merry christmas!

 

The real ideal christmas!

Paul and I were discussing the ideal Christmas this morning.  Besides some huge presents (a renewed Scout International, professional camera, and puppy), I wouldn't change a thing.  Thank you everyone for making Christmas special!  There is still more to come and we can't wait.
I especially want thank Jesus for coming to earth and loving us all!

cool......not.

I got a new car this week.  The Mazda MPV minivan came into our lives after many years of avoidance.  My 4-Runner has 230,000 miles and is starting to seem small.  The only thing that was holding me back for two years was the coolness factor.  I loved that 4-runner with its horrible control and inability to accelerate.  It made me happy to drive that cute beast...especially in the snow.  It also seems cool to me (whether it is or not is irrelevant). 
My "being cool" has been in jeopardy since I found out that I was pregnant.  First with the huge belly and maternity clothes.  Then forgetting that other people do things after dark.  I also know more about Babies-r-Us than Nordstrom.  I am a mom, hence the minivan.  Being a mom is something that I love and wouldn't trade for the world, but it is still hard to loose my cool.  My 4-Runner is one of the last threads that holds me to my pre-mommy/cool days.  I will miss you former self's car.  We had some good times.  

 

My sister...Star

at least its sterile.

For some reason my 3 year old won't go to the bathroom at preschool.  He stayed a little longer than usual today to play soccer, so I am sure he was full of liquid.  After we parked in our garage I let him out and walked around to get my baby.  As I was unbuckling I heard it...Pee in the recycle bin. Our bathroom is literally 5 steps away.  boys. 

fun with FIRE...

winter one

This week Ian and I made a "christmas tree" out of a red tomato cage and a string of lights.  It is outside one of our windows for us to enjoy when it gets dark at 6pm.  I also was playing with exposure times...fun.

I tried to write Ian's name.  Can you see it? 

Ian again

Tornado

tornado 2

pretty...

M.O.F.F.S.

Mooch OFF Society is a club consisting of me and Jodie (my good friend from college).  Other people are totally welcome, but for some reason no one else had the desire to join.  hmmm.
We loved getting free stuff...That is the basis for this "club".  Halloween was our favorite holiday, because there is soooo much free stuff to acquire.  We also loved bridal shows and stuff like that.  Well, today my family and I enjoyed a M.O.F.F.S. event.  The Hen House Holiday Celebration is definitely M.O.F.F.S. worthy.  Here is a picture of our spoils!    

Our kid decorated a cookie! Beautiful.

great day and a happy halloween

Paul's 33 year picture. 

Free chairs from church!.

made scones for our neighborhood party!

Party

Neighborhood party!!  Fire and monster.

I am Tonks-from Harry Potter.  Nobody knew who that is....still awesome. Trick or Treat.

Cards!

Playing with uncle Joe and cousin Austin

Christmas Decor!  Is it too early!?

enter....politics

Here is a fascinating way of looking at the political spectrum.  I don't know if I agree with this or not, but it is fun to think about and look about. 
Here are two links that talk about this chart:  http://pajamasmedia.com/zombie/2010/10/11/the-electric-tea-party-acid-test/  and
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/16/2320821/its-time-to-ditch-the-old-linear.html

ugly, stupid, and boring thursday already!

Ok, so I am going to show you a picture of our yard!!  Hehe.  This year was especially hard on grass for some reason.  I have heard different theories/reasons.  The first theory/reason is that we had too much rain and the roots didn't go deep enough and then the lack of rain killed the shallow root systems.  They other theory/reason is disease.  Whatever the reason, our grass is ugly!!  We will not be a stop on the garden tour this year.

I also want to share some awesome garage sale finds!!!!

danish modern bed!!  $20...made in denmark.

I love this light!

ugly, stupid, and boring

Oops. I missed my scheduled ugly, stupid, and boring update due to this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_cold

that is right.  I am down and out due to a cold.  Pathetic and Weak.  I am finally on the mend and will post a good one soon!

cuties!!

I took pictures of my friend Lynn's grandkids today.  They were such troopers!  No nap, lots of bright sun, and three people telling them where to stand, look, or smile was a recipe for disaster...not so.  They were happy and easy to work with!  Thanks for sharing your cuties, Lynn!!

I can't get enough of those curls!!

here you go, Dan!

Serious cowboy!

Add caption

I love the light flare!

One artistic pic

ugly, stupid, and boring

So, I was reading some other blogs this week.  It is so fun to read and be inspired by all of these amazing women.  There are perfect seamstresses, cooks, crafters, artists, parents, decorators, writers, photographers etc....  Perfection status in any of these skills would be welcomed happily by yours truly.  I will keep trying, but for now I am going to take a day of the week and share something imperfect about my life.  I will call it "ugly, stupid, and boring thursday". (no offense, thursday)
I have a friend who says that I make her feel normal...I guess that is my goal.
Here is my first official ugly, stupid, and boring thursday picture!!!!

This is my organization process...it is exhausting. 

  

paul's project

Thank you Aunt Becca for this fabulous fixture!! I forgot to take a before picture, so I will describe it.  It was black (kinda rusty in areas) and hung on a chain.  I want it over my dining room table, so my hubby is modifying it by bending pipe, rewiring, and painting!  It is great...so far.  I can't wait to eat under its yellow glow!

In progress...

in room!!

Enough pics?  

weird weekend...

I had a weird weekend.  The first weird thing I did was go out with my husband alone!!  We went to a book signing and a wedding. There is nothing like a wedding to make you appreciate your significant other! (love you, babe)
...by the way, everyone should buy this book-Waking Up is Hard To Do by Neil Sedaka and illustrated by our friend Daniel Miyares.

Then I took a cheese making class with my mom!  It was delightful.  (Pics below)

Finally, the last weird event of the weekend was a trip to the ER for my husband!!  He is OK, it is an allergic reaction to something.  He has been itchy for a couple of months,and then his hands, feet, and lips started tingling.  So, I called ask-a-nurse and they said to have him seen within the hour!! AHHH.  Then the urgent care place sent him to the ER.  It was kinda crazy, but at least we don't have to worry about what to do with all that extra money! Whew.



Making Curds




Curds!!!  then remove the whey



heat, fold, and mold!



Lynn and Mom!




me...not beautiful.




Mozzarella baby!!