I finally caught a glimpse of the beauty -from my front porch!
just call me Picasso.
February 14, 2012 By 1 Comment
I’m pretty proud of my boxes. I’ve come along way.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Happy 12-year Anniversary to me and my Jdogg!
grocery shopping from the kids’ perspective
February 13, 2012 By 2 Comments
Christie O. had a fun project posted at The Sisterhood over the weekend… if you asked your kids what is on your grocery list, what would they say? Would you be embarrassed and hide your head in shame? Maybe you could slip them a dollar if they mention fruits and veggies? Ahem. Not that I would EVER do that.
I told my kids to grab a pencil and paper, had them sit down with instructions to not discuss with each other, and write down 10-15 things they thought are typically on the grocery list and are things that we buy pretty much weekly. Then I cringed while I waited for their responses.
Bridger:
- milk
- apples
- beans
- oranges
- yogurt
- cereal
- pop-tarts {shit, you caught me}
- bananas
- ritz crackers
- laughing cow cheese
- carrots
- cheese-its
- goldfish
Not so bad. Actually, I was quite surprised. I slipped him a five and he went on about his business.
Ashton:
- milk
- yogurt
- cheese
- bread
- apples
- oranges
- cheez-its {clearly they love their cheeze-its? i recently found a homemade version on pinterest that i’m going to give a try}
- chips
- lettuce
- bananas
This kid’s list was clearly worth a bit more than his twin’s.
And last, Averie:
- milk
- cereal
- oranges
- pop-tarts
- eggs
- chicken
- beef
- yogurt
- candy {obviously, she is just trying to get me in trouble}
- chocolate chips {she’s mad because I made her dust the living room}
- bread
- carrots
- apples
- butter
- popcorn
You can totally tell she was just making stuff up, right? I mean, really.
What would your kids reveal if you had them do this project?
conversations:: lifesavers and mythological creatures
February 8, 2012 By 3 Comments
BB: I know why LifeSavers have holes in them.
Me: Really? Why?
BB: So if you start choking on one, you can still breathe.
~~~~~~
As we are driving along to our various 1,083 evening activities, the subject turns to BigFoot and other creature-monsters.
BB: Mom, do you think the Loch Ness monster is real or mythological?
Me: I think there is a possibility it is real. There are lots of species of creatures we don’t know much about or have little contact with humans. How about you?
BB: I’m not sure. I really just wanted to say the word mythological.
instaFriday {february 3}
February 3, 2012 By 3 Comments
It’s Friday! Hooray! I am so looking forward to having a low-key, relaxing weekend!
We started off last weekend by heading to Deadwood, South Dakota for a bit of birthday fun for my husband, and to pick up his birthday present -a puppy! {no, he didn’t get his blowgun *snort*}
Wally turned 25,000 miles on the way. Sniff. My baby is getting old.
The kids expended some of their never-ending energy in the pool, while mama relaxed in the lounger with a beer in hand.
Then, we ditched the kids and went downstairs for some adult fun- drinks and gambling. Only it’s no fun when you lose. Or when you wake up the next morning with a massive hangover.
At lunch, the breeders called and said they were running earlier than expected. We scarfed our food and rushed to pick up this guy.
adorable.
i.love.him.
The kids celebrated their 100th day of school this week! The 3rd graders were supposed to dress up as though they were 100 years old. Here is Bridger, Ashton is apparently “too cool”:
Also? *insert shameless plug* I launched a new website this week -Shrinking Kitchen! Go check it out!
linking up with 
eleven things.
February 2, 2012 By 6 Comments
I think it’s been approximately twenty years since I’ve done a meme. I have been suffering from a major case of blogvacationitis lately, so thank you Thea for giving me something to write about!
The Rules:
- Post these rules
- You must post 11 random things about yourself
- Answer the questions set for you in their post
- Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
- Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
- No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!
11 Random Things about Me:
- My dog {Ozzie – the shiba inu} is a runner. He is highly intelligent, but once he knows he has an ounce of freedom from say, slipping out of his collar, he is outta here. I may be saying this because the little shit took off today and hasn’t returned home yet. GRR.
- I don’t drive through car washes. That’s what husbands are for, right? I don’t mind doing the U-Wash though.
- I am not a fan of talking on the phone. I much prefer texting, emailing, or going for a good old-fashioned coffee date.
- When I was younger, I never wanted to be married or have kids. Now here I am, married for 12 years this month, with four kids, three cats, two dogs, and am in the process of getting licensed to be foster parents. What the heck? Who am I?
- I
havehad a mole on my collarbone. It was approximately the size of a pencil eraser. I was extremely self-conscious of that mole while growing up. I remember in 8th grade wearing a tank top with a band-aid over the mole, saying the cat had scratched me. I had it removed a few years ago. One quick slice and buh-bye. Now, I just have a small flesh-colored scar. - I have these weird eyelashes that grow out of the inner corner of my eyes. I never really thought much about it, until one day when Jdogg made fun of me. Every once in awhile I will pluck them… usually, when I am plugging that one black hair that grows under my chin.
- I long to be organized. I’m not.
- I have an extra bone in the roof of my mouth. You just checked to see if you do, too, right?
9. I hate watermelon, actually I think I hate all melons?
10. I had light, light blonde hair until I was a freshman in high school and died my hair strawberry blonde. It turned olive green. My hair has never been the same since.
11. I have a dream of being on Wheel of Fortune.
Questions I was tagged with:
- In the movie of your life, what actors play your family? Geez, Thea. This is a hard one. I would choose Rachel McAdams for myself and Ryan Reynolds for my husband, because, WHY NOT?! My children should play themselves and earn their keep.
- What one area of your life do you wish you could hire someone to do for you? COOKING! My husband does a great job on his days off, but what about those other two weeks?
- If I’m peeking through your window between the hours of 4pm to 6pm, what do I see? A mess.
- What television show do you put the kids to bed early for? None, since I have a DVR. BUT, I do love True Blood, Boardwalk Empire, and Hell on Wheels. Those must be watched with no kids around.
- When’s the last time you wrote a card to someone when it wasn’t their birthday? I personally love sending my friends cards, but I don’t do it nearly enough.
- What’s the deal with time zones? Really. What IS the deal? I live in Central time, however think Mountain time feels the most natural for me. Not to mention, the next time zone over is only like 50 miles away. So everytime we go visit family in Dickinson, we gain an hour and lose one coming back.
- Do you prefer active vacations are lazy vacations? I prefer both. Any vacation is a good vacation. Sometimes, adventure is good, and sometimes, laying at the beach is what is needed!
- What one song represents your life right now? Sexy and I know it. Okay. Kidding. How about. Crap. I just don’t know.
- Do you do laundry every day or once a week? I do laundry several times a week. And then it sits in baskets, unfolded for another week.
- Someone gives you $5000, no strings attached. What do you do with the money? I’m thinking I would probably get the hell out of here for a bit! Take the family somewhere awesome. Norway? Iceland? Hawaii?
- Are you happy? Sure am!
My Questions for you:
- Do you lie about your weight on your driver’s license?
- What is your favorite quote/saying?
- Where is the best place you’ve ever traveled?
- Do you put your dirty dishes in the dishwasher as they become dirty, or do you pile them in the sink a mile high?
- Name your all-time favorite blog.
- Are you more like your mother or your father?
- What time period in your life has been your favorite so far?
- Share one of your long-term goals.
- And a short-term goal.
- Can you shoot a gun?
- Do you consider yourself judgmental?
People I’m Tagging:
Come back and leave me a comment with your link so I can read them! Fun!
digger
January 30, 2012 By 6 Comments
Meet Digger, a miniature Australian Shepherd.
He is 10-weeks old.
I pretty much die of cute every time I look at him.
Ozzie does not feel the same way. He changed immediately and was not a fan of this little baby pup whatsoever.
Until he discovered that, HEY! PUPPIES LIKE TO PLAY!
This puppy business might not be as bad as he first thought.
Room Redo:: Twins
January 24, 2012 By 5 Comments
When we first bought this house almost 5 years ago, every wall was white. Or beige. No joke. I have been soooo overwhelmed at the thought of decorating, painting, or anything else. So much that I have done pretty much nothing until this year! Bit by bit, things have been coming together, walls have been getting painted, projects have been completed.
Back in 2007, I did add some vinyl decal-thingies to the twins’ walls, along with some red and blue striped vinyl. It was not bad, especially for their 4-year-old selves. But they aren’t four anymore. Time for an update.
For the past two weeks, I have been slaving away tearing decorations and posters off of the walls. We have been organizing toys, giving away boxes of stuff, and throwing away bags and bags of trash.
The colors (darker turquoise, limish-green, and orange-butterscotch trim) are totally wild, but they work GREAT together. Seriously!
Before (ignore the child-labor and jammies, please):
After:
Not too bad for an amateur, huh? I must say the twins have NEVER played in their room this much and this nicely before. It’s well worth all the work I put into it!
Damn You, Auto Correct:: Anderson Version
January 18, 2012 By 9 Comments
good luck with that one, buddy.
hat trick
January 16, 2012 By 4 Comments
I was on the phone with my business partner this morning talking about, you know, business. The twins were upstairs going through the morning routine of showering, brushing teeth, and getting dressed. It’s always a little risky leaving them up there to accomplish these monumental tasks without supervision.
They came running down the stairs, yelling out “MOM!” excitedly and I tried to ignore and held up my finger to signal that I was involved in a highly-important conversation on the phone.
Both boys planted themselves in front of me, unable to hold still because of the anticipation. Finally, I hung up my phone. They both started talking at once.
“MOM!”
“GUESS WHAT?!”
“Ashton was peeing, and he sneezed and farted at the same time!! He was doing all three at once! Like this!”
Insert farting noises, sneezing, and pee sounds, times two.
It is obviously the highlight of their day.
And probably mine.
