The Chase Gang: April 2009

Thursday, April 30, 2009

You Can Thank Me Later

My most recent blog stalking paid off BIG TIME!! I found this yummy pasta recipe on Becky Higgins' blog and OH MY HECK!! Delish! When I was making it, I was a little confused cuz it just didn't seem like the different ingredients were going to mesh together.....but let me tell you, they did! My kids ate every last bite! And Hugh is going to take the leftovers to Mexico (yes, he's still going despite the Swine Flu...). So, if you want to impress the heck out of your family, click on Becky's link above and give it a try. Your tastebuds will thank you! And me! And Becky, of course....

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

It's Official

My name is Toni and I'm a Blog Stalker. Being a stalker is in my nature....just ask Hugh (and a few other nameless people from my past...). But I've become fascinated with other people's blogs! What they look like, the pictures (I love beautiful, crisp pictures), their links, the creative ideas....I could go on and on. I was on the Kevin & Amanda blog yesterday, and found a link to the April Showers blog. Totally cute! And she's a blog designer, so you can have her do all kinds of fancy things to make your own blog adorable! (I'm seriously considering having her do a custom drawing of our family.....some "gang"ish to go with the title. Maybe the five of us in red bandanas with tats and guns??? Well, maybe not...). Each blog is filled with links to new and exciting things. It's so fun! And I wonder why my house doesn't get cleaned.......At least I have the guts to admit it. I'm a Blog Stalker.

As you can see, I also learned a few things. Like, changing my font to Papyrus (one of my favorites - thanks Cutest Blog on the Block!!) and adding a signature. Fun!!!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

A New Find

I love coming across AWESOME blogs. I just came across this one, and have been going over every square inch of it! Amazing pictures, FREE FONTS, scrapbooking ideas (I don't scrapbook, but if I did, I would want it to look like this), tutorials on different things, recipes, sewing ideas....Seriously! How can one person possess so much talent!! Anyway, check it out when you have a chance....if only for the free fonts!!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

And While the Girls Were Swimming.....

.....Hugh had Connor and his friend Eric out front doing a vigorous workout! Flipping tires, pulling tires, push ups and sit ups. He's going to beef these boys up! But I have a feeling Eric won't want to come over anymore when Hugh is here.....

It's that Time!

Time to swim! For the kids anyway. The pool will be too cold for me until mid-July. Courtney & Caitlin invited their two friends Hayley & Mya over yesterday after school for a dip. Courtney, Caitlin & Mya jumped right in! Hayley, well, she thought it was too cold, so she hung out on the step. (I'm with Hayley.)

The Thorn

Poor little Griffin...he got a thorn stuck in the pad of his foot yesterday. I noticed him limping and inspected and found the prickly little thing. We got the tweezers, and thought it would be an easy thing to get out. WRONG!! First of all, my little 11 pound dog is STRONG. And can be very VICIOUS!! We tried to hold him down, but he squirmed, and yiped, and bit, so we thought we try again later. So, he calmed down, and Hugh SAT on Griffin (not "squished" sat, just "hold him down" sat) and had to hold his poor little head down so he would bite me as I started to operate!! I couldn't believe the strength in his little leg as I tried to pry it from the clasp he had around Hugh's arm!!! He was NOT going to let me have his leg!! He eventually submitted, and after about 10 minutes, we finally got it out. It was small, but he is small, so it seemed bigger. And it was in there good! Hugh was the first one who wanted to hold Griffin afterwards because Hugh felt like the big meanie. I'm pretty sure Griffin has forgiven us now. Poor little guy.....

Monday, April 20, 2009

An Ultimate April Fool's Joke

Ok, Brenna has done it again. She is a classic prankster, and just went OVER THE TOP this year on April Fool's Day. Read all about it here. I hope I am NEVER on the receiving end of one of these!

P.S. Congrats on your Baby Boy Brenna!!! Now you'll be QUEEN of the house!!!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Present from Molly

Look at this adorable present from Molly! It's a square plate, and she painted the middle with chalkboard paint! Isn't it cute??? Thanks Molly!

My Birthday

I've had a great couple of days. Turning 39 wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, and I'm actually looking forward to turning 40. (My goal is to kick my butt into HIGH GEAR so I can look and feel better at 40 than I did in my 30's, or even 20's. I'm thinking of adding Yoga or Pilates into my work out routine but don't tell that to Hugh or he may hold me to it!! Anyway, I think I received more birthday wishes this year than I ever had before due to the wonderful invention of Facebook!!!! It was awesome! I also received a phone call from Barton, which absolutely made my day. It was so incredible to hear his voice, and to know that he is healing. (Sidenote: he'll be in NYC for a few more weeks, and then will go home to St. George for rehab.) I also receive my annual phone call from Mrs. Fitz (otherwise known as Tracy) and her adorable second graders as they sang my favorite rendition of Happy Birthday - cha cha chas included! I look forward to it every year!! Amy took me for a facial yesterday, which was FABULOUS! And then last night, we went out to dinner with The Howes & The Ashtons. Great time with great friends. I actually was laughing so hard I caused a spasm and I started to cough, and pretty much haven't stopped since. That's thanks to Molly's story involving drowning and pooping. Don't ask. Tonight is a UFC fight, which you all know is a FAVE of mine!!

So, it's turned out to be a pretty great couple of days!!

Look out 40! Here I come!!!

Hugh & I

Loren & Wendy

Andy & Molly

Three HOT Babes!!

Easter 2009

The kids on Easter Sunday.

Caitlin (10), Courtney (11) & Connor (11).

I love my kids.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

I've Been Featured!!!

Check this out!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Easter Dinner

After the shower on Saturday, we headed over to Kim & Wayde's for Easter Dinner. We had to do it on Saturday because both Wayde & Mo had to work on Sunday. Anyway, it was a great time. We made Bonnie & Kamon come with us to experience a Chase Easter, and I'm so glad they came!!! We ate tons of food, and then followed that with our annual Easter Egg Cracking Competition! So much fun. It's my favorite family gathering of the year!