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!

what a blur

WOW the weekend flew by! Here we go again...Monday is just around the corner.

Did you remember to FALL BACK ? I am not a good one when it comes to adjusting the clock....I am my own alarm clock...it came built in? Therefore, I was awake too early and could not go back to sleep....so I went to work and to Walmart when Steve left for hunting today!

Jake was bored this afternoon so he made dinner and brownies for lunches! He made lasagna, garlic bread and salads....and it ROCKED! very little help from me, other than some verbal cues. ( should have took a few pics - I was enjoying sitting and watching and never thought about a camera)

Busy week ahead...
Monday - card class after work
Tuesday - eye appts for the boys
Wednesday - wrestling meeting for parents and students
Thursday- something - must check calendar
Friday -another something - must check calendar again- lol
Sarurday-
Sunday- MY MOM's BDAY! xxoo

Have a great week!