Saturday, March 31, 2012

General Conference Weekend



Conference was amazing,
and as usual,
we were all looking forward to it!

Big family breakfasts...
pj's all the live long day...
snugging on the couch...

But most importantly,
listening to living prophets and apostles!

It's a miracle,
and I'm blessed to share this with my family.

Check out the highlights here!

You won't regret it!


Thursday, March 29, 2012

Happy Birthday, Samuel!



The big 3 - 3 finally came for Samuel and
all I can say is,

"Good grief!  Thank goodness it's here!"

As much as I love celebrating how many wonderful
years he has graced this earth...
every...single...year
(because I'm older by two weeks),
he gloats about how he's a whole year younger than me!

Do your math, buddy!

Even if I have to say I'm 33
and you get to say your 32
-I'm still only two weeks older!

Anyway...
his birthday wouldn't be the same without this
annual back and forth,
and truly,

"Happy Birthday, Samuel!"

I love you, hon!

This year was a bit unconventional for us
in that I was away for the big day in Bakersfield, California.

My grandma's nephew passed away and
I drove her and my little sister down for the funeral.
It was a wonderful opporunity to visit
family that I haven't seen since I was a little girl,
and to be able to spend time with my grandma and sister
was priceless!

What to do about the homefront though?

Well the day before I left,
I baked my buns off and 
gave the girls the secret mission of carrying
on the festivities without momma!

I am so proud of those girls!

They put the finishing touches on a 
hearty lasagna dinner,
wrapped dad's gifts,
AND
served Samuel's favorite chocolate cake for dessert! 

They are wondeful little momma's!

And the boys,
they played their part well too!
Keeping daddy busy with their escapades so
the girls could finish up!
...

When I got home the next day,
there was nothing but hugs and kisses
from all but one...
Gabriel!

He refused to look at me,
or let me hold him!

He was so, so upset with me for leaving!

I apologized and
told him I was home now,
and only then did he crawl into my arms!

What a sweetie! 

I love my brood!


Saturday, March 17, 2012

Graceful Ballerinas?


My sister, Julia,
is in an advanced ballet class
and recently learned how to
be lifted gracefully as part of her routine.

The kiddos, of course,
went crazy trying to do the same thing,
and Samuel,
the unfortunate counterpart,
nearly keeled over after hefting them
time and time again.

The worst, by far,
was Isabella!

Who crumpled the moment he
touched her waist!

The best?

Gabriel!
He was a natural!

All my money is on that guy!
Maybe we'll see him in Swan Lake someday...
Though that would be a bit awkward since
he'd be the one being lifted...

Anyway,
great fun!

Tons of good pictures and
many, many laughs!


Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

I know how to catch leprachauns...


Let's just say it involves...


Sugar!

Friday, March 16, 2012

Rain



Love this girl!


Iris' Mommy Time

Iris has been working hard on
chores and extra jobs around the house,
and it when it came time to cash in
for some of her hard work
she chose "Mommy Time"!

Woo-hoo!

We headed out in the pouring rain
for a bit of shopping
and for some delicious frozen yogurt.

Her concoction?

Mint yogurt, gumballs,
maraschino cherries, sprinkles...

Hmmm....

But of course,
she loved it!

...

Iris,
You are lovely, talented,
and one smart cookie!

I love spending some alone-time with you!

Thank you for choosing me to spend
and afternoon with!

I have loved every second!

xoxoXoxoO
Mom










Food-fest




In March we got a little food-crazy!

I've been itching to try
out new recipes,
new foods,
and even new
cooking tools!

...

The attempt at re-creating the
Passion Fruit Lime Bavarian
from San Francisco's Tartine Bakery...
didn't go so well.

Delicious, yes.

Perfect copy-cat recipe!

No way!

Thank goodnss the bay is not
far away!

...

Luckily classics
like chocolate chip cookies
and our all-the-way burgers with
Blue Cheese, Arugula, and
homemade BBQ sauce
never fail!

We had fun trying to eat our super-huge creations!

...

And thanks to my new birthday present,
a cast iron grill & griddle pan from the
Antique Trove...

{note}

Have you ever been? 
It's a must visit! 
Go! 
Without kids!!!

...we are going nuts with everything from
super-crisp grilled cheese sandwiches
to Korean BBQ!

I love my grill!

...

And last but not least,
dragon fruit!

You see it featured all the time on
food competitions,
and when I saw this
"secret basket" ingredient
at Winco I pounced!

The result?

Beautiful fruit-
think tropical dalmation...?
But the flavor is so, so bland!

We kicked it up with some sugar and vinegar,
but still,
this house will take plain ol' grapes anyday!

...

Happy Eating
to you too!








Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Birthday wishes...


I can't even remember
what my birthday wish was!

All I know is...

I am so blessed!

Isabella, Ava, Iris,
Owen, Gabriel...
I love you!

Samuel,

You complete me!

XoxoXoO
Me

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Knock, knock...



Imagine the doorbell ringing
and being presented with these
gorgeous blooms
from a great friend!

What a surprise and
talk about making my day!

Thanks, Meredith!

Love,
Olivia

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Madness



But it's our madness...

And we wouldn't trade it for the world!

Love,
Mom & Dad


Saturday, March 10, 2012

82 Spankings and a pinch to grow an inch!

My grandma
-my children's great-grandma!-
turned 82 years old!

And what's worse,
we were late in giving her her gift-
almost a whole year late!

For her birthday
we invited her over for a special meal.

And though we celebrated on her actual
birthday with the cake, hoopla, and what-not,
and though, since then,
we've had her over many, many times since that big day...

Not one meal was specifically devoted
to commemorating her special day!

Oy!

And with her 83rd birthday
fast approaching in April,
we needed to burn rubber!

Hence,
her birthday brunch...

finally!


Great-grandma Lopez, Grandma Rose, and Aunt Julia



The kiddos



The Menu

Greek Feta & Spinach Pie in a Phyllo Crust
Lemon Ricotta Puff Pastry Tarts
Sun-dried Tomatoe and Olive Pasta
Fresh Fruit
Cinnamon Rolls
Chocolate-dipped Shortbread Pecan Toffee
Hot Cocoa


Grandma,

Always taking pictures...

Always walking...

Always enjoying life's little (and big) wonders...

I love you!

You are a rock,
and I know grandpa is so proud of you!

Thank you for being a wonderful grandma,
to me, my husband, and my kids!

We love you!

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Olivia

P.S. 
Your 83rd is right around the corner! 
What a blessing!



Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Monday, March 5, 2012

Another one bites the dust!


Congratulations, Iris!

Yer just as purdy toothless
and don't let anyone tell you different!

Love,
Yer Ma & Pa


Saturday, March 3, 2012

Isa & The Mosaic Art Contest


Our town hosted an art contest
and called for all area
fifth graders to participate!

The goal?
To create a mosaic art piece
using the theme:

Nature and Wildlife

All winning entries would
be turned into real mosaic pieces
to be displayed at a local sculpture park!


Isabella's mosaic representation of
Half Dome
(It's in her blood!)
was selected,
and she, and like classmates,
set to work with real mosaic tile!




Isabella and her good friend Katie!




Woo hoo!

Congratulations, Isabella!

Your piece is amazing!

{Now we just have to hike you up there!}

xoxomom


Friday, March 2, 2012

Neighborhood Bocce Ball

One of our all-time favorite scores
at D.I....

Our bocce ball set!

There's a new park just down the way,
and it's a great pastime.

Before you know,
you have all kinds of people checking out the game
and wanting to play.

Talk about a great way to meet people!



This time,
it seemed like we attracted half the students
at the girls former elementary school.
It was great catch-up time with so many familiar faces,
and since I had a huge bag
of candy they all stuck around awhile.


I kind of felt like the crazy lady that lures
kids into keeping her company by offering lollipops!

{smile}