Girls Spa Getaway

We celebrated my Mom's 50th Birthday with a Spa Weekend at the Aji Spa - Wild Horse Pass. So, while other people were shopping during Black Friday - we were relaxing and beautifying ourselves. (p.s. Cori, Bryan and I did enjoy a bit of early morning shopping beginning at 5:30am - Cori and Bryan were Black Friday virgins - and they had a BLAST!!

Ahhhhhhh.....does that say enough!! It was F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C!!

Spa Weekend looks like this:

9:00am - Meet at Mom's (yep, met at 9am following Black Friday shopping)

10:00am - arrived at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass...can you say BEAUTIFUL!

11:00am - Ashley and I Spa Pedicures - Cori and Mom Massages

12:00pm - lunch...Yuuuuuuuummy!! We shared chicken caesar salads, a spicy cracker pizza, and a bit of bubbly.

1:30pm - Ashley and I Massages - Cori and Mom Pedicures

3:00pm - Back to the hotel room - beauty in motion....

4:00pm - Boat Ride to casino

4:30pm - 2:00am - Gila River Casino....F-U-N, FUN!!

2:30am - Shuttle back to hotel, showers, sleep

9:30am - Wake up...yep, sleeping in...I barely remember what that feels like

10:30am - Breakfast

11:30am - head out....first needed a quick stop....Mom found one of her tickets and needed to cash out

12:30pm - home, weekend over already :(

Mom...I had the best time ever!! Girls weekend really must happen more often than once every 29 years. Thanks!! And...HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY!

Thankful - Week 4

This year - I got the privilege of saying the family prayer/toast before Thanksgiving Dinner. I think this toast says it all in what I am thankful for...and definitely wraps up the 2008 "Thankful" posts. Here is what was said:

Thanksgiving Day is literally my favorite day of the year. First of all, of course because of the feast we get to eat, but mostly because I get to spend it with my very favorite people in the entire world – my family. Aunt Karen asked me to say the prayer a couple of years ago, but Stacey had already written it. And, I am so glad she did – I wasn’t ready...I'm a HUGE procrastinator – AND Stacey’s prayer stands as my most favorite Thanksgiving prayer ever. Well…that and Versace’s line about being thankful for Chris Bloomer. Because, let’s be real, who doesn’t love Chris Bloomer.

Family, though, is my life. I love the fact that I was raised in this large, crazy, loud, obnoxious family. Our family is my best friend – if that even makes sense. I can remember this one time in the 6th grade when my friends dropped me from “The Group.” My cousins stood by my side. Chris would pick me up on his bicycle and let me sit on the handlebar and ride home on his bike. MaryLou told me – "don’t worry…you will soon realize that family is the best friend that you will ever have." I live by that rule. In fact – I’m not a very good friend and I don’t have a lot of them that are not family. And, it’s not because I’m not friend material…because we all know I am – it’s because I truly believe that my family is my best friend.

So this year – and EVERY year – I am thankful to be a part of such a large, crazy, loud, obnoxious, fun, and very supportive family.

By the way – check out some of the “family events” we are thankful for this year on the prayer turkey (the craft-extraordinaire that Brady & I created)…such as 1)
Cori and Mike getting married, 2) Versace turning 40, 3) My mom FINALLY getting the red hat, 4) Abby getting the… I don’t know what you’d call it…maybe the “princess” life with Dougie filled with bathtubs, champagne, and spooning, and 4) Georgie and Cristi FINALLY setting the date!

I love you guys!

Amen.

So that is it. I am truly thankful for the family in which I was raised. I am definitely lucky. I only hope that my children feel this lucky when they get older. Did I really just say that? That sounded like my mom!!

Friendly Face Interview

Robin Joy Sas Born: Mesa Lutheran Hospital - Mesa, AZ - July 17, 1975

Currently Resides: Scottsdale, AZ

Significant Other: Aaron Forrest

Kids: 1 - Lincoln Benjamin Forrest, AKA "Babe Lincoln"

Employed: 3rd grade teacher at Brunson Lee Elementary School, Phoenix, AZ

Favorite Vacation Spot: Mexico, anywhere new and different - preferably abroad

Favorite Future Vacation Spot: Greece...someday, or Amsterdam, Venice...Ireland - the list is long

Favorite Food: Mexican, Sushi, Cheese & Crackers

Hobbies: Reading magazines, watching TV, playing poker, hanging out with friends and family, playing with Lincoln. Lately, I've been searching out new recipes and trying them on Aaron. I always say "Good Luck" prior to him trying anything new. This comment frightens him a bit.

Favorite Childhood Memory: I loved riding Big Wheel's down Nanny and Poppy's block (Windsor). I had several friends that lived in the neighborhood and we made up pretend stores, gas stations, jobs, etc. We would ride around for hours, jump in the pool, and then ride around some more. I also loved playing "Charlie's Angels" in Poppy's red boat. I always wanted to be "Kelly" but Mary Wilke was older and really bossy and had better hair so she ALWAYS got to be "Kelly." I'm still not over it.

Favorite Holiday: Thanksgiving

Favorite Thing About Yourself: I'm hard-working and generous.
TV: I love Reality TV!! It's my vice. Right now I record Top Chef, America's Next Top Model, The Hills, and The Real Housewives of Atlanta. (I'm so embarrassed!!!)

Favorite Book: My favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird.

World's Biggest Problem: Greed & Selfishness

Biggest Challenge: Patience

Describe Yourself in One Word: Mommy

Hopes for the Future: Love, Family, Health, and Money

Dream Job: Philanthropist with unlimited funds

Person I admire most: Of course I'm going to say my mother. She is the most selfless person I know. I also admire my Aunt Donna. She is the most genuine person I know. And of course, Dawn for having the drive and desire to create such a fantastic Blog! Last, but certainly not least, Ashley for being the most amazing mother I know.

3 Wishes: I wish that everyone I know and love was 1) healthy, 2) happy, and 3) satisfied.

50 is Fun, Fabulous, and Beautiful

Happy 50th Birthday to my Gorgeous Mother!!

50 Reasons why I love my Mother:

1. She is fun.

2. She is outgoing.

3. She is the best secret keeper.

4. She is as loud as me - sometimes even louder.

5. She was a crazy teenager - and understood me at my worst.

6. She tells it like it is.

7. She refuses to gossip.

8. She is the youngest of 7 kids and has a special relationship with all of them.

9. She married young, struggled, and made it.

10. She made a cake one year when I was 6 - we won the cake decorating contest with it.

11. She pursued her dream of nursing school.

12. She is NOT computer literate - but tries.

13. She plays sports - and she's good.

14. She was always the loud parent in the stands - and so am I.

15. She was cheering for us once, and jumped up into a hole in the dirt and broke her ankle...but, waited until the end of the game to worry about it.

16. She always put the kids first.

17. She made mistakes and apologized for them.

18. She knows it's okay to make mistakes - it part of life.

19. She took care of me when I was 17 and came home drunk...still don't remember.

20. She gave me 2 sisters and 1 brother - whom I love dearly.

21. She raised me surrounded by my huge, loud, crazy family.

22. She taught me family is first.

23. She can drink anyone under the table - I guarantee it.

24. She loves Ross and TJ Maxx - only special people can shop in those stores for literally 3 hours and still feel like they missed something.

25. She is super pretty - and doesn't even know it.

26. She is a great Nanny.

27. She is stubborn....just like me.

28. She makes the best French Dip - yummy!

29. She taught me to drive at a very early age.

30. She wants nothing more than to take her girls on a spa weekend for her 50th - yippee!

31. She is honest, caring, and genuine.

32. She always has an open room - and each one of us has used it at one time or another.

33. She gave me the most fun, fantastic, and beautiful wedding.

34. She takes the kids for walks in the stroller - to help them fall asleep.

35. She forgives.

36. She taught me how to be a mommy.

37. She taught me to have faith - and take what I need.

38. She is VERY emotional.

39. She loves being a Nanny.

40. She loves going to craft boutiques.

41. She lets me tag along.

42. She loves pedicures.

43. She lets me tag along to those, too.

44. She hosts Sunday night dinners every week.

45. She makes the yummiest snacks - rice crispy treats, brownies, etc.

46. She has been at the birth of every one of her grandkids.

47. She is an excellent birth coach.

48. She calls me on her way home...just to chat.

49. She is the best listener.

50. She is MY mom.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Thanksgiving is my favorite day of the year.

Food, Family, Fun - that's all you need.

Today's Events:

9am - Bryan...makes 72 deviled eggs

10am - 3pm - Relax and enjoy family (oh..and clean)

4pm - ??? - Thanksgiving at Aunt Karen's

This year is also a bit special for me - I get to say the prayer/toast...I'll post that later.

Check out our (Brady's & My) craft-extraordinaire...

Happy Thanksgiving!!

For a special Thanksgiving message, click here. Enjoy!

Yuck!

The last 3 days...I have felt as sick as a

Just, definitely NOT as cute!

Do Princesses Belong in the Corner?

I've talked about how Bryan and Brady are best buddies and

Lil and I are their princesses - what does that get me?

The answer is - a seat in the corner at Thanksgiving.

Do you see me?

You know, the one with the red arrow. That's me. As an afterthought. In the corner. To be fair, he said I didn't fit. But, I don't know if that's any better.

People We Miss - Part 1

Adam "AJ" Joshua Osborn

dob - 9/8/99

Grade - 3rd

Birthplace - Mesa, AZ

Currently Resides - Castle Rock, CO

Hobbies & Interests: football, snowboarding, 4-wheelin', and the Sun Devils

Hayden Conner Osborn

dob - 10/20/04

Grade - Preschool

Birthplace - Mesa, AZ

Currently Resides - Castle Rock, CO

Hobbies & Interests: cars, soccer...and the ladies

These are 2 of our most favorite people in the whole world. They are our 1st 2 nephews. Last year...they picked up and moved to Sunny - oops, Snowy Cooooooolorado. And - they love it! We miss you guys!

Stuff I Love

I can't live without...

Trips to Costco - who doesn't love free samples, hot dogs,

and pretty much everything else!!

Target...I have to "ground myself" from Target.I google something about 100 time a day.Gotta love my shows - but, only by DVR. The main one - the Fam!

Jakey is 2

Happy Berfday to You, Happy Berfday to You,

Happy Berfday Dear Geek, Happy Berfday to You.

So...if Lily could sing - that's how it would sound.

We love you Jake - You are SOOOOO Awesome!

p.s. we can't wait to jump on the jump-o-line tomorrow at your Mimi's

Lists, Lists, & More Lists

So...I have this sticky note in my wallet. I call it my Christmas List...but, it's really my Wish List.

Bryan and I do this thing - every year we make a Wish List for the year. Some things are small, i.e. kitchen towels or clean out garage, and some are big, i.e. baby (not this year that was 2006) or a new tree for the front yard. We try to save for these things throughout the year and when we have the $$$ for one of them - we get it. Now, sometimes they might move to the next year and that's okay. But, there is nothing more exciting than crossing something off our wish list once we do it or get it.

My wish list is kind of like a To Do list. I'm all about To Do lists. I make them at home, at work, when planning parties, on my day off. Did I mention I LOVE LISTS? I really get this sense pure satisfaction when I complete something off the list. Some things take forever...i.e. clean blinds - and some are quick...i.e. make banana bread.

Back to my Christmas List. I have started making a Christmas List, again really just my own, personal Wish List. Here is item #1 - and it's a big one:

p.s. I have to keep sending these subtle (or not so subtle) hints to Bryan...my 30th birthday is coming up - what do you think will be on my wish list then??

Thankful - Week 3

I am thankful for Bryan.

He showed me true love.

5 Things I Loooooove About Bryan:
1. He still remembers our special eye-catching moment in which we both knew.

2. He mops because he knows I hate it.

3. He loves my curves even when I don't.

4. He is the best daddy EVER!

5. He loves my family - even the large, loud, and craziness it includes.

Here is Our Story:

In high school and into college (way too early, I think) I had this pretty serious relationship. It started out more one-sided...meaning he was WAY more into me. 3 years later, it was flipped and then he left. I thought the world was ending...little did I know it was the BEST thing that ever happened!

A couple months later, my friend Ashley Scardefield set me up with my future husband. She was friends with this guy Brad. He had a single friend, she had a single friend...you see where I'm going with this? Well, they wanted to set us up. Have you ever been on a blind date? I have - and I'm not too fond of them!

Well...we set a date...a double date. Really, it was more a date for Bryan and me and a "friend" date with Ashley and Brad. The day of the date...I really didn't want to go. I was hanging out with my cousin Robin and we got word that her brother John hurt his eye and was at the ER. We went to the ER to wait with him. Yippee (not yippee for the injury) but yippee, I was off the hook - I cancelled the date...or, I really no showed. I guess maybe you'd call it - stood up Bryan. Don't worry, he had his friends there...it's not like I stood him up all by himself.

Sheesh.

Well...about a month later - Ashley tried again. Bryan was having some friends over and they invited us. Can you believe I was even invited? Now that I think about it...I wasn't invited, Ashley was.

So we went.

The intro was a bit awkward - it would have to be....I stood him up remember. But, we had fun. He was fun, his friends were fun and we really hit it off.

Do you believe in love at first sight? I don't....sounds bad, right - but, I don't. But....I will say this - Bryan and I had this moment at his house that night when we both looked at each other and smiled. It was special. And...we BOTH still remember that to this day. That is about as close as you can get to love at first sight.

The rest is history.

I love you babe!!

Happy Birthday Aidyn!

Today is the 1st birthday of our youngest niece Aidyn - isn't she cute??

She had her very first birthday party this past Sunday. She started the cake very "girlie" style - you know, dainty and gentle....then - face first.

Gotta love her - SO adorable! p.s. Aidyn has this loud shriek of a laugh that is so very cute...and only Brady can get it out of her every time. She's the best!

Terms of Endearment...

So...have you ever played Scattergories? I have. Those of you that know me well, know I LOOOOOOOVE games. And, that is seriously NO exaggeration. I am super competitive. Probably not as much as my sister and brother-in-law, Ashley & Brett - but, still competitive. I can remember this one time that we were playing Dominoes at a cabin on Hawley Lake - you know on a relaxing vacation. Well, Ashley was explaining the rules - and apparently I made her a bit mad (which happens a lot, sisterly love)...well, she got up and threw the dominoes all over the place. Sorry, I digress. Anyways, back to Scattergories. The first time I played there was a part where you needed to list a term of endearment...and I didn't know what that was - term of endearment? hmmm.... I was thinking "love, dawn" or "sincerely, dawn" but, I was totally wrong.

Now, however, as I am married and have 2 children - people no longer have names...more terms of endearment - or nicknames. And...I love it! Sometimes I forget the cuties' and Bryan's name because I rarely say them...well, unless Brady Ryan Campbell is going to timeout (which happens to be several times a day).

So....here are the terms of endearment for the cuties and Bryan:

Bryan: Babe, Sweetie, Campbell, Soup, Soupy, Hottie, Mr. Popup (softball, I promise) and of course, Daddy Brady: Brades, B, Buddy, B-Ryan, Dude, Cutie, Sweetie, Punkin, Munchkin, my baby, mama's biggest baby Lillian: Lily, Lillers, Lil, Lillerbugs, Lilbugs, Lilybugs, Bugs, Buggers, Punkin, Munchkin, Munchy, Munch, mama's littlest baby But....Brady would say - and this is the cutest thing ever: "I'm not a baby, mama...me and daddy are best buddies and you and lilbugs are our princesses." SO adorable.

Don't ya just love kids? As much as they make you tear your hair out at times...they can be SO extremely adorable.