Plumber's Crack

Last week we discovered a slight problem in our guest bathroom. As you can see, there is a crack in the tank of the toilet. Note the AWESOME wallpaper (very easy to decorate with, let me tell you). There was a slight flood, but I was able to control the flow so there wasn't any water damage. So, therein began my latest plumbing project. Let me make that clear: My FIRST plumbing project. Ever. So, my Dad and I took a trip to the local Home Depot to see what we needed. First of all, they didn't carry the brand of tank for the toilet I needed, so we decided to replace the entire toilet. I was a little bit intimidated, to say the least. We found a great deal on this all-in-one toilet combo and we were on our way.

Luckily my dad was prepared. He brought all sorts of tools to help with this daunting task. Now we do have some tools, but none of them are nearly as cool as these spiffy socket wrenches that my dad had.



First, we had to remove the old toilet. That was probably the worst part. Here I am near the "hole." I was really scared of it - not really, it just kind of grossed me out.





After we hauled away the old toilet, we brought in the new baby ready to be put into place.

It was then time to attach the tank. I was obsessed with this extra long screwdriver. It was the largest thing I have ever seen.

Lucy wanted to help.

Don't forget the toilet seat!

After everything was in place, we connected the water and we were ready to go. I was so proud of the results! James was proud too. He was just going "pay someone to do it." It ended up being really fun. Thanks to my Dad for all his help! He was very patient with me.

Dish Duty

One morning, James and I were quietly hanging out before he went to work. I was puttering around finishing cleaning up from breakfast and getting ready for the day, when I sat down on the couch for a minute to talk to James. We then heard this "clank" and I got up to see where it was coming from. To our ignorance, Lucy had climbed up on the counter and decided to jump off into the dishes. She was truly stuck - and caught! Of course, to add to her embarrassment, we only harassed her more for her mishap. I have been laughing about this for a week since it happened...poor thing - she was only trying to help! Here are some other shots I took of her later that morning as she helped me clean the house. This little dog is too cute! We love having her around for entertainment more than anything.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!

Today is my brother Dave's 28th Birthday! Happy Birthday Dave! We Love you! James and I called him at work this morning and sang him a very off key birthday song. Dave told us we were lame, but I bet deep down, he appreciated it. :)

Dave and I at my wedding.

Dave is very talented. He likes to take pictures. Below are some of the pictures that he has taken. He rocks!

Dave and I have a lot of good memories together. There are countless road trips we have taken, which all have their own special memories...my favorite is when we got hit by the grey fox on our way back to Arizona. :( Such a sad little fox, he just ran right into the side of my car...he was running so fast too. I will never forget Dave's first U2 concert with me, and he truly came to appreciate the wonder of the band, and the amazing skills of The Edge. Dave later returned the favor by taking me to my first Dave Matthews Band concert. We now mutually share each others' muscial obsessions. I also remember all those times when we worked downtown and we would go to "Tuchetts" for lunch. R.I.P. Tuchetti - the best Italian food anywhere! I'm glad that Dave is my brother...he is awesome! I miss seeing him all the time, but we still talk a lot and I am grateful for our relationship. I Love you big brother! Have a Fabulous Day!

Loo's Travels

Little Loo likes to go for car rides. Usually she just sits on my lap and quietly watch the world pass by out the window, or fall asleep on my lap. We don't go very far, but I think it is good for her to get out. Today, I took her to my dad's house so she could run around in the back yard, and when it was time to leave, we discovered a new way for her to travel. She really liked it too, I think.

April - "without kids"

Last week I got to go hang out with Hayden. He is Sandi and Rick's son, and he is so much fun! He calls me "April without kids," because Sandi has another friend named April that has kids, and well, I'm the one without! He taught me how to fingerpaint, showed me all the scary parts in 'Finding Nemo,' showed me how to build Mack truck from 'Cars,' and when Sandi came home, we got to eat peanut butter and honey "spaceships." I was able to play with little Josh a little bit, but he was a sleepy guy most of my time there. I look forward to the next time we can play!

Skating Rink

James took my skating rink away this weekend. It made me really sad, because now, when I leave the house, I can't practice my triple toe lutz (or whatever its called)

Actually, I am really glad that it is gone. It was a death trap! It was finally warm enough for some of it to melt so James could get it off the ground. He said it weighed probably 100 pounds.

Happy Birthday Kirt!

Today is Kirt's Birthday! Some reasons James and I love Kirt:

• He is always there to help
• He knows how to have fun (even if it is with a bunch of teenage girls at Six Flags or Disneyland or on vacation or in the car or at home or anywhere)
• He is the best example of a wonderful Dad
• He comes off quiet, but can put up some mean competition in any game!
• He works very hard to provide for his family
• Suns fan! GO SUNS!
• He is very genuine and sincere
• He is very selfless and puts others' happiness before his own
• He likes big A Clocks!

We love Kirt! I especially miss those times at Cabinet Connection when we would laugh about things that were happening there or laugh at nothing at all! Thank you for everything you have done for us! Hope you have a fabulous day, Kirt! You deserve it! We love you and miss you!

GIANTS WIN!

As you all know by now (sorry for the late post about it) The New York Giants are the Superbowl Champions. James is still basking in his post-game afterglow, and I am so glad that his Giants took the game. It was probably the most enjoyable and intense Superbowl I have ever seen, and we were so exhausted after the game from all the cheering and yelling at the TV - which we know helped the team win. Check out this video to see the game winning play and the sounds of the game. How about the WORLD CHAMPION GIANTS!!!

Peace, Love & Britney!

Today is Britney's birthday! She is 18! I can't believe it! Brit is the best sister a girl could ask for. She is so beautiful, and smart, and talented, and driven, and funny, and spiritual, and charitable, and caring, and sensitive, and and AND...she's the best!! Britney is so incredibly talented - we are so proud of her accomplishments! She was recently awarded a full ride scholarship to ASU and two weeks ago her POM squad just won the state championship! Go TOROS! We miss you and love you Brit!!

Oh yeah, and she is the best Maid of Honor any bride could ask for. She's HOT!

It's an Italian Tradition!

James busted out his mad cooking skills this weekend. I LOVE it when he does this! James really enjoys to cook, and he is rather skilled at it. He has been enjoying having me cook for him lately, which I don't mind, but it is fun when he gets excited about cooking.

Here it is in process...

And the finished product! It was delicious! And James really knows how to make a presentation! Below I have pasted the recipe. We would recommend one less garlic clove; two was plenty.

RIGATONI IN TOMATO CREAM SAUCE

16 ounces Rigatoni (or other) pasta

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1 cup onions, finely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 can (28 oz) plum tomatoes, drained and chopped

1 1/2 cups tomato sauce2 tablespoons basil, finely diced

1/2 teaspoon oregano, finely diced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

16 ounces ricotta cheese

1 cup heavy cream

1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar

1/4 cup parsley, chopped.

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

In a large pot bring 2 quarts of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook Rigatoni pasta for 11-minutes (or until al dente), drain and set aside until needed. Over medium heat, melt butter and heat oil in a large skillet. Lightly saute onions and garlic cloves, don't brown. Cook about 5-minutes. Drain canned tomatoes, dice and add to skillet with onions and garlic. Also add to skillet tomato sauce, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer 20 minutes. Stir in ricotta cheese. Mix well and simmer for 5-minutes. Stir in heavy cream and sugar. Mix well and simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add to cooked Rigatoni pasta. Mix well. Stir in chopped parsley and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over top.

Lucy's First Bath

Saturday Lucy got her first bath. She was such a good dog, she didn't complain at all...although I thought I had a cockapoo, not a chihuahua.

She doesn't look too happy here...just wait - it gets really sad below.

Poor little girl, she doesn't look happy at all. She seems to be saying to James, "save me!"

She is much happier now to be in her towel. She got to play with the blowdryer and then she got her toy. She was very happy then.

A clean puppy is a happy puppy!