Do you have candy wall art???

Hmm, jealous huh? Well, I do know the artist if you are interested....

(Thanks for the mamba's Jayne!)

New Hair

I've been feeling overwhelmed and frustrated and I just needed a change. Besides, looking back over the last month or so of posts and I noticed my long hair was mostly in ponytails! (it is so stinkin hot!!) And, I figured if Abbie could be brave enough to cut of her long, gorgeous locks I could be brave enough to cut of my dry, over-processed excuse for hair.

Ok, the picture is a little crazy but it's the best I could get in 10 or so tries...Ahhhh...I feel so much lighter!

My kids...

...steal my camera and take pictures like these....

At least it's the day of digital cameras. I will never forget how angry I was to get a roll of film developed only to find Matthais and his cousin Tyler had used it to take pictures of figurines and toes and such.

Busy days

Adam has been out of town for the last 4 days. I thought I would be productive and get lots done. I bit off more than I could chew. I cleaned the carpets, cleaned the couches, painted the family room, cleaned the fridge, cleaned the coat closet, pulled apart the craft closet for organization (needs to be finished), de-junked and rearranged Millie's room, cleaned and organized the cleaning closet, cleaned the toy room, cleaned the laundry room, washed/folded/put away 10+ loads of laundry, took the kids swimming and accomplished all of my normal mom/daycare provider responsibilities. Last night as Adam came home I expected praise and accolades about all I was able to accomplish but alas...he hardly noticed, or, didn't comment on it. Oh well, I didn't do it for him. I did it for me. I feel so much lighter having it done. I feel better having it clean and organized. I have several projects that still need to be finished but I'm well on my way to being able to stay on top of things...for now anyway!

Millie and the rodeo

Millie begged and begged to go to the rodeo this year. For me, the rodeo is a "once every few years" kind of event so I said no. Never fear, Aunt Missy to the rescue. She took Millie to the rodeo Friday night and then to the parade on Saturday.

Millie and Aunt Missy at the rodeo. Uncle Tony bought this pink cowboy hat just for Millie

Millie, Missy and Kelsey

Millie with Uncle Tony and Kayden, waiting for the parade

Missy and Millie

Kelsey with her drill team in the parade

The 24th of July at the Owlz game

It's become a tradition of ours to spend the 24th of July night at an Owlz game. We always get free tickets to sit on the berm and watch the fireworks after dark with our family. This year I was flying solo as Adam had already made other plans.

Owen is generally scared of the fireworks and doesn't really know Julie but he climbed right into her lap. Thanks Julie!

Owen, Millie and Ashlyn

I tried to get a picture of our group but we were just too big

I was so thankful for Michelle's help keeping Ian entertained

Matthais, Jordan and Trevor

Watching the game

There was an Owlz guy throwing hats into the crowd. He throw one into a group of older people who had no idea what he was doing... They just thought some kid threw their hat at them so they set it aside. I had seen the whole thing and tried to talk several of my kids into getting it. Finally, with Millie's help Owen went and picked it up.

I love it and think it's such a great tradition. I love how we always do such fun things with Adam's family. Mine? not so much. We really don't get together much. Somehow I'd really like that to change. Maybe I need to be the one to take charge and plan things? hmmm...

Date night at Lagoon

Adam won a promotion at work and scored three tickets to Lagoon and the day off. Since we already planned on taking the kids next week with his work Lagoon day we thought it would be fun to have a date night at Lagoon. It was fun although Adam isn't a huge ride fan. It was nice to go at our own pace, ride the rides we wanted and not listen to any meltdowns. We watched the show L'orage with was neat but all the hype about it made me expect more.