The Pledge of Allegiance

Courtney's first recitation for school... I didn't capture the beginning or the end {I know-- what kind of filmmaker am I?} It was fun to see these little 4-year-olds being so grown up!

I Heart Fresh & Easy

Love, Love LOVE this store! Thanks for introducing me to it, Karen!

Go, Diamondbacks!

The poor D-Backs are out of the playoffs. What a bummer! We love going to their games, anyway.Darren scored some awesome club level tickets at work, so we felt very spoiled. It was an exciting game--the Rockies coach got thrown out & the D-Backs had some great home runs.
The kids really get into the games-- shouting, clapping, chanting, and of course, the WAVE!

Alexander's favorite player, Brandon Webb. No game would be complete without enjoying peanuts out of the shell and "flower seeds" {as Courtney says}
Love the post-game fireworks!

Monsooooon!

Darren joined a city softball team with a bunch of guys from church & it has been super fun to watch & cheer them on. I've been trying for weeks to get some good pictures, but the night game lighting just hasn't worked out well. Here's some pics from the dugout, anyway. Darren has done Papelbon proud (we're still waiting for him to break out the chicken dance). The guys do a great job-- and everyone has a few battle wounds at the end of each game. Bodies just aren't as agile as they were in High School! The Manly Men go a little cheeseball for the camera! Darren & our friend, Coach Trimmer.

What's in a Name?

Your real name: Natalie

Your Gangsta name (1st three letters of your real name plus izzle, favorite ice cream & Fav type of shoe): Natizzle Cookies 'n' Cream Stiletto

Your Native American name (fav color, fav animal): Pink Bunny

Your NASCAR name (1st names of grandfathers): Bob Elmer

Stripper Name (Fav perfume/scent, fav candy): Ginger Twix

Soap Opera name (middle name, street you live on): Ann Sunland

Star Wars name (1st 3 letters of last name, 1st 2 letters of first name): Roona

TV Weather/Anchor name (5th grade teacher's last name, major city that starts with same letter): Johnson Jackson

Spy name (fav season, fav flower): Spring Peony

Cartoon name (Fav fruit, article of clothing you are wearing now): Strawberry Capri

Hippie name (what you ate for breakfast, fav tree): V8 Palm

Super Hero name (2nd fav color, fav drink): Lavender Hot Chocolate

Witness protection name (parent's middle names): Ann J.

Goth name (black, name of one of your pets): Black Angelie

Movie Star name (1st pet's name, 1st street name): Snuffy Randall

Iraqi name (2nd letter of first name, 3rd letter of mom's maiden name, 3rd letter of dad's name, 1st letter of a sibling's first name, last letter of mom's first name): Aaras

Rock Star name (first pet, current car): Bunny Lexus

Knights & Castles Party

The kids & I went to a fun party today. Our little friend, Leo, turned 1 and his family went all out celebrating! His Mom made 48 mini castle cakes. Now that's some dedication! It was SO HOT today, but the kids had so much fun in this wicked cool bounce house.
Xanderman got some heat stroke today, but that didn't stop him. He was the castle guard.

80's Movie Weekend

I lived a very sheltered childhood. My friends & husband took it upon themselves to show me a part of 80's nostalgia that had passed me by. Apparently this was a favorite of Darren's sisters. I remember hearing some of the songs on the radio... but of course I had the words totally wrong back then. I thought it was, "Capture the Lee, we are magic," but no, it's "Have to believe we are magic." Quite the outfits & music.Not to be outdone, Darren went and rented "The Last Dragon," sho'nuff! Somehow it wasn't as cool as he'd remembered it. Alexander thought it was awesome. He's been asking questions all morning, and we're all supposed to respond, "Sho'nuff!" Ahh, spandex, leg warmers & shoulder pads....

Tower of Tutus

Here's what I did tonight:) So fun!

Summer Sanity-- Part 4

Yes, I know summer is over, but here's something else that the kids love. I needed some serious incentive for getting the kids to clean their rooms. Oddly enough, this is all it took!

I have probably 10 different flavors of air freshner (love those coupons!) and the kids are rewarded with a "burst of fragrance" when their room is clean. To avoid having my kids become huffers, (thanks, Darren) they stand outside their door and count to 10 while I spray air freshner. Then they come in and they LOVE having their room magically smell like berries or melon or a waterfall or whatever. I just love that it's CLEAN!

The Best Brother

A few weeks ago, Courtney was congested and running a little fever, so I kept her home from school. Alexander disappeared into his "office" (the walk-in-closet in my scrap room) and came out an hour later with this get-well card for his little Sis.
What a thoughtful kiddo. This just touched my heart! Courtney calls him "Best Brother." (When they're getting along:)

Too Too Cutie

Courtney picked out the tulle for this dress several months back, but has always insisted it was "too itchy" for church (she's a bit sensitive-- even with new clothes, I have to wash and Downy them before she'll wear them).
Just now she asked me when she's going to get her ears "pinched" so she can wear earrings. Such a beautiful girl! (and yes, I bribed her with a lollipop to wear the dress to church today).

Maroon 5

The last few years, one of my favorite bands has been Maroon 5. I literally screamed when I found out I was going to the concert! (Thanks, Dale!)

My friends & I had the most awesome night. The concert was completely amazing! They were even better live. My camera batteries died, so I'll post pics when I get them from Gailine.You'd rather look at pics of Adam Levine, anyway! Wow. He is so... talented and soulful.

Pushing Daisies

Let the countdown begin!

Soggy School Kids

So today @ school, we were caught in a torrential downpour as I picked the kids up. Fun, huh? The problem is that they haven't poured the parking lot yet, so we were sinking and slipping like crazy in the mud.

The kids were freezing!
I have really had my fill of muddiness.
Holy ugliness, batman! No, I'm not crying because my new car is trashed... my mascara isn't waterproof.

Seriously My Favorite Pasta Dish

Becky Higgins is quite a celebrity in "scrapbook world." I got to meet her at the Mesa Convention this year. She is super cute, and posted some really yummy recipes on her blog. I tried this one and it is sooo flavorful & delicious. Here is the link:

http://www.beckyhiggins.com/recipes/2007/12/garlic-chicken-farfalle.html

The next person who comes over for dinner gets to have this...

Puzzled

Courtney & Darren decided to pull out the puzzle box on Labor Day. Their minds think alike, and they totally rock at puzzles (it's scary, actually). It was a cute moment that I had to capture.