She Has My Heart.

Sieauna's hair is growing back which means back to fun hairstyles! This one was something cute and quick. She has my heart.

Thanks Aunt Jen!

Today Aunt Jen brought over a belated birthday gift for Sieauna. Her super talent struck gold with these homemade jammie bottoms. Sieauna loves loves loves them!!! THANKS JEN!

Happy Valentine's Day 2009

We had a peaceful relaxing V-day over at our house. I'm really looking forward to dinner tonight. We picked up a couple lobster tails, rib eyes and some crab legs. What a feast!! I hope everyone had a great, lovey day.

Sieauna's Valentine's Box

Sieauna had to decorate a Valentine box for school this year. I think she did a great job! Way to go sis!

It's A Boy!

I am going to be an Aunty again! Jason & Jen are having their 4Th, and it's....A BOY! We are all so happy and excited they are introducing some testosterone into that family. Congrats you guys! Can't wait to hold him.

1st Place Baby!

He did it! Alex took 1st place at the science fair for his grade. We are so proud of him!

Zan's Science Fair Project

Will the flowers change color? That was the experiment. We turned it in today and as I was leaving the judges were on their way with clipboard in hand! Good luck son.

Move Over Bobby Flay

Okay, so I don't cook. It's not a secret. Sure, I have a few dishes that I've mastered and I can hold my own when following a recipe but if I need to improvise? Fo-get about it!

My husband? Wow, he is master chef at our house. Justin has the amazing culinary skills of the great Iron Chefs. He starts by taking a few ingredients lying around the house and turns them into masterpieces! For instance, the other night I had some steak tips and some veggies. He puts the steak in his Cuisinart and bada bing-serves us these so incredibly good steak sandwiches with green peppers and onions. He marinated them in some "Justin created" sauce. He does stuff like this all the time! I just watch in awe and am amazed by his skills.

Two nights ago we were craving something healthy. He goes to the store and out of his head, no recipe involved, comes home and makes us homemade Asian chicken pizzas with chicken, mangoes, Asian pears, tomatoes, broccoli, cilantro, and an awesome ponzu sauce. SERIOUS! He is amazing.

Don't EVEN get me started on his Big Green Egg. Give the man a piece of meat and he is in his element. Just ask our friends about the "little things" he's come up with to bring to parties. Bacon wrapped stuffed jalapenos, shrimp stuffed cherry tomatoes, steak marinated in a port wine reduction? Let's see those were just last week! I love this man.

Thanks hunny, without you we'd starve!

How Well Do You Know Us?

How accurate do you think the Chinese Zodiak is? See for youself. After Justin and I read these, we were amazed and impressed.

Justin (Ox Yin Water)
The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work. This powerful sign is a born leader, being quite dependable and possessing an innate ability to achieve great things. As one might guess, such people are dependable, calm, and modest. Like their animal namesake, the Ox is unswervingly patient, tireless in their work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint.
Ox people need peace and quiet to work through their ideas, and when they have set their mind on something it is hard for them to be convinced otherwise. An Ox person has a very logical mind and is extremely systematic in whatever they do, though they have a tremendous imagination and an unparalleled appreciation for beauty. These people speak little but are extremely intelligent. When necessary, they are articulate and eloquent.
People born under the influence of the Ox are kind, caring souls, logical, positive, filled with common sense and with their feet firmly planted on the ground. Security is their main preoccupation in life, and they are prepared to toil long and hard in order to provide a warm, comfortable and stable nest for themselves and their families. Strong-minded, stubborn, individualistic, the majority are highly intelligent individuals who don't take kindly to being told what to do.
The Ox works hard, patiently, and methodically, with original intelligence and reflective thought. These people enjoy helping others. Behind this tenacious, laboring, and self-sacrificing exterior lies an active mind.
The Ox is not extravagant, and the thought of living off credit cards or being in debt makes them nervous. The possibility of taking a serious risk could cause the Ox sleepless nights.
Ox people are truthful and sincere, and the idea of wheeling and dealing in a competitive world is distasteful to them. They are rarely driven by the prospect of financial gain. These people are always welcome in small gatherings because of their humble composure and reverent nature towards the host. They are reputed to be the most beautiful of face in the zodiac. They have many friends, who appreciate the fact that the Ox people are wary of new trends, although every now and then they can be encouraged to try something new. People born in the year of the Ox make wonderful parents and teachers of children.
It is important to remember that the Ox people are sociable and relaxed when they feel secure, but occasionally a dark cloud looms over such people and they engage all the trials of the whole world and seek solutions for them.

Kelly (Rabbit Yin Wood) & Sieauna (Rabbit Yin Earth)
Those following traditional Chinese astrology consider people born in the Year of the Rabbit to make ideal diplomats or politicians. In Chinese astrological thought, a "rabbit person" is graceful, cultured and well-mannered. Although Rabbit people get along well with many people, at heart they are considered to be basically reserved creatures, and are only truly happy when engrossed in some sort of scholarly or intellectual activity. Rabbit people are considered too sensitive for the world around them; they are not able to thrive in competitive or aggressive environments, and are anxious when others force them to take risks. Their inner world is considered too delicate for unsettled or unpredictable situations, and they tend to create peaceful and comfortable atmospheres--like rabbit dens--instinctively. According to traditional Chinese astrology, this characteristic makes them very hospitable and attentive people, who take care of those around them.
The average Rabbit person emphasizes the importance of small details. They pay attention to everything from color, design and furniture to food and conversation. And only when they are sure that everything has been arranged as they wish can these people relax and have fun.
People born in the year of the Rabbit often lead a conservative lifestyle where one of the most important things is their security. This quality also has a negative side: opting for safety over risk, they may miss good opportunities. These people are not frivolous or irresponsible, for when they truly believe in something, they are serious, persevering and capable.
Calm as they are, it is not easy to provoke Rabbit people. They are sentimental and compassionate. They can be moved by the personal problems you share with them.

Alex (Snake Yin Metal)
People born in the year of the snake are considered mysterious, grant, wise and enchanting. He or she can become an Ambassador, a Mediator or a talented musician. Such a person is a thinker who also likes to live well; affluence. The Snake person loves books, music, clothes, fine food and wine; but with all their fondness for the finer things in life, their innate grace and elegance gives them a dislike for frivolities, small minds and foolish talk.
Some Snakes may have a slow or lazy way of speaking but this does not reflect in any way their speed of deduction or action. It's just that they like to ponder things, to assess and formulate their views properly. Generally speaking, Snakes tend to be very careful about what they say.
Snake people like communicating, particularly interesting and challenging conversations; if the conversation becomes repetitive their attention may soon wander. It is almost impossible to fix their attention for long talking about mundane everyday habits as they prefer to focus on new, interesting and evolutionary ideas in general. The Snake needs mental exercise. And yet at the same time, they view their associates with a certain distrust. They will never forgive anyone who breaks a promise. They are also prone to being neurotic, even paranoid, where pet fears and suspicions are concerned. Once offended, however, Snakes will always seek revenge.
These people have a special talent that enables them to judge situations correctly. They are alert to new possibilities: when they have an idea of what to do and how to do it, they will pursue it persistently and energetically. The Snake is at home in any social situation, able to adapt and converse on all levels. In Chinese astrology it is believed that they are self-confident, driven, intelligent, headstrong, focused and willing to listen to someone else's opinion, but not necessarily willing to take it 'on board'. They treasure their ability to look at a problem from a variety of angles as extremely useful. When faced with a dilemma, Snakes, as a rule, act with speed and conviction, since they believe intensely in what they are doing and rarely waste time or energy on projects lacking in good potential.
The qualities associated with metal are unyieldingness, rigidity, persistence, strength and determination. The metal person is controlling, ambitious, forceful and set in their ways as metal is very strong; and they are self-reliant and prefer to handle their problems alone. The metal person is also materialistic, business oriented and good at organization and stability. However the metal person can also appreciate luxury and enjoy the good things in life. Just as metal can conduct electricity, the Metal person has strong impulses and generative powers and can bring about changes and transformations for those who come into contact with them. Metal is believed to govern the lungs, nose and skin. The negative emotion associated with metal is grief, while the positive emotion is courage. I am caring, sensitive and loving.

Okay-now you know!

Over the River and Through the Woods...

How much fun can you have in one afternoon? A LOT! Justin, me, the kids, and grandma & gramps snowshoed in to our family cabin and brought along the sleighs. The day was absolutely beautiful. It was warm, the sun was shining and the snow was perfect for sledding and snowshoeing. We had lunch and relaxed in the sun while the kids played. Oh, and we played too! This is the first time I've been to the cabin in the winter because it doesn't have year round access, but the snowshoes made it easy and I can't wait to go back.