Monday, August 31, 2009

Ethan's 1st Scar...


Today, after getting back from a morning of running errands, little man had an accident! He went in to the bathroom to go potty, and decided that he needed to weigh himself on the bathroom scale... I started into the bathroom, to help get him up on the potty, and just as I game around the corner, he slipped off the scale, backed into the tub and fell forward and hit his chin on the edge of the toilet seat. OUCH!!! We headed right up to the clinic, the bleeding subsided, and the Dr had to use a Dermabond to "glue" it back together. He said that if the cut had been 1 inch higher up on the chin that he would have needed a few stitches. Little man just laid on the table so bravely!! He said to me a few times "Is time get up now mom??"

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Bowling at Paul Bunyans!!


Brad got us all out of the house today & brought us bowling!! Here are the kiddos out front of Paul Bunyans!!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Pirates Cove with Brian, Jenna & Jaden

Last night, Brian, Jenna & Jaden headed up to our house for a visit. We had a great time!! Here is a picture of the kiddo's at Pirates Cove where we went mini-golfing!

Friday, August 28, 2009

O.R.E.O.

Today, Lauren had her first Oreo Cookie. We had thought in the past that they had dairy ingredients in them, but recently found out that they were safe for her...
I think that she likes them...

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Lauren's new specs!!


Lauren is a beauty in her new glasses!!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Playdate with Mason


Ethan & his buddy Mason, hanging out watching Cars at our house!!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Ribbit...

The little "ribbit" that Lauren & Ethan found last night...

Monday, August 24, 2009

Brad vs. the Thistle...

In this corner, stands the purple nasty pokey thistle...
Thorny spikes over an inch long throughout the entire plant...
In the other corner stands Brad, 5'11" 180 lbs armed with 2 layers of gloves and ready to fight!!!
Ding, Ding, Ding!! Brad is the WINNER!!!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Reason # 1,468,521,432 I love Magic Eraser...

Magic Eraser before...
Gym Shoe Before...
Gym Shoe After!! Can be used again this year!!!
Poor, poor little Magic Eraser... You did your job well...

Saturday, August 22, 2009

B4 and After

Lauren needed a 3 ring binder for 1st grade labeled with her name. I am not one to make her go with something plain!! Above is her folder before...
And here it is After!!!
She loved it!!!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Tower at the YMCA


Here is the tower that Lauren & her friends built at the Y today!!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

New Label to look for, B4 and After!!

I am starting a new label here on my blog today!! I am calling it B4 and After. I will be using it for craft, organizing and similar projects. Today it is serving a dual purpose. I needed a way to organize Lauren's hair accessories for the new school year. This is how it was "organized" before...

And here it is after... I went downstairs to my sewing table & told myself that I would not be coming up until I had completed this project.

Too Cute Tuesday!!


Ethan Potter on his broom...

Too Cute!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Burfy's Birthday party!!


Today, we celebrated Burfy's Birthday!! (For those of you who do not know Burfy, he is Lauren's oldest & best friend, her teddy bear!!) His birthday was really on Aug. 15th, but we were out of town that day. I made Burfy's favorite meal for dinner, Meatloaf, mashed potatoes & green beans. I also made chocolate chip cookie bars for dessert. We all sang to Burfy & helped him celebrate his 5th birthday!!

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Happy Birthday to Jaden!


Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Jaden...
Happy Birthday to you!!!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Party at the park!

Today, we were able to get together with my brother & his family and our mom at the park with the grandkids! We all had a great time!! We celebrated July Birthdays and had cake & let the kids run & play!!

Here is Ethan just being Ethan...

Friday, August 14, 2009

Visit from Uncle "Hey Baby"

Uncle "Hey Baby" came to visit us today, and Ethan took a strong liking to his Kippah!
Isn't he handsome!
Oh, no!! Where'd you go???

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Back to the routine!

Lauren & Ethan finishing a puzzle together.

Always hamming it up for the camera...

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Flashback from my childhood - Butler style!!

On Sunday, Christian, Nikki & Shelby took me out to Butler, the town where they grew up, and the last place that I ever visited them 15 years ago. They took me out to Sonic for a Route 44 (of course...) and drove me past their old house... It looks a lot different than it did 15 years ago, but it brought back so many memories!!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Too Cute Tuesday!!

Ethan, Lauren & Kaden hammin' it up for the cameras at Courtney's on Saturday...

Too Cute!!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Time to say goodbye!!

Today, we had to say goodbye to all of my wonderful family in Missouri!! I was surprised how hard it was!! I can only hope that we can all stay in touch & not let 15 years lapse before doing this again!! Thank you to all of you who opened their homes & lives up for us to make this trip!! We love you all & we miss you already!!



Here's Ethan rockin' the Leapster on the trip home!!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Hangin' with Christian!!

Kaden serenading us with "you are so beautiful" from Little Rascals.
Shelby "being cool" looking for a sign for her mom on the "not cool side" of Sonic...

Lauren & her buddy Mac playing the piano.
Kaden & Ethan dominating Brad in a combination of football and wrestling...

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Get together at Courtney's!!

Ethan flirting with my cousin Christian...
Lauren & her new best buddy, Shelby!
Me, Christian, Nikki, Courtney, Jennifer & Christopher

Pictures from our "mini family reunion" in Missouri that my cousin set up for us!! We were able to see all my aunts & uncles, and all but 3 of my cousins!! Not bad for a 3 week notice!!! Thanks go out to Courtney for allowing us to all meet at her beautiful home!!

Friday, August 7, 2009

Hangin with Nikki!

Today, we were able to spend the whole day with my cousin Nikki!! We had a great time catching up & filling each other in on the last 15 years of our lives!!!

We went to a fun play place for the kids called Power Play,
it was huge!!
(Kinda like a supersized Chuck-E-Cheese without the grimy cheesy hands...)

After lunch & a nap, we went over to one of Nikki's neighbors house for some kiddo waterslide fun & then a sweet movie setup. Her neighbor has a projector & plays movies on a white sheet on her garage door!!

Here is Ethan playing in the sandbox with Emi while Lauren & Mackenzie rocked the waterslide.


Thursday, August 6, 2009

Drivin' to Missouri!!




This morning, we got up early and got on the road to Missouri!! We are going to be visiting family that I haven't seen for almost 15 years! I could not be more excited!!

Here are the kiddo's in the car on the drive down.
(with 5 stops, it took us about 10 hours!!)

Here are the rollercoaster roads that I remember so fondly from my childhood!


Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Flashback August 2007

August 2007
Ethan (almost 4months) getting all dressed up
(He wore this suit to Zach's wedding)

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Too Cute Tuesday!

Ethan freaking out when he saw Sponge Bob Squarepants at the MOA last month!!

Too Cute!!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Peanut butter day: Part 2

Today, after church, we headed back up to the park for another peanut butter food trial. This time much less structured, I made Little Man a peanut butter sandwich. He happily ate half of it before getting down to playing. I am happy to report, he had no reaction at all!! Yayyy!! I am certain now, that he will have no problems in the future with peanuts!!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Blueberry Coffee Cake!!

Today, I got a great recipe from a friend of mine for Blueberry Coffee Cake. It was soooo delicious!! I made a double batch (hoping to freeze some) but it was half gone after dinner!! Everyone (especially Brad) couldn't keep their hands off it!!
I will share the recipe with you!!


The original recipe calls for an 8x8 pan. I doubled the recipe and baked it in a 9x13. I am going to post the original 8x8 recipe.

Topping:
1/3 c flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 c sugar
--mix well
1/4 c butter, softened (or Dairy Free margarine)
--cut in with a pastry blender or fork until incorporated.

Batter:
mix together-
2 c flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Whisk separately-
1/4 c vegetable oil
3/4 c sugar
1 egg (or egg substitute)

1/2 c milk (or soy milk)
--stir into sugar mixture alternately with flour

Then fold into batter
1 c blueberries

Pour batter into greased & floured 8x8 pan. Cover with streusel topping.
Bake at 375 degrees for 45-50 mins (bake longer if doubling recipe) until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool & serve. Enjoy! (we sure did!)