Are you kidding me?

So, I'm reading fox news a second ago and come across this little blurb in the entertainment section. I use to like this girl, uh not anymore. Seriously, you've got to be kidding me...is this even legal? This girl is basically saying it's okay to smoke pot, can you imagine all her little fans out there thinking she's some idol to be praised, reading this? No wonder Hollywood is so dang messed up.

Kirsten Dunst Praises Pot

She might have an angelic appearance on the outside, but Kirsten Dunst says “Bring it On” when it comes to marijuana.

"I drink moderately, I've tried drugs. I do like weed," Dunst told a British paper, as reported by U.K’s The Sun. "I have a different outlook on marijuana than America does.

"My best friend Sasha’s dad was Carl Sagan, the astronomer. He was the biggest pot smoker in the world and he was a genius.”

The “Spider-Man” star also believes that the world would be a “better place” if everyone followed her lead in weaving a web of weed smokers.

"I've never been a major smoker, but I think America's view on weed is ridiculous. I mean — are you kidding me?” Dunst added. “If everyone smoked weed, the world would be a better place.”

Big News!!!

These 11 days of April have been the busiest I can remember, but I've finally got a spare moment to sit down and blog. I thought I'd bring everyone up to speed on what's going on with our lives and what we've been up to. Don't be upset about the lack of pics, I accidentally left the camera in the car that Carlos took to work so, those will come later.
We started off April with a week in California, San Diego in particular. We flew into LAX early and spent the day at Disneyland. Seriously, that place is so much fun when you have kids! I was actually surprised err I mean SHOCKED that Talmage was so dang good. I thought the waiting in line thing was gonna be a problem, but he was such a champ and we had the best time. From there we drove to San Diego and made up our minds to have no plans and just go with the flow. I always feel like that makes a vacation so much more fun, when nothing is scheduled. We did a lot of stuff in San Diego....SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, Coronado, Laguna Beach, Old Town San Diego and a lot more. It honestly was the PERFECT vacation.
Next thing is...since my sister could care less about her blog, I will inform the blogging world that Katie is finally, officially......ENGAGED (yes folks, ring on her finger and everything). She is getting married in Manti on June 22 (Erica...I hope maybe you'll be here). So that's really exciting and besides all the other stuff going on I've been busy helping with all the preparations for that. But, I don't mind...that's fun stuff! So a little update on that...Katie and Brian already bought a house...smart kids...in Orem and they have a cute little Beagle named Harley. Katie is living in the house now and getting it all cute and ready for the little couple once their married. We are so excited this is finally happening, it's been a long time coming.
Next thing...Talmage is 4...I can hardly believe it. We had a great birthday party with lots of pizza and salad and cake and ice cream. Talmage loved playing superhero's with his cousin Atticus. Talmage was Spiderman and Atticus was Captain Clearface (hilarious pictures to come).
Next, was Easter...we have a tradition of going to the Benjamin Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday morning and then going over to Grandma's (my mom) for another Easter Egg Hunt and a delicious brunch. As always, it was a ton of fun and Talmage made out with way too much candy and toys. On Easter Sunday Talmage searched everywhere for his basket and finally found it after about 10 clues. He loved the candy of course and the rocket launcher (pictures to come). For Easter dinner we went to Carlos' Mom and Dad's and had yummy food and good company...all in all a great day with nice weather.
With family BBQ's and friend get-togethers inbetween it's been a crazy crazy April so far.
BUT the big news is...something I can finally share....I'M PREGNANT...yes, I am finally 12 weeks and feel like it's ok to tell the world that after nearly 2 1/2 years of trying and 2 years on fertility drugs, I am finally pregnant and we couldn't be happier. Now, before you all go wondering just how many are in there, I had an ultrasound already and we are beyond relieved that so far, there is only one child!
So that's all folks...all the news you've missed and were dying to know..... hahahaha....like I said pictures to come. Later

"Way Back When" Wednesday......numero tres

Good ole' Mr. Belvedere, a favorite from back in 1986. I watched this show everyday after school, while doing my homework, along with Who's the Boss and Full House of course. So here are the words from the song...straight from memory, see if you can sing along.

Streaks on the china,
never mattered before
who cares
When you dropped kicked your jacket
As you came through the door,
No one glared
But sometimes things get turned around
And no one’s spared.
All hands look out below
here’s a change in the status quo.
Gonna need all the help that we can get.
According to our new arrival
Life is more than mere survival
We just might live the good life yet

And who can forget Small Wonder. Jamie and Vicki...such fabulous actors weren't they? (could you sense the sarcasm). I have to admit that my favorite character was actually the annoying red haired girl who always came knocking on the kitchen window saying "heellllooo" in the most annoying way. What was her name, Harriet? Loved it!

She's fantastic, made of plastic
microchips here and there
she's a small wonder, brings love and laughter
everywhere....

Ode to Orange Julius

This happens to be the only recipe I remember from my High School cooking class. Here at our house it reminds us of summertime. It's the yummiest so I'm sharing it with you.
6 0z. frozen orange juice concentrate
1 c. water
1 c. milk
1/2 c. sugar (I use a little less)
1 tsp. vanilla
ice cubes for desired thickness
serve right away with a straw (because that's the best part, unless you like them thick). Enjoy!
serves 4 or 2 really large glasses

Oh So Excited!

So, a week from today Carlos and I are taking Talmage to California for his birthday. I can't believe he's going to be 4. It'll be exciting going to Cali as a kind-of tourist this time, as we will be nowhere near Simi Valley. We are going to do all the fun kids stuff...Disneyland, SeaWorld (Tal loved it last time), San Diego Zoo, The Wild Animal Park, Monterey aquarium and of course hit a couple beaches. Good thing Tal likes animals huh? We are excited, this is a needed vacation (what with Carlos working in the basement basically non-stop) and it'll give us renewed energy.
So, that's my blog for today...I couldn't contain my excitement to be in the warm hot sun for a week and drink up all the beautifulness California has to offer...we miss it!

"Way Back When" Wednesday......numero dos

Ahhh the good old days of slap bracelets. No need to worry about accessorizing in 5th grade (1989). Just grab your favorite animal print slap bracelet and head out the door. If you were lucky they sold slap bracelets at your school store, as in my case. So if I thought cheetah print went with my purple top and stretch, stirrup pants...by golly I could buy it at lunch time for a quarter at the school store. Now this was a great idea...my props to the slap bracelet creator...thanks for starting me on the perfect track to a lifetime of fashion faux pas!!!!

Way back when Wednesday......numero uno

Ok so everyone is doing a themed day and I'm sick of being left out so, I'm starting my own, and it's titled "Way Back When" and it will be featured on Wednesday's. This new theme day will feature things we loved, listened to, or did, way back when. So to get started.....

Do you remember your first Big Wheel? I mean seriously, who didn't have a big wheel. Back in '86 I used to ride my Big Wheel everywhere. I used to chase my brothers around on their big wheels. So the answer is, YES, I remember my first big wheel it was, (can anybody guess) a Barbie big wheel, complete with purple wheels and pink seat! What an ingenious idea....a plastic bike! Well, it was ingenious until you rode it soooo much that the tires started cracking from all the wear and it became all but impossible to pedal. Anyway, just wanted to remind you all of way back when we used to ride big wheels with the wind blowing through our hair and had not a care in the world!

Finally!!!

Secretly, I've been looking forward to this moment for Talmage's whole life. The moment when instead of adding to the ever-present messes around the house, he can finally help dilute them (and I'm not talking just cleaning his room). And so Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Talmage, lending a helping hand when it's time to unload the dishwasher. Ok, now, I realize how this sounds, it may not be a big deal to you but think about this for a minute. I've got him to the point where he knows a regular fork from a salad fork. So he doesn't ask any questions, he just goes and does it. And on top of that, he actually asks me if the dishes are done washing so he can do his little job.
I feel a chore chart coming on and I'm tellin' you....I CANNOT WAIT!

10 Things for a Lovely Spring Day

1. A bath and a good book.
2. Wheat Chex with fresh strawberries.
3. orange citrus candles.
4. A walk, alone, with my husband.
5. A visit to the local nursery and plans for a lovely garden.
6. Taking my child to the park
7. Having lunch out with friends at a swanky bistro and boutique.
8. Doing something meaningful, writing a thank-you note to a friend.
9. Mango Body Butter from The Body Shop
10. Shopping for fun spring scrapbook stuff or a new spring outfit!

Feeling Crafty...

Time again for card club, and more importantly card-making. Such fun! I really enjoy this little time I get to put my creative juices into gear and have something to show for it.
That little pile of cut paper you see there (bottom left) is what Talmage likes to do when I'm working. He takes his little blue scissors and all the scraps of paper I'm finished with and cuts them up into confetti for his party he says.

A year of Card Club has brought in some fun cards. Here are some I pulled out from the archives and haven't sent yet. Maybe you could be one of the lucky ones to receive these handmade, full of love cards!

Back in Blogging Action

After a long blogging sabbatical, I'm finally back! It's pretty embarrassing when your best friend in all the land has to call (long distance I might add) and all but beg you to "please write a new blog". So, just for her (and I guess to erase the shame of not blogging for two months) I am writing a new blog. So..all of you, my three blogging fans, can start living a more peaceful fulfilling life again! HA

The BEST Christmas Present of All!!!

Carlos and I bought a new house. We are really excited!!! It's a house in Cedar Hills..this is by no means a great picture of the outside but it's the best I could get my hands on at the minute. It's a brand new house and we can't wait to move in the middle of January. We love the whole thing but I am especially excited for the kitchen...finally, a big enough kitchen to cook in (I'm not complaining about the others, I just like to cook, and to finally be able to spread out is a blessing). We were almost sick to leave our current house and could never get rid of it completely (we're way too attached) so we are going to be renting it out, hoping that all goes well and it remains in good condition.

So yes, Christmas was good to me this year and Carlos and I are very blessed to be able to have this new home. We can't wait to have everyone over for fun times and food in the future!!!

The fabulous kitchen...yeah for kitchens!!!

** (I have posted a mother load of blogs this morning so make sure to scroll down and view all of our Christmas time celebrations).

Opening Presents at Grandma and Grandpa's

Lance helping Atticus open his noise making truck! Have fun with that Lance! (ha, ha, ha)

Talmage saying thanks to Grandpa with a hug!
Thanks for the toys Atticus!
WOW...what could it be?
The mayhem of it all!!!

Opening Presents at Grandma and Grandpa's CONT...

On Christmas morning we woke up at 6am and made a beeline for my parents house so we could be there to open presents with everyone by 7. First we look at our socks, then open presents, and then my mom makes a great Christmas brunch...yum yum!

Opening presents at Abuela and Abuelo's

Opening Presents at Abuela and Abuelo's (in pictures) CONT...

Guatemalan Tops...the entertainment of choice!

This is what Talmage did with his dad and Abuelo on Christmas Eve Day.

Abuelo (grandpa in spanish) has these great little tops that he brought with him from Guatemala (and saved all these years). For some reason these things only come out around Christmas time. You have to wind a string around the top and then throw them just the right distance for the string to unravel and let the top go spinning on its own. Of course Abuelo and Dad were doing most of the throwing but Talmage was excited none the less. This was the first year he was able to actually hold one in his hand while it was spinning. Too bad we didn't get a picture of that!

Tamales...the Christmas Eve tradition!

This is a recurring scene every year at the Caceres house on Christmas Eve. After all, what would Christmas be without tamales? Nothing...if you ask us! Even Talmage goes nuts over these...and even though it takes a long time to make them...they're worth all the trouble for that first little bite! DELICIOUS!!!

YUMMY!!!

These are the treats I made for Carlos to take to work this morning, they looked so yummy I had to take a pic. (and sneak a few for myself).

Winter Wonderland!!!

Talmage loves the snow...everyday he wakes up to open the blinds and see if it has snowed...and if there is even a little skiff of snow he thinks it's prime playing ground. So these are some pictures of Tal in the first snow of the year...not much snow, but it made for one happy boy...see for yourself! (This snow pales in comparison to what we got on Sunday)

Nice throw! look at that form :)
perfect angel....
now if that doesn't melt your heart....

Sunday morning we woke up to a foot of snow, and it was great! The first thing Carlos said is let's go for a drive, little did he know I was thinking the same thing.... until we walked out the door and looked at this....


I was beginning to change my mind about that drive when Carlos says "this is why we have a Land Rover..he loves this stuff" (referring to the car as a person), then he adds "and it's about time you write a manly blog about how grateful you are for the Land Rover". So there you are hun, my manly blog about the rover.