Our Summer Vacay--In pictures. Minnesota.

Besides the Mosquito's that love my son and I, they gave us such a welcome and let us know that they would love for us to stay because we taste like honey to them, our vacay was to the A-to the W- to the E-to the S-to the O-to the M-to the E.  (My boy and I look like we have chicken pox the mosquito's love us so much!)

Anyway.  Our hostess and family have really spoiled us.  WE have had such a good time and are so very very thankful that they allowed us to intrude on their home for 5 days.  This last day Jules has been cleaning like mad because she has just had about enough of the extra stuff that 3 more people add... and I'd apologize about that, but I had too much fun! :)

We have been to the lake, the Itasca State Park (which has the headwaters of the Mississippi), and her downtown.  I also experienced my first Bar Hopping experience... problem is I was the designated driver!!!  What up with that??? :)

Here we are in pictures.

ONe of the many lakes close to them

My daughter and I at the River... one of the many.

The rope swing at the River!  It was FA-REEZING BTW. The river anyway.

The crew at the HeadWaters of the Mississippi in Itasca State Park.

The girls amongst the guys in the Mississippi :)

The Itasca Lake Side of the Headwaters.

My wonderful hostess Jules and I after climbing the Fire Tower at the Itasca State Park.  Beautiful Scenery, but as you can see the Humidity hates my hair.

After the day at the Itasca State Park I made a bold statement and verdict, that is... Humidity sucks.  (surprisingly, not everyone agrees with me, as per facebook-my status-and people disagreeing with me) But Minnesota is absolutely gorgeous.  Green everywhere.

But air is heavy... did you guys know that?

How was your weekend? Anyone go to BlogHer and totally miss that I wasn't there?

Love,

VLOG and leave on a plane... again

Okay so I did a VLOG over at Real World today. If you want to go see my mug shot live and in person then click on over there:

I'm leaving on a jet plane... again... (back off SciFi :P)

This time I'm luggin my two kids with me. We are going to go and visit It Is Just Jules!

I met her in Vegas for the first time last year and we went to the PBR Championships together. It was love at first bond.

Now I get to go visit her home town and I'm super excited.

The thing is, I may or may not have pushed the idea on her. And I may or may not have threatened her livelihood if she didn't cooperate and let us crash at her house. And I may or may not... well, never mind.

I'm excited, my kids are stoked, and well my husband gets 5 days to himself.

I wonder what he will do?

There are plenty of things I would love to have done before I got back. But he's a grown man and making him a list of things only encourages him to avoid doing them. My guess is there will be a lot of watching T.V. and napping.

That's what I would do... except exchange T.V. for reading a book.

Anyway, back to my point, my kids are exceptional travelers. We like to watch people walk by us at the airport and then make fun of them. I'm encouraging growth that way and teaching them that if they choose to wear things that make them look ridiculous and/or enhance already ridiculous features, that they will be made fun of. Although if the public school system is doing their job correctly, they will have already learned that and perfected it, but I believe in the double up theory... that is to learn something again and then double up the learning so that you get it perfect.

And that is my goal before I die... to raise well-mannered, perfect kids, who judge.

Now go watch my VLOG and practice making fun of someone. I have already done it 3 times and I just uploaded the video!!! I have all day tomorrow to laugh at myself. I am cursed with cheeks that look like they always have something in them...

It's all for you guys and my besties over at Real World.

Your. Welcome.

Love,

K-nocks...

Like I said last weekend we went to a family reunion on my husbands side!

I camped... that says a lot and re-iterates that it was my husbands side of the family... they are campers...(There's some fine print for ya!)

But seriously... it was a KOA, it had showers and toilets and a pool... I can't complain.

Anyway... I LOVE my nieces and nephews on both sides of the family and I never get to see enough of any of them. But today I'm highlighting one of the coolest little boys you will ever meet!

Meet my Nephew K-NOCKS...

the kid is a walking delight. There is no way you can hang out with him and not instantly crush on him... seriously, I'm hooked. Even when he screamed for a good 20 minutes because he didn't want to go to bed I still wuv wuv wuv him.

You dig?
So we took enough video of him that most would think he is our third child...but NO, we just think he's really cool! :)

Now look at what we captured during the reunion of the little guy...

Here he is swimming:


Here he is trying to knock down one of those punchy bag blow up things... at first the punch bag thing is winning, but K-Nocks wins in the end!


This video makes me laugh of my niece...she looks like one of those zero gravity videos you see the astronauts do... where they can't quite seem to control what's happening to them...


LOL!

So this is my question for you guys today... did the way I "camped" (we were in a tent mind you) qualify as "roughing it" if I'm not a regular camper? Or do I have to poo and pee in nature? Just wondering.

Random Thought Friday for tomorrow... so get your best Random Thought out let's see whose thought makes us LOL and ROFL and LMBO!!! There were MANY last week... but if you're friends with me, there is an infinite number of random thoughts going through your brain, and it's okay if they all don't make sense... let them out in my comment box!

Until Friday!

Love,

Okay for REAL some famous people...

Okay... I actually DID meet some famous people in New York. It's inevitable you are bound to run into them!

While in the park I ran into Captain Jack. He was just frozen there... and had a box in front of him that said, "Feed the Box"... so I snuck this picture of him, cause I didn't have anything to FEED his box...


Next up is Minnie Mouse! Can you believe that I was there buying my Broadway tickets to Shrek the Musical and turn around to see her!!! I wanted a pic with her but she was holding a Santa Christmas sock that apparently wanted to be fed also with every pic taken... yea, so ummm... snuck this pic of her.

I walk around the corner wishing I had a few dollar bills to feed the sock of Minnie when I run into this gem... ELMO!!! Now who is jealous???

Don't play hate guys... it doesn't look good on you. When the kid in front of me asked for a pic... well to my utter disappointment and surprise I found out...

That Elmo has a backpack that needs to be "fed". SIGH... So I had to sneak another pic of him...

K this person is REAL... she really IS famous. I went out to watch my niece in the New York City Dance Alliance National Competition. If you know the world of dance... or watch So You Think You Can Dance, you should recognize Sonjia.

HA! hahahaha! HA! I AM A GIANT apparently! Like Sonjia's earrings are HUGE on her, but it looks like they would look perfectly normal on me!?! ( Not my best picture, my chin is even at an awkward angle, and I'm hunching my shoulders because one tends to do that when they are around short people, but I was nervous, not gonna lie)... and if you didn't laugh at how much taller and BIGGER I look than her... than you can no longer read this blog! I forbid it!

And I'm just saying... she pretty much is the size of a leprechaun... just saying...

***How long do you think I stood by Sonjia while she was hugging and consoling a dance friend to get this picture???




P.S. I am babbling about Make-Up s.e.x. over at Real World Venus vs. Mars today... so this is either a warning to NOT read it... or read it so you can give me some advice!!! :)

The Real Famous in Central Park...

Well one day I hit the park. To see what "real" celebrities I could find there.

I LOVE Central Park. I just want to get that out there.

And funny story. My husband and I walked there from our hotel and then I said, let's just walk up the one side of the park... so we began our trek. And even though I'm a native New Yorker (hahaha) I kinda headed right into the park and just started walking the way I thought was NORTH. So when we came out the other end... I thought, "well, that wasn't as big as I thought it was!"... I found out later that instead of walking the Length of the park... I walked the Width of the park... so I didn't even see a third of it! (Give me a break... they don't have mountains!!!)

But I did find something there that you guys TRULY need to know is the heart and soul of this park...See this picture below:

Lovely statue right? I mean COME ON... even though that body is made of stone... I still had to wipe a little drool from the side of my mouth, just sayin...

Anyway, you probably think I am telling you the STATUE is the Heart n' Soul of New York. BAH! Right! Even I understand you guys aren't THAT gullible! No No... look a little closer here...

See it now? The pigeon! It brings a tear to my eye just to see one of these beauties! I could be going out on a limb here (no pun intended) but these very well could be the state BIRD?! :) But don't take my word on that...


ALSO in the park... to my great JOY! I spied a dog walker...that's right! A dog WALKER people! This guy supports himself by walking dogs. And if you squint your eyes, cross them, and poke your eyeball... he kinda looks like Cesar the Dog Whisperer... no? The Dog walker is NOT the one with the Letterman Shirt... that would be MSM.

Speaking of Naked...

These guys claimed to be naked-something-or-other and I PPPPFFFFTTT...In their faces! "First of all" I screamed, "Your Not NAKED!!!" They have their SHOES on and let's not forget the towels...and the coordinating shoulder tattoo's... then I almost said, "Get a NEW idea"... the NakedUn-Naked Cowboy/Cowgirl already got the Naked bit covered.

People these days. *Shakes Head*

These are my questions... Look at the picture above... WHY IN ALL THAT IS HOLY are those UGLY 80's Sandals coming back into style??? And can you find Waldo in that picture? I've been looking all week!!! :)

Have a good Monday guys! :)

The Real Famous Naked Cow...in New York! :)

HELLO HELLO HELLO one and all!!!

I only had to make TWO voodoo dolls so I'm way impressed... and I've come to meditate on this whole cultish follower thing we bloggers have come to rely on... and I have decided that I'm okay with people de-following me as long as they stand up in our close knit group we have and tell us WHY.

We have a right to know... they're not just letting ME down... but they are letting YOU guys down also... by not following through with their FOLLOW commitment.

I mean, its not just like ANYONE can follow me!?! There is a whole process you have to go through, a lot of hard work and dedication... and I only pick the BEST of the BEST to follow me. Some people just can't take it though, and I HAVE to understand that... only the most elite can withstand the rigorous daily mouth vomit I put out. So be PROUD oh strong ones... YOU are the special ones... YOU are the brave and the strong.

Moving along...

This is the 3rd time I have been to New York. I'm practically a native. So when I went this year and packed my point and shoot camera around in my purse I thought to myself... 'Self, it's time to show the world the REAL famous people and sights in New York!'

And so I did.

I mean, how many pictures have you seen EVEN this summer of the Statue of Liberty, Eiffel Tower, The Letterman Show... I could go on and on...

But I must put out a WARNING. This isn't for the weak of stomach. My pictures are REAL, they are ORGANIC, they tell the true story, the story New Yorkers are scared to tell...

Today I show you ONE... just ONE of them, because these pictures need their own special time, it would be WAY to much for a human being to be thrown these pictures all at once.

So you know the Naked Cowboy? It's a hoax! First of all he's not naked. He wears a speedo??? He should be called the Speedo Cowboy ya know? My first time going to New York I found this atrocity out...

So when I was taken down the dark alleys to see THIS real life famous person... where we were told that NO pictures were allowed, for YOU guys, I snuck this picture in... I sacrificed my precious time for YOU guys...

Here you are... the REAL naked COWBOY... or should I say...


COWGIRL! Sorry for the quality of picture... as you can see I didn't have much time to get this photo. I did find out some facts about her though. She started her career in the early 1700's and she is immortal... that and that she is Southern Sage's Grandma.

Have a good weekend everyone! More famous pictures to come! I am so happy to be back and I missed you guys! :)

Check out the others over at Candid Carrie's.



P.S. I want to shout a special THANK YOU to Emily from Art-N-Sewl... who painted this painting for my Sister and BIL in memory of Deyton. Your talent has always amazed me, but this painting, to me, is your best work! You have also made, in me, a friend forever and if there is ever ANYTHING you need please don't hesitate to ask! :)

Splash Mountain is deceitful!

I'm going to go ahead and show you that I'm not always perfect.

That I don't always have it all together... cause I KNOW that is how you think about me.

That Splash Mountain RIde is deceitful... and I don't know how I feel about that, being that it was at Disneyland.

You start off and everything is happy and makes you feel all warm inside. Then as you progress further into the ride the music gets creepier and the atmosphere gets darker... it's not fun anymore... no MR. NICE BEAR and RABBIT.  TOTALLY DECEITFUL!!!

Then you hit your first Drop... not the BIG one... but a medium size one... and if you are sitting inside the first 3 seats... and have a 6'4" 260 pound mostly-muscle-retired-college football player behind you adding more weight to the boat.  You'll get DRENCHED! 

Then you hit the BIG KAHUNA!!! I'm not gonna lie... it scared me.  My poor little girl!

OH!  And make sure you wear shorts that don't dry and look like you have peed your pants.

Just saying.


OH! and also OPEN your eyes on the drop or you'll look like a goof ball for your INFAMOUS picture! :)

Bet you don't know which one is me!!!  Love ya guys... hope your weekend was FUN!

Thing I learned while at Disneyland...with pictures

Things I learned while at Disneyland... with pictures, but they don't necessarily go along with what I'm saying... and what I'm saying is not in any way, shape, or form in order.

1. Never be on a Diet change your way of life if going to Disneyland... the popcorn and cinnamon get you every time.

2.  Learn that if you want any pictures of yourself... you have to take them yourself-- then try not to go OVERBOARD... oops!

3.  Tell daughter who is TERRIFIED of any fast big ride that the rules at Disneyland say, "If a young child cries on this ride they have to go twice". (My guys doing not MINE BTW)

4.  Hey!  She didn't cry... 

5.  And when we were in line and she saw a little boy crying she looked at me and said, "OH! Mommy that boy has to go twice!"-- it made us laugh for like 5 minutes while waiting in line.

6. lines suck. 

6a.  Especially waiting an hour and a half for Splash Mountain which makes my belly jump in my throat... and gets me soakin wet! Wear something that dries fast... or sit in the back of the log.  

***Yes, I'm part Vampire and sparkle in the sun... now you know my secret!  Note my nephew in the back... he's a little nervous I think! hahahaha!

7.  California HS Senior Days suck.

8.  California Screamin' is so freaking fast, twisty, and free fall-n-ee that you can't really scream cause your throat is in your stomach and your stomach is where your throat should be.

9.  Hollywood Tower of Terror made me have to pee...

10.  No worries, I didn't pee my pants.  Plus I just told everyone I had just been on Splash Mountain... I think they bought it!

11.  You realize while people watching that there are DEFINITELY people worse off than you.

12.  Sorry... that was mean, but true.

13.  Sitting down and watching the HILLY BILLY show at the ice cream sundae place was my favorite part of the day... that's just sad.

14.  Ice Cream Sundae's suck when you are changing your way of life on a diet!

***Please take note of guy in FRONT... hahahaha!

15.  After fixing "It's a Small World ride" it still grate's on your nerves even when it sings it in different languages... that happens to be one of PeePs favorite rides... besides TeaCups.  (Guess who got to do that with her... TWICE)

16.  It's definitely worth breaking someone's leg to get to use the Wheel Chair entrance... just saying...

17.  When shining your pearly whites at the Disney Employee it will put him under a compulsion to give you a GET RIGHT BACK ON SPACE MOUNTAIN PASS after you just went... that's right, you get to walk RIGHT UP TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE...

18.  Space Mountain is still my favorite ride.

***Sorry, you KNOW I had to put this in here... okay, let's continue!

19.  Stop at EVERY bathroom you see... you never know when you will see one again!

20.  When your sister tells you that her and her family are going to Disneyland... definitely CRASH their party for two days... it was a completely exhausting, thrill riding, stomach hurt laughing BLAST!!!

This is off topic:  We ate cherries at lunch and I STILL got it, can tie that stem in a knot... a more mature and age appropriate knot!!! :)

Love,

Shelle

P.S. Check son's who-likes-to-horde-Disneyland-maps-in-his-cargo-pockets, pockets before washing them.

Guess where I've been?

Okay... if you feel like I have been slightly neglectful in comments lately it's because....

I've been down to the Happiest Place On Earth for a few days!  Who ever came up with that... LIED... just saying...

Do you feel cheated? That I just up and snuck down there for two days? Didn't even leave a note telling you where I was?

No worries... I'll make up for it...

Monday's post will be about things I learned while at Disneyland.

But for today... I'm beat, exhausted, tired...

So you get my fav pic!!!

Tell me ONE thing that is consistent with Disneyland?



Waiting in line.

This was me 1/2 the time.... holding the little bit or giving her a piggy back!!!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Go over and join Candid Carrie for Friday Foto Finish Fiesta!!!

Love,

Shelle

10 things I learned IN the Okanagan Valley, Canada--Long post but LOTS of pictures!

10 things I learned in the Okanagan Valley, Canada...

I know most of you come to my blog to educate yourself. So I like to make sure that once in a while I relate to you my knowledge of life...and the things I learn from it.

In this case...Canada.

Get your pens and pencils and paper out because you will want to remember this stuff.

1. I learned that Canadian apples TASTE like American apples. Being my third time in Canada...I was determined to find out which country hosted the better apple...and I'll be darned, they tasted the same. (Except they don't sale the WASHINGTON apples in Canada where I was at, that I LOVE so much from COSTCO, and they are my FAVORITE. But I can't honestly say they are BETTER.)

2. Deer eat in your back yard...and when you go to the park around the corner of your house...carry BEAR spray...just in case you come upon a bear. Bear spray say WHAT?



My BIL and SIL punished asked to take a WALK up this mountain...like a honest to goodness mountain..."Oh it's just a short walk up this hill and you can see the lakes in the Okanagan Valley...our little 4 year old daughter did it...you can do it and you'll LOVE the view"
The ONLY thing they were correct on...I loved the view--next time, I'm renting a scooter to take me up there!





That...OR...I'm kicking my daughter out of the stroller! Heck she's younger, she doesn't need to be pushed like an invalid on a UPMOUNTAIN not UPHILL climb...that should be reserved for MOMMIES!



3. Canadians like to kiss also. Who knew?



4. Red heads are worshiped in Canada. So my little niece is treated like a princess wherever she goes...and my BIL thinks he's KING of the WORLD...not because he's worshiped for being a red head...but because that is JUST HOW MY HUSBANDS FAMILY was raised! Just saying!







5. Ice Skating in Canada on Sunday is like FAMILY HOME EVENING on Monday's in the states. Loved that!!! :) (Okay, that might just be my BIL and SIL trying to appease a certain someone's who are visiting and only have a limited time to visit and wants to try ice skating on a frozen pond...maybe that had a little bit to do with it?)








6. Rated R movies...are NC-17 rated in Canada. Or so my BIL tells me, I have yet to be convinced!!! :)

7. LULU Lemon...is the THING in workout wear in BC Canada. You don't have a LuLu Lemon, you might as well NOT show up to the gym. HOW EMBARRASSING. So I brought the trend to Utah...

I bought a head band.

So THERE...I am IN on the IN before the IN is even HERE! Take THAT! You fashion chauvinists!!!

8. There is a Diet out there for IDIOTS.
HELLO?

I'm an idiot!

So glad I went to Canada to find THAT out!

My BIL looks like he's in high school again..it's funny and I'm jealous! :) My SIL is skinny when she thinks she is fat...so no surprise that she looked great also!



9. Redheads love DCAR. I learned that in America also with his other girl cousin...it's just funny it's the same in Canada! :)



10. In Canada I have a new boyfriend that tells me he loves me...and MountainSport Man...and DCAR...and PeePs...so his love wasn't ONLY for me...but he's got to be the NICEST guy I know. Nead Laup everyone...I love him!!! :) Have a postum on me big guy! ;)



10 1/2: I learned that my husband STILL doesn't know my good picture-taking-side in Canada!



Here's my excuse...I was mid sentence talking to my camera explaining what I was videoing...I can't help my genetics people!!!

Well remember THIS post where I begged you for advice on how to get my STUBBORN husband to cut is hair? Well I set an appointment for me to get a color...needed a change...and set an appointment up for him.



Told him about it the day before...and he said, "I'll see if I show up".

Well HE DID IT guys...and let's just say, I tingled all over just looking at him...aaahhh he's SOOO HOT (to me anyway)!


Long Hair...



Fo-Hawk!!!

I think writing stuff on my blog to get my husband to do things I otherwise would have to drag him to do, is working...it's like MAGIC!

Love ya babe...you seriously look SOOOO good!

Did YOU learn anything new? :)

Love,

Shelle

Now go and Check out others at Candid Carrie's F X 4!