Tommy, Much?

Anyone who lives in the Phoenix area is familiar with the Hastings and Hastings billboard. Anyone who knows Tommy would agree these two could be mistaken for a father/son duo.

San Francisco

A few weeks ago, we had the chance to spend a few days in San Francisco with our friends, the Ridgeways. We had a really great time. Some of the highlights were:

the lovely view of the construction crane out our window,

A scary resemblance of the "Unibomber,"

however, he's definitely more of a lover, not a fighter.

We kept seeing Santas and sluttly elves all day, so we finally stopped one and asked what was going on. It was "Santa Con" night, where everyone dresses up and parties all day and all night. Notice this Santa's special package... you're welcome Mom.

Ghirardelli (we hit it twice),

Did I mention we were on a trip with the Ridgeways? There always has to be a workout of some sort, so we rented tandem bikes and rode from Pier 40something, across the Golden Gate Bridge to BFE, otherwise known as Sausalito. I would not recommend wearing a peacoat, skinny jeans and leopard print flats for that long of a ride.

The best part was cheating and making Tommy do most of the work (payback for our kayaking treck in Hawaii when I had to do ALL the work)!

It was almost worth it in the end. Almost.

Tommy said, "Don't act like you've never been in a Nordstrom before." This was 5 levels of pure shopping bliss.

Lombard Street

And the best part of the trip would have to be our late-night trip to a massage parlor for foot massages. Marcus and Keisa made us walk like 100 miles this whole trip and our feet were hammered. We saw this little shop and walked upstairs and asked for foot rubs. The ladies looked at us like we were crazy. Is it a bad sign when they whip out the petroleum jelly? Major red flag. Hopefully you get where I'm going with this - I'm pretty much thinking it wasn't a foot rub parlor, more like a "happy ending" massage joint. Gag. I realized it was too late to abort the mission. Worst foot massage ever. I think those ladies were used to rubbing other things. Funny how Tommy wanted to go back the next day.

Fun With Friends and Santa.

This year, instead of doing the annual mall Santa thing, our friends decided to have Santa over at their place, and lucky us got the invite. Thanks for a great party Arnett's! I'm really hoping you'll make this an annual tradition, (hint hint)!

And thanks for the Kazoos, Santa (not)! I'm ready to throw them down the toilet!

We're Trying To Catch A Cat...

Instead, this is what we keep finding. A black weiner dog. What a flippin' dummy.

DAGNABBIT!!

Well, we just finished our 3rd year in a row for the annual school Spelling Bee. Tag was super stoked to be in it again. I told him beforehand, not to get too cocky because he's the oldest one there. I made him promise me he wouldn't embarrass me and lose it on an easy word. He did so well. He ended up getting second place to a 5th grade girl, nonetheless. Poor guy, in his mind, getting 2nd place is worse that last place.

His word?

Autonomous (please tell me no one has ever even heard that word before)?? When the lady gave him the word, he laughed and asked her to repeat it twice and use it in a sentence. TWICE.

And the word the 5th grade goody-goody won it on?

CRYSTAL. Keagan knew how to spell that word in Kindergarten.

I call major bullshiz on that one. (in fact, I think Tommy even said, that's bullS&*!@ out loud).

Yep, the Stapleys' are sore losers.

I Wish I Were Making This Up...

The other day, Keagan asked me for a stamp because they were writing letters to parents. I was excited to read my sweet little letter, and instead, this is what I got:

Dear Mom,

Do you remember when you thought you were fat? I think you are not fat at all! Hey Dad, do you remember when you thought you looked weird in your pants? I thought you looked as handsome as a prince. Can you possibly get me the D.S. game called Super Mario Brothers for Christmas?

Love, as much as much as fish love water,

Keagan

Funny of The Day...

I swear, I could write a book on some of the texting conversations I have on a daily basis with my husband. For your reading pleasure:

Me: I now know that my OnStar officially doesn't work. Swayze pushed to button and it said it is deactivated. What if I'm stranded in the desert someday and die? You would be sad for being such a cheapo.

Tommy: Your phone works everywhere you drive.

Me: Not true. What if I crash and am paraplegic and can't reach my phone?

Tommy: And your cute little husband (he said it, not me) is sweet that you have the nicest phone available with unlimited text and calling.

Me: Unless you're wanting to trade me in early for a 19 year old bimbo...

Tommy: Then you would not want to live anyway because I would do your makeup.

Me: And want me to die in the desert...

Tommy: I didn't say that.

Tommy: All I said was I know you would rather be dead than a quadropalegic than have someone else do your makeup and hair.

Ok, you win.

A "Snow Day," of Sorts...

Our neighbor rented out a snow machine for her daughter's birthday today. I'm so glad we're friends and are on their invite list. Sometimes it really pays to be a suck-up.

Oh... the excitement!

Friendsies.

First up, snow angels.

There were some tears during the snowball fights.

Love these faces.

Swiggles wasn't much of a daredevil.

Nashy boy took a little spin down the hill.

Cute Girlies.

Swayze's New "Bang" Up Job.

Since our little Swiggles has no part in her hair, we decided we may as well give her bangs, or "bang" as she likes to call them. Thanks mucho, Megan!

"Oopsy Poopsy."

Ladies, don't you just hate it when your father-in-law "accidentally" reads one of your husband's texts? Here's my cringeworthy story of the day:

So, I ran into my sweet friend, Wendy at Ned's while picking up some subs for the kids lunches today. She had gotten a new car, an Audi Q7. I've been hounding Tommy for one for the last 2 years, but apparently it can't pull a boat, so I'm a little S.O.L. However, I find a little ironic that my "Black Lavender" can't seem to pull our boat either. Apparently she's all bark and no bite. Now, I know you're thinking, what does this have to do with anything? Sit tight. Here is my texting convo with Tommy:

Me: Wendy J. pulled up in a new Q7. Booger!

Tommy: Ohhh well.

Me: I know.

Tommy: You will just have to get the Panamera. (which just so happens to be my dream car).

Me: I just got horny.

Tommy: (I'm not typing what he called me, but let's just say it starts with an H and rhymes with "Cooker.")

Me: You know it!

Tommy: That's an understatement.

Now, on to the good part...

So, Tommy met his dad for lunch today, and I guess while Tommy was in the little boys room, his phone started ringing. Now, my super politico father-in-law has never been electronic savvy, so he was trying to answer Tommy's phone, but somehow stumbled upon his texts instead. When Tommy sat down at the table, he told him his phone rang and couldn't figure out how to answer it, but...

"Apparently, Leigh's horny."

Booger.

But seriously, wouldn't this car make you just a teensy bit horny??

Halloween '10

I think we did pretty good this year, if I do say so myself. Fun City Costumes never disappoints. Tommy thinks he gets the shaft every year. He's pretty much right. "It's always all about you and your costume," he gripes. It's true.

Lucy and Desi

Little Monarch Butterfly and Snow White

Sailor Girl, Keagan and Alice in Wonderland, Aleia

The Mish's, Elder Stapes and Elder Reeb. First costume ever, that didn't cost me a flippin' dime. Genious.

I've officially decide that red is NOT my color. However, the red pencil-thin brows, I really think I could pull this look off. Kidding. Makeup courtesy of Courtney Rogers at OurBeautyMark.blogspot.com

The HomeGirlz

These 2 on the left, left me speechless. You should've seen her costume from behind. Priceless. Nothing like being a frumpy 'ol housewife standing next to Mrs. Hottie.

My Baby's All Growed Up!

I love you Dude. Thanks for always being my Good Boy.

XOXOXO's Always,

Your Mama

Family Pics 'Sneak Peek.

Love, Love, LOVE!

Photos taken by Chelsea Bevans, Shutterlissphotography.blogspot.com.

While the HOA President's Away, The Residents Will Play...

It rarely rains here in Arizona. But when it does, it's a party. The retention basins fill up like swimming pools. We decided to whip out the surfboards and motorcycles and have a little surfy sesh. And even though we got a nasty little email from the HOA secretary, it was all worth it. We have to liven things up a little now and then.

Powell. Again.

Love this annual trip. Love this group even more. Thanks Fishbecks.

I was actually in a little better shape this time around. Climbing the 'beast wasn't as bad.

Jason, totally cheating to win the big race down. But what's new??

Precious.

We decided to bring paddleboards this time. Best idea ever.

I'll spare you the picture with the makeout sesh.