59: whiteness

I know, I know...these things are bad for you! But I think frying my winter white skin on vacation would be worse.

58: snow much fun

Skyler had one last game today {they tied 1-1, which was enough to win the bracket and  advance us to the next round..dang it} then we drove home. It was a sunny day so we took hwy.138 home. There was so much snow everywhere so we pulled the car over so Skyler could go run and play for a minute. There he was in shorts and a short sleeve frolicking in the coldness. Simple joys!

57: come rain or snow

I was a bit shocked that Skyler's soccer state cup games were not postponed again. It was pouring in Temecula all night and I was sure we'd get the text that we didn't have to go. Instead, we got the text at 6:00 a.m. that the games were on. So off to Lancaster we drove. By the time we hit the 60fwy. the rain had stopped and it was beautiful. When we got to Lancaster it was partly cloudy. Then all of a sudden it began to snow pretty hard. I'll have to admit, snow would be easier to play in then rain. The snow stopped before Skyler's game and despite the black looming clouds along the mountains, it turned out to be a beautiful, but very COLD day!

side note:  Skyler's team won both their games today!

About 39 degrees!

56: new tires, again!

Jim decided to trade me cars today. It wasn't until I was driving that I understood why. The flat tire light came on so I drove it to the tire shop to have it checked out. I guess he had about 20 miles left of tire until it BLEW! They were worn down to the rubber cording. This shop is loving us! We get new tires about every 4-6 months and they're NOT CHEAP!! {not what I call an efficient commuter car!}

55: death star cake, sure!

The boys are asked to bake and decorate a cake {with their dad} for the cub scout blue & gold dinner. Jayden knew immediately that he wanted a death star cake from Star Wars. Never wanting to disappoint, I googled death star and got started. First of all I shouldn't have waited till the day of to start planning and preparing. Second, I shouldn't have decided to try to use fondant for my 1st time with such a limited amount of time. Frustration was felt, but Jim was the hero in the end. He made the heap of mass actually look like something! Jayden loved it and was so proud of the creation and that's all that mattered to us! 

My bakers!

54: treasure seekers

Young Women's Camp Kick-off

Treasure Seekers...I'm going to love the pirate theme.

{whipped this costume up in like 5 minutes...i love our costume box}

53: just dance 2

It was my girlfriends Chantel & Jennifer's birthday so a group of us middle aged women got together for a 'Just Dance 2' party! If you're going to eat like we do, you've got to work it all off...and we did! To be a fly on the wall..some of us are not as coordinated as the others!

52: shredding

Though the kids had school off today, this was the only shredding that took place. Jayden & Ryder fought over who got to do it. It was pure entertainment for them. We filled an entire kitchen trash bag full, and for their payment, I took them to see "Gnomeo & Juliet"..which wasn't terrible.

51: snow

This hill, dusted with white stuff, is right behind our house! So I can say I live where it snows, right? But then again, why would I want to ever say that!

50: the big blue building

Skyler's soccer tournament was postponed so I had a free Saturday...which NEVER happens! I had a lovely lunch with my friend Mari and then headed here! I love IKEA, but not so much on a Saturday. I couldn't even think with the hoards of people everywhere.

49: the great purge

I am so TIRED of clutter and disorganization!! Today I began the daunting task of organizing my office. First things first...I threw away 4 years of scrapbooking magazines! 

{above is the 2nd large stack I tossed..didn't think to take a picture until then}

Once I tossed them, I didn't look back! It felt so freeing and now I'm on a purging binge. So I throw the challenge to my parents: It's time to throw away all the old Ensigns and Friends..you can get anything you need on the internet! I know you're trying to clean up before your mission, that's a great start! I can come help if you need moral support.

48: miracle worker

This $2.00 bottle is a MIRACLE WORKER!! Skyler's soccer jersey had somehow gotten infected by a bad case of mildew/mold. {Go figure..he always stuffs it in the bottom of his bag all sweaty and with spilt gatorade and there it sat for about 3 weeks until we discovered the disgusting mess.} I tried every stain removing technique I could find and not a single spot was removed. Then one day I was in walmart and saw this stuff that came in different levels. It said level 8 was for mold/mildew so I thought I'd give it a try, even though the shirt had been washed and dried so many times and I was sure the mold was set into the fabric. I soaked the jersey in the mixture overnight and what do you know...every dot of mold was gone. I wish I had a before of the shirt so you could be as amazed as I was. Carbona..you are my newest best friend in the laundry room.

47: breakfast for dinner

Breakfast for dinner...is there anything better!!  It was my cooking night for dinner group and I thought I'd try something new. Believe it or not, this was my first time ever making German Pancakes. According to youtube, this was exactly how they were suppose to look in the oven. The kids thought I was crazy and that I totally messed up. No one was laughing when they gobbled them up in like 5 seconds. Pour yummy strawberry or maple syrup on anything and you have perfection!

46: roses are red

My husband never disappoints! The house was completely decorated and filled with balloons and after work he brought home these beauties. He knows I'm not big on roses, but he is old fashion and red roses on Valentines Day is as traditional as one can get...the thought that went into them is what I love most!

45: love is in the air

Jim called me on his way to work {Valentines} morning and told me he counted a record 18 balloons in the sky near our home. I immediately got in my car to check it out. My camera couldn't even get all of them in one shot. It was so cool looking!

44: it still fits!

I taught a YW lesson today on preparing to be an eternal companion. 

While thinking of what to wear to church, I found this dress in the back of my closet. Did I dare try it on? I had't worn it in YEARS!! I braved it and was pleasantly surprised that it still fit perfectly. I decided to find the picture of Jim and I at the temple the first time I went almost 14 years ago and bring it to show the girls. We may look a bit older, but hey, after nearly 14 years of marriage and 3 kids, I think we look pretty good!

{Think it's kinda funny that Skyler took the 2nd picture and in the first, he wasn't even a twinkle in our eyes!}

43: a day in east riverside

Spent the day in East Riverside for Skyler's soccer tournament. Took Skyler and his friend Bryce to McDonald's for lunch and found this sign. Apparently, this McDonald's is not for the casual/slow diner or conducive for a lunch date in which you'd like to catch up with a friend! 

{If you could see some of the patrons, you'd understand the need for such a sign!}

42: parents appreciation tea

Today the kindergarteners put on a "Parents Appreciation Tea". They serenaded us with love songs, fed us delicious treats, and made these beautiful presents for us. I felt appreciated!

{Jim was home puking his brains out!}

41: 365 kit arrived!

Besides how gross this picture is...I was so excited to receive my new 365 kit today {actually at 6:40 p.m...didn't realize the ups workers worked that late}. I had thought I'd do it digitally this year, but after spending hours on the available program and getting nowhere, I just decided it'd be easier to just do it the way I've done it for the past 3 years.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

40: jayden's 1st bike ride to school

My boys have been begging me to ride bikes to school the entire year. I told them we could if they would get up and get ready on time. We are 1/2 way through the school year and today was the 1st day it happened..the boys were ready to go by 8:20 so, Jayden, Ryder, and I all rode bikes to school. Jayden was so excited to ride home by himself..I was a little nervous, so I parked at the bottom of the big hill, camera in hand, and waited to make sure he made it. He looked so confident and in control.

I could actually get use to not having to go pick him up everyday! The only problem...it's highly unlikely that they can be ready for school that early every morning. We are not morning people!

39: still got it

This old bag has still got it! My boys were so impressed and could hardly believe that their mom could do a front flip and back flip and stick the landings!! 

38: spring fever

For all our friends & relatives buried in snow...here is some hope of spring. Not to boast or anything, but it's been in the low 80's, sunny, clear, and blue skies as far as the eye can see! 

37: bubbly pool

 This was a picture taken December 31st. Jim woke up and thought it had snowed. Upon closer look, he realized that our pool was producing large amounts of foam. We happened to be in a transition of pool guys and had skipped a month of service...this is what happens when we try to take care of things ourselves.

Skip to this weekend {1st weekend in February}. The new pool guy was able to rid the pool of the foam, but every time we turned on the spa, the foam came back, so we decided to drain the spa, clean it and hope for the best. It helped a little, but we still get some foam!! It's so frustrating and no one seems to know why it's doing it and how to make it stop!

36: running with the girls

In preparation for the Ragnar Relay in April, Theresa, Julie and I decided to go for a run this morning. It was a little early for my liking (8:00) and cold, but it felt good to have it out of the way. 

35: bodywrap

I had a coupon for a free bodywrap, so I decided to use it! I put a thin little suit on and got inside this contraption, with my arms in the blood pressure-like cuffs. There I laid for 1 hour as the fat was suppose to be melting away. It was relaxing but I'm not convinced it did a thing except make me sweat off a little water. I sure wouldn't pay the fortune they charge to use it regularly.

34: goodbye nemo

Skyler woke up this morning and found that NEMO wasn't moving. It was a very emotional morning for the 3 boys
{not so much for me!}

All were in tears..for that, I was sad! It looks like the heating lamp lights had been unplugged and Skyler's room was freezing so that may have been the cause of death. With a life expectancy of 10-15 years, we didn't do so well seeing as we only got it in October. We will wait to replace until after Grandma & Tella have come to watch the kids in March. So now you don't have to worry Tella :)

33: minute to win it

We were in need for a mutual idea last minute..I had the perfect idea! Minute to win it. We had played this at one of Jim's work parties and it was a riot. I downloaded all the instructional videos off youtube to play before each game. It was a hit! I think the girls really had a great time and I was impressed with their skills.  Here is one of the apple towers that was built and stayed up! 

32: lunch date with ryder

A lunch date to Rubios with one of my favorite guys!