Celebrating Travis' Birthday

Tonight Jason grilled pork tenderloin for dinner to celebrate Travis' Birthday. His birthday was actually yesterday, but we weren't able to celebrate with him. Travis loves Jason's pork tenderloin and I must say that tonight's was probably the best yet. I fixed steamed asparagus for a side and Jason also made noodles with his awesome florentine sauce. We had chicken florentine last night and Jason saved the left over sauce to pour over noodles as another side. We all loved it and decided we need to definitely have that more often. Travis isn't a big fan of desserts, but he does like apple pie okay. I picked up a small one so we could sing happy birthday and Christian could help blow out the candle. Christian was so excited to do this. When it came time to actually sing he just kept smiling and looking at Travis. It was so cute! Then they both blew out the candle together. We finished the evening off by watching 24 together. It was a great evening! Happy Birthday Travis!

Looking Forward To This Week

We are supposed to have awesome weather all week long. I am so looking forward to it! I am supposed to be getting the rest of my pictures organized into albums this week but I don't see how I am going to do that when I can't bare to be inside when it is nice out. Maybe I will get up early before Christian and do it. I doubt it though. I lost 2 whole weeks of getting things done because of reading the Twilight Saga for a third time. I finished them all on Saturday and it was so worth being behind now. I LOVE those books. I will probably read them again sometime. I think one day this week I am going to take Christian to a park and maybe even pack a picnic. He loves to eat outside. He loves to do anything outside. Which is good because Jason and I both have to be outside when the weather is nice. I am in the mood to get rid of and clean out more things to, but that will have to happen in the evenings or early mornings once again. I read both of my Pottery Barn books while I was sitting outside during Christian's nap and now I have all these things I want to do and stuff I want to get rid of. We are going to be super busy this weekend with Easter and everything. Friday Jason is off and I am off early, so we are heading to his parents for a fish fry and to celebrate Easter early with them. Saturday Jason is smoking boston butts for his friend's cook out that we are going to Saturday night. Sunday is absolutely crazy as far as places to go to for Easter. It will be so much fun watching Christian hunt Easter eggs this year I can't wait. One night this week I want to dye Easter eggs with Christian. Tonight we are celebrating Travis' birthday. His birthday was actually yesterday, but Jason is grilling pork tenderloins tonight and we are all going to watch 24 together. I can't believe that this is the last year for it. I have always been a huge fan of this show and I have watched from the very beginning. I must say though I think it has run it's course and I don't think I am going to miss it too much when it is gone. I have gotten into so many other shows that I actually like better. I think Spartacus and Sons of Anarchy are tied for first in my book. I was so upset by what happened in the last episode of Spartacus that I felt like my own best friend had died. I know I have a problem with how much I get into my shows, but I can't help it. Jason thinks I'm crazy! Well, I guess I need to get to organizing pictures for awhile. Hopefully I get everything done this week and still enjoy being outside as much as possible.

Yard Sale

Today Becky had her yard sale. Jason and I put some of our junk in it that I had been clearing out this winter. I didn't have time to go through stuff like I wanted, but we still did good at it. We made $225. Becky made $500 and Martha made $26. It was well worth our time. I am saving the rest of the stuff and cleaning out for Jamie's yard sale that will be in June. Jamie's always do so good also! Jason also put a new roof on our garage while I was at the yard sale. I am so lucky to have such a handy husband that can do lots of odd and end things.

Pizza At The Broeker's

Tonight we went over to Jamie and Ben's to eat pizza and visit with Jason's parents and everybody. We weren't able to stay very long because Christian needed to get home and in bed. The kids all had fun playing together and the adults all had fun hanging out and talking. Thanks Jamie and Ben for having us over and thanks Kenny and LeeAnn for the pizza. We all had lots of fun!

The BIG Shopping Trip

Yesterday Alisann and I headed to Cincinnati for our semi-annual shopping trip. We go in the fall and in the spring to the outlet malls and shop till we drop. We left at 6:00 in the the morning and we started shopping 11:30 there time we did not quit until 6:30 there time and that was only because they were closing and locking the doors. We actually hit two different malls this time. We went to the one in Jeffersonville first. This is the one that we strategically mapped out the order of stores we wanted shop and what we wanted to shop for in each of the stores. I got some cute mugs at the Pottery Barn store along with a couple of there books and some other decor items for our house. We hit the jackpot at Banana Republic and the GAP. We had thirty percent of coupons to use as much as we wanted all day at these stores. I was really disappointed in J. Crew this time, so surprising enough I didn't buy anything from there. I usually buy tons of stuff there. Alisann and I both found things at Coach and we had a thirty percent off coupon there also. After we hit all the stores we wanted to at this mall we decided to go check out the new outlet mall in Cincinnati. I must say this was one of the nicest outlet mall that we have been to. They have tons of stores and it is 45 minutes closer to home. Our little brother John was such a good sport through all of the shopping. We picked him up at 10:15 in the morning and he shopped with us the entire time with the only break being a quick drive through lunch at Wendy's as we were heading to the next Outlet mall. I think next time we go over there we might sacrifice going to Pottery Barn and spend more time at the new outlet mall. They do have a Frontgate and Ballard Designs outlet in Cincinnati and I like there stuff almost as much as I like Pottery Barn as far as home decor goes. t is a little more pricey though. Alisann and I are trying to plan a trip this summer and we are trying to convince Becky to go with us. I am dying to go back to that new outlet mall. We didn't even have time to walk around and look at everything it was so big.

Becky's Birthday Dinner

Saturday night my sisters and I went out to eat for Becky's birthday. I am so upset that I ran off and left my camera at home. We all had so much fun! Our dad went with us too since our mom is in Florida for the week. We ate at Firefly and the food was delicious! Afterwards we all went to Starbuck's. My sisters all love coffee, but I hate it. There are plenty of other things that I do like at Starbuck's though. We sat and talked for a while longer and then we decided it was getting late and we needed to head home. I am so glad the we all got to spend the whole evening together for Becky's birthday. It is always so hard for us all to get together at the same time and even harder to do it with out kids. I hope Becky had a wonderful birthday today!

Grilling Out With The Broeker's

Friday night we had Jamie, Ben, Kyle and Hannah over to grill out. It was such a nice evening to be outside. Jason grilled shrimp and salmon and he made his famous sauce that we all love to put on top of it. everything was so good. The kids had fun eating there macaroni and cheese on top of the playground. They all also had fun playing down in the basement while we all hung out and talked. Jamie was so happy to be officially on Spring break. I can't wait until summer when we can have lots more nights like these. It's so hard to do during the school year with Kyle in school and Jamie working. During the summer we have lots more time and the weather is usually always good for grilling out.

Update

We haven't been up to too much this week. I have finished the first and second books in the Twilight Saga for the third time. It is amazing how I still get so sucked in even when I know what is already going to happen. I am really looking forward to getting the New Moon movie on Saturday. Jason, Christian and I went and ate at Moe's last night and it was SO good. I have been there before and have always liked it, but last night it was just really good! Then we stopped and picked up some groceries and rented a movie. We watched The Boondock Saints II. I really liked the second one. I liked the first one a lot also, but I think I liked the second one better because it got into there history more. Jason and I started watching another new TV series on Tuesday called Justified. We think it is going to be pretty good. We have quite a few shows that we like to watch together. We both are really into 24 and Spartacus right now also. I of course LOVE 90210 and Vampire Diaries, but Jason will not even attempt to watch those with me. I think he would probably like Vampire Diaries if he would give it a chance. Today was such a beautiful day. I spent the whole day outside. This morning I took Christian to the zoo where we met up with Alisann and James. That was great! Then when we got home I laid Christian down for his nap and put my bikini on and laid outside and read my book. Christian ended up not taking a nap, so I got him back up so he could play outside. I also did some cleaning around the house. I should have done much more, but it was just too nice outside to spend it inside cleaning. Christian and I had a nice surprise this afternoon also. Jamie and Kyle stopped by for a short visit. Kyle was selling candy bars for his school. Christian loved getting to pick out a candy bar and he ate the whole thing. When Jason got home we grilled hot dogs and then took Christian on a wagon ride down the road. It was just such a great day. I am really looking forward to the next few days. Tomorrow is supposed to just as nice today so I am hoping to be able to spend it outside after I get off work. Saturday I have to work later than usual and it is Becky's birthday. Alisann, Becky and I are all going out to dinner just s girls to celebrate. I am really looking forward to this because the three of us never get to do this. Then on Sunday Alisann and I are going to shop till we drop. If her Highlander looks anything like it did last year when we went we are both going to be in trouble. I still wish I had a picture of it. The whole car was filled to the top with all of our stuff. I thought Jason and Justin were going to have a heart attack. I can't wait to start the third book tonight. The third and the fourth are my favorites in the Saga. It might be a while before I post again. I am sure I will be completely obsessed after I get started tonight. After I finish these I am not starting anymore books until I go on Vacation. I have three Sandra Brown books that I plan to read while I am in Mexico. Until then I am going to hopefully finish everything that I need to get done around the house and with my picture projects before we leave. Then I can sit back and enjoy the upcoming summer!

The Big Bingo

Tonight I went with my parents and grandparents to the Big Bingo. The catholic schools put this on every year to raise money. My Dad's company bought a table and they had an extra ticket so I was really excited when I got to go. They had a nice dinner and drinks and then snacks and bingo. It was fun hanging out with my aunts and uncles on my dad's side and also getting to spend time with my parents and grandparents. On the first game of Bingo my Aunt Karen got a Bingo. She won a hundred dollars. Toward the end of the night I think it was game 13 or 14 I got a bingo and won a hundred and fifty dollars. I was so excited I was shaking. This was the first time I had ever played bingo for real. I am usually not that lucky of a person. The only other time I have won something was on a poker run out on the river. I will be spending my winnings this weekend at the outlet mall with Alisann. We are heading there early Sunday morning and going to shop ALL day. I can't wait!

Celebrating Uncle Duane's Birthday

Last night Jason, Christian, Josh, Brittany, and I headed to Sand'ys Pizza to celebrate Uncle Duane's 51st birthday. We met Aunt Susan and Uncle Duane, Tim, Travis, Heather, Andy, Myron, and Janet there. We had a lot of fun hanging out with everyone. It had been forever since we all have been able to get together. The pizza was good as always too! I am looking forward to summer when we can all hang out on the river together. I also want to say congratulations to Josh and Brittany because they just found out that they will be expecting there first child sometime at the beginning of November.

St. Clement's Fish Fry

Tonight we headed to the St. Clement's fish fry where we met my Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa Folz and Jason's parent's for dinner. We have been hearing from several people that they have the best fish on Fridays. When my Mom said they were going we figured it would be the perfect time to try it out. All the food was delicious! Christian was so good while we were there and he had fun visiting with all of his Grandparents. Jason and I enjoyed getting to visit with both of our parents and my Grandparents also. We rented the movie Saw VI to watch tonight. Jason is kind of tired of all the Saw movies, but I still think they are good. I love how they always have a twist in the end. Hopefully this one will be just as surprising as the rest.

It's Finally Here

I have been waiting for months to see the new Twilight trailer for Eclipse and it is finally here. I wish it would have been a little longer, but it is still really good. It put me in the mood to read the books for a third time. I have been meaning to do that for awhile now. If I don't post much it's because I have become obsessed again. I think after three times I should have more self control though. I can't wait until June 30 for it to come out! The movie New Moon comes out March 20 and there is supposed to be a sneak peak for Eclipse in that movie.

A Great Sunday With The Pickerill Side

Today after we woke up and ate breakfast we straighten up our house and finished some laundry up. Then we got ready and packed up the truck to head to Kenny and LeeAnn's for the day. It was a beautiful day except for the wind and a few clouds. The kids all had fun riding there jeeps and going for a ride on the 'sled' (it's actually the hood of an old car) behind Kenny's lawnmower. THey also picked up pine cones and ran all over the yard. Jason had fun shooting his bow and Jamie and I enjoyed reading our Sandra Brown books. I got her hooked on them also. It was funny because when ever we first got to Kenny and LeeAnn's I went inside and was talking with them. I had said how I wanted the sun to come back out s I could go outside and read because I was really getting into my book that I just started. Kenny told me that he had just finished a really good book. He was trying to remember the name of the author and he said Sarah Brown. I looked at him and was like do you mean Sandra bRown and he said that that was it and that the name of it was Fat Tuesday. I about died. I pulled the book out of my purse that I was reading and showed him that it was the same one. I told him I would have to start bringing him some of her others to read. When Jamie got there I told her about it and she was shocked too. People tend to think the books are for women but they are actually awesome murder mysteries that I think anybody would enjoy if you like that genre. LeeAnn fixed a wonderful meal of her famous chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes, corn, and carrots. we all ate until we were stuffed. After we cleaned up the mess the kids had fun playing in the family room together. Jamie and I had fun looking at different embroidery things for the kids that LeeAnn can do on her new sewing machine. There were so many cute things! The kids started getting tired since none of them had naps so we headed home a little early. We weren't even half way home and Christian fell sound to sleep in the car. He was exhausted from all the playing outside. We put him to bed as soon as we got home. We all had such a nice relaxing day! I am looking forward to lots more of these kind of days.

Good Food With Good Friends/Family

Yesterday we spent the day playing outside with Christian. We had a picnic lunch and had lots of fun swinging and going down the slide. Christian even climbed up the wall on his swing set twice with out any help. When Christian took his nap I relaxed outside with a good Sandra Brown book called Fat Tuesday. Jason cleaned out the inside of his truck and started to get things ready for grilling out. We had Jamie, Ben, Josh and Brittany over for Jason's famous chicken wings. I made taco dip and stuffed mushrooms and Jamie made her famous buffalo chicken dip. We all had lots of fun eating and hanging out together. Christian was so excited to see everybody. He got a present from Josh and Brittany that he was pretty excited about. Josh thought it would be funny to get Christian a set of toy golf clubs since Jason hates golf and Josh and Travis both love it. He all had a good laugh over it. Before Christian's bedtime he insisted on his Aunt Jamie getting him dressed. After Christian was in bed the six of us sat around the bar and had one laugh after another. I love that the weather is getting nicer out. Hopefully we can have a bigger cook out soon. I would like for the weather to be nice enough to have everyone outside. We all had a blast together. Hopefully we can do it again sometime soon.

Ready For Spring

I have lost almost all motivation to finish my projects. I am so tired of being cooped up inside all day. I will say I am pleased with what I have accomplished this winter. It would be nice if I could stay motivated for another month to get things finished up. This week really put me behind. Normally I get my things done during Christian's nap time. This week he decided it was time to climb out of his crib and not take naps. We have started putting him in a big bed and he is not adjusting well at all. It takes forever for me to lay him down for a nap and then he won't sleep for long. It has been taking us longer to lay him down at night also and he gets up super early in the morning. Needless to say we have all been sleep deprived this week and I have had hardly any spare time to work on any of my projects. I hope Christian gets in a schedule soon. I think a lot of it has to do with not being able to get outside and get his exercise in. He is getting tired of all the indoor toys and is ready to get out and play outside! I took him out yesterday afternoon for a while. Today we had a picnic outside for lunch a played a long time then. He is napping now and has been down for about an hour. It took me an hour though to get him to seep before I could sneak out of the room. I am looking forward for this weekend getting to be outside. We really need these nice days. I will be thrilled to death if I can finish everything before we leave on vacation and can get Christian in a good routine.