jam packed

Grandmama (Ben's mom) came for a quick trip this weekend. We jam packed it with a lot of good family time and a lot of fun. She is an avid gardener and came with us to the L.A. Garden Show. We all thought it was the coolest ever and will be even more prepared next year. Ben came home with 15 different tomato varieties and I came home with some really fantastic ferns. They are seriously the most fantastic things ever as far as house plants go. Once, I have them up I will share it.

After the garden show, we came home, cleaned up, dropped off our plants and made our way to the beach, but not before we stop by to pick up some Sprinkles... yum! Then, we ended the evening with a yummy dinner right by the sea and a walk admiring the ocean and sunset. Oh how I wish we came to the beach more often!

Now the weekend is done. How is it that is always flies by?!! Lots of things to do this week, as usual, but all I want to do is cuddle and stay warm in bed. Anyone else feel the same?

Hello Monday! It is nice to see you again.

out of the country and on the ship

I wish we had more time in Mexico. More time to eat, more time to shop, and more time to take pictures, but our few hours there will have to do...

My first time on a real cruise gave me only one morning of sickness, nothing a nap couldn't take care of. Then, it was off to have fun...

It was fun cruisin' along!!!

polaroid tuesday: week one

Hi all. I'm back. Right after the new year, we were whisked away by my side of the family to Mexico (one day there) and some floating around in the Pacific Ocean for a couple of days (thanks mom & dad for this treat). This was all in celebration of my dad's 50th birthday (my mom and him married young and had me young). It was a grand jovial celebration of my dad's half of a century and our family.

Of course, while there I took along my new-old polaroid camera. I am so loving it! With this new year, I wanted to embark on a new little challenge/project for myself. My goal is to take at least one polaroid picture a week (those things are darn expensive) and share here every Tuesday. Let's see how this goes. I think this will be fun and challenge more picture taking skills cause really taking pictures is just a lot of fun. So here is the first (a real polaroid picture and not a poladroid) of what will hopefully be a collection of 52 polaroid pictures...
This was our home for a couple days and the sea animals were our neighbors. My girls were especially happy. I will share more pictures of the trip and our special end of the year celebration soon.

Happy First Tuesday of 2009!!!

we must have been good

Our Christmas celebration was fun and full of joy... so much of it.

Santa must have thought I was good this year because not only did I get my top Christmas wish, but I got two of them...Ben is just the most wonderful. He tried for weeks looking online for a polaroid and the research nerd that he is, he tried to find one with a timer and tripod attachment ability, but beggars can't be choosers right? Also, wanting to be reasonable about buying a polaroid camera, he refused to pay the exorbitant prices they were going for on ebay. So what did he do? He called a ton, I mean a TON of southern California thrift shops. It must have been God's will because 2 days before Christmas he struck gold. A super close by thrift shop had two cameras and sold it to him for 5 bucks. Yes, 5 bucks. Imagine his elation when he had both in his hands. This guy really loves to make his wife happy. I am super glad to be that wife.

On Christmas morning, I opened up a box, which was from Anthropologie. Well, since I thought he couldn't find anything for me, I just told him to get my favorite candles from Anthro. I was a bit bewildered at first because inside the box were two things that were not shaped like my candles, but when I took off the tissue paper, I was so excited and just laughed because not only did I have one polaroid camera, but two! Yup, my Benny is really just the best. I think he spoils me too much. Plus he got me another little contraption for my camera to aid in my photography love. 

Yes. I must have been a good girl. 

And my little girls, well, they were good girls too. They got their dream kitchen or maybe it is more like my dream kitchen. Nevertheless, they love it and True claims to already have "burned" something as she cooks. 

Ben. He was good too. He is so good that all he wanted for Christmas was to give to those in need (I did give him a few practical things). Yeah, he puts me to shame. Just another reason why I love him so much. 

Well, this will be my last post for the year (so I did manage to sneak one last one in). I am thankful to God for all the blessings and friendships he has poured upon me this past year and I joyfully look forward to this new year. 

Happy New Year to all of you!!!

out and about

This weekend came and went so quickly and we were everywhere... 

On Saturday afternoon, we went to Knott's Berry Farm because it was sort of free to get in, as you just had to bring a brand new packaged toy worth at least $10, so we brought 2 and in we went with the girls (This special is on next weekend too if anyone is interested). 

This was the girls first time in an amusement park and Ben's first time at Knott's. We rode 2 rides together, but mostly just walked around. We came to the conclusion that while we had fun, Knott's definitely lacks the "magic" that Disneyland has. Though, we will have to wait to go to Disneyland because it is just too darn expensive to get in.

On Sunday, after an already full day at church, we went to Unique in Los Angeles. It was like going on etsy, but in real life, and they had some other funky non-etsy designers. Karen (Misha Lulu) was there and it is always a treat to see her, her funkiness, and her family.

The only problem here was that the girls were already so tired and napless that they were cranky. The only thing that pacified them was Brave pushing the stroller and True wanting to walk around with one shoe...

There was a bag there (some clarification for those who might need it: it was much, much cheaper at the show than stated on the website) that I wanted from Rebe, but with the girls cranky (fighting and crying), it was really hard to do any shopping. I guess the bag could go on my Christmas wish list. Ben keeps asking what I want, so here is a little help for him, but I still really want a polaroid camera and lots of film (that may be #1)...

Starting with top left: vintage royal typewriter, acorn necklace, vintage locket, house slippers

Other than that, those things aren't needs, just likes and wants, so I think we are going to be a bit more practical with our gift giving, so who knows what I am gonna get or get him for that matter. I think I am done with others, though I do have a few things to make (and bake)... oh i can't wait for some Christmas baking.

Eek! Christmas is almost here... time goes so fast. 

What's on your Christmas wish list? 

some stashin' fun all day long

Yesterday, we declared it Ben's "More-stashin' FUN Birthday" because we had fun stashed for him all day long. Of course, it started with the traditional breakfast in bed...

And his little present to get ready for the "more-stashin" fun day ahead...
I totally loved this when I first saw it on Something's Hiding in Here awhile back, and knew I would have to get us all one and use it as a surprise for Ben, so his birthday was the perfect opportunity.
Little did he know, everyone had their own little 'stache...

When we finally got on the road (and after some arguing, yes, we argue), we gave Ben his first poladroid clue...Where do you think we were headed off to?
Santa Monica Pier!!! We had some fun, of course took some pictures, and played a bit...






Then, back in the car and we gave Benny the next poladroid clue...
Where are we headed off to next?
Noah's Ark exhibit at the Skirball!!! Thanks Jen... I learned something else from you.
The rain came down and the floods came up and we all had fun exploring the interactive exhibit...


Of course, we 'stashed away good memories here too!


We loaded in the car once again and gave Benny his next (and last) poladroid clue?
Where are we gonna go next?
We went to 'stash a lot of yummy food in our tummies at Joe's Sushi!!!

Thank God for our wonderful day! I have to admit it started out kinda bad cause I was mad that he was late and he was mad that I was mad, so there was tension. Though, praise God he softened both our hearts and we had to do a little communicating and asking forgiveness and then we were able to enjoy the rest of the day that the Lord has made just for Ben (and whoever else shares his birthday).
We 'stashed lots of memories for sure... and we will be sure using these wonderful mustaches to 'stash away more memories. We just love them... and when (and if) we add another to our little clan, we will be sure to get another little mustache.

As for the poladroids... oh I love them so much! Best of all, the program is downloadable and FREE! The only thing I paid for was to print it out at FedEx Office. They were exactly what I needed to get the effect I wanted for Ben's birthday. Funny cause on my Christmas wish list is Polaroid camera (and loads of film), then I found this and it is just grand! So much fun... you could really just poladroid the day away!!! Now, I still want the real deal, but poladroiding is just as fun.

I hope y'all 'stash away lots of fun this weekend, we will for sure... we have got an exciting weekend planned!

my day

The traditional breakfast in bed, which consisted of my common request for pumpkin pancakes and Ben's common creation of some sort of little critter (inspired by Play With Your Food) made of a fruit or vegetable...

A surprise day trip to the mountains for picnicking and frolicking around...




It was a marvelous way to spend my birthday! 

Thanks to my Benny and both my little babyCakies... I love them so much!!!

The Untold Story of Oz

My head was spinning, it felt like a tornado had hit me. I found my bed and drifted off to a deep sleep.


I awoke in the most colorful of places and looked up as the loveliest person drifted towards me.She introduced herself as Glinda, the good witch of the North.

All of a sudden, another person, well a rather green person, took me by surprise.

Her name was Elphaba, the "Wicked" Witch of the West. She went onto say that she wasn't really wicked, but just misunderstood.


That is when all three of us noticed the most dazzling shoes...
Then, both girls started bickering about which one of them was going to keep the ruby red slippers, apparently they were both shoe-a-holics. Suddenly, the shoes disappeared from their place and appeared on my feet.
Elphaba was a bit disheartened as she wanted to keep them as a remembrance of her sister. Glinda explained it was necessary that I have them, as it would guide me on my quest to go back home.

Frustrated with Glinda, the Witch of the West, hopped on her broom and headed home.


Glinda then instructed to me that I needed to find my way to the Emerald City because there would be answers on how to get back home to Kansas.

I asked, "How do I get to the Emerald City?"

"Simple, just follow the yellow-brown grass."


She bid me farewell.
Then off I went.

I'd been walking a long time when the yellow-brown grass decided to split into two. "Which direction should I take?" I said to myself.

Seemingly from the air, a voice said, "That way."

I thought, where did that come from?

"Okay, well, maybe it's that way," the voice said. "Look, I am up here!"

Astonished, I looked up to see the most handsome, talking Scarecrow ever. All I could manage to say was, "Wow!"
He asked for help down from the post and I happily obliged. He quickly sled down, while at the same time losing parts of himself everywhere. Then, he hurriedly stuffed himself again.
He said, "I can help you find your way to the Emerald City."

Once I looked into his eyes, how can I refuse such a generous offer. After all, it was getting lonely walking alone and he was pretty darn cute, even if he didn't have much of a brain!

As we were walking, I was falling more in love with the scarecrow. He was just marvelous! I didn't notice for how long we had stopped walking, but were just staring into each other's eyes when our lips started to gravitate together...

Suddenly, the Witch of the West appeared and was threatening the scarecrow. She said, "Don't you try to hurt her."
Then, she turned to me and asked, "Was he trying to hurt you?"

I said, "No. He was being very sweet."She said, "Oh... sorry, my apologies."

I think the Witch was quite confused and didn't realize that a kiss was a sweet gesture.

Quickly floating down, came Glinda.

Glinda asked, "Is everything alright?"
"Yes." I replied. "Just another misunderstanding."

She looked at Elphaba, whom she fondly calls, Elphe, and said, "I guess confusion happens again, you are getting yourself into more trouble. This isn't good for your reputation."

Elphe just shook her head and said, "I know, I know. I meant well."

At that moment, my little pup, Toto, was beginning to get a bit anxious stuck in a basket all day long. I took him out to let him run around a bit and it seemed the two witches were both interested in my little friend.

I was having such a grand time with Glinda, Elphe, and the Scarecrow that I didn't want our time to end. I just met them, yet they felt so familiar, almost like family. That is when I decided that maybe we should all make the trip to Emerald City together.

I said, "You all are so lovely. I love being here with each of you. I feel so at home when you are all around. Do you think it is possible that we can go to Emerald City together?

Scarecrow said, "Hold on. Let the three of us confer."

So they did.
They came back and said, "Yes! Let's all go together."

I was absolutely elated at their decision.

We all linked arms and headed on our way, while singing, "We are off to see the Wizard the wonderful wizard of Oz..."


We knew we had wonderful things ahead of us.
The journey to the Emerald City seemed to go by so fast with all four of us together. We laughed, played games, and had loads of fun. I was sad when we got to the Wizard so quickly.

Next thing I knew I was tapping my heels together and saying, "There's no place like home. There's no place like home."

Then, I began to stir.

I didn't want to wake up. It was the most lovely dream and I wanted it to continue, but my body was aching from the long sleep. I opened my eyes to see the three loves of my life staring at me.

With surprise and excitement, I exclaimed, "You were there. And you. And you. We were all there!"
I went on to tell them my most delightful dream. They were a bit bewildered and confused at my story, but they were glad that I was alright and that my headache had gone away.

I immediately hugged my family and exclaimed, "There really is no place like home."

THE END

Hope you enjoyed my short (okay, maybe long) treat for you this Halloween (and I am glad this year's Halloween sewing is done, the only one I didn't make was Dorothy's, I borrowed from a friend). Ben and I watched the musical Wicked, which I highly recommend, when I was still pregnant with Brave, but we loved the story so much that we knew we had to recreate our version of it with our little girls. So with a little mixing and twisting of The Wizard of Oz and Wicked we come up with our own little story. So last year was Red Riding Hood, this year is the Witches of Oz, I wonder what it will be next year?!!

Hmm... I guess we have got another year to figure that one out.

Happy Halloween!!!