Sammi Talk

Some of Sammi's babble-mumble-jumble is finally starting to make sense to us! She is 21 months old now, and she can say all of the important words:

Mama
Daddy
baby
cookie
cake
chip
outside
shoes
kiss
thank you
please
sorry
uh-huh
no
eeww
poo-poo
night-night
I want one (or some, this, more . . . )

Dining/Living room makeovers

Our dining room has been empty (except for the picture) for the four years that we've lived in our house. We actually got this right before Thanksgiving, but I'm just now getting around to taking pictures. We haven't been brave enough to let the kids eat in there yet, so I guess it is just for looks!

I really liked some place settings I saw in Pottery Barn, only they were really $$$. I found almost the same chargers at Target for $8 (each) instead of $18, used dishes/glasses I already had, and got the place mats and napkins from Garden Ridge!
I love it when I can copy looks for less!

And, we finally got furniture for our living room (back in June!)

Before :

and after:

All-State Jazz

This weekend, I got to go to San Antonio to hear my brother Paul play with the All-State Jazz band. He was one of three trombonists in the whole state to earn a spot in the band, so it was a really big deal! He had an awesome solo, and it was fun to listen to some good jazz.

Snow Day(s)!

A big storm blew in, and the kids were out of school for four days one week, and one day the next. Jerry stayed home from work for two days. You think our city could invest in at least a couple of snow plows, considering all the lost revenue each year when we get a storm. You really can't go anywhere, because the roads are solid ice. The kids and I did have fun ice-skating down our street, though. We didn't stay out for very long since it was only 21 degrees. Basically, we didn't go anywhere for almost a week. I was glad that I had gone to the grocery store before the storm hit. It was nice to sleep in every day and have no obligations, but we were ready when it was time to go back to school!

My favorite quote came from my friend, Melanie, when she posted on Facebook: "I went ice-skating in my car today! Fun." I'm glad she lives close enough to walk to my house. She and Preston (Miles' best friend,) came over one afternoon and we had a huge snowball fight with the kids.

30th Birthday

My birthday was the day after the party, and I had to wake up early to go to a primary president's meeting at the stake center. While I was gone, Jerry took the kids to the Dollar Store to pick out gifts for me. They found some great stuff- I got earrings, a notepad, a can strainer, and some gum! My mom, dad, and brother stopped by for the afternoon. We had tons of treats and chocolate cake (thanks, Laura!) leftover from the party, so I didn't make a birthday cake. In the evening, Jerry and I ordered take-out from Olive Garden and watched Inception. It was a great birthday! I am so thankful for my life!

Thirty Going on Thirteen

I have been looking forward to turning 30 for a long time, because it was a great excuse to have a fun party! The theme for my party was "Thirty going on Thirteen." We ordered pizza, ate lots of junk food and candy, played truth or dare, and painted nails. Everyone brought pictures of themselves from when they were thirteen. My friend Deborah brought her massage table and gave everyone massages - she is so awesome! For party favors, I made a mixed CD of some of my favorite songs from the early 1990's. It was a fun party, and I feel so lucky to have so many fun, wonderful friends to share my birthday with.

Jerry's New Car

I wouldn't normally mention a new car, but this was as big step for us, especially since we haven't had a car payment in over 6 years. We finally sold the Nissan Altima after having it for 9 years and putting over 100,00 miles on it! (It had 227,00 total!) Even though it's not the BMW 5 series that he's wanted for forever, it's a major step up, and Jerry is loving the Acura TL! We are grateful for the long hours he puts in commuting and working each day - he deserves it!