birthday extravaganza

for my Mom's birthday, we went bowling as a family. the evening began with a delicious grilled chicken dinner my Dad made for all of us and then we hit the lanes (we're really cool, I know). my Mom really enjoys bowling, but she's in the minority within my family because most of  us have the unfortunate combination of being both really bad at bowling and extremely competitive. 

i. hate. to. lose. 

but we had fun anyway, especially with my Mom there to liven things up a bit. after the bowling, we went back to my parents' house where we had birthday cake that my Dad made...he was quite the birthday chef. Dean and Sadie enjoyed one another's company and my Mom failed miserably at her new goal of being serious now that she's 50. hope you had a happy birthday, Mom...i would only lose  as i did for you.

happy birthday Mom

...today my Mom turns 50! (hope you don't mind I just shared it). happy birthday Mom! my Mom is the most amazing woman I've ever met and she continues to amaze me. she is honestly the funniest woman in the world and should have a reality tv show all her own. she told me she plans to change her personality now that she is turning 50 and be serious for the rest of her life, but I sure hope she doesn't! she's the best, just how she it.

true facts about my Mom:

-she is called 'queen Teri'

-her nickname in high school was 'fish' because her maiden name is Harring

-she was excited to turn 40, and even more excited to turn 50

-she hates roller coasters, as exemplified in our most recent trip to knott's berry farm

-I doubt that she's ever paid full price for anything for herself, but she always springs for it for her kids/grandkids

-she can play a mean game of jacks, uno and yahtzee

-everyone shares their problems and/or life story with her

-she is my workout inspiration, like the energizer bunny...just keeps going!

-she is almost always in a great mood

-she is a really hard worker

-she's always convincing us to do things together we wouldn't do otherwise

-she wrote a song, called 'the pizza song'

-she has a deep faith and incredible strength

-she is humble and is always willing to make-up (not that we fight much)

-she's the best Mother and Grandmother ever

-you will hear her using phrases like "work, work, never shirk" and "you are my peach and my pear"

-I honestly thought my Mom controlled the stoplights when I was little because she would watch them and then say, "greeeen, greeeeeen, striiiinngggggg beans!" to make them turn green. had me fooled for years!

-she's an extremely devoted mother and all her children adore her

Happy Birthday, Mother dear! I love you!

photo from http://jessicadrewphotography.com/

(she's highly recommended by our family)

say instagram!

...my life, as seen by my iphone:

...please excuse the border-fest; it's because my iphone is one generation too 

old and the 'new' instagram doesn't play well with it. boo!

Cali: Part 2

pictures from our days at the beach, or at least the day I brought my camera

we all had a blast, playing in the sand, sun and surf

the weather was great and Dean learned to appreciate the weather and water (dipped his toes)

Krew found a crab friend, and threw lots and lots of rocks

while Sadie would walk straight into the water, waves and all

my Dad was there, but didn't want his picture taken

Dallin surfed with friends (and skated, ran and hot tubbed)

Tom and I switched off holding Dean in the shade

my Mom did her signature 'waving' picture

...we had a great trip. Thanks for taking us along Mom and Dad!

Cali: Part 1

a couple weeks ago, my family went on our annual beach trip to Oceanside, just north of San Diego. we stayed at the condo we always stay at that is right on the beach (and right by the coastliner train- so loud with babies!). this year, the group consisted of us, my parents and brother Dallin and my brother Tyler and sister-in-law Ashli with their kids, Krew and Sadie. most days were spent at the beach, but we ate fresh seafood at the harbor with Tyler and Ashli and kids. Tom, Dean and I also made sure to check out old town San Diego. I have so many fond memories of Oceanside and southern California. it was great making more, this time with my boys.

say instagram!

my life, captured by my phone:

   

birthdays and basketball championships

Tom turned 27 on Thursday and we had cake and ice cream over at our place. We kept it simple and just had my family over and watched the Miami Heat win the NBA Championship. Tom was double happy that they won, and that they won on his birthday, no less. Thomas is from Miami, Florida, so having the Heat win was really exciting for him. Congratulations to the Miami Heat, and most importantly, to my love, Tom for turning one year older (and wiser, too...Haaaapy Birthday, to you!).Now, who wants to eat some leftover cake? I'm off sweets and Tom is trying to eat better too, which makes for a lot of extra cake.