James is 14

Seriously. This is getting ridiculous. James is fourteen years old. He had his birthday yesterday. Remember when he looked like this?

Now he looks like this! It's unbelievable. In two years he could be driving. Next year he starts high school. Technically he could move out of my house and live on his own in four short years! Not that I would allow it. Did I tell you all my kids are going to live with me forever? No? I haven't told them yet either.

I went to the new bakery again, I just love that place. A block of cheese with mice coming out of the holes and a frog!

Mouse booty!

And a little frog prince.

Obeying Jesus' Commands

In Matthew 28, verses 19-20, Jesus calls all Christians to be baptized. Today our church baptized ninety seven people, including Brett. Brett decided it was time to obey Jesus' command and hold himself accountable to other believers. It was a pretty awesome event, some people had testimonies, some just professed their decision to follow Jesus. Brett was the very last one to get dunked. His mom and dad, as well as his sister Doris and her husband Aaron drove down to support Brett's decision. Thank God for the great church family He has blessed us with down here in Orange County, and for a Pastor who has a strong conviction to spread the Gospel. He never compromises the truth, tells it like it is, even if we don't want to hear it. I have never learned so much in such a short period of time.

19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20

Dancing Fools

We found this old video in the computer. Look how little Matt is! He told me he was great and filled with joy when he was doing this dance. Matthew has the joy joy joy joy down in his heart.

I love pastry

Our neighborhood got a new cake shop. I have been waiting patiently for the store to open. I was so excited to see this little number:Also today, Kim and I went down to Laguna Beach for lunch. We ate at a french restaurant, their window was full of delicious baked goods. It was a heavenly day.

Stormy.

What's better than the beach on a rainy day?

Oldy McOlderton

This, the 34th year of my life here on the earth, I plan on doing many new things. Things I have never done, things I want to get better at. I made a list, so you can all hold me accountable.

1. Run a half marathon. That's 13 miles. February 1st.
2. Read the whole bible by December 31st.
3. Run the Camp Pendleton Mud Run. Six miles, with Brett, in June.
4. Run the San Diego Mud Run, also with Brett, in March.
5. Lose 15 more pounds. That would be my target BMI. All the running should help!
6. Camp in a tent for more than two nights.
7. Win a game of Bunco. I haven't won one since last year.
8. Ride that coaster at Knott's Berry Farm that I said I never would ride.
9. Use more vegetables in my daily cooking routine.
10. Try to eat more yogurt for calcium. Blech.
11. I might try to grow my hair out, but please don't hurt me if I don't. It's so hard!
12. Create a platoon of puppets and have puppet shows.
13. Play adult league soccer.
14. Drive to a state I have never been to.
15. Learn how to bake (delicious) cakes and decorate them professionally.

That's all I can think of for now. It's a start.

Night at the Improv

Brett and I, along with Chris and Kim went to the Irvine Improv over the weekend. We saw Greg Proops, from Whose Line Is It Anyway. He was funny. We sat next to the stage, which means you get picked on by the comedians. Good times.

Here is my foot on stage. Yes Chris, they have cheese sticks.

It's my party, I'll be ghetto if I want to.

MUPPET!

Brett got me this for my birthday. It's from FAO Schwartz's Muppet Whatnot Workshop. You can build your own Muppet! This is a dream come true for me. I will take him everywhere. What should we name him???

Chicken Pot Pie. Kinda.

I think it was Paula Deen I saw, make Chicken Pot Pie, where she used pastry dough instead of pie crust. I decided to try it. I have never made any kind of pot pie, but it turned out so good that I will definitely do it again. I even layered mashed potatoes at the bottom. For the filling I used diced chicken, sauteed with butter and white wine, baby carrots, peas, cream, cream of chicken soup, and for fun I tossed in some fried pancetta. Mmmmm.....

I made the pot pies in ramekins, perfectly portioned.
And then I ate it all up.

Sandy Paws

Jack-Jack's first time at the beach, he loved it! Puppy-doo loves it, goes straight for the water. Cody hates it, runs as far away from water as he can.

This is what we do while the kids are at school. Romantic dog walks on the beach. Ha!

Goodbye 2008

Last night we had the Pifer's and Chris and Kim over for dinner. Last New Years we went to dinner with the Pifer's for Shabu Shabu. It's japanese food, it means "swish swish". You have boiling pots of water on your table, and a plate of vegetables and thinly sliced meat. You take your chopsticks and swish the meat and veggies in the water to cook them and eat them with rice and lots of different sauces. It was fun, but pricey, so we decided to try it at home! I found an electric fondue set, and Desiree borrowed a hot plate from her mom. Those worked as our boiling pots. It turned out great!

These are our new couches. Mom wanted to see them.

Here is part of our old couch. My friend had a dream last week that my couch was in my front yard because I was cleaning my carpets. She didn't know she was prophetic!