Help...please.

Alright all you digital-scrapbooking QUEENS...I need your input. I've finally decided that the only way I'm going to be able to keep scrappin' is if it's quick and easy (The last page I did was for Brooklynn's 1st birthday!!!)...so I'm going to try going digital!! I have NO IDEA how to get started or what software is best. Any advice, suggestions or recommendations would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

More Easter Fun...

Happy Easter!!!

What a bunch of EGG HEADS!!!

Izzy stayed inside where it was nice and warm.

Ah hah! Found you!!!!

Egg Hunt at Church

On your mark...get set...go!!!!

"Mommy look!! The eggs look just like Christmas lights

in the bushes!!"

Sweet little Savannah making sure Isabelle doesn't get left out!!

Nope! She's not pouting...this was during the closing prayer and this is how she says her prayers so she doesn't have to close her eyes. You know...because it's "too dark".

The Great Escape

What a blast!!! Chattanooga was soooo much fun!! We got there Friday evening where we checked into our hotel and immediately went swimming. I'm not sure exactly how old the hotel was but I'm guessing turn of the century. It was gorgeous!!! Dark wood paneling, marble floors and columns...I was in architectural heaven!

After we got cleaned up we took the electric shuttle to the IMAX theater where we watched a 3D movie called

"Monsters of the Deep". It was very, very cool! But my favorite part was watching the kids dodge 3D "monsters" and try to reach out and touch the fishes that looked like they were swimming right in front of you. It was a long day, so as you can see, by the time we found a restaurant that didn’t have a 60 minute wait, the kids were worn out!

As it turned out, Brooklynn had developed a fever and had apparently caught my "cold" so that night was a little rough for us. By the next morning she seemed fine so we went to the aquarium. This aquarium has 2 buildings. One with "river life" and one with "ocean life".

Although it was very interesting to see all the different fishes, it makes for a long, long day. I think everyone's favorite part was the penguins.

They were so cute!!! You really felt like you were right there with them!! They jumped, dove, swam and played to their hearts (and ours) delight. Brooklynn just giggled and cackled every time they jumped out of the water. It was a lot of fun, but by the end of the day, Brooklynn's fever was back so we hurried home. By Saturday night, Isabelle was coughing and had a fever, too. We took them to the Dr. on Monday and Isabelle tested positive for RSV!!! Aaaahhh!! The Dr. didn’t bother testing the rest of us since we had it first and probably gave it to her. I am nearly over mine and Brooklynn is much better, but poor little Izzy is just miserable. We had to take her to the Dr. last night and they gave her breathing treatments which we are continuing to administer at home. It's so frustrating!!! I keep my kids home and teach Brooklynn to always wash her hands but all it takes is one trip to Wal-Mart or church and BAM!!! Sick City!!! I'm just glad we had a fun vacation in between illnesses. I needed it!!

Fun times...in between illness

Daddy decided to let BIG sister visit Isabelle in the crib one day. They had so much fun that I'm afraid Brooklynn will think she can do this anytime. WRONG! We need this crib to last for at least one more kid...NOT NOW...but down the road. :)

Is this the latest in pioneer-bonnets? Nope, take another look. Lets just say Russ loves to "Pamper" his little girls. :~)

What's wrong with this picture?

So, we're off on vacation to Chattanooga...yeah!!!! As you can see, we're all packed. So...what's wrong with this picture? What's wrong is that we are only going for ONE NIGHT!!!!!! So WHY does it appear that we are going on an African Safari??!!
Let me explain...




...there's the overnight bag for me and Russ with our pjs, socs, g's, swimsuits, scriptures & clothes for the next day. Then, there's the diaper bag with toys, diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, juice, baby cereal, medicines (we've all got colds) & extra clothes (in case of a blow-out). Then, there's Brooklynn & Isabelle's overnight bag with extra diapers and wipes, clothes, undies, socs, pjs, etc. Then, there's the stroller for the aquarium and the air bed for my brother & sister-in-law to use in our hotel room (ssshhh...don't tell the hotel). There's Brooklynn's puffy, floaty-swimsuit that is too big for any bag. And also the "fun bag" with books, crayons, movies, etc for the 3 hour ride there and 3 hour ride back. And finally...there's the toiletry bag = makeup, hair stuff, toothbrushes and pastes, etc. This bag would normally be consolidated to other bags, but since my family is insisting on me getting in the pool, I have to bring my industrial strength hair dryer, curling iron and straightener. Aaaaaahhhh!!! The 2 week trip to Utah this summer is starting to concern me. At this rate, we'll need to charter a personal plane just for my family and our "stuff"!!!!
Jami...I know you understand!!!

Sorry for the absence, but the most awful stomach virus recently ripped its way through our family, one by one (except for Isabelle, thank heavens) followed by sinus infections!!! Ewe!! We are all on the mend (I have never washed, scrubbed and sanitized so much in my whole life) so we should have some new posts soon. We are going to Chattanooga this weekend with Tara, Shawn and their boys, so we should get some pretty interesting pictures by next week. Until then, I love you all!!!!!

Sunday Supper

Several of my friends do this "Sunday Supper" post where they share a recipe so we all can get more dinner ideas. Up until now, I've been too lazy to do it but I'm feeling creative today so here goes...This is our variation of a Taco Casserole. First, cook 1 lb beef with a package of Taco Seasoning. Then, start layering with whatever you like. I use a deep, 8x9 Pyrex dish and start with

-1 (of 2) bags of microwaved Uncle Bens Spanish Rice (Russ prefers plain Minute Rice, but I like Spanish Rice)

-1/2 can of drained, black beans

-1/2 can of drained, corn

-1/2 off your taco flavored beef

-spread on a layer of sour cream

-sprinkle on 1/2 of a small (3.8 oz) can of sliced black olives

-sprinkle on 1/2 of a small (4 oz) can of green chiles

-2nd bag of microwaved Uncle Bens Spanish Rice

-last 1/2 of black beans

-last 1/2 of can corn

-last 1/2 of taco flavored beef

-Finally, top with mexican-blend cheese and the rest of the black olives and chiles

I pop it in the oven at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes, or just until it's heated through and the cheese is nice and bubbly. We like to dress it up with diced tomatoes and more sour cream. Since most items come from a can or bag, the only prep you have to do is cook the beef with taco seasoning. From start to finish its around 45 minutes. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon!! Enjoy!!

Do you YouTube, too?

Okay, okay...I'm really not a computer junkie. I promise that I DO NOT sit around all day surfing YouTube for entertainment. However, I have enjoyed the recent trip down memory lane that it has provided for me; not to mention the fun it has been sharing something from my childhood with my own child. Brooklynn and I love watching these old skits from Sesame Street & The Muppets. (HeyTroy! Remember our Saturday night Muppet Show parties with Julie and Tyson?) Brooklynn's favorites are, of course, MaNaMaNa and also the Crayon Factory. Children of the 70s...unite!!!! (You'll need to pause my music first at the side of my page)

My Hubby...

What is his name? Russ
How long have you been together? 10 years (Married for almost 9)
How long did you date? 1 year
How old his he? 30
Who eats more? Me lately (I blame it on nursing)
Who said I love you first? Me!!!! It slipped out and I couldn't (didn't want to) take it back.
Who is taller? He is
Who can sing better? I better not say...
Who is smarter? Depends on the subject.
Who does the laundry? Me
Who pays the bills? Me
Who sleeps in the right side? When you're facing the bed, Russ does.
Who mows the lawn? Russ
Who cooks dinner? I do
Who is more stubborn? We're both stubborn but I think I have him beat.
Who kissed who first? I told him to kiss me!! I got tired of waiting!!
Who asked who out first? He asked me. If only he knew what he was getting into... :)
Who proposed? Russ. He put the ring on my toe!! Long story...
Who has more friends? Probably me. Russ is a little shy.
Who is more sensitive? Me.
Who has more siblings? Russ is the oldest of 5, and I'm the youngest of 2.
Who wears the pants? We both do...it's a tight fit, but we make it work.
Now "TAG" all you wives!!!