Chefs in Training

Usually Skylar and I do some sort of baking activity each week. She has been helping me almost everyday prepare at least some part of dinner. Yesterday our choice dish was "pizza meat pie." As she was mixing the ingredients in the sauce, little buddy, decided he wanted to join in the fun. He loves hanging out with his sis and it's hard to leave him out when he wants to do big boy things. While Skylar stirred our "delectable" (that is a quote from Skylar) dinner, Ronan pretended to pour spices into the mix. We gave him a stab at stirring but realized more was ending up on the floor than in the bowl. All in all, it was a wonderful evening spent together with my little darlings.

A special shout out to An

Yes, this picture was taken may years ago (5 1/2 children ago to be exact), and both of us look way hotter now. This is my friend Andrea, whom I've know for something like 15 or 16 years. She is a doll and I love her. We like to gab about our kids, she listens to all the drama in my life and our husbands like to go out into the ocean for hours on an inflatable kayak. They also like to stay up until 7 am in Vegas and come back to the hotel room giggling like school girls. But, those are stories for another time. Just didn't want her to be left out, and after this picture and post I am sure she feels really special (or mad). I love you Annie!!

This is what it's all about...

It's late, my feet ache and I am exhausted. This post may be somewhat incoherent, but I feel impressed to write it. I am grateful-- for many things, but most importantly my family. They support me, encourage me and lift me up when I am discouraged (okay, that last part sounded a little like a Josh Groban song). They are the lights in my life and I don't know what I would do without them.

My husband calms me down when I cry about the littlest things (and I mean little). My children give me hugs and kisses when I need them the most. My mother is one of my best friends and she ALWAYS lends a listening ear and some sound advice. My father reminds me to be patient and not to create problems that don't exist. My in-laws support me and love me as if I were their own daughter. Basically, what I am trying to say is, "I am surrounded by people that ROCK!" Hopefully they will remember that when they see their pictures posted.

Love and kisses to everyone!!

Word Up!!

Yes, here are my little darlings, Skylar and Ronan. We will have another little darling come May and then the girls will officially be outnumbered (as will the parents).

I know Ronan could probably put MC Hammer to shame with this outfit, (it's really the shoes that completes it) but I am a product of the 80's and therefore very proud. Actually, now that I think about it, some parachute pants really should be purchased. The shoes were bought, with love, at the "Hong Kong" mall in Texas, which was an adventure in and of itself. Grandma and Grandpa treated the grandkids to all sorts of little treasures, and these are the shoes Ronan was gifted. After all, only an 18- month old could carry them off. Skylar is proudly wearing her winter hat that she made herself at school.

I know I should really fix the red-eye in the pics, but I just don't have time today. I am taking a photography class, so hopefully my pictures will have a little bit more flair in the coming months.

Watch out world here she comes.... (I mean that literally)

So, here we have it folks- Skylar and Ronan riding off into the sunset. I never thought they would own a Cadillac before I did, but Santa apparently felt them worthy of such a car. We arrived home from a wonderful vacation in Texas to a BIG present from Santa. Skylar had been asking for a "jeep" from Santa for quite some time and, after many months of reassuring me that cost was no issue since Santa and his elves would be building her car in their workshop for free, her dreams were realized when she returned from vacation to find a black Cadillac Escalade waiting under the tree.

It has been a little bit of a nerve racking experience watching her drive that thing all over the street, and grass, and curb and grass and curb and grass... but she has enjoyed it thus far. I haven't quite got a read on Ronan yet. He usually just hangs on for dear life and then wants to be rescued mid-drive. After a few days we bought him a bright red helmet just in case he ever decides to abandon ship before we can get to him (he’s come close a couple of times). He is a trooper though and he certainly is a tough little nugget. Although Ronan is too young to actually drive the vehicle, he has fully embraced his roles as “Secondary Navigator” and “Radio Operator.” It is a thing of beauty to watch Skylar and “Taxi” (Skylar has given Ronan a new nickname) fly down the street with great big smiles on their faces, hair whipping in the wind and radio stations changing at lighting-fast speed. Watch out world, here they come!