Sparkles

When we got Sparkles, I knew that she wasn't "fixed". I had thought about it and wasn't really sure what I wanted to do... I guess I just couldn't bring myself to basically decide if she could have kids or not. Who am I to decide that? Maybe she wants to be a Mommy? So, we kind of dragged our feet on the issue, and, well, she went in to heat! I've NEVER had a female dog before, or one in heat for that matter. I didn't even know it was about to occur. Jan-Michael was the one who discovered it one morning... I was at work, so I tried explaining to him that the previous owner had given us a diaper for her to wear. He interpreted that as making his own diaper out of a puppy pad! Creative, yes... effective, yes... practical and comfortable, no. haha I took a picture of it because I just couldn't stop laughing!
Anyway, since this little experience, we have decided to go ahead and have her spayed. I don't think we will be in a house any time soon, therefore can not take on more pets if she has puppies (I can't imagine taking them ALL away from her). The shelters around here are already crowded, so I'm not comfortable taking the risk of trying to give away all of them and failing, resulting in puppies in shelters. And the biggest reason of all- she was miserable! She had no energy, seemed depressed, and just looked so sad! I don't think I can let her go through that again. The changing the pad in the diaper obstacle wasn't bad, nor expensive. She wasn't messy at all, either. It only lasted around two weeks too. AND the rumor I heard about dogs chasing after her/waiting around for her never happened (this is why she did NOT come to AZ with me). Anyone need doggie diapers?!

And now, some cute pictures of Sparkles!


The celebrity... "no pictures please!"







"This better be a non-fat latte!"









"I'm watching the Dog Whisperer"









"Just uploading some pics of myself..."









"Aren't I cute?!"

A Hot 4th Of July in AZ

Due to the loss of some great people, both family and friends, Jan-Michael and I planned a trip to AZ. The soonest I could make it was over 4th of July weekend. Unfortunately, Jan-Michael and Sparkles couldn't come at the last minute. But I was able to give out hugs and smiles to our family/friends who needed it. Our thoughts and prayers are continually with you Kyle, Summer and Paul.


Instead of running around like a crazy lady with my head cut-off, I planned a nice patriotic BBQ! So everyone came to me! Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who came and brought food. I so miss your faces and I felt blessed to spend time with you! The BBQ was at Chandler Desert Breeze park. I know I went out on a limb having an outside BBQ in July in AZ! But this park has a lake, so I thought it might drop the temperature down.... it was still blazing hot, but nobody seemed to mind. Plus we had it at sunset, so by the time it was dark, it wasn't too bad. Thanks to Kara, Paul and Kyle for helping with all the grilling! Without Jan-Michael there, I didn't know what I was going to do! We had some furry friends too- Blossom (Cari's dog), one of Sparkles favorite friends, and Colbie (Greg & Mona's dog). There were also little munchkins, Duncan (Kurt & Michele's son), Kyler (Beth's daughter), and little Oliver (Karin & Brian's son). What cuties!













I spent the 4th with my Dad and sister... just like the good ol' days! We went to Four Peaks Brewery for lunch. I had never been there before. I don't like beer, but they have good food! At least now I know what Summer and Brian were always talking about haha! After lunch we went to the Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers game! I don't care where I live, I'll always be a Dbacks fan! It was military appreciation day, so I think my Dad's whole base was there! I painted my nails during one of the innings. Thank goodness they had the roof closed and the air conditioning on! Unfortunately, the Dbacks lost to L.A. =(













After the game we headed to Peoria Sports Complex and met up with Janelle and Domonique's families. Janelle's little sister is now a Radio Disney dancer, so we sat in front of Radio Disney's stage all night. They played games and had trivia and danced. It was really fun! Once it was dark, they had pretty amazing fireworks complete with patriotic music! We also got to take a picture with Justine and the other Radio Disney dancers. So cute!



Before I left, we picked up Grandpa and Grandma and had our regular visit lunch at BJ Big Apple. Love those two! Another great visit complete! See you next time AZ!

Eclipse

Catching up, June part 4

Well Twihards, Crumbs made Edward and Jacob cupcakes! Crumbs is only my most FAVORITE cupcake place in the world. And I'm a picky person when it comes to cake/cupcakes. So, that means it's really good =)


A couple months ago, my friend Scottie and I starting having this Jacob vs. Edward battle. Basically love vs. lust. We called it our Jacob vs. Edward Facebook war! So of course we had to have a Jacob cupcake vs. Edward cupcake taste competition. Edward- vanilla cake, filled with raspberry preserve, frosted with vanilla cream cheese frosting, yellow & white sugar around the edge, and a red fondant moon cookie.
Jacob- chocolate cake, filled & frosted with chocolate cream cheese frosting, decorated with chocolate curls around the edge and a red fondant moon cookie on top. I told him Jacob would loose because Crumbs makes really good fruit-filled cupcakes, but he didn't listen. So we had a taste contest in the movie theatre (we put our cupcakes in tupperware) and.... drum roll please..... Edward's won!


Prior to seeing the movie, we went to Burger King (eh, not my favorite) because they had Twilight goodies. By goodies I mean scratchers and toys. haha!

Anyway, lots of fun and a fantastic movie =) Oh and if you're wondering what Team Scottie is on now... he's undecided! I think our war is over!

All About Nathan

Catching up! June part 3

This post is all about Nathan because we had a Nathan weekend! Nathan is one of our closest friends. We met while working at Disneyland! The last weekend in June was a very important weekend for him.... He turned 28, threw his first BBQ, and was baptised!!!

We played Apples to Apples, a hilarious game of Wii Mario Brothers, ate lots of food and had fun company. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Happy birthday Nathan!


The following day, we attended church with Nathan, his family and his other friends. After the service, we headed outside where they had a special baptism pool. He shared his faith and the road that lead to his baptism! Congratulations Nathan!









We are so blessed to have you as our friend =)

Toy Story 3 Event

Catching up! June part 2



Another Disney event at the El Capitan Theatre! Honestly, the best part of moving back to CA... I don't have to miss them anymore!

So who has seen Toy Story 3? Who cried? Who loves it?!

April was in town when we decided to see Toy Story 3 at Disney's El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood. So, we made sure we got her a Toy Story shirt at Disneyland. After we saw the movie, we headed over to a high school football field this time. They had a ton of tents, a track, games, rides, carnival food, etc for the Toy Story "Fun Zone". Usually the events we go to our inside and have a ton of characters to take pictures with. This one had only a few characters, but a lot of games. You could race someone on a tricycle... throw balls at toy trolls.... go fishing for monkeys in a barrel... They also had little toy stations where you could play with toys- including Ken's dream house! There was an oversize chair and oversized crayons to make you feel like a toy. And of course, like every event, free digital photos! They also had a Dancing with the Toys show, ferris wheel, monkey bars, playground, maze, popcorn, snowcones, cotton candy, video games, etc. We only saw Buzz and Woody... it was a week night so we left just before Jessie came out. Aw shucks!

I think this movie is my favorite in the series =)

Tour Guide Barbie

Catching up! June part 1

Our wonderful friend April came to visit from Pennsylvania for a week! We've never had anyone stay with us that long, so we were worried we would run out of entertaining things to do... but I guess I forgot where we live! The bonus- she loves Disney =)

Disneyland
April and I went to Disneyland for a full day on a Saturday. I'm talking open to close. Whew. That kicked my butt. We also went for a half day the following afternoon. The most fun thing about this trip to Disneyland was making smashed pennies. We had a list of all the penny presses around the Disneyland Resort. I had a bag full of quarters and shiny pennies. As I pressed pennies from the various machines, we would check them off the list! The reason? Our mutual friends, Matt and Maggie, have a son who started collecting them on his first trip to Disney World. They sent me $20 to make more for his collection. It was so fun! Besides that, we had a little trouble with World of Color. As stated before, I've only ever received a ticket for World of Color by purchasing a picnic meal. I found out that picnics and restaurant reservations have a reserved area for World of Color. April and I tried getting tickets with the rest of the crowd- waiting in an hour long line and hoping the Fast Pass machine spits out the time you wanted. What we didn't know was that even though we got there an hour early, we couldn't find a place to stand. Plus, we're short girls! Because of a series of unfortunate events, we ended up walking out. However, the wonderful Guest Relations Cast Members at City Hall rose our spirits with reserved seating for Fantasmic that night and new World of Color tickets for the following day. I love guest magic! And just so everyone knows... Disneyland now sells light-up cotton candy! I know, totally amazing! We had unbelieveable spots for World of Color- check out the pictures I took (this time with my GOOD camera!)! Click Here

American Girl
I took full advantage of the fact that April grew up knowing about American Girl books and dolls and made her eat with me at the American Girl Cafe! Ok, well, I didn't make her... but it was a lot of fun! Especially since Janelle was our server! Hey! I took my 17 year old doll, Kirsten, and April got to "borrow" Rebecca. It's just all so girly, you can't help but have a good time. Even for a kids restaurant, the food is delicious.






We also took April to the City Walk, dinner at the Americana with my co-worker Mele and her husband Siaki, and a tour of the Crystal Cathedral in Anaheim.




While I was at work, Jan-Michael put the tour guide cap on. They went to Hollywood, Beverly Hills, and Griffith Park. Recognize Jan's celebrity picture? That's Larry King who was shopping on Rodeo Drive!






Before April came to stay with us, she visited with her family in AZ for a week. After she stayed with us, she headed north to stay with her family in Northern CA! Man, I want to be a teacher and get that much time off! Thanks for visiting April!