Maddie's 2nd Birthday

We had Maddie's 2nd Birthday party yesterday. And I can't believe my little girl is already two years old. It's hard to imagine that she's two, and that Josh will be five!!! Time sure does fly. We had just a few people over - Brad's parents and his sister, my sister, and Brad's cousin and her little boy came over. We just did cake and ice cream and then opened presents. She definitely didn't like it when people were singing Happy Birthday to her, but she loved eating the cake. We had a princess themed birthday party - so that was fun. Maddie was a hoot to watch when it came time to open presents. She got a lot of good stuff and was a mad woman tearing through the wrapping paper. She got some pots and pans for her kitchen, more dolls, some Hello Kitty stuffed animals, and the cutest pink Piggy Bank with a tiara and tutu on. So cute and fit for a princess :)

Maddie and her new Piggy Bank.

Opening more presents.

She got scared when everyone was singing to her.

But she LOVED the cake!

Christmas

Maddie getting some more clothes.

Brad trying to guess what was in the box.

Josh and his tool set.

Maddie's new kitchen.

Josh and "RC" from Toy Story.

Maddie loves the tool set too.

Well I have much to write about Christmas, and no motivation to do so. So, I might be just posting pictures instead. But the short version is - we did have a great Christmas. Brad had to work on Christmas Eve day - so that was kind of a bummer, but he did have Christmas day off. So we had our big Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve and then did a big Christmas breakfast after the kids opened up their gifts. And of course, they were spoiled and got way too many gifts, but oh well.

Josh was really into Santa this year. We left some milk and cookies out for Santa - and Josh was amazed that Santa a.k.a. Brad, drank all of the milk and ate some of the cookies. He just couldn't believe it - I wished I had gotten that on camera! And on Christmas Eve he said to me, "Mommy I don't think Santa is going to be able to get down our fireplace because there is glass on it and he won't be able to get out". So I had to say that Santa has magic powers and would still be able to get presents to them. Smart boy! And of course he didn't think ANY presents were from Mommy and Daddy - only Santa!

After we did our thing, we headed down to Tri-Cities to open presents and have another Christmas dinner with Brad's parents. The kids got more toys - and our big present was a Garmin! Wow, it's really nice and I can't wait to use it! We are completely blessed in many ways, and have had a great Christmas again this year.

Christmas at my Mom's

Well we headed down to Tri-Cities on the 19th to have Christmas with my mom since she will be gone from the 22nd to the 29th. She is going back east to Maine to visit with her family for Christmas this year. The kids got to open presents and we had a Christmas dinner. My sister, her boyfriend, and our neice were able to make it as well - so it was good to see them. The cousins had a good time playing with each other and it was actually a good day!

Josh was like this in almost every picture :)

Josh hugging his cousin Sidnei

The Men - Brad and my sister's boyfriend, Branden

Maddie got her favorite present - a baby doll - go figure

Sidnei opening up the Tinkerbell present we got her

"Look mom it's another box"

My sister, Alisha and Maddie

My Grandpa Bond

My dad and my Aunt Debbie

My dad receiving a flag for my grandfather's service in the Navy.

The granddaughters - Alisha (my sister), me, Nicky (oldest cousin), and Jenica (youngest cousin)

Ok, so I know that I have been REALLY bad about posting lately - I've just been so busy, so most of these next posts will be for this month.

On December 3rd my grandfather passed away. He was 84 years old and died in his sleep (or that is what I was told). He was my last remaining grandparent and it was very difficult (and still is) to hear the news. Long story short - his funeral was on the 10th and I left for California on the 8th. I was able to see my dad (who I haven't seen in almost 2 years) my aunt and my cousins. My sister was able to go as well, so it was good to have everyone together again, albeit under crappy circumstances. I just cried the moment I saw my dad at the airport, but I'm really glad that I went. And I'm really glad that Brad's parents were available to watch the kids so that I could mourn.

On Wednesday my dad and his new wife [and I say this because it's a entirely different story that I will have to talk about later] and I went to visit my great Aunt Marion's grave - which was good. And then later that afternoon was the viewing - which was extremely difficult. I've never really understood why anyone would want to have a viewing - but I'm actually glad that there was one so that I didn't completely loose it at the funeral service. They had a viewing specifically for the family for about an hour - and I was able to let out the feelings that I had held in for almost a week. It was really hard to see him look the way he looked. He didn't look like the grandpa that I knew.

On Thursday was the funeral service, which I pretty much cried through the entire thing. The pastor did a good job through the service, and read a little paragraph that we (the granddaughters) had written about grandpa. They also played the song that I had downloaded onto my iPod that my grandfather had sung to all of us granddaughters - "A - you're Adorable" by Perry Como. My grandfather and I also danced to that song at me and Brad's wedding - so it was very dear to my heart. After the service we headed over to the cemetery where my grandpa would be buried with my grandma. It's nice to know that they are together again after 10 years.

My sister and I left early Friday morning, wishing that we had just one more day to visit and be with our family. But as it was, we had to leave. I loved my Grandpa Red, but it makes me feel good that he is in a better place now. I love you Grandpa, always and forever.

Christmas Tree Adventure

This year we decided to go up to the woods and cut down our very own Christmas Tree. Brad had done this as a child, but I've never had the experience of it all. So we headed up White Pass and started on our adventure of finding a tree. There was some snow up there, but it wasn't consistent. There was no snow in places, a little snow in other places, and plenty of snow where we were. We left the house at about 9:30, and it was a perfectly sunny day to find a Christmas Tree.

So we get up there, drive around for a little bit and then decide to get out and walk around to see what we could find. Maddie was fearless in the snow on the hills and Josh couldn't stop smiling that we were actually walking around in the snow. Oh, to be a kid again. It was pretty cold, but the kids had boots, hats, and their winter coats. We walked around for quite a while, which wasn't how I thought it was going to be. Maybe in my head I had been imagining that it was going to be like "Christmas Vacation" where there was that "awwwwww" moment with the heavens shining down a light onto our Christmas Tree. But no...it wasn't like that at all, darn it!

At one point, I was carrying Maddie because we were going down a hill in the snow over a tree that had fallen over. It had been there a while because some of the branches had snapped off, so there were only the sharp, broken down to the tree trunk branches left. As I was trying to maneuver over this tree, I slipped and fell right on top of 2 of the broken limbs. And since I was holding Maddie, I could not break my fall. I was in so much pain and Maddie did a face plant onto the tree itself (I'm shuddering just thinking about it, we definitely had a guardian angel watching over us, because it could have been a lot worse, A LOT worse). She cried for a little while, but no bruises, cuts, or scrapes even. But I did escape unwounded. When we got home, I went to look in the mirror and what did I find a huge, black and purple bruise on my upper thigh, with another smaller (and not so ugly looking) bruise further down my thigh. It was so bad that I still haven't been able to sleep on my right side yet. But walking around is much easier now, although driving still hurts a little. Let's just say it was a nice souvenir.

But, I digress, we did find a Christmas tree. It started out at 13 feet, Brad had to cut 2 feet off of it so that we could get it on top of the Tahoe. Which was quite comical at the time. We got home around 2:30, with everyone cold and exhausted. Brad ended up having to cut 2 more feet off of the tree so that it would fit where we had planned. So now it's still a whopping 9 feet tall, and it might not be the best looking tree - but it was a great experience (except for that slight mishap).

We will definitely be doing this again next year and we will make sure to have a better plan! Needed: more snacks for the kids, hot cocoa, lunch, boots for me, and then we can make a day of it. Enjoy the pictures.

This is what it looks like now.

This was the day that it happened.

Thanksgiving

Well we had Thanksgiving at our house this year. I invited my mom and sister, Brad's parents and his sister as well. My mom, Brad's parents, and his sister and her daughter came up so we had a full household. My sister wasn't able to make it because she already had plans to celebrate it with her boyfriend's family. So we had 6 adults and 3 kids, a 9-lb turkey breast, and plenty of pies and wine to go around. It was a pretty gloomy day outside, but it was really nice to have family over for a Thanksgiving dinner.

The food was great, everyone had a good time - what more could you ask for? We definitely have a lot to be thankful for. We have a roof over our heads, Brad has a good paying job, our children are healthy, Brad and I are healthy, we have working vehicles, and I get to stay home to raise our kids (even though sometimes I wish that I could work). It's been a very eventful year for us, as usual - but a good one nonetheless.

November Update

Well not too much has happened in the month of November, except for Thanksgiving that is. The 2 major things that happened were - my sister hosted a Scentsy party, which turned out pretty well. I also had a person sign up to be on my team for Scentsy at the beginning of the month, and then another just yesterday - so that's good too. And then Brad and I went to Bellingham to visit my friend Ashlee and her fiance Jeff. We had a pretty good weekend, but on the way home on the pass chains were required. Wishing that we had taken the Tahoe, Brad had to get out to put chains on the Honda - so $90 later. But oh well, I was glad to have them, even though it wasn't really necessary (the roads weren't THAT bad). It was nice to get away from the kiddos for a weekend. Especially since Brad had been working a TON of overtime due to a landslide that occurred up Chinook Pass. He was working 14 hour days, 7 days a week for 11 days total.

But we made it through that, and now that I'm thinking about it - some good did come out of that. We got another debt paid off - with all of that overtime money, we got my student loan paid off. So now the only other bill that we need to pay off (besides the house and the cars, of course) is our couch! Yes - so that's $9500 worth of debt paid off in 3 months!! And only $1500 more to go. That's awesome! It feels really good to have that student loan paid off. So now Brad is just that much closer to getting his truck!

Bad Mommy Day

Surprise, surprise - it's happened again. I had a REALLY bad mommy day yesterday. One in which I was wishing that I was back to work. And in fact, had me questioning my very being and capabilities to actually be a mom. I yelled at the kids a lot yesterday, and actually had a headache from all of it. It WAS NOT a good day!

Lately, I have not been enjoying motherhood as much as I probably should be. My days consist of just "getting through" them - surviving really. I have gotten into the routine of cleaning, picking up, feeding and yelling at the kids - and let's not forget about getting on the computer. This is not how I envisioned my life and how I thought motherhood would be like. Is it just the ages of my children right now? Or is there something else very, very wrong with me? Are these feelings normal? Who knows.

I mean, yeah - I've had bad days before, but we've gotten through them. But I'm not happy, plain and simple. I haven't been happy. I haven't been doing projects with the kids, haven't been taking them to the park to just get away, I don't really know what the issue is. Do all moms go through this at one point or another? Going back to work is sounding really good right about now! And maybe I should, maybe I should get more serious about going back to work. I don't know.

And on top of all of this - Brad is working 7 days a week for 12 hours a day for at least the next 2 weeks or until whenever they get that job finished. And we're supposed to be going to Bellingham in 2 weeks. Nice! He just started this yesterday - and instead of working 12 hours, he ended up working 14 - so with the kids waking up earlier and earlier, it just makes for an excruciatingly long day! I know now I could never be a single mom. NEVER. I hope that it won't come to that. EVER.

Josh's Picture Day

Today was Josh's picture day at school. I had him in a cute shirt, made sure that I did his hair and told him to smile when the person took his picture. I made sure also, that I took some pictures of him before we left for school - just in case his hair got messed up somehow...and I'm glad that I did. We ended up buying the cheapest package they had with an 8x10 - which is another - I'm glad I did.

So on the way home from school, I asked him how it went and he said that he didn't smile. He said that he missed his dad and said he smiled "straight across". So I'm going to post the pictures that I took of him and then when I get the actual school pictures I will post those as well. So keep checking back...it should be interesting.

Trip to Bellingham

So I got another chance to go and visit my friend Ashlee in Bellingham over the weekend. We met at the outlet malls (which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE) on Saturday and then headed to her house that evening. I had gotten some money from my dad (Thank you Dad!) for my birthday, and since I had had such good luck with finding my grown-up wardrobe when we went the first time. I decided to save that money and use it when I could go again. And I'm so glad that I did! I have to say that my favorite stores up there are Gap, Banana Republic (I'm a little obsessed now), and of course Carter's and Osh Kosh...but ONLY at the outlet stores!

We got to go out to dinner that night and hang out. And then we drove to Bellevue on Sunday so that we could go and look at wedding dresses, because she is getting married. I just have to say that it felt great that she actually wanted ME to go and look at wedding dresses with her. It felt awesome that she valued my opinion and wanted me there and guess what? She found THE dress! I took some pictures for her and she looks absolutely beautiful!!

It was a short trip, but good and Brad and I already have plans to go up there next month! I love living closer to her. It's been really nice.

1st Scentsy Party

Well I had my first Scentsy party for the realtor that sold us the house that we're in now. And I think it went pretty well. It was successful in the fact that people showed up...always a good sign. About 12 people came, I got orders out of almost all of them, and ended up doing a $600 party. There were only a few questions that I didn't know the answer to, and wasn't completely prepared, but all in all - it went well. I know what I need to do for the next party and that's great. So I will definitely be prepared (well more prepared) for the next party and I'm excited. I just wish that my sister's party was my first party and not this one. But it's over, I accomplished a goal, and I might actually book another party off of this one. And I might even have my first recruit! Wow. So yay!

So after my sister's party (next month), I don't have any more parties - so I putting it out there. If you know of anyone that wants to have a party, please let me know! Thanks!!

Hair Appt.

Ok, so I finally feel like a normal human being. I got my hair done on Tuesday after almost 3 1/2 months since I had it done last. She put some low lights in and I got it cut like I had it done in Utah. It's a cute A-line bob and I love it. I was a little anxious to get it cut shorter again, but I love it. Did I say that I LOVE it. The only down side...I'm back to getting a haircut every 6 weeks again - but oh well. I went to a new lady and I must say, she is wonderful. I have a few bad experiences with my hair, so it's really hard for me to trust someone - but this lady did a great job. When I get some good pictures taken, I will post them.

Whatta Day

Day started out fine, but is progressively getting worse! I didn't get together with a friend today because I had so much to do, but now I wish that I would have said - to hell with all of that stuff and went over to her house anyways. So we needed to go grocery shopping, and I always hate it when I have to bring both kids with me. It makes it that much more difficult. So I warned the kids that they needed to be good, listen to mommy and keep their hands to themselves. Ha! We walk into the grocery store and lo and behold is one of those carts that looks like a car. Moms, you know - the one that is almost impossible to maneuver, is like a football field long, and hardly has any basket space for actual food. Well you get the point. Those things should be illegal.

So the kids begged me to get into one, and yes - I gave in. I thought this would solve all of the fighting, and keep them happy until I got all the shopping done. Silly mommy, what was I thinking? I must have forgotten that I was shopping with 2 young kids. So as I'm trying to steer this massive shopping cart - I keep missing isles and bumping into other peoples' carts, etc. The kids are starting to scream, fight, want this and that, and want out - and oh, I don't think so. So I'm running around like a mad woman and when we finally get done. I'm exhausted!

Get home, unload all the groceries, empty the dishwasher, reload the dishwasher, finish putting the kids bedding back on their beds (I did 2 loads of laundry before I left the house), made the kids lunch, and cleaned up the kitchen. And yes, I was exhausted, but because I knew that Brad and I were having a date night - it kept me sane.

So grocery shopping - check. Cleaned up house - check. Laundry done - check. Babysitter - check. New makeup to look beautified - check.

Husband standing me up because he has to work - Priceless.

Website

I forgot to post my website address. If any has any questions or wants to host a party - please let me know :)

Thanks!!

www.scentsy.com/adriennetillett

I am a Scentsy Consultant

Well for those of you who don't know...I just became a Scentsy consultant. This is the first time that I have ever tried anything at all in dealing with direct sales. I've wanted to try some things before, but either never had enough money, drive, or knew enough people to even start thinking about doing something like this. I have friends that are consultants with other companies and see how well they are doing, and I just had my first Scentsy party...it did so well, that I thought - hey why not become a consultant. My party allowed me to get $140 worth of free product and 4- 1/2 price items!! Whoa! And I like Scentsy (this is candles, by the way), because it's easy. They practically sell themselves, and there is not a ton of information that I have to remember about each product. Pretty self explanatory.

So my starter kit arrived on Monday. I've got some business cards, catalogs, and order forms ready to go. I've got all of the scents and my handbook, and the even better news is that I've already done one party, have another on the books, and yet another one that we're trying to get scheduled!! Yippee! So, my short term goal was to see how this whole thing played out and to at least get back (money), what I put in. And so far, it looks like I'm going to get that.

Not sure if it's going to bring in any major cash, but a little here a little there will help with a few bills - ie my student loan! But if it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out. I'm just going to see how it goes...so wish me luck!

Josh's 1st Day of Preschool

Grrr. These keep posting backwards, and I keep forgetting about it.

Maddie wanted her picture taken too.

Goofy face.

He wanted me to take a picture of his backpack!

All set for preschool!

Well another school year has started and Josh was as excited as ever. This year he will be going Monday through Thursday from 8:45am-11:25pm. Last school year he only went on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-12pm. So you wouldn't think that it would be too much of a change, but boy has it ever been.

He was so excited to start school, as you can tell by his pictures! I had a meeting with his teacher a week before school started, and he had an orientation the Wednesday before so that he could get used to the classroom and meet his teacher. Brad took that day off so that we could all take Josh to school. It was so great for that to all happen.

And now that we've got the first week under our belts - hopefully we'll be more on time this week! I always felt like I was running late, and Josh wasn't getting settled before class actually started - because the classroom opens at 8:30 but class doesn't start until 8:45. Well I had been bringing him at 8:45, but all of the other kids were already there - so I talked with the teacher, and she said if I wanted to bring him earlier I could. So today, we got there a little after 8:30, and that seemed like it worked a little better. Plus, I think Josh is getting used to the routine and knows what to do now.

So we'll see how this week goes! And I'm trying to get more involved with Josh's school as well. Tomorrow night is the Preschool Policy Council meeting, so hopefully I will be able to attend that. I just know from here on out we're just going to keep getting busier and busier!!

Debt Paid

Well I probably shouldn't be saying this, but I'm just so proud of my husband for working so hard and one small thing that we've accomplished. As some of you might remember, Brad worked over 48 hours straight over Labor Day weekend. Well we've been wanting to pay down some of our debt so that Brad can buy a truck and we can maybe get a camping trailer next year. Well...that has finally happened (the paying down our debt part).

The debts that we've been wanting to pay off are our credit card (which didn't have a lot of meaningless charges on there, but charges nonetheless), my student loan and our couch (which still has no interest or payments until next year). So the biggest one with the highest interest was our credit card, and I am proud to say that we have finally paid that off!!!!

It feels great and like a weight has been lifted and it feels like a real accomplishment! So there it is. We did it, now only 2 more to go! Woohoo!

Labor Day Weekend

So our Labor Day weekend was pretty uneventful – and when I think of Labor Day, I think of the last weekend to have a BBQ with lots of friends and/or family and just hanging out. You know, the real last weekend of the summer type of thing. Well, that did not happen for us. Long story short – Brad got called out to work at 2pm on Saturday and we didn’t see him again until 3pm on Monday! He worked 49.5 hours straight. I’m so glad that my sister, her boyfriend, and my niece came up on Sunday – because I probably would have gone insane. That was the only thing that saved me that weekend. The kids didn’t sleep well – which usually always happens to me, and I was pretty much at the end of my rope. And I know there are plenty of moms out there that do this exact same thing and even some yet, that have way worse than I do – but it’s hard just the same. And for those moms out there that don’t know what it’s like to have your hubby away – the ones that their husbands come home every night at the same time and leave the same time every morning, with no overtime, etc. Cut us moms a little slack, it’s hard work, and call us to make sure that we’re doing ok, and if there is a little stress to our voices – tell us to come on over! It really makes a difference. So this is my shout out to all those single moms out there and to the ones who do this type of thing all the time – YOU’RE AWESOME AND YOU DESERVE A ROUND OF APPLAUSE!!! Keep up the good work.

My 30th Birthday

So for my birthday, I really wanted to visit my friend Ashlee in Seattle. I thought it would be fun to have a girl’s weekend, and go shopping and just girly stuff. I left Friday around noon and got to her house in Bellingham around 3:30. Because Brad and I had to reschedule our anniversary trip – I was actually gone two weekends in a row from the kids! After I got there we chatted for a while and then headed off to get spa pedicures. Oh, so nice and Ashlee even treated me – I felt like a princess!! After that we got dinner and went back to her house to watch a movie. Then on Saturday we left for the outlet malls in Tulalip – it was like heaven opening their gates – pure bliss!! 110 stores, a Banana Republic outlet, a Coach outlet – anything that you could dream of was there. Brad told me to spend some money for my birthday, being that it was my 30^th and that I don’t normally spend money on myself – it is always going towards the kids. So all in all, I got 12 different pieces – lots of sweaters, shirts and a great pair of jeans! I can’t wait to go back!!!! Then we headed on down to Seattle, checked into our hotel downtown and got ready for dinner. Because surprisingly enough we shopped for over 4.5 hours – hard to believe, I know J We ate at PF Changs for dinner, and I had never been there before, so that was a great treat. Yummy! Then on Sunday we walked around at Pike Place market and around downtown and then it was time for me to leave. It was a great weekend.

And I have to add this part, because I haven’t really been able to complain about it to anyone – so I will do that here. On my actual birthday – I got a lot of people wishing me happy birthday – which was great and my dad and sister (and you, Jill) sent me a card – but other than that, no one really did anything for me. Well, I shouldn’t say that – Brad took me out to dinner, and yes, that does count for something. But he didn’t get me a card, and didn’t get me a cake (which is what I had really wanted, because I LOVE cake). And my own mother didn’t even get my card to me in time, and on top of that my mother in law forgot my birthday. My 30^th birthday – I mean, yeah it’s a birthday and most years that’s what I think – but it was my 30^th! That’s a milestone, if you ask me. My sister in law didn’t call and no card from her either – I guess it was just a little disappointing to think that the people that are the closest to me didn’t even bother to do anything. So it’s a really good thing that I did go to Seattle!

My pretty pink toes after the pedicures!

Dinner at PF Changs.

Walking around Pike Place Market.

Our Anniversary Trip

Brad and I were finally able to go on our anniversary trip to Coeur d’Alene on the 22^nd of August. It was so much fun and a much needed vacation. This is the first time that we’d ever been on a trip without the kids since before they were born. And now that I’m thinking about it, we never really took a vacation since our honeymoon – so it was only fitting to go back to Coeur d’Alene for our trip!

We dropped the kids off with Brad’s parents on Saturday morning (which that’s an entirely different story in itself) and left for Spokane, which was our first stop. It was so great to be back in Spokane (for those of you who don’t know, I lived there for 2 ½ years while I was going to nursing school). We stopped by Riverfront park and walked around – which is where Brad proposed to me and ate lunch while we were there.

Then, it was off to Coeur d’Alene. We got there at about 3pm and we checked into our room at the Resort – pure beauty!! When we made reservations, we were able to get a spa package and a dinner cruise package. So right after we arrived, it was time for our spa services. We both decided to have the hot stone massage done – and if you are ever thinking about doing this, I highly recommend it! It was so relaxing and I could have gone for another hour! When we got back to our room they had champagne and chocolate covered strawberries waiting for us because they knew it was for our anniversary – sweet! After that we got ready for dinner and ate at a Mexican restaurant. We were so exhausted from the night before (the kids didn’t sleep well), driving and being completely relaxed from the massage – we ended up heading to bed at 9:30.

Sunday, we were supposed to rent jet skis and lay out by the lake – but of course, the weather didn’t cooperate and it was really windy and the water was super choppy. So we had to change our plans a little. We walked around the pier on the lake, and ended up going to a movie – The Ti.me Tra.veler’s Wife – it was awesome. Then that night, we went on our dinner cruise – and I would suggest that to anyone as well! Overall, we had a great time – wishing that we would have stayed just one more night. But it was great to reconnect again and have some alone time!

This is the resort and this stupid picture won't post the correct way - this is like the 5th time I've tried to load this picture - so there it is!

The view of the lake

Our dinner cruise

It's Only Been a Month

I haven't been very good about blogging lately. It's been almost a month since my last post - does that sound like an addict in recovery or what? We've just had a really busy summer and I don't have as much time as I used to for blogging. But here is where you can catch up :)

Last time I posted anything was after Josh's first summer camp. Since then we had a family reunion to go to - which the kids loved even though they got very, very dirty. And I have no pictures to show from that - sad, yes, I know. Josh had his 2nd summer camp - which was a summer campout theme and we went up to Boulder Cave (yes, again). Brad's grandpa (his mom's dad) passed away on the 14th (he was 91 years old), so there was a graveside service for him that we (well Brad did and then the kids and I went afterwards) attended. We had to reschedule our anniversary trip due to that, and I only mention that because now we're going next weekend - I'm so excited. Oh, what else - Brad and I had our 6 year anniversary on the 2nd of August. Josh stayed a couple of nights and Grandma and Grandpa's house. We've been heading up to different campsites up in the woods just for the day for picnics and cooling off in the river. And then we just got done with Josh's 3rd summer camp - which was swimming themed. And now we're up to speed.

Here are some things that are happening in the coming weeks: Brad and I are taking our anniversary trip to Coeur d'Alene next weekend, I'm going to Seattle to visit my friend Ashlee for my birthday the following weekend, and Josh starts school on the 14th of September. Yikes, that sounds like a lot!


Here are some pictures taken over the last month. Hopefully I won't get this far behind again!! To all of you reading this and that blog - please leave comments and keep blogging yourselves because it helps me to do the same! Thanks.

Josh's class

Josh sitting on a rock with all the ladies

Pleasant Valley campground

I love this pic!

Getting in the river - it was cccold!

Josh wanted to go swimming - my feet were red after this one.

HUGE anthill!

Halfway Flats campground

Eating a rock, yes a rock!

Playing in the water, yet again