Today, I am:

*making valentines, lips and mustaches (yes, mustaches, you'll see...)
*watching Eclipse. As lame as I thought the first two were, I actually enjoyed this one when we saw it in the theater. Watching it at home, I've decided it's almost as bad. And Kristen Stuart has to be THEE worst actress EVER. Close second- the freaky dude that plays Jasper.
*thinking how cool it is that my kids asked to watch 30 Rock this morning instead of Scooby Doo or She-ra (remember that one? lame).
*really dreading going back to work tomorrow. I loved my new job when I first started, now it's just busy and a bit stressful and I hate going there.
*craving sweets like crazy (no, I'm not prego) and regretting giving into it yesterday- a LOT (like an entire carton of ice cream and a bag of Reeses cups between me and Rich). So much for my 17 pounds...
*loving all the pics of our GNO for Deb's birthday. I don't get to use a lot of girly stuff when I scrapbook so I'm going nuts with these pictures. (Also, I've noticed a shortage of Melissa in them so we need to make it a point to get more of her at the next one.) I finished this one the other day:

Anthropologie is the coolest place for a photo shoot. And Urban Outfitters. We must do it again! Agreed? 

*wondering if I'm lame that I'm upset that the exact replica of my favorite boots are now available for everyone at Target. I was so excited to find these in Vegas last year at Kenneth Cole.

They are my absolute favorite- they are so comfy and I get compliments on them wherever I go. I didn't used to be this way. I didn't feel that I had to be unique, if you liked something, you liked it and it didn't matter if everyone had it. But now I don't like the idea of everyone having them. Lame? Yes.

*excited for our cookie day on Friday. I thrive on friend time now and I can't wait.
*happy that Karter finally lost a tooth! We were getting worried. Turns out we had reason to be, his two front permanent teeth were growing in behind. We had to take him to the dentist to get one pulled and Dad pulled the other one:

Karter was so happy since all of his friends have been losing them for years. And the money from the tooth fairy didn't hurt either. :)

Sunday randoms

I love lazy Sundays. It is 11:16 and I'm still in my robe. Here are some random things going on in the Merrill home today:

*My boys are all watching Jeff Dunham (the ventriliquist) and I love that I keep hearing Karter laugh his head off even though I'm fairly certain he didn't actually get the joke. Which is probably a good thing- they're not the most appropriate jokes for a 7 year old.
*I have started the dryer 4 times since yesterday to de-wrinkle the clothes in there but I keep forgetting and having to do it again.
*I'm super frustrated that I cannot find the pictures I took of Karter on his first day of Kindergarten. I have two that I posted on facebook but I can't find the others. Gah!!
*I'm thinking about finding Empire Records on Netflix. LOVE that show.
*I love that my house smells like bacon right now. In a few hours, I probably won't love it so much.
*I think I'm getting a cold. Woke up with a sore throat and runny nose. Dammit. :(
*I got on the scale this morning (because I was bummed yesterday that I'd gained back 6 of the 17 lbs I lost) and was back down 4 of those 6!! That makes me happy. It also makes me think my scale is probably screwed up but eh, whatdya gonna do?
*I've been carrying around a KitKat in my robe pocket so I can eat it when my kids aren't looking, but now I think it's melted.
*This morning I finished a scrapbook page that I've been working on on and off for three days and I think it's one of my favorites.

I also wanted to post this one because this was the funnest night FULL of BFFs!

On a notsorandom note, Rich took the boys "snowboarding" on Friday and they did so well. I can't wait until we can actually take them to a resort. Although I need to practice myself. Rich strapped me on Karter's board in my jeans and tennis shoes and I fell about 6 times down the tiny little hill. And that was after I just about chickened out in the first place. It's been a LONG time.

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Welcome 2011!!

We spent a relaxing New Years with our friends Nate and Jean. We ate yummy food, played games and just hung out, laughed and had a good time (and a sleep over!).

(Oops, I cut off Dick's face but I love that it looks like he's wearing my earring.)

The kids had fun with some popper things from Grandma and Grandpa and stayed up WAYYY too late (and were up way too early the next morning).

(Midnight kiss)

Here are some of my 2011 resolutions (which really aren't New Years resolutions, it just happens to be New Years):

*focus on and be nicer and more attentive to my family*

*get physically fit*

(I know this is one that's said all the time but I've lost 15 pounds just by not eating so much junk and now it's time to tone it all up and get that bikini body!)

*have more creative time/channel my inner creativity*

(I'm pretty sure I said this one last year too and I'm getting there... This is not my scrap area, I wish it was! It belongs to this cute, creative girl.)

*blog more*

('nough said)

 *be more dedicated and productive at work*

(I started out my new job- in September- all ready to learn and get things done. Well, that lasted about a month and now I'm back into what we call "government mode" and I'm determined to get out of it. Oh, and since I can't take pictures in my building I put a picture of what we help maintain- F16's, kinda cool.)

*keep a cleaner home/make my home homier*

(I've been slacking so much these past few months and the mess makes me kinda cranky. Also, I want to paint and decorate a bit more- make things OURS.)

 And last but not least...

*be HAPPIER*

(I've had some tough times in 2010 and have been a very negative, snappy person- especially these past couple months. My poor family, I think they are about sick of me. I've heard "I don't love you anymore" and "you're mean, Mom" from my kids more times that any mom would care to. And I used to look at people like me (the past few months me) and wonder how people can go through life like that. Well, no more!)

So here's to a happier, nicer, fitter, cleaner, more creative, more productive year..

Happy 2011!

Merry Christmas!

Who wants to build a fort with me?

Picture Day

 For a while now, Karter has been asking to go the mall to "buy some stuff." He is definitely my kid. When most people would worry that their 7 year old boy wanted to go to the mall, I got excited!

So, I decided to take him to pick out an outfit for picture day at school and this is what he got:

SOO cute, huh? It's not one I would've pick out (in fact, I tried to get him to get a different shirt for underneath but he insisted) but I think it turned out pretty dang cute. Er, I mean COOL. :)

PS. I entered him in a Back to School contest on the Children's Place Facebook page, so if you have a minute go vote! Please.

A scrappy post~

Oh, and some Halloween too...

I've been getting my serious *scrap* on this weekend and wanted to share.

I copied this idea from fellow blogger/scrapper Heidi Sonboul (Queen of Paper). I would've never thought of documenting the actual process of preparing for back to school.

I've been playing with mists a lot lately and have been having so much fun. The red is a little outta control here, it takes a bit to get used to it.

Not a huge fan of these pics, but I'm trying to get caught up on some old pictures and since I've been in the Halloween spirit, I figured I'd get these 4 year old pics out of the way.

I finally got my sewing machine fixed and have been using it like crazy on my pages. It's probably my most favorite technique right now. I've made pages that don't even have pictures on them yet just because I get these ideas in my head for sewing.

And Friday even though I was ill (bleh), I cleaned my house and pulled out the Halloween deco. I really have a lot but it doesn't look like much since it's all so small. But eh, whatta ya gonna do?

Here's a close-up of my lil' Halloween tree. It came with the ornaments but I made the garland with my pumpkin punch and some thread. I actually had a different idea in my head than how it actually turned out but I think it looks kinda cute.

My cute Halloween wreath that isn't actually on my front door yet...

...because I can't bring myself to take this down. I love that it matches my front door so well.

I think I might have to figure something out to cover up the red for Halloween.

I LOVE this time of year!