Gary's Clan

2012-01-19T14:26:00.000-08:00

So... haven't been here in a while. I have been sucked into the realities of life for the last uhmm...well lets just say "while" shall we. Reality is great! Its fun! It's hard, exhausting, and it can be nasty at times. Yet, reality is that I have little time left for Blogging in my life. Reality at the moment is that I SHOULD be doing taxes, I SHOULD be cleaning the house, I SHOULD be making Miranda some food so she will stop bothering me, and I probably SHOULD take a shower sometime this week. Really I should! But I'm not going to do any of that. NOR am I going to update you on anything. I'm just gonna start over and hope that somehow this yera I will keep up and friends will know that I and my family have not parished.

GOAL: 5 photos a month, at least one post a month, maybe a few words, and definatly some smiles, tears, mud, toys, and updates on us. There you have it. Sadly it takes me forever to get anything posted on here. Not sure if it is our very slow internet, older computer, me, or a combination of all three. All I know is that I get so annoyed about it that I often give up. This year no giving up. I would love suggestions though (TJ...help!).

Will is clapping for me! I hope you are too.

2011-06-01T08:49:00.001-07:00

My little Bro has finally opened the doors his future...

his dream of opening his own cycle shop has become his reality

Golden Saddle Cyclery

Congrats, TYrannosaurusrex!

...and they got some love from DailyCandy.com, Golden Saddle Cyclery.

a Day of Perspective

2011-05-06T15:12:00.000-07:00

I have been having a bad day, or lets just say week, cause what is the use of lying. Nothing has gone wrong, but I am just struggling. I am miserably tired from my late night dates with William, the girls have cabin fever like never before because every time we step outside the sun hides behind a cloud that decided he hates me so much he will spit all over me and my girls (..oh, I have to find a new generic terms for the offspring don't I). Anywho, to top it off my body has decided that I obviously handle motherhood so well, that despite the fact sweet William is only 6 weeks old we should start the womanhood process again. YIPPEE!

So with all said I was talking to a friend about how miserable I was feeling and she wisely said, "Mia here is a bit of perspective for ya. My friend went to her Ob apt on Wed. and the doc said everything looks great, your baby should be here anytime (seeing as she was 38 weeks along). She took her other kids to the zoo yesterday, and by the end of the afternoon was nervous because she hadn't been able to feel the baby in a while. So she rushed over to the OB where later it was confirmed by ultrasound that her sweet jewel was gone. Just like that. It was gone. She is currently in labor to deliver the body." I haven't really moved from the computer where I was when I was talking to my girlfriend. I decided to cheer me up I would check some blogs I love. I came across this. For those who don't have the moment I suggest you find it. And it all brings me back to our sweet niece who you can remember here.

Its funny how quickly we can forget our sorrow when we open our hearts to others. My heart breaks for anyone who has lost anyone they love, especially mothers and fathers, husbands and wives. My tears fall for them and those I have lost and still love. I am only rescued by the knowledge I have in Heavenly Father, His gospel and my faith of it all. My day, my week, does not seem so bad anymore. How about yours...

Am I a Rainchecker?....NO!

2011-04-22T23:33:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have used and abused coupons for at least the last 4-5 years in a way that is beneficial and profitable for my family. I enjoy finding a great deal and the magic little numbers that I can create at the end of my grocery bill. You could call me anal (all my coupons are categorized in alphabetically order of course) but I am NOT crazy. I am not TLC worthy (although I have to admit I have seen a few of the episodes) but I do put a little time and effort into it. What is the point of this you may be asking yourself...are you trying to get nominated for the show (Please DON'T, I'm not that good and don't care even 1/2 as much as they do). The point is that this show (and I am sure the others that will start appearing soon) and all these wonderful blogs that have sprung up (which I actually really do enjoy; my favs. being The Coupon Project, Fabulously Frugal, and Queen Bee) have created a new sub-culture of crazy couponers.

Well all you newbies can I give you one piece of advice: WE DON'T ALL NEED A STOCKPILE OF TOOTHPASTE THAT FILLS AN ENTIRE ROOM IN YOUR BASEMENT! YOU DON'T NEED TO BUY EVERY BOX OF DISH DETERGENT AND EVERY BOTTLE OF TOILET CLEANER. YOU COULD BE COURTEOUS AND LEAVE EVEN ONE ON THE SHELF FOR THE NEXT PERSON.

I mean really, just because it is a good deal does not mean that you have to be the only person to benefit from it. Take a what your family requires and two more for you storage program and leave the rest. Allow someone else, who's entire budget runs and depends on the use of coupons, to benefit from their hard work too. I don't spend 40 hours a week on coupons but IT IS part of my job as the CEO if my family to spend the money my hubbie works so hard for wisely - and that means getting everything I can for each penny. GIVE ME BACK MY PENNIES PEOPLE! Okay I am yelling now but I am very upset. The last 2 months have been horrible at the stores, they are out of everything by Tuesday. Tonight I went to a favorite store for household items, and the lady literally Rainchecked my ad. Seriously people she Rainchecked my ad because she said it would take the whole rest of her shift to write me out the Rainchecks that I needed. MY AD, she wrote the word Raincheck all over it! (Which was wonderfully kind of her, I should ad). My point is this, lets all be kind and decent to one another. Is that too much to ask for? Take what you need and one or two extra and leave the rest. I and a couponer not a rainchecker, I COLLECT COUPONS NOT RAINCHECKS!

will.I.am

2011-04-15T22:00:00.000-07:00

We wanted to share with you the first moments of Williams life. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

Today: March 22, 2011

2011-03-22T06:33:00.001-07:00

Today is the day. It is always weird to me to think that I will have a brand new child in my arms by the end of a particular day. I have to say that I am a bit disappointed that this little man, as well as all of his sisters, could not find the exit on their own. I have always wanted for everything to go on its own (and trust me have we tried to make that happen each time). But, that apparently is not the way for our family.

We waited 9.5 days for sweet Ansley. Miranda made a valiant effort then decided that the reality of that effort was to much for her so she snuck back up into my ribs and by the end of the week was under enough "stress" that we gave her a gentle nudge. Ellie jumped the gun by 8 weeks to which we said 'not a chance.' She has never been one who likes to be scolded and she is slightly stubborn, so she too then refused to make an entrance when the time was right; her nudge was not as gentle as Mirandas'. And now little William. We have waited, he has attempted and either failed or changed his mind, and now we are done. I am "on call" today, waiting for my last induction. Hopefully the call will come after 12:00pm so that Gary has a chance to make it to the birth of his son. My parents arrived over the weekend, so if all goes to plan my mom will hang with me at the hospital till Gary gets there and then she is welcome to stay or leave at that point.

So say what you will about having patience and waiting till nature takes its course or paying out the ying-yang to hire someone for the day so Gary can be there from start to finish. One thing I have learned in life is that plans never go exactly how you wish them. Faith is having the courage and desire to walk into the darkness and wait for the light that you know Heavenly Father will provide. Today we are taking that step for the fourth time and tonight (hopefully) when it is all said and done, in that light WE will be holding our SON.

So here we go...

2011-01-11T19:27:00.000-08:00

Okay so I am not a huge fan of all these "things" that clutter up the edges of blog pages but I have hit the nesting stage and the stage where people turn to stare at my large stomach as I walk...well pretty much anywhere. People keep asking how far along I am or 'how much longer do you have?' I feel like a dork when I pull out my fingers and start to think. So I figured I would join the masses for the next ten weeks so that I have one less thing to think about. So here it is.

Perhaps this will help me check my blog more too. 2 birds 1 stone, YAHOOO!

Oh, and just for my bestest of friends, who I hope to make pee their pants in the next sentence, here is a little Mia humor for ya.
P.S. Thanks for sticking around while I am prego it means a lot to me!

*****In officially 10 more weeks this little leach will have to learn how to survive on his own and I will finally get my body and hopefully good sense back! *****

JUNK mail...

2010-11-18T17:31:00.000-08:00

For those who followed the link from their emails thanks for trusting us! And here is the best JUNK mail we will ever receive!

It's a BOY!

2010-09-15T09:29:00.000-07:00

So the 2nd half of summer went by as quickly as the first. We hit the Fair and Ellie had to wear her little cowboy boots from Jes, that are the cutest things ever (I am almost ready to give them back..but not yet). The girls loved the rides and all the animals. I made it through all my dances without passing out (although I looked like I should have). The weather was great and we had some yummy fair food.

Lora came into town with Weston and Gage. We really have missed them this last year so I was great to see them. Lora, Natalie and I, took our weekend scrapbook trip to the coast. It was HEAVEN! So wonderful. We ate fish & chips, watched tons of girly movies and of course we scraped. Did I mention it was HEAVEN!?! Then we got the kids together for a day at the zoo. Miranda and Wes were crazy excited about the dinosaurs, Gage and Ellie...not so much.

Nancy and I had to hit our favorite spot on the coast at least one more time, even in the sad state of Champs arm. It was a beautiful day at the coast. So warm and calm. I don't think we started driving home till almost 6:30pm. Love days like these. It was a great last day of summer for us, as we left a few days later to Cali to visit my folks.

(I hate how I can't get the picture position to look like they do on the composeer)

So then we headed out on our road trip of Central Cali. We decided to meet my folks 1/2 way this year at a place called Clear Lake. We stoped the first night in Redding and hit a water park on the only day that week that the weather was 65 and not 100, of course. That night we walked the Sundial bridge and listen to jazz music on the river. We went to a Natural Park / Museum the next day and then finished the drive to clear lake where we meet my folks.

This is the resort at Clear Lake where we stayed. It was wonderful. We fished, with NO luck, swam, rode our bikes and generally just messed about.
We rented a boat one day. It was great. The weather was perfect, the wind was non-existant, we had tons of food and snacks, still had no luck fishing, but everyone loved it.

Look at the size of those feet! Wholly cow man! Gary actually enjoyed himself on the boat and even tried to snooze. We also enjoyed swimming in wht became dubed "green jello". The water was rather clear but also rather green.

See I was there too!

We took many walks and collected many smelly snail shells, feathers, and other such things.

Gary got to read and I got to play games with my mom and dad. We had a GREAT time! Thanks for the trip mom and da it was a perfect end to summer!

We got home on the 5th of September and then on the 7th Ansley was feed to the wolves (at least that is how I feel). She started Kindergarten. She is not sure if she likes it or not but her teacher and I have worked out a very efficient pass off at the door so that contact is never broken. Ahh, sweetie you only have 13 more years of this!

Miranda started preschool and I can't who is more excited, her me or Andrea. Andrea and I love to teach and this year we have picked up 3 additional kids. It should be a fun year!

Okay and now for the Spoiler Alert. For those who have not seen me in a while (despite my insiting that I would still be around) I want to give my excuse. At a BBQ, a while ago, a friend asked what was my new project now that we are moved and "settled." Well I am ready to announce it to the world, it has been named....SURVIVAL. Here is a picture of what it looks like at this point, don't laugh, I'm still working on it....

He he he. Yes, Gary knocked me up and YES I still suck at being pregnant. This time things are different though, my mornings are generally okay (it could just be the drugs) but by 4:30 I am dead and rarly am I seen awake past 8:30. Sad, I know, but I am just not good at this. Okay, there it is, baby #4.

Summer going at Lightspeed...

2010-07-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

Life has been traveling in lightspeed here lately. Although the summer has not been as bright and sunny as I wish, it has still been packed with activities. Here is the quick summer update:

We SOOOLD our house and move to Vancouver, Washington in 7 days...

My parents came to town to visit. We had a special brunch, found Ansley a new bike at a garage sale {which means Rana got a new bike from Ansley}, went to the Rose Garden, showed off our new apartment and city and State, and the highlight: LION KING at the Keller! It was wonderful! Then my folks had to get back to real life and ferrets so they headed off on the train.

The big girls had their end of the year recital at Century High School for New Vision Dance. Can I say that if you are local, this is the best studio around. Not that I have tried any others but I have been overly pleased with not only classes and such but their teachers are wonderful! Miss Lynn has opened Ansley up and Miss Ashley and Miss Courtney have not only tamed the beast {aka Rana} but they have become my friends. I am really really sad that we will be too far away to continue dancing with them. I have taken classes here as well and wish I could do more -Gary says the gas would be to much, darn practicalities! Ansley rocked out in her second year and Miranda was a joy to watch.

Here are the girls with Miss Ashley! She is so wonderful with them! She is expecting her first child and I just want to say that she is going to be an amazing mother! Thank you Ashley for loving my girls! And to Miss Lynn you are a rock star and I want to be like you!

Just look at my little dancers. They are so beautiful and they had so much fun! I am so glad that we were able to give them this experience and I hope we will have the opportunity to give them so many more years of what ever they choose to try and excel in!

Ansley lost her first tooth while eating ice cream and then lost her second tooth, the one right next to it on the right the next week. She has the cutest hockey smile you have ever seen! and is now one dollar and 25 cents richer! Love the tooth fairy!

Last Saturday dear friends of ours left Oregon for Arkansas. They are going to live with Marshall's mom for a t least a year. They are great friends to us and I, the girls and Gary, will truly miss them.

Lastly, yet with out photographic evidence {yet}, we celebrated Canada Day last night with our other dear friends the Bui's and the Key's. We went down to Corvallis to visit with the Price's and Bless a new little life of dearest friends the Young's.We have swam at Ga'mas & Gamp'as house, rode our bike and trikes with the Farrer's block friends, pack and packed, and uhmm packed boxes, jumped relentlessly on the Bui's trampoline and have hit a few favorite parks before or great departure. Oh and the sun has made an appearance once or twice. It has been a good summer thus far and there is yet more to come. I am currently writing this, eating dinner, tending the Farrer boys and oh- uhmm losing control of all creatures under the age of 6 and so must conclude with GOODNIGHT NOW!

2010-06-20T20:39:00.000-07:00

I know there is so much I can say about this man that would publicly humiliate him...but because I have to live with him (Uhm, did I say that out loud?!?); I mean because I love him, I won't. I will say, on this day dedicated to all dads, that he is a wonderful father! Our girls were asked some questions about dads at church and those answers were given to the men today, along with some treats. I want to share Miranda's comments because they are priceless! (Ansley's were wonderful and sweet to, but Miranda hit the nail on the head.)

Why did Heavenly Father make fathers?

"(to) watch Go Blazers"

What does your dad do all day?

"Move boxes"

Why do you love your dad?

"He pillow fights with me"

What's your dads favorite thing to do?

"Watch Blazers"

What's the nicest thing your dad ever did?

"He gave me his hair"

How can you not be peeing your pants right now!?!? I love the things that kids say and this is by far one of the best things Ranna has ever said about Gary.

Gary, you are so wonderful! You show your love to the girls and they truly do feel it. I am so proud of you and so wonderfully happy that all us girls have you for all time and eternity. Thanks for all you do for us. We love you! Happy Daddy-day!

Well folks...

2010-06-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

it's official, all papers are signed and other than the appraisal our HOUSE IS SOLD! While we are very excited we are also (at least I am, Gary is too much of a man to admit it yet) starting to get a little teary-eyed. I am not ready to say my goodbyes yet and so I won't but I do want to post some pictures of our finial project and masterpiece. Today you get the upstairs and Friday I'll post the downstairs and outside. Our sweet little home.

This is the little girls room. Yes, there is only one bed, Ellie's mattress is underneath the bed and used only for sleeping or "playing jumping." We used a gray on the walls and I thought that I would not like it but I absolutely LOVE it. I can change colors around and every color that fits my mood of the moment works with the wall. It is not too dark and not too light. I am using this color again.

Do you not just love these Butterflies! I got them from Pottery Barn a long time ago, knowing one day I would use them. I love the feeling of them flying through the room. I have great plans to upgrade this room in our next house.

Okay, this picture is really dark but Ansley is in love with this mirror and wanted to make sure it made the cut. She says she feels like princess when she looks in it. I hope she will one day realize that she looks and is a princess even without the mirror.

She picked out this mosquito net at Ikea (I'm sure they call it something more attractive) and I added the flowers and ribbon on top to jazz it up a little. I also added ribbon to the edges so I could tie it to hooks on the wall. I plan to add flowers all the way around it and use it for a reading spot in our next place. Would that not be great to have the big Rollie Pollie seats under it and tons of books spread out on the floor! Can't wait.

This is her dresser which I would love to paint and play with but I only have so much time and Gary put a natural finish on it when I asked him to way back when we first got it. Plans change babe, sorry.

This is their bedroom. The paint is the same as in our master and it is a keeper too! I love how soft and romantic it is, and yet if I take the girly curtain and soap dish out and put up the light blue curtain and brown accent it still works. Have you noticed that I like to change things up...often.

This is the view of our master as you walk through the door. That is or towel closet and I got that wall clock for $10 at a garage sale! Yahoo!

Here is our bed and my favorite place to read in the window nook. That Rocking chair was my Grandmothers, who Died when I was a teenager. I have rocked all my children in it and hope it never leaves our family.

Okay, this is the other wall and our dresser. It was the changing table that Gary bought me when Ansley was so chunky that she broke the garage sale find we had for her. He thought this would be a bit sturdier. We thought we were done having more kids so I stole it when I staged the house. I changed the knobs and gave it a whitewash which I am going to darken up with a cream when I find the time. I love it and will never give it back. Guess, I need to find a new changing table for the future Carroll kids.

Our bathroom, nothing special but it works and is a favorite place of mine to relax.

And that it folks, outside of the laundry closet, is our upstairs. I should try and find pictures of Jon & Krista's take on the masters just for comparisons, on stages of life and loves. I have to admit that our house, now that we are leaving, is exactly all that I ever hoped it could be. I think it is so calming and peaceful and beautiful. It will be hard to leave now that we have to.

{Happy Birthday Mommy}

2010-06-08T22:04:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my mom's birthday and I hacked into her blog and gave her a little birthday surprise. I know many of you remember my mom from growing up, if you have moment stop by and wish her a happy birthday and see what she and my dad have been up too.

My mommy is.....well now that would just be rude, wouldn't it! Say Hi, here.

A Perfect Day...

2010-06-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

Jump for joy - there is sunshine in Oregon, mom, I promise. Here is the proof

{yes, it was about 2 weeks ago now & we haven't really seen it since}

A few weekends ago Nancy and I did a 'girls only' trip to Tillamook. The weather was fabulous! The ice cream was divine and the girls played until they had nothing left. It really was a perfect day. Now if only this rain would stop so we could repeat it!

So this is our secret beach. I absolutely love it here. I can let the girls run and not worry and I get to rest on the back of old fallen logs while I stare out at the water and watch the girls. The sand is so soft and the trees keep the wind somewhat at bay. Love it, love it, love it here!

Ellie is not crazy about sand or grass, or any texture touching her feet and hands, but she finally warmed up to it all. I love this shot because she was so proud that she actually touched the sand - and I was so glad that she finally got off my lap, hip, back...ect...

Look she even made it into the water! YaHOOOOOO!

The girls found a fort that someone had started and they decided to finish the job. We were amazed at the size of logs they were hauling from all across the beach. Our favorites where the black ashed ones out of a bonfire pit. Yeah, laundry was fun when we got home. Not to mention that the shirt and leggings Ansley has on were hanging in a display case at Gap only yesterday, why not break them into reality gently.

We found a bunch of dead crabs which Miranda, of course, was in love with. She wanted to bring them all home, smells and all - not a chance sweetheart!

Ellie was not as fond of them.

The tide was on it's way out as we started to head home so we took the opportunity to check out the tide pools for all sorts of creatures. Nothing this time other than the occasional crab and teeny tiny fish that the girls wanted me to catch for dinner. Needless to say fish was not on the table for Gary when he got home.

Just so it's fair to Nancy, here is a pic of me on this gorgeous day.

Ellie's 2nd Birthday

2010-05-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

This is our tradition of chocolate-chip pancakes for the birthday breakfast. Normally it is served to the guest of honor on our red "You are Special" plate, but a silly mom had packed it away without thinking. Sorry Ellie, I swear you are still so special!

Here are pics from Ellie's Birthday party. She had a great time! We started out with bubbles to make everyone feel happy and forget the fact that their parents were dropping them off and running away. It worked like a charm. There were no tears!

We followed that up with opening gifts so we had some toys to play with, because that silly mom has almost every toy in the house packed too. She really is not all that fun or smart...Luke was more excited to be in the pictures than he was about what Ellie was receiving.

Such a doll (a manly doll of course)!

Of course we had to then play with all the gifts. Ellie got an ironing board, a Velcro cookie set, four dollars in total, a balloon, bubbles, three books, and a magnet dress-up doll.

We then needed to refuel our little bodies with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and whale crackers (a favorite thanks to Miss BJ), and milk.

And of course we can not forget about birthday cake!

Which the little princess refused to eat unless daddy hand spooned it to her.

We did of course sing Happy Birthday, blow on party sticks, and giggle a whole bunch!

Thanks to everyone who made Ellie's first ever 2nd birthday party a blast.!

2010-05-07T00:02:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday dear Ellie.

Happy Birthday sweet Ellie.

Happy Brithday our Ellie, bellie, short and smellieeeee!

Happy Birthday to my baby.

Need a Little HELP!

2010-05-01T23:58:00.000-07:00

Okay so I am trying something new...digital scrapbooking. Now the whole album will not be digital (it's just not right), but I figured that this would be a great "little" place to start. So, here is where I need help. I duplicated a layout designed by Ali Edwards (which you can get here), because I do not have the money to buy it right now. I am enjoying the end products thus far.

Okay and here is my disclaimer: I am not good at the layout on Blogs. I can not make them do what I want; and so the day is under the layout - can anyone help me figure out spacing and such? I would lov ethe input.

DAY ONE: Monday

(note I know there are two couch pictures, I can't find one picture that must be on our other computer so the 'bare' bottom couch picture will be replaced with a picture of my feet clogging, when I find the picture)

DAY TWO: Tuesday

DAY THREE: Wednesday

DAY FOUR: Thursday

But for Day Five (Friday) I ended up with two different layouts. I think I know which one I like best but I am not completely convinced. Here enters YOU: Please vote between Layout 1 & Layout 2. Thanks.

LAYOUT number ONE

LAYOUT number TWO

Day Five: Friday

2010-04-24T20:58:00.000-07:00

What is it that children do in there sleep that makes such a mess?!?

Ahhh, now doesn't that look so much better.

It's moving day...for Cindy our next door neighbor-adopted grandmother.

I showed Ansley how to call my cell phone 'cause the big girls are gonna stay in our house and watch movies and color while I help next door. I even left the pantry door open so they could get their own snacks and juice. Such BIG girls!

I put Ellie in the backpack and started moving. Once she fell asleep I just put the whole thing down and keep on truck'in. {This backpack is my object of affection for the day}

I guess this is what I get for thinking I could leave a 5 year old and 3 year old alone inside when you are outside busy working. At least they are having fun. Ansley even called me once just to see if it would work.

Had to take a coloring break. Ansley is getting pretty good at taking pictures.

This is how I found Rana after lunch. Poor kids, you'd think there parents would at least care enough to put them to bed...

...naw, but hey at least I told "Super Ellie" not to fly over her sleeping sister, and not to kick her, or bite her or even touch her. It worked for a while.

Someone else wanted to take a nap...see the lump...

That's our fat cat, she likes to sleep under the covers when it gets too cold. Spoiled, huh.

Daddy has had a rough week {that means we have too, but all the same} we thought we would cheer him up with a little afternoon snack of Chocolate Chip Cookies and a Coke.

A special Delivery for our favorite FedEx Man!

Bubbles are Miranda's forte. Its crazy how she can make her

spit into something so amazing and beautiful.

Gotta get the Friday-night Pizza dough going, and while I was at it I started bread dough cause we are out and the store is not an option this week. I love making bread though cause it is a nice way to work out the tension of the week and it smells so good, when it's in the oven.

Gam'ma and Gam'pa pop in for a much needed rough house session. On weeks like this when we see very little of daddy, mom's rough housing just does not cut it. These too however...well they are Gary's parents, someone had to teach him the ropes.

Look at all the action going on. It's craziness here!

Day Four: Thursday

2010-04-24T19:45:00.000-07:00

Sorry we got busy and behind her are a few of my favorite shots. If you are really interested in the rest of it all you can come see the album when its done, otherwise, have a nice day.

The lesson at preschool this week was butterflies so the kids got to wear wings to class.

BBQ hot dogs and Sunkiss for lunch with the little girls

Rana doughnuts on the deck. I love the way the air catches in her dress.

Ansley's home!

A few last kisses from Cindy, our next door adopted grandma, on her last night in Oregon.

Everybody is taking a drink on a hot Oregon day (70)

Watering our Strawberries

Miranda has learned how to make her "up-down-up's" M's

What movie do you think we watch in our house...all the time

{If you don't know it's "Little Mermaid" and Ariel uses a fork as a hairbrush}

And that's the photo-journey of our very long Thursday. Gary did not get home till 9:00 so after dinner I read with the girls and put them all to bed, then waited for my honey.

DAY THREE: Wensday

2010-04-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

Today's WORDS:

Cranky

Speed

Prayers

Disappointment

Rejuvenation

Beautiful

ROUTINE of the Day:

1:15 AM: Rana wakes up in coughing fit - give her H2O and cuddles then lay her down with a blanket on our bedroom floor

2:30 AM last time I check the clock, Rana does not stop coughing

3:00 AM: Ellie wakes up from a coughing fit and waddles into our room with her blanket and Hippity {favorite stuffed bunny that never leaves her side}

3:08 AM both girls are coughing so I go down stairs for Children's Tylenol, drug the kids, rock Ellie and put her back in her bed,

somehow Hippity stayed in our bed

4:18 AM last second time I check the clock

5:30 Gary's alarm goes off and so does his temper {he apologizes later tonight}

7:10 wake up to Ellie crawling back into my bed,

we get up, skip making the beds cause I'm too tired

and head down stairs for breakfast

7:40 check email to find out preschool is cancelled for the day

{this day is not getting any better & it's not even eight yet}

8:00 realize I forgot to get a present for the birthday party at 9:30

8:40 get girls dressed, decided to not show the house

today cause I'm too cranky to clean

9:05 get girls in their shoes, go upstairs & change answer machine to

no showing today

9:06 phone rings -BLOCKED CALL- mommie! jump for the phone cause

I need a pick-me-up

9:07 hang up phone, it was a realtor wanting to show the house at 11:30ish. Wish I could scream and yell and throw a tantrum like my girls,

say a prayer instead and run downstairs

9:10 got a show on for the girls {12 Dancing Princesses}, set timer for 1 hour and 30 minutes then start to clean like a mad-women {madmen don't clean}

11:15 finish cleaning, get girls in the car and realize

we have missed the birthday party

11:16 start to cry, say another prayer and head off to....why not Target.

12:20 get home, see the Realtors card and catch a wisp of hope, make lunch

1:45 play for a bit but everyone is breaking down so I send us all to bed

1:50 Ellie is asleep, I pull out my scriptures and read to the girls in my bed. We are reading in Exodus about Moses, the girls love this story!

2:00 Last third time I check the clock, we all sleep...finally

3:45 wake up & play, do some laundry, and start waiting for Gary

4:20 take a walk to the mailbox

5:50 Gary gets home & I warm up Sunday night leftovers

6:00 eat dinner

6:30 Missionaries come over for a quick lesson

6:50 Gary & Missionaries leave for new member lessons, I let the girls watch a movie in their room, a special treat for a long rough day

{really a moment of quiet clean-up time for me}

8:00 Gary gets home girls come down to cuddle on the couch,

its so sweet we let them stay up

8:40 make 4 cups of hot cocoa to weigh their tummies down,

say family prayers and get the girls into to bed

9:15 Gary heads to bed I start this and finish cleaning up

10:10 still hear the girls, sign them one more song

& start 2nd cup of cocoa for me

10:58 actually finish making that 2nd cup of cocoa, realize I am really slow at this whole blogging thing and I hate how when I load pictures a line gets placed between everything I have already written.

There has to be a better way to do this.

11:27 I want to be done with this. Thanks Alie Edwards {in a nice sarcastic kinda way} for saying, 'hey link up you favorite shot so I can see it. Do you really read all the links anyway? I'm going to bed...after I link this up

Favorite CONVERSATION of the Day:

ellie: "mommy I go potty."

me: "Not here baby, please not here. Come on lets go to toliet."

{we jump down from the chairs and run to toilet with her little hands in mine}

me: "okay sit."

ellie: "I eeze {squeeze}, mommy!"

me: "Yeah."

{I'll spare you the rest cause well...will just finish off with the last few bits}

ellie: "I poop mommy, I eeze, Ellie do it!"

me: "Yahoo! Baby Doll. You can have two Jellybeans for that."

ellie: "tank u mommy"

BEST Moment: I love reading scriptures with the girls. Normally this is done after Ellie has fallen asleep for her nap and the girls and I are having quiet time. Sometimes I get to snuggle with them in bed while I read to them because I want everyone to take a nap. Today was such a day. This completely rejuvenates me!

WORST Moment: This moment took a full hour and 37 minutes to complete. Cleaning up today to get the house ready for a showing was an absolute low for me.

Today's object of AFFECTION: My new mugs from Joann's. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. I love that they are white. I love the texture of the little bumps. I love the flat knob on top of the handle and I LOVE them filled with a hot cup of Cocoa! LOVE 'em.

DAY TWO: Tuesday

2010-04-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

Today's WORDS:

Ballerina Dress

Wait.....Wait.....Wait

Coupons

Play

Go Blazers!

ROUTINE of the Day:

5:15 Ellie & Rana come into our room to cuddle

5:30 gary's alarm goes off

6:00 I think the girls & I must have fallen asleep again

8:00 WOW! I am awoken by the sound of the girls playing in Ansley's room.

8:05 Start making the beds

8:35 breakfast time!

9:00 girls play & I get some computer time

10:00 laundry, dishes, sweep floors

11:00 girls dance at NVDC

12:00 go to DEQ

1:15 leave DEQ, skip library(Ellie & Rana fell asleep), get cheeseburgers for Ansley & I,

get gas at Costco,

1:40 little girls smell cheesburgers and wake up so...

get cheeseburgers for Ellie & Rana, Albertsons

okay my disclaimer: we were challenged not to shop this week but I am a coupon shopper and there were 4 that I needed to use at albertsons. I justified this because it is all food storage items and none will be consumed this week, but a deal is a deal: I paid $8.52 for $30.61 of groceries HAD TO BE DONE!

2:45 finally get home

3:00 girls play & I do our food storage inventory
4:20 Ellie comes into garage to say "Hi" then proceeds to pee all over the floor,

say "sorry mommy" and walk out - brilliant

5:40 start dinner

6:00 gary gets home

6:20 eat dinner

7:10 put Ellie in bed & cuddle with the girls watching the Blazers get beat down

7:40 Rana gets in trouble and goes to bed early & alone -huge punishment for her
8:00 Take Ansley to my bed (cause Rana is still throwing a fit) and do my exercises

9:10 read my Scriptures & fall asleep

Favorite CONVERSATION of the Day:

{cuddling with Ansley on the couch watching the Blazer game}

gary: "Are you cold or hot honey?"

ansley: "My head is hot and my hands are hot."

note: she has become a cocoon in a big blanket at this point

gary: "But are you cold?"

ansley: "Yes, my head and body are cold."

gary: "I thought your head was hot!?!"

ansley (losing patience with the questions): "I'm just hotish-coldish, dad."

BEST Moment: Miranda's dance teacher came out of class today to tell me how good Miranda was doing, even with he other girls being hopped up on crazy juice! Go Girl!

WORST Moment: Ellie had two accidents, bite, hit, screamed, and was just all around difficult all day long!

Today's object of AFFECTION: Krista gave me a copy of one of my favorite 'happy' books last Christmas, "The Story of Babar: the little elephant." Well this little book has brought me more happiness than she can know. It has become a favorite of the girls and while small and short, keeps them occupied for at least 15 minutes. YAHOOO!

love how I caught Rana picking her nose!

DAY ONE: monday

2010-04-19T20:56:00.000-07:00

This year I am determined to start & finish "A Week in the Life" challenge by Ali Edwards this year. I have started it before, even finished one year, but have yet to complete the album that would follow.
THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT!

So here it is ONE Day AT A time.

Today's Words:

Exercise

Clogging

lOOOng

Rain

Bob & Larry

Pee... a lot of PEEEEEE

ROUTINE of the Day:

5:30 gary's alarm goes off

6:40 outta-bed sleep head!

7:00 bath time

7:40 breakfast

9-12 clogging

12:30 lunch

1:30 quiet time / nap time

3:00 play

6:30 dinner

8:00 daddy's home

8:15 family prayer

8:30 bed time

Favorite CONVERSATION of the Day:

{this is the first thing that Gary said when he got home today}

gary: "Ellie your naked...(pause as his eyes scan the room)...Why is the couch all destroyed?"

me: "Don't ask yet."

gary: "Ellie, did you pee all over it?"

ansley: "NO, it was Rana!" (said with attitude and eye-rolling)

gary: "Great"

rana: "Hi daddy."

gary: "Hi girls."
BEST Moment: Ellie said the family prayer with promptings from Gary

WORST Moment: its a tie between Miranda peeing the bed last night after she took off her pull-ups and her peeing on the couch this afternoon when she fell asleep. This kid cannot stop peeing! AHHHHHHHHH

Today's object of AFFECTION: my ranunculus flowers from Trader Joe's that sit in a mason jar on my counter top

Girls in Love

2010-04-05T19:35:00.000-07:00

A house full of girls can create many emotions. This I knew would happen. The emotion that I did not expect to happen so soon (or young, depending on how you look at it) is that of 'love'. Now I know that this is not 'true love' but it is an emotion that my girls have developed for particular boys. Maybe I should use the word preference over 'love' but either way it is a joyful, pure, and sweet emotion. While it does give me a bit of fear for the future it also makes me happy and brings a smile to my face. The other day while doing laundry in our upstairs hallway, I overheard my two eldest Ewoks were holding a conversation downstairs. It went something like this;

Ansley: "...I love Kegee and he is going to take me to the Temple."

Miranda: "Well who am I gonna marry then?"

Ansley: "I don't know, but you can't marry Kegee cause'he loves me."

Miranda: "I want to marry Emmitt and Joesph."

Ansley: "You can only take one boy to the Temple, thats how it works, silly"

Miranda: "Okay, I want Joesph to take me to the Temple cause Ellie likes Emmitt and he can take her."

The funniest thing about this conversation is that its true, all of it, and I have proof. The Ansley and Kegan thing has been sence they were about 10 months old. They have been best friends for thier while little lives. We have picture upon picture of the two of them. Moving on to Miranda; now I really do not think that Joesph has any clue that Miranda is even around but she sure knows when he is here. I got this photo tonight, it's what reminded me of this conversation.

Don't they look guilty like they were caught in a special moment.

And finally Emmitt and Ellie (their names really do sound good together). Ellie starts almost everyday looking for Emmitt and if we get into the car she begins "Emmitt house, mommy, Emmitt." Then they squeal in delight when we see eachother.

I hope that one day my girls meet wonderful young men who will stand up to all that these three precious little girls deserve, and I would take each of the boys they have already picked, as son-in-laws anyday....well - lets wait about 15 more years if we can.

Where have we been.....?

2010-03-13T22:42:00.000-08:00

locked inside our humble little dwelling for the past few weeks turning it into a diamond in the rough. Now, I have always had a soft spot for our little home (it has been in the family from the beginning) but now I am truly in love with it....JUST IN TIME TO LEAVE. Ahhh, the nature of the beast. We have put up new paint on almost every wall and finally spent a few dollars on decorations not diapers and food. It really has been fun getting all the little extras I have always wanted but never put at the top or even the middle of our ever growing priority list. But this month the house has been our priority and I hope that we get a full return. We have lost a bit in equity over the past few years (as has everyone) but we are blessed enough to be able to walk away with a little in our pocket (seeing as we actually sell the house). We truly love this area and will dearly miss some of our greatest friends, but it is time for our adventures to travel further north. So...if you know anyone moving to or wanting to move to the area please pass along our little house, she is wonderful and will treat them well!

And here she is in all her final glory...

761 SW 198th Place (rmls#10021462)

Life's Little Accomplishments

2010-02-10T11:01:00.000-08:00

I have to announce to all that have children, that I took Ellie out on her first road trip in undies. YEAH! Mind you we merely took Ansley to Preschool (a few streets down) but, she did her thing before we left and again when we got back. It is now almost an hour later and my world is still dry. WOW! This feels great!

And for anyone asking how the heck did this happen so easly and quickly - well let me just say it had nothing to do with me but I'd be willing to rent Rana out by the hour!

HOPE FOR HAITI

2010-01-25T12:50:00.000-08:00

I found this button today while I was peeking at a few of my favorite inspirations. As inspiration goes I am inspired by these ladies and what they are doing for those around them. I am posting this to create inspiration in the lovely people I know. Outside of the items already spoken for, or requested, everything I have left from Lil'peep Clothing will be donated to this cause. To read more please go to Craft Hope for Haiti Esty Shop. To learn more about the ladies behind the scenes and what they do everyday to help others check out their blog Craft Hope. There is such a need and there are so many ways we can help. This is one way I will be helping. I hope that you can find a way to help those in Haiti and or those next door to you. We will never know who is really in need until catastrophe hits -OR- we get outside of our own world and get to know those we live with local and around the world. So please take a few minutes and think of a way your family can help someone else.

Desperatly Seeking...

2010-01-11T18:58:00.000-08:00

a night on the town with Gary and great friends! Ya-hooo! We had a big weekend and thought it was worthy of a post. (I know the pics are small they are from Facebook; go there if you want the big version- sorry all I had was my Polaroid)

Thursday: Nancy an I went on a quest that took us all over Beaverton and Hillsboro. The purpose of the quest: Find a costume (which I should have done weeks ago) for Madonna which would allow me to keep my standards. I had chosen to do Madonna from the "Lucky Star" / "Desperately Seeking Susan" era. We also need gear to turn Gary into Thomas Magnum from Magnum PI, and lastly Chester into Mr. T. Well we went from Billy Idol and school girl to MC Hammer and Jennifer and McFly before the afternoon was over and the kids had enough! Two milkshakes later we meet up at JoAnns for the final act of desperation, in which we both bought material that never ended up being used.

Friday: It started with a desperate call..."Lisa, I look like I got beat with a baseball bat, right around my eyes!" Really I did, but Lisa came over with a bag of magic and turned me into the most perfect Madonna, mole and all (THANK YOU SO MUCH!). Nancy and Chester saved the day with a last minute hit at the Goodwill (were they ran into Krista doing the same thing) and I hit Claire's for the bling. The in-laws showed up just as Gary got home. Gary took a quick shower and turned into Thomas and we were out the door. A quick drive to Sherwood and a wonderful dinner with great friend, games, and a Polaroid camera I acquired from Grandma Gingers garage a few months back.

Saturday: We tried to sleep-in from the night before, and considering the kids were awake at 10:30ish when we got home we thought we would make it to at least 7:00, but no, the 6:30 wake up call of "MOMMMMMY, MOMMMMY, MOM!" came a bit early. We got a few chores done then packed our bags for a quick trip to Corvallis to be with some of our best friends as their daughter Sariah (our first daughter that's not our daughter) got baptised. Wow, what a moment! I love that little girl and the choices she has made so far in her little life. She is so beautiful, sweet, and smart. She asked Gary to be part of her Confirmation which was very special to us. WE had a great night after that and the kids went wild till about 10:00pm again. Then Dawn, TJ, and I played games (Gary is not much the board game kinda guy, but he piped in from the blow-up mattress from time to time) till about 2:30 am. BAD IDEA! BUT A LOT OF FUN!

Sunday & Monday: Drive home, catch-up on sleep, laundry, and phone messages. These two days have kinda meshed into one day, but right now at 7:30 pm on Monday I am feeling almost back to normal and I must say a little like McFly.

2010-01-05T12:54:00.000-08:00

Here is our first bit of change for 2010. The adventure known as Lil'peep Clothing has come to an end. We are putting everything on clearance.

Onesies will be $5

Burpies will be $3

Blankets will be $9

It is first come first serve! You can call me, email me, or go to our Etsy Store (http://www.lilpeep.etsy.com/). All the information you need along with pictures can be found on our blog (http://lilpeepclothing.blogspot.com/). Thanks for all the support. There will be 4 slide shows running in the sidebar of all items (not all are on clearance only Lil'peep items).

2010-01-01T19:09:00.000-08:00

Ha ha ha ha; there you go here is my revised Happy New Year card cause the Christmas one never got out.

So...the main reason the Christmas card did not get out is because (1) I think I am cooler than I am & I wanted to make my own digital cards (2) I did not want to conform to what was being sold (AKA the easy route in which all I have to do is drop my photo in) and thought it would be more fun how do do it myself (3) once i figured out how to do it myself and uploaded it to a local cheap shop for printing I realized that a 4x6 format will get cropped and I lose the sides & because I am overly anal and think that the world should work the way I want it to, I just got mad at it all and said I would come back to. Yeah obviously that did not happen, hence the new card in which I changed the title (Happy New Year, by the way) and brought the edges in so that I did not have to remake the entire card....Ahhhh, but alas it was not enough I still lost words and the year (kinda important) and so once again I got mad and this time instead of doing over again (cause I am just to angry at it all) I am going to print our family picture write a very short little letter, referring everyone back here for an explanation and details on our lives and call it good. So my first goal of the new year (Many more will follow...)

MAKE OUR 2010 CHRISTMAS CARDS BY NOV.

-Oh, and if anyone gives me grip because they get this very same card in the mail for Christmas 2010 but with an updated picture, well I just tell Santa to give you coal for Christmas, we're pretty tight ya know.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009-12-26T11:05:00.000-08:00

I know it is late but hey that's life in our world. Local Family and friends, you get the digital version of our Christmas card. We do love you and are glad to have you around, but it is just unfair to lie and say you will get our late Christmas card in the mail, you might, but chances are this is it! For those who live far away, your chances are much better, and yet in case reality intervenes here you all are: MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As far as news goes...we had a great year. Gary still works very hard and got a new calling in our Ward (Church area) that requires a lot of attention and time, but he loves it and we love him for it. I recently was released from my calling which is a great blessing for our family on Sundays as we no longer have to tag-team the one day we should be sitting around enjoying each other. The girls are still crazy and very active. Ansley loves school and to ride her bike. She had a rough year as two more very dear friends moved away. The most traumatic being Kegan, her knight in shinning armor. They talk on the phone, draw pictures for each other and the cutest thing for this love-struck couple is that on a phone call early in the month, Kegan asked what Ansley wanted for Christmas and her sweet response was "I want you to come back to be with me and play all day!" Well how can two moms (also traumatized from losing their best friend) not grant that Christmas wish. The Jones came down for the a few days the week before Christmas and Ansley and Kegan got their wish. Miranda and Cate also were as happy as could be and Ellie, while not impressed that Liam was around, ran straight for Andrea and would not leave her side all weekend. That made our Christmas this year. Miranda is learning her letters and loves her tumbling class. Ellana is working on using the potty and is as full of spunk as ever. We have had a good year her in Oregon, which might be our last here, and look forward to the new year! We hope that you all are very happy and well. We love all of you and again WISH YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

{MONOlogue}

2009-12-11T15:34:00.000-08:00

You know those moments in life that define how the rest of your life will be. They are pivotal moments where you think to yourself, or perhaps say out loud, “Wow, my life will never be the same again!” Most of the time these moments encompass events such as moving out of your parents house, marriage, parenthood, purchasing a house or car; things of this nature.

Keep this thought in mind as I insert a scripture passage {HERE} 2 Nephi 2:11 “For it must needs be, that there is an aopposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad…”

So in opposition to all those wonderful moments that joyfully define what your future might hold, there must be ‘other’ moments that expose every ill thought that may have ever passed through your mind. The last seven months of my life seem as though they can be summed up as ’OPPOSITION.’ It is funny how if you look back on a time in your life that has been extremely difficult you can, amidst the muck and mud, say ‘Oh yeah, I remember this moment, this was it! This was when I knew…{insert whatever it was that you learned upon reflection}”. Yeah, well normally, at least in my life which is my only judge of normalcy, this is at the midpoint of that difficult time or at least in the downward slope of it. And so at the {hopeful} conclusion of these painfully difficult last seven months, today, I had that defining moment.

There is no picture that could ever capture what is to follow and so this will one of very few post without photographic evidence, and truthfully I do not want photographic evidence of my heart being trampled on and then ground under the tiny pink-painted toes of my 5 year old sweetheart, who is my cherished fisrtborn.

{Now, Mom, if you so much as smirk whilst reading this so help me I will purchase a plane ticket with the last five dollars in my wallet and walk through your front door and scream and yell and then beg your forgiveness and ask for a cup of coco while you rock me to sleep! I mean it, I will!}

I do not know, oh, yes I do, I remember now. I had just finished cleaning up Ellana’s room preparatory to vacuuming, which I always do on Friday, and was moving on to the girls room where they were supposed to be picking up the millions of books they just HAD to read in bed last night. Well they did pick them up -off the floor and put them, not in the book drawer but back on the bed {This is where I started singing hymns in my head so to keep calm}. Then came the crying, “I’m too tired to clean!” “My hands are too cold.” “bla bla bla bla blaaaaa!” {inner-monologue singing stops HERE}. “Fine” I politely say, {yeah, I think in reality it was said a little loud and with, perhaps a slightly sharp tongue, perhaps} “just go play somewhere else and let me finish so I can vacuum and we can get on with our day!” So in hindsight I should have been a bit more particular and said ‘go play downstairs with your toys and do not, whatever you do DO NOT go and play in Ellana’s room and destroy everything I have just cleaned’ {MY BAD}.

Do I really need to tell you what happened in the next five minutes, if I do, go get married and have three kids and then re-read this post. For the rest of you, yes, I lost my cool and kicked them out of Ellie’s room amidst tears and three very angry faces.

So the heart trampling thing: As my dear sweet Ansley exits the room she turns to Miranda while still glaring at me and speaks these very words “Our Mommy is a biggest STUPID head!”

HOLLY FREAKING…WORDS I CAN NOT SAY CAUSE WELL, I HAVE STANDARDS, but I have to admit even at this very moment {almost 5 hours later} I am still think’n a few of them. {Thank goodness for repentance!} Its amazing how someone so little and precious can have such an evil effect on me.

This was my pivotal moment of opposition! Nothing in my life will ever be the same again. I have entered into a new form of existence where the realization that I have three girls filled to the brim with emotions and sweet evilness. It has completely overwhelmed me. At that MOMENT I physically and emotionally crumpled to the floor and have yet to get up. It apparently is etched all over my face because later this afternoon at one of my favorite places in town, a sweet Sister saw me and asked “Gemia, are you having trouble?” I politely answered, “Yes, about 7 months of it.” and then I had to walk away from her because I look up to this Sister and if she would have even so much as touched me, I would have broken down and cried all over her shoulders as my children sat screaming in their prison of a shopping cart.

And so the SILVER lining…the JOY in the journey…the pot of GOLD, my LEMONADE…well Heavenly Father has promised me that “there is an opposition in all things” {2 Nephi 2:11} and so, I guess, I wait. I am supposed to wait and hope that there is a defining moment in my near future that will make right all that has gone so terribly wrong today.

“Wherefore, ye must press forward with a asteadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of bhope, and a clove of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and dendure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eeternal life.” {2 Nephi 31:20}

My Get-A-Way...

2009-11-28T22:32:00.000-08:00

two mommies who needed to get away

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This is my kind of relaxation and after a very difficult summer it was much needed. Lora and I have skipped the last two beach trips and this year we decided that we were gonna do it 3 Amigos style. Insert plug for Natalie and her amazing new flat at Lincoln City (so very glad you bought this place!). So I packed my bags, 3 days early and then waited for my exciting Thursday to start. First, school for Ansley, next ANDREA and the kiddos came to visit for the day. Can I just say how much I miss my second little family. I felt like crying all day because I was so happy they were here and dreading the hour they had to leave again. But after dinner and a heartbreaking goodbye between Ansley and Kegan (Anz did not stop crying for almost a 1/2 after Kegan left), Gary and I took the girls over to Tim & Dorothy's. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Dorothy (and Tim) for watching my babies all night and all day Friday! Gary left for visits or meeting, don't remember which - I was a little to excited for details at this point, and I waited...for Lora. Lora left Tri-Cities around 4ish and made it here by 8:30. After a quick potty break, some skilled packing, and probably one too many high school girl screaming moments we were on the road to LC. While the drive there became its own little adventure of which I will not discuss ever again in fear of peeing my pants as I roll around on the floor in hysterics, we finally arrived in LC at...well...just look at the pictures...

uhm, yes its full, completly full and we each had just one bag of clothing and a few other personal items, so again yes, the rest is all -AND I MEAN ALL- scrapbooking stuff

THERE IS NOTHING I WILL SAY ABOUT THIS ONE

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We left my house at 9ish, did I mention that? That’s all you need to know and yes it should only take about 2 1/2 hours to get there, I know this. And no, I will not talk about it. ANY_WHOO. we had a great weekend with no kids or hubbies and plenty of Jane Austin, good food, paper, paints, trinkets, pictures, glue, the beach, and all the things that help me feel creative and alive. My favorite part always, is telling the stories. We spend so much time talking about why we love this picture and telling the story behind that picture, I always walk away from a crop IN LOVE WITH MY LIFE AND MY HUBBIE AND MY GIRLS! I think this is what makes me feel so happy. I get a chance to sit down away from the stress of the world and capture all the moments and the people that make my world go around. So here are some of the results...actually all of them. I spend a lot of time on each page when I know I can, I use my night hours at home in the garage for quick pages. Hope you enjoy them because I LOVE them!

the view from the living space of Natalies amazing flat!

a beautiful shot of a storm rolling in

dinner at a great little chinese

this is how we lived from Thursday (well technically Friday) to Sunday

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My favorite part always, is telling the stories. We spend so much time talking about why we love this picture and telling the story behind that picture, I always walk away from a crop IN LOVE WITH MY LIFE AND MY HUBBIE AND MY GIRLS! I think this is what makes me feel so happy. I get a chance to sit down away from the stress of the world and capture all the moments and the people that make my world go around. So here are some of the results...actually all of them. I spend a lot of time on each page when I know I can, I use my night hours at home in the garage for quick pages. Hope you enjoy them because I LOVE them!

yeah, its Miranda (the baby I mean), a little behind but I don't scrap chronologically

this is a normal morning for me

love this picture, "joy in the journey"

ode to my man on his special day, with his catch

uhm, this one took the longest cause I had to take breaks so not to cry through the whole thing. still not completly done but I love it!

these were some of my most favorite pictures of the summer!

here is one for our ellie bellie, short & smellie, elephant ellie.

this is the one that got away...its still sitting on my desk in the garage. My hope is to finish it before the year is out.

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So if you have made it to the end of this then you either like me (yeah!) or my pages (again yeah! cause I loe them) or you just like scrapbooking (yahoo!), so any-whoo, Lora, Natalie, and I are all signed up for CKU 2010 Feb. 5th & 6th. If anyone wants to come and play with us let me know, its great fun!

www.scrapandpapercorner.com/events/ckc/portland/index.html

Happy Birthday Miranda!

2009-11-04T15:03:00.000-08:00

The first birthday cake that I can remember as a little girl is a pony cake my mom made for my 3rd or maybe my 5th birthday -though I think my 5th might have been a strawberry, anyway; the point of the ramble about me on Miranda's birthday is that I was so happy when Miranda said that she wanted a pony cake for her birthday this year. We took the girls to Disneyland as thier birthday presents, so the gifts are beyond small today, but I did make Miranda a new dress yesterday and the pony cake. Here are the results.

We will share the cake with Sari tomorrow, today we will eat brownies.

And while I am thinking about ti I never posted pics for Ansleys birthday or the little, I mean little, party we let the girls have when Kegan and Cate came to stay with us for the weekend last month. Enjoy our joy, for another year has come and gone and sadly the next birthday is mine and, wholly crap I'll be 30! Maybe we should just skip that little detail.

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T17:16:00.000-07:00

from our little faries at pixie hollow and us at Beaver-Nation (well were wish we were there anyway)!

a Fish Tale...better late than never

2009-10-13T20:55:00.000-07:00

I want to give my man credit where credit is due; and so better late than never...his Fish Tale. My man who can barley make it through "It's A Small World" without a fit of motion sickness decided that for his birthday he and a few man friends were gonna go fishing, on a boat, for the big boys of the Northwest, Salmon. And so they embarked early on a Saturday morning for the Nestucca River with hopes for a salmon dinner. I did not have such elevated hopes but rather was merely praying for the safe return of my hubbie and hopefully all his gear and his ego intact. As you will see we were all rewarded this day. Happy Birthday my Love and thank you for the great dinner and full freezer!

Our Magical Moments

2009-09-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks to those who helped these dreams come true!

Compliments Please...

2009-07-17T07:59:00.000-07:00

Being a mother & a wife can be a very selfless & uncongradulatory (I might have made up that word) job. An awesome job, but that's not the point at the moment. I never seem to get things just right. I mean I can have the house clean, the kids bathed, cold soda in the fridge and a hot dinner on the table - but the chicken...the chicken is dry and under seasoned. Or I can forge headlong into the growing pile of laundry completing (and by completing I mean washing, drying,folding and putting away) 4-5 loads of laundry on a gorgeous Saturday so that I will have more time to spend with my family on Sunday with no 'work' to do, only to be meet Sunday morning with tears and tantrums because in the 6th load of laundry is the only dress my four year has ever wanted to wear to church and I promised he at some point in the last week that she could wear it to church this week, not next. Really...I mean Really? Am I alone in all this? This is my state of motherhood lately.

For ONCE I want one perfect day (I know its a pipe dream but let me dream), For ONCE I want to get one whole day, from start to finish, right. For ONCE I want to be the best mom and the best wife -Oh, and mothersday does not count that's just a gimme cause they have to say we are the best on that one particular day. And see how quickly this thinking effects everything...I want to be the BEST at something and not just any something but something that I love and defines a part of who I am, like wifehood, motherhood or for me scrapbooking.

So what brought on this public ranting and raving that is normally reserved for Andrea and Jessica only (maybe Gary if he catches me in a bad moment but that never turns out well)? I lost a race. What race you ask, cause we all know I hate to run! Let me explain. ~you can change to someone else blog at any point you know, its just a mouse click away~ So the third love of my life is scrapbooking. I love it! I have been at it since my freshman year of high school and that's been a while (no dates here, sorry). I love having ink stained fingers and paint on my arms. I love seeing the indention on my thumb and fingers from the scissors and the scraps of "stuff" all over my table and room. I Love it! I really do. Most of all I love my finished pages and the books filled full with moments, events, and memories of our lives. I love reading them with my girls and Gary. I love it! -Have I mentioned that yet? See I love it so much I almost got carried away in my love and forgot about the frustration and anger boiling just under the surface.

The one thing I do not love about it or rather, lets use the word HATE, cause really that is the emotion I am at, about scrapbooking is -sorry girls- the culture and celebrity-hood (that might be another invented word) that has now embedded its filthy claws in something I love. Everything has to be a competition- everything! Its like the act of "becoming a mother", every one has a better pregnancy story than the next, or did it better, or has a cuter baby or fatter baby. Its the constant need for attention that everyone craves because we do have a selfless job and so the thought of someone telling use we are amazing and wonderful and beautiful is so over powering that we succumb and join in the race. And so did it. I have done it once or twice before with the same outcome and effects. Let me just say I THINK MY LIFE IS AWESOME! I really do I am very blessed but not immune to the simple joy a good compliment can give. I think my girls are so incredibly beautiful and my sugar daddy rocks (he bought me a car for my birthday, or so we like to say cause really we had one to many kids and not enough car, but we got it on my birthday and that was cool!). I know that I scrapbook for myself and my family and I love my pages or I would change them -I really would) and I love my style cause it is who I am, but still...the race...no not the race but the big sense of Wow that the compliment gives at then end of the race...Wow...or not so wow when...well I think I have beaten my point to death. So I entered a 4 page layout and 1 alter item race and made pages I really liked and a book that I think ROCKS and... well I wouldn't be ranting if I won now would I. And so I am low and feeling down and unappreciated and its just a nasty spiral once you get going. So the point of all this is that I am asking, no begging for compliments here. Everyone hits rock bottom every now and again and though this is a very petty thing that has happened to this week it really has effected me more than I want to admit. So please help a friend. Look at my pictures and tell me I am cool and I rock and you like my pages (even if you don't - sometimes beggars want more and I want good compliments). Oh and Jess and Andrea, you can't vote cause you are too bias...or so you should be- je je je je je. That's all. You read all this to be told to give me a compliment. i will return the favor I really will. Watch and see. Here are my pages, let the compliments begin...

Oh, by the way if this public rant offends you or you think I have been rather harsh or petty, well you don't really know me then so I'm not all that worried, but I will say sorry that you took offense to my ranting. I hope one day you will get over it. je je je je je. And Gary, if you proof this when you get home and change it so the world does not know that I stink at spelling and get a little emotional when i write so my words come out in the wrong order, just do it, don't tell me about, just do it and move on, thanks, love ya!

this is a great little farm that Krista introduced my family to. thanks, love this place!

these are the spare pictures from my girls chore chart. we have to take new ones soon cause well we have more girls and more chores so I thought I would put these to good use.

this was the day we tried to walk Ellana out of my cozy belly, by walking all the waterfalls in the gorge, no it didn't work - who ever said you can walk a baby out, must have been a man!

This is one of my girls favorite games to play. we dress up, draw a treasure map (now pull out the fabric one I made cause I'm tired of making so many pirate maps) build crazy ocean/island world on our deck and find a treasure of apple slices and chocolate. Its really fun.

And the book rocks and will be added as a slide show as soon as I feed my girls breakfast, we normally eat by 7 and the movie is now over and my bedroom trashed so...well you guessed it back to the job at hand.

Tag your It!

2009-07-13T22:22:00.000-07:00

Ode to a Crib

It is amazing to me how emotionally attached I have become to this crib. I found it at a garage sale in Issaquah, Washington with my old college room mate while we were both creating nurseries on a budget for the first of our posterity. It cost me a whopp'in $40 and some elbow grease. We used tie downs to get it back to Oregon, cleaned it up, dipped it in a pool of white paint, and then set it up in our little nursery. Nothing has changed. The nursery is still sunny yellow adorned with red, orange and white Chinese lanterns that Gary and I purchased for our engagement party from China Town in LA, the window still has the pottery Barn animal print curtains that matched the crib set and the night light. I guess one thing has changed...the little ones.

This crib once nestled Ansley from the worries and fears of first time parents. Then it protected Miranda from Ansley and as of four days ago it protected our little Ellana from the other two. Somewhere in all this protection the crib was taken down, shoved in a closet, scratched up, used as a dungeon, and put back up again. Finally it required a little love (aka glue) to keep it together. We were concerned about putting Ellana in a crib that was being held up with glue - she weights a lot for a kid her size (hee, hee, hee hee -she has hit 18 pounds though just so you know), but seeing as Ellie is our third child not much concerns us anymore. Funny how that happens. And now again for a time (Don't ask yet...) it needs to be taken down. Yes Ellie is only 1 but all our children are monkeys and this is actually the longest it has taken for one of our monkeys to learn how to climb out of the crib. Ansley was able to escape at 10 months, Ranna was just short of a year and Ellie is 13 months. We feel lucky that we keep Ellie in so long. So after one full day of escapes I made the decision. Take her down, pack her up and store her for another day. Ellie was pretty excited to have a little bed, until that is, we put her to bed that night. It took three days until she actually fell asleep in her big girl bed.

And so...

...until you protect another little angel, just let me just say Thank You little crib for all you represent and all you have given to our little family. For the games of peek-a-boo we have played between your wooden bars, for the extra twenty minutes of sleep you provided for me, and for the peace and joy I feel when I sneak a peek at what you hold inside. Most of all thank you for the comfort that you give my little girls while they dream of things to come.

Poison Control Again

2009-04-04T21:13:00.000-07:00

Okay, so a bit of time has past between our last post and this one, but that's life in our world right now. So to get back into it I will start with my latest sucess...failure...wait; is one allowed to blog about failures? Well, its not like I am known for doing things the conventional way, away how. Another side note to failures is that I learn a lot from them so hopefully you can learn from mine rather than your own.

And so my story. Ansley was our poison control baby. Perhaps it was because she was our first baby and I still worried about her life on a daily basis or perhaps it was because she was a hungry hungry hippo from day one and would eat anything she could get her pudgy little fingers on. Regardless I found out that they "do not" keep record of how often you call, although I was told that I could only call 5 times per child per year - let's review something; they "do not" keep record right - before they open an investigation. That actually does sound reasonable however. And so to skip the blabla bla bla blabla, when I called on Thursday for Ellie I heard this from my friendly poison control worker "so this is your third child then?" UHMMM, did anyone catch that slip. Yes, its my third child, yes, I have called before, yes, I have called for each child and a finial yes, (for those of you who really know me) it has to be pretty bad and out of my knowledge to call in cause I really don't worry about too much anymore. And so I was told that my cure was simple: 4oz. of juice or water every two hours until she goes to bed and do not fret if her poop and pee have a hue of blue to them. Not bad this time, Ellie should be an easy one then.

Let's just say life is still turning, Ellie is still alive and a 'slight hue of blue" was the biggest understatement of our weekend. And for those left still wondering; it is a Crayola Washable Window MegaMarker that she nursed on while I was focused on who knows what. Look at that cheeky grin, at least she knew she was caught. It does make her eyes look amazing though, huh!

2008-12-23T14:54:00.000-08:00

Our over dramatic news casts have Dubbed the last 2 weeks of our lives as the "Arctic Blast". Two of our counties have even declare a state of emergency. 'Why?', those not local, might ask. Because of a measly oh I don't know the exact details but i think we have now had at least a foot and a half of snow and there is more to come tomorrow through Friday. So I thought in honor of this historic event I would share some pictures in a time line sort of fashion. Pay attention the the disappearing snowman its the best.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

DAY ONE OF ARCTIC BLAST: DEC 14th

"Mommy, mommy!!! It's snowing!!!!" -Ansley

"Snowing, mommy, snow!" -Miranda

DAY TWO OF ARCTIC BLAST: MON. DEC 15th

WHAT ELLIE LEARNED ABOUT SNOW...{this is great!}

(1) you can eat snow

(2) it tastes kinda good, a little like nothing

(3) and yet, it is a little cold

(4) okay REALLY COLD!!!

(5) not so sure I like it anymore

(6) get it out, get it out, get it out!

This is totally gonna be a scrapbook page! Its my favorite moment from the week!

PS. don't say anything about the fact that I didn't change my babies clothes you know you all do it too!

DAY THREE OF ARCTIC BLAST: TUES. DEC 16th

"Mommy, I'm ice skating!" -Ansley

"waa waa mommy, waa waa waa" {aka a lot of crying} -Miranda

Mommy had to get out of the house so we went for a walk.

Ansley and I had a great time...Ranna...not so much!

DAY FOUR OF ARCTIC BLAST: WED. DEC 17th

"Mommy does Keegee want to play with me in the snow?" -Ansley

this was the change from mid-day to night.

DAY FIVE & SIX OF ARCTIC BLAST WAS MORE LIKE ARCTIC FREEZE...not much changed other than the snow melted a bit then froze over

DAY SEVEN OF ARCTIC BLAST: SAT. DEC 20th

"Fffosty-noman" - Miranda

DAY EIGHT OF ARCTIC BLAST: SUN. DEC 21st

All my Snow Angels, big and small!

Yeah, baby he really did it!

TIMELINE OF SNOWFALL....TILL WE LOST INTEREST.... actually its just until our favorite little boy Kegan came over and destroyed all the evidence

{don't worry Andrea we still love YOU...and Keegee too...I guess}

DAY...WE HAVE LOST TRACK....CURRENT DAY...TUES...DEC 23rd

"Mommy, {sigh} what are we supposed to do in the snow today {sigh, ugh}"

2008-12-23T14:39:00.000-08:00

Because I am lazy this year I did not write a Christmas Letter and include it in Christmas Cards, heck I still haven't even sent out the Christmas cards, but rather told people to keep in touch with our family through our blog I guess I should update my silly blog. So here we go....
We have had a wonderful year! The biggest event was of course our little Ellana Lynn who was born on May 7th. She is a very happy baby and we now understand why people continue to have babies because they are so sweet and cute, our first two never did prove this point! Ansley is amazing and is now a kid that talks sassy to us, writes words and is just starting to read {especially the books she has memorized - she is so proud she can 'read' those}. Miranda loves to get into trouble and just 2 days ago decided that she was going to go to the bathroom on the toilet now, bada-bing bada-bang the little stink can do it {kinda makes me mad but I'm also so happy that I can't get mad}. Gary is working extra hard for Santa right now and so comes home late often. One of his softball teams became the Champs this year {check old posts} and the other...well we just wont talk about the other. I am as busy as ever and getting myself all in a muddle because I take on too much and have a hard time saying no and/or {its both really} focusing on one new hobbies plus all my old ones at a time. Scrapbooking is still my heaven on earth although sewing is a lot of fun too {you can check out my store on etsy by clicking on the icon in the right-hand bar}. And so here we are now at Christmas and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and saying goodbye to 2008 - WOW can you believe it. I hope that everyone knows how much we love them and how truly grateful we are for family and friends. We hope that everyone can remember Jesus Christ at this time of year and find one person who does not know about Him to share His memory and Gospel with them. Cherish everything that you have and hold true to your faith and standards. Marry Christmas to All!

Thanks x10

2008-11-27T18:49:00.000-08:00

We survived the car ride from Portland to LA last weekend and have been truly enjoying our time with Papa, Bulie, Ty, Brittany, and all other creatures roaming inside and outside their home! Today being turkey-day and all, I thought that I would jot down a few blessings I am especially grateful for this year. I hope that Thanksgiving has brought joy to everyone as you have gathered together with family and friends to enjoy food, laughs, blessings and each other.

My beautiful little family

Our home in all states of being from disaster to pristine ( I think Gary is bias toward the later)

Charlotte - our beautiful spider friend who has made her home outside our front door and her amazing webs that we wake up to and spend hours watching her build...no words yet...

Oregon: We LOVE Oregon and all that it allows our family to enjoy

Gary is grateful that he survived this month of disasters with his truck; his drive line blew out on the 405 crossing the river (yes locals that was him in the FedEx semi blocking traffic until the tow truck came - I still think that FedEx should pay for the free publicity on the nightly news) and then a week later the day before we left for LA his brakes gave out on him while driving down Cornell to one of his last stops of the day.

Ellie - we finally have a happy calm baby, we now see why people love babies and want big families, I guess third time is a charm after-all. I think the real reason is that she can crawl to wherever she wants to go and she now pulls herself up on anything close to take whatever she can get her hands on, merely to see the torment in her sisters eyes as I say 'Now girls remember she is just a baby.'....Uhm, yes she is not even seven months old yet we are going to have issues in our house I think.

Miranda has learned to dress herself: while I thought this would save me time on a daily basis it actually is costing me......go figure.

Ansley is becoming quite the little photographer and so I am actually getting to be in a few pictures. Now this is not always a blessing but from time to time she blows us away with beautiful shots. This is one of my favs as of late.

Cardboard boxes have saved my life this year! They are such a small thing but a huge blessing to me. This particular boxes bought me about 7 hours of peace over a week. Thanks baby for picking it up for me.

LOVE...I know that is mushy and all but their is some much love that fills our home and I am so grateful for it. Gary loves all his girls (even the cat) more than we could ever hope for. Our beautiful girls really do love each other and are quick to hug and kiss after beating the heck out of each other =). I just am so in love with life, with being a wife and a mom, I love Gary with all my heart and all this love is just well...lovely...he he he. Really though I am so blessed to have a wonderful, beautiful family filled with pure love. I truly wish that every person in the world could be as lucky as me and my clan.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Softball Guy

2008-11-15T20:27:00.000-08:00

My ever humble and private man gently hinted that he would like a picture added to our blog. So without further adu....my hero and champion Mr. Gary Carroll! Love ya babe.

Yes, they took first place - quite a poster picture finish.

2008-10-21T21:16:00.000-07:00

Okay Okay, I know I'm not keeping up with this but that does mean that life is crazy fun right now! So this is what we are up to at the moment....all 3 girls are sleeping. I know it sounds lame but it rarely happens so that is definitely a highlight. Really though here is our top ten for the past few weeks. In good Sports Center fashion, for those not so fanatical start at the bottom, we'll start with...

(10) Gemia has been sewing, taking pictures, posting on her new store (w/ Alie & Andrea), and...well not so much selling has been going on, but you are free to help with that at any moment...like NOW...www.lilpeep.etsy.com...really go there...like NOW!

(9) Ellie is eating....mommy gets a break, sort of.

(8) Gemia has figured out the secret of babysitting (got room for 1 more)

(7) The girls are starting a new trend, catchy huh...

(6) Fall has arrived in Oregon...brrr!

(5) Ellie is reaching for new heights in her bouncer!

(4) Have we mentioned that fact that Gemia has been sewing and stuff...www.lilpeep.etsy.com

(3) Ansley is perfecting ballet (aka the inverted duck walk).

(2) Miranda is having so much fun with potty-training - well not so much the training part as much as the potty as a hat or necklace part.

(1) I was told that Gary lives here too, but sadly this is the last photo documentation of this elusive creature of the packaging world.

Ansley is exceptionally understanding when I have had a rough day and mention out loud how happy I will be when daddy gets home so he can deal with the girls and simply states, 'its okay mommy daddy is helping Santa now so he will be late, but I'll still love him cause Santa is my friend'. I'm not a big fan of Santa right now!

2008-08-24T22:11:00.000-07:00

Okay this is a plea to all my friends. You all should know by now that I have a tendancy to scrapbook from time to time. I am trying to enter more contest and get published in hopes of something greater I guess. So I am asking you to help in a current contest I ahve entered for our local craft store. This is my page

If you would please go to www.craftwarehouse.com, register (no junk mail) and then vote for my page (a 5 would be best so yeah a 5 - if nothing else because you love me)! I really want the $250 prize and for those of you who are more friends of Gar he really wants me to have it too cause then I won't spend his money at craft warehouse. =) Anyway, still having fun in LA, hope you all are smiling too!

2008-08-20T23:24:00.000-07:00

I just want to let everyone know that we are indeed still alive and did not fall off the face of the earth. Last month seemed to be a rough month for the Carroll girls. Four girls in one house adds up to a whole lot of emotions, poor Gary! So I hit my limit and decided to fly to LA for some grandparent help. We arrived here yesterday (so locals give a call) and will be here till Sept 1st. So far so good. Swimming has been great, there are plenty of hands and bodies which mean that there is a 1-1 ratio - something our girls don't get very often. We have fun days planned starting with a zoo trip tomorrow. I will try and get another post out next week with pics and such. Ta ta for now.

Finally UP and running...

2008-07-06T20:34:00.000-07:00

Well folks I finally and catching up with life and getting on to new adventures. I think the best way to start off will be to highlight June. So here are the higlights of last month...

Sailboats at the Duck Pond: Home Depot has this great little program called "Kids Workshop" on the 1st Saturday of each month. This has become a family tradition. In June the girls built boats, which we took home and painted. After they were dry we had to sail them in the duck pond by our house. It was a wonderful afternoon until Ansley leaned a little too far over the dock and went swimming with the ducks. She was wet and unhappy and the afternoon was offically over!

The Jam Festival on Savie Island: This was a great little adventure! We took the girls out to Kuger Farms on Savie Island for the afternoon. It was fun. There was live music, berries to pick, food to eat, a farm store to explore, and jam to make. We went with our friends the Jones and had a blast! That following week I made 9 pints of strawberry jam, which we are very much enjoying on pretty much everything we can put it on!

A New Day - A New Smile: Ellie learned to smile this month. It is amazing how much she has already grown. For anyone behind on our family events; Ellana Lynn Carroll joined our family on May 7th at 8:38pm. She was our smallest baby weighing in at 7lbs 10oz and 20.5 inches. She is a cookie cutter image of Miranda but a dream come true as a baby - this is a new experience for us as Ansley and Miranda had colic and attitude! She fits right in to our family and makes us complete!

2 hours and 1 Coke: This is what I do at nap time. I play maid and clean up the path of the monsters that envade my house on a daily basis. Its amazing what you can accomplish in 2 hours with a broom, cleaning wipes, 3 cookies and a coke!

Tillamook Cheese Facotry: Although gas prices are ridiculous my best bud Lora and I piled all 5 kids into my car and made the trip to the Tillamook Cheese Factory for ice cream. Yes, for ice cream. Its not so much that Tillamook ice cream is the best in the world as much as it is the fact that the kids are "stuck" (as Miranda says) in thier car seats, happy as pie watching Finding Nemo, while Lora and I vent our week away into laughs and tears. Everyone, even Gary and Colton, wins in the end.

Learning to Slide: I'll get introuble for this one but this is what Gary does in his spare time. This lovley addition to his leg was aquired at a recent softball game where he litterally took one for the team. His sliding pad did not function as advertised when he slid into home base for a run. I have half a mind to take it back and get our money back, yet seeing how this is the second sliding injury of the season and we have yet to make it through a season without one, maybe I should just invest in Sliding School for my man. See this is how I get myself in trouble, so to dig myself out of the hole I just leapt into he really is quite awsome and hits homeruns for both teams more often than not.

Pool Party: Dispite what you all might think the sun does shine here in Oregon and when it does things really heat up. We went from being in the low 50's to 105 in three days. So the long sleeves went in the closet and the pool came out. As you can see, Miranda does not quite understand that going face-first (her favorite way to roll) down the slide that Daddy put into the pool does not give the same results as it does at the park where there is just a soft landing onto the sand. Ansley loves to pretend to be a whale and "spout" at anything that gets close to the pool. Ellana has yet to be dunked; we'll give her a few more weeks.

We hope that you all enjoyed reading about our month as much as we enjoyed living it. Love to all from our little clan here in Oregon.