Super Cute Craft

I thought I would try to make this cute, easy craft for the 4th of July. (Click here). If I don't have time, I thought I'd at least share it with the world. ;) So fun!

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
Cheers,
Christy

Really great Carnitas!

I simply love Mexican food! When I find an easy, cheap, recipe that everyone likes, it becomes a regular in our house. And, of course, I want to tell the whole world about it!

Here it is.... Carnitas in the Crockpot!
I was skeptical about this recipe at first but it is tasty, tender, and uses a rather inexpensive cut of pork. With 3 kids home for the summer, the crockpot and I have become good friends. I've made it a few times and it is consistently good. It is flavorful but not spicy. After it is done, I shred it and divide out a few portions for the kids and then I add or Pilarcitas (or hot sauce) to the remainder for Brentt and I.

Spread this on some tortillas, top with coleslaw, and enjoy your easy Summer meal. It is great for a build-your-own buffet when company comes too.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-carnitas/detail.aspx

I hope you love it as much as we do.
Cheers!
Christy

A good laugh

Max LOVES to eat! He is a big boy and this is his main reason. Thankfully, fruits and veggies are his favorite. (I know... you think I got lucky. But the truth is, he just hasn't gotten to taste too many sweets yet.)

When we sat down for dinner a few nights ago, Max plowed through this ear of corn like one of those cartoon pigs. He was really going at it! I wished I had it on video but by the time I finished taking a few photos, the corn was gone. No kidding! He ate this ear of corn in about a minute. It gave us all a good laugh and he was delighted to entertain us all!

Have a great day!
Cheers,
Christy

Max-Love

I don't have much to say about these pictures. I am so in love with Max. (I think God plans it this way before they hit the terrible 2's)
He is just so sweet, charming, and a little silly. Pictures say a thousand words, right?Thanks for checking in!
Cheers,
Christy

Summertime

Summer time is so sweet but I feel like we've waited forever for it to get here. We all went to Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs) for Memorial Day and got to feel the hot, desert weather. We stayed at the Mission Hills Westin in a suite with a full kitchen. We've stayed here before and it is just gorgeous!Chasing ducks was the highlight of Max's trip.
While we were in Rancho Mirage we swam and loved just hanging out together.

Sam even went golfing for the first time on a real course (twilight rates, of course!) He was so happy to be able to pal around with his Daddy on the golf course.Thanks for checking in. Enjoy the early Summer!
Christy

I'm back!

Holy cow! I can't believe its already been a month since my last post. I could barely remember my login!Sorry for my absence! (in case there is anyone out there who still checks our blog.) Life has been crazy busy, yet productive. In the last month we've celebrated Easter, changed the kids to a private Christian school (to start in the Fall), teacher appreciation parties, open house and spring concerts at both schools, play dates, swim lessons, gymnastics, family visiting, planning Summer vacation, AND just Brentt and I took a trip together. Whew! I'm exhausted just reading about it.I'll share some photos of the last month. So many great ones!

First of all, Easter was such a fun occasion to watch how much Max's personality has blossomed. He loved the Easter egg hunt
but he did NOT like the Easter bunny. (I have to admit he does look a little creepy!)We also had some warm weather in early May. The kids love the slip and slide and the water table. I hope it stays this easy to entertain them all Summer.
Luckily, Max is not old enough to be embarrassed that I show pictures like this. Who doesn't love to see a cute, chubby, baby butt?!?
Madeleine's school had a cake decorating contest for their Spring Fling. She thought of, and decorated this cake all by herself. She was so proud of her "Ladybug Picnic" cake.
Here are Grandma and Grandpa Bill when they were here. Isn't this a great picture of them? They are so happy and in love. (Happy early Anniversary!)Sam just cracks me up in this picture! He is in full character! I am starting to wonder if "camouflage" is a phase or just part of being Sam. Hmmm...Max LOVES books and he and Grandpa Bill bonded over many books on their 10 day visit.
I have so much more to share but I've really got to run. Thanks so much for checking in!
Cheers,
Christy

Happy Easter!

Happy Tax Day!

We have 3 great deductions on our taxes. This one just happens to be labeled. Happy Tax Day!
Cheers,
Christy

Stay-cation Adventures #2

For Stay-cation adventure #2 we thought we'd live like tourists do when they come to San Diego so we went and stayed at Paradise Point, a local beach resort.

The weather could have been a LOT warmer but that's what you get for San Diego in April and May.

There was a great spot overlooking the bay, with beautiful palms and flowers. I thought, "The kids are clean all at the same time. We should take a picture." (yes, I have low standards!)

I tried to pose them and I ended up with this:And then this:So I let them do their own thing and I got this:

Much better! They are so natural here.

The next morning we went for a walk on the beach. It was chilly but a great way to start the day.
I love how they like to write in the sand.It was so cold at the beach, Max was content hanging out in the stroller watching birds and playing with seashells. He is always a happy guy!
The best parts of our stay-cation are we won't be paying for it for months and we still got to squeeze in dentist and doctor appointments. We live in an amazing area and get into our daily ruts and we just don't take advantage of all it offers. So much to do... so little time!

We have a couple more days of break left and I asked Madeleine and Sam what they want to do and they said they want to just stay home. Really? All right.... I confess I'm tired out too. I suppose I'll learn how to relax a little...? I'm not sure I know how to do that but I'll try.

Thanks for checking in!
Cheers!
Christy

Stay-cation Adventures

Life lesson #57: "Life with 3 kids is expensive. Vacations shouldn't be."

With that in mind, we decided to do a stay-cation for Spring break. Thankfully, we live in an amazing area so we aimed to stay within San Diego county and do things we normally do not do.

We started last weekend camping in the Anza-Borrego Desert. The flowers are in bloom in the local mountains and the drive was gorgeous!We didn't do our traditional camping this time. We "roughed it." The Bureau of Land Management allows you to pull off a dirt road and camp where ever you want to. Did you know that? I didn't! We chose an area near a dry lake bed where the kids could climb rocks, have fun.... ...and giggle...We really were in the middle of nowhere!It was warm camping in the desert and the stars were AMAZING! (psst... love my new iPhone app called "Star Walk." We were finally able to figure out the constellations!)

On Day #2 Brentt said, I know these cool mud caves not far from here, let's go! Ok, I'm up for the adventure. An hour later after driving on dirt "roads" like this...I started doubting our destination (and the ability of my minivan!). Even looking through the informational book about the desert, there was no mention of this place.

This is it: Really? What?!? Not so cool until you get in there. Here is a video from inside the caves. I can't believe there is something like 3 million people who live in San Diego county and there were only a dozen or so people out here the whole time we were there. Well kept secret I suppose?

The caves were not "Max-able" but he still had fun. He makes his own adventures; usually by running away. Don't worry though, he charms and kisses his way out of trouble every time! On the way back to our campsite, we stopped at Hollywood and Vine Street. Maybe not the one you'd expect to see in Southern California...So weird!

Alas, Spring Break is not over yet. Check back for Stay-cation adventure #2.
Have a great day!
Christy