Bravo Starbucks

You have out done yourself yet again!

I'm a huge fan of Frappuccino Lights.  I treat myself twice a week during my Mommy coffees (well during summer anyway).  I've seen their ice creams before but honestly, I was weary of coffee flavored ice cream.  I only bought one because I had a $1 off coupon.  I slowly taste tested it when I got home and it was like heaven in my mouth.  Spoonfuls here and there after some hot heat exposure will be in my near future.

Summer Has Commenced

We had a fantastic weekend.  No better way to spend Memorial Day weekend than with fellow Army families. 

Jazz on the Lawn at Beachaven Winery

Our first time making kabobs and boy were they good!

BBQ

Scenic Springfield, Illinois

We did a lot of sightseeing this trip.  Had a great time as usual, but it's good to be home.

The Warm Weather is Here

Gotta love global warming...last week there were some days the heat was turned on at night and now we've had the air conditioner on for a few days non stop.  Isn't there suppose to be like a transitional climate?

I'm leaving in a few days road trippin' it up to Illinois.  Haven't been there for five months.  Last year it was like every other month, but then again that was our first year close to family in a very long time.  To be honest, I'm dreading the drive for one reason, B.  He's 20 months now and he's not a patient little person.  My plan is to leave around nap time, so fingers crossed he'll sleep. 

I probably won't blog much while I'm away, but be prepared for oodles of postings when we're back.  I'm a camera happy gal!  Looking forward to some quality time with my heathens sweet boys.

Customized Room Art

My grandfather gave me the painting last year.  It was done by his first cousin, which would be my third cousin, while he was in college (so it's like 40+ years old).  My grandfather's other cousin was going to throw it out so he saved it and brought it home with him.  During one of my visits to see them last year he asked if I would be interested in taking some art work off his hands, well I am never one to pass up an option like that!  I think my grandparents have impeccable taste (he was an architect after all).  He showed me a few and I was immediately drawn to this one because of the train and the train tracks, very fitting for C's room.

 

It sat in C's closet for months.  Due to it's large size and need to be re-matted and framed, I put it on the back burner.  I'm cheap.  There I said it.  And honestly I didn't want to spend the money to have it done, but knew I could do it myself.  This week Hobby Lobby is having their mats on sale 50% off.  The largest premade they sell is for a 11x14 picture.  I didn't realize how big the painting was until there was still some showing behind the mat.  I had, in the garage, an old picture we use to have in our guest room (nautical themed) that we weren't using any more.  Perfect size frame for the mat.

Did you know you can reuse those frames? Yep, you totally can if you have a screwdriver and a hammer (and if you're real picky about the backside of a frame no one will see because it's on the wall, I'm sure you can buy that brown tape too).  I unscrewed the wire, cut through the tape (only on 3 sides), pushed back the staples, and pulled out the cardboard backing.  Windex'ed the glass and switched out the art.  Put the backing back, pushed down the staples, rescrewed the wire, and pow! new art!

I didn't want to cut the painting so I folded back the excess.  My grandfather would probably freak if he saw this!

I also found some cute dinosaur and vehicle scrapbook paper...so what did I do? Framed them!  The soccer art is from Target on clearance from $14.99 to $3.74 (reason #378 why I love Target).

Soccer Comes to an End

This was C's first sport and first soccer season.  Commitment to twice a week practice was an adjustment for our family, the more we do it the easier it will fall into our routines.  The season started out cold, progressed to some nice temps, and then was postponed to lots of rainfall.  Seemed like soccer was never going to end and they couldn't get in enough practices.  It was, however, an awesome journey for us.

Due to all the cancellations and other things, our team wasn't able to get their professional pictures taken.  Reluctantly I stepped forward and offered to take photos for those who wanted some amateur ones.  For the most part, the children were very cooperative. :)  It was the group photos that were the hardest...it's kind of funny to look through all the pictures, one kid looks one way, another is covering their face, one smiling, etc.  I think I mentioned while attempting to take the photos that they do a group shot like they play soccer. :)  And I totally meant it in a heartwarming way.  I love this age.

Oh and did you notice that I didn't even do an individual one for my own kid?!

Baby Sean Turns One

I had the privilege of taking photos of this sweet boy's first birthday.  Who knew a 1 year old's party could be so much fun?!