Everything all at once

Today is Update day!!!!

We have had a very busy and fun summer. We are oficially done with what we fondly refer to as our inadvertant re-model. Our basement looks amazing and our upstairs is now bright and sunny and beautiful.

Ty's 4th birthday was a blast and we all had so much fun!!! The day before we took the children and hiked up Blueberry Hill and plopped ourselves down under a blueberry bush and tried as hard as we could to eat ourselves out from under it. Luved it. The next day we packed our towels and a picnic and went up to Ty's favorite place in the world, the Quincy waterslides and were in the water all day. Very fun and relaxing.

My wonderful hubby was then down to only 3 weeks to prep for school, but surprised me with a break and we left our children with our very own Charis Bloander and he swooped me away for 2 nights and 3 glorious days to Coeur d'Alene. We were able to say out late and still catch up on our sleep since we didn't have to wake up with anyone at night! We walked so much and went to Thrift store and antique stores and treasure hunted. He took me out to an amazing restaurant called The Cedars. It floats on the lake and that day there was a Rainbow (*awwww*) and we had the most romantic table where we could see the whole lake. We swam in the pool every night and went for coffee at Starbucks every morning, shared all our meals and weren't in a rush to get anything done or go anywhere. This was a rare glimpse of glory, trust me.

When we got home we hit the ground running with football practice every night, and Scott coaching. Games every Saturday WooHaw!! Yes, my crock pot is gettin' some use.

Next was Nadia's 2nd birthday. It was so fun, and I realized how much my little girl has grown up. Literally and figuratively. She has been growing an inch a month and has been trying to do everything herself. She is a busy little bee. She is the first awake every morning and ready for every one to wake up, too. She goes around and searches for playmates. This is when she and Emma have some sweet fellowship together snuggling while they talk or sing psalms or Emma reads to her. We had the Byingtons and Madsons over and it was a crowd! It's so nice to have friends with big families, too. All the children had fun especially Nadia and the dancing! Wooooo! When these kids get older we are going to have some great swing dances in the backyard.

Now Nolen, Emma and Mia are back in school. They packed lunches, rechecked supplies and laid out their uniforms the day before and can you believe it!!! They were out the door by 7am!! after breakfast kisses and "wait, just one more picture!!" by me. Ty and Nadia had a rough start after everyone left but things smoothed out and now they are resting before we go pick up the big kids. The three of us cleaned the house, did laundry, paid bills, went to the bank, returned movies and went to Costco and Safeway ALL before lunch and they were cheerful! They even got to bless the socks off some grandmas and grandpas in the process. We have meatballs in the crock pot simmering with orange sauce just beggin for rice and a salad. This is also Titus first day of wee prep choir, Mia's first day of lil' prep choir and Emma's first day of girls prep choir. Football practice and a late dinner are at hand, but at least I know they will be warm and I won't be scrambling. AND that ladies makes a happy mommy :)