Merry Christmas!!!!!

Carter was so excited that he jumped on the gifts.

Michael was helping his Daddy.  I mean, Brian can NOT be strong enough to rip wrapping paper.  Whew!  That's hard work.  You can see it on their faces.  :º)

Of all the gifts that Santa brought they love the shave kits from Daddy and Mama the most.  They were so cute!  They stood in the bathroom just like Daddy.  SO CUTE!!!

My baby got me 28 filters for my new camera.  He is so good to me!  This one is the Star 8X.  Super fun!  Thank you Baby!

We drove up to M & D's house to spend the night while they were visiting Missy.  Brandi is the nicest.  She gets my kids gifts every year.  She also got an Iphone for Christmas so we had a little fun.  Thank you Brandi for ALWAYS thinking of my kids!  Thank you to EVERYONE who went out of the way to give my children gifts this season.

Merry Christmas every one!

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

And all through our home.  My Monkeys were stirring.  Won't leave us alone.  They really enjoyed getting their Christmas jammies on and listening to Daddy read the story.  Our dad always read "The Night Before Christmas" to us on Christmas eve.  ALWAYS!  As each of our family has their first child, Dad buys them a copy of the book and writes a little something inside for the new Dad.  READY!

The good book.  We love hearing this every year.  I admit...it is a challenge for me when Brian reads it differently than my dad always did.  *Shrug*  You can't have everything.  :º)

They got a little restless.  So Carter did what Carter knows how to do and climbed on his Gikel (Michael).  Michael was happy to play chair.  Christmas magic was in the air.

Michael drew a picture for Santa on the back of wrapping paper so we hung it next to the tree for the Big guy!  It took a LOT of shots to finally get one where he wasn't standing in front of it or acting the nut.

Carrots, Cookies and Milk.  CHECK!  Santa, these boys are READY for you!

Merry Christmas!

As The Deer

Uncle Keith made Michael and Carter these reindeer last year.  He and Cille have one from her Aunt Grace and it is always part of their Christmas decorations.

Carter has a strange love for these little guys.  He wants to ride them.  Hee hee hee.

He is so happy.  The funny thing is that he doesn't put his weight on them.  He just bends down.

We go through this just about every day.  Thank you Unk!  We love you and love these deer!

Oh No you didn't!

Michael came up to me with roughly 5 DVD's in his shirt and said "Hi Mommy, I'm Boob!"  I said "WHAT?!?!?"  He said, "Boob Movie!"

He is too much!  We laughed and I ran for my camera.  Brian called Keith right away.  I best be going...it's almost time for Boob Movie to take a bath.  Bwahahahahahaha!

You know these two...

Sloopy and Stockwood.  As per Michael anyway.  :º)  He has REALLY been enjoying the Charlie Brown specials this year.  We DVR'd the "Great Pumpkin" and the Thanksgiving special.  He watches them all the time.  I never realized how many political and denominational references they used.

A Few Things

1. Our Christmas decorations are up and Carter isn't bothering them.  Michael is another story.   But Carter Baby is steering clear!

2. Michael is so excited for Santa to come.  He has been asking if tonight is the night every night since Sunday when we put the tree up.

3. He only wants 3 things for Christmas.  So far, so good.  Bendaroos, Crayola's Color Explosion, and Crayola's crayon melter/maker.  2/3 purchased.  He already wrote his note to Santa and it's in the "Letters to Santa" holder on the tree.

4. I got a new camera and Carter can't stop modeling.  He is more than willing.  Usually a bit close but nevertheless willing.  :º)

5. It's not much...But it's a start!  At the very least, it's continuous.  And it couldn't have come at a better time.  Tonight is the Christmas parade!!!

6. Sorry I haven't been blogging much.  School is taking more time than anticipated.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

We had a peaceful Thanksgiving at home.  We made too much food and it was wonderful.  Michael told me I make the best turkey ever.  He's been doing that a lot lately with what ever I make for dinner.  I told him he's going to make his wife a very happy woman one day.  We even cleaned it all up in about 30 minutes.

A couple days ago Brian was making eggs.  When he went to grind the pepper, it opened and dumped peppercorns all over his breakfast.  Today, I was thinking about that and remembered that I had my Grandma Morgan's salt shaker and pepper grinder.  It's one of the few things I got from her house.  So far, they have been sitting in my upper cupboard, unused.  I thought I'd empty the pepper out and refill it with fresh peppercorns.  When I opened it a couple of cinnamon sticks fell out.  She is so cute!  So clever.  I never would've thought to put cinnamon sticks in a pepper grinder to get fresh cinnamon.  I called my Aunt Linda immediately.  I thought she would appreciate it most.  I do miss that woman!  Here's to you Grandma Aunt Morgan!

Sorry to our families.  We wish we could've seen any of you today.  Akron, Honolulu, Milford, Kissimmee, Cleveland, Newnan, Altamont, Someplace in northern California, Albuquerque...any of them would've been just fine with me.  Love you all!  Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!

Ten on Tuesday

1. 3 sick boys are rough on a mama.
2. We are officially staying home for Thanksgiving.  We WERE going to go to Massachusetts but illness took over my home.
3. I might be a little bummed about missing that Alaburda time.  ALWAYS a good time.
4. School work is coming right along.  This "Strategies to Online Learning" class is really positive.
5. I've had my cousins on my mind a lot lately.  All of them!
6. I'm watching "The Biggest Loser."  I'm not ready for it to end.  It's so inspiring to me.
7. I bought all the Thanksgiving fixin's yesterday.  Kroger is AWESOME!  I had a total of $80 something then swiped my Kroger card and paid $53.  I stood there, with my jaw open, and said "Are you kidding me?  Did I just save $30?"  The woman bagging my groceries said, "I was just thinking the same thing!"
8. I had to wash BOTH of the car seats from my car last night.  EEEWWW!  I hate taking those darn things apart.
9. Carter is in a real predicament he wants his binky to sooth him but he can't breath through his nose so he cries making it harder to breath through his nose and makes him want his binky more.  It makes me so sad.  At least it's only a bedtime battle.
10. It is almost Thanksgiving.  It is almost time to break out the Christmas decorations!!!!!!  I LOVE this time of year!  Halloween, Veterans' Day,  Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years.  Oh happy day! :º)

The Marine Ball

The Marine ball was this weekend.  These are some pictures I received from Aunt Maureen.  Some good lookin' men.

Jamie flew all the way to Hawaii to spend this evening with Jake.  She left on Wednesday.  They went to the ball on Thursday and she left for Ohio on Saturday.  Whew!

I'm not positive but I believe the background is the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

                                      

Yeah.  We like her!  Thanks for taking care of our Marine Jamie!

Look What That Boy Made!

I think this may be my favorite project to date!!!!! Rrrrrroooooooaaaaaaarrrrrrr!!!!!

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Card Makin' Evening

I got some cards done tonight.  Thought I would share incase anyone needed ideas.  Enjoy!

Fog Slides

After my shower, Michael likes to come in and draw pictures with his finger.  He almost always tells me they are slides or water slides.  They usually have some swirly loops in them.  Today he drew a huge arch that fell to the bottom of the mirror (Kind of like a lower case "R").  He looked at me and pointed (exactly when he said "THAT") to the mirror while saying, "Now THAT's a slide!"  I said, "And a scary one at that!"  He came back with...."YEAH!  It will make all the girls go AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!"  In the highest little girl scream he could muster.  I laughed out loud and continue to do so every time I think of it!

Two More Things

I totally forgot about Melvis.  You know... like Presley.  Michael heard Melvis.

Today after school he was singing:
Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe.
Catch a tiger by his toe.
If he hollers DON'T CATCH HIM!

Wednesday "Whatever"

Thank you Mom!  For the rental of your point and shoot camera!  You're awesome!

My crazy 4 year old.  He has a couple of new words lately.  He uses my Weight Watcher's calculator and refers to it as his "Supergavizing cuputer."  He told me the other day while riding in the car that he was ornery.  How true.  I tried taking a picture of him this morning and this is the best one.  Hee hee hee!  He is too funny!  He refuses to smile for a camera any more.

Michael dressed up as "Link" from "Monsters vs Aliens" for Halloween.  Every time we watch ANYTHING with Link in it he repeats every action he takes and says "Look what I just did Mommy!"  or he says "I just {insert action here}"

This is Carter's pouty lip.  Michael was telling us how he made his pumpkin sad "Like this.  :(" Carter attempted the same face and this is what we get.  Of course, I think this is the cutest thing ever so, I constantly stick out my bottom lip and say "Carter!  Say :("  And he sticks out his completely kissable smooshy lips like this.

He might be trying to look at them here.  He's been talking a lot lately.  My favorite is probably when he says "Otch!" or "Look!"  He is completely different from Michael.  His fine motor skills are so much more than Michael's ever were.  He's a product of "Monkey see, monkey do."  Everything Michael does at 4 Carter will attempt at 1 1/2.  He's a climber.  They both LOVE to climb on their kitchen.  I'm talking EVERY DAY!  They stand on the TOP and look out the window.  My dudes are good buddies.  I could do with a little more listening but I guess we get what we get.  :º)

Hmpf!

I can only give you old pictures.  My H2 died in July.  My point and shoot has a dead battery and we CAN NOT find the charger.  So, all I can do is give you something old.  Or something from my phone. I have been using my film camera to pacify my desire.  I suppose I can scan them in once I get them developed.  I could also pay extra to get a disc made of the pictures which would be free if I had a the camera I'm hoping for.  Or a battery charger.  Which ever.  :º)

At the Pregame Festivities

Kimmy and I came across some free Buckeye tickets!!! With a parking permit!!

Two things

First- Yesterday, we had to upgrade Carter Baby to a bed.  He climbed out of his crib early in the week and didn't make a sound.  Just kind of showed up.  Yesterday, I put him down for his nap and there it was.  THUD!  WWWWAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!  I got the allen wrench out and took that bad boy down.  Yes.  It was a little depressing.  Neither of my babies lasted till two.  We got the car bed out.  He loves it.  Nap time was a little sketchy.  Bed time was like a dream.  We read to him.  We prayed with him.  We said good night.  Brian had to tell him ONE time to get back to bed.  ONE TIME!!!  Then he said, "What is our struggle going to be?"  I told him to shut his mouth.  :º)

Second- I WAS ACCEPTED INTO THE ART INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!  I'm so excited.  I am really looking forward to making more of my photography.  :ºD  I'm smiling!!!

Sorry!!!

I am so sorry!  I realized I haven't blogged in WAY too long!  We've been on a busy streak.  Honestly, we still have things in our garage from the yard sale.

We had loads of company down last weekend for the Black Walnut Festival.  Thank you to Dan, Kim, Jenna and Amy for all your help.  Thank you also to Brian.  They threw together a small party for me while Michael and I were at his friend's birthday party.  D and I have the same birthday.  :º)  So cute!  Michael was the smallest one in his class last year and D was the biggest.  They were instant besties.  D has gone on to Kindergarten and their friendship remains.

Brian and I have been reorganizing.  What a task.  Hassel Graphics just needs to make better use of work space.  Hopefully tomorrow we'll be able to wrap that up.  If you need any vinyl give me a ring or email us at HasselGraphics@yahoo.com.

We're really getting excited for Halloween.  Do you have any ideas for making a "Doctor Cockroach" costume for an 18 month old?  PLEASE let me know.  Just leave it in the comments.  They only sell a complete costume for  bigger kids.  AND the B.O.B. costumes look NOTHING like the character.

I am really enjoying the "Project 365" from Marie and Missy .  I can't help myself.  I just love photography.  I'm thinking of going back to school in the spring.

Oh and here's a picture for you!  Taken from the car.  Michael may have taken it.  It was definitely on the way home from the Pumpkin Festival in Barnesville.  I was in the back seat with the boys and we were taking pictures.  I'm so glad my dude loves cameras as much as his Mama!

Girls' Night Out

I'm having a girls' night out with Missy J. tonight! We already hit the Ruby Tuesday's, the hot tub and the pool! Next up...cheese cake. Then pedicures! Sometimes, boy mamas need a night to hang with eachother. :) Thanks Missy! Love you!

I ♥ Faces "Blue"

I ♥ Faces is having a "Blue" photo challenge this week.  I couldn't think of a better picture than this Marine in his dress blues.  This picture was taken shortly after his first tour in Iraq. Thanks again Cpl.  We are so proud of you and can hardly grasp the man you have become.

Go check out some other "Blue" entries at I ♥ Faces !

I ♥ Faces “Completely Candid”

I'm joining in the fun and entering this picture of Regan in the "Completely Candid" photo contest at I ♥ Faces .  I just love how she looks so excited and scared and is completely paying attention to the ride operator!

10 on Tuesday

1. We're getting ready for a yard sale this weekend.  
2. I had no idea we owned so much junk!  

3. I finally caught up on loading my pictures.  *sigh*

4. Meet Boodgie and Goodgie.  They're Michael's fair fish.  He named them himself. :º)

5. Michael finally figured out peddling.  It's been about a month.  I am really behind on my pictures.

6. This BIG boy rode all the big rides at the fair.  ALL of the big rides.  He and Regan were PUT OUT when the upside down ride's height requirement suggested they not ride.

7. My poor Carter Baby is cutting teeth numbers 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 AND 14!!!  He's been over-all pleasant but when he throws a fit it's a BIG one! 

8. A photo from inside a corn field.  I'm surrounded.   

9. Becky Highman made this bracelet for me.  It's an original.  She said it's one of her favorites.  We were across from each other at the fair and she kept calling me over to show off my arm.  She is so stinking cute!  And REALLY talented!  I just love it!

10. Did I mention we're getting ready for a yard sale?  

Murderous

I was washing out a couple of towels in the bathroom sink.  They had some soaking time so I was wringing them out.  When I went to hang them on the towel rack I saw something in the toilet.  My first thought was "EEEWWW!  Who didn't flush the toilet!?!?"  Then I looked in.  It was a mouse.  Swimming in my toilet!!!!  The love of living things in me peaked out and I actually thought of saving it.  Then the mouse dropping cleaner in me thought of what Brian would say to me if I took it out of the toilet.  So...I flushed it.  I felt AWFUL!!!!!  I still feel awful!  It was awful!

The irony of the whole thing is that Michael got "Flushed Away" on DVD earlier that day.  The next morning he wanted to watch it upon waking.  He has no idea what took place over night.  I have a new appreciation for looking in the toilet before sitting.  I laugh out loud every time Roddie takes that plunge.  As much as I appreciate living in the country I do hope our next home isn't surrounded by fields.  :º)

What a sight!

We had quite a view last night. I have so many pictures, from Lakeside, of the sun and it's reflection on Lake Erie. It was so amazing to see the moon in the same spot with the same reflection. So here's an opposite shot for you. It's from my phone so the quality is kinda shotty. I'll get another one up when I'm home.

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Testing. This is a blog from my BB. Complete with a picture from the fair! This is our stand. We did well. We may just need a sitter for the black walnut festival.

Oh man!

Michael is SUCH a boy!  He just walked up to me with a bubble blowing apparatus, which he was recently blowing in, and said, "Look at the totally awesome spit in there!!!!"

McDonald's

So we went to McDonald's the other morning on our way to East Palestine.  I asked Michael if he wanted some pancakes with syrup in them (or McGriddle cakes).  He said, "You mean the ones with my name on them?"  I realized at that point that he was referring to the "M" on the cake.  "Yes Michael.  The one with the "M" for Michael."  He agrees and he has them for breakfast.  

Later that day we went to the Hobby Lobby in Boardman and this boy came running up to us talking to Carter.  Then he went on and on and on and on about the race cars that were coming to McDonald's the next day.  Michael asked if we could bring him to McWalnuts for some race cars.  I said "McWalnut's?"  He said "YEAH!  I want to get cars from McWalnuts!"  Too cute!  

Today he was telling me about Grandma Nan's church and how he got to light the candles.  I asked him if he blew them out.  He said "NO!  I didn't blow them out with my wind.  I used the, um, thing on the stick!"

I Apologize

My apologies.  My computer was so full of pictures that I couldn't fit one more on it.  I have recently deleted over 2,000 pictures off of my laptop.  They are safe on an external hard drive.  Anyway.  Here are some pictures from our summer!

A flavorless snow-cones.  YUMMY!

Summerfest bounce house.

McDonald's picnic in the front yard.  This was an in prompt to while we were getting camp stuff done.

He loves this thing.  He climbs on how ever he can.

Missy and Kevin got this for Carter's birthday.  We finally took it out.  Michael definitely got more out of it than Carter.  Great day!

Aaaaaaahhhhhhh.  Lakeside! We had a pirate dance and Brian dressed as seaweed!  I thought he looked more like Lady Liberty!  :º) Stephanie, Annie and Mallory were the start of the party!  They got EVERYONE dancing!!! We had a Luau and sing-a-long.  Meet the Hukilau sisters.  Yes, that is Jeff dressed as the Big Kahuna Sister!  AWESOME!

My girls at communion.  I don't think I've ever laughed as hard as I did working out with these girls.

I promise I will try to be more diligent with my blog!