RAINgutter Regatta

So, it was the Cub Scouts' Annual Raingutter Regatta on Thursday....Our second year participating- Alex was very excited, since last year his boat didn't do too well- so he was hoping this year would be more favorable for him....

It was interesting, that's for sure...the weather seemed to be the UN-favorable part, with it raining the ENTIRE time of the races! We were soaked: translation- I was semi-soaked, since I stood under cover for most of it, while the Scouts and all the children and other not-so-smart parents were entirely soaked!! I would creep out to take a few photos when Alex was racing, but stayed somewhat dry besides that!

Alex's boat took 3rd place! He was ecstatic about that! Here are some pics of the drenched night of boat racing:

It wasn't just raining...it was POURING!!

When it was over, this was what my children looked like:

Oh well, at least they had fun! I am happy Alex loves Scouts- he has great leaders and great friends in the program...they serve so wonderfully! I hope he continues with fun and success!

BTS 2009

Tomorrow is back to school for Alex and Leah! Wahooo!! I am soooo excited for this school year to begin! It has been a terrific summer in so many ways, but it is always fun when school starts again- at least when the kids are in Elementary School! I know the dreaded day will come when they will not look forward to beginning a new year, so for now, we are treasuring it as one special day!!

Alex begins 4th grade- yeah, 4th...honestly, it makes me a little ill to think about...I student taught 4th grade in 1995- I know, that long ago...but I could never see having a 4th grader of my own! They are so much bigger than the 3rd graders, really, they are...trust me!

Leah starts 2nd...really?! How can that be?! She is the size of many of the Kindergartners- honestly, she is- but she pulls off her height challenge by being her...that is great!

Celeste just wants to go somewhere- poor thing- she is stuck with me! Another year or so- perhaps then she can go too...

Today we took a dry run at the first day and took pics of what they will actually wear on the real day...It takes me a while to take pictures, so I did it early- smart, huh? Plus, school starts earlier this year, so I must get up and get ready earlier, and that is not fun for me, so today, after sleeping in, I got up, got them dressed and shot these:

He is so cool, huh?! Well, I am off to make sure their bags are packed full of the hundreds of supplies I purchased for their big year...and to get their lunch items ready for tomorrow too! Wish us luck!!

Camera Coveting Part 2

JUMP, JUMP!!

I just loved the way these came out- granted they are my first shots with rapid fire shutter, but they were so fun to take!

More jumping, and she never tired of it, either!

Lish has a way with my girls...she got them to sit perfectly (well, almost) and did their hair in these amazing up-do's that I could never attempt or redo! The girls just love her and her talents- she even taught Leah to braid and now she does it non-stop! I couldn't resist taking so many of them with their fancy hair!
Someday I will learn more about posing and angles, but for now, these were random and fun and super easy- gotta love when you have cute girls to photograph!

34

This goes down as a really fantastic birthday- truly a wonderful day- filled with the people I care most about- my husband, children, parents, brother, sister and neices- great food, great cake, great gifts- a dream day- thank you for all the love! Here's to making 34 fantastic!

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...