I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends!!!

Help hanging lights!

2008-11-30T19:57:00.005-07:00

Today was perfect for hanging Christmas lights. Sunny and light wind. In fact I was not much in the Christmas spirit, but I know that when its cold and snowy and I'm in the Christmas mood, my husband would not want to be out hanging lights. It was so nice that all our animals enjoyed the outdoors with us. Marley and Mo had a fun time playing chase! Marley soon tired of Mo and turned her attention to helping Gordon hang lights.Marley wanted to make sure that when the wind blew the lights would still work, so she put them to the test!

If only we could get her to hang them in the tree!

Megan went out and took pictures of our big pine tree, however it is quite dark, but very nice in person!

A view from the front

Now all that remains is to decorate the inside of the house!

Twirp 08

2008-11-27T11:35:00.007-07:00

Katie got a group of friends together and decided to have a progressive dinner for Twirp.
Smart girl! Twirp stands for The girls are required to pay. Sadie Hawkins for us older folks! They had appetizers and pictures at one house, dinner (lasagna) at one, then all dressed up, they went bowling. That's right bowling!!

Dan and Katie

They look so cute!
The group and their dates. Notice Katie and Dan are the shortest of the group!
I thought the appetizer plate looked cool, and wanted a picture to remember it.
A group effort, of setting the table for dessert. The dance was a secret garden theme, so we did the same. Megan made really cute place cards, Gordon and I set the table.Megan dressed up to serve the guests, as a secret garden fairy!
Per Katie's request we served Bananas Foster! Now we had never made nor tasted Banana's Foster before. So we called our cooking friend Karen, and got a recipe. Then we figured since it needed to flambe we had better try it first. So we had a test run, it turned out perfectly!! I thought my microwave was going to melt, but it was fine, and beautiful. Flames to the ceiling, really. Then the kids came and everything was perfect, except we couldn't get the flames to go it just kind of fizzled. But they said it still tasted good.

The night was a success, and Katie said our table and decorations were better than the dance!!

Sweet girl! It did look awesome if I do say so myself. Lights down low, and lots of candles!!
It helped save them $$ and was a lot of fun to do!

HUGE!!!!!

2008-10-22T15:30:00.003-06:00

OK, so with this warm sunny weather I decided to make potato salad. I figure there aren't too many sunny days left this fall. Well I went down to get some potatoes for the salad, and when I looked into the bag, this is what I saw....

This is a regular large potato... I should have used a big cutting board, what was I thinking?
One potato was plenty for our potato salad!
I figured I'd better use a big jar of pickles with such a big potato

Let it snow!!!

2008-10-14T17:39:00.005-06:00

I love the snow! I don't care when it comes. So this weekend when we got 12" in October, I'm just fine with it. It looks so pretty, and I love to cook, and snow puts me in the mood to cook.Our back deck on Sunday October 12th,2008
Tayler and Megan went out and built a snow fort!
I think it's so cute that my 21 year old went out and helped his little sister build a fort! They even have chairs in there. They built it while Gordon and I were gone.

She's got spirit!

2008-10-14T17:20:00.004-06:00

During Skyview's homecoming week the kids got to dress up each day in some sort of theme clothing. This day was "show your school spirit"

OK, had it not been 6:30 am I would have thought of a better place to take a picture. It was early and as you can see out the window, very dark, and I was still waking up!
This was "nerd day" and though it's hard to tell Katie and her friend MacKenzie are dressed as girls from Senior!When we lived in Lockwood, Katie was going to go to Senior as did her brother, then when we moved (after convincing her that we weren't going to drive her to Senior everyday) she said she would get a transfusion (from bleeding orange & black) to blue & silver. Seems from this picture she's adjusted quite well!!

EEEEEWH!!

2008-10-14T16:52:00.003-06:00

I found this bug in the church parking lot one day, and mustered up the nerve to pick it up. Well I was going to be brave and pick it up with just a Kleenex, then it moved (slightly), so I went into my preschool room and grabbed a Ziploc bag, and placed it carefully in there. I was horrified and intrigued with this insect? I've never seen anything so large. The picture really doesn't do it justice. It was as large (in width and length) as my thumb.I know he was tucking himself in for this picture! (haha)
Anyone know what it is for sure? My guess is a cicada

Not too many first day's left...

2008-10-14T16:41:00.003-06:00

Katie is a junior this year, and soon my baby will be off to college. I'm not trying to rush it, I'm just trying to face reality. It doesn't seem possible. I do remember the day she was born!Katie and her friend MacKenzie
MacKenzie, Megan, and Katie
I love when the girls all get along!!

Q2 BBQ

2008-08-30T14:10:00.012-06:00

Megan's 13th birthday!!

So on the 15th of August my baby turned 13, so we decided to invite the news station!
Not exactly...
As most of you know I am not the best party planner, I come up with some good ideas from time to time, but left up to me, that's all they'll be, is ideas. I am not very good at carrying out the plan. Well this year I entered the news stations summer event, of the backyard BBQ. Mind you I've been entering for many years. But this year I happened to win it! And better yet it happened to fall on Megan's 13th birthday. Now Megan all her life has looked forward to being a teenager! When she was 5 she drew pictures of what she would look like as a teenager (unfortunately I can't find them right now). I think she wasn't too far off, if my memory serves me right.
The BBQ was AWESOME!!! The news station and its sponsors did a fabulous job. They provide everything!! And I do mean everything-except for the guests!
From paper goods, to dessert no one went home hungry. In fact I bought a cake for Megan's birthday, and we had to freeze the brownies the news station provided because we had so much food. Why they even provided these lovely pictures. Because also left up to me you wouldn't have much of the BBQ to view. I don' remember to take pictures. There was a gentleman from Q2 that went around getting every ones picture. Then they give you free film developing (thanks to Karen, you get to view them she told me to get a CD of the pictures!) another great idea I would not have thought of!! My blog name really rings true! So here are some of the many pictures from that beautiful (75 degree) day!

Bob McGuire & Marc Moranic
Singing "Happy Birthday" to Megan on the air!
Chandler, Megan, and the now famous for her faces Hailey! A memory I'm sure Megans not going to soon forget! Jay did most of the cooking, and Gordon got the credit!

Thanks Jay!!

Gordon, Kathy and I

Jay, Marc, and Gordon

Shane, and Dale

Tayler, Hailey, Pat, Erin, Julia, and Jay Taylor, Hart, and Dale

Marc, Gordon, Bob and I Karen and CaelTayler

Chris, Carol and Brett

The Camera guy (obviously)
back row: Shane, Bob, Marc and Cael
middle row: Taylor, Hailey, Megan
bottom row: Jordan, Julia, Chandler and Brett

My last teenager!!

2008-08-26T08:39:00.003-06:00

So she's off and ready!

My baby turned 13 this and is going to junior high all in the same month!

I know God doesn't give you more than you can handle, but sometimes it feels like I'm pushed to the edge, and can see the bottom!

this was the best smile I could get from her, she wanted me to hurry for fear she'd be late
He sister starts tomorrow, and is upset that her younger sibling is going today! NOT!!!
Hailey, Megan, Cheyanne

My friend Karen and I had a long talk yesterday about school. What you can't see in this picture is that the junior high is literally across the street. You almost can't live closer to school. I would have loved to lived that!! I always dreamed of living that close to school. Megan on the other hand wanted to know if I'd give her a ride, I just laughed. She said well you could drop me off in the parking lot on my way to school, I said no!

I've been waiting all season for this??

2008-08-13T08:21:00.004-06:00

I had high hopes early this summer when this tomato plant got flowers and one lone tomato right away. I anxiously awaited the arrival of more to no avail. In fact now I don't think I'll even be able to have fried green tomatoes. After all it is mid August, and out of four plants, I have no more signs of a tomato. If this is all I get, it better be good!! I don't think it's even big enough to share.

I think I'll still need to buy tomatoes at Costco!

Marley wanted her picture too!

Adventure in shopping

2008-08-09T12:28:00.002-06:00

So our Saturday routine is going to Costco for groceries. Well now that we have the bike, that routine is the same, we just sometimes do it on the bike. I just have to watch what we buy. This time we went a little over, and decided to buy a case of beer. Gordon said sure I can get it on. Well we had to buy bungee straps at Shop-Ko, but he was right we did do it!!Gordon was right we needed the luggage rack!
This calls for some limes!
We also went to the Farmer's Market with the Sunderland's
We fit all this on the bike, thank heaven for saddle bags!

Fun with Brynne

2008-08-07T08:15:00.002-06:00

Brynne spent the day and night with us last night. She got to go to McDonald's with Katie watch a movie, get her hair braided, and play on the laptop. Brynne had to show me how Webkinz works! I didn't even know how to spell it but she did.
Rosie did not want her picture taken, so she went and hid by Brynne, I took the picture anyway!
Brynne and I had to make cookie brittle!
After all whats a sleepover without dessert?
Isn't licking the bowl always the best part about cooking?

What I've done with my summer

2008-08-07T08:04:00.002-06:00

I have to admit I haven't done a whole lot. It has been very nice. I have just enjoyed myself, and not planned a whole lot. My big dates have been going to the wading pool to visit with my friends, and work on my tan. I've gotten quite good at Mario Kart on the wii. I have played on the internet with people from all over the world! My family will no longer play with me, so as you can see I had to start training a new partner! Give him a few years and I'm sure he'll whoop me!

You go Cael!

Busy Katie!

2008-08-07T07:44:00.002-06:00

OK well Katie may not like me posting her love life on the web for all the world to read. But it was a mutual idea that they break up, because neither of them had the time to put into the relationship. What smart kids!!! They've got lots of time to have a relationship. Since I'm posting about Katie I'll tell you what she's been up to. First she's still working at McDonald's. In fact she was asked to take the steps to become a floor manager (a blue shirt in the McDonald's lingo). So look for her soon in a blue shirt, not white. Then she and her dad went on a mission trip to Denver. They had an awesome time, and they are both still talking about it. Thank you to all who helped support her monetarily and prayerfully. If you haven't talked to them about their trip make sure you do, they'd love to tell you. I'm sorry to say I have no pictures of the trip! Katie has been busy with friends, work, and trips! I tried to get a picture of Katie last night, because she came home crying. Seems she got pulled over for going through a red light! She said I wasn't on the cell or looking at my i-pod, seems she was looking at the speedometer to make sure she wasn't speeding. The lucky girl takes after her dad because the officer let her off with a warning! Next week she is going to Minneapolis to visit her aunt.

Safety Gear

2008-07-17T16:12:00.002-06:00

So here's a picture of my boots! Katie tells me they look like high school goth boots, but I assure you that I will not be wearing long black trench coats or black nail polish with dark eye liner!
These boots are very comfortable and from what I'm told riding boots are important.
Here's a picture of our jackets, I know it's small, but its all I can find.

A dream come true!!

2008-07-17T15:31:00.006-06:00

So the beginning of this month Gordon and his dad had a conversation about why Gordon has not bought a motorcycle. Simply put Gordon said "Dad, I'm not going to take a loan out for a motorcycle!" Not since Dave Ramsey! The following week, we got a check in the mail, and in the memo it said "no strings". It was enough to pay cash for the cycle, license, insurance for a year, and all the safety gear we needed!

A boyfriend, a job, and now...

2008-06-16T20:00:00.002-06:00

A CAR!!!a 1997 Ford Taurus
Katie said to say under this picture:

"Mom your dumb coming here to take my picture"

I drove to Mc Donald's to take her picture getting into her new car for the first time!

She saved for most of it herself

Oh Dad!

Camping in the great outdoors??

2008-06-16T19:43:00.004-06:00

Nope, not yet, it's just our backyard!

This spring Megan once again begged her dad to start camping this summer. We had no camping equipment. There are a few essentials that one needs in order to camp, or so I'm told. One of them is a tent, so to Costco we went in search of a tent. As you can see we found one. It just barely fits in our backyard! For Gordon's birthday we got him a lantern. Now I'm told we'll need to get a camp stove, and then the basic essentials should be met, and off camping they can go! I'm sure I'll go a time or two also. The last time I went camping I was 9 months pregnant with Megan. No wonder she likes to camp, and I don't. It was a warm memorable experience for her, wish I could say the same. I'll be glad to go and just be with the family in the great outdoors!setting up the tent for the first time

Bird Identification!

2008-06-15T16:52:00.004-06:00

Bird watchingWhat's this?
Maybe if I make some noise they'll come
aah! I think I'll pick a fight with my sister Mo

BBQ

2008-06-15T16:15:00.006-06:00

Out with the old......and in with the new!
it has a rotisserie, and searing burner
It even came with a cover!
It became obvious that we were not going to win a grill, and with as much grilling as we like to do, we needed to invest in a new grill. We looked at grills for weeks. We found this one at Costco, and for the price we could afford, it had all the options we wanted. Price is debatable Gordon said he'd be fine with another $100. grill from Wal-Mart! I'm hoping this one last long enough to prove my point that if we buy a little nicer one it will last a lot longer. Sure does work well, it even lights without using matches!

Basket full of fun

2008-06-15T15:50:00.004-06:00

Today I decided that it was time to finally plant some flowers in my hanging baskets. It is mid June! So I begged Megan to help me. She came and brought some help too, Marley! This was a first for her, planting that is turns out she loves it!!

Hmm! What's this?
Aah fresh dirt!
I can help myself to more
Yea! I think the flowers will fit in here!

Good place for a nap too!

Now I'll have to go find someplace else to nap!

As you can see she was a lot of help, NOT!!By the time I was done planting the flowers, she had eaten some and played with all the big red begonia flowers and knocked them all off. It reminds me of planting flowers with a two year old. It tried my patience a bit, but she's so darn cute most of the time that I couldn't stay mad at her very long. I'll just have to use a lot of Miracle Grow, and hope the flowers pull out of it!

Cloudy

2008-06-11T07:47:00.002-06:00

OK my fish tank is having some not so nice problems and I really don't think the kittens are to blame, this time! The water is very cloudy. I have researched it on the Internet, and they said it could be one of 2 problems. Over feeding, or not enough oxygen in the tank. So off I went to Wal Mart. I bought new carbon filters, and another air valve to put more oxygen into the tank. This morning, no better, so I will wait, and hope that the fish will be unaffected. It could possibly be an ammonia problem too, so I am doing some frequent water changes. Now I remember why I got rid of our last fish tank. When all goes well it's great, but when its not well...

Junior High!!

2008-06-10T22:07:00.009-06:00

So just what does a 6th grader think about her last day at grade school? Well I loaned Megan my camera memory card, and these were some of the pictures that she had taken on her last day.

A random group of friends

Her good friend Brooke

OK, those are NOT real cell phones

Girls being silly

Hopefully a random boy, but I doubt it!!

Even her silly sister!

It's hard to believe that my baby will be in Junior High next year. With that seems to come an attitude and the interest in boys! Maybe I can keep her mind busy thinking about other things! OK so I know I'm dreaming, but hopefully I have the summer to dream. And to think of Katie as being a Junior in High School!! Wow! Where does the time go? Too fast thats for sure!

Time to retire!

2008-06-02T22:12:00.005-06:00

Well it is finally time to retire our old BBQ grill don't you agree?

We have entered our grill in the Q2 grimiest grill contest! Be sure to go to their website and vote!! Our grill is named Hodge podge. If you don't vote for mine, that's fine then vote for my friend Karen's. Hers is named Barbecued Bluebird?! If either of us wins it will be great as we like to share meals together!

Voting Period
Sun, Jun 08 2008 12:01 AM -Thu, Jun 12 2008 12:59 PM

http://ktvq.upickem.net/engine/Welcome.aspx?contestid=1742

Surprise!

2008-05-30T09:35:00.003-06:00

I picked Megan up early from school yesterday for no reason at all. Then I took her out to Dairy Queen for a blizzard. It was fun just surprising her with a fun afternoon!

Addicted???

2008-05-30T09:12:00.006-06:00

I think that's pretty harsh! But that's what our daughter Katie said about her dad and I last night while playing Mario Kart on our wii. Gordon bought me Mario kart for the wii for my birthday a few weeks ago and now my daughter says we're addicted. We have all enjoyed playing it. We can have up to 4 players at a time. You can play it over the Internet with people you know or with people from all over the world!! I can't make out the Chinese players names! It's a blast you hold these little steering wheels and pretend you're driving. You may crash into your opponents, throw obstacles in their way, and even ride on a bullet if you're behind. It is not violent, but friendly competition. We even held a mini tournament with our son and his friend last weekend.

I'm glad I have the summer to practice! After all I have to beat Gordon! Now does that sound addicted to you?

Fish tank fun

2008-05-24T15:03:00.005-06:00

The kittens are entirely sure that I bought them a new toy! I took the fish tank from preschool home for the summer and the cats have not left it alone!! They are sure I brought them a snack, and they just have to figure out how to get it!! I am not kidding when I say they sit there for hours watching and circling the fish tank, trying to figure out how to get at the fish. They have found a small opening in the back where the filter goes in and they can get a drink, but can't quite get at the fish. At least not yet!

The end is here!!

2008-05-24T14:49:00.002-06:00

Well I made it!! It is hard to believe that the school year is over already for me. These last few weeks went by quickly, but they were very busy! It is so nice to relax this weekend! I plan on taking a few days to enjoy myself, then I will get busy painting trim.

The end is near!!

2008-05-01T22:21:00.003-06:00

So once again I haven't blogged for a week or two. So much has been going on! Mostly preschool stuff. We went on an awesome field trip to a farm this last week with the pre-k class (afternoon). Now some of you may think a farm?? But the family who's farm it is one of our preschoolers, gave us the best tour ever!! We went for a hay ride around the farm to see all the baby animals. And I learned that mama cows are VERY protective of their young. We saw a week old horse (colt?) and one that was 3 weeks old. It was interesting to com pair the two! It's a big difference. The kids ran around trying to catch chickens! Now that is funny. Better yet they actually caught some! Then all the kids got to ride a horse with the dad leading the horse of course. Next we went to the barn for some grub also known as snack. While there we were serenaded by guitar to some worship music. As one preschooler put it so well "This is the best day of my life!" It was great fun.
Also this week the preschoolers got to help make a music video for this weeks church service. Well OK its to help kick off kids ministry summer teaching session. I can't wait to see how it turns out!!
The fact that preschool is drawing to a close for this school year is bitter sweet. I will enjoy the much needed break the summer will bring. However most of our kids are going to kindergarten in the fall and I will miss them dearly!! I always hate to see them go, I grow so attached to them. God is good though and next year He always seems to send us a new group of fun children to love and teach!

Proverbs 22:6 (New International Version
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Spring Fever!!

2008-04-13T11:32:00.002-06:00

Megan insisted they growl!

We had spring fever here and the weather is sunny and beautiful! We spent some time having fun at the park and enjoying the spring!

I forgot how much fun 4 could be!!

2008-04-12T09:36:00.002-06:00

This weekend Gordon and I are watching Julian (Tayler's girlfriends son). I forgot just how much fun having a 4 year old around could be! Now you may think that's strange seeing as how I work with 4 year olds almost everyday. But its different having one in your home 24/7. He says the funniest things. We were driving in the car this morning and Julian pipes up from the back seat, "am I driving you nuts?" We lost it! Amazing the things you laugh at when they're not your not your kids. He's being great and we're enjoying having him here!

No April foolin'

2008-04-02T21:06:00.002-06:00

On Tuesday one of my preschool moms gave Cindy and I a coupon that she said would be good for $100. worth of free merchandise from Ashley Furniture. She assured me it was no gimmick,but for real. Kathy my friend and I went last night to Ashley and decided to check it out for ourselves. Sure enough it was for real!! I found a set of 4 lamps for $119. The 4 lamps ended up costing me only $19.!! They're great and I love them! Thanks to Kaleb's mom!!

This is one of the lamps. There are 2 this size one a little smaller than this one and a floor lamp.

Nice huh?

My sister once showed me how to make a bed look inviting and I've been making my bed this way ever since. It really does make it look and feel inviting. Thanks Rachel!!

For the record!

2008-04-02T20:57:00.003-06:00

Oreo (our not so obnoxious cat) wants it known to all that she too likes to do chores. Her favorite is really making the bed, it always has been. She tolerates the kittens but it wouldn't hurt her feelings if they weren't so energetic!

Today is the day!!

2008-03-29T08:52:00.004-06:00

Marley had to help paint!!
Is this what you call finger painting?

Finished!

This is getting fixed today! Yea no more carpet
there!

Easter!

2008-03-29T08:37:00.003-06:00

Well let's just say that remembering the reason for Easter (it's all about Jesus and his death for us) that is what is the most important! And for that reason alone I had a great Easter! As you can see, I do enjoy dying eggs also. It's a fun tradition we have in our family. We always try and invite someone over to dye eggs, this year it was Kirsten and Jullian!

Megan "it's not quite how I planned it!"

Kirsten

Jullian was there really a chick in there?

A true tech. at heart!

It's Offical

2008-03-22T13:44:00.006-06:00

Megan passed her hunter's safety class!!

This year she can get her fishing, deer and elk tags for free since she took the class.

Learning how to look for geese

Walking safely with the gun in a group.

Getting ready to go under a log safely with a gun.

She looks scared to me, but she assures me she isn't

Getting there!

2008-03-21T19:34:00.004-06:00

Before

After

Well I'm about 3/4 done with my rail painting. From the picture it looks like I'm finished, but what you can't see in the picture is the railing in the dining room. I haven't started that, I have to wait for Gordon to saw the rails off, so that we can fix the flooring and then put the rails back on. But I do have the majority of it done, and it seems like all I've been doing is painting. While Gordon and Megan went to Hunter Safety, and Katie to work, I painted!! Surprisingly enough there are no kitty prints in the paint! I have to finish painting by next weekend, because Marty is coming to finish the floor and rail!! Yea!!

Hunter girl

2008-03-21T19:13:00.005-06:00

Gordon and Megan have been doing some bonding this week. Every night from 6-9 Megan and her dad have been taking hunter safety classes. It was a push to have Megan get all the reading done, as it was a busy week at school too, but she did it! Tonight Megan is taking her written test and tomorrow morning she has to take her field test. Now she may not choose to hunt, but she wanted to take the class, and I think it was a good idea. She and her dad are going to go target practice with one of Gordon's co-workers .22. She's pretty excited about that. You go Megan!!

Friends

2008-03-10T18:58:00.004-06:00

Gordon and I invited some friends over for a last minute dinner and hot tubbing. As you can see by the pictures that we abandoned the hot tub, and watched a movie together.

Marley is sure Brynne should share her popsicle!

We watched "The Game Plan" it was a cute movie for all ages.

Getting Help

2008-03-10T18:47:00.003-06:00

Well I managed to get the first step (ha ha) done in doing the stair rails. Yep! with a little help from the cats (Mo is teaching Marley that helping is great fun!) I got the rails sanded. But the best part of all was Jason (my girlfriends husband) came over with some tools Gordon needed to fix the floor, and in two minutes fixed it for us! Gordon was very pleasantly surprised.

Update

2008-03-09T10:38:00.004-06:00

OK so what I want you to notice in this picture is not the 3 lovely girls sitting around the table, its the brown door trim around the front door and the spindles on the stair railings. Instead of playing Super Mario Bros. 3 I will be sanding and painting the stair rails and the trim around the door. It's time to do some more updating in the house. I want to get lots more of the trim painted by the end of the summer. The rails I have to have done it 2 weeks, we have someone coming to fix the dining room floor.

Memories...

2008-03-09T10:11:00.005-06:00

OK so for Christmas purchased a wii for our family. Well I'm here to tell you it has been a good investment for our family. We've had friends and family over to play on it. Well recently (Friday night) my husband found an old favorite from our first game station to upload onto the wii. Gordon and Katie spent time yesterday re living old memories of playing Super Mario Bros. 3. I was quite impressed with all they remembered about the game. All the hidden tricks that came right back to them as if it were yesterday. Megan has very little recollection of the game that's how long its been. As we were reminiscing I was saying how good they still were at the game, Katie made the comment that Grandpa Gordon was really the old pro at this game, and how excited he would be that we had the game. As soon as she said that I instantly remembered the countless hours that grandpa spent playing the game while we were at work. It seemed funny to me at the time that a senior citizen was better at the game than our teenage son! I must say that I am not nearly as good at the game as I used to be. It took me all 4 guys to even make it past the first level. I guess I'll need to practice!!

It's like I say....

2008-03-07T07:39:00.002-07:00

I get by with a little help from my friends!!
Sometimes more help than other times!!
Thanks to Karen for helping me get my pictures the way I
want them! And Ha! I got a picture of you! It was no easy task
can you guess where its from??

It's Megan's fault!

2008-03-06T21:12:00.003-07:00

OK, so one night we were having a family night watching TV, and Megan had recorded American Idol and begged her dad and I to watch it. We did and now we're hooked! We've had fun watching it as a family every week now. We even have our own favorites! Mine is not Elvira as I call her, or Fem boy!! Yea! one that I didn't like down one to go!

Mo loves doing chores!

2008-03-06T19:34:00.004-07:00

Mo likes doing chores, any chores!

I might need a stool to reach the top!

You missed a spot let me show you...

Swiffering

Mopping the floor...

...is by far my favorite!

Cooking

Oreo, you need to get off the bed in order to make it,
maybe if I sit by her, she'll move

It's always nice to rest on a freshly made bed!

Why she even likes to make sure your towel is
warm when you get out of the shower

AAH!Finally all the house work is done! Time
to give my paws a rest.

This is how it's done!

2008-03-06T18:59:00.003-07:00

Look you just sit here and like magic water comes out

Ok now let me try!

BEAT IT!! I was here first!

Ha! I bet you didn't know you could get a drink from this one!!

WOW!!! how long has it been??

2008-03-06T18:17:00.002-07:00

No not long enough that we've had another child! But almost. This is Jullian, Tayler's girlfriend's son. He's 4 and as you can tell he's quite the helper. He and Gordon are putting together my new laundry hamper. The laundry hamper is from Costco, and it is awsome!!

Sink problems

2008-01-13T17:30:00.001-07:00

I must say, I love this house, and I truly think it was a gift from God. So I'm not complaining but we are once again having trouble with our kitchen sink draining. It happens every few months. However it usually happens when we are expecting company, or on a holiday, so I'm grateful that this time that was not the case. Tayler even offered to lend a hand, which was really nice because that meant I didn't have to! I sent Megan up to take pictures of them working on it. Every time the camera flashed the guys couldn't see, and they would yell "Megan, stop it we can't see what we're doing!" Finally she left them alone. I'm glad that my sink is once again up and running (at least for a few months) Tayler borrowed a heavy duty snake from work to fix it this time, so my hope is that it fixed the problem once and for all. I think I'll put Drano down the sink every few weeks to help also. Needless to say I keep the area under my sink very clean, seeing as I have to unload it frequently.

A fort in January??

2008-01-13T17:18:00.000-07:00

Megan had Brooklyn and Shaylee over today, and they decided to build a fort outside! Yes, it's January in Montana, and nice enough to build a fort! They asked Gordon to help them put some boards together. After a few short minutes Gordon realized they had no plan. He told them it was getting dark and they should pick up and go inside and draw out a plan for their fort. So this is them having some hot chocolate and cookies, coming up with a plan. Gordon told them that next monday he would help them build a fort. They all have off work and school. We'll see if they still want to build a fort by then. Who knows we may have snow by then, but I doubt it!

My baby is growing up!

2007-12-30T18:08:00.001-07:00

Katie got her first real job!! She is working at McDonald's in the heights. That may not seem huge but it is the start of her real Independence as a grown -up. It seems like once they get a job, they start to be gone more with their friends, and some of that innocence of being young is gone. Kind of like when your baby learns to walk. She's definitely passed another milestone in her life. To her its no big deal, but to the momma its HUGE!! She wants to save for a car and more short term a cell phone!! Funny the kid that would cry if you made her go to McDonald's as a kid (her brother and sister liked it) is now working there. Maybe thats a good thing, she won't eat much there then.

Santa can't wait!!

2007-12-23T09:08:00.000-07:00

Early Christmas gift

With the help of my co -worker Cindy our family has a new way to spend time together. We (Gordon & I) decided on friday that we would buy a Wii that Cindy's husband Jay found while shopping at Target. (I guess the Wii is hard to come by) We were going to save it for a family present from Santa. Well my husband was so excited to play it that he couldn't wait. So friday night he spilled the beans and we hooked it up!! I must say it is a lot of fun, and I'm not much of a game person. I'd rather be cleaning, cooking, or reading. But last night I succame and tried it. It really was fun. Video games have come a long way since I was a kid! The controller shakes in your hand when you hit something, or get a nibble on your fishing line. I better be careful how much I play I could get hooked!! Espically since I have almost two weeks off for the Christmas vacation. So does Gordon!! If all goes as I have planned haha I will get a camera for Christmas and be able to take some pictures!! Obviously my husband does not want to spill the beans on my present, and let me have it. I'm glad I want to wait.

Busy with preschool

2007-12-15T07:31:00.000-07:00

The preschool has kept me quite busy lately so there has been no time to blog. I know it's a lame excuse but it is true. I have to get parent gifts ready for 41 children and get kid gifts for 41 kids, not to mention lesson plans ready for January. Did I fail to mention that I had to get ready for our annual gingerbread house day at preschool!! We had to assemble 50+ gingerbread houses and get them ready to decorate this past week. It is always one of my favorite days at preschool. I love to see what the kids create and eat!! All that said I have to still get shopping and daily life ready for my family. So for those of you that actually haven't given up on my not so interesting blog, my goal is to get much better at this for the New Year! I hope to get a camera that will also make blogging more personal. I will be able to include more photos.
Our once sick cat Mo Mo is sick no longer (I'm so glad) but now she and her sister Marley think it would be fun for me to redecorate our family room daily so they take the decorations off the tree, not all of them, and take down the garland on the ledge down there. As if I don't have enough to do!! I know Karen you think I'm crazy, but I still don't mind cuz I love them! I have to try and get a picture of Marley in the tree because I find it amazing that it doesn't all end up on the floor!! She actually sits at the top!!

Sisters

2007-11-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

Mo Mo Marley

We have a new addition to our family, (or should I say my son does!) Mo Mo (not my choice) is her name she is Marley's sister. We adopted Marley in June of this summer, and felt good about rescuing a kitten from a litter of 6 that had been born to a cat that was an outside cat, that was not very well cared for. We knew that her kittens would probably have the same fate. Well fast forward to November and the mom and all but one kitten from that litter had died. (Like I said not very well cared for) Tayler (my son) was at the house were these kittens were living and has always had a soft spot for this one named Mo. He called and said she was freezing and purred whenever you picked her up. He felt very sorry for her, because he knew she would probably not make it through the winter, and could he bring her home and take care of it? Of course I knew she'd end up being the family's responsibility, and not just his (seeing as he's 20 and never home!) little did he mention that she was sick! Well two vet visits later she is trying to get better, but I'm not so sure she's glad she got rescued. She runs every time she sees me. I'm the one who has been cleaning her up, and giving her, her medicine. She is very lovable and I think that she will make a very nice pet. For now I feel sorry for her because she doesn't feel very good. We found out yesterday she has round worm (probably from fending for herself for a lot of her food) and giardia (from the lack of fresh water) having just one of these things will make your stomach very upset, having them both together!! Oh man, can I just say she's had to live in a bathroom, that can be bleached easily! I long for the day she can come out and meet the rest of the family!!

When they told me it was faux fur.....

2007-11-21T08:41:00.000-07:00

....I had no idea this is what they had in mind!! To heck with P.E.T.A. I'm going with the REAL fur next time!!

cooking

2007-11-11T07:38:00.000-07:00

Well again its been a few days since my last post. This time I've been trying to get the family squared away! Teenagers they're sometimes more work than little ones. We have 2 girls coming to stay with us for a few days. We are all excited to have them. Their mom has to go out of town for the week, and needed a place for the girls. Since we live in the same school district, and my girls are good friends with her girls (not to mention she has great kids) we said we'd love to watch them. So today is the day!! I've been looking up recipes of yummy things to make while they're here, and grocery shopping!! My two favorite past times, REALLY! I know I need more of a life! I love to cook, if I have the time and the ingredients. So of course with the holidays around the corner, we are coming into my favorite season! Baking No really I love the look and smell of fall and winter. I like being cold (thanks to menapause) and I like being busy in the kitchen. Well I'm off to look for a monkey bread recipe! I've never made it but it sounds like something my family would like.

2007-11-07T20:46:00.000-07:00

I know it's late but heres some first day of school pictures of my girls! At least their from this year! Megan (12) is on the top and Katie (16) is on the bottom

OOPS!

2007-11-07T20:38:00.000-07:00

I said I would try and give a web link to kaboose so here goes http://crafts.kaboose.com

Busy, Busy, Busy

2007-11-07T20:18:00.000-07:00

This is what I've been doing!! I had to finish writing my lesson plans and calendar for the month of November. I found this really cute turkey idea to make with the 4&5's class. I also found a great website called kaboose I will try and add a link! Wish me luck I'm still pretty new at this whole thing. Kaboose has a lot of great craft ideas and more!! I get so busy looking at things on the web for preschool and have so much fun doing it that I quickly loose track of time. I have been on the hunt for a cute nativity idea for the kids to make for a Christmas present for their parents. It needs to be simple and cute and last but not least inexpensive!! Yea! I know Good Luck!!

Ack!!!!! This blog has been hijacked!

2007-11-06T19:30:00.000-07:00

I got tired of waiting for you to post, so I'm going to post something for you...

I think I'll post my Christmas wish list:

a nap
a Honda Odyssey
a chocolate orange
another nap

Aren't I easy to please? Okay, back to your regularly scheduled blog reading...

Love,

Karen

This is my first post

2007-11-02T19:14:00.000-06:00

I hope this gets easier and faster! And that I can remember it when I get off the phone with Karen!!