Overnight stay with Auntie and Uncle

Eric and I try to kidnap Oliver often. So last Saturday, we decided it was a great weekend to have the little man. We like to get our kid-fix in as much as we can. He is always a wonderful guest and makes us laugh and laugh. Sadie and Dexter think he is pretty cool too. Our current roomie Steve had his girls over for the night as well, so it was a super slumber party. We went to a quaint, local pizza parlor and had a great dinner. Oliver especially enjoyed the tiramisu for dessert.
Since our pooches like to be up at the crack of dawn, we were up making breakfast for the whole crew. We had french toast, bacon and OJ. The kids watched cartoons while they waited.


Jalin, Kiana & Oliver watching cartoons


Sadie & Dexter just wanting to be part of the gang

On Sunday we took the kids to the pumpkin patch. This was old news for Oliver since his mommy and daddy had taken him to Sauvie's Island the weekend before. We ventured over to Hoffman's Farm in Canby. Not the best patch I've been too but a short drive and the least expensive. They had alot to do, even for the little ones. Included was the ball pit, face painting, corn maze, train ride, petting zoo and the ever popular inflatables. Oliver liked to look at all of the animals in the petting zoo but didn't want to be too close. What's funny is that I think Oliver hated the bracelet he had to wear to get into all of the events more than the goats.

Slowly shrinking the house

I love to paint and decorate. Most of you know this as I have either helped you paint or said "That couch would look better here or there." Typical melanieism's, so long as it looked better and there was no more white walls in site. I promised Eric that I would wait an entire year before redecorating anything in our new house. Since I didn't mind the wall color that was here when we moved in, I really kept my promise. I started with the guest room since it was the least used (colors are: lime green, brown and turquoise). It is absolutely adorable! Very gender neutral plus I even made my own prints for the walls. I keep forgetting to take pictures of that room and now we have someone staying in there, so I promise to post before and after once it is vacant again.

Since I can't share that with you yet, I am going to share with you my other fave house project. I got a wild hair up my rump one week during the summer. My little tiny half bath was needing some pizazz. I love stripes and thought they were just what the bathroom needed. So I went to the paint store and asked to look through their OOPS paint. (this is paint that was made incorrectly at the store so they sell it for cheap) I found myself a nice quart of glossy brown for $5 then went to town measuring and leveling the paint area. The whole project took me about 4 days, not so much because of the painting but the maneuvering of the giant ladder I had to work with.

I so very happy with the results. It is just like I wanted. It's on to the next project. :-)

BEFORE

AFTER

Dogzilla and the Lil' Stinker

As previously mentioned, Eric and I will be gone for Halloween this year celebrating a very monumental occasion. That means no handing out candy to little monsters, princesses or pirates and no dressing the pups up. (Eric will be happy to hear that I take full responsibility for this guilty pleasure.) I started the costumes last year with Sadie. She was a wizard and a darn cute one at that. We put the child gate in the front doorway, which allowed us to still close it, and Sadie could greet all the kiddies when they came trick or treating without scaring the "beegeeous" out of anyone. To make her feel better, or maybe it was just me being a big kid, I dressed up as a jester. We were pretty darn cute. Despite her obvious hatred for the clothing, (look at that face) I am convinced that she really likes it. Hahahaha!!!!

Halloween 2007

For some reason, I felt compelled to have a plethora of dog costumes. At the end of the season last year, I caught the 1/2 off sales at the doggy boutiques; I couldn't run out, EVER!!! Never did I think that I would have 2 dogs to dress.... oh what fun for me. I couldn't bare to leave Dexter out of all the dress-up fun, even though they would clearly benefit from us being out of town, so I got out the costumes and camera, dressed the dogs and enticed my furry babies to sit and stay with yummy treats. I tell you.....I have the best darm pups. They don't look as excited in the pictures as I know they were in their hearts.

I know that the dogs look very much alike. I bought this Halloween collar last year for Sadie. I had to have the same picture of Dexter. If I didn't know, I would think that they were related. If anyone sees another collar like this, please let me know. I would hate for either of them to feel left out.

Which Ugly Betty character am I?

I'll take Christina over Wilhemina anyday

Where has the time gone?

Can you believe it is October already? Where has 2008 gone? Eric and I had a fun, eventful summer with family BBQ's, camping, shelter functions and new additions to our family, whether they be permanent or temporary. It's time to put away the patio furniture and yard ornaments to make room for pumpkins and jolly ole St. Nick.

October is a very special month for us. It starts our hectic, yet fun, holiday season. You all know I love to decorate for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. I also have my annual candle party so I can stock up on those yummy candles; I love to burn them during our cold winter months, plus they help mask those stinky kids I have.

Eric and I are going to celebrate our 10th anniversary, yes....... I said 10th.. We are going to spend a romantic weekend in Seattle while our friend Jason takes care of the "kids". This is also the 2nd year that we have been in this house. Again..... CRAZY!!!!! As much as I love to paint and decorate, as you all know, I have not gone completely crazy the past two years. I have only redone the half bath, the guest room and the "man" room, which is now our gym. I would love to remake the whole house with fun colors and funky accessories but all in good time my friends. I am determined to shrink the house from the inside out and it is going to be so much fun doing it.

I raise my imaginary glass and say "Here's to the last 3 months of 2008". May they be calm and crazy, fun, mundane and surprising all rolled into one. We have wonderful family and awesome friends, both of which we don't see nearly enough of. I also have a wonderful husband who is more supportive then I could have ever asked for. I hope that 2009 makes all our hopes and dreams come true.

Eric, Dianna, Ian, Oliver & I: Christmas 2007