Girls Night...for Julie!

One of my good friends, Julie is moving back to Southern California next week. We wanted to do something special for her to say Good Bye. So Kara, Maria and I did a surprise get together last night. Julie's husband was out of town...which made it a little harder to accomplish the "surprise" factor. So the plan was to invite Julie to a movie night with the kids to see "Clouds with a chance of meatballs." We met at Kara's for pizza. We fed the kids and then when it was time for the adults to eat we told Julie she wasn't eating pizza and we had something else planned for her. She didn't believe us and was so surprised. We then told her that our great husbands were taking all the kids to the movie without us mommies. (They took 7 kids under the age of 6...what great husbands!) Then....we left for our fun evening.

We started the evening off with Dinner at Ting's Thai Restaurant. We had a great time talking, eating and enjoying Julie's company! After dinner we went to my house and played "Dancing with the stars" dance dance revolution. Kara and Julie had never done it before...we had a great time! And we even burned off some of the calories from dinner. We had a yummy dessert that my friend gave me a recipe too. It tasted like eclairs! Yummy. We talked and had a great evening. The guys came home and said it went really well with all the kids. Just give them popcorn, candy and drinks and they were good!

We all had such a great time. We are sad Julie is leaving but happy for her and her new adventure in So Cali. Julie is such a fun, loving, & funny person...she will be missed! It will be hard without her!

No worries...us girls are already planning a mini vacation to go visit her and spend a weekend in LA! Can't wait!!!!

Little Boys+Firetrucks=JOY

This week is Safety week for Easton's Preschool. Today was FIRETRUCK day. It wasn't Easton's day to go in to school so I took him in just to see the Firetrucks. I am not sure what it is about Boys and Firetrucks but they love them. He loved trying on the hats, jumping on the firefighter, sitting in and on the truck... And of course he loved the prize he got when they left..a "Future Firefighter" badge.

Playing with Branches!

To change things up a bit..Kara, Julie and I took our kiddos to Kellseyville to go to County Park to play during our long Labor Day holiday weekend. The park is at the lake so they have a beach area and then a great playset for kids. Of Course my kids wanted to swim...but No Way was I going to let them in that yucky water. Clearlake is not Clear! It is full of seaweed and muck! And the smell...I won't even go there. It is very low and I guess that is why it has some problems.

So the kids played on the playset for awhile until the "landscapers" came...Then they "helped" them gather the branches they were cutting off the trees. They had so much fun putting them in one big pile.. Who knew a bunch of branches would keep 7 kids busy for such a big chunk of time.

I realized..Kids don't need toys...they just need the outdoors...lots of things to play with out there...Branches, Leaves, Sticks, bugs, water, etc...

Christmas will be easy this year!!!!

After the park we had lunch at a great Sandwich shop. It was a fun day with the kiddos. Of course they got a little crazy...but us Mommies sure enjoy getting together. It is more for us then the kids...shhh that is our little secret!

Gathering Branches...

Easton and his Buddy, Avery

What a cute group of kids! They have fun together!

New Me!

So Eric always hints that he wants me to have blonde hair again...so I finally did it. It is a big change but I like it. Hopfully the maintenance won't be too bad...I just hate dark roots. It is a little blonder than I thought I wanted but Eric wanted blonde and he got BLONDE! I am still getting use to it when I look into the mirror...its a new me!

Before

After

Just realized I wore the same dress two Sundays in one month!
That is probably a fashion No, No

Brooklyn is always happy to be in a picture with me!

What a Mommy's Girl!

All I want for Christmas is my....

TWO FRONT TEETH!!!!

Brooklyn pulled out her 2nd top tooth today at church. It has been somewhat loose for a month or so. She was so excited to finally have it out! And of course for the tooth fairy to come tonight.

Now Brooklyn and Easton have the same SMILE!

Isn't that so cute!!!!

For those who don't know...Easton got his two front teeth pulled when he was 3. He was too active as a toddler and killed both of them and then one got infected. So they pulled them out. He looks cute that way.

Kneeboarding

Saturday we took the Youth Boating for the day. Once they left...Brooklyn and Easton had their turn kneeboarding for the 2nd time ever! Easton got up on his knees and was so proud of himself. We were very proud of Him too! (last time he just layed down). He even tried to stand up on the board but fell! He had so much fun!

Easton needs to let go on this clip! He probably drank some lake water....

Go Easton, Go!

Brooklyn tried to get out of the wake last time but couldn't. So this time she did! She was so happy. Good Job Brooklyn!

I have awesome BRAVE kids! We love boating even more now! The only problem is getting them to stop! They could go all day just kneeboarding! Next thing to learn to do...Wakeboard!!! Mommy just needs to find a used kids one first...next year for sure!

PS I really did try to hold the camera still but the boat was so bumpy..sorry it is so shaky!

Without Training Wheels!

Last week Eric worked with Easton to ride his bike without training wheels. Once he gained some confidence..he got it and has done great. As long as we ride to "Elle's" house. So far he is good at going straight and turning wide. Stopping is a different story. He has a few bandaids on his hands! We are proud of him. What a boy!

Quotes from Easton

"That was great...let's do it again!"

"That was awesome."

"Next time I have to do a wheelie..like Brendon." (the neighbor boy)