Countertop done!

Yes, it is finished! We are very happy about our new kitchen island. We were hoping it would be done before the 4th and low and behold they finished it at 7:30pm on the 3rd!! Yeah! D likes it alot! We have had fun so far this week, yesterday me and the boyz went to the park for awhile and then some food shopping at Sam's. Today we played outside and then after naps the boys played in the pool. They absolutely had a blast splashing each other and anything else close by! Tommorrow they are having a fun day at the daycare. It's actually closed for the holiday but since they have just recently improved the playgrounds they are having a celebration on the 4th. There is going to be jumping things,(for lack of better wording) and a water slide as well as food for everyone. It should be alot of fun. I know D will love the water slide and B will probably try it since big bro will be doing it! Well happy 4th to everyone and more chat to come later.

BEFORE:

DONE!

So YOU think you can dance?

Anyone up for a dance contest?? HEE HEE

Pics as promised

Here are a few pics from the picnic last Sunday

Where should I start?

Well I have alot of stuff to blog about. Where should I start? Friday night our date night went really well, except that we are such OLD parents now and not the young partier's anymore! We were at the daycare to pick up the boys by 10:30! How pitiful considering we had another 1 1/2 hours till we really had to go get them. But we were not alone, alot of other tired old 30-40 yr olds. were slowly wandering in to pick up their young ones also. As a matter of fact the school closed at 11pm because all parents had arrived to pick up the kiddos. Too funny.....we are pretty boring these days, ha! We enjoyed a good dinner out though with lots of just talk time and a drink to sip on. Just spending a little one on one time is fun even if it's only over a dinner out. We enjoy each other's company and get to actually listen to the other's story without trying to fix dinner, clean up spilled juice, put more food on the plates, wipe dirty faces and clean poopie diapers and shovel our food down without choking :)
Saturday was a blur I don't even remember what we did, just play in the yard I think. Sunday we took the boys to a picnic at the church. They had a bouncy, jump, slide, ponies to ride, a petting zoo and even a train to ride that Dev absolutely loved!! It was steamy hot, but the kids had a great time and even took a late nap when we got home! B was scared of the petting zoo and wouldn't even attempt to sit on the ponies, maybe next year.
Went to the navy base with Dad and Dee and got some great deals on liquour and groceries. wow, I told him I'll have to ride along quite often when they go!! Thanks dad! Also looking forward to trying some recipes in the cookbooks they let me borrow for weight watchers.
Our kitchen wall is done and waiting on the countertop to be installed. Hopefully by the end of the week. I painted it, kinda like a sponging technique but I don't like it, I am going to repaint it but I'm contemplating on the color to use. I am wanting to repaint the kitchen anyway so this might be the right time. I'll post some pics once it's done!
Mom came by to play with the boys and they enjoyed wrestling around on the floor with her. It doesn't take long for them to wear her out. We are taking her to Nashville for her birthday, but a week early so that should be alot of fun.
We have some friends coming to visit next week after the fourth for a few days. They have a 3 and 5 yr old and a little baby (all boys) Yeah for the boys, ha ha. My boys will have a great time playing with theirs I am starting to plan what we can do already. Maybe to the bounce place one day and to the water park another. The plan is to wear them out for early bed and we can all sit around and have some drinks and play some games like maybe train dominos. We are looking forward to their visit. I was able to take off and such late notice so the boys will be home all next week, but we get to save a week's tuition. They get a free week for vacation yearly but it usually doesn't work out that we would keep them home all week. But with the holiday next week and all it will work out so we get to save some bucks!!!!!!Big smiles!! Well I guess that's all for now, I'll post some pics to this post later after the boys go to bed.

I must be dreaming!

Tonight is our 4th!!! date night this month! I can't believe it!! I must be dreaming! Just wanted to rub it in a little, ha ha! I must go get dressed and see what adventure we can experience tonight( no dirty thinking please!). I'll fill you in our details later this weekend. But must go now and powder my nose for our evening out!
Kelli, hope you have a wonderful time in WA with your mom and family. I know the girls will miss you and Mike prob even more, but enjoy yourself! We moms all need our me time!!! Enjoy your trip, and I hope Mike doesn't wear out from exhaustion, but he'll miss you the most probably, ha ha!!

The leaning tower of......

TURTLES! I looked out in the pond today and saw the turtles trying to see who could climb the highest! Ha, just thought I'd share the event with those who might be interested!

I had to stay home from work today because my neck is killing me! Wierdest thing----I was trying to put my hair up in a pony and "pop" I heard a pop in my neck and it was pain from there on out! It's like I pulled or popped something out of where it was supposed to be. This happened yesterday, I couldn't turn my head, look down or up, or even shrug my shoulder or lift my arms over my head. I took alleve all day and went to bed. Last night I couldn't sleep well due to the pain and woke up even stiffer. I tried to take a shower and couldn't even lift my arms to wash my hair. Needless to say I was in no shape to go to work! I have spent the day watching TV and putting a heating pad on my neck. It is starting to ease up but I'm still taking meds and plan to keep the heat on all night. I hope I am doing much better by tomorrow,,--must work!--need money!! If you know what I mean.

D is doing great in TKD. I think we are going to join him up officially after this week when his trial 2 weeks is up. He even earned his first red stripe on his belt(not pictured) for knowing some punches and kicks and stances that the teacher tested him on! What out Bruce Lee! Ha ha.

Banana split pie

Here's the recipe I promised:
This is easy to make and it's low cal and believe it or not it really does taste good!

Pie crust:
3/4 cup crushed graham crackers
6 tsp. reduced cal margarine, melted
2 packets artificial sweetner

Stir pie crust ingredients together then press into 9 inch pie plate. Bake for 5 minutes in 300 degree oven. Let piecrust cool completely before adding filling(I put mine in refrig)

Filling:
1 banana
1 small pkg instant vanilla pudding mix, sugar free
2 cups skim milk
1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup Cool whip Free

Thinly slice banana and place in bottom of pie crust. Mix pudding mix with milk as per pkg directions, pour over banana. Spoon well drained pineapple over pudding. Top with cool whip. chill well before serving.

Birds, birds everywhere!

So I finally caught a pic or two of one of the four baby birds that hatched while we were out of town. They are so adorable following their parents all araound the yard looking for food. I am so glad to know they all hatched and are doing fine.

Then I have also seen a duck in our pond with 10 yes, count them 10 baby ducks! They are so fuzzy looking. I tried to get a close look at them but they scooted off fast as ever. I was however able to zoom in on them a get some pics. We really enjoy our house here and all the wildlife we see!

I am off to the Navy base tomorrow with Dad and Dee. I am looking forward to it, but hope I don't spend too much money, ha ha! I think it's about a 45 min ride or something. Nothing for me being used to the STL traffic with an hour commute sometimes just one way.

A friend of mine's husband is coming tomorrow to start building the wall onto our kitchen island so that we can add a breakfast bar. I am looking forward to it. I hope the counter will be installed by the end of next week. Then it's off to the stores to look for bar stools, very fun! I'll post before and after pics when it's finished.

Well that's about it, I'm going to go get the kiddos ready for bed. They should sleep well, both with very full bellies after gobbling down daddy's smoked bbq chicken. It was scrumptious, and the boys thought so too. Dev ate two legs and a wing, I don't know where he put it all! Bye for now. Of course my two ducklings had to have their pic on here too!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!




THAT WAS THEN.....................



















THIS IS NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad you are enjoying the retired life Dad, you deserve it! Looking forward to lunch with you today, and hope you have a great day!! Love all of us...

Lunch was great.. I made mac n cheese, baked Tilapia and shrimp with a white cream sauce( M made the sauce), Texas Toast and chocolate cookies and a low cal Banana Split pie for dessert. We had a great lunch and enjoying spending some time together. We even got to see the momma and 10 baby ducks swimming in the pond. I'll post pics later as well as the dessert recipe for those who might want to make it(HInt hint : Dee) :)

Ooh la la

Oh yes, we had a fantastic dinner at the Mesquite Chop House tonight. (You can click this link to check it out yourself) Tim and Amanda will love it when they move here. It will be cool to go to the wine tasting or Martini nights on the patio!! It was soooooo wonderful, the atmosphere was great and the food was out of this world. I even left with a rose because on Friday nights the ladies get roses! We enjoyed a glass of Riesling and shared an appetizer of Lump Crab Cakes(wonderful!) For dinner we both had a house salad and a steak. My steak was stuff with blue crab, and M's was topped with fresh crawfish in a type of sauce. I am not at all a steak eater of sorts, I ususally order chicken but I took a chance. I also only like well done steaks. My steak was perfectly cooked and tasted so great I would even go back and order it again. It was very tender and moist and of course stuffed with crabmeat, it was scrumptious! Unfortunately we were both too stuffed for dessert, but oh well, maybe next time. We had a great date night---------THANKS MOM!!!!!!!----------------Of course Granny spoiled the boys with lots of snacks and sugar, as they were eating ice cream when we got there to pick them up at almost 8pm!! I know.....that's what Granny's are for! But the boys had a wonderful time and suprisingly they went right to bed easily when we got home. We are already trying to decide what we're going to do next Fri. it was a great evening and again Thanks Mom for playing with the grandkids while we went to eat! Love you mom!

Mommy and D day at the water park

Me and D had a mommy/son day. First it was hair cut time for D and we were going to go swimming at the YMCA. But my hairstylist told me about a water park that would be fun and it was free, so we went home and packed a lunch and headed to the park. D had such a great time and we spent almost 3 hours there, there were alot of kids but plenty of room for them all the play. The park had a nice lake and a large playground(but we stayed in the water!) They even had nice public restrooms which was very nice. Here are a few pics.

Yes, he did throw water on the girl in the pic. I don't know her reaction because I was to busy taking pics, but I could tell he was up to something so I just waited for the moment...already starting to flirt with the girls, ha ha!

The eggs hatched while we were gone, we thought at first a snake ate them or something because there were no remains of egg shells or anything. But then I saw the momma bird in the yard last night, I starting investigating and saw something move as I was searching for eggs. It was a baby bird, I saw two of them! It was almost dark so it was hard to see, but I saw at least two of the four babies. I guess once they hatched they moved to a safer place than right out in the open of my flower bed. I am glad to know at least two of them made it, but sad I didn't get to take pics right after they were born, Yes I know they are just birds, but it would of been very interesting:)

Tomorrow night is date night!! Yippeee!!!! Not like we just didn't have two date nights last weekend but hey you know, the more the better right!? Mom is picking up the boys and taking them to her house for dinner while we have dinner out. Then we'll pick them up probably before bedtime. I think we might be going to a new steak place they just opened here, but I forget the name, I'll let you know. Then......next Fri the daycare is having parents night out, yes we are already signed up! We won't have to pick them up till 12:30am. Dont' get me wrong we love the kids and spending time with them, but we have to preserve our marriage and relationship so we can be the best parents and set a great foundation of love and perserverance.! Sounds good right? I know, I watch alot of Dr. Phil::) Hee hee.

Hope to make it over to Dad's new house this weekend to visit with the kids. I haven't seen it in about a week and I know they've been unpacking alot of boxes and even had to cut the grass(weeds....) :) Dad is also going to take me with them the next time up to the base for some shopping, I do miss the great pricing from the commissary and exchange, so I'm looking forward to that.

What else......Oh yeah.... We signed D up for Taekwando. Since moving only hubby has got back into it, I haven't yet. We both have our brown belt, he is really going to try to finish and get his black belt. I would love to also, but I have to find some time. So we signed D up and he is doing great!! Wonderful!! Exceptional!! Oh wait, he's my child, I know I am quite bias! But today was only his second class and he was excited to go and went right out there and was punching, kicking, listening to the instructor and yelling out "Yes Ma'am!" I am so proud... I had tears in my eyes just watching....(I know it's the mushy mom in me!) Not to mention how adorable he looks in his uniform( Gi----pronounced like Gee--) I will definetely take a pic to show you our little TKD angel. Bry was even yelling and punching from the waiting room or course wanting to be just like big bro! The classes are twice a week for 30 minutes and he already learning alot and it will also help him with his shyness, confidence, motor skills, and she teaches the kids alot of stranger danger stuff and what things are right and wrong. It's great! I'll keep you updated on his progress. Well I guess that's enough catching up for now. Have a great weekend to all!!

Trip to Mobile

We headed down for hubs class reunion last Friday. We had a great time. He played in a golf tourney on Fri while me and the boyz spent the day with a short swim in the pool at his Aunt and Uncle's house, sightseeing all the new stuff around town, then to the park, then ice cream cones from TCBY and an hour of Thomas the train playtime at Books A Million waiting to pick up daddy from the golf day. Fri eve we went to a dinner at Felix's Catfish house and a meet and greet for the reunion while the grandparents watched the kids. We had a great time and I met alot of people that I won't remember but some I will definetely remember!!:) Sat. they had a family day with blow up jumpers and slide, it was only about 1200 degress outside but we made it through. The actual reunion was Sat. night, I think some people didn't come after the social from Fri night, oh well. It was nice with free beer and wine, yes I said free beer and wine, but I only had a few since it wasn't my reunion and I had to be the designated driver:) The band played way, way , way too loud that you thought you were at a rock concert and had to scream at the person right next to you, needless to say me and my friend Teri, (her husband went to school with mine and we've been friends for over ten yrs) we scooted off to some quite chairs and sat and laughed and caught up on girl stuff. She looks great by the way for her 6months of prego, due in Sept. with their 3rd. She already has 3yr old twins. I give her great credit!! Way to go Teri!! Sun, the guys got together for a little Bball, and my hubby did great considering he probably hasn't played since before kids?!?! But I think he's still recovering today, ha.That's old age for ya!! Then it was back home to get ready for the week. The boys had a great time playing with Mimi and Grandaddy! Even Bry warmed up and played very well!! I do know I don't miss that humidity, it's hot here and some humidity but nothing like back home!! Here's a few pics for you all. Oh yeah, took a drive out to Dauphin Island and took the boys to Ft. Gaines, it was interesting, we watched an actual blacksmith demo and he made a nail from a long round piece of metal and put a smiley face on the head for Dev. It was pretty cool. For all those we didn't get to visit, we hope to see you all next time we're in town. Sorry to Diana that we didn't get to see you either, next time though.......

I finally got it to work!

So I think I have it now, the below video is working, just click on it once or twice till it starts to play. The pics go fast so you'll have to pay attention. Here's the one of B singing. He seems to think he needs to stand up to sing. then he says "sit down" then he talks about his cookie monster slippers and he wants them off. Just a little B translation for all of you.

What's the prob?

Trying again.!! I think this is working now, I'll try it. These are pics from the holiday! I'll add a movie of B singing ABC's too, he likes to sing now!

CONGRATS DAD AND DEE!!

Congrats to Dad and Dee, they made it to Mississippi!! The closing is over finally and all is well except a few minor details as usual but nothing major! Horray! Now comes the second round of hard work as far as unpacking and organizing where to put all the stuff that you had in just the right place before, Ha!! But I'll be there to help out if you guys want!! Hope the paper blinds work good until your real blinds are put up!
Our holiday weekend went well. We enjoyed all the family visiting and Mama Deb's wonderful Gumbo!! It was sooooooo good! We even had enough to freeze for a later date! The boys had great fun playing with their grandparents and aunt and uncles and even 2nd cuz Alexis joined us! Bryson put her to work playing in the pool, but they both enjoyed it! Even granny got a chance to pop in for just a little bit before work on Sunday! My mom in law bought me a few lantana plants.Thanks Deb!! I have never heard of them before but they look pretty with colorful flowers, I will plant them this weekend.
I bought the boys a new pool for the backyard with a slide. D loves it and B isnt' quite so sure about the slide part yet, but he'll learn quick I know.
TGTF- I'm glad tomorrow's Friday! It's been a short week at work but a long week at the same time if you know what I mean. Only one more week till the reunion for my Hubby. Should be interesting, I will know just a few people but introduced to many I'm sure.
We also started the dreaded Weight Watchers this past week. Not a bad deal considering I've already lost 4 lbs. Many more to go but we are doing good, it's not really that hard just need to do your planning of meals and eat small portions, but I'm finding lots of low point snacks, so I feel I can eat when I want(at least something) I'll keep you posted on our progress by a side link on my page. Wish us luck! We hope to lose faster and stay on it longer than the ole bro in law, who's always in competition with his bro...we'll show him who's the winner:)!!

Test Test..

I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!! This was a test to see if I could finally figure out how to put a video on here. I am so excited!! I feel so stupid because it makes sense but I was just trying the wrong thing, you know how it goes once you figure something out then you just have to say "duh" I should of known that. Anyway be cautioned I will be putting some videos on here now. I also have to figure out how to have access to all my download music. I got all my songs from the same place but for some reason only a few will be supported in my video program. Again, probably one of those easy things but not until I figure it out!!

Happy Friday!

You must check out my new favorite link to the right Milk man tees. My D is in the slideshow ad!! He hammed it up for the camera! The shirts are really cute too, great gifts ideas!!....

Sorry Dad and Dee about the closing getting delayed, I know it doens't seem like it but it will eventually be here and you'll forget all about these little headaches when you're getting new ones from all the UN packing:) This will be short I have to make my carrot cake for my in-laws anniv (39!!) Way to go guys, you give us such inspiration!! Hope everyone has a great and safe holiday weekend!! Can't wait for mom-in laws GUMBO!! It's to die for and she's making it for us when she gets here, I just can't wait!! Well that's all for now, here's a few pics of my precious ones and the baby birds in the front bush. Be safe****Don't drink and drive!!*****

Noah's Ark?

Not quite, but we sure seem to be having quite a few animals at our house. 2 mice, 1 snake, 1 bird nest with 4 eggs, 1 hummingbird trapped in garage(we helped him escape safely) and 1 birdnest with baby birds in it!(not sure how many yet). Yes, while cleaning out the garage with mom a hummingbird got trapped in our garage and couldn't figure out how to get out. So with many attempts I finally held a broom up to the bird and he landed on it!! I slowly walked with the hummingbird on the end of the broom until it was out of the garage and he flew away. HOW WEIRD! We do have a hummingbird feeder in the backyard so I guess he was just exploring and got lost. Then today I heard baby bird sounds coming from the front bushes. From through the dining room window I can barely see the nest and I saw a baby bird's head. Wow. And Yes, Susan that is a snake in my previously posted pics from the Nashville zoo, actually I think it was called an anaconda -------(don't want none unless you got buns hun) ha!! remember those lyrics??!! I would of died if I ever found anything like that in my yard!!
We had a great trip to Nashville. Stayed in a great Homewood suites with a almost full kitchen and seperate bedroom. It was great for the boys to go to bed and we could sit up in the next room and watch TV. D's photo op went great, I'll post more details when I get them. We then visited the Parthenon park (that building is absolutely gigantic) I'd love to go back when the museum is actually open. The park was beautiful too! Then we headed to the zoo. It was a really nice zoo and we got in free since we have a zoo pass here. The monkey's were great. They were singing or yelling(I don't know) at each other and it was very entertaining. Check out the monkey video here...
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3393066125492746144
I still can't make the video appear directly on my blog yet so you just have to click on the above link for now.
The middle of the zoo had a giant playground that the boys loved. It says it can accomodate 1000 kids at one time!! I wouldn't want to be there to see that though:) We had a great trip and I'm looking forward to another trip back there soon to enjoy a little more of the city.
Getting ready for company here this weekend, the inlaws and the bro and sis in law. We'll enjoy hanging out, eating, drinking, and maybe a game of dominos or a movie.(rented of course). Finally got the garage organized(thanks mom) and I put new mulch in the flower beds. What a difference that makes!! Just a little more straightening up around here before the weekend and we're set to just relax and enjoy the weekend with family. Dad will miss the fesitivies by only a few days....he's closing on the 30th! I hope it all goes well, of course(sorry dad) there seems to always be little things that pop up at closing, but it will all work out and then you guys can move in yeah!!
Well going to watch American Idol(hubby already spoiled who won but I'll watch it anyway) GO JORDIN!!!! Then off to bed....

Trip to Nashville

And then there were 4

So, I was checking on the bird and eggs today and there were four eggs.....wait a minute...... I only remember there being three eggs. So I ran in the house and checked my blog for the pic of the eggs and "sho nuff" there were only three eggs before. Wow, pretty neat. I don't know much about the egg birthing or anything but those are some big eggs to come out of this little bird. I guess it's the mommy unless it's like the penguins and the daddy gets to warm the eggs, I don't know. Anyway, just thought I'd share.

Today was my boss's last day at work....interesting. I don't know how things will go from here. We will just have to take it one day at a time and see, but I have a feeling it won't be near as much fun around the water cooler anymore. I am still waiting to hear about the other job and submitted my online app for another position. So Monday I will be checking on all these other opportunities to see what may happen.

Going out to check on your house tomorrow Dad. I hope they have finished up alot of stuff so you can move by the end of the month. It would be pretty cool if it was while the rest of the family was here, you'd really have alot of moving in help that's for sure. I'll send pics after my visit out there. D has a morning haircut appt then I'll head out there before lunch. We are heading to Nashville tomorrow afternoon to stay the night and return sometime Sun. D will be doing a photo shoot for an advertising comp on Sunday so we are going to make it into a little family overnight getaway, should be fun...:)

The weather has been so wonderful here, 70's by day and 50-60's at night. It's like camping weather but I sure am having second thoughts about setting up tent in the backyard after the snake incident!!

Well for all those American Idol watchers--VOTE FOR JORDIN! I really hope Jordin wins, I normally don't vote but I will this week. I like Blake don't get me wrong and prob would buy his album but I like Jordin better and she's really improved throughout the show. I just love her bouncy, cheery attitude! sure she's only 17 and by the time she's 34 she will have calmed down but hey it's nice to remember those old younger years right?! :)

Well happy weekend to everyone and I'll chat more later!