My Crazy Life...

Somebody Pinch Me....

...because I am hoping this is all a bad dream. Is it March 31st or December 31st could someone please remind me?

You're the winner of my two year Blogiversary Give-Away! Please email me with your mailing address so I can send your goodies! Thanks to each of you who left a comment!

Good Things...

Soooooo...I woke up to find snow on the ground this morning. And I'll admit that it made me want to go back to bed and feel sorry for myself. I'm tired of being stuck indoors, and I'm tired of the kids being sick. But...rather than get all down and out...I decided to make a little list of  random GOOD THINGS on my blog. Just some things that I am really liking lately...

I made these last night, and as unhealthy as it might be, I decided that since the snow on the ground was really pissing me off, I would eat one (or two) for breakfast. These are seriously my favorite cookie in the whole wide world. Hands down. I don't even like chocolate (in fact, I don't add choc. chips to choc. chip cookies), but the chocolate flavor in these is so subtle. Seriously...try some. You'll love em! (Seriously though...at least double the batch, because it doesn't make very much)

Chocolate Crackles (Sherelle Christensen)

-1 ½ c. all-purpose flour

-1/2 tsp. baking powder

-1/8 tsp. salt

-1 ¼ sticks unsalted butter

-3/4 c. sugar

-1 egg

-1 tsp. vanilla extract

-6 oz. melted chocolate

-powdered sugar

Sift dry ingredients. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and then add vanilla. Gradually add the melted chocolate, mixing until blended. On low speed, beat in flour mixture. Shape one Tbs. of dough into a ball and roll generously in powdered sugar. Place 2” apart on greased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. 

This kit from Mindy Teresawa at Designer Digitals  is killing me with cuteness. I'll just go right out and admit it...I am a sucker for cutesy crap. Check it out!

   

These vintage image CDs from ebay seller vintage_bella are AMAZING! I am a real sucker for all things vintage. I  love the charming old artwork. The beauty from artists in these eras can never be achieved by our era of computer generated art.  She has the most beautiful artwork compiled on these CDs. I was so impressed. I plan on using them on lots of scrapbooking and papercrafting projects in the near future. They would also make great images for cards, since most of the originals were originally from greeting cards.

I am in LOVE with Jennifer Murphy's creations. I came across her project on Martha Stewart's site, and my mom and I made these cute little bunnies for Easter. I am in love with every single creation. She is amazing! The instructions for the bunny are found here.

First off, you still have until Friday to enter my blogiversary give-away, so remember to leave a comment in the previous post if you haven't already. Thanks for all of the sweet comments thus far! Your kind words were just the pick-up I've needed this week!

Our Easter was good...even though the two little girls are still sick. We just can't seem to kick this crap.  I feel a little overwhelmed lately, and I'm starting to wonder if Spring will ever come. Four children can be a trial some days...I love each and every one of them, but sometimes I just get a little worn out.

Our Easter went well. Did yours? We didn't have any snow on the ground, but it didn't really make me any more excited about having Easter so early. I'll be glad when the holiday resumes it's position in April next year. I'm feeling a little too lazy to resize our Easter photos tonight, and since it is almost impossible for me to post without sharing photos, here are some photos I already haved resized...they are just some portraits of Grace from this week...some of them are pics in her Easter dress. Hope you are all having a healthier week than we are!

    

 

My Blog Turns 2!!!

Sooo... you might be wondering where I've been. I wish I could say we've been on vacation...but it's not so. My kids have been sick...yes, all of them. Influenza, colds, runny noses, puking, fevers, ear infections. The list could go on and on. We are starting to get on the road to being healthy again...but I think it will take time.

On a more positive note...my blog turned 2 yesterday. I can't believe I've been blogging for two years! It seems like just the other day that I decided to start this little diddy. Anyhow, please leave me a comment, and I will send some fun stuff to one lucky winner! Thanks to all of you for visiting my blog! I can't believe how many kind and supportive readers I have gathered over the past two years. Thanks!!!

Easter Stuff...and you guessed it...more photos!

  First off, I have to share the Easter outfits my mom made for the kids. SO CUTE! I know...I know...outfits for the holidays. My mom always made them for my sisters and I when we were little, and we always felt so special, and we looked forward to dressing up for every holiday. She is sweet to have carried on the tradition for my kids. As you can see in the photos below, my poor Gracie has been sick...poor thing (you can just see it in her face)! They even wore the Easter outfits to get their photo taken with the Easter Bunny (who was 30 minutes late mind you!!!). Photos with the Easter Bunny, is of course another tradition in our family. I think I got my picture taken with Santa & the Bunny every year when I was little. We met up with my family so that Shelby (my lil sis) and Addilyn (my sweet niece) could be in the photo too.

   

Sorry for the crappy scan of the photo...I would really prefer to take my own photo of the kids with the Bunny Man, but have I mentioned that I've had mall security called on me before??? I guess they are pretty serious when they say no personal cameras, so I resisted the urge and left my camera behind this time :0)

BUT...don't worry...my camera didn't feel lonely today, because my lil sis, Shelby, had all sorts of plans for me to take photos of her today. She has been looking at all of the new pics of her nieces and nephew, and she figured she needed a turn. I wasn't going to argue...I kinda enjoy playing with my camera (in case you didn't notice)...

(can I just remind you that she is only 12 years old...isn't she a beautiful young lady???)

Okay...and last, but not least...some cute ideas for Easter treats. Grace & Russ will be taking these to school to hand out to their classmates...

I think they will be available at Designer Digitals on Sunday...so go grab some if you want a quick and easy treat idea!   

More Photos...

(yeah...I know...you are so surprised huh???) I have been having so much fun with my camera ever since doing this online photography class. It really helped me a lot. I took portraits of my girls in their Easter Dresses (I will share Grace &  Lily's pics soon), and Russ was feeling a little left out, so we took some time a couple of days ago to take some new portraits of him. He is such a poser...he constantly switches poses and changes up his smile...he is far better at posing for the camera than my girls are! In fact, if you notice in one of the photos below, he crossed his hands over his heart and did this huge open mouthed grin...and then he said "thats the picture so you'll know I love you mom". He is a sweet little guy! So...if you are needing some help with your camera and photography, please go over and check out this class. Print off the lessons and work on it at your own pace. As I said, I feel like it has helped refresh my memory on so many things.

 

Guess What...

we've been playing all morning?

Thanks to the Target Dollar Spot for all the cheap accessories! 

Caught Up...

Well...at least for a day. It never seems that I am caught up   for long. I have spent a lot of hours in my "laundry mat" (as my husband calls it) the past few days, but I am happy to report that all of the hampers are empty! WOO HOO...too bad they will be full again by tomorrow :)

Russ had another wrestling match on Friday, and he won a gold medal. Grandma Christensen, mommy & aunt Lisa were all on the mat cheering him on, and during the middle of the match he kept looking over and giving us a big smile. He was so proud.

And as promised (but maybe a little late)...here are some photos from our trip to Island Park...

 

Just Finished...

a digital layout for Designer Digitals using Kate's new pics and I wanted to share...