Meatball Night

We had a Meatball Night the other night and had friends over to kick off the school year! It was amazing. I didn't get a picture of the finished garnished meatballs but if you could imagine; Spaghetti noodles with big meatballs sitting on top and sprinkled with Parmesan Cheese, a Cesar Salad, Garlic Bread and dessert of course!

These meatballs were better than Buca and cost alot less also. This was my cheat day, so I'm in the clear with Shaun T. !! :o)                 Ciao!

Has Our Summer Fun Really Ended?

We definitely need a longer summer vacation from school. What happened to those old school days when we had almost three months for summer vacation? Obviously we don't have that anymore. We have been in school for three days now and in California it feels like summer is just beginning! Today we reach a high of 103 degrees - well that's a little too hot! I just wished that school would start in October, which is when we start to cool down a bit and finish school at the end of June, which is when we have our June gloom. Doesn't that make sense.... it does to me :o)

First Day of School

 

 

 

To everyone ~ have a wonderful school year with your children ~ they are growing up too fast!!

Happy Birthday To My Sweet Peanut!

This week we celebrated my sweet daughters birthday! I think it will be a week long celebration, as usual! Today we are going to celebrate it at Disneyland, The Happiest Place on Earth! Until you're getting pushed and shoved by rude people and all you can do is take a deep breath. But we still have a great time!

She Loves Volleyball

 Happy Birthday my little Peanut! We Love you :o)

Pumpkins and Getting Ready For the Fall

Have you planted your pumpkins? We started our pumpkins in the beginning of July. They are growing a lot of flowers but, no bulbs yet. Every day my daughter goes out to water them and I think they grow an inch every night! It's an amazing plant. We left on vacation for 1 1/2 weeks and look how fast they grew.

July 15th

July 23rd

Big Mac Pumpkins - August 7th

We can't wait to see pumpkins!

Summer Fun

I feel like I have been gone for an eternity! The last month of school for the kids was completely INSANE! Now that the sun is finally here in Southern California, it feels like Summer! We have already taken our Las Vegas trip with the kids last week, because the sun was nowhere to be found this way. I think it had parked itself over Las Vegas and Arizona! We had a blast staying at the Red Rock Casino in Summerlin, Nevada. If you haven't visited The Red Rock Casino Las Vegas, it's a must. It's got everything you need there. There's a bowling alley, a big movie theater, an arcade even a Kids Quest for the kiddos. It's very relaxing and not crowded like the hotels on the Strip. We love it here. My husband and I shall return without the kids which = FUN!

Red Rock Casino Pool

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Summer vacation!

Back from Insanity!

Do You Recognize This Man?

He is the reason I have not been blogging in 9 weeks!!! He is the infamous Shaun T., Fitness Guru of The Beachbody Insanity Program.

I have to say that this program was definitely INSANE!! But, I loved it and every pound that shed off, I love it even more! I started this program because I have been slacking in the workout department. Since March of  2010 my workouts at the gym came to a screeching halt.  We started a kitchen remodel and then I had an injury and of course Summer came. Then came the start of school and volunteering at school, blah blah blah..... I could go on and on!

Finally, in February, my husband and I just about had enough of our weight gain and unhealthy eating habits. With my 20 pounds and his 35 pound weight gain, we decided to try this. Our gym renewal was coming due and instead we decided on the Insanity Program. This is the same company that released P90X. I have tried the P90X and really liked it, but this Insanity Program sounded like a challenge and boy was it!

I would encourage this program even for a beginner. He eases you into these workouts - unlike some of these boot camps out there that just want to destroy you (and that's what usually ends up happening, an injury). I know sometimes we think we don't have time to work out.  But what's 30 minutes and or 45 minutes. We all have the time, we just need to manage it better. Well, on to my next challenge ~ the P90X and Insanity Hybrid Program. This is where they mix the two programs together.

Wish me luck, 10 more pounds to go!

Sunday Special!!

French Toast on a Sunday!

My daughters love French Toast. Has anyone every tried French Toast with Trader Joe's Cinnamon Raisin Swirl Bread? You should try it, at least once. I have always loved using Kings Hawaiian Sweet Bread but this time I thought to give Trader Joe's a chance.

Follow the recipe from Kings Hawaiian Sweet Bread:

4 eggs
1/2 cup of milk
1/2 t. vanilla
1/4 t. cinnamon (I just put a dash of it in, because the bread has cinnamon in it)

Mix well with a whisk.

I love this double burner pan! I got it for Christmas from my daughters...hmmm, I wonder why they got it for me. Maybe for this reason!

Ready for a Sunday Special? I am. Have a wonderful Sunday everyone :o)