Imagine Me and You

Robot Party-Part One---Decor

2011-03-03T14:22:00.006-07:00

It was a double party for Harrison and his cousin Dawson (who was born 4 days after him). We had tons of fun!! I had been thinking about and planning this party for about 1 month with lots of help from my Sister-in-law Jessie and Emily (Dawson's mom) and my mom. (thanks guys:)

First off, you see the "Picture banners" that Jessie and Nikki helped create.

Then those beautiful cupcakes with Cupcake toppers by Yours truly:) (and then Jessie helped finish them up while I put Harrison to bed)

The signs for the food (made once, again by Jessie) read such things as 'Wiring','Computer Chips, 'Nuts & Bolts' 'robot Fuel'....in other words super cute!!

Next is the picture is that Handsome little Harrison wearing the Robot shirt that Grandma Pammy made for him ( and she made Dawson a matching one as well.....so cute)

And we also had a "Robo-tize" yourself set up for pictures....you see me and Harrison(the cutest little Robot ever!) My dad made this for us, I think I am going to keep it as a permanent fixture at my house, anyone want to make themselves into a robot come on over and take a picture!

I have pictures of the banners and the tables but need to load them on my computer, so you will see those as soon as I do.

This party was so much fun to put together and I had a lot (i mean a LOT) of help, especially considering that both the boys came down with strep one week before the party (which caught up to me, mid-week....luckily Adam was spared, I swear, that man has an immunity system of steel:)

Anyway, I will post more soon, this is just a preview...

I just can't believe my little boy is ONE!!!!??!!

It has been the greatest year of my life!!

He is such a good boy! I consider myself very lucky to have been sent this little boy and get to be his mommy.

What a DIFFERENCE a year makes

2011-01-13T10:00:00.006-07:00

(not the best quality of pictures, but good enough to see what a handsome boy I've got...toot my own horn much?? toot, toot:)
Last night as I was playing with Harrison to help him get the wiggles out before bed, I had an epiphany! Well, not really, but I was thinking of how different our lives were one year ago!

We were awaiting our little boy's arrival...and finally he came...and time started moving in super speed!! Them a certain someone upstairs (:) decided we needed a kick in the pants and a lot of changes started coming our way. We have changed jobs, towns (while still in the same area, it really feels like in another state:) changed wards, schools. Pretty much everything around us changed, but we are all healthy and happy to be here together and know that we have lessons to be learned and opportunities to be open to.

I was going to say so much more, talk about the lessons I have learned about Friendships and making new friends (not as easy as it seems in fact, you actually have to leave the house and put yourself out there:) and then I looked over at Harrison and realized I would much rather play with him, then write at the computer about things that are really not as important :)

Are you jealous that I am hugging and kissing that little bug, even as I type ? You should be, it is the cutest thing to hear his laugh and his "talking".

I'll come back soon (while he is napping) to talk the 1st Birthday party(Robot theme) I am planning for him and more:)

Lovin' Life

2010-06-16T11:58:00.003-07:00

Lots has happened in the last 7 months but rather than catch up we will just start with the birth of my little joy!!

Isn't he such a cutie, since it is my blog, i get to brag :)

I had him about 2 weeks early because of pre-eclampsia.Which equalled what felt like forever in the hospital before he came but It was an amazing experience that I will never forget, but that is all the detail i'll put on here

This is m y first post back, but i have to make it short because my little one just woke up.

Travis, i posted specifically because you asked me to, i will try to keep it up. (Hope you guys are doing well) :)

Big Announcement

2009-10-14T09:05:00.003-07:00

Sorry no pictures for this post (they will come it has just been very busy for me lately). But, I have an announcement to make........

I am having a baby!!!!! And it is going to be a BOY!!!!!

I am due in the beginning of March and we are beyond excited!

There will be more to come, but I just wanted to spread the good news (to the 2 of you who read this and actually already know:)

For The Beauty of the Earth

2009-09-11T14:59:00.007-07:00

If you haven't been to Wyoming, you're missing out on some beautiful country. Here is a bunch of pics from our visit for my (side) family reunion in July. We all met up in the mountains (about and hour from my hometown) at a lodge and stayed in some cabins for two days. It was so much fun. Chase kept saying how great it would be to live in one of the cabins:)

After a couple days at the cabins, everyone met up to do some White Water Rafting!! I have done this a couple of times before and it is awesome. Sadly this time Adam and I didn't go because I wasn't feeling good:( I told Adam he shouldn't miss out, but you know, solidarity and all:)

These Tee-pees are in front of the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum. When I was little, we lived in a house across the street from here and I can remember playing in these often.

Yes, that is a real live wild rabbit running around and a real live little Ammon running after it.
This is from the shootout that takes place in Cody, in front of the Ina Hotel and Saloon
Chase and cousins Kyle and Ethan with the cast

now, I do not endorse stealing gold and drinking, just wait Chase gets his due....

He got Locked up. Let that be a lesson to you folks!
This is my cousin Tammy, we were putting together the annual float for the Byron Days Parade

Adam and our nephew Cole getting ready to get on the float
Chase and I, we are so excited , the parade is about to start
This is a picture of the most important piece of the float, my Grandma Dorothy(the Beautiful woman in the red chair) and also my mom (the beautiful blond sitting' on the tail gait) and some more 'Cozzens'. The guy flashing me in the background is my bro-in-law, Brian, I don't think he was aware I actually got the shot. Ha Ha, Bri! :)
Here we were celebrating Adam and Summers(my sister) Birthdays. (please excuse me in the picture, I still wasn't feeling well and had just woken up from a nap.......excuses, excuses)
This is Adam lighting off some of his Cache of fireworks (don't tell anyone, but he snuck some home too) I think this was one of his favorite parts of the vacation.
And then here are some pictures of THE best fireworks show that you will ever see. (We had just been to Disneyland before this and both Chase and Adam agreed this show was better than Disneyland's....now that is saying something) Part of it is because, well, I think they spend the entire towns budget on it (just kidding) and also because it is so close, Literally right above you.

Anyways that was our fun trip to Wyoming, it wasn't that long ago and already I want to go back.....oh and did I mention how gorgeous the weather was? No 120 degree weather, not even 95 degrees.....it was Heavenly:)

I'll try to post again soon, I have some good stuff coming up if I ever get around to it......you know me.....I'll try:)

California. Disneyland and the Beach, what more could you ask for?

2009-07-23T13:13:00.009-07:00

Did I forget to mention that before our awesome family trip to Wyoming, we spent a weekend in California......well we did. And being so close to Disneyland, how could we not go....so we did. Here are our pics from the trip. (the wyoming trip and pics will come next.) My sister and her family also came to California and it was a fun trip. We spent a day in Disneyland and 1/2 a day at the beach. The hotel we stayed at had a better view of disney's firework show than disneyland did...so that was cool! All in all, the trip was a BLAST!!

(I don't know why....but for some reason I am never able to get my pictures in the right order. Yet again, I meant these pictures to go from bottom to top!! )

Come back Tomorrow

2009-07-22T11:50:00.003-07:00

We just returned from a FUN family reunion/vacation!!! It was a little bittersweet to come home. It's always nice to come back after a few weeks away, however when you come from 80 degrees to 120 degrees and your whole body melting the minute you step off the plane, it kinda makes you think "why did I come back????"

Anyway, I have the day off tom.(YIPEE!!!!!!) and will be posting a whole mess load of pics. From the mountains of Cody Wyo. to the best fireworks show in the most unlikely place(Byron---my hometown of 500 people) and lots of family fun.
So, come back tomorrow to check out our fun vacation.

By the way, am i the only one who as an adult still has a hard time spelling tomorrow?? Every time i have to think hard about it....did I spell it right?

anyway, see you tom. :)

Happy Birthday

2009-07-06T15:14:00.005-07:00

Happy Birthday Adam! Thanks for being the wondeful man that you are. I love you more than I could ever say...."to the moon and back" :)

Happy Day!!!! I LOVE you!

Happy 40th Anniversary Mom & Dad!!!

2009-06-02T04:57:00.001-07:00

Happy Anniversary!!!!!

Today is my mom and dads 40th Anniversary! On Thursday night, we (the kids& grand kids---minus Trav,...we missed you!) threw mom & dad a surprise anniversary dinner. It was wonderful! I wish I had pictures to show (but I have to get copies from my sister) My sister had transformed her basement into a wonderland :) It was kinda hard to pull a surprise over on my parents (lots of emailing between my brothers & sisters & I, just to get everything as perfect as we could.) But to see the looks on the faces, their reactions were priceless. I will never forget their 40th celebration, and I am so glad to have been a part of it. Then we sent them off on a romantical vacation, so they could celebrate this wonderful day! Above are only a couple of my favorite pics of my parents. (to be honest it was hard to choose only a few, but otherwise all of you would be watching a 10 minute slideshow :)

Mom and Dad,

How can I ever Thank you enough for everything you have done for me. I am so lucky to have you as parents. You have taught me so much through your examples. Everything good that is in me, is because of you! You two are more amazing than I can even try to put into words. The love you have for each other is inspirational! Whenever I see you look at each other or talk about each other it is obvious that you two were absolutely made for each other, and that you are still madly in love. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for being just who you are!

You have set the bar high for all of us, but have also shown us the way to follow in your footsteps, so we can LIVE full, happy lives. I love you both with all my heart.
Love,

your baby

P.S. Trav, thanks for getting on my case about blogging:). I just had a "little" hiccup, I will get back to blogging more regularly. We really did miss you at the dinner, but can't wait to see you and Grandma in July....it's coming quicker than we think:)

Better Late than Never......Christmas!!.......At Last

2009-02-06T17:22:00.000-07:00

Move Update: We are finally moved out of the old house and into our new one (we are still unpacking) but at least that move is OVER!!!!! Thank goodness!!! My Internet finally got turned on here, so now that a lot of the stress is gone, i figured i would finally post some of our Christmas pictures. :)

Chase opening a present on Christmas Eve
Chase & Kyler, Christmas morning at the Huish's
This is my little avian tree (birds and owls and tinsel, oh my)
     Our Christmas tree
and stockings...it gets better, i promise
   Hopkinson family gift exchange
      Picture of my peanut gallery
Chase's stocking @ Grandma Huish's
Sadie & Chase, roasting marshmallows
   Chase and Cole

Grandma and Santa
Adam & Santa...good buddies
Me and Santa (of course, I have my eyes closed)
Summer, Heather, Grandma, Me and Mom

So there is a taste of our Christmas Holidays. It was wonderful to have Chase here. Also, my Grandma Dorothy came down for a couple of weeks. It was such a treat to have her here with us. She is the best Grandma ever and one of my favorite people. It always makes me happy to have her around.

Adam, Chase and I had a quite little Christmas Eve (with Steak dinner, thanks to my wonderful husband), we let Chase open up one present (that was pretty much all I had wrapped at that point)then Adam & Chase watched a movie while I wrapped and wrapped to my hearts content. Christmas morning came and Chase was so excited to see that Santa had brought exactly what he wanted: a Pokemon Nintendo DS (that was quite a find, Santa was calling all around town just to find one, and found the last one in town), after Chase had a chance to look at his loot, we headed over to the Huish's for breakfast & more presents. After that we came home and rested for a while and headed down to Tucson where we spent the next few days celebrating more Christmas with my family. We had our gift exchange, our traditional Korean dinner and yet another gift exchange (white elephant......the kids love it, and we could not do away with it)

It was so great to be around our family. We had so much fun! I could not have asked for anything more.

Next Post: Pictures of the Moving MESS and some of the new house in progress. At least that's the plan :)

Wyoming Girl

2009-01-12T08:19:00.007-07:00

Billings, Montana

The next 4 pics are Sadie and Adam trying to have a snow fight with me. They had snow, I was only armed with a Camera (NO FAIR!!) But, look at the smiles on their faces.

We had to run to Cody to go to the Pharmacy for my Grandma, this is the snow storm we hit on the way back. This is also the first time Adam drove in the snow. I was so impressed, he did such a good job. There were times when we couldn't even see 10 feet in front of us......Scary!!!

This is my Dad and Cole. Sadie loved to have Grandpa take her down to the riverbank to play.

This, of course, is my handsome (and tough-looking) husband, in front of my Grandma's house.

Another picture of Billings. This is actually from the day we got there. (the first picture was from the day we were leaving)

Cole and Sadie at the Airport.

We moved to AZ when I was 8. But, I still lay claim to being a Wyoming Native! Because my Grandma still lives there, it still feels like home to me. Don't get me wrong, I like AZ. I am grateful that we moved here. But, whenever we pull into town in Wyoming, I just feel good. It is absolutely beautiful. And I have so many, many great memories there!

I was finally able to find a good enough deal on plane tickets that I got to take Adam with me this time! His first time, and I was so excited to show him all the different places from my youth, share all the memories and great things I remembered. But it IS a VERY little town, and that didn't take long :) Also, we were only there for a couple of days, so for ME it felt like we didn't have a lot of time.

One thing I thought was funny was as Adam and I would leave to go anywhere (the next town over, so I could show him my mom's "summer house" and to go to the grocery store in the other next town:), every time without fail, Adam would say "Are you sure you know where we are going?", I kept re-assuring him that of,course I did. Finally I just snapped "I KNOW WHERE I AM GOING, I GREW UP HERE!!!!" (it doesn't hurt that the towns are so little, there is NO way to get lost:)

Even after we moved here, I still went back to Wyoming every summer. I would get to hang out with my family & cousins. But some of the funnest memories are working with my Grandma at her store and running back and forth between my grandparents houses (they lived across the street from each other).

So, now there is a bit of a pang when I look across the street, at the house that I spent so much time in and see another family living there (I know, it's kind of silly).

Anyway, it was a great trip, as you can see , it SNOWED!!!!!!I had fun, it was good to go back, if only for a few days. But the best part about it was that we got to bring my Grandma back for CHRISTMAS!!! It was so great to have her here for the holidays.

I can't believe how fast Christmas has sped by. I can't believe it is 2009! Did you really read that. 2009!!!!!! Well, since I took a break from posting for the holidays, I will be posting my Christmas late (as in..... mid-January:)

We are in the process of moving into my sisters rental house (which just so happened to be just down the street from their house) and hopefully we will be all moved in and unpacked by the end of the month (Fingers Crossed). At which point, I am considering having a little party.......i don't know. Would you come?? I know it is quite a trek to get to me...............

Come back soon for some Christmas in January, Moving & new house pics,........and lots more fun!!!

I hope everyone of you had great holidays!

It took me awhile to get in the holiday spirit (the day chase arrived to be exact:), so I am a little reluctant to let them go!

Not a creature was stirring.....

2008-12-25T01:39:00.003-07:00

Merry Christmas to All!!! and to all a good night!

Hope everyone is having a WONDERFUL holiday.

I have tons and tons to share, just waiting until I can actually take a breathe and upload my photos. So, Seasons Greeting and I'll be back soon.

Christmas Is Coming..the Goose is getting Fat

2008-12-04T12:39:00.010-07:00

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!!! Yippee!

Christmas Tag, here we go:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love wrapping at Christmas time.. I use the gift bags for birthdays. Weird distinction, I know.

2. Real tree or Artificial? When I was little, I thought real was so great, now that I'm the one cleaning up after it, I like fake trees...i can keep them alive a lot longer:)

3. When do you put up the tree? Ideally I would put the tree up after Halloween...ok, after Thanksgiving....At least by the first weekend in December (this year i'm a little lame. as long as I get it up by the time Chase gets here, i'm good:)

4. When do you take the tree down? Not until after Jan. 1st. AT LEAST!

5. Do you like eggnog? Not a bit! However I am a HUGE fan of Hot Cocoa (or Hot Chocolate, if you will)

6. Favorite gift received as a child? My parents always made Christmas very special. I can't remember a Christmas that they didn't get me something WONDERFUL. When I was 6, I asked for a dinosaur(my mom found me the coolest stuffed Triceratops). One Christmas, they got me my very own guitar.I could keep going there are so many.

7. Hardest person to buy for? My Mom and Dad & Adam's Parents

8. Easiest person to buy for? Chase

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, but have not put it out yet.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Um, I like receiving either!

(By the way, thanks Proffitt family, yours was our first this year. Margaret, you did a great job, soo cute)

Oh, you were asking what I send..............am I a loser because I have never sent out Christmas cards? Well this is my New Years resolution. You will all be receiving Christmas cards from me next year. (and by that i mean you will be receiving this years card, next year..when I finally get them done:)

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Is that even possible? I thought it was all about the thought behind the gift, not the gift itself.....that's what I have been told my whole life. Although, now that I think about it, a couple of years ago when I worked at ___________, my boss gave us each a bottle of wine(or champagne) for Christmas. "Worst" is a little harsh, but i didn't get any use out of it, except as a dust collector.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? "The Christmas Story", "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", "It's a wonderful life"...they are great, love em' all.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I try to keep my eyes open all year long, but usually really start around Thanksgiving.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't think so, unless you mean "Literally" recycle, then maybe, because I'm sure by now, some of the toys and things I got when I was little have actually been recycled. Oh, that's not what you meant..... Well then if your going to call me out about it, the wine I talked about in #11 did make a gift for someone else to get use out of. (Is that bad????)

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Cookies, cakes, Peppermint bark, fudge, all the yummy goodies that come with Christmas...Figgy Pudding, mm-mm (exactly what is figgy pudding?)

16. Colored or Clear Lights? Remember the old Colored Christmas lights the normal sized bulbs (not these tiny little LCD ones), i used to love those. We had those forever. I remember not even imagining using only clear lights on the tree and then I saw my friends tree, done in only clear lights, with lots of red organza(?) ribbon and giant "candy" it was beautiful. Now I love both colored and clear. (so, it was less heartbreaking when my favorites died and my mom switched over to clear lights)

How can you not love both? Christmas lights in general are soo beautiful.

17. Favorite Christmas song? "Oh, Holy Night", "Baby it's cold outside", "Carol of the bells"...I love Christmas music. I can't listen to 'Mannheim Steamroller' without thinking of my mom decorating our house. She would transform it into a magical Christmas Wonderland. It was so fun.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Depends on where we would be traveling. As long as your with loved ones, it doesn't matter if your home or traveling to wherever.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I like both. Not at the same time of course :) This year I think it will be a star, unless I find a glorious angel (that is NOT creepy looking)

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? I like the tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve and the rest in the morning. I also like the tradition of cheating on that Idea and actually opening a couple (if not most) on Christmas Eve.

My first Christmas with Adam, we opened all our presents early evening on Christmas Eve, we just couldn't wait any longer. Then it was kind of sad because the only presents that were left were Chase's and we knew Santa wasn't coming for us(Adam & I) in the morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The crowds. (i will walk right out of a store if it is toooo crowded.:)

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? It is always changing, I can't pick just one color. My mom would put up mini trees all around, with different themes and colors, we got to choose ours for our bedrooms ( i had an M&M themed tree one year:) Someday, I'm going to go all out, like she did, it always made it so much more magical and exciting.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? We have a family tradition, instead of having the regular turkey or ham, we have a traditional Korean meal(my dad went on a mission there) I think it is the coolest tradition my mom started. It's one of the things I really miss at Christmas time, now we have moved the tradition to my dad's birthday.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Santa, are you listening? Bring me a BABY!!!!

I'm an easy one, lets go with anything, music, art or craft related or clothes or jackets......or.........:) I think I am actually quite easy to buy for, if I do say so myself.

Actually this year I want a Bamboo Fun drawing tablet. (hint, hint babe)

26. White or Warm Christmas? White!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you aware that some people do not even know the magic of a white Christmas?There are songs written about it for a reason. Didn't you hear the guy who wrote "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas", lived in Phoenix, AZ....... I actually just made the last part up

27. Favorite thing about Christmas? Christmas Lights, everyone is happy and cheerful, hot chocolate, Christmas lights!, and sooo much more.

28. Favorite Christmas Tradition? We are still picking & choosing the best ones from each of our families traditions, to make the best ones for our little family. What are some of your traditions? I wanna hear some good ideas from other families.

29. Favorite Christmas Location? North Pole???

I don't know how to answer that.

30. Who do you tag? Who ever wants to have some Christmas fun.

Thankful

2008-11-26T07:31:00.006-07:00

I am Thankful for my handsome husband who loves me the way I am. Who wakes up early and goes to work for us. Who will step in and make dinner when I am too tired. Who helps me clean, when it has gotten to be too much:) Who told me just the other night that he is still Truly and Madly in love with me. Oh, how I love him and I am so thankful that we Finally found each other. (i waited quite awhile for my prince to come.....it was soo worth it)

I am Thankful for Chase and the chance that I have gotten to be a step-mom.

I am Thankful for my family. For my mom and dad who have set a wonderful example of who to be "when I grow up" :) For my brothers and sisters(and in-laws), that I can safely say are some of the coolest people (and would be even if I wasn't related) and they have some of THE cutest kids, each of who have brought me so much happiness over the years. I love being an Aunt.

I am Thankful for my Grandma Dorothy, who has been not only one of THE greatest Grandma's ever, but is also my safe heaven(over the years, anytime I needed to go somewhere so I could just breathe, I went to her and she always made me feel better). I love,respect and am in awe of her....and I want to be just like her.

I am thankful for my friends. I have been blessed with some truly great friends and I am thankful for each of them for their own special reasons. But they are my true friends and I am grateful. (you know who you are!!:)

I am thankful for the house we live in, and thankful for the opportunity to move even closer to my sister.

I am thankful that even in these tough financial times, my husband and I are both able to work and pay our bills (yes, I did just say I was thankful for working...weird, i know, but in these times as people are losing their jobs at the most inopportune times, I surprisingly am thankful for my job.)

I am Thankful for the values and lessons(and gospel) that my parents raised me with. (i know sometimes they might have thought it didn't sink in:) It did! And I believe that it makes all the difference in Life. I am not perfect ( by far) but my parents have given me the tools to go in the right direction to live a full, happy, fruitful life and I am grateful to them for it.

I am Thankful for these things and so many more, like the beautiful weather we have been experiencing and the chance to go visit my Grandma in a couple of weeks......and SOOOOO much more.

Happy Thanksgiving

Chase's Visit/ Halloween 2008

2008-11-11T12:50:00.009-07:00

I felt like the above picture needs an explanation. During the festivities, this is Adam talking to my dad and brother about the new game "FIREBALL" that he came up with. "So first, you take a ball and then add the ligh......." :)

Thank goodness no one seemed to want to play, maybe another time.

Oh, how I love him and his great ideas:)

We had so much fun while Chase was here. We went out to breakfast, (Adam & I had taken a couple days off) hung out with family, had a great Halloween. It was so much fun and the time just flew by. He is back at his mom's and we are missing him.

On the bright side, time seems to be zooming by and Christmas will be here in no time!!!

(Note:I posted my pictures on here in the wrong order, just keep in mind the time line went from bottom to top......not that important but, hey)

Creative Outlet for me, Yoga for you.

2008-10-22T08:35:00.008-07:00

So, you might remember a while ago (April) I posted about wanting to get creative this summer and do somethings i had been wanting to do.

Well, (just so you can see that I do follow through on some things:), here are some of the things I used as my Creative Outlet.

The first two pictures are of a box I have made for my sister Summer. (It is still not quite finished, but I will get it to you soon, Summer, I promise.)

The next picture is of a Halloween Serving Tray that I made to get into the spirit of things.

The 4th picture is of an Oil Painting that I have spent too long working on and am finally finished with. I am listening to my Dad's great advice and moving on to start a new painting. (Some day I will post some pics to show how this painting started out, and how differently it ended up.It began as a 'copy' of Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' but I wanted to change some things and then .....I.......well pretty much changed everything).
So this painting is going in my kitchen for now.

The last picture is of a "Wedding Box" I made to keep all my Wedding treasures that I don't want to loose.

So, these are some of the things that have kept me busy creating. There are many more things(or projects) strewn around my house that are just awaiting finishing touches (which, I am sure, makes Adam so happy. Sometimes it looks like my Studio exploded allover the house......glitter, paint, paper, fabric....everywhere)

Also, I wanted to let everyone know to head over to Lotus Tree Studio blog. My sister Summer is an awesome Yoga instructor. You may have seen her at places such as Gold's Gym or Mountain Side Fitness. Well, LUCKY for us she has opened her own studio and is offering classes for you or your little ones (at amazing prices, I might add!!) You should try to get your little ones into to one of her classes. They will LOVE it!!
I will be at her class tomorrow (Thursday) night.
Will I see you there?

Yippee! Hooray!!! Woo-Hoo!!! Ya-hoo!!

2008-10-14T14:50:00.004-07:00

Chase is coming home for Halloween!!!!

..........Excuse me, I don't know if you heard me, but CHASE IS COMING HOME for HALLOWEEN!!

For any of you who may not know what I am talking about.... Chase is living with his Mom, Step-dad and little sister in CA this school year. It was a hard decision for Adam and I to live with, but so far Chase has been really happy about making so many friends there. So anyway, for us, it feels like he has been gone forever and we are so excited to have him home. He will be here from the 25th to Nov. 2nd. And then he will get to come back for a couple of weeks for Christmas. (I'm trying to plan a trip for us to go there to see him around Thanksgiving........we'll see)

Anyway that is our current exciting news and I just wanted to share.

(Check back tomorrow if you want to see all the pics that are going to accompany this post:)

Let's Get POLITICAL !!

2008-10-02T14:17:00.003-07:00

Please,DO NOT just ignore this because the word Political is in here.It really is an interesting read and good FOOD for THOUGHT !!!

I'm not really sure what GENIUS thought of this, but they are in fact a GENIUS and I, for one would vote them for the Nobel Peace Prize. (that's if my vote counted or anyone asked me, which it doesn't and They didn't:). But I found it online and thought I needed to share this:

{I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.

Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a "We Deserve It" Dividend.

To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.

Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child.

So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up...

So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.

My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a "We Deserve It" Dividend.

Of course, it would NOT be tax free.

So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.

Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.

That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.

But, it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.

A husband and wife have $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?

Pay off your mortgage – housing crisis solved.

Repay college loans – what a great boost to new grads.

Put away money for college – it'll be there.

Save in a bank – create money to loan to entrepreneurs.

Buy a new car – create jobs.

Invest in the market – capital drives growth.

Pay for your parent's medical insurance – health care improves.

Enable Deadbeat Dads/Moms (yeah, there are some of those, too!)to come clean – or else.

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back.
And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it... instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ("vote buy") economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.

If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG – liquidate it. Sell off its parts. Let American General go back to being American General.

Sell off the real estate.

Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.

Sure it's a crazy idea that can "never work." (or could it???)Can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!How do you spell Economic Boom?

I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion "We Deserve It" Dividend; more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC ..

And remember, This plan (the Birk plan) only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

Write your congressmen. Tell them we solved the problem! }

It seems so simple, Right? How come John McCain or our Celebrity candidate Osama....i mean OBAMA didn't come up with this??????

Let me know what you think, I'm really curious to see others opinions on this one...

Fun Finds Tuesday !!! Why, because it's Tuesday.

2008-09-23T08:16:00.008-07:00

Little Birdie on my doorstep: $2.47 clearance at Michaels

Instant Inspiration that hits me when I look at this little guy : Priceless

1914 Typewriter (in working order) + time spent with my loving husband (Adam found this for me at an Estate Sale I dragged him too. He got it for $15!!! He has a bit of the bargain shopper in him as well) : Priceless

How do you like the photo? I threw the wedding box I made in there for good measure :) ...more pics of that in a post to come....)

Pink Glass Cake Stand Trio : $14.95 from ABC Distributing

Vintage green glass measuring cup (actually on loan from my mom, it was my great grandma Bealle's ): Priceless

Owl Bank : $ 7.00 Clearance from Target

Adam's response to my insanely intense need to own this owl. "You have been talking about it for weeks! It is finally on sale...... GET IT!!!!" : Priceless :)

practice vocab...end world hunger??

2008-09-10T12:26:00.006-07:00

While blog hopping(through Tastespotting) I found a website that is supposed to help end hunger through the UN Food Program. Now, I don't think I am going to end world hunger all by myself just by playing a game on the computer:) but I thought if I tried this out and had just one or two people (the one or two that read this blog!!, yes that's you!:)try it that it might make a small difference to someone, somewhere.

So the website is Freerice.com . Anyone who knows me knows that I love to read, practically anything (at least anything that can keep my attention, such as young vampires in love or aliens taking over our bodies...just joking ..kinda....i also love many classics, just to defend myself) well because of my love for reading I of course love vocabulary(I am often correcting peoples grammar and usage of vocab, which is often times annoying to them......just ask Adam). So I was drawn to this website where you can practice growing your vocabulary(but it doesn't have to just be Vocab, go to 'Change Subjects" and you can try ART, Grammar, Chemistry, Geography, Math and Languages--Spanish, Fench, Italian & German and at the same time help in ending hunger around the world. Take a look at the site, just spending 5-10 minutes a day on it could really help. I spent about 10 min. on there and in the process got 10,000 grains of rice donated. They donate 20 grains for every right answer ( now, I know that is GRAINS, not pounds....but if we each spent some time on there whenever we were on the computer, I think it could make a difference, right?! )

In just checking out each of those options and having a little fun, I just donated another 4000 grains of rice and that was while I was at work making phone calls, appointments, etc.

See how many grains you can donate. It's actually kinda fun!!

***Funnily enough while I was writing this I had a memory of a fight I got into with a friend in 6th grade all about grammar. I'm not going to use names but my friend J was saying something or other about us playing ball with "the boys" and she used the term "catched" in whatever she was saying. Well, me in my 'know-it-all-ness' for some reason didn't let that go and I turned to her and condescendingly said " j, is it Caught. C-A-U-G-H-T!" (yes I even spelled it out for her) She got this look of rage and then we had it out in a little hair-pulling cat fight that ended quickly as recess ended and we had to get back to class. I thought of that and laughed... What a little PUNK I was! Ha, Ha, Ha

* Wait, is 'Funnily' even a word??? Guess I'd better get back to practicing my Vocab.

Is Summer Fun, Done????

2008-09-03T20:13:00.005-07:00

Chase is going to school in California this year, so he went back to his mom's last week. It's been a little lonely without him and we miss him so much. He started school yesterday and called afterwards to let us know he made a friend!! He was so excited! I'm happy for him that he is enjoying it and making friends fast but I miss him. I am already looking forward to when we get to go pick him up and bring him home for a week or so at the next school break. Here are a couple of pictures from the day he left. Luckily, I had work off, so Chase & I got together with some friends and went to Peter Piper Pizza. We had a lot of fun! Here are a couple of pictures from our lunch. Notice the last one. Each arm around a girl, both whom have said they are going to marry him.:) Oh man, they need to stay little forever...........

Adam wants me to make an announcement!

2008-08-20T17:14:00.003-07:00

Adam has an announcement he has been wanting me to make since Sunday (i did not really want to, have not been in the blogging mood, but here goes). He is so excited he can't even contain himself. He is bursting to tell people, even strangers on the street.

Can You guess what could possibly get him so excited???????

A new "addition to the family"......................

A Wii !!!!!!!!!!

Exciting, right!?!

Below is a pic of the proud papa and his new little one. He also set up the following 2 pics (as a "photo shoot" for the little guy)

I have heard little of anything else since this system was released. From both my boys...(the big one & the little one) it was Wii this and Wii that. I let birthdays & Christmas pass by and I found other (better, in my mind) things to entertain them. Then, finally this weekend I have been run down. I buckled like a bridge with crumbling supports. I folded like a bad poker hand....however you want to say it, pretty much, i gave in. We got it this weekend and have already spent hours of "family time" playing Wii together. The boys seem very happy with it. Yeah Wii!! (I think the above pic sums up my enthusiasm well...during the picture adam said "look mad, like you don't want it"......oh, ok thats going to be a strech. :)

We all scream for ICE CREAM CAKE !!!

2008-08-04T10:11:00.002-07:00

So, I promised Ice Cream Cake and here it is.
I made this cake twice in July(for my sister's b-day & for Adam's sisters b-day) I tried 2 different ways and am going to explain both.

So, my sisters b-day was the beginning of this month, and her hubby was going to be away at drill, so I wanted to do something special. So, we(Adam & I) made dinner for all of us and then I wanted the cake to be extra yummy! Y'know, a cake that was a little different than anything I had made before. So I thought Ice cream cake. I had read some recipes in different magazines in the past and thought "well that can't be so hard, I probably can just wing it"....well.......
Ingredients: Cake Mix (or homemade cake, if you prefer)
1 Gallon Ice Cream (I used Breyers Triple Chocolate...white, dark & milk chocolate all in one, kinda like Neapolitan, but better!:)
Frosting of your choice.
***that's it, 3 ingredients...too easy!

So the first time I made the cake, (Duncan Hines Devils food...mmmmm)Yes, I used a cake mix. (any of you who think this is cheating is apparently unaware of the whole reason we have these mixes. 1.It saves TIME and 2. I already know it tastes good) Anyway I baked the cake in 2 8" rounds (for top & bottom) and then set the ice cream out for about 10 min (to soften) and spread on the bottom and threw that into the freezer for only about 15 min (because of time constraints) Then right before we headed over to Summer's house I threw the top cake layer on. When we got there I frosted it with Fresh & Easy Dark Chocolate Frosting(which I was not a huge fan of, i thought it had a Raspberry taste, random I know). It is the cake in the last pic (i know not the best pic). It ended up being really yummy, but probably could have been more frozen. So that led to my second try.
I wanted to figure out a way to have the ice cream part more frozen. So thanks to my genius husband, I froze a "disc" of the ice cream about an inch think in the 8" round cake pan (see 2nd pic above) then place that between the layers of cake. That actually was less messy worked very well. I would advise keeping it in the freezer as long as absolutely possible...i mean like minutes before you cut it, then take it out of the freezer.
As you see from the pic above when we went to add the frosting it stayed out a little long and started melting into the frosting. The frosting on the second cake (the blue one) was made by my S-i-l Jesse. It is whipped cream cheese frosting and is fantabulous!
I will post that recipe soon.
Sadly, I didn't get a great pic of the finished cake, but no matter how it looked, it tasted awesome, if I do say so myself.
Now my mouth is watering and I'm stuck at work with no cake to eat.

Summer Fun

2008-08-04T09:43:00.003-07:00

This is just some of our summertime fun!

Funny Story, completely unrelated to these pics or summertime fun. It's a bit of a confession, so I am trusting you with my secret.

**Last Night, Adam & I were watching previews for movies. He pulled up the preview for the next twilight movie, since I just read her new book........(hey, i know they are for young adults....i don't wanna hear it).....During the preview we had the following conversation:

Adam: Did he just rip that guys head off...?

Me: (very matter of fact-like) Well, that's how you kill vampires.........(silence).........except the only things that can kill them are other Vampires and Werewolves because their skin is like stone. So, to kill them they have to be ripped apart and burned.........

Adam: (Stunned Silence)...............(incredulously) Did you seriously................N-E-R-D........ I AM going to buy you a twilight t-shirt:) !

Me: Nooooooooooo!

we both busted out laughing.

I guess I am a twilight nerd. It's a little embarrassing. But at least it's not like it's my favorite book..I just like it a little..Oh , alright. You know what, I don't have to justify myself here. ! :)

Think YOU'RE having a bad day?

2008-07-24T22:21:00.003-07:00

Warning: The following photo contains graphics of a violent nature. Please do not continue on if you have an affinity for birds or ever had a pet bird that you loved so much. If any of your kids happen to be seeing this over your shoulder, let them know that this is a professionally trained bird actor recreating dramatic events and that No actual birds were harmed in this picture.....um, it might work, if they are young enough.

Funny Story: Months ago, Adam I were @ Big-o Tires, waiting forever for our car. And at one point the employees were gathered around the computer and talking excitedly. As we were the only customers there Adam started a conversation with them to see what the hubbub was about. Apparently, one of them had been driving down from up north and when he got out and walked around his car there was a huge white bird in his grill. So, he had come in to show all his friends at work. We saw the picture of it (it was quite sad really) and it almost looked as if it were a goose or something, the guy was bummed because it had caused quite a bit of damage to the front of his car. Adam piped in and said that he should turn the picture into a poster with the caption "think you're having a bad day?"..we all got a good laugh (at the expense of the poor bird)

Then just a week ago we were going to the grocery store and Adam pointed out this poor little guy. I had to get a picture so that I could remind myself that no matter how bad a day I'm having....it's not this bad.

**Spoiler Alert---I've got a couple of good posts coming up, maybe even a little ice cream cake:) Stay tuned. :)

Happy Birthday, to my Sisters, Summer & Heather

2008-07-12T22:50:00.005-07:00

Happy Birthday!!!

How lucky am I that I was given two of the best sisters ever? My big sisters have always looked out for me from the time I was born. They have been such a great example to me and I love them very much. It's also so great for me to have best friends just built in like that:)

Summer:

If it were possible to have twins be three years apart, that would be me & my sister Summer. Not necessarily because we are so alike but because we know each other so well. We shared a room from the time we were little until I was about 16 or so. I can remember being little and after my mom & dad would put us to bed Summer & I would just talk & talk, about everything from what we were going to wear the next day to the boys we wanted to marry to what ever questions would pop into our little minds. I've always been fiercely loyal and defensive of my sister Summer. She can sometimes have a tender heart and (even though I sometimes caused her to be sad) if anyone(else) hurt her feelings or anything, they had better WATCH OUT!(i'm still kinda that way:)

When we were little I remember tagging along with Summer & her friends, I know that can't have always been easy(for her) but she has always been so good to me. Summer and I have always been close, I'm not saying there was never fighting(because there was)but Summer and I somehow have a connection, and no matter what, we are always there for each other. I am so lucky because that same sweet friendship has continued over the years. Summer & I live down the street from each other and I get to see and hang out with her and her wonderful little family all the time (and I treasure that).

Heather:

The first year after we moved here, I shared a room with Heather, I was in second grade and she was a senior.( she handled it well, I'm sure it wasn't easy to have a nosy little 7 year old always around) I can remember her taking me to a MT. View Football game with her & her friends and she was always very patient with me, she never seemed to mind when i would come in and annoy her & her friends when they were over(...poor heather..it must have happened a lot, because I remember always trying to get attention from her & her friends). After she left for college she married an awesome guy and moved away(he is a surgeon, so he got to go to school in many cool places).They have always been willing and happy to have us stay with them. I have so many wonderful memories of visiting Heather & her family wherever they were living at the time. I got to go to Seattle! I got to go spend a summer in Hershey with them! I spent a much needed Vacation in Florida with them while they lived there, and then happily they settled down here in Arizona. It was wonderful and fun to visit them in the many places they lived, but I am so happy they moved here so that we have been able to spend more time together. It's been so fun to watch her family grow and watch her be such a wonderful mother.

A couple of years ago, I was going through a hard time, I was really unsure of choices I had made in life and where I was headed. Both Summer & Heather were the best friends & sisters I could have asked for. Heather would ask me down to Tucson to help babysit her girls and give me some much needed time & money for it(and she slyly snuck in great conversations full of good advice:) And Summer made sure I wasn't lonely, she was always willing to let me hang out with her & Mitch(and Sadie). Summer & Heather both made sure I knew who I was, they were there to remind me of my potential and that it's never too late to make the right choices. Thanks to you both. I love you both so much, and am truly grateful that you are my sisters.

So I hope you both have wonderful birthdays!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Happy Birthday, my Love

2008-07-05T20:27:00.005-07:00

My life absolutely changed from the moment I met Adam. For me, the moment he walked in, I was drawn to him. He has an awesome smile and these boyishly mischievous eyes. I knew that I needed to be around him as much as I could(and that never seemed like enough). I could see right away that he had a great sense of humor (to go along with his rugged handsomeness) and that we actually had a lot in common. We were inseparable from that point on and within days of going on that first date Adam & I both knew we were meant to be together (no eye rolling.......i know, i used to do it, but these stories are real. It really can happen like it does in the movies:). I can remember the morning after our first date, I sat and talked with my dad about how this guy(Adam:) was special and I knew something was different about him. I remember over the next few weeks I called my mom to gush about him(she was out of town for a month, at the time)she could tell how serious I was about Adam and said a couple of times "wait, I need to meet him" or "don't go getting married until I get home" :)

Adam has a son from a previous relationship, he has custody and has raised Chase(with some help from his family). It takes a lot to raise a kid and to do it alone.....I was really impressed and respected him for doing it.

Chase is a wonderful boy with such a sweet heart. I see so many similarities between father & son. I fell in love with them both and am thankful to Adam for the chance to be step-Mom to Chase. It is not always easy, but I would never trade it for the world :)

I am not going to go on and on (for worry that I 'll get too boring, mushy, cheesy, or too personal) but I love this man and am so happy he came into my life. (a special thanks to Bryce & Diana for the introduction...thank you, thank you, thank you:)

Adam, Thank you for being such a wonderful husband.....for helping with the dishes and cleaning the house(without me having to ask). For being so supportive of the creative things I like to do. For complimenting me and making me feel beautiful. For giving hugs & kisses( without me having to ask). For making me laugh. For watching the "stupid" shows with me(the silly ones I like). For being my other half:) Now that we are together things make so much more sense:) And thank you for so many more things......that i am not going to list because I am getting too mushy & cheesy..at least for this blog.!

Happy Birthday Adam!! I love you so much.

WALL-E...Environmental propaganda or LOVE STORY??

2008-07-01T14:43:00.002-07:00

I went to see WALL-E this weekend in Tucson.

It was a group of us: Me, Adam, my Sister, my brother, dad and some of my nieces & nephews. I have been waiting FOREVER for this movie to come out. For some reason from the very first preview I saw, I knew I would like this movie.

So, Imagine my surprise when after the movie I assumed everybody would be giving rave reviews just like me…..but no, people apparently have other opinions(the nerve….).

So, for those of you who live in a hole and have no idea who or what WALL-E is, it is the new Pixar animated film. In a nutshell the storyline goes something like this: Humans, in their laziness, completely destroy earth. They however are surprisingly smart enough to come up with a ‘Temporary Escape’ plan to live in space until the earth is healthy enough to re-colonize. Flash forward 700 years and little Wall-E (a portable trash compactor and cleaner-upper) is alone on earth, with his cockroach friend, and the humans are still on a ginormous spaceship wandering around the solar system getting stupider & fatter year by year. Every so often they send down a robot to collect specimens to test and see if the earth is livable again. Which is where EvE comes in and the Love story starts!!!!
Ok, ok so I am not going to write down exactly what happens (I don’t want to spoil it for those who have not seen it, and for those who have, well, they have already seen it!)

So, were they shoving Liberal and Environmental Propaganda down my throat?….well, honestly a little. But were they completely wrong?……my answer is No!
I agree that we have made huge and necessary progressions in the last 100 years, but our resources are being used up so quickly, at what point will the earth really just have nothing left to give……OK that might be the hippie in me talking. J

My brothers main argument about why he did not really like the movie was a good one. He wondered, How could they build this massive spaceship that could carry and maintain a population for 700 years but they couldn’t figure out a way to build a ship to take all the waste and trash into the sun? (or something like that)…good point Todd.

Adam & my dad didn’t really like how the humans were portrayed. Which, I guess, I can see what they are saying, but again here I have to ask were they(Pixar writers) wrong? Hasn’t our society gotten fatter & lazier. It HAS!!!! (talk to your parents and grandparents about their childhoods and it will be obvious that with each generation we get a little lazier). In the movie all the humans are floating around on hover chairs b/c they are too fat to even walk. They have a virtual screen in front of their face, speakers at their ears and they are always on the run (they have fast, fast food). Is that not a well thought out analogy for how it is in our society today? I think it is.

Holly, you are asking “why get caught up in this, it’s just a silly story”. Well, I know that it is a Cartoon (yes, I know) I know that the main characters in it are Robots, but I have to argue that it is one of the cutest animated Love Stories Ever!!!!! I dare someone to disagree .

The way Wall-E kind of craves contact…..The way he watches out for Eve and then…when Eve realizes that Wall-E watched out for her(and falls for him), when she was shut-down (he protected her from the rain & elements) I thought it was so cute to watch as he ( a some what run down robot) tried to connect with Eve (who was wayyy advanced and all about her ‘mission’).

Anyway I would say this is a must see for anyone with kids or if you are just in the mood for a nice ‘little story’.

If, however, you are completely sick and disgusted by Hollywood producers, writers, ect shoving liberal, economical and other propaganda down your throats, you might want to pass on Wall-E, until you are in a better mood :)
Coming Soon---we went to Tucson this last weekend, read all about it! :)

Happy Birthday to my big bro Todd

2008-06-25T09:08:00.004-07:00

Happy Birthday Todd!!!

I am thankful for my brother Todd, and for the relationship I have with him.
Being the baby of the family, I was definitely messed with and teased when we were little,(admit it Todd!:) But luckily Todd also took the time to play with me and be a great big brother. I can remember making videos with Todd & Summer and just having tons of fun(Todd would come up with these grand ideas...he even did a cool claymation video when we were young).
Thanks for making me tough with all our play fighting(when we were little:)
Thanks for letting us play Nintendo too. (I sure loved Mario & Yoshi:)
Thanks for going to best buy and all over town with me so I could use my learners permit. (I even talked him into taking me to Romeo & Juliet.......I'm pretty sure he made fun of it, i loved it:)
Thanks for being such a wonderful big brother.
Real quick, a kind of personal story (Todd, I don't know if you remember, but it meant a lot to me) Years ago, Todd and his wife Sheila were living at my parents house for a small time. One night, I went through my first "serious" breakup, and my brother could hear from the next room that I was upset(it might have been the extra loud "break-up music" I was playing:) he came and knocked on my door, asked me how I was and gave me a hug, telling me everything would be OK. (He didn't try to minimize it or mention how it was all for the best....even though it was! He just made sure I knew he was there & he loved me).
Todd met and fell in love with his perfect match Sheila soon after he returned from his mission. and together they have raised 5 amazing kids! (i know, I think that about all my nieces & nephews, but that doesn't mean it's not true..they really are all amazing).
Anyway, those are just a couple of reasons why I love my brother (there are many more).
Have a great Birthday!!!!

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T10:45:00.008-07:00

Happy Fathers Day to: My Dad, Adam, Mike, Todd, Brian, Mitchell, Steven & Travis

My dad is one of the most amazing men I know, he is My HERO. He has set such a great example for me in the way he lives his life. I have always been impressed that he was able to take his dream and make a living of it(he is an awesome artist)while supporting a family of 5 kids. He has always been there for me and I love him for that. My dad has the best sense of humor(that I like to think he passed on to me:) . He has a love for art, music and history(which I have as well.) I have memories as a little girl when my sister & I couldn't sleep, my dad would grab his guitar and come in and sing folk song to us(sometimes my mom would join as well) One specific song I remember him singing is "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel. I chose this song for my Dad/daughter dance at my wedding because I think it sums up my dads and my relationship perfectly.

When you re weary, feeling small

When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;

I'm on your side, when times get rough

And friends just can't be found

Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.

When you' re down and out,When you' re on the street,

When evening falls so hard. I will comfort you. I'll take your part.

When darkness comes, and pain is all around,

Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.

Sail on silvergirl, Sail on by.

Your time has come to shine.

All your dreams are on their way. See how they shine.

If you need a friend, I'm sailing right behind.

Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind.

All through my life, I have seen my dad treat my mom with such great love and respect. It has been inspiring and taught me not to settle for anything less than that in my own relationship. I have seen him always treat people with respect and kindness. Dad, you really are quite amazing! I love you so much dad.

I am so thankful and proud to be your daughter.

Douglas, AZ

2008-06-02T11:49:00.003-07:00

We went down to Douglas this weekend to visit Adam's grandparents.
It was fun for me to finally meet them. The trip there however, was a little annoying for us all. First, we didn't get out of town until after 7 in the morning and then not 2 hours into the trip the other cars(in our 'caravan') tire blew. The tire could not be changed roadside because the lug nut(or something or other) was stripped, so we waited for a tow truck to get us to Marana (has anyone ever seen Marana.....not a place I want to be stuck for long.) Finally they fixed the tire and we were all on the road again. Then sadly my S-i-l got pulled over and got a ticket. It was one thing after another. So, we reached Douglas long after we had expected.

While there, we got to listen to Grandpa Huish tell some amazing stories from his younger days. Adam kept himself busy fixing the swap cooler, (he is amazing...i swear he can fix anything if given the right tools..a jack of all trades!) and we got to look through their pictures (from back in the day) I really enjoyed it.
We didn't get home until Very late that night, so we took the next day to recuperate.

American Idol Winner...David...........

2008-05-28T08:11:00.007-07:00

Big Joke :)...sorry, that was just a tease. I don't watch American Idol at all! and have no clue who won. It just seems to be all people talk about..........(no offense to those who do watch, it is a personal choice:)

I had a wonderful birthday (thanks to my hubby, family & friends). Adam worked hard to make sure it was special for me(by making it last for a whole week....i am one lucky girl!) Here I am with my Love at Benihanna's (so fun, we went with Summer & Mitch). Also , on Friday, my sis Summer & the kids took me to lunch at Firehouse Subs. It was a great 22nd birthday!!ha, ha. O.k, maybe not 22, but it was still awesome.

Pics from the Pool B-day party my Sister-in-laws planned (thanks Jesse & Emily...and Summer for letting us use your house)

They say it's your birthday.....well it's My Birthday too! yeah

2008-05-22T07:26:00.004-07:00

The Birthday festivities started last Saturday, my (S-I-L's) got the family together for a pool party. (pics will come soon).
So how will we celebrate here on the blog?
You get to read lots of tid-bits about ......ME......exciting right?!

5 Jobs I have had
1. "Counter Help" @ Cozzen's Cash Store in Byron Wyo...my very first job!
2. Ice Cream girl & Sandwich maker @ Pandas (remember good old Panda's...i miss it)
3. Front office @ Chiropractor
4. Front office @ Wellness Center
5. Front Office @ Sleep Clinic.....is there a pattern here?

5 T.V shows I watch(ed):
1. The Office
2. 30 Rock
3. Anything on the food network
4. Grey's Anatomy (used to....)
5. Veronica Mars (until it was , sadly, cancelled......i loved it)

5 Places I have been
1. Hershey, Penn & Washington D.C.
2. Orlando
3. Seattle
4. Durango, Co
5. Wyoming, Montana, Idaho,Utah, Nevada, California.......lots of art shows, I got to go lots of places

5 Places I want to visit
1. Ireland
2. The rest of Europe, but Ireland is first.....i need to see London, Paris, Florence, Rome, etc.
3. Hawaii
4. New Zealand
5. China
OK, I pretty much want to travel all over the world.

5 things I want(ed) to be when I gro(e)w up
1. Dolphin Trainer...don't laugh, someone has to train them to do all those tricks:)
2.Doctor....i wanted to be a General Practitioner...kinda random, I know,
3. my Mom...i know it's not really a job, but I really wanted to be her...in all our make believe games Summer was always Samantha or Nancy, but I was always Pamela.......
4. Musician
5. Artist

5 Favorite foods
1. Mashed Potatoes
2. (home made) Chicken Noodle soup
3. Any thing CHOCOLATE
4. Bulgogi (Korean Beef) and rice. (they have a spicy Korean beef dish at 'Taste of China" that is the closest take out I've found)
5. Sandwiches

5 things I do in my spare time
1. Read....i love to read
2. Paint and other fun creative things :)
3. Cook...or, should I say Bake
4. Shop...if were are being honest about things. I used to HATE shopping, now not so much. There is some kind of endorphin or chemical or something released that makes shopping so relaxing....(is that the right word?)
5. Hang out with my loved ones.

5 Most memorable birthdays (my family was always great at making my birthdays memorable)
1. 6th Birthday---I got a goat from my cousin (i named her MaryLou.....I'll post more about her some other time), it's also the first one that I have actual video footage of and can remember really well.
2. 16th Birthday--My first real Surprise party !!!
3. 18th Birthday
4. 22nd b-day
5. 26th b-day---the first birthday my hubby was around for !

So there is some info, don't you all fell like you know me a little bit better? :)

Tomorrow(or so), I"ll post all the pics from the pool party, and let you know how the Birthday went...so far, so good. :)

Happy Belated Birthday to Travis

2008-05-19T20:26:00.002-07:00

Happy Birthday to my brother Travis!!!

I am still working on my scanning issue(hence no pics).

My brother Travis has spent the last twenty years of his life serving the great U. S.of A. He joined the army at 18 and was in the first Gulf War (Desert Storm), after that he served his remaining years and then joined us in the civilian sector for a couple of years. After 9/11, my brother joined back up and served in Korea and has gone and served two more tours in the middle east.

He has been a great example to me of Patriotism! I think that having him over there has made the whole situation a lot more real to me. It has been eye opening to get a view of what is going on from someone who has been there and seen it, rather than just trusting what I see & hear on TV. I have always worried about him while he was there and know that his was not an easy job. But someone has to do that job and I am very proud that my brother Travis has. Thanks, Trav, for being willing to sacrifice and fight for and protect all of us that live in America.

One memory I have of Travis from when I was little is when I was about 5 yrs old, we lived in Wyo.(the house on the little hill) and I was outside playing in the Snow (yes, snow...it is rain that freezes as it is falling to form snowflakes, that then falls and gathers into beautiful white blankets:) for those poor souls who don't know) with my brother Todd & sister Summer. Someone who shall remain name less "accidentally" hit me in the face with a snowball. I ran inside crying about the snow in my eyes. (give me a break, I was 5) and my brother Travis was cleaning his glasses. Travis picked me up and set me on the counter as he dried my face and eyes with his towel.(and I'm pretty sure he got after my brother & sister for making me cry:) Now this may not seem all that important but it stands out in my mind, as a time when my big brother selflessly took the time to make his little sister feel better.

Happy Birthday Trav! Hope it was a good one.

Happy Mother's Day!!

2008-05-11T21:46:00.007-07:00

These are not the pics that I had planned on using, however, my scanner is not working,)

1st pic-my mom & me on my wedding day

2nd pic-my mom, summer,cole & I, in front of my grandma's store

3rd pic-Mom, Dad, me & Sadie at my wedding.

4th pic--Mom & Dad..how cute are they!!!!!No, Seriously, how cute...right!

Happy Mother's Day!!

My mom is actually out of town today. She is up visiting my Grandma, and I am a little jealous that I am not there too. Both my Grandma Dorothy and my Mom are such AMAZING women and mothers, and I thank my LUCKY stars that I am theirs.(and they are mine......i get a little possessive of them :)

In the last 2 years, my life has changed quite a bit. I got married, became a mom AND my mom & dad moved away. ( i know it is only Tucson, but sometimes 2 hours feels like a million) Because of all of these things I have spent the last 2 years having epiphany after epiphany about my own parents and how absolutely wonderful they are! I also realized how much I have taken them for granted.(sadly we usually realize this in hindsight)

To my Mom:

Thank you for all the times you picked up after me (I now realize how very messy I was...sorry)

Thanks for all the times you comforted me during the lightening storms when I was little and even when I was not so little.

Thanks for making me that hula skirt in the 3rd grade (i didn't even notice that it was out of a garbage bag, and now I look back, you were quite ingenious, mine was the only skirt that didn't rip:)

Thanks for always giving hugs and letting me KNOW i was loved. Thanks for starting & carrying on the 'love, love' tradition.

Thanks for being so patient with me........( i know that had to be a hard one:)

Thanks for always being there when I wanted to talk. ( i really miss our mornings, when I could come and chat with you and dad before heading off to work.)

Thanks for teaching me what is right (and reminding me of it, when necessary:)

Thanks for being such a great example to me...in All things that you do.

Thanks for being you! (if I can be even half the mom that you were to me, I know my kids will be good:) I'll keep shooting for the stars, thank goodness I have you as my example)

and thank you for so much more! (so very much more)

I love you , mom!

Also, I just wanted to say Happy Mother's day to my sisters, Heather, Summer (and my S-i-L) Sheila! It has been such fun and a great learning experience for me to watch them each start and raise their families. They are such wonderful, beautiful, strong women who are wonderful mothers!

At The Zoo!

2008-05-11T21:12:00.003-07:00

"Some one told me it's all happenin' at the zoo! I do believe it's true!" Simon & Garfunkel

On Friday, I went on a field trip with Chases' class to the Phoenix Zoo. It was a fun trip. We rode there on the bus (it has been like 15+ years since I have been on one...the A/C was broken. I guess they haven't changed that much at all.) It was the second and third graders and they pretty much let us split into our groups and go off on our own. So, we combined with another little group that had some of chases friends in it.We were at the zoo from 9:30 until about 1:30 and i have to say it was fun but very HOT!!

It was kind of crazy because it made me think back to all the field trips that I went on in school and that my mom came with me on. So many good memories! It was a little surreal to realize that I am now the one volunteering and helping to make fun memories.

Chase was so excited after the zoo, he couldn't wait to give me my mother's day present. The whole ride home, he was trying to get me to guess what it was. The moment we walked in the door he ran to his backpack and grabbed out a white bag, with a box in it. He had decorated both the bag and the box with " I Love You Holly" and inside was a little mug that he had colored for me. I loved it!

I have still kept the drawing that he made me the first day I met him. He was(is) such a little sweetheart. For the first 2 weeks after I met him, every time I saw him, he was sure to send me home with a drawing or art project that he had made. ( we put a stop to it when he started offering me his grandma's things.:) I love Chase so much and was happy for the opportunity to go and have some fun "mother-son" time!

****we are experiencing Technical Difficulties....please stay tuned for more about my mom....i had a mothers day post all set to go, and now am having trouble with my scanner.

I want to get the Creative out!

2008-04-26T17:29:00.005-07:00

On Friday, we met up with my sister and her family at Amazing Jakes. Before we went, I ran upstairs to grab my camera (to catch the all too precious moments that one is bound to have at Amazing Jakes) and ran out the door. Only to realize when we got there that my camera was completely out of batteries (does anyone know a good, not-too-expensive camera that has a rechargeable battery?) So, this post is going to be picture less :(

I have to say the idea of Amazing Jakes is ingenious! One of my favorite things about it, is that it has different themed rooms to sit in to eat. For example the kid(or movie) room, is just a big room, divided into 3 sections, showing 3 different movies. This comes in handy when you have a range of ages with you. We watched the Bee Movie, Mr Magorioums...., and Over the Hedge all at the same time( well not really, but technically I could have!) Chase & Sadie were ready to go do games the minute they were done eating. Of Course. Which leads me to the next reason why it is so ingenious......it is so expensive!(meaning, they are raking in the BIG bucks) And they know you'll pay it, because really what other choice is there. "Holly" you say "there are plenty of choices, go to chucky cheese, or peter piper and pay less" Well, that is what I thought. But, it seems, that once you have taken your child to Amazing Jakes, you have ruined them for all the other Pizza joints! but, we all had fun, so it was worth it.

This morning(Sat.), I was actually able to talk my husband into coming to the Spring Fling Boutique with me. Did I say 'talked' it might have been more like 'tricked', but he's done it to me with his 'real quick' trips to best buy or game stop or......so all is fair in love and war:)

It wasn't really a trick, I just mentioned that my sister & I were going to the boutique and then going thrift store & garage sale shopping. I believe it was the latter part that sparked his interest.

Anyway, so we went to the boutiques (mainly to see my friend Diana:) to check out all the goods. I was missing my camera again. There were so many cute ideas and things for sale.

D, had some very cute baby items(wipee cases, changing pads, bows) & also her friend Kaylene makes & sells some of the CUTEST dresses for little girls. I mean Adorable!

I got motivated. I started thinking, I'm going to pull out the sewing machine my mom got me for Christmas! And then I realized that the extent of my sewing expertise is scrunchies and patch quilts, and....that's about it. (my grandma Viv taught me how to sew one summer when I was about 12 or so......I happen to still be very proud of the patch work quilts i sewed & in fact still have one I need to finish up:)

The funny thing about these boutiques, is I get all pumped up to get creative. In the car I was saying to Adam "did you see that calender? I could make that." or " those one picture thingy's, I could totally make that. I need to pull out my scrap book stuff when i get home" or "did you see how cute that was, I wanna sew" and then here I am not 4 hours later sitting on the computer, not doing anything creative or cute......so I think I 'm going to head up to my studio and paint. That always makes me feel better! Also, I figure if I state on this blog that I am going to do something. There is more of a chance of me doing it. (y'know what I mean). So, my goals for this summertime, are to really get my creativity going. I'm going to learn to sew again (more than just scrunchies & blankets:). I'm going to pull my guitar out more often. I am going to finally get started on my wedding scrapbook or at least a family album. I am going to continue to paint and practice that as much as possible. So, it sounds like I have a busy summer coming! :)

I have to admit though, that my favorite part of going to the boutique (other than my spark of creativity) was being able to have some time with my sister and seeing some of my favorite people. (linds,diana, lori & nikki....it always makes my day to see you!)

Hope everyone else had a great weekend!

Banana Cake!

2008-04-26T16:54:00.002-07:00

This is my 'jimmy rigged' cake holder. I didn't have anything to keep it airtight, so I flipped a nice salad bowl over...it ended up working just fine. I really like this cake, but next time I make it, I'll pull it out of the oven a few minutes early. (the next pic shows that the edges are a little well-done...some people like that. I, however, am not one of them.) Notice the pink scale in the background! I love it, my mom found it for me to match my pink & turquoise kitchen. (thanks mom!)

Banana Cake ---from Better Homes & Gardens Limited Ed. Cook Book

2 Eggs

2 1/4 cups All purpose flour (I used cake flour.......after all it is a cake)

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 baking powder

1 teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3)...i used four

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup shortening (i used coconut oil instead of shortening...it doesn't really effect the taste and is supposed to be healthier)

1 teaspoon vanilla

Stir together Flour, Sugar, Baking powder and soda & salt. Add Bananas, buttermilk, shortening & vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Add eggs, continue to beat on med. for 2 minutes. When batter is all mixed pour into prepared pans (grease & lightly flour pans). Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. (I personally would say 20-25 min)

*Also I added a handful of semi-sweet chocolate & also peanut butter chips to the top layer. ( my hubby does not usually like these additions, Crazy man:) ! But this time, I would probably add a little more. It makes for a nice yummy surprise.

So when it came time to frost it..I was going crazy, would I choose plain old chocolate? Or should I try Cream cheese?Butter cream? Then I thought, ooh a nice Caramel frosting would be sooo good, right?

Well, my Caramel frosting did not turn out.......how do I say.....good at all!!! It was more of a glaze and it tasted like maple...weird, I know. By the time I realized it was not going to happen with the Caramel frosting, it was 10:00 on Tues. night, and I was tired. So, I turned to the good old store bought chocolate frosting. ( I know some people would look down on this, but I say if it tastes good, what is the big deal?) So I frosted the bottom layer in chocolate.......and promptly ran out chocolate frosting, before I could get to the top layer. By this point I was thinking "should I just toss this and cry over my ruined cake?"...... No!!!!! I pulled out my jar of Nutella and finished frosting that dang cake!!!

And let me tell you....it actually turned out! I thought it tasted pretty good.

So, if you are a big fan of banana bread (as I am) this is a recipe you might want to try.

Cookies and more

2008-04-15T08:10:00.002-07:00

I know it has been a 'couple' (using this term loosly) days since my last post. It seems like life has been busier than usual...but it hasn't, just seems that way. So, i have become a bit obsessed with cooking(or should I say baking). I think it's all these food blogs I have been looking at or maybe that now we have a kitchen I can actually stand to be in for more than 10 min. (the kitchen in our apartment was a walk through, and entirely too small..in my opinion). Anyway I have been searching for good recipes and found one on Picky Palate for Chocolate Chip Cookies.....only NO BUTTER. She used Coconut Oil instead. My very first thought "I'm making these tonight!!" However, I did not have Coconut Oil on hand, as I had really never heard of it.....which led to multiple trips to multiple stores to find it. Silly me, I figured Oil, would be Oil....like Olive Oil or something, but as you can see from the pics, it is more crisco-like consistancy except Coconut Oil actually has health benefits. Yeah!!
So when we found the Cocunut Oil, I rushed home to make these wonderful cookies. The first batch(pictured) was cooked a little crisp around the edges. The second, however, were excellant. The only thing I was dissapointed about was the next day. I don't think I stored them right because they were very "crispy". I personally like a cookie that holds the softness for a couple of days.
Chase seemed to like them. Adam, however wasn't sure, he said he would rather me make a batch of my dad's famous chocolate chip-oatmeal cookies (which I have to say are absolutly AWESOME). So I made a batch of those (no pics...Adam & Chase keep looking at me like I'm crazy, every time I try to take a picture of the food I have just made.... I'm not sure why) and they were eaten in no time.
So, we had a cookie weekend. Then I had a day off last week. I needed to make some really good cupcakes and I noticed that I had 4 bannanas that were about to go south. So, I made a Banana cake to get rid of the bannanas(you'll have to wait for a pic on this one). And then in looking through some books I found my grandma's recipe book!!! (I was so excited to find this. I had been searching for it for about a year) I found her recipe for quick easy chocolate sheet cake(from scratch, is there any other way :) ...so I made it into cupcakes. They actually turned out pretty good and once they had frosting...they were Wonderfully Delicious! So I figured, since this is what I have been up to in my spare time I would copy all the other 'food blogs' and get some pics to show you.
I am still looking for 'the best' recipes. If anyone has one to pass along. I would love to check it out.

Tucson..and the Zoo!

2008-04-01T18:40:00.006-07:00

I remember(a year or two ago) talking to a friend about my parents moving to Tucson. Their response was "Tucson??that is the armpit of Arizona!" First of all, Ewww! and Secondly, you are wrong my friend! So, here are the pics to prove it.

I love Tucson! It is always fun to go visit our family there. The first five pictures are at my sister Heathers, where we did some fishing, swinging, and quad riding! The rest of the pics are from the Tucson Zoo, which in my opinion is THE best by far!! For 2 specific reasons. #1 You don't have to walk for miles and miles between animals (call me lazy, but I had heels on and was grateful we were not at the PHX Zoo) and #2 The animals are so close, with some of them (giraffes) it seems as if you could touch them. So enjoy the pics, and think about visiting Tucson. .....you might just be amazed at how awesome it is!

Happy Easter

2008-03-24T09:55:00.005-07:00

We had an awesome easter weekend in Tucson. We went down on Saturday and went to the Tucson Zoo (don't worry, there will be pics of it in the next post). On Sunday, the kids were up early for their Easter Egg hunt and breakfast at Heather's House. After that, Adam and I headed back to Mesa where we had a late Brunch at the Huish's.

Top:Hunter, Ammon & Walker. (Next): Zinnia

(Just above:) The Easter Egg Hunt is on!!

Right: This is Adam and our nephew Kyler playing @ grandma Huish's house.

(Below: left:)Summer & Cole Right: Zinnia & Sadie giving loves.

Below:left: Ammon opening all the eggs he can find! Right: Jesse lets Kyler try some Pop Rocks with his sucker. He loved it.

Left Above: Spencer . Left Below:Sami, letting me see how many eggs they have found.

It was a ton of fun and nice to be around everyone. Thanks to Mom and Dad and Heather, Brian and the girls for having us all down there.

Also, even though we missed the combined b-day party, I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to: Spencer, Hunter, Lavender, Sadie and Chase. I love you guys!

It's not just a cold or just the flu...it's the fluold (or colu)

2008-03-16T21:24:00.003-07:00

I know we have all had or known someone who has had this cold/flu that has been going around. Well, for some reason I was lucky enough to get it twice! That's right. Twice. This time I have been down for a couple of days (all through my day off on Weds and through the weekend) I was pretty ticked! So, for all of you out there, make sure you are taking your vitamins! :)

So, that is my excuse for not posting in the last week.

Today, to make myself feel better I made some of my Grandma Dorothy's Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup and Mashed Potatoes(she has the absolute best recipes). I was going to copy the 'foodie' blogs and post pics, but I was just too lazy (and hungry). It really is comfort food, I swear, I immediately felt better.

Chaser left yesterday to go visit his mom and little sis in Cali for his spring break, we are missing him. (Here is a pic of him at our wedding Nov. 2006).

So, now we are just getting ready for Easter this weekend! Does anyone else feel like it is coming way early this year? I always remember it being the first Sunday of April.....or at least that is how it seemed.

Well, Adam is watching a Tom Petty concert on TV in HD. He says I NEED to see it('you can even see the dings in his guitar' he says). We saw Tom Petty live back when we were dating, but I was definately not close enough to see the dings in his guitar:) (it was an awesome show, I'm planning on going again when he comes in august).

So, I'm going to go check out this 'HD' show and see if it compares at all to the real thing. :)

Happy Sunday to all!

Disneyland!!!

2008-03-04T20:22:00.016-07:00

Adam and Cole(3 months). Look at that smoldering look they are both giving. Two cuties, i can't take my eyes off of. :)
Left: Chase got to be a Jedi and even got to fight Darth Maul. Chase won, of course! Below Left: Summer and Cole (he was such a trooper, but at some point he just needed to rest:) Below Right:Waiting for the parade. Alli, Sadie and Devon (look closely, is Sadie giving the "hang loose" sign?and Alli is giving a Peace sign :) (totally not planned)

Below: Dad, Heather, Me, Zinnia, Lavender and Sadie.

Right: Adam & I, in front of California Adventure.

Sadie and Zinnia "The Best of Cousins" Just got their faces painted. I never realized how common it is for the little girls to dress up in little princess costumes. Everywhere I looked it seemed there was a mini Ariel, Cinderella, Belle, even Tinkerbell. It was so cute.

(Left to Right: Zinnia, Sadie, Chase Lavender and Glen(dad))

O.k. this trip was actually back in September 2007, but it was so fun and there were so many good pics I couldn't help but share. This was a Huish/Smith family tradition. They have been doing it every year for awhile now and have it down. They know the perfect place to stay, it was awesome!We got there on a Wednesday and came back on Sunday.

My sister, Summer and her kids also came along (Mitch was off in boot camp). And my Mom, Dad,(my sister) Heather and her two youngest girls got to come for one day. It was a blast!

O.k, not to go off on a tangent, but remember when we were little and got to just run up to the characters as they were just walking around the park. Well, those days are gone. Now the characters have "handlers" and they are only in certain places for so long and there are lines for almost all of them. Oh, the good old days. But anyway, i would do anything for these kids including waiting in line so they could see these Princess'. It was worth it.

This trip was sooo fun, after we got back , we couldn't stop talking about when we were going to go again. (In fact when chase saw these pictures he went to his dad and said "I wish we had a day off so we could go to Disneyland"...ha, ha..so do I chase......... so do I:)

There is definitely a reason it is called the "happiest place on earth".

It really is like being a kid all over again.

My Very First Post.....Hoppykins/Huish

2008-03-01T21:17:00.003-07:00

I never considered keeping up a blog, until I got addicted to reading my friends blog...(yes D, I am talking about you)..and I have a confession, i will admit it, i have become a blog hopper...just recently I have found a bunch of foodie/cooking blogs (i never knew these wonderful things existed) and realized that I have a choice......(or a problem, depending on how you look at it..i think my hubby is leaning toward the latter)....... I can sit here and be a closet "blog hopper" or I can can join the wide world of blogs. So here I am, joining in all the fun!

First off **This is a warning for all readers*****I loved English, but I am not any good at punctuation, spelling, etc. so I will say once (and only once) I apologize to any English majors who may visit my blog:) or people who may happen to be really picky...i am sorry in advance for the many errors I will make:)

This is my first ever attempt at a blog or anything remotely close (most of my computer experience is with Medical Software, so all the fun extras are new to me (by the way can someone tell my how to add music to my page??) I know, in my first post........ I'm already showing my weakness. Some of the very basics are foriegn to me. ok. enough of that. on to my life :)

About a year and half ago, I got married to my handsome, funny, loving, amazingly sweet and wonderful Adam! (i know..... a little cheezy, but give me a break, he's my hubby and I love him to death! :)and in doing so, gained a step-son,Chase. Who, is soo much like his dad, it makes me smile!(most of the time!). One of the(many) neat things about him is how creative and artistic he is. We both like to do anything with drawing or painting(often times, his look better than anything I come up with). He has just turned eight, he had a Transformers Birthday Party! It was great! It was mostly family, but it was the first time we had everyone over to our new house (well not "Our", we are renting, but it is sooo much better than an apartment..or I should say than OUR apartment was). Adam drives trucks and delivers water for a water company. I just recently switched jobs, thanks to my sister-in-law(thanks J!) and am now working in a dental office. I have to say, it has been a great switch. I have always been a bit of a work-a-holic, which I was able to get away with before I was married, but now....I see the light. This job has a perfect schedule. and I can absolutely tell a difference in my stress level (as can my husband!! he told me so the other day..does that mean I was being grumpy?..i'm not sure). We also moved out to Gilbert, right down the street from my Sis and her family and also right down the street from Adams sister and her husband. Did you notice that I said "OUT" to Gilbert. It's because, you don't know it until you are out here, but it takes forever to get to mesa (at least the parts, i'm interested in) or to the PHX Airport....geez, we have to leave like an hour early. But enough complaining, I actually like it. I am just sad I don't get to see my Mesa friends often enough. It's a nice house, with enough space for all three of us. Also, Adam got the den to turn into a Media Room and I got the 3rd bedroom to turn into a studio, which I am still trying to declutter (lots of stuff I had in storage, I need to go through).

So before I go, I wanted to explain the name of my blogspot. "HoppykinsHuish"

When Adam and I met, Chase was six and either he could not pronounce my last name, or everytime someone said my name it sounded like gibberish to him or..?. Well, one day, we were all in the car, somehow talking about my maiden name and chase pipes up and says he wants to be "Chase Hoppykins". I jumped in to explain that "no, now we are a family we are all Huish's.......... ,but I thought it was pretty dang cute:) To this day, Chase still thinks my maiden name is 'hoppykins'.