Two neighbors with one batch of lemon bars

Sometimes there is a down-side to having me as a friend. Maybe my kid breaks all the branches off your prized Japanese Maple. Maybe I laugh when you are crying because your x-husband just ran over your cat. Certainly the list is long and will continue to have additions I can't predict. But I will always try to make up for all of it. Put your orders in now, so when I screw up the payment will at least be something that melts your heart enough to love me again!

Does this bathing suit make me look fat?

Tried on bathing suits all weekend. Couldn't get this picture outta my mind. Please, somebody bring a tranquilizer gun and put me out of my misery! Doesn't matter what we look like, I think this is how we all feel!

Happy Memorial Day

I love Memorial Day! Every year the kids look forward to sticking the flags in the lawn of the community services building. The flags are free to anyone who wants to stop by and grab one and my kids usually come home with 5-6 each. One year when Burke was 2 I stayed home with him because he was still asleep. So I decided to use the hour to, what else?, paint my toes. When I was finished I went to check on Burke and he was no where to be found. I called neighbors and went searching, but I couldn't find him. Of course Jimbo drives up and I have to admit I lost our 2-year-old because I was painting my toes. And Burke jumps out of the car! When he woke up he went out the front door and started walking to go help with the flags. Luckily it was Jimbo and not a psycho killer that picked him up! I also want to pay tribute to the people in our family who have served and are serving in the military. I love these pics. This is my dad (middle) and two of my nephews.

And this is Jim's dad and both of Jim's grandfathers.

And here is this year's Memorial Day design. No children were lost during the painting of these toes.

For Billie!

I love it when Billie does her nose thing. So when I laughed at Missy's blog Nelson asked what was so funny. When I showed him the pic he was like, "I can do that!" And then I laughed even harder. Who knew?! We've gotta get a pic of them together!

Donut Day

When I was searching for a donut image for Fatboy's birthday I not-surprisingly started craving donuts. I came across THIS blog that has a yummy copycat recipe for the Krispy Kreme heart donuts. Hers are way prettier than mine, but I'm still impressed with myself that I made donuts from scratch! Jimbo and the kids were feeling so loved last night. And I never want to eat another donut again! The perfect ending to a saturated fat craving!

Fatboy

Hope your day is sugar coated and sticky sweet. We miss you tons. May the "Hot Doughnuts Now" sign be illuminated every time you drive by! We love you! Happy Birthday! TGIFriday has got a booth with our names all over it in two weeks:)

Happy Birthday Karen!

Hanging out with Karen is always a good time. Her family has actually taken hanging out to new levels. This video is their creation! So turn on your sound and enjoy Monkey Baby. Love ya Karen, Happy Birthday! Thanks for being my friend for so freaking long!

This butt's for you!

I have been running on the industrial roads near my house for 9 years and have never had any problems with road-rage commuters, tired truckers, or burrito trucks. No problems with the packs of Harley dudes or the people trying to drive tractors out of the rental place. But since the city police and eTran have moved in I have been flipped-off, almost hit, and told to get off the road. So to the policemen who run the stop signs and don't look where they're going and to the bus drivers who apparently need more space than a semi...this butt's for you. I'm sparing you the current version, which you totally deserve, as that wouldn't be a very attractive blog shot!

Move over Martha!

Jamie wanted strawberry shortcake for dessert last night. So she made it...from scratch! How awesome is she?! She was gone last week on the 6th grade trip and since she has been back has made brownies, double chocolate cookies, and now the strawberry shortcake! Love my little baker!

Speed demon

Thanks to my new playlist I am like a bolt of lightning on my bike. I took 5 minutes off my time and I can now average a whopping 15 mph! Thanks for the music hookups. Keep 'em coming as I always like to change things up. Favorite pedal pumper: Light Up the Sky by Yellowcard

Happy Birthday Grandma D!

A big Happy Birthday to the Loveking's mom! There are lots of reasons you bring happiness to our lives:

• you love carrot cake!
• you think a donut and diet Coke is a well-balanced breakfast
• you play board games with us
• you laugh a lot
• you like to go see movies with us
• you hate tuna fish
• you are always a good sport
• you don't like other people to make your sandwiches

Thanks for being such a fun grandma! We hope you have a terrific day and eat lots of carrot cake! We love you!

Mother's Day

Loveking: I think you need one of these for Mother's Day.
Me: That guy is not even cute.
Loveking: No, the barbeque.
Me: Oh...ok...yeah, I was thinking I need a new barbeque.
Loveking: Really?
Me: No...I guess I was actually thinking of a new camera.
Loveking: Did I already buy the camera for you?
Me: Well yes you did and it should be here by Sunday!

Hooray for Mother's Day!

My boys!

This was a fun post for my kids because I had to pull out all their baby pix to find these shots. They had so much fun looking through their baby books...except Dean who cried because I haven't actually made him one yet! But Missy's post reminded me of my favorite pjs the boys wore on the above row. And just because I didn't have one of Burke (I suck) I put the bottom row together also! Do you remember them when they were this small?!

Toe Failure!

I wanted to paint a cute little gecko in honor of Mike and Kristen's honeymoon to Tikal. Of which I am so jealous! I really want to go to Tikal. Should have done it while we were in Belize. Hindsight. Anyway, I tried the gecko 4 times and finally had to give up and go with the old flower standby. Still cute, but a total blow to my toenail vanity.

Take me out to the ball game!

Hot dogs, nachos, chips, soda, pretzels, frozen lemonade, ice cream, garlic fries, cotton candy and sunflower seeds, but no peanuts or Cracker Jacks! A great day at the Rivercats with friends!

What's in your dryer vent?

I finally got my dryer vent cleaned! No more 90-minute drying. When the guy was finished he asked if I wanted to see what he found in the vent. The guy is so excited, I'm thinking a few mangled hot wheels, maybe a bird's nest, hopefully a huge wad of long-lost cash, etc. Anti-climactic...a bunch of lint. Granted it was enough to knit sweaters for my whole family, but not the skeletal remains I was imagining. Anyway, made me think of this picture of the Loveking's little brother. Now I bet you would find some good stuff in the dryer vents at the coin-op!

Tour de France

I've been training for the Tour de France (see me in the #2 seat?). Not so I can participate, obviously, but so I am better qualified to yell at the tv from my butt-on-the-couch-popcorn-in-hand VIP living room seating. What I lack (beside rock-hard abs and glutes and a supply of "performance enhancers") is a pump-it-up play list on my iPod. I need your help! If you can think of some fast-paced (not Metallica!) tunes for me (like Move Along by All American Rejects) please respond or email! I don't quite need 2174 miles worth...10 miles is my limit. Any suggestions would be great! Thanks guys!

The Teahouse Fire

If you can make it through the lesbian love scenes this is an interesting book! Set in 19th century Japan, it discusses the rich Japanese cultural traditions in conflict with spreading Westernization as seen through the lives of women. It reminded me of my 3rd grade Japanese culture unit (minus the lesbian stuff!). I'm the one with the fan!