Merry Christmas!!

Dec 12, originally uploaded by carlanna.

6th Grade

Can you believe it?

Taco Soup

Sept 27, originally uploaded by carlanna.

Serious Fall Yummyness.

1 lb lean ground beef
1 can (15 ounces) black eyed peas, undrained
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, undrained
1 can (15 ounces) chili beans with chili gravy, undrained
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans, undrained
1 can (14.5 ounces) Mexican style stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 can (11 ounces) whole kernel corn with sweet peppers, undrained
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 envelope Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing

Brown the ground beef; drain well. Add to your crock pot. Add remaining ingredients and stir. simmer in slow cooker on LOW for 6 to 8 hours.

top with cheese, crushed tortilla chips and sour cream.

Aug 26

Aug 26, originally uploaded by carlanna.

Ice Cream

I took Bailey and Bentley for ice cream today. They are HUGE fans of the DQ kiddy cone

So True...

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life.. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Highland Games

July 24, originally uploaded by carlanna.

A fun night out with friends at the Pub Piping Competition at the Scottish Highland Games in Enumclaw. Who doesn't like bag-pipes, right?

Off to Boy Scout Camp

July 12, originally uploaded by carlanna.

Pearrygin Lake

July 10, originally uploaded by carlanna.

Pearrygin Lake

July 9, originally uploaded by carlanna.

Pearrygin Lake

July 8, originally uploaded by carlanna.

Pearrygin Lake

July 4, originally uploaded by carlanna.

We had a GREAT time at Pearrygin this year, here are a few highlights...

Bailey and Bentley

July 1, originally uploaded by carlanna.

We dropped the dogs off with Joe's dad today for our vacation. He painted this and gave it to us when we dropped the dogs off. I love it...

Happy Mothers Day

I hope you had a good one.  We spent the day with all our favorite Mama's from Lynnwood to Lacey.  Next year I want to spend it in bed.  Is that so wrong?  It's monday and I'm already exhausted!!

New Roof

Doesn't it look good?

Can you believe it?

First off, I passed my CPP yesterday, (Certified Payroll Professional), so that is a LOAD off my mind. I have been in class and studying since January. I was even told by the test center guy that my score was phenomenal, so I'm feeling pretty good about that. Go me.

Second - did you notice that little ticker to the right? Right now it says, "1 week until our first anniversary" Pretty cool right?? I'm told one year is paper, so we're doing it up right with tickets to Teatro ZinZanni. I'm so excited!! Then we are spending the night at the Edgewater, followed by spending 5/3/09 (our actual anniversary) Here. Such a great weekend we have planned I tell ya!

I'm thinking dinner Sunday night should be at Our Favorite Restaurant, don't you? Let me know if you want to join us - it would be great to have some family and friends there. (For dinner that is, you're not invited to the Edgewater. :) )

Here we are, one year ago. I still hear people tell us how much fun they had at our wedding and that makes still makes me happy.

It's a Girl!!

We have a new little one at the Crommes household, and her name is Paulina.  She was a rescue from a house with a hamster eating cat who already got her old housemate.  I swore we would never get another hamster after the passing of Jeremy's beloved "Hamsty" but he was relentless and I had a weak moment.  Bentley is most fascinated with his new little sister.

tagged..

Go into your picture files, open the 6th folder, 6th picture -- then tag 6 people.  I didn't tag...  This is Joe and Jeremy finishing our deck last summer!   Jeremy was on a TON of Prednisone at the time.

Happy 11th Birthday Jeremy

We celebrated with an XBOX 360 sleepover (I use the term "sleep" loosely).  

This is the kids, all engaged in the video games and Melinda posing in the background.

Leanne Wrote Jeremy the best Birthday Story complete with fabulous illustrations, including Jeremy, the dogs, Uncle Joe, Pizza and Party hats.  I LOVE having Leanne as my niece SO much.

Davie Boy gave Jeremy a "Best Cousin" Trophy he made.  He cracks me up. 

This is our house at 5:30am.  There are 7 children and 1 dog in this picture.  Can you find them all?  Yes, that is Jeremy and Quinn, AWAKE!

Happy 11th Birthday Jeremy!  I love you so much.

Great Wolf

Last weekend after the Blue and Gold Ceremony, we surprised Jeremy with a trip to the Great Wolf Lodge.  It is a fun place to be for sure, a little bit crowded, but worth it.  Here's a couple tips if you go. 

1) Don't eat there.  $20.00/person for pizza and mac and cheese?  Seriously?  And it wasn't even good mac and cheese.  My advice - find a local restaurant, there's a book in your room with a bunch of them.  Pick one and I guarantee it will have better food than the Wolf. 

2) Take your own stacks and drinks, they don't care.  And here's something I know for a fact.  It takes WAY less time to run back to your room to refill your keg cup of beer than it does for them to find someone over 21 to pour you a beer.  Seriously.

3) Go first thing in the morning and stake out a table at the waterpark and put your stuff all over it.  Grab a few extra chairs even.  Then ditch the kids, and go have coffee, a shower, a nap... whatever you like.  You can come and go throughout the day and you will always have your prime spot.  When you get sick of the waterpark, sell your table to some jealous soul.  (I kid)

4) Make sure you take some adult friends - we went with my Brother and Sister in Law and their kids.  They're pretty fabulous, so I'm keeping them.  You'll have to find your own family/friends. 

 

Arrow of Light

Jeremy and his Cub Scout Den crossed over to Boy Scouts on Friday night.  We had the Blue and Gold ceremony at our church education center (same place as the wedding reception).  

Uncle, Auntie, David, Leanne, Oma, Papa and Aunt Sue came out to support Jeremy. (Thanks again for coming)  Tuesday is our first Boy Scout meeting Jeremy is really looking forward to starting something new with "older boy" activities.

Getting their Arrows from Brandon, their Den Chief from their new Boy Scout Troop

Signing the Bridge before crossing over.

All of the Boys with their awards

My 365 picture of the day (the theme this week was RED!)

Blog Neglect

Guilty as Charged...

So, here's an update. Jeremy had a follow up with Children's today and I am happy to report he is doing GREAT and we don't have to go back for 6 months! (we will see his Dr. here for blood work in 3) Last night was Swimming - Jeremy is doing a "competition" swim class, which basically means he swims about a kajillion laps and makes me tired just watching him. Why am I so tired? Well, I spent the weekend scrapbooking with 20 amazing women on Whidbey Island where sleep is not even on the list of top 10 things that must be accomplished.... you know, Eat, Drink, Gossip, Eat some more.... the list goes on. While I was away, Jeremy and Joe went to Klondike with the scouts where the boys race dog sleds (the boys are the "dogs"). I am having a ton of fun with my 365 project - have you had a chance to check it out? (look top-right -->) Here's one of my favorites...

Did I mention yet that he earned his yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do? He did and I am super proud of him. He loves it and has even started sparring, I'm not sure how I feel about this yet.

Well, that's it in a nut shell... I'll try to be better at this. :)

Marley & Me

I read the book a couple of years ago and bawled like a baby, so I knew I had to go see the movie. Jeremy is spending a few days with his Aunt Alison, Uncle Scott and cousins Ben & Emily, so Joe and I had a rare date night. He offered a movie and I jumped at the chance to see Marley. Two words..... Bring Tissues. Ok, four words.... Bring LOTS of Tissues. And I'm the girl that always laughed at my mom (& brother!) for crying during movies. But, you throw a dog in there, and I'm spent. Seriously, if you're a dog lover, go watch it. Or even if you're not, you will be. Joe even used is standard line, "someone must have had a cat in there" to explain his waterworks reaction.

PS - you can keep up with my 2009 365 project through that little button on the right.