What Were We Thinking?

Disney Dream

2012-01-12T21:21:00.001-06:00

Please don't be jealous! We had another fabulous time cruising with Disney. Here are some of the pics.

Demolition!

2011-12-29T17:29:00.001-06:00

We proclaimed both houses winners and decided it was a tie. I decided to declare the 11,032 votes from Healdsburg, CA for Christmas Zoo as null and void since I think there was a little bias involved. Any-who... after all of the work we put into the design and decoration of the houses, we couldn't just throw them away. We decided to demolish them with the RC monster truck and the RC nitro car. Perfect way to celebrate Christmas Eve, if you ask me and of course you didn't.

Matthew was distraught over the destruction because, "we put so much hard work into them."

We Need Your Votes!

2011-12-18T18:29:00.000-06:00

Last night we hosted the 1st Annual G/L Gingerbread House Decorating Competition.
We need your help deciding on the winning house. Please leave a comment with your preference by December 24th. Here is the list of official rules:

Gingerbread house must be built prior to competition. Not decorated...
All items in the kit must be used.
Each family is to provide one quart ziplock bag of dry food items from their pantry for the other family to use. Items must be edible.
Each family can bring one quart size bag of items to add to their house (must be edible). You may also provide up to 2 cups additional frosting in Christmas appropriate colors.
One hour to complete.
Each person in the family must contribute.
No pyro technics, electronics, smoke generators (for James), dancing girls, live animals, insects or other hazardous materials...
Visiting family should bring any special cookie cutters, rolling pins etc...

Each family started with this kit from Sam's Club (shout out!).

Option A: Christmas Zoo

Option A: Side View

Option B: O Holy Night Before Christmas

Option B: Side View

Both families had so much fun trying to decide what to make the other family use on their house and it was equally as fun trying to incorporate those items into our themes. Can't wait to do this again next year because we know which family plays dirty. We look forward to seeing who you choose as the winner. Thanks in advance!

WANTED...

2011-12-05T20:29:00.001-06:00

Dog sitter needed for first week inJanuary. Dog (Cooper) believes he is part parrot, cat, and big gamehunter. Potty trained and very cuddly. Daddy not included! PleaseRSVP ASAP!

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-12-01T13:40:00.001-06:00

I am thankful for my sweet little family and their willingness to pitch in and help out, even at 0730 on a day they could be sleeping in. I am thankful for my awesome hubby and the support he gives me to know that I am worth it. I am thankful for my puppy to keep me company during the day when everyone is gone. I am thankful to be living in Texas and for the wonderful people here. I am especially thankful for the joy the Gospel brings to our lives. I am thankful for our generous ward and the incredible friends that we have made there. I am thankful for my super talented sister-in-law...see pics below. All-in-all I am very blessed and thankful to have the knowledge of that.

Brooklyn eyeing the mini apple pies we made.

Sierra peeling potatoes for 6...I think she is overdoing it just a little!

Sierra set the table complete with name places.

Dinner is served!

One year for my birthday, Myla made me some awesome mini turtles.

When I saw a pattern for a mini sock monkey I asked her to make me one.
She did it, without a pattern. She is FREAKING amazing.

I've been busy...

2011-11-13T19:50:00.001-06:00

I went a little crazy making things for my little sister's first baby, Jackson Pope.

Car Seat Tent/Canopy

Rag Quilt for Jackson Pope

Curtains for Nursery

Curtains for Nursery--I made 3 sets

Please VOTE!

2011-10-31T17:27:00.002-05:00

Sierra could really use your votes. She would love to win the pumpkin carving/decorating contest at our orthodontists office. Please go HERE and cast your vote for photo #4. Anyone can vote!

Brushing Bob

It's Only Funny Until Someone Gets Hurt...

2011-10-23T20:54:00.000-05:00

Then It's Hilarious!

The last few weekends Sierra has been going over to our good friends the Leone's to practice her drama club skits with their daughter and when I go to pick her up we end up staying and playing basketball for several hours. Then we are scrambling to find something for dinner so I can send the kids to bed. Friday we decided to make it an "official" evening of B-ball and pizza. Unbeknownst to the Leone's we decided that we should wear uniforms. I went to Walmart and found everyone matching shorts and shirts that were all way too big on us, tube socks, headbands, and wristbands. We looked absolutely ridiculous but the looks on their faces when they saw us strutting up their driveway were PRICELESS. Best night in a long time. Then today in church James got a text from Brad asking, "No uniforms for church?" That's right, I take that challenge and the creative wheels are turning. Stay tuned to see something in the next couple of weeks that will surely top these uniforms.

If you don't laugh at this, you must be DEAD!

2011-09-28T09:22:00.002-05:00

This made me laugh so hard I have TEARS running down my face and legs (that is a whole other story). I could totally picture James and I having this same argument.

MUST READ!!! Knock Knock!!!

This morning I had a fight with Victor about towels. I can’t tell you the details because it wasn’t interesting enough to document at the time, but it was basically me telling Victor I needed to buy new bath towels, and Victor insisting that I NOT buy towels because I “just bought new towels“. Then I pointed out that the last towels I’d bought were hot pink beach towels, and he was all “EXACTLY” and then I hit my head against the wall for an hour.

Then Laura came to pick me up so we could go to the discount outlet together, and as Victor gave me a kiss goodbye he lovingly whispered, “You are not allowed to bring any more g-damn towels in this house or I will strangle you“. And that was exactly what I was still echoing through my head an hour later, when Laura and I stopped our shopping carts and stared up in confused, silent awe at a display of enormous metal chickens, made from rusted oil drums.

Laura: I think you need one of those.

me: You’re joking, but they’re kind of horrifically awesome.

Laura: I’m not joking. We need to buy you one.

me: The 5-foot tall one was $300, marked down to $100. That’s like, $200 worth of chicken for free.

Laura: You’d be crazy not to buy that. I mean, look at it. IT’S FULL OF WHIMSY.

me: Victor’d be pissed.

Laura: Yup.

me: But on the plus side? It’s not towels.

Laura: Yup.

me: We will name him Henry. Or Charlie. Or O’Shannesy.

Laura: Or Beyoncé.

me: Or Beyoncé. Yes. And when our friends are sad we can leave him at their front door to cheer them up.

Laura: Exactly. It’ll be like, “You thought *yesterday* was bad? Well, now you have a enormous metal chicken to deal with. Perspective. Now you have it.”

Then we flagged down a salesman, and we were all “What can you tell us about these chickens?”, as if we were in an art gallery, and not in a store that specializes in last years’ bathmats. He didn’t know anything about them, but he said that they’d only only sold one and it was to a really drunk lady, and then Laura and I were all “SOLD. All this chicken belongs to us now.”

So he loaded it onto a trolley, but Beyoncé was surprisingly unstable, and the giant 5 foot metal chicken crashed over onto the floor. And Laura and I were all “CHICKEN DOWN! CLEAN-UP IN AISLE 3″ but he didn’t laugh. Then the manager came to see what was causing all the commotion, and that’s when he found the very-conservative salesman unhappily struggling to right an enthusiastically pointy chicken which was almost as tall as he was. The salesman was having a hard time, and he told everyone to stand back “because this chicken will cut you,“ and at first I thought he meant it as a threat, like “That chicken has a shiv!” but turns out he just meant that all the chickens’ ends were sharp and rusty. It was awesome, and Laura and I agreed that even if we got tetanus, this chicken had already paid for himself even before we got it in her truck.

Then we got to my house and quietly snuck the chicken up to my front door, rang the doorbell, and hid around the corner.

Victor opened the door and looked at the chicken in stunned silence for about 3 seconds. Then he sighed, closed the door and walked away.

Laura: What the f*@#? That’s it? That’s the only reaction we get?

me: That’s it. He’s a hard man to rattle.

Victor was surprisingly pissed that I’d “wasted money” on an enormous chicken, because apparently he couldn’t appreciate the hysterical value of a 5 foot chicken ringing the doorbell. Then I said, “Well, at least it’s not towels” and apparently that was the wrong thing to say because that’s when Victor screamed and stormed off, but I knew he was locked in his office because I could hear him punching things in there. Then I yelled through his door, “It’s an anniversary gift for you, a-hole. Two whole weeks early. 15 YEARS IS BIG METAL CHICKENS.”

Then he yelled that he wanted it gone, but I couldn’t move it myself, so instead I said okay and went to watch tv. Then when the UPS guy came I hid, but he was all “Dude. Nice chicken” and Victor yelled, “IT IS NOT A NICE CHICKEN”. Which was probably very confusing to the UPS guy, who was just trying to be polite, Victor. Victor seemed more disgruntled than usual, so I finally dragged the chicken into the backyard and wedged it into a clump of trees so that it could scare the snakes away. Then I came in and Victor angrily pulled me into his office so that I could see that I’d stationed Beyoncé directly in front of his only window. And I was all “Exactly. YOU’RE WELCOME.” I told him that he could move Beyoncé if he wanted to, but he totally hasn’t. Probably because of all of the giant rocks I piled on Beyonce’s feet to dissuade burglars. Or possibly because Beyoncé is growing on him. Still, I can’t help but think that we wouldn’t even be having this argument if Beyoncé was towels. Honestly, this whole chicken is really a lesson in picking your battles more carefully. Plus, he’s awesome and I can’t stop giggling every time I look at him. Beyoncé, that is.

Best. 15th anniversary. ever.

Found this story here. Thank you for the laugh Bloggess.

Junk Drawer Organization

2011-09-19T15:48:00.001-05:00

Before

I bought a bunch of these yard sticks at Home Depot for about 60 cents a piece for another project that I am working on.

I cut and glued and here is what I ended up with. Whole project took about 15 minutes and cost less than $2.

Now I have organized junk! Best part, I can take it out if I don't want it anymore.

After

This is what I do...

2011-09-15T09:37:00.000-05:00

...when I am waiting for the kids to get out of Seminary and I am afraid to fall asleep. I used stuff I found in his car. He was probably ticked I took all of his gum out of the package. At least I didn't chew it first, right?
*giggle, giggle*

Do you think James got the message?

Kayla has been telling me that they have been planning to scare me when I fall asleep in the driveway. She told me that they had something planned for today. I wasn't really sure if I should believe her or not because it wouldn't surprise me if her teacher had planned something with them. Their motto this year is, "whatever happens in Seminary, stays in Seminary!" That scares me a little. Good thing I have my "attack dog with built-in force field!"

He doesn't like being up so early either...

FYI I LOVE DIY

2011-09-14T20:19:00.000-05:00

I am currently obsessed with DIY right now. I have so many projects that I want to do and have so little time. I have no idea where to begin. I also found this site and fell in love with the "roadkill rescues." I just wish that I had the nerve to get out of my car and pick up people's discarded furniture. Over the last three weeks I have seen many items that I think would have made great additions to our house once I added a little love. Alas, I have not stopped to get the items only to regret it later. James tells me that it is not a big deal to go through other people's garbage because they are throwing it away for a reason, THEY DON'T WANT IT ANYMORE! So my fall goal is to actually find a great piece of discarded furniture and make it my own. If anyone has anything they want to get rid of, let me know and I will take it off your hands.

Summer's Over, REALLY?

2011-09-12T17:03:00.000-05:00

Although the summer season hasn't officially ended, the end has come to our days of sleeping in, afternoon swims, daily movie nights, and just plain laziness. We almost finished our "summer bucket list." OK! We completed half of the list. I think that is pretty dang awesome considering the entire month of August was over 100 degrees. I have been working on a few projects, will have pictures at a later date. I have also been seeking some kind of employment that does not include fast food or retail. So far, no luck!

Check out my AWESOMEness! I made my own ice packs.

These little lizards seem to be EVERYWHERE!

If you rub their bellies, they fall asleep.

If you rub their backs, they get mad.

Cooper still trying to catch one of those sucka's!

He spends most of his time walking the perimeter of the yard pretending to be a big bad guard dog.

What a Week!

2011-08-28T22:03:00.000-05:00

We had a pretty successful first week of school. Tyler and Kayla have seminary each morning at 0600. We have to leave the house by 0545 to get there on time. Then I have to pick them up at 0645 and take them to the high school which starts at 0725. They are really liking school. It just took some getting used to having almost five thousand other students in the halls. I totally forgot to get first day pictures of them. What can I say, it was early? So I hope you enjoy this picture of a lizard that I took in the backyard.

Cooper is pretty sure that he is going to catch this guy. He watches for him to come out every day.

Brooklyn and Sierra are also enjoying school. They too go to rather large schools, in the one to two thousand range. Brooklyn goes at 0815 and Sierra goes at 0855. I am not sure that I like the staggered start and end times. I am sure that I will get used to them though.

Brooklyn 1st day of 4th grade.

Strike a pose!

Sierra 1st day of Middle School.

Now you are just showing off!

Sisters = love

Kayla doing art homework.

Brooklyn showing off her new green shoes.

Fun in the Sun at Stewart Beach, Galveston

2011-08-16T15:09:00.000-05:00

Brooklyn sorting her shells

Sierra, why must you always stick out your tongue?

I think Kayla and Shelby, aka Smudge, are having a dance party.

Synchronized swimming anyone?

Pretty Birds!

The water was so warm

There's your beautiful smile

Brooklyn trying to hide the fact that she is eating something

Nice to see them getting along

I like clouds

Cooper not really enjoying the ocean.
He was scared of the waves and we wouldn't let him chase the birds.

Tons of people

Look at this cool shell I found

People watching! A very entertaining activity.

Pretty girl!

I love that this photo is blurry. I don't know why.

Another pretty girl!

Not a pretty girl, but definitely a handsome man/boy.

James making sure we didn't lose any of the kids in the waves.

Sidewalk Chalk Drawings

2011-08-10T17:17:00.000-05:00

Guess which one is MY favorite?

Kayla's

Sierra's

Tyler's

Brooklyn's

Shelbylyn's

Shleby's feet. She really got into the drawing...

Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jack...

2011-08-09T10:51:00.000-05:00

On our way to the ball park.

He is really EXCITED!

Look Shelby, it's Minute Maid Park!

Nice sombreros amigos!

Nice cheese heads!

We had "better" seats this time. Brooklyn hated them because she couldn't see much of what was happening.

Brooklyn with her signed ball from Brewers catcher, Lucroy #20.

Me taking a picture of Kayla taking a picture of some random people.

Of course it is not a baseball game without me some Cracker Jack, mmmm!

What do Mushrooms, Frogs, Pinatas, Rocks, and Eggs have in common?

2011-08-03T21:21:00.001-05:00

I'm not really sure of the answer, except for the fact that they are what this blog post consists of. Here are just ~~a few~~ 30 pictures of what we have been up to the last few weeks.

These "fun guys" have been popping up in the back yard thanks to the rain.

Kayla enjoying the MUCH needed rain.

This horrid creature made his way into MY house.

Ok so he wasn't really all that big, but scared the crap out of me anyway. I made Kayla catch him and explain to him that if he entered my house, again he would get the shoe.

Girls making a mess with the crafts.

We decided to make Pinatas.

Shelbylyn enjoying every minute of it.

Having far too much fun...

Yep, still loving it.

Decorating the finished product. Shelby still having fun.

Sierra made an elephant.

Brooklyn made Ron Weasley and an egg.

Kayla made an alien.

Shelby made a fiesta skirt. Look at that smile, I think she is glad we are finished.

I made a turtle.

We also decorated hot rocks with crayons.

Since it has been 110* for the last 3 days in a row, we decided to try frying an egg on the sidewalk. Because we have a dog and I didn't want him to try and eat it, I made the kids put the egg in a pan.

This is after we let the oil get hot.

One hour later.

24 hours later.

Breakfast anyone?

But won't look like they are for boys?

2011-07-27T11:40:00.000-05:00

I took a couple of pairs of Tyler's old cargo shorts and cut them up to turn them into skirts for the girls. Originally I had left the pockets on the skirts but it made them look too heavy so I carefully removed them and turned them into little matching handbags. I also sanded the fabric to give it a little more of a worn look to match where I cut off the pockets. I love how you can still see where the pockets were. Brooklyn was a little concerned at first that everyone would tease her for wearing something that was for a boy. I pointed out that boys don't usually wear skirts and no one will know that they were boys shorts to begin with unless she tells them. Crazy things she worries about. Tell me what you think of these...

Where do they come up with this?

2011-07-18T08:58:00.000-05:00

The other night I cooked some ribeye steaks on the BBQ and they were delicious. Kayla said I should get an apron that says,

"I know how to take care of my meat!"

All I could think of in response was, "YES I do!"

We were discussing how professional swimmers shave their entire bodies to prevent friction in the water. I don't know why we were on this topic, perhaps we were teasing Tyler to get him to shave his legs or something. Out of the blue Brooklyn says, "I'm not a professional swimmer, but I know some kids who could be."

Because if she was a professional swimmer,

we wouldn't know about it.

Surviving Summer...or at least TRYING!

2011-07-13T12:26:00.000-05:00

It has been so hot and dry here.

It has been strange having to stay in the house all day because it is just too hot to go outside to do anything.

We have been trying not to kill each other or at least drive each other completely insane. It really is harder to do than it seems. MOST days this nearly 4,000 sq. ft. house just isn't big enough.

I decided to take our summer bucket list and write it down so that we see it every day. Hopefully that will inspire us to actually get it completed.

We also put these hair wraps in the girls' hair while we watched the first season of Glee.

We got the idea from here.

Oh, and I think we might be becoming Gleeks. That's right, I said it.

Cooper got one too. Poor pup!

We have been swimming a few times thanks to some wonderful people in our ward. We have all completed the summer reading program at the library. I have to say that I was not at all impressed with the program here, far too easy if you ask me and not enough incentive to keep the kids engaged to continue reading.

We have some other projects that we are currently working on and I can't wait to finish them so that I can share them with y'all.

Take me out to the ballgame...

2011-07-05T22:17:00.000-05:00

This weekend we took the kids to Minute Maid Park for the Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox game.
Just look at the excitement on everyone's faces as we waited for TWO hours for them to open the doors.

They finally let us in...

The best part of the game was when the Red Sox brought out Ortiz as their pinch hitter and he struck out.

They opened the roof and the fireworks began.

We had a lot of fun and can't wait to go to another game.

My BFF!

2011-06-30T07:00:00.003-05:00

Last week I was looking for something to blog about when I stumbled across Mama Kat's blog again. If you have not been there, she hosts a weekly writer's workshop. Where she posts prompts that you can choose from and write your heart out. I had fun writing my summer bucket list so I decided to meander over there again and see what I could write about. I chose prompt 5:

We often spend time and energy talking about people in our lives we don’t see enough of. Describe a person in your life you are in contact with often. What do they mean to you?

Instantly I though, "I will write about ME!" I mean what better person to write about me than me? I am with me ALL the time, even when I don't want to be with me I am with me.

Then I thought I would write about someone equally as awesome. Someone I admire, respect and love. However, I realized that I don't actually KNOW Betty White and I am not in contact with her...anymore now with the restraining order and all.

Saturday Night Live - NPR - Video - NBC.com

On to my third choice...Not to worry, third times a charm right? Believe me this person truly is a charm. I am extremely blessed to have this woman in my life. She is my BFF! We met about 5 years ago. I remember her saying, "We're gonna be great friends, I just know it." She was right. Our families totally get along and have fun with each other too. How lucky is that?

I love that she is totally honest with me and doesn't judge me. She is always there to listen to me even if she has just worked her third 12 hour shift, taken a sleeping pill, and drifting off into a deep slumber. She offers advice, comfort, and a shoulder to cry on.

This woman is AMAZING! She is beautiful inside and out. She has taught me what a true friend really is. I can only hope to aspire to be the kind of friend to her as she is to me. I love you Minetta and miss having you just down the road. I wish for you the best of everything this world has to offer and hope that you and your family find happiness and peace with this new adventure that you are about to embark on.

Summer Bucket List

2011-06-23T08:00:00.008-05:00

50 things I want to do with and/or without the kids, husband, dog, etc... I figure I/we have until August 22, the first day of school, to finish the list.

~~Attend a pro baseball game.~~
~~Spend a weekend on the beach.~~
~~Have a pinata party.~~
~~Read~~ ~~The Summoning~~.
~~Read Hunger Games.~~
~~Read~~ ~~Heart of the Matter~~.
~~Read~~ ~~Where She Went~~.
~~Get a real tan.~~
~~Go to a water park.~~
Go to Chuck E. Cheese.
Start a Family Game Night.
Teach Cooper how to shake.
Figure out how to stop sweating in places unmentionable.
~~Try at least one new recipe a week.~~
~~Write at least one blog post a week.~~
Go on a nice long bike ride.
Go for a hike.
Go to Space Center Houston.
Go to Houston Zoo.
Play paintball.
Go to Six Flags over Texas.
Go to National Museum of Funeral History.
~~Have a big BBQ.~~
Go fishing.
Get a massage.
Go bowling.
Learn how to effectively coupon.
~~Force myself to~~ exercise everyday.
~~Take my photography seriously again.~~
Build an outdoor bench.
~~Take a road trip without a planned destination.~~
Put together individual 72 hour kits.
~~Finish organizing my craft room/study.~~
Get a mani/pedi.
~~Plan and carry out a family service project.~~
Try Geocaching.
Make matching tie-dyed t-shirts for our cruise.
Make a terrarium.
~~Have a sidewalk chalk drawing competition.~~
Go to the movies.
~~Write letters.~~
~~Perform random acts of kindness.~~
~~Make a new craft every Tuesday.~~
Take a nice long, uninterrupted bubble bath.
Have a bubble blowing contest.
~~Have date nights with the hubby.~~
Make sun-prints.
Have a watermelon seed shooting contest.
~~Have dessert for dinner.~~
~~Enjoy everyday!~~

Ugh! We have frogs, again!

2011-06-22T15:03:00.000-05:00

Okay, okay! We only have FROG! But why? I hate frogs almost as much as spiders. They are slimy and they jump unsuspectingly. The worst part, the kids think they need to catch them and bring them into the house. NO! I think they secretly like seeing me scream like a little girl when they jump. Or hearing me freak out at 5am when I step on one on my way to the kitchen. Yes, that happened in Australia. However, we could literally have hundreds of them at night there and here we only have one here so I guess I shouldn't complain. But would be fun about that?

Lemonade?

2011-06-16T11:23:00.000-05:00

The temperatures here have been hitting 100 or better everyday so the girls decided to sell lemonade. They made $8 in just over an hour. Good ole Country Time Lemonade is a hit here. Who knew???

Josie

2011-06-14T09:09:00.000-05:00

Newest member of the Gibbons family...

She is a 4 year old terrier mix rescue dog. She is so well behaved and trained. Cooper likes her and will share his bones with her but will not let her touch his toys.

Calling All Spies...

2011-06-11T10:05:00.000-05:00

Are you ready to take a crash course in saving the world? In Cars 2: The Video Game, train to become an agent of C.H.R.O.M.E. (Command Headquarters for Recon Operations & Motorized Espionage) and take on dangerous missions, compete to become the fastest racecar in the world, or just use your spy skills in exciting, action-packed combat racing! Check out the link below for more info. Game is scheduled to be released June 21.

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for this post. However, by spreading the word I have been entered to win a copy of the game.

World's Largest Prairie Dog!

2011-05-30T18:00:00.000-05:00

As we were driving through Kansas on Saturday, we saw a sign claiming to have the world's largest prairie dog. So naturally we had to stop and see what all the fuss was about. The woman at Prairie Dog Town in Oakley, KS was very friendly and even gave us a discount on our entrance fees so that we could see with our own eyes exactly what the "world's largest prairie dog" looked like. I know you too are all dying to see. Are you sure your ready? It really is an amazing sight.

Okay! I know that wasn't it but I didn't think that you were really ready to see it. Maybe I should show you some pictures of actual 5 and 6 legged cows first as they are interesting, but not as amazing.

This donkey was hilarious and we affectionately named him 'Donkey'. We kept waiting for him to start talking to us and say, "In the morning, I'm makin' waffles!"

We saw some baby prairie dogs too.

Some other animals...

The piece to resistance, the photo you have all been waiting for. The World's Largest Prairie Dog!

Can't believe that we got ALL of that for the bargain price of $35!

We're Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo!

2011-05-26T22:03:00.000-05:00

We had the incredible opportunity to ~~be tortured~~ go on a 15 mile bike ride along the Boise Greenbelt. Along the way we stopped at the zoo. Here are a few of the pics we took. Thanks dad for taking us...

Home Sweet Home!

2011-05-08T19:35:00.000-05:00

Living Room

Formal Dining Room.

Table and benches my father-in-law and I built.

Brooklyn's and Sierra's Room

Beds my father-in-law and I built.

Tyler's Room. Bed my FIL and I built.

Kayla's Room. Bed my FIL and I built.

Kayla's Room

Master Bedroom

Master Bath

Game Room

Game Room, waiting on shelves and furniture to arrive.

Game Room. Study.

Kitchen

Kitchen. Breakfast Room.

Den

You better watch out...

2011-04-10T23:35:00.000-05:00

Brooklyn's a yellow belt!

LoVEd ThiS...

2011-04-05T13:53:00.002-05:00

Check it Out!!!

2011-03-11T09:40:00.001-06:00

Redbox is the best - you can rent DVDs for $1 a night with no membership fees! You should try it out. If you click on my link and it's your first time renting online, they'll give you a free one-night online rental credit. And I'll get a free rental each time you rent via my link through 3/17/11.

http://redbox.tellapal.com/a/clk/MKKxR

This has been the WORST Valentine's Day EVER!

2011-02-14T21:40:00.000-06:00

According to Brooklyn no one loves her. When I told her that her dad and I love her very much, she said,"but Kayla doesn't. Why does she always pick on me?" I told her that it was because she is the baby. Brooklyn then asked, "Why do I have to be the baby?" I said, "Because dad and I didn't have any more babies after you." Brooklyn, "Well why can't you adopt one then? That way Kayla can pick on it."

One More Time!

2011-02-09T22:33:00.000-06:00

Famous last words...

While we were in Casper, we took the kids sledding. We had been telling the kids how much fun this was going to be because only 3 people had died on the hill this year (not true btw). The whole way up the hill the youngest Slattery kept saying that she was going to wait until everyone had gone down once before she was going to go. That way she would know that it was safe (she ended up with a bloody nose). It was really cold and this hill was an 'old school' hill and the kids had to carry their sleds all the way to the top. Needless to say they didn't go down very many times.

We had been there about 45 minutes and everyone decided they were ready to go back to the house and have some hot cocoa. This is when James had the brilliant idea of going down just one more time. James, Tyler, Sierra, and Brooklyn grabbed their toboggan and started the trek up the hill. They only made it half way. They lined up with the jump and were off. They hit the jump, caught some wicked air, and Tyler went one way off and James went the other way. Tyler had the air knocked out of him and thought he was going to die, James hurt his knee.

We got Tyler calmed down and breathing normally and assured him that he was NOT going to die and that he did not need to go the hospital. James on the other hand could barely walk. He complained about the pain all the way down the hill and Renae said, "at least you didn't die!" We took him to the ER where they found some metal in the bone (we have no idea how it got there) and sent him to an orthopedic surgeon. He ended with a partial tear of the MCL. He has a knee brace and some physical therapy for the next few months at least.

Slattery House

2011-02-02T23:10:00.002-06:00

The best "party house" in Casper.

Shelbylynn

Delanie

Kayla and Courtney

Brooklyn enjoying some yummy sloppy joes.

Delanie and Sierra

I am at a loss for words with this one.

Happy Birthday Kayla!

2011-02-01T17:04:00.000-06:00

We went to Casper to see James and spend some time with our AWESOME friends who live there. Since it happened to be Kayla's 14th birthday while we were there, we threw her a surprise party and she was surprised. I couldn't believe that we were actually able to pull it off without her knowing. I owe a HUGE thanks to the Slattery's for helping organize and execute. We really could not have asked for better friends if we would have designed them ourselves.

Yes, He is Spoiled...

2011-01-23T12:25:00.000-06:00

...and yes, he knows it!

Why Are There So Many Songs About Rainbows?

2011-01-21T20:08:00.001-06:00

This is one of the questions asked by one of my readers and you know I cannot disappoint, so I have answered it. Well I actually recruited the help of one of my favorite Muppets, KERMIT THE FROG...

Oh, and because they are PRETTY!!!

Blogger's Block

2011-01-15T16:19:00.000-06:00

I have been suffering from a serious case of BLOGGER'S BLOCK for quite some time now. So I am leaving it up to you, my readers, to tell me what you want to read about and I will do my best to write it. Ask anything!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-10T23:11:00.002-06:00

I have been dreading the process of writing my first blog post of 2011. I have been tossing around whether I should post my New Year's Resolutions or write a 2010 year in review and wondering if you all really care to read what I have to write. Well, it is YOUR lucky day because I decided to just write a post and if you read it AWESOME and if you don't then may your year bring you the uneasy feeling of someone constantly watching you...

2011 Resolutions

-Start an exercise program and stick with it for more than 3 weeks.

-Finish my degree.

-Build a new kitchen table and beds for the kids with my own two hands, oh and my father-inlaws too (he doesn't know this yet, won't he be surprised).

-I also have one very personal resolution that I don't care to share here. The good news is I have already began the process of getting it finished.

2010 Review

The year began with us enjoying 90 degree weather while beginning our new journey in Australia. The journey quickly became very stressful and difficult for all of us. It was extremely expensive to live there. So much so that I had to go out and find a job to help pay for our basic living expenses. Something that I have not had to do in 13 years. Finding a job in a small country town for an American proved to be quite the task. I ended up taking a job at McDonalds. It was actually the only job offered to me. It was the WORST job I have ever had. I don't know who was more ashamed that I had to take a job there, James or myself?

In February we finally found a house that was four bedroom and in good condition that we felt we could afford, it also had a pool (bonus). We moved into it the first week of March and ended up being flooded in. This was the scariest thing I have ever lived through. It was a good thing I had unpacking to keep my mind off the constantly rising water that was flooding all of our new neighbor's homes. After the flooding missed our house and started to recede, things started to look up for us. I was offered a job with Sullivan Nicolades Pathology as a pathology specimen collector (phlebotomist). I accepted the position and began working for them in May.

At the end of April, we had the opportunity to travel to the Gold Coast and take the kids to Movie World. The beach was absolutely beautiful and we ate at the only Australian Hard Rock Cafe. We stayed at a seedy motel where we contracted head lice. We had fun nonetheless.

Finally May rolled around and I began my new job. I got to travel to Toowoomba (4 hours away) for training. I was there two weeks all by myself. It was kinda lonely and great at the same time. My new job proved to be just enough of a challenge that I looked forward to going everyday. I am hoping to continue to work in that field.

In June we went to Carnarvon Gorge, it was beautiful there and we got to see our first herd of camels, a wild pig, and an echidna. July was the coldest month and we were just busy working. In mid-July James applied for a job with GE not thinking that anything would come of it or that it would even be enough money to accept the job. The last week of July we got a call saying that they really wanted James to come to work for them and they were even willing to give him generous salary and a sign-on bonus in order to woo him. We took the job and began the daunting task of moving yet again.

We decided that the easiest and least expensive way for us to move back would be to sell EVERYTHING. So we did. In fact, we only brought 50 boxes of things back with us. It seems like a lot until you have them packed and realize that you just fit 15 years of accumulation into 50 boxes. We had great success selling everything. At the end of August, the kids and I flew home and James and the dog followed a week later.

The kids and I moved in with the in-laws while James moved to Houston to begin his new job. The last 4 months of the year have been really difficult and I can't wait to begin our new lives as Texans. Ok, I know we won't really be Texans but we can think we are, right?

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-27T23:55:00.000-06:00

Check Out This AWESOME Giveaway!

2010-12-06T22:52:00.017-06:00

Mama’s Holiday Wish List Meme
TodaysMama (link to: http://bit.ly/tmwishlist) and GameStop (link to:http://bit.ly/gamestop10) are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

Wish List Grand Prize includes:

One XBox 360 250 GB with Kinect; One Nintendo Red Wii Bundle; Three Nintendo Red DSi XL Bundles; Plus, a ONE THOUSAND DOLLAR GameStop gift certificate so you can fill those stockings with games and accessories.

1. What is your holiday wish for your family?
To be together, safe, warm, and happy.

2. What is your Christmas morning / Hanukkah Nightly tradition?

We wake up early, open gifts, empty stockings, and then have a big breakfast.
3. If you could ask Santa for one, completely decadent wish for yourself, what would it be?
Diamonds, of course.
4. How do you make the holidays special without spending any money?
We read the story of Christ's birth from the scriptures.
5. What games did you play with your family growing up?
Monopoly, Nintendo (the original one)
6. What holiday tradition have you carried on from your own childhood?
Making sugar cookies.
7. Where would you go for a Christmas/Hanukkah-away-from-home trip?
Nowhere, I love being home for Christmas.
8. Check out GameStop (link to: http://bit.ly/gamestop10) and tell us, what are the three top items on your GameStop Wish List this year?
Kinect, Wii U draw platform , Zumba Fitness

Snow Day?

2010-12-01T22:45:00.000-06:00

Sierra needed a photo of her in the snow. I love that she is in her pj's.

Til' We Meet Again...

2010-12-01T22:40:00.000-06:00

Cruisin' Day 7 Castaway Cay

2010-12-01T22:16:00.000-06:00

Character Breakfast...not just for kids!

2010-12-01T22:03:00.000-06:00

Cruisin' Day 6 Sea Day

2010-12-01T17:27:00.000-06:00

Since BINGO wasn't working to our favor we decided to have a mean game of UNO.

Pirate Night

2010-12-01T17:19:00.001-06:00

This was our chef, Chef Gusto (Ratatouille). In fact, he is so big that we were told that the new Disney cruise ship The Dream was designed specifically for him...It's HUGE!!!

Cruisin' Day 5 Cozumel, Mexico

2010-12-01T17:08:00.000-06:00

Random pics taken from our Jeep in Mexico...

Cruisin' Day 4 Grand Caymen

2010-12-01T15:34:00.000-06:00