Yep I'm 40, and loving it!

They say that 40 is old. They say that the prime of your life is over. They say it's time to start dressing and acting your age. They say that your 40th Birthday should be one of the hardest days of your life. They say a lot of things.... and I buck the system every time.

40 for me means a really great excuse to get together with those that I love, those who have raised me and made me the lady I am today, have grown up alongside me, have gone to school with me, have worked alongside me, have laughed and cried with me through the good and the bad. 40 is a celebration. 40 is great. 40 is a perfect time to be altogether much spunkier and hotter than society says is normal. 40 IS FABULOUS!

I also happen to be the luckiest girl in the world. I have done something right in life because I have the most doding, adorable, and thoughtful husband on the planet. Life has also blessed me and brought me a kindred spirit in a new friend, Dominique. A friend who is so eerily similar to me that our kids often mistake us for one another. A friend who willingly devotes months of time, talent, and love into planning this bash for me.

I know that normally on this little blog of mine it is all about the kids. Well today I am officially having a selfish moment. It is MY BLOG after all. So you are about to be bombarded with multiple photo's of what has become arguably the best night of my life! Brace yourself to be wowed.

Flowers were everywhere, in my favorite colors, including hydrangeas which happen to be my personal favorite, and included fabulous black feathers and a bit of bling!

My '40' montage, complete with tons of black and white photo's of my entire life! Brilliant right?

The cutest dang candy dishes ever. Notice the labels. 40 can 'kiss' my ass. 40 and still 'hot'. And not pictured here 40 'blows' with blow pops!

As guests arrived they were given a goody bag to take home later (full of chocolate of course in silver and hot pink) and attached were drink tickets. Magically keeping the bar tab at a reasonable rate!

Guests started arriving... among them my High School Besties!!!

My new lady friend Besties!!!

My Bestie from school and work!

And flown in just for me, my baby Sister. I was totally shocked, hysterical, cried like a baby, as did everyone in the room. I miss my Sister more than anything, so surprise time spent with her is priceless to me.

Among many, many others that the camera didn't touch. We had a banquet room full of fun loving people. Bring on the band!!!

And LET'S DANCE!!! (Footloose quote)

AND SING!!!

AND BE HAPPY!

My personal favorite of the night. My cake! The cutest thing ever. Totally captures my personality. 3 delicious flavors to behold. Compliments of 'Salt Cake City'. Will totally be utilizing their talents again someday. I may never bake a birthday cake again!

And because it also happened to be Wade's birthday that very day, Dominique had a special poker style cake to surprise him with.

And that is the point in your life where you realize that life is pretty darn good. Good friends, good times, so many memories to cherish. I am truly grateful for anyone and everyone that had a part in creating this spectacle for me. I loved every moment. My only regret was that it couldn't go on for days and days. So do as I do... Embrace 40 for what it is... FABULOUS!!!

Happy Christmas

As I reflect on this Christmas past, I wonder why I didn't mind when my sweet hubby didn't want to put lights on the house. Why I didn't feel like decorating the entire house with the 6 trees that reside in my basement. Why it took me until Dec 20th to get all the obligatory Christmas cards in the mail. Why I didn't stress about the details so much. Is it a bad thing? I begin with a quote from Dr. Seuss that I believe sums it up quite nicely...


“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas … perhaps … means a little bit more!”


Maybe it means seeing my 16 year old on Santa's lap.



Maybe it means seeing my mother in law engaging ALL of her grand children (even the skeptical teens) in a silly game.


Maybe it means watching the boys and their cousins sit n' bounce the night away.

Maybe it means spontaneous displays of brotherly affection.

Maybe it means having something snuggly for Christmas Eve after a long night.

Maybe it means loving those who can't tell you how much they love you back.



All of these things are the moments I will remember when looking back on this Holiday season. The moments, not the momentos. The people, not the purchases. The love, not the loot.

Happy Christmas.... Happy 2012!

Vegas for Veterans Day

I realize that I do waaaay to many baseball posts. I really do try to even it out with other things, I promise. Jake has been living and breathing this sport since he was 7 years old. He has played on a few different teams but eventually settled comfortably into the 'Rebels' when Wade took the leap and decided to coach. They have steadily improved as a team, dropping and picking up players when necessary, and basically practicing their butts off year round.


They play in about 1 tournament a month. We have traveled all throughout the state of Utah, into Arizona and Nevada. For some reason unbeknown to us that elusive First place has been frustratingly out of our reach. Always going home with 2nd or 3rd place. Until now that is....


We decided earlier in the year it would be fun to go to Vegas in the Fall to play at the Big League Dream Park. We paid our $500 registration fees, rented a house, packed up the truck and hit the road. 4 Pool play games were challenging but our boys played flawless defense, and our deep pitching bench held up. On to championship day with a 1 seed. We were excited, but had been here so many times before that we were also carefully optimistic.


Well, the old saying 'Hard work pays off' finally came true. The Rebels went to war with a Nevada team and a California team. They won both games by a margin of 1. They were both immensely intense games. I was a pacing, nail biting, photo taking, nightmare bundle of nerves. I wanted it so bad for them I could taste it. When that final run was scored to end the game I literally dropped to my knees and cried. Have you ever wanted something so bad for your kids and you finally see them achieve it and it brings you to your knees? Incredible feeling.


I'm glad it didn't come easy. I'm glad they had to work hard for it. It makes victory so much sweeter when there is blood, sweat and tears to back it up. Way to go Rebels. This Rebel mom is Proud as a Peacock!

Utes & Us in San Fran

Wade & I took our annual road trip to watch the Utes play an away game a few weeks ago. We pulled out the football schedule months ago and decided that San Francisco in October sounded grand. Here is our Hotel Monaco in the heart of the city. Notable quote from the concierge. "When you leave the Hotel, always go right. Never go left, left is bad very bad."


Upon our arrival we hit the Fisherman's Wharf. First stop... Boudin Bakery for the original sourdough bread. Holy shitake it was delicious.


We wandered the waterfront, stumbled into the nickel arcade with all it's refurbished puppet shows, peep shows, and games. Here's Wade trying to get a peep at the Triple XXX show. Sorry kid, built around 1950 the only skin was a bit of knee.


When the hunger pangs returned, we stepped up to the crab bar and got us some fresh Dungeness. Fresh off the boat and dropped in the steamer just for us.

The next morning we caught the morning boat to Alcatraz. A lifelong dream of Wade's! It was creepy, historic, and fascinating. We took the audio tour, and then spent some time wandering around the Island.

Amazingly there is a very active botanical group that nourishes several indigenous plants and flowers. A strange backdrop for such beauty.

It was also game day so we caught the F-train to Bart to Giants Stadium.

As has become tradition, the Utes took a beating. I'm starting to think we're a jinx. We had a great time at a beautiful stadium though and It was nice to be around some friendlies.


Customarily a day of Football is followed by a day of shopping. Give and take. We had fun exploring Chinatown and Union Square. Found a few treasures and trinkets. My fav? $35 silk robe and pajamas.

Rode a trolley car.



We were in need of a real adventure. The next day we rented some mountain bikes and unknowingly set off on a 14 mile bike ride. Almost got hit by a bus, Almost died of exhaustion, Almost didn't find one of the biggest bridges in the world! We had peddled for hours. Saw a lot of beautiful things....

The painted ladies


The Observatory in the Golden Gate Park...




The Japanese Tea Garden...

Floral Delight in the form of my favorite, Hydrangeas...


Glorious Redwood...

and then finally there it was... sneaking out of the fog... like a magnificent sunset...

It is 1.7 miles across the bridge and the wind speed had to be about 50 mph.

We gorged ourselves on lunch in a little seaside town called Sausalito then found the nearest Boat back to the mainland. Look out baby, that birdie might just poop on you!

Some leftover photos from the trip that made my short list of favorites!



Until next year....