The People's Choice Awards!

Last Wednesday, we were lucky enough to be able to attend the People's Choice Awards in Los Angeles! It was such a blast! Mike and I made it up to L.A. in record time with no traffic (an hour and 20 minutes) so we ended up having some time to kill...we drove around downtown and then decided to park in the parking lot where we were supposed to check in with the casting company. "Wow!" is all I could say! The sites that we saw (I kept saying that I could have spent a whole day in that garage people watching!) were VERY ummm...UNIQUE?!

Everyone else arrived and it was time to check in...I was under the impression that we would be waiting for about 10 minutes and then be taken right away into the theatre to wait...oh no! We had to wait for a VERY LONG TIME...people watching sure made the time go by fast! We finally were taken to the NOKIA theatre where the show was about to begin in....2 hours! We were lucky enough to get seats (instead of being shifted around the whole time) where we were told that we wouldn't be moving unless asked to do so. My sister and I were getting antsy and decided to ask one of the casting guys if we could move closer (to the stars of course!)...we were told we had to make eye contact and then they could move us during the show! We stuck the guys (Mike and Kevin) on the end...we decided that it would be best if the girls got up and moved to the end so we could get a better chance at moving since they were moving people pretty rapidly! I was the first one to stand and was told to go see the casting guy...to our surprise, we were moved to the area were some of the stars were....I walked right past Colbie Caillat...love her! I was star struck when I saw her! I luckily did not get separated and sat next to Joy! We were lucky enough to be so close to Taylor Swift when she got her award and also got to see Johny Depp up close too! Yes, Mike and I watched the show the next day and sure enough we saw most of us!

We were so lucky to see stars like Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Lautner, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban....just to name a few!

What a fun night! After the show we rushed out to see the stars who were heading to the after party...were unsuccessful though because most had already gone inside...we did keep seeing this weird lady who thought she was Lady Gaga! Well actually I should say that we thought she was too and were truly convinced when we first saw her! haha!

Because of Joy we were all able to attend this event! I am on the look out for more shows!! =)

Feliza, Wendy, Vickie, Jenn, me, and Joy

New Year's Eve!

We began the night by hanging out with some of the neighbors and enjoyed some appetizers together! We then had a delicious dinner at Kandyce and Ryan's! As soon as Dylan and Kaleb went to bed, we broke out Scattergories and Partini and played our hearts out (the boys were cheaters...of course not us girls!)! We dug into ice cream cookie sundaes at 2 a.m. and didn't end our night until 2:30! Surprised we were able to make it until 12 (let alone 2:30)! Ryan and Mike refused to wear their crowns for any pictures, but DID wear them for the rest of the night!

Yeah for 2010!

The night just wouldn't be complete without a SNUGGIE! Haha!!

Happy 2010 everyone! =)

Ice Skating and more...

Last year around Christmas, we all went down to Coronado and had such a great time together! It is always fun to spend time in Coronado during Christmas! We decided to do something different this year and go down to downtown San Diego for some ice skating at Horton Plaza and some treats at Buca di Beppo and Ghirardelli ice cream! It was a great time! =) Can't wait until this December! =)

This was Makena's first time ice skating...she had a great time! Isn't she wearing the perfect outfit?!
She loved skating with her daddy!

Mama tried teaching her what she knew (yes, my sister was an ice skater when she was younger!)

As for me, I fell once and boy did it hurt! =(

After ice skating, we had a great dinner at our favorite Buca di Beppo in the Gaslamp! Makena made us all a picture! What an artist!
This little princess was still hungry when we left and would not let go of her piece of bread...she finished every little bite while walking to go get ice cream! As the saying goes, you must finish your dinner before dessert...she obviously followed that rule!
My sister thought that Mike would look so handsome in Makena's cupcake hat!

Even though we ate a ton for dinner, we still managed to squeeze in some ice cream! Look at this beauty!
This little one loves being right by Nana's side...Pop Pop's too! =)

A lOt To UpDaTe!

I have been busy, busy, busy! I updated a ton...enjoy!

A gift fit for a CHIEF!

Mike and I were invited to the (Carlsbad Fire) Chief's house for dinner tonight! I could not have us show up empty handed (as in no crafts in my hand!)! Of course I ran around today all over town (at the last minute!) gathering things to make these fabric fortune cookies! They are so easy and fun to make! I made a plain one a while ago and then added a twist to it to make it perfect for New Years and a hostess gift! The gift was a hit! =) A fortune cookie is not complete without a fortune! =) Yes, I made those too!

Silver ric rac? I had no idea they made such a thing...I fell in love at first sight!

There are the fortunes packed inside of the jar!

Christmas...Loads of fun!

Mike and I try our best to split our time between both of our families on holidays! This Christmas started out with a great breakfast (breakfast pizza and french toast...mmmm!) at my sister and Kevin's house. Look at the little ham! She is something!
Polka Pajamas was the theme this year! =) P.S. I made matching flower clips too!


Makena was so excited for her auntie to get all of her toys out from the packages! Ugh! Can they make those silly things any easier to get in to?



After breakfast, it was off to Mike's parent's house (in good ol' Fallbrook) for some present opening and a nice time together! Yes, that is Mike's mom with Mike's dad's picture! It was gift that he thought would make her happy when he is gone....far away....in Scotland! Looks like she surely likes it! ;)

Finally, Mike and I traveled to my parent's house for some more present opening, yummy dinner, and game playing!
She was sooooo excited to get this tent! She gathered up all of her presents and had a camp out!
Princess Makena and Uncle Mike had a little party eating cookies together! Where is her shirt? Yikes!

It was a great Christmas! Hope you had a nice one too! =)

Let's Relax and Have Some Fun!

It was nice and relaxing to spend time with friends and family during this busy time of year! Here are just a few of those who were able to join us!
Guy and Jennie

Josh and Julie (a.k.a. the girl who needs to keep up with her blog ;) )

Mike and his dad with their matching mustaches! haha!

So glad this cute little family was able to make it! Hooray!

Darla and Joe

Cookies, cookies, and more cookies!!!

Christmas is my very favorite time to make and decorate cookies...I got this cookie recipe from a parent at school and fell in love with it! The frosting is amazing and always sets up perfectly. I provided the recipe for the cookies and the glaze below! Let me know what you think if you try them!

Best Ever Butter Cookies

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 tablespoon baking powder

Combine butter, sugar, and egg in large bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping the bowl often, until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add flour, orange juice, vanilla and baking powder. Beat until well mixed. Divide dough into thirds, wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm (2 hours or overnight).

Heat oven to 400. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface, one-third at a time (keep remaining dough in the refrigerator). Cut with cookie cutters and place onto ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake at 6 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool completely. Frost and decorate cooled cookies!

Glaze Recipe

1 cup of sifted powdered sugar

2-3 teaspoons of milk

Mix well.

Add 2 teaspoons light corn syrup

Mix well.

Add more milk if necessary

A few more orders...

P.S. I am hoping to be on Etsy soon....(well, hopefully!)

More felt clips...

I had requests for some hair clips for gifts...here they are!

Christmas Tree Decor!

I LOVE to decorate for Christmas! Here are a few pictures to enjoy of the tree and staircase garland....there will be more pictures coming soon!

Thanks Mom for my lovely tree skirt! Could not have done that one!

I couldn't resist making a lollipop as my tree toper!

One staircase full of garland

Yes...cupcakes! Were you surprised?!

Thanksgiving and Treats

I made these yummy Thanksgiving treats this year (pie crust with cinnamon!)...They were a hit (I just had to sneak a few here and there)! =) Sooooo yummy!

P.S. Thanksgiving was so nice this year (despite the fact that swine flu struck some of the fam...yikes)...especially going to Michaels (of course!) on Thanksgiving night to receive the excellent deals!!! That's when you know you have a bad shopping habit....thanks Mom for that gene! ;)