~ Little things....Big smiles.

Holiday Baking

2011-12-23T06:11:00.000-08:00

Table for More Giveaways~

2011-11-29T04:57:00.000-08:00

My friend Allie is having a Holiday Giveaway from numerous Etsy shops:

Flaunt The Name
Willow Blossom Designs
Peave, Love, & Kids
All Stuft Up
Skiddley Doo
Bee Bee Kins
Mommy's Baby Boutique: Sonas Fior
What SEW Ever Designs
Alayna's Creations

~This is her little boy Luke...He is to die for!

if you would like to participate and love Etsy as much as I do go to her blog. http://www.tableformoreblog.com/2011/11/its-here-christmas-giveaways-start-now.html

Tis the season...for Pictures!!!

2011-11-15T12:30:00.000-08:00

This and That...

2011-11-06T09:12:00.000-08:00

Its been forever since I did a post and I still havent done a Halloween Post but here it is just some randomness you might enjoy!

Kali was trying to sneak Kassandras food...like this wasnt obvious!

The girls got chocolate toothbrushes at the Craft Show....

Some banana nut bread and pumpkin pecan bread I made...my house smelled wonderful that day.

Aleesha made up her own duct tape flower bow. I love this!

Miss Claira loves to come visit and if I pick her up early enough I get to have her all to myself...yes Im selfish as Doug says.

Smilin behind the pacey.

Can you tell Ive started Christmas shopping??? Really?? what gave it away??

A day with Claira(well 3 1/2 hrs:)

2011-10-26T11:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first time I got to babysit Claira so for the first hour since I was here by myself we played and watched Spongebob!

until the girls came home then I knew I wouldnt get any part of her!! She was so happy!!

Everytime I got the camera out she would just stare into the lens...Shes had a lot of practice already I guess.

Aww...shucks!!

She thorougly enjoyed Spongebob!

Pumpkin Patcharoo!

2011-10-14T15:22:00.000-07:00

Every Year we make a trip to Badger Farm where the pumpkins are all $2 each! We always have lots of fun!

The pumpkin donut holes are a must buy!

Claira meet Mr Goat.

Check out them ears!!

Super Cheap,Super Comfy & Super Cute!

2011-10-14T15:10:00.000-07:00

Ive been searching for a month of so now for some cheap cute shoes for fall to wear for casual or dress and just couldnt find much of anything around here so I ordered these from Target. They were buy one get one half off so I got both pairs for under $20! I love!!

Omelet in a mug.

2011-10-06T14:24:00.000-07:00

•2 eggs

•splash of milk

•2 tablespoons of cheese (but can you ever have too much cheese??)

•veggies, meat...whatever else you want to throw in!

•cooking spray

This is to stinkin' easy! First, spray the inside of your mug with the cooking spray. Then add your two eggs, cheese, milk, and other tasty ingredients. Mix them up and throw your mug into the microwave and cook on high for 1 minute. Stir, then cook for an additional 30 to 60 seconds. And TA-DA! A delicious hot breakfast! How simple is that??

Madys Build a Bear Party!!!

2011-10-02T12:54:00.000-07:00

Mady had a few friends to the mall yesterday for a Build A Bear Party. Weve never done a party there and it was actually really nice...Each girl got to make a bear and they each got a little goodie bag. Mady being the bday girl got a free bear that everyone signed and some other free goodies.

She was a little emabaressed when they sat her on the counter and made her ring a bell so the whole store could sing Happy Birthday to her!!

Lily cracks me up...she had to strike a pose every time I took her picture!

Madys bear...of course would you expect anything else??? It was either this or the darth vader costume.

Yes, they made one too but not for them for Claira...

The girls had to do all these steps before they put their bears heart in like kiss it,make a wish on it and so on...Beccas face cracks me up!

They walked thru the mall like this...so cute!

Some ds & ipod time kept them quiet for a while.

Homecoming 2011~

2011-10-01T05:33:00.000-07:00

Oatmeal Craisin Cookies~

2011-09-29T11:06:00.000-07:00

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/oatmeal_raisin_cookies/

Madys "family" Party

2011-09-26T16:36:00.000-07:00

Sunday we had the family over for Madys Birthday...this weekend its her "friend" party at Build A Bear.

Mady made her own spongebob cake. Aleesha helped.

Showing Granny her spongebob legos.

Her chef hat and cowboy boots Grandma & Grandpa got her.

Her helicopter we got her(you know the ones that you see flying at the mall and the people who sell them cant even speak English lol) thats broke already because Doug flew it into the sidewalk.

Happy 8th Birthday Mady Girl!

2011-09-24T06:14:00.000-07:00

September 23rd, 2003~ Our Baby Girl was born...Madyson Grace Vaughn

{Please enjoy the video}

Her bday treat for school...

We had a mini celebration the night before since her family party isnt till sunday.

Mady woke up yesterday morning to this...Kassandra had decorated the whole house!

Kassandra had signs like this posted from the top of the stairs leading to the treat!

~ More pics to come after sunday.

Football Games & Twirlers~

2011-09-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

This is from the football game a couple weeks ago when Mady twirled...

...Such concentration :)

Yea, Kassandra likes to have a little fun!

Performing the "Love Boat"...can you see the boat formation??

Go Woo!! Mady got a little cold.

WHS Band Performing Spongebob Squarepants at the WC Fair 2011~ (Mady is singing along in the background)

Strong Enough~

2011-09-20T05:59:00.001-07:00

This is Amazing!! I sing in October and Im considering this for sure!

Pinterest Projects...so far...

2011-09-16T18:57:00.000-07:00

Click on this link to find the tutorial...I didnt cut the felt like her because Im impatient and I found a quicker way. :) I just cut strips of felt then rolled them up,hot glued the end then glued onto the wreath. Much easier and I think it turned out just as cute. I ran out of felt so I just did it halfway but I like it like that. I just used an old wreath I had so basically this cost me a whoppin $2 and I spent about 30 min on it.

http://www.littlethingsbringsmiles.com/2011/05/more-felt-fun.html

This is just a taste of the half bath downstairs that we had to redo...I made the stand out of a crate I had already and just spray painted it...once again I had no patience so it looks okay but Doug helped make the curtain rod out of a dow rod and I just used some leftover material I had from my sisters baby shower, that with some good ol stitch witchery,an iron and I was good to go!

Old Bathroom door revamped!! I love just about anything with chalkboard and lets face it Chalkboard is in!! I seen this saying on Pinterest and loved it!

Fair Time= My favorite time of the year!

2011-09-12T12:40:00.000-07:00

The orneriness on her face cracks me up!!

WHS Band playing...

Fries with Vinegar...yummo!

A fall-like day at the zoo!

2011-09-05T16:26:00.000-07:00

Today we ventured off to the Cleveland Zoo with Mom & Dad...It was a tad chilly but felt wonderful!

~ Rainforest

Kassandras new shades~

Dad will wear anything and do anything...

Mady wasnt sure what was in the box,,,

Dad wanted to use our tablecloth as a poncho but Mom made him take it off!

This picture is H-I-L-A-R-I-O-U-S!!

...and this one(they switched glasses)

"Creeper Alert"

Yes this IS my Father!!

Mom got a little stuck...

....but Aleesha came to the rescue

A glimpse of the Air Show

Poor Mady fell asleep like this on the way home...

Tribe Time,Thome,Dollar Dogs & Fireworks!!

2011-08-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

Lastnight we had the priviledge of going to the game with Mom & Dad and sitting in their Awesome seats!! Mady has been dying to go to a game since usually she has to stay home and her sisters get to go.

Doug got himself a snazzy hat...(we both look half dead in this picture so dont judge:)

Mom & the girls...Kassandra unfortunatly had to march at the first Football game of the season :( so she didnt get to come.

Madys so cute holding her Thome sign.

My Man "slider"

Thome didnt do so well lastnight but its okay...I think the signs were bad luck!

Mady got her cotton candy she wanted....at only $12 a bag! (not really that much but it might as well be)

Of course Grandma was reading the ingredients...sugar+artificial coloring= all the good stuff in life!

Hey Mom your signs upside down!!

Mom eating Nachos...this is a rare sight!

Mom got yelled at by the "Hot Dog Guy" because apparently you dont eat nachos in front of the hot dog guy!

"CHOOOOOOO".........

Doug and Dad sat in different seats than us but later moved down by us...Doug was trying to catch a tshirt or hat I think. My Dad caught a tshirt and spilled some ladys beer next to him by accident then gave the shirt to her because she was pouting,then I jokingly said something and she got all mean and hateful to me...oh well, Doug says beer & sports dont mix well!

They won!!

We didnt stay for the fireworks but Mom,Dad & the girls did...they have the best fireworks! Mady said,"It was so cool because they came out of the ground!"

School is Cool!!!

2011-08-22T10:56:00.000-07:00

First Day of School 2011-2012~

We now have a sophmore!! wow!!

Mady was very excited!!! Shes cheesin it up!!

AHHH!!....Aleeshas a 6th grader!!!

I love the idea I found with these signs...I only wish I woulve found it earlier and did this every year...Aleeshas almost past the stage of taking her picture the first day of school but who cares....Kassandra didnt complain at all but she was trying to please me I think...oh well, Ill take it!!

This has got to be my favorite!!!

Madys 3rd grade teacher...Shes Amazing! Aleesha had her in 2nd grade and this is gonna be a great year!!

Ive enjoyed myself today just cleaning,organizing and getting alot done with no interruptions..oh and I cant forget sitting here slurping on my coconut cream frap from Starbucks!!! :^)

Lets do the "Salsa!"

2011-08-21T17:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning after I had breakfast with 2 of my girls we went to the Farmers Market downtown. I usually only get to go once or twice during the summer because lets face it saturdays around here are usually way too busy! I had the girls pick out some peppers,tomatoes & onions for me to make homemade salsa. Now this is fresh salsa and its pretty hard to mess up! Dougs apparently been craving it all day because he offered to help and thats not usual when it comes to cooking in the kitchen with me. We dont work well together...at anything really. lol

This is super yummy!!

Chris Tomlin - I Lift My Hands

2011-08-19T05:42:00.000-07:00

MADYS FREE BDAY INVITATION

2011-08-17T10:17:00.000-07:00

Every time I need to order invites or thank you's or prints I always wait for shutterfly,winkflash or snapfish to send me amazing deals! And by amazing I mean "FREE!" :) I just ordered some free thank you's from Aleeshas bday and theyre so cute! (I will have to post) then I just missed the free 100 prints from snapfish by one day but I still ordered some of Kassandras Arizona pics anyways. I did however get some more promo codes for future use.

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Just call me a slacker!!

2011-08-15T06:42:00.000-07:00

SO...Ive been a little busy with this and that and have been slacking ALOT on blogging! Weve been school shopping and such,bdays have been keeping us busy along with apts,gymnastics & cooking class.

I just had to put this pic of Aleesha on here the first day of school.

Her party was a couple weeks ago and she had her 1st sleepover, yes you heard it her first one at age 12! I dont do sleepovers real well but everything went really well. They had alot of fun!

Next is Madys party here in the next few weeks and she wants to go to Build A Bear...that should be interesting. *she used to be so little...

Shes getting way too big!

This is another reason Ive been busy...what a doll! I try and hold her every chance I get.

Aleesha and a friend took a cooking class all last week down at the new cooking store downtown. She made pizzas,cakes and such.

My 36th Birthday is this saturday and Im feelin so old. My plans for the day...Olive Garden & the mall to buy some new panties with my $10 Victoria Secret G.card they sent me. TMI I know!!

I can hardly believe our little girl is gonna be a sophmore this year!

Heres to a new & improved school year!!

I think Im addicted!!

2011-08-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

First Day Of School Memories ....Sooooo cute! Im totally doing this even with the girls griping and complaining. :)
I wish I wouldve found this site a long time ago since I take pics of the girls each year on their 1st day. They even have a 9th grade so yep you guessed it Im MAKING Kassandra do it!!! Lol
Click on this link if you want to download a free printable.
http://www.iheartnaptime.net/2011/07/back-to-school-printable.html

* I love how its attached to a pencil.

Claira Rose Galloway~

2011-07-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

Meet Claira Rose...6lbs 10oz born 7/27/11

Im in love with this little princess already!!

The girls are already fighting over her!!

Mady says,"Mom, you gotta check out her ears, theyre sooo little!" Ha!!

Before we got to the hospital Kassandra called first dibs at holding her.

Kassandras 4H Room Makeover Project

2011-07-26T11:05:00.000-07:00

Vintage Design~

Kassandra took this homemade shelf someone had made from a drawer and made a jewlery holder out of it.

$5 at a garage sale.

Making her curtains for her room~ This was her first time sewing. Thanks goes out to my Mom for her help.

Ta Da!!!

She painted her room a new lilac color,hung some vintage frames & mirror and got new bedding(provided by grandma) and some tacky pillows for 25 -50 cents.

She dressed up her headboard with this cardboard covered by material & batting.

Some nic naks she found at antique stores~ A $5 nitestand from a garage sale.

Vintage stool & camera from an antique store and $5 vanity I found at Smithville G.Sales.

VIntage box w/thread- $3 at Antique store~

$3 Vintage items~

Her camera she adores~ $18 at Antique Mall.

Americas Next Top Models- NOT!!

2011-07-21T04:43:00.000-07:00

I decided to make a few more bows for Claira lastnight and a few for the girls too. I tried to get them to model them for me but that wasnt happenin.

I mean is it too much to ask to get 1 serious picture??

Finally, thanks for coming thru for me Kassandra! :)

Huge Fort=Huge Mess which = lots of playtime!

2011-07-20T15:21:00.000-07:00

So, Let me just start off to say that "messes" give me a huge panic attack but last week the girls made this humongo fort in the basement fully equipped with a sound system but its lacking lighting. Anyways, the rule is at the end of the week no matter how big the mess it gets picked up but since this was such a (how should I say it) well, lets just say it kept them busy for hrs which means gives me more quiet time and I like that so they were allowed to keep it up for a while. Not sure how long Im gonna be able to hold out. Good thing is I only go down there to do laundry so I really dont have to look at it, but I know its still there.

Today Mady had some school friends over to play. There was a total of 7 girls here and that not counting me & Kali. lol They were actually really good!

To the moon...

2011-07-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

Mom picked up some "moon shoes" at a g.sale for the girls today...Mady enjoys trying to walk around in them.

Grandma had to try them out...

It didnt work out too well. Ha!!

This isnt much of a post sorry..I really need to post some of our weekend at Hocking Hills even though I already did on facebook.

Morland Fruit Farm- Berry Pickin!

2011-07-06T12:26:00.000-07:00

WARNING: Please Excuse the not-so-serious pictures but that seems to be the norm.

Lastnight we headed out to Morland to do some berry pickin...We picked a few blueberries but mostly black raspberries.

We got down & dirty!

Mady kept comparing...that led to bickering & fighting...ahhhh family bonding.

She likes her blueberries.

DORK!!

Berry Picking 101: Buckets do not belong on your head!

They rode in the back, thus explains the inch of dust inside the van when I cleaned it out today.

"My little Apples"

I now have a blueberry AND black raspberry cobbler in the oven.

Fourth of July Weekend Events~

2011-07-05T06:55:00.000-07:00

The Fourth started out with our annual Fredericksburg Parade...Oh how I love it! I missed it last year because I was in PR so I was looking forward to it.

Mady did not want her picture taken. ha!

My sister waddled her way down~

~us

Everyone lined up ready for the parade to start...It was almost an hr long this year!

I couldnt stop taking pictures of all the cute Amish kids.

How can you not love this!

They had comfy seats.

Fredro Parades tend to get a little loud!

~Lems Pizza...Yummo!

This was one of those days I was not claiming him as my Father. He got this box and kept yelling out to everyone for candy and telling them to "Throw your dogs!" & "Feed the poor children!"

Mady scooping candy up!

Later that evening before the Fireworks I took Kassandra to Ashland to see a friend of hers play in a band. Hes the lead guitarist & he also sings. Shes know him for 3 yrs now. This Jordan Biel Band is from an Assembly of God church near PA and they were really good. I wish we couldve stayed to watch the whole thing but we had to get back to Wooster for the Fireworks. They did some worship songs which were amazing. I bought a Cd...his website is

http://jordanbiel.com/

He was the former Youth Pastor...

They perform 4-5 times a month. He talked about some testimonies of healings...

This was Kassandras friend Jeremiah...Hes really good!

This was the "Asian Sensation"... Dan the man...(the youth pastor now)

It was a good day! We ended up at the Wooster Fireworks where I must say they need more Potties because it happens every year...I had to stand in line for a half an hr just to pee! They need to add way more porta johns next year!

Free bowling coupons = a kinda cheap family night

2011-07-02T17:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight I decided to use our free bowling coupons that the girls have all summer out at Triway Lanes. They can bowl 2 games everyday for the whole summer. It wouldve been a pretty cheap family night if we wouldnt have blown $20 on snacks! Anyways, I think we might go back because it still was a pretty cheap fun evening.

"Thats how we bowl"

This was in my shoes...they were brand new...just how I like it!!

I love little feet in bowling shoes...

Mady was relieved to get her shoes off! Ha!

Feathers...Its all the Craze!!

2011-06-29T17:38:00.000-07:00

So, since Kassandra & Aleesha got feathers in their hair Mady of course wanted some so I started searching Etsy and of course found some that could just clip in & out. They arrived today in the mail & Mady has been waiting every day on them. The funny thing is she had picked out this patriotic one that me and the girls talked her out of since it doesnt match alot and I ordered the pink one instead then today when they came in the mail the lady had stuck the patriotic one in there for free!! I know, how crazy is that! She had no idea mady had wanted that one too.(the pics of those are at the bottom of my blog)

Anyways, next I just had to try a few for Claira then I made one for the girls...

Clairas~

Clairas too...lol

Etsy ones I ordered...$5 and I got 2!

Cleveland Zoo Time!!!

2011-06-27T18:51:00.000-07:00

Sunday we decided on a whim to go to the zoo...Kassandra already had commitments and plans so she didnt come. :( Bear with me as I have many pictures...

This says it all!! Aleesha asked, "whats dung?" lol

Little miss Navigator~

All Mady talked about was seeing the Elephants!

Flamingos!!

Do you know why elephants have such big ears??? Mady asked that question then we found this...

This was "Jenny" the donkey~

Train Ride~

Mady noticed where Daddy sticks his sunglasses when not in use so she kept doing it...too cute!

"Thats just how I roll!"

I cannot even begin to tell you how nasty and x-rated this darn monkey was but by looking at the picture Im sure youre not surprised right?? Lets just say he had no shame! Lots of educational lessons being taught every time we go to the zoo! ha!

At least the turtles wernt mating this year!

Mady loved the silver back.

So, as you can tell (if you know Mady and her stories/questions) this was one of those times...Yep, the whole way down the walkway she asked question after question about the gorillas.

Dont ask!!

This was the sign on the back of the bathroom stall door.

Weirdo!

It was a beautiful day weather wise and we had a really good time!!

YMCA Nationals Gymnastics Competiton

2011-06-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a very long day...We left at 9am for Toledo to go to Aleeshas Gymnastics Nationals competition and got home around 1:30am this morning. She did really well, especially considering Ive never seen such scores like that in my life except maybe at the Olympics! There were 14 different teams from all different states..even Hollywood,Ca & Miami,Fl. This was our first time so we wernt sure what to expect.

Girls were getting 9.6's & even a 10.0 was given! Unbelievable!! All arounds of 36 & 38 were not unheard of so we wernt confident Wooster would even medal at all in any event. Thankfully every girl but 1 medaled, Aleesha being one of them...She got 11th place in her vault(her worst event) That made her year! It was alot of fun & a good experience...next year they say it might be in Wisconsin.

They had 4 different gyms going at the same time.

My picture are so crappy due to the lack of lighting and not allowed to use a flash.

We stopped and ate at the Spaghetti Warehouse...Aleesha had never been there before.

The "love" tester.... lol Aleeshas result: "Blah"....Ha!!! She said whats that mean? Is it good or bad?

It was a good day!!!!

Fathers Day...Say What??

2011-06-20T14:34:00.000-07:00

*the title just seemed too lame to put "Fathers day" so I had to throw something else in there. :)

Fathers Day started out with a delicious pancake breakfast at church sponsored by our Youth...Banana,blueberry,Peanutbutter,Pecan,choc chip..just to mention a few...were delish! I had myself like 5 plus 2 helpings of eggs! I had to sing a solo sunday morning so before church I went to go up on the platform to practice and my shoe broke completley so I went barefoot for a bit then ran home quick to get a new pair. The message was Awesome Pastor Mark preached on being an "All Star Dad" and it was really good!(Doug kept fallin asleep only because he was so exhausted...poor guy)

Afterwards, I wanted to get a picture of daddy and his girls but no one really wanted to cooperate and they just werent into it. It took me a bunch of tries to get this one and still all those "blue eyes" were sooo squinty!

Finally, I just settled for this one!!! It was the best one anyways. Ha!!!

Some pics of Mady that morning in her new "turtle" dress from Gymboree...$9.99! I already had the turtle barrets from way back and didnt realize it but also her panties matched (TMI) they were the turtle ones to match that outfit. lol

Shes growing up way too fast.

"Orneryness"

For Fathers Day the girls found Doug this humoungous comb since they are always using his combs and he says he can never find them. I bet he wont lose this one!

All his gifts~ This year we surprised him with a weekend away with us to a cabin at Hocking Hills...He must really like it because every day he says he cant wait to go camping,which by the way I have to remind him its not camping if its in a cabin with a stove,bathroom,t.v & a bed.

Kali really didnt have to much to say about the weekend...she just wanted her ball. :)

Lynn Auto Drive- In~

2011-06-20T13:14:00.000-07:00

Every Summer we like to make our annual trip to Strasburg to the Drive-In Movie Theater. $19 for all 5 of us to get in plus if you want to stay till the wee hrs of the morning you can see 2 movies..all for that price!! Popcorn & such is sooo cheap! We just bring our own popcorn & drinks like most but of course we had to get a little something from the concession.

The girls playing frisbee before the movie.(oh how I remember doing this as a kid)

We got our van all set up so we were nice & comfy for the movie...We seen "Mr. Poppers Penguins"

Kassandra was facinated with the old time speakers...of course years ago that was all you had to listen to the movie and you would hang them on your window but now they just have you turn it to a radio station.

Do you hear anything Kassandra???

Wait, I think she does... they actually do still work but most people just turn their radio on.

Snacktime!!!

How can you not love this!!!! We got home around midnight but it was worth it!!

Kassandras DIY Project for 4H

2011-06-15T04:48:00.000-07:00

Kassandra is doing Interior Design for 4H and her project is she redoing her room. She found this vintage tray at a G.Sale for 25cents and decided to make it into a message/photo board(another one of Chrissys brilliant ideas)

She found some vintage buttons~

Bought some magnets and hot glued them on~

And...Ta Da!!

Dougs gonna drill a couple holes in it so we can put a wire and hang it.

Homemade Strawberry Jam

2011-06-10T18:13:00.000-07:00

~First attempt at Homemade jam: Freezer & jar kinds

#1- Start out with about 3 qts of "Amish" strawberries(according to Kassandra they are the best)

#2- Get all the ingredients together which is basically sugar & sure jell

#3 Crush berries ( I used a food processor and just lightly crushed)

~ You still want chunks of small fruit pieces

#4 Add a ton of sugar (exact recipe is on the sure jell box) It was alot of sugar. There is also a reduced sugar recipe and a no sugar recipe.

That was basically it for the freezer jam. I think it doesnt set up as thick as the jar jam but it does taste fresher and sweeter. Very good over pancakes or ice cream also!!

~ I then tried the jar kind...You have to cook this but it wasnt hard.

I really like how this turned out...very good on toast but I didnt fill my jars full enough. oh well next time.

Ahhhhh.... the finished product.

Dylans 15th Birthday

2011-06-08T13:17:00.000-07:00

Dylan liked his license plate we got him for his dirt bike.

Trying to think of many wishes in hope that one will come true...

Now them are some boots!

Reading our card..."Sweetness on the go"! Ha!!!

Mady tried to get people to push her thru the puddle.

Expectin Rain????

Kalis 5th Birthday!!

2011-06-08T12:58:00.000-07:00

Happy 5th Birthday Kali~

(Her bday cake)

gET READY, gET sEt...

GO!!!!

Birfdays are RUFF!!!!

Just Mady...

2011-06-08T12:28:00.000-07:00

This is our sweet little Mady in her sunday best~

...This is the "real" Mady......doing what she does best...play in the mud!!!

Mady had her 1st coaches pitch game the other night.

Dont let the ponytail fool you!!

Stop throwin like a girl mady!!

She got 5 outs in a row as first baseman.

Memorial Day at its best!

2011-05-31T11:34:00.000-07:00

I really didnt take many pictures this weekend because everyone else was taking them and I will just steal theirs later but heres a few that I actually took. I was sick so I will blame it on that okay??
Saturday I had about 30 people over to the house for my sister baby shower and it turned out really well. Everyone seemed to have a good time. Props to my mom,leslie,sarah & diana for all their help. I will post much better pics later that Kassandra took with Chrissys camera. I was too busy to take anymore than this plus why???

Memorial Day Kassandra & Mady marched in the parade...

First day of summer vacation~

2011-05-31T11:10:00.000-07:00

This is how the first morning of summer vacation started out.

Kalis not sure what to think about havin the girls home all day.

Yep, its that exciting! This is how I will look after summer break is over! ha!

The girls celebrated by having a sleepover downstairs lastnight.

Enjoy your summer everyone!!!

School Desks & Etsy bows~

2011-05-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

So, the other day when Mom,Chrissy & I were G.Saleing we(I) seen this cute little school desk and although I didnt need it I was drawn to it. Maybe it was the blue color on the bottom or maybe it was just because Im a desk/chairaholic! Anyways, even though it was only $1 and the proceeds went to Relay for Life Mom & Chrissy wouldnt let me get it. How Mean! Right? Well, I just happened to be driving past that same place yesterday and it was still there so something told me I had to stop. It was a whoppin 75 cents!! I mean I couldnt pass that up. It was for chairity and all. I then had to deal with Doug when I got home and he said what desk? I put it in the trash already. funny. NOT!

Another Etsy bow I kept for Mady instead of giving to Claira. :)

I love this one!

Creative Gift Wrapping 101

2011-05-17T14:40:00.000-07:00

I seen this on a blog for a Baby Shower gift they decorated an egg carton and rolled up baby socks in it but I decided to use it to put all of Clairas Prettys in. ;)

Ive been having way too much fun wrapping her gifts up! I had bought these 1,2,3's number clippys from Land of Nod(love their stuff) but wasnt sure what I was gonna do with them..well, it just so happens it matches Clairas bedding so I decided to hang some booties I got her off Etsy and I think it will be a cute decor item for her room.

~ FYI: At Chrissys Shower we will all as guests be opening the gifts since this is an akward time for her with everybody staring and such so this way it speeds the process up plus its enjoyable for everyone so were all happy!! Ha!!

Copy Cat

2011-05-15T18:07:00.000-07:00

Everytime we go to Olive Garden I have to get this soup so you can see why I was excited to find a "Copy Cat" recipe for it...I havent tried it yet but its on this weeks menu.

Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

Yield: 8 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes

1 cup chicken breasts, cooked and diced (you can use a rotisserie chicken)
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 quart half and half
1 14 ounces can of chicken broth
1/2 cup celery, finely diced
2 minced garlic cloves
1 cup carrots, finely shredded
1 cup onion, finely diced
1 cup fresh spinach, coarsely chopped
1 tablespoons extra virgin oil
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon parsley
Freshly grated Parmesan cheeses i optional
1 pound potato gnocchi you can buy this in the gourmet section of many supermarkets

Saute the onion, celery, and garlic in the butter and olive oil over medium heat until the onion becomes translucent. Add the flour and make a roux. Let the butter and flour mixture cook for about a minute before adding 1 quart of half and half.
Cook gnocchi according to package directions.
Into the roux, add in the carrots and chicken. Once the mixture becomes thick, add the chicken broth. Once the mixture thickens again, add the cooked gnocchi, spinach, and seasoning;, simmer until soup is heated through.

Mothers Day 2011

2011-05-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed my Mothers Day. It was filled with gifts,goodies & my girlys!!

Me loves my mommy!

As usual its hard to get a serious picture...

In church this morning Pastor Mark asked us to think of 1 characteristic of our Mom that has influenced our life and although there are so many I could think of the most important to me is her "Selfless love" she has for others,her children & grandchildren.

My girls minus Mady...she was at an overnight G.Scout camp in at Cosi. She came back this afternoon...

Heres my picture of Mady and me...She gave me a card she made and some coupons she had made me at school, plus a gift card to Buchwalters.

My Mothers Days gifts!!!

One Mans Junk is another mans treasure...

2011-04-30T15:27:00.000-07:00

The last two days my sister and I spent some time G.Saleing and we found some really good deals/steals!

~ A "handy andy" tool box for $1 and a nifty fan for $3.

I picked up this old door for $1 and debated on what to do with it...well, the lady said another lady bought one just like it and was gonna paint the inside with chalkboard paint which I thought was a cute idea but since I recently made my own message center with chalkboard & peg board Chrissy gave me the idea to somehow hang picture with wire but I used some twine instead and put pics of the girls all at age 5 or 6.

Oh, the rug was 50 cents :)

I hung this in my kitchen above the kitchen cart....

~ Suitcase- 25 cents(Doug said I got ripped off) lol

Very Hidious vintage jewelry box for $1...We actually seen this on fri and went back on sat and it was still there so we got it to put on the vanity I got for Kassandras room.

~ mirror 50 cents

Stool $3 & Gardening shoes for Mady $2

Old school Converse Chrissy bought Mady $2

Vintage bag- 50 cents

Tins - 10 cents

Moccassins for me to wear around the house- 50 cents

This isnt the best picture of this but I got this vanity for $5 mirror included...I love it! I had to get permission for Doug first if I could even get it since we really dont have room for it but as you can see I made room for it! Kassandras been wanting to redo her room in a more Vintage decor and I thought I would surprise her with it being set up in her room when she gets home tonight.

Dougs 38th Birthday!!!!

2011-04-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

Dougs Birthday was yesterday and the Girls each made him a card & got him a gift, plus Kassandra decorated the doorway and surprised him when he walked in the door!

Easter Cookout at Mom & Dads

2011-04-25T16:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday after church we went to Mom & Dads for a cookout in this nice lovely weather were having..good thing they have a covered deck! We had a good time eating,talking & laughing as usual...

Shes wants a pair of boots like grandpas...

Take a good look because this is the only time you will see me on a treadmill!

Mady kept telling everyone how many calories she was burning...lol

I love this picture of my dad & mady...Im sad that theyre almost getting to old to want to spend time with him....oh well, Claira will be next :)

Kassandra loves her G-ma Kassandra al la country~

Easter Morning 2011

2011-04-25T13:40:00.000-07:00

Easter morning we did our usual Easter basket scavenger hunt but this year they didnt get a basket they got Thirty-One bags...

"All dolled up!"

2011-04-23T17:31:00.000-07:00

I love it when Kassandra gets bored and does Madys hair for me...(She was so cute all day she kept asking Kassandra if her hair was messed up)

Those Eyes~

Another Pair of Arm Warmers~

Leg Warmer or Arm Warmer DIY sister project...

2011-04-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

Yesterday me and my sister got together to make some leg warmers we had seen on Etsy... Aleeshas fit over her feet but then we couldnt get them off!

So...... we used them as arm warmers and Mady just loves them! She got lots of compliments on them already.

Mady & Mommy Decorating Easter Eggs

2011-04-20T11:51:00.000-07:00

Lastnight it was just Mady and I at home so we decided to decorate some eggs~

She was doing a tye-dye tecnique~

I love the vintage apron on her!!

Kassandras 15th Birthday Par...tay!!

2011-04-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

Saturday, we had family over to celebrate Kassandra turning the big 15! She got lots of money & gift cards oh, and the fish she wanted.

Cousins~

"walk in love" secret message t-shirt~

Her Thirty-One purse from G-ma & G-pa~

Im using this picture for payback, Im not quite sure for what yet but Im sure theres something. ha!!

SO, excited to get her fishys..."Giglet,Nora & Nellie

Happy 15th Birthday Kassandra!!

2011-04-18T05:07:00.001-07:00

Happy 15th Birthday to our little girl. We are so proud of you! We Love you! Mother & Father =) on PhotoPeach

Ethnic Fair & Embracing Our Differences

2011-04-17T15:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a yucky rainy day but we headed to the Ethnic Fair anyways sporting our fancy rain boots...

Aleeshas picture was on display for Embracing our Differences...She was one of the 20 finalists out of 650 entries...

She got a free membership to the WC Arts and this really neat book with all the finalists pictures in it...

They were recognized at the opening ceremony...She can hardly contain her excitement! lol

We had fun playing and looking around, oh and also eating...Aleesha tried Indian Food for the first time and Mady drank some coffee from Brazil.

Shedd Aquarium

2011-04-17T06:11:00.000-07:00

On Sunday our last day in Chicago we decided to go to the Shedd Indoor Aquarium which was absolutley AMAZING! It was actually only a 10 min drive from our hotel but it took us an hr...yea, dont ask. There was a marathon going on thru downtown and our GPS was going wacky! We finally arrived and had a really good time.

Navy Pier from a distance

It was a tad sunny that day :)

This "little" guy freaked me out a bit.

So, everyone laughed at me because I thought this lady just accepted tips. There was no sign and the girls just walked up and let her paint their arm...well, when I gave her a few bucks she was like,uh no its $5...each! Yikes! oh well, we live & we learn.

She did a really good job though.

Aleesha got a seahorse

It was so cool how the turtle did this...

The beluga whales were awesome!

How can you not fall in love with these things.

Touching the starfish

Street Mime & Luckys Sandwhich Co

2011-04-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

This Street Mime was Amazing but scared the crap out of Kassandra!!! He was standing really still when Kassandra ran up for me to get a picture and he bent down and freaked her out...He asked her if she could give a donation...

"LUCKYS SANDWHICH CO"

Man VS. Food was there~

On sunday, our last day there we were determined to find it so we put faith in the GPS and headed that way...it was in a different part of Chicago right down by Wrigley Field, just basically a very tiny sports bar but the front of the restaurant opened up and you could sit there and watch the cars go by...pretty cool huh? plus it was a beautiful day out!

Giordoanos Pizza

2011-04-12T05:34:00.000-07:00

The first night we got to Chicago we just had to have Chicago famous deep dish style pizza which none of us had ever had! After the grueling day that we had we treated ourselves to this. Of course there was an hr & a half wait at 8pm but after many meltdowns(mainly from us adults) we waited it out and boy am I glad we did!!

Kassandra apparently enjoyed it!!!

Embassy Suites Hotel

2011-04-11T14:13:00.000-07:00

We stayed at the Embassy Suites right smack dab downtown Chi-Town. It was a beautiful hotel with wonderful service and at $250 a night I would stay there again. Of course we got the American Girl Package so the girls had to check their dolls in and then their was a surprise waiting for them when we got in the room...

The bed was a surprise..it came with a chocolate and they also got a free movie so they watched Tangled.

Inside out hotel...

Every evening at the hotel they had free snacks...cheese,grapes,chex mix,tortillas & salsa. We also had a free full cont breakfast every morning which had a cook with made to order omelets of your choice,fruit,bagels,muffins,oatmeal,cereal,bacon,sausage,eggs,french toast,pancakes & hash browns! Best free breakfast Ive ever had at a hotel!!

Shopping Day-American Girl Store

2011-04-11T13:43:00.000-07:00

First thing Saturday morning we headed out to do a little shopping...The Hersheys Store was a must of course...$25 for this Hershey Bar!

The Harley Store~

The Ag Dolls enjoyed the Harley Store.

Shopping Downtown Chicago

This is where Kassandra and I spent most of the time.

The American Girl Store~

This place was truly Amazing!!

Mady got a wheelchair for her doll...

This was upstairs where the Restaurant, Hospital,Photo Shoot and Hair Solon was.

Aleesha decided to spend all of her money on the new doll...Kanani

The bags were bigger than them!

Sky Deck Chicago- Willis Tower

2011-04-11T13:15:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we decided to go to the Sears/Willis Tower where the skydeck glass ledge is...Doug was a little uneasy about going up and almost talked himself out of it but was glad he didnt...It was a hr & a half wait but I would say it was worth it...103 stories and 992 toilets..it took 60 sec in the elevator to get up there and our ears were popping. It was really amazing and the views were breathtaking!!

Chi- Town or Break Down...We did both!!

2011-04-11T12:31:00.000-07:00

So, Friday started out great...Up at 6am on the road at 6:30 and were off to Chi-Town!! Half way there the van starts acting up(even after we thought we serviced everything) so we pull over and Doug was pretty sure it was the spark plugs so we were in the middle of nowhereville when we find a Truckers mechanic who thinks he can fix it...This is how our vacay begun...at a dirty greasy truckers garage. This sign explains it all- Fine print says: "Must be fully clothed at all times in this building"

Anyways,after waiting for 2 hrs they only fixed 3 out of the six spark plugs and we were hoping that would get us to Chicago but we were wrong. 20 min later down the road...and yea to make a long story short...lots of money and 13 hrs later we were in Chicago! Not the best way to start a vacation but with our luck we wernt really shocked.

Street Muscians were everywhere and Aleesha thought it was pretty cool because she had never seen anything like that.

~ Many more pictures to come...All in all we had a wonderful time...too short but glad to get home...Beautiful city but wouldnt want to live there.

Ugly Kitchen Bye Bye, Hello...New & improved Kitchen.

2011-04-06T12:35:00.000-07:00

Old Ugly Greenish blue countertop~

Ugly black carpet that Ive hated for way too long~

Ugly wallpaper~

New countertop & sink installed~

I havent started decorating quite yet...

Vintage Aprons I found today...

I saved 2 out of the 4 layers of flooring we tore up in the kitchen and hung them.(Mom gave me the idea)

New Floors~ more pics to come.

Wham, Bam, Thank you Mam!

2011-04-06T04:40:00.000-07:00

Well, Yesterday was my first experience trying to play raquetball,needless to say about 5 min into it I got wacked in the nose by the ball in which I later asked Doug who did it and he said, "You did it because you didnt hit it!" Okay so Im not coordinated at all and Mady was even better than me,actually Mady had a wicked swing and Doug was pretty impressed. She didnt want to stop playing and as soon as we were done she said,"Can we play again tomorrow?" Ha! At one point Mady just stopped,laughed at me and said,"Mom,Youre funny to watch." Thanks daughter of mine!!

All City Band

2011-04-01T04:49:00.000-07:00

Lastnight was All City Band and Kassandra & Aleesha both were in it. Aleeshas only been playing about 5 months so this was her first concert and she was very excited. Kassandra has been playing for 5 years so she was less excited. ;)

Leg Warmer Frenzy!

2011-03-24T17:03:00.000-07:00

Ive really been wanting to get a pair of these for Baby "Claira" and for Mady. Heck, Id even wear them!
Im thinking about buying a pair on Etsy then trying to make my own I mean how hard could it be really? It looks like just a pair of knee socks cut off at the bottom and fixed to your liking, of course some of the designs require sewing which is not something that I am capable of.

Kitchen: OUT OF ORDER!!

2011-03-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

This is what our kitchen floor looks like right now....

I have started tearing off the wallpaper.

There were 4 layers on this floor.

Aleeshas a big help!

Dougs plans are to rip it all up and finish the original wood flooring like he did in the other rooms but since it was 4 layers thick he now tells me he has to rip out the cupboards and countertop to get under them. Im gonna go crazy! I feel so overwhelmed when my house is in limbo like this for a month but I know the end result will be worth it!! I say just lay laminate wood flooring and be done with it, but on a brighter note I may have him talked into getting a new countertop for the kitchen. =)

Like the pretty blue???

Im really praying its not like this for Chrissys shower by the end of May but I did realize Im having a Thirty-One Party here next weekend! yikes! Oh well I will hang a sheet with a sign on it that says, "OUT OF ORDER"

Districts- Alliance

2011-03-12T15:13:00.000-08:00

Live, Laugh, Love...Gymnastics!!! That was the theme.

When you have to sit & wait for hrs you have to pass the time....Mom reading Madys book "Frindle" lol

Beam 9.125

Mady telling Grandma one of her stories....Lord only knows!

1st Place!!!!!!!

Happy to get a trophy!(usually only at special events do they do trophys)

Were so Proud of her!!!!!

We went to Macaroni Grill to eat afterwards.

Mom & Kassandra enjoyed writing on the table :)

It was a good day!

Our new outhouse

2011-03-12T14:23:00.000-08:00

Aleesha trying out the new toliet...right on the front porch.

Thanks Chrissy!

My first go at T-Shirt Scarves

2011-03-09T15:29:00.000-08:00

This was a DIY project that Ive been wanting to do for a while but I would like to experiment a little more with it and make some different variaties of these.

Duct Tape Bows!

2011-03-07T11:28:00.000-08:00

Aleesha made these Duct Tape bows for little Claira...They are really cute!

Sneak Peak...of Clairas Baby Shower Invites~

2011-03-07T08:30:00.000-08:00

Our 17th Anniversary- March 5th

2011-03-07T08:13:00.000-08:00

Happy 17th Anniversary My Love!! on PhotoPeach

The Old vs. the New

2011-03-04T15:05:00.000-08:00

Say Bye Bye to the ugly green carpet!!

Hello...beautiful new carpet!

I had to get this pillow from Target...It was a must have!

Some goodies from the Antique store..Just the vintage clothespins the marbles I had.

Ive been looking for some sewing machine drawers for a while now and ever since Leslie got some I was bound and determined to find me some...only 2 but I love them!

$3 vintage frames I turned into a collage.

A trowel to hang a towel on...lol