School is Cool.

Today Alex and Leah both started new schools. Alex started at the Middle School and Leah at a new Elementary. I think I was more nervous than them...
Alex DID NOT want to wear a polo shirt- but I said he had to on his first day- he picked it out when shopping, I reminded him- this might be his school picture shirt too!
He had to have his hair spiked just right and his cool dragon necklace from Venice Beach. I asked him not to squint, but I think he is about done with me taking back to school pictures- and even asked me to hurry so no one would see him as they passed by....my how things have changed- I guess that is the way with 5th grade boys!
Leah was a bit more eager to pose for me...(you love my red door, huh?! 8 coats of paint- yep, 8!!) Anyway, she looks 3rd grade, doesn't she?
She is still into peace signs, so this one was a no brainer for her first day back to school!
Her adorable new backpack from Grandma. Funny side note: we got to her class today and her teacher just bought the lunch tote with the same design! Good taste, huh?!
All decked out and ready for the first day...
Leah waits at the bus stop- which is right across the street from our house- love that!
And off she goes to 3rd grade...
Alex get to ride to school each day- he could walk, but either way, he is on his own! Too big for mom to be involved...He had so much stuff to carry that I actually had to take his supplies over for him later!
Both should be getting home in an hour or so...I am excited to hear all about their first day at new schools- this should be an interesting year!

Summer Comes to a Close

I failed to mention in my last post,that Alex made it home!! Yah!! He had such a blast and he grew- I mean he GREW while he was away! I guess that means he had a wonderful trip. He will post pics on his blog later today and I will link you to it.
This is our last half week before school starts...Thursday is the big day for Alex and Leah. Celeste starts on the 7th. Everything is ready, and so am I!
Truly I am ready for fall....I am ready to settle into a routine and get things going for the beautiful fall season. The windows have been open the last two days and the breeze at night has been heavenly- oh, how I love this time of year! I know it won't last- it's Ohio, right?! We will have a 90 degree day and then have the furnace on the next....right?! Of course!
And can you believe that next week is the first OSU game?! Uh huh. So happy about that- and very excited to wear new buckeye gear that I got this summer!
Today we are going to the pool for the last time this season...bittersweet for all of us. Summer flew by and now the kids are bigger and better and more fun; we are anxious for fall!

April 2011

Yes, I am serious.
Yes, this was planned.
Yes, we are ecstatic.
Yes, we are crazy.
Let the madness begin...

Welcome Home, Alex!!

We are THRILLED that Alex is coming home today!! It has been a LONG 2 weeks!! He has had a great time out in California and I can't wait to hear all his stories and see his pictures! I will be posting them tomorrow. 9pm tonight can't come fast enough!!

Camera or No Camera? That is the question....

Okay, so I am not good with keeping camera's alive...
In the last 4 years, I have gone through 4 of them....
In my defense, not all of them were my fault...
However, I have managed to break them all...
Now my latest one is still at the manufacturer, and I am debating whether or not to pay the $50 to have it fixed...(this is the one that the screen busted while IN a PADDED camera case, INSIDE my purse!) Seriously, it's not me that is hard on them! They just aren't that sturdy and are super easy to damage...however, the nice one I really want would be MUCH HARDER TO BREAK!
I have stated over and over that I really want a SLR camera, and want to learn photography....but 2 things stand in my way...
1- TIME
2-MONEY
Big ones, right?!
BUT, it's what I want!!!!!!
I have been trying to figure out what to do for some time now...
I have scanned for used camera's- I don't even know much about them- and less on how to use all the amazing features, hence the TIME dilemma I have! I have money saved and I could use it to buy a new nice SLR, but I know that my money would be better off in the bank for now, and so I am thinking of just spending the fifty bucks to have mine repaired...even though I said I would not have another point and shoot in this life!
Timing stinks.
But I am lost without a camera- and Alex has mine (um...the first one I broke that barely takes decent pics, but is better than nothing!) and I am longing to post some pics from these last couple of weeks....I don't even have a pic of me on my birthday last week...terrible!
Anyway....

Leavin on a jet plane....

Today Alex left for a 2 week visit to sunny California! Lucky kid.
I am exhausted, first of all...his flight left early this morning...
I didn't sleep, of course...missing his sweet little face all day...even the girls miss him (though I am not sure if he were here they would fess to that!).Cried for a while at 5am...but happy for his chance to do so many fun things.
He arrived safely, that I know...he has a lot he is going to be doing and he is going to be very busy- SO, the girls and I are going to do the same here....
Tonight we are going shopping, and on a date tomorrow to Culver's...lucky girls, I think!
Lucky me, too- one on one time with my girls- I will treasure it.
Alex took the camera with him too- so no new pics for a couple weeks (unless I have been a VERY good girl and get a new one next week for my birthday (hint...hint...) :)

Leah's Baptism 31July 2010

Today was Leah's big day! She was baptized and became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! We are so proud of her and her choice to be baptized and follow the example of the Savior. She is a special little girl and we love her so. She had many friends and family come to show their love and support for her too. We wish that Popi and GeeGee could come, along with the Wells- but we know they were there in love.
Here are some shots of her day and the family and friends we are thankful came to see her...

So grown up in this one.

Alex gave the opening prayer and Celeste just wanted the food after wards!

Proud Father pic.

Per Leah's request, I made her favorite Oreo cookies- she was so happy!

Marissa and Celeste enjoy the treats too- shocking, I know!

Gert, Kiana and Renee- just the very best friends...they never miss any important event- I love them so.

Ashley who gave the talk on the Holy Ghost- Leah loves her.

Aunt Annie, who gave the talk on Baptism (so wonderful), and Uncle Javier, who per Leah's request gave the closing prayer in Spanish- the Spirit was radiating...I loved it.

Elaina and Leah- I spoke at her baptism...she is my girl too!

Aunt Stephanie, Adriana, Marissa and Brianna- so happy they came to her day!

Aunt Lori- who had her gall bladder removed on Monday! She is doing great and we are so happy she came too!

Granny NEVER misses out- she is so wonderful and we love her so much!

Tina, who directed the music with her smile- I could watch her do that all the time! The Alpeter girls came too- and Scott- who was one of the witnesses for the baptism and the confirmation. So good to see them and so happy they came.

Grandma and Grandpa love Leah!

A bunch of us who adore this 8 year old!

Tina and I- love her!

My Laney-bug- my how she has grown...I feel old again!

Me and my girl.

Just us.

Such a special day- thanks to all who participated and came to celebrate with her. There were many others who came that left before I could snap a pic- we are thankful they took time to come too- She is one lucky, clean girl!

Lovin the Lake 2010

This past weekend was our "family weekend" at the lake! It did not disappoint- the weather, food, sun, friends, family was fantastic, as usual....
There were a few minor injuries along the way (Celeste got hit by a car, Leah got scratched, well, every kid there got scratched from the concrete around the pool- something about running when wet...you tell me!), but everyone, miraculously came away unscathed- and for that, I am soooo grateful. Celeste just has some bruising on her shoulder, arm, legs and feet- those superficial scrapes that really burn- but she is doing just fine- and I am certain, will forever hold a hand when nearing a street- let's pray for that!
So, on to the brighter side...pictures of the fun...



Such fun we had...just look at every single smiling face, and you will see pure happiness- seriously, how can you not have fun with weather like this, surrounded by family and friends, and let's not forget...food! Yes, a great time had by all- and the kiddos were asleep less than 5 minutes into the ride home- always a tell-tale sign of a great trip! Thanks, Mom and Dad- we can't wait for next year!

Holy Cow- Leah is 8!

I feel old today-
Not fair.
Tuesday, 23 July 2002- wasn't that yesterday?! Yep, it was- and I was feeling good.
Today, not so much.
Because today, she looks like this:How did that happen?!This little gem of mine is 8 and I can't believe it- but it is true and I am not really sad- but so grateful to be her mom- she brings such light and happiness into my life- my days are better when she is around- her smile radiates so much and I just love her completely. She has really grown a lot this past year- a huge change from 7 to 8- she is learning so quickly- even tested with "Superior Cognitive Ability in all subjects" from her 2nd grade tests. She is quick and has a memory unlike any of my other crazies. She can flip and twist her body, she can run, she can throw a baseball nearly as far as Alex (without ever playing the sport!) and she loves to run laps with me - she has fantastic endurance. She knows what she wants...she is ours and we're keeping her! (We like to tease them that they are on a "trial period"- but we want her forever!)

Next Saturday, she has chosen to be baptized:We are so proud of all she has chosen in her life- and we love her for all that she is and all she will become. Happy Birthday, Leah- know you are our wonderful girl and a very special child of God. We hope your day is as sweet as you are! We love you!

Grandparents and Great-Grandparents are Great!

This weekend, the crazies and I traveled north to see my Grandparents and family- it was the first time we have gone in the summer for a number of years- in fact, I don't think Celeste had ever been to that beach before! We usually make it up there in May and again in the fall, so this was a real treat to go up when it is hot!!
Here are a few snapshots of our trip:

Celeste only got part of her name written before the wave comes...

Look at how beautiful...

My favorite shot of the entire trip!!

Me and my Grandma...such love...

Celeste had a great time feeding the gulls...

Another great shot of Leah...

Molly and Alex

The farm kids...

Lovin those raspberries!

Grandma's girls...

The kids with Misty.

My favorite people!

It was hard to say goodbye this time, as it always is for me...my sweet grandparents are getting older and requiring more...it is sad for me and the girls nearly cried on the drive home. Oh how I love these people - they are truly the most wonderful grandparents...I adore them and treasure the memories I have had with them through the years and cherish that my kids have had so many years with them- I pray they have more to come.