So, I am wondering....

I am wondering...Just where did the Summer go and why did it have to go by SO fast?  I feel like I blinked and Summer was over! I was thinking about this the other night and thought, "Wow, we really didn't do much this summer at all."  But, that's not true, we did a lot... A LOT!!  We had a great 4th of July with Grandma Rae's visit and Bee's birthday.  Went camping with friends.  Had a fun family day at the state fair (just the 4 of us),  BBQ's with family. My dear friend (Sister), Jen's bridal shower, bachelorette party and wedding, My Grandparents 50th wedding and a small family reunion for Tim's side of the family.  See, we have been busy! 

And on top of all this, Brianna started Kindergarten and my sister started High School!!  I did really good as I took them both to school on their first day...I saved all of my tears until I got home!  Brianna is LOVING school.  I was a little nervous about how she would do because she is in an all day program (8:20am-2:10pm).  It never fails that she falls asleep on our way home, but bedtime has become less of a fight and normally she is out before we finish a book!  TJ on the other hand is still a little confused as to why sister is gone all day.  He really does miss he and loves to go and pick he up when her day is done.  Yesterday he grabbed his little backpack and said the I needed to take him to his school...I guess it won't hurt if I look into preschool a couple of days a week for him! :)  My sister, Genna is digging HS!!  I am super excited about this because we had huge issues at her last school with mean girls and bullying!  Instead of putting her in at either of the high school's here in town we transferred her to a somewhat smaller school near Brianna's school.  I think I was more nervous about her first day than she was! She went into this school not knowing anyone and as a shy kid...she comes home everyday so excited and has already made some really good "new" friends. And in fact, on our way to school today she asks me, "Um, Sis, how do I tell a boy I am only interested in him as a friend, without hurting his feelings?"  She tells me that a boy let her know that he "liked her and she looked cute yesterday." I can not believe this...she is like my own child and I am not ready for the whole "boys" stuff yet!  But really, this makes me so happy. She is coming out of her shell, letting that wall slowly crumble and growing up!!

OK, I think I can stop rambling for now and share some pictures...Enjoy!

Jen and I on our "night out"

My AMAZING Grandparents, celebrating 50 years!!

What 50 years has given them...

4 children...

10 Grandchildren and 2 Greats...

and a whole lotta LOVE!!!

The kids and Auntie Jen.  They each received the cutest shirts for being the Flower Girl and Ring Bearer.

I just love this picture!

And this...this makes my heart melt! This is a picture that the photographer took.

"Sisters"

First day of High School!

First day of Kindergarten!!

And the kids being silly on my dad's Harley!

Oh, before I forget...I started a new job yesterday!!  I am now no longer commuting!! I am working at a great little preschool here in town. I have the perfect schedule...I am only working from 2-6pm.  this gives me some alone time with TJ and gives me the opportunity to help out in Brianna's classroom as well!  i am really excited for this new "adventure!"

I want it back!!

Vacation, that is!!  I was on vacation last week and I want it back!! 

We had lots of fun at the beach with friends. This year my grandparents let us take their trailer...now we want one too! lol The weather was not the best but we made the best out of it! Our little group ended up being 9 adults and 7 kids...lots of fun! Although I did stress out a bit, having the parents trailer was a huge responsibility and I could not get that off my mind.  But, like I said, we did have lots of fun as we always do at Dillon Beach!  All of the daddies went crabbing while all of the mommies stayed back with the kiddos.  We played in the sand, got knocked over by waves, made Tim a 30th bday cake and had to call 911!!  No, not because of my cooking but because one of the little girls (not mine) found some pepper spray and sprayed another one (again, not mine) in the face! Super scary!

Since I haven't been on here to post anything in a while I am kind of combining posts...

While we were away we did celebrate a huge milestone!!  My hubby turned 30!!!  I have the hardest time even typing that especially since that means I am next!!  He think I am quite silly for making a big deal of my turning 30, I know its just a number but really, I am having the hardest time with it...Is it all down hill from here? lol!

Anyway, I am rambling now. here are a few pictures from our adventure!

My TJ!

And Brianna. 

I try and make it a point to write their names in the sand and get a picture every year!

Us and our crabs!

Happy Birthday to my love!

I just love that all of us are looking at the camera and TJ is stealing an M & M!!

My kiddos with my best friend's kiddos.

WE LOVE THE BEACH!!! 

What a weekend!

What a wonderful weekend we have had! Brianna turned 5 on Friday.  I can not believe my sweet girl is 5 already.  I feel so blessed to be her Mommy!

This is my sweetness on her 1st birthday...

And here she is on her 5th (the day after, but close enough)!

Brianna Nicole, I hope one day you will know just how much joy you have brought to my life!  I love you, always and FOREVER!!  XXOO

Along with Bee's b-day, we had a visit from my Grandma who lives in So. Cal. We kept her visit a secret from the kids...they were so surprised to see their Grama Rae and to be able to spend the weekend with her!

 

We had a fun 4th of July with friends and family!

Here are a few pictures from the day!

Brianna showing off her new dress!

TJ in his red, white and blue!

B and one of her BF's

TJ and his big cousin Luke...they are buddies!!

Me and one of my BF's, Nicole

Tim and our niece, Victoria. This picture just cracks me up!

Now, we are enjoying a week off as a family and getting ready for another fun weekend. We leave for a weekend at Dillon Beach on Friday. We are really looking forward to it. I will post pictures when we get back!

Sister...

So, when I was little I wanted to have a sibling more than anything. As an only child, I thought that would NEVER happen!  Almost 16 years of believing that, my sister was born.  Yep, 16 years of waiting.  I was the very first person to touch and hold her...we instantly fell in love and an unbreakable bond was created between us.

Fast forward 13 years....
She graduates from 8th grade and becomes a high school freshmen!  I know I don't tell her quite often enough how much I love her and  maybe someday she'll understand why I looked at her and began to cry as I was getting her ready for her graduation.  I have watched this girl grow into a beautiful young lady and even though we may argue and disagree quite a bit...That is what sister's do and I am so proud to have this girl as my sister.

Hope...

Over the past weekend Tim and I walked in the Relay for Life.  What an experience!! 

My favorite part...the Luminaries  The entire track was lined with white paper bags decorated by fellow walkers in honor/memory of their friends and loved ones effected cancer.  They all had glow sticks in them and all of the track lights were shut off as we walked the track.  It was tough and so special I was so glad to be a part of it.

These are the bags that my good friend Jen decorated in memory of her grandmother.

I walked in memory of

My Grandpa, Lloyd Scott

My Aunt Anita Boyd

My "second" Grandma, Theresa Reitnauer

A dear friend, Rhonda Johnston

I walked in honor of

Our family friends, Coral Matich, Diane Tate, and Stephen Andrade

Each of these people have touched my life in one way or another and I do believe they are the strongest people I have ever known.

It was MY HONOR to walk for them!

My blog...

I have tried to blog in the past and have failed. Maybe I just thought I had nothing really to blog about.  But what better way to share the crazy and fun things that go on in this house and keep friends and family a little more up to date! So, we'll see how this goes!

Here are just a few pictures from out latest adventure...a day on the lake with some friends.

TJ was much happier after a much needed nap.  Although he still wanted NOTHING to do with the water!

This is Bee with her pal Ayla.  I just love their friendship! A's mom and I have been friends for over 20 years and these two remind me so much of us when we were kids!

My bestie! She and her family recently moved back to CA from Tenn.  I am so thankful they did so!

I do love this man!