Keeping Busy

I told myself last year and the year before that, that I wasn't going to hold all my vacation and be forced to take two weeks around the holidays. Reason being, my kids and I cannot spend that many consecutive days together. They need their breaks from me as much as I need it from them. Well, guess what? Our vacation together started last Thursday when school was cancelled because of the snow storm and it won't end until next Wednesday:) Thank goodness we have a lot planned in those days.

Thursday they bundled up for an afternoon in the snow, while I continued to work from my laptop. That evening we had hot chocolate and played Farmopoly. We also nursed our little transgendered kitty back to health.

Nurse Jenni wrapped his/her little paws and he/she proceeded to remove them 3 seconds later. 

 Friday they didn't have school either, so we had a fun day. We went to the YMCA, they played in the activity center and I got a little exercise in. We ran our last minute errands and invited Andy, Tiffany, and their girls over for the evening. They brought pizza and we had fun playing.

Saturday my mom and I had a great day baking. We made star peanut butter cookies, sugar cookies and a cream puff dessert. Trevor and Grandma also put together the gingerbread train.

Saturday night the boys stayed with my parents and Cody and I went to dinner and then rented "Ted". We apparently aren't cool and don't have the sense of humors that find that movie funny. I fell asleep and Cody told me I didn't miss much. Sunday morning we slept in and lounged around until it was time to meet my parents and the boys for lunch. Afterwards we picked up groceries and ran more errands before we went to Cody's parent's house for Christmas!

Maybe keeping a record of these days will help me savor each and every one and hopefully they won't all blend together by the end. 

Today is our Christmas at my mom's. My brother and his family will be there! We're all very excited to see Mason. We got him a Batman Cave that Tyson has been dying to play with:) I'll post pictures soon!

Christmas classics

Cody and I really got in the Christmas spirit this year:) We're rocking quotes from both of our favorite movies.

Family, Food and Lots of Laughs!

Yesterday was our Christmas celebration with Cody's extended family at his parents house. We were there from noon until around 10 p.m. Everyone had a great time. Tyson stayed busy with his newly acquired super heroes and Trevor played pool with the big boys all night. 

In the evening we watched some home videos, opened a bottle of champaigne and played pitch. I love pitch!! I could play it every day, but we only play it once a year around Christmas, which is probably why I like it so much. 

Here are a few pics from the day!

Tyson's new batman from Grandma Ginny. She buys gifts for all the kids. Batman's for the little boys, an interactive Rubik's cube for the big boys and jewelry sets for the girls. 

Tyson and Wyatt having a battle:)

Just relaxin'

Gettin' hungry!

Almost time to eat:)

A little video

Merry Christmas

I'm sitting in bed writing this. The boys were up at 7 and now it's time for a little nap before the crazy family festivities. Last night I woke up at 1:30 to prepare and wasn't able to fall back asleep until 4. Yes, today is going to be a long day. I'm due for a nap anyway.

Here is a little snip-it from our Christmas eve and morning.

Opening jammies on Christmas eve.

Merry Christmas Eve

Here are a few pics from our Christmas celebration with Codys family.

The family has grown a little since last year, which is always more fun!

Pray for Newton

It's Time for a Mini Vacation!

We're leaving for Denver today to celebrate a great friends 30th birthday party. She's the first of all my friends to turn 30. I'm hoping for a bigger vacation for my 30th birthday party, but well see.

Today I'm actually home because the tummy is not feeling well and I'm spending quite a bit of time in the bathroom, sorry TMI.

Last night we went to deliver our items to toys for tots. Then we had dinner and grabbed some hot chocolate. The boys are going to have a great weekend. Trevor is going to the wrestling meet with Logan and his girlfriend and Tyson is going to hang with grandma Connie.

Here's a pic from last night, I'll post after our weekend!

Our Main Man Albert!

Man we missed Albert. All year I had no techniques to scare, bribe, or trick my children into behaving - until a few days ago!! Albert is on the look-out, perched on his shelf overlooking the living room, he can see all the mischief:) But of course, Albert gets into some mischief of his own.

My FAVORITE benefit of Albert, the anticipation of finding him or any surprises he's left the boys has really helped them pop right out of bed! To give you an idea of how difficult it's been to get these boys out of bed and dressed, I've been spraying Trevor with a water bottle in the mornings until he does so. Yep, I'd hate me too.

Obviously Albert couldn't fit his entire name. Plus, he didn't realize what a mess this fake snow makes EVERYWHERE.

Chillin' with this guy

What's In My Purse

This post sounded a lot more fun until I finished and realized how weird and disorganized I am. But, here goes!!

What's In My Purse

This beauty is from TJ Maxx. I love the color, it goes with everything.

Here's a sneak peek at the bulging beauty. The zipper can zip by the way:)

Our first discovery. A stained eyeglass case, sans eyeglasses.

Ipod that has a dead battery and a pack of gum.

First pocket full of lip products.

And we've hit the mother-load. This is the inner pocket that zips, thank goodness. This pocket is filled with, well everything you could ever need!! Hairspray, two lotions, q-tips, business cards, mirror, teasing comb, more lip products. Other items you can't see are powder, concealer, body spray and this is also where I keep my receipts. Perfectly tucked beside all the liquids:)

This is my new wallet. I love it because it's big enough to hold my phone and has a cute clip for my keys. Believe it or not, I don't want to lug my purse into every store:)

Fossil sunglasses

A fav. Snacks are essential.

Another pocket that contains coupons, bills and a birthday card for my nephews birthday which was last week:) Aunt of the Year!

Nips are my favorite, these are sugar free. My favorite nude lipgloss and breath drops because I actually hate chewing gum (that's why the pack of gum above is full).

Oops, a few more. 

And a few cows and sheep for a rainy day!

I do have a confession. I removed this little beauty before I began:)

Do you feel better about your purse situation?

Poor Kitty

The kitty really likes to play with her reflection in the dishwasher, but this time, the kitty in the dishwasher got the best of her. Poor thing. She was dizzy for a while, but did go back for a second round:)

Annual Christmas Program

The boys had their Christmas Program at school last night. They did great! Tyson did seem a little frightened during his part, but I would be too, the gym was completely full and they had to bring in extra chairs!

Trevor and his class sang a few songs and Trevor was a part of a trio. I was very proud of his singing skills:)

Santa also made the trip!!

Here are a few pics and I'll add some videos later from my mom's camera.

Don't worry, I already know they're the most handsome boys alive!

Wow, Glad That's Over!

You know how something sounds so exciting and fun and then halfway into it you change your mind and begin to hate it and wish it was over? That was the craft fair. I had all these great ideas and the greatest mom in the world to help me, but it was a lot of work! All the hard work paid off this weekend. Our table was a pretty big hit! We made almost $300 and looking back, had a lot of fun prepping for this fair. My mom and I are going to spend it on Trevor and Tyson's Christmas present, another Ipad, because we couldn't live a life that wasn't completely smothered in technology, right?? Kidding, the Ipad has been so great for my boys. I love the app that helps Trev prepare for this spelling test. It really works. His grades have improved a ton since he started taking practice tests and playing games that use his weekly words. 

The second part of our weekend consisted of this! Yep, I know a pirate themed Christmas party is a little crazy, and that's just what it was! A lot of "arghs" all night long!

Captain Jack Sparrow and his Wench:)

Just a tip, if you like this lip color, check it out! It's a lip gloss in the color Bordeaux from Revlon. Perfect winter berry:)

We also spent a great Friday picking out toys for the Goodfellows Toy Drive. Unfortunately the drop off was closed when we go there:( So, we'll take them another time. Our goodies consisted of a Fairy Barbie, Bath Time Baby, Monster Truck, Sled and Deer Hunting Action Figure. It was a lot of fun perusing the girl aisles:)

What? You don't want a pancake butt?

8 hours a day x 5 days a week + a couple more hours in the evening + anytime on the weekend that I can find = PANCAKE BUTT!!

My, my, my how butts change over the years. Crazy, but I used to think my butt was too big and round. Yeah, I really had problems. Now...the butt has traveled south. It gets ignored because I don't have to stare at it all day like my belly that apparently is going to stay three months pregnant forever! No, I don't stare at it, but I sure do sit on it. Granted, I have a great chair. It cost $800 and when I got it the whole company went into an uproar over the "$800 chair!" So, I guess my butt can't really complain about where it resides.

The great news, the butt is one of the best places of my body to bounce back in gear. After a few weeks of some booty lifts, inclined treadmill walking and squats, my tush gets a little push in the northernly direction.

Apparently my disgustingly skinny friend who has a nearly one year old daughter is to the point where she'd like to whip her bum bum into shape as well. Yes!! Motivation!! Peer pressure!!

So, our plan:

Brooke Burke's Butt Workout

and

The TIU Buns and Thigh Workout

As my friend said, it really must suck to look like these ladies, but I guess we'll have to try and watch their disgusting bodies:)

I'll keep ya posted on the progress, but don't expect any before and after pics:)

Throw back Thursday

How adorable are they?

Santa always stops by grandma's house

This little guy grew up too fast

Current Make-Up Favs - FACE

Foundation: I covered this in a similar post, but I'm loving the Loreal lumi. I also purchased Revlon Photoready and I like it too. And as the name states, it's great for photos. I apply both with a foundation brush.



Undereye/Concealer Products: I start with the Maybelline age rewind in the color "neutralizer" for the undereye color and I top it with a lighter concealer as a brightener (hard candy or makeup forever). If I want a flawless look I'll use the Maybelline age rewind again, but in color "brightener". I swipe it from my undereye up the sides of my cheeks as a highlighter. I recently purchased the Kat Von D concealer and am IN LOVE! I use it on the blotchiness I have on my forehead and cheek. It covers great and is the perfect match for my shade. I use a brush for the concealer, but blend the neutralizer with my fingers.


Powder: I use the Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder. I keep one in my purse too because it's great for shine throughout the day. Right now I'm using my Clinique press powder in the morning, but I'm not in love and probably won't repurchase when I run out. I use a large complexion brush from ELF for my powder and a retractable one in my purse.



Contour: This is the powder I use for contouring. I'm not sure of the shade. I just chose a dark color from the neutral area. It's a great brown shade and doesn't put off any orange. It's matte with no shimmer. I use an angled brush from ELF to apply. If you're unsure of contouring, check out the following videos:
 Maskcara
Annie Jaffrey


Blush: I mentioned one of my current fav blushes in a previous post, but here are a few others.

E.L.F. Pink Passion


V.S. radiant blush in baby doll (I think that's the name)

Highlight

I use this shimmer brick on the high points of my cheek bones, above my eye brows and on my cupid's bow. I don't do it everyday because it's just another step, but I really like the glow it gives. I think mine is in the color Vegas Strip.