I am really not liking blogger lately. What's the deal with the big red "X", oh how I hate that! Looks like it all works fine and then check it and you've got the "X". Was it a total mistake to use the "new" blogger???

Oh well, I am going to try one more time to post the pics from my other post last thursday, I think there may have been a few of ya interested and well I just want to make it work.

Everyday random-ness...

So first picture is Kaleb's Star Board, now what do I do with it??? It is very simple but I really love how it turned out and I can't bring myself to take it apart. Love the "cut" and corner rounded photos, these were already cropped from my CM days. I just don't seem to even like the corner rounder anymore, maybe it will get used again some day...

Last night Jeff was out of the shop early and wanted some cuddle time with the kids, amazing that all four of them fit in the recliner, I am thinking that in the next few months we may have to upgrade furniture so that everyone fits a little more comfortably. I should start searching the internet for oversized recliners.

Last pictures are the first snow shots with the new camera, I have been dying to get some snow shots but my hatred of the cold keeps me inside. These shots are before last weekends snowfall of which I am kicking myself that I didn't get my butt outside and shoot while the big flakes were falling, maybe we will get snow again. Really I would rather that it not snow, but if it does I will force myself to step outside and take pics. Kaleb's big thing is sliding down on his knees, thanking God for the knee re-inforced snow pants, maybe they will make it to next year. I got the shot of him in the air purely by accident, didn't even know it was there until I downloaded.

Nothing exciting going on this week, well today is Jeff's b-day. Of course he has archery league tonight and then tomorrow he is busy in the shop so if or when we celebrate is a mystery to me. I think Linds and I are going to make him a cake when she gets home from school. That will most likely be the extent of celebration, but I know he doesn't care either way. It really is much more fun to make a big deal of the kids birthdays and just sort of roll past ours.

I hear someone calling me, later all!

Friday Nights

This is what the weekends are all about at our house. Sleeping bags on the living room floor and a good movie on TV. Tonight we are watching Madagascar, well Linds and I are watching, Kaleb has already fallen asleep. I think he had a very big week being star and all. Today when I picked the kids up he started telling me about his friends book. Turns out all the kids in class write a note to Kaleb and he got to bring them all home today. They were adorable, some kids wrote about how they like to play with K, and how they liked making the bookmarks with me, and a few seem to think K is a very fast runner. All the notes made me want to cry and smile at the same time. Now I just have to think of a fun way to add them to a scrap book. Reading something like that has got to be even cooler when your an adult.

It's been a busy day for me too, glad that the weekend is here. So anyone know if shoveling is equal to an aerobic workout??? I got up at 5 this morning to shovel sidewalks. See two of our neighbors contract with us for snow removal. Jeff has the whole plow thing on the four wheeler, easy for him to go up and down the street. Not so easy when he isn't here. It snowed yesterday, ok we did not get feet of snow only 2 inches at most, but enough that sidewalks had to be done. My back doesn't hurt so much, but I am glad that there is no more predictions of snow until after Jeff is back. Maybe I should have him teach me how to work the plow... No I really don't want to know. Then it was drop kids off at school and then check out the new Super WM. Today was the grand opening of our new WM, it's cool I guess, well if you like WM that is. I only shop there because I can't run to Madison every time I need dish soap or toilet paper. I went this morn for laundry soap. They had the UW marching band there this afternoon and there are all sorts of happenings through the weekend. The kids are dying to go maybe we will venture back tomorrow.

Next it was on to the LSS, played with the Revolution and did some thinking about my classes coming up next month. I so need to get projects done for my classes, but the insperation hasn't quite hit. Taught a scrapping 101 that was fun and the page we put together turned out very nice. And I even started a page for myself, not done but thinking I might scrap more tomorrow.

Is 8:30 PM to early for an adult to go to bed???

Bad days...

Ever have those days when you feel like you should have just stayed in bed? Well yesterday started out that way, got a little better and then yucky at the end. And now today I am feeling icky all over again.

I think that I have spread myself a bit thin and it is all catching up with me. Kaleb is "Star" student at school. Friday night at my scrap group a friend asked me what that meant. My reply, a whole lotta work for mom! Where did I get the obsessive need to over acheive? Why does every thing I do need to be over the top? I seriously think I need counseling. Oh yeah and dh left for Atlanta this morning, that may have added to the stress level a bit. He's going for an archery trade show and this is the first time in nine years that I haven't gone along. I said I couldn't leave Carter and that it would be fine if we take him. Jeff didnt' agree. So here I sit knowing that I will miss him, but also enjoying the fact that he is gone.

So back to the Star student thing, I made a giant "scrap" page for Kaleb to take to school Monday, used the new QK Revolution to make big letters to spell his name. Love that thing! And today I went into his class and we all made bookmarks. I think the kids had a good time, it turned my additude around for the day. Oh and there was this one little guy who was just intriged by my QK (I let them punch their initial), that made me feel so good. Jeff went in on Monday and brought a bunch of archery stuff, sounded like the kids enjoyed that also. Tomorrow I am having lunch with K (always an adventure), and Friday I am just sending treats. I am glad the week is half way through. Linds is a little bummed that K is getting so much extra attention, but I remind her that she will be a star next year.

I am working at the LSS friday, I even get to do a Scrap 101, very excited about that. Always fun to share the scrap bug with new people.

Ok we're trying this again. Hope they show up...

Here are the pictures of the new crib. I think that Carter likes it!

Crazy day today

Tonight is my scrap group and it's my turn to hostess, got lots of food to buy and prep. Ok maybe not lots, I am doing a taco bar. So just gotta get the meat going and chop up all the rest, that is after I hit the grocery store.

This week has gone by so fast, I can't believe its friday already. Why is it that time moves like the wind the older you get and the older your kids get???

So this past Sunday I decided to venture down to the Super WM, of which I do every now and again and normally I come home with nothing. They never seem to have what we need. Well this time around I did spend some dollars. Carter got a crib! I really wanted to keep him in the bassinet, but he is just getting too long. So Monday night Kaleb, Linds and I did assembly. It took about an hour to get the first drawer together, then it went a little better. But I was very proud Monday night when I had it all up and could put Carter down for the night in his new bed. Who needs a man!!! Ok so Jeff was really busy in the archery shop, I am sure he would have loved to help, but I didn't want to wait. I think I will be scrapping the assembly and fished project tonight.

Yesterday I got to work at the LSS, had a blast. My SIL Joette voluteered to watch after Carter and my other extra guy, so I was there alone for over 3 hours. Weird feeling being alone, but I did get some stuff accomplished. Of course not enough of the things I would have liked to got done but that is what always happens.

Carter Pictures from Tuesday

Hello out there!

So I have totally gotten out of the habit of updating this thing. I think that the 30 min I spend on the treadmill took over blog time. If only there were more hours in the day...

Anyone wondering what's been happening around here? Well whether you want to know or not I am going to type it. The holidays were good, kids got lots of stuff, my house got way smaller. I got a suprise gift from DH, Vixen QK! Every now and again he does something so sweet, and I remember why I love him so.

New year's was pretty blah, no partying or staying up all night. In fact the only one who wanted to be up was little Carter. The stinker was fighting with a cold and did not want to sleep. We did evenutally zonk out around 11:30.

If any of my local pals are checking this out (well even non-locals) you want to check out the Memories blog. I am organizing a weekend crop in February that is going to be totally fabulous! I have already convinced Julie and Katie to come down, love it!

Let's see what else, Carter is getting bigger by the minute. I can hardly believe he is 3 months old already. Yesterday we spent the day running around and the first thing on our list was photos. He did so great! We went to Portrait Innovations, I love this place. We got way to many pics, but it was just too hard to choose. I will have to post my favs.

All the teachers at school today said we must be in for a big snow, the kids have been crazy. Weather man says it may happen, we shall see. It is weird to think that it's almost the middle of January and we have no snow. Today it was a little colder than it has been, still warm for January and I just keep thinking if "real" January weather ever does show up I won't know what to do. I would like to see some snow, haven't had a chance to use the new camera for snowy pics.

Enough nonsence for today, gotta figure out what to do for dinner...

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Hope that the holidays bring everyone lots of fun with family and friends. So far that is what we have been up to and will continue to do for a few more days. 

Our Fabulous Float!
 

My boy the scrapper! Kaleb has been bugging me for way to long about making a new page for his frame that sits on his dresser. Well last night we printed some 4-wheeler pictures, searched for the paper and stickers, found them and then K got busy scrapping. He even trimmed the pictures all by himself with my big trimmer. He was so proud. Couldn't wait to show daddy, unfortunately for K Jeff was gone to archery league and wouldn't be back until after bedtime. K was so funny this morning, he kept asking when he could show daddy. Finally I let him wake Jeff up to show off his creation. There must be a scrappin and gene and it runs rampant at my house!

Busy day today, had an invite to produce. That's what I get for working at the LSS, someone comes in and needs something and well I feel like I just have to do it all myself. Ok so really this was a super easy project, and I had fun. Finished that and now I am getting stuff ready for float creation. Dodgeville's holiday parade is Sat night and the LSS has a float. I voluteered Jeff and his trailer, so nice of me! So here's what we have to do, create a monster (6 ft x 6 ft) page, well a page with no pictures, so I guess you could call it a card front too. I have a great idea in my head and I hope that it works out. Besides our page/car we will also have three christmas trees and a 4 ft inflatable penquin (thanks Chris). I think our float will be fabulous. Just hoping the weather warms up a bit. Bitterly cold today, it was only 2 outside when I dropped the kids off at school. Gotta love that. 

Fixed the Tree!

I settled down, glad I had somewhere to vent. Got the mess cleaned up, there weren't as many broken ornaments as I had thought. One of the glass balls just shattered everywhere making things seem so much worse. But it is all back to happy Christmas land at our house and this morning the kids and I were even laughing about it.

Today it's off to work at the LSS. I am doing a super fun punched tin bucket for class tonight. We are using the CropADile to do the punching, gotta love it. I am hoping that I have a little extra time and can work on my Christmas cards today, really need to get those done.

Christmas Joy to...





Christmas horror in less than 2 seconds, really I should have taken a picture of the tree on the floor, but didn't think of it soon enough.

So I need to rant, sorry you all are reading. Guess you could skip this post if you don't want to hear me feeling sorry for myself. So it really is my fault the tree fell over and most of my ornaments are broken. What happens when you let little ones decorate, all the ornaments end up in one place. I was in the process of moving them around to avoid disaster when I noticed the time and turned my back to head to the kitchen to put our casserole in for dinner. Minutes later I hear the wonderful crash and my son hollering the tree fell over, I didn't do anything! No ones fault but my own! Now I can't even bring myself to clean it up. All I want to do is get a garbage bag and toss the whole thing! How petty is that????

Christmas Quiz...

1. What was your most memorable Christmas like? It is hard for me to pick a most memorable one, with kids each year gets better and better I love their smiles Christmas morning and that really does mean the most to me.

2. What was the best gift you ever received as a child? One year my mother made me a doll house with working lights and everything, I loved that, but the one gift that stands out in my head was a barbie that had a tool to twirl her hair. I wanted that barbie so bad.

3. What is your favorite cookie/candy to make at Christmastime? Frosted sugar cookies, it's the only time of the year we do them. This year I am headed to my best friend Judy's for just this and hopefully this will become a yearly thing for our families.

4. What does Christmas mean to you? The birth of a great savior, and love for my family.

5. What are your plans this year? Same as every year, food and gifts with Baun's Christmas eve, then do it again Christmas day with the Johnston's.

6. What kinds of gifts do your kids desire? Kaleb really wants a Gameboy, not sure if I am ready for the video game world. And Linds wants a Barbie house.

7. Do you have any favorite ornaments? My favorites are glass Burt and Ernies (yes the Sesame Street ones), I always got to put them on the tree when I was little. And they were always near the bottom of the tree, I make it a point to put them there now.

8. Does your tree have a decorated theme ~ or is it mix matched? No themes in my house.

9. Do you do anything special on Christmas Eve?t your Christmas shopping? Hopefully the shoppings done, sometimes there are still presents to wrap. The last few years have been presents to assemble. We do however spend Christmas Eve with relatives from my Dad's side. Christmas Eve with Baun's has been a tradition since I can remember.

11. What is your opinion of the Christmas season in general? The holidays always get me a little depressed, not sure why, maybe it's cuz there are so many more things that need to be done. All in all I would have to say that I like the family time.

12. What do you love about Christmas? Now that I have kids, their smiles and screams on Christmas morning.

13. What traditions do you hold that you do every year? We always cut a real Christmas tree, love the smell of pine! And breakfast casserole on Christmas morning always.

14. When do you open presents? Christmas Eve? Christmas morning? I like to let the kids open one present Christmas Eve (it's what I got to do when I was little), but the rest are saved until morning.

15. What was the best gift you received as an adult? A few years back (ok 5 yrs) my Grandparents wanted to take the family on Vacation. That would have to be the best gift, just because I really like the family time and that is what the Holidays are for spending time with loved ones.

16. What is your favorite Christmas song? Walking in a Winter Wonderland, when I was little (8 or so) I "choreographed" a dance to this song just for fun. It always brings back special memories of dancing by myself in my room when I was little.

17. Do you watch special movies and shows during Christmas? Not as an adult, as a child I loved the old fashion Rudolf.

18. Do you send out Christmas cards or family letters? Hand made cards (of course), sometimes with a letter all the time with a photo of the kids.

19. Do you have a special breakfast or meal on Christmas day? I always make my Grandma K's breakfast casserole, wouldn't be christmas morning without it.

20. Do you decorate your whole house or just the living room area? Not into decorating so it's just the tree in the living room.

21. Do you decorate the outside of your house with lights? Nope, I normally put lights around my living room picture window on the inside, but last year I decided I was going to start fresh with lights and stuff this year and when I went to get lights WM did not have the suction cup thingy's to do the window, so no window this year.

22. Do you exchange gifts with your friends? Special friends will get special things from me, but we don't do anything organized.

23. Do you have a sad Christmas memory? No

24. Do you sing in a cantata or sing Christmas specials? The only singing that I do is with the kids home alone. Don't think I can sing very well.

25. Does your church have Christmas services? Yes.

26. Do you do anything to celebrate Jesus? I have always wanted to start the tradition of having birthday cake and singing happy birthday to Jesus, we just haven't started that yet. We do try and remind the kids that Christmas is not really about Santa and presents, but about Jesus. Linds loves bible stories and since this is the first year that she is not at a Christian school I think we will start reading the Christmas story.

Got busy again...

So we have been running, running, running. Wednesdays are always crazy, in fact I really dislike Wednesdays, but ya deal with it.

Thursday we (Carter and I) had check ups. Both of us are very healthy and doing wonderful. Update on Carter, he is now 12 lbs, 4 oz, and 23.5 inches long. Really they grow too fast. If only he would stop eating... He had to get three shots and I am not sure what they add with the vaccines, but he yelped when the shots where happening then as soon as he was dressed he was fast asleep. We had a cranky hour later last night, but by 9 he was ready for bed and slept most of the night through. No we are not making through the night yet, but my doctor assured me that even though some little ones make it thru the night by two months (like both of my other kids) it is not ab-normal for babes to wait until they are 4 months before mom can get 8 straight hours of sleep. Oh well.

So in the craftin world, Shannon, Katie, and Julie are off to hang with Ali. You lucky dogs! Have a super time and bring me back lots of good ideas. Not that I need any more projects to do, but just incase I ever catch up and find some free time. LOL!!!

I however will be hanging at the LSS, we have open house weekend and lots of good specials, plus a fabulous make/take that I will be teaching. Love it! If you're in the neighborhood stop by and say hello. Tonight I am heading off to my crop group with supplies to work on my Christmas cards, but I am sure that all I will accomplish is gossip with pals. And that is OK.

Time to feed the baby and then it's off to prep my make/take.

One more thing to add, I submitted photos of Carter for a baby contest at Landsend. The link with take you to the first page of photos, right now we are somewhere around the third page. Check it out and vote! And no you don't have to vote for Carter, there are some wonderful, beautiful photos. I used one that I took and one that Katie took (thanks katie). Now Katie if you could just give me some more pointers on what would make a super winning shot, I would love to add more pictures.

I'm blogging from my living room!

This laptop thing is great! Yesterday I spent most of the day "networking" our computers. I was so excited to get wireless connections up and working all by myself. I can take the laptop anywhere in the house and get internet and send things to my printer. How cool is that!

We normally spend thanksgiving with my Mom's side of the family, but this year chose to head off with Dad's side. Had some relatives up from Florida that we rarely get to see. One cousin came with his wonderful wife and their new little one. She had this fabulous chair that Carter is pictured in. It's a Bumbo! If you know anyone who is pg or has a new little one you gotta tell them about this, it is really fabulous. Carter is just 8 weeks old and he can sit right up in this chair. We don't leave him in it very long, but once he can support his head a little better I know this will become his favorite spot. Being flat on your back all the time must get old.

So anyways... these pictures are for Grandma Mary who really missed us on Thanksgiving, we missed you too. She sent home some wonderful treats for my monsters, new PJ's! Now who doesn't love new PJ's?? Thank you Grandma Mary! 

Mini Tote! 

First post from the laptop!

Got this hot new toy online, yipee! Now I just have to call tech support to find out how to transfer all the email addy's from old to new. Anyone out there know how to do it??? Is it easy???

Ok so I went back to "work" today. Well not really I just went back to the daycare gig. Everything is going quite well, my extra guy is fitting right in to our hectic schedule. So now I really should start working on my christmas cards, maybe tonight...

So you all heard about shopping friday, let me tell you about Sunday! I got the coolest thing for Linds' stocking. Have you seen the Mini Tote? Check it out, is that not the cutest thing you have ever seen! I am going to fill it with new writing tools and maybe a glue stick or two.