I went two point seven seconds on a bull named Fu Man Chu

OK not really...but since every summer my dad takes us Rocky Mountain climbing this year for Christmas we decided to take him sky diving....Indoor Skydiving that is! We had the most incredible day out at Sky Venture south of Phoenix!

We had a very brief intro and learned the hand signals and basic body form...then we suited up and it was time to try our wings!

Emily wasn't sure this was a good idea...the fan was BIG and LOUD!

I went first...we each had two turns to fly, the videos below are from our second turn.

Emily was up next...she did so well!

Dad was flying high! Not too bad for an old guy!

To watch the videos full screen pop them out with the four arrows on the bottom right of the video...the flying up with the instructor at the end was totally amazing!!!!!!!!!

Christa....

Emily....

Dad...

Next year we are thinking about jumping from the real plane.

Crisis averted!

So earlier this week I had the idea that we would get up an hour early on friday and Em and I would go to breakfast together. It would give us something to look forward to during the week and be a chance for us to just have a quiet visit before school.
Also Em is one tardy away from some super fun detention cause we never leave early enough so she's been late for 1st period a few too many times to count...oops.
So I picked a cute cafe near school and we headed out before 7 for coffee and pastries. No traffic and tons of parking places...yea!!!
I pulled in to a spot right out front and stepped out of the car....





See the nice sewer grate.....clink I dropped my keys and in they went!!!!





Ahhhhhaaaahhhh....my whole life flashed before my eyes!!! I could see them about three feet down inside but what to do!?!?!? We didn't have fishing line or a big wad of bubble gum and a long stick to rig up some Nancy Drew style remedy to retrieve them!!! We quickly went inside the restaurant and asked if there were any maintenance or security workers around. She directed us to the security office...a super nice security guard (who instead of laughing at me confessed he once tripped on the same grate and was glad no one saw) walked down with us and we quickly figured out a plan. The grate lifted off the top and together we were able to move it aside. At that point there was no stopping me from getting them. I think he was a little worried when I laid down on the street and lowered half myself in there to reach them out!!!!! But sweet success and the keys were again in my hand!!!! Woody was no worse for wear just a little wet and the remote is still working!!!!!





We even had plenty of time to still enjoy our breakfast.
Emily laughing at me when I said what if there hadn't been anyone in the security office???? Um mom you would have called the number on the door that said if no one answers call this number....ok smarty pants.





All in all it was a great little adventure for a friday morning.





Good coffee and a yummy banana blueberry muffin.





And time with my favorite girl in the whole world!!





And best of all....we made it to school like 10 minutes early....no tardy today!!!
Happy Friday!!!

My nephew is cuter than your nephew.

Sorry if you thought you had the cutest nephew, cause I am pretty sure mine is cuter!

Joesph is playing his first season of tackle football, last year he played flag, and the games are so much fun to watch!
Today he was one of the captains...here he is heading out to midfield before the start of the game...#4.


















Watching from the sidelines....he played center most of the game.























Here he is getting ready to kick off.....

































This was the cutest! Not sure what kind of strategy these three were coming up with, but seriously!!!! So cute!

























Last play of the game....Joseph making an awesome tackle!
They won 14-0 today! Go Crusaders!

Happy New Year

We were so excited to be invited to by our friends the Tarlian's to spend New Year's weekend with them in Rocky Point. They have a great place with this amazing view right on the beach.

We got there early in the day on Friday and even though it had been snowing in Phoenix the prior afternoon, the weather was beautiful and we headed for the beach.

Not something you see all the time...this guy was walking his dog and his donkey on the beach.

After playing on the beach the jacuzzi felt great!

None of us made it to midnight but this beautiful sunset, a few movies and a few margaritas were a perfect way to spend new years eve 2010!

The beach was absolutely deserted on New Year's morning and we took a long walk up the beach. Then the girls made us a yummy breakfast when we got back.

It was colder on Sunday but that didn't stop us from going back to the pool.

It got colder and colder....when we ran out of towels we headed back to the room.

The girls played mancala all afternoon.

More margaritas and yummy chips and salsa!

Another beautiful morning and sunrise awaited us on Sunday, what a gorgeous view.

It was a wonderful weekend and such a relaxing way to bring in 2011!

Christmas Morning.....

Emily and I spent Christmas morning at home with HoCho from our awesome CocoaLatte possibly the greatest invention ever! Thanks Kimo!!!
Here is Rocky checking out his very cool and manly dog toy from the Harley store...thanks Sky! Maisie in the background not amused that she didn't get anything from Bear.

So when I was little girl I collected the Tomy Smaller Homes and Gardens dollhouse furniture and accessories...every birthday, babysitting job or any time I had money from something I went to the toy store at Fiesta Mall in Mesa and picked out something. I spent hours arranging the rooms and playing with the family. I had an awesome doll house that my mom and I built together. However there was an official Tomy Smaller Homes and Gardens Dollhouse, so super 70's i looked just like the Brady's house! I always always wanted this so much, but never had one of my own.......well fast forward (no seriously fast) about 30 years and because i have the best kid in the whole world who listens to me and amazingly understands things that are special and personal make the best gifts in the whole wide world....look what I got for Christmas!!!!


















My VERY own Tomy Smaller Homes and Gardens Doll house....perfectly 'vintage' just like me :) and in amazing mint condition! My dad and Emily found this one on Ebay and it came with tons of the furniture even pieces I didn't have.



Emily has been telling me for MONTHS and MONTHS the only thing she wanted for Christmas was a MacBook.
Well when I figured out the the Priority Mail flat rate shipping boxes were the same size as the computer box....I decided that all of gift would be wrapped in these boxes.....filled with books and my t-shirts to make them the right weight. Well it was quite entertaining....to me anyway!

























No MacBook :(

























MOM this is your OLD sleeping t-shirt!!!!!


















More things from around the house....MOM!!!!!

























ANOTHER FLAT RATE BOX!!!!
























MORE BOXES!!!!

























Finally the MACBOOK!!!!!
SOOOO HAPPY!

























Merry Christmas baby! I love you!

Family is the best part of Christmas..

Christmas afternoon we headed for my parents house in Cave Creek to celebrate with them and my brothers family . Watching the kids open gifts was so much fun!
Em and I spent all day Christmas Eve making these adorable cake pops from Bakerella we may be hooked on making cake pops now!


















Someone get Mack Brown on the Phone
























Is there anything cuter than missing front teeth...especially at Christmastime?!?!? I don't think so!

















Solange looking beautiful!


















The teenagers...they still love Christmas and Sky!

















This got a little 'Hairy' after lunch and the family pics turned out to be a little different this year....

Merry Mustache!