Thursday, May 29, 2008

Who's Afraid of Stingrays?


Avery and George sure are! They both wanted to pet the Stingrays at the Sandy Aquarium, but the minute they had the opporunity, they freaked out! It was pretty funny! I wished I could have recorded it. We planned an outing to the Aquarium with my friend Lyndsey and her kids. We had a great time! The kids ran, played and mucked in the petting pool! It was good times!



Friday, May 23, 2008

Been There, Done That

I can now check attending the American Idol Finals off my list of things to-do!! Whaoo!! It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience! We had a blast to say the least. Here are some of the details for those of you who have been asking...Okay, so we were able to get tickets to both the Tuesday and Wednesday shows -yeah!! We got awesome seats on the main floor both nights. Tuesday night, Ryan Seacrest grabs my hand as Tim called out, "What's up Ryan". Tim and I just both laughed our heads off with silly delight. It was all so surreal. When we watched the replay, we could definitely see ourselves in the audience scans. Both Davids were AMAZING in person. We yelled and screamed and even booed Simon. It felt good. It was fascinating to watch what takes place at the commercial breaks. Everyone is up out of their seats, talking, getting make-up & hair touched-up and then the count down begins 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2...audience applause! Yahooooo!! Fun times to be remembered. On Wednesday, we got in line so early that we were in the first 200 (we were actually #34 & #35 in line) that got to go to the red carpet event after the show. We got our wristbands and tickets, then left around noon. We grabbed some lunch at the best salad place in LA, "The Dressing Room", it was delicious -yummy! We stopped by our hotel to freshen-up, then back to the Nokia Theatre. We were there early to watch all the famous people on the red carpet...I didn't recognize a single person. I am so NOT a celebrity guru (for lack of a better term). Once in our seat, we had the best time! The show was truly AMAZING! We were in awe of how cool it was to be there live and experience it firsthand. We danced and sang and screamed our brains out! After the American Idol winner was announced...go DAVID COOK! (we were thrilled with either David), we headed out to the red carpet and got to be in the audience for the taping of American Idol Tonight and American Idol Extra! You can totally see us a billion times on the playbacks. We are on the second row. I got to meet David Cook and wish him the very BEST! He thanked me as he signed a picture for me!! We talked with David Archuleta and saw the rest of the top 12 as we yell back and forth across the set to them...it was FUN and really FUNNY! We were exhausted by the time we got back to our hotel. We ordered room service, packed our bags and went to bed. We got up early and headed home. Thanks to my wonderful mom for watching the kids and to my mother-in-law for helping with them too! I love you both! I'll post some picture soon! BTW, I was in a hurry to blog this, since so many people were asking about it...so, it's kind of silly.
Tim sitting between his two new girlfriends...hahaha!!




Hollywood here we COME...

Our walk along the Santa Monica Boardwalk as we watched the sun set and ate dinner. It was a beautiful evening and I enjoyed that it was just the two of us!In line bright and early at the Los Angeles Convention Center. I'm surrounded by all our new friends for the day! They were really excited about the 'Jonas Brothers'?!


Look at that HOT guy in the picture with me...do you think he's someone famous? :)


Where it all took place...the Nokia Theatre


Our fancy American Idol wristbands...we are sooooo lame, but I love it!


We dropped by the local L.A. Target (2 stories) on Tuesday night to get ourselves prepared to stand in line ALL day on Wednesday, luckily we didn't have to, but we were PREPARED! Checkout the neat Cartalator, pretty COOL and ONLY in L.A. (I'm sure!)

Sunday, May 18, 2008

My Sleeping Sweeties

There is something so sweet and peaceful about a sleeping child! I love to just stare at my little ones while they are sleeping. I am so glad I captured Avery and George's very individual ways to rest their sleepy heads!
*More Pictures*
George LOVES his books!
Avery and Gabby (our neighbor) in their matching Jammies!

Friday, May 16, 2008

American Idol...here we COME!!


Yes, you read correctly...we found out lastnight that we (Tim and I) were issued ticket vouchers for the Tuesday and Wednesday shows!! The FINAL show!! I can hardly believe it...Ahhhhh!!! This past Wednesday, I had given up all hope of getting to go to a live show. So Tim and I decided we were going to have an American Idol party for the finale...but guess who's gonna be in Hollywood!! Yep -Tim and I. Look for us on TV. We are trying to think of some creative signs that might attract the cameras. Let me know if you have any suggestions.


Now, we just need to figure out what to do with the kids, since we can't bring them to the show. I am hoping and praying it will all work out!! Anyone willing to watch the kids for us on such short notice? :)

Happy 4th of July...or so you would think!

You would have thought we planned the outfits - Red, white and Blue! I love it!!My friend from college -Lynnette and her daughter Eden, came over for a visit. It was great to see them. It had been nearly a year, since we got together last. We had lunch and went to a park. The kids had fun together and Lynnette and I enjoyed catching-up. I want to give a Shout-Out to Lynnette for being such a great friend! I look forward to some more fun outings this summer!

Monday, May 12, 2008

The Bibbie!







I am an entrepreneur at heart and have always desired to have my own business. Thus, most of my free time (night and naptime) is spent on starting a business called Dilly Dally Designs, LLC. Currently, our one and only product is called a "Bibbie". It's a bib, but it's more than just a bib. I use them for eating, coloring, painting, and playing...and just to protect my kids clothes. I love them and have 12 of my own.


There is a history -it's a pattern from the 1950's that Tim's grandmother used for her kids and grandkids and now my mother-in-law makes them for my kids. I love them and don't know what I'd do without them. As I use my bibbies everywhere I go, I am consistently asked by others who are looking for such a bib, where I have purchased my bibs. Since, there wasn't a place to direct them...I had an idea! So we (my mother-in-law and I) joined efforts and created a company that I am very proud of. Then we invited Jeanne to join our force. The three of us have worked so hard and I am excited to announce that our "bibbie" can be purchased at Baby Babinski's and Four & Twenty Sailors Boutique. We are currently working on our website and slowly making progress. So, that is what I am up to these days. It keeps me busy, but I love it!

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Mother's Day

Mother's - wow, how do you sum it up? It encompass a whole world of words and emotions. I am so grateful for my mother. She is truly my hero and a modern-day saint. I aspire daily to be just an ounce of what and who she is. I am so humbled to be a mother. What an AMAZING calling and experience. It brings me more joy in life than I could have ever imagined possible...and a whole lots of other emotions as well, but I want to just focus on the JOY today! I am also blessed to have a fantastic mother-in-law, who is also a modern-day saint in so many ways. She is a great example to me and I am grateful she is in my life.


Here are what some have said about their mothers and I hope to one day live up to being a mother like theirs and mine.


"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." - Abraham Lincoln


"My mother was the making of me. She was so true and so sure of me, I felt that I had someone to live for -someone I must not disappoint." -Thomas Edison


"My mother was the most beautiful women I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother, I attribute all my sucess in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her." -George Washington


"It seems to me that my mother was the most splendid women I ever knew...I have met a lot of people knocking around the whole world since, but I have never met a more thoroughly refined women than my mother. If I have amounted to anything, it will be due to her." -Charles Chaplin


"Men are what their mother made them." -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Details of my day: Mother's Day was interesting. I was so tired from the busy weekend in St. George and all the driving time in the car. So, I took a nice nap after church and woke-up kind of groggy. Tim and the kids were great to take care of me and make me meals. We had dinner (pizza and salad) with the Peterson's and then stopped by to visit my mom and had dessert there (strawberrey shortcake-delicious!). One highlight of the evening was talking with my brother (Elder McDermott) in NY. I know my mom was excited for that too. I can't believe he comes home in August! My kids drew on some cards for me and Tim told me he would taking me shopping for some shoes I want. So all in all, it was great! We didn't take any pictures, but here are some pics from last Mother's Day!

Triathlon Attempt #2


We spent this past weekend in St. George for Tim's second attempt at a Triathlon. The first attempt was also in St. George last Fall, but due to severe weather the event was cancelled as Tim was in the lake ready to start the swim. The second attempt was all too familiar as Tim was once again in the lake ready to start the swim and due to strong winds the swim portion of the Triathlon was cancelled. However, Tim was able to bike and run. YEAH! Two out of three events isn't too bad. We are hoping Triathlon #3 in September will offer Tim a chance to complete a whole Triathlon. Tim had a great experience and was able to gain some experience with the transitions from each event. I think he will be ready to rock come September! Whaoo!



Look at that HOT bod!


My cute babies, that were great for most of the event. They had a few tough moments, but they survived!


On another note, I am debating about whether Triathlons would be something I might enjoy. Tim has expressed his desire for me to participate with him. To be honest it scares me, but I may learn to love it. I don't know. I guess I'd have to train to even get a feel for it. Just a thought. Here are some pictures for the rest of the trip. We had a very busy and short weekend.

Drive down on Friday afternoon
Our Coral Canyon home...it's a comfy little place!

Tim's new tatoos...at least that is what Tim's aunt Tammy thought! hahaha!
Right after Tim finished the Triathlon we went swimming at the community pool
After naps, we packed up the car and headed to In-N-Out (the 1st on in Utah)
After lunch we spent a few hours at Great Grandma Peterson's. The Clinger family was in town visiting, so it was fun to catch-up! Then we headed home. Stop at our new favorite diner dive in Fillmore and continued on our way. It was a very LONG Saturday, espeically for Tim! We made it home safe and sound just after midnight!