New friends!

The Stiffs would like to proudly welcome the newest additions to our family:

Oh how we love thee already, like you've always been part of the family.

Now for the not so pretty:
Why wouldn't there be a 3 inch hole straight down to the basement underneath the dishwasher.   Gotta love an old home.....

 Or some randomness behind the microwave.  Sure, that's up to code......

Grown-up Christmas List....

Dear Dad Santa,
All we want for Christmas is for mom to have a kick-a*s kitchen.  Enough of this white appliance bs.  All the other kids have stainless steel and we feel they are generally happier in life than we are.  Also, knocking down a few walls and adding an island would be a nice bonus, perhaps a stocking stuffer if you will.

We promise to be good all year!

Love,
Ryan & Reese

A whole new way to trim a tree...

A break from the usual Ryan/Reese antics.  This weekend we watched the pros bring down a huge, dead tree in our backyard (although it's behind our fence but still on our property, long story).  This puppy has been looming over our neighbor's house for years and this past summer we noticed the old guy had finally died.  Of course we didn't think to start snapping until half of it was already gone.

 You know they mean business when 4 sections of fence have to come down...

 We're still staring at this below....apparently a bigger job than they anticipated and no way to ensure the remainder will fall where it needs to so bigger equipment (read:  more money) is needed to complete the job.

Bye Sugar!

So this tempting little dandy is prominently displayed on our staircase.  Of course the Skittles were purchased back in '07 (remember that when visiting), but this is besides the point.  The point is that Ryan, of course, has discovered this gem and likes to try and sneak a handful while unattended.   Suffice it to say, the last thing Ms. Ryan needs is a mouthful of sugar so she is not allowed to touch the 'candy'.  Occasionally, when all is silent in the world for a tad too long, you might find her rushing to get a fix.  Nothing says 'busted' like a handful of Skittles bouncing down the stairs for the house to hear.  The other day I found her here and all I had to do was give the infamous parent look for her to promptly say in the most angelic voice created "bye candy, bye sugar"

 Those evil people have thwarted my plan once again.....

A glimpse into life on a Monday afternoon...

I could clean* this house 100 times a day, but 5 minutes after the girls get home, it turns to this:

*By clean, I of course just mean vacuuming and straightening up.  Don't fool yourself into thinking we're washing floors or wiping baseboards clean....come on now.