10 Days!!!

I can't believe it's October!!! Tune in on Thursday 10-10-13 to watch me spin the wheel! CA friends ABC 7 at 7:30pm. AZ friends 3TV at 7:00pm, and look for a commercial promo I filmed that may air that day on 3TV. Also go to www.wheeloffortune.com on Monday, 10-7-13 and read all about my experience leading up to the big day. Click on contestant blogs and I'll pop right up. Enjoy!!

My Iron Man

I love this little boy of mine so much. It's hard for me to accept the fact that he's no longer a "baby" but a big boy. It's hard for me to run errands with out him during the week while he's at preschool. Crazy as it sounds I feel like my identity is gone when I'm at the grocery store with out him...it's just me. So I very much enjoy days like today where we went to Target together and browsed the toy section and found some super cool Spiderman socks. After Target we went over to Costco where we found a super cool Iron Man costume for Halloween and Batman boots he had to have. I love Costco. My little boy has yet to take off his costume, and has me guarding his Batman boots from the dog so he can wear them to pick up his sister from school. Days like today make my heart full, and remind me to soak in every minute while they are little...and want to run around the house pretending to be Iron man saving the world from the bad guys.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I stumbled upon this recipe online (not from pinterest, crazy I know!) and I had to try it out. I've yet to try out a basic recipe for red chicken tortilla soup. The rain we had on Saturday continued into Monday...it poured the entire day and to me it was the perfect day to try it out. It turned out AWESOME! My picky little eaters ate up this soup faster than anything and Bryan and I very much enjoyed it as well. I paired it with cornbread and fruit. Best part about this recipe its made in the crock pot, not expensive at all, and makes a ton of leftovers! Enjoy! 1 rotisserie chicken shredded (or any other type of cooked chicken shredded) 1 can whole tomatoes 1 can red enchilada sauce 1 can of corn 1 4oz can of green chilies 2 cups of water 1 cup of chicken stock 1 onion chopped 2 garlic cloves chopped 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon red chili powder 1 bay leaf 1 avocado,shredded cheese, and tortilla chips for garnish Toss everything into your crock pot except the avocado, cheese, and tortilla chips. Cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4-5 hours. This soup is so yummy! Enjoy!!!

Is It Fall Yet??

We woke up to grey skies and rain on Saturday. We started the day out with chores then went out to lunch with the kids and came back home. I crafted the rest of the afternoon while Bryan cut the lawn. Since it was stormy I decided to pull out my fall stuff and play around with it. I made this sign for my post and I LOVE it! I also have a few more projects that are not done yet but hopefully soon!

The Pallet Project

Months and months and months ago I pinned a pallet art piece on Pinterest. I wanted it. I really, really, really wanted it but it was expensive, very expensive. Fast forward, Bryan bought me a silhouette cameo before the school year ended and I've been practicing with it a ton with little crafts here and there. This summer, while I was visiting my parents in CA, I showed my dad my pallet art piece pin on pinterest. He said he could make one up just like it and of course I jumped on the opportunity. We went to Lowes and bought the wood and he showed me step by step how to make it. It turned out perfect and I was so anxious to get home and start prettying it up. This pallet was a beast. It took me forever to paint it and sand it. Then Wheel of Fortune happened and I had to put it on hold while I studied my brains out. I came home from Wheel and settled back into normal life and last Friday while the kids were at school I tacked the rest of it. This was a huge project that took me hours and hours but in the end I'm completely in love with it. It turned out exactly like what I had originally pinned on pinterest. Thank you Dad so so so much for taking the time to put the pallet together for me!

The Trip Home

We had such a great fast trip to CA to tape Wheel. I have to brag, I have the best little travelers ever. Brody and Ruby slept most of the way while Brooke listened to music or played on her ipod. On the way home we hit terrible weather. Normally it takes us maybe 6 hours to get from SCV, CA to Gilbert, AZ. This trip it took us close to 9 hours. It was brutal but we made it safely. I had to throw in a pic of Ruby with her brother Toby. Ruby looks like she went crazy with black eyeliner.

I'd Like ot Buy a Vowel #5

Well the big day arrived!!! It was the most amazing, thrilling, awesome, words can't describe experience, I've ever had. I wish I could tell you ALL about the amazing time I had but I can't. Tune in to Wheel Of Fortune on 10-10-13 to see how I did! Trust me, you don't want to miss it!!!!

Birthday Bear Turns 4!!!

This year we pretended the 23rd was on the 20th. Since we were heading out to CA on the 21st to tape Wheel of Fortune on the 23rd, we celebrated our sweet boy's birthday a few days early. We had such a fun day. We took sister to school then headed out to BounceU for a fun few hours of bouncing. Brody had a blast and it was so nice to get out of the heat and bounce with a bunch of friends. Then we headed to McDonalds for lunch (Brody's pick). Then we headed home so I could bake the birthday boy's birthday cake. Brody requested a blue chocolate transformer cake. Brody napped while I baked. Then we picked up sister, took her to piano lessons and headed out to our favorite pizza place for dinner. After dinner we came home and opened presents. We sent the birthday boy on a fun scavenger hunt around the house to hunt for his big gift which was....a spiderman bike! We had a great day celebrating our sweet little boy. He is such a joy and brings me so much happiness and always keeps me on my toes. I love his cuddles and kisses. It makes me so sad to see him grow up so fast but I'm grateful I still have these next 2 years before Kindergarten to soak in as much Brody and mommy time as I can. I love you my sweet Brody Bears!!!

First Day of Preschool

Among all of the chaos of studying, outfit planning, birthday planning, my sweet little boy started preschool! He absolutely loves it and I'm so incredibly thankful we found such a wonderful in home school for him taught by an amazing woman in our ward. Brody comes home every time with a great big smile and hes learning so very much.

I'd Like to Buy a Vowel #4

Soooooo we came back from our extended vacation in CA and settled in with the start of the school year. On the third day of school I was sitting, as usual, in the parent pick-up line and my phone rang. It was an 818 number and the city read Culver City. I freaked. I told Brody to be as quiet as he could be so I could answer the phone. I was so excited and crossing my fingers they were going to send me to Los Angeles....and they did!!! I was scheduled to tape Wheel of Fortune on 8/23/13..my baby bear's birthday! The next day FedEx brought me my contestant info packet and that was the start of two weeks of intense studying and of course figuring out what I was going to wear!

First Day of 2nd Grade!!!

First day of school is here!! I can't believe summer vacation is officially over. I've been mopey the last few days longing for pool and park days with the kids. I cannot believe my sweet little girl is in 2nd grade now. It makes me so sad to see her grow up so fast! I wish I could just freeze time. This school year is going to be great. A week from now Brooke will be starting piano lessons and then a few weeks from now fall ball will start as well. Brooke is so very excited for both of those fun extra-curricular activities. Its all about balance for me (more importantly for Brooke) and I feel great about those activities in combination with school and homework. I'm anxious to hear about how her first day went and I hope today goes by fast!

Back To School Dates!

Earlier this afternoon I had my annual back-to-school date with Brooke. She chose to go have Bahama Bucks and a trip to Target. I love this little tradition we have. We talk about 2nd grade, her worries and excitement about the unknowns of 2nd grade. I cherish this time with her so much and remind her of the fun year she is about to have and of course how much I love her so! After our treat we headed to Target. She picked out some socks, hair accessories, a cute t-shirt (mom couldn't resist even though we done plenty back-to-school shopping in that area with Oma), and then we headed home. Tomorrow it's Bryan's turn to have his date with her and I think he mentioned he's taking her to breakfast. So fun!

Welcome Home

We're home!! It's been such a hard adjustment after having such a fun-filled month with Oma and Opa in CA. There were tears shed when we left and more for a few days after we arrived home. It's almost been a week since we've come back and the kids are finally doing better and excited to start school!! When we pulled up Bryan was eager to have all of our attention as he pushed the garage opener button....we had our very own welcome home sign unravel! The kids were so excited and I was SO impressed! The kids ran upstairs to find balloons and streamers as well as new coloring books and markers in their rooms. I had a new book placed on my nightstand as well as a new pair of shoes. We sure missed Bryan and Ruby! I came home to a very clean and orderly home. It really helped so much to only have to worry about unpacking, laundry and grocery shopping and to not have to worry about cleaning the house. That meant the world to me! Love you Bryan! Thank you!!

Summer Vacation in CA.....

It's 1:15 am and after gathering our things around my parents house and packing everything up I thought it was a good time to blog about all the fun we've had here this month. I wish I took more photos with friends we were able to visit with, the fun dates Bryan and I had while he was here for a short time, and I'm determined to get a photo of my mom with the kids before I leave tomorrow and add it to this post. The time spent here always flies on by. The entire trip I kept reminding myself to soak it in, every minute. I'm going to miss my parents so incredibly much. They are the most loving Oma and Opa to Brooke and Brody. It was so great to spend time with them. My mom is so amazing. She babysat the kids for me several times so that I was able to catch up with dear friends, spend time with my dad and sister and when I just plain needed a break! I had the most incredible vacation and I know the kids did too. Mom and Dad thank you so very much for everything. I love you both so much!! I can't thank you enough for allowing the kids and I stay with you for a bit and make such wonderful fun summer vacation memories that they will remember and continue to talk about throughout the year. I know I'll cherish these memories forever. Enjoy the pictures and many posts below!!

Summer Vacation in CA: Dodger Game with my Dad!!

One of my most favorite things I got to do while vacationing and visiting my family in CA was to go to a Dodger game with my sweet dad. Our seats were great and lucky for us we were in the shade. The Dodgers played the Rockies and won, yay! After the game we got to watch the movie 42. It was so very neat to watch this inspiring movie about Jackie Robinson in a ballpark after watching a Dodger game. I loved every minute spent with my dad at the game and it is a memory that I will cherish forver. I love you Dad!! Thank you for allowing me to be your date!!

Summer Vacation in CA: Big Bear!

My sister invited my dad and I to Big Bear to look at cabins. I have never been to Big Bear (shocker I know, born and raised in Southern CA and this was my first time) and it was such a wonderful day trip. My mom offered to stay behind and watch the kids for me (Mom you are the best!!!) and the day was perfect. Big Bear is so gorgeous, absloutely beautiful and the weather was perfect! The entire day was perfect! I was able to enjoy the time spent with my dad and my sister and it was so very relaxing for me. Thank you Mom so much for watching the kids for me!!!

Summer Vacation in CA: The Beach!

No vacation to CA is complete without the beach...our favorite beach which is Zuma Beach in Malibu. This is our beach. We've gone ever since Brooke was a baby. This beach is sentimental to me. In High School my small group of friends would always have activities at Zuma. Also, my best friend was married at this beach (I was in her wedding and had recently found out a few days before her wedding that I was having a girl). Some things and places are sentimental to me and this beach just happens to be one of them. We always, always, ALWAYS see dolphins and this trip did not disappoint. It was a perfect day and the kids were in heaven playing in the sand and water. It was so cute watching Brooke collect seashells with her bright pink sand bucket.

Summer Vacation in CA: Pool and Park Fun!

Many of our days were spent at the local parks and my parent's community pool. It was so fun swimming everyday with the same group of neighbors. I call them Brooke's "pool friends". Last year we did the same, went swimming almost everyday at the same time and we would see the same group of kids and parents. My sweet little outgoing Brooke became fast friends with these girls and boys roughly the same age. It was SO neat to come back a year later and see yet again the same group of children AND they even remembered Brooke! We walked right in and this sweet little girl said "I remember you from last summer!!" So a year later there were plenty more pool days with our pool friends. Brooke is a great swimmer and this year I was able to teach Brody and by the end of the first week he was doing amazing! My hope is by next summer he will be a very confident swimmer and I can enjoy the pool poolside soaking up the sun...in moderation of course. We also spent many nights at the park, I took the picture above of Brody before his back to school haircut. I miss his long hair but I know in no time it will grow back. It was so peaceful to watch the kids play and sit with my parents and spend time with them. The weather was gorgeous in the evenings after dinner.

Summer Vacation in CA: Misc. Fun #2

Our Summer Vacation: Misc. Fun #2 continues with lots of time spent painting our nails, our annual back to school haircuts with Oma and my sweet Dad teaching me how to make a pallet for a craft project I pinned on pinterest awhile back. He also taught me how to use a router saw, a regular saw machine and tips on how to make other projects I have pinned on pinterest. My dad is the greatest and I love him SO much! I appreciate all the time he spent with me and teaching me how to become a better wood crafter. I hope that someday I can be as handy as he is when it comes to creating things for around the house. I definitly cherished the time spent with him these last few weeks. Also pictured above is a beautiful bouquet of flowers. I had just walked home from the pool with the kids and there was a knock at the door. Bryan had sent me flowers with a sweet message. It made my day and I felt so loved!! Who dosen't love having flowers delivered?!?!

Summer Vacation in CA: Misc. Fun #1

Summer Vacation: Misc. Fun #1 starts with some fun things we did while Bryan was with us for a week of fun. We were able to spend the day at Castaic Lake with Bryan's parents. Best part of the day was when I had asked Bryan to grab something from my purse. He handed over his fishing pole (he had been fishing bright and early with his dad and both had fished unsucessfully all day) not 3 seconds later while holding the pole with one hand I catch the only fish for the day. HA! I thought it was awesome, Bryan not so much. He despises the fact that I'm the "fish whisperer" of our family. We also took the kids to see Monsters University. The photo above showcases my children's personalities perfectly. The 4th of July was super fun too! The kids were wiped out and enjoyed the fireworks show at the Valencia Town Center.

New Recipe Successes

I have had some serious luck lately with my pinterest pins on my recipe board. Usually when I try out a recipe for the first time its hit and miss but as of late they really have been winners. I meal plan on a weekly basis. I only grocery shop on Mondays and every other Monday I add a Costco trip. That means no in between trips during the week...I make sure to buy everything needed on that day and stay on budget. I've been doing this now for almost 2 years and it was very difficult at first but now it has gotten much easier. I treat my pantry and my refrigerator like a store and I keep a strict inventory. I never over buy and as crazy as it sounds I be sure to memorize everything my "store" has in stock. Bryan didn't believe me months ago when we were chatting about this and I told him to go ahead and challenge me I can tell you exactly how much whether it be boxes, cans, etc...you name it I'll tell you if I have it and how much...from the pantry, fridge down to my spices...I was serious and sure enough I had gotten every single question right. Call it OCD or whatnot I just like to be organized and I take my current job as a stay at home mother, meal planner, home organizer very seriously. Anyways with that being said I meal plan and with the weather warming up I've had to put away my winter/spring cooler weather recipes and pull out and plan my summer recipes. Summer cooking is difficult in AZ. It's well over 112 degrees and grilling outside isn't an option in the summer months with the monsoons and intense heat. So lots of salads and lighter meals are great...without turning on the oven that makes it even more perfect. Anyways, I've had huge success with lots of salads and lighter meals I have pinned on pinterest but I had to blog about my two favorite. One is just plain delicious, healthy and screams summer and the other the kids have been fanatic over. I love pizza and take-out pizza is always fun. I end up over eating it and I always feel gross afterwards. I found this recipe on pinterest that uses frozen Rhodes rolls as pizza dough. I put them out 3-4 hours before dinner, (to let them thaw out and rise), and they make the PERFECT little tiny mini pizzas. My kids have had a blast making their own little pizzas. They require the use of an oven but not for very long at all and its so worth it. They come out so perfect and light and with a side of fruit,salad or quinoa dish it is perfect. Next is my favorite. Chickpea Salad. I could eat this ALL summer. It's beautiful and so tasty not to mention healthy! I stumbled upon it while looking for some sort of cold cucumber/onion salad for Bryan. He had mentioned a while ago that he wanted to try this cold salad he saw at the deli counter at the super market...I took a mental note and decided to find something along the same lines but WAY better to make for him for his Father's Day dinner. I found this recipe and decided to give it a try and serve it as a side to his favorite BBQ beef pulled sandwiches that I had planned for Father's Day. It was such a hit! We had our sweet neighbors over too and they loved it as well. Finally, how fun is the last photo?! I had made chocolate chip coconut bars for FHE dessert last week and my sweet Brody, bless his heart, always has SUCH a hard time waiting until after dinner and a lesson for treats. Can you tell? He grabs his little step stool and just stares ... until I chase him out of my kitchen.

I'd Like to Buy a Vowel Part 3

Never in a million years did I think I'd ever have the chance to be a contestant on Wheel or Fortune. After my successful audition that I blogged about a few weeks ago I thought "Okay, that was so much fun.. but don't hold your breath because it ain't gonna happen." I did my best and yet I did have that ever so slight glimmer of hope that maybe just maybe I'd get picked. After those first 9 days went by I thought that was it, my congratulatory letter wasn't coming. I went out to get the mail after a rather frustrating morning on Wednesday and there it was right behind a bunch of bills. I ran into the house screaming and scared my family half to death. Bryan thought I saw a scorpion or something from all my screaming. I can not believe it. I STILL CAN NOT BELIEVE IT. I'm BEYOND thrilled. I have from now until 12 months from now to receive that call for my taping date. I feel so incredibly blessed and excited and thrilled and every excited and grateful emotion one can possibly feel. I'm really looking forward to it whether its a month from now or 9 months from now I'm ready and excited to have fun and spin that Wheel!!!

Summer Fun!!

Summer so far has been so good to us and SO much fun! In the last two weeks we've gone fishing, swimming and a trip to Bass Pro Shop. We've went to two movies and went to a magic show (I was picked to go up as a volunteer). We collected the first two prizes today from the Summer Reading Program that is put on by our Library. Brooke picked a jump rope and a slinky and Brody picked a ball and a blow up flower thing. They both are well on their way towards earning a free book upon completion of the program. Brooke also completed a reading worksheet sent home from her teacher in correlation with Barnes and Noble and earned a free book! She picked out a book about Dolphins. I'm so proud of her. I bought a 2nd grade workbook at Costco before school ended and she has been such a superstar completing 5 pages of work a day. I usually pull out 2 reading worksheets, 1 spelling and 1 math. Each worksheet is double sided so that's 10 pages a day! It has challenging for both of us at times especially the first week but this week its been great. I'm very proud of her. The heat, I think has been very mild so far. Today we hit 111 degrees and I think the triple digits are here to stay. Better in June than early May like last year!