I'm usually not one that makes and actually sticks to a resolution...but, this year - I'll try even harder. Hmm...thinking about it - I do say that every year. But, this year...I'm actually writing (or typing) it down...So, it's way more meaningful... Well, at least I feel like it is.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
2009 Resolutions
Closing Out a Year
- Lily turning 1 with a "jumping" princess bash followed by the typical poker party late into the A.M.
- Lily FINALLY walking.
- Brady turning 4 by foregoing a party and instead joining the Babcock's for a weekend at Disneyland.
- Learning, understanding, and following a budget.
- Softball and me as the biggest (or most obnoxiously loud) fan.
- My "chef-skills" in the early stages...and my love of the apron.
- Disneyland - here we come!!
- Mike & Cori Wedding - Jouas, established April 25, 2008 - woo hoo!!
- 10 day vacation to Connecticut - thanks Glen & Marie...we had a blast!
- The birth of Babe Lincoln - cutie pants!
- AZ Grand Hotel - Oasis waterpark and fireworks for the 4th...and a million people in one hotel room.
- Finding the perfect home for Abby.
- Brady beginning his school days as a "Pre-K All Star"... as he would say.
- Boys Weekends vs. Girls Weekends - it's not a contest!
- The birth of my blog - I'm now lost without my journaling.
- The transition to a new religion - the introduction of church to the Cuties.
- Halloween at the Babcock's - have you ever gone trick-or-treating with over 30 people?
- The election - history made.
- Thanksgiving at Aunt Karen's - and authoring the prayer.
- Girl's Spa Weekend for my mom's 50th - best weekend ever!
- Holiday lights at their finest.
- Light Rail Rides are not recommended on the "free" days
- New Years Slumber Parties...is that what happens when the little ones begin to take over?
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Mommy of all Sorts
p.s....I just found out that our dear Abby, just today, gave Babe Lincoln his first french kiss....isn't that one for the baby book!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Riding the Todd
I LOOOOOOVE NEW YORK CITY!! Everyone knows that I do. Everyone. I used to say that I was going to go to NYU - not sure what happened to that pipe dream. But...it's probably good that I didn't go - I'd still be paying off those student loans - right? Well, the Light Rail is just about as close to a subway system that Phoenix will ever get.
Very clean...for now.
Relatively quick - we got from Mesa to downtown Phoenix in 40 minutes (and you have to account for extra time it took us due to the crazy # of people and a bit longer of stops)
Good location for ASU, downtown Phoenix, north on Central
High Occupancy
Cheap - $1.25 or $2.50 for all day pass
Limited location - doesn't help us Southeasterners of the valley
Last train - 11pm
Plans to expand...waaaay to far in the future, ie. Westgate 2025??
Name - we voted on the Todd - sounds way cooler, doesn't it?
Anyways - I'd highly suggest waiting until after the 1st to ride - the "free" days are just not all they are cracked up to be. We got on after about a 40 minute wait at the far east stop. No problem. Rode to downtown Phoenix. No problem. Ate at AZ Center. No problem. Did a bit of sale shopping. No problem. Walked back to train stop. No problem. Re-entering train in downtown Phoenix. BIG problem.
I guess we didn't quite think it all the way through. See - the downtown Phoenix stop is pretty much smack dab in the middle of the entire track from Mesa to Northernish Phoenix. So...by the time the train got to downtown Phoenix, it was already full. My dad said it best...imagine so many people on a train that all you see are faces smooshed up against the glass...that's what we were facing. It was a nightmare. So much so that the girls and the kids got off after a couple of stops and Jacki picked us up and drove us to our respective cars at the park and ride in Mesa. Thanks Jacki!!! You are a lifesaver!
I hope the Todd gets used. I hope is succeeds. I hope there are plans in the works to expand it sooner than 2025.
See...I pretty much live in NYC - we have our own subway. It's just waaaaay slower, not as convenient, but much cleaner. For now.
Football Guys = FUN
Brady: I don't have nuffin that Daddy gave to
me...and Jakey has football guys from Uncle Brett.Me: I know, Buddy...but, you have lots of toys
to play with.Brady: Thinking. Oh!! I have the little cars that Daddy
gave to me. But the football guys are gooder. You can line them up.Me: Chuckling...You're right. Do you mean that
the football guys are the best?Brady: Yep. They're the bester.Brady: I want Daddy to wrap up those cars for
me. The ones under your bed. [Hot wheels that Bryan collected as a
kid/teen]Me: Alright...but, you'll have to talk to Daddy
about that.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Christmas Happenings
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the busy, crazy, hectic day it is...
Here's the run-down of the typical - not so ordinary - Christmas Day of the Campbell Cutie household:
6:30am - Wake-up kids
6:35am - Brady questions as to why his new bike still has training wheels - silly Santa
6:35am - Open Santa gifts and family gifts
8:30am - Shower and ready for the day
9:30am - to Nanny & Poppy's for breakfast and more gift giving and getting
12:30pm - to Meme and Pepe's for a little afternoon visit and snack
3:30pm - nap in the car as we drive to Aunt Eileen's...well, the Cuties got to nap anyways
4:30pm - Aunt Eileen's...food, Kris Kringle guesses & White Elephant
8pm - Home at last - wait - forgot that it looks like a tornado blew through our house...straighten up... a bit
11pm - zzzzzzzzz
Can't forget that in between the many of places we traveled during the day - spoke with the in-laws many times. I think they all had nice weather...and we got stuck with the rainy day Christmas.
- Kris Kringle - once again...we were hooked up - thanks Aunt Eileen and Uncle Rich!
- Brady telling Rylee - "we got Nanny that..." (when he was supposed be quiet about secret santa).
- Lily - "Tanta, Tanta!!" - Most of us refer to him as Santa.
- Walmart & Toys R' Us...how many times can I go to each one during the season?
- Jake - "No-man broken" about all of the deflated yard snowmen.
- Baley & Brady and their "Buddy" picture.
- Lily - "Wow, pretty...wow, pretty" at every, every lit house!
- Shipping both Christmas presents and very belated birthday. presents...sorry Justin, Hayden, & Rick!
- The many, many Christmas cards...oh, how I look forward to each and every one. Especially the ones with Christmas letters - LOVE them! Maybe one day...I can barely get the cards out, let alone a letter, too!
- "Reee, Reee, Reee, Elv, Elv, Elv!!!" - Lily wanting to watch Elf.
- The love/hate relationship kids (especially Lilbugs) have with Santa. They LOVE him....from a distance.
- Christmas Eve - stopping at Aunt Karen's on the way home from Barry & Alicia's. Brady saw "Santa" at a neighbor's Christmas party and then asked Aunt Karen..."where's his sleigh?" Best part...listening to her explanation - so great!
- Brady opening presents and loving EVERY item...until he arrived at Nanny & Poppy's and didn't want any more clothes.
- Rylee asking for flowers to plant outside...flowers? Too funny!
- Brady opening a present for Lily and saying, "Lily...look. Wow - oh my gosh, Lily!!!!!" Then, me asking, "What is it?" and Brady saying..."I. DON'T. KNOW!!!!" excitedly.
- Macy's discounts...thanks Cori!
- The multitude of white elephant exchanges...F-U-N!
- Lily's obsession with candy canes..."tandy, tandy, tandy."
- Worrying about the in-laws as they drive from NH to CO.
- My first attempt at homemade gifts.
The day was crazy, it was down-right insane. But, it's what I know, it's what I love. And, now it's even better...seeing the excitement in the cuties' eyes. It's just pure magic. And I love it.
Whew - Exhausted!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Finally...a New Header!
Gotta love the blogtopia - a "friend" helping out a "friend."
p.s...I know it's a bit blurry...but, I'm new to this whole design process...and I don't have the right programs to make it look nice and perfectly clean!! :)
Using Santa as a Weapon?
Here's a recent argument with Brady:
Lily: Screaming/crying/whining (whatever you want to call it)
Me: Brady, give that back to your sister!
Brady: No.
Me: Brady......NOW!
Brady: No. (with a smirk on his face)
Me: Brady.....she had it first. You are older. (This kills me to say as an oldest child myself.) Share, Buddy...come on.
Brady: No!! I was playing with it. It's mine.
Me: Santa's watching, you know.
Brady: It's Mine.
Me: That's it - I'm calling Santa.
Brady: Fine! Here Lily.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Friendly Face Interview
Tara is my sister's, sister-in-law. Does that make us family? In my book - it does. I've known her now for about 10 years or so. She is super tall, beautiful, fun, exciting and just down-right awesome!
Born: August 21, 1983
Resides: In Scottsdale, with Bob & Ava - in a comfy little house.
Kids: 1 - my beautiful little Ava
Best Marriage Advice: To compromise, forgive, and love each other regardless of differences.
Work: Mommy by day, bartender by night. In other words...I babysit 24/7!
Favorite Color:
RedBest Childhood Moment:
When my little sister was born. I was in 6th grade and couldn't have been more excited!Where do you see yourself in 10 years?: Still married, still in Arizona, and maybe with another child and a dog. Oh, and hopefully a degree in psychology.
Hopes for the Future?: Happiness, fulfillment, prosperity, and health for myself and my family.
Favorite Place to Visit: Chicago...where Bob is from and his whole family lives. I love the busyness of the city, too. It's beautiful.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
On My Mind Today...
1. What's the weather like outside?
2. I want to finish my Christmas shopping - I have 2 things left to get - yippee!!
3. Was that really Lily's pee that I cleaned up in Brady's room?
4. Will it be too cold to go to softball tonight with the cuties?
5. I still need to do my Christmas baking taste test...
6. Is Costco open this early on the Sunday before Christmas?
7. Ugh...do I really have to go to the grocery store?
8. Oops...I forgot about church and I haven't yet showered.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Am I Greedy or What?
It used to be (and really still is) that when Bryan would ask me what I wanted for my birthday, or Christmas, or whatever...I would think of things we need rather than what I want. On the other hand...Bryan would say things like, "I want a Wii." Or, "I'd love new golf clubs." Or, "I want the new McFarlane figure." (yes, that's a boy doll...for those of you that don't know...hee hee) And me - I'd say, "Well, we need new towels." Or, "I want the carpets cleaned." Or, "We need a new faucet." Yep...that's me - the one that would ask for a toilet seat for my birthday.
I'm "turning a new leaf" as my mom would say.
I now have created a list - a list of things that I want. Here's what is says:
1. Mommy Ring - aren't these SO cute!
2. Kitchen Aid Mixer - yep, that's a biggie.
3. Small camera - it's not always fun being papo.
4. Tile cleaned - some things never change.
5. Photoshop with lessons.
6. Cake pedestal.
7. Apron - a frilly one...super girlie! Check out these...adorable!
8. Crockpot - a biggie...I've only got a mini.
9. Kid's table - for the playroom.
10. Ivory sweater.
11. Sewing Lessons - I'm SO domestic!
12. Toilet Seats - need 2 of them.
I think that's enough...it's getting embarrassing.
As you can see - I've still got a bit of work to do...there's still some "home" items on the list. I encourage everyone to make their very own personal wish list. Then...when you have a little extra money - maybe you can treat yourself. I know I will. We deserve it! Thinking about it...I do always cringe at buying myself ANYTHING - ask my sisters. For some reason, it's so much easier to spend money on others (primarily the Cuties) than on myself. I usually end up putting it all back rather than make a purchase.
Why is that?
Friday, December 19, 2008
Pretty, Pretty Lights
- Scalding hot chocolate - thanks Brett!
- Pink flamingos - or "mingos" as all the kids called them.
- Rylee and Ava holding hands walking in the zoo.
- The "real" giraffe doing the hokey pokey.
- The music light show that brought the kids to silence and awe.
- Brady telling me..."Let go of Jake and Lil" to let them ride down the big hill in the zoo...stoller only - umm..yeah right!
- Jake eating the kettle corn with his white gloves.
- And...of course, the carousel rides.
DD
This morning at 10:56am - this is what our house looked like as Lily ran around with the DD munchkin box...
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Busy, Busy - and That's No Lie!
This was a busy weekend - gotta love the holidays.
Friday, 12/12...
Shopped, shopped, and shopped. The whole fam went shopping for others. We sure got a lot done!!
Saturday, 12/13...
10am - Brady's last game. There was a mom at the game selling bows. You know...the bows for hair? The ones that I learned to make here. And...that I showed everyone how to make? I love bows!! Little girls with extremely large bows/headbands/hats - whatever...SO cute! I bought one. Not that I couldn't make it myself - but her prices were good ($3) and it saved me a trip to the store for ribbon before Christmas. Brady kept saying that he wanted to slide on his belly - check this out...where did this kid learn this?:
11am - Shopping. Gotta love big families - the shopping never ends. But, I wouldn't change it for the world. It's the only time of the entire year that I don't cringe (well, not as much) at the purchase of gifts.
5pm - Drop the cuties of at my parent's - off to Rustler's Rooste for my work holiday party...or "year-end event" to sound more PC. Don't ya just hate that?? What's wrong with saying Christmas party? My co-workers are so awesome and we had a blast. Nice, relaxing dinner...and of course a little to drink. Bryan was the DD, so tipsy Dawn made an appearance.
8pm
- Stopped off at Ikea and Dick's Sporting Goods on the way to pick up the Cuties...and shopped...again.Sunday, 12/14...
10am - Off to Tuesday Morning. Have you ever been there? It was my first time - LOVED it! Picked up a pretty holiday box for my Ladies Luncheon.
11am - Picked up Ashley and off to the mall for a few "cutie" items...and to pick up lunch for the ladies luncheon. Yummmmmmmmmmmmmy - Paradise Bakery.
1pm - Ladies Luncheon at Aunt Renie's house - 2nd annual. So much fun. We all bring a lunch wrapped up in a pretty box, or platter, or holiday towels, etc. Our lunch gets a #. Then we all pull #'s and that's the lunch we get - along with whatever basket/platter/box it came in. So fun - ladies only and boy do we have fun!! This year I got Ashley's lunch - so Paradise Bakery really was yummmmmmmmmmmy! Check out these photo ops:
3pm - Toys R' Us...shopping is almost done. In my defense, we went for some stocking stuffers and to pick up a present that my mom wanted Santa to bring to her house for Ry and Brady. They certainly will be excited!
4pm - To the 'rents house to decorate the tree and enjoy dinner. We got some cute pictures of the whole fam. I missed Christmas Vacation (we didn't watch it, we normally do) but, I'm sure I'll be seeing it a few more times before the season ends. You should have seen the boys putting the tree together (the fake one anyway) trying NOT to use the big ladder with a 13' tree. I will say a huge thanks to the boys for not only helping with the tree(s), but also for cleaning up after dinner.....I think they thought that by cleaning they wouldn't have to put the tree together. Sorry!! But - my mom sure was happy!
8pm
p.s. Dougie played on Bryan's team and got a home run - woo hoo!!
I'm an ISTJ
As for the results...hmm...what do you think?
Does this sound like me?
I thought so...and then I read the last sentence...is that how people see me? Ugh!
You Are AnISTJ |
The Duty Fulfiller |