Mellow Man

Chris and I used to go to concerts or theatre shows all the time. It was one our favorite things to do.....still is- it just doesn't happen as often as it used to. In our almost 12 years of marriage we have seen: Foo Fighters, Blink 182, Jewel, Chris Isaak, Wallflowers, Sister Hazel, Sugar Ray, Mana, Conan, Les Mes, and I'm sure I'm missing some.....but no doubt one of my favorite shows is Jack Johnson. We went to his concert for the 2ND time this past October. We had purchased the tickets earlier in the year and then almost couldn't go because Reagan had just been diagnosed and I couldn't bear leaving her yet, but Ericka stepped in and took good care of her and Ryan!

Anyway, I'm a big fan of Jack Johnson....not a fanatic, I just really like his music. It's so relaxing and laid back....in fact when I was in labor with Ryan, I had his cd playing in the room. The girls fall asleep to listening to the Curious George soundtrack (he did it all). Pretty much like all of his songs. Anyway, I love going to concerts with Chris. It's fun and it brings us back to days when we hung out together and always had a blast.

Concerts on my bucket list?: Coldplay, Wicked, Dixie Chicks, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, and PAUL MCCARTNEY!!! (gotta do that before I die.....or before he does! Must see a BEATLE before they're gone!)

Ryan's second First Day Of School

We officially pulled Ryan out of Desert View Academy on Monday morning. Desert View was a great school and we loved it for Kindergarten because it was all day. The class sizes were small. No more than about 24 per class. She loved her teacher. It was near the Treehouse. I had always planned that she would attend DVA for kindergarten and then transfer her to Mesquite for 1st Grade, but I didn't. I thought just one more year. I would switch her for 2nd grade.

I feel it's important to attend school with your church friends. Not to make this post about me, but I remember growing up in the spanish branch. We went to a ward that was outside our school boundaries. All of our church friends went to a different school. I had members at my school, but it wasn't the same. Then in Jr. High, we went to Woodard where all of our friends went. Ericka and I LOVED it! It was great. And then the same for High School.

So Ryan. Everyday last year was a struggle to get to school on time. She loves her sleep! I would pick her up (from the top bunk) and get her dressed. She would cry and fight EVERY morning. I dreaded it. And she didn't' stay up late. Her bedtime is 7:30. She just was always a sound sleeper and needs 12 hours every night.....like her daddy. Reagan......doesn't matter what time she falls asleep....6:30am......like her mommy. Ryan also started getting into trouble in class. Notes almost every week, detentions.....blah. I tried to not place the blame anywhere else. If she was not behaving in class, we took it seriously at home. She would write letters apologizing to those she disrupted, including her teacher. She was not allowed to watch TV or play with her DS. Her teacher is very nice and conferences were always positive. "Everyone Loves her", "she's my smartest student", "Straight A's", "just Beautiful work", etc. ....."she just drives me crazy sometimes". Ok. Not really what I want to hear from a teacher. So we kept getting letters from the teacher and we kept struggling to get her to school happily. So it began to make us wonder if we should just switch her. Mesquite is a great school and the schedule would work so much better. So something just clicked on Sunday and we decided we would switch her the next day. Ryan was very excited. We showed up on Monday morning and accepted with Open arms (or open enrollment. Sorry I know this is a sore subject for most, but we do live in the district!) She has made friends and she loves her teacher. I have heard wonderful things about her teacher, and I'm grateful her classmates are kind to her.

So she has had a great second First Day of School.....but i forgot to take pictures.

Mickey's Halloween Party

We decided earlier this year that we were going to do all we could to make sure to take the girls to Disneyland during their Halloween season because Ryan is a HUGE fan of the Nightmare Before Christmas and Jack Skellington is her favorite character. We have annual passes, but we bought tickets to go Mickey's Halloween Party. The girls had a good time and the rain stopped as soon as we got there and began as we were leaving.

Quick funny story: We were especially excited to take them to the Haunted Mansion because its decked out as HalloweenTown. We talked this up ALL year long. We get on.....Ryan and Reagan bawled the ENTIRE time. Hated it. Figures.

The girls with Sally.

AND the Moment of truth: Ryan started to freak out! I couldn't believe it. I PUSHED her towards him and he was so nice. She calmed right down. He told her he was so flattered that she dressed like him. It was cool!

Happy Campers! Reagan even loved it!

The Costume Parade

The next day, it was supposed to rain all day, but not one drop! It was perfect.

The girls FINALLY got to take a picture with Silvermist.

And then Tink.

Teacups with daddy.

Ariel's Carousel

Reagan Loving it...

Ryan loving it.....

Chris too.....

This is Mickey Mouse.

After two days at Disneyland........

Til Next time.....

Chris took that picture! I LOVE IT!

This is Halloween! This is Halloween!

Reagan went as her favorite, Hello Kitty.

Ryan went as her favorite, Jack Skellington.

We pieced their costumes together. I made Ryan's tutu and Chris made Ryan's shirt.

I think they came out cute.

Just Funny too

The entire family and I went to Walmart last night after the Trunk or Treat to make sure we were "ready for Sunday". Chris had Ryan in a cart and I had Reagan in mine. I began looking at the nuts and debating if I wanted to get almonds or not. Reagan asked what they were and I said they were almonds.

Reagan: "oh."
We then see another package of the nuts pictured above.
Reagan: "What kind of nuts are those?"
Me: "Those are Brazil Nuts"
Reagan: "Those look super gross. They should be called 'Poop Nuts'."

I laughed like I was 5 years old. I seriously couldn't control my laughter and then Reagan started doing her silly laugh that I love and then I really couldn't stop. I repeated what she said to Chris and Ryan and Ryan, of course, thought it was hilarious. Chris laughed a mature amount of time, but I couldn't stop.

Poop nuts......hahahahaha!!!

What I've been up to.....

I used to be creative and crafty.....but lately I've felt like I've had not one creative thought in my head and that makes me sad. So within the last two weeks after Reagan came home from the hospital, I haven't been working a whole lot, so I've gotten in touch with my crafty-inner self and I've worked on a few projects I've dying to do!!

*yes, this post probably should've been on my personal blog, but I didn't feel like re-uploading the pictures....sorry.

I messed up the order for the before and after.

This is after. Found this fabric in the remnant rack at Joann's for $2!!! I recovered SIX chairs for $2! Love this fabric!

Before.

Made Ryan and Reagan matching damask skirts. Ryan didn't want a picture taken. Ryan's skirt had turquoise ribbon on the bottom of hers.

Chris says all candy corn ever made was made in the 1920's. He hates candy corn, so I made a wreath out of it to remind him of his love for CANDY CORN!!!

I love the Candy Corn Man hanging in the middle. Can't believe I found that. It's Perfect!

My Favorite. I found a tutorial for this pillow and I had been DYING to try it....and I did!!
The petals are made from Black leather. I think it looks great with my New white leather couch and Green walls. L.O.V.E IT!

I'm hoping this is just the beginning! It feels good to get the creative juices flowing again!!

Just funny

Last night, I was debating about what to make for dinner. Feeling a little lazy, since it was a rough day with Reagan being sick, I decided we would order a pizza or get something else.

Me: hey Ryan, what would you like to eat for dinner? I don't really feel like cooking tonight.

Ryan: Oh good! Cause I don't really feel like eating something you cook tonight either.



I was hysterically laughing on the floor......just what I needed. Love you Ryan.....you're hilarious!