Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw came to Fantasy Springs Casino and we couldn't have been more excited. We've missed Stagecoach every year so when we found out he was coming we were not going to miss it. Twelve of us got together and bought our tickets the morning they went on sale. We had dinner before hand then off to the show which was excellent. He was excellent. His voice was absolutely great, his band was great and he constantly was reaching out to the fans to shake hands. I hope he comes back because I would love to see him again.

Suns vs. Mavericks

Once a year the NBA has a game our here in Indian Wells. Unfortunately Mark had to work but I took the kids and met up with the Hershbergers and had a great time. We got there early and watched the players warm up. The seats were 10 rows back but there were so many empty seats the kids were able to move to the front row and see the action up close. The Suns won which made Peyton happy. Drew was just happy eating candy and watching the cheerleaders.

A Bengal and a Skittle

Soccer season has begun. Peyton is playing U10 this year which means they have a bigger field, actual goalies and positions that they are supposed to stay in. Needless to say the first game was a little confusing for most of the kids and they kept going off-sides. He did awesome though and said that now that he knows what to do he can't wait till next week. Drew has 5 girls on her team and they play 3 at a time. She played 2 quarters then told the coach she was tired and wanted to sit out. She really wanted to eat her half time snack and not be bothered with running after the ball. It was too hot. Hopefully as the season goes on she'll be more intersted in the game and not just the food.

Chuck E Cheese

Drew decided she wanted a pink pirate themed birthday at Chuck E Cheese. It would've been an easy theme if I ordered the party supplies online, but, I forgot and was left to be creative. She got to see Chuck, play hundreds of tokens with her friends and go in the ticket booth which she had been seeing on TV each day. I think the adults had just as much fun competing in skeeball and basketball games.

Drew Turns Five

She planned her party months ago. It had to be Chuck E Cheese. I questioned her choice through the months of her planning. Really? Chuck E Cheese? The place that makes you feel like you want a bath in anti-bacterial gel. Well, it was what she wanted so we planned it on the weekend of her birthday. The actual night of her birthday she wanted a cake. Not a cake for me to make but one that she could pick out. So, between the pretty orange one with actual Butterfinger candies on it or the pretty pink one that they'd write her name on, she spied the Hamburger and got very excited. Again, I questioned. Really? That's what you want for your birthday cake? She happily looked at me and explained "It's a burger and I'm a berger, we match mom". Thank you Stater Bros for making her so happy.

Beatin the Heat

Who needs a pool when there's sprinklers that can cool you off? We're cooling off old school style today. The end of September and it's HOT. Welcome to Fall in the desert!

A Birthday Party

A superfun, superhero birthday party. Luke and Mason turned 5 with a big bash. The pinata was bigger than most of the kids, the food was delicious and since the weather was great the kids were able to run and run until the sugar wore off.

Labor Day

Labor day weekend was work, work and a little more work on the new house. But, we were able to squeeze in some fun. Mark had a college football tailgate party at the club. We didn't have any college t-shirts so Drew and I borrowed some of Peyton's and did the best to make them work, which is why mine is so little. The weekend ended with drinks, swimming and relaxing with the Hershbergers. A favorite activity of ours.

Place your Bets......

Meet Team Brown......

and Team Black......



Meet my co-workers. Here's just another idea we've come up and ran with. The team names came from the show the Biggest Loser. Apparently Team Brown has always been very successful at winning and Team Black is pretty much because that's the main color of my wardrobe.



A friendly, somewhat competitive, completely voluntary version of Biggest Loser. We each complain of our weight. Some want to trim down, some want to bulk up on muscle, some want to stay the same but just be more toned. Well, we've decided to motivate each other. We've split into 2 teams. This is completely on the honor system and we have until the week of Thanksgiving to hit our goals and set out to do what we've claimed we want to do. The prize is excellent and will be explained as the deadline gets closer. Wish me luck! :)

The Lake

The Lake. Probably our favorite summer activity. A place to go that's so close to home. A place to hang out with family and friends, watch the kids play and beat the summer heat. I love it. It's where we learned to wakeboard 3 summers ago while the kids cheered us on from the boat. It's a place Mark and I talk about each winter as we're longing to go back. Not sure what it is, we may just be easily amused, but we love it there. The best part is now seeing the excitement on the kids faces. They are now loving it as much as we are.