Bieber Fever

 Sophie has been counting down the days for this movie to come out!  Since Steve is out of town on a work trip, my usual Friday date night was replaced by a night out with Sophie and our friends and Justin (Bieber).

 The next day, Sophie was talking about parts of the movie all morning - so much so, that Alex caught BIEBER FEVER!!  She called her friend and they headed over to the movie for 2 hours of Justin in 3D.

As we speak, the girls are in the next room singing along with some Bieber song...which is SO much better than some of the other stuff they could be listening to!

Sophie time

 A few weeks ago it was Winter Youth Conference so Matt and Alex were gone most of the weekend.  Sophie wishes like crazy that she could go to these things!  I tried to make a fun weekend out of it for just her and I.

I think she had a pretty good time!

Book Club

It has been forever since I posted! But that is due to a ridiculous flu that hit me the week last month and just lingered forever. Luckily I felt better in time to host our most excellent Book Club. We read a true story called "The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio- How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less" by Terry Ryan. I really liked the book - and I even liked it more after watching the movie. For our Book Club, we talked about the amazing main character - the mother Evelyn Ryan and her amazing attitude towards life as she lives in a marriage with an alcoholic husband who won't pay the bills. She resorts to contesting - finishing limericks and writing short jingles for companies like Dr. Pepper- to win money to pay for her family's needs. It is an inspiring story and it made a fun book club discussion.
We drank Dr. Pepper in honor of Evelyn's big win in the Dr. Pepper jingle contest :) (And, yes, tulips played a part in the book as well).

After snacking on apple cake (I could eat the frosting all by itself), chips and salsa, grapes and Dr. Pepper, those who could stay helped tie a quilt our Relief Society is making to donate to SHIP (an organization for men who are trying to put their lives together and make a new start).

While we tied we watched the movie version of the book. Julianne Moore is a glamorous version of Evelyn Ryan while Woody Harrelson plays her husband Kelly.
Good times with good friends.

Twilight...on the big screen

So fun. The crowds were lined up around the building. The girls were screaming in line and throughout the movie! It was crazy!! Even if Edward was not what we imagined...still...we thought it was great!

We had to go to an Edward(s) theater in honor of a certain character in the movie.

our final dessert...

I LOVE these women. They are truly wonderful in every way.

Here we are out at BJ's for Pzookies for our 'last night out' as a Relief Society Presidency.

Mmmmm....we always manage to have fun and dessert at the most perfect times ;)

Love chocolate and peanut butter! Love you ladies.

Mom Play Date

Now that school is in full swing, it is time for scheduling Mom Play Dates. My first official play date was this morning. My friend Rachel and I drove down to Newport for a Sprinkles cupcake and a quick trip to Anthropologie.

It was a little early for chocolate (did I just say that?), so I ordered a lemon coconut and Rachel ordered key lime. Mmmm. The sugar had its affect though...

and after the cupcakes were washed down, we had a little too much fun with the digital camera.
Much laughter.
At Fashion Island, we noticed what the kids are asking for for Christmas down in Newport Beach. This playhouse has a flat screen TV in it and a beautifully decorated living room complete with the coolest upholstered chairs, coffee table and beach theme decor. And those beach chairs are miniature (think toddler). Interesting....

P-Party

Last night, while the boys were out, the girls had a "P"Party. Sophie, Alex, Alex's friend Maddi, and I, got into our cozy P-jamas, made Popcorn, got out our Pillows and watched this fun movie, Penelope.

Penelope is a fairy tale about a girl with a pig nose curse that was put upon her before she was born. She must find a "blue blood" (high society, rich gentleman) just like her who will marry her, and kiss her (of course!) for the spell to be broken. We loved it!
The girls even made up new "P" names for themselves that ranged from Penny to Pokey little Puppy. After the movie ended, they were trying to think of other letter inspired parties to have. It was a Perfectly fun night.

Happy Birthday to You

Happy Birthday Kelly! Pinkberry, movie and friends = girls' night :)

Makin' Jam

When Jen called and said she had loads of apricots and was making jam, she asked me to join in. Steve was all for it. It is his favorite jam and we made a lot.
Here is me seeing if Tyra Banks is right when she says that sticking your neck out is the way to take a picture.
We had 4 ladies and two little girls involved in making this yummy stuff. It is the only way to do it. I remember my mom canning and pickling (?) in the summer and fall and it was a huge undertaking! It was fun to have friends and daughters join in the whole process.

The little girls pitted and cut for about an hour. They did a great job.

Sheri, (top), me, Jen , and Shelley (below) workin' in the kitchen.

We love jam!

High School Musical

Thank you Michele! Our friend "hooked us up" with some High School Musical tickets at the OCPAC. After swim team, the girls and I raced to the first restaurant we could get to (McDonalds) and then on to the show!
I couldn't believe the crowd! They were all ages and SO into this show. The cast did a great job and the kids loved it. Alex did have her opinions on a few of the characters compared with the movie cast (she liked the movie's Sharpay better). But she agreed that it was a great show.
Thanks again, Michele! Perfect end-of-school activity for my girls.