Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween!

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Landon carved this pumpkin all by himself. I’m not sure if you can see it very well, but it says Boo with a ghost around it. I thought he did a great job, and he was extremely proud!

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Zoe dressed up as one of the Jabbawockeez and her mask totally freaked me out. It was just weird that you couldn’t see any emotion on her face…creepy.

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Both kids did a little trick-or-treating this year, but our neighborhood didn’t seem as busy as it has in the past so they mostly just stayed home and helped give out candy and help Tony with his “scene”.

Landon had more fun staying home handing out candy than he did trick-or-treating, and he sat out on the front porch until all the candy was handed out. Happy Halloween! IMG_7744

Friday, October 30, 2009

Halloween Parade

Today was Landon’s Halloween Parade at school. The kids really look forward to doing this every year, they just love to see what everyone else is wearing.

This year they were allowed to bring their masks and wear them during the parade, and I almost didn’t recognize Landon when he came walking by! I’m glad they let them wear their masks, because every year Landon wants to be something scary, and it’s hard to be scary without a mask.

Especially when your as cute as he is!

At the beginning of the clip he asks me if he got his mask on right, I know it sounds garbled on the video. He was so worried he was going to put it on wrong!

Did you notice the kid showing me his painted fingernails?

Well, I thought he was flipping me the bird there for a second…good thing I looked up from the camera screen and realized he was just showing me his punk rock fingernail polish, cuz’ I wasn’t too happy thinking that some 3rd grader had just flipped me off! 

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Pumpkin Carving

I think the pumpkin’s we bought this year must be the biggest one’s we’ve ever gotten, and boy were they heavy and thick!!! It made carving quite a chore, especially since we chose to go the detailed route. I was the only one who finished tonight, and it turned out awesome! IMG_7643IMG_7648IMG_7677IMG_7660 IMG_7692

I know the last picture is blurry, but I was just too lazy to go inside and get my tripod out…maybe tomorrow or Saturday I’ll get out there and try again. 

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Paper Roses

These pictures are from our first day on vacation, back in June when we went to Massanutten. We always make a stop at Woodstone Deli for pizza, and while we were waiting Tony gave the kids lessons on making paper roses.

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I’ve had those rub-on flowers for years, and never knew what to do with them…this felt like the perfect layout to use them!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Duck…Duck…Goose!

While I was out taking pictures of the fabulous Zoe yesterday, I also took a few photo’s of the geese. As we walked around the lake there were tons of geese, and they weren’t moving just because we were walking by, so I thought I’d try to get some shots of them…

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I’m not sure what they do to the water out there, but it has to be the bluest water on the planet. (Although, in the first picture, you'd never guess it!) Whatever it is, it sure makes these photo’s pop! I haven’t done anything to these pictures either, they are straight from the camera!  

And, in case your wondering, yes, I am grasping at straws on what to blog about this week! I’m fresh outta material, but I’m not giving up on my once a day post…not with only a few days left in this month!

Lord only knows what weirdness I’ll be posting about tomorrow!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Photo Shoot

I figured since I took a bunch of pictures after Landon’s doctor appointment last week, that I should also take a bunch of Zoe after her appointment this week.

Here are a few of my favorites:

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I know the first one is a little washed out, but her expression is great and she was laughing so I know the smile is genuine. IMG_7564IMG_7591IMG_7627

We took countless photo’s and fortunately for me almost every single one of them was awesome!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

boing

It took me quite a few tries to figure out how I was going to use this series of photos, but I knew I didn’t want it to be just a strip of photos going across the page like so many other layout’s I do. So, I slightly angled these shots, and I think it kind of gives it a sense of movement…what do you think?

I’m happy with the end result, and I’m out of pages to share, so I hope to get some scrapping done tonight!

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Saturday, October 24, 2009

Hello, Bonjour, Buenos Dias

This past week Landon had grandparent’s day at his school. Unfortunately his Mema has been super busy and stressed and she completely forgot about going to his school Friday morning. She was extremely upset that she forgot to go, but Landon told her it was ok, and that he didn’t think it was as fun as in the past anyways.

He did go ahead and sing us the song that he’d been practicing, and he even let me get it on tape!

Landon's Hello Song

That obnoxious sound in the background is my dog running around. She was sliding all over the floor and jumping on people trying to get a treat!

Friday, October 23, 2009

Going out with a bang!

Last night was Zoe’s final JV soccer game. The girls were on FIRE! They were so ready to kick butt, and they did just that! The score ended up being 4-1, and their record for the season was 8-3-1. They did so much better than last year and Zoe was really dreading the end of soccer season this year, she said she just wasn’t ready for it to be over.

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If it helps at all, she’s number 5 in the photo’s. I know it’s hard to see these pictures much less pick out which one Zoe is! I love that last shot of her heading the ball! I have seen a drastic improvement in the way Zoe played soccer this season and I think she has a great chance of playing for varsity next year. 

It’s a good thing last night was the final game though because Zoe ended up getting hurt! Somehow she twisted the wrong way and ended up pulling a muscle in her back! She went down in serious pain and we didn’t even get to stay for the varsity game and tailgate afterwards. Zoe was pretty bummed about that, but she had seriously hurt her back.

Now that soccer is over it looks like she’ll be running indoor track, which is new to all of us this year. I can’t wait to see how it works! Once Landon finishes soccer he plans on trying indoor soccer. He’s always watched his dad and sister play indoor and now he’s ready to give it a try! We just go from one busy season to the next!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Metal Mouth

Today was Landon’s big day. He’s been slightly nervous/excited about getting his braces since the day he was told he was going to need them. I picked him up from school at 10:45 so that I could take him out to lunch before his appointment. He wanted to eat at Noodles and Company and I thought that was a great idea!

After lunch we headed over to Party City to see if they had anything to help Landon become a scary scarecrow for Halloween, but they didn’t so we went on our way to the dentist office. They took us back right away and he was finished in one hour flat! In the spirit of Halloween, Landon chose orange and black bands to go on his braces. I know it’s hard to see in these pictures, but they’re there!

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I figured it was too late for him to go back to school so I took him out to a park so that I could get some pictures of him. The trees looked so pretty with all the fall colors!

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Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Rockingham Racer

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It’s a good thing I’ve been scrapping because I have absolutely nothing else to talk about! Tomorrow should be interesting though since Landon is getting braces and Zoe has her final soccer game of the season. It’s going to be a busy day, that’s for sure!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Jump On In

I finished another scrapbook page! I feel like I’m finally getting back into the scrapping thing, and it feels great! Now I just have to figure out how to stay motivated…

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The paper is made by Cosmo Cricket and is called Snorkel. I think it might be my favorite paper kit ever! It sure has helped me get some pages done from the summer, and I’m liking the way they’re turning out! I’ve already got another one done using this paper line, but I’ll save it for tomorrow!

Monday, October 19, 2009

Shrinky-Dinks

When was the last time you played with shrinky-dinks? Landon wanted to see how they worked, so this past weekend we found a little time to make them.

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He traced a pumpkin, airplane, dolphin and bone and freehanded the ( long skinny piece) water (for the dolphin) and an ant. My favorite was the ant…if only you could see how stinkin’ cute it is! I think his favorite part was watching them curl up in the oven!

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Here they are after about 2 minutes:

IMG_7457If you click on the photo you may be able to see that ant a little better. Seriously, it is really cute!

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We didn’t stop at just 6 though, Landon had big plans and spent another good 1/2 hour making all kinds of goodies to shrink.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

sophomore

I couldn’t make Landon’s first day of school page without making one for Zoe!

Here it is:

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We actually took the pictures for her first day the day before school started. It’s dark in the morning when she leaves, and I wasn’t very happy with the picture I got last year, so we got smart this time around!

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Kathy’s Cinnamon Breakfast Cake

Last week when I made my trip out to Sam's I found this book and I just had to have it because I have made so many cakes out of one of her other books.

It’s been raining here for the past 3 days, so that gave me the perfect opportunity to whip one up! Let me just tell you, this thing smells heavenly while it’s baking. It smells like there’s a giant cinnamon roll baking in your oven and it filled the whole kitchen with a cinnamony smell!

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I think that it turned out really pretty, and it tastes just as good as it smells! I think it actually tastes a lot like a cinnamon roll. I’m thinking I might have to wrap some up for the neighbors or I might actually eat the whole thing!

Friday, October 16, 2009

third

I’m finally getting around to making the kid’s first day of school pages. I’ve had that apple paper sitting around here for ages, so I figured I’d just go ahead and use it, so really this page is based more off the paper than the pictures or colors!

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I’m happy with the way it turned out, it seems that the simpler the better sometimes! The colors on here are a little off because it’s dark and gloomy here today and I had to brighten it up a bit with the computer, those yellow apples don’t actually glow in real life!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring…

It’s pouring rain, and chilly out. I think it’s in the mid 40’s, but with the rain and dark clouds all day, it feels cooler. Today is the first day I turned on the heat, but I waited as long as possible!

I have to admit that I actually like this weather. Not so much going out in it, but just staying in at night, warm and cozy in the house with everyone here doing their thing. Tonight that means I’m chatting on Facebook, working on a scrapbook page and catching up on some shows on the DVR.

Tony and Landon are playing on the computer and Zoe fell asleep at about 8:15! The kids don’t have school tomorrow, so I guess she is using this opportunity to catch up on some zzz’s! I would too if I got up as early as she did every day!

Landon got his spacers in today too, so I’m just hoping they stay put until he gets his braces next Thursday. He said his mouth was a little sore, but for the most part I think he’s forgotten about them.

The weather isn’t supposed to be much better tomorrow, so I’m looking forward to another night in! Yay!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

these two

I’m slowly trying to get back into scrapbooking regularly, but it is quite a challenge for me right now for some reason. I did finish a page though, with the help of a sketch in Creating Keepsakes Nov. 2009 issue.

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The sketch provided the sizes for all the paper, so all I had to do was choose paper and then cut it to size for this one photo layout. I already had the picture printed so it only took about 20 minutes total. 

The journaling reads:

these two

-are goofy.

-are growing up fast.

-fight a lot.

-love to watch movies together.

-know how to push each other’s buttons.

- say the funniest things.

-make me proud to be their mother.

- are hard workers.

-like playing soccer.

- enjoy hanging out with their family.

-are the apple(s) of my eye!

Most of my pages, the one’s I create without guidance, don’t look anything like this, but it is another page done! I may try to use a few more sketches just to get myself going again.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Uniquely You…

barcode

Yep, that’s right, I have my own barcode! Tony posted an article about this on Facebook, and of course I just had to have my own!

Did you know that the barcode just celebrated it’s 57th anniversary last week? (October 7th to be exact) I can’t even imagine a world without barcodes. How the heck did people shop before 1952? Can you imagine relying on tags for everything you buy? Half the stores I shop in don’t have the prices actually on the products!

Anyways, if you want to make one of your very own, click here!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Tish, this one’s for you…

As wrong as this is, I am posting this just to prove to my sister that I got this on video…

I cut a lot out of the video, but that’s the gist of it. We were all trying to decide if it was a he or a she, or just born both…guess we’ll never know!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Cinghiale-Osteria

Last night Tony and I went out to celebrate our birthday’s. We decided to try out a new restaurant, Cinghiale-Osteria in Baltimore. The chef/owners of Cinghiale also own Pazo, one of our favorite restaurants to hit when we are going out sans kiddos. We had a great time, and the food was awesome! Here are a few photo’s from the night:

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That’s Landon’s head at the bottom right of that last picture…he just can’t stand that Tony and I want to get our picture together, without him. He kept jumping in, and was being a real stinker. He doesn’t like it when Tony and I hug without squeezing him in the middle of us either…he just need’s to feel the love I guess!

Before we left last night, after picture taking and all, Landon made an observation about me that was pretty hilarious. He said:

“Mom, you look like a woman.”

Just matter of fact like that. We all laughed of course, but he just didn’t know why that was funny. I guess to him, I’m just plain old mom…not a woman!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Random

I just wanted to post a few random photo’s we took last night during/after dinner. Some of them are pretty cute, like this one of Zoe modeling her straw:

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And this one of Tony and Zoe:

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And this one of Tony, Zoe and Landon:

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And then there was this one that Zoe took of Tony, Landon and I:

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Too bad none of the shots Landon took came out. He’s crazy with the camera though! Just snappin’ away, or taking way too long to actually take the picture, we just never know what to expect so we’re blinking/talking/laughing hysterically in all of them…and they’re terrible!

Oh, and speaking of Landon, here’s another Landonism from the other day. We were watching the movie Finding Nemo the other day when he was home sick. Near the end of the movie he looks at me and asks: “I forget, is this a true story, or not?”

Ha! I about peed myself…but quietly because he gets so upset when I laugh about something he’s asked. He’s just a little sensitive these days! I just answered that no, it wasn’t a true story, at least not to my knowledge!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Happy Birthday Tony!

Happy Birthday to my dear, sweet husband! Look how red his face looks…must be the heat from all those candles!

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We went out to Fuji Steakhouse for dinner, and then came back to the house for cake and a few gifts to open. I got Tony a new DS game that was on his wish list as well as some new house/night clothes. Somehow, amongst the sick kids and hours not feeling well myself, I also managed to bake a cake and make him this cute card:

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I got the idea for this card out of Paper Crafts magazine, July/August 2009.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

3rd Grade Cutie

I finished this today while Landon was home with a fever/stomach bug.

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I think he’s finally coming around, but only as I start to feel a bit crappy myself. Hopefully it won’t turn into anything, but we’ll see.

This picture was taken just before school started, and was to document his new 3rd grade haircut.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Turning 33

For my birthday this year, the kids both decided it would be the perfect day for them to get sick and stay home from school. At this very moment both of them are lying on the couch watching a movie, something I thought I might do today…oh-well.

Instead of whining about what I could have done today, I’ll use this time to list 33 things that are making me happy right now.

  1. My wonderful, caring, sweetheart of a husband. Not only does he go to work every day to take care of us, he’s also an excellent cook, a great soccer player, a dedicated student and a terrific father and friend. What more could I ask for?
  2. Zoe. Not only is Zoe one of the smartest, most dedicated students I have ever encountered, she is also a super soccer player and remarkably beautiful. Inside and out. I am lucky to be able to call her my daughter.
  3. Landon. I am so proud to have such a sweet, caring little boy. A boy who does his absolute best in school, on the soccer/baseball field as well as at home. I am very lucky to be able to call him my son.
  4. My parents. Being a parent myself certainly makes me appreciate all the grief I put them through as a teen. I recognize now how great they were while I was growing up, and how they were always behind me, rooting me on.
  5. My sister LaTisha. I can remember playing with her as a small child, drifting  apart somewhat as I turned into a teen, and then growing back together as adults. I am impressed that my sister was able to overcome all of her hardships, and become the beautiful woman she is today.
  6. My brother Kyle. As much as I couldn’t stand him as a teen (we’re 8 years apart) I now see how cool he really is. He amazes me with his guitar skills (real and on Guitar Hero!) with his artistic ability and how he can say the sweetest things when I least expect it.
  7. Jaron. I feel like as far as nephew’s come, I’ve hit the jackpot. I just love that kid. He’s smart, sweet and good looking too. He’s just a great kid all around.
  8. Ginger, our dog. She’s a cute little lhasapoo (lhasa apso/poodle mix) that just loves to play, give kisses and snuggle on the couch. Giving her a treat or throwing her rope is all it takes to get her love.
  9. Reality TV. What would I watch if it weren’t for Hell’s Kitchen, Survivor, So You Think You Can Dance, and Flipping Out?
  10. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies. I see another batch of these in my future.
  11. Handmade birthday cards. Store bought birthday cards. E-cards. E-mails wishing me a happy birthday. Facebook happy birthdays. Myspace happy birthdays.
  12. Fall soccer. I know this sounds like a stretch for me, but really I can’t imagine a fall without soccer. Watching my kids play always makes me proud.
  13. Hot chocolate. From Dunkin Donuts. With whipped cream on top.
  14. New sweatpants. In 3 colors. Blue, Black and Grey.
  15. Acting silly with the kids. Like dancing around the kitchen to Elvis songs or racing Landon to the bus stop in the morning.
  16. Taking pictures.
  17. Scrapbooking the photo’s I take and documenting all the big and little moments in our lives.
  18. My truck. Yeah, it has some issues, but it has been a good truck and I’ll miss it a little when we trade it in.
  19. Pedicures. I love a good pedicure.
  20. Broccoli and Cheese soup in homemade bread bowls. Yum.
  21. Going out with my husband, alone. We don’t have to go anywhere special, but it’s always nice to just have some me and him time. Even if it is at the grocery store.
  22. Kohl’s. Seriously, I love that store. I can always get exactly what I want or need there…which is also sometimes a problem! ;)
  23. New shoes. I HATE shoe shopping, but it’s always nice to have the right pair of shoes for whatever I’m wearing.
  24. Pazo. Tony and I have eaten there a couple times, and we always really enjoy their food as well as the atmosphere. It is a really cool restaurant!
  25. Sifting through old family photos.
  26. Watching homemade videos. But, only a little at a time, because they tend to make me cry.
  27. Going to the gym. I’m enjoying setting small goals for myself and then actually reaching them and making friends at the same time.
  28. Foot massages. My feel kill, especially after the gym.
  29. Computer games. Zuma, Sims 3 and those dumb games on facebook to name a few.
  30. Fall scented candles. Especially pumpkin and vanilla.
  31. New carpeting. My house just looks tons better.
  32. The leaves changing colors. Every day I seem to notice it just a bit more.
  33. Children’s Tylenol, Motrin and Dayquil. For the two sicko’s on the couch.

This may not be the most memorable or exciting birthday ever, but I do have a lot to be thankful for everyday.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

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I love all things pumpkin! Pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pie, pumpkin patches…for some reason, pumpkins just represent the best of fall to me. So, today, I just had to try out baking these cookies.

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You can find the recipe for these AWESOME cookies here. These are terribly good, and I will definitely be making them again. But first, I have a chocolate chip pumpkin bread I’m going to try!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Play that Funky Music

I’ve been meaning to find this picture of Zoe. I’ve been wanting to find it because in my mind, I can remember her practicing her instrument at the kitchen table after school, with her itty bitty glasses and snaggle tooth smile. Too bad the only pictures I have of her actually playing are at her concerts! (I sure wish I had some Photoshop skills to clean up this picture a bit! I just wasn’t into taking a zillion pictures a day like I am now, so really this is the best one I’ve got!)

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Way back when she was in the third grade (2003!) she really wanted to play the violin. She played for the entire third grade year, but she hated practicing so much that she gave it up. She had a hard time with the concept that to play an instrument well, you had to practice. It didn’t end up being all that she had hoped, but I was proud of her for giving it a try.

Now, fast forward to 2009 and Landon also wanted to be in band.

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He chose the viola, because, well, why not? He and his friend decided that they would both play the viola, sit in the back row (in case they weren’t any good) and have a great time. So far, it seems like they are having fun with it. Landon likes to practice and he loves Tuesdays and Wednesdays because those are the two days he has band!

I wish I knew then what I know about capturing these important moments. Just the regular day to day stuff that we all take for granted…after all, they just don’t last very long.

April Fools Pranks

The two little kids made me laugh yesterday morning.  I was upstairs getting things ready for school when I heard them talking about how ...