Happy Birthday My Friend

Happy Birthday Beth!!

a few pics from last summer and a few from 2003 crop !!

So glad that a handmade birthday party invite opened up and started such an awesome friendship!

Hope you had an awesome day!

See you MONDAY!

Christmas pics to share

*cheeser grins by Mr Barton - happy Santa man!

*Steve II gaming in his pjs.....lovin the new head sets for XBOX 360.

*Koda cracking up- love these pics.

*Jake wearing his new hat and sweatshirt and Riley in her new purple bed!

*Koda thought the Miller Lite box was the best- and when he found his new coat inside he was a happy boy!

Christmas was wonderful and I cannot believe it is back to work tomorrow already!

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The boys got Guitar Hero World Tour - and have been rockin all day long! I had a blast playing with them today!

Then we went to the movies and watched Marley and Me. Awesome movie - but oh bring a tissue or two!

and of course, I was behind the camera AGAIN! I asked for a group shot today but seems we never made time to get one.? Maybe this weekend.

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas to YOU!
It's been a CRAZY busy week at work and home. I think the kids out of school complicates my life more! :-)

Our normal Christmas Eve traditions....dinner together usually our big holiday meal. I made baby back ribs in the oven and they were awesome....2 slabs and none left.
After dinner we watched the Christmas specials for awhile and then went on seaching for awesome Christmas lights and a tour through the fairgrounds lights. Below are shots from the light show ...Riley is a crazy dog as she seems to love the lights as much as we do...



Merry Christmas !!

Very cool article and a good day review

365 Days, 365 Ideas for Photos check this cool idea out that was in my email inbox. :-)

Saturday recap....all day wrestling meet in Lansing. Koda is making awesome improvements - learning loads. Hate to see them growing up so fast but on the other hand it is great to see them developing into young men. He actually had a 1 win - 3 loss day.

Hope the next storm comes and goes soon. I hear that tomorrow we will be blessed with high winds and more snow? and temps below ZERO! oh boy

Michigan weather impacts us

SNOW day on Friday. The first for us this year!! The boys were very happy!!


Out my office window just after 8am! Michigan Theater.


My drive in yesterday was super fun- there were drifts to hop through IN TOWN!



Koda is such a sweetie - woke up just in time to shovel to get Mom out to go to work. HIS idea and he insisted!! Gotta love them boys!

We postponed the Christmas celebrations up north that were scheduled for tomorrow. Weather channel says we have more coming, negative temps and wind tomorrow......we will get together on Jan 3rd instead!!

Headed to Lansing today - Koda had to be at the school at 630AM to catch a bus...hoping he gets a boost of confidence....he needs it. :-)

Have a great weekend

Role Model

Thanks Mom! I received this from her in my email tonight....

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL??? Try it without looking at the answers......
1) Pick your favorite number between 1-9
2) Multiply by 3 then
3) Add 3, then again Multiply by 3 (I'll wait while you get the calculator. ..)
4) You'll get a 2 or 3 digit number….
5) Add the digits together
Now Scroll down ..............













Now with that number see who your ROLE MODEL is from the list below:
1. Einstein
2. Nelson Mandela
3. Abraham Lincoln
4. Helen Keller
5. Bill Gates
6. Gandhi
7. George Clooney
8. Thomas Edison
9. Kasandra Barton
10. Abraham Lincoln


I know....I just have that effect on people....one day you too can be like me.... :-) Believe it! P.S.: Stop picking different numbers. I am your idol, just deal with it!!!! NOW CHANGE YOUR NAME IN NO. 9 AND SEND IT ON!! HAHA

Handmade

Love decorations made by the kids....Koda made this at the career center - welding class....a 3 D metal Christmas tree..he did an awesome job!! Love it.
Yes, there is a bobblehead hiding behind the tree....just like a man - must be in the spotlight! :-)

simply stated

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

Christmas is the season when you buy this year's gifts with next year's money. ~Author Unknown

OH MY......

So YUMMY - these cookies are sinful - the caramel inside is still gooey when they are cooled.

Had to share.

I made a double batch tonight - 6 dozen for a cookie swap and leftovers for the guys lunches and to share at work.

Chocolate Caramel Cookies

TIME: Prep:25 min. Bake: 10 min.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup chopped pecans, divided
1 package (13 ounces) Rolo candies

Directions: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, 1 cup sugar and brown sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture just until combined. Stir in 1/2 cup pecans. Shape dough by tablespoonfuls around each candy. In a small bowl, combine remaining pecans and sugar; dip each cookie halfway. Place with nut side up on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 7-10 minutes or until top is slightly cracked. Cool for 3 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: about 5 dozen.

Crafty lil snowbird

She's caught the BUG....card making bug!

She has been playing with stamps a little and then she started to explore....and she is doing GREAT!

The bottom is her Christmas card....a photo of where she is....she glued sand on the beach and added a Christmas tree punch! OH I forgot to take a pic of the inside...she used a snowman punch and a caption bubble with 'Merry Christmas' in it!

Love it!

Great job, Mom!! XXOO

weekend recap

An all day invitational was exactly right! We started at 8am and were leaving at 515pm!
Although Jackson High did not do well....they boys had a great time and Koda said it was his most memorable....because he had lots of family that came to see him! :-)
Thanks Mike, Jennifer, Bryan, Jody, Richard and Jerod - you made his day!

Jake went to his friends for the afternoon (we were in Brooklyn where he lives) and they invited his to stay the night - and then Steve's sister and brother in law asked if they could keep the other two....woo hoo. We are child free - last night we had Subway and watched the Wings play. Crashed early - and today we are cleaning and trying to make room for the tree - and going shopping - groceries and some Christmas.


Go Koda.


Kyle (Koda's buddy)


Christmas Ban Concert was awesome...for middle school students...they are terrific! Nope, you cannot see Steve - he is sitting in the backrow all the way to the left!

up and running

The computer is back up and running. Thanks to sons and curiosity - I was the lucky recipient of a CRASH on my pc. I will let the party remain anonymous and leave the details to you....they are also lucky t'he'y have a computer savvy mom...otherwise 'he' would have been cashing in some gifts...ugh!

and we are up and running this morning - heading to an all day wrestling event. Will post later with pics...hopefully with smiles. Thursday night he was not smiling and was just plain MAD because he lost both matches. I have seen him mad -wish he could use that energy to get loose from the holds he gets into - but unfortunately he gives up if they get him around the neck and feels like his breathing is compromised. (think this is from being an asthmatic)

Anywho - I will post details later!! Have a super Saturday!

My Planner

Caught a creative bug last night - and made this. It was quite relaxing and I love it. It has pockets inside for wish lists, receipts, a calendar, and whatever......

pics are not the best but you can get the idea!

It all started with a Manila file folder!

December 2008

I cannot believe it is already December !
Sure signs it is December and we live in Michigan........

• It's snowing
• 25 days of Christmas is on ABC Family
• I am counting paydays before Christmas
• I have lists all over with gift ideas
• wrestling meets/ invitationals fill my Saturdays
• my calendar is FULL
• I am in the mood to craft and craft
• I want to make gifts
• Shopping is part of my lunch hour
• need slippers on my feet to keep me happy
• pink cheeks on my boys that wait at the bus stop at 630am!
• every commercial on tv is about Christmas and gifts

oh I could go on and on.

I am feeling better today - returned to work.

*Tomorrow I have a re-check appt and the day off because I worked all day Sunday. Maybe if I feel better I can shop a little?

SIX teens?

L to R
Rosa, Amber, Dori ( the dog) Alyssa, Jake
Back row
Koda, Steve

We now have new family members- my brother Bill will be getting married in March in Naples, FL. He is marrying, Yvonne, a mom to 2 daughters- which means they will now have 3 teen girls together.....12,13,14. Can you say - 3 bathrooms and a BIG bottle of MIDOL? whew, this is when 3 boys sounds real good! Just kidding- good kids all of them.

2 - 12 year olds - Steve and Rosa
2- 13 year olds - Jake and Alyssa
1- 14 year old Amber
1- 16 year old Koda

The kids did their Christmas swap this weekend - they swapped by age and gender - and when they handed off we had them tell the other something they learned about them...it was CUTE!

Koda learned Amber is a competition figure skater, she learned he was a wrestler
Jake learned Alyssa loves to cheer, and she said Jake is a ton of fun to be around
Steve learned that Rosa wants to play softball, and she learned that Steve is shy and quiet

We drove up for just an overnight trip....just about all I can handle as I am still not ME! ick. Took Gram with us and she enjoyed the fun too.

*mom, did you notice Jake has BLUE eyes? He agreed it was looking shaggy and allowed mom ONLY to start chopping....should have taken a pic....as he had enough taken off to create a couple wigs. looks much better!!

Off to rest some more...work tomorrow. Been creating cards this morning in bed! :-)

I am back

I am beginning to feel better...still home - 3 days out of work....never do I remember being this sick - well not since having MONO at 21. I missed almost a month of work then.

Leaving Jackson tomorrow morning at 8am (I hope)- heading north. Thanksgiving dinner will be at my brother and his fiance's house at 1pm - and I am bringing Gram with me this year. Thankfully I am feeling like I am improving day to day - thank you antibiotics, steroids and mucinex! It is working slowly - it feels - but the fevers are GONE! yippee

Tried to get a pic of the boys and Santa baby last night - they were not playing nicely- horse playing all the time. Sometimes those are the BEST pics but last night they almost sent me over the edge...lol Think we'll try again today!!

Today was a 1/2 day - and we all slept in. Steve Sr had to go to work at 430am. Of course I woke up when he was getting ready - so then I wanted to craft! I made an 'explosion box' and tags for the nieces gift bags - with my Cuttlebug! ( love that little machine!) It is so much fun and can be used to create so many things! Of and of course I made a few more cards too!!

Been making way today through some cleaning with 3 school skipping teens and the little bit of energy I muster here and there. Off to get busy again....they monsters seem to be battling again over what to watch on tv- silly boys - I already took away the computer and XBOX360 for now...they will soon be electronically poor.

Pre holiday ICK

"A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book." Irish Proverb

Bronchitis + fevers + pink eye = a week long vacation that BITES!
Came down with a normal winter like cold last week....and by Sunday I was feeling waaaay bad.
Went to the dr yesterday....eye drops, antibiotics, breathing treatments, steroids and NO SLEEP!
Hoping to kick it before Thursday so we can go up north - we'll see....as I still cannot get lower than 99.9 temp.
Dr took me out of work -and said I could return Thurs or Fri. Hmm great plan - already off those days. I will work Sunday to make up for lost hours and payroll catch up! That's the plan today!
Oh heavens, wah! wah! I hate being sick.

who is that?

It's ME!! a trip back in time for me and a visit with the BEST Santa EVER! We, of course, had to go to Muskegon to visit Santa s it was a BIG event. JCPenney had the very best Santa! He was the REAL Santa, I still believe!

Mom - how old was I? any idea? I am thinking 1976 / 1978 ?

Yep, I loved that Raggedy Ann belt and plaid pants...I know you are all envious.

Holly Hobbie was at the top of the list this year - I am almost positive. I had an entire bedroom set that was Holly Hobbie...she rocked.

Much older and more mature with my new stylin Dorothy Hammil (sp?) haircut. :-)

not much new happenings

Same old same old.
Hunting. Cutting up their deer. Hunting. Working. Hunting. Working.
Get the picture?
We're all working on a great winter cold.
The roads were very slippery this morning at the stop signs. I understand Oceana county got loads of snow, mom.
I need to get busy Christmas shopping. Have made lists and more lists.
The kids will exchange gifts next weekend- actually Friday since sports and divorced parents/ weekends are making a date to get all 6 kids together nearly impossible. The theme is 'round' and the limit is $15 each. Looks like they all want cds. 3 girls exchanging with the 3 boys!
Working tomorrow 8a-12n in my old job - intake. I need groceries too!
I am tired.

11.16.08 Hunter update....

Koda shot a 3 pt buck this morning !!

Weekend fun

Thanks Jill for hosting a deer hunter's widow fun day!! I had a great time visiting with you all....time flew by but we all made a lot of fun gifting creations!!
Although I did not create one page - I did accomplish 17 cards and had more fun with my new Cuttlebug toy. ( remember you CAN use your 50% coupon to purchase this little beauty!) and then you too will be addicted to purchasing the little embossing folders....if ONLY they would carry them at Meijer or Aldi, I could slip one in when I get groceries...hello? at only $5 each - I could slip a few every trip! ha ha )



Non tradional Christmas colors the pic is bad , but a simple brthday

and someone had to check out the new creations too - at the perfect time for mom to snap the pic!!

Look what I found when I opened the door to get the paper...Yes, I am in Michigan!

Have not heard from the hunters this morning? Yesterday was a good hunting day for my nephew, Richard though, despite the rain and ick....will post pics later!! Hoping we can fill our freezer soon!

FEVERS

We have BIG buck FEVER.

and He ....

has an ear infection fever. I knew we were in trouble last night when he came to me with a q-tip in his hand soaked with fresh red blood....ugh, This child and his ears have been trouble since day one. ENT appt next week - so we kicked in the meds and if you look close...he IS smiling!

He is also already talking about his plan to hunt this afternoon!

a new addiction

As if this chic needed another 12 step program....a new scrappin project....and it was FUN. The company was awesome which might have made it even more FUN....Beth, Keitha and I went to this class tonight after a trip to Joann's. Now I need a trip to Hobby Lobby for more tin boxes - these would make awesome gifts. You could do so many things with them....mine is for Christmas cookie recipes....I am thinking of making a couple with handmade cards in them for gifts!? The girls could use them for jewelry, photos, hair stuff, oh the ideas.
We were even able to copy the pattern!!
Not the best photo...but oh is it CUTE!!

Happy Monday !!

Long distance

*edited to show Mom what Michigan looks like today...
Birthday Wishes to my Mom !!
XXOO from frigid Michigan. We love you!!
Hope you are enjoying the warm temps and retirement relaxation! Crafting away basking in the sun - THAT is a great birthday - enjoy!!

Grandma Camera! Now you know where the kids came up with the name!!

** It's snowing, Mom!! Enjoy the warm sunny weather.

Fall is falling

and turning into WINTER! Yesterday we enjoyed the last day for now of 60+ temps.... this morning is a bit cooler - 30s but my hunters were quite excited!! Let's hope they can 'bag a buck' and fill my freezer!

The boys were chilly this morning so I whipped up some of these....mini blueberry and regular size Cheerio/ applesauce muffins. ( I'd be happy to share the recipe if interested!!) YUM

and MOST important .....I sold my Sizzix Sidekick on Ebay. I never use it...felt it was a waste just sitting on my shelf...and I would rather have $$ to buy scrappin goods I would use. So here is my NEW purchase. The card class hostess, Judy has one of these and I LOVE IT! It is an embosser and cutter...I am very fond of the embossed backgrounds for cards! Thinking I will ask Santa for some folders for embossing and maybe a few dies. :-)

and I have these 2 embossing folders so far! Need to get to Hobby Lobby and Michaels and see what they have! I like the backgrounds the MOST and I really want the Christmas tree one!

Have an awesome weekend.....stay warm!

Psst! This little guy is turning 2...Logan Rocco Church. His birthday party is today!

what a silly boy !

( he belongs to our friends, Mandy and Darrick

Too cute !

This little girl always stops to 'take time to smell the flowers' LITERAALY - she stops smells the flowers and then moves on? every afternoon when we walk - I had to catch her in the act - planning to print this pic and mat with the phrase for my desk! :-)

Card class last night was fun again....will take pics again and post. Next Monday they have a new class using mod podg - creating a covered tin lunch box - I am in! Can't wait!