When you only have concrete you have to improvise!

We spent a lot of time at the Arboretum and Huntington Gardens this summer because . . . we don't have a yard!

This is one of my favorites. Charley and her BFF Hadley at the Arboretum.

Random shots

Madeleine is 9 months old!

My Madeleine is 9 months old as of the 29th of September. Can you believe it? Time flies.

Free handbags

Hey, go check out handbagplanet.com they're giving away free handbags every hour on the hour on the 15th of October. It's worth a shot!! Yeah for free stuff!

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!