Queen of cakes

My sister is the cake maker of the family.  She's made a couple of cakes for my kids and all her own kids' cakes.  She's just super cool and talented like that.  For her birthday this year I thought it was only appropriate to make her a cake myself.  It figures I wouldn't be the only one with that same idea.  Her husband, my mom and myself each baked her a cake!  Mine is the white one on the left. 

MY MOM

Mom, Evelyn & Dad at Horse Thief Park in Stallion Springs

May 28, 2008

Today is my mom's birthday so I wanted to share three of my most memorable moments of her with everyone.  It was really hard to narrow it down to 3.  There's so many great ones.

#1.  I used to love going to the orthodontist!  I know, weird, huh?  But the reason being that those were always our one on one times and I always looked forward to that.  Being #2 of 4 kids it wasn't always easy to get any one of one so my orthodontist trips always doubled for one on one time.  The hour long trip to Bakersfield always turned into a pleasant talk with mom and she would always buy me a Wendy's frosty afterwards to make my teeth feel better.  To this day I can't eat a frosty without thinking of her and being reminded of our many talks.

#2.  I remember so many times when my mom would stay up with me and help with my homework.  One particular memory I have occurred my senior year in High School.  I felt so overwhelmed with school, seminary, sports, my part time job and all the other social anxieties a typical teenager goes through.  Needless to say I wasn't getting a whole lot of sleep.  This particular night I had an assignment to read several chapters in my English book and I just could not keep my eyes open long enough to even read a sentence.  My mom noticed I was struggling so she stayed up and read the book out loud to me.  I may have been mostly asleep, I honestly don't even remember whether we got through the reading or not but I'll never forget how she helped me.  

#3.  The last one was right after my dad was in a major car accident.  He's fine now and crazier than ever but one thing I'll never forget about that time is how strong my mom was.  I'm sure I will never know the extent of what she had to go through but even during that trying time she was always a terrific mother and she always made us feel like everything was going to be alright.  Her courage, strength, and faith is something I have always admired about her.    

Happy Birthday MOM!  Thanks for always being such an amazing mother.  Thanks for always being there for me.  Thanks for always listening to me and being one of my closest friends.  Thanks for setting such a great example.  And thanks for teaching me and making me a pretty dang good mom too.  Thank you for everything! I LOVE YOU!

Not to be forgotten.  My dad's birthday is also in the month of February.  I think he may have missed it so for his clicking pleasure I thought I'd include a link just in case.  I didn't get the chance to spend as much time on his but I promise I'll expand later and tell you all the wonderful things about my awesome dad too (like his favorite color is green and he likes fish...)

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!

Today Amber is a quarter of a century old! I wanted to publicly express how much I love Amber. She is the sweetest, kindest, prettiest, wife anyone could ever ask for. Not to mention is probably the most patient wife there is, because I don't know how she puts up with me.

It was love at first site, about six and a half years ago and my life was completely changed that fateful day. I love you honey! Thanks for being my wife and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday DAD!

Happy Belated Birthday DAD!

You're AWESOME! Thanks for being the best dad and grandpa EVER!

WE LOVE YOU!

Andy, Amber, Evelyn & Preston

   

Dad, Evelyn & Eliza at the Long Beach Aquarium

January 22, 2008

In honor of my dad I thought I'd publish his infamous Mac & Cheese recipe.  This recipe is one of my all time favorites.  Not only because it tastes really good but it's super easy to make and it's a HUGE hit with the kids.

1 pound velveeta cheese

1 stick butter

1 cup milk

1 pound large elbow noodles

Cook the noodles al dente.  In a separate pot combine the cheese, butter, and milk.  Cook the mixture over low heat and stir frequently.  Drain the noodles and add the cheese mixture.  You can either enjoy as is or put in a baking dish topped with cheddar cheese. Bake at 425 degrees for 20 min.

Preston's 1st Birthday

August 21, 2008~

To give myself a little credit I actually wrote most of this post on August 21st which of course IS Preston's birthday.  I wanted to wish my little boy a HAPPY BIRTHDAY and at the same time celebrate and share with everyone what an 

amazing son I have. 

Preston has made so many awesome achievements in the one short year that he's been on this earth.  His latest being that he is walking!  About 2 weeks before his 1st birthday he started to take daring little steps into the center of the room and he would mostly fall but by a year he had just about got it and now, weeks after his birthday, he's a total pro.  At one year old Preston weighs 18 pounds 9 ounces and is 29 1/2 inches tall.  Preston is such a joy to be around.  He has THE biggest most infectious smile and the cutest little blond curls.  He's a huge mamma's boy and always insists on being held just about every second of every day. 

 He's a NON-stop drooler.  Andy once asked me, "Where does it all come from?" and to be honest I have no idea.  I catch myself all the time calling him Buddy, so much so that Evelyn's starting to pick it up too.  Preston loves his big sister so much and he always gets super excited when she interacts with him.  It's only been the past month or

 so that they've really played together but already I can tell that they are going to be lifelong friends.  Also, like most kids Preston is SO ticklish- just about everywhere too and he has the most adorable belly laugh ever.  On the flip side he has quite the temper too.  It's actually pretty funny to watch though because he looks so cute doing it.  He clenches his little fists, looks straight at you and lets out a growl/scream.  It almost always ends in a screaming match between the kids until mom breaks it up and they usually have

 a good laugh at my expense.  

 

At least every hour on Preston's birthday Evelyn told him "HAPPY BIRKAY PRESTON" and she would do her best at singing the birthday song.  She was so excited for her little brothers big day and that made the day that much more special for the rest of us.  Unfortunately Andy had to work on Preston's birthday so the kids and I went on a little field trip by ourselves.  I had to get a few things at Walmart so we stopped by there and ended up wandering the isles looking at all the fun stuff, their favorites of course being the toys and the fish.  I bought Preston his first brand new pair 

of shoes (size 4) and the smallest regulation sized soccer ball.  

We ended the day by going to the park and the kids had a blast playing until the sun went down.  A couple days later, Andy's parents threw Preston an official birthday party.  It was so much fun getting together with everyone!  Then last weekend my side of the family got together at the park and had another celebration for him which I'll write about in a little more detail later.

I've been debating whether I should share this last story or not but I've decided to just do it.  The other day something funny and slightly embarrassing happened to me.  I took Preston in for his 1 year checkup with the doctor and as the doctor was doing his routine check up he said something that totally embarrassed me.  True story: He said, and I quote, "Wow, he's got a big scrotum!".  And then examining further he continued to say "He's big all over!".  I couldn't believe the doctor would be so nonchalant about something like

 that.  I guess I'll admit I was a little proud but when I told Andy about it he was ecstatic.  The doctor also said he got the award for the bluest eyes of all his patience but that wasn't nearly as funny (or shocking).

Preston is such a sweet kid and as his mommy I hope that he always knows that.  I am so proud of all the little things he does and all the things he will do.  I can't even begin to explain how much happiness I feel every time he takes a little step and I just love that wonderful look of accomplishment on his face every time he does.  He honestly is the best little boy a mom could ever ask for.  I LOVE him SO much!