Disneyland

Last week Nathan had a day off so we took the girls to Disneyland. I was so happy to spend the day all together. We didn't tell Carys where we were going until we got there and then surprised her with an Alice costume to wear. And who are the first characters we see when we walked in but the white rabbit, Queen of hearts, and the Mad Hatter. She immediately ran and ducked for cover behind the stroller! I begged her to take a picture with them but she was too scared. But I was very proud of her for conquering her fears on some of the rides. It took her all day to work up the courage to go on the tea cups, but when she did she totally loved it, asking me to spin faster. Oh it was all worth getting nauseous and dizzy to see her face light up :) Of course Charlie was fearless and loved every ride she went on.

Her favorite by far is the princess castle! 

 Here is Alice on the Alice ride!

oohs and aahs on the jungle cruise

 happy on the tea cup ride

Here we are...

Just going through some of my pictures and found this one from a couple months ago. You know it can be easy when you're a stay at home mom to get frustrated sometimes. Especially when you have a very strong-willed 4 year old girl that likes to push your buttons....but I look at a picture like this and I think, you are one blessed woman. My heart (and my arms!) are full.

I'm thinking of changing my blog address to something easier to type (and pronounce). Not that I don't love my last name of course. One idea was to call it Carys & Charlie, but I'm not sure...still in talks...with myself.

Anyway, here are some more fun times with my girls. Charlie loves to play with this baby stroller and doll, she even says baby and carries the doll around...

And Carys' life revolves around dress up and she is becoming very particular with what she wears. I have learned it is just easier to let her out of the house in her own outfits...as long as they are within reason...ha! But seriously how cute is this?

The King

No, not that one...the Sandwich King! Yeah, this guy...Jeff Mauro

I don't know if any of my 3 readers watch this show, but you really should! Its on the Food Network. He makes sandwiches, yummy looking side dishes, he's hilarious and from Chicago, aaand I kind of wish we were friends. OK now I am starting to sound obsessed. Here's the link to his recipes along with this one I just did for onion rings.  Click here.

Onion rings are probably one of my most favorite things to eat ever! But I hardly ever do of course since they are so bad for you. These are made in the oven so I didn't feel so guilty. And in my opinion, onion rings simply must be dipped in ketchup! Here's how they turned out....not that pretty but definitely edible!

Pins of the Week

Put these in front of our house...

Source: josevillablog.com via Kathy on Pinterest

Working on this...

Source: Uploaded by user via Kathy on Pinterest

How cute are these cookies?? What's not to love...

Source: williams-sonoma.com via Kathy on Pinterest

DIY Pendant Light

Source: vintagerevivals.blogspot.com via Kathy on Pinterest

Gardening for Dummies

We finally planted some herbs and vegetables in the raised beds in our backyard. And by we, I mean my mom and step-dad and me just doing what I was told. But I am happy to say that Carys and I have been watering it daily, and it has been one whole week, and nothing has died yet! We even have sprouts coming up from the green bean seeds in the back row. Here is our little garden in all its glory. We planted Basil, Oregano, Rosemary, Jalapenos, Summer Squash, Tomatoes, and Tarragon. Then there are green bean and onion seeds in the other bed, I plan to plant some flower seeds there as well. I love it, thanks so much Mom and Dean for your help!

And speaking of flowers...look how beautiful the rose bush looks! It was a present from my mother-in-law last year. Nathan planted it in the ground several months ago and I was sure it was dead, but by the grace of God we have these gorgeous pink and orange flowers!

So I can look at this on the dining table....

Stay tuned to see if anything turns out edible....things are looking up!

Heavenly Father...

Source: Uploaded by user via Kathy on Pinterest

Catch Up

I've been lagging on updating! Last month got super busy. I got the chance to help with some activities at our church women's retreat and it involved lots of glue gunning and what not...everything turned out great and the whole thing was a huge blessing. I came home from the retreat feeling totally refreshed and energized spiritually. God is good! OK so here are some pictures from the last month or so. Easter was here and we had family over to the house. The kids did this little activity called Resurrection rolls where you basically put a marshmallow, butter, sugar, and cinnamon inside a crescent roll, bake it, and the marshamallow disappears. Just like Jesus' body was gone that Easter morning. Then the kids did an egg hunt in the backyard. By the way, it seems like on every special occasion Carys wants to wear this pink flowy dress. I think she's been wearing it for almost 2 years now!

Also on Easter we got something else...presenting Oscar the Weinerdog!

Yes, I think they like him.

Playing peek-a-boo on her new favorite place, sitting on top of the slide.

See, being a stay at home mom is really not that hard...as long as you have the right equipment!