Sun-shiney

I am realizing more and more lately how much I love lemons. We have our own tree with the most fragrant, beautiful lemons. They are a totally cute color. And then they also smell good. And then they do all sorts of nifty tricks like take the onion scent off your cutting board and clean your disposal so it doesn't reek so bad anymore. And THEN they perk up your water. And THEN, they make tasty treats! Lemon squares totally rule, but this time, I wanted to try lemon cookies. Thank goodness for Pinterest. That's all I'm sayin about that. These cookies were awesome. I did tweak the recipe very slightly by adding about double the zest it called for. Even still, next time, I'm adding more. MORE LEMON! I'm a weird-o. For the recipe, visit THIS site.

 

 P.S. Have I mentioned how ugly my lawn/yard/garden is lately? Other than our lemons and a few oranges, we are suffering for something living around here. My poor basil/parsley plant is my sole-surviving plant from last summer and even it is looking pretty pathetic. Here are some OOGLY pictures of my beautiful garden at the moment. Enjoy.

Self-explanatory

We're having too much fun to post much lately. We've been baking like crazy, listening to non-stop Christmas music and getting ready for our break from school!! It's so fun to have the kids at home. We spent most of this week in Newport Beach at the Marriott condos there and had an absolute blast. We ate, swam, shopped, beach walked, played tether bal and tennis, got massages, watched movies, ate, ate more, ate popcorn while watching movies, watched the Newport Beach boat parade... My kids declared Friday "the best day ever". It was. But back to reality this week. Back to Christmas! I kindof put it on hold for a week. And now it's right around the corner! Are you ready for it? I think I am, but that scares me because I'm pretty sure I'm not. Well these pictures are pretty self-explanatory, and since it's late, I'm gonna let them do the explaining. Btw, have you seen the new muppet movie? It's so good. We loved it.






This was our view from our condo this week. We were so spoiled. We had a blast.

I love this feeling.

On a Sunday Afternoon

It was an open-window evening.

 

So after dinner we ventured out to enjoy this




And we flew our kites


 















And we were happy.

Playing catch-up

WARNING. This is a photo dump. And may contain a LOOOOOOOnnnnnGGGGG post because it's been a long time. But I know you don't mind. You still loyally read my blog and constantly check for updates....right? (hello out there? )

OK, le'ts start with summer.... One morning in June or July I woke up and it was so cloudy and delightful outside I packed the kids in and we headed up the mountain for an impromptu hike. And they were so tough. We made it most of the way without a breakdown.

 After the hike we had to replenish our energy stores at the candy shop. The kids spent their own money and loved it.

 We camped at the beach. Have you ever CAMPED at THE BEACH? It's like doubly as dirty. But the view from our front porch was pretty amazing.
 

And some people have been there WAAY too long and need to pack up their flags and go home and shower. This summer I took it upon myself to re-do my bedroom. The color was light brown and the whole room was just...hideous. I also decided to become a MASTER furniture re-doer. So far I've refinished a dresser, a chair and a table. Here's my dresser after it was done (I can't seem to find my stinking before pics!)

My new old chair and table:

And the chair and table now:

 Not too bad, eh? It's amazing what sanding, priming, sanding, painting, sanding, painting, sanding, glazing, sanding and sealing will do for a piece of furniture. And only like 25 steps! Here's my new bedding: And yes, I made the pillows (as if you could mistake these for being professionally made!)

Okay, back to summer... We went on a big, long trip to Utah and hit up Zion National park for a day. It was so beautiful and we hiked the whole day. The kids were awesome. Carter chatted with the squirrels.

 And we ate lunch on the lawn under a big tree. We drank like 10 gallons of water that day.

 We got to see my parents up in Utah. I loved this moment.



 Then school had to start. I didn't even cry the first day. I swear! I bawled like a little baby last year. It was ridonculous.

My kids had to test out their new shoes and make sure they were fast enough to run away from the girls.


Awkward first-day photo:

And finally, my kids with Grandpa's chickens just because they are so dang cute. And the kids aren't bad, either.