Cousins

Last night, I was watching Mama Mia, my favorite movie, and Erica, my niece and Luke decided to watch with me. I knew once they heard the music they would get into it. So, then they were being goofy, trying to put their legs behind their heads. I thought it was sooo funny, that I couldn't stop laughing.

Okay, I have to admit they were a little board with my movie so they did a puzzle book during it. Aren't they cute.

They make a sing-a-long version of Mama Mia, on the same cd. Guess what.....Erica and Luke thought it would be fun to do a little singing with the movie. It was a great time singing Dancing Queen, Mama Mia and S.O.S and Take a Chance on Me. I so enjoy seeing kids be kids so to speak. I mean Luke is 10 and to see him singing and dancing with his cousin...I love it!!

You might be thinking "Where is Connor during all of this?" Well, Connor wishes he would of never bought me this movie :) He was downstairs watching an Adam Sandler flick.

"At Christmas, Cousins are the presents under the tree."
Author: Karen Decourcey

The BEST Movie Ever

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Pierce Brosnan Singing in "Mamma Mia" - video powered by Metacafe

Connor gave me the movie Mama Mia, for Christmas. I have watched it, at least 15 times since Dec. 26. I love the music. Meryl Streep is excellent and Pierce Brosnan, is to die for. The actors & actresses sing all of Abba's songs. I just think it is amazing. I even went out the next day and bought the soundtrack. I am driving my children crazy :)

Criddle Yearly Check Up

Criddle had an apt. today at the Vet. for her annual check up.

This is the little carrier I use to take her in the van. I usually get it out and she crawls right in like it is a new home BUT once I put her in the van, the loud meows begin. Criddle is like the daintiest cat ever meaning she very rarely meows...she is just a little cuddler.

Look closely because my dainty little cat, goes wild at the Vet. growling and hissing, so they have Me put her in this little sack that only allows her head to be out. The last time I took Luke with me he was in tears. He didn't like to see her like this. She had three shots today, and she is in perfect health. She is even up to 6lbs.

So, we get home, and she starts throwing up, everywhere. Her ears are on fire and she is breathing funny. I panic because Criddle is like my baby, so I call the Vet. and I had to rush her back down to the office for another shot. She was having an allergic reaction to one of the shots. It was scarey because I don't know what we would do if anything happened to Crids.

"Cats Leave Paw Prints On Your Heart"

More Christmas

I love this picture of my Dad. I gave him the cutest bottle of wine from Stone Cliff Winery

in Dubuque, IA. It was a Reisling, which is a white wine.

The label

"Daddy, a daugther's first love."

Christmas in Review

Christmas Eve the boys get to open one gift which is a pair of PJ's and a movie or a game that we can all enjoy together. This year it was Dennis the Menace Christmas. It was funny, and there was alot of laughter by all of us.

Here is Connor reading a book that I let him open, on Christmas Eve. Maybe this will be a new tradition because Connor never reads, maybe it is because he picked out the book. Whatever it takes to get this child of mine to read, I am all for it.

Connor is a Adam Sandler fan, so he now has all of his movies.

Santa, brought the RockBand for the Wii. This is a fun time. I was on guitar, Brian sang, and Luke on the drums. I am better at the drums, and I crack myself up when I sing. This is a game every family should have, no matter what the age.

The angels smiled on us with JOY, when God gave us two boys.

Baby It's Cold Outside

We had Blizzard warnings out today BUT we still drove to North Liberty this morning for a basketball tournament. This is what it looked like driving. The wind was blowing so hard...it was freezing out. I don't mind the snow but the cold makes me want to live elsewhere :)

"Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine."
Author: ~Anthony J. D'Angelo

Tattoo

My friend Kim decided to get a new tattoo today, so I decided to stop by and see what it is all about. I found it very interesting and was full of lots of questions for the Tattoo Artist.

Casper is a old tattoo, that she has and wants to be touched up or covered. Is it that amazing, they had a book of cover up tattoos. The Tattoo Artist is working on the rosary around her ankle. I don't understand her thinking or reasoning behind a rosary around her ankle accept that she say it in a magazine.

It was so neat when it was finished. The Tattoo Artist said that thecolors would become more vibrant as it heeled because the your blood discolors it a little while it is being done. So, as I am sitting there asking questions, he told me to take a look at his book of the work he has done. Lets just say that I was very impressed. He has done some amazing portraits of children, peoples pets, memorials and more.

You can check them out at Wildside Tattoo

Prayer Request

I received an email from a friend, that Kurt broke a knuckle on his throwing hand. Please keep him in your prayers.

If you have been around our Family, you know that Olyvia, our neighbor, is part of it. Last Sunday, her Grandma, Sandy, also our neighbor, was in a car accident. It was weather related and she is very fortunate to still be here with us. She has a broken leg, broken shoulder and was banged up pretty bad. It is going to be a long recovery so please keep them all in your prayers.

"Life is fragile, handle with prayer"

Snow Storm

Now this is a snowstorm. Nothing major, in my book, but we are getting more than an inch or two. I am sure we will have a school delay on Wednesday because of all this. I just looked at the doppler and it should all be gone by 6p.m.-so my thought is "why can't they have all the streets cleared and sanded by 5a.m.?" I am sure the excuse will be that this is the "first" major snowfall so push the PANIC button.............

I love this picture of Olyvia, our neighbor, running over to help Luke shovel. The shovel is bigger than her.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas...

Sweaters Recycled

My Mom & I went Goodwill hunting for wool sweaters, to make christmas trees out of them. Here is what they looked like after we felted them. When you wash wool in hot water and agitate it, it shrinks down and looks like felt. I found this ideas at thelongthread

These are the Christmas trees. I think they are so adorable. We only were able to make three because the rain started to turn into ice, so I had to scurry home.

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun."

Love this Picture

Criddle & Luke

Every time I do laundry, Criddle will either jump in the basket or just plop herself down on what I am folding. I had set this basket on the table, just for a second, I came back in and she had already snuggled up in it. She had her little head and hand resting on the edge. It was so cute, so Luke thought he had to pose with her.

Time

http://thesmallobject.com/stenopad/wordpress/?p=822

I want to make these little Christmas tree from fabric...Clare I need your help:)

I need more time to do what I love. I also need Clare, Aunt Hess, Aunt Dona & my Mom here so we can just get together monthly and just be creative. I have found so many fun projects I want to do and I have such talented Aunts and my cousin Clare is amazing. Take a look at her Blog http://planetclare-clare.blogspot.com/to see what she just "throws together"

http://blog.betzwhite.com/

I love this snowman. I would like to make a few of these using old sweaters..great way to recycle.

http://thelongthread.com/?p=1656

These little Christmas Trees are made out of old wool sweaters, that you felt. These are definitely on my to do list. I am going to the thrift store tomorrow to look for wool sweaters.

"Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."
Author: Thomas Merton

"Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
Author: Bernard Shaw

More Snow Day Fun

Even though we didn't get but a trace of snow, the boys had to go outside and play. This totally had me laughing. They decided they wanted their snowman's next to each other so they were going to move this little guy to the front yard.

Here is Connor setting it on the sled to be transferred. They looked so funny doing this.

Here is the little snowman, on its way to its new home.

Connor & Luke hiking through the snow, to the front yard, with the little guy. I wish everyone could of seen them do this, it was so hilarious....I was dying laughing. I don't even know if the knew I was watching.

Clearing out a spot for the little guy. Almost ready to set him up ;)

Snowmen side by side....aren't they cute!!!

It was so fun watching Connor & Luke work together on this little project, to make our snowmen feel like one.

"Bonded ..... for better or worse, your always connected."

Snow Day Fun

Luke baking cookies.

mmm....cookies

Connor sampling our cookies :)

BIG COOKIE

""C is for cookie. That's good enough for me.""
Author: Cookie Monster, Sesame Street

SNOW DAY

My driveway at 5:30a.m. It is covered with ice but it isn't much and yes it is still raining.

Looking out my window at 7:30a.m. A little sleet coming down but nothing major.

Then about 9a.m. I could actually seen snowflakes, falling from the sky. They are the little dots of light in the picture. Now if it is really snowing hard you can pick that up with your camera.

So, then about 9:30, I had Connor go out and check the elements. He could still walk down the drive, in flip-flops.

He could even run up the drive, with flip-flops on.

WHY ARE MY KIDS NOT IN SCHOOL, is the question that is going through my head. I believe we should of had a 2 hour delay but again we live in IOWA, where snow is scarce and unpredictable, people panic like we live in Florida and NEVER see snow. I just don't get it....I know it is hard for the buses, is the reason I will hear BUT why can't we do something about this. Maybe there are different tires or buses out there that can handle the winter elements. I mean it has snowed, freezing rain, sleet and slush for at least 40 years, in Iowa, and you would think someone would of thought of something. I think the School District is afraid if someone was injured, or there was a major crash involving buses they would get sued, so why don't we just take the winter months off and go to school through the summer BUT wait, it gets hot in IOWA too and the kids can't be uncomfortable and sweat so that wouldn't work either.

Oh well, I will just grin and bear it :)

Everything has been figured out, except how to live.

Elf

My Cousin Clare made me this Elf a few years ago, so we are sending here a Monday Morning Greeting.
Clare, I can't believe you sent me to Iowa. It is freezing every year they get me out. I am all snuggled up in this warm little box and they unpack me and set me on this shelf to freeze. What's up with that. There is this little furry thing always smelling me, and when I look out the window there is white stuff falling from the sky. Can I please come back to California?? P....L...E...A...S....E....:)
Just kidding, I love it here. I have the best view from atop this shelf, and they give me the nicest bed to sleep in until this special season rolls around again. Have a wonderful Monday.
Love You, Your IOWA Elf

Fun with Friends

Connor & Luke

Last night we went out to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings with the Crippes Family. After we ate Lauren, myself and our boys ran over to Target. Can I tell you it was like 5 degrees out and we froze our tails off. The "Big Guys" decided to stay at BWW and watch the Iowa-Iowa St. wrestling match. Probably a smart choice on their part......

So, you can't go to Target without being a little goofy, right??? Here are Landon & Connor walking down the aisle looking cool then....

they thought they should hold hands & pretend they are "gay". So, they wondered around like this for a while, someday they may regret this picture. I told Lauren we will have to blow it up for Graduation :)

We all had a good time. I wasn't able to capture any other moments because they wandered the store on their own. I thought for sure they may even end up getting escorted out for who knows what because they were being so silly.

"Take time everyday to do something silly."
Author: Phillip Walker

Luke Basketball Tournament

We spent our Saturday, in Anamosa, at a Basketball Tournament. Luke's Team went 1-2 but I thought Luke played well. This team is driving me crazy because I don't feel like they are improving. I feel like they are getting worse. As long as Luke is enjoying the game, I don't mind but I believe he is getting frustrated.

Here is Luke driving in under the basket and he made this this one :)

Here is Luke making another shot from the opposite side.

"If you never lose then you can never appreciate the victories."