Home Sweet Home

Many a family member mentions that they've never seen our new apartment, and due to the fact that Tadd and I both have two jobs, and he's in school, we're never around to host guests. Below is the next best thing; pictures! And so begins the grand tour...

Warning: Do not expect glamour, you will find none.

Our creepy stairway, which is how we get to our second floor apartment. Weird, I know. Creepiest part of the stairway...the light has a sensor on it, and doesn't turn on until you're at the top of the stairs. Very scary at night.

Our door WITH doorbell!

The view from the front room, and where you will find us every night. I still need Mal Pal to paint me a canvas orange to hang under the other picture.

My attempt at decorating.

Another view from the front door, to your left.

Standing from the entrance of the kitchen. You can thank Tadd for the lovely color of the walls. He slaved. All I did was tape, for the most part. Tysen helped too, she chose the paint color first!

You'll never guess what happens here! Lots of ZZZ's. We're not special enough to have a headboard. Three years of marriage, and we just don't find it a necessity.

TWO closets! This is possibly my favorite part of the apartment, separation! Although Tadd shares part of his closet with me...

View from the bedroom door. Selling point on the apartment: Washer and Dryer Included. I need a cute white cabinent or something to hang on the wall. Ideas? Cheap ideas.

View from the shower. I'm clothed.

Pink and brown color scheme; Tadd's idea.

We love the cabinent space, and dislike the cabinent color.


'Nother view.

Oh, another! Notice my Scentsy warmer, Tara! I believe I was burning Lemon Lavender.

Here is my favorite item of furniture, by far! We bought this dresser from Petenmarie for $40! I followed in my mother's footsteps and repurposed the dresser. It now holds odds and ends that I'd prefer didn't clutter the apartment elsewhere.

So there you have it! Hope you enjoyed your stay!

Voila!

I never knew I was so gifted until now.

We are turly artists. After seeing my masterpiece I treated myself to a Baked Apple Caramel Apple from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Mine is the mug, Tadd's is the glass

Grandpa Big Ard

Last Monday was Tadd's grandpa's birthday. Everyone calls him Big Ard, and he's the best. Tadd was actually named after him; Tadd Arden Cox. Tadd's aunt is married to a Covey, and she had Grandma and Grandpa Covey's indoor pool that week, so the whole family got together to party!

I took a tour of the Covey home, and felt very depressed about my one bedroom apartment. Ok, not really. The indoor pool was awesome as well! Thanks for hosting the night, Geri! We love this guy, and hope he had a wonderful 88th birthday!

He almost got them all with one breath!

Griff and I chillin' by the pool.

I felt really artistic and talented after taking this photo. Go macros!

Sisters - I realize these are, once again, pictures of other people's children. Please get over it.

Goal

I love to shop. My shopping habits are a little out of control right now. Not as bad as they were a few years ago, Mom n' Dad, but still not healthy.

I have set a goal not to purchase any item of clothing (including accessories, shoes, etc) for one month. I made this goal on March 19th. It's almost been ten days, and I've done really well! But question...does buying a much needed sports bra to work out in count? I say it doesn't. If you compare that to other reasons I shop, it's warranted.

Maybe I should rephrase that first sentence. I love to spend. It's bad. I like to pay bills because I feel like I'm buying something! That's disturbing...

Happy #1!

This little girl is my somewhat adopted niece, Cora. I'm a titch obsessed with this little girl, and wish I could see her more often. She is the daughter of Petenmarie Stott, basically family. Happy 1st birthday Cora!

Cora and stuffed monkey, Gretta

Bluest eyes!

Such a fun, adorable little girl.

(Sorry Pete, don't hate me...I stole these pics from your Flikr account.)

Dear Whitty

One year ago today a friend of mine passed away. Whitney and I weren't BEST friends, but we were friends, nonetheless. Everyone was Whitney's friend, and everyone felt special around her. She had a gift of complimenting everyone on just about anything, and I swear to you it was always sincere. Whitney was the most selfless, compassionate passion I have ever known, with the biggest heart. She is missed sorely, but I'm happy to say I have many happy, fun memories of her to hold on to.

We miss you Whitney, and think of you all the time!

Color Me Mine, Not Yours!

Tadd and I ventured out to Riverwoods on Saturday with some friends, and colored me mine! I chose to paint a big mug, and here's why. I'm pretty sure I'll feel like I'm sitting in Central Perk with my friends Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Ross, Chandler and Joey when I drink from it. They are real to me, and don't try to convince me otherwise. Tadd painted what we think might be a Mojito glass. How useful.

Ashley and Ryan, CMM pros

The newlyweds Scott and Kristen

Ignore my sick hair, I believe it was 5 day hair. I'm now on 7 day today. :) But check out the husband's cute smile!

I can't wait to go pick up our creations! I'll be sure to post pics.

Complaint

My blog is possessed. Look to the right and scroll down. You will see two categories. Family's Blogs, and Friend's Blogs. I SWEAR to you that I typed those up with an apostrophe, and what does it look like now? Quotation marks! It morphed into this after a few weeks, and I'm so bugged!

My Old Man Turns 55

This is my daddy, Jack, and he is incredible. Until I married my husband my dad was the most important man in my life. Even now, he runs a very close second to my husband. I have never met a man more selfless and willing to do whatever it takes to provide for his family. Poor Jack has traveled countless times for work, and never complains. Why? Because it's necessary of his job, this job that he must have to provide for his family. And provide, he does.

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If you know the ratio of males to females in my family, you know that my dad is a saint. Ratio - 1:7. I can't imagine a better dad for the job, he loves each of his girls unconditionally, and we all know it. There is no question that my dad deeply cares about how each of us are doing, and what is going on in our lives. One of my favorite phone calls I get is from Daddy-Jack just asking me how I am. He cares, and I love him for it. Unfortunately for some, he's not the dad who doesn't have a favorite. That favorite is ME, which he states often. Sorry sistas.

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Today, my dad told me that he had the most beautiful wife (and doesn't he?), how sweet is that? I enjoy seeing my parents interract now more than ever. Only one child at home (minus the Haley-girl who will be married off in May) allows them more time together, and it's very enjoyable to see them hang out together. I feel that my parents complement each other very well. Jack insists that Sue is his strength, and that he couldn't be where he is now without her. Anytime I fail to support my husband 100% in everything he reminds me what an amazing woman his wife is, and how she helped him become who he is. That's my dad, credits others for what he has accomplished. (P.S: I don't doubt for a second that my mom is the most supportive wife EVER)

Did I mention that my dad is handsome? Proof, above and below.

The 'rents with Dad's namesake.

I'm told I look like my dad, agreed? I love this guy, and truly feel so blessed that I'm his daughter. And that I am who I am because of my wonderful parents.

Must be mentioned: Daddy-Jack is HILARIOUS, and everyone needs to spend an afternoon with him.

Happy birthday Daddy-Jack! I love you!

Green with Envy

My good friend, Tara, is doing a fabulous giveaway on her blog, and I'm participating! To get a leg up on the winnings, I'm going to make a committment to go a little greener! Here is what I'm committing to do:

1. Avoid fast food...I've needed to state this goal for a long, long time. It'll encourage me to start cooking as well!
2. Eat organic produce. I LOVE fruit, so why not?
3. Turn off the lights. I stress this enough right now as it is, but I'm going to do even better!

You should all take the challenge as well, and maybe win yourself some sweet Scentsy stuff!

Accent Schmaccent

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The Northeast
The Inland North
Philadelphia
The West
Boston
The South
North Central
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

This is bull...my voice? Good for TV? Whatev! I am extremely happy to see that I don't sound like I'm from Utar!

Top O' the Marnin' to Ya!

I'm Irish. And it's cool. My dear Grandma Sally Katherine Nixon hopped on a boat at 16 and headed to America. Thankfully, my mother took great interest in her heritage, and has kept documentation of it. Click here to learn about our Irish blood, and our Irish traditions!

In our family, we don't mess around with our St. Patty's day dinner. No mashed potatoes dyed green, no 7-up colored green...it's the REAL deal. In my mother's post for today, you'll also see what she makes for this festive dinner. Delicious!

Sister Megan writes a bit about our g-ma Sally as well, go ahead and enjoy her post.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! And for all of you out there that are Irish, learn about your heritage, and be proud of where you came from!

The Ultimate Peep Show

I'll let the picture speak for itself!

My New Favorite Color

Look what we did one night at 11:30 p.m.





Our laundry area (no door disqualifies it as a room) desperately needed a little character. We thought turquoise (or teal, if you prefer) would give it what it needed. Agreed?

My Night

This is what it's consisting of...along with Season 1 of Friends.

A Day in the Life of...

My lucky sister spent a bit of time on her 5th anniversary cruising around in a LIMO, and we happened to be present for the surprise. Her husband, Ethan, told me and Lauren about it a few days in advance, so I was ready with my camera when it arrived!

The parting of the steel gates...

Isn't that the grossest pose? Does anyone think Junior Prom?

Jack loved the "big car"! Little did he know his Mom and Dad would call us later that night after he'd been asleep for three hours asking if we all wanted a ride. Of course we did! We had to wake up little Jack, and he wasn't super happy until it was decided we were heading to Baskin Robbins!

Jack did not want his picture taken AT all! He looks sooo sleepy.

The happy couple.

Thanks guys for letting us feel like celebrities for a little bit!

On Guard!

Sir Jack fought Jedi Sue to the death!

You'd be surprised at how tough this kid can be. We made a game of Jack body slamming me on the bed while I was laying down. He really puts all his weight into it, that kid is serious!

Happenings in Hemet

Saturday afternoon we headed up to Hemet to see my Aunt Robin, Grandma Betty and Marcy. Robin and Marcy have an amazing home that sits at the top of the hill where you look down upon groves of grapefruit trees. We had a great time lazing about in the sunshine and chatting.

Jack started out just dipping his feet in until he began splashing...

Momma and Grammy Bet-Bet

...then he ended up like this.

Peek-A-Boo!

I thought this was so sweet. Jack was getting cold, so Whitney zipped him up in her sweater and they had some cuddle time.

We are sisters!

It was so nice seeing my family! I hadn't seen Aunt Robin in years, and she showed off her new stunning shade of violet hair. It was very nice finally to meet and speak with Marcy as well! I'm glad Grammy, Robin and Marcy are all doing well, and that we could visit them!