First Boating of the Year

Last week my parents decided to take me and my kids out on the boat on Echo. I was just planning on having them go for a ride in the boat and fish a little, but my dad and daughter had different plans. They decided they just HAD to go out on the tube. Zoey couldn't let Maizy have all the fun and started to cry that she wasn't going. Talk about a nervous wreck having my 2 little girls out in the middle of the reservoir with just my dad on a water toy. Maizy's new life jacket doesn't have straps between her legs and Zoey still didn't have good control of herself in water in a life jacket. All turned out well and my girls were safe and sound after 2 different rides. My sanity returned after they were safely back in the boat-especially after the 2nd time when Maizy wanted to get out and swim. We told her the water was just too cold and to just get in the boat. Well, she bailed out anyway by herself when we were pulling them in. She got a little shock and had a hard time catching her breath in the 67 degree water! Too bad I didn't have a picture of this, but I was tending to Zander and missed the opportunity! :(

Crazy Brother

My brother has always wanted to go skydiving. Well, he decided that he wanted to do it for his birthday. We decided to take the kids since we thought they would like to see their uncle flying through the air. For as long as we had to wait, my kids were pretty good. He was suppose to jump at lunchtime, so we stopped to get the kids lunch prior, but the power had gone out and no one had food. Waiting for over 2 hours with no food was hard, but they did it.

When it was finally his turn, they got his all dressed in his gear.

Here he is getting loaded on the plane.

I took this picture from Ryan's stock that he paid for by a professional that jumped with him.

Here he is coming safely down to the ground. He looked a little shell shocked when he landed, but he said it was a rush and would like to do it again...CRAZY!!!

Mom and Dad's Surprise Parties

Both of my parents turned 50 this year, so we decided to plan surprise parties. My dad's birthday was first, so we had a party all planned for the week after his birthday. Unfortunately we couldn't keep it a surprise as my dad's father passed away and we were having his funeral that same week. My mom decided to tell my dad to make sure he still wanted to have it. It was a great party and we had a fabulous turn out. I am a sucky host and forgot to get my camera out that day. I guess I will forgive myself since we had just buried my grandpa that morning.

Next was mom's birthday. We tried to keep it a secret, but mom somehow guessed the day we were having it. Oh well, it was still fun to have a get together with everyone. My nephews attacked both of my parents with silly string the moment they came home.

We got my mom a cute crown and necklace to wear.

I think they enjoyed the parties. They were able to visit and enjoy the company.

I am so thankful for my parents. They have been so supportive to me my entire life. I don't think they ever missed a ball game my entire high school career. They have always been there for me when I have had ups and downs. They have helped watch my kids numerous times, I couldn't even begin to count. My kids love living next door-although I'm sure my parents love having breaks away from them.
Happy 50th Birthdays!
We Love You!

My Journey: Part Five

I guess you could say that this is a continuation of part four-FRUSTRATION. I have been stuck in a big, fat rut since then. The same weight for a few months without budging is starting to get to me. I know people say to change it up...I am trying! Casey and the kids bought me a Wii Fit for Mother's Day. I have started doing that a few days. I have gone up to run the track a few times-now that it is warmer. Yea, 30 pounds is a good start, but come on...there is still that plus more to go!
I have contemplated doing a nasty 4 letter word...DIET. Here is my issure: Any time I have tried a true diet, I have failed miserably. If I take it away, it just makes me want it more. Not only that, it is very hard for me to justify, both with time and money, to have something different for me to eat than the rest of the family. What to do...what to do! HELP!

Crazy Week

To say the least, it has been a crazy and full week. Between starting swim lessons for Zoey and Maizy all week, tumbling time change, t-ball, working full time, trying to finish the fence in the yard so we can start on the sprinkling system, somewhat fitting in exercising, and doing the usual "mom" stuff (i.e. cooking, cleaning and bathing children), I don't have time for much! For some reason, I decided to join a book club at work and we have now started our first read "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo". I love to read, so this will force me to do it whether I have time or not. I also joined goodreads.com so that I can look at my friends and see what books they have read and suggest. If any of you are a member, let me know. It is a great resource! I have a few pictures of the girls swimming, but they are from the balcony and you really can't see the girls well. I am hoping to get a few more pictures close up tomorrow! Keep your fingers crossed!

Maizy's Preschool Graduation

I can't believe that I am going to have a child in Kindergarten next year. It is amazing how fast time flies. I am so proud of Maizy. She has grown into such a smart and beautiful young lady. She teaches me everyday and is a great example and helper to her younger brother and sister (most of the time). She has always been really bright and picks up on things quickly. She is going to do great in Kindergarten-I just hope she isn't bored.
Below is Maizy with her teacher, Miss Shelley. Maizy has always been one to get attached to her teachers and school mates. She LOVES Miss Shelley!

Maizy makes friends very easily. Below is just one of her school mates that she is talking about constantly.

Here is a little clip of them at their graduation.

Scrapbook Night

Last Saturday night I hosted a Stampin' Up party and then a continued into the night scrapbooking extravaganza. It was a lot of fun and we had a great group. Some of us stayed up doing projects until after 1 am. I suck at taking pictures and forgot to get one of the group, but here is the sandwich I made to eat-it was delicious!

I also took a picture of the projects we completed for the Stampin' Up portion of the night. I think they turned out pretty good if I don't say so myself!

The card was made using the shaving cream technique.

The page used sticky page cutouts to apply glitter to the "L's" in the title. The page has a light background that is difficult to see in the picture!