We Got Crabs!

Hermit Crabs!
After much deliberation Sierra decided that she wanted Hermit Crabs as her pet of choice. We discussed many other options, put when it came down to it she wanted the Crabs. We have been the proud owners of the Hermit species before in Vegas. We even had to leave two of our little friends with the Debeneddettos when we moved. Sierra and I thought they were great pets.

Here are our reasons:
( please do not feel that we are slamming any other pet of choice)

1. They stay in a cage, making it much harder for Logan to accidently mame or kill them.

2. They take very little maitnance. Feed and water once a day. Clean out poo once a week.

3. Even though they live in a cage, you can take them out and play with them, much like a hamster or gerbil, but they don't smell, AND they are scary enough that Logan does not want to touch them, reinforcing #1.

4. They are not expensive, so Mom and Dad will not pass out when one of them dies.

5. They do not need any more attention then what I or Sierra wants to give them.

6. We do not need to find them a baby-sitter when we go out of town. They can make it for a couple of days. If we left for over 3 we may need to have someone come in and feed them etc.

We love having them. Some find them disgusting, and that is fine by me. I think they are the most Ugly Beautiful creature I have ever seen. I would love to get a few more! We will see how things go. Sierra is already telling everyone that as soon as they die she is getting a cat-her 1st runner up!

School Project Fun!

Sierra had a school project this week involving simple machines.

Microplane 101

So it has recently come to my attention that many of you who read my blog do not know what a Microplane is. I thought I would tell you, because it is my FAVORITE kitchen gadget/tool. It is actually one that I thought I would buy to use occasionally and I have found I use it 3-5 times a week when I make dinner. Mine is more narrow than the one that is shown but I am coveting one like this.

My microplane is specifically used for zesting citrus, grating Parmesan cheese, or finely grating chocolate. I also use mine for grating garlic when I want a very subtle garlic flavor. I am in love with the pictured microplane because it basically acts as a hand-held box grater. It allows you to grate items directly over the pot or skillet that you are working on. i.e. garlic, cheese, or onion.

LOVELY!!!

So, I hope that helps educate you all on the amazing-ness of the microplane. My 30 second infomerical is over. :)

Wylde Women

My Mom's best friend from high school, Nicki, gave me this awesome blog award. It is called the Wylde Woman award and she was so sweet to gift it to me. It wasn't until I started reading her blog that I even found out about blog awards. She has a TON of them, and for good reason. Her blog: Blah, Blah, Blah Blog is hilarious, and she is SICK in her decorating skills. You all should really check it out if you haven't already blog stalked her! Click here to see the AWESOMENESS!

http://nikkicrumpet.blogspot.com/

So here are the rules for the award:

1. You can give it to one or one hundred or any number in between - it's up to you. Make sure you link to their site in your post

2. Link back to this blogsite (http://www.tammyvitale.com//) so Tammy can go visit all these wonderful women and remember the Purpose of the Award: To send love and acknowledgment to women who brighten your day, teach you new things and live their lives fully with generosity and joy.

On a personal note it means a lot to me that Nicki would feel this way about little ole' me or, that she finds me funny and enjoys reading my little blog about, let's be honest, nothing! I feel this way because Nicki is hilarious. Some of my favorite memories are of me sitting in the backseat of her car, going for a coke, and listening to her and Mom talk and laugh. They are TOO funny! So, frankly, the fact that I can even make her chuckle or giggle is enough to make me beam. I am working on an all 0ut gaphaw, roll on the floor, hold your stomach belly laugh! I also love her kids and have precious memories of time spent together with them. Her home is still one of the "special places" of my childhood! My sister and I looked forward to spending time with them in the summers and winters that we made it to Utah. Some vacations we frankly spent more time at her home than my Grandparents. Thank you Nicki for thinking of me as a equal in humor, wit and entertainment. It means a lot.

And lastly I guess I need to pass this amazing award along. So I am giving it to:

Mindy over at The McMonkeys. She is hilarious and I really enjoy reading her blog everyday. I love her "say it like it is" personality. I can honestly say that it was reading her blog that inspired me to start writing again. I felt like a blog was a great way to do that. I have found that I truly do love to write, so thank you for that unintentional gift Mindy! You can visit her at http://www.mickmonkeys.blogspot.com/.

Thanks again Nicki!

Due to the Graphic Nature..

of this photograph, I suggest that you escort your small and impressionable children from the room. Shield their precious eyes from the horror!

Let me give you a small back story so that you can truly appreciate the onslaught of destruction that follows: I DO NOT buy myself a lot of stuff that is purely selfish. I usually buy items that everyone can use or I buy things to make into stuff that everyone can use. (With the exception of clothing).

Anyway, last year I splurged and bought myself a micro plane. One of the nice ones- it has a "cover" to protect itself from all the other "tools" in my drawer and a nice non-skid handle. I use Micro plane ALL THE TIME. I have taken very good care of my micro plane - I hand wash it, dry it, recover it, and place it back safely where it belongs.

Well, just recently I started putting the "cover" into the dishwasher to sanitize it. I did it last night and DESTRUCTION has reared it's ugly head.

Behold my precious micro plane "cover":

Let me set the scene:

I walk in this morning from innocently playing outside with my son, to the smell of melting plastic. Upon further inspection I find that either the cups pushed my "cover" to it's untimely surmise OR it plunged to it's death by choice. There was no note left and I am left lonely, dejected and full of unanswered questions. The sadness is thick in the air! I am unsure what it was thinking leaving it's micro plane all alone and unprotected from the other "tools!" I am obviously still processing this horrific event. Peace will come with time!

In leau of flowers please send Chuy's Chips, Salsa, and Creamy Jalapeno Sauce.

Services will be announced at a later date.

One of These Things is NOT like the others....

Austin is dry!

So dry in fact, that our grass is browning faster than we can water it, and bugs are considering our lawn a feast at the nicest buffet in town.

Paul and I have recently tried to take a proactive approach to our lawn and recently spread insect killer and fertilizer on it. Paul has always said that the best solution would be to plant some of our "healthy" grass from the backyard and place it in the front yard. This would be in the hopes of promoting the spread of "healthy" grass to the front yard. We have sorta been at odds about when, how, and how much to do ( if we did it at all). So, imagine my surprise when I walked out of my front door and found this...

A nice, big, patch of grass from the backyard sunk into my front lawn. I am hoping it works and it doesn't look like this for long. Paul and I both agree that for right now it looks RIDICULOUS!! It looks like we have given our lawn a really bad, ill-fitting toupee.

It is really one of those, "What were we thinking?" moments!

Feel free to drive by and laugh, it's free- and on us!

I do it EVERYDAY!

(All I ask is you honk so I know you came by!!)

Lipstick Jungle!

I go walking into Sierra's bathroom the other day, because Logan was being

too quiet,
and found this:

Logan in Sierra's play lipstick, that she keeps in a drawer, that we all

thought Logan was

too short

to reach into.

I guess he grew faster and taller than we all thought.

But, I must say he is Striking!

Thanks Grandma!

Don't we look adorable in our new duds? Our Grandma Scovill has great taste!

Thanks Grandma!

Love,

Sierra and Logan

Fun With Refugees!

We had so much fun with my family when they came down for 36 hours to wait out their power issues from Ike. This just proves that

YES!

my family can have fun in any situation!

These are pictures of our visit to the park at Night!

Paul and Logan "leaving on a jet plane!"

Sierra, and if you squint your eyes and tilt your head

to the side you can see Nate swinging!

Nathan has a fear of swings, luckily he got over it!

We are all so proud of his progress! (HEHE!)
Logan and Dad!

Bailey and my Mom, well 2/3 of her at least!

Hurricane Ike

This post is mostly for Paul's Family;

We are fine, and didn't even get one drop of rain from Hurricane Ike.

My family, however, did have impact from the storm but are doing well all things considered. My Mom and Dad's home is fine, they have a couple downed fences and a few shingles lost. They have a lot to be thankful for as their roof is not leaking and all the windows are intact. As a matter of fact they even had power as of 3:00 this afternoon. My Mom and Nate stayed at Erin and Brock's to ride out the storm. Erin and Brock's home was hit by a small tornado and so they have suffered some roof damage and consequently some flooding in their new home. Luckily good people from the ward showed up and helped them tarp their roof and do what they could to contain the water from coming inside.

My Dad stayed at his Hospital in the Medical Center of Houston. He is located across the street from the Reliant Stadium. The eye of the storm passed my Dad's hospital. He was fine and never even lost power. His hospital is fine, just a few trees down.

My Mom, Nathan, Brock, Erin, and Bailey are heading up to Austin for a few days. I think they need a respite from all the stuff that is going on in Houston right now. On their way up they saw military trucks, Coast Guard, and FEMA trucks all heading in to Houston. It was very emotional for my Mom and Family to see them. I am grateful for those men and women who come to help those in their time of need. Houston is my favorite city. To see it slammed by a Hurricane is something I thought I would never see. I know the people and the heart of that city and I know that they will recover with dignity, and determination. Today is a day that I am grateful for small things, and big favors. I am grateful that my Houston family is safe, and that our little family is safe. Just know that we are well and we love you!

Satellite Imagery of Ike as it began making landfall!

The Strand on Galveston Beach 6 hours before Hurricane Ike hit!

This is my FAVORITE place to go on Galveston Island!

We Will Never Forget!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY BAILEY!

Love,

Uncle Paul, Aunt Randi, Sierra and Logan

WE LOVE YOU!

Congratulations!

Many of you know that I am good friends with Gina Adams! She is one of my bestest friends! I love her and her family too much, to be honest it may border on inappropriate and somewhat disturbing. ( I'm kidding, my pscycologist says I'm totally healthy..... :)

But, I digress....

Today Gina had her baby!

I have to say I am so excited for Gina and her family. I have watched as she has taken this journey, and it has been such an inspirational and exciting one to watch. Gina and Jamie have been so faithful, strong and adorable the last 38 weeks. I am so happy for her, for Jamie and for Anna! What amazing parents they are and what an amazing family Baby Adams gets to be a part of!

So,

CONGRATULATIONS GINA, JAMIE, and ANNA ADAMS!

WE LOVE YA!

If you want to see pictures and vital statistics of Baby Blueberry (no there is still no name) then click on the following link! http://www.jamieandgina.blogspot.com/

Paul the Pirate

Paul has a lazy eye. He has always said that he needed an eye patch so that he could strengthen his weaker eye.

Well, today at Wal-mart we stumbled upon the Halloween section and this amazing eye patch for the bargain basement price of $1. And as a bonus it came with one gold hoop earring!

Can you say "Eye-Maytey!"

Paul you are the hottest pirate ever!

Thanks for being a good sport babe! I love ya!