My Honey's Birthday!

He is so lucky!! Me and the girls love to make birthdays a big deal.  I get this from my mom.  We always received some sort of flowers or balloons.  My mom worked at a florist so we were so excited to see what was going to arrive.

Happy Birthday Baby

I Love You!!



40 bags in 40 days Challenge

I'm taking the 40 bags in 40 days challenge!!

This is my new junk drawer.  I was so excited that I forgot to take a before picture:)

I have already started! 4 days and 4 bags down.  I already feel so much lighter.  I have been in grad school for the last 2 years full-time as well as working full-time and have 2 busy daughters and a needy husband :) and my house has been neglected.  I am almost embarrased that I have not done much organizing and real cleaning in so long.  Well, as soon as I graduated, vacationed, and rested I was ready to go!  What will I do with all of these bags? I have some great answers.  I'm taking old shoes and clothes to a drug rehab center and woman's shelter, taking kids clothes and items to a safe house for abused children and women, giving away my kitchen items to my mom who never has enough, and throw the rest away or give to Goodwill.

Here is my 40 bag goal:

1. the kitchen cabinets
2. under the bathroom sink
3. my coat closet
4. laundry room
5. Ella's closet
6. Ella's drawers
7. Maya's closet
8. Maya's drawers
9. My side of the closet
10. My shoe drawers
11. Study
12. Study's closet
13. junk drawer
14. utencil drawer
15. my car trunk
16. under the other bathroom sink
17. under kitchen sink
18. tupaware drawer
19. pantry
20. makeup drawer
21. bow drawer
22. towel cabinet
23. blanket cabinet
24. entertainment center
25. toy drawers
26. jewelry stand
27. freezer
28. refridgerator
29. backyard storage shed
30. backyard leaves
31. front yard leaves
32. under the bed
33. Robby's closet (if i can make him)
34. garage supply shelf
35. garage tools
36. garage crates
37. garage toys/balls
38. garage holiday crates
39. garage
40. garage (seriously you haven't seen my garage)

Happy New Year!

 And a Happy New Year...



On the Road Again

On the road again...

We headed to Taos, New Mexico for some ski and snow fun.  We drove, so that was an adventure in itself.  We have road trips down to science now.  We make memories that will last a lifetime.  I know I remember my family trips like they were yesterday.

Things you need for a road trip:

Ice chest or ice bag full of drinks

Bag full of snacks (beef jerky, nuts, crakers)

emergency bag-insta flat, jumper cables, etc.

wood/gallon of gas

flashlight

blankets/pillows

headrest TVs if you have one and extra movies

IPods, DSI,& deck of cards

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Santa was good to us this year! 

We surprised the girls with a Ski Trip.  We packed new ski coats and ski gear in a suitcase and put a big bow on it.  When the girls opened it, they were so happy because one of their Christmas wishes was to see SNOW!

Christmas Gift System

Every year I have 4 different Christmas parties: my house, my mom's, my dad's, and my in-laws. It never fails, I forget a present or take the wrong one.  Well I solved that problem this year.  I made a bow system. 

Green~ my house

White~ my Dad's

Black ~ my Mom's

Red~ my in-law's house



I Love Summer Vacation

When I was young, we didn't have much.  My parents worked very hard and had two jobs each most of the time.  I didn't know we were poor until it was pointed out to me by classmates.  I thought everybody had a free lunch card just like me.  You see, my parents didn't go to college and didn't have careers but they did everything they could to be the best parents and provide for me and my sister.

The one thing they did do and made a must to do was take us on a family vacation every summer.  They saved for it all year long.  We didn't fly, but we drove.  Usually with family or friends so they could split the cost of gas.  One of my greatest memories I will never forget is packing, leaving early in the morning, jumping on the road and waiting till we got there.  We went all over the U.S. and did everything we could for that week.  It was the only time we could eat anything we wanted and do anything we wanted. 

We started that tradition with my family a couple of years ago.  Doing staycations around DFW, Austin, San Antionio, etc.  But this year we did it right.  We Saved, Saved, Saved!!! We took the best trip ever!  We flew into San Diego, went to the best Zoo ever.  Then drove up the coast all the way to San Francisco hitting every beach like La Jolla, Venice, Carmel, and every hot spot like Disneyland, Universal Studios, L.A., Hollywood, The California Coast,  Big Sur, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf  etc, etc.  We had the best time ever!!!  We will always keep this tradition going so that our daughters may have that memory and pass it along to their family one day.

 San Diego Bay

San Diego Zoo

 

 

First Time to see an Ocean @ Coronado Beach, CA

LaJolla Beach

 Where the memories begin...

Watching the Disneyand Parade :)

California Adventure Park

Universal Studios Tour

Hollywood Hills (we were so close)

Venice Beach

Santa Monica Sunset

Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park

Carmel Beach

California Coast

This is not a Post Card

Elephant Seals

San Francisco

Golden Gate Bridge (fog included)

This was a beautiful time for my family to bond and make memories.  I encourage you to do the same and like my husband always says "Stop and Smell the Roses."