January 2013 Phone Photo Dump

One of my goals/resolutions for 2013 is to make sure I blog. The big stuff...the small stuff. Just get on here and get to it.  One of my goals is to make sure I stop in and dump my cell phones because as I have mentioned, they capture a different side of life...mostly the small side of things.  I even pre-drafted the rest of the year to remind me!!  Here's to new years resolutions!!

So without further ado:

January 2013 Photo Dump

Poor Coop laying in our bed watching "Pooh" (Winnie the Pooh...his first and only official interest in a movie) when he was sick.  He was just flat out miserable with this cough and cold!

I am attempting with lots of vigor to utilize my Pinterest recipes and ideas.  This pin, inspried this creation.   Toasted whole grain english muffin, eggs a la muffin tin, and cheese.

These eggs not only ended up being delicious on the muffin, but they were delicious thrown in with my salads that week for work too!  And I just so happened to pick up a couple and snack at lunch around home too!  Just like a hard boiled egg...without the mess!  Love it!  Thought for next time...make a breakfast meat to go with them.

I also tried these:  Chicken pot pie cupcakes. This one was a double pinterest inspired deal for me.  I used this for the chicken.  And this was where I saw the cupcake idea.  They are cuter out of the tin...but it was another pinterest experiment...and it was a happy one :) We had our fill for dinner and put 3 more in a baggie for lunch the next day.  Not to shabby!!   **As a side note, the shredded chicken recipe?  I made 6 breast, used some for this, some for ranch chicken tacos and some for a chicken noodle soup.  It went a really long way!

On a hormone filled day, there is nothing better than a little chocolate. I usually turn to Suzy Q's..or some other manner of delicious chocolate cake and cream filling combo. Well I'm here to tell you...these:

These are NOT a good enough replacement.  Hostesss Suzy Q's are missed by this girl.  It's a sad day.

Bathtime with this kid is just hilarious!  He LOVES this cup and has been working very hard to be able to put water in and dump it out like Mommy and Daddy.  He has been known to carry this cup around the house for no reason...toddlers!

Deci is getting old. She's 10. :(  Her hips have begun to hurt her when she gets up in the morning...she is now on mediciation to help with it...along with a daily glucoasmine pill.  Along with the hips...old age has brought this:

Why?  I have no idea.  It's got chewy and hard bits in it...and she eats all of hte piece eventually.  It's like she's saving some for later.  Or takes pleasure in watching me and Jeremy step on the pieces on the rug and curse and throw them back in the bowl! I thought maybe her teeth but her teeth looked good at the vet. Sooo...as with so many other things...this dog remains a mystery. Even in old age!

Oatmeal face!  This kid LOVES oatmeal.  And he's pretty darn good with a spoon and will attempt it on his own.  Makes me laugh.  And it's a HUGE mess when he's done. But how else will he learn right?? 

A blurry pic of my boys. Snuggled in. Watching Wall-E.  And Owen tell me...Mooommm...the flash is messing up our dark movie watching experience.  Stop with the camera!

Jer and I enjoying a Saturday lunch date!  ahh...house shopping, margaritas, then off to do some mall shopping.  Holding my hubby's hand...no matter how long we are together...I never get tired of a simple afternoon with him!  Love you babe.

After a morning of church and lunch with family...we hit the car and took off our Spiderman winter hat...BAM. Pretty great case of hat hair if you ask me!

I created another mantle space that marks the coming holiday. It's blurry but you get the idea.  LOVE, XOXO and BeMine wooden word art grace the space along with some cute circle lanterns covered in hearts in all shades of pink red and purple.  Add a cute little banner in the front with more hearts...it's a Valentine's Day wonderland!  So girlie...I think I may have to investigate more ways to bring out some girlie touches around our house!

Socks and bare legs...killer combo!!!

I think that about wraps up January for me in terms of cell phone photos!! 

Happy end of January...welcome Feb. We are ready and waiting to see what you have in store!!

Worldless Wednesday

Owen Pillow Drummin'

If there is one truth in our household that always holds fast, it is that Dadda knows how to have fun.  Doesn't really matter what time of day...what the circumstances...music or no music...he brings laughter, sillyness and an overall awesomeness to our house that Mommy...just can't bring.  Sure I love to dig in and have fun with the crew...but I am usually not the instigator of such things!!  Dadda on the other hand...is always instigating this business.

Exhibit A: Pillow Drums

These two played pillow drums through all of the Rio music videos on extra features disc...and they had a blast doing it. 

Thank you Dadda for bringing a lively fun to our house that we miss when you're not home and can't live without when you're home!!



Building a Robot

Owen has been into these things called Rescue Bots. Little transformer style toys that turn from robot to useful everyday vehicles like Fire Trucks and Bull Dozers etc.  As a side note, his green Rescue Bot that he got in his stocking has become his favorite new toy in the last few weeks. He calls it his Bull Bozer...instead of Bull Dozer. Cracks me up! 

Anyway...I got a wild hair the other day to recycle a few diaper boxes into a robot costume.  A little creativity, some hot glue, markers, twine and buttons...and you too can have a super cool robot suit!!

Check it out!

I turned a wipe box inside out, did some hot glueing of edges and cut a hole in the handles so it was big enough for him to see out of.  Then we glued some buttons on because Owen wanted him to have a mouth and eyes!

We used some super cool space ship/robot stickers from a sticker book he got for Christmas to decorate a few places that needed some color.  I also used a diaper box, cut in two pieces to create a front and back.  On the front we glued arms onto one box, drew a very crude t-shirt and pants onto the front and then after punching holes in the top, tied the front and back together with strings. The strings hang over his shoulders so all he has to do is slip it on!  It was a hit and one way to make a cold Friday afternoon, a little more exciting!

Wordless Wednesday...A Cowboy's Story Time

The lovely lovely holidays...our final weeks of 2012!!

Our holiday celebrations started out Linoski style!  After playing with toys, Moonlight dinner, kicks from Mr. Case Cincoski to let us all know he was there...and some present opening...we took off for Christmas lights.  It's chaos and awesome fun!!  Thanks Bryan and Steff for hosting a most festive and fun Christmas get together for all of us!!

Cheese!!

Following our Linoski Christmas gathering we did some wrapping, sleeping and relaxing around our house...then woke to a chilly and windy Christmas Eve.  I've come to realize that I love Christmas Eve more than Christmas day.  There is just something about the anticipation of it all that culminates into a day swelling with Christmas spirit.  This year we spent Christmas Eve evening with Mom. Dad. Uncle Josh, Aunt Katie and Grandma and Pap.  There was much chaos and present opening and fun to be had. We followed that chaos with delicious dinner and relaxing family time together!!  It was a wonderful wonderful way to spend our Christmas Eve!  Some photos from our gathering:

Daddy and Coop dig into some presents and Pap watched! I'm not sure who was having more fun...Cooper or Pap.

Owen and Uncle Josh dig into some presents!

Coolest present...a race car track...with lights on the cars, that light up the track and it glows in the dark.  It was a hit and still continues to be so around our house!!

Paw Paw opening his present with a little help...

Christmas Day we woke to much excitement around our house! Santa had brought many wonderful gifts!

Waiting for Santa!

Our Elf on the Shelf who Owen named Happy.  Owen didn't get it yet this year...but we can say we gave him a try.  He'll make an appearance again next year with some magic to share with our family :)

Sleepy super heroes opening stockings!!

60 minutes after unboxing this beast of a train track...we had it all running.

5 minutes after it was up and running it was destroyed.  Ahh toddlers!!

Owen lined up a "check up" station for all the new little toys while we got ready to head for Uncle Jonnie and Aunt April's.

Enjoying delicious lunch and gift opening with our Linley crew!

Um Uncle Jonnie...a little help?

What you lookin' at Aunt Jessie?  I know...I'm big stuff sitting on this...you don't even have to tell me!

Owen in his super cool Woody hat!

After the holidays I set about enjoying my break from work emmensely!! The day after Christmas we had toy palooza at the Linley house. The boys were so engrossed in their new things to play with I actually sat down with a book on the couch while they played! We napped, sent Daddy messages b/c we missed him terribly and did what I'm come to love about the day AFTER christmas. Absolutely NOTHING! The rest of my Christmas break was pretty much charaterized with this same sort of routine. Sweat pants, lots of time around home and relaxing! I did steal away for an afternoon and get an hour massage and have a solo lunch at Bread Co during one of my days off...which was pretty darn magical!

Some of the downfalls of our holiday break include all of our family suffering from some form of what we've begun to refer to as the plague. Jer and my Mom got it. Then I got it. Owen got and finally poor Cooper began showing the signs. It involved lots and lots of snotty congestion, coughing and overall nastiness. It's not enough to take you out...but it's enough to be annoying and it cost Owen a round of antibiotics for an ear infection. Lovely!

We also spent some time at Barnes visiting my Pap who has been having various health issues that I will not get into too many details on. After a procedure to remove some fluid off of his lungs we are thankful he is eating and doing a little bit better and is now in a transition facility for physical therapy...goal is to stop walking with a cane!!! Keep up the hard work Pap!!

We rang in the new year with our kiddos by our side. I got a New Years kiss from the only guy I want New Years kisses from...and we caught up on a few movies we've been meaning to watch,

All in all...we ushered out 2012 with a sigh of relief and are excited to embark on a journey into 2013. I have no doubt that it'll bring us new challenges and fun!!

We spent our first weekend of the new year celebrating Christmas with our Linley family from Wisconsin and Walnut. We were very excited to enjoy an evening filled with these important people in our lives!! There was delicious food (a recurring theme I never get tired of!) present opening chaos...a fun round of rob your neighbor...and lots of running, screaming cousins...oh and a pinata breaking to boot! Thanks everyone for a wonderful celebration with family. It doesn't get much better!

We are a blessed family with more love and wonderful people than we could ever deserve.

Happy New Year everyone!!



Another one for my boys

Boys, once again I will say, if you stumbled across this post later in life...know how much your Dad and I support you in all things you dream to acheive.  Whether you want to be a chef, a police officer, an astronaut, an athelete, a muscian, a teacher...whatever you chose...and whatever obstacles you have to overcome to do it...do your best and work hard.  Good things will come from it!

Love you.
Mom and Dad

Hall of Fame, by The Script
Lyrics and link to the video for your listening pleasure!

Yeah, You could be the greatest

You can be the best

You can be the king kong banging on your chest


You could beat the world

You could beat the war

You could talk to God, go banging on his door


You can throw your hands up

You can be the clock

You can move a mountain

You can break rocks

You can be a master

Don't wait for luck

Dedicate yourself and you can find yourself

Standing in the hall of fame

And the world's gonna know your name

Cause you burn with the brightest flame

And the world's gonna know your name

And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame


You could go the distance

You could run the mile

You could walk straight through hell with a smile

You could be the hero

You could get the gold

Breaking all the records that thought never could be broke

Do it for your people

Do it for your pride

Never gonna know if you never even try

Do it for your counrty

Do it for you name

Cause there's gonna be a day

When your, standing in the hall of fame

And the world's gonna know your name

Cause you burn with the brightest flame

And the world's gonna know your name

And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame


Be a champion, Be a champion, Be a champion, Be a champion
On the walls of the hall of fame

Be students, Be teachers, Be politicians, Be preachers

Be believers, Be leaders, Be astronauts, Be champions, Be true seekers
Be students. Be teachers. Be politicians. Be preachers

Be believers, Be leaders, Be astronauts, Be champions, Be true seekers

Standing in the hall of fame

And the world's gonna know your name

Cause you burn with the brightest flame

And the world's gonna know your name

And you'll be on the walls of the hall of fame


(You can be a champion)

You could be the greatest

(You can be a champion)

You can be the best

(You can be a champion)

You can be the king kong banging on your chest


(You can be a champion)

You could beat the world

(You can be a champion)

You could beat the war

(You can be a champion)

You could talk to God, go banging on his door


(You can be a champion)

You can throw your hands up

(You can be a champion)

You can be the clock

(You can be a champion)

You can move a mountain

(You can be a champion)

You can break rocks


(You can be a champion)

You can be a master

(You can be a champion)

Don't wait for luck

(You can be a champion)

Dedicate yourself and you can find yourself

(You can be a champion)



Standing in the hall of fame