happy birthday ally.

it's hard to believe my baby sister is 20 today! unbelievable... ally really is such an amazing person and deserves the greatest birthday. she is such an amazing friend, sister and aunt, and one of the most caring and thoughtful people i know. it's hard to think of a present worthy of her greatness especially after watching her spend hours and hours making sure everyone else has the perfect birthday. anyone who knows ally is a lucky person and is better for knowing her. just know i love you al pal, and i'm glad we are now in the "20's" together even if it is only for a couple weeks. :)

taylor's 8.

hard to believe our sweet baby girl is 8 years old today. we had a wonderful, busy, and fabulous day pampering her. we love you tay tay! happy, happy 8th birthday.
photograph courtesy of elegant images

happy birthday pops.

my dad is pretty much the coolest, yet dorkiest dad on the planet. (and i mean that in the nicest way) today is his birthday, and it's cloudy outside, his absolute favorite kind of weather. I ordered it especially for your birthday dad, and you can even expect a little rain later. love you! if you haven't read this story yet about my awesome dad... it's a must.

my man is 35.

whoa... how time flies, it honestly seems like yesterday that i was making chad his first carrot cake for his 23rd birthday. And now, 11 birthday carrot cakes, 3.9 children, 5 different homes, and 12 different cars later, my main squeeze is 35.

happy birthday chadly... te amo.

the big bash.

jackson boy.

my jackson boy is 6 today... bittersweet if you ask me, I can't believe how fast he is growing up!

last night this is how our conversation went:

me and chad: "Jackson, what would you like for your birthday?"

jackson: " I really, really want a maker machine... you know, so I could say I want a banana and a banana would come out."

me and chad: "That's really nice but, how about something that you may have seen at the store."

jackson: "Oh, I know! I saw this really cool orange gun at the dollar store, but it costs a whole dollar."

me and chad: "anything else..."

jackson: "lots and lots of balls, footballs, and soccer balls..... oh and a car so I could go anywhere I want to."

We love you Jax! Nobody has a mind quite like you, and you light up all of our lives!

Happy 6th Birthday!

shout out.

happy birthday mom! hope your birthday is as wonderful as you! if you would like to see steps on how to be as great as my mom go here.... and to see what an amazing grama she is go here... Love ya mom!!

princess party.

preparations for a princess party:

invitations


a place for a ball............................ a princess throne



vanilla cupcakes with strawberry cream cheese frosting.... goodie bags for the princesses

the birthday cake
vanilla cake with strawberry ice cream filling

the princess make up station............. wands for dancing


pink tissue flowers .........................kate's birthday tablecloth

the princes

and of course... the birthday princess

We invited the "real" Cinderella to the party and

Now it's time to PARTY like a PRINCESS!!

kate's 3 today!

Our sweet princess Kate turned 3 today! She has been telling everyone she is 6 (sometimes 7) for the past year, so it was a little difficult convincing her that she is 3. Kate is such a bundle of joy, silliness, grouchiness, princessesness, maturity, and sweetness all rolled into one and she lights up our home with smiles and laughter. Her is a list of some of her favorites at 3- years-old (so that I have it documented)...

Favorite Food: Pizza, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, turkey (she never has a problem eating)
Favorite Movie: Aladdin
Favorite Princess: Jasmine
Favorite Item: her blanky
Favorite Activity: Dance Class
Favorite Home Activity: reading books, coloring, playing princesses, playing kitchen
Favorite Book: Any princess book
Favorite Song to Sing: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Favorite Place: Disneyland
Favorite Ice Cream: Pink...

I love you Katie Pie!! Happy Birthday! I hope you always remember what a beautiful princess you are!

We had a princess birthday bash for kate... pictures to be posted later...

29.....

I reached the BIG 2-9 over the weekend, and I can't say I am all that thrilled about it. I am going to have to really enjoy this last year of my 20's because I'm not looking forward to the next number. Chad was off on another bike race, but he did send me the traditional "rose for every year" gift. (A tradition he started when I was 18) He has actually missed the past 3 birthday's because of this bike race..... do I sound a little bitter? While he was gone, I did get to hang out with the Red Rock Spa and eat at a new restaurant "BLEU GOURMET." And I did happen to have the greatest massage ever! My mom did a Forever 21 shopping spree in San Fran and got me some cute things for my birthday (pictures of Mom at Forever 21, to be posted later...) And my mother-in-law got me a creme brulee "kit" that I can't wait to try...

29... how did I get to be 29?

Now it's time to get back to packing... Yes, our house has sold again, and this time it's for sure (actually the same people that bought it the last time which fell through are buying it again). We have to be out in 2 days, so blogging may be a little sparse. Wish me luck... I hope I survive.

Kate, in her red, white and blue for Sept. 11

A couple onesies I made last night.

Happy Birthday Papa Jack!

My Grandpa (Papa Jack) celebrated his 81st birthday yesterday! Papa Jack is an amazing craftsman, handyman, artisan, jeweler, poet, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, etc., etc. Not to mention, he eats the craziest concoctions I've ever seen. (Tabasco sauce on everything!) He can engrave things so beautifully, and the items he has given me are some of my most treasured possessions. I often run into people that I don't know wearing something he has made, and I make sure to point out to them that "My Grandpa made that." I am in the process of having him teach me this intricate and beautiful art, but I don't think I can ever reach his level of artistry.

Grandpa, YOU ROCK! Happy Happy Birthday!
Grandpa Jack, engraved this "Mother's Belt Buckle" for me...... simply amazing.