Great Memorial Day Weekend

We had a really full weekend that included: Starbucks dates, Lots of Swimming, purchase of new waterproof camera, picked out granite for our planned outdoor shelf, Trip to the movies for the Pixar weekend (we saw Ratatouille), surprise ice cream trip, Cheesecake Factory (twice for some), 3 hour trip to San Manuel Casino, Celebration of James 21st birthday, Scooby Snacks, Sydney went blueberry picking with Grandma, Grandpa, Liz and Joshua, I ended the weekend with a beautiful drive up the Central Coast and dinner at Splash Cafe. 

Not Even One Leg

Happy "21st" Birthday, James!!!!!

A last minute (and late night) trip to San Manuel to celebrate James turning 21!


James-I so love being your sister!

Not Yet James.....

At 11:55PM James was carded and told he couldn't enter the Casino. 5 minutes later, he was in.

Going For A Drive

Today the girls climbed into the front seat of my car. Sydney announced they were going to Target and Brooke looked very pleased to be a passenger with her sister at the wheel. 


These girls are so adorable (If I do say so myself)-the smiles on their faces brings me so much joy.

New Quesadilla Recipe

I made this quesadilla the other day and decided it was likely the best quesadilla I ever had. 

Ingredients: 1 Flour Tortilla, 1/2 tablespoon butter, 2 Teaspoons chopped Cilantro, 5 Grape Tomatoes chopped, 2 Teaspoons chopped onions, 3 Tablespoons Extra Sharp Cheddar, 1 Tablespoon Jack, 1/4 teaspoon Cumin 

Directions: Heat a non-stick pan on high and and melt the butter. Once melted, saute the onions and tomatoes until the onions are soft, add the cilantro and continue to cook for 1 minute. Transfer mixture to side plate. Spray the pan with Olive Oil cooking spray, add the tortilla, fill with cheese and tomato mixture. Cook 4 minutes and flip quesadilla. Continue cooking 2 minutes or until cheese is melted and quesadilla is crisp.

New Ripstop Shorts

I have been wearing the shorts on the left for at least 6 years. These Eddie Bauer "Rip Stop" shorts are my favorite pair. A few weeks ago when I was on a shopping trip with Laura I decided to buy the replacement Rip Stop shorts on the right. I wasn't convinced I should get them and Laura reminded me that these are my standby shorts and they really do need to be replaced so I decided to get them. 

I did a comparison at home and found that I like the color, the buttons, and the pocket all better on the original ones. Even still, the originals were trashed (honestly even a little too ratty for the Goodwill) and I now am sporting my replacement Rip Stop shorts.

Kings Are Headed to the Stanley Cup Finals

I got the opportunity to go to the Western Conference Playoff Game 5 with the Dell (& Dignity Health) team. This was a really fun event and a GREAT game! 


First picture is the view from our box-AWESOME. Second picture was of me and Rob who I thought was the guy from Person of Interest-Crazy how much of a doppelganger he was. Third picture is of the Kings Captain accepting the trophy.


So the Kings won in overtime and the final score was 4-3. Joe, Dave, Michael Eddy, and I were the few Kings fans and were thrilled with the victory. (I think Richard wanted to be)


Bonus: Got to spend some time with Diane!

Storytellers Cafe

A couple of weeks ago the girls and I walked by Storytellers Cafe at  the Grand Californian Hotel at California Adventure. The table by the window had this ensemble of food on it and I am convinced that it was all to draw people into the restaurant. Mickey Mouse Waffles, Eggs Benedict, Fruit, Bagel, Full glasses of orange juice, milk, apple juice and a cup of coffee. 

I'm thinking it's a staged breakfast by Disney.......

P.S. Breakfast buffet is $26.00

Candyland

Yesterday, Sydney and I played our first "real" (With Rules) game of Candy Land. She won, twice and I only made sure I was sent back to the candy cane on purpose once. ;)

Kiersten's First Slumber Party

Kiersten is spending the night tonight and after some debate on what room she would sleep in, Sydney insisted she sleep near Kiersten so she ended up in the girls room. They all look so cute!

Elizabeth and Sydney's Friday Date

Yesterday, Elizabeth and Sydney had a playdate at our house. Sidewalk Chalk, Lunch, Swimming and Frozen Yogurt. They had a blast and I gave Elizabeth a new nickname, Lizzy :)

Lawry's Creamed Spinach

For about 10 years we (Mom, Becca, Rachel and I) have been making Lawry's creamed spinach for Christmas Eve and other special occasions. It is without a doubt our favorite vegetable dish so last night when we went to Lawry's I had to order a side of it for a comparison. What I found was that ours tastes identical but the texture is different. The bacon, onions and spinach are almost minced and ours is not, maybe next time I'll throw it all in the food processor first.

15 Years (In The Books)

It's hard to believe we have been married for 15 years. Tonight, we celebrated by going to Lawry's Prime Rib in Beverly Hills for dinner (First time for both of us). The food was outstanding and I quoted David saying it "Was the best meal I ever had"-wow. 

Highlights of the first 15 include: Sydney and Brooke, Katie (We miss her so much-she was with us for 13.5 of the 15), our best vacation was the cruise to Alaska, and in the 9 years since we bought our home we have remodeled the kitchen, completed an addition, and added a pool. Not sure David would agree with me but I am adding the purchase and use of Ravey (RV) as a highlight.

Thanks for a great first 15 years, David! I love you!

Two Arizona Favorites

I Hate D23

Seriously, how could the Disney Fan Club be a 23? 

I Think Ronner Would Fit Great in AZ

Mothers Day 2012

I really am not a fan of this picture but I adore these two girls. I am so privledged to be their mom.
Mothers Day 2012 included:
*Pool party at Thomas Cove
*Starbucks with my mom and my girls
*Andrew and Grace opening of Wedding Gifts
*First Mothers Day with Abbey and Kiersten
*Dinner at the Melting Pot with Becca, Mom and James

Not Birkenstocks (For James)

Frappucino Happy Hour-My Family Loved Me

Mean Mom

Sydney: Mom when you were a little girl and Grandma was your mommy was she mean to you?

Me: No, my mommy was very nice.

Sydney: Then why are you mean to us?

Note to self: Be nice

Graceful 22

In Case You Run Out Of Printer Ink....Try Butter

Couldn't help but laugh out loud when I opened the butter today. Given the cost of replacement ink cartridges I would say this is worth a shot for home users. Everyone should know that at work I will push back on having the team support this "alternative" solution. ;)

Not Yet Ready For Bed

And I Was On the Freeway

Consider Yourself Advised

Direction Signage

I wonder how many people in Pasadena are getting on the 210 freeway looking for directions to Sacramento? Of all the cities to pick why decide on Sacramento.

Glendale, Burbank, La Canada, San Fernando Valley would be my choices (in that order)

Friday Night Fun

This picture is so funny to me. When Joshua, Liz and Sydney decided to go into the spa tonight (by the way, this was the first time we used it) Brooke decided she would rather sit at the table and play "Temple Run" on the iPAD. 

It's A Stick Up

FSO Representation

All FSO managers stayed for the entire game. Two Sev 1's, good company, all you can eat food, and the Phillies won.

Best Fast Food Item

The Santa Fe Chicken sandwich from Carls Jr is the best fast food item out there. (This was determined by my own personal study). Runner up OS Chili Cheese fries from Tops (which I haven't had in at least 5 years)

In-n-out was not included in my survey (because I said so)

"Dont let your noodles lie around the deck"

Who would buy this dumb product?

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First Night In Our Pool

Forced Change From Blogger

Blogger has a new an improved interface. What's amazing about this is that the improvements include no fricken ability to line up the pictures correctly. AGHH