Boyds brood

Wow It's almost the end of Febuary...

2010-02-25T21:27:00.002-06:00

And I'm finally getting back in here.

Life happenings:
I'm healed up from my hysterectomy...got the thumbs up from the Doc!
I found out that I may have to have my thyroid removed due to 2 nodules in them.
Biopsy was inconclusive...but the right nodule is massive and takes up the whole lobe.
Leia and Beren are both learning to drive.
Leia gets her license next month and Beren just got his permit.
Tess and Seth are do well...growing like weeds and so is Lily.
She goes to Preschool 2 days a week and is sooo smart.

Greg has been gone a lot and this is one of the many reasons I don't have time
to get in here to post. He's been gone 3 weeks this month to Ft. Knox, Atlanta, and Miami. It's really hard trying to heal up when he is gone this much...but I made it.
Now to get ready for the next operation.

'bout time I get back to this blog...

2010-01-21T11:22:00.003-06:00

It's been a crazy year for 2009!

Winter '09:
Greg gone a lot!
Lots and Lots of snow!

Spring '09:
Again just super busy with kids and life...

Summer:
Greg was gone a lot!
Swimming Lessons for Lily.
Swim Team for Tess and Seth.
Summer School for both Seth and Tess.
Lily started Preschool.

Fall is always busy for us:
3 kids in Sporting events.
School starting
Both Beren and Leia learning to drive!

We all got very sick with H1N1 and other viruses!

Went to Kentucky for Thanksgiving. We haven't' had a road trip in years. And boy was it a doozie! Took 12 hours to get there...all 7 of us packed into a Dodge Caravan! We had a fabulous time visiting Greg's family!

I started a new business for myself: Premier Designs Jewelry
I'm a jewelry for this fabulous company. Make sure you check it out.

Now we're in 2010:
Started the New Year with Surgery! UGH! A hysterectomy!
So now I have some time while I heal to update my blogs.

I started a new blog that will house all my scrapbooking layouts.
Check it out:
Mikki's Memos

Hope to get back here more often!

Been too busy...

2008-11-09T19:08:00.002-06:00

to post lately. But I'm hoping to get back here and do a lot of updating. I plan on back-dating some of the past events that happened in Oct...so make sure you go back to the month of October to see what I have slipped in there. I'll leave another post telling you when I have updated October news. See ya later!

Halloween at our house!

2008-10-31T13:43:00.001-05:00

Here's a cute little Surprise for ya.

2008-09-30T12:57:00.006-05:00

Last weekend Greg and the 4 older kids went back to Solon for Homecoming. We did this last year too. So much fun seeing all of our friends! Sadly tho, Lily and I stayed home as I was fearful that she would get lost in the massive crowds during the game. Solon always has a huge turn out for homecoming.

Anyway, while Greg was there he stayed with our friends Allen and Keela Harrington. Allen gave Greg a CD he made that has tons of pictures of our boys together at scouting events, birthday party's, and other outings. And as I was looking through the photos last night. I got a kick out of how much the boys have changed. Some of these photos dated back 3 years ago. And as I was looking through them I stumbled upon 4 videos. Allen took them during our last visit to Solon, October 2007. The weather was unusually warm and we all hung out by their pool. I was so thrilled to see them that I just had to share them with you all too.

Mostly of Lily...she's a year and half old. Seems like that was ages ago. She has changed sooo much.

Thanks Allen and Keela for the special memories and for hosting my family once again! Love you guys!

Week 4: 30 pages in 30 days

2008-09-28T20:42:00.001-05:00

Page 1.
My BIG garden on Solon!

Page 2 of My Garden

Seagulls in Iowa? Oct 2003

Tess and her friend Seth. He was so sweet to her.
She saw him last week when they went to Solon.
She said "He still Looks the same." Tess always liked
touching his short hair! ha ha

Well that's it...actually I did a little more just haven't taken
pictures of them yet...but this is 30 layouts in 30 days. I did it!

Week 3: 30 pages in 30 days

2008-09-21T20:33:00.003-05:00

Page 1.
Another layout of Tess' First Halloween Party in Kindergarten.

Page 2 KD Halloween

Page 1.
Leia and her gerbils she got for her 11th birthday.

Page 2. Gerbil World

Halloween 2003 in Solon

Halloween 2008 in Tomah

Halloween 2003 in Solon.

Week 2: 30 days 30 pages

2008-09-14T20:22:00.000-05:00

Halloween 2005 in Solon

Tess' 1st class party in Kindergartern class.

1st day of School Sept 2008

Halloween 2007 in Tomah

Halloween 2004 in Solon

Seth is always watching out for Lily. It's true love!

Tess swinging in Solon 2004. Nice to enjoy childhood.
Hope she never forgets.

Can you tell I'm catching up on Halloween pages?
Hope you enjoy!

30 layouts in 30 days...

2008-09-07T16:38:00.005-05:00

NOT much is happening here these days. Well there is a lot just not much that I can post pictures about. The boys will have a football game this week and I will try to get photos or a video to post soon...so in the mean time I'm gonna try and post scrapbooking layouts. Gonna do 1 a day for the whole month of Sept. There are several of other scrappers trying to do this same challenge too. Just thought I would share all my new layouts with you. Some of these photos were taken way back in 2003. I'm years behind in my photo scrappin and trying to catch up with the main events that happened each year. So be prepare to see old and new photos. Here's the first 7 days worth. Hope you enjoy.

Tess was a pretty kitty for Halloween 2003! Check out how long her hair was!

Greg cutting the boys hair...another set of 2003 photos.
Look at the face on Seth...the hardest part of cutting they're hair was telling them to SIT STILL!

This is an awesome shot that Britton took of herself when we went shopping last July.

More photos of the boys from 2003 playing with fire! I miss living in the country so we could do things like this!

Us playing games...2003 in the old Farm house in Solon, Iowa!

Our old pussycat Roscoe...he died in Iowa but I still have great memories of the funny things he would do...like sleeping in baskets. He was a super big cat too squeezing into these small baskets! Silly kitty!

Leia on her 11th Birthday...darn that was almost 4 years ago! Time flies!

Oh my the month is almost over!

2008-08-30T14:02:00.007-05:00

Gosh just one more day and I've only posted a couple times this month! I better let you know what we've been up to.

Greg has been traveling a lot. Had to go to Kentucky and Kansas for 2 weeks. I think he is really tired of all the driving he's been doing. But he's home now and doesn't have to leave again for another week! Yeah, I know but he has been home a week already. So that's good...2 weeks home, a week gone!

While Greg was gone the kids have started Fall sports. Beren and Seth are both play Middle School football. Leia is now playing volleyball and has already had her first game. Unfortunately they lost 2 out of the 3 games. Leia was super nervous...so hopefully all the jitters will leave the more she plays. Here's some snap shots of her at the game...

Leia's the tall one...#18! She picked 18 for her love of the Colts, Payton Manning!

Little practicing before the game. Leia is 2nd on left.

Lily called Leia's name and she gave us a quick glance.

Love this photo of Tess and Lily watching the game! Love those pigtails! haha Girls are so cute!

Recent scrapbook page I made of Leia with her "Wilson" volleyball!

I don't have any photos of the boys playing football yet. They haven't had a game thus far so that will come later. They're sore and tired from all the practicing!

Both boys are in MS Marching Band and had lots of practices before school starts. Just 2 more days and they are back to the grind again!

Leia had her orientation for High school too. She is so excited and yet nervous being a young freshman this year. Her fears will be over when all the homework assignments come!

Tess was able to meet her 4th grade teacher. I can't believe Tess is already in 4th grade! Amazing! Also, Tess received a letter that she can take piano lessons this year...she is sooo excited about this. She also wants to play a sport...soccer but I haven't found out the schedule yet...so we will wait and see how that goes.

Fall is always a Super busy time for us because of all the back to school events and sports. So if you don't see a lot of posts for me in September you'll know why.

Some more layouts...

2008-08-12T10:19:00.004-05:00

I love hanging out a scrapbooking sites currently I'm in a contest called Shanty-lympics. Each week all the contestants are given a challenge. Mine this week was to use the color green, some bling, ribbon, and chalks. This is my entry: Signs of Summer

Close up of the little birdy that I colored in by using Versa Mark ink and chalks.

Another layout I made the day before...just for fun. Love this photo of Tess! Can you tell she is so happy to finally get the piano lessons that she has been begging for for 4 years now! She's really good at it and we've decided to let her have weekly lessons this school year.

It's my Party and I cry if I want to!

2008-08-11T10:13:00.000-05:00

Well I sure do feel like crying! I can't believe I'm 45! That's a scary number...half my life is over! Boo hoo! None the less I still had a nice Birthday...cake, presents, and dinner out! What more can a girl ask for?

Update on Britton

2008-08-09T22:53:00.004-05:00

Well She got it. She got the job she wanted. Well kinda...

Britton will be working at a Famous Restaurant in Portland called Mother's Bistro and Bar.

Visit the restaurant's website here: Mother's

Britton applied for a line-cooks position. After the interview she received a call from Lisa the owner/chef with a new position. Britton will be the test cook for Lisa's new cookbook...she also will be a substitute for anyone that calls in sick or has the day off. Britton really doesn't know how she feels about this new position..she's a little nervous. She said she really wanted to be a line cook...But I know she will do fine and learn alot. I gotta feeling she will slip into another postition once it comes open. But in the mean time she will learn all the ends and outs of this place.

Now for info on this restaurant. Britton is such a lucky...no blessed girl to get a job a Mother's. Lisa Schroeder owns 2 restaurant in Portland...they're side by side. One is called Mother's and the other one Momma Mia's! So Britton will probably work at both of them as she is needed to fill in for others. As you check out the website notice that they have served many famous people. Read the info about it here: Chef's Blog

Also some famous Chef's come into the restaurant too. While Britton was doing her working interview Cat Cora from Iron Chef dropped by for a visit in the kitchen. Britton doesn't watch TV so she really didn't know who she was...funny huh? One of the guys she was working with had to tell Britton who Cat was! What a girl!

So here is a video of the opening of Momma Mia's and Chef Lisa Schroeder. Lisa has her own Youtube show called Chef Cam...so maybe one day we might see Britton in one of her videos!

Check it out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLSxb20Dlt4

Good Luck my girl...Mama's always praying for you!

More scrapbook pages...

2008-08-09T13:12:00.004-05:00

It's the BOO CREW! Leia the gangster, Beren a soldier, Seth a ghoul, Tess a Witch, and Lily is a Lil' witch!

Just some cute fall pictures around our house and Lily all dressed up in some cute Halloween clothes.

Some new layouts...

2008-08-03T18:33:00.008-05:00

Me wearing Mama's 1950's dress in 1979.

Leia after she skinned up her shoulder when she fell from her bike.

Me with our sweet Lassie dog...her name was Charcoal.

Beren says "Cheese"! Boys are gross!!!!

Tess seeing things from a different view.

Beren and Seth having themselves a BRODEO!

That's "Guy Time' to me and you.

Funny photo of a wooden snake on our front porch.

Placed there by Greg the "JOKER"!

Halloween 2007!

Peanuts!!! I love'em...need I say more?

haha

A weird vehicle Leia spotted in Wal-mart parking lot.

She just had to take a photo of it. Part motorcycle, part car...very strange!

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This is a bout 3 weeks of work. Boy I need to become a faster scrapper! I'm trying...I'm trying!

Hope you enjoy!
Click on photo to see a close up.

Well they're gone!

2008-07-25T17:34:00.011-05:00

Yes... my girl has really flown the nest this time! Matt and Britton were with us for 3 days and left this morning for Portland, Oregon! We'll miss the old girl ! It's gonna be strange not having her close by us. Iowa City was only 3 hour drive from us....now she a 1,900 miles away! She is definitely "On her Own" now!

Greg and I have all the confidence in the world that she will do well and success at whatever she puts her hands to. She wants to start her own Soap and Shampoo Company but first she will look for another kitchen position. She was told that restaurants on the West Coast love hiring hardworking Mid Westerns! And she is a very hard worker....they'll be lucky to get her!

Matt has a lot of connections in Portland...he use to live there about 3 years ago. Matt will do well there as he too is a hard worker! Not sure what field he will go into...he is a very talented Graphic Artist, has worked in the Food industry and built some websites too! Whatever Matt does he will do well!

They both love the simple life...they don't live above their means and live a life as what they refer to as a Self-staining lifestyle. Meaning the live as green as they can...don't buy more then they can offered and try to do everything as natural as they can. Neither own a car and prefer to ride bikes. By the way both are in great physical shape...Matt rides about 50 to 60 miles for exercise every day! This doesn't include riding to and from work everyday either. Britton rides more for pleasure and for transportation to and from work too.

Matt and Britton have rented a moving truck and plan on taking 3 days to get to Oregon. Not sure how much sightseeing they plan on doing but they did say they were stopping in South Dakota and again in Montana. Britton has always wanted to see Montana. I hope she gets to see more then just a view from the truck.

They also have their crazy cat with them...Britton said she cried for hours on the way up here. Hopefully she calmed down for them.

They're off to the BIGGEST ADVENTURE of they're lifetime!

Imagine having this for Dinner!!!

2008-07-24T20:04:00.005-05:00

This is what I had for dinner last night...guess where?
At my house! By Chef Britton! Doesn't it look yummy? Well it was and I wish I had some more to eat right now! ha ha

After our long day of shopping Britton came home and cooked us this fabulous meal. Let me see if I can describe it for ya. Seared Scallops over a bed of zucchini herb flavored basmati rice, Maui Carrots in a savory sweet brown sugar sauce and a creamy avocado sauce, topped with red onion and napa cabbage!

Britton in action! Believe it or not...this was the first Meal Britton has ever cooked for us since going to Culinary School. Once she cooked us a steak..but that's not as glamorous as this meal!

Three plates ready to go...one for Me, One for Greg, and One for Britton! Matt missed out on a great meal...he's a vegan and refrains from food like this...but he did enjoy eating the rice! That's okay...just means more for us! hee hee

Daddy gives a big kiss for serving us such a delicious meal!

The girl has great talent and is a MUCH better cook then her mom will ever be!

Thanks Britton!

Girls day out...

2008-07-24T19:54:00.001-05:00

Well maybe not all 5 of the Boyd girls. Lily and Tess stayed home...but me, Britton, and Leia had a good old time. We hit Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Barnes and Nobles, ate a Panera, and shopped for Food at Festival Foods in Onalaska. It was really nice to get out of the house for the day. The weather was perfect...really nice puffy clouds against a blue sky...temps in the upper 70's! Couldn't ask for a perfect day....

SNAP SHOTS IN THE CAR!

Making Signs and Piano Recital..

2008-07-23T19:33:00.002-05:00

Matt helps make a sign for my friend Wendy. She needed one for an Out Reach that she is doing for the Youth in our town. Matt did an outstanding job on the sign...he did it all by hand! Guess that Artist degree did pay off! ha ha

And while Matt was creating the sign, I was at Tess' Piano Recital. She had an awesome performance! Even tho I'm partial she had the best performance in my opinion. She played, Old McDonald had a Farm... with no mistakes!

Tess has been waiting for piano lessons for 3 years now. When we lived in Iowa all the classes were full and stayed full so she could never get in. And now that we're in Tomah they offer FREE lessons in the Summer School Program! Now that she's completed the summer program she can move on the private lessons! We're so happy that she has the opportunity to learn to play the piano! Keep up the good work Tessie!

OH SNAP!!!

2008-07-20T18:56:00.002-05:00

Greg snapped a picture of me and Lily in our whirlpool tub!

Since we moved into our new home I've taken only a couple of baths in this tub...and really didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. But NOW...I love it! Lily and I take a bath together most every night. If she's not in here with me...then she's in it with Tess or Leia!

So much fun to watch the bubbles grow! Lily loves to blow them over and over again to watch them fly in the air. This is just a fun and specail time together...one day she will out grow this...or I should say... out grow baths with me!

Scrapping again...

2008-07-18T22:52:00.004-05:00

Oh it's so nice to be creating again! Here's some of my latest scrapbook pages...ENJOY!

Tess last year: Lil Lady

Final Finale: A rare photo of Greg, me and Lily together. My journaling talks about saying goodbye to our friends in Solon (photo taken at our farewell party) and saying goodbye to having more children...Lily is our Final Finale! She stole the show!

Rock the night away! Kids getting Rock Band for Christmas 2007!

Great Photo of our Kitty Scooter! eyeCATching! His eyes are so pretty!

Tess is the Speed Racer. Poppi brought this pocket motorcycle to us last summer...Tess loves it!
Here she is riding it this summer!

Thanks for looking!

They're ENGAGED!

2008-07-16T17:10:00.006-05:00

I just received a phone call from Britton!

Matt proposed to her today!

This is such exciting news for Greg and I. We couldn't be more happier for the both of them! Matt is the prefect guy for her!

Congrats Britton and Matt.... we love you guys!

Oh boy...his gonna have his hands full with this one! ha ha

Last week we have flooding in our area!

2008-07-16T16:38:00.006-05:00

UGH! We had yet another bad series of storms here. Lots of high winds...65 mph! Many people had damage to their homes and lots of downed trees and limbs. For us, we had some broken limbs and leaks inside our sunroom, livingroom, and basement.

Today, we had a visit from our Insurance agent...he said we have lots of wind damage to the roof...so they will replace it. thank goodness! Sure hope this fixes the leaks inside! More on that to come.

Britton's New Look!

2008-07-16T16:25:00.003-05:00

How about this? Purple and Black hair! What a girl!
Sure makes her green eyes POP!

She looks so cute! Love the hairband!

Guess WHO Turned 14 today...

2008-07-08T19:02:00.006-05:00

Beren Reese Boyd!

Love this photo....do you see his ADAM's APPLE? That thing is as big as his Uncle Luperts. I recently read that an adam's apple is really a sign of lots of hormones ...oh lordy the boy must be exploding with it! ha ha

And for his special day he finally got his Rockin Electric Guitar! The boy is in HAWG Heaven now! It's an Ibanez Stratocaster. See Beren Rockin out!

Now so you can understand why we need to wait to get Seth a drum set...soon we will have a real ROCK BAND at Boyd's Brood!

Couldn't resist posting this picture...Look at the O.F. (old fart) go! Humm...wonder who the guitar is really for? Wondering minds want to know!

Have a Rockin Birthday Greg...oh I mean Beren!

:-)

First day of Summer School...

2008-07-07T22:13:00.009-05:00

It's time for Summer School!

Tess and Seth both have classes this year. Beren and Leia are lucky and get to stay home with me! Tess is lucky because she has the fun classes.

Piano Lessons and Cooking Classes!

For Seth, he's not so lucky... it's Reading, Math, and Band Classes for him!

Playing the drums is fun tho!

They're lessons run for 6 weeks and I have to drive them to school everyday...

Monday thru Thursday! This is the only draw back for me.

Hurts the Purse! Know what I mean?

I highly recommend this movie:

2008-07-06T18:27:00.005-05:00

Totally cried my eyes out over this one and laughed my butt off too! It was Awesome...you gotta see it!

Click here for preview:

http://psiloveyoumovie.warnerbros.com/

Look who's 72!

2008-07-06T18:15:00.009-05:00

Nothing like telling a women age!

I'm gonna pay for this! h Ouch!

But doesn't she look good! Way to go Mamma!

You're ROCKIN in the 70's!

Born: July 5, 1936

Happy 4th of July!

2008-07-04T19:37:00.007-05:00

Well we didn't do too much on the 4th. We show our
patriotism by hanging an American Flag outside.
We also enjoyed grilled hambugers and brats.

Later that evening we went over to a friends house to
watch the fireworks. They're farmers and had a huge
field where we were able to blow all the fireworks.
Here's one of the many that were shot off.

There were tons of kids there and all got to play with sparklers.
I thought this was a great photo. Our friends daughter, Lindsey, twirling a sparkler in a circle.

Here's the funniest shot of the evening.
Poor Leia...she really has to cover up to avoid getting bit from the mosquitoes...
so she took the covers off of the folding chairs and put them
on her legs like knee high wading boots...she looks soooo funny!

Hope ya'll had a great 4th!

His a Tween-ager now!

2008-07-02T17:58:00.016-05:00

Seth celebrating his 12th Birthday! We bought him a Reese's Cake...it was yummy!

We bought Seth 2 special gifts...

1. Lego Star War's Destroyer and....

2. a new drum system for Rock Band!

Can you believe that he wore out the orginial set in just 4 months? We bought Rock Band for Christmas and he already needs a new drum set. Seth is the only one

in the family that can play the drums...he hits every note. One day we'll have to invest in a REAL DRUM SET...just not yet! My head can't take the noise!

ROCK ON AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOY!

Quick Update:

2008-06-26T00:03:00.003-05:00

Look below for a new post....Titled: MY 6 Pack

I started a post several days ago and never go around to updating it...

so it stayed in draft form. That is until now... I finally got around to posting the images with it today. So scroll down and read about Greg's Father's Day.

Also, I've been working on a new post...already spent 2 hours on it. It's all about last weekend up to today and darn if I'm not having trouble with the images. So I'll get it posted as soon as I can. Sorry about that...gonna have to start all over again! UGH!

Me sitting at my computer 12 midnight...pulling my hair for the last 2 hours!

I give up...it's time for bed! Nighty, Nite!

Good Day all!

2008-06-19T11:51:00.001-05:00

I have a new video from Seth...

This video has been in the works for weeks now. For some reason I had a really hard time loading this one to the internet...it was too long and had to cut it down...plus Seth wanted me to add all the titles to each Star Wars figure he showed...that just took to much space (time) on my Youtube spot. So here is the Raw version of Seth and all his many Lego figurines! Enjoy!

P.S. I gonna post again later...about Britton during the Floods in Iowa and our busy weekend last week.

Iowa City Flood

2008-06-16T16:28:00.000-05:00

Told you I would post Photos of the flood that was near Britton's Apartment in Iowa City.

She lives a block away from this road. Thank goodness her apartment is up a steep hill. So she was not affected by it. Her boyfriend Matt...Britton said by the time the flood had reached it's crest it was about to Matt's waist!

These are photos near the University. Greg use to work across the street from here!

Normal water level is about 10 feet below the bottom of the bridge. So this is extemely high!

My heart goes out to all the people that suffered a loss. I called many of my friends there and all told me that they weren't effected by the flood...only hard to travel around.

Got "My 6 Pack"...how 'bout you?

2008-06-15T20:42:00.015-05:00

Oh man...I can't believe I forgot to post this! I saved it as a draft and forgot to go back to finish writing it.

Oh well better late than never...

First, let me say "Happy Father's Day" to all you Dads out there. Greg said he had the best Father's Day ever...I finally bought him something that he really, really wanted...can't tell you how many times he said it over and over again..."I really want a picture of the kids running blown up really big so I can hang it on the wall above the computer desk"...so that's what he got. Remember this photo?

Now here it is in a poster size...framed and ready to be hung in his office at work...titled;

"My 6 Pack"

I think he likes it! ha ha

I couldn't help myself...thought of this title after I bought the poster and as I was looking at all my youngin's running like a "Pack of Wolves" I realized that I have a "Pack of kids" and 6 of them to boot...thus a "6 Pack!" ha ha Perfect title for a RETIRED RANGER... I think he's still looking for his 6 pack! haha Shhhh...don't tell him I said that! LOVE YA HONEY!

Short Video of our vacation in Wisconsin Dells

2008-06-13T22:04:00.001-05:00

I took more photos with my camera then I did with the FLIP. But here is a short video of Lily, Seth, and Leia by the pool.

5 minutes with Tess.

2008-06-09T23:12:00.005-05:00

This will prove to be the most valuable 5 minutes in your life! Enjoy!
P.S. I don't know why this video is as blurry as it is...it's even worse on Youtube,

Sorry!

Weather Update:

2008-06-08T23:28:00.003-05:00

Here's a new Video from yesterday. We had alot of severe weather and afterwards we had the most beautiful skies...rainbows and sunsets.

This a another video from Viddler...should be clearer and in a larger format. Enjoy!

Which is better?

2008-06-08T19:57:00.007-05:00

Okay, I just found a new Video site called Viddler...similiar to Youtube. It's suppose to be better then Youtube because you get more time and a clearer picture...Youtube has a 10 min limit on each video and the picture is blurry. So let's put this to a test. I put the same video side by side. You can play both videos at the same time just remember to turn off the sound...click on the sound button on the menu bar of each video and drag it to the bottom level to lower the volume.

I can see a big difference...can you? Tell me which one you like better by leaving a comment.

I'm using a video you've seen before titled THE FLIP... cause it's short and quick to watch.

Vidder video:

Youtube video:

Lil' home decor!

2008-06-03T19:05:00.001-05:00

This lil' corner in my sunroom reminds me of Italy. I miss the romantic atmophere over there. The table cloth I bought while shopping downtown in Vicenzia, Itlay. The wrought iron table and chairs I found at Hobby Lobby...of course we got them on sale half price! The Capiz Shell lamp was handed down from Mamaw. She said she gave it to me cause I was one of the few people that would take the time to untangle it. Patiences does pay off! ha ha I love seeing it all lit up at night.

I found these colorful silk flowers at Wal-mart. Cheapo...but I love how bright they are. We all need a punch of color in our lives.

Here's to a Romantic Cheery Day!

Changed my looks...

2008-06-03T16:39:00.005-05:00

So what do you think about the new design of my Blog?

I like that it has a wider format, it's has a clean and neat sidebar too.

Hope I didn't throw you off too much. The same info is here just a different
color and layout.

Never know what's gonna happen next around here! ~giggling~

Thanks for understanding! ~sweet winks~

Tess was in a Play last weekend...check it out!

2008-06-03T10:10:00.011-05:00

Just a quick update: I moved my scrapbook pages to the bottom of the blog. I haven't added anything new to my pages in a long time so it's kinda old news...but if you enjoy looking at them they are still here just relocated to the bottom of this page now.

I'm also going to put a link to a specific video in each new post. Hopefully it will work. But if you ever want to see all my video's just click on the link in the sidebar on the right titled "Video Updates" it's here that you can see all my videos on Youtube. If you're having problems viewing the Youtube page you can always go to http://www.youtube.com/user/mommamikki save this page in your favorites...then you will always have a direct link to my videos.
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Now moving on to the main topic of the day. Tess in the play Mary Poppin's . She has the roles as Mrs. Banks. Tess likes to describe Mrs. Banks as the unconcerned mother of Jane and Michael Banks. Great description! huh?

Tess did a great job acting. She wasn't nervous at all and spoke her lines very well during the whole performance. She didn't make any mistakes...sh-woof!

As you veiw the video below take note of the backdrops. All of them were painted by the students in her class with the help of some parents. I love how Tess' teacher allowed the kids to take an active part in all aspects of the play...everything from setting up, staging, singing and preforming! She is an AWESOME teacher! (I would name her but we need to keep it confidential here)

Leia and I put together her outfit at the last minute. We needed to find clothing that fit the time period. It has been years since I've seen the movie Mary Poppins'...so I had to go on the Internet to check out Mrs. Banks clothing.
See her here: Mrs. Banks
I think we did a pretty good job getting her costume together. Love the hat and boots that Tess is wearing...I found them at Goodwill and the rest of her clothing is from Big sis Leia's, clothes closet!

Tess' teacher was so sweet and asked "how many times has Tess watched the movie?" I said I don't think she has ever seen it. Well come to find out the whole class watched the movie 1 time so they could get a good understanding of it...then they tried out for roles. Tess' teacher said that she (Tess) fits the role of Mrs. Banks perfectly...has her mannerisms and all. Too funny cause Tess is very motherly and mature in her speech...but the girl had only seen the movie once in her life. Then on Mother's Day of all days, THE MOVIE CHANNEL featured Mary Poppins all day long! How cool was that? Tess was thrilled to see it again on TV. We had fun watching it together...good thing cause I forgotten what most of it was about.

Now a little about the video. This is only part 1 of the play. Also, I only included highlights of the play...mainly the songs and scenes Tess was in. I also blurred most of the scenes too because I really don't know how other parents feel about their kids faces being on the Internet. Just wanted to let you know why it looks the way it does.

I'm so impressed with all the performers...remember these kids are around 9 or 10 years old. The gal that plays Mary Poppins has an awesome singing voice and so do the boys.

I thanked Tess teacher for introducing the kids to acting at such a young age...I sure hope this will inspire Tess to continue in this ART...she's pretty comfortable performing and is pretty darn good at it too! Enjoy!

It's Garden time!

2008-06-02T18:43:00.002-05:00

Yeah! I finally got some things planted in my small garden.

Several kinds of tomatoes; Grape, Sweet 100, Early Girl, and Roma.
I sure hope they survive...last year the aphids came before I knew it and killed several of them. This year I'm keeping a very watchful eye. I'm also afraid that we might get some frost too. Living this far north has it's disavantages!

Also have some eggplant, bell pepper, cucumbers, herbs, and lettuce...my all time favorite is Arugula! It's a peppery lettuce...had lots of it when we lived in Italy! I could buy it in the grocery stores over there but here... I have to grow it if i want it! Love, love it in my salads!

This garden plot was here when we moved in. I don't have the heart to ask Greg to till me a new one...a larger one. So I work with what's already here. I put red bark in the middle for a walking path so I can weed. It's kinda like Square Foot Gardening...only I get lots of weeds in this plot! UGH!

Here's to Gardner's around the world! Good Luck!

The Lazy Day's of Summer...

2008-06-01T08:00:00.007-05:00

It's finally Summer! Well...almost! It's still a little chilly here in Wisconsin but with the sun shining so brightly it's getting warmer and warmer each day. We still have 40 degree temps at night and the days are in the low 70's. I can't wait for Summer to really arrive!

I happened to look outside and found these 2 basking in the sun. Tess knows how to enjoy the season at hand.

Do you remember days like this? I do! I remember laying on the cold green grass outside looking up at the clouds above..."see that cloud? It looks like an elephant...oh there that one, it's a turtle...and that ones looks like a bird!" And my all time favorite thing about summer...GRASS BLOWING...where your hands became the instrument by putting a blade of grass between your 2 thumbs and blowing really hard to make a whistling sound...always tickled my lips...I can feel it now...those were the days!

Here's to Warm Summer Days!

Here Tess and Lily are enjoying the outdoors
The Girls are so sweet together!

Look who else decided to join in the fun...Zippa!
She's such a lovey dovey girl!

Another new video

2008-05-29T15:07:00.009-05:00

I hope all of you will check in frequently to see my NEW video. Today it is Lily getting ready for bed. She is talking so good now. In this video she says the word DANCE, HUG, OUCHIE, and Night Nite and probably alot more that I don't understanding yet. She's such a sweet baby and growing up way too fast.

Tonight I will be making a new video of Tess. She is in The Mary Poppin's play at her School. She's playing the part of Mrs. Banks, Jane and Michael's mother. Her teacher, Miss Olson, says that Tess is perfect for the role and asked if she has been watching the movie cause she has her (Mrs. Banks) mannerisms down pat. Tess has only seen the movie once with her class as the Teacher showed it to them months ago as a preview before she assigned them roles. I can't wait to see the Play and as soon as I can get the video posted on YouTube I will email you all to see the play too. Sure hope I can get good seating.

Oh please leave a comment. This way I know you all are getting my email updates. Thanks!

Look who's in the lead!!!

2008-05-27T19:36:00.009-05:00

It's Lily! What a great shot! Shows the contrast of how much older her brothers and sisters are then her. Go Lily Go!

On May 12th Britton and her Boyfriend Matt came up for a 4 day visit. It was a great time getting to know Matt...he is perfect for Britton. He knows how to keep her in check! Can't you see the mischievousness in her eyes? Love it!

Britton is doing well...working hard and hopes to move to Portland, OR this summer with Matt.

We had such a good time with them...his a great guy!

On May 13th Mamaw and Poppi came up from Kentucky to see Britton. We all had a wonderful time together even tho it was short. So glad they got to see her.

Another awesome photo. Everyone is lined up by age. Beren is taller then Leia and Britton...can you believe that? His only 13! Leia and Britton look like they are the same height...Leia might be taller tho! Lily was too busy to stand so Poppi had to hold her. Perfect to have her on the end! Tess gave Mamaw a bouquet of dandelion's! ha ha They look good in the photo. Greg hates dandelion's...they mess up his lawn! I can't believe the difference in height between Seth and Beren too. Seth is average for his height and Beren is way above normal for his...Hope Seth's has a growth spirt soon!

Now for the best photos Yet!

Britton takes on Beren!

Funny story behind this...for years Britton would say that she couldn't wait for Beren to get bigger cause when he does"I'm gonna kick his butt." Well that time finally came and look who's turns up on top! hee hee Guess he showed her!

That'll learn her!

What a Hoot! as you can see we had a fabulous weekend! Britton is a fun girl to be around...she keeps us in stitches!

It's so FLIPPIN' Cool!

2008-05-26T21:51:00.008-05:00

Guess what I just bought? A Flip! Have you heard of it? Well if not it is one of the coolest lil' gadgets on the market today. (click the link above) It's a very small video camera. So small I can carry it in my pants pocket. It also has a underwater case too! I can't wait to video tape the kids in the pools this summer! I bought it with the hopes of posting Video updates of the kiddos for our extended family to view. I know many of you haven't seen my kids in years so with my new FLIP and YouTube you'll be able to watch them grow before your very eyes. How cool is that?

My first video is of Leia and her banged up body. OUCH! Her whole class went on a 26 mile bike ride on the Sparta Bike Trails for Fitness week and poor Leia girl wipes out when the petal of her bike came off...she was in the standing position to get more speed and BAM the petal slipped off and so did her foot...totally wiped out. She took it well...a little sore now but healing is coming along.

Sorry about the verticle shot...I'm still learning how to use the camcorder and didn't realize that I had to hold it in the horizonal position. Oh well...I'll get better at it...promise. Well off to edit some more vidoes for ya...enjoy!

Leia with all her boo-boos! OUCH!

Can you name this tree?

2008-04-26T20:52:00.011-05:00

I can't believe how long it's been since I wrote in my blog. I've been as busy as that bee in my header... above!

Just this month we had both Lily and Britton's Birthdays. Seth went on a Trip to Eagle Bluff. And Greg went to Altanta for a week of work. I've been working on PTO projects and reorganizing my photos the PHOTOFREEDOM way. Organizing my photos probably will take me months if not years to do! One day I will have it all together...maybe when I'm with the LORD!

I love Spring...so glad the weather is warming up. But today we have very gray skies and snow flurries! Can you believe it?

Yesterday weather was warmer with big fat thick clouds. It reminded all of us of Florida skies. Raining one minute and sun shining the next.

I took several beautiful photos of Plants and Trees blooming in my yard yesterday. We didn't plant this tree...so I have no idea what kinda it is...can you name it?

Flower bloom on the tree.

Below are some other things that are growing in our yard too.

Lily had fun splashing in the rain water...she has a very messy PIZZA face too! Doesn't look like she's having fun here but she did! See next photo!

It was her first time playing in the rain! She kept calling it SNOW! She's never seen rain but has seen lots and lots of snow! It was warm yesterday but today freezing cold and very very windy...just a miserable day!

So how's the weather in your neck of the woods?

It's A Beautiful Day!

2008-03-20T17:43:00.005-05:00

And it's Mr. Roger's 80th Birthday! Loved watching him when I was a kid. So today I will honor Mr. Roger's by wearing a sweater...even if it is purple! ha ha

Actually, I wear a sweater most days. I have, "living in cold Wisconsin" to thank for that. And being that my scraproom is in my basement I have to wear a sweater to keep warm so I can enjoy my hobby. I love my newly updated scraproom...wish I could spend all day down here but the fact is I have a few sickies home today. So I took time to make it a "Beautiful Day" (as Mr. Roger's would say) for my kiddos by letting them sleep in, watch movies, cooking warm soothing hot meals and drinks to cure what ails them. And for those that have sore throats...some wonderful yummy Bunny Tracks icecream! Can't beat that on the first day of Spring!

Well speaking of Icecream...or cold stuff...we have more snow coming tonight! Expecting 5 to 8 inches! No... no... no...not again...Enough is Enough! All I want from the Easter Bunny is warm, sunny days from here on out! Sadly, I hear more snow is expected on Sunday too...boo hoo! How does one egg hunt in the snow?

Well here's hoping that all my sickies are well by tomorrow...on Good Friday! PLEASE GOD! One wore out Mommy! Gosh... (looking at my photo above) I'm not looking to well either but nonetheless...I'm happy!

Here's hoping all of you have a great Easter Weekend! Many, many blessings your way!

All I can say is WOW!

2008-02-25T14:56:00.011-06:00

I've been wanting new shelves in my scraproom for sometime now. It was driving me nuts to have everything sitting around my feet! When we lived in Iowa I had shelves on 2 walls and it held alot...so much that all I had to do was look up...open up one of the many plastic drawers that lined them and viola… there it was...product in hand ready to scrap.
But since we moved in this house all my products and plastic container are on the floor all around my work tables...yes tables...the kind you get a Walmart...plastic buffet tables. They're nice for large tops but horrible to work on. The plastic had too much bounce to hammer eyelets on pages and would melt if I held my heating tool too close...and lets not talk about all the paint it’s covered with.
I could never get a good feel for scrapping in this room. I changed it around so many times I lost count. I only took one photo of my area…wished I had taken more so you can see how bad it really was. This is the only one I have…

Old Style...looks organized but there is tons of plastic containers on the floor around the tables! Couldn't find anothing fast. The tables were wobbly too! SO Furstrating!

So last week after Greg came home from a 5 week business trip...we went out to find some much needed shelves to hang in my room. Instead of us finding shelves...we found an awesome deal at Office Depot. We bought this 8 piece work station for less then $300! At a Whooping 80% savings!

Then he found some wood bookcases at Walmart for $30 each...Greg bought 5 tall ones and one short. And shelves to hang on the wall. Then after we got everything home...put the furniture together...built the bookcases...hung the shelves...Greg went out and bought me a really nice brown leather office chair...it sooo comfortable! Feels so good when you have a broken tail bone!

Total cost for my new room...about $600! Can't beat that!

So here are photos of my new scraproom! Enjoy and eat your hearts out! hee hee

I can't believe how much room I have in here now! I was afraid the desk would take up too much of the floor area. But we have enough across from the main desk that we plan on buying a nice sitting chair for Greg to enjoy...I want to get a massage one for him...he deserves it!

Wall Shelves holds 3 boxes of scrapping trinkets, black paper racks from Hobby Lobby (bought these a few months ago), Scrap rack on Laterial file cabinet!

Main desk area... across the way on the hooks is one of my Purse Alert purses ready to sell on ETSY and where the mauve chair is...that's where we want to put a chair for Greg...lots of room there... enough area there for a loveseat! hee hee

View under my desk. More storage area. Love that I can just reach down and grab things and love that it's all hidden away from view.

Now all my plastic containers have high place to go! Yep hee!

See layout on magnet board to the left? Got that at Office Depot too. Close up photo below.

Metal magnet board...similar to FRED...I think FRED is better. Gonna have to order me one. This one is only 11.5 x 11.5...not big enough to hold a 12x12 page.

Bookcase on the other side of room...love my little TV up high too!

Holds all my albums, mags, photo boxes and fabrics for my purses.

Tall glass jars have flowers and small ones have scrap peices of ribbon in them. Might get the super short ones to hold buttons...love all the colors around me!

Wooden boxes have my clear stamps in them.

And below I made the DIY Clip it up hanger!

I used a metal tension rod rather then the hook screws with dowel rod like the other lady used on her blog.

Huge paper clips cut and bend to make hangers and attached to mini clothes pins to clip things up.

Close up of my DIY Clip it up! Still have lots of room to hang more...

just gotta make more hangers.

Laterial file cabinet holds all my paper scraps in file folders. Top drawer has wooden stamps in plastic boxes from Stampin' Up.

Sewing area where I make my purses. Still need to organize this area!

Greg... the "LOVE of my life" that made it all happen! Thank you honey! You're the man!

I so love my new scraproom and so love you for all your hard work and dedication you showed to making me happy!

Now this is one heck of a scraproom! Isn't it?

If you have any questions please post them in the comment area and I will try to answers them for ya! Thanks for looking!

Finally... BRITTON!

2008-02-22T12:02:00.007-06:00

I know alot of you have been wondering about Britton. She calls often and emails me on occassions. And I always ask for some photos of her... finally she sent some. I love, love photo #3...pretty with a lil' sexiness added! hee hee! Here she is...

I miss the old girl! She is happy...working in the Resturant buisness...has a lovely boyfriend, I haven't meet yet but heard lots of great things about him from her. Any man sending flowers to her at work is great in my book! hee hee Love this girl!

Awww isn't this sweet!

2008-02-01T21:34:00.001-06:00

Look at those lips!

In the south we call kisses...sugar...you know it's such sweet stuff! It's by far the best word to use!

I've been scrapping away while Greg is gone. Found some of these old photos taken back in July. Actually, these photos were taken on the 4th. Lily was 15 mos old...and for the first time gave up a kiss to her daddy! I've made 10 layouts in the last few weeks and this is by far my favorite! So Sweet!

So what word do you use for sweet kisses?

Now off to make me a new slideshow of my latest layouts! See ya later!

What was I thinking?

2008-01-27T11:48:00.001-06:00

What is it about women and their hair? Lately, I haven't been happy with mine!
It looks dull and lifeless. Last time I got a hair cut the lady used a razor on my hair and it really messed it up…looks like I have frizzy hair all the time! The older I get the more my hair changes…no longer do I have beautiful silky flowing blonde hair…it now has some wave in the back…straight in the front…and going darker with a little gray. UGH!

So I decided to take matters into my own hands and color it...I thought it would be a quick fix to my anguish. I went to our favorite getting place…Wally World! The color choices can be very overwheleming! So after about 30 mins of looking I went for a light blonde! Came home and went to work…can I say UGLY! It looked horrible. The color didn't take in all places and I could see the differences...a blob here and a blob there! Yucky! I kept the look for about a week and couldn’t handle it anymore.

So... back to Wally World and this time went with something dark. Why fight what is happening naturally... plus I've always wondered what I would look like with darker hair...so I went for a Medium Brown in a cool color and it had highlights too! YES... this was the one for me! Let's try this again!

Well after I coloring it...it was a deep brown...deeper then I thought it would be! But thought it'll be okay after I pull in the highlights thru! Well the highlights looked brassy and covered the top of my head...I tried pulling it through the bottom layers but I didn't notice a color change. The bottom of my hair looked ashy more blue and purple in color! Can we say YUCK...again!

The next day I went to Bible Study and NO ONE said anything...good or bad about my hair. So I thought "that's it"...time for Professional Intervention!

So Friday I called the local Cost Cutters…again at Wally World! And Holly answered the phone. I said…“Hi Holly…I NEED HELP!” Then I explained what a horrible mess I made of my hair and she said she understood and it could be fixed…she also added that she was one of the best for color corrections there! YEAH! I was sooo relieved!

My appointment was at 2pm…so I had plenty of time to wash, dry and style my new brown locks …take some photos of the “Before” look and later I’d take the “After“ more beautiful look…figuring it would make a great scrapbooking page!

BEFORE

Not too bad

When I arrive at Cost Cutters…Holly was standing at the desk and smiled and said “You must be Mikki!” And I said…“Oh no! Is my hair that bad you can spot me a mile away?”
She laughed “saying no it’s not that bad” Oh thank goodness! But the more she looked at my hair she could see the blue tone on the bottom and the brassiness on top. So her suggestion was to add Highlights and Lowlights. I’m game…anything would be better then having part orange, part blue hair! Then I explain that I just hate my hair cut too…I want something more trendy…some thing fresh and new.

So after 3 hours in the chair this is what I ended up with. Three colors in my hair…and a long shag! Not sure I’m happy with it…but there is no way I can change it now! When will we ever learn to let the professionals have a go at it first before we muck things up?

After

I look like a tri-colored tabby cat!

I think I've learned my lesson...well...NO... not really cause I want to go back and get the medium brown and re-dye my hair again!
Let me know your thoughts…was the before better then the after or the after better then the before. Thanks…love to hear your comments!

Oh my I'm having a ball!

2008-01-07T01:54:00.002-06:00

Playing with my photos! Look at these! Ain't she cute?

I have a new Photo Editing program and been having a ball editing my photos!

This is the original and above is the improved version! Much better isn't it? She's got some personality now!

Here's another one...

BEFORE!

AFTER! A Little more sexy feel to it don't you think? Wish I could look like this everyday! Well at least for now these photos will be an everlasting print in your memory! Thank goodness...I look so much better here then in real life!
Pretty cool huh? Can't wait to play some more! Oh yeah...
Remember to leave me some love by posting a comment!

Look above!

2008-01-06T18:52:00.002-06:00

I made my very first banner! Yeah!
The photo is Tess and Seth coming home from an
adventure in the snowy wilderness!

I also was able to manipulate the photo so that there is
a spotlight in the center of the photo. You may not notice it
but the edges are darker then the middle of the photo. Such
a cool effect!

Thanks for checking in!

Update: made a new banner...here's a photo of my first banner.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T17:21:00.003-06:00

Love the look of a tree with presents under it...but doesn't last long in this house! Our brood is sitting around this tree...ready to attack!

As you can see from the series of photos that follow everyone was delighted with their gifts!

There was only one downer this Christmas...Britton wasn't able to come up and be with us. We had one heck of a blizzard! It was so bad that Greyhound cancelled all travel from Chicago upward! See the photos below.
Now that's some SNOW!

It took us a while to dig out of this one! We had alot of snow drifts. Some places were as deep as 4 feet. Our mail box was covered over! But we only had about 12 inches fall! Only? Shoot for this

southern girl this is alot! And guess what? More is to come! Yep more snow tonight, tomorrow and Thursday! All I can say is WOW...it's wonderful to finally have a White Christmas!

Here's a bunch of fun photos we've taken the last couple of days!

Isn't that the biggest snowball fight you've ever seen! ha ha Greg and I made the kids go outside to help shovel snow. I wanted a snowman and this is what I got. By the time I went to get my camera Tess and Seth gave up and went back inside! Little boogers!

Oh almost forgot these photos...this was an early Christmas present. Rock Band and XBox 360! Don't they look happy? ROCK ON!

Learning how to play the game!

Getting better!

Rockin' out now! yeah baby!

One last photo of Lily with her goodies from her stocking!

Well that's about it from us! We hope all of you had a Merry Christmas! And a very blessed New Year's!

BeAuTIfuL WinTeR MoRnINg!

2007-12-15T09:47:00.001-06:00

Wow! Isn't this a Beautiful Sky? What a great thing to wake up to. We've had alot of snowy days here in Wisconsin and I love it! Snow is something I've always loved as a kid but living in southern Georgia we rarely got any. Every Christmas I'd pray for snow. Finally HE answered my prayers! Even if it's some 30 years later! :o)

We have 2 Christmas Trees this year...and look I have a fireplace burning in the background! Yeah...another dream come true. And there's my cute lil' elf helping her Mom decorate. Don't know whether she helps or hinders...but it sure is cute seeing her enjoying the beauty of Christmas.

This is our other Tree...it's out in the Sun Room. Better photo below...Look at all that lovely snow. I finally learned how to take a photo indoors and capture the scenery outdoors through windows. Trail and error...took tons of photos and capture this.

Look how blue the Sky is! Love Blue Sky against white snow...so crisp and clean looking!

Greg bought the pretty Poinsettia's. Their real and I hope they last a long time! The temp in the sunroom is just right for them to survive.

Tess outside playing in the snow! She's growing up too fast andwith ever pasting year looks more and more like her big sis, Britton . She loves the snow too!

Lily is another story...she really likes the snow but here she doesn't have on her gloves and her hands are freezing.She decided to go out on her own when I was putting away things in the garage. She's staring to cry cause she realizes how cold the white fluffy stuff really is. Beren and Leia sliding down the driveway with Lily girl! Now this is much better and alot funnier! She's properly covered from head to toe. Beren was the sweetest big brother to Lily. He kept grabbing her to sliding down the slope over and over again...he didn't notice how red her little face was. I tried to take her in and he just wanted to keep on playing with her. I couldn't stand seeing her face red like that...just had to take her back inside. She had a ball with them!
While the kids played Greg had to use the snow blower to clear a path so we could back our cars out of the driveway. As he says...if I'm not mowing, I'm blowing! hee hee Summer time the grass needs cutting twice a week and now he's had to blow snow 3 times already and it's not Winter yet! ha ha
Tess on her 9th Birthday...just love this cake! How cute is that...a snowman enjoying the snow too!
Seth right after a much needed haircut. Dad cut it and did a great job! Seth is such a cool guy!

Look who's learning to play the guitar! Little does he know that Dad got him a Guitar Hero game for Christmas and a Classical guitar with DVD lessons. Can't wait to see if he canlearn this way. Shoot I might take up the guitar myself!

Me, Leia and Lily playing around taking photos!

Leia on her 15th Birthday. Leia and I spent the day shopping and when we came home Greg had this very colorful cake ready for her.

*****************************************************

Hope you enjoyed the photos and the happenings of the last 2 months. We had a great Thanksgiving and soon to have an even better Christmas. Have most of my shopping done and the last thing will be grocery shopping. Britton is coming up to visit and plans to cook us a gourmet meal. I can't wait. I've missed her a lot and I can't wait to have someone else do the cooking for a change! Yeah! Hope you all have a Merry Merry Christmas!

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T10:34:00.002-05:00

From Lily!

Well today is the day when all kids love to dress up and get hoards and hoards of candy. Can't get any better then this! haha

So what is the Boyd Brood doing for Halloween?

I'm handing out candy at our house and Greg will walk the kids around the neighborhood banging on doors. It's raining here right now so I hope the weather gets better for their sake.

Halloween is Seth's favorite celebration.

This is the first year that we've allowed the kids to be a little more spooky.

He has the most scariest costume...a ghoul with blood dripping around his face! Can I say YUCK!

Tess and Lily are gonna be a cute lil' witches.

Leia is Payton Manning#18! Go COLTS!

Beren decided not to dress up this year...but I did buy some masks for him in case he changes his mind.

We'll get photos tonight and post as soon as I can.

But in the meantime everyone have a Happy and Safe Halloween!

Where does the time go?

2007-10-29T22:19:00.001-05:00

I tried several days ago to update this blog and dang if I didn't get to finish the update and lost all the photos I uploaded. Oh well, I tried. I just wanted to let everyone who checks in often that I'm just super busy and that I will get back in here soon and update with all the latest news.

Right now Greg and I are in a struggle with the school system here. We have a Child that has an IEP (Individual Education Plan) for Learning Disabilities...he was recently evaluated and found to be ineligible for the program. We disagree with the schools decision and are trying with all our might to understand how this school works and learn how we can help get the best possible results for our child. So with this said I haven't had as much time to dedicate to my blog. Keep checking in as I will try soon to get up some new photos and tell more about FUN things in our lives! Thanks for peeking in!

Well it's Fall here and the most busiest time of the year.

2007-09-25T14:32:00.002-05:00

Trees in our backyard are now turning yellow and the leaves are falling to the ground. Yeah! I love Fall but not all the running around we do!

Yes, for the Boyd Family, the beginning of school is OUR most busiest time of the year.

With the start of school comes all the activities. And the biggest one right now is football. Both boys are playing this year. Seth having practice 2 days a week and games on Saturdays. Beren has practice 4 days a week and games on Monday or Tuesday. They both are doing very well and actually enjoy it.

Seth on Game Day!"Tough Guy" look!

Beren in gold getting dragged around by his opponent.

Leia is cheering now. WOW! She's often said that cheering just wasn't her thing. But now that we are in a new town, new school and making new friends that's all changed. She totally surprised me one day after school when she showed up in this uniform. Originally she said she was gonna check into cheering and the next thing I know she's ready to go. Frankly, I like it. I think she looks great and she says that cheering is funnier than dance.

Leia looking snazzy in her cheerleading outfit!

Beren and Leia also have had their very first experience with Marching Band. During half time at Tomah High School Football game the Middle School Band went on the field with the High School Marching Band. I wasn't able to go because we had very unusual weather that night. (freezing 29 degrees...burrr) So I stayed home with Lily and Greg was in charge of taking pictures. Well they're not the greatest but you can get an idea of what's going on. Leia and Beren said it was fun but they were just too cold! They have a couple more parades to do with Marching Band and then they are done for the year and back to indoor concerts.

Leia in front playing Trumpet.

Beren in the line up...with his big Tuba!

Tess loves school and soon will join another girl scout group here. She wants to play soccer but I was told that soccer is better in the spring...not the fall. Thanks goodness cause I don't think we could add another thing to our plate! So Tess goes with us to football games and hangs out with new friends.

Tess with a new friend at a school picnic.

Now little Miss Lily just hangs out with mom all day. She's now able to eat with a fork and can say a few cute works like Zippa (our cat), What's that, ByeBye, Okay, and my all time favorite...shut up! No not really...not sure if that's what she's really saying but it sure sounds like it. She is full of energy and has so many expressions now. I'm so proud of all my older children they are so loving and helpful with her...she is one lucky loved baby!

Love this smile on her face. This was the day the temperature dropped. Lily and I went for a morning walk and her little nose is red from the cold.
Big girl eating with a fork! On her plate chicken, mac and cheese and tropical fruit mix! Healthy eater!

Now for Greg...he's just received a "Time Off" award at work. He's done such a great job that he was put in to receive this award...he was to get 20 hours off and in the end was awarded 40 hours off from work. So we are taking some of this time to go to back to Iowa to see our old friends and our oldest daughter, who I miss terribly! So watch out for us Solon gang! Oct 5th! Yeah! We can't wait to see everyone again!

Dog pile...after this load Greg will need those 40 hours off! ha ha

As for me I've joined in on an Explores Bible Study group. Which has been lots of fun...especially meeting new friends. I also joined the PTO group at Tess' school and looking forward to helping out when I can. Already I'm in charge of the free book program and Staff Appreciation Week. So finally I'm getting involved and getting to make new friends.

One thing I must share with you all is my recent purchase of a Bushel of green boiling peanuts! Yep, that's right I ordered peanuts online and had them delivered to my house...just so we can eat peanuts and watch football...they go hand and hand at our house.

It's hard to take the southerner out of this southern girl!

2- 20 lbs of green boiling peanuts from Hardy Farm in Georgia.

One last picture...kids were in the backyard playing and I got this great shot of them!

Love it!

So this kinda wraps up what we've been doing. Hopefully I want go this long with out an update!

Thanks for looking and remember I love your comments!

Jozzie Blog Challenge: #12 My lastest purchase

2007-09-09T21:50:00.001-05:00

**Just a quick note: I belong to an awesome Scrapbooking website called Scrapbook Chalet. And each month one of it's members (Jozzie) gives us challenges to post on our blogs. So in the future you will see me posting to these challenges. So get ready for some very unusal posts from me as I try to meet these challenges. Cool thing is you'll learn a lot more about me and my family. Hope you enjoy!

______________________________

Last Thursday Leia, Lily and I all had dentist appointments. I can't believe how long we ended up staying there.

The dentist and his staff were very nice and I can't believe how thorough our new dentist is. He taught me some new ways to take better care of mine and the kids teeth.

However, I was shocked that they wanted to see a baby as young as Lily. With all my other children I took them in for their first dental appointment when they were 3 years old. I asked why they wanted to see her so early and they told me, that they have found the earlier children start coming to the dentist office the easier the transition is for them. The dentist took time to brush her teeth and even used floss in her mouth. This dentist doesn't even charge for these visits...it's less then 15 mins long and it's just to get her use to having her teeth looked at. So that went well.

But what did take along time was the new computer and software system the dentist and he saff were using. They had NEVER had computers in their office before. Leia, Lily, and I were there for 3 1/2 hours! I thought I would go crazy! Lily wasn't very cooperative either. It was her nap time and boy did she let us know it.

So after being there for 2 hours and when it was Leia's time to beseen I decide to take a walk with Lily. I stumbled upon the cutiest children store ever. The prices for the clothing was way more then I wanted to pay but I did see this hat and just had to have it for Lily. I think lil' girls look so cute in hats like this. Here she is sporting my newest purchase for her! Isn't she adorable in that hat?

A lady from around these parts crochet this little hats and sells them to the local children store called "Little Stars." Lily's my Lil' Starlet!

But you know how hats go with little ones...they don't stay on for very long. There she goes trying to take it off!

Even thought this hat was more $$ then I would normally pay ...it was well worth every penny. It kept her occupied while we waited yet another hour for the dentist to finish up with Leia.

The things Mom's will do for a little peace and quiet!

Check out my Slide Show!

2007-08-27T08:49:00.002-05:00

Our house is becoming a home!

2007-08-26T14:38:00.001-05:00

Well, I forgot to mention what has been taking up so much of our time...Greg and I have been doing lots and lots of furniture shopping. I thought we'd just about kill each other trying to decide on what style of furniture to buy. Finally, we made serious compromises! Isn't that the way it always is? ha ha

We got new furniture for our den, kitchen, dining room, and Leia's bedroom. Here's some photos:

Finally after 24 years of marriage I have a Dining Room Hutch! Yep Hee! Can't see the new table and chairs in this photo...but this is were we made the compromise...he wanted these huge side chairs and I wanted rod iron...so we got both and I got to pick the table...he got to pick the hutch. And believe it or not it all looks really good together!

Leia has a new bed, mattress, dresser, night stand, desk and bedding set...PINK and LIME GREEN...sounds YUMMY! She's been after us for weeks now to paint...one of these days we'll get to it!

Here's our new High table and chairs that's in the kitchen. I love the top of this table...it has a marble lazy susan in it.

See it here...Lazy Susan...so like who came up with that name anyway?

Here's the den: Entertainment center and big screen TV!

Roll Top Computer desk...to keep Lily out of!

My scrapbooking room! Greg found these wonderful black book cases to hold all my many many scrapbooking papers!

Other side of the room...gonna be my Office for Premier Jewelry!

So finally our house is coming together...all but the paint...need to paint the dining room, living room, den and kitchen...but what color? There's just too many choices! UGH!

Wow! It's time to catch up!

2007-08-24T19:07:00.002-05:00

So what has the Boyd Brood been doing all summer? Not much really...it's been totally boring lately. The kids and I went to the Tomah pool alot. That is until all the rain came and the air turned a little cooler. This gal has to have 80 degree weather or warmer to get in that cold butt water!

Greg's mom and dad came for a visit. They stayed with the kids while Greg and I went to Dallas for the trip that I won for Premier Designs Jewelry. It was fun but long! We got up each morning at 6am and didn't get back to our room until 11pm! Needless to say we were dead dawg tired when we came home!

Greg's dad, also known as Poppi, bought the kids this cool pocket motorcycle. And looks who's having the most fun on it!

Looks like a big gorilla ridin' on that thing! ha ha

He's such the HOT ROD...isn't he? haha

Both boy's had their birthday while Mamaw and Poppi were here. Seth is now 11 and Beren 13! Beren's showing off his strength! They're so cute!

Tess just been hanging around... thinks she's a monkey! Wish I had that kind of energy!

Leia's been working on her culinary skills...she made both the boy's B'day cakes...it was totally yummy!

Lily's learned to conquer the slide in our backyard and the one at the Pool...it's a Polar Bear slide and I've deemed her Queen of it...wish I had a picture to share but don't.

and me...well all I seem to do is laundry and clean up the house! So much fun don't ya think? Mom's have all the fun!

Withdrawals from a withdraw!

2007-06-27T15:47:00.001-05:00

Say what? Does this even make sense? Sure it does.

Withdrawal is a reaction to the lost of something that is addictive.

Withdraw is to retreat or retire from a postition.

So see a person can have withdrawals from a withdraw. And this woman is!

Wondering what my addiction is. Wonder what type of reactions I'm having.

Have you ever been part of something that you looked forwarded to? Or maybe something that you marked on your calendar, counted down the days until it arrived. Looked forward to with great anticipation?

Well... I know I have...you see tonight there's a group of women in Iowa that's gonna have the times of their lives...laughing, giggling, drinking, eatin' some good yummy food, telling silly jokes, and tossing lil' black dotted white cubes...called dice!

Yes, my girlfriends in Iowa

are meeting for their

monthly night of

BUNCO and I'm missing it!

See I had to withdraw from my 16 month position in this wild wonderful group to move to Wisconsin. I was an active, fun, vivacious member who enjoyed herself immensely. It was something I looked forward to each and every month and DANG IT! I'm gonna miss it terribly to the point of having negative reactions like an addict .... withdrawals!

Here I am huddled up in a corner like a badly beaten animal...scrambling around for her dice, her drink, her food, and most importantly her friends. Yes, Babes you must feel sorry from me and rescue me from my doom! ha ha

Just kiddin'!

Know that I'm thinking of ya'll ...wishing I was there having the time of my life laughing, and giggling with ya! Good Luck to the Babe with them Most Bunco's, the one with the Most Wins, the one with the best Roll Off, the one with last Lady Bug Bunco, and last but never least the biggest loser...cause even she is a winner...at least she was there!

Is the Grass Greener?

2007-06-25T09:19:00.001-05:00

We'll as most of us know the old saying... "the grass isn't always greener on the other side." But, I can honestly say we have some mighty green grass here in Wisconsin. Contrast that with the blue sky, it really does stand out.

Speaking of Green...we have a big project ahead of us...Painting those ugly green garage doors! If you were to see our house from a far...all you would see is Garage Doors...there's 3 of them and they stand out like a sore thumb. White is the color of choice for me...a color that will deflect, not make them more noticible..can't wait to eliminate this problem.

Now on to the most special part of this photo... it's not in the house but in the yard... do you see it? It's on the left side...Lil' Lily playing! Can you see her? She's just a speck in the scheme of things. She loves being outside! And her most favorite place is in the back yard...on the

GOLF COURSE!

Yes, we live on Hiawatha's #3 putting Green and Lily loves running pass our yard line onto the green. As you can see from the photo here there are Golfer's riding around in their carts...but they don't seem to mind...they just keep on playing. And don't worry she's safe, big sis' Tess is there to protect.

The scenery is really pretty here. So you see the "grass REALLY is greener on the other side"... when you live on a Golf Course!

Much greener then the grass in my yard! ha ha

Welcome to my Blog!

2007-06-22T12:47:00.002-05:00

Well it's been months since I've been active in an online community... I miss it. Since the closing of the Scrapbook Jungle and a 6 month wait to move to Wisconsin with no hubby around, I didn't have much time for anything else. UGH! I could barely keeping my head above water and can honestly say that I swallowed alot of unwanted water along the way. At times I thought I was drowning. Thank goodness being a "single parent" time is over!

I look forward to getting back to my online communities, finding out what's been happening in the lives of my friends and family, plus finding time to scrap and share my pages again.

Here' a photo of our new home! This photo was taken in March when we closed on the house. You should see the yard now...it's beautiful and loaded with all kinds of trees and flowers. Gotta get busy updating my photos!