Poor me

We are trying real hard to pay off some debt and work on our budget. I am all about coupons and Dave Ramsey's cash envelopes, etc etc. But there are some random, little $$ delights that I miss:

Mani/pedis (I am obsessed with doing them myself, but nothing like the ladies can do)

Car wash (seriously, it is embarassing, inside and out)

Cleaning lady (even just to catch me up)

If you find the money tree, let me know.

Hi Kristenita

Here's an update. It's been so long, so the pictures are out of order...

Miss Ellie is almost 1, in a week from today. She is precious as ever, exploring her world so much. I cannot get even of her little smile.

Miss Isabel turned 3. We had a little "party" at the park with friends and then hit Chuck E Cheese with our little family. She's hilarious, so helpful, and loves to watch out for Ellie.

We tried to take family pictures for a Christmas card. Then I thought I could do a New Years card, maybe Valentines...now it might be a St Patricks Day card, but don't hold your breath.

My excuse for no card is that we moved. This is our back patio fence. And our own park, or so we'd like to think. It is a bigger place on the same street as before. We couldn't leave our dear neighborhood, so were stoked to move right here. The kids come over and jump the fence to go play. Pretty sweet.

Miss Mia turned 5 and had her first dance recital. On the day we moved. It was a crazy day, but we survived (also had our ward Christmas party and I sang in a group number). Mia is the best big sister, leading my little pack all around. She is still learning Spanish and her favorite phrase is "Paz Cien." Translation=Peace 100. Makes no sense, but we love it. She is doing wonderful at Miss Kristin's school and I am already freakin out about the first day of kindergarten. Seriously, makes my heart miss a beat. My little best friend...but I am already on the PTA Executive Board, Co-Historian with my bff Merritt. Yikes, following in my dear mother and sisters' footsteps.

For me, I am surviving. My the hair of my chiny-chin-chin. I did get my Christmas gift yesterday--my iPhone. Love it!! Ryan is amazing.

Now maybe I will try a little harder.

I am back...

Time just flew away. Oh and my camera is not working. Driving me NUTS. My friend Lindsay took this picture of Ellie yesterday. Seriously precious, eh? Here's a smallish update...

Mia is busy with preschool twice a week (hoping for three times starting next week), soccer games on Saturday, swim team every afternoon, and dance once a week. We are trying to keep her active and busy since most of her friends are in kindergarten now. She is hilarious, sensitive, honest, creative, and my BFF. She loves to play outside all day with Isabel and our neighbor friends.

Isabel is busy driving around with me while we take Mia everywhere:) She is a great big sister to Ellie and loves to help out whenever she can. She pretty much potty trained herself a couple months ago. Such a big girl! We celebrated at Chuck E Cheese with no pictures to prove it. She also jumped onto Mia's bike (with training wheels) and rode off. She loves riding it, but it is a daily battle to keep the helmet on. She is fiercely stubborn, but also likes to take care of things which helps me a lot. She must dress herself ("NO, I DO IT!"), so we have backwards-inside out days a lot.

Ellie is a dream. She is our happy, smiling little lady. She wakes up with a smile. And is so chill. She just needs her little silkie blanket and her thumb and she is good to go. She is moving all over, trying to keep up with the action. She loves when her sisters make her laugh and watching the kids playing outside.

For me, not much more than my precious ladies. Trying to recommitt to the blog for journaling purposes...we'll see how that goes. I take care of the kids and house and that is all I have energy for. I have started couponing and am a bit obsessed, but it is so rewarding! Haven't gotten the running/triathlon-training bug yet. Hoping I can get more sleep soon to help out with that.

Ryan is busy with work and church. He is the best and I love him so much.

Ellie's Turn!!

Ellie

Isabel

Mia

Summer Fun

Holding hands on the walk into California Adventure

Beach Day with friends!!

Isabel put together this outfit. Lovely for a hot day, eh?

Free Personal signatures - cool!

TEXTAREA_ID

Pictures. Enjoy!

Happy Fathers Day!

Is anybody out there?  Just wondering...

We just got back from a weekend in Palm Desert.  Just a start-of-the-summer getaway for fun.  It was relaxing and hot.  The girls loved playing in the pool with Daddy while I tried to keep Ellie cool.  Now we are chilling and celebrating wonderful Ryan on this Fathers' Day.  He is the best Dad for our girls EVER.  Really, he loves them and thinks about them all day.  They have so much fun together, laughing and playing when he gets home from work.  They love to wait for him on the porch and do a little dance when the finally see his car.  We love you Daddy!!

We are also thinking of my Dad, Bhampa and Grandpa Lyle.  I love my Dad so much.  He is such an inspiration of devotion to what he believes.  He is creative and has so many great ideas.  He always showed his love for me, making me feel special even among 7 children.  He loves my Mom so much and she is his best friend, which means so much to me.  I never met Grandpa Lyle, but I know that he was a great Dad.  He was humble and hardworking and loving.  Just look at his amazing children and you know he was wonderful too.