we are family….

My dad is one of 10, I have over 30 1st cousins, I lost count. This is a lot of us but quite a few are missing.

Picture taken @ my aunt & uncles Christmas day 2010

A special gift…

The real Santa

Nikolas (to Carter) will you come with me to see Santa?
Carter: Sure
Nikolas: Will you cry? Please don't cry I want to see Santa with you.
Carter: ok, nik
Nikolas: Don't worry (while patting Carter) this Santa is only in a costume like daddy wore for Halloween, the real Santa was at aunt Bevs.

Pictures from Aunties Cookie Day 2010 and The REAL Santa!

Champagne Taste on a Boones Farm budget!

I was so proud!!! I was able to purchase all items below for only $47. I used coupons, rebates and Jingle Cash and all items where on sale! My goal for 2011 is to cut my shopping bills in half and start a stockpile pantry!

Wish me luck! :-)

Is this for girls?

Carter, dear little Carter, was left alone to nap in my room. I knew it was a bad idea however….. I thought, just maybe he was going to lay down and sleep! HA!

He asked me while holding the mascara “is this for girls?”

Love

LOCKING UP The Nut Bin

Hey fellow bloggers…. Come the first of the year, I’ll be “locking” the nut bin. I have concerns over the safety of blogging and my kids, so I have decided that this is the best way to handle this. I do love blogging, so I you can email me for the password, check your Christmas card or CALL me and I’ll share the password with you!!!

Hope you all understand!!!

Wishing you a PEACEFUL & PROFITABLE 2011!

A early gift

The boys got a early Christmas gift, from Great Papa and Mimi. Frank wanted a gamer chair, I said we can’t have just one the boys will fight over it. So we set out to purchase these chairs on Black Friday. Target had a GREAT deal $30 each reg. $69.99 each.  Well at 4am we got to Target only to find them all gone. :-( However Lisa, Frank’s sister happen to be at another Target and found them. She even stood in line for 40 minutes for us!!! We love Lisa!!!

The boys were so excited to get new gamer chairs and movies, from Great Papa and Mimi!!!

Oh Christmas Tree(s)

This is the tree in the boys room, they decorated it all by themselves. I put the lights on they did the rest!

 

This is usually the sunroom tree, however this year I wanted a tree in my bedroom.

The best picture I could find, lol…. Sorry I’m lazy! This is the living room tree.!

The problem with boys….

(In the bathroom)Nikolas: MOMMY, where is my toothbrush?

(In the kitchen)Me: PROBABLY in the the holder.

Nikolas: Oh I found it

Nikolas: Mommy where is the toothpaste?

Me: Probably in the drawer

Nikolas: Oh yea, it is

not even 30 seconds later….

Nikolas: Ok I’m done.

American Honey

This was a facebook note and I just loved the results, I had to share…. If you copy and paste this on facebook, please be sure to tag me, I’d love to see your results!

 

1) IF SOMEONE SAYS ‘ARE YOU OKAY’ YOU SAY?

Rockstar - Nickleback

2) WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?

I'm Country - Craig Morgan

3) HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?

Good Times- Charlie Robinson

4) WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

Ain't the way I wantna go out- Craig Morgan 

5) HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

Every Rose has it's thorn- Poison 

6) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?

Chicken Fried- Zac Brown Band 

7) WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?

Highway 20 Ride- Zac Brown Band 

8) WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

LMAO---- Blue Coll done turned red neck- Gretchen Wilson 

9) WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

Must be doin something right- Billy Currington 

10) WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

Kiss Kiss- Chris Brown ft. T-Pain 

11) WHAT IS 2 + 2?

That's when I'll believe that your gone- Craig Morgan

12) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR EX BOY/GIRL/BEST FRIEND?

Sweet Home Alabama- Lynard Skynard

13) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Work Hard, Play Hard- Gretchen Wilson 

14) WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

OMG- Usher 

15) WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

Different Kind of Find - Zac Brown Band 

16) WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Need you Now- Lady Antebellum

17) WHAT WILL YOU DO AT YOUR WEDDING?

Dynamite- Taio Cruz

18) WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

Perfect Day - Lady Antebellum

19) WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

Billionaire- Travis McCoy

20) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?

If you're going through hell- Rodney Atkins 

21) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

Love This Pain- Lady A 

22) WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?

Toes- Zac Brown Band 

23) WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

Thats's what I love about Sunday's- Craig Morgan 

24) WHAT’S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?

When you got a good thing- Lady A

25) WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?

Cowboy and Clown- Craig Morgan 

26) WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?

I got your country right here- Gretchen Wilson 

27) WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?

Our kind of Love- Lady A

28) WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?

In my neighorhood- Craig Morgan 

29) WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?

Lips of an Angel- Hinder

30) DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?

If I knew Then - Lady A 

31) IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?

My wish- Rascal Flatts

32) WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?

The Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani

33) WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE PERSON WHO TAGGED YOU?

I got you- Craig Morgan 

34) WHAT WILL YOU NAME THIS NOTE?

American Honey- Lady A

Halloween

Poor Monkey was sick, so his Halloween looked like this….

Nikolas had a blast and loved getting CANDY!!!

Michael Jackson, Vampire, Tinker Bell, Iron man and Hiccup.

July 31-1998 – October 25,2010

Callie Annmarie XXzzo

This was her last picture, about an hour before we took her to vet.

Our cherished German Shepherd went to heaven, it has been hard on all of us. We knew the time was coming, but in my heart I was hoping it would have been later, rather than sooner. Callie’s story with us begins Labor Day 1998, we were up-north canoeing on the Au Sable River, we stopped at Glenn’s Market for a few snacks and there she was in a huge bowl of food eating! They were giving her and a few other puppies away. So of course I HAD to have her. Frank and I made a plan that we were getting her for his grandmother!  When get got home from our trip his grandmother wanted nothing to do with the dog, so after attempting to find her several other homes, my mom allowed me to keep her!

Callie was spayed at around 6 months old and from that she developed urinary incontinence and took Proin pills twice a day, every day for her entire life.  Callie also had a few ear surgeries because of infections, the last surgery she had about 3 years ago, seemed to have cured her as she never had another ear infection after that.  About two years ago she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. We treated her with arthritis medication and in winters she would sometimes need pain medication. In the past 3-4 months her hips had gotten so bad, that she would need help coming up or down stairs, going outside (we have a few steps off our deck), and would no longer greet us at the door. In the past month it got so bad that should couldn’t get up in time to go potty. So Frank made the choice so I didn’t have too. A few pictures….

My sleeping beauty

Up north @ GR’s cabin

Babysitting Baby Nikolas, Callie LOVED to watch TV.

Before she got old and grey, such a pretty dog

.

RIP Callie, you were loyal, lovable, and licked my tears away on sad days, I’m forever great-full to you and the happiness you bought to us!

I see a frat house in his future

As smooth as ice: part 2

If you missed Part 1

Remember my hair air dried before:

Air dried after the treatment:

Can you believe it??? I can’t, I wish you could feel how soft and smooth it is. I normally can only get my hair this soft after I blow dry with a round brush, flat iron and product.

Here it is styled: A you can see it still has “jersey” body but is so soft, I only used the round brush for my bangs, the rest was used using a regular brush.

I LOVE Melissa Lobaito!!!

As smooth as ice?

This week I treated myself to a 3 hour pampering session with Melissa Lobaito. After several years of wanting different hair, I decided to try the Keratin Complex Smoothing Treatment.  Could I really have different hair?

The process took about about 3 hours, she shampooed my hair, dried it, applied the Keratin, let it sit for about a half hour, then dried it again. Then Melissa used a flat iron to activate the treatment.  I left with the most amazing silky smooth hair. But…. Did it work and how much difference would there be if any?

A few things to consider… You can’t wash or get your hair wet for 72 FULL hours. If you sweat or get it wet, you MUST dry it and flat iron it, immediately. No pins, clips, ponytails or hats. The hair must remain flat for the 72 hours. After the 72 hours is up, you can return to using your normal products, clips pins and hats. Another thing is you need to use “special” sodium chloride and sulfate free shampoo and conditioner. 

Here are pictures over the 3 day “process”.

PLEASE NOTE: I normally have oily hair, so it was no surprise to me that my unwashed hair was greasy.

Before Treatment:

This is my hair air dried.

This is my hair styled. My hair is soft and smooth but I used a huge round brush and flat iron to remove and ringlets.

Right after treatment: It was so soft, smooth and silky. No ‘fly away” hairs. I was shocked to see my hair this perfect!

24 hours later: It was still soft, I did flat iron it in the morning, I sweat while sleeping. But it still looks and feels amazing.

48 hours later:

Bacon anyone, lol! It’s not wet it’s greasy, ewwww.  A price to pay for beauty.

72 hours:  Losing it’s beauty and oily but it' still was very soft.

 

Shower time…… I’ll update results later.

Happy Birthday Party Nikolas!

 

Happy Birthday my little man!

I let my kids pick the cake they want, no matter how big, small, ugly, cute, whatever. Nikolas picked this cake, even though we only had 20 guest. The cake feed 60 people, but this is what he picked!

The Hulk hand, was an actual mold of Nikolas’ hand. I purchased one of this baby keepsake kits from Joann’s and instead of pouring the plaster in it, I poured chocolate in it.  The flavors were…

Spiderman Tier:  Snickerdoodle Cake with Cream cheese icing, and vanilla caramel mousse filling.

Batman Tier:  was yellow cake with strawberry butter cream

Hulk Tier: was chocolate cake with vanilla caramel mousse filling

Superman Tier: was chocolate cake with chocolate strawberry mousse filling.

A day with my loves..

Enjoying one of the last few days of warm weather!

you lika da meatballs….

Scented Product Reviews

We have two dogs and two boys, so needless to say our “cozy” little house can be stinky! I'm always on the search for the best candles, oils or fabric fresheners.

I've found that the very BEST candles are Gold Canyon, most of their candles have double wicks which makes the candle burn ALL of the wax, you get no wax left on the sides of the jars. They are a bit pricing, but if you can afford them they are worth the money. The scents are sensational! ★★★★★

Recommended Scents….  Candle for Kids Powered Scent, Lilac Heritage Scented Candle, Pomegranate Heritage Scented Candle

The second best candle is Celebrating Homes, they are more budget friendly, however they don't have a double wick, so I'd stick with the small petite jars and be sure to burn for an hour or two to avoid the wax on the side of the jar. They are a little less fragrant then the Gold Canyon candles but are still very nice candles. ★★★★

Recommended Scents….   Baked Apple Pie, Warm Cinnamon Pumpkin, Rose

Other candles are Yankee, which I find are pricey, overly scented and never burn even. I’d also like to mention that if you love candle accessories, like I do, then Yankee candle is the place to shop! They have a great selection of tart warmers, candle shades, holders and so much more to decorate your candles! However, if you must shop Yankee candles, stick to the tarts and votives.★★★

Recommended Scents…. Blueberry scone tart, Cherry Lemonade Tart, Lilac Tart, Christmas cookie

 

Glade's candles are cheap and burn really fast but they have a great fragrance release. ★★
Recommended Scents…. any seasonal scent

 

Sprays & Fabric Fresheners…..

 

I stick with regular old Lysol in a can, for the bathrooms, it kills most gross bacteria that can be found in bathrooms and we always have candles in them for the smells, so Lysol disinfectant spray is my solid choice for bathrooms! For the living spaces, we used to use Febreze , but Lysol has a fantastic new product!!!

LYSOL® NEUTRA AIR® Fabric Mist

It claims to…

Eliminates bacterial odors at the source

Proven to eliminate tough odors including:

• Pet odors
• Smoke odors
• Body odors

Kills 99.9% of bacteria on soft surfaces*

It smells great and I give this product ★★★★★

Fall asleep

Once the warm weather is gone and the crisp cool air comes in, I get sad and always wonder why I  love fall. As I  look over pictures from the summer and miss the hot sun kissed days, I get even more sad.  But as fall get into full gear I remember… The early darkness equals early bedtime for the kids!!! YAHOOO!!! Ohh how I miss 8:00 bedtime!!! Nighty!  Nighty! Sleep tight Mommy’s having a glass of wine!!!

7 years ago…

I married my best friend and knight and shining armor.

May we continue to be friends, lovers and protectors of each other! Here’s to many more happy days together!

A wedding….

I saw the most beautiful bride and groom,  we were  so happy to be a part of the wedding celebration and I was honored to make the cake.

The cake had 300 hand made and dipped truffles, and was  chocolate cake, chocolate raspberry mouse filling chocolate butter cream icing and was delicious!

Congrats Dominic and Luciana, I love you both and wish you nothing but happiness! xoxo

Happy 5th Birthday!

Our 1st born baby boy is 5! Oh my where has the time gone?

We had a mini party before the real party which is in a few weeks. We had our favorite neighbors over for pizza and cake.

Once we have the “real” party I’ll update with pictures!

To my facebook friends….

I have received a few calls from you wondering WTH happened to me! I’m tired  of FB and need better ways to spend my time. I’m sure I’ll return but for now here’s a great example of why I left….

 

WARNING!!!!!! HAVE YOUR KIDS LEAVE THE ROOM BEFORE YOU VIEW!!!!

PIMP

Just a typical evening with friends. My bed hasn’t be this happy in a while…. In case you missed it last time…..

OHHH…

sorry blogging world. i have forgotten you…. maybe i’ll return maybe i won’t.

PLEASE VOTE!!!

Kroger is having a contest and I need your votes!!! I promise if we win to have a large BBQ!!!

Vote Here!

Carter’s 2 year Well visit

With all the happenings in this house, I forgot to update on how my baby is not a baby but rather a big boy.

His 2 year well he was 32 pounds 5 ounces and  35 inches.

I didn’t have a blog when he was born so I’ll catch you up here.

Born March 31st, 9 pounds 5 ounces 21.5 inches

5 days 8 pounds 15 ounces 22.25 inches

5 weeks 13 pounds 14 ounces 23.75 inches

9 weeks 15 pounds 6 ounces 25 inches

4 months 18 pounds 6 ounces 27 inches

6 1/2 months 21 ponds 9 ounces 28 inches

9 1/2 months 25 pounds 13 ounces 30 inches

12 months 27 pounds 31.5 inches

24 months 32 pounds 5 ounces 35 inches!!!! Guess he’s not my baby anymore! :-(

If all the rain drops…

This is hail not ice cubes. We had a wonderful display of mother nature! It was amazing to watch ( probably not safe but a true miracle of God! )

Classic Carter

Last night Carter was in the ER, we are guessing this is going to be one of many to come. Yes Sarah, I have my very own Noah! The saying is true “ask and you shall receive.” lol!! If the ER has a discount card, please let us know!

I put him to bed and was laying on the floor. I thought he feel asleep so I sneaked out of his room and told Frank I was going to the store. Nikolas had fallen asleep in our bed. So Frank took a shower and I left. While he was in the shower he heard a loud bang. He thought I was home and slammed something on the table. So he called for me, called for Nikolas and Nothing, then he heard the scream……………..

He flew out of the shower ran into the boys room to find a bloody Carter with the dresser on top of him. Guessing by the picture, he was not climbing, he was removing all the clothes from the dresser.

Also this was not our fault, the piece that was provided by Art Van (yes we are back to Art Van) cracked causing it to fall. 

As you can see, its still in the wall….

but this piece is cracked…. BASTARDS

Carter was a perfect little Angel in the ER. He got a nasal x ray and full exam, he has a follow up with our regular Dr. tomorrow. Nothing is broke. THANK YOU GOD!!! and no stitches. I’m sure he’ll be black & blue and swollen for a while!

I also want to give a very special Thank you to my in-laws for rushing over, my mom for remaining calm so I would stay calm, and my AMAZING friend Nicol, who rushed to the ER with coffee and a smoothie & watched my purse during x-rays. I’m forever grateful to you for you kindness!! I love you BFF!! ;-)

STOPPPPPP……………… if your squeamish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was taken this morning! :-( My poor monkey!