sneakie peekie?

ok so I said I'd give ya one right? Here's one upcoming kit that I love!!!! It's called Funk and Spunk..love this paper ...love our upcoming SDJ...I just LOVE kits..ScrapADDICT.com kits that is ;)

I might have another one or two lurking about..but not now ;)

Hotter than Hades

That about sums up our trip to AZ. You know Kev has been kidding me that I am bad mojo to these places we visit. We went to FL two years in a row and both years hurricanes hit the places we stayed at and were to stay at...demolishing the one. (think ground zero) :( Last year was the Ft Myers one where we couldn't go due to hurricane damage.

And this year I picked AZ..I know that the month wasn't ideal..although we had hoped it wouldn't be too hot yet (ha..it was the highest it's been - unseasonably warmer than what it usually is) but figured it would be good to see it. Kev has been hankering to have his retirement state picked out and I nixed Florida. I've got news for him...AZ isn't on my shortlist either LOL

Anyway we go...we had a hard time of it trying to find a hotel with not a lot of notice for our trip in..esp in the mtns where hello everyone in az goes to cool off..but we muddled through. Saw the Grand Canyon and that was INSPIRED because we went in the early am..man was that line to get IN long when we left.

Ok so it's a natural wonder. yadda yadda...but frankly I hate heights and get sick and sure enough I was nauseous for the long 4 hour drive back to Phoenix. Seriously sick. I got some nice photos I think. I digress...the reality was we passed Sedona on our way down and decided to skip it for Thurs...um by then the Brins Fires were out of control and seemed to have started the day we passed the town. SIGH So now I get ribbed that I started the fires LOL My Mojo does not appear to be good...bad enough that family has asked me to skip their particular areas for vacationing

What else we did in AZ? After going with the flow and NOT exiting the condo during the daytime...we shopped, went to a water playground and swam- a lot and scrapped of course. 20 layouts done is not bad..I had wanted 30 but the dang time change really screwed me up!

What a HOLE...that is what Kev told the kids to say when we got there. A little funny.....there is this awesome stone tower you can go up and see better from there right? Well I stay on the ground level with Anna and I see ppl all over going up there and also ppl going around the guardrail for better photos- are you NUTS???! Anyway I look up and see this kid hanging from the top (my camera was up w/Kev) and I am thinking..what idiotic parent *allowed* their kid to hang over the side like that...I look again and you can hear me yell..Michael Edward Anthony...it was MY idiot son. With my dh no where near him. I laughed so hard after scolding him to not do that again. Just a clear reason why Kev should NOT watch the kids ;)

We had no internet access..it was going to be $10 a day. Ouch so we skipped that. And then the pool bar and grill? Closed by 5pm each day..not cool when we made it there by 6pm..just little things that didn't endear me to this location. I loved Prescott and also Old Scottsdale.....I'd live in either one of those..but Phoenix was not that good.

Cheap Entertainment

It's amazing how this one little toy - in perfect condition from a garage sale can become a beloved toy in literally 2 min :) But it's true..total cost? $8 and I didn't even buy it - Nana did.
She loves this thing...and it even reminds her to put back the toys when she forgets....put your lipstick where you got it...it talks and the lights light up too. Ah Bliss. I've been a bad blogger again but in my defense I was dealing with vendor issues and separating Prima flowers- hello go plastic please..because the glass is breaking every which way. And then doing subscription. Why so much work? We leave for Arizona tomorrow at 4am. 3 days of driving (24 hours total) and then we get to relax in 115 degree heat and return home a week later :) I'm angling for CABO WABO baby - I might have Kev convinced but he insists on us alone. I really want our kiddies to go too. We'll see who wins out. Katie also had her bday party. Omgoodness....7 girls make a LOT of noise...they stayed up til 4am and were wiped the next day. Mom still made her come down and work in the office (mean mom!). I'll include a shot of her too before I leave!




I can't believe how grown up she looks..everyone says she does not look 11...I am in BIG trouble..look for this and lots of other photos to be scrapped SOON. I love how long her hair is getting btw..I'm so gladI am making her grow it out. She loves having me use the flat iron on it..looks cute..time to put her back into carter's clothes and make her look younger!

Stay out of trouble while I am gone ;) As for Splurges..our #3 blog challenge here : http://www.scrapaddict.com/forum I have to say I get pedicures and my hair colored. I did have a massge for the first time ever in Nashville and could easily be addicted. But my hair being colored is a splurge..so are new bras for the first time in a long time being in the RIGHT size..highly recommend getting fitted. Mine were done at Lane Bryant and my girls are up high again and proud. Love it! Go out and splurge for yourself too.....makes you a happier wife, mother and friend, daughter, etc.

I'll miss you all....any bets on how many layouts I get done? I hope a lot!

3 Obscure facts about me- Blog Challenge #2

Ok folks..check in at http://www.scrapaddict.com/forum so you can visit our Gotta Chat forum and join in the fun ok?

This week's challenge: 3 Obscure facts about me....

Not sure so I'll do a free association list of me:

1. I used to bite my nails
2. I worry about everything
3. I scratch my head when I am nervous
4. I was a HS state soloist and placed 2nd division in the IHSA competition using an Italian opera song
5. I was heavily involved in musical theater in high school
6. I finally got a good nickname at the age of 3o-something- FEE - thanks to my nashville sisters for it.
7. My nickname was Fish in HS..I hated it.
8. I'm the oldest of three and the only girl
9. I am an over achiever and highly competitive

Hope that works! Thanks for reading!

Sneak Peek, Arizona, In Laws

Where to start...a lot of you know that my MIL fell over Memorial Day weekend (also Katie's bday)....and broke her hip. We rushed up north (3 hours one way) to be there for her emergency hip surgery and and were there and back...me personally going up on Sun, back on sun alone, back on Mon with kids and Mom in tow and then back again that night and back up again 1 day later with Kev for the week...I'm exhausted still thinking about it.

We were able to get meals made and frozen (when I say we I mean ME) for him for when she's home (he's eating at the nursing home with her now)..and she was able to get a partial hip replacement...it was harrowing because the meds made her SO groggy so they were worried about another stroke. They did say she had suffered a heart attack a few months back too.

She's in a nursing home/rehab place now until she can walk and get around. We are very appreciative of those who have been keeping us in their thoughts and prayers. It's meant the world to us.

We leave in a week or slightly less now for AZ...it's gonna be great to relax and see D again...she's one of my nashville sisters. Her daughter was also adopted and is a cutie pie..it'll be nice to get the girls together. :) Expect lots of photos - you know me! Oh speaking of photos..Miss Jess is flying in for CHA along with half my DT and I've already roped her into taking family pics of my kids and me and Kev...so fingers crossed we have some good shots..I'd love to get one to frame on my wall....Please from my mouth to God's ears..esp with these four jokesters!

Let's try the sneak peek again..I'm about to give up girls! Yay it worked...and this kit is my fave for now...I love Ginger's stuff :) And this kit is coming up in a month..YUM

Who said three is easier?

You know it dawns on me that it can also apply to the number of children I have and not just Anna's age....but I digress..which I tend to do a lot also. Besides I consider Kev a kid too so I technically have four and he's my biggest baby :)

This is one recent layout I did..I'll include another at the end as a MAJOR sneak peek if you gals are nice to me ok? I appreciate people reading my blog and I've heard from some family and friends who say they read it to keep up to date on everyone..so this will be a catch up one of sorts...yes the baby is making me nuts..she's teething and it appears that she teeths for a year for each darn tooth..it takes FORever to come in and she's a raving beast while it happens..so based on that you are correct..she's never agreeable. :) But I love her anyway. She's settling down now hopefully after no nap either. Three has been hard..she's VERY vocal btw...but a stinker too...very smart..never, ever a good combination!

A few recent Annaisms: She wanted into the bathroom where Daddy was um going...and why he thinks HE can go with the door locked is beyond me..I haven't had a bathroom experience withOUT kids since 1993! SO he refuses to open the door and Anna looks at the lock...goes to the pantry with a chair..gets a box of spaghetti out and brings a noodle to the door and pops the lock and proudly tells daddy she broke in on him. LOL He was laughing SO hard. The little imp!

She also was singing for Daddy tonight and the "guys" (k and m)...this is always bad as she sings fine...and perfectly on key...head, shoulders, knees and toes and they are all laughing and encouraging her and somewhere it goes south..to the boobies to be exact! So it becomes head, shoulders, boobies, toes. She gets a laugh and does it over and over ad nauseum. She's really into us and the family now..she likes to wake up every night and says...we are a flamily mommy- snuggle me..aww heart wrenching and yet so dang annoying to be up at 2am each night...her wall drawings have ebbed (please oh please let this stay true)....and she's talking about her painting class in a month "without you right mommy? You wait outside? I go by myself....I'm a big girl?" All said as questions ..we'll see...

Mikey- will turn officially 8 on our vacation to AZ - he's going under the water...taught himself with Katie's help a few days ago and is swimming like a fish now. He did really good in school and is getting so big!

Katie...got the excellence award from the school and the president of the US...for having a 3.5 grade pt average since grade 3....(or above..she's actually straight a's) and also for being in the 85% tile or higher on her terra nova tests...she's 11 now and boy oh boy do I feel old. :) She's still doing well in piano and swimming like a fish also.

Kevin....hey I said he was my biggest baby :wink: He's still at the same place and he also loves the pool.....he is also working out more this year :)

Me..hanging in there :)

Ok the sneak peek now!ok it's not working..maybe later BWHAHAHA

About Me Blog Challenge #1

So they are doing a blog challenge on MY boards..hello..I'm a little slow..figured my blog was neglected so I would catch up and do this! Plus I have some cute layouts to share :)

favorite color: blues and yellows..bright colors

word I most liked to be described as: thoughtful and caring I guess....generous..

best meal I cook: my lasagna is what made Kev fall in love with me..I love to cook so I hope I do things well..mozzarella chicken

favorite dessert: love chocolate cake

favorite book: to kill a mockingbird..for humor the janet evanovich series..one for the money, etcI have TONS of faves though....huge reader!

favorite outfit: used to be my sweats and tee shirt but then Lucy had to go and get me purdy'd up :) So now my peasant tops and jeans with a little jean jacket over it (but I am holding those CROCS)- remind me..they need an entry of their own :)

usually in bed by: 9pm as I lay down with Anna :) Since she gets up at 5am-6am it evens out right?

favorite sounds: rain, music

I wish: anna would go to sleep and sleep through the night each night!

What I crave: sweets right now :)

Surround me with: I'd always say family but ANNA is making me nuts lately....she's playing pixel chix and it's not enough it's loud she's yelling to it over it. So surround me with quiet and sleeping children :) and lots of chocolate ;)