Mr Clean Mr Clean

A friend posted this on her facebook page, and since i'm a weirdo about chemicals (which drives my hubby bonkers), I was excited and thought I'd pass it along.


"Ok. For all the wives and mommies, here is the only cleaner you will ever use again. Equal parts white vinegar "(microwaved for about 30 seconds) and BLUE dawn. Put it in a spray bottle, and use it to clean your whole house. Doesn't leave streaks, takes off soap scum and water stains, evvverything. You'll never buy cleaner again. Costs way less than than a dollar each time, and you only make as much as you need at one time, which is about 1-2 cups, depending. 2-2 1/2 cups can clean my whole bathroom, vanity, and kitchen, plus the floors." ~EW

Weekend Getaway...Wisconsin

For Justin's birthday weekend, we headed up to Wisonsin to see his old high school perform "West Side Story".  Justin was actually Riff in this same musical when he was in highschool.  It was a wonderful trip that included a stop at the local Christmas Parade.  It was so nice to actually go to a parade where the participants make floats!  That's how the parades were in my home town and they seem to not do that in the town we live in now.  Sorry, it's just not a parade without floats.  It was perfect weather and we even got to see Santa and Mrs Claus on their float.  Ethan had a blast with cousins Ki and Chase and managed to snag a bag full of candy that we conveniently left at Grandma and Grandpa P's house.  The weekend also included some fierce games of family Clue, cheesecakes, and potato pizza...as requested by Justin for his birthday.  What a wonderful, and much needed, relaxing time away.

Ki, Chase, and Ethan waiting at the parade

Grandma and Claire

Ethan enjoying a sucker he managed to snag and open immediately

hooray for parade floats!

after Justin got sprinkled with fake snow from the parade

SANTA!!!

Happy Halloween!

Ethan's first ever caramel apple

trick or treat jammies

Claire the pink poodle

on our way to the Halloween Extravaganza at our local YMCA...poor Justin had to work :(

painting pumpkins

musical chairs with his friend Julian

obstacle course

face painting...he loved it!

after both cheeks being painted he went back and got his hands painted

since he ran out of things to paint, Jackie let him paint her face...what a sport! (Jackie was his swim instructor)

Happy Anniversary!

Happy 4th Anniversary to us!  4 years and 2 kids later, here we are...blessed.  We love our life and family and while it may not be "impressive" according to temporal standards; our home is filled with love and  happiness.  Here's to the future!

Soooo, how did we spend our special day....I babysat, so Justin woke up to a house full of 6 children, 6 years and younger :)  We did manage to sneak in an anniversary dinner the week before though.

6 kids...keep em busy...craft-time which was followed by storytime

some of the masks we made

all the boys love trains.  we heard a train coming and ran out to see it/

Happy Happy Birthday Ethan Dear

I can't believe our little man is 3!!!!  From his birth, he has been such a blessing.  He has definitely changed our lives but more importantly our hearts.  He has taught us so much about ourselves and each other.  We adore him and are grateful for him everyday.  He's a silly, fun-loving, sensitive, intelligent, healthy, three year old.  We love you Ethan, more than words could ever express! 

 

so tiny! getting ready to leave the hospital.

 ONE YEAR

THE BIG 2!

 Happy 3rd Birthday Little Man!

showing off his "Birthday Boy ribbon"

Enjoying his Thomas the train cake