HA!

The Tax Man Cometh...

I'm going to shamelessly plug http://www.taxact.com/. For those of you who have not yet filed your taxes and plan to do your own, this is a great program to use for doing it yourself. It's pretty user friendly. And the best part, it only cost me $21!!! [That includes e-filing both federal AND state and having our taxes available electronically for 3 years. Using H&R's "Tax Cut" the past two years has cost me $40-50 and has not been as convenient.]

If your tax situation is more complex, I can't blame you for handing things off to an accountant! Just call me the die-hard "do-it-yourselfer."

I guess the one good thing about "tax time" is that we know spring is right around the corner!

Justin

Double Feature, What FUN!

LET'S GO TO THE MOVIES.... (twice in one day!)

Saturday was a muggy rainy day... and we had nothing to do... so we decided to take the kiddos to the dollar movies to see BEE MOVIE! We brought Will's car seat in to the theater... strapped him in and fed him treats till he almost popped... and Caitlin held the pop corn ('caw-carn') bag while sitting in between Mom and Dad... she was so happy!

BEE MOVIE: was a really cute movie... (funny!) but a little long for our kids... they lasted about 1 hour-ish... then they started to get restless... i walked them down the hall outside the theater to get the wiggles out... and Caitlin decided to go see another movie while Mommy's back was turned... suddenly i didn't see her... i only saw a movie theater door slowly closing... (longest 2 minutes of my life... ) i ran in that theater with Will on my hip... and almost started screaming "CAITLIN!!!" I didn't see her... and ran back to our theater... where Justin was enjoying the movie... i said "is she with you?" he said no... and jumped up out of his seat... and we ran out in the hallway... where she came out the other movie... looking a little terrified... AHHH!

she did the same thing at church on Sunday... with the men's bathroom... i only laughed at that one... ha.

It was a fun time... in a few years we will really enjoy going to the movies together as a family!

Anyway... after the movie and almost having a heat attack at the thought of loosing our baby Caitles... we headed home and put the babies down for a nap... and Justin's parent's called asking if we wanted to go out for a 'date' and leave the kiddo's with them...

We JUMPED at the opportunity... what fun... we went for dinner (at the sinfully delicious Crown Burger... ummm... free day!) and then headed to the theaters to see JUNO!

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CUTE! AND FUNNY! We thought it reminded us a little bit of Napolian Dynamite... but not, in a way... anyway. This movie was great... how did Justin put it???

Oh yeah, we got in the car after seeing the movie... and our car started to squeak... (you know...like there is some large giant squirrel stuck in our engine... and he said... "you know, after seeing that movie, that doesn't bother me that much anymore..." (meaning: That movie was just so 'real' and crappy things happen to people... and how we deal with it that makes all the difference in the world...) Anyway, it's a really cute movie... you should definitely go check it out! you'll just laugh, and cry, and shake your head... it's great!

Congradulations Amy and Kevin...

...and Welcome Baby Ada to the Family!!!

Just wanted to share... that my sister Amy had her adorable number two on Tuesday, Feb 19...

Little Miss Ada... (Our First Niece!)
10 lbs 2 oz

We are so thrilled for you guys... We are so glad she's finally here!!!!

If your interested in seeing more pictures... you can click on Amy and Kevin to the right...

Family Photo Time!

Well, here you have it! Official Press Release was today and here are the family photos of 'The Cullens". My favorite one is the one where they are all walking towards the camera... (ha! Actually, i think it's kind of goofie, but notice how none of them are showing their teeth! Ah!)

... but at least we are that much closer to Dec. 12!

Whooo-Hooo!

Peter Facinelli as Carlisle, Elizabeth Reaser as Esme, Jackson Rathbone as Jasper, Nikki Reed as Rosalie, Ashley Greene as Alice and Kellan Lutz as Emmett.

Caitlin's Photography!

So, Caitlin wanted to try her hand at photography... what kind of a dad would I be to discourage any worthy exploration of creativity such as that?

Ergo, I let her take the camera for a little spin around the house, and this is what we got... :)

A picture of Daddy... she actually held down the button as instructed and got the shot before moving the camera!

She followed me into the kitchen next...

Got a couple of shots of me making a little brecky... note she's suddenly forgotten about the delay between pushing the button and the shutter clicking...

A lovely shot of Mommy coming up the stars...

Some shots of the kitchen...

And of her feet (though I don't think that was her intention)...

And of Pepper's tail... so Uncle Jonny, it looks like you might have some up and coming competition within the family in the area of photography!

Love/Hate Relationship?

Our family dog... PEPPER!

What can i say? Our 5 month old puppy... is still a puppy, and we are all still learning to live with each other. Don't get me wrong...there is nothing so tender as having a little black fuzzy pet follow you around all day, but there are times when I wish there was an 'off' or 'mute' button for these amimals... like when we have company over... she jumps and jumps and jumps and if they are holding her... she wiggles... and waggles untill you think she's going to pass out... she's just a little too hyper... 'spaz-tick' more like it... and loves to lick... (dog breath, blahhh!)

Most recienly she's been taking things that are not her's...like the kid's toothburshes and runs and hides under my bed... and chews on them to her delight... and the just leaves them under our bed... at the most center point... so my short arms can't reach... (arrrrgggh!)

(don't worrie... our kids have new tooth burshes.)

There are little holes in clothes(mostly Caitlin, because she plays too "ruff"), shoes and toys... I guess i should be happy about this and that she's not like Moe... who went only for the expensive things like our couches and bed frames...

When Will dumps her food out all over the floor for the 5th time that day... i get a little crazy ...wondering at times if i open the gate, will the thing just run away and never return...???sudden sadness comes over me as i then realize... there will be no cute little black fuzzy face to greet us when we come home... or tell us it's too late and we need to go to bed. It's so great when the kids go down for their naps... and Pepper lays in the sun... not being hyper or chewing any of my things... she's just quite and soaking up the sun.

At night when she snuggles up to Justin's head, right on his pillow... i'm grateful she's happy and it's not my head she's on! She reminds me of 'Nana'- the dog from "Peter Pan"... when we get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, or check on the kids if they start to cry... she's there before we are wanting to help and comfort Caitlin and Will...It's actually really sweet... I guess you could say she's actually taking care of us... and we are living in her house... (or so it would seam.)

I guess you could say that...Pepper is a sweet dog... who has passion and love for our children... i guess i'd rather have that... than a lazy dog that doesn't do anything...

Actors Cast for 'Twilight' Movie... (update)

OK, a friend sent this to me... and she got it off the 'twilight lexacon'... i still have to 'google' most of these actors to make sure they all can really act before i approve this... but ya know... the show must go on...

most of you are thinking... you'll be happy when this thing is over... so i'll stop posting stuff about 'Twilight' but... just look up the word 'obsession' in the dictionary... yeah, my face holding a 'Twilight' book... sitting at my computer reading ABOUT 'Twilight' stuff... oh, and i'm smiling!

What is it about these books that make it so good!? you should read and find out for yourself!

ha.

Kid's Room: Moved In! YES!

Justin and I are happy to announce that the kids are back in their own room now... and we are so happy with the way it is looking... we'd thought we'd share some pictures! (mind we still need some art work on the walls... but we'll get there soon.

The first day we put the rug down, they kids were so happy, the brought all their stuffed animals out and started running around in circles... it was pretty fun. So, here's our full picture of the rug, that we got on super deal at Pottery Barn Kids, plus it was the floor model... extra 10% off. I love a good find and I think it just 'makes' this room!

Changing table/Dresser, and rocking chair...

No Reservations

This is a really cute movie, I watched last night, by myself. I recomend it... Esp. for Valentines day... with a loved one. This Comedy, Romance, Drama is rated PG. Here's a little bit about the story...

Master chef Kate Armstrong (CATHERINE ZETA-JONES) lives her life like she runs the kitchen at upscale 22 Bleecker Restaurant in Manhattan- with a no-nonsense intensity that both captivates and intimidates everyone around her.

Kate's perfectionist nature is put to the test when a brash new sous chef joins her staff, the high-spirited and freewheeling Nick Palmer (AARON ECKHART). A rising culinary star himself, Nick favors opera while working and loves to make everyone around him laugh. His casual approach to both life and cuisine couldn't be more different than Kate's, yet the chemistry between them is undeniable, as is the discord, like forks clanging off a granite countertop.

It might be easier to deal with this turbulence at work if Kate wasn't already off balance at home, struggling to connect with her nine-year-old niece, Zoe (ABIGAIL BRESLIN), who has recently-and very unexpectedly-come to live with her. ( http://www.moviefone.com/)

PS. This is the little girl from the movie The Ultimate Gift, (another GREAT movie!) I absolutly love this little girl! Such a great little actress!

Anyway, that's all i'm going to say for now... except... you should watch it. it's cute.

-Panda

Favorite (Valentine) Sugar cookies

1 cup butter

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

3 tablespoons sour cream

1/2 teaspoon almond or lemon extract

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 1/4 cups flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, sour cream, almond or leamon extract and vanilla and mix well. Add soda, salt and flour and mix on low just until combined. Roll dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate 3 to 4 hours. Roll out on floured surface and cut into shapes. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets at 375 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes. (these cookies don't brown.) cook on racks, then frost and decorate!

Favorite Frosting:

1/3 cup butter, softened but not melted

4 cups powdered sugar (about half of a 2 pound bag)

1/4 cup milk (or more)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

pinch of salt

In mixing bowl, beat butter slowly with powdered sugar. Add milk and continue to beat. Add vanilla, almond extract and salt. If needed, add more milk to make frosting spreading consistency. Color with food coloring if desired.

Dearly departed... a short tribute to Grandpa Paul

Well, Grandpa Paul decided not to wake up this morning, which, while not entirely unexpected, was quite a surprise to the family. Just last night, Nana Carole on the other side of the family asked my dad how Grandpa was doing, to which the reply was simply, "Great!"

Grandpa lived a full life, and I have no doubt that his active energy carries over into the next state and that he's in Paradise with Grandma.

When I think of the transition from this life to the next, a.k.a. death, I can't think of a more peaceful way to go than Grandpa did. I wasn't there, and as I understand, nobody was. But the present indicator is that he went peacefully and without any pain.

Another silly thought I had was how Grandpa avidly read the newspaper. He would read BOTH local papers EVERY day, even if he had to set them aside for a day or two. One of the things he read unfailingly (one that I read, too) were the obituaries. I'm willing to bet he wrote his own at for its eventual use, and if so, I know he will have made it humorous. He's had many letters to the editor published in the past, but now will be published his personal "hurrah." I know there will be many solemn friends and associates who will read his tribute and feel his loss. He was a good man.

I'm sure he's happy on the other side!

UPDATE: As I suspected of him, he wrote his own obituary. It's a fitting final hurrah, as I guessed! :) See it here.

Food of the Day: EDAMAME!

"Edamame is a green vegetable more commonly known as a soybean, harvested at the peak of ripening right before it reaches the "hardening" time. The word Edamame means "Beans on Branches," and it grows in clusters on bushy branches. To retain the freshness and its natural flavor, it is parboiled and quick-frozen. In East Asia, the soybean has been used for over two thousand years as a major source of protein. Edamame is consumed as a snack, a vegetable dish, used in soups or processed into sweets. As a snack, the pods are lightly boiled in salted water, and then the seeds are squeezed directly from the pods into the mouth with the fingers." (http://www.edamame.com/)

Eda-whaty? Yeah, the first time I heard of it, I was like... hum... I'm not so sure about this. But wait till you try them! (And you probably already know about them... but I'm just here to remind you that they make a great snack... or side-dish with fish or ice cream or whatever.)

The taste? Whoa, they have like a buttery 'center of an artachoke' taste but BETTER! (Can be eaten hot or cold. I prefer hot!) Justin and I get them from Sam's Club (avalable at Costco, too). They come (frozen) in a box with eight little microwaveable steam packs...

SO... (cheezy sales person smile)...your snack could be ready within 3 minutes!

Whooo-Hooo, We love Edamame!

Per 100 grams (edible portion)
Calories........................................125.0
Protein.........................................12.1
Carbohydrates............................13.1
Fat................................................3.6
Ash...............................................1.7 (umm. not sure what this is! any guesses anyone?)
Calcium........................................9.3
Phosphorus.................................180.0
Iron..............................................2.7
Sodium.........................................5.0
Vitamin A....................................130.0
Vitamin U1..................................0.31
Vitamin C.....................................40.0

This Post has been brought to you by the letter E! (for Edamame!)

-Panda

Our New Floors!!!

Check this out! The Wednesday before Martin Luther King day Justin calls me from work and says... "we are re-doing our hardwood floors this weekend! A friend is getting me sanders for FREE, and he's going to deliver them Friday afternoon! What a deal!" So, right away i'm pretty excited! While the kids napped that day...i start moving all their toys to the basement... and extra things into the kitchen... sweeping and preping the floors to be Dazzled!

I'll spare you all the painful details... and there were many... (where crying and swearing were both involved... and that's all you really need to know)...but i thought i'd share with you some pretty scarry and quite humerous pictures of how we lived for a week and a half... (yeah, "we are finishing our floors THIS WEEKEND??" it turned out to be a much bigger project than we anticipated! BUT they look B-E-A-UTIFUL! and JUSTIN gets the "Mr. Fix-it-Super Husband" award AND his picture in a calender. (Mr. January!! Whooo-Hooo)

aheam...anyway...

Side note and HUGE Thank you to Justin's parents for letting me and the kids sleep over at their house for 4 days while Jusin put the final coats of Polly-stink... good thing... alot less headaches, and more brain cells saved that way! So, BIG THANK YOU!
OK, so here are pictures of our living conditons first!

The Kitchen

Not so bad huh?

Next we go to our Bed room, take into concideration. there are Two very large couches (stacked) another couch and matching chair, Will's Bed, Caitlin's bed, Their dresser, a rocking chair, Our bed and a small book shelf...(want to play "where's waldo??" (oh, not to mention we put the fire place on hold so we could take advantage of the free sanders... so don't think we are leaving that fire place and wall looking like that... eek!)

Now, if that's not "Red-Neck" enough for you... check out the play area we set up for the kids down stairs!!

We had to cover the book shelf with a blanket, so the kids would not pull the books off the shelf... our New DVD player is to the right of the TV covered by a dish towel... (both attatched by ducked tape!) About the DVD player... the kids totally killed out old one... so, are are saving for an entertainment center that will keep the kids away from the player... BELOW is a picture of what it looks like until a 'safe place is prepared' for it...
Justin promised me some day we will not be so "gett-o" and that some day we'll look back on this and laugh... and wish life was that simple again. ha! maybe. (since this picture was taken... Caitlin and Will ripped off that little piece of tape... and use this box as a 'super garage' for their match box cars! KIDS!

Ok, here is the other direction of the 'new' play room. stairs are to the right of this picture.

OK, now the moment you've all be waiting for...

BEFORE PICTURES: Kids Room

Justin: "Mr. Sandman!"

During: After sanding...

(then we wipped down with mineral spirits...or something... no picture.)

This is a test (after 5 and 10 minutes) of the color in the kids closet... (really no difference... so we went with 5!)

KIDS ROOM: FINISHED!!

HALL WAY Before:

HALLWAY After:

and i thought this was a cool picture of the front room during sanding...

FRONT ROOM Finished:

The front room looks alot lighter than the other rooms... only because of the windows in the front room... more light... the all look the same in real life. Hope you've enjoyed this HUGE posting... and sorry it's taken so long... to show you what we've done. more to come!
Way to go Justin!

Edward and Bella

Ok, now that i'm a pro at this 'blogging' stuff... i wanted to add my favorite pictures of the actors

Summit Entertainment will bring Twilight to the big screen, directed by Catherine Hardwicke ("Thirteen," "Lords of Dogtown") and starring Kristen Stewart ("Into The Wild") and Robert Pattinson ("Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire"). It will be released nationwide on December 12, 2008.

DECEMBER 12!!!!!

If you haven't read it... you should.

The authors web page http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/

Amanda Panda

August 2, 2008!!!

I'm SO excited... FIRST, this is my first posting...EVER! (thanks Amy for your Help!!) and SECOND, Stephenie Meyer just announced the release of her new book "Breaking Dawn" (4th in the Twilight series!!)... it is to be August 2nd!

AUGUST 2nd!!!

I'm like a little kid in a candy shop... only... i have to wait... 6 long months... to buy my candy!

:(
I can do this!
:)

OK. Rock on Bloggers! till next time.

Amanda Panda

Glen Beck's Tribute to President Hinckley

This was shared with us by Nana, and we enjoyed it as much as she did and wanted to share with any readers of our humble little blog: