Snow Days Ending...

 I love snow days...

This photo was actually snapped a couple of days ago, but my yard still looks like this--and it is still COLD...I'm definitely not a winter type of gal! When the weather looks like this outside, I can think of every excuse in the book to stay inside where it is warm and cozy.

Of course, I can't sit still, so-------what's a girl to do? I found plenty of projects to work on while I was home...I'm always dangerous with an available can of paint (because remember, I'm not going out in the cold weather to purchase any!) I've been gradually adding more turquoise colors in my house over the past year, and I decided to use up some of that left over paint.

My sis made this for me quite a few years back out of an old window, and I just love it. I have it hanging above my fireplace...I decided to spruce it up a bit with the new paint color. You can see the navy blue color that was originally on it.

I love the way it looks-it really helps lighten and brighten the mood in the living room.

I've had extra time in the kitchen too, and that makes me happy.

I had a lot of fun making this Indian Flatbread, and it was really 

yummy. It's very versatile. You could use it as bread for your sandwich, use it for Indian Tacos, warm it up to go with your dinner, or if you've already had a full meal and just need a late night snack...

 You could warm it up and add some yummy honey to go with it...

Oh my gosh! It was so delish! I'm sure I'll be baking this 

recipe again in the near future.

Another consumer of my time is scrapping. 

Here's my 2nd page of the new year.

It's an older pic of G and M, but I don't necessarily always scrap in chronological order...and I certainly enjoy having 2 cute photogenic grandsons as my layout subjects.

Tomorrow will be "back to business" as I head back to school. A three day week will make it go by very quickly. We still have so much to accomplish this year before April---I hope my students are ready to buckle down and hit the books! 

...Create Your Dreams Everyday...I Do!

the past few days...

 

Kelsey and I went to Texas to enjoy some playtime with family. Last Thursday was G's last day of school so we showed up after he got home to surprise him! We crammed in as much as we could in 3 days: a trip to the park, swim lessons, gymnastic lessons, computer games, movies, board games, swimming at the pool, snuggle time and more! And, we may have or may not have consumed a large quantity of homemade cinnamon rolls. We were even there to join in on G's very first friend sleepover, and I'm happy to report it was a big success!

 

 

G and M playing games...

M loves to swing. They have a really cool park within walking distance
from their house, so there's no excuse not to go have some fun.

Competitive gymnastics has given G a lot of confidence.
He wanted to hang from every bar he could grab a hold of!

And, I was pleasantly surprised when we got
back home to see my hydrangeas beginning to bloom.

The trip was fun, as always. And, now that I'm back home,
I have our annual Eureka Springs Girl's Trip to look forward to.

...and then he was FOUR!

I'm still behind on posting pictures, but these were so cute I couldn't resist. M turned 4 in December-my, oh, my....where has the time gone? I think they enjoyed playing with the balloons as much as anything. Having the large open space in the new house gave them a lot of room to toss and chase...

...they stayed busy corralling the balloons while mommy and daddy set up for the cookie decorating party...

I think my fave pics from the party were of G waiting for M to blow out his candles. You can see the excitement and anticipation on his face, watching his little brother...

G gets beyond excited and can hardly wait for surprises & celebrations. While M is all about having fun, he is a lot more relaxed-just chillin' and taking it all in... 

I think M is concentrating on making his wish here, he looks so serious as we sing "Happy Birthday" to him...                     

 ...and he blows out the candles!

Not too sure why such a serious face here, but fun was had by all! Happy Birthday to sweet M!

Sometimes...

sometimes when you go to nienie's you
get to play on the computer...

and sometimes there are two computers so you
don't have to share...

and sometimes the room is messy, because
nienie was busy playing too...

and sometimes you get tired of the computer
and have to move on to nienie's iphone:-)...

and sometimes marley thinks maybe you will take a
break soon and play with her in the backyard...

...and sometimes you just give up and take a nap!

a Valentine surprise...

I get to see my grandson's tomorrow! They made the trip to Deda's house for the weekend so I'm heading that way tomorrow to spend the day with them. Since I won't be with them on Valentine's Day I decided to put together a little "heart" treat to take to them. That way I won't have to mail it to them:)



I've had a box of multi-colored DVD envelopes for quite a while, I just knew I would find a good use for them some day...Here's what I put together...I cut a piece of card stock a teeny bit smaller than the envelope...

...slipped the card stock into a sandwich baggie...added some M&M's to cover the top...flipped the envelope over to the back side...

press gently to get the air out of the baggie...seal the baggie...fold the top edge over snugly--tape down the edges...fold over the side in the same way and adhere with more tape...

Flip it back over to view the front, carefully slide it into the envelope...seal the edge of the envelope with more tape...

Voila! isn't that a cute presentation:)

I put their card on the back and secured the two together with some twine...can't wait to give it to them tomorrow:)

Happy early Valentine's Day!

A very Merry time...

As always, I had a great time during the holidays celebrating with family. Several days were spent in Carrollton visiting the girls and grandsons. This is the first year I didn't take tons of pictures, the boys were so involved in their games and toys, I wanted to play along, too! Jamie was the gracious hostess, as always, and we had a great time relaxing, eating, playing, and visiting. Here are a few pics from Christmas day. You'll notice the "big" kids' pics missing---they were there all right, they just weren't too keen on having their pictures taken!

G and Dada figuring out the new game...

Mama and M playing his game...

G "ooo-hhhing" and "aaahhh-ing" over something:)

G admiring some new clothes...

M with a new train set...

So much fun...

M playing "drums" with mom's new salad set...

Reading a new book...

And, still having a fun time figuring out how to play his newest games...

These 2 boys are growing up way too fast! Can't wait until our next visit. I look forward to seeing what the new year brings to our family!

...still celebrating

Here are a few more pics of the birthday "weekend" for sweet little M....he adores Spider-Man, so of course we didn't want to disappoint this cute little fellow...This next picture really cracks me up, it shows his reaction to mommy and daddy's big present for him as they came around the corner with it...he was beyond excitement!

...Happy Boy! He couldn't wait to get his hands on it. It's the cutest Fire House Station you've ever seen, complete with a workout room and potty:)

It's as close to a doll house as Jamie is going to get...but, seriously it was the coolest thing, full of furniture, exercise equipment, emergency vehicles, ect. They will play with it for hours.

I think the entire family will have fun...

Daddy even helped arrange some of the furniture:)

His favorite piece out of the entire set up was this cute little dalmation puppy! He started carrying it everywhere with him. He opened so many gifts I'm not sure where we're going to put all of the Christmas presents! I'll finish up in a couple of days with more pics from the gymnatics party!