Happy Halloween!

Jim and I tried to explain to the kiddos how good they have it because growing up in the 80's we wore plastic costumes with masks you could barely see out of. Not only did they make you sweat but they ripped easily and were generally a pain in the touchie.

They looked at us like we were from outer space. :)

Anyway, Enjoy the photo story I made of our Halloween adventures :) (email people- click the link to the site)

Because we are the coolest Trick or treat house on the block...

... I made a trip to Sam's today and got lots of Trick or treat goodies.


Ralph, Kim, Dean, Kathy and the girls are going to be coming over tomorrow to help hand out the 300 some hot dogs. It's a lovely way to RAK (Random Act of Kindness) the neighborhood. This is our Third TorT doing this from New Song and we doubled the Hot dogs from last year b/c we ran out early. We have lots of kids in our development and we are now known as the Hot Dog House. :) Yup, I think we can live with that.

But that's not tonight- tonight our kids are going to go out and trick or treat their hearts out. Should be fun, fun, Fun!

xoxo,

Jen

Getting ready...

For Trick-Or-Treat....



Today we made Jacks. :) They are cute if I do say so myself.

Some stuff I've been working on...

Since getting the Basic Grey Precision cutting mat
Scrapping has been so much easier. No more cutter and the magnets are awesome- it's like having more hands.

Ralph and Kim have been good friends of ours for nearly 7 years now. Jim went out with them to shoot a christmas card picture for them and I think these turned out really cute. They were taken at the school playground. They had fun and I think they turned out great.



I also did more scrappin today




This picture is 10 years old- it's Abby! It was a 10x14 that my mom and dad found and the background was super cheese so I cut out the cutest part and this is what We ended up with (Lilly was my scrapping helper today) I have a ton of big pictures like this and this is one way to get them in the scrapbooks and out of the picture drawer.


I've got more to share, but It will have to wait till tomorrow- I'm ready to head to bed!

The Cutest Cub Scout Ever!

He's almost got his Bobcat badge requirements done. We're working on electives and other do at home badges he can earn.



Scouting is a very time consuming activity and we weren't sure at first if Caleb would want to stick with it. But we're a month into it and he is working so hard to get his badges. I'm working on a video of him doing his badge requirements. I'll post it when I'm done. :)

Princesses, babies and a year in review...

Lilly and I had some friends over for a play date today. They girls were absolutely adorable. We played in the big princess tent- banged on the piano- and played princess Memory. Lilly was very excited to have a real baby to play with and we played our hearts out. We had so much fun.

Later tonight I was cleaning off my desk today and I found Lucy's birthday invitation. I think it's safe to say that scrapping is a perfectly acceptable form of desk cleaning procrastination and this is the result:



I haven't been in a scrapping mood lately and it's nice to get the mojo back.

If you do the crime....

Don't cry when you must do your time.




She was not happy about cleaning her walls. Even Gimli had enough of her whining.



Gotta love doggie Eye rolls. :)

If the animals could blog...

this is what they would write:

DOG DIARY

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with my people! My favorite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!



CAT DIARY

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies."
I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.
The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and
seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.
For now...



Hehehe... This is so true in my house. :)

Colorado Trip- Day Four

Jim had been given a Starbucks gift card about a year ago. We had every intention of using it for a date night- but that never happened and we took it with us. Our hotel included a continental breakfast but we took one look at it and headed to starbucks instead.

The first day was kinda funny. It was hot and so I wanted an iced coffee. I *thought* I ordered an iced coffee. Turns out it was more of a milk shake- but that was ok.

Jess and Frank gave me 2 tickets to Elitch Gardens for graduation. We were very excited as they have a coaster where you fly on your belly (which was very cool!) After waiting in traffic for almost 1.5 hours to get into Hershey & being that it was Monday and we'd have to go through the city rush hour- we left early to make sure we'd get there.

Boy were we wrong. Seriously- there was little to no traffic at all. We were amazed. Had this been Philly we would have sat and sat and sat. The traffic was so much better out here. So we were bored and played with Neville while we were waiting for the park to open.



Finally it's time for the park to open. First thing we ride was that flying coaster. It was awesome.

Jim and I convinced Jess to do the bungee swing with us. It's the ride where you strap yourself in a harness and then you are taken up with Cables high up in the air- you pull the cord and instead of going straight down you swing around.

You can have three people on this at once, so we all went. Jim was in the middle and Jess was on the side with the pull cord. They are pulling us up and up and up and it was a tad bit frightening. We got a good view of invesco field from up there and we finally come to a stop and we are just hanging up in mid air. Now- I did not know this at the time, but Apparently my sister got cold feet as we were headed up. I could not hear her but Jim says that she had a death grip on his arm and she started crying. Not such a good thing- as she is the one who has the cord to let us down!

So over the loud speaker you hear "three, two, One.... FLY!!" Jess is paralyzed with fear and Jim screams "Jess pull the cord" And she did!

You know in the old looney toons where the coyote would step off a cliff and stand there for a minute and then fall? That is exactly what happened.

I LOVED it. I've got my arms out and am screaming and Loving it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. My sister? Not so much. (sorry sis!)



We stopped in for a late lunch at Steve's. We are always on the lookout for a unique hotdog wherever we go (just one of those things we do) and this was the one we found in Denver. We found it amusing as we were talking with the Owner that he gets his dogs shipped in From Jersey and that another employee went to Lehigh and knew exactly where we lived as he & his wife would shop the outlets back in the day when the outlets were cool.

After showering the dirt from the amusement park we went back out to downtown Denver to do some shopping and see the mall when it was actually open. We went to the Millennium Bridge:



And we were shopping and just hanging out.



We had dinner at Rock bottom brewery. We couldn't choose what to get they had so many good options that we ended up both getting something and splitting it. Their food was awesome. Before heading back to the hotel we stopped at The HardRock Cafe for dessert.



The day was fun- although sad, because we knew that it was our last night in Denver and we didn't want our vacation to end so soon.

As if six movies weren't enough...

This article caught my eye.

The boys in my house will be ecstatic. Me? Not so much.

LOS ANGELES - The Force may soon be coming to a television near you.


George Lucas is planning a live-action television series spinoff of the "Star Wars" film franchise.

Lucas told The Los Angeles Times he has "just begun work" on the series, which will not include the films' major characters Luke Skywalker or Darth Vader.

"The Skywalkers aren't in it, and it's about minor characters," Lucas told the Times on Tuesday.

Lucas wouldn't reveal details, but joked that the series would be about "the life of robots."

Lucas, 63, already has another television series in the works. Lucasfilm Animation has been working for months on the computer-animated "Star Wars: The Clone Wars."

link to article

Tis the season

For mask making.



If you should happen to see this scary monster:




Have no fear. It is just Caleb trying to scare you. :)

You must visit the site to see. :)

Because this one was fun.

Personally, I love the stripper name. :)

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car):

Sandy LeSabre

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie):

Mint NoBake

3. YOUR “FLY Guy/Girl” NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name):

J Shu

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal):

Purple Girafe

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born):

Lynne Tunis

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first):

Shuje

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink):

The orange Pepsi

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers):

DonBob

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy):

Pink Jelly Belly - [Hahahaa.... That would sum it up!]

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )

June Thomas

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter):

Tinnick Tarrytown

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower):

Winter Sunflower

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)

Strawberry Pajamama-ie

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree):

Shredded Wheat weaping willow

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather element + “Tour”)

The Scrapbook snow tour

Colorado Trip- Day Three Part 2

Since we had to skip Red Rocks, we decided to check in at the hotel and head down town.

We knew there was an outdoor mall so we aimed for the general direction and it was super easy to find. Parking was another matter. But we found a place and headed to the mall.




This is part of the Denver Skyline we saw on our way. We decided to eat at the Cheesecake Factory. The entire trip- we have only eaten at restaurants you can't find where we live. We do have a Cheesecake Factory near us in Philly- but we'll never go there- so this is where we choose to eat.

The food was excellent. I had Fish Tacos. Jim had Salmon. And we topped the dinner off with a tieramasu cheesecake.



By the time we were done with Dinner it was getting pretty late on a Sunday and most places were closed and/or closing. So we decided to walk back to the parking lot and get to bed early. On our way- Jim spotted this Coors Field Replica in ESPN Zone.




Above is the Clock tower at night & below is a shot of the 16th St mall as it was closing.

Just something I've been working on while home on my mandatory vacation.

Thought it would be nice to have Lilly hold it. The picture is from her Third birthday party and since she is almost 5 now there is quite a difference in her appearance.

Colorado Trip Day three- Part One

I know it's been a while since I updated our vacation, but I want to get it all done before I forget. :)

Day Three
Departure from Grand Lake: 9 am
Arrival in Denver: 5 Pm

After a yummy breakfast at the B&B and saying our goodbyes to mom, dad and Abby- we were off. At my Graduation, Jeremy and Alison got us a gift Certificate to Hot sulfur Spring Resort- so we had an reservation there and from then on we thought of maybe going to Red Rocks and Hike a little- but we were open to change that if something else came along we didn't plan for. :)




This is Hot Sulfur Springs Resort. I don't know what we expected, but this differnt that what we had pictured. The hill side is covered with layers of pools- all hot springs. They have massages, and spa treatments and it was such a fun relaxing time for us. We loved it and we want to go back one day- only in the winter next time. I can imagine being outside on the mountain in the water that's keeping you warm. Sounds like so much fun!



We reserved a private cave- which looks kinda grubby in the picture, but it was really nice. We had our own private bath with a sky light to let in some sun. Then there was a cool down room attached to is so if it got to hot you could cool down quickly.

The soak was so relaxing and your skin was so soft when it came out. It was fantastic.



Back on the road again- we started heading down the highway to red rocks. I forgot to pack batteries for the little camera, so we were on the look out for someplace to stop and get some. We passed a grocery store and so on the way to turn around to go back we see this sign:



Of course, we check it out- as it is free (always a good thing).


So, Up and up we go- to the biggest ski lift either one of us has been on. It took about 20 minutes to get to the top. A lot of people were using the lifts as a way to get their mountain bikes up and then tear down the trail- but we are not that daring.

About 150 yards down a trail we come to the most beautiful view yet. The Continential Divide. Pictures just can't grasp how vast it really was. You had to watch your footing, b/c there was a sharp drop just alongside the trail, but the views we saw were amazing.




So we are back in the car and we stop at Lost Boys Burgers and Shakes For lunch. It was a burger joint-but different. More of a Red Robin meets McDonalds. The food was unbelievably good- like something you would find in a sit down, but you order at the counter like you would at a fast food joint.- (they are famous for fire water. Fire water is actually whiskey. Didn't know that before- but I felt like a dunce when I asked!:)

Anyway, we are enjoying the winding road and mountains on the way down and you can see all these ski slopes. This place has got to be awesome in the winter. Anyway, as we are driving I see a white slope with people going down- I'm like What the heck, can they really make snow in the middle of August?

So we pull into the parking lot and this is the sign we see:



Both our jaws dropped and we're like "We HAVE to do this" It's called the alpine slide. So we boarded the shuttle bus and made our way to Winter Park.



It was expensive. $14 per person for one slide, but man was it worth it. First you go up in a ski lift up the mountain- and you are riding over top of the people as they are coming down the the slide. We noticed there was a fast lane and a slow lane, so we made sure we ended up in the fast one- after all- it was a one shot deal.

We were so high up the mountain that it took a good 5 minutes to fly down the hill on the sled. You are zooming- Part of the track curves so tight you go more than half way up the side rail feel as though you are going to go 360. Then there are bumps that allow you to fly through the air a little before you land.

It was awesome. The Alpine Slide was officially the best thing we "stumbled" on to on the trip.


We did a little shopping while in Winter Park and then we started out- still intending to go to Red Rocks. Fate would not have it as we were driving it started to rain on and off. By the time we got close the Red Rocks everything was wet and not in good condition for us to hike it so we changed our plans once again.


One thing we did notice in our stay in Colorado was the weather. It was so weird compared to what we are used to. Rain showers and thunder storms are quite common- they come fast and leave as fast as they come.



More than once we drove through a spot where it was dry, then pouring down torrential downpour, then 100 feet ahead the road is completely dry again. At one point, you could see it raining on the other side of the road, but our side of the road was dry. It was the weirdest thing. The picture isn't the greatest, but you can see what I mean! The only reason our windshield had water on it was because it was sprayed from cars going by!

So, we didn't get to see Red Rocks this trip. And we were ok with that. Sometimes, the unexpected and unplanned are just as good- and since it rained anyway, it seems like it was meant to be.

Lots of new stuff going on at our house!



We pulled Lilly from Day Care. The church sold the business and in the process it went from non-profit to profit- which changes so many things in so much in so many ways. Not all for the better. It took less than a month and then we decided to pull Lilly out. There comes a time when enough is enough. Puts the whole job search on hold for a while, but I'm happy with the decision we made.

I am quite proud- Lilly is ready as she could be for Kindy next year, so I'm trying to find some way to pass the days. She's holding a pumpkin patch we stamped yesterday. She's quite good at stamping- she'll make a good scrabooker. Gonna have to work on that this year.




Caleb is in week three of Cub Scouts. He just got his new book last night and he is super excited- as one of their trips is for archery- and that boy can't wait to shoot a bow and arrow. (scary thought isn't it?)

Kinda funny. Jim has never really had a interest in scouting when he was little and it's going to be a wild ride for him- as dad is a much involved as Caleb is. :)




And Abby, well not only is she is band this year playing the clarinet- she signed up for Chorus as well. THEN, last week she was asked to join the orchestra as they have some empty spots they need filled. So- now Abby is taking lessons with the Cello.

Funny story- the orchestra came to play for the kids to help recruit and she didn't know if she wanted to or not. Well,they played the theme from Pirates of the Caribbean and with that she made up her mind that she wanted to play- the girl is in love with anything piratey and that sealed the deal for her. :)

She has a concert coming up in December- please let me know if you would like to come. Band, Orchestra, & Chorus are all on the same day and she will be in all three.

Button Jar Raid

No school today= Bored kids.

So Abby decided to raid my button stash and make a new bracelet. :)

Here's a layout I did from the wedding. I entered it into a survivor contest and I was voted through to round three-the final round. :) It was an evelope challegne and I had to use all the contents in the envelope (the green flowers, brads, ric-rak) and Use a one word title. :)

Otherwise, It was a busy weekend, including a visit to the ER. It seems I have an infection at the surgery site. Nothing is ever simple is it?

I'm off now- going to bed after a hard day of sitting on the couch. I think it's safe to say that I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. *sigh*