We are going to a wedding today and I can tell you that we did NOT shop off of their registry. I tried to, I usually do, but they wanted $120 rice cookers and $19 pizza cutters and $700 home theater systems.

Not in my budget!

So I went to Target and bought these 3 Pyrex dishes (with 3 lids!!!) for about $16. Then I went to Joann's looking for etching cream (they didn't have any), went to Michaels for the etching cream (they sold me etching MEDIUM... there is a Huge difference). Drove home and tried the etching medium. This is when I found out about that Huge difference thing... it didn't work. I searched my craft supply and low and behold... I own etching cream! Still in the original packaging too, never been opened.

I put some letter stickers on there and taped it off with some painters tape and put the etching cream on. Waited all of 60 seconds (now that is my kind of craft!) and washed it off. Now when they go to a pot luck, they'll never lose their dish!

I am so IN LOVE with the outcome! Don't be surprised if you get some etched glass something-or-other for your next birthday or holiday!

And then to top it off, I used the same stickers to put the happy couple's initials on the bag. Now I just need to get some bubble wrap so they won't break before they get them!

My new favorite site

I'm a bit of a blog-hopper in my 'spare' time. This is usually around 11pm, while I am in bed and just trying to wind down from another crazy day. I love to check out all of the new, cute, crafty ideas other people have.

I was so excited to find http://www.knockoffwood.blogspot.com/

I've looked at those Pottery Barn catalogs with drool and an empty wallet. I think that even if I could afford the furniture in the Pottery Barn catalogs, I wouldn't purchase anything in it.

Like this locker style piece of furniture. I'd really love to have 4 of these in my entryway. I know, first I need an entryway, but those are just details. Normally, this simple piece is $639, but right now it's on sale for $599. Hold on while I do the math... $600 (rounding up) plus 4 equals $2400. Ya, plus shipping, tax and that ever so pesky 'handling', I'm sure I'm looking a lot closer to $3000.

Well, Ana, over at www.knockoffwood.blogspot.com has the complete plans for a ton of furniture products from companies like Pottery Barn. In fact, she has this locker style one too! All plans, all measurements, all for you for FREE! She even suggests you going to Home Depot and having them make ALL of the cuts for you. That's right, no table saw needed!

Now, I only need to pick an easy one to start with and find some more of that spare time I mentioned earlier.

back to reality

I was really ready to come home, even go back to work, but I am so glad today is Friday.

School started back up for me while I was gone so I missed a full week of classes. Not smart. I'm pretty much up to date in one of my classes but the other one, I'm not.

To top it off, yesterday I came down with a pretty nasty cold. It's mostly in my throat and it is painful!

More very bad news: my Flip video camera broke!!! In New York too, so I couldn't take any videos while I was there. Not happy about that one. It's just in the battery compartment. the little part that one end of the battery sits on is missing. I don't even remember it falling or breaking off.

AND.... my printer is broken too!!! I use a printer at least 4 times a week for work and school. It keeps telling me I have a printer jam and I know I don't. That, along with the funny noise its making, means I am in trouble!!

Ok, I'm done with the pity part...

On a much happier note: Jacob started piano lessons last night. He has already taught himself how to play O Christmas Tree, Silent Night and other Christmas songs. (I'd show it to you but my video camera is broken!)

Maya and Jason are busy with basketball. Jason is coaching Maya's team this year again and let me tell you... the difference in ability between 4th graders and 5th graders is amazing. There are a lot of talented girls on this team!

Molly will be starting soccer very soon. The last time she played, she was 3 years old, so this will be a new experience for her. I'm so excited for her to play but not too excited about being out in the cold and rain again!!! I have class every Saturday so I do hope that I will get to her games.

Macey is in between sports right now. Basketball is over and Bethel Rec soccer sign ups are right now so we just have to wait for practices to start.

So we're all pretty busy, but its a good busy. Like I said earlier, I'm happy to be home!

New York/New Jersey: This was the 2nd time Jason had seen Uncle George. The last time was at our wedding in '93!

me and Uncle George. Loved this part of the trip!

One last look at the city at night. This was taken as I walked across the street to get our car.

I loved how this building was decorated. It was a bow of all lights. Looked very cool.

this is the door handle at the NBA store. Everyone seemed to have revolving doors and this was the most clever one we saw.

Made out of legos!

My hand compared to Shaq's hand. Yikes.

I never thought of Jason as a short person!

You had to be there to appreciate this one!

Juicy store.

St. Patrick's at night. Even prettier than during the day.

The Rockefeller tree.

Rockefeller ice skaters at night.

Our pretzel, purchased in Battery Park. It was almost unbearable how cold it was down here by the water. The guy that sold these to us tried to rip us off. The sign on his cart said, 'pretzel $2'. then he tried to charge us $6 for 2. When Jason said something, he said, "Oh, I don't have the $2 pretzels today". BS. We called him on it and he gave us them for the price on his sign.

Ground zero.

Museum

This made us laugh. This is a shot of the drive into the city. Each one of these buildings is owned by Mr. D. Trump. They are all apartment buildings. First one is called Trump, second one is called Trump, third one is called Trump... you get the idea.







Well,that is our trip. I had a FANTASTIC time but was so happy to be home.

NYC
Jason, outside of the new Yankee Stadium. It must have been 19 degrees that day, with freezing winds blowing which made it much colder! The snow was coming down lightly too.

Saint Patrick's cathederal. We came in on a Sunday during mass. It was really weird that the tourists were walking all around the place while mass was going on. Beautiful church! My mom's parents were married here.

It took us awhile to find this skating rink outside of Rockefeller Center. Can you tell how cold we were!

Grand Central Station.

This was the beginning of day 2. It was about 10 degrees colder on this day. FREEZING!!

The Brooklyn Bridge

I thought this daycare center was pretty cool looking.

Jason in Central Park

Jason and I in Central Park.

never saw David Letterman.

This picture was taken on Jan. 1st. The morning after the big New Years Eve party. If you look closely you'll see that someone threw up all over the window of this police car!

This fire station was decorated for Christmas inside, they even had a tree. I love how the flags are hanging above their uniforms.

Madison Square Garden

Jason and I in front of Times Square

Welcome 2010, from Times Square!

Times Square

Times Square

Dear G'ma and G'pa Driver

we missed you this Christmas and wanted to make you feel like you were here, so here are the kids opening up the presents you got them.
Thanks so much!!



Thank you so much for the jacket. It is really cool and I've been wearing it ever since. Miss you a lot, Love Jacob

Thank you for the hat and gloves. I like them alot, they are so cute. I can't wait to see you again, Merry Christmas!

Thank you for the boots. I wear them every day. They are really comfy. I miss you very much. Love, Maya

Thanks for the backpack. I really liked it. I already put my Webkinz in it. I love you, Macey.

And Jason and I want to thank you so much for our gifts as well. Jason loves his shoes and sweatshirt. Perfect for our trip too! I love my cell phone cover, calendar, bag, photo book (which I have always wanted to make but don't have the time!!) and of course, the jelly belly hat! So excited for all of it!!!! I must say that I was a little disappointed by the fact that one of your beautiful polished rock pieces of jewelry was not included. I was so happy when I opened it up at Debbie's house though! It is beautiful!!! Thank you so much, it means a lot!!

Hugs and kisses,

Jason, Michell, Jacob, Molly, Maya, Macey-Jo

our wonderfully crazy Christmas!

***************************************************************************************
I'll try to make this as brief as I can!
Christmas Eve we packed up the kids and went to Cameron's house. Jason made yummy traditional Croatian pasta sauce, and ummmm... I'll say.... interesting blitva. This is a boiled potato and swiss chard dish. It wasn't horrible, I'll tell you that, but I'm fine not eating it again. He also made lignje (squid). Gross gross gross. Macey and Maya tried it, something disturbing about seeing tenticles going into their sweet little mouths. We also have mashed potatoes (for the rest of us normal people), pulled pork and rolls, salads... everything (well, almost everything) was DELICIOUS!



This is one of my favorite pictures of the kids and Grandpa John. Can you guess why??? (HINT: look in the background).














This is all of the kids and Cameron and Tanya. They are going to be parents soon!! So excited that next Christmas we are going to have another little one around. This year was fun with Dani being so new, so I get to do that again in 2010! They find out what they are having Jan. 7th!!

When we got home, the kids were allowed to open one present each. They all knew what it was, I guess that is the bad thing about tradition! But comfy, new pj's for Christmas morning is the best!














I even got a smile out of Jacob!

Christmas morning was actually pretty peaceful. We told the kids that they couldn't come into our room to wake us up until 8am. I woke up at about 7:30 and quietly snuck out of my room and sat quietly at the dining room table with my computer and some chai tea. Christmas tree lights were on and there was frost all over the place outside so if you squinted your eyes, it felt like a white Christmas. I could hear the kids playing downstairs but I just took some time to myself before the mayhem started. At 7:58am, they could take it no longer. They came up the stairs to wake us up and that is when the peace was gone. But it was replaced with happiness and joy! Everyone was so sweet to each other and the gifts that the kids picked out for each other or made were the best of all! I love it when I see a child open up a present and they are truly happy and excited to get a pack of socks!

It never fails, though. No matter how much I try to get everyone to put the torn up wrapping paper into the trash bag right away...the house ends up looking like a paper factory sneezed in here!

I am still searching for one present that went missing. I so hope it didn't get tossed on accident.

After we cleaned up a bit and got ready we headed off to Olympia to see my sister's and their families and my mama. We were fashionably late, as usual. Debbie's house looked so festive and seeing everyone was perfect. I really did miss seeing my Aunt Doll, Uncle Dave and my Dad and Step Mom. You were all there in people's thoughts!!

Again, the food was awesome! Ham, green bean casserole, cheesy potatoes, sweet potatoes, makes me hungry all over again! I love seeing my kids on Christmas morning and being able to watch my niece, Daisy open her gifts brought back so many memories of some of our first Christmas' as mom and dad. Poor little thing wanted the present opening to never stop! (I can't blame her though, I love opening presents).

So I have to say to all of my friends and family members.... Thank you for being in my life! I hope your Christmas was as wonderful as mine was and that your 2010 brings surprises of peace, love and joy!


Macey got these slipper socks from Maya, she loved them.

Christmas morning.















First look at the tree.





Macey LOVES the Sounders. Thanks G'ma!































Little miss Daisy taking it all in.


























Maya got a jewelry box from G'ma. She was so happy!

Here is the whole clan. We were ordered to take this shot for G'ma and G'pa Driver. There's Murphy for you too!

I know this is a blurry shot, but she was so excited to get this shirt. It has a picture of a dinosaur on it and it says "Never forget" on it. What a goof ball!