Like A Professional...

So, my great friend Alicia came to visit this weekend...she brought with her something very special...a new Sony A350 camera- the sweetest little thing- with all the bells and whistles and lenses and fun stuff- AND she let me play with it for hours and hours...I loved every picture I took, everytime I adjusted the lens I got a chill- my oh my was it wonderful! I have long wanted to learn photography- I just haven't had time or money- two very important things for this hobby! So when she told me of the deal she got (you would hardly believe it), I was dying to see it in person and play with it- it was not a let down, let me tell ya- it was super duper fantastic! 14 megapixels for one, (got me all giddy) and such zoom and clarity was even better. Here are just a few snipits of my fun time with a sweet gem:

I took a ton more, and have been trying for 3 days to get the on here, but to no avail...I have to keep trying other ways, I guess...my point in posting these, is that I am trying to get Dana to see that this camera purchase would be an investment- one day I want to learn photography and then can use it for real money- but right now is not the time, I get that- I don't have time to take a class to learn new techniques, nor do I have any clients lined up- BUT, someday, yes, someday I will...

Until then, I will just keep playing like a pro!

300 and Counting...

As I began this post, I realized that it is my 300th one! Honestly, I am glad blogger keeps track, because I had no idea I had written that much in the last year and a half, nearly 2 years, actually! I am working on completing my 2008-2009 book- it is coming along, but 300 posts, well, WOW- that is a lot of writing...I didn't think I had that much to say...ha ha...you are laughing because you know me and I am hardly ever without much to say!!

I told you last post that we have been busy...just normal summer stuff, but we have had a little time to hang out with people we like- so meet Carmen and Steve:
Dana met Carmen during his interview 7 years ago- she is a math teacher at his school...he instantly liked her- she is wonderful, fun, fit, and a gem of a friend....Steve we met a couple years later, as he became a security guy at their school...a year later, Carmen and Steve get married- and we hang out with them often- not as often as we would like, because they live 40 minutes away, but as often as we can...they don't have children, so they adore ours, naturally!! Our kids truly love them- they are an amazing couple, who treat our children as their own- our kids even stay the night there- all 3 of them! Lucky them, you are thinking, right?! They are two of the the nicest people we know- they are like family. We spent last Friday night playing cornhole with them, (we played girls vs guys - the guys won, but when Steve and I were on a team, we killed Dana and Carmen- go figure) eating guacamole and pizza and hanging out- plain, pure, simple fun...

They are hoping to move closer to here- closer to their jobs, but secretely, I think it is because of us, because we are so great! Honestly, we are ecstatic- we hope they do..that means more sleepovers for the kids with them and a house to ourselves!!

7th Heaven

Leah had her 7th birthday last Thursday- and what a 7th birthday it was! She is such a lucky girl, let me tell ya- she got more parties and more cake this year than any other little 7 year old I know! She is so loved in so many ways by so many people- she is a super special seven year old who brings so much love and happiness to my life- I am truly blessed to be her mother- she is a true joy- even when she isn't' this cute!
Grandma took her to Build a Bear for a sister for her bear, Erika- this one is Chloe- decked out in a new bathing suit.
Leah loves nightgowns, especially ones that are bright colors!
A secret password journal- a much loved gift!
Believe it or not- she loves this one, even though it ties in the back- usually worthy of fighting about!

This is what 7 looks like:

a new outfit from Grandma! She is very much into peace signs right now...this one is super cute!

I always love to make my kids' a birthday cake on their official birthday, even if we celebrated a different day- she picked out a funfetti cake with pink icing- easy- no big design....she even loved the double layer cake as if that was the special part!! (she made the day much easier with that selection!) Two of the neighbor girls came over for cake in the afternoon...



This is my favorite shot of the day- this is when Aunt Stephanie called to wish her a happy birthday:As if that wasn't enough partying, (added to last weekend at the lake's party for her), we went to Round Town to see Carmen and Steve, where they surprised her with this:

She rounded out the evening playing cornhole, riding her scooter, watching movies and eating treats until 12am with Carmen and Steve- even staying the night- I am tellin you- 7 is heaven!
Side note- I am using a terribly old camera until I get a new one next month for my birthday, so you will have to excuse that they aren't as clear as some of the other posts, prior to me breaking the good camera!!

Family Weekend at the Lake

This was our 8th year going to the lake with our family and friends- can't believe it has been that many years! We look forward to this trip each July...we plan a year in advance practically because there are so many of us now...lots of kids...thankfully the youngest of them will all be turning 4 this year!
Note we are missing Kim and Maddy in this year's pic- they weren't able to come- but these are 3 of the 4 girls born within months of each other and we take this pic each year!
Staci and Ryanne, Celeste and I, and Stephanie and Brianna.
The weather on Saturday was a bit cooler than it is supposed to be in mid-July- but, we managed to still spend time at the pool and do other stuff that we haven't done before- we went to an African Safari Park, where we got to feed animals from our car- check these out: Check out the horns on this beast! Dana was worried it would scrape our van- he didn't!
Just a huge bison trying to get his head in...
These just swarm all over- it is insane and I was throwing carrots out as fast as I could!
Friendly, eh?!
Alex had gone before so he stayed in the back so the girls could be up front.
This was at the end- just so she could drive!
Dana refused to be near the animals- shocker!
Leah loved the giraffes!

Then, we went to the rest of the safari park, where the kids rode ponies and watched a pig race- sounds more exciting, I promise. We had a celebration for Leah's birthday with cookie cake just like last year and then fireworks on the beach and a fire with smores. Life was great! Sunday the weather turned out to be gorgeous! We could not believe it, but the sun was fantastic and it was hot- the kids never got out of the pool!! I took so many pics, so I did a collage for each kid of the weekend, so here they are...
Leah just loves getting to have a birthday party at the lake- what a lucky girl!
Celeste gets more and more fun as the years roll on- she just was smiling all the time- she even fished for the first time this year!
Random shots that were awesome- I just love my family!
It was a great time, another great short get-a-way! I look forward to next year already! My kids haven't stopped talking about it- thanks to my parents for all their work and for providing all the wonderful food and hotel- we are very grateful! So lucky to have them and this quality time weekend at the lake...till next time...

A day in the life...

Okay, so I have been a slacker lately, I know...sorry about that...it has just been busy here- well, not busy in the fact that I haven't been around, but busy in that there hasn't been a lot of down time, or any pictures I have taken to show that I have been this busy!

In fact, I have gone places, the pool, for instance, but not taken my camera (er, Alex's camera- since I broke mine and have yet to come up with money to buy a new one...er, the one I really want)...so, I have no fun pics to go along with this boring post...

Just to say that life has been interesting. Nearly two weeks ago, a friend of mine from church, lost her husband suddenly. It was so shocking to me that I cried for many days...just the thought of her with three little girls and her husband no longer there is heart wrenching for me. I got the privilege of serving her and her family during this difficult time- I am welling up again, just recalling it...so that was part of my absence.

Then, dealing with the house for sale, buying a new car to replace Dana's has been taxing- not fun, to say the least. Then the brakes went out on the van that we have been sharing for the last month- not fun, either.

We said good-bye to the Optima this week, too- this means that we are finally free from ever discussing the sad trail of money that followed it! At least it happened in the summer when Dana and I are both home, and we haven't been that busy.

Tomorrow we are heading to the lake for our annual family weekend trip- we are excited for a get-a-way- the only one we are having this summer- however it is only supposed to be in the low 70's- but I will take it- as long as there is no rain.

Alex finally got his expander, and top wire, so he is talking funny, but looks so cute!

We managed to spend some quality time with Annie and the boys- we went to the sprayground a couple of times, so here are a few pics of that...




We have had a few showings this past week, and another this weekend...now the debate of staying in this town or moving further out is the latest chat we have been having...I told Dana we have too many irons in the fire- too much happening all at once, while we have solved nothing! No new news to report, but if and when we do....you will be the first to know!

Take a Good Look at my Face....

You'll see my smile looks out of place...

If you look closer, it's easy to see...
The braces my parents got (and paid big bucks) for me!! WOW!! What a difference a little metal makes! Today was the day- the day that we have waited for- the day that braces became an everyday word in our vocabulary here at our house...
Alex's teeth are bad...well, healthy, but terribly wrong- first of all, he has a horrendous cross bite that will be corrected first with a palate expander and this partial set of braces....this lucky 9 year old has this set of braces for about a year and a half, then a set of permanent retainers for two years, then, most likely, a full set of braces for a while longer! Lucky is the operative word here- lucky for him to have to wear them and take care of them, and lucky for us parents, who get to pay a nice set of their salary for a perfect smile someday!
For history purposes, I am recording the amount for this first set- $3250.00- I think my parents paid about $1800 nearly 20 years ago, so it has quite possibly doubled in those years. Insurance pays $1000, so we are responsible for the rest- see, lucky...it's all in perspective, right?! LUCKY!!
Next Thursday, he gets his expander and the top wire- but for now, this is his new smile- he still is soooo cute!

Fireworks and Festivities

These pictures summarize our Independence Day celebration at Sean's house. We had an amazing time- courtesy of Sean and Steph's hard work- great food, great friends, family...and of course, fireworks!! No birthday for Sean is complete without fireworks- lucky guy! The weather was a tad drizzly, but the fireworks went off just perfectly! The kids loved every minute, and we are so grateful for our family at times like these- a great way to celebrate our nation's birthday too!