The Winner is....

*Update on the color, I know a lot of you have commented that you like the color, however, I really think that it is a little too bright for me. I went back to Benjamin Moore today and had them mix me a gallon of one shade lighter than the color that I currently have. It is hard to tell in the picture but it really is a bit blinding, I will let you know what I think once I have finished painting again tomorrow, wish me luck!

The color I decided to go with for the girls bathroom is lime green and I will do pink accents throughout. After I finished painting it yesterday I was really excited on how it turned out, however, 2 hours later when it was really dry I wasn't as sure. This first picture is how I thought it was going to turn out, however now that it is completely dry it looks more like you see it in the last two pictures with the lights on. I think I am going to go ahead and have Cory put the sink and toilet in as well as getting the mirrors hung and see how it all turns out. My parents came over and saw it and both liked it, they said they have been through a lot homes and people always do fun/bright colors in the kids bathrooms. Hopefully it will grow on me once everything is complete, if not I will go back to the drawing boards and try again. What are your thoughts???




Can you tell the difference??

8 Years

September 29th 2001


Cory and I have known each other since the summer after we graduated high school which was 1995 and have been together/dating since 1997. Wow to think that we have known each other for 14 years is amazing to me. We started off as friends and then realized we wanted to be something more and here we are married for 8 years! I love the fact that we have known each other since we were 18, I know/have experienced things with him as a teenager, young adult and now adults/parents. Here is a look back at some of the times we have shared together.

1997- Cory's brother Ryan was graduating from high school and I went with the family to see/celebrate. I remember this being one of the first times I had done anything with his family and I was SO nervous!

July 1997 my cousin Betsy's wedding, this is the first time that Cory was introduced to my extended family. Yes, I was in the wedding party and yes, that is a purple pantsuit, sorry Betsy.

October 2001, we are on our honeymoon in Cancun Mexico, I would not suggest this as a honeymoon spot but, we didn't have too much money (Cory had just bought a house, then an engagement ring and we had just paid for a wedding)so we had to make due with what we had left.

July 2002 family vacation to N. Carolina.

July 2002 my best friend Nicole's wedding again yes, I was in the wedding party I was the Matron of Honor!

March 2003 my first time to Las Vegas. Cory's whole family went out to Vegas to visit his Aunt Lisa, we had a really good time, I loved Vegas and want to go back again soon!

November 2005 I am pregnant with Claire

November 2007

First Thanksgiving with both our girls!

September 2008 our 7 year anniversary

Halloween last year I was a 70's girl and Cory was Magnum P.I.

Valentine's Day 2009- Our 12th Valentines together

Happy Anniversary Cory, you are a wonderful husband and father to our girls, thank you for giving us such a wonderful life. I can't wait to see what our future holds, I love you!

Fall Line-Up

First off I want to say welcome to any new readers to my blog, I have noticed that I have some new followers and I am thrilled you have joined us.

This was pretty much the first week of the fall line up so I thought I would share some of my thoughts about a few of the shows and would love to hear what you all thought as well. We have had a couple of shows that started a few weeks ago but this week was the return of Grey's and the start of FlashForward. Let's go back just for a few minutes and discuss some of the other shows that started up last week or the week prior, if there is a show that you watch and think that I need to check it out please let me know as I am always interested in watching something new and good.

One Tree Hill- Use to watch this show all the time and enjoyed it (I know a thirty something mom of 2 watching OTH, hush). Anyways it was good while they were in high school but then last year we flashed forward 4 years and it just wasn't the same. Now this year we have skipped ahead another 1.5 years and Lucas and Peyton are no longer in the equation. I read that both Chad Michael Murray and Hillary Burton have decided to end the contracts with OTH, thus they did not return this season, I have decided it was also my time to say goodbye to OTH.

The Vampire Dairies- The first episode of this show was pretty good, maybe it is because I LOVE vampires and like to think that one day Edward will come for me. :) Don't worry my loving husband knows all about my obsession for him. Anyways, the first episode was good enough to intrigue me to watch the second episode but, that one was a let down. So I still have this weeks episode saved on my TIVO but have yet to watch it, I will let you know what I think later.

As for the shows that started this week:
Dancing with the Stars- Wow, there aren't very many "stars" on there that can dance. I would have to say that out of the men my favorites are Donny Osmond, Aaron Carter and Mark Dacascous these are the three who I predict will be around for awhile. For the women Kelly Osbourne (WOW was she good, I never expected her to be so light footed)Natalie Coughlin, Mya and Joanna Krupa are my predictions for the girls. Thank goodness Macy Gray went home this week, not to be mean but she was horrible. The whole time she danced her mouth was open I thought for sure she would eat a bug or two.

So You Think You Can Dance- we are still in the auditions but the are fun to watch. I swear Mary Murphy is a riot she cracks me up ever episode no matter if she is trying to or not. I have seen a lot of good dancers in the auditions I think this season will be a really good one and a tough one for the judges to decide who is in the top 20.

NCIS Los Angeles- Obviously this was not one of my picks but Cory's, however, I did watch it with him as I like Chris O'Donnell and LL Cool J. I was impressed for a guy show it was pretty good, I will continue to watch it. I want to know what Chris O'Donnell's name is, throughout the episode they refer to him as "G", he doesn't know what it stands for (he was raised in the system and was never told his full first name all he knows is that it starts with the letter G) but, I am sure we will find out as the show moves on.

Eastwick- It is waiting on my TIVO for me to watch I haven't had time to watch it yet, I will catch up with it this weekend.

Glee- Now talk about a let down, this sure was one for me. The pilot was really good and funny, I was really excited for this show to start up but I have been disappointed with the last two weeks. I told Cory that it isn't what I was hoping for and if it doesn't turn around in the next week or two I am finished with it as there are too many other good shows I could be watching.

Law & Order SVU- I love this show, I have ever since it began back in 1999. Yes, I will admit that I haven't watched it faithfully over the last 10 years but every time I tune in I am never disappointed. The characters Olivia and Stabler are great and now that we have a TIVO that can record two shows at the same time I have put it back in to start watching every week.

Survivor- All I can say is WOW, this should be a interesting season as Russell Hantz the 36 year old, oil company owner is a totally jerk! Again I haven't had a chance to watch last nights yet as I had to watch Grey's and FlashForward so I don't know what happened this week or if the others are finally catching on to him but man he is up to no good.

NOW FOR THE GOOD ONES!!

Grey's Anatomy- Yes it was sad to see George go but again I was disappointed. Their finale was SO good that the first episode back didn't even come close. I had a feeling that they were going to somehow get the other hospital "Mercy West" involved this year as I had read that new characters were being brought in. With both Katherine Heigel and Ellen Pompeo being out for awhile it should be interesting to see what happens with the show.

FlashForward- Was AWESOME!! Both Cory and I agreed that this looks like it is going to be another good show by the producers of LOST! I was pretty impressed with the two of us as we figured out things before they were told to us, examples being Cory figured out that the reason the other FBI guy didn't see a flash was because he is probably dead, they later confirmed our his thought. I thought that the reason the little boy knew Olivia at the hospital is because he ends up living with her in the future, it was later revealed that his father is the man that Olivia left her husband for therefore my theory was correct. I just loved how it was making us think already and try to piece together everything.

I can not wait for Private Practice to start back up next week. Out of all the shows that I watch this one had the biggest cliff hanger with Violet and the baby, I can't wait to see what happens. Whew, I think that is all for now, what are some of your favorite fall shows?

Kelly's Korner- Show us your Dessert Friday

Gooey Butter Cake

What you need:
Cake Mix
* 1 package of yellow cake mix
* 1 stick butter- melted
* 2 eggs
All three of these should be mixed by hand!

Also need:
Filling
* 8 oz of cream cheese softened
* 1 box powdered sugar
* 2 eggs
* 1 tsp. vanilla
All four of these should mixed with beater

* Mix cake mix and put in a greased 9 x 13 pan
* Mix filling and put on top of cake mix
* Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown, you don't want to cook it too much as you want the inside to still be "gooey".
* Sprinkle with powdered sugar

If you have never heard of Gooey Butter Cake you are in for a real treat. This is a HUGE mid west recipe. I lived in New Jersey for 4 years and nobody had ever heard of it. Gooey Butter Cake can be used as a dessert or for a side at a brunch, yummy, enjoy!!

Wordless Wednesday

Paige finally has enough hair for two ponies!

I don't know who enjoyed the balloon ride more the girls or the adults.




Clarie and Adam

Paige and Lauren

The whole gang, well minus Connie she was nice enough to take the picture, this is my whole side.

Tuesdays Tasties

Chicken Fried Pork with Mashed Potatoes

What you need:
* 2 med. eggs
* 1/2 cup milk
* 1/2 t. salt
* 1/2 t. black pepper
* 1/2 t. hot sauce
* 1/2 cup Parmesan bread crumbs
* 1/2 cup flour
* 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese
* 1/4- 1/2 t. cayenne pepper (all depends how much of a kick up want)
* 4 pork cube steaks
* 4 T Canola Oil
* 1 package frozen red skin mashed potatoes w/pan gravy (the gravy is what makes it)

Let's Make it:
*In pie plate or shallow bowl mix bread crumbs, flour, Parmesan Cheese and Cayenne.
*In a medium bowl whisk eggs then add milk, salt, black pepper and hot sauce whisk again.
*Dip cube steaks in egg mixture coating both sides. Dredge pork in flour mixture, pressing lightly so breading adheres. Repeat w/ all cube steaks.
* In nonstick 12-inch skillet heat 2 T oil over medium-high heat. In batches, cook cube steaks 6 to 8 minutes, turning once or until golden brown, crispy and internal temp. reaches 145 degrees. Repeat w/ remaining pork adding additional oil to pan as needed.
* Meanwhile, prepare mashed potatoes and gravy as label directs. Serve steaks w/potatoes.

Weekend Rundown

Sorry it has been awhile since my last blog but I haven't had a whole lot so say this week. This weekend we were busy and enjoyed time with friends and family. Friday night we had dinner with one of our neighbors (very last minute, but aren't those the best), Carol and I fed the kids Mac & Cheese along with some lunch meat and fruit while the dads ran to Chipolte to get the adults some burritos, yum! It was such a beautiful night that while the kids were playing inside we sat out on the deck and talked and enjoyed each others company. After we came home and put the girls to bed Cory and I had a movie night. I can't tell you when the last time I saw a good movie, but Friday night was different. We rented X-Men Origins: Wolverine and it was AWESOME, 15 minutes into it I turned to Cory and said this is the best movie we have seen in a LONG time. Now I am a HUGE X-Men fan and I love Hugh Jackman, but this movie would be good no matter who you are.

Saturday was Nestle Purina day at Six Flags so the whole family went. We had free parking, free tickets to enter the park and we also got money to use in the park how ever we wanted to spend it, everyone in your family got $10 in vouchers. Now when I say the whole family I mean whole family. Cory had enough friends from work who originally thought they would be able to go so they too asked for tickets for their families. However, they all had things that came up last minute and weren't able to attend, so they were nice enough to offer Cory their tickets. We ended up with 7 extra tickets, 3 extra parking passes and $70 in Six Flags vouchers!! It worked out great because I was able to give 4 of the tickets to my sister so she, my brother in law, niece and nephew could join us. I gave 2 to my parents and Cory gave 1 to his mom. All the tickets along with free parking worked out great for everybody. Cory, the girls, my mother in law and I all arrived at the park around 10:15am and didn't leave until around 7:30pm which I can't believe but more on that in a minute. My mom and dad arrived around 1pm and my sister and her kiddos got there a little after 2pm. We all had such a great time together, once everyone got there we headed to the Old Fashion Cars and the kids had a blast "driving". After the cars we headed to the Log Flume!! My sister, Jeff, Lauren and Adam went in the first log, Cory the girls and I followed behind them and then my parents and Connie brought up the rear. We all had such a good time, although I have to admit that I think the grandparents had the most fun of all on that ride, I haven't seen any of them laugh that hard in a LONG time!!
Now as I mentioned earlier we stayed until 7:30pm, yes, Paige made it all day and into the night without her afternoon nap. It was a little touch and go from about 1:15-3:15pm but then she bounced right back and was raring to go. As we were leaving I said something along the lines as to how I was glad that I brought my camera even though Cory was giving me trouble about it and said it would be a hassle and to just leave it at home, yeah right anyone who knows me knows I don't go much of anywhere without it. Anyways Connie then replied "Julie I swear I think you took 100 pictures today", I thought she was crazy and there was not way I took that many. Connie, you were right when I got home and uploaded the picture to the computer I had taken 94 pictures. So I will share some of my favorites now and then post some more on "Wordless Wednesday".

First stop the airplanes!!

Paige waving to us as they fly by.

Second stop the Hot Air Balloons, don't they look alike in this picture?

Our favorite friend Scooby Doo, both of the girls LOVED him!

Claire and Paige with their cousins Lauren and Adam in the Teapots.

The four of us on the Colossus

On the train

Another friend we meet along the way, Pepe Le Pu

Getting late, but still having fun!

Time to head home, here comes the rain!

Tuesdays Tasties

Bow Tie Pasta with some Bacon and Cheese

What you need:


* 1 box bow tie pasta
* 1 jar Alfredo Sauce
* 1 cup Prego Sauce or any red sauce
* 1 pound bacon cooked and crumbled
* Parmesan Cheese to taste
* Mozzarella Cheese to taste

How to fix it:
Cook pasta as directed on box, then drain water. Pour all the Alfredo Sauce into pot and mix with pasta (I pour a little milk into the Alfredo jar shake it all around and then pour milk as well as left over Alfredo Sauce that was stuck to the sides of the jar into pasta mixture as well), add Prego sauce and cooked bacon, mix all together. Then add your cheeses and maybe cook everything on low heat to get it warmed all the way through.

My neighbor Carol made this for me last year when I broke my foot and was hobbling all around and it was so good not to mention easy that I have made it several times since. I usually serve with some garlic french bread, but if you want to leave out some of the carbs you can do a nice green salad. Enjoy!!

Time to pick!

As most of you all know we are redoing the girls bathroom and it is just about ready to be painted. I have had the towels and shower curtain bought for what seems like forever and now I finally get to pick a color that matches for the walls. I have narrowed it down to 4 different colors but now I have to decide if I want a bright color or more subdued one. If you have been in my house you know that we don't do crazy when it comes to our wall color we are more earth tones and not bright or loud. I have kind of had it in my head that I want to make the girls bathroom fun and different than the rest of the colors in our house, so now it is decision time. I would appreciate your thoughts and opinions as well, I know it is hard to tell from a picture as paint colors never photograph well, but we can at least try right?

Here is the hand towel


At first I thought I wanted to do either a teal blue/green or a bright green. Then the girls told me that they wanted to their bathroom to be pink so I narrowed down a few options for that as well one being bright and fun and the other being a softer pink.

Teal



Lime Green



Bright/Fun Pink



Softer Pink


I have my top 2 choices but would like to hear what you all think. Remember it is a bathroom for two little girls ages 2 and 4. The flooring is going to be marble that is white with some gray in it and the vanity, the top is gray marble with tiny specks of different colors white, tan and darker grey and the cabinets are white. However there are NO windows in the bathroom so there will be no natural sun light. I will let you all know what I am leaning towards once I hear from some of you. I think I will go back to the store and get samples of my two choices and paint some on the walls as it always looks different once it is painted.

Feeling Foolish

So the girls and I were at Sam's today to get a few things and then have lunch when it happened..... My whole purpose for going to Sam's was to get some more dog food for Killian. We have been buying his food there for years and all of the sudden the last two times that I have gone to get it, I can't find it. I told Cory this and he told me that I was crazy because it says on Sam's website that they still carry it, so I decided to try the Sam's in Des Peres verses my usual Chesterfield location. Sure enough we got there went back to the pet food section and no "Exceed" it is a Purina product of course we wouldn't buy anything else, gotta support Cory and a lot of my friends, keep them busy and employeed. :) So I decided before I get into the car and drive over to check out the Kirkwood store I would just ask a worker to check their system for me. This is when it happened, as I was waiting for the worker to return I noticed that there was some spooky looking Halloween things out and I decided to be one of those mom's who tries to scare their children and in return gets a laugh out of it (please tell me I am not the only mom who does this). Anyways there was a statue of a scary looking old man that was suppose to be a butler holding a skull on a platter (check him out and be sure to increase the image size to get the full affect) so I rolled on over to it and was like "look girls, he is kind of scary" I was getting closer and closer assuming that it would start to move or talk something to scare them. Well it never did but I did get a laugh as Paige was practically climbing into Claire's lap to get away from the "old man", she wouldn't even look at it. Claire wasn't to keen on him either and was telling me to get them away from it. So I got my laugh just not as big of a laugh as I was hoping for but, it would do, so I did as Clarie requested and started pushing the cart away. Well unbeknownst to me there was a mirror on the wall right next to the old butler and it starting talking and sounding all freaky. Well, yep you guessed it I jumped, let out a little scream and practically ran in the other direction pushing the cart while the girls were looking at me like I was crazy. Once I was in the clear and caught my breathe I did a quick look around to see if anyone saw what had just happened. To my relief I only saw one lady who was in line to checkout looking my way and laughing. Yea, I guess the laugh was on me.

Wordless Wednesday

Trying Something New

I decided to rearrange Paige's room and am likely how it turned out. Here is a before picture:


And the after:

Spinning the bed so it is now on the other wall opens her room up even more. Now we have to rehang all the pictures of course. I also moved her book shelf from the wall to the left of her bed over to where the dresser was to the right of the door. I really like where the bookshelf is now but the dresser is still the same one we used from her nursery so it isn't very big and looks kind of lost on that big wall. Once we get a bigger dresser with a mirror hanging above it, it will look much better.

Do you like the before or after arrangement, be honest you will not hurt my feelings either way.

However, by moving Paige's room around Claire then wanted me to move her furniture as well. Claire has a totally different shaped room than Paige and there really isn't any other way of rearranging without having her furniture on top of each other. The only other way would be to put Claire's bed under the window in the front of the house and then move her bookshelf all the way down the wall it is currently on as it is too long to move to the wall that her closet doors are on. If we did this then all her furniture would be clumped together as in her dresser, nightstand and bed. I tried explaining to Claire that her room is super cute as it is and doesn't need to be moved around, however, she totally disagrees with me, after all Paige got to move hers. Ugh and she is only 4.