So, what've you done with YOUR summer?

So, obviously, I've not been updating my blog.

So, when I've NOT been counting down to receiving my highly anticipated copy of the 4th book, BREAKING DAWN, as written by the wonderfully talented Stephenie Meyer (for the exact date and time until release see my widget below....) I've been tackling projects around the house and spending time with my hunky hubby and turdriffic kids...oh, I mean, TERRIFIC. (I only say that as I've just passed thru another bout with vomiting & diarrhea for Josh....some days I wonder WHY we feed them....(again, J/K!)

I HAVE however, been busy with some BIG projects, or rather, being Stann's HELPER! Yay me! (1st pic is of the BEFORE porch....awful outdoor carpet, stairs that don't span the whole porch, a high, wobbly railing, NO railing on the right side...you can totally see what I mean just by looking at it!) We were definitely candidates for Desperate Landscapes....or whatever the show is called....(or EXTREME HOME MAKE OVER...take your pick!)

Now I'll show you the AFTER pictures....now mind you, you'll still have to use your imagination - as we've not painted or anything yet....but you'll get the general "gist" of things and how they'll START to look AFTER we work on the exterior of the house. Keep in mind, I really, really like the Craftsman look....so that's what we're trying for (in the end).

BIG IMPROVEMENT, I think!

CLOSE UP VIEW:

If you could only have been there....it SERIOUSLY took like a full day to do! We (I'm using "we" VERY liberally here....as it was STANN who was the one who did the majority of the labor....)

WE drilled into the concrete stairs, put epoxy in the drilled holes, inserted dowels, then drilled the decking screws into those dowels to hold everything together. Why not just use concrete tapping screws you might wonder (or you'd wonder if you knew you could USE that type of screw....) because my hunky hubby is as vain as I am! We didn't like the idea of blue screws peepin' out at us. (It's vain, people, VAIN!)

So, we drilled and hammered and measured and VOILA! Everything is now level and BEEEA-UTIFUL!

Now if only we could agree on how to go about the exterior...as there's a new roof to be installed, new siding, blowing in insulation (the house was built in the 1940's....their idea of insulation was adding a few newspapers....NOT KIDDING!)

And many, many more things that will need to be done sooner or later....SOONER, providing we sell our lovely, wonderful, gorgeous home in Sandy. Know anyone looking to buy?! Just kidding. (kinda)

NEXT BIG TICKET....Stann's baby brother David graduated! Yay Uncle David! Stann and I got to go to the graduation (ixnay on the idkays...) and watch the 2nd to last of the McNamee's graduate....(no pressure Chrissy Ann....) And while he was walking past - Stann, being Stann, yelled (and I quote...) "Yaaaay David! Keep goin' kid! Left foot! Right foot! Left foot! Right foot! You can do it buddy!" AND once he was in his seat, he yelled "We're soooo proud you made it buddy!" This had EVERYONE in the Convention Center in hysterics. No joke. Anyone who knows Stann knows #1 he's not quiet and #2 he doesn't blend into the back ground AT ALL. Very, very funny, all things considered, and David made it through - relatively un-embarrassed. :)

Next big thing....Kathie won tickets to the World Wide Premier of "The Tails of Abbygail" which premiered in our own town of Sandy. So we took the kids to see the 34 minute premier of the 1st of 13 DVD's that will be released. It's a really cute story line - check it out at http://www.weloveabby.com/ if you'd like to see what its about. My boys actually liked it a lot. :) We even got to meet the author and narrator. It was very cute, the boys got pirate eye patches and the girls got tiaras and they had a pre-showing tea party at the Sandy Cinema. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday morning if you're NOT claustrophobic....unfortunately, I AM! Oh well! The things we do to make memories for our kids!!!!

Next, I just wanted to show you updates of the boys.....they saw the puppies in a raft at the premier....and had to try it out in their little laundry basket....Thought it was tooo cute.

Josh and Matt are just growing soooo big! Matt's a chatty little magpie....repeats EVERYTHING he hears....and we've attempted the 1st introduction to potty training - only I think we're going to hold off until he's 3. He still doesn't recognize the urges and more often than not, an accident occurs. But he LOVES the idea of being a big boy and using the potty. :) That's at least a step in the right direction!

Josh is a tempermental little bugger. So quick to laugh and joke, and so quick to get pi$$ed off! I can't believe how tall and skinny he is and HOW MUCH he's starting to look like Matt. Well, except he's like 10 shades darker in the skin dept., and I call him my little brown boy. :) Brown eyes, brown hair, brown skin - and most of the time it's from the dirt that he loves to wallow in. ;)

Life is going pretty well all updates aside.

I'm officially past 6 weeks. :) Yay! Back to NORMAL! (Oh wait....you have to have BEEN normal in the 1st place in order to return to it....!)

But I've been given the green light to go ahead and exercise, and since Stann and I are committed to attending his BF Matt's wedding in Mexico, I've decided to bite the bullet and tackle some of my "somedays". You know..."Someday" I'm going to do.....blah, blah, blah. One thats always been on my list is run a marathon. So now I'm actively looking for a running partner. If I can't find one, then I'm going to have to break down and find a running club to join. As I'm going to need motivational help after the first week or so. (Tap, tap....Helllloooo? Is this thing on?? What?! No volunteers?!) So, I'll keep you posted and oh yeah. I've still been working on my book. I may post a chapter in the next week or so. Providing I don't lose the guts to do it. Remember, when I do post it, LIE. Lie through your teeth! ;)) Just kiddin'!

Hope you all had a Happy 4th people!