We're back!

Whew! What a trip- went by too quick as always....but we are unpacked, laundered, and mail is read. I swear, am I the only one that gets so excited to walk in the door after being out of town for a week to check all that mail?? Awesome- new mags galore, packages I forgot I ordered... fun stuff!

Anyways, side tracked. Lemme side track again and say that Cameron is turning FIVE in three days! *sniff*

Back to the trip. Was great. Too short. I swear they get better every time.

It rained the first part of the time we were there, but up in the Seattle area that just never seems to slow anyone down. The last few days had fabulous weather that pained me every time I thought of that fact that we had to abandon it and come back to the armpit of Houston.

We did the usual haunts of Stewarts Meats- if you're ever in McKenna, Washington, go there. The. Best. Beef. Jerky.Ever. I swear. Every time we go see my mom, we go there and get at least five pounds of it to bring home and share. They will vacuum seal it for you, and no matter what time of day you go, there will be a line. Just grab a number, and relax. It's worth it.

Spent more time relaxing this time. My mom and Scottie have a heavenly yard that is fabulous to spend time out in, not to mention my daughter fell in love with my youngest brother's old rocking horse that hangs out on the back porch, and was on it all the time, with a concentrated look as if she were changing the world one rock at a time. Oh, and the grass. Divine. Not the scratchy thick ugly grass we have here, but soft, beautiful dark green grass you could lay on for days. Heaven on Earth.

Went to the Pacific Science Center in Seattle this time. That place rocks. Another "if you're up there, go" places. The kids had a blast. The only downfall was that we didn't get to spend enough time there, because we had already hit up Pike Place for the first part of the day. Another awesome place I always love to go to. This time Mom tipped the fish guys to throw a fish for me, and they had me go up ride under them, so it looked like I was getting slapped with some big fish in the picture!

We walked from one to the other, and along the way took pictures with all the pigs on parade- it got to be a pretty fun scavenger hunt by the end of the day... and the pics got pretty funny, too.

Got to check out Lakefair in the rain... listened to some music, Cameron rode the ferris wheel, and I think Megan enjoyed playing with the umbrella and splashing in puddles the best!

The kids loved the hot tub, and roasting marshmallows, and Cameron got to go out fishing with Papa Scottie for the first time (and fell asleep!). Nana threw Megan and Cameron an early birthday party, complete with enough toys that we needed to buy another suitcase to bring them home. :)

The kids loved spending time with Nana and Papa, and followed their uncles around like they hang the moon (they do, but I'm biased). I'm always amazed at how patient and sweet both of my brothers are to both kids- we're very lucky- not all kids that age are!

I've got all 1,000 (kidding!) pictures loaded up here...but here's a few favs:

Hope everyone has a great weekend! We're headed to the Astro's game tomorrow- it will be Megan's first! (Other than when I was pregnant with her- does that count?) and then Cameron's party and birthday are Monday!

we're off...

just thought I'd post this last one for KMA before we left... we leave in the morning, but have a birthday party tonight, plus the last minute insanities... hope everyone has a great week!

...birthday parties, showers, and a flat tire...

Had Jackson's birthday party this weekend, along with Sabrina's shower for baby Landon coming along September 3rd... she's glowing quite nicely these days :) I think! The birthday party was great- the kids had a blast, and I got out of jumping in anything, since I had the mind to wear a skirt (I had to go straight to the shower from the party) but Anita, Heather and Tiffany all took turns taking Megan down the big slide a couple of times... quite hilarious....

and the shower was great- fabulous food, and who can resist fondue?? Not me :) Always good to see the 'regular girls'. Great to see some old chums from the working days as well....

Here's a picture of us fab 4... I think Brandy and I should stand next to each other in any future pictures to alleviate our shortness.

THEN

we got a flat tire on the way home. Guess what cool chicks changed it?!? ME and ANITA! HA! That trusty little owner's manual came in handy!

We were quite proud of ourselves when it was all said and done. And very dirty. Me in a skirt, and Anita in white pants. :P

And a quickie layout I did this afternoon:

Now, my booty needs to go get some packing done....

a layout...

done the other evening when my heart was hurting. That's one thing I love about this hobby.... it's so therapuetic at times. Sometimes, you want to scrap about how you're feeling, while other times, it's good to scrap to forget about how you're feeling... I was wanting to forget, and it did the trick, and just for the record, all is well again. Just in case you were wondering. ;)

abou the layout:

these pictures aren't fabulous, but every time I look at them, I smile at the look Cameron has on his face looking at his baby sister. And Megan's little orange nose from all the sweet potatoes she was eating at the time....:) it goes by so quick! But I hope that big brother look never takes a permanent vacation!

leaving on a jet plane...

with two kids of mine... .lalalala.... lalalala..... will drink a lot.... lalalala....

tee hee. insanity at its finest. :) Nothing like waiting until the last minute... we're leaving for my mom's next week for a week. woot! Gettin' outta the armpit of Houston shall be grand... can't stand the humidity~ blech!

AND since we waited so long to get the tickets, guess what? Not 4 seats together! AND guess who already tried to say,"I figured you and the kids could sit in front of me, and I'd sit by myself (said as if he's sad about sitting by himself) behind you guys" Guess who cackled hysterically back at him? HA!

Thought I'd post a couple pics from the 4th.. and stuff...

Here's Megs and Dyl playin' together- cutie patooties... can't tell they act like an old married couple most of the time!
And here's one of Dylan, all red and sweaty, because that's what children look like when they've been playing outside for five minutes down here in summer.
these are from when Brandy and Dylan came and stayed with us... and a few moments prior to this picture, Dylan caused me to laugh harder than I have laughed in a long time. The kids were fighting over the dumb car- this one:

and Dylan was trolling around, and then Megs went on over and caused a ruckus, trying to get her way with the car. Well, Dyl wanted nothing to do with that apparently, because he grabbed Megan with both hands by the shirt and pulled her halfway into the car, all the while mouthing his hysterical jibberish (it sounded similar to a threat, but I cannot be sure). Definitely a had to be there, and if I hadn't been laughing so hard, I might have gotten a picture, but I was a second too late....

ahh, the good times of kids, and even better, the good times that amuse the moms.

itching for some new recipes...

even though I have umpteen cookbooks, and get so many cooking mags each month, I'm still in search of some new recipes... anyone have any good party food recipes? I'm looking for something new to make for a shower this weekend. If you have a link, can you post it for me? It's supposed to be a non-sweets type food... thanks!

a few recents...

for KMA:

we're a mess...

it's been a week, figured it was time to catch up...our resident superhero has been protecting us, so no worries. This is Trojan Spider Incredible Superman, at your service. He's also wearing snow boots, because, well you never know when Houston will get a snow storm in June.

And this is my little mini me, who crawled up in the chair and picked our her fabric of choice to sew with- cracks me up.

We've also been pooping. Well, all of us have, but the only one of interest that I could blog about without embarrassment is my daughter, who has been doing it not in a diaper. I say not in a diaper, because that is progress. But we did have one casualty that did not make it to the toilet either. Don't worry, I sanitized.

Had a slumber party here and there- my little sister came and stayed last week, and Brandy and Dylan came for an overnighter too. Good times. Company for us, since Brent's been on the road so much lately.

that's about it for now... I have some layouts to post, but I'll do that later- I hope everyone has a fabulous 4th of July!