LOOK WHAT I DID!!

Thanks Kathy. I love looking at her blog. She is so creative and always adding new things. So I went to one of her links and found myself a FREE new background.
Watch Out!! It's not to hard to do so I'll be trying this again.
Anyway, we had a fun day making Easter decorations and coloring Easter eggs so I'm in the decorating mood.

A few SHOUT OUTS...
HOLLY-You are so AWESOME for always checking out my BLOG. Thanks for your recent note.

Aunt Susan-Congrats on your 4 embroideries in a show at Woodlawn Plantation (near D.C.)She WON 2 honorable mention and 1 third place ribbons! It was an international competition!! WAY TO GO!!! I wish I inherited that trait. I can not sew a stitch to save my life!

Yuki-Can I add your wedding blog to my blog for a link?

Kathy-Can I add your blog to my links?

Dad- I will add the pictures from today.

WEll we've had a long week. I finally got the COLD that has been lingering in our house for what seems like weeks. It hit me hard as I came home early from work one day and stayed home another. I am finally feeling better and feel like I can hear and taste again. Unfortuntely when I can't taste due to a cold, I eat more to try to taste....Hmmm and I wonder why I don't lose weight.

We had a burst of Spring fever here yesterday. We have a few crocus's popping up so during one of my hour-long med relief hours I went outside with Ben and we raked one of the small gardens. Ben of course found the mud and had LOTS of fun! I wish I had my camera, but my engery was gone.
Jason caught the fever and once the rain stopped today raked some more and had the tractor out to fiddle around the yard.
Gram has kept such a beautiful yard with all the gardens. I will try again this year to keep up.
Well off to bed.

You Will Not Believe...

Do I have your attention?
Well this morning my mom and dad came to watch the kids like any other Thursday morning. The difference today? My mom somehow landed on the floor and hurt her wrist!! The story is vague, she's not holding anyone responsible. Old age I guess.
I was in the bathroom with the fan on and thought I heard the kids yelling. I just thought they were yelling hello to them, No. I walk out and there's mom sprawled out on the dining room floor. My dad had just arrived inside and was not happy. You know them....
The kids were hovered over her, not totally panicked since they are becoming pro's at handling emergency situations. (They were there both times I fell and broke my ankles and when Jason got stung by a bee and started to swell). I immediately yelled out "get the vegetables!"
They scatter and hurry back with two bags of LETTUCE and CARROTS!!!! I of course meant the frozen ones.
I guess Uncle Mike's suggestion is a good one...Have the kids take an EMT FIRST RESPONDERS course. I think someone in our family needs one.
I tell ya.
So off they went to Cindy's doctor (Thank goodness for Cindy). Well we received news...she has a fracture. Luckily it is small and only needed a cast. She is in some pain, drugs will help. Please keep mom in your prayers, my dad too:))

Introducing...

Meet Bradley. He is our new cat. He is almost 3 years old and we got him from this very upscale shelter down the road! It was unbelievable.
We also got Gabi. She doesn't come out much so I've yet to get a picture of her. She's a tabby cat and very pretty. She didn't come out from under our bed for 2 days. Once we brought Bradley home 3 days later she started coming out more. They like each other and Bradley is very protective.
Dakato and Walter are both adjusting.
The kids love the cats. A little too much at times. Bradley is very laid back and doesn't get upset when the kids pick him up. This is giving Gabi time to settle in.

I also included a few new picks on the side.

OH BEN!!!

"I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU EVEN WHEN YOU DON'T LISTEN". This all started tonight because once again Ben had a tough day at preschool. Not a horrible day. He and his buddy were not listening. When the teacher spoke to them, as embarrassing as this is...they started laughing:(( Not good.
He asks what privilege will be taken away with a big smirk on his face!!! Oh that gets me!!! Just for that NO DESSERT and NO TV and NO FUN STUFF W/DADDY!!!!!
"okay. Do you still love me?" the sad,little face asks me. Oh come on!!!! Talk about knowing what gets me.
"Yes Ben. I always love you. I will always love you even when I am upset about how you behave."
I think he understands.
On to dinner. We had a stellar dinnertime. Both Katie and Ben gobbled down their dinner and were in the clean plate club! Good. One less battle. Then Ben drank his milk only taking 10 minutes after we all left the table. Some nights its a LONG time! Now, I am not a milk nazi by any means!!!! The child NEVER drinks milk. Since he turned 4, he has to drink milk with dinner. He gets less than 1/2 cup.
I tell him how proud I am of him!
So I'm sitting down, I feel like a sore throat is coming on, and he slides in and says, "MAMA I LOVE YOU. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU FOR THE WHOLE WORLD!"
DOESN'T THAT JUST PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE:)))
I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN HIS DAY, DON'T WORRY!

Pictures

Deep River Winter Carnival
Ice Sculputures






Katie took our picture.


Jason's Ladies at work made him "Birthday Stud" for the day with a crown,cape and septor.

LONG ABSENCE...

I know I said I would be better, not leave you all hanging waiting to hear from me. Don't worry we are all well, fairly well at the moment. It's just been one of those months.
Jason, Walter and Andy (dear friend) went to Las Vegas to cruise a BIG gun, shooting show. The boys had lots of fun, checking out things they will never be able to afford! I was sent several text messages with pictures of them trying out the newest and greatest things on the market. Another HI LIGHT was Jason met a UFC fighter. I would've loved to see him go up to him! Jason also met up with his Dad and step mom. They had a good visit.
The kids and I had Birthdays to celebrate, friends to visit and activities to attend. Jason still takes the kids to karate and they have fun. I think they have more fun coming home and showing me all their moves on their Daddy!!
Walter has been keeping very busy taking his friend Alice to doctor appointments. She came down with shingles and has had a very bad case! She is so Thankful for Walter.
We all talked and Katie has moved up to the loft. She and Ben have done very well sharing a room but it was time to try her up there. Grandpa Walter has been wanting her to try it and the time seemed right. Over February vacation I fixed it all up with her stuff. Grandpa can still make it to the computer and she has plenty of room for all her "stuff". We are awaiting the arrival of her new Hannah Montanna bedspread! That will surely make it.
I also re-arranged Ben's room so he had something special too. He doesn't need much. Moving the bed was enough for him.
Speaking of our February vacation, we had a great week off. It was our first vacation week together with me being home with my new job. I loved it!!!! On Sunday we went to Deep River for the Winter Carnival. The highlight was an ice carving competition, a few booths and street performers. Ben especially liked watching the ice sculptors. Fascinated by how they worked and trying to guess what they were making. We were way off with one! On Monday we went bowling with the Kerwin's. The kids had lots of fun and the parents had some competitive fun! Jason won! I know shocker! I question it since half way through the computer went off and we had to start keeping score again. Hmmm.
The kids and I went up to KidNation Imagination Museum in Bristol with Sheri and the boys. It was pretty cool. Two floors with lots for the kids to do: bubble area, garden center, computer room, climbing area, ESPN studio (You know who spent a lot of time pretending to be on air) and a restaurant play area, another favorite.
Unfortunately I think Katie picked something up there. Friday night she came down with a fever and has been down for the count since with fever and cold. Tonight she perked up a bit, we'll see what tomorrow brings.
Here are a few recent pictures.

Fun pictures

I'm at my Dad's so I decided to steal some fun photos to share.
I heard that I should label these pictures.
1. Christmas 1974 or75 My sister Amy and I
2. Bottom row: Me and Jane Top:Amy and Marianne Our childhood friends
3. My parents...Newlyweds...Can you believe my mom's hair! What a BABE!
4. "THE BOAT"-Jason gave this to my dad to help him pass his time during retirement. Yeah right!!!
5. Cousins up in Maine, squishing Nana
6. Oh remember...broken anlke, sooo hot but enjoying the scenery up in Maine.