Step into her shoes and walk the life she's living and if you get as far as she, just maybe you will see how strong she really is. Faith is first, her family is her everything and her story is her unique own.

This is a place where the love and stories of our family are shared. We hope you enjoy, and visit again soon...

"A little party never hurt no one... thats why its alright." -Art Deco


Sunday, October 26, 2008

Bringin' It Back


Okay, so I am so completely sick of school- I could barf up a textbook. Some how I managed to earn A's last semester, and this semester seems like it is ridiculously, intensely, hard. I don't know if it's because it is harder content, maybe I am burnt out, or a good combo. I have always been told that this was the hardest semester in school, and I am feeling it. I have a B, but those who know me, know that my skin crawls if I do nothing but the best. I am trying my best, I know that's all that really matters, but I want an A dangit!! Sorry for my sickening rants, but I have decided to have a "normal" day tomorrow, something I felt like I haven't had in a while. My sweet, dear husband just cleaned the entire house, so this is possible and achievable. :)

Here it goes: The boys have requested a pancake breakfast tomorrow, and I am going to make it for them. Then take Sergeant Stink and Benny to school. I will then start to paint the kids' bathroom- something I have wanted to do for a while. Then I will pick up my boys, do homework, then either play outside or take a nice bike ride to the park. After that I will make them a nice ribs dinner and follow it up with a round of Candyland. Then I will get them all ready for bed and we will snuggle in our nest and read some stories. I will kiss my boys nighty night and feel like their true mommy, again. I will pour a nice glass of wine, light some candles, and soak in the tub... then go to bed, early.

Fire-Ninja/Ranger


Sadly, we went to the Hall of Flame museum without Dad. It was a lazy Saturday and the 10th Anniversary of the museum (so the kids got in free). How could a thrifty mom resist? I don't think the boys were old enough to appreciate the super cool, old, horse pulling fire engines... but enjoyed the "play on Fire Truck". The highlight of the festivities was going for a ride on one of the older fire trucks. It was such a beautiful day, and we were on top of the truck so we got to enjoy the breeze. I was thankful most of my hair was in a hat, which allowed me to enjoy the breeze to the fullest. My favorite part was when the engine horn blew and I saw smiles from ear to ear on the boys.

Oh, yeah. They went in their costumes too. I love it when they romp around in play suits, its what kids should do. Grown-ups get to play around like that once a year if they go to a Halloween Party... so let kids be kids. They love the attension they get by all the adults when they wear them. I must say the power ranger suit has been loved to death by Benny so much that the zipper doesn't work anymore.


I thought this was really neat. They had a medical helicopter (which I have never seen). Benny got right up there and fastened himself in. We of course landed in the gift shop afterwards and got some Firefighter stuff. Benny picked out a "Future Firefighter" shirt that he immediatly put on when he got home- along with a fire badge and hat. He told me that he's ready for work now. They both tell me that when they grow up they want to be Firefighters.

Schnepf's

Fall festival at the Farm again this year!! We went, we saw, we had a blast!! I've always loved that Schnepf smell of cool air, BBQ, chili dogs, and farm animals. Sergeant Stink and Benny were thrilled to hear the news that we were going. Its been crazy at the house of Carlsons lately... we deserved and needed this time together.




Schnepfs added this super duper cool roller coaster last year, here the bros are... gettin' pumped up. We can do this dude...

All prepared, Dad by side, ready for the sheer thrill the coaster is about to bring.
And then there's my Benny, need I say more?

Let me tell you how wild and crazy Sergeant Stink is. I looked over at one point on the carousel and there he was climbing the pole trying to get more excitement out of the go-around-thingy... that's my pure, 100% boy.

Last, but surely not least was the pumpkin patch where we go every year to pick out our pumpkins. Stink went through every pumpkin in the patch before deciding. As soon as Benny looked at how many pumpkins there were to go through he was like, "eh this one daddy". So while I stayed with Mr. Choosingten, Benny and Dad retrieved some churros and cotton candy.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Bowling Brothers...



Sunday, October 12, 2008

Project: Master Bath


Yes, its done!!! We actually started this puppy before the end of the summer. However, we decided to take down that huge "glue-on" cheap mirror that the builders install install in the new homes. We wanted to put in two nice fancy shmancy ones instead. So that part took us a while. We couldn't find mirrors that went with the cabinets and everything else. It was funny because that's the one thing you really need in a bathroom is mirrors right?! We were without them for a good couple months. It did us good though, so what if my make-up was lopsided. So- we had the bathroom painted and pictures hung... just no mirrors. This experience proved though that, you find exactly what your looking for when your not looking for them. Steve and I were out at Kirkland's Home Store (love that place) just bummin' around and Steve found the ones! The mirrors were even on clearance! I liked them so much that I went back the next day and got another one to put above the bath. After that I went on a "ripping out the towel bars" spree around the house. Who needs those obnoxious things anyway? We always use the towel rings or the hooks, so out went the bars, heyaaa! I love how the master bath turned out and its nice to see myself again!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Roller Champ or Roller Chimp?

A little bit of both, I think. Steve and I took the boys to go roller skating for the very first time... and what a time! You could tell we weren't the regulars at Skateland with the custom skates and fancy laces. It took us at least 20 minutes to get all of our rental skates on. Once we got them on though- down the boys went. What did ya expect? Our oldest got the hang of it and about midpoint of the time we spent there, he made it around the roller rink 1 whole time by himself, no falls. Woop-woop baby cakes!! He was mighty proud as well. Our other babe didn't want anything to do with the skates. Nope. He put them on, then had them off within 10 minutes. He was more intrigued with the video games and wanting to get a soda pop. They had a "lights out" skate with glow sticks and it drew him back pretty fast. So we picked some different skates and off he took. I think they were more comfortable, so it did the trick for him. My chimp was a champ in the end! We played red light green light and the dice game while while in the rink. Steve and the boys were oh-so-close at winning the dice game, oh well, maybe next time. I had a "can I have my birthday party here" request, so I think someone was sold. I love it when we're together.



I managed to get some video of one of our skaters, enjoy. The volume is loud.. so you might want to lower it before you play it if you have sensitive ears. Love the look he gives me right at the end like "quit frickin' taping me mom?!"

Thursday, October 9, 2008

A Day With My Boys

What can I say other than I had a wonderful day with my babies today. Throughout our everyday hustle and bustle, it was nice to change it up and fill the day with fun activities. I decided to take the boys to lunch and a really cool place- Bounce U. After lunch though I decided to take a trip to the pet store with them, they are such animal lovers ya know. My oldest is in this "I wanna puppy stage" right now and my other is "can I getta kiddy" every week or so. So we saw all the dogs getting groomed and the kittens for adoption, the mice, birds, and fish. I really wanted to get a new Halloween costume for Pursie at the pet shop, but the kids protested against that. They love her doggy witch costume too much, plus it probably suits her at her old doggy age now. Hey, I don't blame her... I'd be witchy too. So on the car ride to Bounce-U our dog discussion arose. We were talking about how dogs have the same things inside their bodies as we do, just in different places. The cutest question from my dog lover, "Mom, so dogs have painsys too?" It took me a while to get that he was trying to make out "pancreas". Yes, his Kindergarten A&P came in handy this afternoon.


We had a play date with 4 other friends today at Bounce-U and then we all went to have ice-cream at a nearby parlor. There, was when I tallied my youngster's soda (non-caffeine of course) count for the day-- 3. That's my boy, drinking his meals! So the whole table discussion of boys, age range of 4-6 was: 1)farts, 2)burps, and 3)the new movie about the chihuahua. As the kids were running around outside now acting out the burping and farting I spotted out of the corner of my eye something horrific. My son was trying push out a fart so hard he peed. Yeah. He stared at me weird because I was laughing and trying to scold him for what he did at the same time. Ahhhh, boys...


After saying goodbye to our wonderful play dates, I spotted a paint-your-own pottery shop. I decided to polish off our day crafty style. The kids really enjoyed painting their projects, and we get to go pick them up in a week and see the finished masterpieces. Can't wait!
I love you guys!!

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Hairball Hockey

I know its been a really long time since my last post, but what can I say... Nursing School is consuming me! I am almost done and can't wait. This writing is about my hair-brush hairball. Yeah, I know gross. The reason I decided to include it though is because the boys for some odd reason just got a kick out of it and we kind of created our own game. Yes, I buy them toys and they have lots of other things to play with besides mom's hairballs- but what can I say other than they were intrigued by my free gift.

So just messing around with them I threw my hairball at them. They laughed and did the ew gross thing, but then were like "hey gimmie that"! So they kept trying to throw and stick it on me as I was doing my hair. Since I was blow drying my hair at that moment, I got it with the blow dryer in mid air and so we were playing toss with it in the bathroom.


Yes, I took a picture of it... We are silly and sometimes weird, I know. :)