Our new toy!

Yep, we did it. We bought a (new to us) pop-up camper!

Andy has fond memories of camping as a kid and really wanted to share those experiences with our kids. I couldn't agree more!

Andy and I used to do a good share of camping before kids. And after the kiddos came along we did do some tent camping a few times. But as I have gotten older, and as I'm not able to handle the heat as well, we thought this would be a step up for us.

Oh, and the kids are so excited! They could hardly sleep last night and might even get to sleep in the driveway tonight.

So now the big question! Our new toy needs a name...(cause we're weird like that) and we need your help!

Remember Ginger, our GPS (Ginger Patricia Sullivan)...well, Ginger is a girl. So I think that the camper needs to be a boy...just to even things out.

I think we should either name him Pete the Pop-Up or Harvey!

Harvey because every time we are in the van the kids point out every single stinkin camper, RV, or pop-up! Just like the "slug bug" game....they yell (at the top of their lungs) "RV...RV...RV!" Well, when you say it really fast and over and over...it sounds like Harvey!

So, this is where YOU come in. We need you to vote for a name....or give us suggestions for an even cooler name!

I'm really excited about the blogging material I will gather on our little excursions ....Stay Tuned!

Letter to MS!

Dear Multiple Sclerosis,

You are NOT my friend. You will NEVER be my friend!

I don't like how you try to ruin my days. I can do that on my own, thank-you-very-much. I don't like how you mess up my plans. Don't you know me at all...I'm a girl with a plan. I don't like how you sometimes make me rely on other people to do my "job"! And honestly, you are just a pest!

Yes, I have to deal with you...but let's just get this one thing straight....

I will NOT let you bring me down!

I will keep my spirits up!

Oh, and I am *waaayyy* stronger than you!

So go ahead, do what you do to me, but know that I will fight you every step of the way!

The Magic Hat!

This is not just any hat!

This, my friends, is a magic hat!

It does wonderful and amazing things!

And the powers it has....well, let's just say...you ALL are going to want one!

Yes, it might be recycled from a week of VBS and yes, it is a tad too small!

But just look what it does!

This very special magic hat helps my boy get his chores done...
and when he gets done, all is right with the world!

I'm sure the Magic Hat will loss it's special powers in a few short days, so I'm taking advantage of it while I can!

Max the Inventor!

Max has a great imagination.

Lately, he has been into any type of "invention" he can think of.

And boy does he come up with some good ones.

Yes, that is the leaf blower on his scooter! And, yes...it worked...a little!

Watch out world...this boy is going to go far!

Please teach me....

how to edit my pictures!

I have no clue where to begin!

The Blanket

What's so special about this ratty old blanket?

I don't know, but it is way OLD and way RATTY!

If you look closely in the picture above....you can see that all the batting is separated and not where it's supposed to be.

And it looks like this in MANY places!




This blanket was a gift at a baby shower that was given for my mom....for ME!
So it is 37 1/2 years old.

I used this blanket as a kid, but it wasn't until I was a teenager that I started sleeping with it every night. Yes, I wrote that correctly, I slept with a blanket as teenager....and then when I got married....it was still with me! (Sad, I know!)

I even brought it to the hospital with me when I delivered Maggie!
(Warning....the next picture is totally hideous...please remember that I had a very difficult labor/delivery with this child. And please don't judge me...it's really bad!) But there, with me, is the old ratty blanket. Not looking too bad at that point!

(I totally can't believe I just posted this picture!)

But then she took it over and for the past 7 years, the blanket has become hers!

And I wouldn't want it any other way!

I got a ....

J. O. B!

Well, not like a real job, but it's a job that is perfect for me!

Several weeks ago, my old boss called me. Now, let me rephrase that....he was the boss at my job that I had before I quit to do this stay-at-home gig. He (the boss) is NOT old!

Anyway...he called to see if I would be interested in doing some work for him....from home!

"Tell me more", I quickly replied.

So he told me more and basically I am doing a marketing project for him. It's very time consuming and right now with summer still in session, I have found it to be difficult to "find" that time, but once school starts back up, I should be able to get in several hours a day.

I've been working now about a month and I think it's going to be a good gig! Working from home in my comfy clothes if I want! What could be better!

Part of me feels like an adult again...just a little bit!

Free Money!

Okay, I know I've said this before, like in this post, but you just have to check out Swagbucks.

I have earned over $70 in amazon gift cards for doing **nothing**.

That is money that I'm going to use on Christmas presents for my kiddos. No, it's not a ton, but every little bit helps, right?!

Maybe you are already signed up for Swagbucks but don't really know what to do. Here is my recommendation.

*Download the Swagbucks tool bar and use the search engine for everything...even your everyday favorites like Facebook and Etsy. Every time you type something in the search box you have the possibility to win.

*Then each day you can win just by going to the home page and doing the "Daily Poll" and "Special Offers". They also have a new section called "Trusted Surveys", this is an easy way to learn big bucks if you qualify.

*Always watch the Swagbuck Facebook page....when you see people typing, "Thanks TSG" you know there must be a code somewhere. These can be a little tricky. But sometimes it's like a scavenger hunt. It's kinda fun! Read the hints on Facebook...most of the time there are clues in the Swagbucks blog.

*Then get people to sign up under you....when THEY win from searching YOU win too!

I watch a lot of you guys play all these crazy "games" on Facebook...so why not play a little game on Swagbucks and get a real reward....free money!

Sign up here!

Let me know if you sign up....I'll try to keep you updated on how and what to do!

Oh, and I'd love to hear from anyone out there who can confirm that they too LOVE Swagbucks....and any tips you might have to share with us too!

Funny Farm!

The kids totally couldn't figure out how to get the windows to roll down in one of the pick-up trucks on the farm. That's when daddy explained to them that they needed to turn the crank to roll the windows down.

Max thought it was a super cool "old fashioned" car.

Boy do I feel old!

We're heading to the farm.....

To do this....

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

Boys and their toys!

The other night, Andy and Papa took the kids to the Heart of Illinois Fair. They didn't go to ride rides or eat the yummy carnival food, they went to watch this:

the tractor pull....

Maybe it's just me, but something about it being so hot, super loud and very dirty doesn't entice me a bit. Thank goodness I was with the girls from church workin' on crafts (and maybe sipping a little slush). That's was a much better way for me to spend the evening.

But, boy did the guys (and Maggie) have fun! And...we all know, what makes them happy, makes us happy!

Out for a ride....

in Papa's Model-T!

(If you scroll down through the pictures fast, it actually looks like it's moving!)

Did you enjoy the ride?!