Da-da, da-da Dude looks like a lady...

What do you do when you're the only girl in a sea of boy cousins? When in Rome... You decorate yourself...

...the cat...

...and your mother.

*le sigh*

"I see myself holding a pair of thick, woolen socks...One can never have enough socks"

Anyone besides me know where that quote is from? I'll give you a hint that my kids will know what book it's from.

So here it is in all its glory: Sock Basket. I don't think I've discussed it directly in the blog so I'll give you a brief run down. January 1, 2006, I took a stand. I do all the laundry for the family which is actually a job I enjoy. It's all warm and smells nice. The only thing I can't stand is matching up the socks. Six years ago, I told Aron that from January 1, 2006 and on, it would be his job to match up socks.

You can see how well that's turned out, right? Like the mature adult I am, I refuse to back down and take care of the socks. I just continue to pile them higher and higher into the plastic tub they are stored in on Aron's side of the bed. Periodically, the kids and I go through the basket, take out our socks, match them, and put Aron's back in the basket. I swear to you that man would rather go out and buy new socks than go through that basket.
Luke had to knock one back once he took a look at how many socks were really in the basket. Drinkmas ain't just for Christmas anymore, Jeanne!

There were some general hijinx in association with the matching event (see also The Boy with the empty Christmas paper roll getting ready to whack his sister)...

I believe this pic was after the initial whomp...

After the crying, they decided to pile the socks back in the basket so they could sit in them like our kitty does...until Luke decided to kick Ella in the bum on her way in...

And then Luke said "Hey! Take a picture of my butt!" which was such a proud moment for me and likely foreshadowing what his high school life will be...*sigh*

Then they dumped them out again...

And got down to bizness...

Until this point, poor Luke had never seen so many matched up socks in his life.

After we were done, we threw all of Aron's socks back in the basket and put it back on his side of the bed. Who said that no one ever keeps their New Year's resolutions? I kept this one for 6 whole years, baby.

Be proud, people. Be proud. Viva la Sock Basket!!

Trying New Things

I've been wanting to try this recipe for a while now. I had all ingredients on hand so today was the day.

Armed with the ingredients and my handy, dandy computer...
Black beans: check

Sugar: check

Eggs: yup

Cocoa: of course

Vanilla: Only the finest Mexican variety

Oil: Cause I didn't realize I ran out of butter (You don't expect me to completely follow a recipe line by line with no variations, do you?)

Attach food processor lid: check

Puree.

The puree of batter.

The doubter

But the most important thing was how it tasted.

My vote is for (drum roll, please):

Not bad. I wasn't sure how I would feel about the texture given that I don't like black beans (really, any beans of any variety other than green beans). Next time I think I'll cook them a little less to retain a little more of their moist texture.

The New Guy In Town

In case you haven't heard, we've got a new addition to the family! Aron's sister, Annie, and her husband, Kevin, had a little guy on January 2 (yes, yes, I know I'm behind in my blogging. Quit judging me). Want some cute baby pictures? Here you go!

Um, can I escape if I go that way?
Hey lady! Aren't you supposed to use those arm thingys to actually hold me?

Somehow, I got trapped by The Boy...

Holy cow! Have you seen the size of that thing?!

Well, hello, Aunt Annie. Why, yes, yes you are super awesome.

Honestly? Honestly.

Most people that know me know that I am pretty honest. Sometimes brutally. Sometimes gently. But all times honest.

I was sick a few days earlier this week. I spent most of Sunday on the couch sweating and sleeping (as well as not showering). Aron decided to take the kids to my Mom and Dad's house. He told the kids to give me a hug and say goodbye. Ella gave me a hug (but I didn't feel much oomph in it) and walked on. Luke started to give me a hug, stopped, and told Aron "I don't want to give her a hug. She smells weird."

Me thinks that apple didn't fall too far from this tree.

Camp out!

You should all know by now that I'm not much of a camper but the rest of the family is. Periodically, I like to let the kids camp out in our living room watching TV as much as they can all night (and they can watch a lot).

Look who's starting early?
In the ready position...

Oh Shrek-yeah!