In The Key of Life

WEEEEEE .....Pop

Fourth of July gets even more fun when our little one loves it as much as I do. It's always been one of my favorite holidays. (I think it has something to do with the fact it's so close to my birthday too).

We started the day with a little yard work, tree relocation, and a little bit of the inevitable. We knew it was bound to come soon!!! Thankfully it still takes just a little bit of help to get us...my nerves can rest...for a few more days.

Also...some more fun for free.

To my surprise, we also did some lime picking. YES, lime picking. We planted that lime tree only days after Dex was born. If you're into the earthy, crunchy traditions...you'll know what fertilized that tree.
There's actually three in lil' man's hands so we'll have to find something good to eat them with....like a Corona :)

Then it was naptime...a little hangin' inside (it's hot here!!) and off to the party.

And what were we going to do at the party??? Let's see what he thinks....

It's all about the cousins - Part 2

Man, when I put a guideline on my blogging it just messes me up. Here I said I would post this sequel to our vacation photos and since then I have had so many cool bloggy things happen...but, I needed to do this first! SO, check out some cuteness here and look forward to a few birthday pics (yup, me BIG 3-0), more Dex silliness, and more crafting too all to come. (there I go putting another guideline on myself. geez)

To continue all the cousin-y in fun while we were visiting...
 After spending quality time in WI, we loaded up the RV, under the supervision of Captain Poppy, and headed down to Iowa to celebrate with even more cousins! One of my 'bestest' cousins, Steph was about to marry her love Eric and I was honored to take part in their lovely (and expertly planned) day! Here's just a few pics I was able to snag during the day. You know when you're having such a good time sometime you just forget to grab the camera...that is until the bride reminds you!

As tradition would have it, Steph was sure to sport the blue toenails for her 'something blue!' I was sure to tell the next cousin to marry that only the coolest cousins follow that tradition too. :)

Of course there was much fun to be had with all these cousins in one place!!


It was just so much fun to see all those people that I haven't seen in so many years. Honestly, I think it's been almost ten years for a few of the cousins I talked to that night. Some that I just needed to reconnect with and others that it was a joy to see new babies, kiddos and fiances! It was so much fun...and a little getaway for me too since hair appointments started at 7:30 AM and events lasted all day. Dex had a great time hanging with his cousins all day and they did a great job keeping him entertained!!

THEN...it was back into the RV and off to a meet up with our other wonderful WI cousins, Jacob and Sophia.  It's too bad I didn't grab more pics of these cuties, but no worries...here's a few.

...the highlight of the trip to Kohler...driving the GATOR!!

Even though it was only 2 days of fun filled time, we loved it. Playing in the yard and enjoying free time was a delight after all that running around.
  

Finally, after being gone for an entire week it was time to drive into the sunset, back home to Papa. We were so glad to see him and were exhausted to say the least!! All that cousin fun can wear you out.

Fun for free!

Now isn't it just wonderful when you can have some great fun and entertainment for an entire day, or two half days FOR FREE!!! After reading Meg's post introducing her 'Fun for Nothin' challenge and perusing the flickr pool (Moms...really...go here for great inspiration) I figured I better take that challenge. Many of our activities around her are on the inexpensive side, but it's even better when they go over this well!

Well, it all started out yesterday evening...
....a little free fun thanks to the neighbor's sloped driveway and a little rain from the heavens! This is the goodness that comes in summer. For us summer is rainy season so we have this splashy temptation just about every afternoon! I do think though that it's time to invest a little money into this one and get a nice pair of galoshes....I just never know what's in that puddle!

 
THEN...after Dex found a screw (hence the need for boots), he was in urgent need of a 'bang, bang'! So off we went to gather our tool kit and set up the construction site. Good thing Papa's tools are 'free' too!

Then it was off to bed with a not so fun, but free, bath time and teeth brushing. A few stories and an always free and readily available snuggle! Then, this morning it was fun for me. HONESTLY, I was giddy after finishing up my second skirt from the vintage sheet swap.
 
Check out this comfy number! I just love the knit waistband style skirts, because heck, it's summer...no need for restriction. The best part of it all is that I used a 'free' sheet from the swap and an old t-shirt that I don't wear for the top. I started it yesterday and wasn't impressed but after a few tweeks this morning...I think I may live in this skirt all summer. OR...maybe make about 10 more!!

AND THEN...to top it all off.
We headed out today to pickup two super Freecycle scores! A new big boy bike for Dex. He'll definitely need to be a bit taller before this one is in use, but still another super fun freebie!

AND...a Home Depot workbench! I know...we aren't really into plastic toys around here, but when they are free and with the little man's new interest in construction it was time for an exception to the rule!

oh...and we went to the library for some 'free' books and movies. (note to self: They are only free if you get them back in time...now that your current fines are paid off!)

Now that is what I call an awesome freebie kind of day!!! I'll have to keep it moving tonight with some kind of cheapy, yet healthy, supper made from our co-op veggies and super couponed groceries.

PS As if this post isn't long enough already...I guess I'm gabby...did you notice the new hair cut up there! YUP, I said I was growing it out for the wedding and since the wedding was a week ago...off it came. More pics here and here.(on my most horribly neglected Flickr page) No it wasn't a freebie, but a cheapy...$16 at Supercuts is quite a deal for the best, lazy, yet kind of stylish mom cut!!

AND YES...Part 2 of cousin cuteness is up next. I was just too excited about the skirt to wait!

It's all about the cousins...Part 1

While we were in WI, Dex and I had a great time hanging out with the overabundance of cousins! First off was the airport pickup from Dex's cousins, Tori and Lilly...and their mom of course. They had a great time together and had even more fun when Mr. Wyatt (aka Animal, mom's nickname) arrived for the sandbox playing, swinging, see sawing, bonfire, marshmallow roast party at Grammee and Poppy's house. I think Dexter enjoyed the running around and screaming part the best. There's just nothing like a country back yard full of grass for that!!

 
Then it was more shenanigans (and more screaming and more running around) at Lilly, Tori and Wyatt's house....that is when we could catch about 20 minutes outside between rain storms! For our entire trip the weather was forecasted for mid 70's to low 80's and we got 3 days of rain and 65!! What a shocker for this Floridian family!

Even with the rain...we made good use of the puddles and extra tall flowers!

....and after all that fun...

We were off to the wedding of Mama's cousin and a visit with Dex's sweety pie cousins Sophia and Jacob! No worries though, I have plenty of pictures of all the remaining cousins too, but I figured all this cuteness along with the added super duper sweetness would just make your teeth ache if it was all in one post.

SO, stay tuned for Part 2!!!! (and even more running around and screaming) :)

WHEW!!!

We got home late last night from a whirlwind of a vacation! So much to do, so many people to see and so little time. The first load of laundry is in the wash machine and I did some quality laying around this morning. I guess it's time to get to work on the unpacking and sorting of pictures...to show you all of course!! Here's just a peek.
 
There's so many cute cousin pictures to share too! To keep it simple I'll just share a few of the big boy now and then sift through all the cuteness for later!

Off to organize...and maybe check my way neglected Bloglines this afternoon. Honestly, I'm scared to see how many feeds are waiting! I may get sucked into that black hole for a few nap hours this afternoon. Wish me luck and a safe exit.

A Late Entry

Oh, we are big fans of Bravo's Top Chef. Really it's the only show we make sure we watch every week.  There's only one week left, but hold the show......we have a late entry.

Now look at the personality, the tattoos and the choice of fresh organic ingredients. Chef D is destined for success and culinary greatness.

And look at that form!!!  The belly used to hold the cutting board in place and the hand used as leverage to cut with a the dull and inferior butter knife. Now that's genius people.

Hopefully, he can make it to Puerto Rico before next Wednesday's Finale....oh wait....we'll be in WI. I guess we'll have to wait until another year to hone his skills...and get him to actually taste some of those items up there! (He did surprise me by munching on cauliflower the other night though!)

Thanks for waiting...

Boy it's been far too long since I posted last!!  Thanks so much for waiting! (I seem to be saying that a lot lately, comes with the territory of being a hostess I guess).

Well, It's been busy here. We're preparing to get on the big bird next week and fly up to Grammee and Poppy's house for a week!! We're so excited. The fact that it will be just Momma and our boisterous two year old ...with connections...will be interesting, but I'm sure it will go well...or at least I'm banking on that to send some positive vibes toward the situation!!

While we're home we get to go to my cousin Steph's wedding and also visit so many cousins. It will be a blast to see so many people all at once AND to see Steph marry her love. I remember commisserating with her so many times while we were both still single that we would NEVER find the right guy. Well, looky here...it's happened for both of us...we just had to wait and golly that sure does teach you a lesson in patience. Some times you don't like to be in the middle of that lesson but it pays off in the end. I just can't wait to see them both and to enjoy their celebration! So happy they found each other and am so blessed to be part of their day.

So, Thanks so much for waiting on me as I wait on our little trip that we're so anxious about! Now it's off to organize a little packing...

(and then I'll try to post something a little more fun and picture worthy later in the week)

Our little fishy

So we thought it may have been a Key Westery fluke, but after yesterday at Grandma and Grandpa FL's pool we know that now have a little fishy on our hands!!


Thanks so much to Grandma WI for the AWESOME life jacket that is keeping this nervous momma just a wee bit more relaxed.
...and now we're off to plan a little swimming adventure this afternoon. We're so lucky to be house sitting for the summer at a friend's house that has an awesome pool!!

Back to 'real' life

It might take us a few days to recover from all that relaxing...

...because the inn keeper said that it just wasn't right to hang out by the pool without a 'beer soda' in your hand!!(no need for fancy drinks when it's just wetting the whistle he said!) Added bonus...munchkin's nap was 3 full hours that day!We didn't get tanked or anything but just REALLY enjoyed the time to do NOTHING!

Little man enjoyed a little extra relaxing on our way home too. We highly recommend the Morada Beach Deli just of Hwy 1 in Islamorado, FL for anyone traveling with kiddos. Sitting at a table in the sand as big boy played near by. Another relaxing event...eating an unhurried meal!

BUT...now it's back to laundry and work. More pictures soon.

It's Mini-Vacation Time!!!

A little bike ride for Grandpa and Papa! Mama, Grandma and Dex had a great trip in the car too.

We'll be back Sunday night after a little more Key West carousing.

...as for right now, we're off to do a little swimming at our B&B. Tonight is reservations at Blue Heaven.

  And of course another visit to Mallory Square for the Sunset Festival. Dex caught a glimpse of the fire juggler and he's been asking to go back ever since (that is when he's not asking to go in the pool!)

See you next week.