Oh Snowy Day

We are just about done with our first snowfall of the season. The kids were, as you can imagine, so excited about the snow. As we all were. It is so pretty and delicate as it falls. And it leaves a nice clean coating of white on EVERYTHING.

After the kids were all tucked in and sleeping last night, Mike and I decided to go out and shovel. And shovel, and shovel and shovel. TWO hours of non-stop shoveling. That beautiful delicate stuff was HEAVY. And after we were all done, I've decided I'm all done with snow. And I am ready to see the flowers bloom. Well, after Thursday that is.

The plow came through over night and pushed another few inches of the white stuff up all around my car. More shoveling is going to be required before I actually go anywhere.

In other, BIG news. We are taking the kids to Disneyworld! Thanks to the generosity and heart-o-gold of my bff, Lyndsay, we are going to Disneyworld. The kids are so excited about meeting Mickey Mouse face to face. Every day they ask if today is the big day. Its not until February, so they have a little longer to wait.

And I would be lying to you, if I said I wasnt so totally excited myself. I havent been to Disney in 15+ years. So, its going to be great fun to go with my kids, my husband are our very best friends.

AND, our digital camera finally crapped out. Luckily, Santa came early and delivered a new one. I convinced Santa to let us open it early so we can use it on Christmas morning.
So, for your viewing pleasure, PICTURES:

Wow, this kid grew up so fast!

Boxes are great fun.

Posing in front of the Christmas tree.

This is when the snow first started. Ally was napping.

Ally's first snow experience of the season.

How cute are they in their snow outfits?

Sorta sledding. Our slope in the back isnt quite steep enough. They had fun anyway.

30 Day Shredding

I bought into the craze and ordered Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. OMG, this is the awesomest workout ever. There is a lot to be said for a work out that makes you feel like you are going to puke and then die, and then leaves you lightheaded. All in 20 minutes. What a time saver!
I am in love. And she says 20 lbs gone in 30 days.
I'm up for the challenge.

I've also been doing lots of yoga. Oh, how I love you yoga.

In other news, the snow is falling. Crazy New Englanders are acting like its a HUGE surprise to see the white stuff falling in December. I am SO excited. We took the kids out and bought them new boots. Crocs, although super comfy, arent really ideal footwear for the snow.

Pictures of snow-themed-fun to follow shortly.

A Better Me?

The room project was put on a slight hold. My father is engrossed in something else, and I'm next in line. I'm planning on directly after the new year. I will post pics as it transforms.

I am currently working on a new me. This one is a little too "fluffy." Its time to drop this "baby weight," (my baby is 2) and get into better shape.

Goal is to lose 100 lbs. I've lost 12 so far.

How, you ask? Very easily.

NO Sugar, White Flour, High Fructose Corn Syrup, or Hydrogenated Oil
Yes Whole Grains, Fruit, Veggies, lean protein and cooking food fresh

NO sitting and being lazy
YES 30 day shred & yoga

NO soda, alcohol, and drinking your calories
YES Tea and Water

Its really that easy. Eat better, get exercise. The fat goes away. Who knew?

Christmas is right around the corner. I have a stack of Christmas cards here that need to be written out and mail. That is my project for this evening. I started crocheting Ally a blanket. Keeps me busy and out of the kitchen. lol

The kids are SO excited for Christmas this year. We are counting down the days until Santa gets here. We are in a good place this year, and I am so happy to be ending this year, and starting a brand new one.

2008 was good, but I really believe 2009 is going to be FANTASTIC.

My new *little* project...

The kids room is (has been) in need of a drastic update. My kids arent babies anymore (tear), and they need a room that doesnt look like a nursery. Good Bye Snuggle Bugs wall paper.

So, I've been shopping around online, and brainstorming ideas. And I think I finally have the picture in my head of what the finished product is going to look like. Some plaster on the walls, new paint, a new border, new curtains...Its going to look great!

Here are the before shots....

Those "Curtains" were my solution for the early morning sun that wakes me kids WAY before they need to be. Clever, arent I.

We were lucky enough that this room had a walk-in closet. We took of the crazy-retro-mirrored-doors (because EEwww) and now the kids have a place for all their zillion toys. Of course, not all the toys will fit in here. That would make it too easy.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is done and over, and it was a BLAST! It was a far cry from last year. Last October, Ally was walking, but not far distances. Joey refused to wear a costume. And when we did get it on him he screamed and thrashed around like his Thomas the Train costume was eating him alive.

This year the kids were SO excited to participate in as much Halloween fun as we could squeeze into a 24 hour period.

Halloween Pancake Breakfast. Are you impressed? My kids sure were.

Followed by a Halloween Party at Monkey Business. Ally is dressed as Tinker Bell and Joey as Peter Pan.

Next, came the fun part! TRICK OR TREAT!

And then one of my favorite pictures. Two smiling happy kids.

Hope your Halloween was as spectacular as ours was!

Hello Again White Rug

Being the smart person I am, when we moved 2 years ago, I insisted I wanted to replace our wine colored area rug for something to better compliment our shedding white dog. OBVIOUSLY, a white colored rug would hide the white fur better.

I didnt stop to think about foot traffic, stains, and KIDS.

Only when my friend pointed out I was INSANE after she saw my pretty new white living room rug did I realize the mistake I made.

White rugs are not meant for houses that are inhabited by humans. Period.

Because they end up looking like this:


THANKFULLY, Home Depot rents the Mother-of-all-Rug-Shampooers. And for $36 its all yours for 4 hours.

I took the kids out for breakfast and then an extended browsing session at Target, while Mike stayed home and cleaned the rugs.
It was nice to spend time with the kids. (Wait dont I do that all day, every day?)

And the finished result????

Not too bad. We still that one stubborn stain. That was an entire Venti Vanilla Soy Ice Coffee my daughter dumped on my WHITE rug. OH well, that is where the ottoman goes, anyway.

Is it November 4th Yet?

Is it just me, or does it feel like this election has been going on FOREVER. I am so sick of talking about, hearing about, thinking about it, and arguing about it. Can we just vote already?