Extreme Room Makeover

Today our project was to makeover Lauren's room into Gabe's room. And by our, I mean Grandma painted, moved the furniture and.....pretty much everything else.  I acted as Foreman.

Love ya Mom.

Lauren will be moving in with Abigail, Gabe will move to Lauren's (old) room and little bambino will have the nursery.  Madeline stays put in her current room.  

I know, its a bit confusing.  Something about me nesting includes having everyone play musical rooms.  It is what it is.  And fortunately, the kiddos love it!

Here we are getting started.  Well, Grandma is getting started.

Ahhhhh.  Much more boyish.

Trust me, that's the sunlight reflecting off the wall.  My Mom is the master painter!  ;)

Accessorize Much?

Here's a picture I captured of Lauren playing in the backyard yesterday.  I should preface this by saying it was 85 and sunny.  

I had to know.....why the snow hat? 

Apparently, the wind was blowing her hair around.

Project Runway, Here She Comes!

Abigail and I were out for a little "us" time last night and came home to find that the famous seamstress had been busy at work.  She recently debuted her first piece here, remember?

She took one of Ron's shirts, similar to the one pictured here...

...and reconstructed it to a size 2T.  The stitching is impecable, no? 

She could hardly wait until he woke this morning so she could do a fitting.

Gabe says he's ready for GQ.

Throwback Friday

I managed to catch a couple pictures of my 2 men (so far....3rd man soon to arrive!) catching up over breakfast recently.  

These pictures say 1,000 words to me.  I hope I never, ever forget the sweet way my son interacts with us.  How he will gently place his hand on you, look into your eyes and say something as simple as, "Milk, please?"

Side note:  As I type this, he is sitting beside me - yes, on the desk - and he just very carefully picked up the candle off the candlestick, smelled it, and said, "Yuck!"  That's my boy.

Chipotle At Home Recipe

As promised, here is the recipe we call, "Chipotle At Home"

It literally takes 6 minutes to assemble and simmers in the crockpot all day.

3-4 raw chicken breasts, sliced into strips

box of long grain, wild rice with seasoning packet

2 cans diced tomatoes (do not drain)

1 bag frozen corn

1 small onion

1 can black beans (drain)

couple teaspoons chili powder

1 clove garlic

salt/pepper to taste.

Any of these ingredients are optional....I just use what I have.

Throw all of the above in the crockpot on low.  Simmer for 4-6 hours.

Spoon into warm tortilla with any of the following:

lettuce, cheese, guacamole (love the stuff!), cilantro, sour creme

Enjoy!

(I use all organic ingredients and its about $21 and makes A TON of burritos!)

Throwback Friday....a couple days late

....oops....was out of town this weekend....

A couple of the kiddos watching us give hearing screenings to their classmates in Honduras.

They were the sweetest.  They stood there, as quiet as mice, for hours so they could watch!

I miss them.

Five O'clock News

We open our news cast with an update on Little Bambino...

who started out as a poppy seed.....

....and apparently is now as long as an english cucumber (not to be confused with a common cucumber)


We have continuing coverage on the famous seamstress, Madeline.  She is working feverishly for upcoming Fashion Week.  Here is runway model Lauren modeling one of her pieces -- the pencil skirt.  In a ladybug print, which apparently is trending.

In other news, it was reported that during devotions today - betrayal was the topic - Ron used Judas as his example.  Madeline said, "Dad, what about Peter?" 

In a momentary lapse of reason, Ron said, "Well sure, I guess he could be an example too."

And her response:  "You guess?  Ummm, 'I don't know Him', 'I don't know Him', 'I don't know Him' ....Cock-a-doodle-doo!  Hello?"

And that's where we leave you tonight folks.  Thanks for tuning in.

Tic Tac - A Funny Cat

Tic Tac - A Funny Cat

By: Madeline S.

Once I saw a cat on a mat

in a hat with a bat

That cat on a mat in a hat with a bat 

said, "Take me off this mat

out of this hat

and away from this bat!"

So I did.

(Tic Tac is Aunt Bethany's cat)

Cos Family Sisters

Beth, Rebecca, Bethany, moi, Jen, Rachel

Madame President

I had an interesting conversation in the car with Madeline:

M: One day when I am President....

Me: Wait, what?

M: When I am President of the United States...

Me: Oh, sorry.  Didn't know you were going for that.

M: I am.

Me: Ok, go on.

M: The first thing I'm going to do is make a law for companies that they can only advertise their own product and not discredit the other company. (exact wording)

Me: Ah, very interesting.  Explain your thinking behind this legislation.

M: Well, they can talk about the good and bad of their own product but they can't say negative things about the other company.

Me: And why would this be top priority - you know, as soon as you are elected?

M: So the other company's feelings don't get hurt.

And there you have it, my friends.  Your future President's first initiative.

Happy Birthday Abigail!

Happy 6th Birthday sweet girl!  We love you!!

Happy Birthday Ellie-Bug!

 Happy 4th Birthday Buggy!  We are so blessed to have you!

Inventory Control Tags

So, I get this cute little message from my dry cleaners today (which I almost deleted out of my inbox without reading) that said: Beware of the Inventory Control Tags.

It went on to explain that its important to snip them out because they contain a colored dye that can release during washing or drying.  Really?  You don't say.

I really didn't need to read that since I have no experience with purple dye. Nope.

Ok, I have.  Ummm, like 9 different times.  It has literally almost driven me crazy because I can never figure out where the "purple pen" is coming from.  

I finally had to assume it was the Sock Monster and he was switching up his modus operandi.  Please tell me you know the Sock Monster.  He's the guy who comes during the dryer cycle and steals the matches to your socks.

I am off to cut out 700 tags.  Just wanted to give you a heads up.

Random thoughts by Kristen:

So, as I am typing this I hear Ron tell the girls that he is charging them a dollar to referee an argument for them (another Danny Silk technique...and trust me, it works).

After he finished explaining how it doesn't matter who sleeps in which sleeping bag and how to honor each other, he asked them to leave a dollar on his dresser.  Abigail comes back down a minute later with $6.00.  Ron said, "Sweetheart, you only need to leave me a dollar.  Why are you trying to give me $6.00?"

Her response:  Because I love you Dad!

A day in the life.....

Throwback Friday

Lauren and I visiting (my sis) Rebecca in Phoenix, AZ.  Feb. 2006

...and here's a pic I snapped of her yesterday.

Is Your Company's 401K Plan Tanking?

(scroll down and pause music before viewing)

Ron, this one is for you!

Although, call me biased, I would suggest Frank's company call you for some advise. ;)

Shankapotamus......ha!

Hangin' with the Gorillas

Rebecca and Shayden took a trip to the zoo with us yesterday and snapped this pic of the kids and I checking out the gorillas.  Fortunately, the bonobos were on their best behavior.  

(those of you that have spent time with the bonobos know exactly what I am talking about!)