OMG

Check out her hand, it is totally green..........

Little Lulu !!!!!!!!

I may not win the babysitter of the year award, but we sure have fun! Karady and I are the only ones home today, we were sitting downstairs in the family room. She was scootin' around on the floor and managed to get over to the boys Playmobil airplane. She had her back to me, but was right by me. She played with that airplane for at least 10 to 15 minutes. I said her name a few times, she just giggled, but never turned around. At one point I thought to myself, that is crazy that she is playing with that for so long. She finally turned towards me and I busted out laughing. I guess there was a green marker inside the airplane. Whooo hooo was that fun. I was laughing so hard, she just stared at me, then she started to laugh and clapped her hands. I just had to snap a couple pictures to show her mom how much fun we have. Thanks for looking. She is napping right now, so I am going to get her some new toys, they probably won't be as fun, but maybe a little safer. Don't be mad Lori, cause she may still have a little green on her hand.

Charlie and Karady

Charlie loves when Karady comes over to play. We have been watching her for 3 weeks now, her normal daycare is gone. She will be back next week. We will miss her. She is a very smiley baby. She loves to talk. She always watches where Charlie is. Yesterday, she was laying on her back, she rolled over to her tummy and sat up all by herself! YEAH!!! She hadn't done this yet, she is getting so big. It is fun to watch her do new things. She is going to be one busy little girl. She notices everything. We are so glad that she was able to stay with us. We had so much fun.

Harvest Salad

I have had a few people ask for the harvest salad recipe, so here it is.....please try it and let me know what you think, it is good, trust me.

2 bags romaine lettuce
1 honeycrisp or gala apple, peeled and diced
1 pear, peeled and diced
1 cup shredded swiss cheese
1 cup cashews
1/2 cup craisens

Dressing:

2/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 tbsp red onion, chopped fine
1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp poppy seeds

I usually make the dressing in the morning or the night before. Each person can put their own dressing on, then the salad doesn't get soggy; especially if you have leftovers.
let me know if you like it

pinochle

hello all
thanks to the Bismarck pinochle group for inviting Paul and I to sub. We always have a great time and have such good food. I made a harvest salad. I was a little nervous to bring it because it is definitly a different salad. I told Paul on the way up there to be sure to eat a lot so it wouldn't look like so much was left. Everyone had some and most people got the recipe. There wasn't any left. I love this salad and it did taste so good. Thanks Jackie and Bruce for inviting us to your house, we always have fun with you guys. "I laugh too much with you! Have fun in Orlando and be sure to let us know if you need to give up your condo some year. I guess I should mention that I didn't have a great pinochle game, but it did get better. Bruce and I, after the first 4 hands were -88 with 3 sets...the next 4 hands, I had 157 with no sets...hmmmm, maybe Bruce and I don't have the chemistry. So sorry Bruce, maybe next time

Happy Birthday!!!!

Happy Birthday Grandma Kathy. Today is my mom's 62nd birthday. We want to wish her a very happy birthday and many many more. I always feel bad that we don't live closer to my mom and family to celebrate birthdays. It is really hard for us to get home so often and we just can't get home for each birthday. The boys sent grandma a big bouquet of fresh flowers in bright colors. She was very surprised and loved them. I am glad that she loved them, it is fun to send a surprise and just make her day!

Tonight is my monthly scrapbooking with the girls. I am so far behind. I don't always get too much done when we get together, I tend to chit chat too much....imagine that! We had a great dinner provided by Cassie, thanks so much. I NEED the recipes. I am working on August of 2004, isnt't that sad. I am almost 5 years behind. Someone once told me that you do not want to catch up because then you won't have anything to scrap, I guess I won't have to worry about that. Gotta go do some scrappin'
talk to you later.

relaxing

That is my word for the day.....realxing. I had a facial this morning, it was so awesome. I have only had two facials ever. I can't describe how good they feel. I wanted to lay on that bed and take a nap. Thanks Missy for the awesome morning, what a great way to start a day. I am going to treat myself to a facial or pedicure more often. By the way, I had a pedicure last Wednesday. I carry all of my stress in my shoulders, jaw, neck and head. So, what a great way to relieve that. I told Paul that he just has to try one. He isn't too sure about the mask and lotion stuff, but I know he would love it. Oh well, off to work now. We are kind of busy at work, so I need to get in and get my work done before I have religion this afternoon. If you don't know I teach religion (CCD) after school on Wednesdays. Have a great Day!

Charlie loves his new "cow" boots. Thank you auntie Loy and uncle Steve.

pictures

I took a few pictures of the boys, so they wanted me to share them with you all.

thanks for looking! Jack lost a tooth yesterday and one today. He was very exited.

ENT

hello
we just got back home from our trip to the pediatrician, we went for a re-check on Charlie's ear. Well, the left one is the same, the right one is clear. She put Charlie on a stronger antibiotic and scheduled an appointment with an ENT for March 9. She said that if his ear is clear, then they will probably wait and see. If not, then she is sure the ENT will schedule him for tubes. It is a tough call because he is a little older, so he may out grow it soon and also the cold season will go away soon. Lets all pray that his ear is clear. Our pediatrician said that the junk in his ear is very thick, like glue. I aksed about using allergy meds, like claritan. She wasn't sure it would clear out all the gunk. We will do the antibiotic for 10 days and see the ENT in 3 weeks. I just hate the thought of him having surgery. It is very quick and he should be just fine, but it is still scary!
I will keep everyone updated on his little ears. On a positive note, she did say that the ear infections have not affected his speech. He is quite the little talker. She lets him play with her stethoscope, he took it today and said "I be the doctor now". She just laughes at him.
thanks for checking in on us, I will post another update soon. I took some pictures of Charlie and Karady today. He loves her! We are having a lot of fun with her and she is getting used to being here. She is such a good baby.

Happy Valentine's Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful day with those you love. We had a fun day too. Jack got us up at 7:30am, he wanted to open his valentine gift. So our day started out kind of early. Jack had basketball camp in the morning. He had a blast. Will is too old to go to this camp, but he stayed with a couple friends and helped out. Paul, Charlie and I went out to lunch. The boys had a baby sitter and Paul and I went to a wedding and dance. It was so much fun! I love visiting with friends, listening to music and kickin up our heels a little. I actually didn't feel good around 8pm, took some ibuprofin, and felt much better. Headache, stuffy nose, it is ulgy. The wedding was very, very nice. I always wanted a Valentine's wedding. I love hearts and my favorite color is red, so it would have been perfect. Not really sure, how we came up with October 9 for our wedding, but it was perfect too! I really love Valentine's Day, it is my 2nd favorite holiday, after Christmas. I love the mushy stuff. I am a sappy kind of girl. The cards, the sweet sentiments its all about love. I usually get a little teary eyed when I read Paul's cards. He puts a lot of thought when he picks them out. Well anyway, back to the wedding. It was a lot of fun, it would be fun to have more dances like that, maybe this summer, when the wedding season starts again. That was our date for this month. We are not doing very well with our monthly dates. We haven't done anything alone. We have gone out with friends, so that does count. as long as we are without our kids, it counts. Happy Valentine's Day Paul, I love you!

WINTER STORM WARNING

Happy Monday to all!
We are in the middle of a winter storm warning today, tomorrow until Wednesday morning. Last night we had rain, it rained like it was a summer evening. We were not sure what to expect this morning, but for the most part, everything is still wet. I hate ICE, it makes me very nervous. The boys were hoping for a storm day, but school was in session. Maybe tomorrow!
We are watching Karady for the next 3 weeks, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It is fun to have a baby in the house, she is kind of funny...so far this morning, she has to see where I am all the time and she would really like it if I would hold her. I have her on the floor and she is talking. Well, it is kind of whining, then she plays, then whines for me again. Charlie likes to give her kisses. She isn't spoiled at all!
Well, now for the disappoiting news....I lost .5 lbs, can you believe it, not even a pound! I followed WW every day. I stayed within my points and dranks tons of water. How can you lose 1/2 lb on your first week. I told you I was going to need some help, so HELP!!!!!!!! Don't worry, I am not giving up and next week better show some better results.
Thanks for checking on us....we'll chat again later

Super Bowl Sunday

WooHoo go Cardinals. Actually, I don't really care who wins. If the Vikings were playing I would be a lot more interested. I wonder when that will happen!
Grandma Sannes came to visit this weekend. She hasn't been here for awhile. We love to have her visit. We have made a lot of snacks for the superbowl and have been playing pinochle. Why does a person eat so much in one sitting? I am miserable, I guess I didn't eat that much, but what I did eat made me very full. Tomorrow, I promise I am going to start my Weight Watchers. I HAVE to, it isn't funny anymore or pretty for that matter.
I bought a lot of fresh fruit and healthy stuff. I am going to eat the junk tonight and get on track tomorrow. Wish me luck. I may need some coaching from all of you. We got a Wii fit the other day, I have been doing that, it is fun, but it is also very hard. I am going to use the things I have at home for exercise. I have no excuses. It just has to be done.