Where my boys at?

another beautiful night at the lake

2011-09-16T17:20:00.001-05:00

Sat sunset, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Don't be crabby...

2011-08-29T08:11:00.001-05:00

Don't be crabby..., originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

"Long Legs"

2011-08-19T10:59:00.001-05:00

13.5 years old, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

So according to a friend of mine, to estimate how tall your kids will be, you take their height at 2 years old, double it and add two inches. J was 36.5 inches tall at 2 yrs old.
So we're looking at 6 feet 1 inch when it's all said and done. Wow. :)

The Fourth was Fun

2011-07-08T10:50:00.002-05:00

I have too many photos from the weekend to upload here, so here's just a few of the sparkler shots. :)

BIG score!

2011-06-13T13:34:00.001-05:00

big score!, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

wooo hoooo!

new bike

2011-05-20T09:43:00.003-05:00

Jacob's new bike, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Obviously he does not want his picture taken because
1) he's 13
2) he knows it will be on Flickr,
and
3) it may show up on Facebook. :)

Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-20T09:43:00.001-05:00

Mother's Day 2011, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

A nice day all around. :)

3 boys @ the beach

2011-04-15T07:52:00.003-05:00

3 boys @ the beach, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Sunset

2011-04-15T07:52:00.001-05:00

sunset, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Beach Boys

2011-04-15T07:51:00.003-05:00

walking on the beach, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Golfin' Pirates

2011-04-15T07:51:00.001-05:00

golfin' pirates, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Sea World

2011-04-15T07:50:00.001-05:00

Untitled, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Super fun day was had by all. :)

7 Days :: day 7

2011-04-05T09:08:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 7, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

If everyone "thinks Spring" we may get some up here. So please, help a girl out. :)

7 Days :: day 6

2011-03-25T07:20:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 6, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

I spent the afternoon at my kids' school makin' copies, reading with kids, and creating these flag banners. I'll be putting them up in a display case to promote our upcoming book fair.

It was nice that I had the whole room to myself because I tend to spread all of my projects everywhere. Today was no exception. My stuff was everywhere. Kinda like at home.

7 Days :: day 5 :: theme "up"

2011-03-24T09:36:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 5 :: theme "up", originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Well, I had thought that the snow had let up. . .

Once I got outside, I realized that I was wrong. A big gust of snowy wind blew into my face just after I snapped this photo.

Snowed all night last night, and literally all day today. Hubby says we got 14-16 inches.

We were this close to Spring. :(

7 Days :: day 4

2011-03-24T09:35:00.003-05:00

7 Days :: day 4, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Say hello to my little friend.

She's just like me. Lots of wrinkles and smudged lipstick. :)

(I will try harder tomorrow. Promise)

7 Days :: day 3

2011-03-24T09:35:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 3, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

The more I messed up my hair, the better the photos looked. Go figure.

For sure not the most flattering photo of me.... but I love the background. My crazy mug just happens to be there too.

7 Days :: day 2 :: theme "down"

2011-03-24T09:34:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 2 :: theme "down", originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

uh oh.
I'm down to 5 jelly beans. Someone please send reinforcements immediately!

(actually, those 5 were gobbled up before the photo was uploaded...I have zero will-power when it comes to jelly beans.)

7 Days :: day 1

2011-03-19T17:23:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 1, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Spring Thaw
At the edge of our pond. Water is up onto the grassy bank.
If you look really close, you can see my reflection in that bubble. ;)

Countdown to FL 2011

2011-02-02T16:39:00.004-06:00

Flights are booked.
Condo is reserved.
Car rental is placed.

Three excited boys need to wait over 60 days until we leave.
Let the count down begin!

Family Christmas Photo 2010

2011-01-06T16:47:00.005-06:00

All smiling!

Only took about 18 tries.

:)

Christmas card picture 2010

2011-01-06T16:42:00.001-06:00

2010 Christmas card picture, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Three boys in the snow.
Three HAPPY boys in the snow.

:)

13

2010-12-04T15:20:00.001-06:00

Jacob is 13!, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

What? A teenager?

It's ok. I'm not afraid.

I love you J!

5 x 2

2010-11-16T12:26:00.002-06:00

Are you kidding me??
Five years old already?

I love you two goofballs.
Happy Birthday.

Air Jacob

2010-11-06T12:23:00.001-05:00

Air Jacob, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Our Halloweenies

2010-11-01T11:06:00.001-05:00

Our Halloweenies, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Spiderman, Chuck & Iron Man

Rocked the socks off of the neighborhood.
Fun night.

Proud x 3

2010-10-17T14:28:00.007-05:00

So, this one can run a mile in about 12 minutes. Which amazes me every time I see him run.

And this one is two-wheelin' it as of today. Mr. Determination, I call him.

And this one makes me smile all day, every day.

Very blessed, I am.

Sunset

2010-10-14T10:39:00.001-05:00

sunset light on clouds, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Some days I wish I lived in an open field so I could capture more sunsets.

Tonight was not one of those days.

Same height :)

2010-10-13T16:33:00.001-05:00

backyard boys, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

E&M 60 months
J 156 months

Yellow mushroom

2010-10-03T21:00:00.006-05:00

Found on our recent walk in the woods.
Turns out it's poisonous.

But it sure is pretty.

Sunny Day

2010-09-14T07:34:00.004-05:00

boys @ sunset

2010-08-10T09:06:00.001-05:00

boys @ sunset, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

another beautiful evening at the lake.

Please note the sign in the background

2010-08-05T07:30:00.001-05:00

please note the sign in the background, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

awww, but Mom... everyone's doing it!

Success on the first try!

2010-07-20T22:04:00.001-05:00

GO! He's up! FIRST TRY!, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Amazing.
:)

Memorial Day Weekend

2010-06-01T07:27:00.003-05:00

Fun...
Games....

Fishing!

Success

2010-05-21T08:38:00.003-05:00

Our first camping trip of the season was a success.
Grass is growing. Shoreline looks good. Firepit has been dug. Camper is set.
We can't wait to spend a long weekend "up at the lake".
:)

Mother's Day

2010-05-11T07:45:00.001-05:00

Mother's Day, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Happy day. Lovely gifts, breakfast per my request, a trip to Fleet Farm, & steak for dinner. What more could a gal ask for?
Thanks guys. I love you.

7 Days :: day 7

2010-03-27T09:42:00.003-05:00

7 Days :: day 7, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

We got to the Y a little early today, so I let the munchkins loose in the van to wait it out.

7Days :: day 6

2010-03-27T09:42:00.001-05:00

7Days :: day 6, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Wiped out. Laying on the floor in the living room. Long day.
This was all I could muster.

7Days :: day 5 :: theme -- dinner

2010-03-25T13:01:00.001-05:00

7Days :: day 5 :: theme -- dinner, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

This a very literal take on the theme.

Here we are eating dinner.

We eat dinner as a family seven days out of the week. My hubby was lucky tonight as we had just sat down to eat when he got home from work--his food was still warm.

He was also thrilled that I was taking photos during dinner.

7Days :: day 4

2010-03-23T14:20:00.001-05:00

7Days :: day 4, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

I found something shiny... right in my own driveway.

7 Days :: day 3

2010-03-22T16:50:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 3, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Wanna know what's flowing through my veins today?
Mucinex (for congestion)
Azithromycin (for ear infection)
Sudafed (to relieve the pressure in my ear)
Tylenol (see above)

Meds have now taken effect and I feel invincible.
Moms do not get sick.
I am woman, hear me roar.

A nap sounds good too.

7 Days :: day 2 :: theme-style

2010-03-22T16:49:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 2 :: theme-style, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

I struggled with this theme today...

Mainly because I have no style. No style in clothing, no style in decorating... Nada. Nothing. Zip. Ask anyone who knows me personally. I never know what I look good in or what would look good on me. I'm soooo much fun to shop with...

SO this is a great example of my clothing style: jeans and a white shirt. I usually wear turtlenecks, but today it got above 45*F so I went wild. Go me.

7Days :: day 1

2010-03-21T07:52:00.001-05:00

7Days :: day 1, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

A friend of ours was boiling sap so immediately I thought "Hey, that would make a great 7Day picture!" They know me well enough not to think I was crazy taking self-portraits in front of the boiling pan. :)

(when you boil tree sap down far enough it's maple syrup!)

Ice fishing takes patience

2010-03-09T07:24:00.001-06:00

ice fishing takes patience, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

and at least one hand in a hole.
:)

Midwest Ham Chowda

2010-03-03T16:34:00.004-06:00

This is an incredible soup. Warm, cheesy, rich with flavor. YUM.
Perfect for using up your left-over Easter ham.
I adapted it to be gluten free. The original can be found here: http://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/soups/midwest-ham-chowder/

Enjoy!

Midwest Ham Chowder
6 main-dish servings
Cook: 25 minutes
Prep: 25 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups water
2 cups chopped potatoes
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup GF flour mix of your choice (I use Tom Sawyer)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups milk (skim works just fine)
2-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 15-ounce can cream-style corn
2 cups cubed cooked ham

Directions

1. In a large saucepan or pot, combine water, potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

2. For cheese sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt butter or margarine. Stir in flour and pepper. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.

3. Add cheese to sauce and cook and stir until melted. Add cheese sauce to vegetable mixture. Stir in corn and ham. Heat through, but don't boil. Ladle into soup bowls and top with additional pepper, if you like. Makes 6 main-dish servings.

Nutrition Note: Reduce the fat and sodium in this cheesy soup by using less cheese and ham.

March 1st

2010-03-01T13:56:00.001-06:00

hiding behind Frosty, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

and the snow is still here.

Bedtime cuties

2010-02-04T12:31:00.003-06:00

E&M 50 months old/Jacob 12 yrs old

Brrrr

2010-01-26T17:07:00.001-06:00

Cold Mommy, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

...and it's only gonna get colder, or so they say. My normal 3 layers may not cut it this week.

Hello? Anyone there?

2010-01-14T16:18:00.005-06:00

tap tap tap
Is this thing on?
If anyone out there is actually following this blog, comment so I know and can say "hi" back.
:)

Opposites

2010-01-12T10:00:00.006-06:00

Here's yet another example how different my twins are.

E's a "gamer"...

M's a "reader"...

But I'd imagine M would be a "gamer" too if he could get it away from E.
:)

2010 resolutions

2010-01-04T08:58:00.011-06:00

My past resolutions have never stuck.
Even this list of 7 seems like too many to keep, but it's worth a try.

1. Ass: reduce it. (I gained 10 pounds in 2009) My plan is this: move more, eat late less. Maybe try an appetite suppressant.

2. Kids: smile at them more, give them more things to do outside the home, let them explore more.

3. Husband: try to keep my nagging to a minimum no matter how much I feel the need.

4. Cash: save it. (see #5)

5. House: clean it myself.

6. Friends: make time see them more often.

7. Photos: get up-to-date on the photo albums (I'm over a year behind in printing)

I will re-evaluate in April to see how I'm doing.

Blog entry idea "borrowed" from http://mandajuice.typepad.com/.

A month late

2010-01-03T16:31:00.003-06:00

Wish we could have used this for our Christmas card.

Christmas Day

2009-12-26T16:30:00.001-06:00

Christmas Day, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Three happy kids. That's all I wanted for Christmas this year.

7Days :: day 6

2009-12-26T16:29:00.004-06:00

7Days :: day 6, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Reading one more Christmas book before heading to bed.
Santa's coming!

7Days :: day 7

2009-12-26T16:29:00.003-06:00

7Days :: day 7, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

--Late on Christmas Day--
Kids are in bed. Lights are turned down low.
I'm tired. Starting to get a cold.
I'm not thrilled with my last 7Day photo, but it's all I can muster after a fun/busy/happy Christmas Day.

7Days :: day 5

2009-12-24T14:30:00.001-06:00

7Days :: day 5, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Pretzel sticks + melted chocolate chips + sprinkles = easy treat for small fingers to make.

We made these this morning for the little boys' Christmas party at school today. They loved the dipping and rolling. I stayed calm when things got messy, which made the whole project much more enjoyable.

7Days :: day 4

2009-12-23T11:34:00.001-06:00

7Days :: day 4, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Look at those two little elves helping Mommy shovel the driveway. So sweet. (They're actually trying to uncover the basketball hoop stand--they were successful, btw.)

We're getting ready for the big storm that's supposed hit us on Christmas Eve/Day.

Bring it on, Mr. Weather Guy. Bring. It. On.

7 Days :: day 3

2009-12-22T08:12:00.001-06:00

7 Days :: day 3, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

(sorry for the poor quality--that's my finger in the bottom left corner)

There's a deer in my yard!

My hubby puts corn out for the deer in the winter. He also installed the light (on a timer) so we can watch them.

The deer are often eating the corn while we are eating our dinner. Tonight we're having tacos. Do you think deer like tacos?

7 Days :: day 2 :: Treat

2009-12-20T17:49:00.001-06:00

7 Days :: day 2 :: Treat, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

I decided to treat myself to a new pair of earrings.

They were created by a good friend of mine. She makes beautiful one-of-a-kind jewelry.

I thought these earrings would be appropriate for the snowy winter we've been having, but it hasn't snowed since they arrived. Go figure!

7 Days :: day 1

2009-12-20T13:44:00.001-06:00

7 Days :: day 1, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Guess who's been baking?!

They are Peanut Butter Blossoms andGluten Free!!!! That's why I'm smiling and why my jeans don't fit anymore...

My oldest turned 12

2009-12-04T12:51:00.001-06:00

Birthday Boy, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Happy Birthday J!
We love you very much and hope you had a great birthday!

Make a wish and blow!

2009-12-01T08:37:00.001-06:00

blow!, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

4th Birthday Boys

2009-11-17T16:49:00.001-06:00

4th Birthday Boys, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Happy Birthday to my little boys!
I hope you had a fun day.
I love you very much.
Love,
Mommy

Just under 4 years ago

2009-11-14T22:07:00.001-06:00

day 16--30 Tiny Moments set, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Here's my belly with Eric & Matthew inside. At that time, we called them Mac & Cheese. We didn't know there sexes until the day of their birth.

I can't believe they're gonna be 4.
Wow.

But I don't act 40

2009-11-09T07:54:00.011-06:00

So, I turned 40 on Saturday.
Turned out to be not that big of a deal.

The day started out with hugs and kisses from my boys. J couldn't wait for me to open up my presents and I wasn't gonna turn away presents!

C made breakfast which included a HUGE mushroom and cheese omelet for me. YUM.

Then everyone promptly left the kitchen and headed outside. Back to reality for me.

I then baked my own birthday cake. A Betty Crocker gluten free devil's food cake in my new giant cupcake pan. I did not have enough batter to completely fill the bottom half of the cupcake so the end result looked more like a short mushroom rather than a GIANT cupcake... oh well. It tasted awesome.

That evening, we went to our niece's 6th birthday party. After singing "happy birthday" to her, the group proceeded to sing it to me... with me having to sing "I'm forty years old..." Turns out, I'm not afraid of public singing. Who knew?

Happy Fall, ya all!

2009-10-28T20:58:00.001-05:00

4 of us, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

7Days :: day 7

2009-10-09T20:56:00.001-05:00

7Days :: day 7, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

I love my backyard.
In the spring it's fresh with new buds.
In the summer it's shady and cool.
In the fall it's gorgeous.
In the winter it's crisp and snow covered.
I love my backyard.

7 Days :: day 6

2009-10-09T20:55:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 6, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

No exciting story to tell here.
Just waiting for my little boys to be done with school.
Can you see me?
If you squint at the picture you may see another face... see that one?

7 Days :: day 5 :: theme "night"

2009-10-08T13:04:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 5 :: theme "night", originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Tri-pod? check.
Remote? check.
Dark night? check.
Cold outside? check.
In your jammies? you betcha!

7Days :: day 4

2009-10-07T10:36:00.001-05:00

7Days :: day 4, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Boys wanted to snuggle after school and I'm all for laying down in the middle of the day!
I told them "pretend you are sleeping" and this is what they gave me.
Sweet little peanuts.

7 Days :: day 3

2009-10-07T10:35:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 3, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

All's quiet in the house. I'm reading. Thinking. Processing.
The quiet lasted only 2 hours, but at least I got my homework done.

7 Days :: Day 2

2009-10-04T19:20:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: Day 2, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Theme for day 2 - - writing

Alternate title: Got boys?

I should be writing my paper for my class on Wednesday, but instead we made a fort on the couch. Much more fun, wouldn't you say?

Don't you love how the pictures on the wall are skewed? They're always that way and it drives my mom CrAzY! :)

This picture is post-fort construction. Out-takes on my flickr feed, if you're curious.

7 Days :: Day 1

2009-10-03T22:01:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: Day 1, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

We should all wear a sticker like this to remind ourselves of how special we really are. Especially on days when we don't believe it ourselves.
:)

Fall Colors

2009-10-01T08:28:00.001-05:00

fall colors, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Picture taken in my backyard on a sunny afternoon.

I love these guys!

2009-09-28T17:05:00.001-05:00

46 months old, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Monthly picture for E&M--46 months old
J is nearly 12 years old.
Sweet boys. :)

Date night

2009-09-14T07:43:00.001-05:00

Packers vs. Bears, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Packers won!
We went on a "date night" last night which included going to a bar that offers GF food. I ate french fries for the first time since being diagnosed with CD almost a year ago. Man were they good!
The Packer game was fun. I went shopping in the Pro Shop during the first quarter. C thought I was crazy to be going then, but the store was empty and they guy working there was doing inventory. Perfect time to shop!
Home by 11:30. Up early the next morning.
If you wanna play, you gotta pay! :)

You think President George W Bush was dumb???

2009-09-11T20:09:00.001-05:00

You people who think President George W. Bush was "the
dumbest president ever" (and, amazingly, many of you
still do), please note that political blogger Josh Ray has
this message for you:

This was written by a man currently in the Marines:

> If George W. Bush had given Gordon Brown a set of
> inexpensive and incorrectly formatted DVDs, when Gordon
> Brown had given him a thoughtful and historically
> significant gift, would you have approved?
>
> If George W. Bush had given the Queen of England an iPod
> containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought
> this embarrassingly narcissistic and tacky?
>
> If George W. Bush had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia,
> would you have approved?
>
> If George W. Bush had visited Austria and referred to the
> non-existent “Austrian language,” would you have
> brushed it off as a minor slip?
>
> If George W. Bush had filled his cabinet and circle of
> advisers with people who cannot seem to keep current on
> their income taxes, would you have approved?
>
> If George W. Bush had been so Spanish illiterate as to
> refer to Cinco de Cuatro in front of the Mexican ambassador
> when it was the fourth of May
> (Cuatro de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried
> again, would you have winced in embarrassment?
>
> If George W. Bush had mis-spelled the word advice would you
> have hammered him for it for years like Dan Quayle and
> potatoe as proof of what a dunce he is?
>
> If George W. Bush had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to
> go plant a single tree on Earth Day, would you have
> concluded hes a hypocrite?
>
> If George W. Bushs administration had Okayed Air Force One
> flying low over millions of people followed by a jet fighter
> in downtown Manhattan
> causing widespread panic, would you have wondered whether
> they actually get what happened on 9-11.
>
> If George W. Bush had been the first President to need a
> teleprompter installed to be able to get through a press
> conference, would you have laughed and said this is more
> proof of how inept he is on his own and is really controlled
> by smarter men behind the scenes?
>
> If George W. Bush had failed to send relief aid to flood
> victims throughout the Midwest with more people killed or
> made homeless than in New Orleans, would you want it made
> into a major ongoing political issue with claims of racism
> and incompetence?
>
> If George W. Bush had ordered the firing of the CEO of a
> major corporation, even though he had no constitutional
> authority to do so, would you have approved?
>
> If George W. Bush had proposed to double the national debt,
> which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in
> one year, would you have approved?
>
> If George W. Bush had then proposed to double the debt again
> within 10 years, would you have approved?
>
> If George W. Bush had reduced your retirement plans
> holdings of GM stock by 90% and given the unions a majority
> stake in GM, would you have approved?
>
> If George W. Bush had spent hundreds of thousands of
> dollars to take Laura Bush to a play in NYC, would you have
> approved?
>
> So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so
> brilliant and impressive? Can’t think of anything? Don’t
> worry. He’s done all this in 5 months — so you’ll have
> three years and seven months to come up with an answer.
>
> No, common sense, naive,
> incompetent, uninformed voters did this to themselves.
> Insanity is widespread. Real Americans are waking up.

Waiting for the bus, together.

2009-09-10T14:32:00.001-05:00

Waiting for the bus, together., originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

First day taking the bus to school. Not yet 4 years old. Ride is only 15 minutes.

Nervous Mommy.

But, they have eachother, and I love that.

15 Years

2009-08-20T21:35:00.001-05:00

Us 8-20-94, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Happy Anniversary to us!
Fifteen years ago we were younger, thinner and a lot more carefree.
Fifteen years, 4 states and 3 kids later, we are still going strong.
Love you C!

Torn

2009-08-19T21:48:00.001-05:00

No room on this jersey for PURPLE, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

There's no room on this jersey for PURPLE.
I'm torn over the current Favre drama. He wants to play, but play for the Vikings? Yikes. There's not one Packers fan understands that.

Boys of Summer

2009-08-17T21:40:00.001-05:00

Boys of Summer, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Another sunny day at our house!
Lots of chalk outlined bodies on our driveway. :)

E&M 45 months old/Jacob 11.5 yrs

7 Days :: day 7

2009-07-17T22:26:00.003-05:00

7 Days :: day 7, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Just clowing around... (you should see the out-takes----gahhh!)

Keeping the mood light as I end another fun 7Day run.

7 Days :: day 6

2009-07-17T22:26:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 6, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

ooooo, a reflective surface!

We took a ride down to the Milwaukee Zoo today. Beautiful day for it; sunny, breezy, about 78*. Just lovely..

This was taken in the bathroom in the "Primates of the World" building. Appropriate because I live with three monkeys.

7 Days :: day 5 :: hand

2009-07-17T22:25:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 5 :: hand, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

A frog in the hand is worth two in the grass....?

This little creature is one of many froggies hopping around my yard.

My son Matthew LOVES finding froggies. I try to avoid them only because they're so spastic. They kind of freak me out. I ran one over with the lawn mower once and have never recovered.

This is as close to holding a frog as I will get. Thanks for your help, Matthew!

(This may be a toad.)

7 Days :: day 4

2009-07-14T13:38:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 4, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

There's been a few posting of pictures of cute toes in the lush green grass.
Well, here's what my grass looks like. No, I'm not standing in a pile of hay, that's our grass. We haven't had rain in weeks. :(

7 Days :: day 3

2009-07-14T12:40:00.001-05:00

7 Days :: day 3 , originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Guess where I went today?

The dental hygienist was more than happy to let me take photos during my cleaning. Here she's flossing my pearly whites.

ooooo how I love the feeling of clean teeth! :)

7Days :: day 2 :: RELAX

2009-07-14T12:39:00.003-05:00

7Days :: day 2 :: RELAX, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Relaxing with two 3 year olds rarely happens in my world.
Here we're at the ball diamond watching our oldest son play ball. I spent most of the day following them around from one end of the park to the other.
I did relax later with a strawberry margarita, but I pretty much had to slam it down before they needed me again.

7Days :: day 1

2009-07-14T12:39:00.001-05:00

7Days :: day 1, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Sunshine, baby!

Golfing Buddies

2009-06-30T08:25:00.001-05:00

by the waterfall, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

As we wait for the Big Brother J to get home from his adventures in Maine, we took to the mini-golfing range. E & M LOVED this game. They'd put once (at the start of the green) then chase the ball, pick it up and drop it in the hole. We FLEW through the eighteen holes like lightening!
We plan on going back when J is home; he's sure to be bummed that he missed this trip.

2009-06-26T10:40:00.001-05:00

Allergy Bread Recipe: Gluten-free, Casein-free, Egg-free, Wheat-free, Nut-free, Worry-free!
People with allergy problems have a hard time finding good bread - until now. This bread is tasty and can be modified to suit any allergic or sensitivity condition.
http://www.associatedcontent.comarticle/232719/allergy_bread_recipe_glutenfree_caseinfree.html

Another Fun Camping Weekend

2009-06-18T09:26:00.001-05:00

awwwwww!, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

The boys had a blast at the lake. Sunny days, campfires at night. Lots of fun for all.

Gluten Free Product Review #1

2009-06-04T09:58:00.005-05:00

So, I tried some Glutino Gluten Free Crackers this week and thought it would be fun to post my FIRST EVER product review!

Here are the crackers:
On the left; Multi-grain flavor
On the right: Original

Multi-grain: BAD!! Very, very bad! Overwhelming taste/smell of fennel seeds. YUCKY!

Original flavor: VERY good!! YUM! Reminded me of no other cracker that I've eaten, but the flavor was great. Mild and very cracker-like!

So, to review; Multi-grain = BAD. Original = GOOD!

Wow. That was easy. I should do this more often.

Lookin' better

2009-05-29T12:58:00.001-05:00

front hosta / fern garden, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Here's an updated picture of the "flag garden".

Fishin' Buddies

2009-05-27T15:50:00.001-05:00

fishin' buddies, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Although they are cute here, they were not good fisher-boys in the boat. :(

Sunset

2009-05-27T15:49:00.001-05:00

sunset, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Pine Lake, Memorial Day weekend.

Lovely. Just lovely.

Happy Boys!

2009-05-22T07:47:00.001-05:00

happy boys!, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

I've been pleasantly surprised lately at how when I'm taking pictures, the little ones start smiling right away. I've got them trained, finally.

This is there 42nd month picture.
J is almost a freakin' SIXTH grader. omg.

Everything's coming up.... flags.

2009-05-06T11:36:00.001-05:00

Everything's coming up.... flags. :(, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

Every spring, I wait for the hostas and ferns to start peeking through the mulch.

Every spring I cringe when my oldest son and the neighborhood boys start playing baseball/football/soccer on the front lawn near these gardens.

Every year many of these plants are stepped on and damaged, but they are resistant and survive. Even prospere.

Every spring I get anxious, this spring is no exception.

Grow faster plants!!!

Finally

2009-04-30T18:53:00.001-05:00

yellow tulip , originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

It's been a long winter.

40th Wedding Anniversary Day

2009-04-22T14:26:00.001-05:00

40th Wedding Anniversary Day, originally uploaded by ~ k j ~.

My parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this weekend. Fourty years. Zoinks. What an accomplishment. They had their ups and downs, but they're still together.
Very rare in these times, but I'm proud of them. Darn proud.

ALSO--good news. My dad's blood work (post-Prostate surgery) came back very good. Cancer is "undetectable". :)