Our little and sweet celebrations....

As a Freshman this year...and a very dedicated Athlete...Kali has to work really hard on Academics. Along with being an athlete, and keeping a great social teen life (which is full steam at this point, party invites just about every weekend). It can be tough. She works hard at every thing she does. Her commitment pays. She's got the strength and the courage to pull through. We are so proud of her. As most of you know...this isn't easy. Especially coming home from games at 6pm to eat dinner, study and get ready to do it at 6am all over again. Cheers Miss. Kali! You rock it with Awesome-sauce! I love this picture. She's a dedicated person to herself. And to me...that's all that matters. Keeping herself a priority to prove what she wants in life. It's all about the commitment. -

And our other little celebration was Bucks' 2nd Birthday. He turned 2 on the 24th. We celebrated with a little steak for him, and a few gifts too. I love this picture of him. Taken Mothers Day weekend 2010, boating, and one of my favorite weekends ever. It was just one of those weekends....nothing faltered. It was all too perfect.

We were silly with his wrap. He's only concerned about his new chew toy.

The moment they were opened...he looked at all of us, and immediately ran into Kris' room and stashed it in a box. Then came back to get another and stashed in Kali's closet. So funny. He goes back later I guess to play and chew. The life of a little dog.

Happy Birthday little Bucksie. We love you. And today?...He got fixed. On the way home from Vet as I type with his daddy. It's gonna be a long night. The joy of owning a dog. Lessons in life for Kris. Me? I'm off to dinner with my love...and Miss. Kali is off to a Birthday party.

SUMMER PLEASE......

This is the time of year I begin to feel very ready for summer. This is the time of year that I feel like the weeks are longer and longer. The weekends are fuller and fuller. The weather is so very unpredictable...the schedules are hectic with sports and Kali's academics. But we wait. We wait for the moment we can escape. The moment we can run to the lake.....Yes, I am counting the days.....It's almost holiday planningish..... I look at this picture and smell the lake water...feel that Coors Light in my hand...and the lake grass floating by me while we float in the waters....listening to our tunes from the boat...

Love this sign.

This IS my HAPPY place. Right next to the man that gives us so much. Most of all he gives me an incredible sense of love, patience, security and trust. And I am so very grateful. I look at this picture and can hear the water trickling up against those rocks...and Kali's laughter in the background....

The 2 stars in my sky. These two bring me happiness and love like no other. The joy of being told I am loved by them...Their hugs, the laughter we share...their love notes..their sense of security that no matter what in this world, I have created these two partners for life.

I love this picture. This takes me back 3 summers ago. Kris was 18-It was one of those Hot August Nights...He was our newest boat driver. He was the captain. The captain for his parents as they enjoyed cocktails, and good times. aww..finally we could sit back and let him be in charge. Well...a little bit. Bill sat there coaching and watching ever so carefully.

One of my favorite pictures. For the last few summers I catch the same of Bill and Kali. Time flies..and someday soon she won't want to take these pictures...Most likely it will be "Mom I just did my hair"- Trust me, you will see. - As a matter of fact if my Teen Radar serves me well, it will be this summer. ugh.

Last summer I braved a ride on the Seadoo. I've never been the water sports girl. I guess I've never had the bravery in me, or the desire to ride on back with some knucklehead out to prove they can "get-crazy"- So I just sit and snap pictures, make super cute lunches, provide cheers from the boat or lakeside. But last summer as I boarded with Kali and Bill, I had the time of my life. I truly did. I never screamed so loud, laughed so hard....It was all so worth it. Kali by far was the kindred spirit. Bill was out of control. Guess he thought he was on a dirtbike. WITH ME ON THE BACK. LOL!

Our favorite spot in the evening for a glass of wine. With tunes playing. It's that time of night when everything is winding down. When the boats are making their jaunt back to the boat ramp or camp for the night.. The kids are in the house getting settled in, or back in the pool. It's the quiet before dinner...anticipating our next day of fun. When the fire is in these pictures, it's definetely Fall or Spring. This fire has never seen a night in July and August. lol

Summer time sunsets. Simply the best. Years ago before the house was built, and during, we would sit in the cove down below and look up to dream of what our future held there. What awesome nights would unfold up in that house....

This is the time of year when I become antsy....I want to head to the lake sooo very much. So much going on at home. High School Soccer Season has come to an end for now, meanwhile Club Soccer, starts up this week. Fatal Clothing is super busy, which is awesome...but we would love to escape for a weekend. As Bill said in December..."Hun the little break we take will make us enjoy it that much more when we return"- And he's true. I guess through summer and fall, we (I guess speaking for myself) start to take for granted this beautiful retreat that we head to. The excitement as we drive through the gate towards the house is there..but fades quickly as we settle in. I can't say how much I miss it. Just the boat rides, the smell of the lake...the sound of the boats..the birds that fly past us...the great brews, and good friends. I simply can't wait....

In our favorite little cove. Just looking at these pictures takes me right back there....with a nice cold cocktail in my hand....the smile on our faces....the sound of the boat, with our favorite tunes playing in the background. Ohhh I can just count the days....sigh

My favorite place to lay on a springtime or fall morning...enjoying my coffee. As most of you know I was raised extremely simple. Yes, a tree hugger. This little palace is something I cherish. Not so much the material things, although yes, it makes our life super amazing, it's the quiet of the lake, the view of nature, the most amazing thing I have ever been part of. Ever. I guess it also feels like something Bill and I have made a home. And for that I am very grateful. Very.

I try to remind myself of this note often. If we don't take time to count all the amazing things that we have to be grateful for, than what would we be here for. When you turn on the news, and see the grief happening around the world, only to live in America to enjoy the simple pleasures of Freedom and the choice to pick what we do. Well then...we should enjoy it. Because although life is hard. It is still good. Cheers! Come on Summertime!!!!!!

Vegas Valentines...Fatal Clothing Celebrations...

This year Magic Clothing Expo planned their show on Valentine's Weekend. So....I went along...As a tag-a-long sweetpea.... Kris and Kali dropped us off at the airport....

As we fly over Newport and Huntington.....

Thought the little straw in my cocktail on the way out was cute...fit for the occasion....

So as the story goes...I plan on working out each day. As this vacation was a time for me to get away. The week prior I had the end of soccer season stuff to finish, parties to plan, paperwork to finish..and just all the fast things that I did in 4 days. My plan was to get a manicure, pedicure...new outfits...all the things anyone wants before they leave on vacation...well mine was really just slammed together..but I did it..So...my mornings started here. At the gym. And it was beautiful. The weather was perfect.

My favorite place in the hotel. Seriously I am not the Vegas girl. Only because I CANNOT stand cigarette smoke, and cheezy slot machines dingin in the backround...and just the slimy feeling I get there. Sorry. But that's just my opinion. I would rather spend my hard earned money on clothes. I guess I am a true beachgirl at heart. The only clean place I felt I could escape to, was the gym area. awww I could breath. Even outside, I was pedeled by guys and girls trying to hand me stripper cards with numbers for a later hookup. eew. sigh

I passed this sign each morning going to the gym. And I smiled. What children? lol!

Has always been my motto. Super cute tanktops in the gym area.

The sights of Las Vegas. Beautiful day though.

My favorite candy. Jelly Belly's. One big statue. Cute-

And yes...I found Ross on the strip. And they had THE CUTEST bags in there. The sad part? Bill and I flew and I had 6 bags when I left. Funny he said, "hun, why so many bags..?" So... I didn't want to buy my 7th or 8th...I admired, held them and put them back. I did get one cute little red one for Valentines Dinner. And a cute shirt.

Inside MGM. Where the cutest tigers are housed. Chinese New Year-

He's still alive-

I did manage to get through the Tiffany and Louis Vutton store. I do have some favorites in there... Maybe some day. For now..I love Ross, Marshalls, TJ Maxx.

Ok...so here's how the story rolls out. Me and Linda (one of Bill's employee's-girlfriend) whom I just met this weekend...super cool girl. Super fun. Walked the streets with me...we shopped and walked and talked and laughed. About an hour into it, we see these super big margaritas passing us by...So we find them. We than make our way back to our hotel where there is a "Dick's" Restaurant. If you've never been, GO. They are beyond vulgar. But all in good fun. Super funny. Well.....the problem to the story was we walk in before it gets crowded and the servers at the bar decide to be fun and pick on us. Meaning, shots, and drinks. We had 3 hours to kill before Bill and Brian show up. The night got way silly. We danced, and had a blast. Sorry no pictures to post. It was one of those nights. Mama tied one on. Next morning Bill lectured me that he had to work. I said, Sorry. lol-I actually didn't drag him in there. HAHAAA-

Carmen and Randy joined us this weekend. They put these bags on your head...while you eat.

Kids cover your ears. That means you Kali....lol!
Bill's hat read : Only my balls are more wrinkled than this hat- blahhh haaaaaaaa-

Randy and Carmen- I love how the DANCE sign is above their head. Cute little things that just land in the background. cute.

Poolside as we sat out waiting for the guys to get done with show...a guy comes by and offers "Free chocolate covered strawberries"- Yum and super cool.

Our Valentines Dinner at Mortons. It was the perfect night...perfect food, and good friends.

The most expensive baked potatoe I've ever consumed. Ever.

My favorite Asparagus. Beyond yummy. Again, the most expensive Asparagus I've ever ever ate. lol!

For those that know me, I'm silly. I have a silly side. And little things can just crack me up. Everytime you get up to do anything, that server appears out of no where like a napkin fairy and folds it right up. We started testing her. My entertainment for the night. Forget the big-wig shows. That serves me well.

Our dinner shot. Why does it look like my head is falling off...? haha.

Heading by after dinner, back by Dicks. I opted to pass on the Stiff Drinks. But I liked the sign.

Look what cupid gave me. I love you Bill. I wasn't even expecting anything...and just like that...he's soo cute. He pops out with this gold box. Super sweet. I love it.

On to the show... There are some very cool clothing lines, along with the Steve Madden, and Lucky Jeans...you name it; it was there. And amazing people watching place.
The day I arrived at the show, this was white. By day 3....here's her work. Beautiful.

More awesome paintings....I notice I have this attraction to birds in paintings...This caught my eye. Total Street painting but sooo cool..

Ok....I've always said...Money sometimes makes people wierd. So this sign caught my eye. I love it. There was several rich wierdo's walking around. Skin and face pulled tight, super plump lips.....and the labels melting off their bodies. I guess if you're happy..

Me pointing it out.

I actually found some amazing new lines of clothing and accessories. Watches to be exact. I'm on the hunt to find them here. Fatal Booth here....going up. Take note to the picture. My feet up on a chair watching them work. Sorry. Bill kept saying, "Lisa's not here to do anything" She's on vacation. hahaha.. That's not me, but I did play that card all week and weekend...

The love of my life..working hard.

Finished product. Look at the hand in the left. Like we are superstars. They are asking for my autograph! haha
Bill did an awesome job with this new booth! You amaze me.
I felt like such a dork. Almost every girl walking around was half dressed, totally hot. I was about comfort...I was about doing what I wanted... and trying to look HOT at night...poor Bill. lol-

Great location. We were next to Steve Madden shoes. YUMMY!

Carey Hart and me again! Remember in my blog from last year at Tilly's event? Well here he is again. The coolest guy. He's married to Pink the singer. He owns Hart and Huntington. They had an awesome booth. Holly Madison was hanging at his booth.

Love this too. To all you survivors out there. And this quote means alot. Think about it.

Wish I could of bought this picture. It was in a booth. Bob Marley's booth..

One of my favorite musicians. Bob and Ziggy Marley - And THEE best booth at Magic.

And just like that it was done...I flew out to come home and see my two stars in the sky. I missed them more than they'll ever know. After the scariest flight home through a storm, I loved walking into my house, where my kitties greeted me, and a nice long bath, my candles and the comfort of knowing I WAS HOME. Good times, new friends and memories to last forever....

CHEERS TO FATAL.....YOU ARE BIG TIME ROCKIN WITH AWESOME SAUCE!