Build A Bear!

Don't you hate it when people never update their blog! How rude:) Brook came up a couple of weeks ago and we had a lot of fun. I had SEP dinners for PTA and Halle had a field trip, so we didn't get to have a lot of free time, not that we really wanted to take 7 kids too many places. We did decide to go to Build A Bear for Mallory and Sydney's B day! The kids all had fun, although I don't think Maverik and Charly quite understood the concept. Here are a couple of photos:Heading to the Par-Tay!

Everyone and their animals

The stuffing machine!

We went to Applebees afterwards and the balloon man was there! It was great! The kids had a great time! Thanks Tuttles for coming and hangin' out. We love you guys!

What a DAY!

So, today has been a crazy day! The countertop guys got here at 8:30(they told me 9 or 10). I was still making breakfast and trying to get the girls ready for school. Sydney came down while I was doing hair and said the guys need to talk to you. So I go upstairs and the guy says, It won't fit. Your cabinets aren't level. And then he stands there and stares at me! So I called my cabinet guy and he came right over and fixed them so they would fit(thanks Tyler). But I am thinking, Isn't this something they should have figured out when they came to measure with their fancy lasers? Not to mention the installer guy was very unfriendly and not very helpful at all. Well during all this time, I guess I wasn't paying to much attention to Maverik and I went upstairs and found my home phone floating in the bathroom sink. UGH! We just had to buy a new one! So the countertop guys leave (I get a free sink) I feed Maverik lunch and then put him in bed. Next thing I know he is walking down the stairs and says HI mom! He has finally figured out how to get out without landing on his head. yeah me! I told James if naptime goes away, I will go crazy. So after making Mav lay down 3 times he finally went to bed! Hallaluah!! I guess I am having a "Calgon take me away" moment! And now the girls will be home soon and Mav will probably wake up! One final note: James is out golfing w/a vendor from work!!

So I was standing IN the kitchen and turned around to see this! I guess he needed a drink of milk:) Can't help but love him!

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!