The Greatest Show on Earth!

Last night Chase and I took Caleb and Emma to see the circus for the first time. First off, I must say that I felt terrible leaving Sarah, but I thought she might get overwhelmed and cry, and then I'd miss most the show. So instead I got to hear her cry and cry once she figured out I was leaving. We're going through a terrible bout of separation anxiety, and it's as hard on me as it is on her, especially with the start of school right around the corner.

Anyway, back to the circus. Caleb and Emma were absolutely mesmerized by the whole experience. There was a "sky-rider" on a motorcycle that rode on a wire right above us, and I have to say that I was pretty astonished as well. Then there were the motorcycle riders that rode around in a sphere cage of steel. They fit seven bikes in this cage and it was so incredible! I mean, one second off on the timing and these guys (and one girl!) were in huge trouble. Caleb's eyes were "gi-normous" (his new favorite word).

I was wishing I had brought my new camera, I'm certain I could've gotten some awesome shots, but I didn't know if cameras were allowed inside and I didn't want to get to the door only to be told I couldn't bring it in. So, I'll just have to do with these pics I found on the internet.

Oh, I have to add that I think the most stressful job out there was that of the guys shoveling the mess the elephants left behind. And there was a ton! You'd think they could hold it for the ten minutes they're actually out there, but no, just like a kid, as soon as they can't go to the bathroom, guess what. You got it. I don't know if there was a single elephant who didn't leave a little "gift" for those shovelers.

And last, to say that my house is like a three-ring circus is no longer accurate. There's only one ring, and I think our house is much more chaotic!

So until next year, ladies and gentleman, children of all ages, enjoy each day and live your life because you are a part of...the greatest show on Earth!!

Big Bear

We had a fantastic weekend in Big Bear! Even though it was short, the kids made the most of their time by hanging out in the pool. They managed to go swimming five times in less than two days! We never even left the resort.

I think my favorite part was playing hide and seek indoors. Caleb and Emma love to hide and find each other, but when Caleb quit on Emma, I filled in for her. Only every time Sarah couldn't find me, she'd cry. And when she did see where I was hiding, she'd stand in fromt of the spot, point, and squeal excitedly. So then I tried to hide her with me, but she couldn't stop giggling and squealing, so it was pretty much a bust for me to hide.

Caleb has a new-found passion for playing basketball, and yes, that shot went in!

Emma had lots of fun jumping in, over, and over, and over!

Anyway, even if this was our only vacation, it was really nice to get away and just have family time without worrying about needing to do laundry, go to the grocery store, or clean up this and that.

I can't believe how quickly the last six weeks have passed. I only have two more weeks before I go back to school. I know it's going to be super tough on Sarah. She has definitely become attached and very clingy to me. We'll just have to adjust....poor girl!

Swimming

Mmmm...refreshing!

The kids had a fun afternoon playing in the little pool last week. The day felt like it was just what summer should be: relaxing, warm, and playful. While they played in the mini pool I was able to read a bit while Sarah napped.

What's better than popsicles in the pool on a summer day? Not much!

I'm a little sad that we didn't get take a real vacation this summer, but we are getting away this weekend to Big Bear. Looking forward to that! Then we can all go swim in the real pool!

A Slow Week

Yes, I'm very lucky to have the summer off, I know. And this week was just a slow, uneventful one. We went to the movies on Wednesday and saw Shrek the 3rd. I remembered why it's not a good idea to take a one-year-older (as Emma calls her) to the movies. It hadn't even started yet and she was kicking to get off my lap. Half way through, Emma was bored. We sat in many different seats, and the trip to the bathroom was actually a welcomed break. No more movies for a while!

Playing with friends...yes, that ball is dropping from the net!

Most afternoons we just spend hanging out, playing in the front yard, playing in the water, and the kids see their friends. They made some new ones this week, who, coincidentally, have an awesome new play set in their backyard. One of those wooden kind that are really cool.

Whoa! That slide just tossed me!

Some good news is that Sarah's mouth is healed and she still has her pretty little teeth! They look almost like they did before her fall, so that is great. Thanks for the prayers, Mom.

(I found Mommy's glasses!)

Great Grandma's House

Last Tuesday we visited my Grandma, the kids' Great Grandma. My cousin, who lives in Texas, is out here on vacation with her four kids and no husband! Can you believe she drove from Texas, with four kids, the oldest 14 and the youngest 3, alone!! I can barely handle driving mine for forty-five minutes, let alone twenty hours!

Anyway, Caleb really had fun with his cousin Shea...or second cousin, however that works out. And it was fun to get all the kids together for some pictures.

Emma was helping Sarah walk through the yard. Sarah was feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of the unfamiliar faces, I think, so she was clinging to her big sissy.

Grandma has an orange tree in the backyard and it still had oranges on it. I thought that was strange, since oranges are usually a winter fruit. Well, the kids picked some off and one of them peeled it...and there was this tiny little shriveled up piece of orange in there! (As I type this, I realize all of the great pics I could've taken with my new toy...Grandma...the orange tree...the shriveled up piece of orange!!)

Sarah stuck her thumb right into the middle of this thing, it was so soft and mushy!

Anyway, though it was a bit crazy with 7 kids and an immobile grandma (she hurt her leg and can't walk right now), it was great to see everyone.

I love you!

Happy 10th Anniversary to my Wonderful Husband!!

Thank you for ten years...two cars...three kids...great home...and a wonderful life! I love you!

Spaghetti Night

I think this is probably a classic baby picture. I know I have the same shots of both Emma and Caleb, but they still never get old!

It was so messy when she was done that I had to scoop her up to keep the remains from scattering all over the floor and shake her off outside!

Needless to say, Misha enjoyed dinner that night, too!

Summer Night

Isn't it great when the sun stays out late? The kids have been having so much fun playing, having dinner, then going out to play some more. And it's so nice not having to worry so much about bedtime (particularly for me since I don't have to worry about mine right now either!). This is really our first summer "vacation" since Caleb has finished his first year in school, and we're living it up.

Sarah was practicing her artistic talents...

...and making some interesting culinary choices!

Kind of by accident, we ended up signed up for nothing this summer. We were too late on swimming lessons, and Emma's art class got cancelled =(. But we've been having a lot of fun at Soak City and just hanging out with the neighborhood kids and kickin' it at the park.

I love the look on her face as she "flossed" with this string from our plants.


And yes, I do have two other kids, but they're never around for me to take pictures of them! Next time!

Fun on the Fourth

Okay, if this post is up, then I've accomplished something. I really know nothing about using Photoshop, but it was the only way I think I could look at my new pictures (since the resolution is so big) and I learned how to organize and resize them tonight! Yay! So now I guess I've got another goal for the summer...to work on using Photoshop as well.


Perfect belly-flop form!

And some perfect jumping form!
Getting caught sneaking into the cooler.

My baby's smile is healing, and she's getting into as much mischief as before.

For some fun on the fourth, we all went to Grandma's house for swimming and bbq. The kids had a great time in the pool and Caleb and Emma were really doing some fabulous jump stunts as they entered the water. Sarah is doing well, but she doesn't seem to enjoy the pool too much.

Scott, my brother-in-law, bbqed tri-tip and it was delicious. As Emma put it, "This is the best chicken I ever tasted!"

I got to test out my new toy, too. Still working on all the settings, but I'm having fun experimenting! Only now my photos are huge and they're taking forever to upload! Hmmm, I'm sure there's a way to adjust that...just gotta learn how! (update...I learned how!)

I love this picture of Sarah and Grandma.

Just testing out my new-found options!