SUCK IT SEARS~

Preparing small children for getting professional photo's done is a long and complicated process.

It takes serious planning and preparation, but if all goes well, you come out with some great pictures.

We took G&D to Sears to get their Holiday pictures taken.  I spent an hour straightening Grace's hair, another hour getting both kids dressed.  Then add in all the mental prep and false promises made to the children.  Especially to Denny, who is now in the "I am not smiling for the camera" stage.

Once we arrived, we were greeted by our "photographer."  Bob and I already sensed we were in trouble.  Once we started our session we learned that she was new, all though there was no need for her to speak the words.  It was very obvious.  

Long story short, on about thirty frames, not one was even close to acceptable.  So we walked out with nothing.  

So this year when your Christmas card collection doesn't include one from the Keeler's, it's not because we stopped loving you.  It's because Sears took a big dump on our holiday cheer. 

The Mutt Meets Clause~

Here's Archie this morning meeting Santa at Petco.  Bob went for a run with him and they stopped at the store.  Lo and behold, Santa was there so Archie hung with Mr. Clause for a bit and told him a few things on his wish list.  

I guess Archie was a big hit at the store.  People were lovin' them some Goldendoodle.  I always laugh because whenever we take Archie places, we are constantly stopped and people pet the dog and ask millions of questions.  We always here about how cute he is and blah, blah, blah.  But then when we are at home, everyone who comes over can't stand the dog b/c he is so obnoxious and he will eat your expensive shoes.  

Our front door used to be a revolving door of friends and fam stopping over.  Now I am lucky if I can get my Mom over my house for my birthday.  I know it's the dog, not me, right?

Regardless, I love the mutt and he was in need of a post, so here it is.  BTW, Arch went to the vet the other day and weighed in at 96 lbs.   He is fat the Vet said, and not with a PH.  Fat with a big fat F.  He needs to lose 5 lbs and I guarantee it will happen soon since he is Bob's new running partner.  And we swapped his milk bones with baby carrots.  Happy Holidays Archie.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER~

Papa Joe, Uncle Timmy, Nana and G&D

Aunt Patty & D man

I am well aware that Thanksgiving was a week ago and I am just now getting to my Turkey day post.  I could just skip it, but it was so wonderful that I need to share at least a few pictures.

Grace and Denny were rock stars this year.  When I say that they helped Bob and I prepare the food, I mean it.  They really did help out with almost all of the dishes this year.  And I will take full advantage of this age where they want to help out.   Because I know in a few years, they will want nothing to do with helping, or with me for that matter.

Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of some of our other guests, including Grandpa Keeler, Aunt Beckie and Uncle Pete.   They arrived later into the evening, and by that time I was knee deep into a bottle of Pinot.  I was less concerned about taking pictures and more concerned about blaring music and bowling on the wii.

Hope you all had a good one.  Now the countdown to Christmas begins!

ELFIN' AROUND

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Hi Peeps. Long time no see. I am one sick Momma right now, so instead of trying to write anything worth reading, I will post some pics from Memorial day weekend. It consisted of the Kenny Chesney concert (we got up to the front row!!!!!), cooking out with the family, and Judi's wonderful wedding shower. It was one of the best weekends in a long time, a great kick off to the summer! Hope everyone is doing well and I will be back soon!tailgateing before the concert

beckie, me & tracy

tracy's standard "good times" pose

the girls @ judi's shower

MAMA'S RULE

Happy mother's day to all you lovely mom's out there. Hope everyone has the best day ever!

BYE BYE BUNNY

I have never had post-holiday blues when it comes to Easter. This year I have them. I think a lot of it has to do with Dad going back to Florida. He headed back early Monday morning. We are going to miss him so darn much and I really wish he lived closer. Moving to Florida is always an option as long as we get the whole family on board. We talk about it all the time so you never know.

My Mom w/ G&D

It's "officially" Spring, but you wouldn't know it around here. There is still snow on the ground, it's cold and gray. I'm pretty sure it is supposed to snow again some time this week. I am trying to keep busy and pass the days until the sun comes back out and we all feel better.

We hope everyone had a great Easter!

The Keeler's

HOPPY EASTER PEEPS

Wishing everyone a very Happy and blessed Easter. Hope you all enjoy the day with family and loved ones.

WE ARE ALL IRISH TODAY

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

We are hanging low here. I am cooking corned beef & cabbage, and taking our traditional cabbage head photos.

No bar hopping for me today. Although hanging out with a 3 & 4-year-old sometimes feels like I am at the bar surrounded by drunks.

Have fun, be safe!

FORGET RED, GO GREEN

Happy Valentine's Day to all. My gift to you is this web site,

www.catalogchoice.org

It takes your name and adress off of catalogs that you receive but don't want. You have to sign up and I promise it's quick and easy, otherwise I would have never done it. So here is my Vday gift to you all, save a tree and stop getting annoying junk mail.

BLOG, WHAT BLOG?

G & Monkey cruisin' in G's new ride


Okay, I know, I seriously slack on this blog anymore. I don't know what the problem is. It's definitely not a lack of things to blog about, so I guess it's laziness. For some reason I don't have the same desire to blog like I used to. Even though I'm not writing as much, I'm still here checking in on everyone else's lives.



Last week we had a garage sale (garage party as G puts it.) A bit WT yes, but that's life. We didn't do it to make money, (although we made a few hundred bucks), we did it to get rid of all the shit we have accumulated in this house the past 5 years. Let me recommend to have a garage sale at least once in your life. I had the best time. The characters that walk in and out of your yard are priceless. I should have been paying them.


The kids on the 4th, taking a break on the cornhole board

We had a great July 4th. Every year we have people over here because you can see the fireworks from our back yard. Denny didn't stay up for the fireworks again this 4th, poor little guy wants his sleep. Grace was up though and she LOVED it. She clapped the whole time and the smile on her face lasted for hours after the show.



Tim & Scott; great smiles here!

John, Jess, Nancy, Carie & Judie watching the fireworks


This weekend is packed with more fun. Saturday we have a family reunion then a cornhole tournament at Becky and Pete's. Today we are going on a train ride here and tonight Bob and I are going to see Transformers.

Wishing a perfect weekend to you all!

Late Memorial Day Wrap

Really, I have no idea where time has gone.
This past Memorial day weekend was great. One night we had people over and grilled out. Lots of drinkies being consumed and lots and lots of laughter. For example, Carie being one with Elmo. If only G&D were still up at this point in the night, they would have loved it.

Me and Jess kicked some major bootie playing cornhole, and Bob was rockin' the game like he always does. It was a fun night and finally a party where no major debauchery took place. That's always a good thing. Could it be we are finally growing up? Nah!

Our neighbors had us over on Memorial day for slip & slide goodness and ladder golf.

This week has been full of swimming and sun, weeding, A/C, morning workouts, CAVS games and lots of good ole' family snuggles. And the best part is, the weekend is just about here again!

SNOWY, SUGARY EASTER

Kisses for the Snowbunny

I guess there were a couple of things that Grace expected on Easter morning. One, that she would actually see the bunny sometime during the night. Second, when she woke up Sunday morning, her basket would be in her line of vision. When Bob and I went into her room Easter morning, she was almost in tears. She said "he didn't come. The bunny didn't come." We explained to her that he did indeed come, but he hides the baskets. Then we went and woke up Denny and the kids went searching through the house for their goodies.

G&D were in heaven. A breakfast full of chocolate bunnies and jelly beans. After they were all sugared up, we braved the cold and snow and met Tracy and her kids at church. Then it was nap time before we went to my Mom & Dave's for dinner. The dinner was amazing, as it always is.

I hope you all had a Happy Easter!

Diggin' in

Easter egg hunt at Grandma Pumkin's

Hoppy Easter

Last Easter when we took the kids to see the bunny, our photo only included Denny. Grace would not sit on the bunny's lap, or go anywhere near him for that matter. This year I tried to get her all excited and told her how great the Easter bunny is. Before we left the house for the mall, Grace said she was going to hug and kiss the bunny, and tell him how much she loves him. We arrived at the bunny's home and there was no line. Grace took one look at him and said "I am NOT sitting on his lap." We bribed her and said if you take a picture with the bunny, you get a sucker. So she stood in front of the bunny while Denny went solo on his lap. Neither looked overly thrilled in the picture, but they sure were happy once the bunny was out of our sight.
Happy Easter everyone!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

New Years Movie Marathon

Happy New Year! Hopefully 2007 has big plans for all of us. Today we are watching movies with the kids. So far we watched "Over the Hedge" & "Schreck." There is pork, sauerkraut & dumplings in the oven, and we are still in our jammies. It's a good day, a good start to the new year.

Officer Bailey

Last night we rang in the new year with our neighbors, Steve & Jalissa. We played some Poker and then Tri-Bond, and drank entirely too much beer. It was a fun time and now I am ready to get my sh** back together. No more smoking, less drinking, earlier to bed and many more mornings at the gym. Bob bought us both year memberships, and we went together on Friday. I loved working out with him. He gives me motivation that I desperately need.

Bobby & Me

I have to say congrats to Bob who won his fantasy football league for the second year in a row. Good job baby, you da man!

Happy new year!

Jalissa & Steve