Cute, cute, cute!

At the risk of exposing myself to a multitude of comments (about my baby being almost 10 and no other babies on the way)  from sisters who shall remain nameless, these pictures are too cute not to share. Earlier this week we had the chance to watch our neighbors' 7-month old for the day. We had such a fun time talking baby talk and playing peek-a-boo.  This little one is so darn cute ~ we think she should be the next Gerber baby. 

Mmm, mmm good!

Since the girls are in Florida visiting their dad for a few weeks, Rick and I had the chance to head out of town for a couple of days beginning last Thursday.  We didn't go very far since we had some place to be on Saturday (that's another post for another day),  but Travelocity found us a great deal in the small town of Goshen, NY.  We chose Goshen because it is centrally located between a huge premium outlet mall and a huge four story mall so we thought we'd do a little shopping.  Those of you who know me best are already questioning our plan as you know I am not a shopper and the mall is not one of the top ten places you would find me hanging out.  But it has been hot in NY this summer and any sort of outside activity was not appealing to us.  As I logged into the specific website for our hotel, we discovered that we would be staying within 5 miles of the Hacienda Mexican Restaurant.  Upon further investigation, we discovered that the room we booked had an in-suite jacuzzi tub.  It was fate!   Who needs shopping when you have chips and salsa and a jacuzzi tub? 

Anyway, the restaurant was fabulous!  The decor was authentic, the staff very kind, and the food to die for.  We started with appetizers of guacamole and shredded beef chilaquilas.  Rick ordered a chicken chimichanga and I ordered the cheese enchilada plate.  I always judge a Mexican food restaurant by their cheese enchiladas and these did not disappoint.  For dessert we shared the cheesecake chimi - cinnamon and sugar flour tortillas filled with cheesecake and deep fried; served with ice cream and chocolate sauce with strawberries.  Most definitely the best Mexican food we've had since moving here!

The greeter at Hacienda - kind of cool but kind of creepy when it's dark out....

My favorite part of the decor were the hundreds of strands of curling ribbon hanging from the ceiling.  They were all different colors but hung in circular patterns and were curled to different degrees.  Sounds weird but I think it would be a cheap but cute way to decorate for a party.

After dinner we went back to the hotel and watched TV while soaking in the jacuzzi tub. 

We spent Friday at the various shops and malls as previously planned; and for once (ever) I came home with more finds than Rick or the girls.  

Total shopping bag count:

Rick -1

Girls -1 (and they weren't even there)

Steph -5

When do we get to go again?

My Padre

I stole this picture from my sister's blog about her new little Olivia's blessing day.  Her post is filled with awesome pictures of all the family that was there; and some beautiful pictures of my little niece in her blessing dress.  But for some reason, of all the pictures my sister posted, this one tugs at my heart strings the most.  Maybe nobody will understand why; I'm not even sure I do but that's ok.  It's okay because my dad is so great ~ even when he's sitting on the floor in the foyer at church taking a little nap.  Padre, I hope you know what an awesome dad you are! I love you and I am so grateful that you're my Dad!

Sneaking out already??

Last weekend Rick and I went out with some friends for the evening.  We knew we would be out past bedtime so we told the girls it was up to them to get to bed on time.  True to form, Julee shrugged her shoulders and nodded okay; while Alexis proceeded to spend the next few minutes informing us of all the reasons why it was unfair that she should have to go to bed on time while we were out "partying" (her words, not mine).  Even when we talked to them on the phone as they were going to bed, Alexis' "I love you too" had multiple meanings.  When we got home that night, I went to check on them and kiss them goodnight.  This is what I found...............

Whew - a sleeping angel in her bed

Or not.......Big Stitch, what's going on? Where's Alexis?

We found Alexis.....in our bed. I guess she showed us, huh?

I am not even going to try to deny that more often than not she gets the best of us; but she always has, hasn't she?  That's what makes her our Lekkis!

Happy Birthday Julee!!

Does anybody remember this cute little baby named Julee Nicole?  If you can believe it, today we celebrated her official entry into the world of the teenager!  Julee had a great birthday in which she was spoiled at church with a spotlight and cheesecake in her Sunday School class. Then cheesecake again in Young Women's.  Her requested birthday dinner consisted of Hawaiian Haystacks and Sparkling Grape Juice.  And of course, cheesecake for dessert! 

It is hard to believe that 13 years have passed so quickly - here are 13 things you may or may not know about Miss Julee Lulee:

1. She is an expert remote control airplane pilot

2. Her favorite food group is carbohydrates (she says she's a breadivore) 

3. She is constantly trying to convince her dad he NEEDS to bring her a Cream Soda from the vending machine at his work

4. Her favorite Pokemon is Squirtle (don't ask - it takes too long to explain)

5. She is always cracking her knuckles, her neck, her back, etc despite parental protest

6. She is always a good sport and participates at any activity as long as you can convince her to actually leave the house

7. She is raising a monster beta fish named Stephen

8. Her favorite pastime is hanging out in her "cave" (aka her bedroom) listening to her MP3 player

9. She plays a killer game of Skip-Bo

10. Team Edward or Team Jacob? - Still on the fence because her peacemaker self refuses to decide

11. She can touch the tip of her nose with her tongue (I think this one always makes the cut because it's just so weird)

12. She asked for (and got) a replica of the original copy of the Book of Mormon so she could read it like a chapter book

13. She has parents who are privileged to stand beside her as she excels in school - both academically and in extracurricular activities; knows how to make the best of any situation; is constantly looking for opportunities to learn and to grow; and most importantly has a strong testimony that she is a daughter of our Heavenly Father who loves her.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JULEE! WE LOVE YOU!

Woes of Laundry

This is the result of shaking out every item of clothing of a load of clothes that shared the washing machine with a mini pack of Kleenex left in the pocket of a 12 year old's jeans.  I can laugh about it now that it's not 11:30 at night.

Cruising the Streets of Downtown Hartford

Last week Rick and one of his co-workers were working out of town in Connecticut.  They were on their way to a recruiting station in downtown Hartford when the unexpected happened.  As they were getting ready to proceed through a green traffic light (I emphasize green because Rick will also go through yellow and pink traffic lights), 2 motorcycle cops stopped all the traffic in the intersection.  They waited awhile and kept looking for the funeral procession or other emergency vehicles to come through.  To their surprise, this is what they saw coming around the corner......

The girls got a kick out of the "pooper scooper" supplies following closely behind the elephants.

Rick just couldn't resist having his picture taken with the celebrities.

Elephants cruising downtown are certainly not the first thing that come to your mind when you contemplate your adventures of the day.