Wordless Wednesday - Alex loved the fact that his tongue turned blue!

Lightning in Castle Rock, CO

We celebrated the 4th of July in Castle Rock, Co with family. Sunday afternoon the guys (Dustin and Jeremy) took Alex and Isaac to pick up some fireworks. They all came back, and let me just say that the sun couldn't go down fast enough! They could hardly wait to set off the explosions of lights!

Once the sun went down and it was dark enough for some fireworks it was pouring down rain! In July. In Colorado. The boys didn't let the weather rain on their parade! We were able to set off only a few though, the wind and rain was so bad that we really couldn't do much. Well, the entertainment didn't stop there. Once the distraction of fireworks was over we noticed the lightning, it was gorgeous (yet, a little frightening)! We all headed to the backyard and bundled up and sat on the porch and watched!

This is just a taste of what we saw! God is so powerful!

Photo by LayoutSparks.com

I didn't want to go inside to get my camera because I was afraid I would miss some of the amazing lightning bolts, but I found this one online and this is what we witnessed for half hour at least! Can you picture me cuddled up on the patio with Alex and Isaac both clinging to me witnessing this? Alex was thrilled but Isaac was a little apprehensive and even hid under the covers at times. What a show! It was amazing! God, your lightning show was much better than our unsuccessful fireworks!

What is Good

• Winning a gift certificate from Huggies on my very first cyber/Twitter party
• Freshly painted toes. I have to admit that it's not quite the same as getting a manicure in the salon, but doing it myself does save some money ;)
• I think it's quite odd that today Alex chose frozen peas for his snack over ice cream
• Isaac's vocabulary is increasing so fast, I can't believe I'm carrying on a conversation with my baby!
• Spending a few dollars on a chicken pot pie and being able to share it between myself and both boys for dinner on a night when daddy is away
• God is Good

Wordless Wednesday - He's Priceless!

1st day of our Colorado Fun!

For the last few months the anticipation had been building for Alex and Isaac. July 2nd didn't come soon enough for my excited little boys! They were thrilled when we finally boarded our flight bound for Denver, Colorado.

After a good night sleep we were greeted by very enthused cousins! In unison, Elliott and Emmett shouted their hello's! We were all happy to see Uncle Jeremy, aunt Adrienne and cousins and be their guests for the following four days.

They took us to the Rockies Stadium to cheer on the S.F. Giants.

Here are our handsome boys just before entering the gates

(Emmett, Alex, Isaac and Elliott)

We arrived early enough to watch the Giants team warm up

Elliott was thrilled with this foul ball his daddy caught for him

I've only been to a few games before, but these were the best seats by far! We sat just 18 rows from the field!

Here are my boys super excited with our big win!

I think Dustin may have been the first one to spot this gorgeous rainbow, as soon as he pointed it out the boys the people behind us started pointing and pretty soon our whole section was in awe! This picture doesn't do it justice at all...

I still can't believe it!

Upon checking my email one morning, this is what I read:

"Sara,
Congratulations! You’re entry has been randomly selected as a JVC HD Everio “Power Your Passion” BlogHer ’10 Sweepstakes winner."

Wait. A. Minute. I didn't trust myself that I read it correctly, I had to read a few times and even then it didn't sink in.

I actually WON!

My prize package includes:
· BlogHer ’10 Full Conference Pass in New York August 2010
· Three nights hotel accommodation at the New York Hilton
· Roundtrip airfare
· $100 food allowance
· A JVC HD Everio GZ-HD620 video camera

I've won some pretty amazing things over the last few years - everything from a Posturepedic mattress to a diamond tennis bracelet to gift cards to diapers to books to digital camera but this is the BIGGEST! I'M GOING TO NEW YORK!!! To make it even more exciting - I'm going with my sister, Christine.

I am still in shock! There were hundreds of entries and I, along with three others, were chosen! Thank you JVC! I can't wait to go to BlogHer '10, meet in person some of the friends that I've met through blogging, learn from some expert bloggers and start vlogging with my new video camera!

What is Good

• Beautiful Saturdays spent with my boys


• Cashews. I asked Alex what is good to him and he said cashews :)


• Doughnuts. That's Isaac's answer :)


• Going grocery shopping and having the pantry and fridge freshly stocked


• Having all my meals planned out for the next two weeks


• A cool breeze on a July day


• God is Good!

Wordless Wednesday - Me and my sisters!

(Andrea, Christine, Rachel, and I)

I see vlogging in my future!

I've known for quite some time that adding digital video to my blog would enrich it tremendously. I just recently entered JVC BlogHer Sweepstakes and it stired that passion once again to add video here to my site. I think back on some of my posts and wonder how much more exciting it would have been to have video of our trip in Hawaii, Disneyland, or camping by the Coast.

For me, when I visit a website or blog I love the personality of video, I feel it adds a new hight of emotion as well as passion. I'm very visual and watching video can be very informative, enjoyable and just adds a touch of personality! I want that for you, my readers, so that we can have that emotional connection as well!

I've just procrastinated because I don't have the proper tools to do so, like a high quality digital video camera! I'll be saiving my pennies so that I can add this to my tools for adding a new dimention to this blog of mine!

I do so much traveling and I use pictures along with my story but, I'm dissapointed that I've missed capturing those memories and oportunities to share through video. Digital video would certainly add so much to my blog, we do live in the Social Media world and I know that video content will be a must in order to have a successful blog and be current with today's technology! I just don't want to be left behind!

I was encouraged to write this post in order to be entered in a sweepstakes to win tickets to BlogHer '10

Wordless Wednesday - My Mr. Goober loves any kind of glasses!

What is the importance of a family vacation?

Growing up I longed for the special time we spent together on our tips as a family. There are several times that as an adult I reflect on those times away from our busy schedules. No school. No work. No chores. No distractions. Just spending time together! Those memories with my parents and siblings will forever be close to my heart.

Now, having children of my own, I strongly desire to create new memories with my boys so that one day they will look back at the wonderful adventures we all took together! The time we spend together as a family is so vital, cultivating friendships and bonds between one another, and it's just so much more fun when you are away from home! My kids will only be young once. I really look forward to traveling and seeing the world through the eyes of little ones! The Lord has Created a beautiful World and I love seeing and admiring his amazing Handiwork! There truly is so much to see!

Our traveling budget is next to nothing, but here are some of the places that we currently have on our wish list for this year (note all the camping, hehe).

Denver, Colorado

Camping in Santa Cruz, California

South Lake Tahoe

...And of course, camping and exploring right in Mimi and Poppys backyard!


Disclaimer: I am writing this post to participate in the Golden Inn Resort “What is the importance of a Vacation” sweepstakes for a chance to randomly win a full conference ticket to Blogher 2010. You can learn more about the Jersey Shore Resort and contest at their blog http://www.GoldenInnResort.com/vacationtips.

Disneyland & California Adventure

Not too long ago my mom, sisters and I took a much needed girls getaway to Southern California and visited Disneyland and CA Adventure! The best part was that it was during Christmas time!

Growing up we went to Disneyland every few years. We had some really close family friends that lived in So Cal and we would visit them and they would take us to the Park that was not far from their house. One of my fondest memories was going to Disneyland during the month of December when the park was all decked out in Christmas! Main street had a giant Christmas tree and the shops glowed with lights!

Being there again during such a happy season brought back all those fond memories and I felt like a little kid again, I just wish that the whole family could have been there with us.

My mom, sisters and I went to the Disneyland park first. We then headed over to CA Adventure later in the afternoon and seemed to run out of time rather quickly. This was my first time at the California Adventure Park and it was a lot better than I expected, it's Disney for goodness sakes, how could it be any less than exciting? ~ it is the happiest place on earth after all!


At California Adventure there were two rides that instantly became my favorites, we went on them more than once! The Twilight Zone House of Terror was wild! It's a ride that is set in an abandoned hotel and the moment you step into the lobby you're filled with anticipation of what's to come 'cause you just know there going to be something! I'm not going to go into to detail because I don't want to ruin the ride for you, for me, I had no idea what to expect and it was awesome!


My other favorite is Sorin'. We were suspended in the middle of a gigantic T.V. screen and instantly became a visitor soaring over some of California's most gorgeous spots. We could almost smell the pine trees as we felt the wind blowing through our hair!

I had an amazing time and can't wait to take my kiddos to the Parks!

What is Good

• Helping Grandma Gerrie decorate her apartment for Christmas and getting inspired to pull out our decorations
  
• A good laugh... We were decorating our house and Alex kept asking what things were as we were unpacking the Christmas decorations. When he asked what all the white paper was I told him tissue paper - and he says "Oh, I should throw it in the toilet", I said "No, not toilet paper, it's tissue paper." Alex - "Oh, for my boogers!!" He wads up a handful and brings it to his nose and immediately realizes it's a little rough for his tender little nose then smooths out the crinkles, sets it down and moves on to something else.
  
• Having friends over for playgroup
• Waking up this morning to find a light blanket of snow that fell during the night
  
• God is Good!
  

Wordless Wednesday - O' Christmas Tree

Alex and I decorated our Christmas tree! We had so much fun unwrapping all the ornaments and putting our little found treasures all over the tree.