Could you please at least LOOK like you're happy?

This is my attempt at a photo shoot with my kids. I have many photographer friends, and I concede to their skills. This is not my calling/talent in life, and actually, I'm okay with it! But, my kids are dang cute, and they (begrudgingly) posed for me!

What to do...what to do...

JUMP FOR JOY!?!

Yes, that was the scene on Monday, when my pals and I walked out of the school without our children. With only one at home, it's almost like I don't have any at all. The house stays REALLY clean and it's pretty darn quiet. But Olivia gets bored and tries to escape outside every second of the day, so that keeps me on my toes.(See above picture for visual)

Madelyn is already hard at work in the homework department....
my wonderful 8th grader!

Savannah has never been more excited to start school. She was absolutely thrilled with her 4th grade teacher this year! (Mrs. Herbst)

And my handsome little Gabe is a second grader and has really started to take off in his love for learning. He just started reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and does quite well.

So, it is back to the schedule of routine bedtimes, homework and practices. And as much as I love the leisure time of summer sleeping in, and casual days, I always look forward to back-to-school! Maybe it's because Autumn is my favorite time of year. Or maybe it's because it's clean and quiet. Yeah...it's probably that.

My goodness, Mr. Darcy.....

I am having a mini-obsession with this character. I probably don't need to elaborate.

And this... well this is for my friend, Hilarie, back East.
(And maybe a little for me?)

Viewer discretion advised!!!

Love, ya Hil!

Ummm..Hello!!!!

Does anyone actually SEE the countdown over there?---->

It's getting so close!!!!!

Livvy's old flame.....

It's official. Olivia misses her Hayden. She asks every day if she can go over to his house (which used to be right next door to us, but they moved a week or so ago)and I have to tell her, "Olivia, Hayden doesn't live there anymore, remember?" And then she proceeds to put her face in her hands, and bawls. It is sad.

So, to remember happier times...here is a post dedicated to Lulu's little love!

SLAPFACE

This made me smile.....

U.S.A.!!!!!

It's official...I am an Olympic NERD. I would watch the games 24/7 if I could. As it is, my kids are now obsessed and can tell you how to accurately score a beach volleyball game, and what it takes to get a high score in springboard diving. And Gabe now wants to grow up and be Michael Phelps.

Did anyone see the Mens Team swim relay last night? The French team was talking some SERIOUS SMACK about us beforehand, saying that they would "SMASH" our team. Well, guess what...?

Yeah...we won.

And it was by 8/10ths of a second. But still, WE GOT GOLD! As a wise man once said, "If you ain't first, you're last!" In your FACE le francais! Lance was screaming so loudly he woke up the kiddies. Yep...we're havin' some fun at our house for a couple weeks.

Savannah's 9th Birthday

8-8-08

Well, my little preemsters is 9 years old! I look back to when she was born( all 3 pounds of her)and it seems like another lifetime ago. You wouldn't know by looking at her that she had such a rough start in life!

For her birthday, my Mom came down and we went out lunch and bought Savannah 2 hermit crabs. Then, for dinner went to Chuck-A-Rama. Savannah originally wanted to got to Golden Corral(my kids LOVE the buffets) but I put my foot down because it's disgusting. The Bountiful Chuck-A-Rama was much cleaner and it was fun.
We came home and had cake(which my Mom made for her)and opened presents. She got new school gear and some clothes( and don't forget the crabs, Gary and Larry!)

And here's my wonderful Mom, whom Savannah can't get enough of.....

Happy Birthday, Savannah! We love you.

Alright...alright...!

I've been tagged by my dear friend. I normally don't like to do these. Reading other peoples' tags is fine, I just kind of think I don't even have enough people read my blog to tag anyone else!!!!
So, here goes!!!
4 Places I visit frequently
1. The grocery store
2. Church
3. The laundry room
4. the bathroom
( see? I told you I'm no good at this!)

4 people who call/text/email me regularly
1. Lance
2. My sister
3. My Mom
4. Madelyn

4 favorite foods
1. chips and salsa
2. chicken enchiladas
3. funeral potatoes
4. Jamaican Jerk Pizza from California Pizza Kitchen

4 movies I'd watch over and over
1. Gone with the Wind ("Frankly my dear.....")
2.Phantom of the Opera (Yes, Lilian...Gerard.)
3. Any of The Lord of the Rings( yes, I know)
4. Harry Potter!

4 bands/groups I like to listen to
1. Coldplay
2. One Republic
3. Michael Buble
4. Chicago

4 people I'm tagging...
1. Allison
2.Tammie
3.Tracy
4.Madelyn

Okay! I did it! I fulfilled my duty!!

Fun Friday!!!

It has been a while since I've posted, but life is crazy sometimes. I volunteered at Barnes and Noble Friday night, for the midnight release of Breaking Dawn. I have become 'Twilight' obsessed since March and was SOOO excited! The perk was, the volunteers didn't need to wait in line to get there books. At 12:01 sharp, we were the first to pay and leave! Check out the line that went ALL the way back to Michael's....


Another fun perk was...hanging with Stephenie Meyer's sister!! She was there and let us take pictures with her and when they closed the store down at 11:15 to start the line outside, we (as volunteers) got to hang out with her in the break room until 12:00. She told us some interesting things about Robert Pattinson's take on Edward.
Here is our photo with her.... by the way she's the Emily that 'Sam's Emily' is named after.

She was a good sport about it all. We are all so crazy and obsessed!
Here is Madelyn in the Bella look-a-like contest. She didn't win, (a little girl did), but it was so fun!

Now, I did finish the book on Saturday, and for those of you who have not yet read it, I will edit my thoughts/opinions. But in short....WHERE THE HECK WAS MY EDWARD????? That's all I will say for now.