Red Rocks Las Vegas

While in Vegas a couple of weeks ago, we took a nice hike one beautiful evening in Red Rocks. The kids always love scrambling up rocks, and incorporating a pretend sword fight or two. J-Boy has no idea how lucky he is to have a "time out" in such a beautiful location. Just remember J-Boy.... it doesn't get better than that for a punishment location! :) I can't wait until J-Boy doesn't want to escape constantly. He is such an explore bug! I-Man and A-Girl rally up any trail or mountain pretty good now. I love hiking with our little family.

Beachy Decor

Here are some fun home ideas for a more beachy or summery feel. I love the splash of color in each room and I just adore white kitchens!

Gwyneth's amazing decor

I love seeing how people decorate their homes. It is so fun to see what creative people and ideas are out there. I was very impressed with Gwyneth Paltrow's home decor. She is so beautiful and classy, it is no surprise that her home reflects her taste. It is very simple, put-together, and calming! The kitchen is amazing! I love the color of the cabinets and the white chandeliers.

I've Got That Beach-y Feeling

Every year Michael Kors comes out with a new island scent perfume. There is Fiji, Capri, Bermuda, etc. They are all lovely, but my absolute favorite is Hawaii. From January on.... I start getting serious longings for long, warm, leisurely afternoons at my favorite Hawaiian beach. So, until I have the opportunity to go back, I have one of my favorite fragrances to keep me company.

The Best Cakes Ever!

So almost every Sunday we go to dinner at my parents and my mom makes a tasty meal. She is an excellent cook and she makes some exceptionally excellent desserts. We just celebrated my sister's birthday and my mom made a White Chocolate cake that was so yummy! She uses this fabulous cookbook called The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn. May I recommend some of my families favorites? 1. The Perfect Chocolate Cake, 2. My Favorite Birthday Cake (a yellow cake with chocolate frosting), and 3. White on White Cake (white chocolate). These are not just my favorites.....everyone loves these. They are requested all the time. There are many great recipes in this book, and we pretty much enjoy everything she makes. But those are our top three. Bon Appetite!

Eye Candy

These are some of my practice photos of some food photography. Although I have so much to learn about photography..... nothing could make these desserts look bad! Yummo!

Princess Festival

My sister-in-law sent me the link to this darling princess festival. A couple from Lindon built a castle for their grandchildren and they use it to hold the Annual Princess Festival, which is a charity event. 100% of the donations received at the Princess Festival will be used to help children and their families in Kenya, Africa. The sponsoring organization, "In Our Own Quiet Way," is a fully-accredited 501(c)(3) charitable organization in Lindon, Utah.

A-Girl is so excited to dress up like a princess and visit the castle and I'm excited to be a part of the charity event. If you have a princess, you should check it out and maybe our darlings can go to the castle together.

Favorite Lipstick

L'Oreal's Infallible never fail lip stain and lip gloss have been some favorites for some time now, but they just added lipstick to the family. The lipstick has now become my favorite. If you put it on correctly ( put the color on, wait until it dries, then put on the gloss) it lasts for a long time! It never fails! Right now it is buy 1 get 1 free at Ulta.

Knock Knock List Pads

This is heaven for those who love to make lists and be organized. Actually, anyone can appreciate this fun site!

The Secret Garden at the Mirage

So Vegas knows how to make a "zoo" amazing! We took the kiddos to the Secret Garden at the Mirage. It is really neat to see the dolphins up close... I mean you can get right up to the pool and touch them. My kids were playing ball with a dolphin! There was a baby dolphin and a baby leopard, and they were darling. I have never seen white lions, tigers, and leopards so well groomed and fed! These cats are very well taken care of and they are remarkably beautiful. I was very impressed with this place! It is one of the few great things to do with the family in Vegas. We also went to the Red Rocks and did a little hiking. Red Rocks is neat, just because you don't expect a place like that right outside of Vegas. It doesn't really compare to the beauty of southern Utah though. Hopefully I'll be able to download pictures again soon:)

Citrus in the Kitchen

There are many lotions and soaps out there, but in the kitchen, I always go back to Williams-Sonoma Essential Oil Collection. I used to be hooked to the Pink Grapefruit version. But this spring I'm in love with the Meyer Lemon and Persian Lime! Citrus is oh so yummy! And it helps that it is natural and "Earth-friendly."

Stars Wars Obsession

For the past 3 months my children, especially I-Man, have been obsessed with Star Wars. We have watched all 6 movies and the new Clone Wars movie. Mr. D and I-Man love to play the Legos Star Wars Wii together. I-Man basically had a Star Wars birthday and added many figures and light sabers to the collection. Well, we had such a cute moment tonight amid the yucky details of the 3rd movie. Ashy started crying because she was so upset that Anakin is the one that turned into Darth Vader. After the Clone Wars movie and cartoons, you really grow an attachment to Anakin. Much more than the first 3 movies. Ashy is so cute and so loving! I felt terrible that she had to learn that bit of information. At such a young age it is hard to understand the bad in the world. I guess at any age it is hard to understand. I wish that we could shield our children from the bad forever! On a side note...why are there so many weird names and details in Star Wars ? Mr. D and my kids are great at remembering everything. Me, not so good.

"O" at the Bellagio

Finally! Finally! We have had our business in Vegas for almost 3 years, and in all those years I have been wanting to go to a Cirque Du Soleil show. It is hard to get away from the kiddos and we have not had a lot of babysitting options, but this time down, we were able to work something out. Mr. D did surprise me 2 years ago with a night out to see Celine Dion! I was so excited because I really wanted to see her perform before her show ended! She did not disappoint. Her show was amazing! I was also able to see Mama Mia with some of my friends during one of our girl vacations. But, there are so many shows to see here, and I love to go to shows! Broadway shows, musicals, plays... you name it. I miss going to them. So, thanks Mr. D! Thanks for a fun night out! I loved "O". It was eclectic and creative. It was beautiful and shocking. The talent of those performers is quite amazing! There is so much going on every moment that it is hard to take it all in. I think I need to see it again. :) Now, on my list for next time..... Phantom at the Venetian; KA, Mystere, and LOVE. Oh! and I would like to see the Lion King again. So, at the rate I'm going. It might take 5 years for me to complete this list! Good luck to me.

Layla Grayce

So, the other day I'm flippin through the ELIZA magazine and I come across an add for this cute store. I get online to check it out, and what do I find? The most adorable store with the most adorable bedding, aprons, home decor, clothes, etc., etc. I can't wait to check out all of the goodies this store has to offer! You'll love it! It is called Layla Grace.

Great Magazine Deals

I got an email from RealSimple with a great magazine subscription special.... just wanted to pass on this great deal just in case you're in the market for a new subscription. I know I always love a deal! Just go to this link to check out the mags.

Time Warner, the parent company of Real Simple, gives their employees up to 94% off the cover price on dozens of popular magazines. On rare occasions, we have the chance to share these deeply discounted prices with our friends and family. And best of all, this opportunity comes just in time to simplify the holiday gift giving season. At Real Simple, we value our subscribers and want to share this special employee offer with you!I've provided instructions to share this opportunity with your friends and family.Click - Copy - Paste - Share this url:www.realsimple.com/FAF