New Floors

Last year we bought all the materials to lay new laminate woods floors with our tax return money.  We put it off and put it off until FINALLY we decided this was the weekend to tackle the project. 

Eli was sent to his grandparents on Thursday and didn't return until today, Sunday.  That was the longest we've been away from him!  And we've never been at our house while he's been gone.  It was very strange and quiet at our house.  Not something I want to get used to, but it was nice to have a weekend to spend just the two of us.  Even if it was spent doing home improvements!

We had carpet through most of our house.

We kept the old carpet in one piece and listed it on Craigslist to see if we could sell it.  When we couldn't get it out of the house without cutting it I took down the listing...

Bare concert

This is the only picture I got without furniture in the room.  I was too excited to get the rug in the room that I forgot to take a picture with bare floors!  You get the idea though, right!  And the trim is still drying.  That's why it's missing.  Did I forget to tell you about the trim?  Well while Chad was laying the floors on Saturday I decided I was going to start painting all the trim and doors in our house white.  I'm so glad I finally did it (well started it I should say).  I've wanted to do this since we bought the house 4 years ago!  It makes such a big difference!  I LOVE IT!!!

Finally back together.  I hated everything being out of place!

One happy little boy enjoying his new floors!

Chad did a wonderful job!  I can't quit going in the living room and looking around.  Now to finish painting the rest of the trim white. 

Ughhhh, it never ends...

A Productive Day

Today was a GREAT day!  I was very productive and Eli was in a great mood.  I never set a foot outside but I did raise the windows to enjoy the beautiful weather!

This was my To Do List....

1. Do taxes 

2. Make taco soup 

3. cook mexican casserole for dinner tonight 

4. cook ground beef to freeze 

5. make muddy buddies for Eli 

6.  Do laundry (3 loads)

And believe it or not, I got everything done!

I'm trying something new.  I'm tired of eating frozen pizzas and cereal on the nights I work.  I'm trying to cook some meals to keep in the freezer so we can pull them out and have a home cooked meal on those nights.  If you have any favorite recipes that work when frozen first, or tasty slow cooker recipes, please share!  I need some more ideas!

Tomorrow we are meeting grandparents in Conway and Eli is going to stay with them for the weekend.  This will be the longest we've been away from Eli!  I know we will miss him terribly but we have some home improvement projects we've been waiting to do for a long time now.  We are laying new hardwood floors in our living room and painting the ceiling!  I don't know if I'm more excited about getting new floors or the new rug I just bought to go on them!  I will post before and after pictures after this weekend.

I'm leaving you with a picture of Eli from last year.  This was taken almost a year ago!  He doesn't look much different except he only had 4 teeth when the picture was taken.  What a cutie!!

Long time, no chat

Okay, I admit it.  I'm not really good at this blogging stuff.  It just hasn't been on my priority list lately.  After Eli goes to bed at night I just want to lay on the couch and watch TV.  And really, you haven't missed much in our lives.  We've been pretty boring lately.  To make matters worse, Eli has been anti-camera, refusing to look at the camera no matter what funny sound I make or how many times I say "Eli, look at mommy". 

One fun thing last week was my birthday!  I turned 31 years old and had a great time doing it!  My family came up so we took advantage of everyone being together and celebrated.  My sister, brother and me all have birthdays within a week and a half.  We went out to eat and got so stuffed we couldn't eat the cute birthday cake afterwards!  It was great just being together!

We had our first good snow of the year.  Unfortunately it was too cold outside to really do much playing in the white stuff.  We did venture out for a few minutes so I could snap a couple of pictures.  Eli's still not a fan of snow.  Hopefully that will change one day.  But for now, I'm not upset about it!

My sweet boy!  Isn't he handsome!  This is pre-haircut.

Yummy goodness for Carrabba's.  Try it if you go there!  Delish!

 Our birthday cake!  How cute is that?!  Shelby Lynn's was the maker.  Also delish!

Eli's new thing is talking to Mimi on the phone.  He loves to talk to them and say "hi Mimi"!

He's smiling because he just had his first taste of a Krispy Kreme doughnut!  He could have eaten the whole dozen!  Good thing we helped him out on that one!

My family at the birthday dinner. 

The only picture where Eli would look at me while outside in the snow.  Not the best picture but I take what I can get these days.

Being silly before bedtime.

This picture just makes me smile  :)  I love that little face so much!

Helping friends

Scott Phillips, one of Chad's friends from UPS, recently was diagnosed with ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease.  He is only age 44 and was very active until his diagnosis a few weeks ago.  Of course this has been devastating news to his family and friends.  ALS is a horrible disease and has effected too many people in my life already.

Some friends of Scott are putting together a benefit dinner and silent auction to help with some the many expenses Scott and his family must deal with.  They need help and together we can make a difference!  When you have a chance, take a look at the website.

http://www.friendshelpingscott.com/

Thanks!  I know he and his family will greatly appreciate it!

Branson

Last weekend we all headed to Branson for some after-Christmas shopping.  We love going to the outlets for some good deals but Eli gets tired of shopping fast.  We always have to make our way to the Branson Landing and let him run around on the playground.  Maybe Tanger Outlet should build a playground?  I think it would be a hit!

Giddy Up!



This weekend we are staying around the house and enjoying some free time.  They are calling for snow in the next few days.  It really sucks because I have to work so I won't be able to go out and play with Eli.  This is the slow time for UPS so Chad won't be driving for a while.  We're gonna take advantage of his time off and work on some projects at home!  Hello, hardwood floors!

A New Year

This year we were planning on having a low key NYE at home with Eli.  We went to eat at Chili's and then headed home.  Some neighbors had invited us over so we felt obligated to go over and just say hi.  We put Eli to bed and headed across the street with our video monitor so we could watch him.  Yes, it reached.  We are just as surprised as you!  Please don't judge us for leaving him.  We were watching him!  Here are a few pictures of Eli and me goofing off with the camera before bedtime.  He loves playing with the camera and having his picture taken!  Please ignore how horrible I look. 

See the monitor on Chad's hip!  I told you we were watching him!

Our neighbor is from Peru so we were introduced to some new traditions for NYE.  It was quite interesting and fun!  At the stroke of midnight you have to eat 12 grapes or raisens, each one representing a wish that will come true in the new year.  Then you have to grab a bag/luggage and run down the street with it.  This is supposed to bring you travels in the new year.  I didn't participate in this one but took video instead.  It was too dark for pictures.

Chad was a hit with the ladies as always!

Chad showing some moves, Peruvian style!  HA!  It was quite funny to watch!



We ended up staying way later than we ever expected to and had a great time!  I can't believe 2010 went by so quickly and I'm afraid each year will go faster.  I wish I could just make the time go slower so I could enjoy these moments of Eli growing and changing.  I have many New Year's resolutions for myself but I'm not going to list them all here because they would probably just bore you.  The main one I'm really looking forward to accomplishing is getting organized.  We have outgrown our house so much and it's not looking like we will be moving anytime soon so something's gotta change!  We just have too must junk.  Plain and simple.  I hope you each have a wonderful year!  Welcome 2011, I can't wait to see what you have in store for us!

Fun at Fun City

Eli's never been to Chucky Cheese or Fun City (Springdale's version of Chucky Cheese) so I thought it was time he went.  Last week I took Eli and his cousin, Matthew, to Fun City.  They had a great time, and I did as well!  We will definitely return soon!

Eli always chooses the ice cream truck.  Guess the boy likes ice cream!

Is that a face of a boy who is having fun or what?!