Friday, May 31, 2013

Goodbye May!

Tonight was the perfect night to hit the beach after dinner! We love "East Beach", it's a 10 min drive from our house. The water was so still, there was barely a ripple.
Beauty
Perfect, blissful ending to a perfect day!
I LOOOOOVE East Beach, {and the houses there}. Sometimes I go, just so I can look at all the houses! 

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Last One...

...for a minute anyway...and only because I ran out of canvas:-D

On a weird note, my computer "died" yesterday. I am holding out a small hope that it is revive-able. Oh well!  If not I have backups, and my trusty old Toshiba laptop from 2007. It can't hold a charge unless it's plugged in, and has a tendency to overheat and shut off (so short computer stints, only:-), but is still completely functional for what I need, so that is a real blessing, as a new computer is not in the budget right now. Plus, I could always use Brian's work computer which is pretty new (the new confusing Windows one), if the need arose...and we have the tablet which can do internet just fine...so basically, we're more than connected!! Haha!! 

The only thing I am lamenting (only thing I can think of that was "lost"/not backed up), is a really cute video of Grey on Memorial Day, I uploaded to computer and "erased after uploading" from the camera card. Oh well! Could be way worse, but in this age of everything being online, seems like these "disasters" are pretty easy fixes! 

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Caught

Someone who needs a haircut decided to go emo...or something
Someone who was thirsty, helping themselves...yes, it was full.

More Canvas

Addicted? Yes, I might be.

My biggest struggle, by far, is what quotes to do...they can't be too wordy! I printed this one off on sticky paper (Avery stuff I have...leftover from my wedding of all things), and it helped seal in the edges since the font I used is "skinny".
What can I say? I don't know that anyone loves these as much as I do, but I soooo LOVE them! They are too cool.


Friday, May 24, 2013

As You Wish

Another Pinterest inspired craft, because everyone needs a little more Princess Bride in their lives. Dontcha think?
Painting it grey, and then over that with turquoise...then peeled off the letters
I used paints I had left over from painting Kenna's room divider. I got an awesome sale on canvas's at Walmart - I got two 7x14's for $4. Now I have to do something with the other one...:-)

I printed out (from Word) the lettering on cardstock, and cut them out. I used a font that was easy to handle with regard to cutting and such.
All done. I sanded it with sandpaper to rough it up and make it look really handpainted and worn. I love how it turned out!
Eventually, it will hang on the "big wall space" I am still trying to organize...but until then, where to set it?
Here?

Or here?
As with all my crafts, it seems, I am just simply IN LOVE with the finished product!

Here is another one I made! 

Kennedy Family

It is very hard to get a picture where everyone is looking just perfect, with so many people. This was the overall best choice. Sorry to those that it may be a little "off" for...

The Kennedy Family in April 2013
NOT PICTURED: Lauryn, Mark, Mattea, Kayla & Canaan
BACK ROW L-R: Davis, Danielle (& baby), Liana, Jared, Darla, Brian, Amy, Kaden, Mom (Beccy), Brent, Dad (Dave), Logan, Lehman
SITTING ON L: Janessa, Jillaine, Maryn
STANDING ON R: Jess Cooper, Chantelle, Kari
SITTING IN FRONT: Vienna, Brooks, Grey, Kenna, Keaton, Marshall

Faces

Of course you can't tell him this...but Brooks has a really pretty face:-) Naturally, I'm biased, but (especially for a boy) he's gorgeous:-D
He wanted to see how his hair floats up
Another cutie. He's features are not quite as defined as his brothers yet, but maybe he'll get there. He is very quickly losing his baby look. Sad.
Of course he needed to see his too:-)

BIG NEWS: At the final night of Awanas, there was an amazing Carnival! There was a Dunk Tank, and Brooks paid one of his special tickets to get a chance...he hit the target TWO times (out of 6 throws)!! He got to dunk Pastor James, and, as we all know, has very accurate aim. Which I likely should have warned them when they let him move closer to the target. He could have definitely still hit it from the original mark. But teens were trying and always missing (everyone got 6 chances), so I thought it was hilarious that the little guy did it twice! ALSO: They had a "guess the amount of candy in the jar" thingy...and Kenna WON! So now we have approximately 1132 Mike & Ike's in our house...that was her guess, I wasn't really listening to the announcement as to the real number, until I heard her name being called! When the Commander handed it over to her, he said she had to share, and told me she was taking that advise seriously:-)

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Top Ten - Luxuries

Things I resisted, and shouldn't have. Being cheap is not always a bad thing. Not always a good thing either. These things are luxuries, most definitely, and not necessary in any way for a happy life. However, I am not exaggerating when I say I give up a little prayer of thanks every time I use these items. Especially the dish washer. And the swiffer. And the laptop. And the...well, you get the idea...In hindsight, I just shoulda bought 'em. I love them that much:-)

Dishwasher - Our house, purchased in Feb 2005, did not come with one. And I didn't love that fact, as I'd always had a dishwasher before. But over time I came to almost enjoy my dish washing routine and thought that the money saved in the cost of the machine, and the water, and the soap was probably worth the time spent washing dishes. I was wrong. I save myself A LOT of time everyday, and gained precious counter space back. We got a great dish washer for a pretty good price (about $399) in 2010. It's high efficiency, so it doesn't even use a lot of water. Best $400 I've ever spent?!

DVR - I resisted this aspect of tv, because it would add $5 to our bill each month, and I'm always too thrifty for such things. We were forced into it, eventually, by the shrewd cable company - our tv (purchased in '08) came with HDMI hookups. The only HDMI cable box they provide must accompany the DVR (digital video recording) plan, adding that dreaded $5 to our monthly bill. It made me grumpy. Until I realized what it was. Then it made me soooo happy! It gave us freedom for the tv. There was a show we always wanted to see on Wed nights, so we'd rush home (from church!) to see it. A sports game we couldn't miss the beginning of, so we'd rush out - Now we tape every thing we want to see and watch it when it is convenient for *us*, no matter when it is on. This is so nice! I feel like I am not a slave to the tv schedule at all, and bonus - we never have to watch commercials! (if you do not have cable (which is now us), paying 7.99 per month for a service like hulu plus will give you the same thing - tv you can watch when it's convenient for you)

A Stand Mixer - I had the handheld mixer I was given as a wedding gift, and it was more than sufficient. I desired a Stand Mixer (Kitchen Aid or similar), but just could not justify the cost, since what I had was working fine. Well, I was wrong. I *thought* what I had was working fine, until I got a Kitchen Aid:-) I was given this as a Christmas gift, and what a game changer that thing is! It makes my baking time soooo much more efficient, since I can be "hands-free" while doing so. I've found I bake more, now, since it requires less effort and time. Which is a good thing (but bad for my waist line;-)...cookies, breads, doughs, cakes, it's just all too easy, with quick clean up too (dish washer safe).

Swiffer Wet Jet - I knew what it was. I just didn't want to have to buy refills all the time. So I tried all these other mops from the beginning of our marriage in '03, until...late in '07 I believe. Yup. I had 2 kids by then. I guess it takes a lot for me to cave in when I know money will be involved. I should have known better. Before, I could almost never "get around to" mopping my floors due to the hassle. uhhh, so thanks Swiffer. If it weren't for you, my house would never be clean:-) Worth the money, to me, for the hassle free cleaning. I now make my own liquid solutions, saving money, but I opt to still use the disposable pads. I guess I hate doing laundry more than I hate spending money on the pads. Walmart has recently come out with an "off brand" called Grime Boss that fits the Swiffer Wet Jet and is half the cost (for the pads).

Food Processor - I was recently given a full-sized food processor as a Christmas gift. What a game changer. I have used it for soooo much, and it's only the tip of the ice burg. Did you know you can make your own mayo? I have soo many things I want to try, and have tried with great success. All I really wanted it for was making fresh salsa and shredding cheese, but my eyes have been opened. I can't believe I waited 9.5 years to have one. Mine is a Cuisinart, and is dishwasher safe. Score.

Laptop - Just so practical. And I love not being "stuck in the office". With kids, with homeschooling...with LIFE in this modern era we find ourselves in...it's just too practical to not be enjoyed. We don't have nice expensive ones, but we do love them to pieces!

Kindle Fire (like a mini tablet) - We had resisted getting a tablet, due to cost, but when a steal of a deal came up for a Kindle Fire, I caved (this past Christmas). My suspicions were correct: it is an excellent tool for home schooling with young children. With so many free or very cheap apps, we have wonderful educational supplements for the kids to work on, and this requires almost no involvement from me. Perfect for "nap time" and stuff. And my kids are currently totally killer on knowing every flag for every country in the world:-) Fun (and educational) stuff! I even enjoy reading actual books on it:-)

Cell Phone/Texting - Brian going back to like, 1999, always had one, I never did. Right before Kenna was born, he got me a phone and added me to our plan. Just so we'd be safe if something happened when we were out. Right before he got me the phone, I was stuck in unprecedented traffic on my way home from work. All the bridges and tunnels were closed, and I was in the middle of it, just stuck there. I left work at 3:15, and didn't get home until 7pm. WHERE WERE YOU?! As soon as I come in the door. Nice to see you too! I informed him that, naturally, he should have checked the traffic, it was all over the news, and just assumed I was caught in that. Anyway, shortly thereafter, I got a cell phone:-) And it was really nice. But I kept it to just a phone. I had no bells or whistles. But then texting got really popular and I couldn't stop people from texting me, which charged me the max amount, since I had no texting plan. I finally was basically peer-pressured into adding texting to my plan, to avoid these charges...and yah...it's pretty great. I'm definitely a texter now. I LOVE it. What a quick and efficient way to communicate.

King Size Bed - We bought a queen when we got married. It was about $500 Serta, so not a top of the line mattress by any means. After almost 10 years of use, it was pretty done. Not that I was vigilant about flipping it every month or anything, but it was way saggy in too many spots and hurting our backs. We were offered a King sized mattress and box spring in January, for free. Who can refuse. And wow. So far, multiple times, one of the kids (or two of them) have snuck into our bed, due to a bad dream or whatever...and I didn't know they were there. The size difference is hugely important when adding that extra kid in there! Before they were immediately forced out, because there was no space, and I hate getting kicked. Just go with the King. It's wonderful.

iPod - Ok, this is the thing with me. I can't imagine spending significant (to me) amounts of money on something I am not sure I will like. Neveryoumind that everyone else in the modern world has one, and loves it. Somehow I guess I figure I am unique in the crowd. Maybe I won't like it. Maybe I won't use it. Maybe it will tempt me to buy music for it. We were given an iPod shuffle, and I thought it was fine, but since I wasn't really into the iPod "mode" it didn't get much use. Then someone gave us their old not being used iPod, because they felt bad for us that we did not have one. I never felt bad for myself over such matters before. But I guess it's a little irksome to some people that we are apparently not up to speed with our generation. It's the original "old" one...the classic. And we LOVE it. I have been uploading all our CD's onto it, and we enjoy it so much when driving, especially!! Again, as I am thinking back, I can think of all the times it would have been so useful to have one. So I should have bought it. Although, on the other hand...why buy it when you can just wait for 12 years and have someone give it to you for free!! ;-D

Mom, Look At Me

Eating snack this morning, "Mom, Look at me!" Oh yes. Just look at him.

Williamsburg

Yesterday afternoon, as soon as the "extra kids" were picked up, we headed to Williamsburg for a little visit...Our friends, the Dufek's, are taking a little vacation there, from NYC. (Josh is one of Brian's very best friends).

The last time the kids were together was:
Ruby Jane 5 months, Grey 4 months

And look at them now!

 We went to NYC last summer so Brian and Josh could do their fantasy draft in person together, (which I believe may become a yearly thing:-), but Heather and the kids were still out of town visiting family when we were there, so we didn't get to see them while we were in town:-(
Ruby Jane & Lleyton Grey
They bought a few days from a time share place online for a little getaway. It was such a nice place! Josh & Brian took the older kids (K & B, and Joey & Bobby) mini golfing, Heather & I took the littles swimming.
Kenna & Brooks first time to play mini golf! 
And the big boys keeping score and bringing up the rear 
View from the balcony. Josh is easy to spot in yellow pants;-)
I think he got a hole in one, once
watching them play
 After swimming & mini golf, the big kids all went to the arcade to play all the (free) games, and we hooked up the littles with popcorn and a movie.
We wrapped it up around 11:30 and got in the van...got stuck in tunnel traffic at midnight, and were in the door at 12:22. The kids played HARD and were soo tired, they actually slept until almost 8am today. Naps all around:-)

Thank for taking a vacation, friends!! We enjoyed crashing your evening!

Quote of the day - Brooks : uuuhhh, Josh Dufek, can you take me to the bathroom? :-)
Brooks went through a phase when he *was* Josh Dufek. (He thinks it's a single name somehow). Anyway, so Brooks is Little Josh Dufek in his pretend world. Lol.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Crafty Day

So today I was on a roll - when I got my paint out to do the wrapped canvas, I grabbed a little bottle of acrylic in grey, and painted another 8x10 canvas. I saw this idea on pinterest - and figured I could make it myself really easily

I have a lot of ribbon in my craft stuff!!
Can you guess what this will be?
The back, just stapled ribbons tightly across the canvas
Ta-da!! I love it! A really handy place to put all our sunglasses...I can hardly ever find our sunglasses...with no official place to put them, they are always "flying around" and despite my efforts, I can't seem to keep them in a good spot.

Point in case, after I made this, I tried to round up the sunglasses, and this is all I could find (where they should have been) - missing Brian's, another pair of mine, and Grey's. Anyway, this will hold everything comfortably and hanging by the front door...no excuse not to have them handy!
Something else I have been meaning to do for ages...wrap a cool looking olive oil bottle in twine. So I did it. A little twine (already in my stash), and a little hot glue, and we're good!!
Love it!
It has one issue, and I might try again, or unwrap the top and leave the bottom wrapped, or just try again and see if I can get it better. From a distance (which most people would be viewing it), it looks perfect, but up close, the top part has gaps. :-/ Oh well. Generally, it looks really good. I ran out of "nap time" today, so maybe tomorrow!

Canvas

An adventurous craft attempt for me...and it worked! Whew!!

Ok, so awhile ago, I got a "groupon" deal that was $90 worth of pictures printed on canvas, for $35, with free shipping. This is a STEAL people, really. As I was ordering, of course nothing would exactly equal $90, and I didn't want to go over, and I didn't want "wasted credit" sitting there either. They had this option...for a canvas print, but not on a frame. It was really cheap and filled in the credit gap to maximize my $90. (I think I was only a dollar shy of using it all up!) Anyway, they arrived, and they are great...and now what to do with them?

I decided to paint the edges black, as the pic itself was 8x10, and I got some 8x10 canvas's at walmart on sale for $4 for 2 of them. Yeehaw. We're in business!
One not yet painted, and one painted!

This is what I used. Just .97 acrylic black paint, I already had on hand in my supplies

both painted!
I googled how to stretch a canvas print and got some basics on how to handle the corners. It was REALLY easy, and quick! And done! I literally put this canvas over the only that came on the frame, as I wasn't sure how the frame would be if I removed the canvas from it.
and done! hanging them on existing hooks to show you! They won't really hang here.

I love this one!

I love!

The back
I am actually really proud of my myself for so easily accomplishing something I have never attempted before! :-)

Friday, May 17, 2013

First Try

Ok, remember this space?
It is in between the front door, and the big window
It's been decorated exactly like that (with those lovely wedding gifts!) for as long as we've lived in this house...which is almost 9 years!

And TA-DA! This is what it looks like now!

To be honest, I am not sure it will stay like that, but it's a start, anyway. Our walls are hard to hang things on (plaster...you need a serious screw gun for that, and then, the hole is not an easy repair). Since there were 3 nail holes there from before with the flowers and candles...I used those three nails/holes for the heavy picture, the "number art" and Brooks' canvas.

Everything else I hung with command hooks, so they are easily move-able and changeable! Anyway, I thought I'd try something, working around those existing screws already, and think something like this could work!
All the pictures/things are very light, other than the big framed one...that one needed to be hung on the real screws due to it's size, but command hooks work great for everything else, so far!!

Now what to do with this space...? I still have so much to hang! (Like that awesome grey window thingy. Seriously itching to work that one in!)

Kids

Static electricity on the slide

3 Princesses. Kenna, Ardyn & May

Lunch today. They all belong here, except 2...some neighbour friends joined us for pancakes!

Funny Times

You all know how I write down my kids "quotes" and I encourage EVERYONE to this too. You will sooo not regret it! My mom started this tradition...she had a duo-tang for each kid, full of all the funny stuff we said. Do duo-tangs exist anymore? Am I way dating myself? (:-/)

This book was our Christmas present in 2011, from my mom. I LOVE IT!!!
Cover of my mom's book!
My mom has been recording our "best" moments since we were born, which is the inspiration for my doing the same with my kids and their funny sayings.

So recently a deal came up on Snapfish, a hardcover album for the price of shipping ($5). Can't beat that! Of course, I only had a few hours to take advantage of the deal, so I decided to go with my favourite Kids Kwotes from 2012, to go with 2012 photo shoot. So now I have a book on my shelf, kind like the one from my mom...only mine has only 1 years worth - I didn't have time to go through all of them for my faves...

the cover of my new book!

Any type of "bad mood" is more than cured by taking a break, looking at some old pictures, and remembering the funny and sweet moments!




Here are a few vintage Kennedy Kid Quotes: (some of these are kinda inappropriate...but it makes them a little funnier, I think)

Darla (5) on the verge of tears "If God calls me to preach the gospel, I don't want to go. I'm afraid of the slaves"

When our little friend Kendra (5) was close to dying (of cancer), Mom gathered the kids to pray. Davis (8) prayed, "And, dear God, please build her a good house"

When I was explaining the chore assignments to the kids, Janessa (8) said in the exasperated voice, "I know, I know, it's the F word". With a shocked expression I queried "The F word?" "Yes", she replied, "We have to do it with effort"

Lauryn (4) Running to the door to greet Grandpa and Grandma during our head lice episode, "Isn't it awful? We's all gots aids"

Lehman (5) needed a "time alone" and was sent to his bed. All of a sudden Mom could hear screaming from the basement. She went down to see what was going on. Lehman was sitting on his bed shrieking. Davis said "He got off, so I set him back on" Lehman said, "Yeah, he's antagonizing me"

Darla (5) asked if Goliath went to heaven. Mom answered, "No, he went to hell because he didn't love God". She turned to Brent and said "That's where they drink beer"

Brent (4) picked up some rabbit droppings and showed Dad. Daddy said "oh Brent, put that down, it's rabbit poo" Brent quickly dropped it with disgust and proceeded to lick off his fingers.

Janessa (4) calls Uncle Eldie "Alca-who-ly"

Kaden (5) said, looking up from his hospital bed, "Mom, when am I going to die from this cancer?" (*as I recall he was only minorly injured, it was nothing serious)

Jared (3) said to a lady at church who was wearing a hat, "You look like a farmer"
That's me in the back with the glasses, I was about 11 years old here
Brent (4) told a man at the store "There is no Santa Claus. There was a real man named Saint Nicholas, but somebody goofed up and called him Santa"

When Lehman (2) asks for half a cookie, and the answer is 'no', he asks "Can I have half?"

Lauryn's (6) school picture turned out really well. Dad said, "Oh I really like your smile" She replied "Yeah, I had it all planned out"

Brent (7) told us he is never getting married and he is going to take care of us when we are old. Then he said, "I'm also going to be a missionary, so I can't take care of you when I'm out missionarying around"

When we met Prime Minister Jean Chretien in Ottawa, Logan (4) said outloud, "How come that king isn't wearing his hat?"

Darla (3) & Brent (2) playing eye spy and he said "I lee lumping". She said "Lumping? Can't you speak English you dipstick?"

Oh boy, I better stop...I just made my own day WAY better, and it was already pretty good:-)