Coaching T-Ball

For those of you who didn't believe that I was actually coaching T-Ball as I said I was--- here are a couple pictures of proof (nevermind the lazy hair day). And for those of you who didn't know, yes, I in fact got suckered into coaching Abby's team. Chris was mad for accepting after he turned them down, but he was a good sport and helped me out anyway. He hated it!! I, surprisingly, didn't think it was all that bad- we had a cute little team, not a good team, but a very cute one nonetheless. And yes, those hills behind me are the same view we have from our backyard- NICE! GO Phillies! (Thank heavens the season is over...)

Favorite Websites of the Day

I wasted too much time today on silly websites and thought I would share so you can waste your time too...

www.davidlebovitz.com

www.thepioneerwoman.com

www.recipegoldmine.com

Disclaimer- The author of this blog cannot be held responsible for the reader's inevitable misuse of time, and or addictions that may result from visiting said sites....

Grandma Grace

Chris' mom, Grandma Grace, was here to visit last week... which means a few inevitable things will happen--- the kids were spoiled rotten, Chris and Grace always get in a fight and then make up, we'll stay up too late one night debating, talking, and laughing, we'll eat good food, and did I mention the kids will be spoiled?? These are some pics I took at Gardner Village before we took her to the airport...

Landscaping Update

Last time I was complaining about what a pain in the butt landscaping is- and it is but look at the final (initial) results... we still have a lot more to do- with trees and plants alone- but... I think it's starting to look pretty good. We had to bring in 11 truckloads of top soil and about 6 pallets of sod, three large trees, eight large rocks, four fruit trees, eight garden boxes, way too much vinyl fencing, and about 15 yards of concrete, and WAY too much money--- but now, it looks great and it will only get better. We may be poor now, but at least we have a nice backyard...haha

Dad's Graduation

My Dad has always been so supportive and proud of me, that I wanted to make sure that I was there for him when he FINALLY graduated with his Bachelors! The funny sidenote here is that when I was looking through the pics to post- I was taking pics and didn't get any with him and I- so there isn't any evidence that I was actually there- I've got pics with Him and Mom, Scott, Jodi, Robby, Aidan- but not me. But I promise, I was there (behind the camera as usual).
But I just have to brag a little here and tell you how awesome my Dad is- I could write pages and pages but I'll try to keep it short and sweet- my Dad is the hardest working guy I know, he has always made it a point to take care of us, even if it meant putting his own wants and needs on hold. He can whip anyone's butt at Trivial Pursuit. And if you need an opinion on style, design, or anything creative- he is your go to guy! He can't last as long as we girls can shopping- but he has a radar for the cute stuff and the great deals. I can probably count on one hand the times that he was really mad at me- and because of that, we knew when we screwed up. I always knew that he loved me, was proud of me, and that he was fiercely protective of me and my siblings. I loved going to the beach, camping, shopping, bikeriding, painting, rollerblading with Dad when I was younger too. And now, I'm so proud of him for finally doing what he has wanted to for so long- get his degree and more importantly in ART! He is an amazing artist, and has a style all his own. He's always been so creative and talented- now if we can just motivate him a little- he might actually become a successfully selling artist as well, who knows! I know this is kind of random and choppy- sorry- and I could brag more but let it be known that I'm proud of my Dad, and I love him so very much! Congratulations Dad, you finally did what you wanted to do when you grew up... I love you!

Wicked

Here is Kemari and I at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood to see WICKED!

Scott and Amanda were smart enough to come with us...

Jodi got to come, while Robby stayed home with Aidan- sorry, Robby!!

Here is all of us-the Marks', Amanda, Dad, Mom, Scott, Me, Jodi, Kemari- FUN

Here are Kemari and I with the Capitol building behind us, waiting to go in...

My very cool Mom and Dad...

We're here... we're here...

So- for those of you who don't know- Kemari is my new neighbor/new best friend in Utah. When I said I was going to Cali for my Dad's graduation- she wanted to come and it turned into a very fun Girls weekend. We shopped, ate great food, talked a whole lot (one night until 6am- how old are we???), and she got to meet my awesome family (she says she understands why I am the way I am a whole lot more now), and obviously we got to see WICKED- which was wicked awesome by the way- if you get a chance- go see it!! What a great weekend- did I mention no kids or husbands?? What's not to love about that? AND, we got to celebrate Kemari's thirtieth birthday- what an old lady!

Random Thoughts

First, I have to start by sharing that I just ate about a quarter of a cheesecake while I was getting caught up on everyone else's blogs- thanks a lot. I will try to post again soon with some fun pics, since I know Jodi only likes blogs with pics. They are coming... don't get your panties in a bunch. Secondly, it was so fun seeing everyone, except notably Nic, T, and fam... but it just reminds me how you should all move closer to me ;) since I know how much you all dream of being Utarded!!
And, I just have to say that Wicked was awesome!!! And here is an attempt at some random happiness- albeit short and sweet and not nearly a complete list...
I LOVE...
-obviously, Cheesecake
-Chris, Isabelle, Abigail, Claire, and Zachary
-all my California family
-my awesome blank canvas house with endless possibility for projects (aka The Maloy Manor)
-my quilting craziness
-my laptop, so i can do this in bed
-my almost neverending supply of cute serveware, glassware, dinnerware, silverware
-my newly fenced and sodded yard
-lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer
-the fact that all my laundry is done, and most of it is even put away
-that my kitchen is clean right now- sweet
-that I had cheesecake, chocolate souffle with chocolate custard, and buttermilk cupcakes with fresh strawberry frosting for dinner last night!!!!
-that the toilets are clean right now
- that my bff lives in my neighborhood
-that Chris thinks I'm cute even when I'm not
-that we still like to smooch 11 years later, and I'm still better at it, and I can still take his breath away, and catch him off guard
-that everyone is healthy, and happy, and learning, and growing, and all that stuff
-that I can watch TV, surf the internet, send e-mail, and play games on my new phone!!
-ice cream, ice cream, ice cream
-that even though I'm 30, I can still eat cheesecake and ice cream
-and my all time favorites- a good conversation, and good food- preferably together
-visiting home
-coming home
-when my kids are playing nicely and not fighting
-those rare sweet moments that are truly authentic and memorable
-when I remember what is really important and truly makes me happy!!