Just another week...

SO a few things this past week. Kids started school...yeah me. Everyone is alot happier these days. Also we had a Karaoke party, just us! And let me tell you Co-co rocks.We also watched Michael Phelps everynite, that was exciting, he's awesome.  Also Tatum and I made about 80 cupcakes for her cousin's bridal shower last week, and they turned out so pretty and tasty too. We had Almond buttercream cupcakes, devils food with chocolate almond frosting, and coconut with a coconut toasted pecan frosting. So good! In fact we are doing about 400 more for her wedding!!!  Anyhow, that's about it here, nothing too exciting going on, I did fall asleep for 15 mins in the aisle at target the other day...that was pretty cool.....Ok, time is a wasting, kids are at school and Annie and I are off to play! She is a different child when the other two are gone. We have so much fun together, she's not so clingy and demanding. She's actually ....enjoyable. Weird huh?

Vintage inspired cupcakes, Tatum had some great decorating ideas..

Will you marry me?

Holy Cupcakes!!

Everybody was Kung -Foo Fighting.

Still on our "Karaoke High"

The "puppy face" they also make their lips quiver while doing this...it's terrible.

This is why Bartel never gets what he wants...this face does nothing for me except make me irritated.

Rock on Co-co!!

First day of school...

Too cool. I almost didn't get this picture because his "homies" were near by watching and he was embarrassed!

Annie starts school next month at "Spuhler Sprouts" cute huh? Can you believe she's old enough for that?

New Toys...

So usually it's Bart that is in "dying need" of a new toy. But this time, it was all me. I rarely want anything so much that I do the "pout face". And really it's more of a joke, then anything I mean I know it will work because it just so happens to be the very face that Chloe uses on her dad to get something she wants. For example, a few weeks ago we were out as a family shopping for Bart for new church clothes and Chloe somehow managed to drag Bart into "Justice for Girls" and give him the whole "daddy, I really want this..." and then the "pouty, puppy dog face, and eyes look" and I promise not 5 mins. later she walked out with a new outfitt. Dang she's good. And all Bart could say was "she did the face, and she really wanted it, and she's a good girl"...Keep justifying Bart. Well, whatever she did, it worked and I took a lesson from her and worked my charm on him too. And the thing is I knew he would get me whatever it was I wanted I just had to show him how much I wanted it by talking about it more then once. I threw in the face just for good measure.   

So Bart got me my "Mac Book" and I love it. As we speak I am typing at the kitchen table and breaking up a fight between the kids. When before at the desk computer I would be yelling that they are driving the spirit out of our home..now I can whisper it.Because I'm right here. 

This Mac Book is so easy to use. Today I was asked by the young womens pres. to make a CD for their wacky olympics night. Now normally I would be able to get the music and then freeze trying to burn it onto a CD, because it never worked before. And like Apple Magic...it worked just like that! And I had my "eye of the tiger", "Chariots of fire" and so fourth all onto one CD for her listening pleasure! I was so proud of myself.  I feel so computer savvy...And my CD is awesome too! A good cd to exercise to....If I exercised right now. Which I'm not....I don't want to talk about it. Anyhow, thanks Bart my so sweet husband, I knew you would get me what I wanted without the face and promises I don't intend to keep! What a guy! I'm so gald he's mine (along with my mac book) oh yeah, and how gullible am I? So the next day BArt says, "You know, this white Mac Book is the only laptop they allow in the temple...".Serious" I say? I automatically picture myself surfing the net at the temple...."No, not really" he says....Hardy, har,har Bart....Dang blonde hair of mine. 

Back in town...

What a busy month July was for us Vans. It seemed to have just flown by, (thank heavens, one month closer to cooler weather....and school starting...did I say that out loud? Believe me, they are just as eager to start as Iam!) So we Camped in Heber, Az for the Fourth of July where the weather was much cooler so much in fact, it hailed huge marbles on us! It was crazy, especially since earlier in the day we were rolling up our shorts and sleeves to get a tan!

Then of course there was Disney land which I already blogged about who could forget Jack Sparrow! Then we had California (my favorite place!) and the beach for a whole week! We rented a beach house with our dear friends the Bryans, for the second time now, and just had a blast. Bart drove us out there then flew home and was back to work while I was lounging on the beach and reading and eating "Cow Cookies"....Don't worry they were meatless... Then he so lovingly flew back out on our final day and drove us back home. What a guy!! I sure love him.

We had so much fun we seriously did not want to come home. I know what your thinking..." why wouldn't you want to come home to 110 degree weather, chores, errands, real life etc...." Oh well, it had to end sometime right? But at least we got out of the heat for a bit. The Grandma Kimmy, came out for a few days to play with us here. I'm sorry to report she didn't get to escape the heat of St. George by coming to AZ. But We're worth it right? So we are actually ready for a schedule again, School starts next week, tonight is "meet your teacher" night, and Co-co is taking her first piano lesson as we speak! Thats my girl! Well, actually I never took piano.... My best friend Sherece tried to teach me, but everytime she came over we always seemed to find something else to do, like ....giggle and talk about boys...Good times!! Hanging with the Elders
Daddy and the kids at the pier in San Luis A Bispo?
Grandma came for a quick visit, she wanted to read to the kids but not without her reading glasses, so of course Annie had to get hers out too!
Farmers Market in Moorpark Ca, Bart was a good sport for posing as a horse, and I was fine with it as long as I wasn't the pig!!
Camping in Heber, Az at the local 4th of july parade that was mostly real estate advertisers and political candidates driving cars....Fun, Fun!

Annie almost took off Barts head with this hit! I was so impressed! Must be my genes!
Wiped out, Daddy makes a cuddly bed...don't tell him I said that!! (love you Bart)
Bartel is part merman, I'm sure of it. He was in the water just about the whole trip, I'm certain if we had, had a raft he would of wanted to sleep on it...well scratch that, the whole shark thing would probably of inhibited him.

So proud of their sand castle!
Repeat...I haven't mastered editing my posts yet...I don't want to talk about it...

Yes this is proof, I did help and I was there not just behind the camera, I have the sunburns to prove it! Well, I'm peelin a bit now..TMI sorry.

Oh, how sweet. Are they so happy to be at the beach together as a family?
NO, of course not, this is my new form of punishment, time out with a hug. They hate it. And the more they complain the longer the hug. Believe me 3 mins seems like forever to an 8 yr. old hugging his sister. Co-co doesn't mind it as much..
My beautiful Chloe....

Go fly A KITE!
And she did!!! She was so Happy!!! But when she was done I got stuck holding it...for a very long time.
This is what little 6 year old girls do to their little sister when mom isn't around. And boy did Annie flaunt herself..I don't know where she gets that from?...No seriously I really don't....I swear it's not me. I feel like your judging me now!

Early Flashback Friday...

We're going out of town this weekend (just adults..yeah) SO I thought I'd do F.B.F. early so you wouldn't miss out!! Annie loved bathing with her jewels on.
Co-co's first B-day..Dig in Baby!!
Whos' a handsome boy?

What did you just ask me??

So it's summertime. Full of sunshine, water, popsicles, and RUDE questions? We did the family thing today. Kung-Fu Panda this morning (love that Jack Black, almost as much as Jack Sparrow) then off to the water park this afternoon. I'm not a fan of waterparks. It's actually a lot of work with kids. and I'm pretty much spending the whole time keeping a watchful eye on my offspring, and making sure my "cover-up" is covering up as it should be..That alone is a full time job. So Bartel wants me to go on this water slide with him in the kiddie area. Sure why not, I'm in a good mood. SO we hike up the short path...I'm still covered up. As we reach the top there is a large sign posted reading something like this "You can not go on this slide if you weigh over 300 lbs." As soon as I read it in my mind, my eye immediately shoot to Bartels face and I see a look of concern wash over him. "Don't do it " I say to myself...But it was too late. Bartel being the rule follower that he is just couldn't resist making sure. "Ummm. Mom? How much do you weigh?" You did not just ask me that...I said "You fat head, how big do you think I am?" "I'm just making sure." I wanted to push him down the slide with my foot. Just like the santa on "Christmas Story" when the kid asks for a BB gun and he tells him "You'll shoot your eye out. Merry Christmas" Then right on the fore head a big ol' boot, and a "HO,HO, HO,". Please someone tell me my son will grow out of this stage. I'm sick of the "Did you have T.V or write with a feather when you were my age?" questions...It's getting old..like me.

Now, which slide did I want to go on?.....

How Much do you weigh?

Maybe if I lay here long enough, my mom won't make me take a bath later....

3 Days Of Bliss!

I am in love, and not just with Bart...I have serious feelings for another man. A man named Walt Disney. I am certain he made it to heaven. The hours of endless fun and warm fuzzy feelings I have enjoyed have got to account for something for Walt in the afterlife. Walt I am rooting for you...

How lucky are we to have spent 3 fun filled days at the Magic Kingdom? Nevermind that it was a bit humid. Nevermind that we stayed in a "Super 8 Motel" , that Bartel was certain was really a "Hotel" because of the big chandelier in the lobby. Nevermind that on my first morning there, while enjoying a "Free continental breakfast" (that I'm sure I paid for in taxes), I walked in on an old man peeing in the bathroom and and had to make a quick exit back to my room and not eat because I was so embarrassed. (I'm not sure why he didn't lock the door, Bart is certain he wanted someone to walk in on him. But I will give him the benefit of the doubt and chalk it up to "Old Age Forgetfulness"). But who cares, I was in heaven as soon as I paid my $12 parking fee. I was as giddy as they get. If you only eat one thing in "California Adventure," it has to be one the corn dogs from "Corn Dog Castle" . You'll see why...
Bartel just finished a gigantic Corn Dog...
Look at this bad boy!!! Holy Corn dog!!! This is my sister Taylor, modeling with the corn dog...

Beautiful Grandma Kimmy and Annie...
The whole Fam Damily
A little to happy with my man Jack, it was pay back for Bart not being there (see honey, I am desireable to other men!!..ok, so he was being paid so what, I know he felt a connection with me.

We stopped by the beach with our friends the "Bryans"..it was lovely, we look forward to "Beach week" next week!!
I just thought this guy looked very comfortable.....that's all.

Kyle bug and Co-co Driving crazy...keep those hands on the wheel Co-co!

California we love you and miss you, someday we will be together again!!

FLashback Friday (Monday)

Meet my darker side......
And....my skinny side....