wining and dining

Just a few more photos-- every getaway involves a bit of a food splurge, right?!? We didn't do all that bad-- except for this meal. Vegetarians beware!

Mark decided on some steak and eggs-- he didn't figure on 4 eggs and a steak quite so big~

Needless to say he didn't move too quickly that evening :)

Since our favorite meal is breakfast, we decided on an Anniversary breakfast instead of dinner. We chose the breakfast tasting menu at Ko'sin at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass. It was a 2 hour event consisting of 5 courses of the chief's specialties.

Also included-- lots of yummy drinks!

Melt-in-your-mouth pancakes with sugar cane~

Homemade granola, salmon tacos, and infused oil. Don't really know with what- but when you put it on the taco-- OH MY!!

Homemade yogurt, muselix, and kiwi-strawberry smoothie~

More drink~

And very full bellies!

We were joined with crazy birds that love sugar. I kid you not- they opened the glass sugar containers, threw out the packets they didn't want, and then indulged on what they did. Quite entertaining~

Seriously-- does anyone know how to become a resort or food critic? :)

14 Years

Yikes! Time really does fly! On our Hawaiian Honeymoon 14 years ago, we vowed to go back on our 5th Anniversary. That came... and went. So did our 10th... and 11th... 12th.... and 13th. This was a year to get away for a few days. Hawaii will have to wait some more. But, taking full advantage of our supposedly horrendous economy, (you would NOT believe it for a second if you saw the airports!) along with some help from Travelzoo.com, we found our piece of heaven!

While VERY thankful for airline benefits, but coming with the hassle of taking 4 flights to get to Phoenix, we finally arrived at the Intercontinental Montelucia at the base of the CamelBack mountains. What did we do? RELAX! (and eat) I do believe the good Lord's peacefulness should reside in your homes, as well as inside of you, but we've honestly never experienced a more peaceful place-- and the Joya Spa is incredible! If you're looking for a getaway-- it's worth every penny!

As for the basic rooms--- here's the bathroom. Not too shabby, ladies!

If only the rest of the trip home was as peaceful--- all those planes and no room for us. Good for the airline, bad for us. Thankfully there is another airline called Southwest :) PHEW! Although, being stuck for another day wouldn't have been all that bad... Just a few days to unwind and reflect is a benefit to anyone. Thanks to the family that helped watch little feet!

Time passes so quickly, and I'm so thankful to have a loving, patient husband like Mark~ here's to the next 14!

food expiration

Ever wonder where to keep you strawberries-- counter-top or fridge?

How long will that chicken in the freezer last?

Just found out about a really neat site that will tell you everything you need to know about food storage: StillTasty

cool experiment

This was a really neat experiment-- although it didn't quite work for us.

You're supposed to be able to make a flashlight out of Mountain Dew. I guess Elisha was our guard for the night :) And here's what it's supposed to do-- better luck next time for us :)

christmas in june

After 3 weeks of delivery delays, the pallets finally arrived!

What's inside?? Lots and LOTS of stone! Someday soon it will be on our house :)

silly mom

Call me crazy. I really thought you just used 'side-walk' chalk to 'make pictures' on the sidewalk.

Today I learned that it's apparently more fun to make sidewalk 'dust.' As Elisha explains, "you just color the chalk really hard on the concrete- then collect the dust. Isn't that great mom!? Look at our buckets full of it."

At least they're creative-- right??

I'm bored.

Today it happened. The dreaded curse words appeared. Mom- I'm bored.

So, I did what any homeschooling mom would do-- the ultimatum was issued and I threatened to head to my arsenol-- the school cabinet FULL of books.

Of course, my 4 little ones are very wise and instead decided to go play.

This was a battle I won-- or so I thought.

Half an hour later- they appeared. Now, I'm not so sure who has the victory...

work continues...

This old house has seen enough of Lowe's. Time to parge it away. Thankfully the experts happened to see Mark working away, and took pity on him-- they will be finishing the job for him~ at a MUCH faster pace :) (yay!!)

Hopefully, pictures of a almost finished house will be coming soon.... :)

All those scraps are good for something.

As you may be able to tell, our house is full of scraps of all kinds! What better may to make use of them? Why, pull out your handy-dandy book of Treehouses, Huts, and Forts, and find something neat to assemble~

Project of the day: a catapult launcher

It's amazing to see just how many targets a big brother can find--- none of which would be little sister-- right?!?

The next project~ a potato launcher. Ahhhhh-- the fun never stops :)

who needs snow?

Only our children find a way to go sled-riding in June. And only queen Elizabeth can make her little brother pull her around :) Guess that dirt pile is good for some things after all!

They're actually growing!

I am known as many things, but a horticulturist is NOT one of them. (Nor is my husband for sure! Love you...)

This might not excite anyone--- but LOOK!! Our flowers from last year are in bloom and actually growing! WOO HOO! Just had to show some proof :)

Now improved Lowe's Wrap

As we are now known around the neighborhood as the official Lowe's Wrap house- figured it need some improving--

so, we are now the 'Lowe's Wrap House- with wire mesh.'

Little by little. step by step ... :)

My goofball

Only my boy. And guess who showed him how to do it????