My tardiest InstaFriday post to date.

But there’s a good excuse.

We were on vacay!

To the happiest place on earth.

My parents flew down on Sunday.

The girls and I flew solo.  On Monday.

With an arsenal of fun.

When we arrived at the airport we learned our flight was delayed 2.5 hours.

Arsenal of fun lasted 2.5 hours.  Problematic.

But a weird preoccupation with the wing flaps kept Ashlyn busy for the 58 minute flight.

And Kayla read a book.

Arsenal was not even necessary.

Our first stop in the OC?  Ruby’s.

I lie.  Our first stop was Gulfstream.

But their kid’s meal was calamari and chips.

I knew immediately that was not going to end well.

Because wing flap observation makes a girl hungry.

So we ditched.  For sweet potato fries.

 

Our first afternoon was spent at Laguna Beach.

Not at all like the annoying MTV show.

“Stah-eeee-ven.”

No where to be heard.

Because I would have left immediately.

My girls love the beach.

More than Kristen loved “Stah-eeee-ven.”

On Tuesday we had a fun pool play date with Julie.

So great to meet her in person.  Her blog has always been one of my favorites.

Super nice. Super friendly. Super chatty. Super loved her.

Also, I’m staying with her for Blog Sugar in a few weeks.

So it’s great she’s not a serial killer.

My girl is a dino dork.

She loves everything about them.

She talked Pops into a trip to the Museum of Natural History at USC.

They also had a butterfly exhibit.

Then back to pool for some crafting.

Ashlyn painted an elephant.  Kayla chose a pig.

Ashlyn tried to steal the pig for the rest of the trip.

Newport had some pretty incredible sunsets.

Dave flew in on Wednesday.

We had dinner at Ruby’s at the Beach.

We like Ruby’s.

On Thursday we tackled Disneyland.

Somehow my mom worked a Club 33 hook-up into the mix.

We had to find a secret button near the Blue Bayou.

I’m nervous even discussing it.

Mom whispered our name into the intercom.

“Ware, Party of 6.”  All stealth.  Kind of weird, secret society.

But the best desserts.  Worth the weirdness.

We also met Minnie and bought lots of stuff that we made Dave hold.

He loves Disneyland.

SoCal beaches > NorCal beaches.

No competition.  Not even close.

Eating lunch at the Beach Comber.

One with an iphone.

One with a book.

Tough, tough life.

Sunset on our last night.

Crazy, right?

Thanks mom and dad for another fun trip!

We had a blast.

Also linking up late with Jeannett.

 

Another Friday came and went.  Standard.

Switching things up this week.

Our week in cell phone pictures.  In grid formation.

Which reminds me.

Our high school formal was called The Grid.

It was Dave and I’s first date in 1990.

Short for a medieval grid iron, I think?  Our mascot was the Knight.

I don’t know.

Another theory was that cows used to come onto the football field during homecoming.

And the field was taped into grids beforehand.

People would bet money that the cows would go potty on certain squares.

Both theories are dumb.

It’s a dumb name.

Not cute.  Or formally.  Or sparkly.

Like we were.

No words, right?

The height difference.

The hair clip.  The bangs.

The mermaid dress.

THE. WHITE. FLATS.

It was a “Knight Under the Sea” and we rocked it.

In a clam shell.  With beige carpet squares.

We also didn’t say one single word to each other the entire night.

Driven by youth group leaders that made fun of the fact that we didn’t say a word to each other the entire night.

What is my point?

Where am I?

InstaFriday, that’s right.  On a Saturday.

Our week in cell phones pictures.

In a fun little grid.

200 times more fun than my first Grid.

A.

We like puzzles. I like puzzles with Kayla more than puzzles with Ashlyn.

Kayla is at the stage where she needs zero help. My favorite stage.

B.

I have a love/hate relationship with the Land of Swedish Meatballs.  I love what I see in the store.

I hate turning the 500 lb box that I take home with 500 parts into what I see in the store.

C.

But it is quite rewarding.  The finished product.

Even if you break one of the glass doors mid-assembly and have to leave those off the finished product.

D.

More swimming at the Turdici’s.

We celebrated Tyler’s 21st birthday and Teri and Eddie’s 25th wedding anniversary.

E.

My favorite drink.  100% perfected.

Grande Green Tea Frappachino, 4 scoops macha powder, light whip w/ coconut flakes.

Heaven in a plastic mermaid cup.

F.

I love grocery shopping alone.

Trips such as these are few and far between in the summer time.

G.

A girl came door to door a few months ago selling children’s encyclopedias.

Our family seems to be unable to say no to people that come door to door.

She was nice.  And said she was a student at Wheaton.

And I must say, I am very impressed with them.  So is Kayla.

H.

Ready for an easy, delicious dessert?

Ghiradelli Supreme Chocolate brownie mix and Reese’s Pieces.

And please use parchment paper.  Thank you.

I.

Some of the high school girls (that are no longer in high school) from our old church came over for a visit this week.

I miss them.  The girls love them.  We love them.  It was fun to hang out.

J.

This was the view from our room at the Fairmont for my mom’s birthday party.

I want to live at the Fairmont.

K.

My mom and I.  At her pre-surprise party dinner.

L.

My mom’s party.

I use an app called Diptic to make the little collages.

M.

Kayla set up a restaurant with “people” waiting outside the door because it was so delicious.

We watch alot of Gordon Ramsey.

N.

I am in love with this snack:  TJ’s Parmesan, Garlic and Herb Pita Chips w/ Bruschetta Sauce.  YUM.

O.

Do you talk to your significant other in code?

We do.  I would tell you what it means.  But I would have to kill you.  JKIWRKY.

 

Happy Saturday!

Linking up late with Jeannett.

 

She knew that the immediate family was going up to the city for dinner at the Fairmont.
But had no clue that 75+ friends were waiting at a dive down the street.
A dive with a really fun band.

My dad called to book The Cheeseballs over a year ago.
And they said the Red Devil Lounge was their favorite small venue.
So the Red Devil it was.

Now, mom’s not much of a “lounge” girl.
Especially a lounge on Polk Street in downtown San Francisco.
And I was a little worried that she might be mortified that the word “devil” was on her invite.

But she adjusted.
And we had an absolute blast.

Pre-party/diversion dinner at Laurel Creek in the Fairmont.
It was fancy.

Ashlyn broke Dave’s good lens last week.  Leaving us with the super zoom lens only.
Which is really only good for sporting events.  Or if you’re paparazzi.  Not good at all for birthday parties.
Kennah was pretty much standing in the hotel lobby to take this picture.

Back to the diversion dinner.  My dad and the birthday girl.

Yours truly with my favorite husband.

My brother, Branden and his wife, Kennah.

My cousin Kim and her Giants/Niners-loving husband, Kevin.  Dave always sits near him.

My mom’s brother Frank, my Aunt Liz and my cousins, Jake and Frankie.

My mom and dad with her little brothers, Frank and Steven.

My beautiful Aunt Rachelle, married to Uncle Steven.

My dad and Grandmums.  She always sits near him.

Dinner reservations were at 6:00.  Real party started at 7:30.
Food arrived around 7:10.  We ate fast.
And abandoned our original plan of casually walking by the Red Devil Lounge after dinner.

Dad decided that the new plan was to go to a craft fair.
But we had to ditch the cake and hurry because tickets were about to sell out.
A craft fair on a Wednesday night on Polk Street.
That you have to buy tickets for. Tickets that sell out.
More important than a beautiful, delicious birthday cake.
100% believable.

We took cabs because we were running a bit late.

What you’re about to see is the face of one very surprised 60-year-old.
In a lounge that she thinks is a craft fair ticket booth.

Then the band started and so did the dancing.  And it never stopped.

Let’s do it again next year, ok mom?
Happy, happy birthday!  We love you.

Good morning.
It’s Friday.

49er preseason football officially starts tonight.
Which also means that Fantasy Football is just around the corner.
Which makes my husband get a little bit crazy.
He used to care only about the Niners and the Pats.
And I’m 100% ok with that.
I like watching those games.
But Fantasy Football has caused him to care about every single team.
And every player on each team.
And watch every single game.
Sometimes, I want to flick the inventor of Fantasy Football in the forehead.

Anyway, it’s also weekly Instagram recap time.
Way more interesting than football.

We like to swim.
Have I mentioned that yet?

It was Dave’s birthday on Saturday.
For his present, he got the girls clubs and is going to teach them how to play.
Kayla is actually really good.
But she totally knows it.

 

Ashlyn might be a little too young.
And beastly.

.

Dave’s birthday dinner.
At Vivace.
Our favorite place.
They make him chicken parm, special.
Not on the menu.

Pastor in the prayer chair.
Have I mentioned this is my favorite Hope tradition?

GOOD cake.
Rough handwriting.
It was early.

Little mama, Ashlyn with Baby Hayden.
Baby Hayden wanted her real mama.
Little mama was not taking a hint.

A whole lot of shenanigans when crazy mommy bloggers get together.
Mel and I were giving Keri the 411 on Insta.
She only had one friend.
We changed that real quick.

Have I mentioned that Couch to 5k is trying to kill me?
It’s an ihpone app that bosses you around in a really polite voice.
“Walk.”
“Jog.”
“Walk.”
“Jog.”
I’m beginning to wonder if the people at Couch to 5k have actually talked to the people on the couches.
Exactly how long have they been on the couch?
That makes a difference, you know.
Today, I started Level 2.
Alot more jogging.
Less walking.
Alot of wanting to punch the polite voice in the face.

This has been my breakfast all week.
Kashi Go Lean Crunch w/ strawberries and TJ’s dried blueberries.
It’s not all that bad.
If you’re a hamster.
Have I mentioned that I’m a little grouchy?

 

Linking up with Jeannett!

Happy Friday, friends.

This won’t be very interesting. At all.

Just a warning.

One kid is sick.

The other kid has been annoying the sick kid.

ALL day.

 

And compared to last night?  Nowhere close to as exciting.

 

So, here it is.

A dead boring 10 on 10.

You can thank me later for enriching your afternoon.

Morning walk/run.

I started Couch to 5k on Saturday.

And I’m still alive.

And why yes, that’s a Sunday paper at my feet.

Even though it’s Wednesday.

Why you ask?

Because I have a husband who can’t say no to the kids who come door to door.

Claiming to be paying for their entire college education via newspaper sales.

He usually invites them in.

Gives them something to drink.

Let’s them use our bathroom.

We don’t read the newspaper.

Ever.

But I think we’re getting 3+ different subscriptions.

But someone is going to college.

3 people actually.

My breakfast.

A really good breakfast, I might add.

If you’re Couch to 5king.

Otherwise, not the best breakfast.

A little mid-morning Wubzy.

Not my favorite show.  Not my favorite soundtrack.

Anytime anyone has a hint of a fever I immediately default to the BRAT diet.

Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast.

I figure it will lessen the impact of the hurling that’s 80% likely to materialize at any moment.

This is our garage.

Did you just break out in hives?

I do. EVERY time I look.

This is poor KK.

Quarantined.

This is Ashlyn.

Not pleased with the quarantine.

This is Jennifer and Kevin.

Definitely the bright spot in our day.

Jennifer is the sister of my Aunt Melissa.

Who married my dad’s brother, Dave.

Their family makes the best chocolate desert in all the world.

They live in LA but were in town and stopped by for a visit.

Such a sweet couple.

They also bought cupcakes.

Ashlyn ate Kayla’s.

Sorry about the XYZ action she has going on there.

Kobi’s eyes look sad because his chest should be bright white.

And he knows he needs a trip to the groomer.

 

And with that, I will put this post out of it’s misery.

 

You’re welcome.

For all the excitement.

This lady let me take over her space yesterday.

Such a privilege.  Thanks, Jeannett.

 

Her current fundraising series benefits children with special needs.

She asked that I share Ashlyn’s story.

So I did.

If you haven’t read it yet, you can read it here.

And if you feel inclined, please donate by clicking on the yellow “Chip In” button below.

It’s a pretty amazing cause.

She’s raising money for an incredible organization that provides children with new wheelchairs.

Children who would otherwise be unable to afford wheelchairs.

$59.50 buys one wheelchair.

Wanna buy a wheelchair?

I know you do.

Please do.

For Ashlyn?

Thank you.

 

Unrelated,

this lady is hosting a fun mug swap.

Participate.  You’ll get a mug.

Hopefully a cute one.

 

Also unrelated,

this lady is starting a fun new series on encouragement today.

Check it out.

Be encouraged.

Encourage someone else.

 

And… that’s all I’ve got for today.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

I have found there to be a direct correlation between the temperature outside and the frequency at which I post.

The summer has made me a bad, bad blogger.

I have also found there to be a correlation between the temperature outside and the frequency at which I take pictures.

The summer has made me a really great iphone-tographer.

I missed last week’s InstaFriday installment.

But I took a zillion pictures.

So grab a cup or galloon of coffee and sit a while.

 

That, right here?  My most boring Instagram to date.

I work in an ambulance call center.  Part time.  Just 7 days a month.

Yesterday my co-worker took a call for a wild boar attack.

And gunshot wound to the knee.

Same guy.

Rough day.

My daughter is a labeler.  I am a labeler.

I label plastic bins with household products.

She labels huskies.

I’m glad it’s not the other way around.

 

Dave did a wedding last Saturday.

And he has a tricky little way of tucking the ceremony notes in his bible.

I think it’s cute.

He’s very proud of the whole arrangement.

File folders and/or binders do not belong at the altar.

 

Her dress was off the charts gorgeous.

So is California, by the way.

The weather was perfect.

The groom, Matt is a high school friend of my brother.

Jason (bottom left) is also a high school friend of my brother.

He married Alice (bottom right).

Then there’s my brother and his wife, Kennah.

Dave did both their weddings, too.

It’s fun to see my brother’s friends grow up.

I love that we’re still a part of their lives.

Also, I ventured out of my black top comfort zone.

My brother said I looked like a cast member on the show “Outsourced.”

Hater.

 

How cute are these two?

They have an awesome GI Jane/GI Joe love story.

Met serving in the army together.

She looks like a princess.

But deep down she is totally beastly.

Defending our country.

I love Luke 1:37.

Don’t ever ask Dave about Luke 1:37 though.

You’ll get an hour long dissertation on how it’s misinterpreted 95% of the time.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

 

Back to my 5,000 pictures.

These two love the club.

All you can swim.  All you can eat.

All on Pop Pop’s account.

Summertime and the livin’ is easy.

 

Two daddies and their babies.

2011 is pretty incredible.

 

We went to the Sacramento State Fair last Tuesday.

Dave enjoys the fair.

Can’t you tell?

She had big plans.

Different than ours.

Which is standard.

 

They made up later.

LOVE this picture.

 

Meanwhile, Kayla and I ventured into the bug exhibit.

She pet this one.  For like 10 minutes.

Sometimes I don’t know where she came from.

 

Branden and Kennah met us at the fair.  The live close by.

Branden and Dave won ginormous pink and purple apes for the girls.

Which I was secretly praying against.

I have self-diagnosed extralargestuffedanimalaphobia.

One was “accidentally” left at Grandmum’s house.

The other took a one-way trip to the Good Will.

Shhh.

 

A spool is short for “sitting pool.”

Branden and Kennah have one in their backyard.

And it’s pretty fun, I must say.

The girls think it’s a mini-pool, just for them.

It’s much better than commute traffic.

This I know.

 

Our friends had a birthday party for their daughter on Thursday night.

Happy Birthday, Lyd!

Thanks for the Rapunzel tattoos.

We still have them.

On our arms.  And legs.  And feet.

Really.  Thanks.

 

We went to see the San Jose Giants play on Saturday.

Ashlyn had a love/hate relationship with the monkey mascot.

Kayla enjoyed the pizza.

Neither watched a second of the game.

Dave bit his nails like his life depended out the outcome.

They won.  In case you were dying to know.

 

Ashlyn decided it was her turn in the Sunday School teaching rotation.

Cindy was an excellent student.

 

Ashlyn also decided it was also her turn in the worship rotation.

Patrick?  Add her to the list, please.

 

Kayla’s troop earned their “earth is our friend” badge by participating in a beach clean-up on Monday.

Although, I’m proud to say that San Mateo beaches have it together.

Not a whole lot to pick up.

The earth really IS our friend.

 

Somebody is 100% potty trained.  Even at night.

So she got a bike.

Well, actually Nan and Pops just bought her a bike.

But we pretended it was because we don’t have to buy Pull-Ups any more.

 

This girl loves to jump rope.

Our new house is on a court-ish like bendy street.

Hard to explain.

But perfect for jump roping.

 

The girls love the Red Bird.

I might love their fries, too.

And onion rings.

And Whiskey River BBQ burger.

And Blue Ribbon burger

And BLTA croissant.

And the Mud Pie.

But we go for the girls.

Because they love it.

 

And I will conclude this Insta-marathon with a beverage you must try immediately.

Crystal Light Arnold Palmer.

1/2 packet of CL Iced Tea + 1/2 packet of CL Lemonade = aspartame  cocktail of early death.

But 100% worth the few months you’ll lose.

Promise.

 

 

Linking up with Jeannett!

Happy Friday, friends!

Today I’m going to share a recipe I learned about from my brother’s ex-girlfriend.

Which has the potential to be awkward.

But it’s not.

Because she’s awesome.

He’s awesome.

They both married really awesome people.

And she makes awesome popcorn.

And awesome sweet treats trump awesome awkward every day of the week.

Check out her blog.  It’s awesome, too.

 

Here’s what you’ll need.

12 cups popped popcorn

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 cup Karo syrup

1 stick real butter (1/2 cup)

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

 

Ready?  It super easy.  And super delish.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Pop 12 cups of popcorn.

Steph used a fancy popper.

I got some help from old man Orville.

I bag = 12 cups.

Set popcorn aside.

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a microwave safe bowl.

Have your assistant keep busy by breaking up the brown sugar chunks.

Cut stick of butter into pats.

Place on top of sugar and cinnamon mixture.

Pour Karo syrup on top.

Microwave on high for 30 seconds.

Stir.

Microwave for 2 minutes.

Stir again.

Microwave for 2 additional minutes.

Mixture will be crazy hot and look like it will bubble over.

But it won’t.

Quickly add your baking soda and vanilla.

It gets fizzy and foamy.

A little mini science experiment, right there in the kitchen.

I was so distracted by all the excitement, I didn’t even get a picture.

My assistant ditched me for her bike so she missed out.

STIR QUICKLY AND POUR QUICKLY over popcorn.

It starts to harden very fast.

So quit looking at the science experiment.

And step on it.

Seriously.

Gently fold the mixture into the popcorn.

Coat well.

Transfer popcorn to a foil lined baking sheet.

Bake for 30 minutes.

Let cool.

Your assistant will miraculously return.

And she’ll bring a friend.

That has no pants on.