Birthday Owen. We love you so much!

Valentine's Day 2013

At the beginning of our marriage, Phil and I made a big deal on Valentine's Day. We went on extravagant dates, spent money on flowers and chocolates, and elaborate gifts, and made it as grand as possible. Only took a few years to figure out how ridiculous it can get. The last year we saw the final bill and balance in our account and said, "What did we even get out of it? What was it all for?" So we dialed it back and have kept it simple ever since. 

Several years ago when we lived in Vegas and Emma was about 2 or 3, we saw one of our favorite pizza restaurants(Grazianos) doing heart shaped pizzas. Since then, it has been a tradition to do a heart shaped pizza. Last year, I added a new addition to our meal, a fun drink called Love Potion. Its pink lemonade blended with raspberry sorbet and then added to some Sprite. It makes a fun pink and frothy float. And we can't forget about dessert! Always chocolate covered strawberries and Martinelli. The Mormon version of strawberries and champagne. Ha! Emma just thinks its the bee's knees! 

This year I heart attacked the house with little glitter hearts and decorations while Emma was at school. When she came home she was so surprised! I snapped a pic just as she walked in the door. Love the expression! And of course what school day wasn't complete with out their little mailboxes full of candy. She brought hers home to show me. I remember those days...so fun!

When Phil got home we had our dinner and while we were cleaning up and the kids were playing, I took their gifts, snuck out the side door, left them on the porch, rang the bell, and mad dashed back inside! The kids ran to the door to find their gifts. Owen was excited because Emma was! Then Phil and I exchanged ours. I got him Skyfall which he was dying to have and he got me Pitch Perfect and Dove chocolates(my fav!). Do we know each other or what?!

Then we nestled in for a movie night. Kept it simple, but fun! Memories made!

 Emma surprised by the decorations!

Emma's "mailbox" from her class party and her treats! Each child had their picture in the flap.

The Decorations!

Heart shaped pepperonis!

Dessert!

Valentine's for my sweethearts!

After 13 years, we know each other too well! hehe. Got each other movies!

Chocolate faced Owen! Havin a good time!

Hope everyone had a Happy Valentine's Day!