First Day of School !

Mallory 6th Grade-Lookin Hip! She didn't want to take a pic, but I said I would come to her class and take one if she didn't let me take it. That seemed to do the trick!

Sydney 4th grade-Sassy as ever! She was excited to go to school and see all her friends- The only one who said I could walk with her!

Halle 2nd Grade- Cute new do and ready to go! Her teachers name was Brittney Brown before she got married over the summer! Pretty Cool.

Maverik- 2 years old -He thought he was going to school and he put on his backpack and said Bye mom! He trys to go with the girls everyday! I think he could pass as a kindergartner, ya?My stylin girls and their cute backpacks!

All my cute kids. They grow up too fast! I love you guys!

Summer's Almost Over!

This summer has not really turned out as planned. We didn't get a family vacation and house renovations have taken all our time and money. But I have enjoyed sleeping in and having no schedule. The girls start school next week and James and I start the week after that. I think the girls are excited. I am excited, but I hate to see summer go. Here are a couple of things we did do:

Maverik and Anessa turned 2! Since their birthdays are a day apart we had their party together. It was a swim/bbq party w/ tons of food and even more kids! It was a blast.

Mallory and I went with 6 other ladies to a Breaking Dawn Party. We ate at Tucanos and went shopping and then over to Borders bookstore for Trivia and games. Mallory knew all the trivia and won some prizes. We were number 90 in line! We got our books quick! Mallory read for about 3 days straight and then I read it! We loved it.

As soon as I can find my cord to my camera I will have pics of James and Mav at their first fathers and son's outing and our trip to Home Depot to see Tony Stewarts car! And 1st day of school pics soon to come!

I love you Ryan!

I know it has been a long time since I posted. Things have been crazy. In June we went down to AZ for James' Family reunion. We were about 20 miles from the reunion when we got the call that my older brother Ryan had passed away. It is crazy how life can change so quickly. I know that we will all be together again someday, but it makes me sad to know he is gone. I have realized that life is not about what size you are or how much money you have but about being thankful for everyday we have and counting your blessings. I will miss Ryan and his great sense of humor. I can see his smile every time I look at his 2 beautiful girls. My sister Steph said it the best- We are 10 strong no matter what. I love you Ryan.

Barnhouse

http://www.barnhousebh.blogspot.com

So since Nan doesn't have a blog yet (or is still in the works?) Everyone has to see the cute stuff she has been doing. She has been working with her friends Joe and Jermone(?) at their new antique shop, Barnhouse. Check out their blog and you can see some of Nan's stuff. We had such a fun time visiting. Mom and Briley are going to have so much fun up there! I am a little jealous. Nan says it's even prettier now than we went, if that is possible. I love ya Nan, You are so talented! You need to help me with my disaster of a house!

I am so blessed!

I'm going to update my blog soon with everything we have been doing, but I was driving this morning and thinking how blessed my life is! I have 4 beautiful, healthy kids, a great husband, awesome sisters (&brothers) and a great mom! I want to tell everyone how much I love them and I am so grateful to have you all!

No More School!

So is everyone sick of seeing the same pic on my blog? I know I am! I love ya honey but I'm sick of looking at your truck! I'm going to post new pics soon but right now I am too lazy to get them off my camera! So since James and I finished this semester I thought I would be getting so much done! Organizing the house, blogging, paying bills, but I'll I do is lay around! And I have to say I LOVE it! I play with Maverik and maybe go to the store but when Maverik is asleep, I either take a nap or read a book! Maybe someday I will get bored and do something but right now I love doing absolutely NOTHING!

Dang that is a sexy truck....

We recently reached a major milestone with our Dodge. 100,000 miles and still going strong. This event occured on my most recent trip to AZ for work.

I always end up doing a lot of thinking when I drive, which to Britt's defense, does get me in a lot trouble.

In the four years we have had our truck we have gone through the following...

5,800+ gallons diesel fuel consumed

180+ fill ups

20 oil changes equaling 60 gallons of oil

Countless number of trips to AZ

One new set of tires

My most recent addition is the RanchHand Bumper replacement that I got from my good buddy Alan. Not only is it massive and beefy, it is also bomb proof and comes with a 15K winch option. Thanks Alan for the bumper and helping me get it mounted up. Haven't hit anything with it yet, but I feel sorry for what ever is brave enough to jump out in front of my truck (insert evil laugh here).

Here are a few pics.

Mallory got to go with Dad to help with the install and she was a big help. She said she had fun, I hope she did since I had fun having her with me.

I love ya Mallory

Thanks for the hook up Alan..... your the man

Regards,

James "Mule" Skinner