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he drives them around ...

Nicholas got a Handy Manny truck for Christmas last year, and he still constantly plays with it.  You can take things apart in it, fix parts, it even comes with a taking cell phone that rings when a customer needs a repair done. 

Well, he has found another use for the truck ... he puts his stuffed animals inside and drives them around.  Too cute - I had to take a picture .. oh, and where is his shirt???

 

For my Thursday Thirteen list today, I'm going to list who I think are some of the hottest TV/Movie actors today.  They are in no particular order.

1. Christian Bale
2. Gaven Gering
3. Ben Barnes
4. Orlando Bloom
5. Johnny Depp
6. Jon Bon Jovi
7. Darin Brooks
8. John Stamos
9. Jason Thompson
10. Viggo Mortensen
11. Brad Pitt
12. Matthew McConaughey
13. Shawn Christian

May you all have a little sunshine in your day today!

enjoying some tootsie pops ...

I hope everyone enjoyed the long holiday weekend and were able to spend time with friends and family for some cook-out time.  The weather in NJ was beautiful so we were able to spend time outside.

On Saturday, we met up with some members of our mom's group at a local farm to see them make ice-cream.  We got there a little late to see them actually make the ice-cream, but we were able to taste some ... Nicholas and I shared a root-beer float.  The kids had fun running around and playing some games.

 

 

On Saturday evening we watched fireworks from the comfort of our home.  We had to go upstairs and look out one of our windows, but at least we got to see them.

On Sunday, we went to mom and dad's for burgers and hot-dogs (and some chicken).  Grandma was visiting so it was good to spend some time with her too.  Nicholas and his cousins had fun playing together and just being BOYS.  They even sat down after dinner to have a Tootsie Pop.

 

It was a great weekend, but boy did it go by fast.

Enjoy your day everyone!

it's been awhile ...

I've been such a bad blogger ... sorry about that everyone.  I guess I just didn't have much going on to let you know about and I've been feeling under the weather.  I miss you all, and hope to keep up with blogging much better from now on ... but I can't promise anything.

I'm looking forward to this long weekend ahead of us.  I'm just hoping that the weather cooperates.  Rob mentioned something about having a little barbecue on Saturday, so we're hoping for lots of sunshine so that maybe we could actually get in the pool.  The pool has been open since Memorial Day and we haven't been swimming yet (we've had some crazy weather).

I finally went out and purchased a new camera.  This is what I got ...

 

My other camera was also a Fuji Finepix and I really liked it, so I went with this.  It is not an SLR, but I'm hoping it will do the job for now until I have enough money to purchase an SLR again.

And, I finally watched "he's just not that into you" the other day.  It was a very cute movie - definitely a chick flick and it brought me back to the dating days.  I had to laugh because I saw myself as Gigi in so many ways (when I was dating of course) ... you know, waiting by the phone for that certain someone to call back. 

Well, I promise to be back tomorrow ... have to figure out what a good "Thursday 13" topic would be.  Any suggestions?

Have a great day everyone!

in need of a vacation ...

I am so in need of a vacation.  I don't even want to tell you the last time we went away ... it's a little embarrassing.   Anyway, I would love to get away for about a week and just veg out on the beach and not think about anything.  Right now, I'm looking at houses in the Bethany Beach, DE area.  Anyone have any recommendations?  We are not huge boardwalk lovers, just need some beach time.  Anyone want to join us?

I have one crazy little dude of a son ... last night he decided to run around the yard while his pants kept on falling down because he wouldn't buckle up his belt.

 

 

And, how about all the celebrity tragedies in the past few days.  First Mr. Star Search (loved that show), then an "Angel" and finally Michael Jackson. 

I have to admit after the 80's, I wasn't a big fan of Michael Jackson, but when "Thriller" was released back in the 80's, that was all we listened to one whole summer.  We knew all the words by heart, practiced doing the "moonwalk," my brother even had fake Michael Jackson leather jackets ... with all the zippers.

RIP ... Ed, Farrah, and Michael.

this entered our garage ...

I am NOT a fan of snakes, spiders, or anything creepy for that matter.  Well, when Rob called me outside yesterday, I didn't expect to see what I saw.  THIS ....

 

was entering our garage when Rob went outside last night.  It actually went for Rob, so he grabbed his be-be gun and got it.  It was definitely as long as it is in the picture .... completely creeped me out and then I was afraid to go into the garage the rest of the evening.

According to what Rob was reading last night, they are not poisonous; however, if it was me that came in contact with it first, I probably would be in the hospital right now from having a heart attack.

And, now for Thursday Thirteen, I'm stealing a list idea from my friend Jill.  I'm going to list 13 things people might say when they look at my photos.

1. Looks like Nicholas always had two fingers in his mouth.
2. There aren't many pictures of Laura.
3. Nicholas loved to draw with chalk.
4. You didn't do much vacationing did you?
5. There sure are a lot of pictures of that tree in the front yard.
6. Wow - Nicholas sure did love his tire swing.
7. Was Rob always out mowing those four acres of grass?
8. There are lots of self-portrait shots of Nicholas and Laura.
9. The sunsets in the front of the house are gorgeous.
10. Holidays were BIG for photo ops.
11. It's nice to see you captured those every day shots (dirty dishes, laundry, etc.).
12. How many pictures did you take during the month?
13. Your pictures really do tell stories.

Enjoy the rest of your day everyone ... the sun is FINALLY shining here!

now he wants this ...

After watching Jon & Kate + Eight last night with Nicholas, he now wants one of these ...

 

It's called a crooked house, and on last night's episode the kids got four houses.  OK, so I thought that they would cost a few hundred dollars, or maybe up to $1000.  Well, was I wrong ... Nicholas and I visited the website this morning and the custom houses (like the one above) start at $5000.  WHAT!!  Needless to say ... Nicholas will NOT be getting one (at least not until we win the lottery).

And speaking of the show ... I'm very sad for those eight kids right now.  I used to love watching the show in the earlier seasons; however, the parents (especially Kate) have let the fame go to their heads and my love for the show has decreased.  I'm hoping that the show will eventually be canceled for the kids sake.

We are seeing a little sunshine here today ... at least it's peaking through the clouds a little.  I hope you're having a great day wherever you are ... hope you're getting some sunshine.

Talk soon!

hope the rains stays away ...

We've been getting so much rain here lately and I'm getting a little sick and tired of it.  Today I see the sun peaking through the clouds ... will it come out to stay?

I have so many things to do around the house this weekend so I hope I get a little more motivated than I am today.  I've just been feeling so lousy lately.

If it rains through the weekend, I hope I can find time to watch this ...

  

I TiVoed it the other day.  I didn't realize there were so many great people in the movie and I keep on hearing great reviews about it.

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend - find time to do something fun!

down memory lane ...

It is with such a heavy heart to let you know that Rob's grandmother Anna passed away last night.  She was such an inspiration to so many people, especially me.  She lived a long life (94 years), but not long enough for us.  We will all deeply miss her so much. 

Today I'm going to take you down memory lane over the past five years with gram.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

You will always be in our hearts!  Love you always!

it was a safari party ...

Nicholas was invited to his friend Lexie's 4th birthday party over the weekend.  It was a safari-themed party.  The weather was less than desirable, but the kids got to do their activities outdoors when the rain stopped for about an hour.

All of the kids received passports (with pictures) to take a trip to Africa.  They then flew to Africa (via flapping their arms) to go on their safari hunt.

Since I did not have a camera, I "borrowed" some pictures from Tara (Lexie's mommy). 

The kids pinned the tail on the Tiger; went to the monkey gardens and had a sound off contest on who could make the best monkey sounds; hit the monkey pinata; went through the snake pit (the snakes were created by silly spray); rode a lion (well, a balloon lion); and went on a hunt for animals (little toy animals). 

 

 

All the kids got safari hats, compasses, and a lantern for their journey.  It was really cute and Nicholas sure had a great time.

Yesterday we headed to the park in the afternoon when the sun went down.  The park was a bit muddy from all the rain ... don't know what I was thinking about going there, but Nicholas had fun.  And yes, he even did stomp through the mud.

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Our family needs some extra prayers.  Rob's grandmother went into the hospital yesterday ... all the prayers we could get would be appreciated.  Thanks!

Enjoy your day everyone!

he loves this game ...

Nicholas loves being on the computer.  I still can't believe how much he knows ... PowerPoint, Word, Excel.  He amazes me with some of the things he creates.  He has even shown me some pointers ... pretty good for a five-year old, wouldn't you say.

Not only does he like working with the Microsoft products, he also loves to play this ...

 

It's called Peggle.  We do not have the full version of the game (we are only limited to so many games unless we want to pay), but he still loves it.  We've been playing the "duel" challenge lately where we take turns shooting the balls to hit the targets.  It has been so much fun.  If you haven't played the game yet, I warn you, it is very addicting.

Now on to important business ... about a week ago I dropped my camera and a piece to the battery door broke off.  I am in desperate need of a new camera now since it is not fun trying to hold the battery door shut and take a picture(s).  I can't spend too much money ... roughly around $200, so if you have any suggestions on what camera I should buy, please let me know. 

Enjoy your weekend everyone!