Summer fun!

So we have been going out these past few days (minus yesterday and my mystery illness).  We've made it to the pool, the Zoo, walks, the park, and the vet!  Today we went to the zoo and it was ridiculously hot!  I think we spent more time sitting in the grass then seeing any of the animals.  We counted and I think we made it to 5, if you include the peacock.  We will be heading back to the pool tomorrow simply because we watched the elephant enjoy his dip and decided we needed to go back.  Here's a look at our trip to the pool on Monday.

Why do you have my water bottle?  Thief!

Distracted.  Although Tanner is pulling a sneaky move and going to rip Annabelle's hat off.

Audrey: "AHHHHHHH" Braydon: "Whatchu lookin at foo?"

After Audrey slapped Braydon for his inappropriate touches, he took off.

Pretty girl with a frog belly

Just got outta the pool!

Tanner's look says it all!

Braydon: "How do you clap like that?"

Audrey: "Just like that, Braydon.  See you got it!"

We also had a fun time at the zoo and I got to take a few pics of the many animals we saw.

Eating her lunch of champions

Nom nom nom

Stick girl is clap happy, Annabelle...not so much.

Sophie!

The reason we're going to the pool tomorrow!

4 kids...and no seals.

At least you can see Audrey and Tanner!

Toothy grin!

We've had so much fun and can't wait to see what the rest of the summer has in store.  If you want to check out some fun blogs head on over to Welcome Wednesday and blog hop!

30 Day Blog Challenge Day 7

So I woke up at 3am this morning having a total panic attack.  I was "dreaming" or maybe forced thoughts of Audrey's new babysitter come August.  All these questions and unknowns.  Well, from that, I started getting the shakes although I wasn't cold and then all my joints started to hurt.  At 5 something I proceeded to the bathroom where my face became better friends with the toilet.  All day I have felt tired and now have a fancy headache.  I still have my jammies on and have been somewhat of a sloth all day.  Anywho...enough of my excitement.  Today's challenge is:
 Favorite movies
I don't watch too many movies anymore and those that I manage to fit in either take me 3+ hours to watch or I fall asleep.  I also have to think that I have movie amnesia as I hardly remember half of the movies that I've seen.  All I can remember is that I think they were good.  However, there are a few "classics" that I still find to be my absolute favorites and here they are in no particular order!
Grease

I love that this movie has a bunch of singing in it.  I love musical movies.  I also love the era that the movie is from.  My mom and I loved to watch this movie over and over again.  We always said there was a touch of Olivia in my mom.  It's a very simple movie, but is relatable and goes through all the perils of high school antics.  Classically good!
Dirty Dancing

I have to say that I think this is my all time favorite movie.  I remember being in the 5th grade and I am not sure where I heard about this movie (maybe it was a preview on tv) but I knew it was coming out on HBO.  I knew the title made it sound worse than it was and I went and asked my mom if we could record it.  She ended up recording it and we watched it together.  Guess who still has that VHS tape with my mom's handwriting that says "Dirty Dancing?"  I do and I will never throw it away.  I do own the collectors DVD now.  Again, this movie is from an era that I love and the innocent girl who falls for the bad boy and all his dirty dance moves makes me giggle.  I totally wished I were Baby and I could go to some fun resort and fall in love for the first time.  I still tell people to not put Baby in the corner and on more than one occasion listen to Dirty Dancing Radio on Pandora!
Goonies

Who doesn't love the Goonies?  After all, Goonies never say die!  Again, this was a movie that you could put yourself in one of their shoes and wish you could go on a fun treasure adventure like these kids.  Although I wouldn't like to be followed by the Fratelli's.  Chunk was a nice comic relief and I felt so bad for one eyed Willie.  Heartbreaking moment.  If we ever see a car with one headlight we call it One Eyed Willie.  I also saw a picture that a friend took, in I believe Oregon, and I screamed....this is where they filmed Goonies!  Haha!
Fast and the Furious

Onto more modern times.  Love the series of Fast and the Furious.  It's like street Nascar and I love it.  Not to mention that Paul Walker is fairly easy on the eyes.  I like how he was once a cop and then got into the scene and is now an official street racer!  I've seen them all in the movie theater which makes them even better.  I have yet to see the new one and am fairly disappointed I may not (on the big screen).  Good fun action!
Transformers

Now I was actually dragged to the theater to see the first one because Elijah really wanted to see it.  I was super surprised and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I want to beat all the Decepticons up if they hurt my dear friends.  It's also pretty cool that some of the movie was filmed here.  I've liked all the ones that have come out and am excited for the new one!!


So there you have it.  A taste of the movies that I like.  I am also a comedy buff and love the Ace Ventura movies as well as Chris Farley ANYTHING!!!  Those are right up near the top too!

30 Day Blog Challenge Day 6

Today's challenge is so simple...and easy! 
 A picture of something that makes you happy
There are so many pictures that I can use because there are plenty of things that make me happy, but right now the "thing" that makes me the happiest is this:

This picture depicts how I feel about her.  You can see a little smirk on her face and she is usually a happy, laughing, and silly kid.  Literally minutes after she was born she was smiling (or maybe it was gas)!  She brings a glimmer to my eyes and makes my heart smile every single day. She is my little miracle, my gift from God.  This picture is just a small token of what happiness is to me.  She will never know how much she means to me and that a new journey was set forth the minute she was born!  I have never spent a day without my Ladybug!  You are my happiness and joy, Audrey Rayne.  Mommy loves you!

30 Day Blog Challenge Day 5

Today's challenge is as follows: A song to match your mood


Well it would have changed earlier, but because the day is winding down I have selected a new one.  I woke up pretty early and spent the majority of the day hanging out with the Ladybug.  She is in a tough stage right now because she wants to walk, but can't and then gets super frustrated...thus making me frustrated.  Elijah worked hard in the backyard to get our patio done and did so in the nick of time.  The wind is blowing like crazy and thus, bringing with it, the ash and smoke.  Bleck.  Anywho...my current mood is as follows and this is how I shall remain until night night time.  Catchy song too!

 Bruno Mars: The Lazy Song

30 Day Blog Challenge Day 4

Ha! Thought you would catch me not doing my blog challenge today huh?  Guess again.  It's 9:20pm and I am now entering it in the books.  
Today's challenge is:Your parents


Well, I believe my parents are some pretty amazing individuals!!  They got married on July 20, 1974 in San Diego.  3 years later they had my brother in Escondido, CA and 2 1/2 years after that they had me in Sedro Woolley, WA.  We eventually moved back to my dad's main land of Santa Fe, NM and eventually ended up in Rio Rancho, NM (suburb of Albuquerque at the time).  That's where most of my memories lie.  My mom was a stay at home mom always lugging us around to whatever sport or event we had going on and my dad worked a lot to support our family.  We did so many wonderful things together as a family.  I remember going down to the Butte to fish and going to the mountains to sled down the hills.  We took annual trips to San Diego to visit the family.  These trips usually happened without my dad since he continued to work.  After both my brother and I entered school my mom became an educational assistant at the elementary school that we went to. It was really nice being on the same schedule as my mom and I think she enjoyed it to because she got to have adult conversation, but still have the same opportunities that a stay at home mom had.  While my mom brought me to all my softball, track, dance, art, etc. activities, my dad was the one to teach me life skills.  Like how to shoot a can with an air rifle and how to change the pads on the air conditioner.  I had such a stable upbringing.  Your typical family (back then) with 2 parents still married, 2 kids, a dog, and a cat.  My mom always helped me make my life decisions and I respected her so much!  As the years went on she became more of a friend and confidant than "just a mom."  I remember wanting to spend the money I earned from my job on clothes and treats to spoil her.  She loved it!  I think during the time from when I was 18-21 I was the closest to my mom and didn't really have a tight relationship with my dad since we really didn't have much in common and I didn't see him a lot.  My mom passed away in February of 2002.  I was 21 and she was 51.  It was very sudden and heartbreaking.  My dad became a widow after 27 years of marriage.  It's been 8 years, and it doesn't seem that long...yet it does.  Elijah and I eventually bought a house and then my dad tells me that he bought a house too...5 houses down.  It was great having my dad and brother live just a few doors down.  I think since my mom's passing my dad and I have become very close.  I am always checking on him and calling just to say hi.  He does the same.  He has since handed his house over to my brother and lives on the other side of town.  He comes over every weekend to check in.  At 30, I can now say that my dad is one of my best friends....and definitely a confidant.  I would do anything for him and always wanting what is best for him!  I recently went through some pictures that my mom had in a box and guess what she saved...the pack rat that she was?  Cards my dad had given her just because!  I'm talking cards from the late 60's/early 70's.  How sweet!  Last weekend my dad and I went through them and had a good laugh.  He took some pictures that we found of the two of them.  I think my parents did a phenomenal job raising us and I hope to give Audrey an upbringing that is half as good as mine!  We might not have had all the money or things in the world...but we did things together (like dinner at 6:15 every night) and enjoyed each others company!  Love you, my Angel, and love you Dad!!

Mom and Dad on their wedding day!  Isn't she beautiful?

30 Day Blog Challenge Day 3

Day 3's blog entry is: Your first love


Well...to start off I had a wicked night with the little one.  She is either teething horrendously or is starting to get sick.  My lack of sleep makes my brain hurt, so this entry is going to be short and sweet!


I am one of the lucky one's who never had to have crazy heartbreak from losing your first love.  I married my first love!!  Elijah and I met at the end of my 1st semester of college when I was 18.  He was 20.  He had just gotten out of a crazy relationship and I really wasn't interested in looking for love since college was kicking my butt.  But...things happen for a reason and we were meant to be with each other.  I think we became an "official couple" a mere week after dating and the rest is history.  We have had our ups and downs as any couple and it's a rarity to be able to grow up...together.  It was such a young age that we met and there is a lot of growing to do in that time span, but we made it through.  We got engaged after 2 years of dating, married after 5.5 years of dating, and here we are 12.5 years later!  Our anniversary is on the 19th of this month and we will be celebrating 7 years of marriage and finally a baby!  I can truly say that Elijah is my best friend and has been through the toughest times with me.  I could never picture a better man for myself or a better father for our ladybug.  He is my first love and my forever love! 

Taken in 2005.  Haven't changed much.  Man, those glasses were just wrong!

30 Day Blog Challenge Day 2

Day 2 of the 30-day blog challenge is: Meaning behind your blog name
Well that is very simple as I don't have a super catchy blog name.  It's Casa de Cavinder.  I decided to add a little espanol flair since we live in the good ol state of Nuevo Mexico.  So that is why I put Casa de.  ('house of' for those of you non spanish speakers that read this).  Cavinder is our last name and I thought it was nice because Casa and Cavinder both start with C.  Pretty boring, I know...but catchy too!  So there you have it!  
Have a peaceful Thursday folks,  I hope mine will be.  With a husband out of town and a teething and cranky baby...not so sure!