Sand and Surf

As the girls and I had traveled so much at the beginning of the summer we kept life pretty simple when we got back. Sadly, we were only able to go to the beach twice. Yes, TWICE. Sad but true!

Ameri's brother Regis and his wife Emily came down to visit us in August and it gave us an excuse to go to the beach. We went to Huntington and it was a perfect day! I don't think I've enjoyed the beach that much in a long, long time!

Charley sitting on top of a buried Tatie Emily. You're a good sport Emily!

Ameri and Regis helped Charley dig some very big holes! We also got to enjoy the colorful sight of surf sails on a breezy day.

Ameri's company had their annual party at the beach in Long Beach. It was a lot of fun and Madie enjoyed her first visit ever. We took the girls on a bike ride and just enjoyed a great family day.

So far, this has got to be one of my favorite pictures of Madeleine! It just lets her little personality shine through. Bright eyes and a beautiful soul.

My sister's kids

If you want a good little laugh you should go check out my sister's blog olpinhappenings. They're pretty original those boys!

Green and blue make what? CHARLEY!

We went to our friends Doug and Shannon's house for dinner one evening (it was delicious by-the-way!) and Charley got to play with their son Patrick.

Patrick has these great sandboxes in their backyard and Charley was pretty excited about them. Doug was able to capture a little bit of the "wild abandonment" of childhood.

They started off rather tamely.

The blue is very becoming!

Mixin' it up a bit . . .

Ameri showing off our little work of art!

Tres chic!

4th of July

As I've been clicking away, checking out other people's blogs, I have been shamed. Where do you people find the time to do such amazing things??? Kudos to you all. I'm impressed and more than just a little bit jealous. Well, you may have the ability to blog like a pro, but I can write a work out program that would knock you all flat. (I think that whole "competitive and love to win" aspect from my little car quiz is personifying itself . . . though I don't think I'm winning!)

ANYWAY, I am wishing you a Happy 4th of July. Aren't you excited you get to re-live it just a little? I knew it. We went down to Steve and Vicki's house and just had a relaxed day. Here are some of my favorite shots.

Uncle Steve, "TT", is the pony ride here. He was a great sport and the kids had a great time!

More pony rides!

AQUAMAN, A.K.A. : Josh!

I think I got everyone in this shot: Madie, Steve, Charley, Ameri, Emily, Josh (barely) and Vicki.

Daddy's girl!

I'm a Porsche 911!

You have a classic style, but you're up-to-date with the latest technology. You're ambitious, competitive, and you love to win. Performance, precision, and prestige - you're one of the elite,and you know it.

This is my Dad's favorite car. No joke. I guess now I know why he loves me more than any of my other sibs! Har har!

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Ameri wanted to take the test too

Here's Ameri's score. I guess women in the 30's would have been lined up at his door.

113 As a 1930s husband, I am Very Superior Take the test!

Let's just hope "very superior" doesn't go to his head!

Tennessee

The girls and I returned from Utah and then got ready for Ameri's graduation. His family flew in for the weekend and then we were off to Tennessee. My sister Jennie lives there. She was having her thyroid removed and since her husband is in Iraq, my Mom, sister Julie and I decided to go and take care of her kids while she was recovering. It was really an excuse to get together. Kind of a "Thyroidectomy" party. Whoa, we're CRAZY!

Little miss Charley and her sweet cousin Katie - Twinners.

Charley taking her turn in the hippo floatie that was much to small for her. Such a funny girl!

Madie and baby Brooklyn. Very cute together. My sister Jennie and my cousin Lisa have a very similar picture when they were little.

Grandma and Katie

When diapers become fashion, you know you've changed one too many!

I couldn't believe the sky in Tennessee - so blue!! It reminded me of Montana. We just don't get blue like that in my part of California!

Katie and Charley exploring Jennie's backyard. Oh to have such space . . .

Grandma joins in the exploration

Madie was not crawling yet and Brooklyn took advantage. Madeleine got pinned a few times!

All aboard the Grandma Train!

Tuckered out!

Playing "doctor". It was very cute to watch!

Katie had a doodle board that everyone wanted to play with. After so many fights we just got one for every kid.

A.J., Xander, Katie and Charley. Lunch time!

Xander climbing to the summit!

Madeleine avoiding a mauling - can't you just see Brooklyn scheming?

It's in her eyes . . .

Reading time.

Utah

I'm just going to post some photos from our different adventures this summer. I've been such a slacker I figured you guys really don't want my thoughts - just visuals.

Charley with bed-head. Happy to be at Grandma and Grandpa's!

Madeleine enjoying being loved on by her taties!

My girls in a happy moment.

Grandma is obviously not giving Charley enough attention!

Grandpa and Charley at the park. Charley loved it!

The three top priorities in our house!

Pick up your feet Grandma 'Nece! Notice Katie still prego in the background!

Charley found a new friend at Macys.

Eli arrives!!! June 1, 08. We were happy to see him before we left for home!

Baby Katie and baby Eli. Congrats Katie-did. Oh yeah, you too Ben!

Random

This is a very random post on my part! I thought I'd share with you some things that made me happy this summer. The first is my new double jogger stroller. I had to wait 3 months to get it because it was on back-order, but it is awesome. All of you mothers out there can understand how a fabulous piece of kid equipment can make your life a whole lot easier. Here are a few pictures of Charley and Madie "helping" me put it together.

Charley looking skeptical!

It has potential . . .

Charley with the finished product

Madeleine gets strapped in!

My second fun purchase of the summer I found on Ebay. My Mom had this great cookie press (still does actually) that we all love because it's not the stupid plastic model that they sell these days. We all have laid claim to it over the years but while I was in Tennessee with my Mom and sisters I decided to get on Ebay and see if I could find and old school model. I found several!! They were really inexpensive and so I bought myself and Jennie one. They had never been used before and I even got the original cookbook with mine. Crazy eh? It works like a dream for this baker and I can't wait until Christmas. Oh, the small and simple things!!

This last picture makes this post "random". I was putting away some things into the cupboard outside on our patio and I looked down and saw this really thick web between our emergency water barrels. I leaned in for a closer look and I saw a huge, shiny, black spider just sitting in the middle of it! It was dark so I had Ameri bring a flashlight out to me because I was sure it was a black widow! Yuck!

It turns out that that is exactly what she was! She was hanging upside-down so you can see the big, red hourglass on her belly. It freaked me out so I had Ameri go and get our insect spray to kill it. I knew she would be too fast for us to get her otherwise. Besides, the web was so thick that a shoe would have just hung there!

We got her square-on and I hope she is perishing between the barrels. Gross isn't it? Right out in the open. I thought they were supposed to like dark places. I'm just glad my girls were inside and nothing bad happened. I hate insects. Sorry Kim!

P.S. Thanks to everyone for letting me vent. I called my OB back and with some persuasion from the actress long dormant in me I was able to get an appointment for about 10 days from now. All you have to do is say the word "DEPRESSION". I'm so naughty.