Oh, these two dogs love to go out with Todd on weekends. When Todd heads out to the garage, they will stand at the door. Mocha will hardly move a muscle and listen intently to see if he is coming back up the stairs to take them out for a ride. Well, these dogs are going to be pretty lucky because we just got them their own "staircase" to help them get into the new truck. I love this photo of both these dogs...Mocha is taking charge and Cocoa is right alongside her best friend. These dogs are amazingly special.
I watched you as you worked on your Architectural drafting assignment and was amazed. You knew exactly what you were doing and you did it well. I don't know what you will ultimately do Nick, but I do know that you will be capable doing whatever it is...architecture? engineering? something totally different? It will be fun to see but what I do know is that you should be creative, never stop doing what you like to do and always give your best...when you do that, you will always be a success.
Zach and Jack(ie) Robinson...he did a great job with Todd on this marionette and is doing an oral report tomorrow along with all the other assignments for this project. Well done, Zachy. I will have to find Chris' Martin Luther King photos from 2 years ago. I love how the boys both worked so hard when they did this project and had amazing creative puppets. That is my kind of learning :)
It has to be said...I am a dancer wanna be (along with a Gleek wannabe)...I never really had played the Wii until I got the first "Just Dance" as a present for myself for Mother's Day. I then got Just Dance 2 and like it because it gives me weekly challenges. It is no easy workout, let me tell ya, but it's fun and makes me want to keep going to get that higher score. Now, I'm thinking I may like the "Michael Jackson Experience"...while I won't be the Queen of Pop or ever have his dancing skills, I can still pretend in the privacy of my own house. My best scores are usually on Katy Perry songs, 80's favorites and Disco...whata combo...not so good on the hip hop but I'm determined to keep trying.
Happy Birthday to George and Abe....meaning "Happy President's Day/Day off from school and work". We all headed out to Kohl's this morning since I had 30% off plus sale prices. We all seemed to get some items and spent almost $250.00, however, without the sales and 30% off our bill would've been almost $700...how in the world does that happen? Todd got some great $5 items and Nick found some things he really liked. He definitely has found his style and it's fun to see it. Chris got some jeans and shoes and Zach got two t-shirts for $2.50 and $1 each...whata bargain :) We then went to lunch at Chili's and took this cute family photo. Todd had just had his eyes dialated and was looking into the sun, thus, the cute, goofy photo of him. It just makes me smile to see all of us together having fun.
FAJITA night tonight and then we are looking forward to watching the season finale of "Worst Cooks in America" on Food Network. It's amazing how they hook you in from the first day...we are rooting on Joshie. He became one of our favorite contestants and we are so hoping he beats Georg ...update later tonight.
ARTIST AT WORK...Todd is painting the book cover for dad's upcoming book publication and it is beyond brilliant. I am quite sure that we will have it framed and hanging somewhere of great importance. It would be a perfect 70th birthday gift for my dad this summer...just a hint ;). I continue to help him with formatting the chapters, working on the photos and general work to get it all ready. It's an amazing story and it will be so great to see it all in final format. The book cover is definitely a perfect piece of work and Todd does an amazing job.
Today, I have been working on putting together a layout I would like to submit about my Grammama. Amongst the pictures I have chosen, I have this one. I LOVE everything about this photo. First of all, the way my mom and Grandad Dell are looking at me is one of amusement, happiness, pride and love. Grammama, always dressed impeccably, is smiling like she is trying to smile with me and I just look like life is good and nothing could ever go wrong. What I realize with this photo and so many others as well as just the love and support I have always been given by my family is that I am one of the truly blessed individuals in this world. I cannot even imagine life without the family I have been blessed with...I hope someday, my kids and grandkids will look back and be able to see how much I love and adore my family...even just by looking at a photograph.
Great to meet up with Julie for breakfast today at our favorite Egg and I. Always great conversation over hazelnut coffee. We had a lot to catch up as it had been way too long since we had our breakfast date.
Looking at this photo just makes me happy. I always love my monthly magazines, but every year, I do look forward to the InStyle March issue which usually focusses on "color." This year was no disappointment...in fact it is incredible. My other "fashion" magazines also focus on COLOR IS BACK and BRIGHT COLORS. Now, the fashion merchandiser-wanna-be person is still inside along with design, layout and color in general so I love getting these magazines every month. Although I probably won't be wearing those green ultrasuede 5 inch wedges, I still look at them and love the architecture and style. It's also fun to see how stylists mix colors that I would normally not think "go together"...ie. burnt orange and pink (I'm not sure I'm sold on that one. )This is one reason I loved watching MOndo on Project Runway this past fall...he isn't afraid to mix and match and add boldness with neutrals. I will enjoy looking through these magazines in the month ahead...gaining inspiration, boldness and looking forward to the warm days of spring and summer.
Even though we don't celebrate Valentine's as a huge holiday, I had fun putting together this little surprise. Along with the red bowls and Crunchberries cereal (which was pretty festive, if I do say so myself), I included a box of candy for each of the boys along with a note to each of them which said "5 things I love about you right now"...While I'm not positive they all really read them, I wanted them to know that I appreciate each of them and where they are and things they do RIGHT NOW. Tonight, we are making heart shaped homemade pizza and I have to make the pink strawberry cake for dessert. I'm not the best baker, even if it's in a mix, but I think I can handle this one. Fun to celebrate and be thankful for those you love...this day and every day.
It's a day before Valentine's Day, but I put together this shape collage to give to Todd for his Valentine's Day card tomorrow. We aren't be Valentine's Day celebrators but our big event was dropping food and gifts off at Grammama's this morning and then lunch at 5 Guys Burger...true romance over burgers and fries :) We invited the boys, but they didn't want to have to get dressed and go so it was just us. I have a few fun things planned for the 4 boys tomorrow so that should be fun and we are going to make heart shaped homemade pizza for dinner tomorrow night topped off by strawberry cake. That's pretty Valentine-y if you ask me.
SNOW BALL WARS...Todd and Zach vs. Nick and Chris...the called it a TIE!
Yesterday, I found these 3 little cherubs I had used for Christmas over the years and realized they were perfect for Valentine's Day. I had this photo card in a frame and the vase was empty...inspiration hit and I ran to Michaels where I purchased the colored paper and these fun plastic hearts. They were 40% off which is cool and they were large enough to help fill the vase up. I love when these little thoughts in my mind come together, especially for just a few dollars. We will enjoy it as we celebrate Valentine's Day. Also, bought some fun red bowls (49 cents a piece) that I will use for ice cream sundaes and cereal on Valentine's. These little punches of color and celebration really make me happy and the best part is that all the boys noticed the decorations and even the new red bowls.
REALLY? I was a bit shocked to walk out in the dining room, which does have an immense amount of my projects spread on the table which is my workspace, but REALLY? I was amazed to see all this "stuff" on the buffet. After further investigation, this is what I found:
After a quick pick up (like under 1 minute), I had remedied the situation enough for the cleaning ladies to be able to dust...but I have the original photo to use as EVIDENCE...BUSTED! (and these are the moments and photos that I will always remember and smile about, so really, I appreciate the photo op)
It seems like it wasn't long ago we were sitting in our backyard on English Sparrow Trail...I had asked the boys to "dress up" in their blue polo shirts because we wanted to take Mother's Day photos. It was a windy afternoon and we sat down on our new swing that Todd got me for Mother's Day. In 2003, when these were taken, I was looking for that "perfect photo" that was good of the boys and myself and remember thinking that these two I posted weren't the best...now, looking back, it was PERFECT...we were happy, smiling (except Zach in a couple of them because he was annoyed ;) ), together and close. As time goes by, I am appreciating and realizing that the backgrounds in the photos, the proximity people have in photos and the relationships really show through in these kind of photos. I truly love being a mom to Nick, Chris and Zach and it shows through in these photos and in my relationships with them...in the days gone by and now.
I love it when a picture/inspiration in my mind turns out to be as good in real life. I took three photos (all buildings) and used rollip to change them so they were all similar colors/lighting/format and then printed them to put up in our living room instead of the flowers, at least until summertime. After buying these frames, I was hoping it would turn out okay and I am more than thrilled with the outcome. Can't wait to see these photos hanging on the wall...I have a feeling I will walk by and smile often. The photo on the left was taken of 16th Street Mall downtown, the center photo is of a sandcastle the boys built at Balboa Beach and the far right photo is of the silo and old building at the farm...all very special photos...all buildings in their own right and all so different, but their form pulls them all together. Oh, I'm a happy person right now :)
How I love and enjoy Snapple and Limon. I must admit that when Chris wanted to get a bird, I wasn't so sure, but thought that we could try it...then he wanted to get Snapple a pal. I'm a sucker for companionship, I guess. Now, the "pal" part didn't just happen. We had many moments of Snapple attacking Limon at first which led to separate cages which now led to this large cage where they coexist and I'm pretty sure, neither one would want to be without the other. They sing and talk all day long, and it just becomes natural to hear them and quiet when they aren't chatting. When I come home from running errands, I will close my car door and immediately hear them greeting me with their chirps as I walk up the garage stairs. There is not a day that goes by that I don't smile and appreciate that they are here. Good call, Christopher!
GREEN BAY PACKERS ARE SUPERBOWL CHAMPS 31-25! Before the game, Nick predicted the score would be 31-24 so he was oh, so close.
UGH! The snow started up again and it felt so cold. Yes, I know it is Colorado, but I really got used to unseasonably warm weather prior to the new year. I'll stop complaining. Todd and I got to go out for a "date" celebrating 20 years. We were planning to use our movie gift card and go to lunch, but decided to wait for the movie and we headed out to Chili's and then to Southglenn to walk around a little bit. We weren't expecting (or I guess hoping) for the flakes to start falling, but they did and it was very cold so out trip was abbreviated. We will look forward to another weekend coming up for a movie date as well as going to Outback another time with our gift card. It's so nice the boys are old enough to be able to leave for a little while and know they are okay. In fact, I am quite convinced they are happy for us to go.
First of all, is this just not a perfect captured photo of little Liza. She is quite a poser for me and knows just what to do. Glad I got this one...it makes me smile
After two below zero days and kids home from school, the boys are back and it's hard to get back in the flow of things. It was great ot have them home and selfishly, I look forward to these unexpected days. This morning, I sat for a few minutes to enjoy my coffee in my "Life is Good" mug I bought this last year at the Orange Co. Airport/John Wayne. How can you not be happy looking at this dog with the flower and knowing that life really is good.
