Its a party tonight!

This is what we're doing tonight.......

Thats right people, its a High school Musical Party tonight!!

The Girls are back........

YEAH!!!!!!!!

Meg's gone through 3 different outfits. including this beautiful princess number (a.k.a. Old worn out slip).

Ali's been doing cartwheels all day, and Picking up Mattie every chance she gets.

And Mama's happy

Friday

Swimming today. We took Brooke, Ali's Friend with us and my Friend Tricia came with her daughter and twin boys. I'm so bummed that I didn't have my camera because they were so stinkin cute! I made the kids pose for me when we got home. I know I'm awful, but Its more fun to see pictures even if they are after all the fun.....
We all had a blast. I think in all we spent a little over 3 hours in the water! By the time we left the kids were all pretty water logged.

You're LOVEN that nice big brown spot on our lawn as much as I am, aren't you?Can you see how tired my poor little one is?

Ali, and Brooke.

Friends since Birth. They were born just 4 days apart.

They're Baaaack

Yep they're back!

And exactly where they left off!
Before they'd even stepped into the house Ali asked when we were going over to my parents.. She's so excited to tell Papa about Yellowstone. My dad has the whole park [Yellowstone] memorized. Being a wildlife photographer, it was a favorite of his for many years. Health issues have kept him from going for the past 5 years or so. I'm sure he misses it.

The girls have been super hyper and loud. I think they forgot what it was like to live in a house with a baby. We'll have to work on that one.
I’m just delighted though because they LOVE their new room. We worked so hard on it, so I am really glad they like it. Taylor is so disappointed that he didn’t get to see them open the door and see it for the first time. They were supposed to be home last night, but I guess this summers trend with Ex is bringing them home the next morning.. I'm not going to fight it because it’s just not worth it. Taylor felt so sad when we called him after they got home. He said he just wanted to jump in his car and drive home to be with us.. I would feel the same way if I were him, but we have tomorrow off so we’re going to spend the whole day playing and spending time together.

We went to the library to try and pass some time, because all they wanted to do was leave for grandma and papa's. We had 4 hours to go. The sign on the activity room said "activity 2-4" Ali was excited and said "perfect!, when we're done it will be time to go to Grandmas!" It was only 12:30. We managed to hang out until it started at 2,but when they walked out of the room with their craft complete at 2:10 I knew we were going to have a problem. We brought back some books and movies. Ali has had one eye on the clock and the other on whatever else is going on. In another hour or so we'll be heading over to my parents. It is going to be a nice day. It’s so good to have them home...

*Update*

After dinner the kids wanted to play in the water.....

It's much cooler today than it has been, and the kids got a bit Coldy(yes, I meant to say coldy, I say it all the time)

So we all jumped into the tub again......

yep, ALL of us!

Progress......

We've got the walls painted, the furniture set up. The chair rail just needs a bit of sanding and paint.....

slowly but surely..

I am just dying for some matching comforters and new curtains...... those will just have to wait a while.

The girls want blue accent colors, so I'm going to have to find some really fun wall hangings too.

the TV isn't staying.. we just had it there to keep us entertained while we worked...

I think the shelves work really well against the one wall..

There's actually quite a bit of room in there. I'm loving it all.

We're still deciding on whether or not to bring up a fun blue chair we've had in the basement for ages.. I just don't want to put too much in there..

and the little one said "roll over, I'm crowded"

This is what I woke up to this morning.. We have a King size bed, but my side of the bed apparently has child repellent because they were both crowded in on Taylors side (lucky me). I had to get a picture of them all snuggled in together. I tried not to wake them up with my camera, but Taylor heard the click. He took that opportunity to sneak out and sleep on the couch for the last few hours.

We're sure going to miss these little bed hogs while they're gone!

Ali's been staying up deep into the night. Its going to be a fun battle when school bedtime arrives next month.

she's such a night owl. I'm SO not.

Megan still falls asleep where ever she is, if she's tired.. Taylor actually carried her up to her bed last night after she fell asleep with a laundry basket over her body obviously in the midst of playing something.

she must have woken up to a lonely bed and found ours in the middle of the night.

Summer time is so inconsistent around here. It’s hard to keep a routine when they spend half the summer at Ex's mom's house. Like I’ve said, I try to plan activities and fun things while we have them, but having the Van die on us really took a toll on the event planning.
We did take the kids to the pool a couple times, and they’ve spent quite a few afternoons at my parents house playing in the neighborhood, but otherwise, its just been time hanging at the house. Why does that make me feel guilty? Summer doesn’t need to be filled with activities right?
I did manage to plan a scavenger hunt for them the other day.. It was definitely a hit. In fact, Megan asked me to do another one for her yesterday. And we did have “art” day. Which has left my back patio, and my kitchen tablecloth covered in paint. And I did do the fort………... So there, we have had fun. I’m a good mom after all!
On a different note
Meg has become quite whiney lately. She started after the last long visit at Ex's, and hasn’t stopped. After this next two week visit there, I'm sure I'm in for a treat. Hopefully we'll be able to undo the habit when things become more constant.

Oh and I just have to mention that I am SO excited for my brother. He called a few days ago to tell me that he is getting married! Yeah, he so deserves it. He is the best dad and His ex wife was not very nice. The best news of all is that he’s gone from a total atheist to finding Christ, and going to church. That’s just a miracle in my eyes. God works in mysterious ways. He sounds so much calmer, and happy than I’ve heard him sound in years. God’s got a plan for my brother I know that, and I’m so excited for him. I can’t wait to meet his new wife someday soon too. I wish he didn’t live so dang far away!
Love you Craig.

Well I’m off to clean the house for the 100th time this week. We’ve got lots of friends coming over today to play and I would hate for them to trip over our mess.

So sorry this is rambling, but I thought I’d write a few things down (for myself more than anyone) and this was the place to do it.
Have a great day!

beating the heat

Its official, I'm the coolest mom ever.. at least for the moment.

We've been inside all day trying to stay cool. I decided to make the girls a little fort.

If it keeps them occupied for a few hours, I've done my job!

I loved doing this as a kid!

CPAP, summer fun and Portrait of a Friend

Angie dared me to post a picture of myself with my new CPAP mask. I just can't do it. I posted it here for a few hours, and when I looked at it again I scared myself! so here it is on my daughters darling cabbage patch.. Its hideous. The doll makes it look so much better than it really is!

I lasted until 3 this morning before I ripped it off my face so that I could sleep. Its definitely going to take some time to get used to..

boy I'm too young for this stuff!

Summer fun Art time .

the Kids had a great time smearing, sloshing, and splattering paint anywhere they could. the best part was turning the bath water blue afterwards as it washed off their bodies!

"Aunt Angie"

She's as beautiful inside as she is out.

Shots, puddles,cupcakes and a bath

We had a busy day today.
The Girls got home this morning, from spending the last 5 nights with their dad.

Megan had her big Kindergarten check up today. That only meant one thing. SHOTS! I decided not to tell her until we were on our way out the door. I thought I’d save the anxiety until the very last minute.

I was so impressed by her quick intelligent answers, and surprised at how big she suddenly appeared. She passed with flying colors of course. She was given a kindergarten workbook at the Dr’s office as a little prize, and she insisted on doing the entire book as soon as we got home. I think she’s going to love school.
After her appointment we took a rest, then headed over to Papa’s and grandmas house for our weekly visit.
Mattie successfully grossed my mom out by eating the hose.

Megan did her usual ......................
Searching for bugs

and Stomping through puddles.

And we enjoyed one of my Favorite dinners…………BREAKFAST!!! Yum! My mom makes better pancakes than IHOP I swear!
Here’s Mattie enjoying a very festive Fourth of July cupcake for dessert.

And because he was covered in frosting, I decided to jump in with him and Megan in the big tub… (sans clothes since my dad was there)

Matt LOVED the jets. He splashed, squealed, and giggled the whole time..
We ended the evening curled up on the couch watching Nanny Mcphee…

It’s good to have the girls’ home!

Thanksgiving point Gardens

We spent the day at Thanksgiving point in the Children's Garden . The kids loved the Noahs ark water fountain pool, and the fun hedge mazes kept them running around for quite awhile.
We had a nice little picnic on the sly too. (no food allowed in the gardens....)
It was a perfect way to beat the June heat.


Michie Ran in circles with Meg and Ali.
Love the polka dots!

As usual, doing cartwheels everywhere she goes! I was sure she was about to knock someone in the head!

Ali stops for a posed shot. I LOVED that red door!

Pretty little Emmee


Ali walked Mattie up and down in the water. He liked it as long as none of the big kids splashed him. Look at that chubba! And by the way, his hair is NOT red!!!

Meg splish splashing, and going under water. I couldnt get any pictures of her, because she wouldn't slow down long enough for me to get her! She loved it all.

Oli dodging water! She had a blast just dipping her toes in, and hanging off the water fountain. (literally)

Mattie all tuckered out. Thanks Aunt Angie for toting him around!!
She knows my arms need the break!

All in all, a fabulous day. Sunshine, Water, Friends!

When she grows up

Megan is practicing for her future career as a designer. She's already got her personal style too. Just look at this ensemble she put together to play ball with Taylor in.

Then she changes her mind about the whole designer thing, and decides that she's going to be a snail keeper when she grows up.... She practices by carrying this slimy little guy around with her for two days!
When the snail dries up
she decides shes much better suited to ride through puddles.

Megs Vocabulary words
"Kuprize" surprise
"Bezert" Dessert

Mattie tries corn on the cob for the first time. We think he liked it. It might be the whole "you touch my corn you die" look.



We went to the church to ride bikes the other day.
Ali picked this bike out for her birthday. She doesn't care that its a boy's bike. It's cool! And its really fast too!

don't forget to check out the latest pictures I uploaded to flikr