Married x7

Seven Year Anniversary!

It's our 7th Anniversary and we are in Carlsbad, California spending it together as a family. Our drive over here wasn't too bad, around 6 hours.

Thank goodness for Border Patrol! We had been trying to get Landon to take a nap for a while, so when we passed through the check point Landon asked "what that guy say?" I told him, "He was checking to see if you had taken your nap. He said to tell you if you close your eyes for a while we'll get to Legoland faster." Immediately, he closed his eyes. Three minutes later he opened them and said, "Are we there yet Mommy?" When, I replied "no", he closed his eyes again and was asleep less than 5 minute later!!

Then, when we crossed through another Border patrol check point Landon asked, "what that guy say?" I replied, "he was just checking to see if you took your nap and I told him you did!" Worked like charm, at least I thought so. Carlos was cracking up and whispering to me that I was a liar.

Once we arrived at the Resort, we got the good with the bad. I'll start with the good. We were upgraded to a junior suite!! Two HUGE rooms! One with a full dining room table and six chairs, full size bar and couch and desk and the bedroom in the other room. That was the pleasant Anniversary surprise.

This is just the living room part of our suite.

The bad news was our dinner was HORRIBLE!! Beyond bad! And after throwing down $100, we're still mad about it. The pasta was worse than Hunt's from the can and my salmon was ridiculously terrible. We LITERALLY, thought Landon's hot dog tasted better. Literally. And he was the only one excited about the meal! So much so he had to kick back and relax after his "dog".

Tomorrow we're headed to Legoland. The weather is beautiful!!! Delicious ocean breeze you can smell, and temps in the mid 70's. Tonight it was in the upper 60's. Makes you want to live here. Then you remember, oh wait, homes cost a ga-zillion dollars. Guess we can kiss that idea good-bye!

A Tricky Problem

Landon stole my heart today doing the most unassuming thing. I was working on making 22 Baby Shower invitations (sigh. next time I should buy them.) in my craft room and Landon was sitting with me, keeping me company....By the way...here's the finished product. The card opens like little doors (the truck goes to the right...the "boy load" stays on the left) Inside has the invitation printed on the same paper as the truck.



Anyway, back to my story..after a short while Landon left the craft room, and returned with his ride-in car. He asked me to lift it up so he could, "fix it with his tools, like Daddy".

When I asked him what was wrong with his car, he replied, "it's a tricky problem. I gotta' use my tools.'

Carlos handles all of our car maintenance and Landon will spend hours outside in the garage, just sitting there watching him. I thought, wow! Landon is following examples even on the smallest tasks and actions, and going to such lengths as to role play to be like Daddy! So, sweet.

Okay, now that I've posted tonight...I can cross this off my list of things to do before we leave for California. The National Lampoon's Vacation...Monge-style rolls out at "oh-700"!! Did I tell you?? Temperatures are expected in the mid 70's and lows in the mid 60's and I can hardly wait!

Birthday Spankings!

A late night post, but still under the wire!

Today is a special day because GranDaddy's Birthay was today!! I won't tell you exactly how old he is...but, I'll give you a little hint. It has a '6' in it.

Ever thought about what a twisted tradition birthday spankings are? Who thought of that dumb idea??? Remember?? "You're another year older! Come on over, we'll give you your birthday spankin'!" Seriously. And we all agreed to it!! That's what's worse!! Anyway...can't tell you how many spankin's Daddy would get...but, let's just say, my arm would likely get tired before I was done.

Also! Congrats to GranDaddy!!! He ran a 5K today in Houston and finished 3rd in his age division. Funny story! He was listening to the announcements of all the winners....and when they go to his 'new' division. (ooops...another clue!) ...his name was announced, for all the world to hear!! :) How's that for a big birthday present???

Landon and I have plans to make birthday cake tomorrow for both Grammy & GranDaddy...even though they wont' be able to eat it. I want Landon to know it's a special weekend no matter how far away they live.

Tonight, Carlos and I enjoyed a lovely dinner at Roy's tonight. An early Anniversary dinner alone, since we'll have Landon with us on Monday, the 11th. Yummy food, and great conversation....even after all these years!

I apologize there are no pictures....more tomorrow!

Summer Vacation!!

Our family is officially on vacation! Body by Design is closed, Sonoran Living is scheduled for re-runs, a taped show and a few fill-in hosts and Landon has said adios to Patti's Pre-School for a week.

We take this week of every year to celebrate our anniversary and this year makes SEVEN. August 11, 2001. Who knows where all the time has gone since our wedding in El Paso, Texas??

Last year, at this time we were in Princeville, Kauaii. This year we will be heading to Carlsbad, California and La Costa Resort and Spa and also Legoland. You know you've been married a long time when your anniversary trip involves legos!! But, when you work as much as we do, any time together is a great vacation!

Today is also a very special day because it's Grammy's Birthday! Landon and I called her this morning to sing 'Happy Birthday'. And when Landon asked how many candles she said 27.

The Olympics Opening Ceremonies are starting, so I'll leave you with this final anecdote.

Landon and I were driving home today when Landon said, "Mommy you bew-ful. You cute too." To which I replied, "I'm beautiful and cute?" He replied, "Yes. And you smell like a rat.". I'd be offended if he didn't say it with such love and compassion.

(This picture was taken a few minutes ago as Landon was starting out his vacation with a little R & R and some Monsters Inc.)

Check back for more Summer Vacation 2008 pictures and adventures!

I've fallen and I can't get up!

Landon says the funniest things!

This morning he woke up at 5:30, an hour earlier than usual. So, I brought him into my room as I was getting ready and put him on on the bed to watch TV. That's when he leaned over and looked down to see Ruth sleeping on the side of the bed.

He gasped and said, "MOMMY! Woof (Ruth) fell over!" Of course, I calmly explained Ruth was still tired and wasn't ready to get up and went to get my camera so I could share the story with you.

When Landon saw me taking pictures of Ruth, he decided he'd enforce the equal time rule and said "take picture Too-sie too!" So, to make myself even later on Monday morning and satify my little guys morning whim, I tracked down 'The Wiener' told her to say cheese too!

Frankly, she was more concerned about getting outside to go potty and I was more concerned about ending the photo session and get back to getting ready!

Pine cone Paradox

When you think of summer...you don't really think of pine cones. Unless, you're 3 years old 3 feet tall. We ventured out to the park on Saturday night and Landon immediately told me was going on a "mystery hunt". Not exactly sure what that is, but soon there-after he took off on his scooter piking up sticks, rocks, leaves and "a-cones". I must have corrected him 20 times but, finally I decided to let the mystery hunt be less of an English lesson and more of a fun time!

When we got home, we showed Daddy "the goods" and then settled in for a Saturday night watching TV together.

By the way, doesn't this look painful????

He does this all the time and actually will walk on his toes like this!!

I also got some crafty time in this weekend. Rewind to Friday night. My Bride-to-be friend Shannon needed some help with a card box for her wedding reception. Guests will put their gift cards inside the hole on the top, if they bring one instead of a wrapped gift. We think it turned out alright. Her wedding is rather traditional, up in the mountains in the fall. So, most of her decorations include the scenery of the trees and fall colored flowers.

These pictures were taken at 2am, when we finally finished!!

It took us about about 6 hours to make. I know, I know...crazy. But it is done!

The projects below didn't take nearly as long. I made them with Jen C. on Saturday.

This is a diaper wipes case for a baby shower I'm going to next Saturday.

As we head into the week, we've got our eyes on August 9th, when our week of Summer vacation begins. We're still trying to figure out what we're doing or where we're going. Regardless, we're counting down the days!!

Losing ZZZZZ's

We've been pretty bleary-eyed here in the Monge household. We decided to move Landon out of his crib and into a twin size bed. He didn't ask, and never climbed out, even despite the fact we have been leaving the side of the crib down, hoping to encourage that...for literally a year!

He just turned 3 years old and 3 months...so you'd figure it was time. But, Landon has other plans. He simply does not want to sleep in his bed...preferring only to jump....and jump, and did I mention, jump?

He also likes to invite Tootsie up on the bed. The shot below was a result of Landon saying, "Take a picture of me and my Too-see on my big boy bed Mommy"!

But, when it comes to catching ZZZZ's...he boldly and without reservation declares, "I want the baby crib"...which, by the way, is still in his room in our unsuccessful effort to make a seamless transition from the crib to the bed and IF...we are able to get him to sleep in the bed, he awakes...usually around 2am crying and saying his bed is scarey. Sigh. Did I miss manual on 3 year olds, somewhere along the way??

Grammy's Gone :(

Coming home after work and pre-school today, the house felt unusually empty. Grammy left this morning and as I've come to learn, it never gets easier to say good-bye!

Landon even learned how hard good-byes are this visit. Grammy says he hopped up into bed today with her this morning and declared he 'needed his ticket to go on the plane with Grammy'. Then when she got out of the car at the airport he cried.


Ultimately, we had to console him with a trip into the parking garage to see the planes take-off and land.

But, as my friend Natalee suggested, we're not thinking about Grammy being gone, but about all the fun time we'll have the next time she comes back! And until then, we'll look back at the pictures taken just before, as Landon says, 'Grammy went home to Teh-sis"!

Bellagio Birthday Surprise

Another year, another amazing birthday surprise from Carlos! Last year he surprised me by flying in my parents and setting up a weekend at a resort here in town. This year he secretly collaborated with my co-workers to write a letter that was read (to my surprise) during my live show the day before my birthday.

It said to pack my bags and get ready to fly to Las Vegas for two days at the Bellagio, and wonderful restaurants and tickets to Le Reve' at the Wynn hotel!

Then he had a sweet paragraph "written" by Landon that said, "Happy Birthday Mommy. Daddy told me he wants to buy a motorcycle today. But, I said no Daddy. How will you pick up Grammy from the airport?!" Carlos bought a ticket for mom to come visit and take care of Landon while we went for our first out of town vacation together since he was born!

Before leaving, Grammy was able to come be a part of our studio audience on Friday with my Aunt Adriana (mom's sister) and her family. They happened to be in town visiting other relatives. Talk about a coincidence!

Our first night in last Vegas on Friday was dinner at Sensi at the Bellagio

with a little Birthday dessert.followed by $40 bucks down the tubes in slots. Honestly, we find gambling so boring, we prefer to people watch and talk. Which is exactly what did after dinner.

We shopped all day Saturday before an over-the-top delicious dinner at Daniel Boulud Brasserie at the Wynn Hotel. It's a must-dine, the next time you're in Las Vegas!! There was an amazing waterfall, next to our window table. We'll be talking about that meal for a loooong time!!

Following dinner, Carlos bought 4th Row seats at Le Reve also at the Wynn Hotel. This was a Cirque-type show in and over the water with fire, music, dancing, swimming, diving and acrobatics. We were on the edge of our seats as people dropped from the ceiling into a 28 foot tank of water below!!

Following the show we enjoyed a drink sitting out on a patio overlooking the same waterfall, in which we dined in front of. Oddly enough, as we were sitting there....the waterfall stopped, a huge head arose from the water, and these hologram looking faces you see below morphed while the music played. Strangest thing we've seen in a while. Well, until we walked back down the strip to our hotel.

Before checking out on Sunday, we stopped to look at the world's biggest chocolate fountain. (cue the choir singing hallelujah! hallelujah!) All different kinds of chocolate that falls from the ceiling enclosed in glass.

We had an amazing time and while we missed Landon we knew he was having a fabulous time, one-on-one with Grammy. They went to a movie, played, did art, made French Toast and slept in the same bed... a la'...slumber party every night we were gone!!

In all...I've never been more excited to get older ....and have another birthday!! :)

4th, Friends, Fireworks and Family!

This weekend was jam-packed with events. I was lucky to have the holiday off ...woo-hoo! 3-day weekend! Our weekend started by inviting our friends Heather and David over for dinner and fireworks. She brought a deeeeee-licious cake! Carlos liked it so much he wouldn't let her take it home. No lie!

After a wonderful dinner, we loaded up and drove to the parking lot of a church . We watched the fireworks that were being launched at a park about a mile away. They started about a 1/2 hour late...which put us around 10pm, so Landon got a little loopy. But we still got our annual ooo-ing and ahhh-ing in!

Saturday, Uncle Stephen called to say he had found a figurine from McDonald's that Landon was begging for and I could not find. After I told Landon his Uncle found it for him, he asked to go outside. Then, he plucked a flag out of the ground and I was able to snap these few photos. When I asked him what he was doing he said he was waiting for 'Uncle Steve' to bring his toy. We waited for a while, while I tried to explain. But, eventually the heat got the best of both of us and we went back inside.

Saturday night, Aunt Adriana (mom's youngest sibling) dropped by the house for dinner and dessert, I had not seen her or her husband in 10 years or more! And I had never met her 10 year old son. He and Landon one of 22 great-grandchildren on the Sandoval side and I'm one of something like 33 grand-children!! I love that! My camera was "broken" (actually it was switched to manual focus and I didn't know)...but today (after after a trip to the camera store to have the people flip the switch FOR ME!) I was able to snap a shot of this:

This was an early birthday gift from Adriana. It was a wedding gift given to her, years ago, by my grandma on my dad's side, Grandma Applewhite. She said she has always believed it should be in my family, so she was waiting for the perfect opportunity to give it to me. I was just in awe of how precious this gift was! It's the ONLY belonging from my Grandmother that I own. I don't even know where to put it, because I want to keep looking at it. It's a gift I'll treasure forever!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!