Coldplay. Enough said.

We are all about a good concert. The first one I ever went to was John Mayer in LR when I was in my mid to late 20's, and to say I've been hooked ever since would be an understatement. I've seen John 3 times, Gavin Degraw twice, Andy Grammer, Colbie Callait, Green River Ordinance, Owl City, Collective Soul, OAR, Dave Matthews, Googoo Dolls...but, none can compare to COLDPLAY!! I had heard from several people that it's the best they'd ever seen, and that is no joke! We got the tickets back in January as a birthday gift for Holland, & she was pumped! The girl loves good music (meaning she couldn't care less about Justin Bieber, One Direction, or whatever the flavor of the day might be for the tween/teen population. That's my girl.) And since it was Pate's birthday weekend, we made it a family affair. We all loved it. They rocked.the.house.

My Animoto Video

My Animoto Video

Recital 2012

It's that time again!! These dancers work so hard for 9 months every year for one big recital in June, which makes the week leading up to it and the weekend of very stressful, but VERY exciting! This year was extra special because it was Holland's first year on Company. She had 2 dances on Friday night, 1 on Saturday afternoon, and 3 on Saturday night. We got to experience the chaos of having only minutes to change costumes between dances, but we pulled it off! Holland was beautiful and amazing and I sat in awe as I watched her just as I do every single year......

All my girls

God may have given me 2 bilological children, but I love their buddies just like they're my own. There are few things in this world more important than best friends. Always cherish & protect those relationships, and thank God for surrounding you with those most special people.

Lovin' LA!!

What better way to celebrate Mary's birthday than with a girls trip to Los Angeles?? This was only the second time I'd been there, and the first was only for a day before we set sail on a cruise. Mary & Kim are LA experts, so they knew how to do it up right! We stayed at the Andaz hotel, hit 5 different shopping districts, ate at La Petit Four, Rock Sugar, SUR, Katana, Mel's Diner, & Cheesecake Factory, went to a comedy club, & frequented Chateau Marmont. It was a most perfect weekend made even better by  my most fabulous husband who gave me a very generous allowance from his "car fund". Thanks babe!!

Ready to get their dance on

The girls first middle school dress-up dance...after seeing teenagers in t-shirts, ripped up jeans, and flip-flops everyday, this was very refreshing! Look at how nicely they clean up...

Racing for the Cure

Payton has a new found passion for running, which thrills me to no end! I NEED a running buddy! So, she has signed up to run cross-country for Central in the fall & came home really pumped about running the Susan G Komen 5k with a group of kids from school. Needless to say, we never found the group from school NOR did the 4 of us (me, Payton, Olivia, & Valerie) stay together NOR did Payton run the majority of it, BUT....she did finish her very first 5k, & I have a feeling it's the first of many more to come :)