LUCKY number SEVEN To celebrate 7 years of matrimony, we got lucky Vegas-style, baby! Robb planned this surprise weekend get-away. It truly was the surprise of my life; I had NO idea he had this up his sleeves (you can kind of tell from the 'lucky' smile on his face in this picture).

No babies pictured here; Robb planned this while my mom was visiting in town so she could stay with the girls. The whole weekend I felt like a huge chunk of my life was missing. yet its amazing how 7 years and 2 kids later, its very easy to hang out just as a couple. Its also very easy to sleep in. wow.

I love you! Thank you!

How I spent my Summer Vacation.... ...there were bus rides...

........there were pony rides...

...car rides.....lots of car rides....lots

And lots of smiles.

Summer...and Somer news: Venice finally took her first steps at 13 months. She still prefers to push shoe boxes around.

Simi finally got her first hair cut. Only took 3 years and one month to get there! For those with curly hair, you know what I'm talking about. Its scary to cut; you cut a half an inch and it springs up 4 inches.

Chillin'. Venice is ready for a Cache Creek run. Too bad that's not on our horizon. Instead we spend our days in the pool. Also, if you look closely you can see her tiny pigtails.

Just a bit of silliness really. I put on a Biore pore strip, and when simi saw me she busted up. She said, "MOM! you are always so CRAZY!" So we had a mother/daughter spa moment, though simi's is just a strip of notebook paper-she thought that was what mine was.

Did I say there is always a train? well, there is also always a hot tub. We have always wanted one some day. Finally, this spring, Robb designed and built his own. Its only solar-heated, but gets pretty hot by the end of the day. I love my Civil-Hydraulic-Structural-Engineer-hubby. Simi is the biggest fan of it. she calls it "her" pool.

Just a typical "get up" that I find simi wearing on a day to day basis. I'm not exaggerating when I say there are not enough accessories in the world for this girl.

Simi-ismsso I haven't blogged much because I guess I haven't been getting enough sleep lately. A few days ago at dinner this was my convo with simi:

her: "Mom, are your eyes broken-ed?"

me: "No, how can my eyes break?"

her: "...oh...they just have all those CRACKS in 'em."

While on the subject...here are her top 10 favorite Phrases recently. If you are around her for a day you will hear a few of these several times repeated.

10. "Are you ready for it?"

9. "So....How was work, Daddy?"

8. "Wanna see my new trick!?"

7. "I don't wanna have Breakpist....I wanna have lunch!"

6. "Can I talk now?"

5. "This is delectable!"

4. "That's a GREAT idea!"

3. "....actually...yes..."

2. "Venice, you need to work on your manners..."

1. "Mommy, you are like the Bomb, Baby."

A TEMPLE in PHOENIX!!!!!????

Its true:
LDS Newsroom

One year older and ....wiser too? Happy 3 years, my fun girl. This was hands down the best day of her life so far. Never seen a kid more excited about such simple things! She almost had a heart attack over the 'happy birthday' banner we hung for her. and of course immediately put on EVERY present she got. never knew a 'my lil' pony', or a plastic necklace could bring such thrills and joy to a person's heart...only if your name is Simi. Its tough being a Princess.

lil' sis was right by her side partying hard all day.

The best part was making these favors for her friends

Picture of the Lake Havasu trip! Its not a topless beach, but Simi thought it was. Venice is more of an albino; she chose to keep her shirt on. She chose...wisely.

Enamored (that's a fancy word for Love) with NANCY! 3 cheers for new Fancy Nancy books. If you have a "girly" girl at your house, you've probably read these adorable books by Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser. My daughter is obsessed with Nancy and gets so excited when new ones come to the library. The author somehow must have secretly used our family as inspiration for the series--or it must mean that I'm not alone and there are other "plain" parents out there in the same situation. (We recommend Fancy Nancy and the Posh Pup, our fav).

Two New Arizona Temples AnnouncedThis is the beautiful and historical Mesa Arizona Temple. It was the only temple in AZ from 1927 until just a few years ago when the Snowflake Temple was built. Now Arizona will have 4! These are the first Temple construction announcements for Thomas S. Monson as a prophet. Read the newsroom article at:

http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/president-monson-announces-two-new-temples-in-arizona

Happy Birthday Princess Knuckles!

Dear Knuckles, Happy First birthday. When I think back to April of 07, one year ago, I can hardly remember life without you in our family....it might be because my brain has never made a full recovery. Please forgive me if I've been exhausted your whole life. But it doesn't mean I love you any less. Thank you for every hug, every snuggle, every smile, every pout (which we see a lot of), every giggle, tickle, and love. -Mom.

Check out this Blog. Do it.

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

It is the official Reflections of Christ Blog and has an amazing video montage of beautiful photography and music. These works by Mark Mabry will take your breath away.

Is there a better 80's combo than 'wife beaters' and Mustang GTs? (This picture screams: 'get off the camera and take care of your children'. Clothe them, and for heaven's sake, do that child's hair).

Hi friends! Yes, I took off all my links because my blog is public and I didn't want anyone's last names exploited on my account. :) Speaking of...Enjoy this name game:
(thanks Elena, it was fun)

1 . YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Kippy Dodge
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Phish Food C. Chip
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name)D-Mac
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Purple Lemar
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Dalee Yakima
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)Mac-da
7.SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) The Yellow Lemonada
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Rulon Frank
9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)Happy Butterfingers (yikes)
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) ________Ann
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) Kinsey Kuna
12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) Spring HollyHocks
(yikes, this could be a stripper too)
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Pineapple Flip-flop
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) Oatmeal Aspen
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)The Yoga/Song- Sun Tour

Much Love for the Mini

Some folks had questions about the ol' minivan (doubed 'the mini'). Yes the carseats are built in (for children weighing 22-50 lbs). Yes, I love it. Say "Yes" to the Mini. Yes, I know the mini isn't for everyone. But if you have children, and travel via roadtrip like we do, it pretty much rocks. Mini rocks the roadtrip. There are few out there that have built in car seats; mine is the 2005 Dodge. I've heard that the older Poniac minis have carseats built in too. And if you are wondering...Yes, I do get crap about driving a minivan, from lots of people. But I never feel like I have to defend it...cause it speaks for itself. All you mini drivers out there...do you not feel the same?

Mortifying...

Ok, Elena this post is just for you...I got tagged to make an "embarrassing moment" And if you are reading this you are also tagged to post your own embarrassing moment...but especially Jessica because MORTIFYING is our fav word.

so here goes...(Loralee never lets me live this one down...I don't think Elena knows this story, yet.)

In 1999 I was dating Robb MacDonald and was invited to accompany him and his family to the Johnson Family Thanksgiving Reunion to not only meet the parents, but the GRANDparents! I had NO idea what I was in for. Like a lamb to the slaughter I went to meet Robb's Grandmother (Grandmama) for the first time. I sat in his grandma and grandpa's living room and for at least 2 hours (seemed like an eternity) was grilled on questions about my life, background, parents, siblings, pets, talents, passions, goals, skills, grades, political preference, academic achievements, failures, successes, dreams, ambitions, astrological sign and dress size...

I felt myself getting pushed deeper and deeper into the ground and I was scrambling to get out. I wasn't about to let my poor interviewing skills keep me from the love of my life. I panicked. Had I entered some sort of alternate universe???? I thought grandmas were supposed to smile, give you a hug and offer you home baked cookies! I didn't bargain for this! As these thoughts raced through my mind I heard Robb's grandma point a final question to me..."do you have ANY talents?" I shouted, "I can do the SPLITS!?" Why did I say it? I don't know, it was rapid fire; the first random thing on my brain. They wanted proof. Before I knew it I was on the ground demonstrating both Chinese and American splits. "Get OFF the ground, Dalee!" my-later-to-be Sister-in-law Loralee, yelled. I was so degraded. on the ground...begging for a little respect. ew I'm grimacing just remembering it.

Front Facers

Venice turns 12 months shortly and one of the joys of being 1-years old is getting to sit like a person, front-facing. And Simi is sporting her Gwen-do (thats what I call it). Her bangs do this natural 40's-style-pin-curls-type thing so I jazz it with hair spray and there ya have it, instant Gwen Stephani.

So here is more compare and contrast. This time Father-Daughter. This picture of Robb reminds me of Simi. The "unimpressed look", the blonde curls, the BIG chuncky face!

Happy Easter

Ricks Forever! This coming Spring/Summer marks 10 years since I first entered Ricks College as a Freshmen. So HAPPY 10 YEARS LADIES! Ricks was my favorite part of my whole academic career. (this picture was actually from 1999 which was an especially fun year)

On a less sentimental note: those who were in this picture or attended this "banquet" will remember it was like the Ricks College 235th ward or something...and we got awards at the end of the year based on our personalities. I remember being angry to say the least that I got "Best Airhead" or something like that. I think I burned the certificate. Correct me if I'm wrong: Jessica got: Best Smile. Bonnie got "City Slicker" (LOVE that), Holly got "Best Hair" and Lisa and Melissa I don't remember your awards...please someone fill me in! Am I psycho that I remember the awards from so long ago?

The Primaries have been CRAZY, huh? A very intense election year. Because I hang out at the local park with babies for a large portion of the day, I generally don't get many opportunities to talk politics with people. Except for yesterday. A young girl (no older than 7) said,

"hello"

"Hi" I replied.

"So who did YOU vote for??!" she said, with a bit of sassiness that made me giggle.

"...well, I..." (I didn't expect such a heavy question at the jungle gym. I was speechless.)

my stammering, frustrated the young girl and she blurted--

"Well, I voted for OBAMA!"

The Funky-Fresh Christmas of 1982 This one is for the Coons. For those who are confused, this is Matthew Coons and Robb, doubling up on Santa. My favorite part is Santa pointing.

Nudist Colony...? simi's newest favorite thing to do is take off all her clothes when friends come over to play. ummmm. Not sure what else to say about that. Never a dull moment with Simi.

Another new fav. is her bed.

Nothing comes easily for a Princess. In the following post are pictures of Venice trying to crawl. It is much easier to have a scream fest, right?