Such a doll

Zoe with her baby doll Grandma gave her for Christmas

For all you lurkers -you know who you are! (Kathy G!)

I thought you'd appreciate this site if you haven't seen it already
http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

An idea to economize this year

DC daytrip

We met our GOOD FRIEND ROS downtown yesterday for a Christmasy day trip of DC. Of course I missed any photos of her and us together. Dang. Anyway, here is a hit list of what we saw:

Lunch at Union Station including pancakes and a highly anticipated cheesy pizza for Zac. Ros got a piece but the price was high as she had to carry Zac's leftovers throughout the rest of our trip.

Walked up to the CAPITOL BUILDING to see the platform being built for the inauguration. I was glad to see that they still fly the American flag over the Capitol building and there is a great Christmas tree. As the day progressed these huge black clouds came rolling in- seemed like foreshadowing for what is to come.

Went over to the BOTANICAL GARDENS to see their beautiful trees and this really cool MINIATURE TRAIN EXHIBIT- if you have kids this is a MUST SEE! Even if you don't have kids I'd say GO SEE IT! There are also replicas of the Smithsonian, Capitol building, and all these little villages made out of natural materials- acorns, leaves, cinnamon sticks, etc. This was super cool- maybe my favorite of the day.

Then, over to the NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART where they have put up these really cool lights in the tunnel between the two galleries. Emily was also tricked into seeing some art as we had to walk through an exhibit- I saw that famous painting of George Washington, a painting by Whister (not his mother). We were moving fast as I wanted to keep Max on the move.

Then, to watch the ICE SKATERS while we waited about an hour for Nick to go get the car and come back and pick us up. Highlights and lowlights included Max falling and hitting his face on a stone bench, hot chocolate that burned your tongue and Emily dropping and losing $40. I hope it was a great happy surprise that was found by someone in great need.

A REALLY WONDERFUL DAY!

Sneak peek at your Christmas Card

Deck the Halls!

I was hoping to put up Christmas decorations this week. Before we do that we need to get the boxes out of the closet under the stairs. To get to the boxes we need to clean up the downstairs. Before we do that we need move the freezer currently in the middle of the basement (given to us- thanks!) and to clean the laundry room to clear a spot for it. In order to clean the laundry room I need to move the unassembled bunk bed. In order to put up the bunk bed we need to finish painting Abby's room. To finish painting Abby's room I need to move the dresser/desk/bed out and that involves clearing the boxes in the hallway upstairs. Those are full of photos that need to be scrapbooked. Someday.

So, enjoy these photos of some of our Christmas decorations from last year. I let the kids help. I think you will agree not everyone's nativity has a TRex in it. That would account for Mary always appearing so suprised all the time.

On a positive note: the hole in the ceiling drywall is FIXED! New wall/ceiling PAINTED! CURTAINS UP! and PIANO BACK against the wall where it belongs! Hurray! If you need a handyman Nick is your guy! (as long as you have a month or six to spare)

I think these are dang hilarious. Sincerely.

you can see the whole line of cards at lineuponlinecards.com

Put your money where your mouth is

If you don't like cooking and happen to burn almost every batch of cookies you make DON'T say it is because your oven doesn't work right. Someone might just buy you a new oven and then you will have to find out the sad truth of the matter.

I'm just a lazy bad cook!

But it IS nice to have 4 burners that work! My last stove only had one working burner (which didn't bother me too much to tell you the truth because you don't use a lot of pans when cooking on only one burner- less to wash!)

Fingers crossed this pecan pie turns out ok! And I have high hopes for the turkey tomorrow.

My Favorite Things

Can I tell you a few of my favorite things? You will discover it does not take much to make me happy.

PEAPOD (Giant grocery store delivery service) Such a timesaver!! You enter everything online and then early the next morning the grocery fairy delivers food to your doorstep. It costs maybe $8 for delivery, but there are generally coupons out there for $5 off or free shipping. If you don't find a coupon it is still worth it as anyone who has ever gone shopping with a preschooler knows you will spend far more than $8 by the time you buy things not on your list like Diego gogurt or boxes of cheezit crackers with Spongebob on the box.

FLYLADY (www.flylady.net) I love her plan for getting your house in order and the fact she gave me permission to only do 15 minutes of housework a day. Doing any chore for 15 minutes is still cleaner than if you didn't do it at all. Actually, 15 minutes is usually too long for me so I have shortened it to 5 minutes. BABYSTEPS!

PIONEER WOMAN (thepioneerwoman.com) Her cooking site with step by step instructions and photos in particular is a favorite. Because I don't cook. And she almost makes me feel I can. In a flash of insanity I volunteered to bring pecan pie and make the turkey for Thanksgiving this year. Holy moly, what have I done? and this brings me to a new favorite I haven't even tried yet but I know will be a family tradition for years to come....

PIE NIGHT My brother's family will be visiting with us the day before Thanksgiving and we decided that we will hold our first annual pie night- you don't have to wade through the turkey to get to the good stuff. Everyone is bringing pies and that's it. It is my favorite part of the meal, anyway.

I can see a theme here, actually... in preparation for Thanksgiving I'm going to be doing a little bit of all of the above this week. Wish me luck!

Oh the Thinks you can Think

Although I spend my days telling stories of "Buzz Lightyear and the Beanstalk", changing diapers, wiping noses, pouring juices and watching cartoons, there is a good percentage of the day when I am stuck solid on the couch or bed nursing my 3 month old. I try to remember to have the phone nearby, or a book in hand. If I don't, I've got a good 30 minutes to just sit and think- and think- and think- and these are some of the things I've thought lately.

several million dollar ideas (for my sister) including a sandwriting project, and a power ranger delivery service

the new craze- an anti vampire logo (yet to be seen if anyone bites- ha ha!) but feel free to grab the logo from my sidebar if you'd like to spread the anti-cullen love

daydreaming about my weeklong cruise to Alaska's inner passage (next year is a BIG BIRTHDAY for me) and ways to convince my husband to let me actually book it

the wilberg family etsy site and what we might be able to list there

knee socks and over the knee socks and craft projects involving them and where can I get some and will people actually buy them?

how much I hate the multitude of unfinished projects and clutter that are in my line of sight.. including a hole in my ceiling that has been there since MAY


If I do remember to grab the phone before we settle down for nursing, you've probably heard about these ideas first hand. Am I my dad's daughter or what? He always has a lot of ideas and projects simmering also. And that ain't bad

Birthday Bash!

Go visit my sister's site at http://www.girlinaswirl.blogspot.com/ and enter to win one of her totally happening birthday giveaways. Happy Birthday!

It's just good therapy!

How can anyone be depressed with a baby to squeeze and leftover Halloween candy? (although my older two are getting much better at hiding their stash and we've nearly finished my 3yo's supply)

Is Halloween Here?

We had trunk or treating last Thursday, then trick or treating on Friday. Saturday evening my toddler asked to go trick or treating again. And then Sunday when we pulled into the church parking lot he asked "Is Halloween Here?" like there are some places around town that are eternally Halloween.

While trick or treating at each house he would ask "Is Halloween Here?: when we were determining which houses to knock at. I heard him talking to himself "Is Halloween Here? Oops, no light on".

He has his candy in one of those plastic pumpkins. I had put it up and finally he spotted it on top of the bookcase and asked me to get it down. When I did he stuck his head right in and said "I've been looking for you!"

I have enjoyed watching him with his candy- some of the things he recognizes of course (m&m's, snickers) but some he doesn't. He is genuinely surprised when we open the wrapper and usually comments "this one is chocolate!" and "is this yummy?" If he doesn't like it I usually find it spit out or stuck to something.

Battle of the wills

You know how in a marriage you kind of get into a groove about some things are your job and some things are your husband's job and you both pitch in when necessary and somehow it all gets done?

Then maybe there are one or two things that doesn't fall into either category and everyone just ignores until someone gets sick of it all and just does it in a big rage of 'why is this my job all of a sudden but I can't stand it anymore'. Maybe it is taking out the trash. Maybe it is cleaning the bathtub, Maybe it is this mess I've been stepping over on my way in and out of the house for the past 3 days.



We carved our pumpkins way too early this year.

Off to find the snow shovel...

Get used to disappointment

Here's the part where you come to check out my adorable kids in their adorable costumes for trick-or-treating. Too bad for you. I don't have any. They were in their costumes and then running down the street before I could snap any shots. My 3yo wore his costume for an entire month straight, so I do have some photos of him we can pretend I took last night. If you don't notice he is standing in the pumpkin patch. Pay no attention to the pumpkin behind the curtain.

HOWEVER, I'll be posting costume photos of my 10yo at least, in a day or so. He starts planning his next year's costume the day after Halloween. He sewed his costume himself, this year- he was Link from the video game Legend of Zelda and it turned out awesome. My 12yo threw on a bunch of black clothes at the last second and called herself a witch. I heard her tell one lady 'Halloween just snuck up on me this year' when she was trick or treating.

The older 2 went out for a marathon march and got over 5lbs of candy each. We now have a rule that every time I have to step over their candy bags (lying in the middle of the floor or by my computer chair) I get a free handful as a penalty. Cha-ching! Hello, mini snickers!

My younger one really took to this trick or treating thing. He asked tonight to go trick or treating again. Wouldn't that surprise a few folks? We like to keep our neighbors on their toes.

Anyway, here's a shout out to the two people who read my blog- my sister and my mom. Hi, there! More photos coming soon!

Who you gonna call?

I'm totally addicted to the show Ghost Hunters- and am getting really kind of obsessive about it. They are having a marathon today and it is KILLING me I can't watch it- or even record it as my dvd player is hooked up on this tv, not my upstairs tv. Here I sit, watching Dora & Boots.. knowing somewhere out there Jason and Grant are catching the spooks on tape.

If you haven't seen an episode, go watch it at hulu.com- there are several to see. I think the regular Ghost Hunters are better than the International ones. Don't ask me why- I'd think that all those european castles would be haunted as heck. Maybe those european ghosties just have better manners than these US ones and follow the 'if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all' school of thought

Halloweenies

My 10yo son writes this comic strip.. here is his newest. The ghost is 'Boo'- his girlfriend is a mummy called 'Ancient', and a special guest (ghost?) appearance by his grandma. Enjoy the Halloweenies!

Punkin Head

I love this shot- his little round head right in there with the pumpkins, the look of glee as he finds the perfect pumpkin... although I HATE going to the pumpkin patch, I LOVE the photos we get. They are usually my favorite shots all year.

Tips for Husbands

If your wife happens to buy this sweater in grey, do NOT tell her it looks like something Bea Arthur would wear and start singing "Here comes Maude"

Just sayin'

Makes it all worthwhile

She is usually the strong silent type but has recently started communicating more with us by smiing and cooing.

I've been accused of having too much time on my hands.... The real truth of the matter though isn't that I've got too much TIME but rather NOT ENOUGH HANDS. A baby that loves to be held, and a 3yo who is potty training.. I usually have a free hand to point and click, but rarely two free hands to actually type. So, we will see how this blogging thing goes.

I felt I had to start my own blog as the family blog was filling up fast with photos of my kids, youtube videos that I thought were funny, and my random thoughts of the day. So, for all you loyal followers, here ya go