How Smoking Saved the B-day Cake

My sister smokes.

(Though I think she is trying to quit)

I hate it.

I'm not anti-smoker or anything.

(Yes I am)

We had Eli's Bithday party at the zoo and we forgot a lighter...

Hot Hubby - "We forgot a lighter. Does anyone here smoke?"

Me - "None of our friends smoke."

Hot Hubby & Me - "Sarah!"

The only time I have ever told her I'm thankful she smokes...

During the Happy Birthday Song Eli was glowing. It was beyond adorable!!More on the Zoo Birthday to come!!

Halloween 2009

Axl Rose and I putting on lip gloss
(I love my girl!!)

Candy swiper...We got this Trick-Or-Treating thing down.

And it's serious business...

You can't argue with this kind of cute! Moms and Dads get the candy tax.

Next year we are going to have candy picking training sessions so the kiddos know what candy not to pick (i.e. candy corn, dum dums, gum balls, atomic fireballs, anything sour, 3 musketeers) and what candies to pick (i.e. snickers, mr. goodbar, tiwx, starburst, milky way, skittles, peanut m&ms).

OC Family

I've been busy.

(Who isn't? Ha!)

I mean, I've been busy with something super fun!

(OK OK, what mom isn't busy with somthing fun. Ha!)

Mmmmmm...

What I mean to say is...

OC Family asked lil' ole' me to be their craft blogger on their website!

How cool is that!?!?

Now I when I want to sew or make something awesome I can say...

"I need to work."

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Check out the three posts I've already done:

Simplify your Holidays with this Centerpiece Tip

Make your own Halloween Costumes (you may have already seen this on my blog)

Make a custom Pouring Pitcher & Glasses

Eventually that awesome OC Family button in my sidebar -->>

will be a direct link to my blog at OC Family.

(button made by Marcy @ The Glamorous Life)

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My favorite part of this whole deal-e-o is that I get to "work" with some awesome bloggers!

See...

Check out their blogs and be sure to add them to your readers. They all rock!

Promise!
Kelly @ According to Kelly

Suz @ Alive in Wonderland
Julie @ Angry Julie Monday

Lorna @ Calif Lorna

Arceley @ Daytripping Mom

Marisa @ Generic OC-Related Witty Blog

Marcy @ The Glamorous Life Association

Allison @ Green Mom

Andrea @ Hip Moms Who Work

Beckey @ Hippo Brigade

Ciaran @ Momfluential
Kristen @ New Mom
Debbie @ Peace, Love & Momminess

Adam @ Reluctant Stay at Home Dad
Caryn @ Rockin’ Mama

Tina @ Send Chocolate Now
Marcie @ Suburban Mama
Anna @ Working Mom

'm on the right frolicking in the water. It was a great day and I would have loved to jump all the way in!
I also LOVED my outfit that day. So I'm going to break down it's coolness...
Skirt: Bright yellow lace from Anthropologie only $29.95 on sale!
Top: From OC online boutique called Ruche (how appropriate!)
Boots: $22.50 at ROSS. FYI I'm obsessed with these boots. They have my heart.

Photos taken by Dana Sipper from Sipper Photography.Sipper Photography is a husband/wife team and they are AWESOME!!!
Great blog and stunning work. Their latest blog post is about their trip to New Orleans!

Happy Haunting

Blessings on this "holiday" from our family to yours!Silly photo effects done at Picnik!

Wondering what to make tonight?
Try this EASY croc pot recipe (I got it from my friend Rachael). It is delicious! It's really more of a stew than a soup. It's thick so it can stand on it's own for an easy meal.

Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup
Makes 6-8 servings:
4 chicken breast halves (option to cube)
2 15-oz cans black beans, undrained
2 15-oz cans Mex stewed tomatoes
1 cup salsa
4-oz can chopped green chilies
14.5-oz can tomato sauce
tortilla chips
2 c grated cheese

1. Combine all ingredients (except chips and cheese) - I only use 2 chicken breasts for two adults, two toddlers, and there are still some leftovers.
2. Cover - cook on Low for 7-8 hours (or on med-high for 4-6 hours)
3. Just before serving, remove chicken and cut up (I cube the chicken so I don't have to do this step) and then mix back in
4. To serve, put a handful of chips in each soup bowl. Ladle soup over chips. Top with cheese, sour cream, Tabasco, avocado, etc.
5. Enjoy! Super easy!