Bad Day for Mom = Anything goes for kids

Jeff and I woke up yesterday morning feeling like we'd been hit by a semi. Our symptoms are all over the charts. Can't figure out if it's a cold or a flu. So, I politely plead with my kids to go easy on mommy since I was sick. So, Jeff went off to school and I fed the kids breakfast while taking sitting breaks every 2 minutes since I couldn't stand up for longer than that. During their morning show (Super Y), I dosed off for literally 15 minutes, and woke up to a massive tornado in my front room and kitchen. They managed to open the 36 roll bag of Costco toilet paper and spread it all over the house (at least they didn't unwrap each roll), draw all over the couches and walls with chalk, and take every utensil out of my silverware drawer. So much for going easy on mom. If this is what it's going to be like when I'm nursing the new baby and totally defenseless...heaven help me. Where's the love? The pictures below actually look clean compared to what it ended up looking like by the time the day was over.

I love how Hayley is pantless and has 1/2 if a pig tail left. Thank goodness we had no unannounced visitors!

Naughty Naughty. Glad they had so much fun at my expense.

We ended up playing with toilet paper rolls for about an hour. I found out they're great for playing catch and building towers too! Why buy toys when you have TP?

Ethan's attempt at mimicking Superman later that day.

Hayley continuing on with the trend of destruction and unpacking my purse. Maybe I should put her in charge of paying the bills from now on

Happy Belated Father's Day

I know...I'm 4 days late...but I figure better late than never. Of course, I should blog about my sweet husband since I consider him to be one of the best dad's on the planet but I'm going to save blubbering about him for our anniversary in 2 weeks. So, daddy, this one's for you. Really, I just don't know where to begin. I don't know how I was so blessed to have such an amazing dad. I literally consider him to be one of my best friends. I have very vivid memories of when I was very little of counting down the minutes until my dad got home from work so that I could race my sisters to hug him first at the door. My dad, aka "Papa J", was meant to have all girls. Although he was raised rough and tough...my sisters have turned him into nothing more than a giant cream puff. I can talk to him about anything and he is there to support me in any way possible. He is not only an amazing dad, but he's even a better Papa to our kids. Kids just flock to him. Dad, thank you so much for putting up with me for the past 31 years. I put you through some pretty rough times but you've always stuck by my side. I love you more than you'll ever know. Happy Father's Day!

Our family the day we were all sealed together in the LA Temple. I was only 6 so I don't remember whole lot....but I am sure proud of my dad for finally accepting the gospel. He investigated the church for nearly 11 years. As you can imagine, this was a very special day for my mom.

Papa with Ethan when he was 8 weeks old

Just chillin with the grand kids and popcicles

Papa teaching Ethan & Hayley a few tricks in the pool

My dad insisted on wearing a visor up side down to block the reflection off his belly. He's so stinkin funny!

I stole this picture off my mom's blog. Don't you think they should enter it into a contest? This is my parents backyard. My dad feels most in his element in the water!

Our Adventure at "The View"

I went online last August to apply for a bunch of tickets for various NY shows for when my friend Rayna came to visit over Thanksgiving last year. Well, I had totally forgotten about it until I received 3 tickets to the view just 2 weeks ago. So, Melia, Anastasia and I headed to NYC yesterday to attend a taping of "The View." We left at 4:00 am. The taping was from 11:00-12:00 since it was a live show. It's always surreal to actually be there. Everything always looks so different in person. Everyone in the audience received chocolate, a nice hair dryer, some organic hair care product, and $150 Mastercard that we could use anywhere. It was a busy and long day but totally worth it!

We stood in line outside for about an hour. Then we stood inside for another hour. They gave me the royal treatment since I was pregnant and let me sit on the "handicap" bench. Can't say I love feeling like a gimp but I'll definitely take what I can get!


We had pretty good seats. We were in the front row of the 1st balcony.


This is the scene right after their 1st segment...they were immediately bombarded with their makeup crew. No wonder why they always look so flawless!


I'm not particularly a huge fan of "The View" but I do like Elisabeth Hasselbeck. She's really conservative and sticks to her guns amongst all of the rest of the very liberal cast.


Close up of Barbara Walters and Elizabeth Hasselbeck




Kate Hudson was the special guest. We weren't allowed to take pictures during the taping and by the time I was able to grab my camera after they filmed the segment with Kate Hudson, she had disappeared. So, no pictures of Kate...sorry!



This is the set they put together in 2 minutes for Alanis Morisette's performance. She was absolutely amazing. I did get one picture of her but it was really blurry.

Celtic Thunder - I Want to Know What Love Is

I am in love with Keith Harkin's voice from Celtic Thunder. I would go to their concert just to hear him sing this song in person. I saw Celtic Woman in concert and they were fabulous. Maybe I'll have to give Celtic Thunder a try!!