Just July....

Alright, I've been bad about updating....I know....but here goes nothing!!!

Bye-bye spa!!!  Didn't the guys do a great job??

A picture of my loot from Harvey's in July....the black purse is the one Greg bought for Christmas a few years back (and it's my favorite), then my Topaz Boxy I won from the Harvey's Facebook raffle ($104.00 value!!) and the Tote Bag I won off the Harvey's blog a few days later ($48.00 value!!).

Oh Freddie...that's Karyl's doll!! But they are wearing matching white onesies, I couldn't help myself because he looked so cute carrying around a mini-Freddie!!

P.S. - Can you spot the scar?? He had JUST had a haircut (we just buzz his blonde little head) and that scar is always super obvious for a week or two after haircuts!!

Karyl's new haircut!!! A HUGE thanks to Claire for her hair styling, Karyl loved her "Princess Hair!!!" She did so well, she let Claire wash her hair and even use the blowdryer!! And after we left she kept asking what my friend's name was that gave her Princess Hair because she wanted to do hair just like her....(see the next picture...)

Karyl decided she was going to be a hairdresser on Thursday and she put about 20 clips and barrettes in to Ariel's hair while Ariel sat in a chair....on Friday she then took all those clips out and put them in my hair (no, there will NOT be a picture of that!!).

And then this morning, I had to take a picture.....this was what Greg found when he came in from working in the yard this morning.  He was watching Yo Gabba Gabba and some song they were singing.

So, that's what's been up with us!!!  I will try to do a few posts on Life After Diapers...I made Scotcharoos last night and they are delicious!! I have been giving bits away to Home Teachers and anyone else that comes within 10 feet of our front door because I don't want to be tempted to eat them.  I LOVE baking, but I've started watching what I eat, so when I make things I need to make sure they have a home to go to when I'm done!!

The awesomeness that is Karyl.....

On Friday we were driving and Karyl was just checking out everything around her on the road....normally she will point out convertibles, motorcycles and FedEx trucks (among MANY other things, these are just her favorite).  But this afternoon as we were driving a smaller sedan drove past us with its trunk open and a large upholstered chair roped into the tinky trunk.  I thought nothing of it until I heard this from Karyl's mouth:

"Really dude?? Close your trunk!!"

Yep...I bursted out laughing, I couldn't help it.  She even said it with the pitch changes for the question (higher at the end)!! 

Now, you're probably wondering "why is this so funny"...Because right after she said it I realized where she got it, and I heard myself saying it in my head.  I have a habit of saying "Really, dude" in a sarcastic/annoyed tone when someone does something stupid, especially in the car, and apparently she has heard it enough times to feel confident using it in her everyday vocabulary.  On the plus side, this was proof that I don't stoop to name-calling when road rage strikes and everyone can see how well I handle my anger while driving.

I still think it was hilarious, but maybe that's because I saw a tiny version of me saying the same thing.  Gotta love these kids, and this is one of those times that I feel truly blessed to be able to stay home with them because kids pick up on everything, from habits to sayings, and if my kids are going to learn little comments like this from anyone, I'm glad it's from me!!!

Harvey's Heaven....

OK, so as I said in the last post announcing my Seatbelt Bag win, I NEVER WIN ANYTHING.....

Apparently, when it comes to Harvey's and their Seatbelt Bags I CAN'T LOSE!!

I haven't checked their blog in about a month and I checked this afternoon and while scrolling down saw this written underneath this picture, on a post titled "WINNERS"

So here are the winners for last weeks contest. I selected 6 winners at random from the list of our Seatbeltblog followers and here they are:



Congratulations,
Greg and Dianna  (That's our blog!!!!)
Angrie Julie
Erin Hardin
Amanda Hawley

Heidi Sweeny

Beth Wong
Congratulations and thanks to everyone else who follows the blog. I'll be having more giveaways soon.

That's right...I won yet another Harvey's treat...and this time I didn't even know there was a contest, or that I was automatically entered because I "follow" their blog from this one....or that I had apparently been chosen to receive one of their cool "We're 10" Tote Bags!!!

Seriously...I may have never won anything before in my life (other than an amazing husband and beautiful children), but if these are the kinds of prizes I am meant to win, I think I'll forgive all the other contests that I entered and lost in the past!!!

Oh for the love of a purse....

I NEVER win anything in contests, or raffles, or sweepstakes.....

But today was a turning point....I WON!!!

For those who aren't aware, I LOVE Harvey's SeatBelt Bags!! Greg bought me one for Christmas a few years back and I take it everywhere!! I even bought a wallet to match my purse a while back.

Harvey's had a raffle on Facebook this afternoon.  It was a raffle from the list of all 7,500 fans they have on their page...I figured I had no chance but decided to check back anyways "just in case..."

And I won the bag above!!! I am so excited to get it in the mail!!

For those of you who haven't discovered the awesomeness of the SeatBelt Bag, do yourself a favor and check out their site.  The purses last forever because they are made from seatbelts and the design is timeless, my basic black purse will never go out of style!!

And now I have this neat Topaz one to add to my collection!! What's neat is that this one is smaller and a "boxy" style, so I have two different purses -

Of course, the large black one Greg bought me will always me my favorite!!!

Spa Demolition - A story in pictures....

This is how it started this morning...Greg sucked whatever water was left in it out and left it dry for demolition

David using the death saw to cut a straight line in the concrete separating the spa from the pool

Here you can see that they've already attacked it with the jackhammers and sledgehammer

Taking a quick breather....that sledgehammer does a pretty good job!!!

A few hours later.....

This is the most recent picture, taken around 4:30 pm....

It is an absolute mess back there...but it will all be worth it when it's gone.

I'll post more pictures later tonight of what they've accomplished!!

Its fate is sealed

Thank you for all your votes regarding our spa dilemma!!!  Greg has made up his mind, and this Monday the pseudo-spa will bubble its last bubble from its jets.

He has decided to tear it out.  Honestly, I am SUPER thrilled!! Once I allowed myself to picture that backyard without that spa in the way I fell in love with this house all over again!! That backyard will be AMAZING with all that space, perfect for bike riding and running and ball kicking!!!

That being said, I will post pictures on Monday of the demolition.  There will be jackhammers and cement saws and sledgehammers....and I'm sure many other tools I didn't see coming.  Uncle David lucked out and he and Greg have the day off together, naturally that was why Monday was chosen.  It's not a real demo unless Uncle David gets involved!!

So, the spa's days are numbered....I can't wait!! Once it's out they can start laying the cement for the rest of the yard!!! It is entirely possible that by the end of the summer we will have a functioning backyard!!!! Oh I can't wait!!!  I promise, once it is all cemented, and the BBQ is in we will have a huge party!!