January 12th 2010

a first birthday celebrated
vanilla cupcakes w/homemade frosting

he was fascinated by the candle & the {off key} singing


he touched it, then set it down,
to sticky for him to hold...



going back for more,
every once in a while he would stop and look around...
maybe to see what we were laughing at
{you would have thought the paparazzi was there}

the day was great!
he was so cute!
the crowd was laughing so hard as
we watched him enjoy his first very own cupcake ever!
we were so glad to have the family come on over
& the schippers {who have seen him every day of his life}
and share this very special day with us

i can't believe he is one!

True is ONE!

Happy Birthday to my baby boy!

I don't have much time so I just wanted to say that I love this little guy and he is such a blessing.

saving money in 2010

So what are your plans for 2010?
For the Barnes home we plan to spend less and save more.

Last year we did the same- it's not really a resolution, just a good time to reevaluate. In '09 we-

• started to share a cell phone plan with John's parents
• share our garbage service and split the bill,
• we signed up for netflix to avoid all the Hollywood video late fees and unwatched movies.
• ate out about twice a month
• knock off the coffee shop stops
• cancelled magazine subs
• use no credit cards
• make birthday cakes- not buy

Now for 2010 we have in mind

• canceling netflix
• maybe sharing out garbage can with a third neighbor
• compost and grow more, longer
• cut out that 2x a month eating out {maybe 1x}
• drive less, carpool more = less gas
• maybe find a side job for me
• unplug and turn things off more
• drop our heat down by a degree or two, and hour earlier

So what are your ideas? What do you do that you would like to share? I'd love to know!

Shorecrest kicks Shorewood

Shorecrest posts video-104,938 views!
Shorewood copies- 5,530 views!
We kick butt! You tell me which school is better!
Check out Youtube- type in the schools name and watch the videos.
{And see if you can spot my daughter in it!}
How cool is this? Shorecrest is way more fun now then when John and I went there...
Go Shorecrest!

Lights, camera, happy holidays!

WARNING! YOU MIGHT NEED YOUR SHADES FOR THIS PICTURE!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BARNES CLAN!

I think we put the Griswolds to shame... :)
What do you think?

the big 30

so it's coming...
there isn't a darn thing i can do about it...
what did you do for your 30th birthday?

help me by telling me what made your day special!
maybe you will be the one to make me laugh about the whole 'getting older thing'!
comment away!!!!

Holy Cow! I've been a parent for a whole DECADE!

singing cards, gift cards to cold stone, and barnes & noble, new church pants and a sweater

transformers from dad

a visit from a best friend {bringing $20!}

kitchen seat at Buca

making his first goal ever!
what can i say- i cried