Tuesday Transformation

I know ideally I would have taken the before picture before I started painting, but I got ahead of myself. So I'm hoping this crooked picture will help give you more of the before feeling.


Who would have thought that nothing but paint would make the smallest bathroom in the world look almost decent.


For all of you in Cleveland with kids that like trains, Mentor Mall has a really cute one up for the holidays. $1.50 to ride and the kids love it.


We should tell daddy that candles, even while unlit, are still not the best thing to let babies play with.

The Tree Farm

Our family tradition is to go out and cut our tree the day after Thanksgiving, and that's just what we did. There is this great tree farm in West Farmington, Amish Country. There are wagon rides out to the tree of your choice and then they bag it and help you get it on your car. After you get your tree you can go to the barn and enjoy yummy hot chocolate and roast hot dogs and marshmallows for s'mores. All this is free except the tree which you can pay anywhere from $5 - $10 a foot depending on the type of tree you want. If your interested in directions, let me know or call them, Whispering Pines (440)693-4354. The drive was so beautiful and we really had a great time, it's time to bust out the Christmas music.

Just an update for the grandmas, sorry it's sideways.

The Big Turkey Day

(we laminated some leafs we collected to make some festive place mats)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

My whole body hurts. Who would have thought that cooking a single meal could be as exhausting as..... doing something else really exhausting. When it's all said and done the food was great, and will continue to be great for the next couple of days, and the company was even better. We start the day out with the Thanksgiving Parade, the kid's love watching the floats as they glide through New York City. I let Molly put together the veggie, meat, and cheese tray, a responsibility I was given as a young girl. It was sad not to have my in-laws here with us this time. I especially noticed this when I was cleaning out the turkey, a job my mother-in-law has so graciously done for me in the past. Travis and Dillon had to run to Home Depot this morning to get a part for the toilet that decided to stop working, it was closed, so one toilet down on a day when you're meant to eat a ton. The snow always helps to give you that holiday feeling, and it did snow quite a bit today. We had our neighbor, Judy, over and some friends, Kaleena and Blake with their two beautiful daughters. What a great day, I hope you all had a great one too.

Tuesday Transformation

I am starting this cheesy Tuesday Transformation blog thing. The purpose for this is twofold . . . One, to keep you all on the edge of your seats waiting in anticipation for the next Tuesday to see what I have transformed. Two, ( and this is really the only reason) To motivate myself to start actually doing some of the many projects I have been putting off for the last whatever.

So I have wanted to dress-up this fireplace for the 2 1/2 years that we have lived here and I finally did. All it took was some black spray paint. What a difference!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and I want to express my gratitude for the oh so many blessings in my life. I am thankful for great parents who brought me up to be independent, confident, and fun loving. I am thankful for my brothers and sister who made growing up so much fun, I love and respect each of them and am thankful for the closeness we share. I am thankful for meeting such a wonderful man who I am eternally sealed to and thankful for the knowledge of the gospel that makes that possible, we have three beautiful children that I truly couldn't imagine life without. These are some of the bigger things, but there are so many more things everyday, every minute, that I can only acknowledge as blessings........ my health, happiness, intellect, imagination, and all the other things that make each day interesting.
So today I am thankful for this holiday that causes me to stop and really think of all the things I have to be thankful for.

Knitting

Today a friend of mine took Molly to a knitting class, this is what she came home with. I'm not to sure what it is, but it sure is cute.

School Pictures and Stuff

Dillon made this turkey at school today. The things kids appreciate.

A couple of nights ago Dillon did something naughty and Travis had to put him in time-out. Dillon got really upset and I think Molly must have felt bad for him because she went into the other room and quickly sketched this up and delivered it to Dad. The little boy crying is Dillon, The bigger boy with the scary mean look on his face is Daddy, and the beautiful butterfly in the middle is, of course, Molly.

Molly's Kindergarten School Picture

Dillon's Pre-School School Picture

Molly's Art

Molly's Art
( this picture is hanging in the office at her school)

Dancing Like Maniacs

So when I say that the kids like to dance like maniacs, I mean it.(above)
Dillon finally takes a bow. (below)



Molly came down stairs today dressed in her princess attire complaining about how she needed to get things ready for the ball. She went on to talk about how Charming Prince, not Prince Charming, invited her to the ball but now she has to do all the work to get it ready. Charming Prince was not willing to help her prepare for the ball even though it was his idea and she was very upset about it. This Prince doesn't sound so charming to me.

Charlee's 1 year pictures

These are the only two I ordered prints of (above)

So when you find out your pregnant you filter through lots of different emotions.......I am so excited.......what am i completely out of my mind.........I cant wait to hold my baby.......I actually have to give birth to this thing.... Then you go through 9 months of something a bit like brutal torture. Don't worry the good part is yet to come. So after going into labor where not only do you wonder, again, why you got pregnant, you also start to wonder why you are even living. Then the baby comes, they put her in my arms and i look down at what can only be described as perfection. My eyes swell up and my heart pounds as I realize I would do this over, and over, and over again for that very moment when I get to look in her eyes and know she's ours. This past year has been nothing short of wonderful as we watch our baby grow up and develop so much personality. Everyday I count the three blessings that have made our lives complete, our three beautiful children.

My Dad

I would like to put into words a couple thoughts I have about my Dad (aka Poppy). With such a tough exterior at times my Dad has the biggest heart. Even though he often plays the tough love card, which I am thankful for, the truth is there isn't a thing in the world that he wouldn't do for any one of his kids. He has been an example to me through his generosity, his intellect, and his testimony. His work ethic, love of the outdoors, and leadership abilities are some traits I like to believe I have been able to carry with me throughout my life and can only hope to pass on to my kids. Thanks Dad, I love you.

Family Pictures

I cant tell you the relief I feel knowing this day is past. Taking family pictures is like having your toes cut off one by one, only with a much better final product. I have to say though, you wouldn't know it to look at these great pictures. Thanks Kendra!

Grandma and Papa

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We got to go to the coolest train exhibit at the arboretum when Grandma and Papa came to visit. I am fairly certain if Dillon had the option of staying there to live with the trains he would have traded us in in a second. It was lots of fun having Grandma and Papa stay with us for a whole week. (notice the train that says Thompson Hine, I guess it was meant to be)

Grammy and Poppy

We went to the Family Fun Fest with Grammy and Poppy, it was lots of fun. Dillon, with a mouth full of apple. found this fluffy caterpillar and Grammy took a little video of him playing with it. I love the Fall and all the good times and memories that come with it. I am so grateful that my kids have lots of wonderful grandparents that cherish the moments they get to spend with their grand kids.

Charlee Eats The Cake

Just a clip of Charlee eating her cake.
Happy Birthday Charlee!!!