F.A.T.

First American Title

That's where we are headed today....

I think I need/want to....

....SCREAM!

Explanation to come soon...hopefully!

Princess turns 4

Princess has been counting down her My Little Pony birthday for quite a few months now. Everything she would see in the store or on t.v....."mommy, I need that for my birthday!" Shopping for her this year was a piece of cake. I just went down the girly aisle in Toys-R-Us and threw a few things in the cart. She LOVED everything. Good job Me! (mom in charge of presents...dad in charge of cake...which you will see how well he did later in this post!)

Whoops...a little spoiled...but hey, I only spent $62 on her whole birthday because half the toys I got her were 50% off!

Good job on the cake dad! His great effort included going to Fred Meyer's, ordering, paying, and then picking it up the next day! Atta boy!

It took her a few minutes to blow out her candles. Yes, there are candles. This pictures looks like the pony's mane is on fire.

Happy 4th Birthday Princess! We love you!

I thought I was going to get away with not having a REAL birthday party with friends...and Princesses favorite....GOODY bags. But, when I asked Maycie what her favorite part of her birthday was she said..."not yet, when my friends come and we get a baggie with treats and prizes." Rats!

To all our friends....when life slows down a bit...it is party time...My Little Pony style!


And, a picture of our Buddy...because he is too cute not to share!

Empty Vase

I bought this vase MONTHS ago at the D.I. for $4.

When I bought it, I had full intentions of spray painting it. Then, I seen an idea where you paint little dot flowers on it. I kind of like it...maybe...we'll see.

It has been an empty vase sitting on our end table. What to put in it?

Duh, flowers!

Just haven't made it that far yet!

Worth a look

One of the blogs I really like to follow is: Economizing Measures. She has some really good tips and ideas. Mainly, she just gets me thinking on how I can be more frugal and useful with the things I ALREADY have. I especially liked some of her older posts...so take a look when you have a minute!

Who doesn't need a tip or two these days!?

Pillowcase

Buddy has been sleeping on a Christmas pillowcase since...well, since he was old enough to have a pillow. Why? Hhmmm...I don't know. We have other pillowcases, I have just never put a different one on it. I usually just wash it and put it back on.

And then I seen this pillowcase pattern. I went through my scraps and made him this....

I thought it turned out super cute. As I was taking his Christmas one off, to put the new one on, it got me thinking....wouldn't it be a fun new tradition to get a new pillowcase along with pajamas on Christmas Eve!? FUN!...better get started......

Take me out to the ball game....

For Grandpa!

Stay-cation!

This year for the 4th, due to multiple circumstances, we felt it would be best to STAY home! Been a few years since we have done that...and let me tell you...we LOVED every single minute of it! No traveling! No packing! No "are we there yet!" No tight schedules! It was exactly what we needed.

On Friday night, the 3rd, we went to our friends' home and had a "carnival" night. We made homemade corndogs and funnel cakes!...yummy! Then lit off our own fireworks.

On the 4th, we woke up and went to a small town parade...ya' know the hicks and rednecks...but, we are both from small towns so we felt right at home! Downfall...I left my good camera at home....
Idea: of course you want to show up early for a good spot, but afraid to show up too early in fear that the kiddos will drive you BoNkErS!. I knew the kiddos would need something to do so I grabbed lunch sacks for bags and markers. While we were waiting they were able to decorate their own 4th of July parade bag! Perfect...definitely doing this one again!

Buddy didn't feel too good. Small fever. We still celebrated....mean parents!


After the parade was over...guess what we did?

Grabbed a little something greasy to eat at a small booth -NOPE!

Walked around the car show - NOPE!

Went swimming - NOPE!



We did the best 4th of July family activity ever...we ALL went home and took NAPS! And, we never felt the slightest of guilt! Perfect!

After our nice, cozy naps we went back over to our friends the typical American BBQ...hamburgers, watermelon, corn on the cob, and apple crisp with homemade ice cream!

We then made the mistake of setting off to watch some city fireworks. You will later find out why it was a mistake.....

Me and princess goofing off while waiting for it to get dark!

Yeah it's dark now...but we are still waiting. (Notice our poor buddy...he looks like a train wreck...I am sure he felt like one too!)

Friends!



Finally, the show starts...and this is the reaction we get.....

Poor Princess! She H*A*T*E*D them!

Let Freedom Ring! I am so grateful to live in the USA!

Gooey Popcorn Anonymous

We are the Anderson family, and WE are addicted to gooey popcorn. We come to this meeting tonight to share our secret only. We have no intentions or desire to change our addiction at this time. The first step is recognizing that we have a problem. WE have a problem. We like gooey popcorn. The way it smells when the popcorn is popping and anticipating it with every sound of kernels popping. The drizzling of the gooey yumminess over the freshly popped corn. Taking that first bite knowing that it is much too hot to eat yet but not wanting to wait. And the best part...the licking of the fingers.

We have a problem, but, we don't want to change...YET! Maybe one more bag won't hurt..........

Gooey Popcorn

1 bag microwave popcorn, popped (we like the butter kind...adds a little salty with the sweet)
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup karo syrup
2 handfuls of brown sugar......(I know!)

Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in corn syrup and brown sugar. Bring to a boil. Once at a boil, let boil 1 minute. Pour over popped bag of popcorn. SECRET: Pop popcorn, place in a bowl, then...using your hands....transfer popcorn to another bowl...it will leave the stubborn kernels at the bottom so you don't break a tooth.

Enjoy! Maybe we will see YOU at the next Gooey Popcorn's Anonymous!