Photo GIVEAWAY!!!!

So I've had a few people approach me about shooting their pics for this Holiday season. Yes, it's that time of year again! BUT because I am not yet ready to pull out my cam for that application, I've found an option for all you early birds... BLUELILYPHOTOGRAPHY is having a GIVEAWAY!!! She lives just down-the-hill in Temecula. So to help her meet her goal of getting over 300 comments I'm doing free advertising (again!:)! so mosey on over to her blog and put your name in for an AWESOME photography experience.

HOPE YOU WIN THE SHOOT!!!!!

Birthday on a budget...

I tried to see how economical I could pull this off and still have it be super duper cute and fun!...











8 polka-dot invites made with CTMH stamps:
$1.00
24 foil STAR chocolate cupcakes with vanilla frosting:
$2.49
Balloon and streamer decorations:
$2.00
Colorful BIRTHDAY papergoods:
$5.00
Goodie bags/ prizes (with MUCH thanks to Moe for extra bday loot):
$3.00
2 fresh pizza's from 'I Love Donuts',chips and fruit:
$14.98
Borrowing a Bonzai water slide from a friend (THANKS Kaylynn!):
FREE
'Kid Tunes' off dish network for bday ambiance:
FREE

Throwing a party for my baby girl and her bestbuds w/o breaking the bank:

PRICELESS!!!!
(and I think this has been your funnest birthday party so far!)

Puss 'n Boots...

So Sarah's momma cat gave birth to ANOTHER litter. And after a little bribing and coaxing I FINALLY gave in and took home the kitty (for the kids, of course).

And can I just say... ALL MY LIFE I've HATED cats! I couldn't STAND having them around hissing, clawing and spreading all that hair. BUT... I MUST ADMIT after being around Sarah, she's opened up a whole other side of me. The "I love my Kitty" side.

We've had our little 'Bessie' for several weeks now and just love her to pieces. She's been litter box trained since day 1 (Thanks to Sarah) and will primarily be an indoor pet.

Now if any of you know our family... we've had EVERY pet under the sun. Our dogs run away, fish die, guinea pigs... oh, I don't even have the heart to go there. Let's just say we're not the best pet keepers. But having a kitten has been the EASIEST, LOVING, FUN pet so far. For the most part she just hangs out and the house has been her playground (so no expensive equipment). Oh! and she cleans herself. Just look at her. She hang out while Jared takes off his boots, too bad she can't put them away. (hehe!)

So coming from a former cat hat*r... If you want an SUPER EASY pet, consider getting a kitten. BUT make sure you call Sarah first... her momma cat just might have ANOTHER litter in the oven. LOL! Love ya Sarah!

Tricia's off to PRESCHOOL!...

Tricia (aka Emi) boarded a 'big girl' bus for the FIRST TIME. I was kinda scared she was going to cry. But she quickly let go of my hand and grabbed the hand of the bus aide and said "Goodbye Mom!". I was like, What? that's it? no kicking, screaming... crying to go home? ...RIGHT ON! That was easy

So after I snapped a few pictures and sent her off, I drove home, got the oldest two ready for school, dropped them off at their bus stop THEN came home with my monkey Moe, slipped in my aerobics cd and did my I-only-have-one-kid-home VICTORY dance! No really, we did.

Goodness, gracious... I can't believe I have one more off to school (silent HOORAY!). Of course I'm glad she's able to have this preschool experience before KINDERGARTEN. I just can't believe how big she is!

Now I don't know what I'm going to do with myself having only ONE kid at home. (hummm.... "BLOGGER, here I come!!!!".) Just playin', you know I've got better things to do than stalk your blogs!

another "Happy Birthday!"

to Jared! I know that you don't get on here unless I absolutely insist you read a blog here or there and I know that you'll be delightfully embarrassed that I post this but I just hafta let you know how much I appreciate ALL your hard work in providing for our little fam.

You're still the cutest guy on the block and I heart you 100 X 100!

LOVIN' you the mostest!

~MOI xox

Just for LAUGHS!

I read this off a friends post (Thanks Susan!) and I just HAD to add this to my list of FAVORITE, FUNNY, 'Why I stay up at night' blogs! I spent a good hour or so with Trish (on the phone, of course) reading this blog, , "Seriously, SO blessed" and we just CRACKED UP laughing. Trish is of course in the Bay area and I'm here in the So. Cal Desert but we both nearly peed our pants reading some of these posts poking good fun at our all to humorous 'Mormon' culture.

Such a fun, clever way of putting it into words.

ENJOY!!!

Tricia Emeli's turning FOUR!

Next week is my Emi Loo's FOURTH birthday! I can't believe it. She was just a baby when we moved to the desert.

Emi, you're such a FUN addition to our little family and we enjoy the sweet spirit you bring into our home (when your not fighting with big bully Moe. LOL!)

Emi LOVES to dress up princess, she can't get enough of her kitten "Bessie", and she enjoys walking the town in her high heeled shoes... or anything that shouts 'BLING! BLING!'. She is definitely our little princess. I just can't believe how BIG she is and how time just FLYS! We LOVE you so much Em. Thank you for being such a fun part of our lives!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS EMI LOO!!!