Crazy Lola!

Ma-gah Donna stopped by Saturday afternoon unexpectedly with a few surprises for Lola. While shopping at TJ Maxx earlies, she discovered a few items of funcky clothing that she thought Lola needed to have! One being the skirt/leggings combo seen above - just so happened that I had the perfect shirt to go with it! Lola looked adorable in it and pranced around before school (notice the just woke up and got dressed hair, I do it downstairs, so the stuff was on the counter and I obviously didn't go down there before I took pictures) and after (again, brushed hair)! Of course she threw on a pair of my shoes that she went and got from the closet! Little stinker! She is my accessory queen!

Thanks Ma-gah Donna, we love her new clothes!

Spaghetti for Sue

I got myself into trouble when I posted about making homeade spaghetti and meatballs and chocolate chip cookies a few weeks ago, as that is all I am getting requests for come birthday time! Susie dropped several hints that it would make a great birthday meal and I picked up on it quickly and got right on it! So today, she cashed in on her present!

I would say it was a crazy birthday day! We ate, we sang, we played, we ate some more, and then it was time to go home!

Hope you had a great day Susie, we love you! Happy Birthday!

The Birthday Girl

Frank and Chad enjoying some football!

Camden blowing kisses!

The Creels

More kisses

Waving bye bye!

Chad amidst all the kids and the video games - not surprising!

Yes, 31 today! I fit all 31 candles on Jearel's "Better than Sex" cake!
Boy was it delicious and who knew he was such a baker?!

Winding up to blow out the candles, as you can see, at one point it looked like a big ball of fire on top of the cake!

Make a wish!

Frank and Chrissy

Jearel and Susie

The Garretts

Jayla

Lola going under the bridge - aka, my legs! She thought this was a hoot!

I love her.

The Swishers

Frank, Chrissy, and Susie

Me and Lola

This was our attempt, after a loooonnnnngggggg day!
Chad was annoyed, this was about the best that we got! Go figure!

Caught on Camera!

HA! Susie text me around 8pm telling me that she was going to meet up with her brother and did I want to come?! Ummm, let me just say that I was in my pj's, snuggling Lola, trying to get her to bed, but thought to myself, what the heck! As soon as I got Lola down, I kissed my boys goodnight, they were watching the new X-men, and went to have a drink with the birthday girl!

I know that I don't get out much, so Susie made sure to have someone take a picture of us as proof that once 8 o'clock hits, there is still hope for me!

While I only stayed for a little while, as I had much cooking to do in the morning, I had a great time! Thanks for the last minute invite, I am sure you were shocked to see that I actually showed up for once!

Happy Birthday Susie!

Font Frenzy!!!

Here is how I learned to do this! I was blog hopping and saw this on someone else's sight, left a comment asking how, then went to search and see if I could figure it out myself and Wah-Lah! This is a great website that gives step-by-step directions. You will need some time to sit down and figure it all out - it can't be done in 10 minutes that is for sure! Have fun playing if you decide to play!!!

A Sad and Unexpected Day

I write with a heavy heart. This morning I dropped Delilah off at her vet's office for a pretty standard surgery. She was having her teeth cleaned and nails trimmed, as well as having a tumor removed from her leg.

Delilah has had surgery before, so we anticipated picking her up after work today, as she has never had problems with anesthesia. The vet said to call around 2pm and they would let us know what time to get her! When I heard the message from the actual doctor at ten o'clock this morning, a immediately got a bad feeling and called right back.

When he told me that she passed away, I was speechless. He gave me a few details, then we hung up. I didn't know what to do. How was I going to tell Chad especially? Should I wait until work was over? I knew he would be calling this afternoon to see when he could get her, so I thought the news better come from me. I asked God quietly for strength and then made the call. I called the vet back and asked more questions, finding out that she did okay during surgery, it was after where she struggled and they tried several times to bring her back, but could not get a heartbeat.

My next thought was - how is Kyan going to handle this, he begged to take her this morning and I wouldn't let him (so now I feel incredibly quilty too). What everyone should know is that Kyan has an amazing strength and calmness about him and probably understood better than the rest of us. Where I want to blame everyone else for her passing away, he is reassuring me in the fact that Delilah is keeping Brion company up in heaven! He also knows we will be burying her and is okay with saying goodbye there. Again, Kyan continues to amaze me.

Yes, Delilah was just a dog, but she was a HUGE part of our family. We will miss her slobbery face every single day. Poor Fletcher already misses her presence tremendously. We love you.

Kicking off the Cardinals Season!

Today marked the home opener for the Arizona Cardinals! Chad and I headed to meet up with friends bright and early this morning at Westgate, while Laken and Celeste babysat! I don't know who was more excited - Chad and I to get out or Kyan and Lola for "the girls". We have had a countdown every single night, for the past 5 nights, as to when "the girls" will be here! Today was the day and everyone was happy!


Kyan tried to make as many annoying faces as possible for the camera this morning!

My little cheerleader!

GO CARDINALS!!!

Finally a cheese smile :) Meanwhile, Lola can't take her fingers out of her mouth - I believe she is teething...AGAIN?! I am pretty sure she doesn't have any spots left for teeth!

Cheesin' it with my babies!

Ok - had to post this one so you could see the progress I am making on my hair! It really is growing, working on getting the back all one length and growing out those bangs again! I have been having the urge to cut it, but just got colored and gave strict instructions that no matter what I say or do - NO CUTTING ALLOWED! Zonia said she wouldn't book me for a haircut and will claim she doesn't know me if I called, whew!

Ok, so wanted to post this one to show off my sons progress - he is really getting good! No cutting or editing on this one! Go Kyan, he will be my little photographer!

I was his model today?!

Family Picture time before we left to the game!
Thank you Celeste and Laken for always treating my kids like GOLD!
They love when you come over!

Kyan and Daddy

Oh Lola - she is crazy and I think that this picture sums up her personality so well!

Kyan, my sweetheart!

102 Minutes That Changed America

I remember September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday. I remember my mom calling me and telling me to turn on the TV - I didn't believe what she was telling me until I watched with my own eyes. I remember having to go to college classes that day and not wanting to leave what I was seeing with my own eyes. I spent the entire day, including time in every class, watching.

I haven't watched since...until today. In my reading class, I read with my students about it, but I haven't watched. Tonight, I watched. There is an amazing documentary on the history channel (think you can catch it on again at 9pm and I know it is downloadable from itunes) called 102 Minutes That Changed America.



I can only imagine what people were feeling and my heart aches for those that lost their lives or who lost loved ones.

September 11, 2001 is a day that I won't forget. If you are reading this please just take a moment of silence to remember all of those involved - victims, family, loved ones, and heroes that were there.

Another Addict!

So my parents were in town for the holiday weekend - let me clarify, my dad has been here for almost two weeks, golfing with his buddies, my mom flew in on Thursday evening, and we spent a lot of quality time with them! Sunday, Kyan and Chad went and bought Rock Band 5 - so we invited my parents over to "play" with us. When they agreed I was shocked and so did not expect what we got! My dad played a few songs on the drums and showed off his beginner skills and did awesome and I thought that was it...little did I know that he would play more! He reminded me of me when I first begged to play with my family! He eventually took the mic and rocked with the Rosies all night long! The only reason we stopped was because he lost his voice! Kyan was our photographer for the evening, while my mom and Lola busted a move! We had so much fun and I anticipate more rocking nights like these!

Look at the concentration! He so wanted a good score!

The Pro

Singing until the mic was taken away!

Self-portrait (think he has seen this happen one too many times!)

Cheesin' it for my boy!

Watching daddy and grandpa get down!

Dancin' Queen

So into his singing!

Ma-ga (as Lola calls grandma now?) trying to keep everyone entertained! She even busted out in the splits, but said she was going to kill me if that pictured ended up on the blog! I am saving that one for something good! HA - I love you crazy mama!