The Vacation Continues

We are moving into the final part of our vacation, with camping, Anniversary and Birthday behind us we are traveling onto our Amusement section of the vacation with a trip to the zoo and the water park on the books for the next few days we have been trying to catch up on some sleep the last few days and trying to dry out our camping gear as we got caught in a rain storm the last 2 days of our camping trip. We set it up again at my in-laws the last few days but it has been stubbornly showering every couple of hours since we arrived here. We are packing up today and will have to pack up the wet tent, etc again and try to set it up again at my parents house when we arrive later today. Surely we can get 1 sunny day in the next 4? Let's hope for the best, we'll see how things go. I'll be back home next week and will fill up the blog with lot's of pictures and stories from the road. It's been a lot of fun.

House Planning

When trying to build our new home a few years back we found we really didn't know where to get started at, it is a big job to undertake and we really needed to have some expert advise to get us through the process of designing our Home Plans that would incorporate everything we needed to function as a family and enjoy our new surroundings. We spent days pouring over floor plans trying to come up with something that would work. Now there is a website that you can use to have experts spend the time to narrow down your search for you. When you enter in your design criteria, house size, rooms and other features you are looking for than the team at house plans and more will go through their database to find selections that best match to what you are looking for. You can use their design or tweek it to match perfectly. They also provide features to provide you with approved builders in your area to ensure you have a quality job done. They provide many catagories of home plans for your from the Contemporary house plans which features modern ideas asymmetrical design and irregular window sizes to allow maximum light. There are other designs available as well like the French Country House Plans which originated in the France country side and feature brick or stone exteriors and high steep roofs. There are so many choices and as the plans are already created they can be sold to you for much less than what it would cost for you to get an architec to design for you.

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY KOHL!

Picking the right Wedding Invitation

I spent the week on vacation with my family camping out on the beach, it was a fantastic week with a little rain but that was fun too because it gave everyone an excuse to sit down and catch up on our lives, plans etc. I was surprised to hear that my sister and her boyfriend of 3 years are planning on getting married next summer. I am celebrating my anniversary of seven years today actually and it made me remember back to our wedding day and all the excitement that led up to the planning of our nuptials. There are so many alternatives these days and many people are using on-line services to help them in planning their wedding. My sister and I checked out wedding invitations and found a fantastic selection of invitations that she can have customized for her special day. The assortment was great and if they could just settle on a date they could take advantage of great savings on the matching envelopes to the invitations. The one important tip I could think of to give them is to plan the day for themselves and not to try and make it easy or convenient for others. It was the one big regret of my wedding day to have not had the wedding set the way we wanted and bending to wishes of my family for the event. I am sure we will be spending many an evening on the phone over the next few months making plans for the big day.

ONE WEEK DOWN ANOTHER ONE TO GO....

.....MAYBE THIS WEEK THE RAIN WILL STAY AWAY!

Well I'm back online and will try to get some pictures posted really soon. I have so much on the go right now that it isn't even funny. Last night while camping it rained and I mean it RAINED! Usually the rain doesn't bother me but when I looked into the other room of the tent to check on the kids I noticed that something had happened to our tent.....(2am) the corner brace broke and looks like someone had fallen on the pole but anyway after a few minutes of panic hubby managed to get the pole to stay up in the corner and we went back to bed. Everyone managed to stay dry somehow and the kids didn't even wake up until morning and me and hubby layed there in bed watching to make sure the corner didn't fall on the kids again. What a great way to start our Anniversary LOL .... I told hubby all I want for our Anniversary was a tent trailer for next summer. Lets see if he can pull that one off!

We were planning on leaving the campground today any to visit with Matt's parents and that is where we are now. We spent all day setting up our wet camping gear (tent, screen house, sleeping bags, air mattresses, chairs.....and so on) and are totally exhausted so we will be off to bed early. I think we will have to do something for our anniversary tomorrow. Well my MIL just walked through the door so I should go see what the plans are for supper.

I promise I will post pictures as soon as I find my camera.

I missed you all!

Flexible Education

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ALMOST PACKED!

I am getting down to the last few bags for camping! Finally, I didn't think there was ever going to be an end. I am getting the laundry finished up now then will head off to bed. Matt is hoping to get off work tomorrow before noon so we can get on the road. I can't believe it took me almost a week to get everything organized! The van is getting full and I'm not sure if we will have room to take the kids along with us LOL

DANCE WEEK #3

Trinity just finished her third week of dance camp and is a bit disappointed that she will have to miss 2 weeks because of our vacation but I think what upset her the most was that Kim her teacher was ready to start her solo next week and she was looking forward to that. She will get started when we get back which is good because it gives up extra time to find the right music for her. I think she could really use the 2 weeks away from dancing, she has been working so hard and getting exhausted. Just think, the dance year hasn't even begun for her yet!

Kohl started his first class of summer dance and loved it. This is just a class for fun where they watch a video clip from High School Musical and learn the dance. Once again he is the only boy in his class and he loves it LOL

Trip to the Doctor

I recently had the kids into the doctor's office, normally it is very frustrating to sit in the waiting room. We try to entertain them the best we can and have fun with the secretary . The doctor recently got a new PDA and online drug reference software that allowed him to quickly review the prescriptions he was considering to ensure that no conflicts would happen between the kids prescriptions. It was really impressive to see how quickly he was able to access the information he needed right there while in the room with us. We were able to get our prescriptions with confidence that we were getting the proper dosage amount and that there wouldn't be any negative interaction between them.

This announcement was paid for by Epocrates

REUNION

Growing up I spent most of my time swimming. I was at the pool 4-5 days a week doing Synchronized Swimming. I swam at the competitive level and enjoyed many, many years of training, traveling, competing and making friends. My swimming career came to an end when I entered High School and I haven't seen any of my fello swimmers since. Last month I got an invitation to a Synchro Reunion and unfortunately it is the long weekend in August when we are away so I will have to see what we can do to get there. I spent some time today looking through some swimming photos and there are some great memories!

This is a photo of myself with my duo partner Francine. ( I am the taller one if you haven't figured that one out LOL) I believe this was our first duo together.

New Ringtones

I got my new cell phone for Christmas last year and being so busy I have just been using the regular boreing ringer that came set with it. Getting ready to go on vacation I thought it would be fun to look into downloaded a new ring tone that would be a bit cooler. I found some great beats with the Rick Ross Ringtones Rick Ross is one of the hippest rappers around today. He has a tone of hits from Hustlin, to Rick Ross The Boss Ringtone. There's a beat to fit your personality and style.

AN UNEXPECTED TRIP...

Hubby was and is hoping to win us a trip for 2 to the Bahamas in February but I was getting impatient and took a trip last night. It wasn't an overly long trip but I flew right across the dinning room floor. OUCH! I tripped over the board that was blocking the kitchen from the puppy. I hit hard and messed up my legs, twisted both of my knees and pulled a muscle in my arm. My legs didn't look bad once they were cleaned up but today it hurts to stand or walk and I am surprised that there is no bruising, I guessthe ice must have helped.

Maybe my next trip will be a little bit more relaxing LOL

HAIR DILEMA

I need some help here.... it is time for a hair cut but I'm not sure if I want to get it cut or let it grow out longer?????? What do you think?

This first picture was my hair length last fall?

This second picture was my hair length at Christmas time?

And this is my hair length now?

So do I get it cut or let it grow????HELP ME PLEASE!

CAMERA CRITTERS #15

This picture of my youngest son with the puppy is one of my favorite pictures so far so I am going to share it with you all for Misty's Camera Critters Meme !

My Puppy

I think it's very funny

The way a puppy grows

A little on her wiggly tail

A little on her nose

A little on her tummy

A little on her ears

I guess she'll be a dog all right

In half a dozen years!

Weight Loss Goals

As many of you know I have been focusing on my weight for the last year, working hard to get my shape back. I have been working with my hubby on watching what we eat, trying to keep our meals at home healthier for the kids and for us along with curbing our take out nights. Along with that we have bought a treadmill and have been using that almost everyday, we've taken a small break due the heat here lately but will get going again after vacation is over. A big consideration we also had was what supplements and diet pills we should use to help us get the best results we could get. It was difficult deciding because there were so many options and not enough information out there to figure out what was best. We researched on the internet and found a site that gave us details on the 10 best diet pills which made it easier for us to pick the best option for us with our weight loss goals in mind. We are certainly on the right track with me even searching for a bikini for the beach, I haven't worn one of those in over 10 years.

BATH TIME

Our new puppy "Breigh" is just another one of the kids. She takes part in many of the bedtime activities. She shared bath time with Blake and they had a splash!

HATS AND DANCING

Wednesday was the busiest day that I had this week. Not only did Trinity have dance camp but the kids also had Vacation Bible School just up the street at the Church and it was crazy hat day. Kohl was quick to find his hat which was his pirates hat that was just up in his bedroom, Jay just wore his baseball cap and Blake that was where we ran into trouble. We couldn't come up with any ideas, then when I was tucking him in bed I saw his "nono" puppy and came up with the idea to put it on his ball cap. It turned out pretty cute and everyone loved it!

Matt took the kids to the Church and I ran (drove) Trinity to her dance school. She was there until 2pm and was hot and tired. She is looking forward to another great day at dance classes next Wednesday and Kohl will be starting his dance classes then as well.

A HOT DAY ON THE JOB...

Yesterday Jay got a taste of some real hard work and if that wasn't bad enough for him, it was HOT. He ended up staying to help out with an old house demolition clean up from 9-5pm and was he (and Matt) ever tired when they got home.

This is a huge house that was once an 8 unit apartment and is now being done over by one of Matt's friends. There is a lot of work to be done so Matt and Jay will help out when they can to make a few extra dollars. I think they are planning on going back again on Sunday. Now with Jay bringing in a few dollars here and there we will look into getting him his own bank account.

BUSY...BUSY...BUSY....

I am off with the kids again this morning for their last day at Daily Vacation Bible School. I promise I will post later when things settle down. Have a great Friday!

A BRILLIANTE AWARD

I got this award today from Tammy. Isn't she just one of the bestest people out there in the blogosphere! Thank you so much Tammy!

Now I get the pleasure to pass this award onto Jenn, Matt and Kim!

TIME TO RELAX!

Well I am with Breigh (my puppy). I think it is time to cool off, sit back and just relax. I don't know if I will get on the treadmill today. It is just so darn hot and sticky and all I want to do is have a nice refreshing shower and kick my feet up so that is what I am going to do. I am taking the rest of the night off!

And yes my puppy has an outy belly button LOL

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT EVERYONE!

FINALLY HE EATS....

Blake my youngest in one of the most pickiest eaters ever...not only is he just picky but he doesn't eat much at all which always leaves me wondering if he is getting enough nutrition. Slowly as time goes on he eats a bit more from time to time but I tell you I don't know what happened to him last night while we were eating supper. I made chicken and hamburger tacos, now he doesn't like the chicken or hamburger so he fills the wrap with ranch sauce and cheese, rolls it up and holds it together with a toothpick. Last night the little piggy ate.......5tacos and the last two was a hard shell wrapped with a soft taco. Where did that kid put it all. He had 2 gone before I had time to eat my first one. Oh and that wasn't the end, he had a bowl of strawberries and whipped cream followed by marshmallows by the bonfire. He was so nice to see him eat that I got a video clip of him enjoying his supper. LOL He is to cute!

OUCH....

This weekend with spent catching up on things that we haven't had time to do with the kids. They have been wanting a backyard bonfire so Saturday night was the night! We took the time and got everything ready settled in our chairs and watched the boys light the fire. With all the excitement we got out the marshmallows and the roasting got started. That is when it happened....Trinity flaming marshmallow fell off her stick and landed on her hand. With the panic she just sat there and looked at so you can imagine that she has a bit of a burn on her left hand. Matt took her in the house while I stayed outside with the boys (they ended up in the pool) her hand blistered quite bad but she wanted to continue on with our fun night. We didn't stay out too late because we wanted to get the yard cleaned up before dark and get the kids off to bed.

Trinity's hand is still a bit blistered but is looking a lot better and it doesn't hurt anymore! She is just thankful that the marshmallow didn't fall on her dancing feet!

CAMERA CRITTERS #14

Misty's Camera Critters meme is something I will be looking forward to every week and this darling little puppy is the reason why! We have had Breigh with us now for 2 weeks and she is becoming more a part of the family everyday but my God she loves to pee on the floor. I guess that is something we will have to continue to work at. I hope it doesn't take forever! In this picture she was enjoying the nice weather outside while the kids were in the pool. She doesn't like the grass and won't lay down without her blanket. What a baby LOL!

Puppy love

What a wonderful time we are having with our new puppy, minus a few accidents she is having in the house but she is just a puppy and normally she is doing a good job. Yesterday was her first trip to the beach, she wasn't too fond of the water but enjoyed wrapping in her blanket on the beach with me. She was much happier in the pool with the kids for a rince off when we got back from the beach. What will be the next fun thing to do with her?