Here's a cute little layout I did for Niki and Doug and the kiddies! I like it! I am going to make a few more for you Niki..then I'll send them, ok? I am totally obsessed with making word art right now. It's so fun for me.
I am sooo sick right now. Bad, icky cold anyways. As long as I don't have a fever I am ok.
Woah, gotta go again...the child is calling. Bye.

How do you like my word art? Pretty cool huh? I guess it's no big deal but I like it alot. Today Madison had a doc's appointment and then we went to IKEA just to get a ice cream cone and walk around. It was fun. God I LOVE all the IKEA stuff. I think Madison will start liking to look at rooms and stuff like I do more and more because she thought stuff looked pretty cool.

Oh, I gotta go....our child is having the biggest fit and being very very naughty right now. Jeepers she's screaming her head off right now.

This layout reminds me of MartiGraw *(spelled horribly wrong). Hee hee. I like it! It's fun.
Not much went on today. AGAIN. Madison somehow got sicker by the time I picked her up from daycare. Somehow I have caught her cold too for real now. I have a sore throat which is so rare for me.
Woah...another boring blog tonight. Oh...our insurance lady came over tonight and we went over our policies. We are looking to look into putting into a Roth IRA. We want to wait until after Steve gets his "job". That's about it peeps. Oh...had pizza tonight specially made by Steve. Thought you'd need to know that info too.
Stay tuned tomorrow for another exciting post from me.
You know what this reminds me of? Writing in my diary when I was 10 or 11 and I had absolutely nothing to talk about. I wrote what I had for lunch and then I graded the day (A+, A-, B+, etc.). I am not even going to go as far as that on this blog. But it's sorta close. Jeepers.
Oh..swimming is tomorrow. Now I have Madison home for close to 2 weeks. Maybe next week we'll go do a stay over at Grandma Gracies.

Here's a photo of Madison and her cousins on Mommy's side. I love this layout. Can't really take credit for it because I scraplifted it. For those of you who don't understand the "lingo" that means there was a layout kinda like it in a magazine and I copied it...at least copied the concept. I don't ever do that except in rare cases. I guess this is one of those rare cases.
Man, was today ever boring. Very, very boring. I think I have just had it with the cold. Madison went to daycare today and I wish I would of kept her home. But she enjoys being with her buddies. I almost did keep her home because she was sick this weekend. Today when I dropped her off the daycare lady (sharon) said that all of the kids were sick to. Hope Steve and I don't get it. She was really hot and had a slight fever but over all not too bad for as being sick goes. It could of been worse. Today we don't feel all that great but it was probley because Madison was up all night the last 2 nights and was just plain horrible to sleep next too and kept us awake so that is probley why we didn't feel all that great.
God can I ramble on about nothing.
Next week Madion's daycare lady is on vacation. Actually the next week and 1/2 so she'll be home with me that whole time. Yea.
Well, not much to blog about again. Things are pretty damn boring for me. There I go again swearing on my blog. I'm a blog swearer. Maybe when I get bored I swear. Maybe when I ramble on about nothing I swear. And blog. That's why I'm a boring swearing blogger who can ramble on about nothing. I am sure you all think I am nuts. So be it...maybe I am. I can gaurantee that if YOU actually read everything I wrote and followed this paragraph you are also bored. I would of lost Steve before he even got to this paragraph. He doesn't have time to waste reading about nothing.

Isn't this cute of Madison in her little bikini? This is the swimsuit that she wears in the pool. I am getting very tired of winter....I want spring to get here. I actually have spring fever.
We went to the Mall of America today. Lots of summer clothes out which DIDN'T help the spring fever. We went on a few rides (by the way...a FATHER told his kids to butt in line and I politely told them they need to go to the back of the line...can you imagine being that father? It was unreal), Madison had a ice cream cone...Steve and I had Caribou Coffee and that was pretty much it. Pretty boring when you don't have any money to go shopping with. I remember when I use to actually "shop"...god that was sooo long ago. Oh, the good ole' days. Steve says he has never "just gone shopping"....boys are boring. Wow am I just rambling on and on about nothing. I acutally have to get going. I am going out to eat with some friends. Just thought I'd stop and say hello to my little blog and to all of you out there in blog land and post the cute bikini layout of Madison.

Is it bad to bribe your kid with a popsicle to leave you alone for 5 mintues to play on the computer? I bet the guilt feeling in my stomach states it is bad. Bad mommy...bad mommy. Oh well, I will get over it as I am sure she will and probley doesn't care in the first place. She got a popsicle...she's happy!
Okay, I changed the banner again on my blog. This one is better but I still don't like it very much. Oh well...that's life.
Tyler is going to NEW YORK with Nana! I am so excited for both of them. I am happy that Nana is going places she's never gone and considering going to New York is one of Tyler's dreams, I couldn't be happier for him. I am excited that I have a connection out in New York for Tyler and the theather. A guy I went to high school with owns a theather company and over the summer at my class reunion he gave me his card and said if Tyler ever gets out there to give him a jingle. So who knows what can happen but the saying of it's not WHAT you know, but WHO you know can ring true in this case maybe. Oh how fun. The possiblities! I am excited for both of them.
Happy Friday everyone! What's up for the weekend? I am going out to dinner with 2 girls from high school and that's about it. We don't even know what we are doing for the superbowl. Steve said it's sooo late and then said he is now old and a fuddy duddy. I told him I like my fuddy duddy.

Here's some cute picture of Haley when her and Grandma Grace babysat Madison last weekend.

OMG did you watch Celebrity Rehab tonight? DRAMA city man. Oh...and all the Britney Spears stuff going on? I am IN HEAVEN with the celebrity drama! I am going to go and see if there is anything new on the channels right now. If so, I am going to make a big bowl of popcorn and plop down on the couch and be in my little heaven! Yeah for &*%$!-ed up celebrities! I have been swearing a few times on this blog, haven't I? I shouldn't....but I do. I can't help it:)

the casino

boy is that new header ugly. Jeepers...U-G-L-Y. I'll change it later on...too lazy right now. So...let me tell you about my gambling experience today. I went to the casino...I sat down and gambled on the slots...wasn't winning and then I moved to the next seat to the right...percisely one minute after i moved someone came and sat down...they proceeded to win the jackpot of 2700.00 in less than one minute after I moved. 6000.00 if she would of put 3 coins in...The moral or the story...MOVE YOUR ASS FAR AWAY FROM WHERE YOU LAST GAMBELED.
I had a plan and it failed. Miserably.

Here is a layout of Madison and her little play-doh buddy she made! Lower corner is a pic she took of Daddy holding on to her guy. hee hee. She has all these fun play-doh things to play with. Today was swimming. She did okay. Not sure if it was her not really participating or if it was me participating. I have felt out of it for a few days and not sure if I'm coming down with something or what.......hence it was probley I whom was not participating up to my standards at swimming today...bad mommy, bad mommy.
Not too much to talk about. Steve applied for "his" job yesterday so hopefully all will go fine with that. Not sure when the job posting is over with. We'll see how that all turns out. Lord forbid he doesn't get it. If he doesn't we have talked about moving to South Dakota. No one get their hopes up or get bent out of shape...it's just talk right now. But we are having a back up plan...just in case. Who knows what will happen and what we would really do if he didn't get "his" job.
Not much more to blog about.
It appears that the Michaels are still ahead of the Siebolds....Kel is down 7 *that's IT!!! how frustrating can this be???? Not sure about Kim and Tom's exact numbers but apparently we are ahead.

another layout

Steve asked me to make him a layout of him and Madison....Not sure if this is what he had in mind but I am loving' this layout.

These are some pictures of Madison while we were iceskating yesterday. Crabbies glore so I didn't get too many good ones. But these are cute:).
Last night Steve and I went to Linda Schneider's son's hockey game at White Bear Lake high school and then all went over to Tom Keefe's house for a little get together. God those guys are totally harlious! We laughed and laughed. This is what it's like sitting at the lunch table at Steve's work. Super funny people. Anyways we had a blast. It was fun to go watch a hockey game too!
Grandma Gracie babysat and brought Haley with so that was really fun for Madison. But boy was Madison acting up. Probley over tired from having someone here in her house other than mom, dad and the occasional Tyler! She and Steve are taking a nap right now which is leaving me time to do a layout and play around on the computer a little!

ok...here is what happened with Tyler.
He (they) didn't make the nationals *as in the top 2, HOWEVER they won "best musical" and each won $250 dollar scholarships!!! Way to go Tyler! That is so awesome and we are so proud of you!!!
We just got back from going ice skating and then drinking some hot chocolate. Madison thinks she's cool because she got to drink from a real big person coffee cup. It's a little bit warmer out so that wasn't too bad being outside. Then Steve went jogging a little. I think I'd best get my butt to the gym today because I think we are falling behind on winning the contest. I haven't lost anymore and I don't think Steve has either. Not sure where Kim and Tom are but can't be too careful because the Michaels AREN'T going to lose this contest, damn it!

Well, we are waiting to hear from Tyler on where he placed in the competition. He had to do a performance tonight around 8pm and then they will announce the winners about midnight. He was very happy with his performance so we'll see! If I am up I will blog about it right away. I hope he made it:) How exciting!

Super tired so I am just going to blog that today was Madison's first day of swimming AGAIN. She was so good and hopped in the pool first. Her class has alot of people in it today! She's still one of the oldest.

Got some fun glitter stuff to play with..cute huh? Just had to make something out of it and I am too tired to really try...

things we do...

I thought I'd take you on a little tour on what we do during the day. Actually this was last night and Steve and Madison were playing playdough and Steve made just about the best SPONGEBOB I have clearly ever seen made out of playdough.... Then....as a creative outlet for my child she decided to paint her "feelings". A little art therapy never hurt anyone...
Actually the story behind her painting her "feelings" is pretty funny. Steve and I got into some little arguement and I went into the computer room to "cool off" and Madison came after me asking if I was sad and I said yes. She went out into the livingroom with Steve and they came back into the computer room about 15 minutes later to show me their "feelings" that they painted. Steves art therapy was not quite as cute as Madison's! We laughed about that one for awhile. Of course now everytime she paints she wants to paint her feelings and then we talk about them to process them further. My therapist would be so proud. hee hee.

TyTy

Well our boy has done it again! He is down in Nebraska for his scholarship contest thing and there were 343 or so people that were auditioning and he has just made it into the top 16. Whoo hoo Tyler! We are so proud of you:) He finally just called and told us. They cut it down to 32 people right away and then cut it down to 16 and he MADE IT! That is sooo exciting. He will find out on Friday the result of the contest/auditon. Wouldn't it be something if he won this? Jeepers...how exciting!

He also was really happy because someone (who knows who....) came up to him and handed him his card and wants to meet with him or something like that. Not sure who it is or really what it's about but I told him don't sign anything and don't go anywhere with him....never can be too careful! We're so proud of him!

Well, our doggie sitting is over with early! Maria and Alyssia came back from their trip early and so Toby went home....what a awesome doggie he was. We would NEVER luck out with a dog like that. I am serious when I say he was a good doggie. So good in fact I had to scrapbook a little layout of him, hee hee. Isn't that picture cute? Can you tell he's trying to get away from the camera? I got 2 photos of him though while he was here...I'm sure Toby loved spending every minute with Uncle Steve & Auntie Kelly. hee hee. Cute pup. We are going to take him again at the end of March so he doesn't have to go to Doggie Daycare.

Tomorrow is a holiday so my darling dear husband will be home with me! Yeah! I am switching daycare days for Madison again because on Wednesday she starts swimming again. So now she is in daycare with her little buddies on Mondays and Thursdays. I debate all the time if we should keep her going or not. She would really miss her buddies though if she wasn't. I think it's good for her to be in there 2 days out of the week. I am going to just quit with the mommy guilt and realize that if she didn't go to daycare she wouldn't be as well rounded with other kids. She is such a social butterfly that I think it would be damaging to her to actually take her away from socializing with other kiddies. There, poof - the mommy guilt is gone. Go away guilt...go away.

Tyler called tonight and said that he was in Nebraska doing the scholarship thing. But that's all we heard and all we know cuz he didn't call back. I have no clue how it works or if it's a 2 day or 3 day thing so as soon as I find out I will blog about it. Steve's job is going to be posted this week I think. I just can't imagine it not going to him. Not sure how long it will be posted for...maybe a month. It'll be nice when that stress is all over with....meaning if he gets the job that is. I can't imagine anyone else going into that position who doesn't know what's going on at the DNR. I am holding my breath until the job becomes his. I will keep you updated on that. We will go out a celebrate big time if/when he gets the job!

It felt so good to be able to sit down and do a little layout. Nothing fancy but as my creative outlet it JUST FELT GOOD, ok? We didn't do too much today....except go to the Mall of America so Madison could go on some rides. It was sooo cold out there. She was a little poop when we left and kicked her boots off and wouldn't put them on. I finally just tucked her jacket over her feet and away we went off into the sub zero weather. She survived just fine mom. Then I ran to target and then steve made a pizza for dinner.
Oh...did I mention that we are watching Todd and Maria's doggie Toby? Oh my god, what a good doggie he is. Unbelievable that there are dogs out there. By the way, he does NOT like his picture either so now there are 2 of them in this household who won't let me take pictures and it's driving me nuts because Madison is so cute hugging Toby all over the place. Toby even sleeps in bed with us. He is just sooo good it's unreal.
That's about it! Gotta go to bed in a few mintues. Actually catch up on the E channel. OH...the lastest show I am in is Celebrity Rehab. Remember the guy from Taxi who was also in grease? I can't remember his name but WHAT A MESS he is. He's pretty close near to death I think seriously. That's not tv stuff, that's for real. Anywho, it makes for create drama. Oh, tomorrow is the first show of Peter Brady and his model wife Adrianna Curry. I hope it's as good as the first show was. I am slightly disappointed in the scott Baio show.......bummer. I love a good reality show and feel let down when it doesn't hold up to my great expectations.
Good night.

Happy Friday!

I think this is the longest I have gone without blogging....my poor little blog! However...there just isn't anything to blog about. I know I can usually blog about nothing just fine but there really isn't even anything to bs about. Madison starts swimming next week...I think and then starts iceskating right around her birthday. And the Library reading for toddlers doesn't start until the end of the month so boredom has set in for the two of us and we are just spending alot of time hanging out and watching "hairspray" for (I am not kidding you) the 100th time. It's at least 2 -3 times a day we watch hairspray. She loves that movie. She actually likes any musical but she really loves hairspray. We are even getting to know the opening song, "good morning Baltimore"....we went to the internet the other day and printed out the words so we could really learn it. I know little kid's minds are like sponges, but this is unreal what she can recall after reading/singing thorugh the words once or twice. I get amazed when ever the song is playing and she gets the words right (and I don't!).
We are going to be watching Todd and Maria's doggie this weekend so I should have some fun pictures to scrap with soon. She still isn't letting me take any pictures of her unless she can make a face. Normally that's okay but you can only have so many funny face pictures!
Have a good weekend ya all.

well, well, well......the pressure is on. I just had one more person tell me that they check my blog everyday (nikki) and she feels lost if there is nothing to read. Lordy that is pressure to perform now, isn't it? Anyways, that prompted me to actually sit down tonight at the computer and blog abit! I wouldn't want to start off anyone's week bad by not having something to read from little ole' me. By the time you are reading this it will be Monday morning and we all need to be chipper to start off the week right and I can only do what I can do to attribute to that "chipperness". Just kidding......I was going to blog tonight anyways.

We went to Haley's 7th bday party today. It was a fun time. Madison STILL is on the "I don't want my photo taken" kick so this was about the extent of me getting a photo of her....

Jeepers! She was a bit tad on the crabby side though so I wasn't expecting her to participate anyways. Poor me and my camera that CRAVES a good photo op!

Oh...here's a little update on TEAM MICHAELS vs TEAM SIEBOLD.... Team Michaels appears to be in the lead with the weight loss at about 5 lbs for EACH Steve and Kelly and about 4 lbs for Kim. No word on Tom's poundage yet. We did take the advantage of us being together to get our before photos of our contest....Without further ado, here's Steve & Kelly's BEFORE pic....

and Kim's and Tom's.

I won't laugh at any of the photos but one of these things don't belong with the others (singing to the tune of the electric company or was it seasame street that did that song?) Competion is fierce and we all tried to get the other family to eat icecream...but ONLY ONE of those families is eating icecream and it looks like TEAM MICHEALS IS EVEN FURTHER AHEAD! hee hee:) Infact, team Michaels decided to decline on the sweets entirely. We rock, we rock!

Oh, we got one more sale at http://www.inkededges.com/ which was exciting as hell today! Everytime there is a sale we get so excited! yeah for us.

Team Michaels UPDATE

Just had to brag about how good Madison was while I was working out on "the ball". She had her own little soccer ball and we watched the exercise dvd together and did an entire workout! That was sooo awesome! I didn't think that I could workout at home with her but now I know I can. Jane Fonda, move over cuz here comes Kelly (and Madison). hee hee. Speaking of working out, the contest involving the siebolds is probley at a dead even so far. Not sure about Tom and how he's doing but Kelly is down anywhere from 2-6 lbs depending on the time of the day and which day and Steve is down 4 with barely even trying. I am sure he drank one less beer or something and that alone resulted in a 4 lb weightloss (grrrr). Guess I shouldn't say grrrr cuz after all we ARE team Michaels! But you know what I'm talking about girls! I think that last that I talked to Kim she was at a 2 lb loss also and I know her numbers will go up and down also. May the best team win! Which of course will be us *(the Michaels). Toot a loo.
I think I am going to start to train for my first 5K. eeks. Kim has me going in that direction. Not quite serious about the training yet but I think I may do it as a challenge. Anyone want to join a rookie?
Oh....tv shows. Ok, good stuff is happening. TONIGHT is the celeb rehab stuff at 9pm on vh1 (I think). Gotta watch that. Nothing like a good rehab show. Then on Sunday is Scott Baio turns 45 and is pregant is on. THEN I think Peter Brady and his tvshow wife starts on Sunday also. I LOVE these shows soooo much. Yes for reality TV. I am a fan, that's for sure.
Oh, we also have 3 more sales in at www.inkededges.com. That's sooo fun to watch. We have about 600 downloads to our freebie, so that's how many people have been to our site!

I know I keep posting these layouts from when we took madison ice skating...I just took sooo many super cute photos of her expressions. Hope ya all don't mind:)

Here's a little layout of the bugger from when we went skating the other day. Not much has gone on to blog about......kinda boring these days. Infact, I don't have ANYTHING to say at all! Bye!

We got a sale!

Hey...we got a sale, we got a sale, we got a sale!!!! How exciting. The store wasn't even up for 24 hrs and someone bought something! That's sooo exciting! This is just the funnest thing ever! I obsessively check our site for comments/sales/etc. It's really fun having inked edges!

Yesterday me, Mom and Lynnie went to the Casino. Of COURSE we lost. Now...I actually did pretty good and was ahead by alot and then I just kept throwing the damn money back into the machines and came home with nothing really. I thought I did but then I counted and I didn't. Oh well...it was really fun. I am not done with wanting to go to the Casino. I go in spurts of liking the casino and then not caring about it. I am glad I am in the not caring about it mode.

We took Madison ice skating this morning out because it was sooo nice out. Here is just a cute little layout I did of her while she was iceskating. She's actually getting really good!

In fact you can see how good if you watch this film footage of her! hee hee, it's really funny. Of course we at least think so! Just click on this link and you'll be able to watch her....http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa115/kelmichaels/?action=view&current=20080105068.flv

How did you like it? Pretty good huh? Well....the baby girl is sleeping so I am playing around on the computer and Steve just wrote a song. It's a really good song. Now he just needs to learn the guitar that I bought him and he'll be the rock star we all know he is.

Some cool stuff I've been working on.

Gotta say, I am having a blast designing. These are all the new paper packs I have made in the last few weeks...it's totally addicting. I had to even design a little layout of the ones I have done! That was fun making that layout above. None of these papers are in our store yet. By the way, you can now go to www.inkededges.com to check out our website. Fun stuff I'm telling ya! Haven't made a sale yet but no one knows we are there yet! hee hee. I can't wait til the first sale comes! Hell, I don't even really care about a sale, I am just having fun doing this. But I can definately use some time away from the computer before Steve starts getting mad! Maybe I'll take a little break now from doing stuff. Just to keep the little feller happy:)

team michaels to win....

Ha ha ha ha ha....this is the funniest thing (above). I am laughing my head off right now. Kim and Tom and Steve and I are in a friendly little competition of who's family can lose 10 lbs the fastest. It's even funnier because we know the guys can lose weight at the drop of a bat *(Steve gave up drinking mountain dew and dropped 10 within 2 weeks or so) so it's really coming down to me and Kim and who can acutally lose 10 and the guys will have to be helping us out by rooting for their little wives and not letting us give in to tempetation. The loser has to buy dinner for us all. Team Michaels is going to kick some serious ass in this competition. I even went to the gym and did 60 minutes of cardio today. I acutally usually do 60 anyways, but today I put a little more *oopmh* into my workout. Anyways, I am laughing at my Team Michaels VS Team Siebold sign because it reminds me of those t-shirts that were going around when Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt got together and they made up the Team Jolie VS Team Anistion shirts. So basically Kim and I think we are Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Anistion. hahahaha I think I am going to die laughing.

Well, it's 2008! Yeah. Personally I am happy to have 2007 behind me and have a brand new start in life with a brand new year! I can just feel that 2008 is going to be a good one for me. I usually predict what type of a year I am going to have and it's usually pretty acurate, sooooo that means that this will just be one dandy of a year. Maybe I'll win the lottery or something. Wouldn't that be cool? Remember that you read that on my blog in case if I did win! hee hee.

We didn't really do anything today (it's new years day). I DID take down the christmas tree. Now our living room looks so big again. I guess not that it has ever looked big but without a huge ass tree in the middle of it, it looks pretty darn okay now!

It's been fun watching our little business run now. I put out a call (to the digi scrap community) for a creative team and the response has been unbelievable. We'll decide by the end of next week who will be on the creative team. I didn't think that I was going to have one and then at the last minute decided to do it. It's really addicting going to our inbox for email and see how many people are responding stating they love all our papers and want to design for us. It's kinda cool! I wonder when we'll get our first sale? That will be so exciting. We have to do adversting and stuff *with in the digi community again, in order to get our name out there because as of right now no one really knows we exist except for the people responding to our creative team call. Anyways, it's been pretty fun having this up and running!

Have a good short week everyone!

Not much going on today. The Vikes are on right now and are doing the typical MN thing...losing. Oh well....I guess it isn't over yet and since I am a 1/2 empty type of gal, it could actually turn around! Well see.....
Today Steve, Ty and Madison and myself went to the Mall of America. Steve bought a pair of pants and the kids got cookies/ice cream cones after we took Madison on some of the rides. That was good and wasted a few hours. I have been very, very...did I mention VERY bored lately? Winter has really been LONG for me and it's only december. I just can't believe how boring days can get ya know? I will try to keep my whining down about being bored.
Alrighty, gotta go. Things to do people. I can't just sit at my computer and blog all the time ya know!

I forgot about this cute pic of madison looking out the window on christmas eve. She said she thought she heard santa. Doesn't that just make your heart melt for the little innocent one?

Well, we finally went ice skating this morning....Madison did awesome! She was able to get herself to stand up by herself and actually skate just a little bit. It was cold out so I wanted to get back! There was a little girl there that was Madison's age that was skating all by herself. I asked her mom if she had taken lessons and she said no, that yesterday was her first time ever. A natural! That was cool to see. I want to bring madison down to the park alot. Too bad winter is so cold!

Yes, let it be known that I, Kelly Michaels, have become domesticated with a sewing machine (see photo below for proof) and all! I figured out my sewing machine once and for all and sat down on this lovely snowy saturday afternoon and actually hemed Steve's work pants. Awesome huh? This is a sewing machine that I won at the TIP banquet last fall. Actually Linda's son won it and I wanted it so bad that he actually gave it to me. Now, in my newest and latest phase of doing stuff, I want to sew a whole bunch of stuff. Not sure what excatly but I feel like sewing. It would be fun to be able to make Madison some fun costumes or something. I am sure I won't get that advanced. But still, it would be fun to do.

This is kinda a fun Saturday. We really aren't doing anything but getting stuff done around the house such as laundry and cleaning abit. But without pressure. Ok...Steve isn't putting any pressure on me. He usually doesn't go as slow as I do with getting stuff done. I'd rather putt around and get things done as they get done without rushing but he'd rather get it all done and then sit around. I say, "why through in the pressure?". I think I just feel like the second you get things picked up and cleaned, it justs gets messy within minutes and I'd rather be spending my time blogging or doing something that lasts abit longer. So the question is...."why would we stress ourselves out by trying to get it all perfect when within a 1/2 hr or so it's going to get back to how it was?". I KNEW you'd all agree with me:)

Well Christmas has come and gone. The end. All over with. This was acutally a very nice christmas this year. Madison was sooo much fun being this age and asking all those questions about Santa Clause! I wonder if we'll ever get an acutal picture of her sitting on Santa's lap. I doubt it if it hasn't happened yet. She was scared of him when she saw him the few times at the Mall of America. Each time I asked if she wanted to sit on his lap and tell him all about her baby crib that she wants him to bring her and she said no.

Here's some christmas pictures to take a little looksie at:

As you will see, there are NO pictures of Madison because she's in the stage of not wanting her picture taken. As you can imagine, it's freaking me out because I NEED to be able to get good photos just to satisfy my photo obsession...

It's been really fun with Ty home. Last night he had a little party over with about 8 kids or so. Of course Madison had to interact with them the whole night. She absolutely loves hanging out with the big kids. Ty should be home until the 5 of Jan. I think. He said he's going to go up to school for a new years party but then will come back down again. It's just fun with him here in the house.

Well, Madison and I have to run to target right now...I have to fill a perscription and then we'll see what is left in the christmas clearence section. I got a gift cert to Target from mom so I might try to find myself another sweat outfit. I am so sick of me wearing sweat outfits, but they are just so comfortable. And they are the only thing that seems to fit. I gained the holiday weight they say you always gain and I didn't even think I did that bad. Oh well.....good thing I have been working out like crazy so I am sure that did some damage control. I have big plans, big plans......hee hee. I have never had a hard time with losing weight really so I am not sure what's going on. It must be the age thing becuase things sure are different. Maybe I'll have to blog more about it and be accountable for what does really go in my mouth. I am going to pull out some old weightwatchers menus and try to follow an actual diet. Wierd.......I'm dieting I guess. Weird.

Oh...forgot to say that I found a pair of skates for the little girl. Maybe when we get back I will take her ice skating for the first time ever. We did buy her a little helmet so if she falls bad at least she won't split her head open. I can't wait till she takes some lessons and one day can actually skate. I assume if this is something she likes she'd be pretty good at it and with taking lessons at such an early age maybe she'll get really good at it. I think this is something I wanted to do so it's kinda like I am living my dream thorugh my child...hee hee. Not really...but I guess kinda if it's something I wish I would of done. Kim and I acutally were able to skate pretty well but of course we just didn't do anything with it. I'll try to take pictures of us skating. It's snowing out AGAIN so it should be fun!

UPDATE: We didn't get to go ice skating because I couldn't figure out her skates....I thought I broke something on the latch of the skate and then Steve fixed it when he got home from work so we'll try going this weekend. I really wanted to go today because it wasn't that cold out and it was snowing. Oh well....I am just happy that Steve fixed the ice skates.

This morning we all went outside to play after breakfast. Here's a little clip of the boys and maddie playing around...it's kinda funny.... (just click on the link)
http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa115/kelmichaels/?action=view&current=20071222048.flv
Last night Steve, Ty and I went to the casino....totally LOST. Bummer. But it was fun. That was Tyler's first time at the casino. He lost too though! Loggie and Auntie Lynnie babysat the little girl. They went to a basketball game and Lynn said she was perfect! Oh....this is soooo awesome....While we were driving back from the casino Tyler got a call from his professor to tell him "the billboard of you is now up in North Dakota". The kid is on a fricken BILLBOARD. As in, you are driving down the freeway and you look up and there is a billboard of Tyler. Isn't that just totally awesome? I can't believe he's on a billboard. They'll get photos of it and send it to me so I can post it on the blog. I think I am more excited than anyone here. hee hee.

Here's another picture of today out in the snow... sorry..they are sideways.

Hey, here is a interview that Ty did at school and it's on their internet.....go to this link:

http://www.mnstate.edu/recruitment/students/tyler_michaels.cfm

aaarrgh, I can't sleep at ALL! It's been a long time since I have stayed up this late. Not sure why I get like that but I have always done this my whole life. Anyways.....I am even bored of the computer believe it or not. There really is only so much you can do on the computer, ya know!
I haven't said anything about Madison's latest with the bladder/kidney infection stuff. She is all better from the bladder infection but the doctor's want to do a kidney test on her because her right kidney is a little smaller than the left. Needless to say, we have been very disappointed with how this whole issue has come about because after we had the ultrasound done, they never called us back to let us know anything and then when I called finally to get the results they put me through the "red tape" of saying that nothing was faxed over so I needed to call the uroloigists and then when I called the urologists, they insisted they already had and I needed to then call them back and tell them they had already done it. Then the doctors/nurses didn't know anything still and said they would call me back. So they called and said that her right kidney was slightly smaller than her left kidney but it shouldn't be a concern. Then a week later I got a call saying "pick up her referral to the surgeon's office"....OF COURSE I called there asking what this was about and they didn't know but that was why we should bring her to the referral. So when I called to make the appointment "greg at the front desk" wanted to know why she is being referred and I said because her right kidney is smaller than her left, and he said what other tests have even been done besides the ultrasound and I said NONE! He transferred me to their nurses line to tell them that he doesn't know how to schedule Madison. FINALLY the nurse called me back and said they want this test done and yes, it will be tramatizing with a cathidar but they can give her laughing gas while putting the cather in but not for the whole procedure.........and although the nurse was really nice I asked her what are the concerns with her kidney being smaller and why would she be put through this to find out what? Anways....there was alot more questions and "what if's" and I said I perfer not to put her through an unnecessary test like this and I would need to talk to my husband before I make any appointments.....Anways....Steve and I both discussed this and we have decided that we will not put Madison through this test unless there is another reason down the line to put her through that. We just can't do it because we know what she had was a bladder infection and there were NO signs of anything kidney related. She took the medication for the bladder infection and just like when I have had one, the meds take about 1 day to work which they did on her and she's never had a problem since. We are both sure it is because we probley wiped the wrong way when she went poopies. We are both content with our decision on this. Poor little Madison. You can't always trust what the doctor's say and sometimes need to use your own judgement. Which we BOTH are in this case. I am sure they do not like it when a parent goes against their wishes but sometimes it is necessary. I trust my instincts a hell of a lot and with Steve backing that up it's even more so.
Oh, I hear the little boogers up.....maybe I am typing too loud.

Here's a layout I made of us making cookies on Saturday afternoon....

Well, I FINALLY finished the downstairs bathroom. Once again....I will never paint red again because it is just too hard and seriously way too may coats of paint to put on! Here are some photos....BTW Steve did a fabuolous job on the chair rail that he put up in there! Pretty professional looking on his part. My part was so-so....still not particuarlly happy with my painting, but it's OKAY.

These are the brown and red towels that I bought to go downstairs. Now I just need to find a picture to put in there but I am not in a rush for that!

Did I already mention on Saturday me and Madison went over to Barbies to make Xmas cookies with Nikki and Kylee and Kim, Kayla and Haley? We had a ton of fun...

The above picture is us later that night at the "High School Musical on Ice". That was SUCH a good ice show. I never saw the movie(s) but now I want to because it was sooo good.

Well, I just got a kiss from Steve for cleaning today and having supper ready when he got home. He said that is his dream....I told him he was full of it.

Happy Saturday! Me and Madison are getting ready to go down to Barbie's house to make cookies with Nikki and Kylee and Kim and Kayla and Haley. Then we (minus Madison cuz she's too little still) are going to go to the High School Muscial on Ice at the Excel Center. It should be fun. Nice quality time spending with the nieces! I'll have pictures to post tomorrow.

Happy Friday everyone! Not too much to blog about today so I'll start ya off with a photo of Madison in "outspace" with her "friends". She's been on this kick about outerspace lately which is obiviously a daycare creation. Tonight we are going to do FRIDAY NIGHT fun night at the michaels and throw a whole bunch of blankets on the floor and watch movies and eat pizza and popcorn. I am going to try to be good and eat only 1 piece of pizza. Not sure if that will work though. Oh....maybe I'll just make some chicken or something for me cuz seriously...when was the last time I have been able to eat one piece of pizza? I'd say NEVER.