Just be prepared!

Sometimes life just hands you a big ol' zitty day, and that is how mine has felt for awhile now. So, in an effort to get over myself...I just sort of barfed out about 20 (6) new entries. I promise that they're all really short, mostly just about some pictures and blurbs about them. I have been SOOOOO bad about updating, for many reasons, but I'm trying to make my way back to the blogging world.


So please, read away, enjoy the cute pics, make some comments and let's all be friends again. Oh, and be sure to hit older posts, 'cause there is one new one that got moved to that page, due to my large volume of entries. It's a cute one of the girls, I promise.








Comebacks and cramped fingers,






Allyson

A date night, WHA?

August 7th was Jeres 32nd birthday, sheesh he's getting old! Anyway, for his Fathers Day, Birthday, lost a 100 lbs. day gift I got us tickets to Diana Krall. This was HUGE for me, 'cause well, I'm a tightwad and I don't EVER spend money on things like this. However, she is his favorite, favorite, favorite, and I figured since it was covering THREE occassions with one present I might as well go for it. It happened to hit just a couple days before his birthday, in between his performances, so it was perfecto. I may have mentioned that we never get to go out together on dates, so this was a big deal. We decided to take the light rail to avoid parking, etc. I dare say the light rail is rather enjoyable.


Here we are on the rail, taking pictures of ourselves again. All I see in this picture is two old people. Seriously, when did I turn into such an old lady. UGH!

Showing off his rail pass. He was seriously like a kid in a candy store, knowing that he would soon be seeing Diana.

Here is the uber fan, holding his program, waiting backstage for any chance to see Diana. Of course she never came out, but he had a good time hoping. All in all it was a very enjoyable evening. She put on a great concert, cute and whitty repartay with the audience, great singing, amazing piano playing, etc. And, it really was nice to have a solid evening out, just the two of us. We really should try and make that happen more often, I hear it's good for ya.

Giddy fans and sultry singers,

Allyson

Tale As Old as Time

Beauty and the Beast wrapped up it's ETERNAL run a couple of weeks ago. Jere had a grand time playing Cogsworth the Clock. I went to closing night and took a few pics to comemorate the show. We sure love Hale Theatre and their love for Jere.




Beauty, Beast and Cogsworth...Linsey, Tyler and Jere.

The ever adorable Thomas Brower and Jere.

This is Jere's show girlfriend Amanda (she played the wardrobe).

Our dahlink friend Tregoney who happened to direct this particular production. Please note, NO CHINS Treg. hahahahahahaha She might have a slight obsession with not having "chins" in pictures. She's so funny.

The ever famous Dave and Corrin Deitline, owners of Hale Center Theatre. They're such a cute couple and like I said, so good to Jere. Maybe someday I'll finally do a show there, who knows.

Beauty and Beasts,

Allyson

Kids, you can't trust 'em

Monday was a busy day, one where I never seemed to stop, from grocery shopping to cooking to family party, etc. I literally came home from the store and never left the kitchen until it was time to go to the bbq at P-dawgs. And the kids didn't care that I was working hard, they were demanding of my time and attention as well. It had been a VERY noisy morning/afternoon. We had visitors that came to play with the dog, there was much screaming, running around, laughing, screaming, playing and did I mention screaming. So, after they left and the kids were back in their room playing, you can imagine my relief to have some quiet. I went about my merry way, cooking and such. Then, I had to go to the pottay and as I was ummm, in there, I realized it was Much, MUCH to quiet. It was then that I called to Jere and told him that something HAD to be amiss and he needed to check on it STAT! He came back in and said, "you need to see this now." I asked it it was bad, and he said, "well it's bad AND adorable." So, I went to check it out. It seems that they had made their way into Julies room and found her Mary kay labels, and Max was Maggies box to label. I won't lie, it was adorable, even if their was a mess of labels and totally naughty of them. They were so happy and occupied. Before i burst out laughing, I told Jere he should take care of this problem and then I ran away and giggled. When I was done, I came out and found Max at the piano and took these pics.

At least he couldn't be lost. And for what it's worth, he wore those labels around for another couple of hours.

Naughty kids and blessed silence,



Allyson

A Bond that can't be broken

One Saturday, not long ago we set out to Arizona Mills to find Jere some new school clothes. The rarity of the event can not be measured. You must understand that we almost NEVER are together as a whole family unit. I mostly feel like a single parent with an occasional sighting of the Daddy. The kids see him in passing in the mornings, sometimes for a minute in the afternoon, or just before bed. If it wasn't work, then it was a show, and now, it's homework, school, etc. Maggie usually gets so excited when Daddy is ACTUALLY home. The first thing she asks each morning is, "where's daddy?" "He not here?" When I tell her he IS home, she is so happy and makes a run for the bedroom. Anyway, as I was saying...we went as a whole family on this shopping excursion and it was quite delightful. After procurring some delightful new duds for Jer we headed to the food court for some healthful (snort) and delicious foody fare. While Jere at a hamburger, I ate Panda and the kids shared some corndog bites. We were seated right next to the carousel and Maggie was DYING for her turn to ride it. I snapped these pictures while they were waiting to ride. I can not even begin to tell you how much he LOVES this girl and how much she loves her Daddy. It is amazing the control she has of his heart.



Waiting their turn to get on the ride and pick their horse.

I LOVE this picture so much. I'm pretty sure, no I KNOW that he would move heaven and earth for this girl if he needed to. I just thought it was such a sweet moment in time. I'm so thankful for little moments like this, AND for digital cameras to capture said moments. 'Cause, truth me told, with my memory the way it is, I would probably have forgotten this even happened. HA!

Carousels and corndogs,


Allyson

120 and counting

It's time for a little jere update, I know you're all breathlessly awaiting this. I mean for REALS I admit that I've been ridiculously remiss in my updating. But it's just Jere that you're dying to see, isn't it. ISN'T IT?! Well, he is doing amazingly well! He looks HAWWWWWWT if I do say so myself. He has lost a whopping 120 lbs. with no end in sight. I was able to go to a "normal" store and buy him a simple 2x shirt. I'm sorry, let me repeat that.....a TWO X. When I was having to try and find 5x, you can understand how utterly amazing it is to be able to buy an itty bitty 2x. And are you EVEN aware how much CHEAPER it is to buy clothes at your local JcPenny, as opposed to Omar the tent maker. Well TRUST me, it is REDONKULOUSLY cheaper! So, here he is, modeling one of his new outfits. Try and hold on to yourselves, 'cause I know you're gonna want to jump his hotness. hehehehehehe

I mean, for real, WHO IS that skinny guy? It's so fun to watch the transition. The only tragedy is, he is WAYYYY to close to my size (weight) now and THAT is MOST uncool. Time to get my booty in gear. OY!

Skinny pants and hawt looks,

Allyson

That's what Aunts are for.

The other day when Julie was leaving for work, Maggie asked if she could go with her. Julie told her she WISHED she could go with her. Maggie kept repeating "you going to work?" Julie told her she had to go make pizzas. "You go make pizzas?" "I want to go work with you." Then Julie sadly walked away, sans Maggie. But, in her head she hatched a plan. She would bring home the goods to make pizzas with the little princess. Since she was watching the kids for the evening, they made an night of it. And I must admit, Maggies first pizza making, cooking in the kitchen experience was adorable and a huge success.


First she spread the sauce, and I do mean, SHE spread the sauce, all of it, all by herself! Such genius in the kitchen.

She is her mothers daughter...must taste as you cook. She ate herself lots of peperonis.

She very thoughtfully placed each pepperoni, I like to call her our "pizza artiste."

Next came the sausage, which were randomly bunched, but placed none the less.

Don't mind her totally crazy look, she really did have a grand time and enjoyed herself immensely. And rest assured the finished product was delicious!

We're so grateful to have Auntie Julie living with us. She is such a good Aunt and loves these kids like her own. And who else would have the patience to make pizza with a 2 year old? Thanks Julie, we sure love you!

Pepperoni and pizzaz,

Allyson

Sprinkler Time!

So a couple of weeks ago I was getting ready one morning when Brooklyn came in and asked: "are we going swimming?" This question perplexed me, as I had NOT even implied such things. I said no and asked why she was asking. She then said, "well, why Maggie got her swimsuit on?" And sure enough, in marched Maggie fully suited up in her "swim soup". Somehow she had managed to take off her pajamas and put her swimsuit on, correctly I might add. It must be said that she is NOT a child who has ever undressed, much less dressed herself. So, for being so ingenious, I had to reward her efforts. What could I do? As I pondered the possibilities (goodness knows I was NOT about to take them swimming anywhere) it hit me..."Hey, I have a big yard and a super cool little sprinkler thingy." Ta DA!! So, with that said, we stripped Brooklyn down to her undies (as she was woefully unprepared for any water activities) and set them on their way.



After some initial reserve, they jumped in for some delightful water playing.

I mean, how cute is this shot of my girls. They played for a whopping 20 minutes and then were done. How I wish these fickle kids could be entertained for longer, Oy!

The next morning, this is how I was sent off to the chiropractor. The girls found my goggles and wandered around the house wearing them, or slinging them over their shoulder like purses. I love these nut jobs!

Water sports and goggly eyes,

Allyson