HELLO...

Hey, is anyone out there? What am I doing here, with this blog I mean. Wow, it's been a while. Thought when the kids went back to school I'd have time to keep up with this but I guess I'm not doing such a good job. I'm realizing that no matter how much time you're given it still vanishes. Just occupied a little differently now, I guess. Is that it? Can that be my excuse? Can I use the excuse of time for not posting about past birthdays, family vacations and various outings. Well for what it's worth, we have been busy and it has taken us awhile to get back into the grove. Scott's crazy busy with work, Ella's adapting to the changes that third grade brings, Jack, well he's just along for the ride enjoying school and learning how to stay out of trouble given his new sassy attitude and me... I'm just trying to enjoy each day, which I do. Focusing on my family and spending some much needed time on myself. Life is good here. I will get better, at blogging that is, I'm going to try harder.

five days a week...

... and this is how the first day ended. Wiped out but more than happy to get up the next day and do it all over again. He loves it and I am now officially the mom of TWO school aged children.

Wow, eight years of mornings filled with story times, preschool outings and various other children related activities. Afternoons spent running errands (and by errands I mean only those pressing enough that must be done) with kids complaining, "do WE have to go in" and "can't YOU just do this later, without US". Picnic lunches packed for the park that usually came about through bargaining, related to the dreaded errand running.

Eight years, count them, eight and now... it's just me.

Can I tell you how much can be accomplished in the course of six hours when you're by yourself and have no interruptions. Pause. Let's just think about that. I forgot what it was like. Throughout this first week of school I've found myself rushing from task to task only to stop and remind myself that tomorrow I get six more hours of this.

Like I said, this is the first week, school has begun and we're adjusting to the changes. I must say that I do miss those crazy mornings and mid afternoons with children. I miss them and get a little weepy when I think of how they're over. This is a new chapter for me... for our family. They're growing older, they'll continue to do so, it saddens me when I think about it but excites me in the same way.

Goodbye summer...we'll miss you. See you again in nine months.

Independence Day...

Is anyone getting tired of viewing photos of our family at the beach yet? It does kind of seem like that's all we do. Well, it's not all we do but we do spend a bit of time traveling up and down the coast. I don't know how you wouldn't spend countless beach hours given where we live. Anyway, we like the sun, sand and water so once again we found ourselves enjoying the holiday weekend at the beach.






Swimming and eating...does the rule still apply? You know wait 20 minutes after eating before getting in the water.

A hot summers evening spent with good company. Grilling food and cooling off in the pool.







Can't be a celebration without fireworks. Waiting for the sun to go down...


Sun down, time for a simple front yard display.







Happy Independence Day! Hope everyone's day was filled with fun times and relaxing moments.

Meet me in Miami...

The kids and I headed a few miles south to Miami earlier this week. Shane, Naomi and the kids were returning from their Bahamas cruise and stayed over in Miami before traveling back to Wyoming. We met them at their hotel then ventured to South Beach for some Florida sun.


A hot summers day and no set agenda... happy day!


Enjoying the beach and each others company.




Miami beach is not the place to collect shells. Searching the sand for a few to take home.

Megan worked very hard collecting ocean remnants to fill this empty water bottle then mistakenly forgot it at the restuarant. I had to include this photo for her...sorry Megan.



Done with the beach and time for some lunch. Rinsing off the salt and sand.




Cousins sharing a soda at the News Cafe.

BTW guys, I didn't tell you that the News Cafe was the last place Versace visited minutes before his death. He was returning home (two blocks south) from the restaurant/news stand when he was shot to death at his door step. Just a bit of trivia to store.


Ending the day with a dip in the pool.


Departing. Thanks for spending the day with us, travel safely and we'll see you again soon.

raising surfers II

Here is one of the video's I took of Ella today. She is doing great...so awesome!

Unlike the first clip from surf camp this clip does contain waves. The last few days of camp have been exciting for our little surfers. The ocean, looks like the ocean and not like a lake. They take a beating and surface with a smile ready to get back up again. Nerve racking yet thrilling to watch as a parent.

raising surfers

It's surf camp time...check out my little surfers in action.

Schools Out!

Can you see the rainbow? By the time I ran inside to get the camera it had began to fade away, so pretty. When I see this image I hear a rather large Hawaiian guy playing a ukulele and singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow...awww, I love that sound. I also love that the sight of a rainbow usually follows a good rain shower. Afternoon rain showers in Florida are a reminder that summer is officially here.


One more hour to go! Hello summer vacation goodbye second grade class.


Wipe down pencil marks on desk. Check. Gathered all items and stuffed them into a bag that can barely be carried. Check. Collected friends phone numbers and gave one last hug. Check. Sit and wait for the bell to ring while mom takes a picture. Done too.



Ella and her second grade teacher.


Another school year finished. Time just cruises by.


Jacks preschool class is in a building next to Ella's elementary school. After Ella was released we ventured over to his class for the last hour.


His teachers love him. He really is a teachers ideal student (at least so far). One last hug.


Last image of preschool, next year it's the big time.


After school we joined friends bowling. We tried for the park but given the time of day the rain chased us to the bowling alley.




Well here we go, summer vacation has begun. We'll keep you posted...

dance, dance and more dancing...

The past weekend was spent going from dress rehearsals to dance performances and juggling a few birthday parties in the mix.

It's a busy time of year but thankfully summer and it's lazy days are creeping around the corner. Let it begin, bring on summer vacation! Maybe soon I'll be able to catch up on my postings of family visits, birthday parties and weekend trips. Wait, who am I kidding... the kids are out of school it will be even crazier!


Flash photography and filming were not permitted in the auditorium so I was unable to get the actual dances. I did order a DVD of the THREE hour performance so if wanted you'll get to see it too.


When the show was over Ella wanted me to take photos of her and her friends on the stage. She has never performed on a real stage in front of a large audience before, I was surprised how relaxed she was, no big deal to her.


Posing for a photo with friends and her Jazz instructor Ms. Penny.


When I asked her what dance class she enjoyed most this year she said tap because she could be loud and make noise. Funny and true.


After the first performance we ate lunch and then it was back to the auditorium to get ready for the next show. What a long day she had.


Daddy's are good for all sorts of things especially keeping track of dance shoes.


Is it me or is someone starting to pose a bit for the camera.


Pretty flowers for our dancer. They looked so lovely sitting on her desk, I had to take a picture. Nice job little bug, you were wonderful. May you always have fun dancing. I'll forever enjoy watching you.