Lost but Found again

Koda was returned 3 days after she went missing by a nice older couple. The first question they asked us was, do you like her. Um, that's debatable. She chews my shoes, eats the kids toys and sippy cups, and jumps the wall every other day so we're left chasing her through the neighborhood. They were looking for a second dog so we agreed to let them keep Koda for 2 days as a trial. That 2 days has now been 3 weeks and tonight there was a knock at the door. They weren't returning Koda but wanted to just say hi, let the kids see her and let us know they are keeping her. It's nice that she's in a good home and has another dog to play with all day. She's a great dog and although she didn't work in our home I know she's doing good in theirs.

The Suprise

(Horrible pic, I know, but it captures the moment)

Finally, the details to the best birthday party ever. I had to gather some pictures from people so thank you Courtney, Laura and of course the best looking uncle ever, Ruben. He was the professional photographer at my party and I can't wait to see all of the pictures.

Mark had been working for months on what to do for my birthday. Although I was happy with just going to dinner with the kids, it didn't make him happy. He took our phonebook with him to work one day and started making calls and printing up invitations. He called some of my old friends from high school, my girlfriends here in the desert and my family. He planned a fabulous party at the Westin Mission Hills in a small ball room complete with a band, a DJ, an open bar and the best buffett of all my favorite foods. It helps that Mark still works there when needed, so Chef Joel made the food extra special.

Friday before the party Mark decides to tell me that I needed to go shopping for a dress. Um, I don't wear dresses and a day is just not enough time to find a cute one. Not to mention that Carly and Sonny were coming over and I needed to clean. Whatever we're doing couldn't I just wear my uniform of jeans and a cute top? Nope, I had to go buy a dress, with my kids in tow Saturday morning. It wasn't easy. At 5:15 Saturday afternoon Mark then tells me I needed to be ready by 6:00. Gees, couldn't you have told me at 8:00 this morning? We headed off to Roys for appetizer and as we're walking in Mark tells me he has a small suprise. Uh oh, my anxiety is kicking in. There waiting to suprise me were Alec and Erica. I felt relieved because it was a perfect suprise and we got to just relax and talk along with Carly and Sonny. At some point Mark realized that his watch is 15 minutes slow and demands that we finish our drinks because we have 8:00 reservations in Palm Springs. Well, we never made it to Palm Springs and detoured over to the Westin, blind folded, and was literally pushed into a room of about 70 people. Holy moly. It was a lot to take in but absolutely perfect. We ate, laughed and danced the night away. Grandpa always gets the first dance with me. :)

I wish I could describe how happy and blown away I was. It was more than a girl could ever ask for and I felt so special that all of these people were there for me. Carly took all the RSVP's and Courtney put the personal touches by decorating the tables with flowers and pictures of me, family and friends. Of course Mark gets the husband of the year award in my eyes. I can't thank him enough for making my birthday so special. It still blows me away and I wish I could do it again. It went by so fast. The biggest question of the evening: Were you suprised? Absolutely. I knew something was going on because as I said before, I'm a huge snoop, but I didn't know to what extent. As soon as he said we had reservation in Palm Springs, my thoughts were on a party at Courtneys house. I was way off.

More Party Pics

I don't have a lot of pictures with my family. Hopefully, I'll get them soon. This first picture is with my brothers and my mom's best friend Lori.

My Birthday!!!!

Today is my birthday and I had the BEST suprise party ever last night. Lots of pictures and details to come. A special thank you to Carly & Courtney for helping Mark pull it off. You guys are such awesome friends and it means so much that you were so willing to help. Of course the biggest thank you goes to Mark for planning such an event. I knew something was going on because I like to snoop, but I never, ever, expected a big party like last night.

A Birthday Suprise

Well, the big 3-0 is just around the corner and I was pretty bummed when I found out that Jen and Christophe were going away on vacation and wouldn't be here to help me celebrate. Of course if I had the option to lay on a beach in Mexico I would probably choose that as well. Little did I know though that they had a suprise up their sleeve. I don't know how this got by me because I'm very snoopy and a bit like Nancy Drew when it comes to birthdays or Christmas! Much to a lot of peoples suprise, I don't like suprises nor do I like being center of attention in front of large groups. Small groups sure but big groups, it gives me anxiety and stomach aches. But, they planned a wonderful dinner party with just the right amount of people.

Jen and Christophe had called over Courtney, Julie, Tasha and Zoltan over for dinner along with Mark and I. They had gotten Claudia to take all of the kids back to my house so we could relax and enjoy ourselves in the beautiful backyard. The dinner was a spectacular payella (sp?), buffalo mozzerella salad and macaroni salad. YUM. I couldn't ask for a better evening.

Thank you so much to the hosts Jen and Christophe. It was such a fun and memerable night. I almost can't wait till I turn 40!

One topic of conversation: Scrunchies. I believe they went out with Saved by the Bell, but others believe if you can still buy them, they're in.

Me and my cute husband who was so excited at suprising me.

Drew got decked out with Princess shoes and all. Little did I know, she was headed right back home.

Tehachapi

Every year we go to Tehachapi for Mark's family gathering. We eat a ton, relax, then eat again. This year we took the kids to the lake for fishing, softball, ladderball and a playground to play on. The kids were so excited to cast out and reel back that they didn't care if a fish was actually caught. The weather couldn't be better. Growing up there you don't appeciate the beauty of the little town but now I absolutely love it. We got to visit with my mom and dad as well. Drew took a turn to help grandpa mow some of the weeds down.

Peyton and Delaney waiting until it's there turn to cast. 3 cast each then on to the next person!

Drew and Grandma Ann feeding the ducks.

Drew and Grandpa driving the tractor.

Jorja, a girl after my own heart. She's waiting patiently for the food and can't wait to dig in. This was just one of the many buffets.

Streetfair

Last Thursday we went to the streetfair in Palm Springs with Larinda and Jon. The kids met for the first time and were instant friends. They had ice cream, got glow bracelets and rode the horses or in Peyton's case the mule. It was very hot but nice to be outdoors.

Missing

Koda is missing. She ran off once again yesterday and for the first time, hasn't been returned rather quickly. I know this is horrible but life without a dog is kind of nice. I didn't have to hear the kids scream because the dog took away their sippy cup or toy and they can't get it back. At the moment there is a good chance we won't get her back because we're headed out of town. I was a little sad wondering where she is though. Is she being fed? Did she have a nice place to sleep? Does she have access to water? Although she bugged the heck out of me I don't want anything bad to happen to her. Poor Koda. She just didn't like being cooped up in the backyard. She's a free spirit and had a world to explore.

It's Raining, It's Pouring.....

For about 1 hour this morning we got to enjoy the thunder, lightening and rain. Now, the clouds are breaking, the sun is starting to shine again and the humidity is rising. That's life in the desert. We enjoyed it while it lasted.

They're Back!!

The kids came back from San Diego full of energy, stories and treats. Drew swears uncle Randy bought her Sleeping Beauty pull ups, which I actually packed but whatever and Peyton wouldn't let go of his whale he got at the zoo. Katie was wonderful enough to take a ton of pictures for me to mark the occasion. They went to the beach, which they haven't been to since Hawaii last year, the zoo, to Wendys to get a shake and swimming everyday. Well, those were the highlights the kids gave us at least. It's funny to hear their perception. Something happened at the Zoo and Peyton dropped his flip flop at the Koala exhibit. He had to sit in the stroller until the zoo keeper returned it.

They also got to play with Randy and Katie's new baby Keimo, who is an english bulldog.

I have to admit that it was so nice to sleep in while they were gone and come and go so freely. But in the overall scheme, we couldn't wait till they got home.

To Randy and Katie, thank you for having them over and taking the time to bond with them. They had so much fun and it was such a selfless thing for you guys to do. Now, be prepared the next time we want to go on vacation. You might be the first sitters we ask!