Playing games.

DAY 59 - February 28, 2010

We went bowling today as a family and had a great time. I played with the settings on my camera a bit trying to learn a little something. On the way out I shot this. I didn't experiment with the settings though...I knew I wanted it to turn out for the picture of the day so the camera stayed on "auto". I've always liked the brightly colored bowling balls.

DAY 58 - February 27, 2010

Megan came over tonight while Kaden and I were playing some games. We were playing Boggle so she decided to join us. Kaleb even pulled himself away from the computer to play as well. After several rounds of that we moved on to Perfection. I shot several pictures trying to show the fun they were having. It wasn't until this one that I just happened to get by accident. I got lucky and snapped this picture just as the game ran out of time and the base popped up. Of course they all jumped (don't we all?) and I was able to capture their surprised faces.

Spoiled?

DAY 57 - February 26, 2010



This dog has got the life...either that or it's complete torture for her! The boys often sit with her and she'll fall asleep on them. Then...they get up...she stays there...and they feel the need to wrap her up in the blanket they were using. Here she is all wrapped up. She doesn't seem to mind so my guess is that it's not torture for her.

Sun-filled blue skies!

DAY 56 - February 25, 2010



Finally! Some sunshine and blue skies. It's still cold but this was the scene from the parking lot after work tonight. It was so nice to come out into the bright sunlight and blue sky! It seems like it's been a while since we've seen the sun...now if only some warmth would come with those sunny skies!

5th grade actors...in slow motion.

DAY 55 - February 24, 2010


Kaleb and the 5th grade actors has their Black History Month play today. The kids all did a great job and had a good time. This scene was a "fight" between the slave owners and the slaves with the slaves coming out on top. The interesting thing is that it took place in "slow motion". All the kids moved very slowly and exaggerated in their movements. It was really pretty creative. Kaleb is front and center in the red shirt and suspenders. He's going after his good friend Ben there in the green shirt.

Falling asleep...

DAY 54 - February 23, 2010

Kaden was working on his laptop (provided by the school...we did not buy him one!) tonight and apparently was just too tired to click that button! He fell asleep...completely asleep...in the middle of the game.

I've missed a few days...time to catch up!

DAY 53 - February 22, 2010

Little Bit bought 2 new Pez tonight while we were at Miejer. He LOVES these things...probably because they come with candy. We hadn't seen Toy Story Pez before so he had to have them. He chose Rex and Buzz Lightyear. They also had Woody but that will have to be another day. Here are his 2 new ones along with his collection of all other Pez he's accumulated over the years...I think he's up to about 35!

DAY 52 - February 21, 2010

Today was Kaden's last basketball game. He sure had fun this season...even though they didn't win a single game. Here is most of his team and their coach. They had a little medal presentation at the end of the game.

DAY 51 - February 20, 2010

This is Doug's friend, Gabe, from school. They were good friends years ago and have recently been reacquainted. Gabe is headed back to Afghanistan in March and his wife had a going away party for him. This was taken right before we left.

It's under there somewhere!

DAY 50 - February 19, 2010

Can you tell there's a swimming pool over there somewhere? We had so much snow that the pool cover is completely hidden by it. You can't even tell there's a pool there...I've had to pull on Lilly's leash several times to make sure she didn't run across the "back yard" and end up getting out on the pool cover.

Chasing snow.

DAY 49 - February 18, 2010


We've had a lot of snow lately and there are several inches on the ground. Can someone please tell me why Lilly won't go outside with the rain...or once she is outside in the rain she won't do her business quickly so we're both left standing out in it too long...but when it comes to snow she wants to dig and play in it. Here she is digging for something along the fence. She kept moving the snow around and a chunk that stuck together will move and catch her eye. She'll paw at it and try to eat it until another chunk moves and she starts the process all over again.

Telling signs...

DAY 48 - February 17, 2010


Can you tell we've got a sick one in the house? This is the kitchen counter where we've got the medicine and Vick's out for Kaleb who has a cold right now along with the vitamins and vitamin C for them both to take. We're hoping the vitamins help Kaden stay healthy. We've also been keeping hand lotion out as well. Both boys' skin has been really dry. Kaden's was so dry one night on the back of his hands that even lotion stung. We ended up coating the area with polysporin. Just one night of that and we were back to using lotion.

Just a quick trip.

DAY 47 - February 16, 2010

I made a quick trip to the Wonder Bread Store tonight. I didn't need anything except for bread and that's just what I got. I love those quick trips into a small store where you know what you need and that's all you get. My messy wallet can also be seen here...not much money but at least I wasn't digging for change to buy the bread with!

Getting organized.

DAY 46 - February 15, 2010

This is our little attempt at organizing what the boys want for breakfast everyday as well as what days they want school lunch. They get 2 school lunches a week and the other 3 they take a lunch from home. It works best to have them decide which 2 they want over the weekend for the following week. At the same time they decide what they want for breakfast. Then it's easy for Doug and I to get things together for them. Obviously they have the same first initial so we do a "T" for Kaleb (Kaleb Thomas) and a "C" for Kaden (Kaden Christopher). We often call them KT and KC so I'm not really sure why we just didn't use those names but this seems to be working out. In case you're wondering...Monday is crossed out because it is President's Day. This is a no school day for them but was to be used as a snow make-up day. Since we haven't missed any school besides a 2-hour delay this winter they got the day off.

A "picture perfect" Valentine's Day.

DAY 45 - February 14, 2010

The boys surprised us with breakfast in bed this morning for Valentine's Day. They went all out! They made us toast that they cut into heart shapes for us. They also brought up a bowl of Cocoa Puff's cereal, a cheese stick, and some carrots and ranch dressing. I just get a kick out of their food combination choices!

They also had these handmade cards for me. Inside they each wrote why they loved me. What a treat that was! Not only did I get a handmade card but they each went on and on about things they like about me...from cooking with me, to reading, to playing games, and helping with homework. They were very creative and came up with it all on their own.

I also got the package in the foreground. It is a waffle maker that you can switch out the plates and it becomes a sandwich maker or a grill. What a great gift! I can't wait to use it!

DAY 44 - February 13, 2010

Today was a busy day. Doug and I did different things but the day turned out well for both of us. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of slating at the moment...maybe there's one on Doug's phone that I can get. If so I'll update this post. The important thing is that Doug and the Taylor Team passed a huge step in getting David Taylor elected at the Perry Township Constable. David won at slating today against his opponent. What was the vote you ask? Well...it was a landslide...43-4! Doug worked so hard on this campaign and it paid off. Now, David will be the slated (and supported) candidate on the ballot in the Primary.

As for me...I attended a get-together of women in Indiana that are interested in photography. We are all "connected" by a forum on photography from a scrapbooking website called "2Peas in a Bucket. I kind of stalk this website and check out all the info I can about photography from what people post on the forums. I can tell you that I was also WAY out of my league with these girls. Many of them are "real photographers" with their own businesses. I was able to learn some things tough and picked up on some of the very basic things. Somehow, when the girl explained them to me I was able to "get it". Even though I'd known about these things already...there was something about the way she put it that made it seem so much easier.

Ready and waiting.

DAY 43 - February 12, 2010

This seems to be a permanent fixture at the back door these days. We've had a lot of snow so here sit my boots ready for me to take Lilly outside. I take her out on the leash to go potty because I don't trust that she'll do her business out there if I don't. It's also been snowing a lot as you can tell by the mound of snow outside. Do you see the bells hanging from the door? That's our attempt to get Lilly to let us know she's got to go outside. They don't work as well as we thought they might. She does OCCASIONALLY go to the door but has only rang the bells once to let us know. But, we tirelessly ring them in front of her every time we open the door so that she will (hopefully!) associate the bell ringing with "door opening".

Perry Township Lincoln Day Dinner

DAY 42 - February 11, 2010

Tonight was the Perry Township Lincoln Day Dinner. This is a dinner that the GOP club has for Perry Township. There were many tables like this at The Atrium banquet hall. Each table is adorned (should I say cluttered?) with political fliers, stickers, cards, and buttons. The slated candidates are making their presence known with this information on each table as well as making their rounds introducing themselves to voting members that will be at slating on Saturday. We sat as the table sponsored by David Taylor. It was a good time...Doug was really in his element with the local political world. I'm very proud of him and how well he is liked by so many people.

Winding down to slating...

DAY 41 - February 10, 2010


Tonight Doug was of work at 5:00pm because he had training today at 9:00am. It was nice because he was able to work his shift after that until he had his 8 hours in. That meant we were able to have dinner together as as a family. After dinner we had to run down to the post office to get the Taylor for Constable mailers stamped and in the mail before the 7:00pm pick-up. We made it with 10 minutes to spare! Doug and I were able to buy stamps, put all 100 on the mailers and drop them in the box just in time. Teamwork I tell you, teamwork! Slating is coming up on Saturday...these mailers were one last reminder for the precinct committeemen to vote for David Taylor.

Pet Peeve-free for today!

DAY 40 - February 9, 2010



Doug knows one of my pet peeves is a snow filled driveway. I've always hated driving over the snow and just never getting around to getting it scooped. Then it turns to ice when it gets colder overnight and slush through the day. Before you know it you're going through several days of this slush/ice pattern. Well, tonight I came home from work to find this...a cleared off driveway! Doug worked hard today before he headed off to work. He got the drive cleared off for me and then also put some salt down to help keep it clear. I really appreciated him thinking of me and my pet peeve. Thank you Honey!

What a mess!

DAY 39 - February 8, 2010

Nothing too exciting here...just our messy pantry. This is where we keep the kids' snacks, breakfast bars, cereal, crackers, and other "dry" mixes like mac and cheese, potato boxes, etc. It's quite a mess these days and apparently needs to be cleaned out and organized. We also have the school lunch menu taped inside this door so the boys can have easy access to it.

Warm Chili after a Cold Snow.

DAY 38 - February 7, 2010



Tonight we went to a Super Bowl Party at the Goldman's house. The Colts were playing in their 2nd Super Bowl. They played the New Orleans Saints. Long story short...the Colts lost, 31 - 17. but it was a good time and a good game. Here are Kaden and Megan sharing a bowl of chili together. They're the best of friends!



DAY 37 - February 6, 2010


Woke up today to a lot of snow. It seems that we've got more snow this winter than years past. I always think the snow is pretty...I just wish I didn't have to get out in it for work, errands, or just life in general. The boys always love playing in it but as you can tell, I was able to snap a picture before they got out in the front yard to "disturb" the white landscape.


Oh...see that big pile of snow on the left side of the picture? Don't you hate it when the plow comes through to finally take care of the streets and they block you in your drive with a huge pile of snow? Well, our neighbor Bill kindly plowed the snow out of our drive that those plowing the street left behind for us. I don't care that it's piled up at the side of the drive...at least it's not IN the drive!

This and that...

DAY 36 - February 5, 2010

Tonight was "Family Game Night" with a little blast from the past called "Clue". Actually, Kaleb got this game for Christmas this year and we all played it as a family for the first time. Why the "blast from the past" you ask? Well, I used to LOVE this game when I was a kid. Although now, as an adult, it seems somewhat confusing (yes, I had to keep referring to the directions) and a little Groundhog Day-ish. It seems that you just keep guessing until no one can prove you wrong by showing you their cards. We had a good time and eventually figured out it was Ms. Peacock, on the Patio, with the knife.

DAY 35 - February 4, 2010

This is Doug's Incredibles mug. I try to have it prepped for him to make some tea each morning. I'll open up the sweetener and tea bags and have it ready. He likes tea some mornings and sometimes needs the caffeine to get going (don't we all?!?). This is a favorite souvenir from one of our many Disney trips...The Incredibles is his all-time favorite Disney movie.

Overflowing with pots and pans.

DAY 34 - February 3, 2010


Tonight's dinner was not what I had intended. I had planned on some pork chops cooked with cream of mushroom soup and a side of some kind. It was to be a fairly simple dinner. Well, Kaleb had picked out a recipe for stuffed baked potatoes that he wanted to make. Fine, it should be simple enough and will go well with the meat I'd planned so we set out to make them. Well, dinner suddenly turned into a more than 2 hour event. The potatoes had to be cooked (which took 1.5 hours) and then emptied out leaving a potato skin "shell". What had been scooped out was combined with previously cooked broccoli, cut up bacon, cheese, sour cream and milk. The mixture was put back into the shells and then cooked an additional 15-20 minutes.

While all that was going on I cut the bones out of the pork chops and put them in the pan with the soup. all in all it turned out to be a good meal but I rarely cook like that. My cooking is done as simply an quickly as possible. This is what the sink looked like after making dinner...pans and bowls overflowing because I used so many. Figured it was a rare sight so I'd better preserve it as the picture of the day.

Pacers Game!

DAY 33 - February 2, 2010

Getting things going with the tip off. The Pacers played well and stayed ahead the whole game.

Just a little action shot...the Pacers were throwing a free throw and the ball is just getting ready to go through the rim...another point for us!

Tonight we surprised the boys with Pacers tickets. They were playing the Toronto Raptors. We went to dinner downtown at Rock Bottom and then headed over to the game. We had great seats...in the first row on the first balcony. The boys hadn't ever been to a game before so it was fun to let them experience all the action. We had a good night...and the Pacers won!

Buddies...

DAY 32 - February 1, 2010



Tonight was a PTA fundraiser for the boys' school. they had it at Chuck E. Cheese's. We hadn't been there in probably 2 years so the boys and I ventured out. Doug was able to come up too while he was on duty so that was nice. Of course there were lots of kids there the boys knew. This is Kaden and Megan. Megan actually lives in our neighborhood too and they are good friends. They had "Chucky" draw their picture tonight. I love the way Kaden's got his arm around her...so sweet! I also chuckle at the look on Kaden's face. It's like he's trying to hold his smile the whole time the picture is being made.