Phenomen'Eyes

Don't let the spiky brush scare you! :)
My mom and I got some girl time yesterday while all the boys did some more four wheeling. We headed to Sephora and I was looking for a new mascara.
I have been using "DiorShow" mascara and thought it was the best thing ever---for the first week or two. Then it became clumpy and hard to manipulate on my lashes. The lady at Sephora said we needed something more suitable for short to medium lashes and that what I was using was really meant for longer lashes. Hmmm...
I found this little spiky number and was pleasantly surprised. Now, when in Sephora I normally use the test applicators on stuff. But I had to try the brush, since that's what I wasn't sure about. (Hopefully I don't catch some virus)
Surprise, Surprise---I loved it!
My mom and I each picked up a bottle---and for $28 I am hoping that I love it more than a week or two.
I'll let you know.

Easter Break Road Trip - The First 705 Miles

Several months ago my dad and husband had this wonderful idea to load up the family in the Jeeps and head to Utah for Easter Break. (I haven't driven to Utah since 1984 and it was in the back of my parent's baby blue Ford station wagon.

I knew this was going to be a memorable trip! :) Being the good (pregnant) sport I am, I said SURE.

Last Thursday afternoon we loaded up the "rig" and headed to Las Vegas for the night. We stayed at Palace Station off the strip and for $35 bucks it was actually OK.

Friday morning we loaded up the rig again and headed for Salt Lake City where we would meet my parents and brother Bert.

It was cold! It snowed a good portion of the way between St. George and SLC....and I was thankful that I lived in California!

Stopping for Gas in Cedar City (Brrrrrrrrrr)

Nappie Time

Before we arrived in SLC we stopped about 25 miles short in Lehi to check Cabela's. The boys checked out all the "stuffed" dead animals and played some laser shooting game upstairs.

Saturday morning we headed to Temple Square to the tourist thing and to show Luke and the boys around since it was their first time. It was windy and snowing, but we stuck it out.

Walking to Temple Square

Inside the Tabernacle

Visitor's Center

Hitchhiking through Temple Square

Saturday night was "Ladies Night" at Deseret Book---20% off everything. What a great excuse to shop. My dad and brother headed to the Priesthood session of conference at 6pm while my mom and I shopped. Luke, Bubba and Tubbs played chauffeur for all of us so no one had to find parking downtown. Thank you Luke for dropping and picking us all up over the course of 2 hours.

Thanks to an awesome Home Teacher we were able to get tickets to the Sunday morning session of conference. My mom stayed in the motel with the boys and myself, Luke, dad, and brother headed to conference. Luckily the weather was GREAT! (Not as warm as I would have liked it, but there was no rain or snow)

I have never been into the Conference Center so I was excited to be there and have Luke experience it with me for the first time. Parking was a beast but luckily we made it to our seats a little after 9am. We watched a live taping of the Tabernacle Choir and "The Spoken Word" and conference began at 10am.

The quote of the day belongs to Luke as we waited for conference to start--

"Is there a snack bar in here---or somewhere I can get I get some nachos or something?!"

Something I love about my husband is his odd sense of humor and ability to crack jokes at weird times. He keeps me giggling--- even though I try to hide it most of the time.

Conference Center Waterfall

Outside Temple Square after conference. Out of 20,000 people we ran into the Judd family---- What luck!

After conference we were stuck in the parking garage for about an hour, waiting to hit the road. By the time we got back to the motel we were all starving for lunch. We changed clothes and headed out to find some pizza.

Do you know how hard it is to find a place to eat in SLC on a Sunday?

It was no easy task. After consulting the GPS and making several phone calls we finally found some hole in the wall pizza joint ---and the food was halfway edible.

After lunch we drove up the hill to the capitol and luckily found a park for the boys to run around.They were going to need to stretch their little legs as much as they could before the next leg of the road trip!

Next up....four wheelin' in Moab.

Easter Break Road Trip - Part II

Monday morning we were up bright and early to make the trek to Moab, Utah. Luke and Bubba made the trek 3 years ago, but it was a first for everyone else.

Lucky for me I was was able to find a Cracker Barrel for us to grub before we started the drive. I found the Cracker Barrel last summer in Florida and haven't had it since. I was craving their blueberry pancakes and hashbrown casserole.

Mmmmmm....

After my mom bought a few things from the gift shop we hit the road. 234 miles to go.

When we arrived in Moab we checked in to the motel and then headed out to Arches National Park. After a 15 minute drive we arrived and explored some of the rocks and arches.

Monday night we decided on "Smitty's Steak House" for dinner. We weren't sure how edible it would be ....and frankly at this point I was tired of eating "out."

I was craving fresh fruit and vegetables.....and cereal and milk.

A Flyer from the window of Smitty's Steakhouse.

Sounds like a delicious combination. Mmmmmmmmmm

After dinner we head to what I think was the only market in town. I don't think I have seen so many strange looking people in my life---and I grew up in Lake Isabella! :) I overheard one woman reading ingredients from some organic ice cream label to her 2 toddlers. And everyone else in the check-out line looked like they needed something besides tofu and wheat grass!

Tuesday morning it was time to hit the trails. We scarfed down some cereal, juice and chocolate donettes in our motel room and we were off.

Our first trail "Klondike Bluff" was rated "moderate" but we were in search of a supposed dinosaur print. When we finally found it, we were sorely disappointed. The boys didn't seem to care, but my dad said he was going to tell everyone it was 8 feet wide. (Unfortunately I think it was only 5-6 inches wide. Lame!) I don't know who considered it a dinosaur print, but since it was in the trail guide we figured it was worth checking out.

Our second and last trail of the day was "Hell's Revenge."

Doesn't that sound like a great trail to take your pregnant wife and 2 children on?! :)

My thoughts exactly.

This trail was rated "difficult" because it was on slick rock-- but my husband assured me it was overrated because he had taken it before. Unfortunately I bought his story and agreed to go.

I am not against a little rock crawling but when there are "ledges" or cliffs that would kill me if we went overboard---I get a little nervous.

(The co-owner of Poly-Performance on "Escalator Hill")

After a long, nerve racking day on the trails we enjoyed some pizza and salad at "Zax's." My mother informs Luke and my dad that she didn't understand the whole four wheeling thing---"You either have to be mentally handicapped or retarded to like this hobby." Luke and my dad just laughed.

After dinner we head back to the room and I share with my husband my dislike of ledges and cliffs. I told him I would not be joining him on the trails on Wednesday. He smiled and said that was fine. I then remind him of my quad accident in 2007 and told him that no matter how confident I thought I was on that trail -- accidents happen! Another quote of the day for Luke when he in responds "That's because you're the weak link." We both laugh and I give him the "look." I do appreciate him making me laugh after what seemed to be a long day.

Later that evening Luke, my dad, brother and the boys go to "Potato Salad Hill" to go watch crazy (drunk) idiots roll their vehicles down this mountain. I got to enjoy some quiet time in the room and took a hot shower. When they returned they had decided we should leave the following day to head home---as opposed to staying one more night.

(Should I yelp with glee or tell them to stay and have their fun?!) :)I decide to go the "supportive wife route" and try to convince them to stay.My dad consults my mom and they decide to get up early Wednesday morning, do one more trail and then check out of the motel by 11am.

Sounds good to me!

Wednesday morning came and the boys and I slept in, packed up the room and were ready to go by 11am. The guys made it back from their last trail in one piece, we loaded up the Jeep for the 3rd time this trip---and headed home. We couldn't decide if we should stay the night in Vegas or try to make the complete 741 miles in one day.

We opted for Las Vegas! I do have to tell you that for $37 we stayed in a nice joint. I highly recommend it---the Orleans Hotel and Casino http://www.orleanscasino.com/.

My boys were impressed because there was a phone next to the toilet.

Luke was impressed because the AC unit was actually controlled by a thermostat on the wall and not a dial on the unit. I was just happy to have a comfortable bed to pass out on after a long, WINDY drive across southern Utah.

Thursday morning we were motivated to get home! As we each drug our luggage through the casino to the valet parking I pointed out a huge sign hanging from the ceiling that said "Easter 7X the Points!" I pointed it out to my dad who gets the quote of the day:

"Forget Jesus! I am heading here on Sunday!"

Needless to say we were counting down every mile on the GPS Thursday. My parents decided to follow us home and stay one day at our place instead of heading back to their place in northern California. Luke and my dad planned another day of four wheeling for Friday up in Keysville. (These guys can't get enough I guess)

Proof that I just can't get a break: My first load of laundry comes out of the dryer Friday morning. I see red and yellow grease stains all over EVERYTHING. As I dump everything out of the dryer I find crayon wrappers on the table. A perfect way to end our little adventure. Lucky for me most of the clothes are winter clothes and we are quickly approaching shorts and t-shirts!

After a cold week in Utah I am ready. Bring on the heat!

No Boys Allowed

Friday night I was able to take off with homegirl Carianne, for a quick girls getaway. We had two goals in mind:
1) Do one session at the LA temple
2) Go to Tai Pan Trading in Rancho Cucamonga. (http://www.taipantrading.com/ )

Thanks to Carianne's "punctually challenged" husband we got a later start then we originally planned. (Great job Jared. Geeeeez!) :)
We took off close close to 5 pm but we had a smile on our faces! Our hotel was in Ontario---and after lots of Friday night LA traffic we finally made it to our hotel waaaaaay past my bedtime (9pm)
LOL
Bubba was nice enough to write me a big letter before I left and sealed it up for me to open when I went to bed. He also sent me with one of his Teddy Bears so I wouldn't be lonely.


Saturday morning we were up bright and early---and hungry. Surprisingly, no one must eat breakfast around there because we couldn't find anything but McDonald's and Carl's Jr---and I wanted french toast and hash browns. We finally found an IHOP and I was never so excited to find one. It was ridiculous!
After breakfast we discovered Ontario Mills across the street actually contained outlet stores and we thought we died and went to Heaven. We didn't buy anything for ourselves but came across lots of stuff for the kids---and a little girl who will arrive in August.



The ugliest pair of shoes I have ever seen, courtesy of "The Rack."

After Ontario Mills it was off to Tai Pan Trading. I walked in and didn't know what to do or where to go. I didn't know what to expect but it was HUGE. We wandered around for a few hours, found a few items and called it good.
It was 2pm and we were set on "Cheesecake Factory" for a late lunch. After consulting my GPS we decided to start heading north before we ate. I knew there was several locations up closer to the temple that we thought would be easy to get to.
50 miles and 2 1/2 hours later we finally arrived in LA-------hungry.
My lame GPS told me there was a Cheesecake Factory in the Beverly Center so we park and find out the GPS was wrong. A lady gives us directions to "The Grove" a few miles down the road.
Its going on 4:30 and we haven't eaten since IHOP. I am about to go postal, but I am trying to remain lucid.
We arrive at the Grover and after a 15 minute wait we steal a table at the bar inside the Cheesecake Factory. I get my raspberry lemonade and the world seems OK again. We chow down on stuffed tortillas and head off to the temple---which again is only 5 miles away but take 20 minutes to get there.
I think the highlight of my trip occurred about 2 blocks from the temple on Santa Monica Blvd. My window was rolled down and as I pull up to a red light I glance over to my left to check out this brand new orange convertible Corvette. These two OLD men are in the front seat. The driver (complete with a comb-over and gold chain) yells over "Hi cutie!" I mumbled a response which I think was a "hi" but I can't recall because I was shocked that he seemed to genuinely think he could "pick me up." As soon as we pulled away we began laughing like two little girls.
We make it to a 6:30 session at the temple---it was awesome. Thank you to Carianne for getting my caboose in gear and getting me down there. I hope to make this temple/shopping getaway a more regular occurrence. We did get home LATE Saturday night, but lucky for me church doesn't start until 12:30pm.
Woo-hoo!
Here is looking forward to more girl getaways! Cheers!

Do I Actually See a Halo?

I so badly had to blog about what's coming next before I forgot. Not so much for you---but for me.
Like many of you I blog as a way to keep track of all the insanely crazy and sometimes mundane things that occur everyday with my family. I don't ever want to forget these moments...and since I can't find the time or willpower to put pen to paper, I put my fingers to the keyboard and let them type away.
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After dinner tonight I took Bubba to Barnes and Nobles with me to try and find some audio books to listen to on our trip. We are leaving for Utah and we are all very excited. We will be taking Luke's Jeep and making our way to Salt Lake for General Conference weekend. Then on Monday we are headed to Moab for the Easter Jeep Safari. (If you are looking at your screen cross-eyed and wondering what the heck it is, you'll have to google it!) :)
Anyways---back to Barnes and Nobles---
We get into the kids section and the first thing Bubba spots is the religion section. He has been watching a lot of church videos from "The Living Scriptures" collection lately and he is motivated. He looks through some Bibles and finds a Bible story book he really likes. We end up not finding any good kids' books on CD so we settle on purchasing the Bible for Bubba and an Easter book for Tubbs.
On the way home Bubba cannot stop talking about the Bible stories and asking a million questions about anything you can imagine that is related to the scriptures, church and Jesus.
It made me smile. My little boy is seven years old and he is such a big boy.
After Luke and Tubbs get home from wrestling practice I headed off to a friend's house for a Jewelry party. When I got home my boys were tucked into bed.
Luke tells me to go take a look at my big boy. As I walk into the bedroom I can see a little light shining from Bubba's top bunk. Bubba is up there laying on his tummy, reading his Bible storybook with his book light attached. He was reading about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and needed my help pronouncing their names.
It was really a moment that I wished would last forever. If only my little man would stay this little angel forever. He told me he wanted to play "Nephi" at school tomorrow with his friends. Knowing that only a few kids at school would know who Nephi was and would probably look at him strange, he reminded me there were 3 other kids in his grade that are in his primary class.
Little Bubba---he thinks everyone knows about Nephi and all of the other characters form the scriptures he has been learning about. I wish that were true!
Even if Bubba's halo doesn't shine all the time---I am glad it was shining tonight.

Slip-N-Slide Fun in March?

Bubba's friend came over to play Saturday and they all decided they wanted to jump in the pool.
We settled on something else. Big Papa gave in and let the boys dig out the slip-n-slide.
I frankly thought they were all crazy, but when they all looked at me (pleading)--I said, "whatever......go ahead."

I sat in a lawn chair on the grass, trying to catch some much needed rays on my pale skin. I didn't pay much attention to how long we were all out there, but it didn't seem like that long. I was really surprised that night when Bubba tells us his back hurts. Luke has him take off his shirt and his shoulders are red. 7 years old and Bubba got his first sunburn---in March!
I totally blew it.
I was so proud of the fact that I always lube my boys up with sunblock in the summer time and they had never had a burn before.
Now my record is blown.---- I guess the 75 degree weather just threw me off.
I'll do better next time. :)

The Husband Quiz

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? Truck U or Xtreme 4x4

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Ranch, but lately he is on this raspberry vinaigrette kick.

3. What's one food he doesn't like? Tomatoes (but he LOVES ketchup. Weird.)

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. His drink would be? Anything Diet

5. Where did he go to high school? Tehachapi

6. What size shoe does he wear? 12

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be? Jeeps. (But he couldn't collect anything else because he is always purging our house)

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? turkey with peppercinis

9. What would he eat every day if he could? It used to be pita pockets. I am guessing---and would say---good tri-tip??

10. What is his favorite cereal? Banana Nut Crunch or Frosted Flakes

11. What would he never wear? I am going out on a limb and guessing a speedo

12. What is his favorite sports team? Arizona Cardinals & the pathetic LA Dodgers

13. Who did he vote for? Not Obama

14. Who is his best friend? Me

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? Leave the house everyday looking so HOT! :) Mmm...probably losing my patience with the boys and yelling.

16. What is his Heritage? White boy---but I think his mom's side is Dutch/Italian. His dad's side has some American Indian (and I am not sure what else)

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake? Instead of baking one I beg Gayle Montana to make her famous carrot cake :)

18. Did he play sports in high school? Wrestling and football (Is dating considered a sport?)

19. What could he spend hours doing? Talking about 4-wheeling or Jeeps

20. What is one thing you appreciate about him? He loves our boys more than anything and is very much a family man. He is always thinking of them ---even when he is at work he will send me e-mails about the boys.The boys very much have him wrapped around their fingers.

My Boys....

They are crazy---and there is never a dull moment when they are around.

Every morning getting ready for school and work is an adventure. What kind of mood are they going to wake up in? :)

Bubba told us this morning that he wasn't wearing green to school because there is a "no pinching" rule at school. But I told him there wasn't a rule like this at home and I would pinch his booty until he wore his green shirt----and I won.

Yes, they are wearing matching t-shirts again---even to school. But they picked them out. I gave them the option for different colors when I picked out the shirts at the store, but they wanted the same ones.

Darn.

I love it when they match---and I love that they don't care. (The joy of having boys) :)


Tubbs with his leprechaun catcher for school

Bubba giving me his biggest (most mischievous) smile

Matching "Breath-Right" strips on their noses.

They think they need to wear these to bed when their noses are stuffed up because they see me wearing them. (They rock)

Fun Weekend

We were supposed to head north for my nephew's baptism LAST weekend...but Cooper's little brother (Holden) decided to steal the show and arrive early. He ended up being born early Saturday morning 14 hours before the scheduled baptism.

So---the baptism was moved to this weekend.

Lucky for us, that meant we would get to meet the newest member of the Baer family earlier than expected.

We arrived Friday night to my parents' house...and to a few bags of my mom's baby girl shopping. This little girl is off to a great start.--- I love that my mom is so excited and always thinking of others. (Until my youngest brothers Dari (21) and Bert (18) have kids one day this little girl will be the last grand baby for my parents for a while)

The boys absolutely loved baby Holden. They wanted to hold him right away---and touch his face (and "pet" his head). Bubba has a hand fetish and I watched him play with Holden's little hands. Tubbs kept commenting to Aunt Lindsay on random things he liked about the baby. It was so cute.

This reaction from the boys got me more excited and ready for our baby to get here in August. It got me so anxious I actually went out to the Galleria mall on Saturday with the boys, my mom, SIL Lindsay, Holden and Natalie to look at some baby girl dresses at the GAP.

It was much harder than expected.---- The stress.

Which dress to pick?

Why did I want a dress?

I don't know---probably because I have never got to buy a little dress before. I also had a 30% off coupon so it was a good excuse to shop for something.

(My first purchase for Baby girl Hogue)

Saturday evening was the awaited baptism for Cooper and it was wonderful. The boys have never been to a family baptism before so I was excited for them to see their cousin be baptized. We had lots of family show up and it was great to see aunts and uncles as well as siblings, nieces and nephews. After the baptism we came home to lots of my dad's famous enchiladas, Luke's guacamole, and some cake! Happily I was able to eat everything!

My uncle Glenn did manage to get me all worried about actually having a boy. He told a few stories about friends who had ultrasounds which told them they were having a girl ---and out pops a boy. (All I can say is I will not be washing or removing any clothing tags until this little girl arrives)

I should have taken more pictures---but this is all I got from the weekend.

Brother Robert and his family

Me and my little brother

My mom and youngest brother Bert

Muffins!

If you ask my boys something that their mom does well one of the first things they will tell you is she makes the best muffins!

I have achieved my definition of success---I have reached my pinnacle---

I am the BEST banana chocolate chip muffin maker EVER!

(Or as my husband says, "Mama makes a mean muffin.")

Can you tell by how they are eating that they can't get them down fast enough....?

Do you think I can fit anymore in there?

Yummy

Don't touch my muffins....

There is nothing better than milk and mama's muffins

Move Those Cheeks

Like any parent I love it when my boys can burn their energy with good old fashioned exercise. (If I could I would get them an exercise ball or a wheel like Jack the Hamster uses to get exercise! :)

Bubba had the opportunity to participate in his school's jog-a-thon last Friday. He had 20 minutes to do as many laps around the field as he could. Its fun to watch the kids come around the track and the expressions on their faces. Some are sprinting across, some are holding their sides in exasperation....

Tubbs is participating in wrestling at one of the high school's two nights a week. He absolutely loves it and its great to see him so motivated to leave the house before each practice with his bottle of Gatorade. He has tried using some of his take down techniques on his mother and his father is very proud. :)

Getting ready to take off

Mama and Bubba after his laps

Laps Around the Mat

Tug-O-War on the Mat

Its great to see the boys using their pent up energy on something else besides fighting or chasing each other around the house---even though I wish I had the energy to run around my house! :)

Can You Guess?

Could it be that Heavenly Father is playing a strange joke on us?! He is a very clever guy! :)

Luke, the boys and I got to see the baby tonight after work...and discover if we are adding a crazy little girl to the pack---or another stinky boy.

Can you tell from the pictures?

I am popping more Tums just thinking about the upcoming arrival! :)

It appears that Heavenly Father does answer prayers---(and a lot of people's prayers from what I understand!)

Tubbs is thrilled and has been planning on a girl from the beginning. Bubba on the other hand gave a loud gasp and sigh when he heard the news. (We'll have to work on that over the next 5 months)

We got a DVD of the ultrasound so I am excited to watch it all over again. She was moving and kicking all over the place! (....Could of been the large rice krispy treat I ate on my way home from work)! The technician kept getting some good shots of her booty because she was kicking and flipping all over the place! Thankfully we only got one or 2 pictures of that for posterity.

We didn't know if it was a boy or girl for about 10 minutes when she finally typed it up on the ultrasound screen. Luke squeezed my hand and I didn't know if I should laugh or scream. I am still in shock, even though Luke has assured me over the past few weeks that he thought it was a girl. Luke has assured me that he is very excited...he just hopes his little girl looks nothing like him---with his head and broad shoulders. I think he referenced "Princess Fiona" in there somewhere.

I have to agree---I hope she isn't built like a wrestler either. I'll be sure to work that into my prayers over the coming months! :)

Love My Boys

I love Sundays before church. I especially love them now that church doesn't start until 12:30pm. I thought I was going to hate it when we had to switch times this year, but its absolutely fabulous!

Friday I got the boys some matching dress shirts so I made them model for me before church. Bubba and Tubbs have a hard time being serious for more than half a second so I got some interesting faces and poses.

It was March 1st so it was appropriate they were the boys in green!