J's own style

J definitely has her own sense of style. When we have a weekend day when there is nothing else going on (cheer, football, birthday parties, etc...) I let the kids wear whatever they want. Today was one of those days.



Notice the varying shades of pink (because if you wear the same color it matches, right?).

The different patterns (sparkly hearts on the shirt, the plaid skirt, the flowers on the tights).

The hair that was brushed and put in a low ponytail (every time she wears the low ponytail the front falls out).

Do. Not. notice the messy bedroom behind her.

I love her and her sense of style. It is unique to her (and only her).

I am linking up here!

Beach vacation 2011

Walking to the beach


First time ever on a beach

Mommy and the two little kids


Daddy and the two little kids

Little E making his sandcastle

J making her sandcastle

Ben and I on the beach

Ben and his mom

Pirate ship on the beach

Cool beach restaurant


Driving to the beach

We had the best time on vacation. I'm not sure if I have mentioned on here before how much I love Ben's mom. She is like a second mom to me and I feel so lucky to have her.

Big E couldn't come on this vacation because... he has a job! I am so proud of him!

My Daughter's hair

Yesterday I tried a new style on J's hair. Her hair always looks like a mess. It is curly under and mostly straight on the top.

Here is a prime example.

We have been trying to find something to do with her hair so it looks put together and not so much like she hasn't brushed it in a month.

We've tried straightning it.That doesn't look so hot and it is really hard on her hair.

We've tried just pulling it back into a low ponytail.A little better, but still very messy.

We've tried the one half pony up and the rest down.It's cute, but the front falls out within a couple of hours.

Then the other day I found and amazing blog ALL THINGS SNAPBANDZ. She does some beautiful hair styles and shows you how to do them step by easy step. Here is a couple of pictures of J's hair yesterday.
It stayed so well that it is still in today!

Mad and Frustrated Beyond Belief

I had planned on having a HUGE post today about what our lives have been like the last couple of months with pictures to accompany it. Unfortunately my camera and computer had another idea. As I was downloading my 211 pictures something went very, very wrong.

I followed all of the normal steps and for some reason it did not put the pictures on my computer, but it did erase them all from my camera.

I. Could. Scream.

Instead, I will share 2 pictures from our lives.

Little E's football squad


J's cheer team


I would show you a picture of Big E, but since he has turned 16 at the end of August he has gotten his license and a job. We don't hardly see him anymore. I am very, very proud of him though. He is becoming a man!

Wallowa Lake pt2

Our trip was from Thursday to Sunday. We joined Ben's father, step-mother and aunt. I love all of them as though they were mine. They have truly made me feel like a part of the family.


Aunt Sue

We also joined Mike and Debbie who are long time family friends.




Friday night we had one big meal together.




This is what every night looked like...




Big E and Kyle (son of family friend Mike) spent most of the weekend trying to catch a chipmunk. Mostly to see if they could.




They eventually did on the last day we were there.

Have I mentioned the deer? The deer are almost domesticated. You are not allowed to feed or pet them though. Over the years they have started to become more aggressive in their search for food. However, they come into the campground on a daily basis and are not afraid of people at all.





The highlight of the trip for Little E and J was the horseback riding. J has wanted to ride a horse for a couple of years now and could not hardly stand having to wait to ride.





This was absolutely the best vacation we have had so far!

Wallowa Lake 2011

This last weekend we went to Wallowa Lake,Or for our summer vacation. We had The. Best. Time!!!!! We borrowed a trailer from our friends Kim and Dave and headed out on Thursday morning. After a 4 hour drive we arrived just in time for check in.

Wallowa Lake has so many things for the kids to do.



Go kart racing.




Bumper boats.


Jet skiiing.

Horse back riding.


More to come tomorrow.....

J is 8

My baby girl turned 8 this year. I am not at all happy. She is my baby and my only girl. On Sunday we had a family/friends party for her at a local park with a water feature and a big play structure nearby. She had a great time!

Wearing her new sundress and matching sunglasses from Uncle Pat and Aunt Angela.

Our niece coming off of the slide.

Uncle Pat and our nephew


Grandma Jane

J and Kim

the cake

Then on Tuesday she had 3 of her friends (and their dolls) over to make fancy hats to go to high tea.

J and her 3 friends

Mom Mom's gift to J this year was to go to a Victorian Tea Garden and have high tea. They had such a good time!






She had a great time!!!!