Free Rice

This link is from Susan's blog. I tried it out and it's pretty fun and it is addictive. You don't have to enter any personal information to play. Check it out and see how many words you really know the meaning of while donating Free rice through the United Nations. Click this link to try it out. Dee.....how many do you know?? Brain teaser for sure!!

No-No reports

AGHHHHHH! Not 1, not 2, but 3 no- no reports for my little angel! B got in trouble the other day for fighting, pushing, hitting and spitting. WHAT?! Not my angel! He has been under the weather and kinda fiesty but still, that's kinda over the top. I do have to say he had two different teachers that day and not his usual ones. I don't know. But of course we talked to him about being nice to his friends and praised D for doing so good at school. I hope this doesn't continue, I can't have a little bully! I think it really was an unusual day for him and the fact he has had the cold crud like me, who wouldn't be grumpy!

All else is chugging along. Amanda and I are starting to plan and get ready for the great feast next Thursday. We are having it at their new house. Her family will be in town too, so we'll have about 18 family members. GREAT! It should be alot of fun. I am digging through all my recipes deciding what to make. I love it when all the family gets together. I haven't seen her parents since she got married. D was the ring bearer at 6 months old. Adorable I have to say so myself. They have never seen little Bry in person. Her sister's little girl has grown up quite a bit too and they have a new little baby. I am looking forward to it alot!

Here's a great recipe if you want something that's healthy and even tastes great too! I made it a couple of weekends ago and I'm going to make it for the work potluck on Friday. It's pretty easy to make and it's best if you make it the night before.


ITALIAN VEGETABLE SALAD
5 cups fresh broccoli florets(1 large bunch)
5 cups fresh cauliflower( 1 small head)
4 plum tomatoes, chopped ( i used a few regular ones and just chopped into pieces)
1 medium cucumber, peeled and sliced or chopped
1 medium sweet onion, thinly sliced
1 cup sliced fresh carrots
2 cans (2 1/4 oz each) slice black olives, drained
1/2 cup pimiento stuffed olives
1 bottle (80z) Italian salad dressing
1 bottle (8oz) Creamy Italian salad dressing
2 cups (8oz) shredded mozzarella cheese part skim

In large bowl, combine first 8 ingredients. Combine salad dressings; pour over vegetable mixture and toss to coat. cover and regriferate (best overnight or can be at least 4 hrs). Stir in cheese just before serving. Yields 14 servings.

Busy week

So the week went by so very fast.
Monday.. I didn't feel very well we are passing the cold and runny noses around but I convinced myself into some much needed winter clothes shopping. I guess because I wasn't very into it since I didn't feel well....but I actually liked everything I tried on the first time and it all fit except for one pair of pants that I just took a leap and hoped I might could squeeze into (NOT). Then home for much needed rest and off to Taekwondo practice with Dev. He was a little distracted prob due to the lollipop I let him have before class.Oopps. I learned my lesson.

Tues. Much of a blur. I long day at work. Home to eat dinner and then play with the boys, baths and bedtime. Oh yeah I did put a wonderful porkloin in the crockpot. It was from Sam's and preseasoned with Cranberry and Pomegranite. It was delicious!!!

Wed. My hubby went out of town. So late night at work then pick up kids and hurry home to eat and bathe. Mom did come by to visit and help out a little. She forgot the milkshakes she was supposed to bring the boyz but made up for it with a hot wheels car each. Yeah, now we have 102 million:) the boys love the cars!!!!!!

Thurs. Another long day at work. Dad and Dee agreed to pick up Dev from school since Mike was out of town and take him to TKD. The class is at 430 so I can't obviously take him since I work til 5pm. They did a great job and even gave him a "car candy". He told them that I said it was OK. ha ha. Thanks Dad and Dee for doing that. I didn't want him to miss a class since he has belt testing next Friday. I'm excited. AFter this testing he will be able to move up to the bigger kids class on a trial basis at first. We have to see if he'll just fit right in or be overwhelmed and distracted. We'll see.

Friday. USual day at work. I spent the evening catching up on Tivo'd shows of Dr. Phil and Oprah. I watched her show with the Osmond's . I didn't know if I'd like it when I first started but it turned out to be a very interesting show. I watched quite a few shows and then turned into bed early with some Nyquil on board. I still have this annoying hacking cough. Mike went over to his bro's house and they worked on their remote control cars. We are heading over to Dad's on Sun to help him with a new car that he bought. He doesn't know the ropes so they will help him out.

Sat. Took Dev to his first movie at the theater. We started out with a small shopping trip at Kohl's then to have pizza. Then at the movie of course he had to have the works for his first trip right?! We got popcorn, a big cup of fruit punch and some MnM's. He really enjoyed seeing the "Bee Movie". He did great with only one potty break! He didn't like all the previews though, he kept asking when the movie was going to start! I thought the movie was cute but not a big fan of Seinfeld. Kinda wish the main Bee could of been someone else but oh well.Bry stayed home with daddy and had one on one time. Bry has also been sick with the crud and has been unusally cranking and slightly defiant. He even got a no-no report at school this week for fighting. I know.....terrible. But the (girl) he was fighting with gave him a few battle wounds to go home with. She wasn't going to put up with it:)

We booked a cruise with the boys in April. It leaves from New ORleans and goes to Cozumel. My mom and his parents are going along too. It should be a fun family cruise. I really wanted to go to the Bahamas, since we've never been and have been to Cozy but the flight to Orlando area would of cost us more than the cruise. Anyway it was a longer cruise too and we figured we'd try a closer and shorter one first with the boys to see how they do. We took advantage of a one day promotion through our travel agency. See link to right. The cruise was 250-300 per person for us and his parents and the boys were only 170. Can't beat that I say!! And we got a two category room upgrade also! The ship is bigger than the one we took out of Mobile last year. There are three swimming pools and even one shaped like Mickey Mouse's head for the boys. Should be alot of fun. I know it's several months away but with the holidays approaching I know it will be here before we know it.

Happy Weekend to all..

I've been tagged..

Susan, so here's my list...

Here are the rules which must be posted on your blog if you are tagged: 1. Link to your tagger and post these rules.2. Share 7 facts about yourself: some random, some weird.3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them).4. Let them know they've been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.

1. I love the sunshine, the great outdoors, it just makes me feel great!

2. If I rewrote my career path, it might would be in accounting. I really do like working with numbers.

3. I love to hear my boys say "mommy" it just melts my heart. But....by the 100th time in a ROW I start to tune it out..ha! Don't we all.

4. If I could go one place in the world for a vacation, I would love to go to Europe.

5. My first airplane ride was on my honeymoon.

6. My name is NOT Patricia, it's just simply Tricia.

7. My favorite color is purple.

I know my list isn't that exciting but there you go. I would love to play along but I only have one blogger I could tag and that would be Dad. So yes Dad, I tag you!:)

A FABULOUS FIND!! I am so excited about this green wagon I got from a garage sale yesterday. It was only $5. I have been wanting a wagon for the boys for quite awhile but didn't want to pay the 50-100 bucks for one. So occasionally when I hit some garage sales I always had an eye out for one. Well this time I found it!! It was kinda dirty but hey, all clean now and the boys love it. I think this afternoon we might head over to Uncle Tim and Aunt Amanda's with a wagon of some baby pass me downs and the boys to ride of course too! Oh yeah, Congrats on their expecting a baby ................GIRL! Yippee!! Just what D wanted. I asked him what did he want their baby to be several months ago and he said a Girl. So he got his wish:) How exciting for them. Can't wait to find out the name they pick! I'll keep you posted on that!

Took the boys yesterday for their Christmas pics and 2 and 4 yr old pics. They had some taken at the school but blah! They weren't worth the over priced money. So I went back to my fav picture place Portrait Innovations. They do a wondeful job because they take about 60-100 pics! Yes, that's right! So when you have the little non picture taker(my little B) Then they have a better chance of getting a good shot because they take just candidly with some posing. The great part too is that they will zoom, rotate, crop or whatever needed to the pics. Here are some of their 2 and 4 yr old pics and of course you'll have to wait till Christmas for that one :) They are the raw pics from a CD that they gave me of all the shots. So these are not zoomed and fixed but you'll get the idea. Oh and the pics were ready in about 15 minutess..What else can you ask for? Then we did a little shopping and then ate lunch at Cheeburger Cheeburger. The food was OK if you ask me but the boys loved it just because it was a Cheeseburger :)

Mike is really enjoying his bro being here. They get a chance to hang out finally. They went biking yesterday am with a neighbor of Tim's. I think they had a great time, but Mike found out he is a little behind on the biking skills, but this gives him the chance to revamp and bike a little more like he did BK(before kids) and wife really ha ha!

Well that's all for now.

Trick or Treat

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! The boys had a great time trick or treating. Even Bry was saying :trick or treat and thank you:) I have already sorted out the candy for when they get up tomorrow. There's the: trash pile, the lollipop pile, the back in the pumpkin piles and of course the for mommy pile :) This will help save them wanting the candy I don't want them to have and to scale down the huge pile of sugar we have! They came home with a huge bag just from school before we even went out tonight. Thanks to mom for dinner and the company while trick or treating.

Here are the pics of my SUPER HEROES!!

Susan, I haven't forgotten that i was tagged and plan to do it for my next post:) I also want to post two great recipes...but I'll be back with that. Good evening to all.

Total fun

Check out my pics of the boys with toys. The boys talked my dad into getting his own truck too! Click RC fun with the boys to see the pics!
Also here are some pics of Bry's 2 yr. birthday party: See my pics
I have been tagged, I will get to it soon I promise!

Don't take anything for granted

If you have a few moments and you didn't see this on Oprah or anywhere else you must take the time to click here and watch this video! Be sure to click the link that says watch Randy's last lecture. It will take about 10 minutes or so of your time and the message he has to give is one of inspiration and motivation at the same time. Don't take one minute of your life for granted....live each day to it's fullest and don't focus on the negative; instead redirect that energy and make it positive to live the best life you can! This speech by Randy Pausch really touched me and I hope it does the same for you!

Busy, but fun weekend!

We had a busy fun weekend. Fri was Dev's fall festival at school. It was alot of fun. There were quite a few parents their to help. I was in charge of the bowling. They had made bowling pins out of 2 liter bottles with some beans in them for stability. They rolled a BBall to knock them down. It was neat, but I didn't think about how many times I was going to have to pick up the pins...... The kids had a great time and were sugared up by the time I left. Not sure if they really took naps that day or not:)

Sat am. me and D headed out to a water bday party. It was at an aquatic center that had an indoor water park of sorts. It was great, it had sprayers, and water dumping buckets and the water was only 2ft deep at the most. D like it and his friend Harris was so glad that he came. I might have to find out what the winter hours are. It is open to the public and 4 and under are free!! It would be a great winter fun activity!!

Later we had Bry's 2 yr bday party. It's a week early but that way my inlaws could help Tim and Amanda move and be here for the party. B had such a great time! He was really shy though when everyone sang Happy birthday to him. He caught on quickly to opening the gifts with D's help of course. I told B to show everyone what he got and then after every gift he held it up for all to see:) How cute! I don't know anyone was fast enough to catch a pic of him blowing out his 2 candles:) He blew them out so quickly like a pro, I don't think anyone even had their camera ready, hee hee.Thanks to everyone that came to his party. We really enjoyed it and it was wonderul having so much family around to help celebrate! The weather was wonderful too. Just in time, because is has been raining everyday since then!

Congrats to Tim and Amanda who are officially moved into their new house. I even let the boys ride their big wheels over there the other day. They loved it, the trail is a little rocky so I had to push a little, but on the way back they did much better! I am so happy that they are so close. Amanda made green chili and we went to pick some up and dropped them off some leftover bday cake. We are glad they are here. Also a BIG CONGRATS on the baby news. They found out the sex of the baby. I won't spill the beans incase everyone doesn't know yet....but Congrats to them!!!

Last night I had such a great one on one time with my baby B! Mike took D to Taekwondo and B and I just sat on the floor and hugged and played and laughed without interuption. It was so wonderful, we have been saying we wanted to plan more one on one with the boys and it was so wonderful. I really think B enjoyed it because he just hugged me about a million times. Of course he is my cuddler of the two but it was still so very nice! It's just the simple things that you sometimes have to slow down and absorb what's around you. The days get so busy with routine and feedings, and baths, dressing and off to school so quickly. I am a little(alot really) stressed with my new hours because they are so long and I am missing my purely play time with the boys. I am sad when I think about how we have to rush them out in the mornings and have little time to play in the evening. I am trying to give myself time to adjust but I don't think this is going to last very long. I know kids are only small once and the little things and the bonding time will pass so quickly, as it already is day by day. I have been going over all the options in my head and all the alternatives... I will let you know when I decide what to do. I have a feeling it won't be long because I am already feeling such sadness with each long day that passes.

And......my wonderful hubby knows how I've been feeling and sent me such beautiful flowers to work today. It was such a suprise and so very touching to me! He is so wonderful and just sent them to "brighten my day" Of course it worked!! Thank you so much for thinking of me and truly brightening up such a gloomy day! I love you baby!! I have made a slideshow with pics from the weekend but I'm having trouble getting on my page. I will post it as soon as I get it to work right. Meanwhile, here's a pic of my beautiful flowers!

fun weekend

Oh yeah, my tribute to Walter

This is my tribute to Tim and Amanda's dog Walter................

Twins right??!!!!! :) :)

My attempt at creativity...

So I thought I'd be brave like the lion...hee hee. D has his fall festival tomorrow and I've volunteered to bring cupcakes. I wanted to make something fun, so I checked on one of my fav sites Awesome cupcakes to check for some ideas. I found this adorable lion

Looks pretty easy right???!!!! Ha... after multiple attempts, mishaps with the icing tool (it wouldn't work well *****$#%@!#%@!) I tried to use a plastic bag to put the icing on.. well it exploded and luckily landed on a cupcake. Thus, I have one pumpkin cupcake! :) Verdict is that I half way succeeded! I think the kids will like them anyway. I had fun! I can't wait for D to wake up in the morning and see them!This is my 1st attempt:

My 2nd attempt:
My 3rd attempt:
The finished product:
At first my new job wasn't going to allow me to take a few hours off to go to D's festival. I wasn't happy at all. then they suggested that I could trade days with the other girl, therefore I worked Mon. and am off tomorrow so that I can help at the school. Thank goodness. They are having multiple activities for the kids and food of course! I am looking forward to it. I just hope my job doesn't stay so strict with out any flexibility....that won't work for me at all!! We'll just have to wait and see.

Tim and Amanda are closing on their house here tomorrow also. We are very excited for them. We will actually be able to walk to their house! They plan to get a pool so that's even better that we'll be able to just pack a bag and walk on over! Even a few drinks on a summer night and we won't have to worry about drinking and driving......just drinking and walking! My in laws are due to arrive in town tomorrow to help with the moving in. I have decided to move Bry's bday party up one week so that they won't have to drive up again next weekend. I am doing the Barney theme! I have bought a few decorations, and I was going to order a cake but I've decided to stretch my creativity again and make my own cake. I'll post pics. I'm not sure what I'm going to do yet, should be interesting!

Bry tagged along to a bday party with Dev and I to Chuck E Cheese for one of Dev's classmates. B was pretty scared at first and didn't know what to think. Of course after some observations of big bro putting money in machines and tickets popping out he caught on fast. He just liked to put money in and collect tickets even though he had no idea what they were for :) gotta love it! I was a little nervous about taking both boys there by myself(Hubby had a meeting). But they did excellent and I was very proud of them. It was easier than I thought it would be keeping up with them in the commotion of all the other kids running around. They are such good boys!!!!!!They both had a wonderful time and were exhausted when we got home from the sugar rush, dancing with Chuck E and playing all the games.

My husband and brother convinced my dad into getting an RC car. Very cool! He needed a hobby, right Dee?! I can't wait to see him driving it! They'll probably have him into the helicopters and boats soon! Watch out Dad!:)

Amanda is doing good with the preggo. She goes to the Dr. next week ( my OB here) I think they will be sheduling her an ultrasound. I can't wait to find out if we are going to have a boy or girl cousin for the boys! Very exciting. She'll prob have a baby half the size mine were. She's tiny! Almost 5 months along and just barely a pooch going on.......yes I'm a hater!!! hee hee

Got my little piggy today that I ordered for a cousin and his wife that just had a baby girl. A friend of mine gave me one when I had B, then I just gave one to some friends that had a baby boy. This was the first girl piggy I've ordered from her and I must say it's simply adorable. The woman that hand paints these piggies is in her 70's!! She does an amazing job! I love the personalized gifts... here are a few pics....the detail is amazing.... I know they'll love it!

That's all for now.... more this weekend! Happy Friday to all!!

bah humbug!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok so I just typed a huge long blog and it wouldn't post, saying blogger was down. I though it saved it automatically everyminute right??????WRONG!!!!!!!!! Can't find it anywhere and I am quite furious at the moment....... I might be back tomorrow to vent again and hopefully this time it will post!!! Growl!!!!!!! Growl!!!! Hiss, hiss!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time flies

Boy how time flies! Things have been pretty busy around here. My new job for one and Tim and Amanda are staying with us while house hunting, which by the way they found one and are closing next Friday. Planning for D's fall festival at school, planning B's Barney bday party and who can remember what else has had me so busy. Life itself.
I am liking my new job but still adjusting to the new hours. I go in earlier and work later. Not to mention my first week my hubby was out of town and the daycare called saying Bry was sick and I had to leave early, Dad and Dee helped out but it was still stressful, since new job is come to find out very strict during the 90 probation, oh well. I had to do it.
The boys have had a great time playing with uncle tim and aunt amanda. She goes soon to her first dr. appt here and they will be scheduling her ultrasound. How fun! Will it be a niece or nephew for us? Either is fine, but i'm excited to find out!
The boys are already excited about Halloween. We are going to have a little Superman and Batman! Super heroes, how appropriate:)
It's time to make my to do list again. We have so many projects we want to do around the house and so little time as many of you can relate to. But we have done better in the past by simply making a list to cross off as we go. So my plan is to get the list started this weekend.
Well it seems like I've had so much going on but can't think of much at the moment. I'm still here for those of you who might of been wondering. That's all for now.

The love of my life....

NEED I SAY MORE.........................

I am so blessed, I am thankful everyday for my wonderful husband, andsimply amazing two boyz!!

Thank you

So a GREAT BIG THANK YOU goes out to Dad and Dee. They have agreed to babysit my baby Bry tomorrow. He was sent home today from daycare with runny diapers. D had the stomach virus last week and now I guess B has it. He can't go back to school tomorrow and I am at my new job with a full shedule of patients. Of course my Hubbs is out of town so I called up Papa. He quickly agreed to help out, what a life saver, so that I don't already have to call in sick just 2 weeks into my new job. Between the two of them I think they should be able to remember how to change a diaper :) :) The good news is that B is feeling just fine otherwise and should be an angel for Papa and Grandma Dee. Let's hope so, (so that they will agree to do it again :) )
Only a few more days before my bro in law and sis in law will be official residents here! We are very excited to have them moving here. She is about 4 months preggo and they should have plenty of time to get settled in a new house before baby arrives.
Well just a short post for now. I must go tackle my evening chores and getting ready for tomorrow.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY(NOT SO MUCH) D!!

We had a great birthday party today. Wish Mike's fam could of been here, but at least they'll be able to make it next month for baby B's 2nd bday! To see some pics from D's party just click on this link.Dev's bday pics If the weather is nice we'll be heading to the airshow tomorrow. Well this is short but lots of things to do around the house.....Thanks to everyone for all the great bday gifts for D, and thanks for coming to his party, he loved it!!

Yes it's true

Yes, we now have our very own travel website. It's a business we have decided to try to get into. We love to travel ourselves, so why not get more knowledge and help others travel too! We are very excited about this new venture. I hope that the next time you are planning a trip, hotel, airline tickets, cruises, rental car, vacation packages ect. that you check out our website! Yes, it works just like those other sites like expedia, and travelocity. You can also use any frequent flyer miles or other rewards programs that you are affiliated with. Our first booking will receive a free gift card for $5. Just leave me a comment that you are booking and once the trip has been completed I will mail you the gift card.

Sooooo, we are having a 4yr. old birthday party this weekend. EEEKKKKKK! Boy how the time flies. I am only having a family party this year. D will love the cake I've ordered since it involves his favorite thing....Hot Wheel cars! His bday isn't actually till Mon., so on Monday I am gonna stop by his school and drop off cupcakes and treat bags for the kids. I have tried really hard not to buy all the toys at the store, seeing that Santa will be visiting in the near future!

My last day of work is tomorrow. I have worked two days already at my new job and like it alot. I will miss several of my current co-workers but I will prob stay in touch with those few. I am also staying PRN there, so I might be making appearances occassionally to help out. I am looking forward to my new job. Even though the hours are later, it hasn't been to bad so far because I'm busy and the day goes by pretty fast. I will just have to be alot more prepared for dinners during the week.

Friday night is yet another parent's night out! GOTTA LOVE THOSE THINGS! D has even been asking if he gets to go to the parents night. He really enjoys playing with all the other kids and bigger kids. They usually eat pizza and watch a movie on a big screen with the lights out and eat popcorn. He was still up the last time we picked up at 11pm. What more could a kid ask for? I'm not sure our plans yet. I won't even guess, usually whatever I seem to post that we are gonna do, we don't do that. I do know we'll probably celebrate my hubby's bday early. It's not really till next Fri. but this would be a great time to celebrate since we have babysitters!

My baby B is doing great too! He is obsessed with singing the Barney song. He likes to sing it as loud as he can. Then he will try to sing it with a really deep voice. It is hysterical. He sings all the time. Maybe he'll be the next American Idol. Ha ha.

So I got an Ipod for my anniv, but I've yet to use it. I even bought an arm band for it so I can use it to workout. Although, can't workout if there is no music on it, Oh Darn! :) No really, I am really excited to get some songs loaded on it, I just need some time to do it. With my new job schedule, adjusting and all I haven't had time. This weekend might not work well either with the party and we are going to the Airshow on Sunday, the boys should love it! So....hopefully within the next week I can join the Ipod generation:) Thanks to my honey!

Well, I guess off to bed for now. Thanks to Granny for her pop visit. The boys enjoyed seeing her even though D had a slight tantrum while she was here. That's kids for you, course he was totally fine within seconds and he even forgot why he was mad!

Just a little fun

Stole this off another blogger Susan who
Stole this off another blog...Sande Krieger's

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) JTBeamer
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) CHOCOLOTSA
3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) TCAR
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) PURPLEBUNNY
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) LYNN MARIETTA
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) CARTR
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) THE GREEN ZERO
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) PAUL PHILLIP
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) PURE POISON M&MS
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ) DIANE CEDRIC
11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter) UNKNOWN UTAH
12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower) SUMMER IRIS
13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) STRAWBERRY SHORTY
14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree) BANANA TULIP
15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”) THE SHOPPIN SUNNY TOUR

How far an imagination can go..

http://www.jibjab.com/starring_you/receipt/682208

You have to check out this site, it is too funny!!

Simply Amazing!

So today I was going through some old boxes and found something truly amazing! I found a card someone gave me a long time ago with my name and the meaning of it.

So the meaning of my name is "Noble One" The amazing part of this is that my baby boy's name (check out this link)means "Noble's son" I was truly amazed when I found this card. I remembered what B's name meant and when I saw the card of mine I was truly awestruck. SIMPLY AMAZING!