My Boys Trumps McDreamy??!

While Thursday nights from September through May belong to Dr. McDreamy and the doctors of Seattle Grace hospital in my tvland...during the last month, a new show is in town. My Thursday "Grey's Anatomy" replacement comes in the form of "My Boys",

a hilarious show on TBS. It has gotten rave reviews from a number of critics--and I'm so glad I found it for the first time last summer. Season 3 started this summer, and next week is the season finale. As I type, I'm watching Season 1--thank you Netflix.

go to My Boys page

more TBS widgets

Need A Smile?

I can have the toughest day at work...and come home to the grins and hugs of my girls--it is pretty amazing how they can just make any stress feel far away.

credits: Word Art from Little Dreamer Designs "Hullabaloo Collaboration Kit"
from Tiffany Tillman, Lisa Sisneros, and Julia Makotinsky

I've been dying to work on this photo of Anna for the past couple days. We ate breakfast on our side porch on Sunday morning, and Anna wandered down the steps in her pjs. I just knew I had to grab the camera, and I'm so glad I did. Her face was a bit in the shadows of the glowing sun, but a little photoshop did the trick! I found this word art in my stash...it fit perfectly!

Catie was so excited to tell me about her sleepover at Gramma G's house last night! She was counting down the minutes yesterday! They watched "Alvin and the Chipmunks" on DVD complete with popcorn and pink lemonade." Catie then got to show off her swimming skills to Gramma this morning when she took Cate to lessons.

The girls and I went to our wonderful library tonight, both earning new books for reading each day. We log how many minutes they read each day, and we bring their "Catch the Reading Bug" logs in each week so they pick prizes from the treasure chest. They have had some really great books in the chest. Tonight, Catie got "Blueberries for Sal" a classic (that Daddy loves to read to her--but she was reading it herself tonight in bed with her little battery powered candle!) and Anna got a favorite Clifford the Big Red dog book.

I'm trying to finish my book on CD, Stephenie Meyer's "The Host." It is really good! Then I have to switch gears to Forks, WA.

I am so ready for Meyer's fourth and final book of the "Twilight" series with Bella and Edward--"Breaking Dawn!" It is released on August 2nd! I'm first on the list at the library, and I sure hope the librarian has it pre-ordered for me! :)

I'm Just A little Black Rain Cloud...

well..this was what was left of that rain cloud after I drove through pounding rain, which turned to hail, causing me and my fellow commuters to put our hazard flashers on, and drive very slow down the thruway. Yikes....I called my mom (during a lull of no rain of course) and said "I am just leaving Armageddon." wow..the black cloud was looming large over us, a very eerie sight for sure. I couldn't resist quickly snapping a shot on my cell phone...of course when I was going about 2 mph.

Catie greeted me with fantastic news when I walked in the door at Kathy's house. She dunked her whole head underwater at swimming lessons today! Grandpa Long...she'll be ready to show you all her new-found swimming skills in a couple weeks!

It was the last night of Vacation Bible School--and Anna and I went to the closing program to pick of Catie..Anna was just so sweet..doing all the motions with the big kids as they sang a song that we'd heard all week.

And, my friends at Spraground sent me to Cathy Zielske's blog where she posted this hilarious font spoof. For all your font lovers...enjoy!

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

Summer Memory

credits: Designer Digital Essentials Penelope Kit, Jen Caputo template,
Summer font is Heather Ann Melzer sketchy alpha, fun font is Penelope kit and journaling is Steelfish font.

Just a look at a layout I finished tonight! I was dying to use a new Jen Caputo template I got last week during her 40% off sale...and this was perfect for the photos.

Catie is busy doing swimming lessons-her first ever and her quote: "mom, I don't just like it, I LOVE it!" Today she swam into the deepend with her lifevest on and the teacher with the class. She was so proud! She swam all the way to the shallow end by herself...

Then she has Vacation Bible School at night through tomorrow night...Anna and I drop her off, and then we have two hours together. Tonight we went to the library and played/read in the toddler room--a nice time to spend some quality time with my little 2 year old!

Why I'm up until 12:15 am again...I don't know.after Anna woke us during a MAJOR thunderstorm last night. Poor sweetie..her hold body shook when it rumbled as I tried to pick her up.

Ok...good night!

Friday Night Fun!

Ahh..catching up after a carefree weekend...it was a nice feeling to have no obligations at all--which is a rarity in the summer!

We invited my mom to Strong Museum on Friday night, our favorite time to go. What an amazing mini-vacation for the kids...they LOVE going to this fantastic museum in our own backyard.

The new Berenstain Bears exhibit is the new fav!

Carousel Catie!

Can You Tell Me how to get to Sesame Street?

Anna just LOVES Elmo's World--which was totally redone recently at the museum, and it is perfect.

Catie playing the musical tubes!

And, we took part in the "Goodbye Parade!" At 7:50 p.m. they hand us all maracas and play John Philip Sousa parade music...to pleasantly get all the kids to march out of the museum! Pretty ingenious huh?

Then, we couldn't leave the city without a visit to Daddy's workplace!

Beating the Heat!

What a great surprise at work today to get these fun photos from our wonderful daycare provider and good friend, Kathy! Perfect summer memories are made of this!

Anna and Maura were so happy to see each other!

Catie found out her teacher for kindergarten yesterday--Mrs. McClurg...we are very excited!

And, to top it off...Ellie has Mrs. McClurg, too--what are the odds!? Wow--how fun, it will be a great year!

Just love this photo of Anna...having the time of her life!

I had fun ShaZAMing these photos again...this time, it gave them a grainy look, but I like how they turned out!

Class of 88!

Here are the photos I promised of my "Class of 88" Reunion! I think we all look pretty good for 20 years later!


If you look closely...can you see those lovely senior class photos on our name badges!? love the hair!

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted.....

The Go-Gos....a little 80s throwback lyric...cuz I'm in an 80s kinda mood...You'll see below in this post!

Ahhh....Rob, me and the girls enjoyed a week of old-fashioned summertime vacation fun last week! (roadtrips, swimming, festival, etc..) I went back to work today...geesh, the emails alone are killing my mojo, but it was so good to see my friends at work again--missed you guys!

I can't believe I haven't posted all week, we seemed to be too busy for me to find time to post! :)

We spent the first half of vacation visiting Rob's family--and we had a blast! We enjoyed a lazy Sunday afternoon at Rob's mom and dad's...a yummy meal and swimming--stayed overnight, and then headed for the east side of the state to see Rob's brother John, our sister in-law-Tina--and the kids...Rachel, Justin, Matt and Ryan. Catie and Anna were so excited to see their cousins!



The later half of the week was spent in our hometown--for my big 20 year reunion! Rock on "Class of '88~!" yikes! My best high school bud, Kelli, and I took on the job of decorating the float for our big parade...all the reunions are planned around the Oatka Festival in my little town, complete with a big parade! So we decorated Friday night, then hit a couple informal class soirees at homes of classmates...Then, Saturday night was the big event..it was so fun to catch up with everyone! Everyone had to wear these big buttons with our class yearbook photo...ugh! But it was funny! A good time was had by all. Wow...Class of 1988...loved livin' in the 80s. :)

Photos of my reunion are still on my mom's little digi camera...so I'll post soon!

My digi idol Jessica Sprague had a rockin' Photoshop Friday tutorial it up...what it can do to your photos! Just take a look at my proof!
But, I also wanted to share some little work I did for Catie...a late graduation present for our Kindergarten bound gal! Did the book on Shutterfly with a special CK template...made it quicker and easy--love how it turned out!

Click here to view this photo book.

Happy Independence Day USA!

Well, technically it is July 5...a lazy summer day at home after a fun-filled 4th!

On the 4th...We went to mom's house for a picnic and had a fun time...then Rob had to work :(

Catie, Anna and I went to the Eckdahl's house for munchies and fireworks at night--6 girls under the age of 9..they had a ball! Playing outside, jumping in the bouncy house...while the parents had fun hanging out. Kellil and Tim's house sits way up on a hillside in the country--so we could see fireworks all over the horizon--it was hard to know where to look! Without the big booms...which I'm sure was to Anna's benefit! :) A great day to salute our great nation...Happy Birthday USA!

Here is a quick layout with two of my fav shots of my little patriotic gals...and some other favorites!credits: Dani Mogstad Americana kit & mini star album