Monday, March 31, 2008

New Floor

I was asked by a few people when I was going to post pics of our new living room floor. I said I would wait until it was all finished, but I noticed that Scott took some "after" pictures while I was gone. I figured I would just post them even though we still have some painting and baseboard work to finish up.

BEFORE:




AFTER:



Not the greatest pics, but you can get somewhat of an idea. It will be nice to have it all finished.

Home Is Where the Heart Is



I'm home and exhausted! I had a great time in Oregon, visiting with friends. I went there to celebrate my friend's 30th birthday. We had a fun, but busy week. I got to have breakfast with a bunch of girlfriends, a couple of movie/dinner nights, and we even got to go to a couple of different tea houses to have tea. This is something that I love. I love everything about tea. I love tea pots, tea cups, all the different kinds of teas there are to choose from, I love the cute little finger sandwiches, the delicious scones, but most of all...the great times I have with my friends and loved ones while having tea.
It was a fun trip and it was nice getting a break from my "mom duties". But I couldn't get off that plane fast enough last night! I was so ready to see my husband and babies.
Thanks to my fabulous man for all he did while I was gone, and to Camille for watching the kids. I know everyone had a great time. That makes it easier for me to go and enjoy myself. I love you guys!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

I'm Flying Away

Tomorrow I leave to spend the rest of the week in Oregon with my girlfriends. After construction, and sickness, I am looking forward to some "down time". Thanks to my amazing husband who spoils me rotten. He bought me the ticket and made the arrangements for the kids to be taken care of while he is at work. Thanks Babe! I will miss you but I love you so much!

Monday, March 24, 2008

Chaos

That is what the past week has been for me...Chaos. But all for a good reason. We replaced our living room carpet with wood floors. I admit that I had no part of the actual work. Scott and Tyrone (my brother) moved everything out of the room, ripped out the carpet and tile, and tore out a small wall. My father-in-law and a friend of his spent 2 days laying the floor. All I have had to do is help Scott put the furniture back and, of course...CLEAN! There is still dust everywhere. I have been told that it will take weeks of dusting everything, everyday before it is gone. I don't mind really. I'm just happy to have a little normalcy back to my life. And it sure does look nice!

Easter weekend was great! We had 3 amazing services at church. The choir did a fabulous job! The soloists were fantastic (Steph...you knocked my socks off)! We spent Sunday afternoon with my family. We had a delicious lunch of ham and turkey with all the fixings, then spent time visiting and playing LCR for quarters. I won twice..WOOHOO! After that we went and spent some time with Scott's family. We are so blessed to have both families close by. We love that we get to spend holidays with them all.

Saturday afternoon the kids colored eggs. Here are a few photos:









Monday, March 17, 2008

Sad & Confused

This morning I had to drop my cat off at the vet for her shots and spaying. Caleb was with me and he was confused as to why we had to LEAVE her there. He loves this cat SO much. When we got her, he is the one who named her (Leia Princess Leia). He totes her all over the house. I think the feelings are mutual. I have even caught her "cleaning" his hair. I had to draw the line when I found out he had been licking her fur to "clean" her as well. EEWWWW!!! Back to the point....He was so sad at the thought of leaving his friend at the vet and couldn't grasp what she was there for. I finally had to tell him that Leia was there to have a "sleep over" with all of her cat friends. That seemed to make sense to him and he was ok to leave her. What a sensitive little sweetie!



Saturday, March 15, 2008

FYI

This is what happens when you leave a sticker taped to your forehead for too long:




Friday, March 14, 2008

The Tool Man Caleb

This morning my father-in-law was here measuring our floors for hardwood. After he left Caleb wanted to measure things too. I remembered that for Christmas my parents got him a little toolbox and filled it with small tools. I got it out of the garage and he was SO excited. He has been all over the house measuring the doors, beds, etc.





As I am writing this I realize my son may play video games a little too much. He just brought me his level and asked, "Mom, how do I get this to the second level ?" :O)

Thursday, March 13, 2008

So Funny

My kids crack me up! Last night at church Caleb's teacher gave him some stickers. He, of course, decided he wanted to stick them all over his face. He woke up this morning with all of them amazingly in place. Well, tonight I was putting him to bed and I saw the funniest thing. Apparently one of his stickers (the one on his forehead) was starting to fall off this afternoon, so Makenzie (being the great big sister that she is) used some scotch tape to keep it on! It was such a small piece on a small sticker that I didn't even notice it until I was kissing him goodnight. It totally cracked me up. I love my kids!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

So Far...

Not a lot going on around here this week. It has been a pretty quiet, relaxing week. Scott had yesterday off so he took the opportunity to get his boat registered and get his fishing license. He took Caleb with him, so that left me free to do some things on my own.

I went to Makenzie's school and walked with her on her lunch break. They have "Trek on Tuesday" each week. They get credit for each lap walked around the track. 3 laps total a mile. We usually have time to get 3 laps in each week. It's fun to walk, but even better to have that time to chat with her. Sometimes one of her friends will walk with us. It's pretty funny to listen to their conversations. Kids are hilarious.

After we finished walking I took advantage of my time without kids and headed to Walmart to get stuff for their Easter baskets.

Last night we took the kids to Dickey's for dinner, then Scott took them both to Boondocks to play laser tag and miniature golf. They were excited about having some quality "daddy time". I went over to my parent's house and hung out with them. It was a very nice evening.

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Our Champion

Yesterday was the Awana Games. For those of you who don't know what Awana is: It is a christian program that focuses on Bible memorization. The kids attend class each week. They have handbook time (where they recite the verses they have memorized that week), a time where they are taught a lesson, and then of course...game time! They teach the kids team work, as well as good sportsmanship. Once a year they have the Awana Games. This is where all the churches in the area get together and play against each other. They award ribbons for the second through fourth places, and the first place winners get medals.
This is the first year that Makenzie has been able to participate. She went to practice the last 3 weekends and was so excited to play in the games. When we got to the gym she was shaking and shivering so bad because she was so nervous and excited. It was all pretty adorable. I loved watching her play and run. I can't believe how much she has grown and how mature she is getting. She kept reminding me all morning, that it didn't matter if they won or lost. As long as they had a good attitude and had fun. I love her so much!
Well, I'm excited to report that both of our Broadway teams won FIRST PLACE! Here are a few shots I was able to get when I wasn't clapping and screaming my head off! :O)








Oh! I have to throw this in for fun: Last night the kids were getting ready for bed. Scott came in to say goodnight. He was giving Makenzie a hug and she said, "You know you are touching champion skin don't you?" We both laughed so hard! She was just so serious about it.

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Crazy Hat Day

Makenzie's school is having "spirit week" this week. Today was crazy hat day. Caleb felt like he needed to be a part of this.

He keeps asking when he gets to do his homework. Too cute!

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Tamales

I spent all day Sunday and Monday with my mom and sister making tamales. We do this a couple of times a year. Usually we make around 20-25 dozen. This time we had to make 50 dozen! It was a lot of work, but so much fun.

Here I am getting the chicken ready



Some tamales before they have been steamed


Here are 2 of the 3 steamers we had going...plus more chicken cooking. We used a TON of chicken.


Just finished steaming (they have to steam for an hour)


And here is our only casualty (not counting the many steam burns my mom got). Left a little too close to the burner. Good thing we caught it in time.


All in all, it was a pretty fun time. Ended the two days with aching back and feet, but it was totally worth it. I love doing things like this with my mom and sis!