Maryland Bound

We're off to Maryland early Saturday morning.  Our main mission is to visit Shawn's dad, but we're also going to do some touring into Virginia and other nearby areas.

I'll have plenty of pictures and adventures to share, whenever we have internet connection and time.

I'm sure you know that I won't miss my internet connection one bit.  I'll keep trying to tell myself that.  Think it will work?

Cousins in Town

California cousins were in town last week.  We had them all to ourselves for a couple nights when Lisa & Keith got away for awhile.  Then, after Leah's birthday party, we added two more to the overnight crew, Phoenix cousins.  Lisa was back to help, so 8 kids were more manageable at that point.  We did all sorts of things.  I had great intentions of capturing it all with my camera, but got very little.  Here are our official posed photos with grandparents.

Grandpa in his backyard with the crew -- as good as it gets with so many kids.

Then, we got a picture inside the house with Great Grandpa Wally.

Next, we were off to visit Grandma Wally in her nursing home before heading to the public pool.  We used her bathroom for our dressing room.

I'm kicking myself for not getting one with my mom, but when I remembered the kids were scattered all over the place and everybody was a sweaty mess from helping Lynn move.  Next time!

The public pool experience didn't go quite as planned.  Shortly after we got there, they shut down the kiddie area and the slides since they both fed into a pool that was contaminated by a kind little kid that left a gift in the water.  So, we were basically at a pool with a diving board . . . awfully similar to our own backyard!

Another day we swam in our pool and did a silly picture.

We had ice cream sundaes one night with our new A&W Root Beer topping.

Claire was usually well taken care of and entertained, especially by Joy.  However, one day she was getting into a little too much mischief, so I had her help me make a key lime pie to give the other kids some peace.  Most of the time, she thought I was helping her and she didn't appreciate it.  My hand is about as close as it got without some objection.  :)

I can't even remember what else we did, but it involved a lot of playing, that's for sure.  Carter & Luke got their fill of XBox video games.  The girls were a little more diverse in their activities.  The week went by quickly and we all have great cousin memories!

Happy Birthday, Shawn!

Well, Shawn is officially getting old . . . at least according to him.  His comment was, "Only eleven years until I'm 50."  I think that's a little extreme.  I would think, "Only one year until I'm 40, " but I guess they're both accurate.  We began talking about how long until we could go to the movies without a babysitter, retiring, etc.  What a difference a couple, couple, couple, years makes.  :)  I'm sure it will be bittersweet to enter a new phase of life . . . someday sooner than we think.

We took advantage of a birthday freebie and a willing sister to babysit and went to Benihana's last night.  Here's Shawn with his birthday fruit creation.

I pretty much have a problem getting anything that "only" costs money for a gift.  We have little to no conflict when it comes to money.  If he wants it . . . he usually gets it and it meets my approval.  We're like minded on most things.  If I get a present, I try to make it a splurge that he will benefit from or something that time and thought goes into.

Well, I fell short this year.   Somehow, his birthday crept up on me and I've been extra busy.  So, I wrapped up the Amazon book that was delivered to our door this morning . . . that Shawn ordered a few days ago for $2.82.  I did make him a nice breakfast this morning and our family is off to see The Sorcerer's Apprentice soon.  That's as good as it gets around here.  Pity him now and send him birthday wishes since that's all he gets.  :)

I'm glad to have spent some youthful years with him and am equally glad to be entering into our elder phase of life together. I love this guy!!

Happy birthday, Shawn!

Leah is Seven!

Leah celebrated her 7th birthday surrounded by friends and family on Sunday.  She wanted a game party, so games it was!  Her only request was "Pin the Tail on the Donkey."  These are the winners.  How do you pick just one?   :)

Rachel, Sydney, & Ariana

There was balloon volleyball . . .

A "find the leader" game . . .

There were more, including a bean bag toss and a game where you try to knock down the little bears, bowling style.  We also played a laughing game, where you weren't supposed to laugh.  We knew Leah would be the grand loser on that one and she was.  It's her party and she'll laugh if she wants to, laugh if she wants to.  :)

Of course, there was pizza and cake too.  Unfortunately, the gang was getting restless waiting and we missed three kids in the bathroom and who knows where, but this is close to the whole crew  . . .

We had a fun day celebrating a special girl.  She loves to laugh and make others laugh.  Leah is a great baking partner who is always willing to help.  She is also a super student.  In fact, right now she is doing a workbook next to me since she saw her cousin doing homework yesterday.  She's thinking "regular" school would be fun since you get homework.  Uhh -- homeschool, isn't is all homework!?!?  I am definitely blessed to have a wonderful daughter.  I can't wait to see what the next seven years and beyond bring.

Here's a picture of Leah with most of her loot.  She got mainly money since she really wanted to buy a used DSi.  People were very generous, so she's already enjoying her new high class toy.  The other gifts she got are also being put to good use.

 Happy birthday, Leah!