Another Addiction...besides Diet Coke and Blogging

I love Hallmark Keepsake Christmas Ornaments.... And this weekend is the ornament premiere!

In years past I would have already had my wish list filled out and handed into my local store so they would have my order prefilled and ready for me to pick up...but not this year. It all started back in 2001 when we first got married and I started working at a little Hallmark store in Wyoming. We had NO ornaments for our fist Christmas tree and when the shipment arrived that July I went into action...picking out tons of ornaments and placing them on the back shelf for me to purchase with my discount through out the year. I think that first year I probably spent about $250 on ornaments. The second year was really bad....I had a way better credit union job and maybe spent $350!! But they really did bring me joy! Then reality hit...we had our first child and 'Santa' became more important to me than spending on ornaments...I really downsized my orders....By last year I had quit putting in "pre-orders" and just became a regular shopper that would go pick up the ones I really wanted that were part of my series or ones that helped me remember something important about that year. This year has been so busy I almost completely forgot about it except the evil mailing list sent me a little friendly reminder :-)

So I got weak and went online and of course I'm hooked again...but no...I will not fall prey to them!! We do NOT have the funds to splurge on things like this!! So I'm only going to get the few I really, really want....

I always get the "New Home" one when we buy a new house...Snowball and Tuxedo 8th in series...I started this series in 2001Cool Decade 9th in series....I started this in 2001 Winter Fun with Snoopy 11th in series....I think I've got all of theseSnow Buddies 11th in series....I started this in 2001

Puppy Love....I'm just getting this one for my mom because it looks just like her Dudlee!

I'm NOT going to start anymore series!! In the years past I would start a new one (they've all ended now) The good ones are holding strong so I'm just sticking with them. I know you're probably like...You're Nuts!! Oh Well!! But if you're stumped on what to get me for some kind of occasion they sell these things from now till Christmas and there are TONS of cute ones :-)

News Article

Here is the link to the news article about Kristin's car accident. It lists all the charges that the other driver is facing. I noticed it in the paper yesterday and found it online today. It's on page 8 at the top. You can click on the page to make it larger. Please continue to keep them in your prayers. Also, please keep Darren's grandmother in your prayers. She suffered a heart attack on Monday while visiting in New Jersey. His mother and some other family has traveled up there to be with her. She is stable and they are evaluating whether to do surgery or not.

Happy 4th of July!!!

Happy Independence Day!!

Don't you just love Hailey's Statue of Liberty crown?!? My secret pal stuck it in my gift basket...so cute!
We tried to get Pedro so SIT for a picture...he kept getting up and coming towards me when I would back up to take the picture...for some reason this position worked better :-)
Silly Dog!! He's so happy...when he grins so big his ears disappear, you know he's happy!

We headed to a friend's backyard to see the W.R. fireworks last night. We got their early and the kids got to play on the playground.

Here's Allyson, Dawn and Mike's little girl.
Uncle Bubba came with us and Joe and Bry met up with us a little later. They brought two of their friends too. It was a nice evening....we had to wait a LONG time for the fireworks to start so we filled it with some watermelon....

some Capri Suns....
a little star gazing and helicopter watching...
and best of all...we found a frog and that kept the kids busy for quite a while!
They LOVED it :-}
FINALLY...at 10:45pm the show began!! (Lonestar was the concert entertainment at the stadium and that seemed to take a while)

Hailey was in awe!
Jack did okay...just covered his ears.
I think you need a tripod when you take firework pictures :-0 I have a firework setting but they were still kind of shaky!
Here's a video of our fun! The helicopter kind of drowns out most of the booms...don't know why he flew around so much...I guess some sort of security.



Earlier in the week...Tuesday...we went to see WALL-E!! Daddy was off that day so we wanted to do something fun. It was a great movie!
The kids were so excited to see this display after the movie was over...he was kind of tucked off in a corner of the theater.
We also brought Cody... he's one of Jack and Hailey best buddies from church.
And I'll leave you with a new classic! On the way home from the movie Jack took his sandals off and boy did they stink! I said something about it and this is what I started!! Who has the stinkiest feet?!? Oh brother!!

Hope everyone has a great day!! We are heading over to Grandma and Papa's for a cookout and I'm sure swimming!! Fun Fun!!

Weekend Update...with videos

We went to Monkey Joe's and the kids had a blast!! It was a great way to spend the morning with Daddy on his day off. We ate pizza there and then headed to Baskin Robins for their $1 scoop day for our treat! Yummy!! Check out the video of Jack and Hailey going down the slide!

After that ....we let the kids 'drive' their Jeep over to Grandma and Papa's house while we took Pedro on a walk. They thought that was the coolest thing ever!!

After church on Sunday was little Ava's funeral service. It was very sweet and Kristen looked much better. She is starting to heal (physically). She is walking around and her arm is no longer in a sling. I just continue to ask for prayers for her and the family as they start the healing process for all the emotional stuff that goes along with this tragedy.

Jack made me very proud at evening services...it was song service and he sang 'one song' with Papa!! It was Blue Sky's and Rainbows and he did such a great job!! I videoed the special event since Darren was working. Enjoy...it melts my heart every time! You can hear Hailey too :-)

Then after evening services we headed over to Grandma's for a little pool party in honor of Uncle Bubba! He is turning 19 TODAY!! There was lots of good grilled burgers and hot dogs, cake, ice cream and of course....Bubba Teeth! They were some of the party favors and Jack tried his best to fit them in his mouth...he did pretty good!

Happy Birthday Tyler!! We love you so much and wish you a very happy year 19!! You are a great little brother and uncle!

Bramlett Visit and Questionaire

So it's been almost a week since our visit with Amber, Sage, and Noah and I'm finally posting our pictures :-) We didn't take as many as we should have. It was a hectic visit with all the VBS activities going on. I promise the next time I will take a whole lot more!!

We went to El Cotija (Amber's favorite mexican place) Thursday night. It was fun and yummy! The kids know it as the place with the water fountain!!

Then we decided to hit my mom & dad's pool to cap off the evening. Here is Sage hanging out in the big tire.
Ms. Sarah and Riley...they're looking for Sage...she just went under the water.Here's Noah! He is such a crazy little man :-)
Of course Jack was on the sidelines again...not wanting to get in the water. He had fun watching all the kids and ended up convincing Papa to get the tractor out!
Ms. Hailey! She really enjoyed having Sage & Noah at her house. She is still camping out on her bedroom floor and it's a week later. I asked her last night if she was ever going to sleep in her bed again, she said 'nope'
Mr. Riley decided to dry off and play with Lightning McQueen!Here's Ralston...he brought water guns!

GET TO KNOW ME BETTER

1.What is in the back of your car? Stroller

2.What color is your toothbrush? Blue & White

3.Name one person who made you smile today. Hailey

4.What were you doing at 8:00 AM? Just starting to wake up...I heard Jack open his bedroom door.

5. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Fixing Hailey's breakfast, checking blogs

6. What is your favorite candy? Mike & Ike's (green box)

7. What is the last thing your said aloud? Jack, get away from the front of the TV, your sister can't see it!

8. What is the best ice cream flavor? right now I love Chocolate Oreo

9. What is the last thing you had to drink? Dr. Pepper (last night)

10 What are you wearing right now? hot pink pajama top, and lime green/pink stripe pj shorts

11. What is the last thing you ate? handful of Capt. Crunch

12. Have you bought any new clothes this week? I bought a black/white polkadot dress for my cousin's wedding.

13. When was the last time you ran? I have to chase after Jack on a regular basis, we call him 'The Runaway Kid'

14. What was the last sporting event you watched? Warner Robins All Star Little League World Series Game (Last Season) WE WON!!!

15. Ever go camping? When I was in the girl scouts (we were in tents so I guess that counts)

16. Do you have a tan? Never.

17. Do you take vitamins daily? No.

18. Do you go to church? Yes

19. Do you like Chinese food more than pizza? No, pizza is better

20. Do you drink your soda with a straw? out in a glass? Only when I'm out to eat.

21. Are you someone’s best friend? I hope so :-)

22. What are you doing tomorrow? Probably more laundry and just hanging out with kids, Darren is working this weekend.

23. Where is your dad? At work (Federal Courthouse)

24. Can you say the alphabet backwards? Only up to about 'r'

25. Do you have a maid service clean your home? That's what I wish for every time I throw a penny in a fountain!!

26. Do you have a favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? flip-flops

27. What color is your car? Slate Blue

28. How do you like your popcorn? Salty and butter

29. How did you get your worst scar? Holding a long piece of Bamboo (in philippines) my friend dropped her end, it cracked and when it split it also cut my palm right under my ring finger.

30. Look to your left. What do you see? Back door

31. What color is your watch? Silver

32. What do you think of when you think of Australia? Picture of my dad holding a Kowala (he went TDY there when I was about 9yrs. old)

33. Do you use chap stick? no, I use lip gloss

34. Do you have a dog? 2yr old pitbull mix named Pedro

35. Last person you talked to on the phone? My mom

36. Have you met anyone famous? Was with my mom when she got Tom Skerret's autograph in the Seatle Airport

37. Any plans today? Clean up backyard, fold clothes

38. How many states have you lived in? DC/Maryland, Georgia, Washington, Wyoming

39. Do you dye your hair? Nope

40. Do you like cats? yes, I've almost always had a cat as a pet. (They're easier to take care of when you are military) Right now is the first time that I've not had one

Wanna play? Tag… you’re it!