Happy 2011

I got the idea of changing my header each month from Sarah at Clover Lane.  She even gives a tutorial on how to personalize your header by using Picassa.

Thank you so much for coming on this journey with me.  Your comments and encouragement are amazing and have made me feel like my thoughts really are worth listening to. 

I wish you all love, health and wealth in 2011.

I'm making new friends by participating in Weekend Wander.

Blogging Taboo Questions

I have a ton of questions when it comes to blogs and blogging.  While I am not necessarily new to blogging, I really want to try to focus energy on blogging in 2011.

So, for all of my blog friends out there, would you answer some questions for me?

#1 Blogger or Word press?  Which is better and why?

#2 How do you get these products that you review?

#3 How do  you or are you making money through your blog?  Are there any scams to look out for?

#4 I do not want this blog to be a giveaway/review blog.  I don't mind to throw one in there every now and then but I want this blog to focus on my family and random thoughts.  Sooo . . . should I start a separate blog for those things?

#5 Are there any sites, books, manuals, classes, etc that you have taken to help you with your blog?

#6 Any advice you can give me?

Like I said, I don't know if it is taboo or not to talk about such things but I would really like to contribute (money-wise) to the household this year and I am having a heck of a time learning how or what to do.

Thanks for all of your help and support!

BECOME.COM review

A while back I found a website, Blogvertise, which asked me to write about certain products and they would pay me money.  Having never done anything like this before, I thought why not give it a try.  I got my first "assignment" today and I was excited to give it a try. 

I was assigned to write about a site called, Become.  There are so many products on this site and it looks comparable to an Amazon where there are so many of these types of products "in stock". 

On the Become site, I am to write about three products:  a crib, hooded towel set, and perfume.

The crib is an Oeuf crib that is going for 20% off.  That sounds like a great deal but the SALE price is $920!  I certainly didn't pay $920 for a crib for any of my children but maybe this is actually a good deal.  Do any of you have this crib?  Is this a good price?

These hooded towels are so sweet.  All of my children have had them and they make for great bathtime pictures.  Kanin had a frog and Gracie had a pig.  Baby Caleb had a puppy dog.  I love hooded towels!

The Disney Princess Little Mermaid perfume made me laugh, not because of the name but because it says that it is for women!  I thought for sure when I read the name of this item that it would be perfume for little girls, which I guess they could still wear, but when I looked at the item it says that it is women's perfume. 

This website, Become, not only offers products but also allows you to advertise with them and they will feature you.  If you have a product that you would like to advertise on Become or if you want more information, click on the link below:

Top 10 of 2010

Today I am participating in A Sorta Fairytale's Top 10 of 2010.  I am in no way a "photographer" but loved looking back at the pics from the year.  It was so hard to pick just 10!

1. Kanin looked so cute on Easter with his baby blue sweater vest.

2. GracieAnn was having a "GraciAnn" moment.

3. A warm day in October was the perfect chance to take some pics at the park.

4. My soccer player

5. Love this picture

6. My red-headed sweetheart

7. I swear I don't think this kid can take a bad picture.

8. Caleb is enjoying a day at Busch Stadium in Gaga's arms.

9. Little James Dean

10. I wish that the cars were out of the background but who could resist those eyes?

Blogged Too Soon

A couple of days ago I posted my Year in Review pics thinking that my 2010 had pretty much been wrapped up.

Well . . . I guess I should have waited a couple more days because this was me yesterday afternoon:

After 15 hours of contraction-type pain, I went to the ER yesterday afternoon.  They diagnosed me with the stomach flu but I am starting to doubt that diagnosis.  After a scan they ruled out kidney stones and appendix.  The cramps are still coming on strong.  They sent me home with pain killers and nausea medicine.

Just like being in labor, when I am in between cramps then I am fine and can walk around but when they hit then they take my breath away and I kind of have to stop and breathe through them.  I've never had anything like this before.  Very strange.

I'll keep you posted.

What I'm Loving Wednesday

{1} This 14 piece Rachel Ray Hard Anodized pots and pans

{2} That I won $120 at the casino on Sunday night playing roulette (not my normal game).

{3} All of the gift cards we got for Christmas.

{3} That I still have another week of Kanin being home from school.

{4} That my kids are loving their Christmas presents.

Wordless Wednesday

My 11-year-old niece, Alison, still excited at Christmas.

Our 2010 in Pictures

(Sorry for the incredibly long post)

January

In January Caleb's personality really started to show.  The love that the two brothers had with each other was undeniable and very sweet.  Caleb was trying to sit up on his own but Mommy was still careful and put a pillow behind him in case he lost his balance.

Kanin and Gracie had fun putting on rock shows for us by using their Guitar Hero guitars.  Kanin started his last Learn to Play session.

Uncle Scott showed off his baking skills by making and decorating our great niece, Kenzie, her very 1st birthday cake.  He even made the icing from scratch!

February

Kanin got to decorate his first Valentine's Day box in kindergarten in February.

Kanin also started playing soccer in February.  Gaga was there to give him some pointers.  He also met his very first sports friend.

After practicing for a couple of weeks, Kanin had his first soccer game and he scored a goal!

We also had our annual Super Bowl party in February.  Mommy and Kanin sported our Bears gear while Caleb and GracieAnn wore Rams stuff.

March

Kanin had '50's day at school.  I think he looks like a little model in these pics.

Mommy took all three kids to the Dogtown St. Paddy's Day parade by herself!  (Crazy Mommy)  Mommy was in definite need of a green beer after tracking through the St. Louis Zoo with a double stroller and a six-year-old in tow!

April

Easter came and, of course, we had to have our matching outfits.  The kids aren't going to go for this matching too much longer so we will take full advantage of it now.  Trying to take pictures with three kids can sometimes be a comedy show.

We tried and tried to get a good picture of all of us.  We usually just pick the one where the most people are smiling at the camera.

Mommy and Daddy headed to Vegas to see Lionel Richie. 

Kanin lost his first tooth (naturally).  He had to have some teeth surgically removed when he was 4 but this tooth just came out the old-fashioned way.  It was a traumatic experience for him with all of the blood but then he realized that he wasn't hurt and was excited that the Tooth Fairy would visit.

Opening Day in St. Louis is a holiday.  Each year we go down early to the Busch Stadium and tailgate.  My sister got to go with me this year, too.

Kanin had his kindergarten Spring party in April.  We played games, made crafts, and had snacks.

May

Sweet little Annabelle Lily was born in May. 

We got to spend a lot of time at the ballpark, too.  All of my kids love Fredbird . . . so do Mommy and Daddy.

Caleb was really starting to pull up and get into everything. 

June

My precious great nephew, Ian David, was born.

Kanin took swimming lessons.

The kids had so much fun playing on our new waterslide.

Kanin got out of school in June.  The last day of school there was a parade in which all of the grade levels walked together and cheered.  Kanin goes into the school for the last time as a kindergartener.

We were so excited for Kanin to be done with Learn to Play hockey and to move on to Instructional League.  Kanin is the one with the white helmet.

We took GracieAnn to the mall to meet Dora the Explorer.

July

Caleb started eating all table food and bottle in July.

GracieAnn and Caleb's birthdays are two days apart.  Gaga made both of the cakes for their combined birthday party.

August
In August our niece, Alison, turned 11.  She helped my sister make the cupcakes.

We had a going away party for our nephew, Paul.  He is currently in Afghanistan with the Marines.  Caleb really took to Paul while he was here on leave and they became fast buddies.

Kanin started 1st grade in August.  Mommy got up and made him a special breakfast and even had a #1 candle for him to blow out.

Kanin was so excited that first day of school.  Mommy was sad.

A successful day!

September

Our great nephew, Ben, turned 3 in September.  His mom made him a train cake.  She did a great job!

Mommy and Daddy went to see Dave Matthews at Wrigley Field in Chicago.  We went with our friends, Tony and Janice.  It was such a great show and we had a blast. 

A couple of days after Dave Matthews, the family headed to Disney World.  Although stressful at times, we made such great memories.  Gracie still asks me every single day when we are going back to Disney World. 

October
October brought us the Pumpkin Patch, pumpkin carving and Halloween.

Even Mama and Papa got in on the dress up action.

November

Kanin had his first "friend" birthday party this year at Great Skate.

We had Thanksgiving at our house and it was wonderful.  Lots of family, food and football.

One of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving Day is our Elf on the Shelf, Chucky, comes back from the North Pole.

December

Our nephew, Aidan, turned 8 and had his birthday at the bowling alley.  He had a fantastic cake.  Aidan loves all military stuff.

We went to see Santa Claus and had a PJ, Cookie, and Craft Party with our friends.

We had our own family craft night, too.

Mommy and Daddy ended the year heading back to Las Vegas to see Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds with our friends, Janice and Jason.

We celebrated Christmas at Mama and Papa's.

We celebrated at Deb and Dave's.

We celebrated at our house.

We had a great 2010.  We grew, we learned, we had fun.  We are so excited to see what 2011 brings us!