Happy 4th 08

In honestly I had resolved that the 4th of July around here would just suck and I'd have to deal with it. There are rarely any convenient fireworks actually on the fourth. The fact is that growing up in Btown, we had the best Independence Day. Community spirit overflowed as we piled onto the lawn of the high school football field and stretched out the orange blanket to bask in the firework lit sky. Not to mention there were always free popsicles, the orange and red ones we called Big Sticks. I loved it. Though even that has changed, a new location, a new show, things change. However, in my state of acceptance, our fourth of July turned out to be rather nice. Friday night we had dear friends call and offer us KFC. The greasiness was good and the meal was rounded off with fresh green beans from the neighbor's garden, salad (lettuce from my MIL's garden) and watermelon. I was excited because I was sure I had sparklers and then Dennis approaches me with a look asking me if I actually opened the cylinder container. I did not, but glow sticks are safer anyway!


Our guest, O-man showing off his glow stick. That smile..could I get that on a plate? yum.


So the next night we ended up going to a firework show with some friends. Despite the traffic, distance, and expensive food, it was a good show and I'm very glad we went. They played "Proud to Be an American" which for some reason I cannot listen to with a dry eye. V was a champ and only started to fuss during the finale, otherwise he just stared up at the sky.

He's finishing of Den's milkshake, not drinking french fries.


My kids hate loud things (j seems to have gotten over it) and so this year we were prepared.


Ready to start!


The friends we went with brought glow sticks for all, but when E's didn't work Matt went and bought this fancy doo-hickey for her. Totally unnecessary, extremely generous. We had fun playing with the different settings on my camera.





I love this! Sweet family shot of our friends Matt, Jen and Madison.


Have I mentioned how much J loves his brother?


Dearest Tina has graciously allowed us to use her exersaucer. New fun for V!

Raystown 2008

I thought I'd try a slideshow this time, for fun. We had a great time at the mountiains. Like J says, we been there every year of his life. We did all the usual things, games, lake, state park w/ swinging bridge and creek stomping, go carts and lots of laughs. It was a different year and many couldn't make it so we had a couple newbies that we really enjoyed.

CA 2008 Part 2

Yes, the sun has set on another trip back to God's country. We actually just got back from our mountain trip, but I will blog about that later. For now here is the rest of our time in CA.

I realized I had hardly any pics of all 3 of my babies together!

More pool time, which V loved. He's wearing Grandpa's hat w/ mommy's hairclip to make it fit.

This trip was a first time meeting for V and my Grandma Lee.

Time with Grandma Linda is always fun!

This is my Great Great Aunt Henrietta or "Aunt Hank" as I've always called her. When I was little she would spoil me rotten. She is also one of the BEST cooks ever.

A kind of 5 generation pic...my great great Aunt Hank (my grandfather's aunt), my Grandma Lee, my dad, me, and my kids.

I had stopped by to say a quick goodbye to my friend Missy and they had just had baths and she didn't want me to take pics, but I snuck a couple anyway. These are her beautiful girls, feeling a little goofy. They really are gorgeous like their momma.

My Aunt Kathy S. made V this blanket and he was LOVING it!

D went home after a week and left me and the kids there for a week on our own. We took that time to head to OC to see my extended family.

After lunch in Downtown Disney, we popped into the Lego store to look around and J wanted these pics to show is cousins M&E. So Denise if you check this you have to show the boys!

After lunch and legos we went to my Aunt Sandy's house. Aunt Sandy is the best. She always had fun stuff for us kids to do. She had the best parties, the best dress up clothes, and she gave the best cheek kisses.

Sandy showing the kids how to play ladder golf.

E was proud of her ladder golf skills.

That night we went to my Aunt Kathy and Uncle Jimmy's for dinner. They are also the best. They always make us feel so welcome and loved. My kids love my cousins and I think J attacked Abbie when he saw her. Sadly I hardly took any pics, I was having too much fun.

Abs playing war with J.

For any of you who haven't seen my brother in a while, don't freak out. He's out of the air force now so he has given up shaving for a while, and yes he has red hair. Since I haven't seen him in almost 2 yrs. I too was a little shocked. But he also seems really happy living the urbanite life in LA with his lovely wife, and going to school.

V meeting uncle J. He loved to pull that beard!

E and Aunt K looking out their huge windows, people watching and spotting dogs.

My kids had such a great time with their Aunt and Uncle. It was so fun for me to see them loving on my bro and k. Watching my brother cross the street with J and E on either side holding his hands.

The next day we went to the Discovery Museum, a facb place for kids to run wild. E dragged K all over it, and auntie k was a trooper!

They are standing inside the dinsoaur.

Behind J there is a big pile of dino poo. This place was really into showing you how animals pooed.

My sweet girl pumping blood into a flea. This was in the grossology exhibit; a place primarily devoted to poop.

V, walking on Mars.

J and uncle J at a flight simulator.

This was in the hotel and he was laughing so hard but of course stopped for the pic.

Sticker shock? We stopped at In N Out (oh yes!) and the kids were given stickers. I heard "mommy look!" from the back of the car. At least they weren't stuck to the car.

Part of the deal of staying an extra week was mom flying back with me and the kids to help out on the plane. We had a 2 hour delay at the airport before we got on the plane which just made me extra thankful that she was there!

Mom was holding V as we went through security and I tunr around and see him chewing on the boarding passes! This picture does not do justice to the damage that was done, but they obviously still let us on the plane.

During the delay V took a nappy on a bench. (He's laying on my "hooter hider" that our dear friend peggy made for me, the real deals can be up to 50+ bucks! The only thing is V needs to be really hungry or he starts to laugh and thinks we are playing peek a boo!)

Yes, I know, I gave mom the hard job.

A peaceful moment. Allow me to stress the word moment.