Tractor Tippin'

If you've seen Cars then you know why JJ does this with his tractors every single day!!!

Crafty Creations

Here are my latest craft projects. My mother-in-law sent me a pattern kit for baby hats. The blue one JJ is wearing is actually for my niece, but he HAD to wear it. It has a bow on the back of it so it is a bit girly for him...

Report Date and other Goodies...Don't skip reading this post!!!!

John came home yesterday to tell me that his report no later than date to Wichita is 30 Sep. He has to report for Survival school I believe 8 Aug and will be gone until 30 Aug. Soooo, in the event that John is gone, the kids, dogs and I are going to be heading back to Michigan until mid-September. John plans on driving us up there and then flying to Washington where his first school is and then when he is done, he will go to Wichita to house hunt and then come and spend some time in Michigan with us.

I've already got plans the weekend of the 10, 11, 12th for a family camping event at my mom's and on the 18th I am planning on attending my ten year class reunion in Spring Lake. So if your in Michigan and want to see us, which I am sure you do :) let me know what days work for you, especially for those of you on the east side of the state (Kristin) :)

On a different note, we are searching for a new home for Libby. As much as we love her, she needs to be in a home where she will get more attention. So if you know of anyone who would like a small, house broken, loving dog let me know...

Kiss the Baby!

JJ is sooo sweet to his baby sister. He loves to pat her head and give her kisses. Now I know of course this will change over a period of time. But I'll take it while I can!

Friends and Food

Our friends, Gretchen and Jack, came over to play on Friday. Jack was really having a good time feeding JJ his Kix cereal. They are so cute!

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Well, at least on Thursday it was...

Baking Day

It was a rainy day with lots of thunder and lightening today. The three of us stayed in our pj's all day! Since was yucky out and we couldn't play in the backyard, I decided we should bake muffins. JJ loves helping me, especially when it comes time to lick the beater! He then realized how yummy the batter tastes and started sticking his whole hand in the batter I had already put in the muffin tin. You can see how upset he got when it was time to bake!

Crumb Topped Banana Muffins
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 easpoon salt
3 large ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted

Topping
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon, to taste
1 tablespoon cold butter
1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

In lg bowl, mix the dry ingredients.
Mix bananas, sugar, egg and butter.
Sti into dry mixture just until moistened.
Fill muffin cups 3/4 full.
Combine first 3 topping ingredients.
Cut in butter until crumbly.
Sprinkle over muffins.
Bake at 375° for about 20 minutes, until muffins test done.
Cool in pan for 10 minutes.

New Thing Over there---->

I was told about this world map by my friend Gretchen and finally saw it on someone else's myspace. I googled it and found the code! We'll see how it works.

Appetizer

I need to bring an appetizer to a girls night tomorrow...Anyone got any suggestions?

Wall Art by JJ Langworthy

Up for auction is this beautiful artwork by a new and upcoming artist, JJ Langworthy! We are starting bids at $25.

The paper art is starting at $10.

Pretty Girl

Here is Maddie in her new dress before we went to church yesterday morning.

Dressed in Blue

Everything in Texas is Big, Including Bugs!

I put my ring next to it just to show you how big this thing really was. He just sat there for a long time and then Libby sniffed him and he hopped away.

Finally!

No smiling

Maddie was all smiles, but once the camera came out she said no more!

Nerds, Cars and Haircuts

We decided it was summer haircut time. In order to let daddy cut his hair, JJ had to have candy Nerds in his hand and the movie Cars playing. He did much better with this haircut than the one at the barbershop last time.

Green Bananas

Since living in San Antonio, I purchased many a bunch of bananas. On three separate occasions, they have never ripened! The first bunch was from Sam's and they promptly replaced them for me with a new bunch that were fine. The second was from the commissary, I believe, and I never bothered to return them. And this last bunch again from the commissary, I have had for over a week now and they are still green as can be and hard as a rock. Has this ever happened to anyone before, or is it just me? We have bought bananas in North Dakota without a hitch as well as Michigan. This is very strange to me...

PS. I just emailed Del Monte to see if they have anything to say! Thanks Gretchen for giving me the idea to utilize their customer service.

Here ya go!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Pictures...

Yes, I know I am slacking in the picture department lately. I think the camera might even have some dust on it ;)

2 Months Already!

Maddie had her two month check-up this morning. She weighed 11lbs 12oz and was 24.5 in long, which put her in the 75-90th percentile for both. Her head on the other hand is in the 25th percentile--it is so petite :) She also got 3 shots in the thighs and an oral med. But of course she was the good one of the two kids today. JJ ate a good share of his Kix while we were waiting for the doctor to come in, it was waiting for the vaccinations that he got a little irritated with. But a good ol' lolly, as we call them from the nice technician cleared is impatience up right away!

First steps in house selling...

Last weekend John contacted AHRN.com which is sponsored by the Department of Defense to help us find a realtor in our area to help us sell our house. We have hemmed and hawed over whether or not to rent the place out, but after seeing many a homes for rent for months at a time in the neighborhood we have decided to sell the house and not worry about trying to find renters all the time. So back to the AHRN, which actually referred us to the militarymovingstation.com. We get a consultant who directs us to two realty companies in town that have a good reputation and that other military members have used and liked. We interviewed one real estate consultant today, as he liked to call himself, and were very impressed. We have yet to hear from the other company, but should by tomorrow. I hope all of this rambling makes sense. In my own head it does, but if I didn't explain it well I apologize :)

On another note, I ran my first mile and a half in about two years tonight! It went pretty well, exept when Libby decided to do bathroom duty in front of someone's house and I forgot a baggie. The nice lady was kind enough to fetch one for me from her house. Oops! By the end of the run I was actually dragging the dogs behind me. This could be caused by the 85 degree heat and lots of humidity! Libby promptly jumped in the kiddie pool when we got home and probably drank half of it too.

First date pic...

This is a pic of John and I at our first date in who know how long. This was taken Saturday at his work party that I last blogged about. I forgot my camera so I have been waiting for a picture his coworker took.

Wichita, KS Here We Come!

So yesterday started off a little on the bad side for me. I had been planning on getting my haircut for John's work party last night for two weeks. When I arrived at the Aveda Institute with Maddie, they informed me that I could have someone watch her in the lobby, but I couldn't bring her with me to the chaiWr. Now I would understand if I brought JJ with me, but Maddie was just going to sleep in the carseat next to me. So needless to say I didn't get my much needed haircut and was pretty upset with that. Now you have to understand that I am a sleep deprived mother of two so I was pretty cranky. But I left and ran my other errands anyway. We got the house picked up yesterday and I picked up our first ever hired babysitter for the night. JJ went to bed ontime for her and Maddie drank out of a bottle no problem!! We went to Dave and Buster's for the party to find out officially that we are going to Wichita most likely later this fall.