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Category Archives: Friends & Family

Owen’s last Marlins game!

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It was crazy hot and sunny for the last game today. Thankfully friends had brought a huge canopy so we all got to sit (or lay!) in the shade!

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Owen did super amazing awesome today…unfortunately, I had unexpected phone storage issues (even after I deleted a ton of stuff) so I ended up missing recording a few hits and runs—and a few videos got cut short. GRRR!

And he asked to be catcher today!! He did have some balance issues (see next photo—he kept his feet together instead of using a wide stance so he kept falling over) but he worked through them and did a great job! And looked damn cute!

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The coaches actually called the game a half hour early because it was so hot. They had a quick award ceremony afterward.

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I had to transcribe what the coach said because it was super awesome and is very hard to hear on the video—the Closed Captions should be turned on so you can read along but here it is just in case:

Due to my phone issues, I missed the first thing he said: I like to call him The Big O!

Come on up! I’ve really seen Owen’s catching progress. Behind the plate as well as catching the ball in the field. Alright, you are certainly catching it like the guys at the next level and very impressive. You’ve had some great hits as well. Alright. I love seeing your enthusiasm out here. Good job, buddy.

Team picture by another mom (since my phone was still acting up):

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Then the pizza party!!!

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And showing off his award! He had to run and get this T-ball award from last year, too—he was so excited to have two! He said he will put them both on a shelf together! 🙂

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Owen became a pirate today!

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Owen went to a pirate-themed birthday party today—the same family that had the knight-themed party last year! He had SOOOOO much fun! He told us every single thing they did…which we actually confirmed when the mom posted all the pictures on Facebook! (These are all her pictures.)

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Getting the “boat” set up—the kids had to stay on the boat (not fall off) while they moved it around. Passing the test earned a treat!

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The birthday boy’s older brothers helping out—reading the Pirate Oath (below):

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They used a Pirate Name Generator to assign names to all the boys—Owen was Lazy Jack Keys!

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Getting ready to hunt for treasure!

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A real treasure map!

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Walking the plank!

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Popping “canon ball” balloons (they sounded like firing canons)!

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They were hitting the skull heads for treasure bags!

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Searching for bags of gold!

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Feeding [plastic] rats to the alligator! (The mom had her arm inside the mouth and would grab the rats or toss them back out. You had to stay until he “ate” your rat!)

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X marks the spot!

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They found the treasure and everyone got to divvy up the spoils—jewels, necklaces, and coins!

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Some of his haul, which he promptly put in his own treasure box when he got home! (He also got a pirate bandana and two bombs which he’s in love with!)

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Xander, the birthday boy!

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Memorial Day cookout at the pool!

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Otherwise known as Day 3 of 3. 🙂

We had a super fun four hours at the pool for the Memorial Day Cookout! We were there as soon as they opened and it was GLORIOUSLY empty—and quiet—as we were the only ones there! (We were there so early because we know the pool gets CRAZY when they offer free food—everyone and their brother who never come to the pool all summer otherwise show up for the free burgers, chips, and pop 🙄 —and we wanted to be sure to get good seats.) The forecast had called for rain all day, so we were excited that the weather held out and was actually very nice. The sun even came out to warm things up just enough for me to take a quick dip in the pool and take some pics with the waterproof camera! It eventually clouded over but it never rained!

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We made her get out of the pool and dry off because her lips were blue and she was very visibly shivering—even though she didn’t want to. Yep, she’s definitely my daughter—that’s exactly how I used to be!

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After two towels and some snacks, she was ready to go again!

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Katie and her friend Ainsley (they will be moving later this summer). 🙁

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The huge crowd (which my pic doesn’t really even do justice)—which we will only see for the cookouts today, July 4th, and Labor Day.

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Saturday Night Dinner…with surprise guests!

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Well, we knew about it ahead of time but the visit in general was a surprise this weekend! Roger and the girls were up visiting his other daughter Amanda for the weekend and she lives about an hour away…so they all came over for dinner! I haven’t seen them since we left Jacksonville in 2014!

Can’t you see us with a daughter this age?! We’d take her in a minute. 🙂 (We could have had one this age if we had a kid two years before we got married…or two years after we met.)

One of the best things to come out of tonight? Getting to recreate one of our favorite Virginia photos!

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The photo Virginia wanted to take—showcasing the two big guys that she can threaten boys with (a running joke for many, many years):

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And just for comparison, the same trio back in 2007:

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The Three Musketeers, together again!

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And a selfie for the road!

We have a good character again!

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Owen received a Good Character award at school today! Unfortunately, we weren’t there…and I only learned about it when I got a photo text from a friend!

SERIOUSLY?! AGAIN?! What is it with teachers forgetting to tell us?!

The stars are apparently aligned against us with these awards as Tom happened to have been home and we could have both gone!! And if this sounds familiar, it’s because this exact thing happened last year, too!!

His teacher has since apologized, and (of course, the story of my life) said it was the first time she’s forgot all year. (Ironically the same thing his K teacher said the when she forgot at the end of the year last year.)

I know mistakes happen and in the grand scheme of things it’s not a big deal so I’ll be okay and get over it. It had just been a crazy morning already and I didn’t need another snafu.

I’m just thankful a friend was there and got the picture! (Thanks to Krina!)

Good Character Award for Cooperation and Teamwork

Working on his logic skills.

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Owen got Gravity Maze from Gramma Jean (for Christmas, maybe?—how can I not remember?) and we actually finally pulled it out tonight. He was really quite good at it…while it was easy. 🙂 When he finally got stumped on card #8 (still in the easy section) he got a little grouchy and we had to put it away. But, I was still very impressed at how well he did.

 

And…Patchwork Pizza is born!

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We really need a name for the pizza where we use miscellaneous leftovers from the fridge. I like garbage pizza but that doesn’t really have a good connotation. It’s not technically leftover pizza so I don’t like leftovers pizza. Kitchen sink pizza isn’t much better than garbage and doesn’t roll off the tongue. (I actually recall having a very similar conversation a few years ago and can’t remember what was decided.)

So I posted on Facebook asking for suggestions…and boy did people come through!!


So Patchwork Pizza it is! 🙂

FYI tonight’s toppings were:

  • Kids: butter/garlic salt, homemade mac and cheese, fresh mozzarella, and Italian blend shredded cheese
  • Adult: homemade bacon-y 1000 Island, leftover grilled hamburger, chopped green onions and bacon, and fresh mozzarella

A five-star tote!

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Dammit. I liked my whole recent Le Tote box. But I don’t need all of it. Hell, what am I saying?? I don’t need ANY of it LOL.

I more than like but not quite love the dress. Great length, good color, nice feel, not my favorite neckline (as a general rule I choose V-necks) but I can branch out, and it’s easily changeable with accessories. It’s a bit expensive at $64 but unfortunately isn’t available anywhere else online so no cheaper option.

I like the pants. They are a bit more current (hip?) than anything I own—they have pleather-type panels on the front (better seen in the stock photo)! My fashion-guru friend says these are a definite yes, plus says they’re a steal at $29. I’m still debating but leaning towards keeping them.

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The tunic isn’t exactly my style but it’s super comfy and my friend really likes this one, too. I’m not convinced, though, since it is a bit big, a tad short (for just leggings for me), and a bit more than I’d want to spend ($30). I’m wearing it today to see how it works in real-life but I’m leaning towards returning it and then keeping my eye open for a more suitable tunic (since apparently these are totally IN now).

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Necklace 1 is very similar to the silver one I already bought for $19 and I don’t like the shiny as much—even at $22. So I like it but it’s going back.

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I LOVE necklace 2. And it’s a known famous brand so Google told me it was cheaper direct from the company so it’s already on its way! (And it looks much better in person than in this photo!)

If they discounted for buying a whole box, I might have just taken it all…but they only give you credit for another month and this is my last month…so that was a no. But it was good to end my experience with Le Tote on a high note (though it does make it harder to cancel—I just have to remember my other boxes that weren’t as successful)!

Kidisms 26

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Grandma arrived and picked Katie up to hug her.
Gramma: I’m going to squeeze you until you fart.
Katie [obviously] didn’t fart.
Katie: Grandma, you couldn’t fart me!

Grauntie Marge wears a wig, but didn’t have it on yet first thing in the morning. After she put it on:
Katie: You have your big hair on!

Demonstrating his newly-learned martial arts moves to Uncle Rob via Skype:
Owen, pointing to Katie: Katie, be my assistant.
She eagerly got up and threw some punches and blocked some punches.
Katie: Do your feet kicks!

We were shopping at Nordstrom Rack and Katie was checking out the mannequins, lifting up the dresses—and she saw that there weren’t actual legs (they were just metal rods).
Katie: Mama! The mannequin has leg poles!

Katie: Mama, why are you wearing a belt?
Me: Because my pants are too big and the belt keeps them from falling down.
Katie: You could just wear comfy pants!

We were all in the car and Katie was trying to describe what she just saw flying.
Me: A bird.
Katie: No. It was white.
Me: A bird.
Katie: No. It had feathers.
Me: A bird.
Katie: No.
Owen: A goose.
Me: A goose is a bird.
Owen: A waterproof bird!
I laughed so hard over that that I actually cried. 🙂

Owen was reading Wimpy Kid.
Owen: “It was an 80 picture of Uncle Charlie.”
Me: What? Let me see.
He shows me—its “8 X 10.”
Owen: 8 times 10 is 80.
❤️ this kid.

132 pounds in 365 days!

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One year ago today at my highest weight ever, I crossed my fingers and started my attempt to lose weight doing low-carb (the only thing I really knew). Little did I know at the time I’d find my way to Naturally Slim and would end up successfully losing 132 lbs. (thus far—with a few more still to go)! If you’d told me a year ago I’d have lost that much I’d have said you were insane.

I can’t begin to thank everyone who has supported me along the way, but top shout outs go to Tivo friend Brad Nelson (who started the thread on Naturally Slim), Tivo friend Bryan McCullough (who turned out to be THE Naturally Slim guru), and my amazing husband (who supported me every hour of every day—and even joined in).

I owe my life to this program (and these people!) and I’m beyond thankful every. single. day. that I have a new, thinner, and healthier lease on life!! ❤️ 😀 🎉 👏🏻 🍾

Cooking dinner with my mom!

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What did we make?! CITY CHICKEN!!!! It’s a bit of work so I’ve never made it but my mom made it off and on when I was growing up and it’s a favorite!. She’s here visiting so we made it together today. 🙂

Of course, Katie had to help, too.
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She did pretty good until the last piece she couldn’t get on the stick…and she wasn’t too happy (as you can see on her face).

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What is city chicken, you may be asking? Breaded, fried, and baked skewered pieces of veal and pork. It looks like chicken legs—like non-farm “city” people might have. Apparently way back when, veal and pork were also cheaper than chicken so it was a faux chicken. It’s DELISH. (Similar recipe to ours here.)