What a wonderful day

Wednesday was my birthday and it turned out to be the most wonderful day! My Mom came down from Montana to stay a few days with us. Her birthday present to me was.... (tired mothers beware)... a facial and a massage package. Ohhhh, I'm melting just thinking back to it all. We all drove in to town in my suburban, she dropped me off and took the two boys bouncing around the town. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at the spa, a very rare treat indeed. I was sooooo relaxed, it was just wonderful. As I was just finishing up the lady that did the facial was walking me back to the front room. Just then my mom showed up with the two younger boys. Each of them were holding a bouquet of yellow flowers. My youngest saw me and stretched those flowers straight into the air to hand them to me. I wish I had a picture of that moment, it was so precious. Good thing I have it etched into my memory so I'll never forget it.

Next we went to Olive Garden and had the most wonderful meal. We came home after that and there was a large envelope sitting next to the door. UPS had come a visitin'. Hmmmm, I wasn't expecting anything from UPS. I brought it inside and opened it up......

It was a gift certificate from Lineman! That man, he has never in 15 years of marriage ever surprised me. Never. Well he got me this time. The gift certificate came wrapped wonderfully in a neat little envelope along with that wonderful little letter and of course... a huge, plump, calling-my-name B&H Catalog. B&H is where I bought my camera. I full heartedly would recommend them for their on-line sales in case you need to get some photo equipment. So now I must torture myself and drool over the catalog. Wait, this time it's not torture - I have a gift certificate! *whistling* Here B&H catalog.... Here B&H catalog.....

My mom had made the cake with the help of a junior baker. I also had a little tiara with flashing lights on it that I wore around for a bit.

Whoa! Call the fire department!!!! Actually there are only 24 candles on the cake, that's all that was in the package. So hip-hip-hooray for me, I'm 24! Oh, that means I was 17 when I had my first born. Fine, I'm ..... actually...... gulp..... 35. There, I said it. Now YOU all KNOW. Bwaaaaaaa

My in laws spoiled me too. She sent a big ol' box and guess what my Mother in Law used for packing material......

POPCORN! How clever is that! And not just any popcorn, Popcorn Colonel popcorn! There were packs and packs of this yummy stuff. It's a yummy, gooey popcorn square with peanuts and M&M's. There were even more packs than this. However, I am NOT owning up to just how many packs there were. Dear Mother in Law, you better not tell either!

Then she also sent this. I think it needs to go on the front door as a disclaimer!

And she sent this oh-so-cozy bath wrap and 3 pair of the softest socks ever and bath salt that smells oh so good. Please excuse me while a take a bath and unwind....

..... okay, I'm back now. Refreshed as ever.

She also sent this U of Montana sweatshirt.

I tell you, it was a wonderful day, I just feel so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful people. I am truly blessed.

9 of 52

This was a day at the park with some friends. We took a walk around the lake, fed the ducks and the geese, and took time to play at the playground. A fun day for sure.

*********************52 Weeks********************

52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. We are always the ones behind the camera, this is YOUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family. We are gald you are joining this challenge. More importantly your family will really enjoy having you in the picture. Thanks for playing along! Oh, you can just jump in now with #1, you're not getting off that easy! Now go take a picture =D

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Please add yourself each week to the Mr. Linky so we can all visit your page too. THANKS!

Doctor Doctor Doctor... and lots of tears

It was a busy day at the doctors office today, thus no "real" post. Sorry about that.

Little Man was due for a well child check. Which meant the inevitable dreaded shots. He cried and cried.

The middle boy just turned 5 and we needed to get him set for Kindergarten. Which again meant the inevitable dreaded shots.

Both the boys did pretty good for the first two shots. It was the final two shots that really brought them to tears. Those are placed just under the skin. We were warned ahead of time that those shots would indeed hurt. Yup, they hurt alright!

And for me it was an EKG and "tubes and tubes of blood" according to my son's version of my own visit.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a real post, sorry it's a lame one for tonight.

Have a good night. Ta ta for now.

Would somebody PLEASE pass the shampoo

Seriously, somebody? Anybody? Just pass the shampoo please. We're not going to be picky here. Johnson and Johnson. Head and Shoulders.
Pert Plus, Suave, Aussie.....

Pantene Pro-V, Garnier Fructis......

Generic Brand. I really don't care at this point. Just pass the shampoo already.

Oh, and can someone grab a mop too please?

Sunday Sunsets

This picture was taken just before a new snow storm was rolling in a few days ago. Those thin clouds were the beginning of the front. I am enjoying this time in the season when the sun sets over "Table Mountain". I've always enjoyed watching the sun change it's rise and set with each new day. Soon it will slide over even farther to the left bringing warmer temps, longer days, green grass and the sights and sounds of children enjoying a long summers day.

If you play with fire.......

You're gonna get some great smoke shots.

I think this last one looks like a lady holding her arms across her chest, holding a baby perhaps. I should probably stop taking these pictures. I feel like I'm at a psychiatrists office, looking at the ink blobs and telling her what I see. I have done that on nearly 80% of these smoke shots I take. I always see something in them. Heeeeeelllllllppppp, I need counseling. Or a few hours out of the house. Bwaaaa haaaa haaaaaa.

Outtakes from 8/52

It's no wonder the middle boy couldn't keep a straight face for the picture I posted for 8/52. Check out these outtakes.... We are a family of goofballs, no doubt.

I always have the kids get their funny faces out of the way. There were more like this one, but let's NOT go there, okay.

Ah, I love my life.

8/52

This was taken at my mom's house this weekend. The boy on the right hand side is totally taking after his father. I would never be that goofy or silly. Seriously.

If you are just joining us here is the scoop:

So often as a mom we seem to always be behind the lens and rarely in front of it. Our children will look back at pictures when they are grown and we will hardly be in a single photo. If you would like to join in on this year long project I would really enjoy that. But more importantly your family will absolutely love it. Get yourself in the picture every week for 52 Weeks. Be in a picture with one or more or your children. If you are just joining now, feel free to start with #1. You can just finish up this time next year. We will be posting for 52 Weeks every Thursday. Glad you're here!

Link up below! Please link up each week =D

Playing hookie on the weekend

Last weekend I decided to take the oldest out of school and play hookie. Well, sort of. Lineman couldn't get home so we decided to go meet him up at my Mom's near Billings. I pulled our oldest son out of school on Thursday. He missed his Valentines Day party at school on Friday and then Monday was a holiday so that helped.

One day we took the kids along with Gramma's neighbor kids up to Billings to The Reef, an indoor water park. My Mom brought her camera and took these pics for us.

The two neighbor girls and my oldest ready to go across the ropes and lily pads.

Hollllllldddddd Onnnnnnnnn

I was sitting in the wave pool here with Little Man on my lap. He loves the water and so does the middle boy.

There is a GINORMOUS bucket that fills with water and then dumps it all out. Too fun.

I think they were going up to one of the slides here with a double inner tube.

Just playing some more.

Driving home with all the kids...... Quack quack quack.... what else can I say?

Monkey see.... Monkey do!

This was a fun shoot I did with some friends in the area. Gramma had made these completely adorable pajamas for the girls, talk about talent.

To see more from this shoot click here.

And the Winner is.....

Drumroll please........

Thank you everyone for voting!

You can now grab my new button on the right hand side of this blog. Just copy and past this code under Layout > Page Elements > Add a Gadget >HTML Code and save it. Thanks everyone for joining along.

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My fun SIL has two boys that are older than my own kids. When the first boy came she said he sucked half her brain out. Then the second kid came and took the other half of her brain. I TOTALLY can understand that! Seriously!

So, seeing as I have THREE boys I guess that leaves me with a serious deficit upstairs. I forget words, call my children by the wrong name, put cereal in the fridge and milk in the pantry... it goes on. Well, thank you Carrie for pointing out that I could not possibly have Sundays for the day for 52 Weeks. That is my sunset day. If I put the "don't cares" that voted into the "Thursday" votes that makes equal vote. I then am the tie breaker and so...

THURSDAY is the new day for 52 Weeks.

Please, no crying.... I can't handle it right now.

I'll try to have a better Mr. Linky up for Thursday and will repost a few guidelines as well. Right now, just work on...... GETTING IN THE PICTURE!

Sorry I haven't been by your blogs lately, I'll be getting back to that very shortly, promise =)

Love.....

Chicken in a Nest - Valentines Style

Nothing like a little Chicken in a Nest, Bulls-eye Egg, or whatever you like call it (what do you call it?). I made it for the boys and decided to give it a little Valentines Day flair. A heart cookie cutter and you are good to go.

52 Weeks HELP!!!!!

Thanks to some great feedback, a little encouragement and a small following I have decided to take 52 Weeks just a little further.

I have made a few buttons and I am ready to add them to the blog so you can grab the button, apply it to your own blog and we will be running! How exciting.

However, first I really, really, need your help! We should all know by know that I can't make a decision and that's where you come in. Please help me to choose a button!

Button #1........


Button #2.........

Button #3..........

Button # 4........

Button #5.......

Okay, for # 4 and 5 what I really would have liked was a distant shot of a mom (preferably not me) and child holding hands but seeing as how I was NEVER, ever, ever in a picture prior to the start of 52 Weeks I certainly don't have anything like that in my folders. If you have a picture you would like considered I would love to see it!

So, please vote for a button you like!

If you are a lurker, please vote. If you are not going to participate.... please vote. Republican, Democrat, Independent..... doesn't matter.... JUST VOTE!

Thank You.

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Also, please let me know if you prefer Sunday or Thursday to be the posting day for our photos.

Before the storm

Enjoying the last nice day before our next snow storm hits. Bring on the snow!

Monkey Business

We all know about my little love with Sam's Club. Well, a while back I got the Little Man some cute red footie pajamas with Monkeys all over them. His older brothers got him a monkey for his birthday that is named.... wait for it...... Banana. Cute huh. Well, I wanted to take some pictures of Little Man with his monkey pajamas and Banana. All was going fine until he fell and bumped his chin. These pictures are of him sitting in the big chair feeling, feeling, well not feeling too chipper let's just say.

6 of 52

Well, let me first admit that I am late on this. "Technically" [placing hands in air to air quote] it should have posted during the last week. But since I am apparently procrastinating this will have to work for today. I will post again this week as well for 7 of 52. Yikes, good thing I started this challenge and have all of you to keep me accountable! Being the only girl around this place I couldn't resist these pink socks when I walked past them the other day. I fully realize I look like a complete dork. What can I say, that's me!


Okay, I'm trying to learn something new and you will have to bear with me while I stumble and trip through this new process. There are more people starting to participate in "52 Weeks" and it was brought to my attention I should start a link for those participating. This is just a very rough start now but hopefully I can get it up and running better soon. Click below on Mr. Linky to add your blog URL if you are participating. Also, by clicking there you can see others that are playing along. Thanks all!