A fun little reward....

 So today I got a call saying that Weston had earned a "Student of the Month" nomination at his new school.  I didn't want to go, because I am tending my friends kids while they are on a cruise...plus, Jake is out of town on business.  But in the end, I wanted to honor Weston and go.  So I loaded the car with our group of 6 kids...which I know is less than HALF of what my parents deal with; (My mother is AMAZING) and I headed to PTO.  Anyway, when we got there I learned that he was nominated out of kinder-through 2nd grade for PE.  To top it off, I learned that our little Aubrey Jean...was also Student of the Month for 3rd grade.  haha.  I was just glad I went and got to see them get their awards.  I am so proud of them and I KNOW they are loving this new school and we made the right decision to send them.  It felt nice, especially since I was feeling a little down in the dumps today...I am grateful for these kids and I am grateful that their teachers see in them what I see in them.

Family Traditions

We made Caramel apples and they were delish.

Every Monday night we have what is lovingly referred to as "FHE" which is a acronym that I think we picked up at BYU...it means, Family Home Evening.  Anyhoo, it consists of a prayer, a lesson, some "announcements" and of course their is a game or activity, then a treat.  We used to do it because we are "supposed to." But we just love it now, seriously...look forward to this little peace of heaven with our kiddos.  Lately we are letting them chose the activity and even teach the lessons at times.  We keep it short and sweet.

The reason I wanted to blog about this was actually the activity.  I didn't want to forget this funny little tradition that Jake started.  Lately he "wrestles" with the kids and for FHE this week he made up a list of all their made up wrestling moves and they got to "order" 5 different moves from Dad.  It was so fun to watch them wrestle...I begged for a turn myself and ended up choosing the "Merry go round."  It was AWESOME....and I highly recommend it.  haha I don't know if you can read this so I will type it out too.  Wrestling Moves:  Caprino Bomb, One-hander, Kickflip, Backwards Kick Flip, Regular Slam, Tornado Spinner, Backwards Tornato Spinner, Front Flip and last but surely not least...The Merry-go-round.

San Francisco: 10 year Anniversary

So Jacob and I decided to spend our 10 year anniversary in San Francisco.  We have been there...oh about 7 years ago with the Taysoms and little Aubrey.  We loved it then, and decided that this was the place. (And we got super cheap tickets and hotel...which also aided in our decision.) 
So here are TONS of vacation pics (I know...boring!) haha

Here is our humble little HOTEL.  It was called Casa Loma (we found it on YELP)...we founds lots of things on YELP for this trip.  Anyhow, it was a great little location just smack dab in the middle of everything.  It was small, but we were seriously NEVER there.

The first night we got there...we were off to AT&T Park to watch a baseball game.  It was such an amazing view.

I hardly even watch the game, I just loved looking at the ocean and the scenery.  My favorite part was we got there early and got to watch some professional SOFTBALL players having some sort of home run competition.  I LOVED it.  They were hitting softballs so far...clear into the water...and then some guys in kayaks would get them.

Here they are waiting for the balls!  Too funny.

This is my favorite picture from the trip.  I progressively let myself go throughout the trip.  I don't know how people do their hair in San Fran....really, I have NO clue.
Moving on...so the very next day we drove across the FAMOUS Golden Gate Bridge and headed to Muir Woods. 

This was a suggestion from Jake's parents and was probably my favorite part of our trip.  There were redwoods and wonderful hiking trails.  We ended up hiking for almost 3 hours.  I should have taken more pictures.

However, on our way to the scenic ocean view...we found ourselves very lost and couldn't even find the trail.  I am taking the blame on this one.  We finally got back on some trail, but missed the ocean view...

 

So after Muir woods...we headed back towards the airport to return the car we had rented.  We had stopped at Little Lucca's the previous day  (another Yelp suggestion) and we HAD to stop there again.  Seriously...hands down....best sandwich I have EVER had.  SOOOOOOO Good.  I want to open one here in Phoenix.  It was so good in fact, it almost ruined the rest of the food for us on our trip.   We kept comparing everything to this thing.  ahhhhhhh

Later that night we went to a movie.  Then we just had to go to The Cheesecake Factory on the 8th floor of Macy's overlooking Union Square (this was our favorite memory from our last trip to San Francisco.)  The view is breathtaking...and I could eat cheesecake every day.

The next morning we headed to China town with more food in mind.  Jake wanted to try some yummy pastries that he remembered from Hong Kong.  They have these yummy bread and are filled with various sweetness, like coconut cream or pineapple...even BBQ.  So we ate these and walked around a bit.

Then we headed to Golden Gate Park....Another Watkins suggestion.  We rented bikes for a couple of hours and biked all over.  This is over a 10,000 acre park...so we didn't even see half of it...but it was beautiful.

My favorite part was a little Shakespeare Garden.  It was just so quaint and cute.

Shakespeare Garden: Golden Gate Park

 I love San Francisco.  That morning we were eating hot yummy buns in China town, later enjoying a bike ride in a beautiful natural park....then that evening Fisherman's Wharf along the ocean.  It really is quite amazing how many things are here to see.

Alcatraz

Ghiradelli Square

We ended the evening walking around Fisherman's Wharf and enjoying the seaside and of course...a Ghiradelli brownie sundae.

The next day we were sore from excessive hiking and biking around and just wanted our last day to be unplanned.  We ended up going to Civic Center and eating "Off the Grid" which are these food trucks that travel all over San Fran and have tons of different cuisine.  We have seen these on the food network and if you can't tell our entire trip was focused on food.  So it just seemed to fit. 

Filipino Fare...yummy.
I had the Curry up Now....not pictured.  Yummy curry in a burrito.  Very good!

We decided to make the trek to go see the famous Lombard street.  It is a serious climb and then this crazy crooked street. 

Lombard Street.

So we ended our day watching ANOTHER movie.  I couldn't believe it.  Jake almost detests going to the movie...but in our first one there were technical difficulties so they gave us free tickets for another one...so we were almost forced to use them....haha.  I got to see THE HELP with my honey.  Love it!!!  Here is a picture of the escalator at The Westfield Plaza mall.  It was 8 stories and went all the way around.  Super cool.  By the way...the food was even great at the mall.  We had Thai food, but there was food from so many different nations....I love the food in San Fran.  Seriously I am so nervous to weigh myself and see what kind of damage was done. 

This picture was taken up by the crooked street.  It is of the Bay bridge.
We had a blast and I would love to do it again sometime.  We took the Muni or walked our entire trip.  I loved people watching and just feeling like we lived there.  I am glad that we didn't stay in a tourist saturated area.  Yes, we walked some CRAZY streets and definetly met some WACKOs and what not, but it was so much fun.  We ended up walking lots and laughing lots... I enjoyed being away from reality and the kids. But honestly the best part was coming home.....
to this.

 The kids got Ghiradelli chocolate, a shirt and Golden Gate Bridge paperweight....haha.  The hugs we got at the airport were priceless.  Nothing is better than this life.  I am so glad I married my honey 10 years ago and look forward to the future.  Thanks Jake for the trip and being my MAN!!!  Thanks for the beautiful life that we share. 

A little Facelift...

So today I was feeling a little bored with just the normal mundane chores...and I was feeling inspired by this...

and my new favorite website...www.pinterest.com.

Here you can see our humble looking curb appeal...

And at least now we have a punch of color. 

I am thrilled with the result.  Now I need a new front mat...and some flowers in pots.  ( I don't really like the wreath with it...it is a little too Easterish...so give me your suggestions on what you would paint the wreath?) 

Craft Night: Jewelery Holder

My friend Tina and I are a good little team.  She actually makes all of our GREAT ideas come to fruition.  We decided to have another craft night to make these beautiful jewelery holders.   I never would have gotten around to making it happen..but Tina set it all up and we had it at my house.  We had a great turnout and I am loving all of my new friends!
These are super easy to make.  You take a frame...cut out some chicken wire or I used a radiator cover.  Then attach fabric or paper to the back of the frame.   Then you can use s hooks to hang necklaces and your earrings hook right onto the wire. 

Here are just some of the frames that were done Thursday night.

Here is mine.  I LOVE it.  I wish it always showed that much red...but it doesn't in the room.

And there you have it!  I bought my frame, but if you get one cheap or have one already...the wire is minimal and I spent 2 dollars for the fabric.  Fun!  Fun!