We are back!

I have obviously been horrible with this whole blogging thing for the past year or so... I tend to post a lot of pics on Facebook but have neglected my blog terribly. Lately I have really been thinking how much I miss it (especially when I see other people who are faithful about posting).

So here goes nothing... A commitment to start posting again. As much as for my keepsake as anything else. I want to have a record of my family and our adventures (since I am so horrible about scrapbooking). Feel free to come along!

Am I missing my children's childhood?

I was glancing through some blogs today and happened upon a post called "How to Miss a Childhood" on a blog called "Hands Free Mama". At first I thought this blog was written by a tree-hugger mom, someone who cloth diapers, grinds her own wheat and makes her children's clothing. Not that these things are bad... They are just things that I am not and don't do. Upon reading further, however, I discovered that this blog is about being INVOLVED. Involved with our children and present in their lives. This post, "How to Miss a Childhood", really hit home with me. In my mind, I don't think that I spend TOO much time on my phone, my computer, on other external distractions in my life. After reading this post, though, I realized that I do. Those times that I don't feel like I am missing out on things, I really am. Although I am grateful for technology and it is a time saver, it is a time SUCKER. Facebook sucks me in, my phone sucks me in. I have decided to take a long, hard look at things. To take stock of my life and what I need to do/change. Read this post. It is very eye opening.

How to Miss a Childhood 

Happy Birthday to Me!

For my birthday this year, my sweet husband and kids had planned many surprises!! First, I slept in!! Yeah!! If you know me, you know I LOVE sleeping. I then was brought breakfast in bed (complete with a menu made by Megan and basically whatever I wanted to eat). After I ate, Ryan called all of us down to the kitchen. He had made a poster and we had to find the clues (candy) to figure out what the surprise was. We found many candies and happily discovered that we were headed to our favorite hotel - Staybridge Suites! This hotel has a full kitchen, bedrooms and a small waterpark. Ryan had reserved a TWO bedroom suite and we were going that night!!

After we showered and packed, we headed into Salt Lake. We stopped and ate at Olive Garden (my favorite) and then went to the hotel. Steve came and brought his kids (my kids are best friends with their cousins!) and Darrel and Linda came as well! The kids swam and then we opened presents and ate cake and ice cream. If all of this wasn't enough, Ryan gave me an iPhone 4S! I was shocked! I have always said that I didn't want a smart phone, as I didn't want to pay for a data plan. But now that I have my iPhone, I'm not sure how I lived without it! I also received other wonderful gifts and overall, had a spectacular birthday! I'm so grateful for my amazing husband and kids!!

The Birthday Poster

Apparently I really liked my card...

My cake

Singing Happy Birthday...  Kailey looks thrilled.

Andrew helped me blow out the candles. 

Kailey, Ashley, Megan, Andrew and Emily (clockwise)

Megan loves to swim!

So does Emily...

Megan playing on the water feature

Another pic of Emily

$5 fabulous jewelry - Paparazzi style!!!

Last weekend, we went to the RV show.  We went to look at 5th wheels, motorhomes, trailers...  To dream about what we can't afford but want to buy someday.  After walking in and out and up and down, we went over to the vendor area.  We saw a lot of Yellowstone trips, camping supplies - lots of guy stuff.  But then Kailey and I stopped at a huge jewelry booth.  There were signs posted all over that said "Everything $5".  We attempted to make our way into the booth - there were SO many people there!!  Once we were able to get a look at the jewelry, we were shocked!!  $5??  Seriously??  The dang cutest jewelry - necklaces, bracelets, earrings, headbands, flower/hair clips.  We loved every bit of it!! 

We were immediately excited.  I wanted to hold a party, to SELL it!!  Who doesn't love fabulous $5 jewelry??  I talked to the consultant there (once I waited in LINE to talk to her - she was swamped!!) and found out the name of the company is Paparazzi Accessories.  Everything that they sell is $5.  I took her card and went home, intending to call her the next day. 

Well, I was so excited about the jewelry, I emailed as soon as I got home.  When I didn't hear back for a couple of hours, I emailed another consultant that I found on a website.  Well, long story short, not only am I having a party but I am selling Paparazzi Jewelry!!!  I have sold with a couple of other direct sales companies.  I have done okay with them but hated the whole ordering/delivery process.  A huge draw for me with Paparazzi is that it's cash and carry.  What you see that night, you buy and take home.  Easy peasy. 

I signed up and received my kit yesterday.  Holy cow - Merry Christmas to me!!  The cutest, most fabulous, glamorous jewelry!!  250+ pieces of it!!  I am SO in love!!  Here is just an example:

I have already made my display boards (they are almost all the way finished): (these aren't mine but mine are very similar)

 So my launch party is March 2nd and 3rd - Friday night from 7-9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.  You need to come see this great jewelry!!  And if you are interested in a great opportunity for some extra money with easy products to sell, Paparazzi is an amazing company!!  It is only $40 to enroll and then you can order the product that you want (at a 45% discount) or you can order a starter kit like I did.  The corporate site is Paparazzi Accessories. 

Emily the Princess

Emily is going through a phase of wanting to wear dresses every single day.  First thing in the morning, she takes off her pajamas, puts on a dress of Megan's and accessorizes, accessorizes!!  In addition to the dress, she usually has on a headband and many pieces of jewelry.  A few days ago, Emily came downstairs and said, "Look Mommy - I look like a princess!".  Yes Emily - you ARE our princess!!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful mom!!

Since my mom was celebrating her 65th birthday this year (shh!!), my dad decided that we should have a big party for her and plan something fun and surprising.  Sometimes my mom's birthday is kind of a bummer for her..  It's only 4 days after Christmas and over the years, it has often been shadowed by the lack of money and time following Christmas.  Not this year...  My dad had a plan!!

My sister decided to drive from San Diego to join in on the fun - I love, love having her come to visit!!  She was able to bring three of her kids with her - Aubrey, Julia and Michael.  My dad planned for us to take my mom somewhere for lunch while he was decorating the house.  Well, due to my running late as always, I missed going to lunch with my mom and sister but did join them at Gardner Village for a little while.

We then headed to my parent's house for the festivities.  My dad went all out on the decorating - the house looked amazing!!  He had also bought a big yummy cake and coordinated her gift from all of us.  We ate pizza, my mom opened her gifts (an iPad!!), and then we headed to the kitchen for singing, cake and ice cream.  We surprised my mom by putting 65 candles on the cake AND lighting them!  Although we did set off the smoke detectors, no one was burned and she was surprised!!  It also made for great pictures!

My beautiful mom

Ashley and Aubrey

Hadley, me, Steve, mom

My dad and mom

Hadley, my dad, Corey

She loves the iPad!

Getting the candles on the cake

An amazing cake!

Trying not to blow out the candles

Hoping the house doesn't catch on fire...

Make a wish!

Christmas and our families

We are so lucky to have so much of our family live close to us (except for my sister - boo!).  This year, we went to Darrel and Linda's on Christmas Day in the early afternoon and then to my parents later in the day.  We were all spoiled with wonderful gifts and had a great time visiting, laughing and enjoying spending time together!

Justin, Liam, Lacy and Brandi

Megan, Lori, Liam, Chanse and Dylan

Our girls having a great time!

The crazy fun!

Now to Grandpa and Grandma Mathis's house...  Steve and Grandma holding Kate opening a gift

Steven and Andrea's new kitty (Rocky)

Kate loves the kitty

The sassy 7 year olds and best friends - Ashley and Megan