No more baby

That's it...she's done it.

Avery turned 1 yesterday!!!

We can't believe it either. Time flies.

Something I thought I'd never have to say...

Yesterday I said something that never crossed my mind. I can't believe I had to say it! Not until you have kids does it make sense. I actually had to say:

Nooo!!! That's not hairspray- that's cooking spray!

NOT a good thing.

The start of school

I feel a little sickish. I just dropped Ashley and Ainslee off for their first day of school. I don't want to let them out! This is what I really want to say to them:


Stay here with me where I'll protect you from the terrible things that happen in the world! Then again, life is a growing process and you can't grow to your full potential with just us here. You'll have wonderful experiences and you'll learn a lot. I just hope that you are nice with everyone and you remember how special you are. I miss you already and it's not even been 2 hours yet!



Ainslee off to 1st grade




Ashley off to 2nd grade

Man, how time flies

Are we really this old??

Happy 10 year Anniversary!!

So Mixed Up

Does anyone else think:

"Oh my gosh, somebody take my kids! They are driving me crazy with all the bickering and screaming. By the end of the day they'll be up for sale!!! AAAAAHHHH!"

AND

"I love these summer days with my kids. Taking it easy, letting them sleep in,and just letting them be kids. I'm so happy I get to just look at them all day long and I don't want this time in our lives to end"

at the same time???

I do.

Does he really want to do it again?

Let me tell you a little story. . . A long, long time ago- 8 years ago actually (before we had kids!) Cory and I took a long, long plane ride to a distant land. We had some really nice company. . . Allen & Denise (Cory's mom & dad) and Chad & April (Cory's brother & his wife). We took a 10 day trip to Spain. We had so many adventures while we were there: Cory bought a really wicked looking sword, we were within inches of getting our very small minivan wedged in the alleyways, we got a police escort out of a city for driving the wrong way, walked 1000 steps to a beautiful church on a cliff in the ocean, I was throwing up constantly in the car (I am still SO SORRY & EMBARRASSED!!), we relaxed at La Perla Day Spa on the beach in San Sebastion, visited a few castles, bought a Lladro, ate blood sausage (okay, not me but the boys did), crossed into the sea side town of Bearritz, France, visited the capital of Madrid, toured El Prado Museum in Madrid, and many many other things. But the whole reason we went in the first place was for this. . .

The Running of the Bulls

Crazy, I know, but Cory had the time of his life. He's looking into doing it again! What the heck?!? Wait a second. . . "Hey Cory, when is that life insurance policy going to be active?" Just kidding. These next 2 pictures are him in the arena with the bulls. I know there's a ton of people in there but we circled him if you enlarge the picture.

Here is Cory in the middle with his dad on the left with the dark brown hair and his brother on the right.

That was a great trip and it's so fun thinking back to great memories.

We survived!!!

And we're alive today. I'm talking about the car drive home from Utah. We were there for the week (the girls had a BYE with their meet). Actually it was Cory's turn to do man work up at the farm with his folks. He was craving the fresh air and hard work so we decided to drive out to Utah where he could meet his parents. Then the 3 of them left for Hermiston while I stayed with the kids at my folks' house. Cory had a great time- even bought himeself a new cowboy hat. We also had a great time although the weather was weird. It rained 4 out of the 5 days we were there! Here's a little photo history of our trip:

Monday:

We met up with Cory's parents, Allen and Denise. We picked out yummy treats at Allens office and then we went to Chuck E. Cheese. The kids had a blast. Later that evening, we went to a Bees Baseball game. The kids have shown a lot of interest in baseball lately. We met up with both grandmas and grandpas for the game. We even got to see Alyshia for a little while (the kids love you, Lysh).

Then the 3 big girls had a sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa Rice's house. Priceless!

Tuesday:

We celebrated Father's Day with Allen and Cory. We went to Bucca de Beppo. Thanks, Allen, for working so hard for all your family. We notice it and appreciate it!



Wednesday:

Cory and his parents were off to the farm! We went to the aquarium with my mom and Katie (she's in the picture with us). It's not huge but has just about everything little kids would want to see. We were all way too freaked out to touch the sting (manta?) rays.






Thursday:

We had a picnic up at Tibble Fork Resevoir in the Alpine Loop. BEAUTIFUL!!!! We walked around the lake (halfway) and the kids enjoyed feeling the snow run off.


Spencer's on his man perch ponding life with girls with a few root beers in that cooler.

Funny story for you. . . As we were driving home, my mom had the girls all singing a nice little tune. And BOY were they singing! Just having a grand old time! Spencer sat the whole way (25 min) with his index fingers in his ears. He didn't scream, cry, or fuss. Just plugged up the ears. Too funny!

Friday:

We picked up some baseball mitts with my Dad and went outside and practiced. They need a little bit more time (if you know what I mean).

Saturday:

It was monsooning (is that a word?) so we went indoors for the day. We hit Cabelas (aka the museum) for the kids to see lots of dead animals. They chose it, not me! Then we were off to the Dinosaur museum which we'd never been too. Very neat! Ashley's right at that age where she wanted to read every little sign (aaahhh!) and Spencer just wanted to run and climb on the exhibits (did they get that on the security tape? Ooops). And Ainslee,Andi, and Avery just went with the flow.

Sunday:

It was of course Father's Day. Cory came home from the farm and my dad treated us (and him) to grilled steak. Then we went out for more baseball. It was a great day.