Is it summer yet?

Nope.  Afraid not.  Most people would be thrilled to have a 67 degree day in January.  I was not thrilled (ok, I was) however I did take advantage of it.  It's a tease and makes me long for summer that much more.  Also, the fact that it's supposed to snow and be freezing this week is torturous.  Anyways, be positive right?  You don't want to hear me rant and rave about that anymore so I'll tell ya what we did do.  The Mr. and I sat outside on the porch swing and talked about future plans for the front yard and back yard.  We talked about our garden.  We talked about him selling his 65 (sorry honey, I do listen, I just forgot) BMW and our hopes of finding a vintage camper perfect for our brood.  I spent the afternoon barefoot or in flip flops.  As soon as we hit a constant temp of 55 degrees, the flip flops come out for good.  But what we mostly did was watch these two together on a beautiful sunny day.  I'm so glad they have each other and are best friends, although they wouldn't admit it.

He always has to monkey around.  She tries so hard to please her mama.

Ok, so she fell prey and couldn't resist.  Nobody's perfect.

This picture completely sums these two up.  "Jude, listen to mama and quit monkeying around."

Wait for it, wait for it....

Awww....that's better.

They love each other these two monkeys :)

I just love that hazy afternoon sunlight...pure bliss.  I wish I could wrap it up and give it as a gift.  Seriously.

We cant forget our other baby.

Oh, and if you're in the market for a vintage BMW, there's quite the cult following for these, then look no further....your dream car awaits you.

Don't worry, he'll be ok.  There are support groups for these kind of losses.  Besides, he has me :)

That Food Guy.

It's a sad state of affairs.  I have nothing worthy to blog about so I'll leave with you a picture of the "food guy".  That's what Jude calls himself.  I bought the great chefs hats at Michaels the other day and "the food guy" decided he wanted a picture of himself and his apprentice in front of the fridge, with the fridge door open mind you and a stick of butter in his face.  Go figure.  Apparently he wants to start a kid foodie blog.  As if I have time for that!  Wouldn't that just be so cute though.  I may have to do a vlog post one day of him cooking.  He's a strange one, takes after his dad.  Anyways, they love to cook and when I have the patience and the sanity I let them help.  I found some really great kiddie gadgets here so they can peel, cut and measure to their little hearts content.  Not sure what's up with the look on Bella's face.  Poor baby had the flu over the weekend and then back to the dr. wednesday with a secondary sinus infection.  She's pretty sick of being sick.

Oh, and speaking of Michaels earlier, if you love dollar bins as much as I do, you must go and check out all the goodies they have.  I bought paper doilies (green and white), cupcakes stencils, rooster coaster (cute ones), chef's hats, a wooden play pizza and cookies, grocery pad, cupcake toppers, etc...  I could have bought out the whole section, minus the Paula Dean stuff (I don't much care for her).  They even had some adorable grocery pads for toddlers with pictures that I didn't buy because, well, I don't have toddlers anymore (sob, sob).  I looked for something like that years ago.  It's just not fair that when I'm done having babies, they come out with all kinds of cute stuff!  Anyways, I'm looking forward to 69 degrees today.  Time to wash the snow off the car (only for it to snow again Monday/Tuesday).  Makes me want to move to Cali that much more, the crazy Oklahoma weather.  Have a super great weekend!

Would You Look At This...

Here's a little Wednesday funny for you :)



Oh, and if you interested, the Zingo is for sale for only $400,000.

Dreaming of...

Photo Source: Butterfly Foodie

Winter and I only get along for so long.  The short days, the cold, the wet slushy mucky snow could never comeback and I would.  be.  fine.  just.  fine.

But, seasons come and go so in the meantime I'm dreaming of summer, planning our garden, looking at vintage travel trailers, and imaging all the photos I'll be taking in the warm summer light.

My little B is sick with the flu and I'm counting the days until we all get it.  Fortunately, we caught it quick so the Tamiflu is working.  We've all been a little run down lately, but we'll keep on trucking and dream of summer.  Oh how I absolutely LOVE and adore summer!

Have a happy Sunday!  We're sanitizing and washing hands like crazy over here.  This morning Bella looked at us with droopy eyes and little pout and said "I just wish I could have a hug".  I couldn't resist.  After all, it's just the flu ;)

Link Love.

fresh365...a collection of vegetarian recipes.  It lists what's in season and recipes for that season.

public bikes... A company out of San Francisco that sells bike's, accessories for your bike, clothing, etc...  I love their bike helmets.  I think the mr. and I need these for our bikes when they're finished :)

Of course if you're a blog reader you need google reader so get it now and then add the next button to your bookmark bar.  Just go to your google account, click on reader and then add your subscriptions by typing in the blog address.  Then add the next button by going to settings, reader settings then goodies.  Then follow the instructions for adding the next button.  It awesome and a big time saver if you read a lot of blogs.

Finally, Grooveshark.  It's by far better than Radio Paradise and Pandora in my opinion.  It's hard to explain, but go there and listen to your favorite music for free.  You won't be disappointed.


                          

Oh, and one more for you organized people out there.  I hand write lists all. the. time.  But when I ran across this I was smitten.  How cool!

Printable Check Lists ....make your own custom lists and print them out...to do lists, grocery lists, packing lists.  Genius!

Blurb Blog Books

So, the whole reason for this little commentless blog is to document this time in our lives.  The happenings, the sayings, the moments, the stress, the happiness, things we like, etc...  Then, at the end of the year, I have the blog made into a book and waalaaa...we have a family yearbook.  I have used 2 different companies in the past, blog2print and blurb.  Both were user friendly, but I have to say I like blurb the best.  I love the wrap around photo cover option and you can customize the posts more. It did take awhile to get it (almost a month), but well worth the wait.  The whole book cost about $45, but the cost was worth it too.  Google coupons if you're not on their email list.  There is usually always a coupon for free shipping or % off or 2 for 1.

perspective.

The last few days have been  bleh.  rough.  Not sure why.  It could be post vacation blues, the winter blahs and the wishing for sunny days and some greenery.  Whatever the case may be, it's all in how we look at it.   I was pondering what the last few days have been.  Days that are now gone and could have been made better.  Time I can't get back.  Perspective.  I'm going to make my days grand.  I want my children's days to be memorable and happy.  I want my best friend to come home and feel peaceful.  That is what i vow to create for my family.  Life is too short to waste it on bad days and yes, I know they will happen.  But in our house, I will do my best to make days beautiful and grand.  I will slow down and not rush my littles out the door every morning as if our time together is less important than the goings on in the world around.  I will breathe and pray and at times cry and remember that life is a gift not to be taken for granted.  My perspective will be grand and when the grass on my side is brown and crumbly, I will look back at this post and remember this.  Sometimes, life slaps us in the face and we can't make the grass greener, but when the stinging subsides, we can choose to pick ourselves up and move forward, being grateful for what we do have and not what we don't.  Perspective.

the hairballs persepctive.

the dog's perspective.

my spot in the morning.

what it looked like first.

breakfast oatmeal.

So True.

Raisins are like fruity pieces of snot.

Home Movie

Untitled from Aja Vaught on Vimeo.

Home Again, Home Again Jiggity Jig

WARNING...super long post ahead!

We're back from our 10 day trek to Taos, NewMexico.  We had a great time seeing new things and relaxing.  It's nice to not have to be anywhere and to wake up and take each day with a stride.  I did get a little cabin fevery though.  I think I realized that as much as I love the concept of the pioneer days, I am a true city girl at heart.  I'm still craving the west coast and would love to make California our home one day though. We visited some of the most beautiful country we've ever seen in New Mexico.  It's such a spiritual place, so peaceful, so calming.  One day we were visiting some locals selling jewelry and other items on the side of the road by the Rio Grande.  I bought a necklace from one of the guys who told me the locals call it "the city of manana".  You go out to chop some wood and then say "I'll do it manana" meaning tomorrow.  Very laid back place.  I was surprised to see the few restaurants they have cater to those with gluten allergies.  At the Taos Diner I had a gluten free club that was to die for and fries with homemade green chili.  Oh my goodness, their green chili is amazing and very common there.  The red wasn't too bad either :)  Taos is a tiny mountain town with not much to do unless you're in to museums, galleries or snow sports which was fine with us.  It's mysterious and mesmerizing at the same time.  Here are a few highlights from the trip...

Buying an authentic native american drum made at the Taos Pueblo...Fiona's not too crazy about it though.

Actually seeing stars at night...all of them.

The sunsets from our table.

The sunrises from our bed.

Letting the kids get in the hot tub at night to star gaze in sub zero temps and listening to Bella tell me about the ice cycles that formed in her hair.

Playing Farkle and Bella beating us all.

Playing Jenga and Jude beating us all.

The mountains.

Our almost trip down the spiral icy road to see the John Dunn Bridge at the bottom of the Rio Grande Gorge which lead us exploring.

Our exploration of the beautiful countryside, getting lost in it and taking pictures of it...thank you Lola for helping us (our nav system).

Arroyo Seco and buying pillows from a beautiful sweet lady who made them from vintage kiln rugs.

Eating green chili.

Driving out of the way to O'Keefe country and Ghost Ranch to see the actual landscape that inspired Georgia O'Keefe's paintings.  Breathtaking.  Thanks Celeste :)

Hearing Bella talk about her trip to the Fechin Museum with her aunt and uncle while the Mr. and I got to spend some one on one time with our little man.

Did I mention the mountains?

Visting Santa Fe and walking though the plaza.

Getting a refund at the Santa Fe Children's Museum because it was LAME (but wait, we don't say that word) and not being embarrassed to ask.  Come on', it was preschool day!

Visting the earth ships and at that moment thinking how cool it would be to live in one and actually considering it.

Re-considering on buying an earth ship!  I can just imagine what people would think if we told them we were buying an earth ship and moving to the mountains :)

Making fun of Rob for sticking his nose in a book the first 3 days.  Wait, was he there at first?

Waking up one morning and hearing Jude say "Go away mom, we're not doing anything!"  Then they brought us thank you cards they made for us (with their aunt's help) with handmade potato stamps.

Watching Celeste paint the sunrise and watching her paint with the kids.

Going to a photographers gallery who was so inspiring and getting tips from him, then being invited back to shoot with him...so cool :)

Joking about booga booga.

Hiking in the snow in our backyard.

Jude.  His funny sayings and comments, so cute.  His cuddles and kisses.

Bella.  Her goofiness and maturity.  She is growing up and is fun to hang out with like a grown up.

Reading the Little Prince to my babies...including Mr. Vaught...he loves that book and I always find him at the foot of the bed listening along.

Almost peeing my pants when standing on the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge.  Thanks dad for my fear of heights :)

Spending ten days with some of my most favorite people.

Missing home and being happy to be home to see our friends and family.  Home is definitely where the heart is.  I can make my heart go to southern California though :)

So, it's good to be back.  These last few months have flown by.  My granny visited for 2 weeks then our friend Eric flew in from Cali for a week and a half, then our trip.  In one year, we've been to Missouri, Michigan, Arkansas, Texas, New Mexico, California, and Arizona.  We have plans to buy a vintage shasta and head west for vacations.  This summer....Disneyland, Yosemite, then up to San Francisco, Big Sur, then Modesto to stay with Eric (when he gets back from Thailand) then a little tour of Napa, then home.  That was our plan.  Now, i'm thinking home sounds pretty good.  I think we're about vacationed out.  I don't know...ask us in about 2 months :)