I've been quilting!!

I can't help myself...I walk into a fabric store...and the material just draws me in!! I've made 4 quilts in the last 3 months...and we've been on the go SOO much...(can you tell I never sleep!!?) But they are so pretty!! I'll have to admit that the flannel and the rag quilt are my Family's favorites...so from now on...they will all be flannel! Sewing is so much like scrapbooking...it's all about the colors and designs of fabric that make it so much fun to do! Kevin says...why are you making all these quilts? ....I said "they're so our kids have something to argue about when I die!" No seriously...just a thing for me...I have to be busy, busy...and this is so rewarding..I think! We have company enough that it's so nice to have MANY quilts to choose from!

So I got my hair straightened yesterday...and it was so wierd to wake up this morning and have it straight still!! Usually I would wake up with an enourmus doo! Now I find myself putting volume back into it! But it will be a nice change!!

Off to Alaska in 16 hours...guess I've put off the inevitable packing long enough (ha ha)...better hop to it!!

13 years, and still going strong!!

August 19, 2008
Today was our 13 year Wedding Anniversary....Yay for us!! Kev and I reminised tonight, about the day we got engaged at Lake Chelan (April 11, 1995!) ...how we would tell the kids, how we would all fit in Kevin's 900 square foot home, our wedding plans, honeymoon to Hawaii for 10 days....and many other life changing events. Amazingly enough..this Man has managed to make all of our lives so much better..amazing!! He has been SO supportive of all the kids...taught them many things....especially how to enjoy life and make memories together as a Family!! Lucky US!!
WOW...he's still able to give me piggy backs...pretty strong huh? We went to dinner down at Johnny's down on the water...had a spectacular view of the boats and kayaker's out tonight...we love it there!! Shaylin and Jon were kind enough to sit with Tan and Jace so we could go out. All other years we would have a weekend together...but since we are going to Alaska in 3 DAYS...we declined this year...till another date!! Maybe Vegas or something soon!? What a great life we have...so fortunate!!

I can't get enough of the summer Olympics...can't seem to get to bed before 1 am anymore with the gymnastics..high bars, and these dang books my girls have me reading by Stephanie Meyers...the vampire books..they sounded so EVIL and haunting....but as I am on the 3rd of the 4 book series...they have me totally captivated!!
Shaylin has decided to move to Utah and be roommates with her Best Friend Sister,...Kaylee. So it looks as though I will be making a road trip to Utah after we return from Alaska...never a dull moment around here!! Night~

Our Weekend on a Whim!

When plans fall through originally to go camping..and we toss and turn at whether we should even go or not...? What happens? You take a weekend on a whim and just go for it!! We took off up to cruise along the Skate Creek road...first after stopping by Alder to take a swim..it was 100 degrees...and that water was just too inviting!! PARADISE!!! Then as we took the most beautiful drive along side the creek..we decided to stay the night and listen to the river..so peaceful! We walked through the river to the waterfall...and Jaycee and Kevin found some fossill rocks with leaf imprints..pretty cool! We all got to the other side of the river....it was FREEZING..luckily it was a very hot day...so it felt great!! It was a little tricky...very slimmy rocks to slip and fall on..but worth it all! Kevin put a rope down to make it easier for climbing back up...much needed. The river was so pretty and the water falling over the rocks was breathtaking!! The next day we went further down the road to see these AMAZING trees all covered in moss.....freakishly cool loooking!!! Looked like something from a scary movie or something...I thought they were COOL! We covered alot of ground for 2 days...but it was great to see some of the beauty on this side of the mountains...farely close to home!!!

As we were driving through Morton...I spotted this VERY old truck at an antique store that was closed...and hoped that they wouldn't mind me doing a little photo shoot with Tan....A little photoshop and these photos will be even better!! Luckily Tan cooperated...(but first I had to beg him and bribe him with a raspberry filled donut!) Hey whatever works right!!?

We head to Alaska in 4 days...staying for 8!!!! Yikes...I am so excited...WE ALL are.., for that matter!! And I need to get the kids ready for school which will start 3 days after we return from our trip...hmmm.going to be a busy week!! Darn...summer's drawing to a close!!!!

Wild Waves

So I realized that the 10 years we have lived in Puyallup, that we had NEVER been to Wild Waves!! Our friend Trina's niece..Brea, is here from Germany...and when she asked if If we would like to come to wild waves with them...I was SO hesitant...all I could think of was...long lines.....either raining or close to it, and whiny kids!! WELL....on the contrary...we went, and had a fantastic time!!! The weather was PERFECT!! Not too hot...and not raining...it just started to sprinkle when we left!! It was nice to finally experience the local fun around us!!! Now we know what it's all about!!! Thanks Trina!

Today is Darin's 24th birthday!! WOW...that must mean I am getting older too~ He's in Oregon with work, so no birthday cake today...we'll catch him soon though!

For Kaylee!!

She keeps me on my toes with blogging!! She couldn't believe that I hadn't blogged about Jaycee's braces yet....I couldn't either!!! So here they are Kaylee.....Jaycee has BRACES!! She got them on July 30th!She was a little nervous, but they are so kind at Dr Dhanes office. She laughed after she left and said...they don't even bother me at all!!! She got to pick the color she wanted and they gave her a little toothbrush kit, and went over all the DO NOT EAT things!! There are many!!

Last night while flossing, one of the wires broke...so looks like we are going back in tommorrow. They said this is very common, because the wires are flimsy at first and that happens alot. Guess I will learn to pop them back in eventually!!!

A whole new experience for all of us...she's the first of 6 to have braces...her teeth and smile will look so much better after a couple of years!! She has to see an oral surgeon next week to expose the tooth that is above the crooked one...then they will brace that tooth and eventually the bottom teeth as well...quite a procedure...but worth it in the end!!