it is getting closer!

The countdown is ON! Less than a week before a new school year. Today was a big day for Matthew. He had to go to the doctor to complete his shots, so he is all up to date. (Sad thing for a third child, not being as current as the first child always is! Do'h!) Mike met his teacher when he dropped off some paperwork and said that she is super nice. I just have a hard time picturing Matthew sitting at a desk, doing kindergarten stuff. I know he's ready though! I remember feeling that way with the other two also, so I know he'll be just fine. They just look so little when you send them off to kindergarten.

Megan and Trevor got their teacher assignments today. First of all, I think the way the school does this is nuts. It has been so stressful for so many kids to have to wait this long into the summer to find out. Starting a new school year is stressful enough, but this seemed to compound the anxiety level for a lot of kids.

Trevor was pretty happy with his teacher. She is the same one that Megan had in 2nd grade, and she is incredible. He will have a great year for sure. The sad thing is, all of his other friends from last year are in his class except for his absolute best friend. A little girl. They were inseparable last year.

Megan had a tougher time. Her best friends are in another class. She knows a couple of the girls in her class this year, so she'll be ok. She'll be able to see the other girls at lunch and at recess, but you know when you are that age and you have all of the 'dynamics' of different cliques and things to contend with. Man, I'd never want to go through all that again.

Now the biggest thing on her mind is what to wear the first day of school. Apparently it is make it or break it time.

Clothes for everybody, done. Bags and backpacks, done. Now I just need to go get the last of the stuff on the supply lists.

4 more days! The thing is, I'm not looking forward to getting rid of them. We've actually had a great summer with hardly any "I'm bored" proclamations. We've been super busy and going places. I am just looking forward to starting a schedule again, and I know they are ready to see friends. I'm going to miss having them around. I swear, once they start kindergarten the times seems to go by so much faster. I'm not going to blink.

more...

I'm trying hard to get back into the groove. Here are a couple that I did over the past couple of days. The first one - scanned horrible. Everything is straight in real life. - and yeah, I'm probably one of a handful of people that hadn't done a "she" layout since they were popular a couple of years ago. Sometimes you just run out of things to say, you know? Just enough journaling anyway.
Journaling says:

SHE
is almost 9 years old,
has traded princesses for pop stars,
loves cute shoes and clothing,
is smart and kind,
is growing way too fast,
still and always my little girl,
beautiful.

I must have been in a brown mood. LOL, because seeing both of them together now, you can tell my new favorite cardstock! Doodlebug brown Bazzill.

Thanks to Michelle for letting me borrow her QK for the title on the second one. I think I saw the design in CK, but it's been so long I can't remember. It's one of those that just stuck in my head. Plus I never would have thought such a random photo would become one of my favorite pages. Here is the journaling:

THREE kids. SIX feet. THIRTY toes.

I can't resist kid feet. Or the opportunity to take a picture of them. I look at these feet and think about how little they all used to be. With each one of these feet I would sit during quiet times with them as babies and run my fingers across the toes. Or I would rub the bottoms of them with my thumb to soothe somebody when they were crying.

They became characters in stories. Our piggies didn't go to market, nooo! They went to Target and ate stuff like applesauce. Whatever would make each child giggle the most. They were also the best places to tickle!

Megan's feet were always covered with the newest of girly footwear. Trevor's were always without socks. (He always kicked those things off!) and Matthew's were play things which once discovered ended up constantly in his hands.







Thanks for looking!

Beth will appreciate this post. What do you do when you are down by the airport and have time to kill? Go to Air Lane.

Beth and I were talking about this on the way to California. About how Mike and Sean (unknown to each other) would like to go to the airport around 4:00 in the afternoon to watch British Airways land at Sky Harbor. Admittingly, it is really cool!

We talked more about this, and how we both would be down there feeding our babies in the car while we watched the planes land. Apparently we've both been doing this for years. I wonder how many times we were probably next to each other in that parking lot not knowing each other! Haha!

So since the weather was perfect, and had cooled down quite a bit, we decided to go watch the planes. I think this is the big city's version of cow tipping.

She SCRAPS!

I had to dust off my scrap space. That is how long it has been since I've worked on anything. Pretty pathetic! This layout serves as getting my toes wet before I get to jump back in to scrapping when the kids get back to school! Woohoo! Summer hasn't been kind to scrapping, that's for sure. We've just been keeping busy, and I haven't been staying up as late.

The photo isn't very clear. Sorry about that. I have officially given up on my scanner. - And WHY does everything look all crooked and wonky????

I think I should get some sort of award for "weirdest place to find a scrap supply." That little transparent tag that says something about "It's ok to want one thing in life to be all about you." came from the bra I bought a few weeks ago. I just had to trim off the part that said that it was 'comfortable and supportive!'

Here is the journaling:

Some people covet expensive cars or fast cars. Me, I want something more practical. - and cute. While I appreciate those other kinds of cars, if I could have anything it would be a Volkswagen. I remember one day when I was little and lived in California. My mom took me to a grocery store with her and I got to pick out a toy. I found a cheap plastic VW Bug. It was orange with yellow bumpers. I loved it. I have had it for years.

Volkswagens have always been a favorite. I've always loved them and stared at them on the street. Mike surprised me with a Passat right before I had Megan. I LOVED this car. I honestly cried when I had to leave it at a car dealer when we needed to trade it in for something bigger since our family was growing into a family of 5. We just needed more space, and sadly my back needed the sliding doors of a van. I felt like I left a part of me at the car dealer. Part of my identity!

VW's are still part of our family's life. Mike has gone between VW's and Audi's for years, and we play Slug Bug (we call it punch buggy) but we have a certain point system for different Volkswagens. My kids laugh at me when I stop in a parking lot or squeal when I see one go down a street. New or old.

I have promised myself someday that when the kids are older and driving their own cars (which WILL be Volkswagens!) I will finally be able to get my own again. How can these not just make your soul happy?!?!

It's still early. Maybe one more page tonight. :)

one little monkey jumping on the bed

One of these days Matthew is going to figure out how it is I know that he is upstairs playing and jumping off of our bed.

(My room with the computer is right underneath, and I can hear loud THUDS when he jumps from the bed on to the floor.)

This also is how I can tell them to get back into bed when I hear them messing around after I have tucked them in at night. The family room is under the two boy's bedrooms. Poor guys, can't get away with anything! I always have to yell, "Boys get back in bed!" and I can hear running footsteps as they jump back into their own beds.

So this morning I sneak up and catch Matthew. He probably thinks I'm the smartest person in the world and he can't get away with anything! Hahaha! Maybe this will keep him wondering as he gets older too.



















I can't pass up a chance to take some pictures!












Especially the feet one. Of course once megan and trevor saw me going upstairs with the camera they had to see what I was up to.

Man, they have huge feet.

Today is a great day. Nothing planned at all, and it is overcast and drizzling. Perfect. We'll head out and do something, but I love not having any plans for a change.

more rain! Yay!

80% chance of rain this afternoon and early evening. Flash flood warnings for most of the state including Maricopa County.

Yeeeeeeessssssssss!

Gosh, I love when we have a nice monsoon season!

*********

I have a dog story. Which actually begins a few weeks earlier. Mike had gotten his windshield replaced on his car, and didn't realize it was the "Use us to replace your windshield and you'll recieve free Omaha steaks!" people. So after receiving the certificate in the mail on Saturday, he went down to the mall in Chandler to pick them up.

Sunday night the steaks are sitting on the counter ready to go outside on to the grill. We're all so hungry and can't wait. - We forget how big Piper has gotten, and you'd be amazed how far that dog can stretch. Long story short, she had gotten hold of one of the uncooked bacon wrapped fillets. At first we were just mad at her for that, but then realized that she had eaten the whole thing... metal skewer and all.

Oh crap.

A call to the vet, some induced vomiting that didn't produce said metal skewer. Crap. Crap. Crap. All of a sudden being mad that she ate a $15 hunk of meat turned into panic because the skewer could puncture her intestines. All night we kept thinking about how this had turned into a couple thousand dollar emergency surgery to get it taken out. Crap.

Thank goodness this morning I woke up to a spot on the carpet with the skewer AND half a rope toy that she had eaten also. I swear, dogs will eat ANYTHING.

Not much to say here. It is that time of summer where it is just long, and hot. We've been doing a lot of swimming. There is a great pool that we have been taking the kids to.

What a difference from last summer. Now that they can swim, it has really been fun. I still keep a watchful eye, but it doesn't feel as stressful as it used to be. Megan and Trevor both love going off the diving board, and Matthew has no fear of the water. He isn't ready for the diving board yet, but he loves to be thrown in the 6 foot deep part of the pool and push himself up back to the top again.

Just three more weeks until school starts! It is hard to believe.

It has been nice having Mike around as much as he has been. Since being officially employed by an airline, he's now waiting until he has to leave for training. So there has been some time where his only real responsibility is being here. The kids have totally loved having him home full time.

We've been doing a lot of things to keep us busy - shopping, going out to do things and storm chasing (what a storm last night!) Last night we went out for dinner and then to Gateway Airport and watched the storm come in. The lightning was intense, so we drove out that way. I haven't seen rain like that in a long time. It was so nice! And the temp was 73! Brr. ;)

Oh, and "naked man" which provided hours of laughing and entertainment.

We were in a new subdivision looking around, and this guy a couple of streets over had a 2 story house. Not sure what he was thinking, but I bet he was at Home Depot getting some blinds today. It was just one of those timing things. I looked across a few empty lots and saw him walk in front of a window. I'm sure he wasn't used to traffic being on the streets behind his house since they were still empty lots.

I told Mike, and then sure enough he walked in front of the window again. This time we all saw him, and Mike honked the car horn. The man looked and quickly shut off the light. It was hysterical. Little does this guy know that he made a story on my blog too. I giggle everytime wondering if he thinks we were there to check out our lot and we'll be his new neighbors. If that happened to me, I'd have to move. Sometimes you just have to be juvenile you know?

Friday night I also got to hang out with the girls at Maddy's house. What a fun night. Have I mentioned how much I love these guys? I think it is funny that was also the night Harry Potter came out, and I haven't heard from one of them since then. I bet they are still reading!

some mixed emotions.

We went and looked at a couple of possible schools for Matthew today. He's excited, and I am a little freaked out and a little bit elated that he'll be going to school. Full day. Apparently nobody does half day kindergarten anymore.

Because of his birthday, I thought I'd have this year for him to go to half day kindergarten at a charter school and then if needed, repeat kindergarten full day when he's old enough to go to the school that Megan and Trevor go to.

My house will be SO clean! My scrapping, my errands, everything will be by myself!!!! How weird! I feel like I'm about to cross over this bridge to "all kids in schooldom" like it is some sort of secret society that other moms know about but aren't allowed to talk to you about until you get there. Like I need to learn a secret handshake or something when I go to Target without a child during school hours.

It feels SO WEIRD I suppose because for so long now I have been the 'baby mom.' You know, when one gets old enough you have another. There was a baby in the house for so long and that was my job. Now we're done having babies, and knowing that there WILL be days without a tiny one here with me seems strange.

I know I'll still be needed at school in the classrooms, and for days when somebody gets sick, but it just feels so .... odd.

Now, I'm going to miss all of them when school starts. I do like having them here at home during the summer but today was the last straw of the bickering. Today was a knock down drag out over a Pokemon card. It wasn't pretty, and I know despite all of the things we have been doing to keep us busy that they are probably just ready for a change of scenery and school structure.

All I know is that first day of school this year, I'll be sad when all three are off for the day. I'll be thinking of them and hoping that they are all making new friends, seeing old ones and having a good day... and then I'll be off to the mall. For a little retail present to myself for making it this far. For sending my little ducks out into the world! ;)

one of those random days.

A little random update about nothing, it seems. It is just hot hot hot and we've been out running errands in it. So I figured I would amuse myself with my blog while I enjoy this HUGE coke from Jack In The Box for a few minutes.

Speaking of - when did they get rid of the blue straws? The soda connoisseurs will know exactly what I'm talking about. I think the straws MAKE the drink. I'll have to send an email to Jack and find out what is going on with this.

Swimming lessons again today.

I was watching Trevor during his, and he did something that just made me laugh. All of the kids in his class were lined up along the pool and were waiting for the instructor to tell them to jump in. He usually calls them by name before they can get in. He started calling boys, and Trevor was trying so hard to tell him that it is "ladies first!" I noticed the instructor didn't hear Trevor, but when he finally called his name he backed up and said, "Ladies first, I'll go after them."

Aww. He's one slick little kid. He always tells cashiers, waitresses and moms how pretty they are. One time at the hair place he had a bunch of the girls who work there standing around him while he was getting his hair done. They just loved him. That's my boy. He's going to be a great man someday.

We also went to Target today. (surprise!) Funny how a quick trip in for kitty litter turned into finding 4 pair of shoes for M. She wears a women's size 7, so there are always a TON of shoes on clearance in her size. She's definitely going to be a shoe girl. I think she's finally set for school. At least I hope!

T and I plan on going out later and getting his school stuff done. His only request, "Can I get a pair of sketchers?"

No prob little man.

Matthew is going to a different school than the other two, and I'm not sure if he will need uniforms or not. He will be happy as long as one of the colors is blue. Everything for him needs to be blue. LOL! Wow, typing that I just realized how strange that will be when all 3 kids are in school! Except I'll be there too.... helping in classrooms.

Soda is done, and apparently so is my laundry. *Ding ding*

OK! I surrender!!

After trying to fight it the past several months, and surrendering because of severe exhaustion, I have decided that it is a worthless point to try to keep up with this house.

I'm waving the white flag.

I'm not going to let it go and live in filth, but I feel like if I spend one more hour cleaning up the kitchen I am going to scream.

I think all three of my kids are going through growth spurts right now. I'm not kidding. About an hour after eating a big meal, they are hunting for snacks or asking when the next meal is. I'm just going to get a sign that says: Kitchen is closed.

Or just go eat poptarts!! ;)

Not to mention the constant pile at the foot at the stairs of stuff that needs to be brought up the next time somebody goes up them. Why do they feel like they need to relocate their rooms downstairs everyday?

Even though I have honestly enjoyed having the kids home from school, I can say that I think we're all ready for a change in our days. It is just hot. Plain old hot.

Matthew is starting kindergarten this year too, and keeps telling me how excited he is about going to a new school. Megan and Trevor are both missing friends and anxious about going back too.

I think I'll try and reclaim my house then.

*****
Swim lessons are going great. It is interesting how when the kids are learing something there is a moment where they just GET it. Trevor and Megan both had a day like that today. They were doing good, but today something made it to where they were both swimming like crazy. Like they've been doing it for years.

Matthew is doing well and I'm sure his day will be this week.

I'm actually thinking about putting Megan in the diving class during the next session. The boys have their lessons first, so Megan sits over by the dive pool and watches until her lesson starts. I have to say the kids in that class look like they are having so much fun. "Red shirt boy" as we call him is the most fun to watch. This kid does the coolest things off the board.

Stay cool.

swim lessons - that are actually WORKING this time!

<--- This is Matthew before a swim lesson, wishing that the waterslide was going.

We started a two week session of swim lessons yesterday. So every morning for the next couple of weeks we'll be hanging out at the pool.

Great for the kids, but I almost want to sign myself up so I have an excuse to jump in too. Pools always look sooooo inviting!

So far so good. I think the biggest part of swimming lessons is overcoming that fear of water. (Ask my poor mom who had to take me to the Y, and I'd scream the entire time. Not to mention bloody fingertips because I had a death grip on the side of the pool. Sorry mom.)

All three are wanting to become good swimmers because they are totally enthralled with watching the diving class. It has been a long time since I've actually seen a real diving board, with huge springs and all. That was my favorite part of summer!!! (Eventually I did overcome that water fear and screaming and was on a swim team from 6 years old to 10. I remember hanging out at the pool and using the diving board a lot.)

Hopefully by the end of next week I'll have some pictures of my olympiad level swimmers. ;)

high maintenance.

Well ignore the last entry, because today was the official mother/ daughter all out girly back to school clothes shopping day!!!

It's no secret that I love, and look forward to this day. :)

I liken myself to the lioness who has to go out and hunt for the family. I am on the prowl. Teaching the next generation the art of hunting for orange stickers, good deals and accessories.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! I'm usually not a big fan of the 4th ... I had a sparkler burn me when I was a baby so I'm sure I have some supressed memories left over from that. ;)

But... the 4th in Arizona is always hot, and fireworks don't start until after 9:00, which for the past several years with small children in the house has made it pretty uneventful as well, since kids are usually in bed.

The one nice thing is that the fireworks were usually set off from the high school near our house, which made it perfect for us to set up some chairs in the driveway and watch for the 20 minutes or so that they are going on. The school is right down the street from us, so we had a great view. Plus the bonus of refrigerated drinks and a bathroom near by. Sweet.

This year, they decided to move the fireworks show farther south in Gilbert. I'm not really a big enough fan of fireworks on the 4th to actually GO somewhere to watch them, but this year we have company. So we'll be out with the masses... in the AZ summer evening. (It should only be a little over 100 by the time the sun goes down, right???)

BUT I did get a chance to go out and start a little bit of back to school clothes shopping today. Some of the stores have some killer sales for the holiday, so M and I went to go check some things out. This isn't even our official mother and daughter all out girly clothes shopping trip yet. Which I am SO excited to get started on!

We found some cute shirts, shoes and even several adorable earrings. She is looking so grown up it scares me. You know you have reached some important milestone when accessories have become part of the school clothes shopping. Although I did have to remind her that a cell phone is not appropriate 4th grade attire. (where do they get these ideas anyway???) It's crazy!

this summer's tv obsession

Do you ever get caught up in a show that apparently the rest of the world has been watching? Then you get so obsessed about it, you season pass it on the tivo? Heck, even though about 5 reruns a day record, I still watch them ALL.

That is the best part about when this happens. You catch up with several season's worth of shows, that they are all new to you. Four years ago, it was Trading Spaces, Then I caught up with a season of LOST, and then last summer it was Dirty Jobs on the Discovery Channel.

Today I'm talking about this summer's obsession for me. TLC's What Not To Wear.

I came about it in a round about way. My mother in law watches it. When I was needing some clothes for our last cruise, she helped me pick out some things. She kept making reference to this show.

OK, so I finally watched it. Oh my gosh, I love it. I love watching other people shop! Maybe because there was a little part of me who used to love shopping like that! Then I went through a period of dirt poor-ness, and then I started having kids. Clothing took a back seat. Even farther. Think school bus. That many seats back.

Dressing up for me is a pair of jeans and my favorite brown Life Is Good tshirt.

So I do enjoy watching other people shopping, and spending $5000 on new clothes. I have to say though that I don't understand people who have a hard time buying bags. No matter what the financial situation I was in, or how many children... I love purses. It is genetic. You should see my sister and my mom. Plus they are one size fits all.

The sad thing is, about EVERY episode has some sort of fashion no no that screams me.

-Grabbing tshirts from the husband's side of the closet.

-Having only ONE bra (yeah, yeah I know.) which even that is screaming to be retired since there isn't any stretchyness to it anymore.

-mom jeans

- I have shoes, but I always go right for the ugliest pair of speedo flip flops that I own. They sit by the garage door, and out we go. That is living in Arizona. Flip flops year round.

-and probably the worst is that I haven't come to terms with the fact that my body is a lot different since hitting the 30s and having three children. Ugh. I have to say that I bounced back to my size 10 self quickly after having Megan and Trevor, but I swear that Matthew left something behind since that is when things started getting WEIRD.

The sad thing is, Megan watches this with me. When we were out the other day she told me that I needed a shirt with an empire waist. Because "You have to accentuate the thinnest part of your body - under the ribcage."

What?!?!? Great, now I'm getting fashion advice from my 8 year old.

I think I'm just a fashion lost cause. ;)

Yeah, the picture has NOTHING to do with today's post, but I saw it in a random folder on the computer. This is one of my favorite pictures from YEARS ago at Young's Farm in Prescott. (which is now closed forever.) :(

I like it because Matthew looks like, "I'm gonna eat ya!"

I know, it is weird sense of humor. - and I can't believe how LITTLE he looks compared to now!

It reminds me, I suppose, that Matthew will be starting kindegarten when school starts. He's not officially old enough to go to the same school as Megan and Trevor yet. He is one of those fall babies that misses the cut off, but he is ready for something, so he'll do half day kindergarten a couple days a week at another place. Then I'll start him at the same school as his brother and sister the following year.

I was out earlier today too, doing some errands. I passed by Megan's favorite store... Justice. Which is also next to an Old Navy. I can't wait to go clothes shopping with her for new back to school clothes. It is our mommy/daughter tradition that I absolutely love.

Which also turns into a trip to the mall for the Gap and Limited Too. Girls are so fun.

Trevor though, I asked him the other day what kind of things he wanted for school.

"Do you like sports shirts with numbers on them?"

"Do you like shirts with surfers on them?"

I was just trying to get some ideas. He just answers with a shrug and says, "I like whatever you buy me. I like plain old tshirts."

So like the past two years we will go to Old Navy, and he'll more than likely pick out a dozen solid color tshirts. Boys are SO easy at this age.

weekend

Here is an adorable puppy picture for Maddy and Shanna. Oh, and June too, but she actually likes dogs.

Apparently Maddy and Shanna don't find having their toes licked under the table endearing. ;) .................. Dog haters.

Some friends came over to scrap last night. As always, good times. After knowing Maddy for how long, I finally heard her maiden name?!? And it was so odd I can't even remember it. Bingo baby!

My abs were seriously hurting when I went to bed last night. Or veeeery early this morning rather.

*************

"BIG MEANIE!"

- also along the lines of laughing so hard your stomach hurts, I am constantly entertained by Trevor. The boy is seriously a riot.

Tonight at dinner, he was getting mad that Megan was staring at him. So we all started staring at him. He got up and walked behind Mike, and Mike was still staring in the direction of Trevor's chair. Then Mike turned around really quick and yelled, "Bwaaaa!"

Trevor literally jumped in the air and fell backwards on his butt on the floor. It was funny! It seemed like it was in slow motion. Poor guy. Don't feel too bad though, he was laughing hysterically on the floor. Then he got up and yelled, "Big meanie!" to Mike. In between laughing of course.

He's always been funny. I swear someday he'll be a comedian.

Oh and I am SO grateful that Mike is going to see Die Hard with some friends tonight. That means one less man movie I'll have to see on pay per view later on. ;) This movie actually got GOOD reviews?!?!?

Have a good weekend!

my underprivileged children

OK, well I have to admit the title is a bit snarky, but it is my nod to an old neighbor of mine who seems to care A LOT about what my family is doing. And not in the good way. I hear gossipy tidbits from a few different people every now and then about this. She is worried that me and my kids never, NEVER get out of the house. Yeah, we're holed up here all the time. ;) But apparently this was the reason why Megan happened to be a little talkative during primary last Sunday. It couldn't have anything to do with her best friend sitting next to her.

Usually I don't give it a second thought, but as we were exiting the parking garage downtown last night, I was thinking about how we have been out every single day since summer began.
But counting from JUST last week alone our plans have included The Pointe, friends' houses, swim parties, various lessons, dinner at Chili's the night before last, and then last night we went to the circus. Oh, and I also took all three shopping since each one has a birthday party to go to this week.

Today Trevor is flying with his daddy. Which to him means that he'll get breakfast before the flight, and lunch somewhere else in the state later on. It's all about food to that little boy.

And let me just throw in here that my 4 year old has been on a cruise a year since birth.
Yeah, my kids never get out.

Little vent aside - (man, do you really know anybody who keeps tabs on your family more than their own????) we had tickets to the circus last night. This is one of the best little bonuses from the radio station.... we have had so many tickets to events over the years that really have spoiled us. Megan loved going before she could talk. She adored the elephants. And one performer named Bello, who was there again last night. We've grown up with Bello. He's cool.

It was a nice media event, where we were invited to a dinner at Cooperstown before the show. Then once inside the arena, we got to stand down on the floor and have about an hour of cool entertainment right in front of us. I think, even pretty horses aside, the favorite had to be these totally cool jump rope guys.

(I'm going to see if I can use the word cool at least 100 times today! Haha! Maybe that is wishful thinking since it is hotter than heck outside.)

I was going to take my camera, but it was pretty hot and I was hoping for a hands free evening. Cool.

Here is to keeping busy this summer, and I have yet to hear the first "I'm bored" of the season.

Which in a roundabout way reminds me that I'm actually pretty excited after going to Target yesterday, that the school clothes and uniforms are back out. It isn't that I'm looking forward to sending my kids off for school, but I really LOVE going clothes shopping with them. Oh, and those fabulous supply lists. I LOVE when you get to buy new crayons.

(also, and I know this is sick to be thinking about... but once the school supplies come out, then Target replaces that huge area with household items. Like the bulk paper towels, wipes and things.... then..... oh yes..... the household items are replaces by...... HALLOWEEN decorations!!!

Perfect little orange happy pumpkins!!!

Life is good. ;)

I'm melting. Or I can't get enough caffiene in my system to stay awake. I'm not sure what it is, but dang I am tired today.

I did this layout a couple of days ago. The pictures just make me laugh because he looks so serious putting his rollerblades on.

I gave up on trying to scan, so the photo isn't that clear when you click on it. Trust me, the pictures are all in focus. Haha!

Trevor was even with me when I bought the paper at the store. He saw it and said, "Mom. (because I'm not mommy anymore. Cool kids say mom.) This paper is COOL, can you use it on a page about me?" OK, my enabling son, twist my arm. ;) I love scenic route, so he didn't have to twist hard.

Wait until someday when he is smart enough to pick out some paper with me, and he says, "I know you don't have anything red. How about you buy me a new RED car, and you can make a page about me?" He's working me already. I can tell.

I tried so hard to work on some projects last night. You know how you have that urge to sit down and do something, but you can't seem to get inspired enough to do anything? It is frustrating. I hope that feeling gets over with soon, because it really stinks!

The Pointe

I have been a bad blogger lately. Summer is such a weird time. You can not have plans, but the day to day stuff seems to keep us all busy.
The kids have had friends over, gone over to friend's houses, errands to run, craft stuff... you name it.

Last week we did get to do something really fun, and something that I hope turns into an annual summer event for us.

It started last year when Megan was invited to an end of school party with a group of girls from her class. About 8 of them went to the Pointe South Mountain where they all stayed in one room and then played at the property's water park all day. Mike and I went so we could help out if needed. From that moment, I knew we'd have to come back with the boys.

So this time we all went, and had SO much fun. We got a huge suite with an extra bedroom, a kitchen and a huge dining area and living room. After we checked in and changed into bathing suits (me included, ugh.) we went to the water park. They have a huge wave pool with a beach entry (perfect for my boys who aren't totally comfortable swimming in the deep areas yet) a lazy river for tubing, slides, and various pop up fountains everywhere.

Trevor was actually tall enough to go on the slides. He was thrilled about that. That little thing on this picture is HIM! .............





















We played until the park closed at 8 that evening. The best part was being able to tell the kids who were all bummed that it was time to go, that we were coming back tomorrow!

We went back to our room, and were all too tired to go out and eat. So we ordered room service, which for some reason the kids think they are royalty or something when somebody brings them food with those metal covers on them. Megan even said, "This is the best trip we've ever had!"

The next day, we got up and went to the park again. We spent hours there, and had snacks at our little table we spread out on. It was just so nice to relax, and do something fun with the kids. By the time we left, we were ALL worn out. The best part was, being that we were so tired, home was only 15 minutes away.

Anybody in the Phoenix area, I totally recommend doing an overnight here. Actually I think there are a couple resorts in the valley that have the same sort of thing. Since it is unbearably hot for out of town people to come here during the summer, the resort is full of locals. The summer rates are so affordable for a big family, and there really is so much for all ages and swim levels. I know we are going to try to do this every summer. It is so worth it.

Scrap night with the girls = cheaper than therapy.

I have to be honest, Friday was not one of my better days. After pure exhaustion, broken promises and a couple other things, I was just feeling down. No short story version, sorry. (Hell that would take too long! Haha!)

So the timing of seeing some good friends on a scrap night couldn’t have been any better.

I know every now and then I throw in a gushy post about how lucky I am to have met some incredible people through a scrapbooking site. (Who would have thought!) Some I have met in real life and love, even though I don’t get to see them often because they live out of state, some I haven’t met in real life but email enough that I feel I would love them too, but the fact that there is this incredible little group of Phoenicians that I call my closest of friends. You know who you are.

We’ve all been through marriages, divorces, new babies, health issues, moving, good times and bad times, and all of that life stuff together for the years that we’ve known each other. It really is the most incredible of support systems.

The thing that made last night so great was that everybody was there. Lisa was able to come all the way down from Prescott, and I realized how much I really miss her funky sense of humor at these crops. Kaelene was supposed to be in California, but ended up being able to come. That girl is sharp! She says things out of nowhere that are just funny.

Shanna made me laugh harder than I have laughed in a long time (that girl can SCREAM!!) We went on a little shopping trip to a scrapbook store, and hit a drive through for some sodas on our way back to Beth’s house. Lisa was in front of us in her Prescott redneck Mack truck along with Michelle and Maddy. Shanna jumped out of her car and snuck up beside them and popped her head through the open window and let out this unnatural blood curdling scream. Resulting in Maddy crying, and I think Michelle peed a little. ;) I just sat back and watched the whole thing. Laughing my rear end off.

And Beth, always the best hostess. Plus she put U2 on for awhile. Enough said right there. She is awesome.

I kind of felt like I was sitting back and watching a movie about these people. Each one brings something in their personality that is different, to the table. Then it all meshes. It was just one of those nights when you realize how lucky you really are and I swear they all made me laugh myself out of a funk. Scrapping + good friends = priceless.

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is your pilot speaking. Oh, and Toxic Thomas.

Right now I am at flightaware.com watching Mike's plane come home from Cincinnati! He should be here soon. What did we ever do before technology came along that allowed us to track flights across the world?? It is so cool! I like to guess what state he is over before I hit refresh. It's my little game.



I finally get to say more though... He is officially employed!! Woohoo! He got a job with ComAir, who is owned by Delta. It is incredible news!!! I couldn't really say more the other day because technically he still had one more part of the interview to take care of back there.



I am incredibly happy and proud of him. I remember him wanting to do this back when I met him in high school. Life took a few different turns for us, but those turns enabled us to be able to do this now, at this point in our lives.



So it's official! There is a commercial pilot in the house! :)



*********************









I have been putting of the inevitable until tonight, when Matthew goes to sleep. There is a recall on thousands of Thomas wood engines. Supposedly there is lead paint on several different characters from a pretty good chunk of the decade. Prime years that my boys were collecting these toys.



I need to sneak in and tag and bag some of these guys. I don't want to over react, but Toxic Thomas is not a fun toy. The only thing is, I keep having flashbacks of all the years that my boys played with them and they of course ended up in their mouths. Ugh.

Thank goodness a large part of the Thomas stuff we have are the metal trains. That should cut my numbers down to about 500 trains that I need to sort through! LOL!

they do swim!

I just have to preface this by saying how much I used to dread taking my boys near a pool since neither could swim. Trevor, being 6 years old screams like a fire truck if you let go of him or he isn't near the steps. Matthew, always liked to put his head under the water, but never ventured away from the steps either.

I even took them for swimming lessons last year where I spent lots of money, lots of time, and the only thing they both learned how to do was blow bubbles. I was a bit miffed. I just figured if we made it through this summer, they would have to learn next year when we have our own pool.

Today we had a pool party for the activity day girls. Mike wasn't home to watch the boys, so they had to go with me. I was nervous about this. Not only did I have to help lifeguard for several girls, but I had to make sure my boys stayed on top of floaties in the shallow end.

I don't know what got into either of them... but today... they SWAM! Both of them! Like little fish! Well, Matthew looks more like a little frog with his legs, but it is swimming non the less! Trevor even swam across the pool. I am SO proud of both of them. And like a horrible scrapper, I decided to keep my camera at home today since I was afraid there was too many opportunities for it to get broken. Grr.

This is a BIG thing. Huge!

a little layout, and the sopranos happily ever after

This is my totally inspired by Karla Dudley page. (She is SO awesome!! check her out!) I had these photos from awhile ago, and they were just kind of sitting in their folder on the computer.

I saw a page of hers with the Basic Gray paper, and that incredible little sentiment: The most precious of offerings. It was perfect. I had done a page about Trevor giving me flowers at about the same age, and that line just sums it all up. Just about every mom has a moment like this, when a little one brings you a fist full of flowers or pretty weeds.

***********

I'm still thinking about the Sopranos today. I admit when the ending came my first response was to yell at the dog or somebody who had to have accidentally pushed a button on the remote to make the screen go black. I wonder how many other people across the country yelled, "NOOOOO!" at the same time, thinking that the cable had gone out or something.

What an ending. At first I felt kind of angry that everything wasn't all tied up in the end. There were, and are still so many questions. But... that is part of what made that show so good. You had to think a lot while you were watching it. My theory is that Tony and family are all just fine. Like the song on the jukebox in the end: Don't stop believing... Life goes on and on and on....

you know. I could go on forever with talking about it, the little hints that could go both ways (that Tony was killed, or the whole family was killed) but I admit that I like Tony. I want them to all just be a normal family. I'm beginning to think the ending was perfect because you could interpret it anyway you wanted if you thought about it enough. And let's face it, if it had ended in any other way people would be arguing that it wasn't what should have happened. Nobody would be perfectly happy with the ending. Just like people are saying that they expected more when Phil was whacked. Now see, I thought that was pure genius. Mike and I even had to rewind it a few times to enjoy it over and over. Violent... but funny. And the guy deserved it! "Pop!"

My only complaint about the entire show was that I wish Paulie would have whacked the cat!

Harry Potter and what is with this weather???

This was the plan all along.

Well, at least after like the third book and I saw how people were going crazy over it.

I wanted to wait until the last Harry Potter book was near coming out so I could start the whole series and not have to wait. I'm like that. I have a hard time with cliff hangers!

Today I got book ONE!

So, if Lisa is any indication.... I won't be blogging much for awhile. ;) She, along with everybody else I know who started these books kind of went into hiding while reading them. Normal life ceases to exist! It's all about Harry.

******

You know how I love to talk about weather too...

well it has been absolutely AMAZING here in the Grand Canyon state. Is it really June??? I swear, we have had such a great spring. (Which lasted more than the typical week.) But yesterday and today have cooled down. Today in my car the thermometer read 87 degrees! Yes, in JUNE. It is incredible.

Last night was beautiful too. Everybody was outside enjoying it. This reminds me of what Phoenix used to be like when I was a kid. Summer was hot, but we got a daily rainstorm to cool us off for a couple of hours and then the nights were beautiful.

So today I just had to mention how happy the weather is making me! Because I know in another week I'll be complaining about it. ;)

A huge wooohoooo!

What's that in the sky? A bird? A plane?

A big plane???

YES. A very happy day at our house today. Mike had his interview and it went well. :)

some cards.

Nevermind my last post about my clean desk. It's a mess now. I bought these really cute Lil' Davis chipboard things. I love them. I love them so much I have been hoarding them and afraid to use them on anything. Why is that?? So, I figured I would make some cards with them. I mean a package of them is only $2, it was good therapy for me to lighten up and go ahead and use them.

Plus I have a good reason. I have a small tower of plasticware in my kitchen. All clean. All from last week when people were bringing us dinner. Now I know that they are the 'disposable' kind. You know, the Ziplock ones, but you still can't get yourself to throw them away. So I would imagine somewhere in the back of the minds of the people who brought dinner they would be thinking, "I hope she brings those back!"

So along with the plasticware, I wanted to make some thank you cards. These women deserve the time it takes to make them because everything was wonderful and they took a huge burden off of my shoulders last week.

Man, now my desk looks like Lisa's. ;)

It is hot. I'm already whining, but I have a good reason, I promise!

It is 100 degrees.

IN.

MY.

HOUSE.


Upstairs. The a/c went out. This really stinks. I am very grateful for the fact that we have 2 units, so it looks like we'll be having a campout downstairs tonight. The kids are excited. They seem to think it is some sort of adventure.

I'm also glad that our couches are huge. Because THAT is where I'm sleeping tonight.

summer has finally started around here.

Today feels like the official first day of summer. Probably because the first week seemed like a blur with everything going on.

Today I took the kids swimming. My ward has this awesome thing worked out for the summer where every Friday a group of moms meet at different houses so our kids can all get together and swim. My kids loved it... being that we are the only ones on our street that seem to not have a pool. (next year... next year... next year.... I keep chanting this to myself.) It was great that they got to see some friends, cool off and wear themselves out with a couple hours of solid swimming.

Does swimming count as taking a bath??? ;) It should, because I can't believe it is already so late. We've totally blown any sort of bedtime rules too, since summer began.

I took the longest nap ever today. I think the weight of everything going on for the past couple of months crashed on me today. I have been seriously fatigued.

Lets just say that if U2 was waiting for me at a scrapbook store full of free products to give me, and all the coke I could drink, I still wouldn't want to go. Now that is tired. Not to mention too, when I came in the door from swimming expecting Mike to be up and feeling better... he was in a fetal position on the couch. Again. Oh no.

He had a stint removed, and apparently that shocked the hell out of something inside him. Like his innards haven't been violated enough lately. I called the doctor, and he said to watch him for an hour and if it didn't get better to head BACK to the hospital. Noooooooo! I wanted to have an all out tantrum on the floor. No. No. No.

He was still hurting most of the day, but I think the thought of him having to go back didn't appeal to him either. Please, I hope this was the last hurrah today. I'm ready for some normalcy around here.

And speaking of... time to get these kids into bed.

F I N A L L Y !

I got to see the stone that started it all.

Tonight was Mike's surgery. We were at the hospital at 5:00 like they said, and the surgery was supposed to start at 7:00.

We waited... and waited...

until 9:00. From what I understand somebody came in and had some sort of emergency surgery so we had to wait for another operating room to open up. This time we were at Desert Banner. Plus this time we had a different surgeon. This guy was great... and he talked to ME! LOL, much unlike the other guy that neither Mike or I liked.

The surgery was supposed to take 45 minutes, and probably took 46. Dang, I like this doctor! The other guy told us it would take about 20 minutes and then 2 hours later came out to tell me that it was over. I was prepared this time too, with an arsenal of magazines. Even though I ended up spending much of the waiting time eating a late dinner, talking to some people on the phone and playing bubble breaker on Mike's phone. My high score: 510!! I'm very proud.

-- The stone hadn't broken up at all from the last surgery, but I got to see the sucker in a cup. Big piece, and a lot of little pieces. All blown up. It was fascinating. ;)

So I ended up getting home at midnight, and left Mike still in the recovery room. He's in good hands and there isn't anything I could do at that point.

Thank you to everybody for the well wishes, the prayers, the funny kidney stone stories (I'm glad some of you still had a sense of humor after it was all said and done.) the meals, the babysitting... everything. It has been a long and crazy 10 days.

Now I wish they would give the spouse of said patient the left over stuff that makes you loopy and tired right before surgery so I could have a nice long sleep too. ;) The kids will be up and bouncing around in about 6 hours. Aren't they supposed to sleep in now that school is out? It will be a short night.

rock climbing wall

Aw, now I want to write something smart and meaningful about 'reaching for your goals' and all that good stuff... but I can't do mush right now. Instead... this is what we did today and that is my little girl two stories above my head on a rock climbing wall. Awesome.

I had activity day with the church girls today. We went to a place in Gilbert that has a three story rock climbing wall, in air conditioned coolness. They all had so much fun!! Most of the girls had never done this before, and they all did great! A few of them made it all the way to the top, which I couldn't believe. They make it look really easy.

I am taking Trevor back this week since I saw him climb a rock wall at a school carnival once. He'll love this. The best is, it is $3 per child and they can climb for more than an hour if they want! I am sure we'll be doing this a lot this summer.

The pictures aren't that great unfortunately. :(





















One more little update. I know I haven't been around much because of everything going on in our house right now. Mike is going in for surgery tomorrow. Hopefully this will be the last of it, and I'm crossing my fingers for NO complications. Wish us luck!

Then hopefully things will be back to normal. As normal as can be at least! ;)

a little me time.

I decided no matter what I was going to scrap a little today. I haven't done it in a long time, and heaven knows the past week has been insane.

I know there seem to be a few layouts lately about Megan and clothes. I have to laugh at this a little because I realize this is the stage that we are in. She's very into clothes. Only I thought we had a few more years before this would get so big!

This layout turned out NOTHING close to what I had in my mind. I originally was going to go with orange and hot pink, with some blue in it. The photos just got lost with those colors, and I ended up with this much softer version. I like it. Even though it took me hours to do since I kept the original idea in my head. It's frustrating sometimes because this layout doesn't look like it took as long as it did! I know some of you know exactly what I mean when you sit there over a page forever!

Journaling says: I don't think there is an age limit when it comes to that irresistable urge to twirl. Like most girls, (including myself) when you put on a full skirt it is just fun!

We went to the mall to shop for some new clothes for our vacation and Megan loved this skirt. So much so that after a couple of times in the dining room on the ship, she wore it to the beach.

Now since I have completely ignored my children and the dog, I know I have a mess to clean up in the family room and kitchen. Piper discovered the garbage can, and when one of the kids came to tell me about it I just told them to put the can on top of the counter. Hey, it's officially summer vacation. ;)

last day of school and second time in the hospital! Yea!

From this:





















To THIS:





















I know it happens fast, but I was shocked seeing the difference between the first day of school picture, to today's picture. Yep... last day of school. Man, where did that year go?

Maybe it's the bangs. Megan decided she wanted to grow them out this year. Trevor looks different too. So '2nd grade' looking now.

The excitement this morning was electric. I'm not kidding. I passed by one of the crossing areas on one of the busier streets in the subdivision, and there were 3 boys holding a huge sign next to the crossing guard. It said:

HONK!! Today is the last day of school!!!!!

Even the crossing guard was dancing around with her stop sign in the air. It was funny. People were honking like crazy! It was great. I wish I could have gotten a picture. I swear that kids were even walking across the field at a faster pace to get to their class lines. Remember how fun the last day was?? I'm even excited about having the kids home. (Remind me to re-read this entry during the summer when I hear the first, "I'm so bored!")

On another note, Mike is BACK in the hospital today. He wasn't feeling well yesterday afternoon and ended up in a lot of pain around dinner time. Plus he had a fever and was getting chills. He called the hospital and they told him to come back in. This time with a different urologist. That other guy was a quack. This new one promises to get it taken care of. A kidney stone should not take 5 days in the hospital, then ending up back there again. Thank you to Sharon (Mike's mom) for taking him in the middle of the night and sitting there with him. It was nice to know that somebody was there since I couldn't be. She gave me an update somewhere aroung 2:00 a.m. (I think.) I know it saved the kids a lot of stress that I was here this morning.

It's frustrating, but dare I say I'm getting a little used to being here by myself right now. :p

I have had tremendous support from the relief society in my ward. I tried not to let anybody know about what was going on because I felt like I was capable of making dinner. One of my friends found out through the kids, and all of a sudden I started having meals delivered. I have to say it really has helped out knowing that is one less thing to worry about at night.

Trevor thinks it is the coolest thing in the world. The boy loves food. Last night somebody brought by a quiche and a huge bag of cut up fruit. We all finished it up for breakfast this morning too. I am incredibly grateful.

So that is life in the Shums house today. :)

My dog has bling.

Ok, I know. Another dog post.

I can't help it this time because I think this thing is so darn cute.

Also, it probably has a lot to do with the fact that I have a hard time finding the letter 'M' at scrapbook stores or anywhere because of Megan and Matthew. It's always the empty spot.

So here I am at Petco the other day. I see shiny rhinestone letters and charms on a display. Sure enough... an empty space where the letter M should be. Figures. BUT... there was a letter 'P' !!! I couldn't resist it.

I have a thing when it comes to monograms or finding my name on anything. For years I couldn't find anything with my name spelled K-e-r-r-y. It was always Carrie. I was the one elementary school kid who didn't have a license plate on my bike because of the Carrie's in the world.

Every girl deserves a little shiny present every now and then, and Piper had to have one. Plus don't you think that the black collar is slimming and timeless? She looks FABULOUS don't you think????

Guess who is home! Well, sort of. His body is here, but he isn't exactly 'here.' He's awake in between pain killer doses for a few minutes.

I wasn't sure if Mike was coming home today or not. I had both boys with me (Trevor came home yesterday from school with a tummy ache, and I kept him home today.) We went to Jack In The Box and Petsmart. Since we were already on Val Vista I thought I'd stop by the hospital with them and see what was going on. Mike was pacing and ready to go.

So the strange thing is... the stone is still there. He had a cat scan yesterday and it shows that it is still the same size and still in there. Plus a stint now. Um, weren't they supposed to use a laser to break up the stone? Guess the surgeon forgot. He's kind of a dolt. He hasn't communicated with Mike at all since before the surgery.

So I'm a little nervous about him being home and the problem really hasn't been fixed. Hmmm. He has a call in to his doctor, so we'll see where we go from here.

Anyway...

The best part of leaving today was watching two separate couples taking new babies home. I saw one family in the elevator, and another family when I was waiting in the car for them to wheel mike down.

The doors opened and there was a new mom with dad holding the baby carrier. (Brown with pink polka dots! I soooo want a baby now just for the car seat!!! How cute!!!)

I watched dad go get the minivan, and then watched as a brand new person went out into the world for the first time. The first time outside, and past the hospital doors. I know, I always think to much about stuff like this. But wow, really what a cool thing if the baby only understood what a huge step that first day is.

You've been inside the walls of a hospital, you are totally equal with all of the other babies in the nursery around you, and then you go out into the real world. An official person now. A brand new life ahead of them! Every single thing is brand new!

I was thinking about this not long ago too. (It was when I was helping Megan clean her room and realized exactly how much stuff this 8 year old has accumulated.) Seriously, a baby comes into the world with nothing. Not a shirt, nothing. Before you realize it, this person has a room, furniture, clothes to put in there, toys, books, food, everything. It really is amazing. Then they only get more as time goes on. This whole circle of life thing is really pretty amazing.

I should have snuck into the nursery to go peek at them while I was there. Babies are so cute!!!!

Blahahvhhchlhelllech.

That is still the sound in our house. Sometimes in stereo.

In my attempt to find the bright side or the humor in the situation, I realized how excited I am that all of the beds in our house have clean sheets, pillows and comforters. That is what happens when 3 out of 4 beds get puked in during the night.

Trevor just lucked out since he isn't sick, but he has clean sheets too.

Mike is still in the hospital. The stones were broken up by a laser, but haven't made an appearance yet. Without getting into TMI, he's not doing too good and is more than likely going to be having surgery again tomorrow. We can't keep things easy around this household you know. ;)

may I please have a little rant?

Because:

a.) I have earned it

b.) Somebody up there really doesn't like me right now.

So, Mike is still in the hospital. Hopefully he'll be coming home sometime tomorrow. I am exhausted from going back and forth to the hospital and doing the stuff that still hadn't gotten done while he was away for a month. Plus getting all of the laundry and stuff clean and put away from last week's vacation.

Yeah, thank goodness for a nice vacation in between. Because I am back to single motherhood while he is in the hospital.

Tonight.... Matthew starts to tell me he isn't feeling well. I go downstairs to get some medicine. Less than a minute later I am coming back up the same stairs and the dog pooped on the middle landing part. Ugh. Before I even look up and start to walk up the remaining 9 stairs I hear,

"Blahahvhhchlhelllech."

Matthew is at the top of the stairs throwing up. Then as I go to get a bucket for him in the bathroom I noticed he had done the same thing all over the bathroom floor. In less than FIVE minutes, I now had about an hour of clean up to do.

Then believe it or not, Megan is up in my bathroom throwing up. WTH???

All I was hoping for tonight was to watch a few episodes of CSI and Desperate Housewives.

Motherhood is grand.

I mean, I do love it. But did you ever think back when you were newly married that someday your entire life would revolve around poop, puke and other bodily functions of OTHER people? It is amazing how tough we get as time goes on.

Now, I'm trying to see the bright side of this whole thing. My steam clean machine has come out of the closet since getting the puppy. Now it just resides in the hallway. Piper hasn't had many accidents, but when she does it is easier to just fill this with hot water and clean it up. All I can say is thank goodness for technology. Thank goodness to Hoover for making something that cleans up puke and dog messes off of my carpet and tile.

Does anybody want to trade with me for awhile??? Pleeeeeease? ;)

E257

Yesterday was quite the day around here.

We have a running joke in our family and our neighborhood about how many times the fire truck E257 has had to come to our house. You know, the ambulance ride rewards card. If you get 9 punches, the 10th ride to the hospital is FREE! Haha!

Breathing trouble, seizures, anaphalactic shock, all that fun stuff.

I still swear that our other house that we lived in (same neighborhood, but 2 streets away) was built on an indian burial ground. That's when most of our bad luck happened.

BUT we have had a couple of calls at this house. Yesterday was one of them.

Long story short, Mike ended up in the hospital yesterday with a kidney stone. Not just a kidney stone, but based on the look of the nurses that look at his chart and the funky look they get on their face tells me that it is the mother of all kidney stones. 9 mm. Too big to pass, so he has to have surgery today.

I swear I have never seen him in so much pain. I think I have lost my standing of 'bad hurting' when even nurses who have had children say that kidney stones are 1000 times worse than childbirth without an epidural. I mean, how do you argue with that? This knocks me down a few levels when I'm trolling for an incredible mother's day present and I look with puppy eyes saying, "But I went through hours of labor and childbirth!!!!"

Piper

A Piper update. Have I mentioned that I love the snot out of this dog? She is so cool. She reminds me so much of our old dog Katie.

I swear she grew while we were gone. See those big feet in this picture? They get bigger everyday and then I worry about the rest of her catching up to them. She's in that funny, lanky stage right now where her legs are so long that she kind of runs sideways. (and somehow always right in front of me.)

She's having to slum it at our house this summer without a pool. Yep, our pool has been put off until next summer. So Mike brought home one of those hard plastic pools from the store the other day. She loves it, and and spends a lot of time in it. She also loves her dogloo. I'm sure you can tell the girl has it pretty rough. ;)

Last one! Random picture.

Here is proof that I really was there. One of the two pictures with me in it!

Believe it or not I have 300 pictures that I took during the week. :p

I promise not to post all of them. Haha! Thank goodness for blogs, and family members who have been wanting to see a few pictures. I at least feel like I have something written down from our trip.

It is hard to remember some of the little things when you are buried in the mountain of laundry after unpacking.

It was such a fun week, and I'm so glad that we all had this time together. Especially after the month that Mike was gone. We all got to do separate fun things that we wanted to do, but still spent a lot of time together. That is my favorite thing about cruising.

Speaking of, Princess just sent me an email for an upgrade on balcony cabins. Hahahaaa!

Cabo, part 3

Bear with me, blogger won't let me do more than 4 pictures at a time. Ugh.

Megan is going to be one extreme sports kind of girl. I can tell.

She wanted to go parasailing, and we had just enough time before we had to catch our tender back to the ship.

I couldn't believe she wanted to do it. She said she had so much fun though. There she is, up there with Mike.



<-- Matthew and a cute little turtle whistle that nana bought for him.























<-- cleaned up and leaving Cabo.

Cabo, part 2

While I sat on the beach, just a few feet away from where the jet ski rental place was... Mike took each of the kids out for a little bit on the ocean. They all had a blast.











<-- see that little speck? That's Mike and Trevor.













Matthew LOVED the jet skis! I was really happy that he did because I wasn't sure what he was going to think about it. He kept saying he wanted to do it since he kept hearing how fun it was from his brother and sister from the last trip here.

Day 6, Cabo, part 1

CABO is awesome. This was the best day ever according to all of us. I'm always bummed that whatever cruise we are on, the time is always short in this port. Someday we are going to have to just come down and stay in one of the hotels and stay for a few days.

Man, and this place changes every time we come to it. It is amazing.

We only had about 5 hours in port, and so much time is spent getting on the tender and then taking water taxis to get to the beach. I found a guy (or the guy found me rather) that was renting umbrellas and lounge chairs. He parked me in a pretty good spot to watch the kids playing in the water. (No jellyfish either! LOL!)



I'm looking at these pictures I took and wondering where everybody is! I swear, there were a ton of people on the beach, and playing in the water on boats, jet skis, parasailing, fishing boats heading out, tenders and everything. This really is a playground for water sports. I love the picture of Matthew with our ship in the background.

a couple pictures from jellyfish beach

<-- before the dead jellyfish sighting and subsequent freak out.

















(below) Matthew with the BEST stick in Mexico. He found this on the beach and wouldn't let it go. This stick went everywhere with us for the rest of the cruise. Except maybe, camp carnival and the dining room. But every now and then he'd still ask, "Where is my stick?!?!" You just have to love boys.

It now lives in a prominent place on his dresser. ;)