Homebody's at it again.

I was playing around on the rmls and found this gem. I want to pluck it up, right out of town, and plop it on 10+ acres nestled amongst some big ol' oak trees. I can't say that it's necessarily my dream house but for the moment I will carry on as if it is...

(There's a WINDOW SEAT under that big front window!)

Don't we just LOVE this little room!? The potential is spewing. (Oh, did I mention that along with the magical house moving skills and 10+ acres I need bunches and bunches of dinero for the renovation?)

Now, it would break my heart to tear up that fantastically-retro floor, but my heart would heal quickly as the original wood flooring (I'm assuming they're there, and they're wanting to come out) came back to life. mmmmm... Let's put a big basin sink and butcher-block counters under those gorgeous windows...

While I clean up my drool I should let you know that as much as I carry on over other homes, there is but one home for me and that's right where I cam. I cam? Too late for backspace...

My
OH-
SO

talented big bro, who is not a "poo-poo head" (remember that post?), has helped us in our latest projects. And I just so happen to have some pics!

........
............
................ready?

My lovely kitchen.

Cabinets- painted. Hardware- blackened. Counters- reshaped. Tilework- welcomed.

And our beautiful living room built-ins! Bye-bye awkward tv cabinet!!

More home project pics to come 'cause (to my hubby's dismay) the projects never end!

Well that was fun, wasn't it? Now I want to hear all about your dream home!
........or just ditto the zookeeper.

They can do no wrong...

It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.
Pablo Picasso
Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
Pablo Picasso
Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
Scott Adams

Hey! My scanner is working!!

Today Garret spent a good portion of church hiding behind a piano. I think he liked the solitude. Not a bad idea. A pillow. A book. You got yourself some nice 'me-time'...

My only worry when having Garret was that if he ended up a red-head he would be called Garret-the-carrot. That's it. Well, he's got just a tiny touch of red. Not nearly enough to justify a carrot connection. PHEW!! Dodged that one.

Now I sometimes worry about his future quality of life.
His physical needs,
Our ability to care for him,
money,
happiness,
health,
community acceptance,Then I take a look at the Gare-bear. He's not stressing. He's happy. So I shrug and join him on the trampoline. Might as well enjoy the journey, eh?

Here's the prince lovin' up his new sister, Brenda. Before she became mobile and 'grabby' Garret couldn't get enough of her. He would push me out of the room just to return to Brenda and sit with a hand, an arm, or a chin on her head.

With Suzie he was hesitant as if thinking, "Oh great. You're going to turn into another space-invading, loud-mouth slimy GIRL, aren't you?"

So only the All-Mighty knows Garret's future. We'll just 'stay tuned' and keep shrugging.

And while the scanner is working: This old shot of Mike needs a caption... ...any ideas?

a loss of propriety...

I am letting my vanity slip a bit today, and posting some raw, straight-from-the-camera photos. (I'm obsessed with white balance, light levels, contrast, color perfecting, sharpening, pimple- modification, etc, etc...)

These came off Mike's phone from last October's beach kite festival. It was perfect timing since I didn't feel like throwing Garret and Brenda a big birthday party like we have in past years.

This first one makes me both laugh and cry: laugh at my chunk-muffin happy girl, and cry over the loss of my awesomely-cheap and fabulously-practical sunglasses... Oh where did you go???Brenda was hot stuff with her smooth kite-skills.

Yeah, we weren't hoping for much here:

And Garret? Well, he's just handsome.

Every time we go to the beach I wonder 'Why don't we do this more often?'. Later when driving home exhausted and sand-covered I think 'oh yeah...'.

just weezin the ju uice

I felt it was time for another post but was stumped on what to write.

I asked Brenda, "What should Mommy put on the blog?" Brenda bounced twice on her bed and exclaimed,"Blog! Yes!" ...Good. So she agrees...

Suzie was given the same question upon which she pointed to me, growled, and said, "Wasumiblawpa". I don't think that needs any elaboration.

Garret wouldn't even look at me. If he could answer I'm sure it would be something about how awesome chocolate pudding is, or the troubles of getting up at 6:45 for school. (Hey kid, I don't like it either...)

Mike was a bit more helpful. He thought that our conversation about Pauly Shore might be interesting. Remember him? Whatever happened to him? Perhaps he could only play this singular character and we all (appropriately) became sick of it. Well, wherever you are Pauly, hope life is good, and thanks for the laughs in 'Encino Man'.

In asking myself what to blog all I could think of was to thank Katie, one of my beloved sis-in-laws, for having a birthday party 'cause that pie was DIVINE. No regrets. none. (And I had seconds!! SHHH!)

Ummm, that's all I got. Sorry. At least I'm not talking to you in person 'cause I spit when I talk. (Doc says I got 'overactive' salivary glands.)

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

P.S. Do I need to explain the post title?

P.P.S. Mike is making cookies because he doesn't like me having any trace of a waistline.

I'll think of a great title sometime tomorrow...

Thursday I went (for the FIRST time) to the Tulip Festival. It was all thanks to my bosom who-I-don't-deserve-'cause-she's-so-clever-and-classy-and-cool friend, Darcy, who doesn't mind a bit that my kids and I tracked mud-and-such in her nice van... (Maybe because I got a great shot of her little munchkin.) Right Darcy? Right?? ...DARCY???
Oh- and sorry Darcy, that I was such a poop. I forgot to tell you that I was up late reading Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina". Doesn't that make me sound SMART? (Thanks for letting me borrow it, Sara. It'll impress my friend Darcy.)

My favorite color was the bright orange-

Brenda was a bit of a stinker. She is getting sick of me with a camera, poor girl...She'll learn that this won't stop me from clicking. Here I said, "Brenda DANCE!"
Suzie just continues to be edible. Not long after this shot she fell down in the mud and, as a lady should be, was quite put out. I'm bummed I didn't get a shot of that...I knew Garret would have HATED the trip so he stayed home. Here's one of my favorite oldie pics of the boy-Everyone be happy for Garret since today he got a new trampoline.


So Darcy, what are we doin' next?

Has anyone noticed that I like to post pics and not a lot of gab? I am far too aware of my tendency to ramble so I'm careful. I don't want this to be like my pre-teen journal where I would take 14 pages to explain a crush or how one of my brothers is a poo-poo head...

listen up, people

You know that scene from "Roxanne". Where Steve Martin makes fun of himself with all those nose jokes? Here are a few of my favorites...

*Well, here we are. Just the three of us

*Laugh and the world laughs with you. Sneeze and it's goodbye Seattle

*Ah. Would you mind not bobbing your head. The orchestra keeps changing tempo.

*You know, you could de-emphasize your nose if you wore something larger. Like ... Wyoming.

Well, I got such a laugh out of that scene so many years ago. love it.

But if my girls get my nose and ANYONE makes them feel bad- I will kick their face in.


...just sayin'

scenes from my backyard

AAAAAAAHHH

Isn't it just yummy??

BEE'S KNEES, and other such nonsense

Mike said this the other day to finish my sentence. (I was struggling to think of "cream of the crop" or some "best of the best" sort of phrase.) I laughed and asked, "What sort of phrase is that??" Well, after some googling I learned that bees DO, in fact, have knees. Now what that has to do with being the "height of excellence" I just don't know. And while we're on the subject, isn't it a scientific mystery that bees can even fly? Wouldn't it be more appropriate that when we're in awe of something we say, "Well isn't that just the bee's flying capabilities?" ...just a thought.

Anyway I was thinking of all this as I tossed Suzie onto my bed. She comes in my room and immediately wants up. She just thinks this is the COOLEST THING EVER. (Nope, I didn't say it.) She laughs and she flails. She plays peek-a-boo and buries her face to listen to her muffled voice. And every few seconds makes sure that her mommy is watching. Simple pleasures. I imagine this won't be the highlight of her day when she's 15.

One of Garret's favorite things (He can say "bee's knees" if he wants. Heck, he can say ANYTHING and that would be cool.) is Toy Story. Spend some time in the same room with the boy and you may wonder if this kid EVER sits down. Yes he does thanks to Woody and Buzz.

Hmmmm, with Brenda it's hard to pick one thing. Let's go with digging. Just this afternoon she was on time-out for throwing dirt on Suzie. (I guess she decided it wasn't worth it 'cause later she just threw dirt on herself.) I'm not sure why she does it but she's always excited to show me the worms... "Look, mommy!"... "Oh, cool! Uh oh, Brenda. But Mr worm lives OUTSIDE. He is SCARED in the house. Let's take him HOME. OUTSIDE... Good girl."

What do I think is the "bee's knees"? (it's growing on me) mmmmmmmmmMike. 'Cause today he battled evil, lawn-killing moles for me.

This picture is NOT me.

Today I had a photo shoot with a cute gal. She's having her first bebe. (More pics on my photoblog- see side bar link) She had her hair done, toe nails- pink, and a twinkle in her eye. He (valient husband) patiently helped her up and down while also carrying various props and reflectors. In my arrogance I smile and think, "They've got NO idea what's comin'."
Now, of course, it's all good, right? But I have my moments where I look back to the 'BC' days (Before Children) and want to shout to myself, "ENJOY THIS!!!!! Soon, there will be NO GOING BACK!"
So later today when little Suzie wobbled up to me with her hands up in the air and said,"mamamama" I enjoyed it 'cause there's no goin' back. There.

"...So I just did me some talkin' to the sun..."

Hey look at that! A little sunshine!! This angelic break from the drizzle got me energized to:
*finish building the garden boxes that have sat unfinished for, ummmmm, about 2 years?? (pictures to come)
*mow the lawn (bopping to the tunes of Frankie Valli, of course)
*take some pics (see above)
*shave my legs
That's right world, WATCH OUT! -Oh crap, it's raining again...

Wait for it...

BOO!!!BEWARE. This pumpkin may be lurking in your closet.

Anyway... Because I'm awesome (and had the camera) I was first in the backyard for our extended-family Easter-egg hunt. And while many of the pics ended up all a-blurry (Kids looking for candy just won't give me the time of day. Go figure.) I managed to pull a few out of the collection to share...

I would post other winning pics of the many candy-crazy cousins but you're here to see my kids, right?

So our Easter was nice. Kids, candy, chaos, conversation aaaaand CONFERENCE. Us Mormons get to hear (via broadcast) from our church president, Prophet Thomas Monson, his counselors, apostles and other general authorites every few months. How cool is that? The time spent listening is wasted if I don't internalize the inspired words and become a better me. So Monday brings a renewed commitment to
1.daily scripture study and
2.watching my "mommy-tone" when the little ones, perhaps, decide to bathe my computer, or bury my keys in the backyard, or bake socks, or, or, or...

And just for fun- Here's a shot of my brother and his spunky-fun lady-friend. Thanks guys, I remember when Mike'n I were dating and it was us doing nothing but cuddle on the couch.
So there's goal #3- cuddle more.

Easter is all about the jokes, right?

I'm gearing up for a GREAT weekend.More egg pics *here*