Long Lost Friend

Well we finally got our camera back! Yipee! It took longer than it was supposed to but they fixed a LOT of little things on it and I was so grateful that I decided the time was worth it.

Our first order of business was a picture for the Christmas card. These are K's first photos...she was in charge of the remote. Em didn't really understand what we were doing so we didn't get smiles out of her but at least she is looking up. :)

Did I mention that K took most of these pics?

Around the house we have been having a lot of fun. Finally! Em showing she knows how to clean the floors!

We made "chocolate pretzels" for a party we went to...K is a really good cook. I know this isn't cooking but she literally makes the pancakes now. If she was big enough to get to all the ingredients, I could sit on the couch.

It is funny...everyone keeps asking me how we are doing with all the winds down here and even though we live in the windiest town in the whole area, we haven't had any wind. :) In fact, we decided to rake this week.

Em didn't so much understand...so she went and played.

Eventually K joined her...she told me they were hiding from the airplane...later we went into the playhouse and had three birthday parties, with cake and then she went to the store and bought me two princess computers...it was an enjoyable morning...if only I had two princess computers to show for it!!

But in good K form, she came back to help me finish up.

M has moved the weights back into the living room so K keeps asking me if I want to work out with her...

And now Em wants to try too...she is strong but not quite as strong as her older sister...won't be long though! Poor K!! :)

Well, it has been fun and I hope this finds you all healthy and happy! Have a great day and God Bless!!

K sings "Part of your World

So adorably cute!

Auntie MoMo Turns 40!!

Well, I know many of you will think this is overkill on the details, but I am going to go there for the sake of my brother. As I have mentioned before, he is in Afghanistan with the Navy but yesterday was his wife's 40th birthday. I have to give him major props for this one. The crazy guy I grew up with has turned into a sweet-hearted, loving man. Anyway, he has been 'planning' her birthday for almost a year, when he called me from VA to ask for an estimate on the cost of a birthday party. When his family showed up here during their cross-country move, he handed me an envelope with exactly that amount of cash and he asked me to do what he couldn't...give her a party.

For months, we tried to work out a girls weekend with Mo's closest friends and due to a variety of issues, not the least of which being the move of my parents last weekend, it all fell through. But we were not deterred. We decided a party was still in the cards and a girls weekend could happen next summer. So, before the sun rose yesterday, M and I and the girls were off to the coast.

It is always an ordeal to get on the base with a car but since it lets the cousins hang out, I guess it's not that bad. Auntie MoMo doesn't let the boys carry Em but this was cute, so shhh, don't tell her!

We went out to brunch and hung out for a little while, then Aunti MoMo went out to get a massage and pedicure and some coffee while we watched the boys. Y got a little insecure right at first when his mom left but calmed right down when we started setting up the party decorations. He must have blown up at least half these balloons. He is so helpful! So, this is what it looked like in the dining room...those Gerber daisies really popped with all that black around!!

We all made the 'cake' together...

We painted some banks since she is so close to retirement now, we decided she should save a little faster.

Then we went to the park...Ben, your boys are so cute, fun and adorable! They are great with the girls and well-mannered. I know you miss them, but they are in great hands.

Then we got dressed up for Auntie MoMo/Mom's return. Pirates was the only thing I found that was black...

When she got home, we sang to her and gave her lots of hugs, ate steak and salad...

and then it was time for the "tower of chocolate" as we decided to call it. This is a stack of dark chocolate chip fudge brownies, smothered in nutella. It is in the shape of a wine bottle and we decided that that is because it is just like Mo...aged to perfection. :)

Then it was time for the bike. This bike has a great story: Ben wanted to get Mo a beach cruiser from the very beginning but ran out of time to find a deal. So while he was in Afghanistan, he found what he wanted on craigslist and proceeded to call me.  I, however, was in MT and out of cell phone range.  Oddly enough, my phone beeped and I got his message (but none of the others) and then was able to call some of my friends who were still at home. :)  They got the bike and when we got home, we took it in to the bike shop to get the basket and safety lights placed as well as a dent removed.

It hung in our garage for almost five months and each time she would come over, we would take it down and take it over to our friend's house, just so she wouldn't see it. We got it there and put it in the side yard until present time.

It will be a great bike for the base and help those boys burn some more energy this winter!

We had a lot of fun and enjoyed hanging out together. Some bonus pics just for you. Emmy loved the cake!

Always some wrestling going on when these guys get together.

"Ta-dah!!" So there it is my brother! You did great and we all had a wonderful time! We can't wait to see you and I am sure glad you have to carry out the next one! :) Love you!

And to the rest of you, God Bless!!! Cherish your family and love while you can!

Thanksgiving at Pretend City

All right! I'm sorry I've gotten behind on life. I've never had to have my Christmas presents ordered by the end of November but since my family is having Christmas early, I have been on the hunt for the last week and a half. It's been kind of nice, if I have to admit it, since I will have all my shopping done very early and then I can just enjoy the holidays for what they are instead of all the stress of shopping. :)

Anyway, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving! M was on a regular day off so we were actually together as a family. We went down to Nana and Poppy's early and went to a place called Pretend City. It is an entire town made for kids in kid sizes. It was AWESOME!! As in, I had just as much fun as they did. This is me and Em in the miniature house...

At the orange orchard...picking oranges...

At the grocery store shopping...of course a cucumber...it has no calories, therefore my girls actually want to eat it. :)

And off to the beach. K spent most of her time here as she loves sand. She even made a friend! It has been nice watching her get a little older and come out of her shell a little more. I was not honestly sure she would get there. :)

Nana and Poppy took a break...

Wait! That's too long of a break!

And to the dentist...

And the doctor's office...

Checking out the chickens...

Oh, this shot goes with the first one, this is on the couch in the house.

There are roads and cars all over the place...Em went ballistic and I think may have ridden every car in the place at some point!

Don't forget the river and fishing.

Back to the garden where we planted and farmed.

There were dress up outfits all over but K was too distracted by all that was going on to put very many on...maybe next time.

At the library...

Riding her tractor...

The obligatory playground, which only Em paid attention to.

At the art gallery, K made a butterfly.  And yes, the tongue is still out whenever she is concentrating.

K and Dad played play-doh while we cooked and this was her tiara...quite creative for a Daddy!

We had dinner while the girls slept and it was so nice to eat in peace!! We invited some musicians from the church over and had a wonderful time telling new stories and listening to one man play the piano. It was quite refreshing.

Well, I get my camera back this week sometime and I couldn't be happier! I don't think I will ever take it for granted again. It is so hard to get pics when they sometimes come out and sometimes don't. It frustrates me and makes me not even want to take them. I digress. Have a wonderful day and I hope your Thanksgiving reminded you of all your are grateful for!! God Bless!