Friendly Face Interview

Ashley Renee Majercin Babcock

For 4 years I was an only child. I don't remember those days at all. Ashley was my very first sibling...and from what my mom says - I was just the littlest mommy and loved her sooo very much. I still feel the same way. As the years have gone on and we have aged - my sisters have become my very best friends. Meet Ashley.

Born: April 28, 1983 in Phoenix, AZ

Resides: In Scottsdale, AZ with my cute little family

Married: to my high school sweetheart, Brett, since June 18, 2004

Marriage Advice: Honestly...you really need to be able to talk things out.

I Love My Husband Because: He always puts our family first. He does so much for us and is an amazing father.

Kids: Rylee (4) and Jake (2)

Work: SAHM and nanny to Brady, Lily and Lincoln

Favorite Vacation Spot: San Diego...I just LOVE everything about California.

Favorite Food: Mexican food - I could live off of chips and salsa (me too!!)

Favorite Holiday: Christmas - I love everything about that time of year.

Favorite TV: Right now...the Bachelor is my favorite. But, since it's going to end...Grey's Anatomy. Thank goodness for DVR, I tape a lot of shows!

Favorite Book: I've never been a big reader...but, anything non-fiction.

Favorite Pastimes: I love to have everyone over at my house. We have a lot of game nights and poker nights at my house and I love it. Also, spending time with my mom and sisters. I think it's time for another girls weekend!! Thanks Dad!

Pet Peeves: When I let someone cut in while driving and they don't wave. UGH!!...I hate that! I simple hand up is enough for me!

What Makes You Laugh?: My kids!! Rylee is our little performer and I just taught Jake a couple of dance moves that are so cute.

What makes You Cry?: Lately...American Idol. I just can't make it through one episode without crying!

Favorite Childhood Memory: All four of us sleeping in Dawn's bed on Christmas Eve night. I always was the first one up to see what Santa brought us.

My Hero is: my Mom. My Mom will do anything for anyone. Anyone who knows my Mom knows that she is the most genuine person. She is an amazing mother that has taught me so much.

Favorite Thing About Yourself: I am a great listener. I would go out of my way to help anyone.

You are Happiest When: I am with my favorite people - Brett, Rylee and Jake.

Biggest Challenge: Getting 5 kids to sleep at the same time!!

Biggest Fear: Car accidents. I stare at Brett during long car rides to make sure he doesn't take a really long blink.

In 10 Years, I See Myself: Enjoying our teenagers with my husband!

Describe Yourself in 1 Word: Helpful.

p.s. I'd direct you to Ashley's blog...but, she doesn't have one. Although...she is obsessed with reading other blogs...so don't you think she needs one?

Yuck

that's how i feel.

yuck.

the cuties were sick...they kinda still are.
ear infections all around.
they're not contagious...says the doctor.
3 visits to the doctor.
lots and lots of medicine.
lots and lots of cuddles and love and kisses.

then, the mommy gets sick, too.

i don't get sick often, i normally talk myself out of it.
is that even possible?
it must be - because i normally can chalk it up to allergies.
this, though...my friends...is sick.
yuck.

good news.

i don't stay sick long.
wish me luck.

here's a pretty picture...way prettier than my look these days. don't ya just love az?

My Mom isn't a Follower

Not because she doesn't like my blog. She told me she does. The one time she read it.

My mom isn't computer savvy. That's ok. It's just not her thing.

She has requested some computer lessons. So...we (my sisters and I) will be giving our mom an "intro to internet explorer" class. Soon.

First Priority - double-clicking internet explorer.

Second - email.

Third - replying to email.

Fourth - online banking.

Fifth - campbell cuties follower.

Wish her luck...errrr...I mean us luck!

Owwwwwieeeee!!!

Lily was in pain last night...earache pain. We always know when she gets an ear infection. They come out of nowhere (she was just at the doctor on Thursday...no infection) and we (I) get NO sleep. Okay I'm being mean - Bryan does help out in the middle of the night...about 5 min. worth for every hour.

You can't help but feel bad for her. To make it even worse - we had absolutely NO tylenol, motrin...nothing. The kids were sick last week with fevers and we ran out of tylenol. I guess being the bad mommy I am - I had yet to refill our supply.

We stayed up the entire night trying to soothe the pain. As long as we were sitting up or standing - she felt okay. Come 5am - the hottie made his way to Fry's to have the honor of the first customer for the day. By this time, Lily was ready for the day - playing, jumping around, bathed and ready to head out to Aunt Ashley's.

9am - I called the pediatrician for a prescription. Wouldn't ya know it...they wanted to see her. Ugh...appointment scheduled. I wish there was an earache-meter to avoid the whole pit stop at the doctors prior to medicine routine.

Oh well...at least we got to see our favorite doctor. Lily flirted, Brady vied for attention and got it, and I...well, I just tried to hide as my lack of sleep was certainly catching up to my face/hair/appearance.

Lily is now resting...hopped up on all her drugs: flovent, xopenex, benadryl, tylenol, and augmentin. She's a pharmacy. Poor thing.

Ketchup

I come from a family of ketchup lovers. Well, really we all start out that way - then some of us (not me) veer off a bit as we age.

We all actually talked about our ketchup craziness at the folks' house last night for Sunday night dinner. You see, I eat ketchup with chicken nuggets and grilled cheese. I know - sounds gross doesn't it?? My sister Ashley eats ketchup with noodles. Lily will dip anything in ketchup. Brady...well, can't stand it. Apparently, he didn't get the ketchup gene.

On the other hand, he doesn't like any condiment - N-O-N-E. Other than ketchup...I'm right there with him. I'll eat ranch or italian on salads...but, that's about it. No ranch on pizza, no mayo on sandwiches, no mustard on hot dogs. Y-U-C-K, YUCK!!

This weekend we went out to dinner with our very good friends the Truran's. We just love them...and their adorable daughter Avery...and even their yet-to-be-named, bun-in-the-oven, little girl #2. Avery brought the meaning "ketchup lover" to a new height.

She basically said forget the fries - I just need a ramekin of ketchup. She was literally drinking it. Too cute and funny.

Isn't she adorable??

Lost, Found & Returned??!!

Remember this picture?:

Well, seconds after I took this picture...Brady's UConn hat flew off during our Matterhorn experience. It was all I could do to help hold back Brady's tears.

When we exited the ride - I was confessing my error to Bryan...when the ride operator told us to tell the good folks at the Town Hall. Apparently, each night after closing, the cast will walk through all rides and pick up all lost valuables for Lost & Found.

So...we did just that. Before exiting the park later that evening, we made a trip to the Town Hall. They had us fill out a Lost & Found form with information about the hat.

Guess what showed up today?

Needless to say, Brady was beyond excited. And...so was I. No more guilt - and now complete respect for Disneyland!

Thanks Disneyland!! We have no doubt we will continue our annual trip!

GNO

I've said before that I'm not a very good friend. It's not that I don't care about my friends or want to spend time with them. It's just...I really don't know.

I really, really, really will try to be a better friend. I promise!!

Last night - I was invited to join one of my oldest and most dearest friends, Nancy, to celebrate her 30th birthday. About 13 girls joined and boy did we have fun. Half of them were cops - yes, uniform wearin', gun-totin' cops. And they are awesome. They bring style, fashion, and intelligence to the force. What a group of ladies!! The other half of us were some of the old school crew of friends.

Isn't it fun to bring old and new together? I thought so.

Thanks Nancy!! I had a blast and I hope this helped make your birthday extra special.

p.s. passion party coming soon - isn't that always what women talk about when they're together...bedroom toys?

Isn't This ALWAYS How it Goes?

So yesterday, as I was nursing for all the sick ones at home - I had to run to the grocery...because the oldest sick one needed a Gatorade. (which I forgot - oops!!) Sorry...I digress. Hmm...but, thinking about it - isn't that also true? When you go to the grocery to pick up a few things - don't you always walk out forgetting at least one of those items?

I know - I really digress.

Anyways - upon my return from the grocery (gatorade-less) I push the ever-handy garage door button - and...huh it only went up 6 inches. I thought to myself - I must have hit it twice. So I hit it again and it goes down those 6 inches.

Once more - again...stops at 6 inches. I think - What is the matter? Oh...Bryan must have heard me coming and we are hitting the garage door button at the same time. Hee Hee...Funny.

So...I wait - NOTHING. Press it again. Goes back down those 6 inches. Just for S&G's I decide to hit it once more...JUST 6 INCHES.

Great. Another thing to add to the list. A broken garage door.

I call inside (isn't cell phone technology great and such an enabler to laziness?) to Bryan to come out and help. Yes...I know he is sick - but, I needed help.

Up 6 inches. Down 6 inches. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. He checks the track - all looks good. But what are we really looking for anyways?

We just had our garage door spring replaced in December 2007 - we find the service receipt. Call - make appointment for this morning between 8-10am.

Guess what happened when they just arrived????

GARAGE DOOR TOTALLY WORKING!!!!

WTF?

Needless to say - I now have a super lubed up garage door with a small adjustment to the spring...What-ever... I'm sure he was just feeling bad and told me he did something to justify the $79.00 service fee.

p.s. Lil's foot is totally fine this morning...do 2 year olds know how to play pretend? ALL. DAY. LONG?

I Guess the Flu is Going Around...

This is my day today:

1. Wake up 5:15am and get ready for work
2. Work 6:30 - 8:30am
3. 8:30am get a call from Cori...Lily hurt her foot maybe needs xrays.
4. Bryan to keep an eye on her limp and call if it worsens.
5. 9:20am - Nurse Gina from Brady's school calls...fever, chills, sick.
6. 9:30am - Leave to pick up Brady from school - meet Bryan and Lil at home.
7. 10am - call doctor...what is wrong with Lil's foot???
8. Naps for all...but, me. Work computer not working...Help Desk called...no Help.
9. Lunch time - soup for everyone.
10. Garage door breaks - won't open.
11. Doctor appt for Lil - just sore - keep an eye on.
12. Feel stupid.
13. Naps again for everyone...but, me.
14. Dinner for everyone - well, whoever would eat anyways.
15. Jammies and bed.
16. Clean.
17. Blog.
18. Relax.

Oh...and lots and lots of whining and crying and cuddles and temperature-taking and tylenol and love.

p.s. Lil's foot now seems fine, Brady still has a fever and of course...the Hottie is still sick.

Did I mention I love my life? Because I do. Even on days like this.

Tell Me What To Do

Remember when you were a little kid and everything was planned out for you?

Where to live.

What to wear.

What to eat.

Where to school.

No decisions. No bills. No responsibilities.

Just eat. play. sleep.

Sheesh - that was the life and we didn't even know it.

The last week or so...I've been mulling on a decision. Nothing big, it's rather silly, actually - so don't worry. But, it has made me miss those days of pure innocence.

Don't get me wrong - I wouldn't go back to those days for anything. I'd miss my life. I'd miss the Hottie. I'd miss the Cuties. So much....I wouldn't know what to do.

But, still those days were great.

It's times like these when I need someone to just tell me what to do. I don't want to make the decision. I don't want to be the adult. I just want to be the loud-mouthed, long-haired little girl I once was.

Happy Birthday Happy Birthday!!

Today we didn't just get to celebrate 1 birthday - but 2!!!

Birthday Girl #1 - Cori Majercin Jouas

Age: 23
Relation: Youngest sibling

How she will be partying it up for her birthday: Vegas Baby

Why we love Cori: She's an awesome sister, best friend, has great style, takes great care of the Cuties and loves teenie bopper shows as much as me...maybe more!

Birthday Girl #2 - Rylee Renee Babcock

Age: 4

Relation: Niece

How she partied it up for her birthday: Disneyland dressed as a gorgeous Belle.

Why we love Ry: She's a super duper girlie-girl, has the Majercin-trait deep voice, is a definite little mommy, loves fashion and has the prettiest shiniest hair ever!

Happy Birthday girls - we love you tons and tons and tons!!!

p.s. we celebrated tonight with a family dinner at fuddruckers...yum!

Disney Fun

Here's some of my fave pictures from the mini-vacay...

Vacations Over - Back to Reality

Our mini-vacay is over - and it was AWESOME!

Did I mention how much I love, love, LOVE Disneyland? Well - this time was no different.

I remember loving it as a child. But...now, with the Cuties in tow - I get to see it through their eyes - relive that excitement and awe all over again.

I love it.

Now, I do love coasters, roller coasters that is, so I'm always down for an adult only trip to a theme park - but, with the kids...I feel like a kid and nothing makes me more excited than to see the Cuties so excited.

Friday mornin we left the valley around 9:30am and arrived at the hotel - through a blizzard of rain around 3:30pm. We checked in and met down in the rainforest themed lobby around 5pm for appetizers and the free happy hour. Now I didn't partake in the true happy hour (remember last weekend??) but I did help myself to plenty of pretzel mix, popcorn, and shirley temples. Yummmmmmmm......We called it a night early in preparation for our day of fun.

Disneyland was super fun. It was a bit cold - then warm (somewhat) - then freeeeezing. Luckily, it never rained and the sun was out majority of the day. We scooted around the park in Duggar family fashion - think GIGANTIC group traveling together with multiple strollers. That. Was. Us. Griswold style for sure. The parent exchange program made the line waiting smooth and everyone got to ride rather quickly. We skipped the Nemo ride again - for the 3rd time - due to CRAZY lines. Maybe next trip.

I did get to borrow the Babcock's park hopper pass to make a quick run (literally) over to California Adventure to ride the Screamer. That was awesome - I really have to make sure to hit that park on the next trip. Never been there and boy did it look fun.

The four of us - and my parents - called it a night around 8:30pm...Lily was already long asleep and Brady fell asleep the second he sat down in the shuttle. Dinner consisted of a run through Jack-in-the-Box...room service too $$$.

The next morning we slept in...7:30am (we're geeks) and made it downstairs for our free breakfast. We left around 10:30am and headed out towards Santa Monica Pier...with a quick trip to Big O' Tires after the Babcock's were struck by a mild fender bender.

Santa Monica pier provided some entertainment - shivers from cold - dream of beach living and swimming - and of course, the craving for some summer San Diego fun.

The ride home was smooth and we sleepily pulled into the garage at 11:30pm. Tucked the kids in bed and then crashed ourselves.

Ahhh....nothing like vacations. But, nothing like coming home to a clean home after vacations. Can't leave home without it - you know?

And...today - we both had off...so it was filled with laundry, relaxing, and good ole family bonding. Simply AWESOME!

We're Going to Disneyland!!!!

Yippee!! I can barely contain myself.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE DISNEYLAND.

We're busy tonight packing up and loading the van for our early mornin drive to Anaheim. Thank goodness for Garmin (thanks Osborn's!!) we shouldn't get lost going through Riverside.

Disneyland is becoming our yearly vacation - and I like that. It brings back so many childhood memories. Doesn't Disneyland let you feel like a kid...even though you just turned the big 3-0?

We're all going to celebrate our birthdays:

Lilbugs - January 5

Brady - January 27

Me - February 9

Grandma - February 9

Sheldon - February 14 (lucky dog...we're going on his birthday so he's FREE!!)

Rylee - February 17

If Cori was going - we'd celebrate her birthday, too...but they'll be heading over to the Sin City the very next weekend. So...they decided to forego this Disney trip.

Wish us lots of joy at the Happiest Place on Earth!!!

Craving Apples

Several years ago - I was at my friend Janea's house for her little girl's birthday party. Janea made this apple dip. Yummy. It was delicious. 

The following Christmas she gifted to all of us a small white folder with some of her family recipes. Us Campbell's still use these recipes to this day. This apple dip has been to many a family functions and always goes over well. Here is the recipe:

Apple Dip

2 8oz Cream Cheese bars

1 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 cup White Sugar

1 Tablespoon Vanilla

Heath Toffee Bits - these can be hard to find...but, I always find them at Bashas or Albertsons

10 + Granny Smith Apples

**for parties...I typically double the recipe

Soften cream cheese. Add sugars and vanilla. Mix well. I normally use a hand blender to smooth it out. Right before you are going to serve it mix in about 1/2 - 3/4 package of Heath toffee bits. Serve cold with tart Granny Smith Apples.

p.s. Rylee calls this candy...and technically it is!

I'm a blogger - ya'll know that. Apparently with blogging and photos and videos and media applications and itunes...apple computers are the way to go. They are super user friendly, reliable and come standard with so many options. 

As the saying goes - once you go apple - you never go back.

Guess what. I'm an apple girl now - all around. Dips. Computers. Everything.

Now - I just have to learn all the functions. Tomorrow - I'm heading on over to Chandler Mall on my lunch to take a quick tutorial. Maybe I'll try to find a "Mac for Dummies" book. 

If you own an apple - please send over any suggestions or hints - I'd love it!

 

Puppy Love

The cutest thing ever happened tonight.

All 4 of us are sitting at the dinner table enjoying our dinner (leftover Mexican) when Brady turns to us and quietly says, "Mom - I have a girlfriend now."

My heart dropped and I almost laughed and cried at the same time.

Me: You do? That is so sweet - who is your girlfriend?

Brady: Anna. (an adorable girl at school)

Bryan: That's awesome Buddy - give me a high five. (seriously Campbell??)

Brady: Yeah. Anna's my girlfriend because we both used the same color today.

If only love was that easy, right?

When he told us...it was seriously like he had been waiting all day. So cute. Gotta love it!

AZ Hollywood

So...the Surprise Party was a success.

The costumes were awesome, the movieoke was awesome, the people were awesome.

Thank youThank youThank you. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

In case you missed it - here's a few snapshots. Yes...there are lots of blackmail photos of me.

Guests walking the "Red Carpet"

The Surprise - umm...can you say speechless?

I think Flippy Cup was my downfall - I just might have to retire.

Some Costumes

I think this is where it all went down hill

There are no words

Thanks Babe!!

p.s. this next one is me. at work. on my actual birthday. back to the normal good-girl I am.