Amie is right, we haven't done one of these in a while! So...here we go!


Q1. If you blog anonymously, are you happy doing this? If you aren't anonymous, do you wish you started out anonymously so that you could be anonymous now?

Not anonymously...but sometimes I think I should make up a fictional blog or fictional Facebook so I can say things I want to say without upsetting people or people putting me in the loony bin. Alas, I can't keep up with one, let alone my alter personality's blog.

Q2. Describe an incident that shows your inner stubborn side

I really can't think of one for this...I'm a pushover...ask my kids.

Q3. What do you really see when you look at yourself in the mirror?

I was just telling James this the other day...I see someone alot thinner....weirdly enough, I think I'm skinner and hotter than I actually am. I guess that's a good thing...but, when I actually see a picture of myself it's like reality smacks me in the face and I really see me.

Q4. What is your favorite summer cold drink?

cranberry limeade...or anything fruity as long as it has a ton of ice...ice all year long!

Q5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?

when everyone goes to sleep...I read, or watch videos on my iPad. When I'm upset...I go shopping. I don't spend alot, but I do get something for myself.

Q6. Is there something you still want to accomplish in your life?

Someday go back to school. I'd like to be a teacher.

Q7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the shy person, or always ditching?

How about the Prima Donna? I really liked to make a splash. I was voted "Most Likely to Return to Every Homecoming" which is really most spirited in the school. I was in band (Drum Major senior year), I was in choir (show choir....Glee!) and in Theatre. I also participated in a Spirit Competition senior year called Mr/Mrs. PHS. I came in 2nd (and only by 2 points...my teacher told me). In fact, I loved High school! Oh, yeah, I also ditched. Not too many times, but enough to have a bit of fun.

Q8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment in your life, what would you see?

Wow, several come to mind...a first kiss with James in the kitchen of JB's Restaurant. Seeing my newborn's faces for the first time.  I'm sure I'll have many, many more moments in my life.

3rd Grade Concert

Last week, Abby's school had the 3rd graders perform several songs before the awards ceremony.  I love being home and being able to support her in even the smallest things, like this. 

Here is one of their songs.  Abby is on the very top row in the yellow hat. This is called "The Courage Rap"

Whenever we go to the school Harley quickly becomes the center of attention...

Abby posing in her Courage Rap hat and glasses..

It was really cute and really fun!  So glad I got to go!

Ready for my close-up...

Harley's favorite thing to do at the store is to try on sunglasses.  She squeals and points at them until you bring her over and put some on her.  She holds still long enough to put them on and for you to tell her how pretty she looks then she takes them off.  She really is a diva.

Chinese please...

James isn't a fan of Chinese food...but he loves me and I love Chinese food...so he puts up with it.  We had some fun with my cell phone camera on our last visit.

Pudding for dessert!

Chicken!

Is this cold?

I'm not amused

What? 

Chocolate pudding everywhere!  Several older folks stopped and asked her if she was enjoying herself...she was

Stopping to pose while she eats

I heart thrift stores

I love going to Goodwill or any other thrift store...or yard sale...or swap meet.  I love the hunt!  I also love looking at other people's things.  Wondering who had it, why they gave it up, where they wore it.  It sparks my imagination.  Recently I found these beauties at Goodwill.  They are treacherously high...I adore them!

I can't wait to go on my next treasure hunt!  James said maybe Saturday morning we would hit the Swap Meet!  Sounds good to me!

I really should take more pictures...

We were invited by our good friends to a camp out at the White Tanks on MLK weekend.  Just a quick overnight stay with great friends and food.  At first we weren't sure we could make it, since we'd have to use borrowed smaller tents to hold our brood.  Then on Saturday morning, James and I decided to hit some yard sales.  We were totally amazed to find a $120, 8 person tent, for $40 dollars!  Brand new, never been opened!  So, we were ready to go!

Here is our awesome score...

The day and night were pretty mild...although we were freezing!  Here we are, if you can find us, snuggled up...



Sophie and Harley (and my Johnny pillow...hello baby)



My curly headed boy

James and Abby

In the morning we had cereal, juice, chorizo and eggs. It was really fun..thanks Amie for inviting us! You guys are awesome! And, I'm sure your pictures are plentiful and beautiful :)

Clean up, clean up...

My 3 older children didn't see me regularly cleaning up as they grew.  I know that sounds bad, but with my work schedule, they would usually see me frantically cleaning on Saturdays or, if someone was coming over.  But, now that I am at home, I clean up daily and often.  I enjoy it!  I enjoy having a clean(er) home. 

So, since Harley has been seeing it everyday for a year...she loves to help.  Her favorite is using my stick vac...I hope her love sticks with her as she grows and I might get some help!

In the 32nd year of my life...

I feel very blessed.  My sweetheart spoiled me this year for my birthday.  It was a many day celebration.  First, we went to the mall on the Wednesday before.  He bought me some necklaces, a new purse (Jack Skellington), hat, nightgown (Jack and Sally!) and some shirts.  On my birthday we went to my mom's house for our Christmas/New Year's celebration with my Grandma.  We had a light lunch and some great dessert.  Of course I neglected to take pictures during these events.  I think I was still asleep from New Year's Eve.
That evening we went to Peter Piper to celebrate my BFF Christine's son Caden's 2nd Birthday.  She surprised me with my own cake and some beautiful roses!  I also got a gift certificate for books for my eReader from my other BFF Amie.  Jessica my BFF got me this amazing reversible necklace and earrings set. 

My roses

The next day James threw a party for me.  We had albondigas (meatball soup), homemade salsa, cupcakes and great friends.

Rick and Stephanie-our good friends from Black Canyon City

Dad, Camille, Mom and Emmalee

Rick's girls Marissa and Mia

Sophie and Caden

The Gang (Ben and Jess and Amie's Gang got there later)

Rick's kids Nadia, Ricky and Eric (they have 6 kids!) and Joe

Then my man surprised me with a trip to Great Skate!  I've been talking about going skating forever!  We only snapped a few pictures at Great Skate, but we had a blast!  It was cool because we could take the strollers out to the middle of the rink.  DJ pushed Caden and Ben and I took my stroller out.  It was great to see the kids getting better at skating as the night went on.  I think Amie's boys will be professionals soon!

James attempted to skate...which means he put on the skates and stood up.  He said he heart was pounding so hard.  Joey put his on, rolled around, fell on his butt and then said "I'm done!"  Abby was chicken too.  Sophie was the only one to try and she did pretty good!

It was one of the best birthdays I've ever had!  I am so blessed to have such a great family and friends.  Especially my sweet husband...love you James!

Rockin New Year

New Year's Eve is always busy.  This year we had two parties.  First, the family one followed up by Auggie and Dennyse's house.

The family party is always a big deal.  A DJ cranks modern and Mexican tunes.  We eat and dance.  We depart once the people start to get tipsy.  Harley was the hit of the party.  She never stopped dancing.  Here are some of my favorite pics from the first party.

My nieces and Abby

The Man in Black!  He is so sexy!

Big Man in a little hat

Sweethearts

Shall we dance?

Cupcakes rule!

Cheesey

Her dance card was full!

Daddy's Little girl

Tamales!

My stinker and me

The green is from the lasers that the DJ had

So before it got too late, we headed over to Dennyse and Auggie's house.  Dennyse had made some amazing pozole and chocolate fountains.  And some karaoke.  My baby also loves to sing!  She wouldn't give up the mic!

Joey spent his time out by the fire amusing the adults.

We had a great time and rang in the New Year with great people.

Christmas

Santa Claus was extremely generous this year.  Some highlights include:

Joey's ipod touch, Abby's ipod, Sophie's American girl doll, Harley's car and other great gifts.  Santa even brought a trampoline!

Here are some pictures from the busy morning.