More digis

I did these last night. The 1st is for the Disney ABC book: This was a sketch challenge:

Digi scrapping

Here's the first few pages of a Disney ABC book I want to do:

I'm hoping to get a little more digi done tonight.... the 80s tunes are on.

YES!!!!!

I did it - I did it!

I walked the treadmill for 20 minutes yesterday and did Pilates this morning. 2 days in a row....! I know there are lots of people who work out everyday and I'm jealous of their commitment. I said at the beginning of the year, I wanted to work out at least 3 days a week. It took me a couple of weeks to get going, but here I go... Yes, I am looking for encouragement and questions of whether I worked out...

DS got his braces put on yesterday. He looks good and will look even better when his teeth are all straightened.

It sounds like the bitter cold is coming this weekend - can't say I'm real excited about that. The snow is here today.

I hope you & yours are doing well and I will try to blog a little more often...

Wedding pictures

My cousin got married last weekend - it was a beautiful and very fun wedding!

1st dance: Her bouquet:

Cutting cake:

Passport Adventures

Crazy - 2 posts this week... :)

DH, DD & I went to Walgreens to get our passport photos taken on Tuesday morning. So, the guy who takes our pictures puts DD on a stool, then she sits there scrunching up her face and shoulders when she "smiles". UGH! He finally gets a half-way decent one. Then he takes ours. So, we go to the Christmas aisle to see what's left. The photo guy comes and says the machine to print the pictures isn't working and that they are running some tests, so it will be a little longer than 15 minutes. Ok - no problem.

DH & I are looking and we hear, "I had an accident," in a tiny voice. We both turn around to see our DD standing in the middle of the aisle with a puddle around her feet. GREAT!!!!!!!!! SO, I take her out to the van to clean her up and DH lets the staff know.

DD & I re-enter the store. DH has picked a few things off the shelf. We find out that the picture they took of DD will not work because you can see the back of the chair so it has to be re-done. I am still upset about her accident so I tell DH to deal with her scrunching face for the second take. They did end up getting a pretty good picture of her, so we'll see....

So, while they finish the pictures, we filled a cart with clearance Christmas treats. (Yes, just what we need...) We paid twice as much for the passport photos than we did for the cart full of garbage food. That's what we get for having to be in the store for an hour!

Moral of the story - double check that little ones have gone potty before you leave the house, even if it's just going to be for a "few minutes".

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

I hope this finds you all happy and healthy!

We had a quiet New Year's Eve - took the kids to Applebees for early dinner, then TV and board games. It was snowing pretty bad.

My cousin's wedding was wonderful! She looked AMAZING!!!! Totally 1940s glamour - oh, I can't even begin to tell you how great she looked. The flowers were all roses with feathers. (I know - when my mom first told me before I saw them, I was doubtful) They were GORGEOUS!!!! The reception was lots of fun - great food, dancing and it's always entertaining to watch the people who have been drinking, dance.... : ) All I'm going to say is, DS "broke out" his breakdancing - oh lord - I wanted to crawl under the table!

May 2008 be a wonderful year for you & yours!

Christmas

Hi all!
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Ours was nice but I'm glad it's over. DD had a "barbie Christmas" - wow! She is loving it though. DS got an IPOD - there was not a Wii to be found anywhere! DH & I did just fine too!

We took the kids to the city for the weekend. Saturday night was very nice and we looked at the lights. Sunday was BITTERLY cold and REALLY windy! We were indoors most of the day, luckily!

My pictures are still in my camera -- I know, shocking! I will try to share a few this week!

They are calling for snow today/tonight - we'll see.... My cousin is getting married tomorrow so hopefully it won't be too bad!

Have a Happy New Year!

Quick check in

Hey!

I am still alive.

We had a nice Christmas and will detail more soon!

I just wanted to check in...

HUGS

It's coming, it's coming!

Christmas is coming!

Our DD informed us today that she just can't wait for Christmas! It's so fun to see her excitement and joy. She loves the music, trees, lights, wishes and treats. DS is getting old enough that he's pretty laid back about everything and is next to impossible to buy for!

DH has been on the "holy grail" quest for DS's gift for 3 weeks with no luck. I have a feeling he'll have a few little things on Christmas morning and an IOU...

DD got to see Santa today at Wal Mart and she was thrilled. Of course, her list was different than the one we've been hearing about! Why? Why must they do that?

I hope you are all having a joyous holiday season!
HUGS!

Ok...

So I had my cry and told him I was mad. I will be going shopping this weekend with his list of ideas (I made him do one!) and hopefully will be almost done shopping when I return.

Other than that, it has been a crazy week. Work is insanely busy and I don't know whether I'm coming or going right now. :) My christmas letters are still sitting in the computer and who knows when those will get out - maybe they'll be New Year's letters.

We got about 4" of snow on Tuesday night. It was pretty - just wish they would actually plow and put some salt down. Oh well...can't have it all!

Have a great day!
HUGS!

Are you kidding???!!!!!

Seriously, as I FINALLY come up with something to get my husband for Christmas (he is the one who gives me ulcers every year trying to figure out what to get him) - he orders it himself today!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it! He never mentioned wanting it, nothing - I came up with the "perfect" gift today and was going to order it tonight. He mentions that he ordered it today.

I just want to cry! Now I don't have a clue again! ARGH!!!!!!!!!

Happy December!

GREETINGS!!!!!!
We were greeted with a lovely winter storm today (and it's still sleeting). In the 3 1/2 hours that my van sat outside at work today, I had to scrape almost 1/2" of ice off of it. It snowed about 1/2" this morning and we've had rain/ice/sleet since then. Welcome December!

We're gearing up for the holidays! The trees are up, decorated and lit. We got some shopping done this morning and are racking our brains on what to do for the kids.

Hope you are all well - I will continue our trip details in a day or two - I know, you're so excited...

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

TGIF - Christmas List tag

I've been tagged by Peggie. In turn, I'm tagging anyone who reads and leaves a comment.
1.) Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot chocolate!
2.) Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrapped!
3.) Colored lights on tree/house or white? White
4.) Do you hang mistletoe? no, I've never hung mistletoe
5.) When do you put your decorations up? The day after Thanksgiving
6.) What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Usually the roast my grandpa makes and the breakfast casserole made by my dad.
7.) Favorite Christmas memory as a child? Deciding who would be the 1st to make the 1st bathroom trip (since we had to walk by the tree) on Christmas morning to scope it out.
8.) When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I think I was about 7 and my cousin dropped the bomb but I played cool like I knew all along. Crushing...
9.) Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, we do Christmas with my in laws.
10.) How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Our main floor tree is all snowmen and our basement tree is Hallmark and homemade ornaments.
11.) Snow! Love it or Dread it? Only for Christmas!
12.) Can you ice skate? I've never tried.
13.) Do you remember your favorite gift? I don't know.
14.) What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being together with family
15.) What is your favorite holiday desert? Is it sweet? Then it's my favorite!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? We have started taking the kids to the city for a weekend right before Christmas to see the decorations, play and window shop.
17.) What tops your tree? A snowman and Bugs Bunny
18.) Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving
19.) What is your favorite Christmas Song? I'm not a big fan of Christmas songs. I would probably say Carol of the Bells though.
20.) Favorite Christmas Movie? Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street (old version)
21.) What do you leave for Santa? cookies and milk


TAG - you're it!

Travel details, part 2

DAY 3 - We flew out of Oakland for Honolulu early Sunday morning. Let me tell you - I am not a big fan of flying but to fly over water with NO land around - at all - makes me pretty nervous! We arrived in Honolulu around lunchtime. We checked into the Doubletree Alana with our ocean view room - it was lovely. It overlooked Fort DeRussy and the ocean was about 6 blocks away. We went shopping to pick up some snacks for the week and walked down to Waikiki Beach. We had ice cream at Lipperts at the Hilton Hawaiian Village - coconut pineapple for me - MMMMMM!!!!!! We had a light dinner at Hard Rock and sat outside - such a treat! :) After dinner we went for a quick swim in the freezing hotel pool.

DAY 4 - We grabbed coffee and rolls at Starbucks and headed to Pearl Harbor. That is an AMAZING experience! They show a movie before they take you out to the memorial that is so moving - oh man! The memorial is beautiful - the wall of names is just mind boggling. We took the tour of the Bowfin submarine from World War 2 - interesting. I know I could never do it - too small a spaces for me! We also toured the USS Missouri. That is a HUGE ship! It was very interesting and we got to see the spot where the peace treaty was signed with Japan.
We walked around the side of the Missouri deck and there was a navy ship going out. Let me tell you, I had never been a witness to that before, but all those white uniforms all lined up at attention around that ship, just made my heart swell and caused a big lump in my throat! It was beautiful!
Then, in all our infinite wisdom, since it was 1:30, we decided, Hey, let's go hike Diamond Head. Uh, yeah - that is NOT a middle of the day kind of hike! DH & I both made it to the top but with much sweating, grunting and complaining (on my part) but were rewarded with spectacular views of Honolulu! It was worth the hike.
Since we stunk to high heaven when we were done, we went back to the hotel to shower and get ready for the luau. We went to the Royal Hawaiian for theirs. It was great! The food was excellent and the after dinner entertainment was great! And since we apparently hadn't had enough to eat, DH wanted to stop at Cheesecake Factory. So we did and enjoyed it on the balcony of our room when we got back.

DAY 5 - Pretty low key day. We did some shopping around town (including a scrapbook store that was AMAZING!). We drove up to the National Cemetary in Punchbowl Crater - can I just say, WOW! The cemetary was amazing and the flowers that had been left at the headstones were gorgeous! We walked up to the lookout and could see the whole city and some of the mountains north. Wonderful, wonderful view!
We decided to hike to Manoa Falls that afternoon. It was just incredible! It's not the biggest waterfall on the island but the hike there was great! We walked through a rainforest, fruit trees, a bamboo forest. The falls were very pretty and quiet.
We had dinner that night at Cheeseburger Waikiki, walked around town a little then went to bed early.

Stay tuned....there's more to come! :)

Trip details, part 1

WARNING!!!!! Vacation details enclosed. This post may bore you to tears....you have been warned!

As some of you know, DH & I got back last week from the trip we have been waiting 11 years to take. I had a wonderful time and hope he had as much fun as I did. Our main destination was Hawaii but we spent a few days in San Francisco.

DAY 1: We flew into Oakland International Airport late morning. It was sunny and 60 - beautiful after leaving the temperatures in the 30s at home. My wonderful, fantastic husband pulled surprise #1 out of his sleeve as we drove into San Francisco. When we started planning this trip, we looked at the Argonaut hotel but decided we wouldn't spend the extra money on it and booked the Days Inn. Unknown to me, he found a really good deal a few weeks before we left and booked us a night at the Argonaut. So, here's how he pulled it off. (I warned you!) He told me he wanted to stop by Fisherman's Wharf before we went to the hotel and that I needed to get him there (he knew where he was going). So, we head in that direction and he says "Hey, it's the Argonaut, want to stop just to peek in?" Since we had time, I agreed. Yes, I know - can you say SUCKER - I really had NO clue! So we pull up in front and I see the sign for parking and say, "We can't pay $39 to just run in here!"
DH: "They won't charge us for a few minutes. No big deal."
I look up and there's a doorman waiting to open my door. "Um, you need to make sure they know we're not staying." He nods. About the time I realize that DH has popped the trunk, he has already jumped out of the car and it hits me.
I was bawling all the way into the lobby. He explained to the staff that it was a surprise to me. It was a GORGEOUS, BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING hotel! Our room was a city view and decorated in a nautical theme. I just loved it and am so glad we got to stay there for a night. (The bill was hidden from me...)
Anyway, we grabbed a burger and went to sit down on the pier to take in some sea breeze and atmosphere. We walked around Pier 39 for a bit and saw the sea lions.
We decided to drive across "the bridge". So, we got the car and drove across the Golden Gate Bridge. And of course, because I was already on emotional overload, I started crying when I saw it. It was SO amazing that all the times I'd seen it on TV and in pictures and we were about to drive across it. I never thought I would say that was beautiful but it was! It just fits into its surroundings perfectly and am so glad that it is one thing I can say I've done before I die.
We drove out to Muir Woods and made it a mere 20 minutes before they closed. I'm glad we got to see the redwoods - they are SUCH an impressive tree. Just huge! The pictures of us standing next to them, make us look like little tiny munchkins.
After we got back into the city, we had a light dinner at Boudin's Bakery. Think sourdough bread sandwiches - good stuff!
We took in Pier 39 at night, did some shopping then walked to Ghirdelli Square for a mint sundae. Good stuff!

DAY 2: Alcatrez Day.... It was a nice boat ride out there - despite the gray day. The views of SF and the Golden Gate Bridge were very impressive! Alcatrez is a creepy yet very interesting place. I didn't know much about the history before we went.
The afternoon got very rainy. We decided to drive up to Napa Valley to visit a winery that DH found before we left. It was a really nasty, foggy day and we probably would have had a nicer time if the weather had cooperated a little more, but what are you going to do? :) We visited Sterling Vineyard, which is quite impressive. We took a tram ride up the hill to the winery from the parking lot, took a self-guided tour and got to taste 5 different wines.
We stopped for lunch at a little drive in called Taylors - great chicken fingers and fries!
We stayed in Alameda that night to be closer to the airport, since we left for Honolulu the next day.

Stay tuned for more details....

White Thanksgiving

We woke this morning to about 1/2" of snow on the ground. I guess it's just the start of winter. My apple cake is done and I'm waiting for the pumpkin pie to bake.

I hope you all have a wonderful day and eat plenty!
HUGS!

Thankful!

As Thanksgiving is tomorrow, I reflected on all the things that I have to be thankful for, here are a few.

I have the most amazing husband in the world. I love you, honey!

We have to incredible, healthy children.

We have a roof over our heads, food on our table and clean clothes on our backs.

I have many wonderful friends.

We just got back from our "trip of a lifetime".

I hope you all have many things to be thankful for too.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Well it's Wednesday...

I don't have much to say - really!
Just - fall has come to the Midwest and it's beautiful. (other than the nights being cold!)

Really - it's been a crazy week but just everyday craziness....

Hope you're all well!
HUGS!

Just one...

digi layout.

DH gave me most of the creativity for this one. Thanks, honey!

Read to me!

"Will you read your book to me?"
How could I even resist those words? I CAN'T! DD crawled up on my lap this morning before we left while I was reading and asked if I would read my book to her. So, she sat very quietly while I read 3 pages of my murder mystery to her before we had to leave. I seriously think she would sit and listen to you read an encyclopedia as long as you were reading to her.

I am so happy that both of my children love books as much as I do. Reading has always been a big part of my life. I hope they will continue that love to their children someday.


The big countdown is on to our trip. I am SO excited but there is SO much to do! I wonder how I will find time to do it all. I know I won't actually relax until that plane is in the air, either. But I have 2 books to take with and am excited to read them and relax a little.

Have a great evening!