Christmas Countdown

With Christmas two days away I am starting to FREAK out. I am not ready yet. I still have 3 people to buy for, stocking stuffers to get, and it is sneaking up on me.... Eek

Music Video

My brother had to make a video for a school project. Here it is...if you look at the base player thasts my DH and the lead guitar is my bro with a wig...of course they are all faking it and lip syncing. But I think he did a good job. He got an A and thats all that matters right.

Uh-oh Spaghetti-O

need I say more?

Sale on Digital Scrapbooking Software

Hey all, some of you have been interested in the software I teach and sale for Creative Memories. Well now is a good time to look at it again since it is now on sale for 20% off.

Storybook Creator Plus is regularly priced at $59.95 and is now $47.96 until Dec 20.

You can visit my site www.mycmsite.com/shannondabling to buy or download.

Here is a link to the video showing the software...click here then click "It's a digital life"

That is super cheap for a great program if I do say so myself!

Christmas Shopping

So tomorrows the day that I am going to start my Christmas shopping. I am really cutting back this year and I think I can get all my store shopping done in one day. I have a few things to buy online (I *heart* online shopping)

So we'll see how it goes.

As far as cutting back I a great concept from someone. They only bought their kids 3 gifts because that's how many Jesus got. So I loved the idea. I am planning on having a lesson on it so I can explain it to my kids. But they are young enough I think the transition will be easy. In the past I always overdid it. I felt like mom and dad should give the most gifts vs Grandma and Grandpa's. I have let it go now and really hope they follow suit. But I feel less stressed and not so commercialized myself since making the decision.

Pampered Chef Catalog Party

When I was in that boutique a couple of weeks ago, I went to the Pampered Chef booth and she was telling me about this stone for the microwave that you can cook chicken, pork roast, etc in and I thought....hey I hate to cook, microwaving things are good for me. Then she told me I could earn it by having a catalog party so here I am..... But I thought it would be fun to blog it instead.



So to buy anything from Pampered Chef you can just go to the website and find me as the host and place our order....this is a great time to pick up some Christmas Gifts.



To make thing interesting I am also holding a contest!!!



If you link to this post from your blog, whoever sends the most referrals to my blog will get a free gift from pampered chef. (Don't worry I can track them) also no purchase necessary from your referrals! Just thought this would be fun!

Rules of the contest.
1. Post a new post in from your blog that includes Pampered chef in the title
2. Include a link to this post at my blog (otherwise I can't track referrals)
3. Have fun!

Back from CA

We had a lot of fun on our trip.... but I did have some eye-opening experiences with my kids.
1. I realized that I give in way too much
2. Sam is old enough for time-outs
3. I have some work to do...

any tips on discipline and what works for you?

But over all we had a great time. It rained just a little bit, but overall it was warm. I really get sad on the last day...especially when I was telling the kids, "this is the last, last ride."

The castle was beautiful, it was decorated for Christmas with beautiful icicles and snow. I'll show some pictures later but for today I have laundry to do.

Turkey Day in CA

Tomorrow we hop on a plane and head for Disneyland to spend Thanksgiving with the Porters. Its become a tradition to go to Disney every other year as a family. We love it. More than anyone my Dad loves it. As his eyesight is becoming worse its more important for us to go on vacations together.

When I was younger and living at home almost every Christmas instead of getting presents we went on a trip. We got a few things from Santa and a few things from Grandma. But for the most part our parents gave us a trip. We always knew one day Dad would lose his eyesight and he loves to go on vacation so I think its really important that we do these sort of things. 

I think another reason is that he is stuck in the house, can never go anywhere unless someone takes him. Since they moved to Mt Green  it has been harder for him to get out. So going on vacation gives him freedom.

The kids have been counting down, and are excited to go and I am really excited I don't have to do any cooking!

So Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Christmas Boutique and Workshop

I will have a booth this Saturday, November 22 at a Holiday Boutique at the Davis Conference Center from 9am-6pm.  Admission is FREE!! There will be a silent auction to go towards the Medical Expenses of baby Karson Ripps; who was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Donations will also be accepted.  There will be lots of other vendors there:

Pampered Chef, Sun Kissed Quilting, AccuColor, TaylorMade Vinyl Lettering, MaryKay, MODE Purses, Designer Jeans, Carseat Canopies, Scentsy, Bows & TuTu's, Aprons, Kendee Watches, Shades of Jade, Usborne Books, Babies and Blankets, Balls N' Beads, Do Terra Essential Wellness, Itzy Bitzy Footwear, Talynn's Custom Baby Name Decor, and Cozy Blankets.

I will be featuring Gift Ideas and I will be holding a workshop to complete and put the projects together.  Thursday, December 4 at my house 6pm-10pm. If you need directions or an address email me at spdabling@msn.com.

Please come and see me!

Shannon

 

P.S Check out karsonkause.blogspot.com for details on little Baby Karson.

Day of Drama

This morning Riley left for work early to check his traps (his newest hobby: Trapping)

And he had something in his trap and he was very aware of what it was right after it sprayed him...yes a skunk.

So he comes home and kicks me out of the shower to wash off the smell before he goes back to work.

But it wasn't good enough.

He came back home a few hours later so that he could wash in tomato juice.

Well after trying a lot of different home remedies to de-skunkify him, he finally smelt better. We did think however that we were going to have to buzz his hair.

So he left to go back to work. But he left some of the smell behind at home. So I turned on every ceiling fan we have and cracked several windows, sprayed the whole house with the Fabreeze Air stuff and after a whole day I think the smell is mostly gone. (maybe I am just used to the smell)

Then if that wasn't enough I had to take Smokey to the Vet and we have found out that he has heartworm, and our other two dogs probably have it too. A terrible end to a rotten (pun intended) day.

But we seem to be in good spirits now. Wonder what tomorrow will bring. Can't be worse....right?

MY Family Portraits.

So I decided last minute that I wanted to do family portraits on Saturday. The kids were already up at the park with my mother-in-law. So Riley, Sam and I met them up there to take pictures.

But since I didn't have this planned I was rummaging through all the kids clothes trying to come up with something that would work. When I got up there and got the kids changed Sam's pants were too small and wouldn't even snap (not to mention they were floods) and his sweater was pretty small too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then we started shooting. Well Jack had no intention of being in any photos. He wanted to chase the ducks. And even Riley's patience with photos was limited, After the first shot he says "Were done!"

I was like "Whatever, Stop being a baby" And so we got a few more. With much bribing, threats, and sighs we did end up with a few photos and different poses to choose from.

But I was a bit stressed because I wasn't the one behind the camera. I quickly realized I had no idea how to pose myself after I was in the photo because I couldn't SEE what I was doing.

But they turned out good and I am satisfied, but next time I think I'll hire a photographer :P

 

 

I NEED YOUR OPINIONS!

Hey guys...(whoever reads this) I need some opinions on my latest xmas card designs. I feel sort of in a slump. So please let me know what you think!

#1

#2

#3

 

Thanks in advance!!

Halloween Party...

Me and my Friends set up a Halloween party for our kids. They were all so cute dressed up in their costumes. They all played really well together. The weather was perfect so we could have all the activities outside. The decorated cookies, and broke open a witch piñata. The kids all had a great time.

Here are a few from the day... (because I took 125 pictures!!!)

I think I got a picture of everykid so I will get you guys a CD next time we all get together...

There's just too many to email :)

Sam's First Haircut

I finally got Sam his first haircut. He is 18 months old and I have been getting some crap from people (who will remained nameless) So I did it! (haha it was only a little trim.)

Here's Before:

During:

After:

Well at least his hair is out of his eyes :)

So I did have a productive weekend....

But now the house is a disaster zone.  I may have gotten 2000 photo's organized, edited, sorted and ready for digi scrapping, plus sorting though all my pro files to find lost or misplaced personal photos. (found way too many)

But the cushions on the couch upstairs are all askew, dirty dishes in the sink, clean ones in the dishwasher and Breakfast bowls still sitting out on the counter.

Last weeks laundry still in baskets with this weeks clothes ready and needs to be washed.

Toys all over the house, randomly laying all over the place.

And here I am blogging, checking email, placing orders and checking forums.

Guess I should get off and get going before Riley gets home.

 

What's for dinner?

Help Wanted: Housekeeper

So if I had the money would hire a housekeeper, personal assistant,  and secretary.

Yep that should cover it. So if you know anyone that will do any of these things for $3.95 an hour....their hired!

LOL!!!!

 

Sorry just being delusional today.

I'm Getting Sick :(

Based on the comments below I better be more specific.

No I'm not pregnant. haha

I am just getting a cold. Thats basically the most news I have had since my last post. :)

Spiderman is living at our house.

Saturday I loaded the kids and went to Walmart, I promised Jack a new bike (instead of pink hand-me downs) He was so excited. But we also walked past the Halloween costumes. Last year I waited too long so I thought I would get a jump on it this year. Well Maddie wanted to be something scary but not "too" scary so we found a bat costume and Jack picked out a Spiderman costume.  Then we went and looked at the bikes. Of course there was a Spiderman bike too, so we just kept with the theme.  After we got the bike I forgot I had to go all the way across the store to grab milk so Jack got to ride his bike all through Walmart. (Right like I'm going to try to load that thing in the cart.) Then after Walmart we met my parents for dinner. The wait was a little long so then Jack got to ride is bike around the parking lot too.

Well to get to the good part of the story....After dinner we got home and the kids wanted to show Dad their costumes. Jack was so excited about his costume there was no way we were getting that thing off of him, so he wore it to bed. Then of course the next day was Sunday and now he wanted to wear it to church :0 (no way I am going to let that happen) So we promised him he could wear it to Grandma Dabling's for dinner. As soon as Church was over he was stripping down to get into his costume and he was out the door to get on his bike. People were still walking home from church!

So all night at Grandma's and slept in it again that night.

The next day I did manage to get him to wear T-shirt and pants for about 1 hour before he remembered his costume again.

So last night he took a much needed bath from playing and sleeping for days in a 100% polyester costume, let just say the costume needed a wash too. I did convince him after a few tears and lots of no's to sleep in his regular pj's.

Now today after washing and drying his costume he is still asking to wear it. Who knows maybe he will wear until Halloween!

But here are a few pics of Spiderman on the Spiderman Bike!

 

And this is what happens when I take too long to blog

I thought it was a little "too" quiet.

So rewind to yesterday...

So yesterday I posted how I have been feeling about my house now for a week or so..(definitely more)

But Yesterday Night I finally did something.

Well after having the same day as described yesterday. I was starting dinner and was like  "What the crap...the kids are playing next door, Riley is coming home in a few minutes and the house is still a disaster! Why am I cutting the kids so much slack! Its all there crap anyway."

So I called them home and gave them 20 minutes to pick up all their stuff scattered all over the house before Gunny Bag was coming and eating all the toys that are not put away.

We have done the Gunny bag before but I haven't been very consistent with it. It works well for Jack because he is not a really good pick'er up'er.

So after the 20 minutes I started the Gunny Bag song and set off with a big black trash bag to gather all the stuff still out.  It was the biggest loot yet for Gunny bag but I think that's mostly because I usually clean with them. But this time it was all up to them.

Then they could earn their toys back by doing so chores around the house. So, of course they all want to vacuum. So I get the heavy vacuum for Maddie, a lighter one that doesn't run for very long for Jack and a really small one that I used for the hardwood floors and the stairs for Sam. It was quite funny to see all the kids vacuuming the whole downstairs

Then Maddie got a lesson for folding clothes and helped me with a basket of the kids laundry while I finished dinner.

And all that took was an hour of everyone's time. And the house looked a lot better.

BTW Riley also helped, he unloaded the dishwasher and helped the kids grab some of the last toys on the floor before Gunny Bag made it up there.

So now the last room is my room that is still filled with baskets of laundry that needs to be folded.... of course our jobs are never done.

Sorry I have been such a Blog Slacker....+rant

I actually haven't spent that much time on the computer lately...who me...ya.

Well when your house looks as bad as mine has for a while...

I think about all the stuff that needs to be done,

walk around the house making a list,

go outside because I can't stand it anymore,

make a few phone calls,

watch a show,

play with the kids,

do homework,

make (think of) a somewhat decent dinner....don't ask,

ummm its five o'clock and the dad's coming home.

 

QUICK.....load the dishwasher, sweep, throw all the toys in a bag and the unfolded laundry in a basket and shove it in your room, vacuum so it looks like you have done something today and stall dinner for a few more minutes.

...The rest of the night is a "loud" blur.

And the list lives on....

(just waiting for the cleaning fairies, which I think my kids think is real...me )

Oh and one more thing. Does anybody else have this happen to you? "Oh Honey, just leave it and come sit with me" (assuming maybe he'll help me later with it) ya right!

Nope! Doesn't do it all by itself! Yep the house is manually operated...by me!

Its happening already

and Madison is only in second grade! Are you wondering what I am talking about. 

Homework......

Man did I feel like an idiot when Madison had to explain to me what a glyph is and how to pronounce it.

"A what?"....they didn't teach us that in school...right?

Well I knew one day I would have to study the Math Chapter with my kids to help them with their homework, I just didn't think it would happen this early...

Yellowstone Vacation

after going through and editing over 400 pictures we took on this trip, I can finally blog about it!

Over Labor Day weekend we took the kids and grandma and grandpa to Yellowstone. We stayed in Grandpas new cabin and drove into West Yellowstone.

Just after a few minutes in the Park we saw a mommy and baby elk.

Then we saw Geysers and Buffalo. Jack loved the Geysers most of all!

Of course we saw Old Faithful!

And Lots of other stuff...

Then after a long day at the Park we headed to a Bear and Wolves museum where they had live Animals there.

Maddie got to plant some food for the Bears to find. They loved getting an up close view.

The Next day Grandma and Grandpa stayed back at the Cabin with Sam because he really hated sitting in his car seat all day. So we took Jack and Maddie back to the Park and saw some more stuff. We ended up seeing a whole herd of buffalo.

Sunday we went to Church at Island Park along with 1500 other people!

Then back home on Monday.

 

200+ miles, many hours of driving, 400+ pictures, 4 adults, 3 kids, and a dead seagull= Labor Day Fun!

(oh ya, one night when the wind was blowing, it threw a seagull into the cabin. We found it dead on the porch the next morning.)

One last Summer.....

with Labor Day this weekend we have one more chance to have summer go out with a bang. So we are taking the kids to Yellowstone today and staying at the brand spankin new Cabin at Island Park! The cabin is finally done after two summers since my dad bought the property and we are excited to go and have some fun with the kids.

To Be Continued...

First Day of School

Maddie has been so excited to start school. I have been ready to have more structure in my day too. But Jack is going to miss her so much. Sam is not quite old enough to entertain Jack. Jack grows bored playing with Sam just after a few minutes. But when Maddie is there they can all play together for hours. But Jack will start pre-school next week so that should help.

This morning Maddie went through her check list and got ready for the day. She has been counting down the days until school. So of course we took pictures this morning.

 

 

 

Maddie Good Luck on your First Day of School! I love you

 

Mom