I'm back

I'm trying to make it back to blogging.  I've been gone for a while because I'm not much on keeping a journal or a big writer but I'm going to give it a go. There's actually a lot to talk about. Stay posted....

Lets play catch up

Say Cheese!

Say Cheese!

This girl is making us grey! Let me explain...This morning I'm at work and I get a phone call from Chris. He asks me if genetian violet is poisonous because Mikaela found it, opened it up and has it all over herself. She has a purpke tongue, mouth and fingers. I told him no but she was goin gto be stained"violet" for a few days. He responded "she's in the bath right now. I might put the rest of the genetian violet and turn her purple" ... maybe that'll teach her a lesson. We're just glad she didn't get it all over the new carpet. Yikes!

FYI, genetian violet is a homeopathic cure for thrush. It works great but it stains you purple (violet).

Weekend get away

Chris and I finally took a weekend off from our parental duties. My wonderful mom came to our house while Chris and I enjoyed a nice hotel a few miles away in Anaheim. We stayed at Disney's paradise pier. Since we have Disneyland annual passports we got to go to Disneyland by ourselves and enjoy a "magical morning." We got into Disneyland 1 hour before regular opening hours. We took advantage and rode Space Mountain 2 times with less than 10 minute waiting times. It was great.
We needed this get-away for a long time.
We ate at the FABULOUS Napa Rose at the Grand Disney Hotel. OMGoodness it was delicious! We had delicious appetizers and the salad I had was to die for. Full of crunchy goodness. oh and I could go on about the soup. It was a lentil base with bacon and shrimp. mmmmm, just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Chris had the most delicious pork chop ever. Our compliments to the chefs. All I can say if you have a few dollars to spare and want to eat at a great restaurant you gotta eat here. We were dressed to the nines and we ate like pigs, (civilized oinkers at least). If I was shameless I would have licked the plate clean, sadly, I had to hold back.

oh ya, and we went to a MX super cross event too. Amazingly, I had fun at that too. Chris was happy cheek to cheek. Happy husband, happy wife. ;-) Happy wife, happy life.

Tyler turns 7 yrs old

Happy Birthday Tyler!

Tyler turned 7yrs old. I'm still in awe at this young boy. He is smart, handsome, courteous and was happy hanging out with just the family at Chuck e cheese. We stopped doing parties every year for the kids. This year was Tyler's "off" year but we still do a dinner of his choice. He choose Chuck e Cheese. All the kids were happy and it wasn't crowded so parents were happy too. Happy birthday kiddo. and MANY, MANY more!

Being silly with frosting from his cake.



Tyler is into making silly faces at the camera. Here he is holding his fighter jet kite we got him. Goofy kid. He gets it from his dad.

A week in the life of the Watkins

Monday- worked
Tuesday- worked

Wednesday -was supposed to go to lunch with my friend but bailed out on her. (I'm feeling a little guilty.) Instead I cleaned house and did some grocery shopping. When I got home Chris had made me a delicious sandwich. It was gooood, all that was missing was the avocado. We didn't have any ripe ones. DARN. I also made sure the kids finished all their weekly homework on Wed. so we could go to Disneyland on Thursday.

Thursday- Go to Disneyland. Cameron and Tyler were acting like bozo kids and as we got through the entrance I got a feeling to remind them if they lose us at the park to find a Disneyland worker (a lady worker) to help you. All was going great until we go to Tarzan's tree house. The boys went together and Mikaela, Chris and I waited for them at the exit. Time went by, we saw Cameron coming towards the exit and then went back to play with the rope swing. Tyler did the same. We weren't worried because we saw both boys together. A few minutes later, Cameron comes out wondering where Tyler was...and the search began. I stayed put with Mikaela. Chris went up the tree one way and Cameron went the other way. There was no Tyler to be found. I was getting a little worried, but not too much because I kept telling myself "it's the happiest place on Earth, bad things don't happen here." Then another thought came into my head..."I've heard there are ALOT of sexual predators that live around the Disneyland area." I tried not to panic yet. I send Chris to the lost parents area to find Tyler, I stay put with the other 2 kids and wait to see if Tyler appears. I ask Cameron to keep his eyes peeled for Tyler. He did just that. About 2 minutes later Cameron spots Tyler walking with a lady worker. Tyler with a churro in hand. Poor Tyler, I could tell he was scared and had crying. I grab him and hold him and don't know if I want to kiss him or kill him. He apparently walked out of Tarzan's tree house without even seeing us and started walking towards the Haunted Mansion he stopped at the churro cart because a lady was working there and she brought him safely back to the last place he had been. I gave the lady a big hug and a few more kisses to Tyler, I called daddy and everything was the way it should be. whew! Don't need to ever do that again. We enjoyed the rest of our evening and bonus! Tyler was finally tall enough to go on the Indiana Jones ride. Yay!

Friday-made yummy tacos with black beans on the side.


This is how I kept the kids busy so I could make dinner. Hee hee.


Streaming Dora videos and xbox 360 can be mom's little helper.

Saturday- new neighbors arrive. Chris and I show them around the property and get to know our new neighbors. So far they seem like a normal couple.
I give Chris a much needed haircut and later we go to the Fullerton Arboretum to enjoy the most beautiful day in So. California in mid January.







That's about it for this week.

7 months behind...Cameron's baptism

I had good intentions to posting this long ago, and we all know where the road of good intentions leads to...so without further delay here are some pictures of Cameron's baptism June 2010.

Sunset in Santa Monica 11/2010

The view as we were leaving. I can't say it enough. It was a wonderful family outing.

More ice skating adventures.

Chris with Cameron and Tyler.

Last time I ice skated I was at BYU. It was award activity at Utah lake. It was fun and cold. This time it was fun and warm. No coat needed.

While we were in Santa Monica, we stopped by the farmers market and tasted DELICIOUS tomatoes and other free samples. Sorry no pictures. But here is a picture of us eating at PF Changs. Never eaten there before. It was quite tasty. I ordered something beefy and really spicy. I forgot the name but it was good.

Had to have a silly picture. Mikaela had fun, I promise. I don't know what the evil look is about in both pictures. She really is a happy kid.

Ice Skating Santa Monica 2010

Our first ice skating adventure on a sunny So. Califonia day in Santa Monica. It was warm and fun. Where else could you wear shorts and a t-shirt and go ice skating?

Tyler, Cameron and Mikaela ready to go on the ice.

Mikaela did great! She enjoyed ice skating and by the end she was skating on her own. I was completely amazed by her gusto and determination.

Cameron and Tyler .
Cameron is showing me how he can balance without holding on to the wall. He looks to cool for school.

We got a dog!

On October 29th, we went to the animal shelter and finally added a pet to our family. I've been waiting a LONG time to get a dog. I love pets and I grew up living with dogs. I had 2 German Shepherds and one Rottweiler and a couple of Chihuahua's as a kid. I didn't have them all at the same time but as one would pass away or get kidnapped we would eventually get another. I loved it, my sister loved it and my mom enjoyed it too. Growing up in a house with a single mom, I think it made her feel secure having a big dog to watch over us and they did.
Here is a picture of our new family member. I already LOVE her soooo much!

Time Flies....

Tyler this is for you. I can't believe you'll be 7 soon.


Ever wonder how time flies? I do all the time. Especially when your screensaver of family pictures comes on and you watch all the pictures scroll by. It's amazing how quickly you see life flash before your eyes. I look at these pictures and realize how quickly our children are growing up. It makes me stop and think that I should enjoy every moment. Every cry, smile, eye rolling event, and yes, the tantrums. Even when my life feels rushed and hurried I look at these pictures and stop. I stop and take a breathe, and I smile at my life with a wonderful husband and three great kids.

Love this picture.

Saw this now I want one.

I've recently started reading Stephanie Nielson's blog or NIE NIE. She is Mormon and was in a horrific plane crash that left her burned on 80% of her body. Her survival story and her life is a true inspiration to me. I enjoy reading her daily blog. She even inspired my Halloween theme for this year.
Today she posted about the Madsen Bike and I had to learn more. How funky cool are they. I could totally picture myself riding one with Mikaela and Tyler in the bucket at the beach. Cameron would probably want to ride on his own, and I'm cool with that.
I'm trying to win one now so here is the link.

Random pictures

Playing around with smilebox.

Free slideshow made with Smilebox

2010 Avocado Festival

Pony rides, I love(d) pony rides. They are sweet ponies with big eyes, and soft hair. It's been a while since I've been able to ride a pony but now my little girl gets to enjoy them. Looks like she's having a great time.
+

Our small city had their annual Avocado festival today. FREE bounce houses and pony rides. Who's going to say no to that! My boys and a friend enjoyed jumping for 3 hours! I wish I had thier energy. I hope they sleep well tonight.