Popcorn Lovin'

Emma has been lovin her popcorn lately, so this morning whild Jake napped, I asked her if she wanted to make it extra special and make popcorn balls - she looked at me funny 'Popcorn whaties?' she said. So I told her to grab her chair and bring it in the kitchen and together we would make some yummy popcorn balls! Here is our fun kitchen time for today...

{Adorable}

Check out this cutie I took pictures of monday!!! I'll be posting the rest of them next week in my photography blog. Thanks Angela and Brinley (and of COURSE Brinley's Grandma! :) )

Well I must confess, I went shopping yesterday. And today. But before you look at the picture and gasp in horror... please read on.

It started out innocently returning a pair of Capri's my mom got Emma from JCPennys because they were a bit snug. I thought 'I'll go see if there is the next size up' and imagine my surprise when I noticed all of these large greens signs above the rack {1.97 final clearance} OH MY! And then a small sign next to it saying {ADDITIONAL 25% off} ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Quickly doing the calculations.. that made all of those adorable things $1.48 a piece. I got Emma a few things, saw these darling red shoes for her for preschool and two pairs for Jake to grow into (yes, at only $1.48 as well). I was SO excited when I got to the register and my purchase was only $15!!! So I came home and proudly showed Aaron my finds and he was actually impressed! He is always impressed with my knack of finding good deals, but this was especially impressive to him. So much so that HE said maybe I could take a $20 and go tomorrow... {GASP} what a guy. So of course, we went again today. Even more things on sale. I decided today I would get a few more things for Emma and then get things for the kids for next summer. I love having a little stash of bigger clothes for the kids, makes me feel so prepared :) Anyway - I had to fold them all up and take a picture for you of course!


Yes I do realize there is so much more for Emma, but 1 - girls clothes are cuter, and 2 - the boys sale was one rack compared to the at least 10 racks for girls.

So the point to my amazingly long post about sale shopping? GO to your local JCPenny's! Seriously, the sale is amazing. WHERE else can you get NEW and adorable and trendy kids clothes for $1.48 A PIECE? Let me know what you find!

I think the most ironic part is... this is one of the first time I've shopped at Penny's for the kids... I'm a GAP and Old Navy kinda mom, but one can't really pass this up - and the stuff is way cute! Have I bragged enough?? Yup...

Rain, Rain Go Away

We had quite the storm the other day, Emma was playing outside and said "Mommy, it's getting dark very quickly! I think I should come inside now!" Sweet girl. So I told her she could run in the wind for a bit...

But then it was time to come inside... so she decided to pass the time by making funny faces...
She is so precious...
watching the rain was her favorite part...
but she was not a fan of the thunder and lightening (we snuggled for quite some time)
Isn't she beautiful??

We decided playing Princess was an ok solution to the day inside. I used to wear this Tiara when I was a little girl...

C*A*K*E

JAKE Y'S CAKE!

I DON'T KNOW HOW I MISSED THESE PICTURES!

BUT HERE ARE SOME FROM HIS BIRTHDAY PARY AT THE PARK!

HE {LOVED} HIS CAKE, AND I MEAN SERIOUSLY LOVED IT, EVERY CRUMB!

HE ALSO LOVED PLAYING IN THE AWESOME WATER FEATURES AT OUR PARK.

Here are a few photos from our {way to short} visit with our friends the MacLachlans on the way back from the coast. We managed to stay long enough for the kids to enjoy pool time with their cute kiddos ;) And I have no idea how I escaped without one single pictures of Suzanne and I *bummed*

Mr. Trugreen 'n' Me

Usually when there is a knock at my door, I ignore it. I'm not big on answering my door while I am home just the kids and I. Though I always peek to see who it is. It was the Mr. TruGreen lawn guy. I see his truck at our neighbors home weekly and think 'oh to have a luxury like someone else doing my lawn (other than my strapping hubby) and make it look immaculate and golf course like'. Then I think, wait a minute; 1 - we rent. doesn't mean we can't make it look nice, but pouring that much money into a rental seems a bit unrealistic. 2 - I'd rather buy groceries, or oh yeah, GAS for my mom mobile! So I decided to be nice and talk to the man. I opened my door and chatted with him, walking out the driveway to look around at the side lawn with him. We had a nice little chat and for a mere $35 he is willing to do a 'lawn treatment' though I'm still not sure what that entails. As I walk back to my front door noticing some hideous cobwebs I run my fingers through my incredibly short hair... and there I discover it. A hot pink flower clip of Emma's. I had pulled the front of my hair back while doing some craftiness while the kids nap - and oh yes, it was still there. In all it's fuchsia glory with one big fat bling in the center. I wonder if Mr. TruGreen thought I was a crazy? Or maybe a close to thirty something mom trying to be 12? Well whatever it was, it was a bit embarrasing, so much so I had to call Andrea and tell her. So that's my tale of Mr. Trugreen 'n' Me.

I couldn't resist showing you how lovely I looked...

photography blog!

Just wanted to let you know I have started a photography blog as well :) Let me know what you think!!

www.tinalelainephotography.blogspot.com

Happy Fourth of July !!!

First I just want to say how GRATEFUL I am to all of those wonderful men and women that have so selflessly served and are serving our country. I should be more grateful every day, but today I am reminded how amazing it is to be FREE to serve our God, free to vote, free to stand for what we believe in, free to raise our children in a way we believe is true and right, free to be Americans. We are PROUD to be Americans and thankful to our President and all who serve this country so that we may continue to be the great nation that we are.

To celebrate our 4th of July, we enjoyed the morning at the park, stopped to say hello to Grandma Becky and Jeff, mommy got her hair chopped off (YAY), then we went to the 4th Celebration Parade downtown! WONDERFUL day! Tell me what you did!! I want to hear from YOU! ;-)

{lovin} the ocean

Beaches, Carousel Rides, Friends, and Family...

Last wednesday we headed for the Oregon Coast - stopping a night with Nan & Pop then traveling to Portland and on to the coast. We had SO much fun, and what a wonderful and much needed break from all the home/job/life stuff! :) On the trip home we were even able to sneak in a SHORT (much TOO short) stop to see our dear friends the MacLachlan's and Auntie Elizabeth, Uncle Matt and sweet baby Ava!
So now to all the pictures! We will start with ones from the cute little town we stayed in - the kids LOVED the carousel...

Aunt Connie, Jakey and Misty

Jake and Misty ready for the ride!

Emma LOVED riding her horse

Kylie with Auntie Sasha - who is beautifully preggo! :) yay!!

Jake wasn't sure about the ride, but he liked being with his Misty anyway :)