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messy FUN

my kids were saying they were bored.

i told them to get their swimsuits on and finish their lunch.
“why?!”  “what are we doing?!” ‘”where are we going?!” “it’s too cold to swim!”
i answered “just do it”

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i sprayed it all over our patio table and called them outside.
they were in disbelief.
that they could play IN it…and get it on them.
i said “yes.  use it all.  go crazy”

they did.
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then a fight broke out…like we knew it would.

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i highly recommend this activity to you.
i ended up giving them all 9 cans i’d bought.
i said many many times “don’t get it in your eyes!”

i thought my kids would like it but they LOVED it.
they had 
the. 
BEST.
time.

i hosed them down when they were finished.
turned on the sprinklers to clean the yard.  
sprayed down the patio.
done.

$11 well spent.
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blogluxe awards

hey…someone nominated me for an eye candy award.

over at socialluxe.
it sounds kind of cool…something to do with BlogHer and Chicago.
two things i like.
so click on the button and go vote for me…if you think i am eye candy.
not ME but my blog.

or don't.
whatever.

AND the Macs are up for Most Inspiring Blog.

so while you are there….vote for them too!  

*EDITED.
you can vote everyday.

but i don't really expect you to.
and why do they do that?  isn't one vote enough?

so if you feel like going there day after day…go for it.
if not…i completely understand.

and i get it if you don't want to vote at all.
it's OKAY.
we can still be friends.
i promise.

Amber - Just voted for you! I stumbled on ‘Salt & Chocolate’ which is darn beautiful too but then I saw that you can only vote once a day per category & decided to come back tomorrow for it. You’re doing so well. Congrats!

Angela Henrie - I TOTALLY voted for you. Love your blog!

pam - um, will you remember us when you hit the big time?
miss you. hope you win!

Christy - Voted for both of you, HAPPILY! Wish you both the best.

danyele - you totally deserve some eye candy awards! love your shots…and life pics!

dawn - I voted — because you rock. 🙂 The Macs too, of course. I’ll try and vote daily — because that’s just the kind of girl I am.

Patti - you deserve the eye-candy award, hands down! hey megan, i was going to say that you might want to mention that people can vote more than once. they just can’t vote twice in the same day. 🙂

meaghan easterhaus - i voted! the competition’s not that stiff from what i saw! yours is def the best!

se7en - Gotta vote for such a famous Blog Mom!!!

Steph - Wow, that’s so neat! Congrats on the nomination! I voted for you too! I LOVE your blog! It makes me happy to read it. 🙂

Christina - I love, love, love to come see your blog, it’s so colorful and happy. Congratulations on the nomination!

Lori - Voted! Hope you win 🙂

Starnes Fam - Done and done! Good luck!

adrienneK - will do ! i agree your blog is pure eye candy 🙂 so much happy so much brightness!!
(youre on a blog-awesome roll these days huh?!)
xoxo

Kate - Congrats!! That is great! You definately have wonderful eye candy!

Heather @ Cookie Mondays - It maaaaaay have possibly been me. But I can’t say for sure. So glad they approved the nomination!

Vera - Done! Boy, those Most Inspiring blogs were hard to choose from!! I’m excited about checking out all the other blogs on there that I’ve never heard of… wonder if I’ll be doing that instead of cleaning during naptime now… hmmm…

Lindy - A well-deserved nomination for both you and the Macs. I voted!!!!

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check

 7 carry-on suitcases packed

 7 carry-on bags packed…filled with surprise goodies
 notes written to dog sitter
 emails sent out about things i forgot
 laundry done
 4 flats of flowers planted before they died
 3 dvd players, 2 iPods, 2 phones, 1 PSP, 1 DS, 2 cameras charged
 swimsuits packed
 reservations set
 lawn mowed
 trash taken out
 doors locked
 windows closed

CHECK!

california here we come!

(don't worry….i have the bloggy all set to auto-post so you won't miss even miss me.)

and thanks for the suggestions about what to pack to entertain the kids.
i got them all stocked up.


a thorn among roses - i am a little jealous…but i know i’ll get to see some super fab pics!!! have fun!

gina - Have fun!!!!

cassie o - auto-post?!
thank you jesus!!
i can survive your vacation!!

Victoria - Just wanted to tell you how happy it makes me to look at your blog! Haven’t been by in a couple of weeks and just sat down and went through all the posts.
Love, love, love your big upstairs room. Can’t wait to see the girl’s tent.

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Oh I just know you’ll have a ball. Take lots of pictures.

Lori Danelle - I love marking things off a list. I’ll even add stuff I’ve already done just so I can mark it off!!
Have fun on your vacation and good luck getting all your bags to your destination the same time you do!
http://loridanelle.blogspot.com

Jules - Have a great holiday Meg! Look forward to hearing all about it when you are back!

Liz - Hope you have a marvelous time! Cant wait to see your fabulous pictures!

Kat - Have a wonderful vacation! That is awesome to get all those things checked off! You are ready, girl! Have fun!!!

Rach - Well come on over then! We’ll be waiting for you in sunny Cali. Have a great trip!

Becky - dude…you are a rockstar (not to be confused with the afore mentioned dude.) have fun!!

Ashley - Have fun!!! I don’t have to tell you to take lots of pics!! Haha!

Heather - Have a wonderful time!! I will be praying for your family to have a fun and safe trip!!
Heather:)

kasey - have fun!!

Kelly - Have great time! Can’t wait to see all the pictures of your fun! Prayers for safe & sane travel!

Rachel - Where in Cali are you visiting? I am a huge fan of your blog and live in California…just wondering! Have a great trip!

CherryTreeLane - Welcome to my neck of the woods. Its a little gloomy here right now, but the sun will come out for you!
Happy traveling friend!

Staci - Still in the process of moving 🙁 or it it 🙂 ???? Been missing reading your blog! Have a great time in Cali!!!!!!

Trish - sounds like fun…

Trina McNeilly - California… oh wowee! That is one of my favorite places in the world. Have fun! I know you will. Thanks for the sweet comment. I know I never had a sling either. I was cracking up about the snugli… hahhahah.
safe travels!
xx Trina

Kathy - Safe travels and enjoy!

purejoy - hope you have an amazing time. and you’re all set to autopost??
yikes, woman! you ARE ubermom!!

amy (not corey) - Probably won’t see you out and about on this wet, rainy day, so… HAVE FUN!!! Can’t wait to hear about the trip, plane ride and everything when you get back! We need a neighborhood night soon! (Oh. wait. I guess you just had one didn’t you? Bummer for us. We were at Corey’s sister’s that night. Let’s just do a girl’s night, then!) Be safe!

Traci - have a wonderful trip!!

Melanie - Have a great time.

Sara Cameli - Have a great trip! Can’t wait to see/hear about all your adventures and misadventures and precious moments and all that good stuff…

Anna - Have fun Meg! Don’t get too tan 😉
~Anna Marie

sandy toe - You go girl!! Yahoo for scratching everything off the list!
sandy toe

pve - california won’t even know what hit em.
now go and rock CA and tell us all about it when you return.

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did you know….

that a lot times when i reply to your comments

it goes into your SPAM folder?

it does.
🙂

don't want you to think i am that rude.

i can't reply to all of you…but often when you ask me a question i answer.
but then hear from you again because you think i didn't answer.

AND…to the commenter named j.o.…your mail always comes back to me.
i know you are local and i try to answer your comments.
but it says the email is wrong.
hmmmm….

Mrs. Jones - Ok, this never occurred to me, so I checked my SPAM folder and found a bunch of comments to my blog that I never saw. :-0
Thanks for the tip.
Heather

j.o. - oops! that was an old email address that just kept getting filled in automatically for me, so i went with it. i didn’t necessarily expect responses, but you are so great for responding!! if you still have the emails, you can forward them to the address i leave this comment with. i absolutely never wondered why i hadn’t heard from you — hearing from you would just be an extra bonus!!

chas at the wild raspberry - what are you hanging out with the spammers and hackers for?!
get outta there!
chas

Jamie - Can you give me the scoop on your photography? I’m a local wanting to get pictures done. Thanks!

Sandy - I’m with Trish – when I received an e-mail from you I felt like a celebrity was e-mailing me! Well, actually, she was. Thanks for being YOU and for being who you are!
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before, but I have dreams about you and your family. Sunday night it was so clear and vivid and your husband, kids, everyone looked just like they really do. You looked a little different because your hair was a little lighter (light brown) than it is in your pictures. But, your house was the same…it was so cool to visit with you and your family. 🙂 ha ha I remember I kept thinking to myself, ‘how on earth does she do all that she does and with a large family her house stays so put together’?! I know you have the laundry piles, etc, but still your house is incredibly cool (in and out of my dreams!)! Your family was very friendly and welcoming in my dream 🙂 I didn’t get to meet Lauren though, she was out with friends (or maybe she was playing find the teenager, I’m not sure) 🙂
Sandy
Troy, OH

a thorn among roses - so cute! and i get questions sometimes that i can’t reply to because there’s no email set up and that makes me sad. 🙁

Jules - Hi Meg,
I very rarely comment, but I read your blog regularly – it brightens up my work day and your photos are always gorgeous!
Hope you’re having a fun Wednesday!

kasey - I guess i will go check my spam folder…..

pve - whatever… still love you and your posts. your photos and days look fab from here, spam and all.

Trish - I’ve gotten your comments as well 🙂 I feel like someone famous has just emailed me… I feel special! Thanks 🙂

Christine - yes, i too appreciate how you respond to a comment or two that i have made.
that all takes time out of your day…and i never expect one.
i hope people aren’t harping on you!

callie grayson - when you comment, I always receive them:)
I may not always comment, but I always read. Your blog makes me smile:)
Have a wonderful evening.

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is it time for the egg hunt?

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i took the kids to see grandma and grandpa.
my nieces were there…and my sister too.  

we went swimming…shopping…ate too much.
all good stuff.

the big deal was "when is the egg hunt grandma?"
over and over.
we had to dye the eggs first….
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waiting….waiting….waiting….

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it wasn't too messy at all this year.

they hid them and found them…and hid them and found them…
i think they did that four times.

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we had two really nice days to play.
my mom made coconut cake!  
sooooo good.

i went to get the kiddos into bed and walked in on this….
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these three working on a word find book TOGETHER…taking turns…and giggling.
and the words were all names of famous artists.
it just cracked me up.

good to see you mom, dad and lorel.
can't wait for next month….

kate - Hi Meg,
I just want to tell you that I really, really love your blog. You are such an inspiration. I love the photos, the colours…they always make me so happy. The first thing I want to do when I am off work is to come here and read your blog. It perks up my day considerably. Thank you for putting your blog online.
Keep up the good work! 🙂
Cheers,
Kate (www.toyourstruly.com)

Aubrey - I think my son has a cruch on Annie. He wanted me to keep it on her picture for a very long time. She is very cute.
I think you need to give us a post on what you do when you take pictures. I keep trying to get better, but I’m not getting it.

Andrea from Orlando - LOVE your new frog header. I enjoy your visiting your blog…. very inspiring!

Kate - I love how they hide them over and over! So fun!
Happy Easter!

Karen~ - You always get the best angles on your pictures.
The new frog header is cute!!!

danyele - so cute! i really missed having a normal easter this year with us on the road, but we were all together and that was priceless! great shots.

mom - These are great. Absolutely had a great time with all the grandkids and kids under our roof. Lauren helped me hide the eggs the first time, and Scott was so fast finding his eggs, he was off doing his thing before the camera could find him. Thanks so much for coming! We had a perfect sunny day Saturday!

Dee - Hi Meg – I found your blog through Etsy – a lady asked me to make her a sign and she wrote that she had found my shop through this blog – so I just wanted to say THANKS!!! – I couldn’t find the exact post – because I got sidetracked looking at your awesome photos of your house – love your kitchen and bathroo, but especially your craft room! 🙂 And now I have to go pick up from preschool!
Are you going to be making any more pillows??
Thanks so much! Dee
http://www.redletterwords.etsy.com

gina - Love the colors of your holiday- glad it was happy!

valerie @ Robots and Candy - I love the new header!

sandy toe - What fun pictures!
sandy toe

Jess - Looks like a really great time. Awesome colors in your photos! I always loved Easter as a kid. The eggs, the candy, the reason, it’s all good.
In an earlier post you mentioned your fav Easter candy, mine is the Reese’s eggs! Glad their all gone now!

Kat - Love love love the new froggy header! Happy Easter to you and your fam!

Laura - Happy Easter to you and your family. Thank you for the colors. pictures. and New Life your blog has brought into my own home!

Jennifer P. - Love the Easter pictures. So glad you got to spend it with family!

Sue - Megan, I am enthralled with the containers you used to put the egg dye in. What are they? It has been a tradition for my husband, son, and I to color Easter eggs every year since Dan was little. The only time we didn’t all three do it together was when he was still away at school He is now 23 and home from CA, so we did it together on Sat. He said it was still fun, so I hope he carries the tradition on when he has his own family some day.
You and all your family look as if you are having so much fun and enjoyment together! Enjoy Spring. Sue

Deputy's Wife - Your pictures are beautiful! I love the colors. My pictures don’t seem to capture the vivid color yours does.

CherryTreeLane - What great colors! Love it!

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chicago bff’s

they have been here since saturday…

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with their two kids.
we had a great time just hanging out.
they left this morning….even though i tried to convince them to just move in with us.
i miss them already.

now that they are gone i guess i have some work to do.
i shipped a bunch of t-shirts on monday. 
i will ship a bunch more things tomorrow.
thanks again for your patience with the etsy shop.

i will be hunkered down in the craft room till all the orders are finished.
i will only come out for coffee.
and laundry.

chicago Jen - It was such a nice visit, just like the good old days. It made me miss you more when we left. Why did you have to move so darn far again?

Steph - It must have been so nice to have your BFFs staying with you. It’s so hard when they have to go. Have fun crafting! 🙂

carissa... brown eyed fox - oh you’ve been having FUN!
so hard when they leave isn’t it!

Staci - Okay, this is becoming quite humorous….I guess my first comment got lost in blog heaven. I misspelled crafting…and said crating…so I went back to correct it..and realized it never even posted! Sheesh! Sorry about all these comments 🙁

Staci - yea. um, obviously, I meant “crafting” and not “crating” :0

Staci - So thankful for friends like that too 🙂 Good luck with the crating…and the laundry 🙁

Wendy - What a fun picture! It’s hard having friends leave. Can’t they just uproot their lives to make us happy? I don’t think that’s asking too much, do you? Glad you got to spend time with friends though!

danyele - i can’t believe you don’t have a coffee pot in the toy room! as fab as it is, you should get a dispenser!

Lanny Stanard - Hey Megan, thanks for your visit I hope you liked what you saw! Now get the laundry going… LOL
Lanny

PJ - Great photo!!

AM - I have a question that doesn’t really pertain to this post…I was wondering how you got your middle column to be wide? My blog is in Typepad too, and I can’t figure it out. Maybe you can help!
Thanks!
-AM

Erica - awww cute pic Hills! Meg, you sound swamped! Good luck! (although, I would Love to be stuck in a craft room! but I do realize shipping things doesn’t sound so appealing!) I’d help if I could! 🙂

alyssa - Good luck! If you need a break from crafting, you and annie should come over for some coffee. Well, you coffee, annie play.

pam - YAY!!! dave made the blog. 😉 good job dave.
what cool bff’s from chicago you have. i can see why you miss them soooo very much!

chas at the wild raspberry - do you have a bathroom in your craftroom?
living on coffee…i’d be coming out of the room for a bathroom break or two or three….:)
good luck crafting up a storm!
chasity

CherryTreeLane - that just sucks (that they have to leave, not that you have such great friends….)…..

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quickly before i go….

i am working on etsy orders while we are gone.

i don't want you to think i am blowing you off.
but i did tell you it would take awhile so THANK YOU for your patience 
and willingness to help the build the Cora Playground.

GO TO THE CONCERT tonight if you are local.
don't forget.
take your kids in their jammies…buy them lots of hot cocoa.
and drink big big coffees.
invite your friends and neighbors…it's okay if you don't know the Macs personally.
this is bigger than that.
you will know someone there….
take some pictures too.
it's open to everyone and it will be fun.
it's small town good clean FUN.

i wish i could come just to see YOU.

GO GO GO.
buy one extra coffee and drink it for me please…
(and think of us just pulling into our hotel room all stir crazy and wacko from 9 hours in the car.)

AND…my husband got internet on his blackberry for me for the week.
so i get to be in blog land.
ahhhhhhhh…….huge sigh of relief.
i was starting to feel a little shaky about the whole trip without my internets and the google.  
(only half kidding)

i am out the door to walmart before we leave in an hour.
i am buying nacho libre.  :)

stayed tuned for vacation eye candy.
maybe we'll even see the world's largest ball of twine.
i PROMISE to take a picture if we do.

it's beautiful….and not just cause i'm in it.
it's beautiful because she said so well exactly how i feel about blogging.
thanks laura.

later gators.

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Beth - Missed your posts while you were gone! Every time I checked (can you blog via blackberry? I have no idea, but I thought maybe you could. After reading your updates, though, I see you were WAY too busy to blog :)) anyway, every time I checked I would think of that song by Crosby, Stills & Nash “just a song before I go”. I know you’re probably too young to remember that, but . . . had to share it anyway!

Sandy - I hope you’re having a blast with your family!! I miss you and can’t wait to see vacation pictures!!

Aby - I hope you’re having a wonderful time… BUT…. I sure wish you’d hurry back!! I need your updates!!!! I’m missing you!!!!

diane reeves - Hi Meg,
I showed a friend of mine the photos of your house. She is painting her living room and dining room and really likes the wall color in your home. Can you tell me the paint color on the walls in your kitchen and your living room? Is it the same as the playroom?
Thanks!

Amy R. - I love your green in your foyer. Is it acually pea soup? Where does it come from? I am wanting to paint my daughter’s bathroom that color.
Thanks! Amy
athomeamy1@windstream.net

traci - hope you are having a wonderful time!!!

emily k - i hope your vacation is going well :] & nacho libre is always fun.
my mom & i love reading your blog, we’re addicted now. cannot WAIT for you to take my senior pictures. yay!

Sue - Thank you for leading me to Laura at Piece of Cake’s blog. I too was thinking of giving up blogging for Lent. Her post described exactly what I was thinking.
Have a great vacation!
Much love from NJ,
Sue
xoxo

Kelly - have a great time! Kelly

Laura Phelps - Meg, you made me a rock star. Honestly, I am so in love with your blog that YOUR comment alone on my post made my day! And now THIS??
Thank you

Staci - Oh Meg! I just love ya! Have a GREAT trip. I can’t wait to see all the fabulous pictures in store for all of us 🙂 You are right, Laura summed up the reasons I blog so eloquently 🙂 It’s just so nice to know that moms (and dads too) across this great planet all struggle with some of the same simple and not so simple issues just like me…on a daily basis 🙂 Oh yea, and tell Craig thanks from all of us blogging friends…for your internet service 🙂 YIPPEEEEE!!!

Amanda - Hi! I have fallen in LOVE with your blog and have a totally random question. Where did you get the name Talby from? Is it short for something? I love that name and have never heard it before. Just wondering…thanks. Your photography is simply beautiful…what a fantastic way to record your family’s history. Lovely site and clearly a lovely family. 🙂
Amanda

amy bell - happy vacation to you!!! the post about the blogging? i heart it…it is so true. nothing like a little jack black to make you smile….can’t wait to read a vacation update! 🙂
xoxo

Barb - have a lovely trip and take photos… the walk photos were CINEMATIC. Really beautiful and so much more. Thanks so much

danelle - I’ve seen the worlds largest ball of twine. It’s big alright. I even know someone that peed on it once. ick
Have a fun trip!

ang - Love Jack Black!!! Have a great trip!

Julia - We have a test to new visitors to our house. We put on Nacho Libre and see if they “get it” or not. It’s a good way to measure someone’s sense of humor!

Julie F. - I’ve been meaning to email you and tell you I LOVE Graham and Henry’s G and H shirts! Super cute! I’ll let you know how they wash. Have a great time on your trip.
Did Lauren tell you about our egg drop? It was pretty great.

Brantlee - Have a great time on your trip. Wise choice with Nacho Libre…hillarious!

danyele - you are gonna love macho libre…hysterical! and have some stinking fun, would you???

chas at the wild raspberry - i looked all over the place yesterday for nacho libre with no luck….my mission is not over!
xxooXoxOOXoo {smile, giggle}
chasity

Amy - Have a great spring break. In Ohio ours is not until April 6th. Wish I could attend the concert!!!

sarah - Have fun!
and I wish I lived there, so I could attend the concert. 🙁

Leah - Love ya Meg! Have a great time…take lots of pictures for us. All us other bloggers are nosy and want to see every ounce of your trip!

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