Only at the beach...

can you drive 2.5 hrs one way, have a baby puke on you, use disgusting porta-potties, have all four of your kids cry at least once if not more, get sunbur, watch your umbrella blow away, get knocked down, have your foot/leg dragged on the rocks only to bleed and look like this:

and still it was a really great day.

I love our annual beach day for the following reasons:

• it might be the only thing we do away from home with just our little family
• the kids do not fight at all
• the kids play together like the best friends that they won't admit they are
• smelling the air
• seeing the ocean stretch out in front of me, reminding me of how small I am
• the breeze
• it's the beach!

The kids did great as they do every year. They jumped waves, played in the sand and true to his ways Jman found some boys to build villages w/ in the rocks. Even Vman found a buddy for a little while.

A great day.

It was a mess....

But we have recovered from the Great Crash of 2011...stay tuned.

Mountains 2011

I thought that I better hurry up and post these since it will be almost a month since we went! A great time was had by all and our time consisted mostly of...

Thanks mom mom and pop pop for 11 years of fun!

The 4th

sparkly explosives

crafty hair band

brothers

cousins and cows

blueberries from mom mom's bush

boys w/ their glowing "nun chucks"

found out what happens when you break open a glow stick and pour it in a jar

perfect night lights for a sleep over

To Hold You Over...

while we're away.

on the playground during big brother's cello lesson

personality!

morning greetings

sharp dressed man (notice the belt)

full rainbow

visited by my favorite bird

father's day breakfast

Yesterday.."Mom! Come to the door quick! I have to show you something!"

She found this baby bird , got him to climb on the branch and carried it all the way to the door to show me. It was the most chill bird I've ever seen. She might be an animal whisperer.

Birds at the adolescent stage are awkward, just like us.

aye yi yi....

What new excuse can I think of for blog neglect?

Chasing baby up the stairs?

Tied up?

Dirty kids take up a lot of time? Ah...who knows, but here we are again. Let's look at my birthday first!

The day started with a lovely brunch prepared lovingly by my dearest Tina. Quinoa quiche, homemade whip cream, Earth Balls, and the BEST strawberries in the world. You'll just have to trust me on this.

One of my escorts.

Evening dinner sans kiddos with SIL and BIL and Tina & her hubs.

My candle and singing...my ONE brithday requirement was met! Great and yummy night.

Later that week I picked berries for my jam and for eating of course!

After picking I took 2 of my kids and some of my nephews and a niece to see Mom Mom at her school. She is a lunch lady...ahem...Food Manager.

J is here leading the baseball pledge. Baseball is now done.

The kids are home from school now and I'm looking forward to having more time with my twinkles.

Back it up...

to the beginning of May,

Where we said goobye again to Mindy. It was a quick trip, but every moment we had was treasured! Love you Min!

And now we are fully in spring. Complete with showers and flowers.

Dennis pick away at the lot when he has time while V picks at...other things.

This spring we've been able to see all sorts of babies.

Last week we were blessed with a visit from both of my parents.

They were able to join us for J's last cello concert,

view E's displayed art at school,

help us cheer on J at a very cold baseball game,

and celebrate B's first birthday.

He was a very polite host and showed interest in all of his presents.

He enjoyed his first taste of sugar.

He also played pin the tail on the donkey. (J decided to make a political statement w/ the hat on the donkey)

A good day!