Happy Birthday Mel!

Over the weekend we took our first trip to the beach. We packed up the toy hauler and headed to San Diego with my parents, sister, and our friends. Today my sister is celebrating her 28 birthday and she chose San Diego as her celebrating spot. We camped on Mission Bay in an RV park and our spot was not even a minute walk to the ocean. The kids LOVED it and so did we. This has started a trend now...we already have our next 2 trips planned for the summer.

From left to right; Melissa, Morgan, my dad, my mom, Shawn, Zach, Me, Jen, and Chloe

 

Morgan and "mamas"

 

Zach and Grandpa

 

A little fun competition on the bay.

 

Jen and Mel walking back from the pier.

 

A friendly game of catch on the beach.

 

Building Sand Castles

 

Bath time after playing at the sandy beach!!

We are so excited to head back next month!!

A few must haves for the beach!

As I pack for our trip I am filling my beach bag with a few necessities...

My sunblock

 

My wonderful sunglasses

 

Flip flops

 

and most important...toys to build sand castles

 

What's in your beach bag??

May, Oh May, Oh May

May started off with a flight to Texas for me. It was my SUPERSTAR Weekend in Texas that I earned from my National Director Pat Danforth. We arrived on Saturday and hung out by the pool, went for a boat ride with Tim, Pat's husband, and then had a little more pool time before dinner. Sunday we started our day with worship and devotion, then it was training time. We met a lot of great successful Mary Kay women and were able to pick their brains and really get to know them. We of course ate very well all day, then it was time for the hot tub...oh a much needed break after sitting all day. Monday was our last day there and we finished up a few training items, then had a great lunch and we were on our way. Austin, is such a beautiful place. I can't wait to go back it the fall for our next retreat! Here are just a few pictures from the weekend...and one of me in what will be my new car come this Fall.

On Tuesday Miss Morgan turned 21 months. I just cannot believe that our little Princess is growing up so quickly...it is just about time to add another addition to our family.....

Morgan has begun to form sentences when she talks.

She counts every time we do anything that requires counting.

She is beginning to learn her alphabet.

She will pose, like in the picture above, when you ask her if she will take a picture (not sure where she gets that from..ha ha)

She knows what sounds a variety of different animals make...and the cow noise is her favorite.

She LOVES it when she sees a giraffe or "Raff" as she calls it.

We can here the trains from our house, and every time she hears one she motions her arm saying "choo choo"

Big girl panties are a part of Morgan's everyday attire now. We are not all the way potty trained, but there are few diapers needed during the day. We are still working on the night time potty training.

Morgan's first trip to the beach is approaching quickly, then 2 weeks later a trip to Colorado. I think I will be all traveled out by the end of the month.

The past 21 months have been some of the greatest months of my life. I cannot wait to see what the next 21 have in store for us. Dance lessons, swim lessons, and so much more!!

Eleven

Today we celebrate Zach's 11th birthday! I seriously cannot believe he is 11. I know he is my stepson, but I have been in his life since he was 5, so yes...I am feeling quite overwhelmed today. We will be heading to dinner tonight...and Zach's pick is Peter Piper...a great place to act like a kid!

This past Saturday we had Zach's party, I would have posted sooner...but life is just busy right now. The theme was a Mad Science Theme. The kids participated in soda geyser and making volcano's. Each kid was given their own 2 liter bottle of diet soda and 7 mentos. Once they dropped in the mentos...the soda shot out of the top! They LOVED it!!

The second experiment that they participated in was making volcano's erupt. My mom helped each kid make salt dough and then they covered their empty 2 liter bottles. We put color dye tablets in the water and poured it into the 2 liters. Once the vinegar and baking soda were mixed in the kids had colored erupting volcano's...another hit indeed!!

Zach's BIG gift was a trampoline! Oh was he ever surprised and excited when he walked into the back yard to see it!! Morgan even enjoyed it...and still does, as she wakes up each day saying "bounce", "bounce".

We had a great weekend and I am looking forward to having some pizza and playing games tonight!

Zach's cake was great, but the kids really LOVED making their ice cream sundaes. I put all of the toppings into test tubes and beakers. Oh...how I love planning parties...Morgan's is around the corner...I'm thinking a little M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E...just might be involved.......

A little of this, A little of that...

Our weekend started on Friday at Imagination Avenue (pictures to come). A great little place that Morgan just LOVED. We met lot's of new friends and played all morning. Friday night Morgan and Zach had sleepover...Zach with his cousin and Morgan with my parents. Shawn headed to the hockey game with his sister and brother-in-law, and I headed to Mesa to meet Danton Thompson with a few of my Mary Kay friends. He is an amazing make-up artist and hairdresser. He began his career as a local hairdresser and soon became famous when he was asked to be Stevie Nicks' hairdresser and tour with her. Danton taught us so many tricks and tips for applying make-up.

From left to right...Brandi, Me, Melissa, Stacey, and Laura

After the girls and I were done I met Shawn at The Shout Bar for a few cocktails. It was a great night for both of us!!

Saturday began by heading out to Scottsdale with Morgan and my Mom to take photos for a friend. Ilalia and her husband Adam along with their son Tyson, Tyson is who I used to babysit.

Morgan and Tyson became good friends. Morgan always asks for "Tys". They enjoyed playing together.

Morgan is busy as always anywhere we go..just a little action shot of her on the go!

Our next stop was Sprinkles...we only get it every now and again, so I MUST take advantage of it when we are in Scottsdale. Lastly we had to hit up the infamous train park. More for the carousel than anything...as Morgan has a thing for horses lately.

Morgan and Grandma

Riding the train...she had so much FUN!

To end our crazy weekend, we enjoyed a quiet Sunday at home. Because our new home does not have a pool, and it is HOT in Arizona, we decided that we would get Morgan a small pool for our house to use on the days we are not swimming at my parents. She LOVED it.

Now to begin another busy week with friends, family, make-up, and vacation planning! So here's to the next time we meet in "Blog Land".

 

Sunday...Funday...

We started our Sunday, Funday at church. Upon arrival things were looking a little different...all the staff was wearing red shirts that said "This IS Church". There was a buzz about them. Worship was the same, then Trent, our pastor, came on stage. He said "today we are doing something a little different..." There went a buzz again from the crowd. For the past 2 months the staff at our church had been preparing different things for us, as the church, to go out and do. Yes, yesterday we were the hands and feet of Christ. Our service was not held in the church building, we went our into our community and served. My friend Lisa and her girls went with Zach and I to a location to help make blankets for cancer patients. When we were done Zach looked at me and said, "Wow, I feel good!"

After church we headed to the train park by my parents house to enjoy a ride on the train. Our friends Melissa and Josh joined us with their kids Ryann and Travis. Here are all the kids waiting patiently for the train.

Riding the train is always fun. Zach brought his friend Bryce along.

After leaving the train park we headed over to my parents house for a little smoked salmon that my dad made and some family play time. Of course, Grandpa just HAD to share cookies with Miss Morgan!!

Pat's SUPERSTAR Weekend....

Ring...Ring...Ring....Hi Chrissy and Stacey this is your National Sales Director Pat!

PACK YOUR BAGS, You both are coming to Texas. YEAH!!!!

Over the past 3 months Stacey and I have been working VERY hard on a challenge from our National Sales Director. The challenge was to facial 30 new faces each month, interview 10 different people each month, sell at least $600.00 each month, recruit 5 new people so you are on target for your car. We each got a call from Pat and she told us to pack our bags, as we earned the trip!!! She expressed how great of a job we did and that the Superstar Weekend is truly for STARS!! So here we go to Texas for a Fantastic weekend of STAR training and STAR treatment!!

I have been working my Mary Kay business for 3 months...that's it...and I am already being rewarded with a HUGE reward for my hard work! I have made new friends, earned prizes and LOT'S of recognition each week, sometimes on a daily basis, and I'm making the amount of money I was making as a teacher! All from MY home, with MY family and on MY terms!!! I couldn't have it any better! Now to figure out how to pack Miss Morgan in my bags so I can sneak her with me....4 days away from her will be a LONG time for me!!