Girly girl time

I am sooo behind in posting some girly time pics. I blame the Cali trip for derailing my blog train. I promise to stay on track from here on out. . .

Before our Cali trip, was my dear friend, Katie's, 45th birthday. She looks good for 45, doesn't she? He he, totally kidding. Sarah, Melissa and I took her to the place of her choice, Ben and Jerry's. One of her favorite desserts is icecream and this place definitely hit the spot.

I brought her a stick horse to ride-I know she appreciated that. We like to make sure the birthday girl gets a little embarassed:) This worries me since my birthday is coming up. . .I even took a turn riding the horse with an old friend.

Then last week, Melissa, threw a Favorite Things Swap party. There was a TON of yummy food, good girl chat, and favorite thing swappage. Thanks Melissa for throwing such an awesome party!

The posse

The group shot with me in it. I took the first picture and then Melissa so graciously took this picture so that I could be in one too:) Thats love!

Jennifer & Katie digging into their loot. Jennifer likes to eat chapstick.

I got Katie's favorite things(SCORE!) I love this movie and of course,I love candy! Thanks!

As most everyone knows, this past Wednesday was National Cheesecake Day. My mom(shes visiting, yea me!), myself and a few friends headed out to The Cheesecake Factory to get our buck fifty slices. We waited and waited and waited before our buzzer thingy lit up and buzzed. And when it did, it was like, "Hallelujah!" We were so excited thinking we would get our cheesecake soon, thinking was the key word there. The guy took our drink orders(we all ordered water-we were not spending more that a dollar fifty!) and our cheesecake orders as well. We were in good spirits thinking cheesecake was on its way. . .

Then we waited and waited and waited some more....we started getting sleepy....

Katie cozied up to a nice piece of sourdough bread

Sarah, in her delirium, kept smashing her head into the table

Jennifer decided that when the cheesecake came, she would just feed herself in her sleep

"Give me cheesecake! NOOoooooW!" Melissa yelled. I told her to calm down.

And I regressed to my childhood years, using a napkin as a blankie and sucking my thumb. I actually used to do this people. Ask my Mom.Then our cheesecake finally came and it was worth it...right guys? :) I hope it was. Sorry for such a late night but I had fun hanging out with you guys into the wee hours of the morning, didn't you? I got you home before sunrise, thats what matters.

So, now I've caught up on some of my latest girly experiences. I am so grateful for all you galpals around. I don't know what I'd do without you! Thanks also to my Joey for always being supportive of Girl's Night Outs. You know I need it and are always happy for me when I get to hang out with them. I know that what makes me happy makes you happy too(and vice versa!). I love you for that-you're the best!

Shake it up!

Last Thursday was Pioneer Day! For those of you who don't know what this is, it is an LDS and Utah State holiday celebrating and honoring the Latter-day Saint pioneers that trekked west to gain religious freedom years ago. To celebrate, we had a good ole pioneer themed family home evening. I had the kids do a pioneer-themed Scavenger Hunt(Thanks Sugardoodle!) They had so much fun doing it. Then we had the girls shake till their arms couldn't shake no more to make their very own butter. It was the first time we had done this(Thanks Melissa for the idea and the jars:) After about 5 minutes, their little arms were about to fall off:) It was so funny watching them try to shake that butter. We took turns with them and they weren't kiddin-it was hard! (I'm an admitted wimp.) After a good 15 minutes, we had our finished product. And it was delish!

Shake it Aubrey!

Aubrey was laughing so hard as she entertained us with her dancing moves

"I can't do it!" Ella kept saying while she jumped up and down. Yes, you can! (And she did!)

When Ella realized it had actually turned into butter, her eyes lit up!

Afterwards, Aubrey was pooped. She said, "I could never be a pioneer."

But it was worth it, we had two cute little jars of homemade butter! I made biscuits and we spread them with butter and drizzled them with honey. YUM!

I am so grateful I am for the early pioneers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They endured so much so that we could have the blessings of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't know how they did it- other than with great strength, faith, and the help and guidance of the Lord. I don't think I could've done it-I'm with Aubrey:) Our family can barely handle making butter!

Is it me?

My three closest friends here(Melissa, Sarah & Katie) all have "For Sale" signs in their yard:( Me very sad.

Does it sound like coincidence that all of the sudden all 3 of my favorite hang-out friends are moving? I think not. These are the top ten questions running through my mind. . .

1. Do I have B.O.?

2. Was it something I said?

3. What, you don't like it when I tickle you?

4. Do I frighten you at times?

5. You don't like it when I pick my nose while you talk to me?

6. Can't we all just get along?

7. How will I live without you?

8. Does it scare you when I talk to myself?

9. Have you found someone new?

10. And last but not least....don't you love me anymore??????

I don't want to hear the "Its not you, its me" line. I've heard that before. . .gimme answers people! :)

Okay, in all seriousness, I love you guys and I am so sad you will be moving. I just wanted to publicly say I wish you the best wherever your life's journeys take you, which hopefully will be back to me someday:) When you do move(which hopefully isn't too soon, I've cursed your houses so no one will buy them, hee hee!), I'll miss you like crazy!

California! Day 6, Elliot's Luau

In the evening of our last day, we were able to party it up luau-style for my nephew, Elliot's, first birthday. Once again, the luau did not disappoint! Joey's parents had come out to California and so all of the authentic Chamorro goodness was there: Kahlua pork, Chamorro-style pork ribs, chicken kelaguin, lumpia, shrimp patties, red rice, hawaiian bread, and other yummy yummy food. You seriously haven't lived until you've had Joe's ribs! I am so glad I married a Chamorro and that I get to enjoy all of these awesome traditions and great food!

The Grandpas bringin in the pig

All of the kids were fascinated by the pig. My girls kept trying to look in its rear or pick its nose. I've taught them well.

The birthday boy and his Mommy and Daddy.

Cali enjoyed her Hawaiian Bread.

The dancers came out and Elliot was seriously in a trance. He liked those girls shakin their hips:)

Genie and Elliot got pulled from the audience to participate. Elliot just kept staring at those beautiful girls:)

Cali found Nana's shoulder to cuddle on.

Ella watching from her seat while the dancers were teaching the Hula.

Cali managed to pull Joey's lei around her neck.

The cake was super cute, but there were 4 things that stood out. . .need a hint?

Heres your hint... I apologize in advance for making this a PG-13 post, but I could not resist! This is too funny not to post. That cake decorator sure was creative.

The cake was delicious! Elliot dug right in.

Then the kids played behind the fence in a forest of sticks. They got all stick crazy. See the look in Aubrey's eyes? Thats plain stick crazy.

Look what I found Dad! Joey was out there taking pictures. If it had been me, I would've made them put those eye-pokers down. Good thing I never found out. I would've spoiled all the fun!

Even Elliot got in on the stick action

Auntie Nikki and Cali spent some quality time together.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLIOT! We are so glad we were able to help celebrate your very first birthday. We are so grateful you are in our family now and we love you so much! Thanks to Joey and Aaron's parents for putting together such a fantastic luau. It was a great party!! We miss you guys!

And thats the California vacation wrap up!

California! Day 6, Our Hollywood Adventure

On our sixth day in California, we headed down in the morning to L.A. to check out Beverly Hills and Hollywood. I had never been to the Walk of Fame, Mann's Chinese Theatre or gotten to cruise down the famous Rodeo Drive. I was so excited to go! Thanks Joey for taking us and making all of my wildest dreams come true:)

Here we are at the famous footprints/handprints in front of the theatre. Aubrey found little Shirley Temple's handprints.
And we found the cast of Harry Potter!

Ella walking in Donald Ducks footsteps

I found Dorothy! (Judy Garland) Theres no place like Hollywood:)
Joey shaking hands with Mr. Frank SinatraJulie Andrews
Good Ole Dean MartinStar Wars character prints

Our camera battery died, so Joey took a couple of pictures with his camera phone of the Walk of Fame. Here is "Jo Travolta." Thanks chick that stepped on the star RIGHT when Joey was taking the pictures. We appreciate it.

This guy was hilarious. Lovin the Spidey mask.

This pic is for you, Watson!

Isn't this the most hilarious and kinda disturbing picture you've ever seen? The kids got these masks from someone handing out Space Chimps stuff on Hollywood Blvd. These masks have provided hours of laughs:) And yes, the picture below is of Ella & Aubrey!

The picture was taken later in the day when it was cool outside- just wanted to clarify that the kids weren't wearing sweatshirts in the heat of the day, just to so we could get a great picture:)