Entertainment Center

About 4 days before we moved I bought and refinished an old dresser into an entertainment center for our new home. Here are the results -

The before. I got this ugly solid wood dresser off of Craigslist for $75

The after. I took out the top drawers and built a back and inside for it. Painted it Black, added trim around the component area, distressed it and added some new drawer pulls. The entertainment center I wanted cost $1300.00 so I tried to make it as close to that one and ended up spending $140 total.

Las Vegas 2011

Jason and I got away for 4 days to Vegas. We had such a great time just relaxing together and getting to have each other all to ourselves. It was a great vacation. My pictures are all out of order and for some reason I can't fix it.

Some of the things we did.

We went to the most amazing spa at Cesar's Palace called Qua. Seriously was the most relaxing day of my life. You must go here if you are ever in Vegas!!

After the Spa we went to see "O." I had heard it was the best Cirque Du Soleil. It was good but I was a little disappointed because I thought there would be a story line. It did not and so I was a little underwhelmed by everything even though the talent was pretty darn incredible!

We ended the trip to the Temple. It is always so amazing to me how I can have a good time at the spa, shows, restraunts, ect.. but in the end the Temple is the one place I truly feel peace and happiness.

When we went to go see "O" at the Bellagio they had the most amazing set up for fall made out of all flowers and food. It was huge and so cool to look at. We also saw P-Diddy filming a commercial but I was too short to snap a pic through the crowd.

We went to a fancy steak house called StripSteak. It was pretty good and the company was even better. I got to try "Duck fat" fries and shabbu shabbu for the first time. They were both amazing. I also learned that I hate the smell and taste of Truffle oil. Whenever we go somewhere fancy we always re-celebrate our last Anniversary. :)

We went and saw the Jabbawockeez one night and it was such a good show. I loved the music, the dancing and the talent.

We also just walked around and looked at the new hotels. The Cosmopolitan had these beautiful crystals all over the ceiling. It was super pretty. And of course we had to go stop over at Serendipity 3 to try the famous frozen hot chocolate. It was good but not as great as I had imagined. I guess when something is hyped that much it never really can meet your expectations.

The best part of the trip was hanging out with my hubby. He is so wonderful and truly awesome. I had the best time with him and I am so grateful that he will be mine forever!

Halloween 2011

This year Halloween was pretty uneventful. We did our usual pumpkin painting (that I did an awful job of documenting this year.) Brooke had a costume/Halloween party at her preschool that Jason and I were out of town for. The Trunk or Treat fell on the same day as a work event that Jason and I attended called "The Crystal Ball" so we even missed that too. The Felton's took the kiddies to that for us and they had a great time while we were dancing it up to Paul Anka at the Crystal Ball. I was so looking forward to taking Brooke out to Trick or Treat but she was in the most rotten mood the whole day that we ended up not doing that either. Such a bummer. Here are a few pics before the Trunk or Treat.

Brooke wanted to be Dorothy so bad. Preston was going to be the Scarecrow but the costume didn't fit him so I got him this cow costume that he ended up hating so much he actually wore his same Mickey Mouse costume from last year.

Disney Trip

During this summer we did a spontaneous trip overnight to Disneyland. It was so much fun and so nice to get to stay at the Disney Hotel too. We loved every bit of it!

Watermelon and Grilled Cheese

Preston was cracking me up as he was eating his watermelon and grilled cheese one day. He kept insesntly taking a bite of one and then the other while saying "mmmm." Love that little messy face.

what we've been up to

I have been terrible about blogging lately but all for a good reason. We moved a few weeks ago from Fontana to a small apartment in Rancho Cucamonga. I have been so busy with selling all of our extra stuff, being a mom and wife and getting ready for our move that I really haven't had much time for posting the fun things we have been doing. We are finally settled into our new place and we are enjoying life again:). I will try to catch up on some posts soon. Now I need to go make some finger paint bugs with my little one's....

16 Months Old

Well my little man turned another month old again! It just seems like they keep rolling by.

Preston has grown up so much in these past few months. He is talking and walking and has even started screaming (loud) when he wants something. Which to me is a surprise because he is such a mellow kid. He is in to everything and my kitchen is definitely his favorite place to explore. The cupboards, utensils and pots, oh my! Going in and out of cupboards is a daily activity for him and he loves it!

He can say a lot of words now. He can say daddy, dada, doggie and dog, mommy and mama, bwee (Brooke), baapoo (diaper), ball, gung (car) tunk (truck), mine, me (this is his favorite when he wants something, he just says meee, meee), wawa (water), tank Tee (thank you), baabaa (bottle), bubble, pop, baby (this is still my favorite because of the way he says it), and then he will try to say something if you ask him too. He knows a lot more I just can't think of them right now.

He loves animals, especially Doggies and will sit and watch them and bark back to them for as long as we let him (The puppy sore has become a more frequent stop for us.) He loves to make animal sounds and can do a horse, dog, pig, fish, duck, and cow. He also loves to sing and dance and my baby sure does have some awesome moves!

He also learned how to hit and push from his lovely big sister so we have been working on that but he is still just the happiest and sweetest baby ever. He will also kiss and snuggle me as much as I want. What more could a mama ask for? I would still have 10 more if they were just like him. I love you baby, now stop growing up so fast!

First Day of Pre School

Brooke is officially a school girl this year. She goes every Monday and Wednesday for a few hours and she LOVES it. She has a great teacher Mrs. Sara who she loves. She has been going for a month now and really loves learning and being with other kids. Here are some pics from her first day on August 10th.

She got to pick out and earn her very own Rapunzel lunch box. It is so funny because every little girl in the class has a Princess lunch box.

She was just fine leaving Mom and Dad behind. She is such a social girl and loves to be around other people.

Getting into her classroom for the first time and finding her desk.

Brooke and Mrs. Sara. It was so sad, as soon as I picked her up from her first day of school she was so excited to tell me everything that she tripped as she was running to me and ate it pretty hard on the gravel. This pic was taken shortly after that (hence the hand on the knee.) Then she was so sad afterward she wouldn't tell me about her first day.

I can tell that Brooke will always love school because she has such a thirst for learning. We have also made cookies and milk with Mommy a tradition for when we come home and she is loving that too. I love my little Pre-Schooler!

Jason's Birthday Roast

Jason just celebrated his 28th Birthday on August 7th. All the people at his work decided to through him a surprise Party where they roasted him. I will have to post some of the things people said later but for now here is the funny video his marketer Ben and his wife Christa put together.

Jason was a great sport during the roasting and it was a lot of fun.

I sure love ya babe. Thanks for all you do for us!

Wisconsin Part 2

The next day we went to see the city. It took us a total of 2 hours and we did it by foot. So cute and so different from what I am use to. I loved the thunder that we heard as we walked and to see the clouds change so much. Something you don't get to see very often in Southern California. Preston was sick with a fever starting with this day and ending with the last. Poor guy! He got to stay with his Aunt Mary and sleep while we explored.

The last day we were there we went on a pontoon boat and looked at the beautiful surroundings. The world is so GORGEOUS!

Brooke stool my camera during the boat ride and these are the pictures she took. This is her cousin Lauren and man alive did they ever make good friends. Brooke is still asking about Lauren and I am hoping we can get these girls together again soon.

Uncle Todd also treated us to Dairy Queen. He drove his boat right up to it and got some. Preston was still not feeling good but he perked up a little for the ice cream.

We got a few shots of the family all together. I loved everyone I met and I hope we get to see them again sooner rather than later.

Here is Grandma and Grandpa with 7 of the 8 children. What a cute family.

If you eat Sweet Baby Rae BBQ sauce this is the man who made the recipe. He lived across the street from Mary and cooked for us. YUM!!

On the way home. Another long day (we got delayed an hour and a half and didn't get in until 1 am) but it was nice to get to know Grandpa Jim a little bit better. It was such a nice trip and made me really long for family to live close by. Could you all just please come live in California???

Tomahawk Wisconsin Part 1

We went to see/meet Jason's Dads side of the family this summer in Tomahawk, Wisconsin. Jason had been their once before when he was 13 but the kids and I had never met them. Jason's Grandma told us to come for the fourth of July because they have a parade and a lot of the family comes for it. So we set our plans and even took Jason's Dad with us who lives in CA. The trip was sooo long. We left at 4 a.m took an airplane and then drove another 4 hours to get to Wisconsin and we arrived at 9 PM! The kids were champs though and did great. I really do have amazing children!! (Just thought I would throw that in there.)

The town that Grandma and Grandpa Postl live in is tiny. They have a population of 3000. The parade was so cute and it was so fun to see how a small town celebrates holidays all together. They had a ton of fire trucks and they all went at the beginning of the parade. It took a good 15 minutes for them all to go by! So funny and so loud.

Brookie got to hang out with Auntie Barbara (Jim's sister) during the parade and loved all the candy that was thrown at her from the parade people walking by.

Preston and Brooke were both pretty amused with all the horses. My favorite part of the parade I didn't take a picture of (?) It was a bunch of red neck guys who got bar stools and attached a motor and wheels and rode them. SO FUNNY! You know your a redneck when...

Great Grandpa Postl had a Cotton Candy machine that went over pretty well with the kids. Okay it went over pretty darn well with me too because that is my favorite candy! I ate a lot!

After the parade the kids (and adults) were pretty pooped. Uncle Dean was nice enough to rock Preston to sleep while I ate. Man I need more family to be near!

After the naps we all got to get to know each other better. Brooke got her nails painted and hammed it up for all the on lookers. She LOVES to be the center of attention and all the family was happy to oblige her. Preston showed off his Schmeegle for everyone and it became a popular request for him the rest of the trip.

The top shot is a 4 generation shot with Great grandma and Grandpa Postl, Grandpa Jim, Jason and I and the kids. I loved getting to know The Postl's! Jason fit right in and it made it all clear why he is the way he is. I am going to miss everyone now that I got to know them.

The kids loved their Great Grandparents. I thought they were pretty awesome too! Wish we lived closer.

14 months old

My little guy turned 14 months today. He is getting so big and is really such a sweet boy. He has started to scream whenever he wants anything because of his lack of speech. He can say daddy, mommy, baby ( Our favorite for him to say), bye, hi, doggie, wawa (water), baba (bottle), bwee (brooke), uh-oh, yeah, and he imitates most sounds we make even though he doesn't quite know what he is saying. Today he took his very first steps. Here a video to document:) Please excuse my annoying "mommy voice."

Baby LOVE

Whenever these two get together there is a lot of kissing. They must really like each other! Preston likes to use his tongue and Elise likes to suck his nose. It's pretty funny to watch!