S.T.R.E.P.

(think to the tune of "Respect")

My poor baby girl has been hit with the horrible strep throat illness. She has been so miserable, and despite the drugs, hasn't been able to get her appetite or energy back. She started with a slight fever on Saturday, and was blazen to 105' by Sunday night. She is slowly getting better. We have watched a lot of Disney this week. Caden has been a little stir-crazy due to the self-imposed quarantine we've been under. Thankfully no one else has gotten the bad germies. Ugh - I hate having my kids sick. The only good thing is that I was able to finish the newest Twilight book in a day and a half while Disney continued it's influence on my kids. The book rocked! I thought it was the best of the series! (and today, Caden wanted scrambled eggs and an apple after watching various Disney characters eat them. I'll take that kind of influence.)

Continuing with the bad news, So You Think You Can Dance is over tomorrow night. I know the rest of summer time TV is bad, but I LOVE this show. And this season has been the best by far. I don't really have a favorite dancer, but I won't miss Mary Murphy's craziness. Sigh...at least Wade Robson came back for the finale.

A couple of weeks ago, my dad, stepmom and 2 sisters came out to visit from Austin. We had a whirlwind vacay with them, doing the beach and the zoo here, then heading up to Newport for a few days to explore up there. We checked out UCLA's campus for my senior sister and of course had to go to Fashion Island. One day I will return to that mall sans kids. It's like the mother ship calling me home. ;-> We had a great time with Papa and Grandma and Michelle and Melissa. Of course my camera remained hidden for their trip, but hopefully I'll have pictures to post from them. (hint hint, Texas!)

A poll, or two

I need your help, fellow San Diegans. I need a handyman referral. Anyone know a great handyman? We have some house projects that are beyond Scott's or my (very limited) knowledge.

I was recently comparing local eateries with some friends. One of my only complaints about San Diego is the lack of really great restaurants. But we get stuck in our rut of usual take-out places. So where are your favorite places to eat? Big chain or little hole-in-the-wall, and don't care about the genre. I'll start -
Chinese - Chopsticks by Target and Alby's. Better than Panda, but pretty sure there's something better out there.
Mexican - haven't found the "it"place yet. And Mexican is my favorite food. I have to go to 'Zona for good Mexican!
Sushi - Japan House on Scripps Poway. Pretty good.
Sandwiches - Panera is yummy, but anyone know a better one?
Cake - Nothing Bundt Cake. Holy cow, their white chocolate raspberry makes me happy.
Whole Lotta Yogurt -I just went here the other nite. It's the place that Jen and Melissa love. Wow, that tart yogurt is good stuff! No wonder you guys are there so much! Yummy!

So where do you like to eat?

When Jill and Spencer come to visit...

We swing, take wagon rides, and play in the backyard for hours.

We are patriotic on the 4th of July. We also swim and BBQ, but forget the camera.

We go to the beach. The camera made it there, but never got out of the bag.

We read uplifting material. Or, at least Spencer does.

If I knew how to edit pictures, I'd make his shorts longer. Hope you don't mind me posting your G show, Spencer! Sexy legs!

And we try to take a cute kids' picture. This is the best one we got!

Avery (2), Logan (8 months), Jill, Soleil (1), me, and Caden (3).

Jill and I were roommates when I met and dated Scott. (We both met our hubbies the same nite.) She is my cousin, but more importantly a great friend. She not only gets my sense of humor, she enjoys it! (right, Jill??) I loved having them with us. Avery called Caden her best friend (how cute!), and he has been asking for her since they left. Come back soon, guys! Whenever you need to escape the heat!

When Friends Come to Visit....

When Friends come to visit, we play at the pool.

I know this pix doesn't really show anyone, but it's the only pool pix I took without any Moms in it. And I didn't want to post a Mom in her swimming suit without her permission.

When Friends come to visit, we play golf and frisbee. And pose for pictures together.

Unfortunately I didn't take very many photos while the Widdisons were staying with us. But we had a great time with your guys! Come again soon!

When the Uncle and Cousin come to visit...

When the Uncle and Cousin come to visit, we drive cars.

And we dance for joy.

(Seriously, this picture doesn't do her dancing skills justice. So cute!)

When the Uncle and Cousin come to visit, we shoot water guns.

And take boat rides.

When the Uncle and Cousin come to visit, we fly in airplanes.

And we go root for the Padres!

When the Uncle and Cousin come to visit, we wrestle.

And after all that, then we finally relax.

Thanks for visiting us, Ross and Drew! We had so much fun with you. Next time bring the girls!
P.S. Maria, if you want bigger copies of any pix, let me know!)

When the Aunties come to visit...

When the Aunties come to visit, we go see Shamu!

And splash in the water park.

When the Aunties come to visit, we play hours of Guitar Hero...

(Stormie is a MASTER GENUIS on this game. Major holla's to ya!)

We eat lots of yummy food....

And go see the Padres!

But when the Aunties come to visit, what we love most of all are cuddles and loves!

(Apparently Caden avoided the camera for most of this week. He was still cuddled and loved as much as a 3 year old boy allows.)

We love you, Aunties! Please come visit again!!

May recap

Sorry for my absence, folks, but it's been season finales on all my favorite shows, so my nights have been busy. I know that's lame, but what can I say? I love my Office and House. I finally made it through my tivo, just in time for my all-time favorite summer show.

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE!!!

I will be watching every Wed and Thursday nite, so unless it is a dire emergency, please do not call.

Now to recap May:

We did the Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser walk with Scott's work. This is the second year we have walked to raise money for CF research. There are a few people afflicted with this terrible disease in our stake, so this cause is near and dear to us. Last year it was May Gray, but this year the sun was out in all her glory. Man, it was hot! But the kids were great (they were being pushed after all!), and we raised over $15,000!

"Cornerstone for a Cure" Team

Scott and Caden had their Father/Son campout. They both "had fun". (That's about all the details I got.)

Caden with his buddies enjoying the outdoors.

The night of the campout Scott's work had another fundraiser we had also committed to. I ended up getting another ticket, so Jen, Tammy, and I went to the Women's Gala. It was fancy and fun, with yummy free food and excellent company. (And I got to wear my fancy dress one more time!)

Since it's May, that means it's Padre season! (the season actually starts in April, but we got our first free tix this month) Jen and Chad went with us for 1 game. Garlic fries, anyone?

We tried sitting with the kids at another game. We lasted 1 inning before we went to sit on the grass hill and Caden played baseball with the other kids.

And of course, the love of my life celebrated his 32nd birthday. Very last minute I decided to throw him a suprise party, but since his actual birthday was on a Sunday, I had a hard time coming up with a valid way to get him out of the house. So about 4 hours before the party, the Bybee's very graciously offered their house. It was a lot of fun, even if it wasn't too much of a surprise.

And to cap off the month, my baby sister graduated from high school. Only 13 years after I did. I never have to step foot in that building again. (because in Idaho, graduations are in the high school gym or the football stadium, depending on the weather) Adios, Hillcrest.

And now onto June.