What it's all about.

Before Sunday, Jamie McMurray was an average middle of the pack racer. In fact, only a few months ago, he wasn't even sure if he would have a ride for the 2010 season. His team downsized from 5 cars to 4 and he was the odd man out. But Sunday afternoon, he raced his way to the new title of Daytona 500 Champion. A title that every driver in Nascar, dreams of having. As he said in his own words, something he has dreamed about since he was a little kid.

I'll be honest, he obviously wasn't my pick going in to the race. I have never been a fan of Jamie. I didn't dislike him at all, I just never purposefully cheered for him. Until Sunday night that is. When he won that race and did his Victory celebration, he turned me into a huge fan. To show that raw emotion and flat out appreciate what he had just accomplished as much as he did, how could you not be a fan? As my friend Karen said, he made the fans forget about the pot hole and the delays and remember what this sport is truly about.

I couldn't agree more. Jamie's win and celebration IS what this sport is all about and it's why I love it so much. As he said very emotionally, When you do something you love so much and succeed at it, you want to share it with those you love so much. Thank you Jamie for sharing your celebration with all of us, you made a fan out of me!

Valentine's.

Some of the special Valentine's I made for the little ones. The cupcakes were treats for Campbell and Cooper's classes and they were both so excited to take them.

I found the little mail boxes in the dollar spot at Target and decorated them with paper, ribbon and other embellishments and filled them with their favorite sweets.

To & From.

Lots of driving. Many laughs. Paprazzi. Getting lost. Jay Z. Makeup. Double Tree. Starbucks. Sailor Jerry. PF Changs. 5th place. The Grammys. Santa Monica. Calabasas. Malibu. Eric's Birthday. The Hangover. Too many memories ♥

These streets will make you feel brand new.

It's that time of the year again, time for the Toyota All Star Showdown! It also means it's road trip time. Ashley flys in tonight and we are leaving in the morning.

I am so excited for this year since Jay will be racing in the Super Late Model class on Friday night, live on Speed. My friend Jeff will be racing the West race on Saturday night, also live on Speed.

Can't wait for the open road, loud music, lots of laughs, taking pictures, forgetting about everything else except for having the time of my life..again :)

Monday Funday.

On Monday, I took the kids, along with my Sister and Ava to meet up in Seattle with Shae, Cadence, her mom Pam, Her cousin Heidi and her 3 kids for a fun day. We started at the Children's Museum and the kids loved it. There were so many exhibits for them to do. I think their favorite was the painting. I loved the Grocery store and Ava loved the discovery area where she could crawl around :)

Afterwards we went out to the Fountain at the Seattle Center. The kids thought that was about the coolest thing ever and I can't wait to take them back there in the summer when they can actually run through the fountain.

We ended our day with a trip to the top of the Space Needle. Not my favorite thing as I am afraid of heights, but the kids both loved that too. When we first got to Seattle, Cooper kept talking about the "Space Noodle" and I told him after we went to the Museum, we were going to go to the top of the Space Needle..his response: Why?

Haha :) I was worried he would be scared but he wasn't at all. He thought it was so cool that we could see the helicopter on top of the Komo 4 news building. Campbell thought it was cool that she could see our car :) And she loved to keep asking me how scared I was. I did just fine except when they got too close to the railings!

All in all it was a great way to spend the day and I can't wait until our next outing :)

Taco Salad.

A famous tradition at the races, the one and only, Taco Salad recipe.

1 packet Taco Seasoning

1lb. Hamburger

1 can drained Kidney Beans

1 can sliced Olives

1 (smaller) bag Mexican Cheese

1 bag of Shreds Lettuce

1 bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos, crunched up

Sauce:

1 cup Mayonnaise

1/2 cup Ketchup

1 tsp. taco Seasoning

Simply, cook hamburger.

Drain and add seasoning.

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, add sauce mixture and mix completely. And there you have it! I have yet to meet a person that doesn't love this, or atleast like it :)

Making me smile.

For winter break homework, Campbell had to keep a journal of the things that she did each day. I looked through her journal one morning and found this. This is in her own words and I thought it was just too cute.

Ava's 1st Christmas.

I can honestly say this was the best Christmas I've ever had. It wasn't because of presents, or the activities or the baking or the music, even though all of that was enjoyed too. But it was the best yet because sweet little Ava was here to enjoy it with. She is the greatest blessing.

Holiday Baking: Round 2.

My Sister and I had another day of baking last week and bake we did...for over 12 hours! We made several different things including: Jam thumbprints, Reindeer Chow, Pecan tassies, Peanut butter kisses, Ritz dipped crackers, No bake's and Roly Poly's.
We packaged up several tins and gave them away to family and friends. Ava mostly played around all day but she wanted to be in on the action too so she observed a lot. Next year she will be able to "help" much more :)

Christmas Party.

Friday night was the 4th Annual Barkshire Christmas Party and this year I got to bring Ava along. There are always several children with Jeff's Sister Carrie's 2 girls, Shelby's Sister Rachel's 2 girls and Shelby's friend Sarah's little boy. It was fun to watch all the kids, especially Ashley and Ava crawling around. The big joke was that the entertainment would be baby races :) It was a fun night as usual!

Holiday Baking: Round 1.

Every year my friends Jeff & Shelby have a Christmas party for their families and friends. I always go down and help Shelby do some baking for the party and yesterday was our big day. She started molasses cookies before I got there and then together we made the spritzers, peanut butter balls, peanut butter kisses and Ritz peanut butter sandwiches dipped in chocolate. We had our aprons on, Christmas earrings, and Josh Groban's Christmas CD blaring in the background...Jeff was not impressed :)