Summer 2011

How does the time go so stinkin' fast... geesh. May and June have flown by.
I guess the time flies when you are having fun saying rings true.

So, what have we been up to?? Well, we jetted off the day after the big kids were done with school to go and visit Papa in Hawaii. We had not visited since Belle was 4 months old and it was Sweet M*'s first time. The kids had a fantastic time. It was an amazing (and relaxing) trip. I forgot how fun it is to be at a beach without a baby. No one was attempting to eat sand. No swim diapers to hassle with. It was WONDERFUL!!!

I was really impressed with M*... he was swimming without his floatie and he was the smallest (bravest) kid in line for the rope swing. I love the pic of him just floating in the air below ;) He volunteered in the luau and did great on the flights. We had minor behavior issues but the idea of missing out on anymore hawaiian shaved ice seemed to help M* snap back pretty quick.

The big kids did boogie boarding and swam like fish. The two of them have recently developed such a great friendship and it was so fun watching them laugh and play together. Warms a mama's heart!

And, Belle was the cutest hula girl I have ever seen. She also was in the water playing with the boys like a champ.

This was by far the best and most relaxing time we have had as a family since M*'s arrival last May. And, it was VERY needed.




5 days after coming home from Maui we set sail to Mexico with my family. Sweet M* did wonderful and had a great time playing at the kids club allowing me and Mr. Wonderful to have some time to ourselves. Cruises are funny. We have done a few in the past couple years and I think we are cruised out for awhile. There is only so much you can do on a boat. And, it is horrible for your diet. I mean really how do you pass up the chocolate buffet... and molten lava cake ever night?? Well... some might be able to but I don't possess such will power :) I did really enjoy spending time with my parents and siblings and getting to know my brothers girlfriend. My brother has become that uncle that the kids swoon over. He throws them skyhigh in the pools... he dances with them and laughs at their jokes (and misbehavior). All in all another good trip.

Vacation

Yes... I am alive and we have been back for over a week. But, I am a cry baby and I was wallowing in my happy hangover. We had so much fun and as usual I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer.

Cam & Ella on the monorail

The bridge inside Animal Kingdom Lodge

Ella posing for the Camera in the lobby

Owen's Favorite Guy

I am easy... I loved my coffee in these cute cups every morning

Ella met her idol and brought home a souvineer

Cam played on that idol's playground and I promised not to tell :)

Couple time is rare on this trip... so I caught it on camera

Of course the kids faces were painted in traditional African style (they told me after Ella's meant available for marriage- her dad thinks differently)

This is proof that they actually are all happy though the proof is found far and few between (you try getting them all to smile)

This was my fav part... these guys were directly outside our hotel room balcony... CRAZY!!!!

Family Photo Opp. at Chef Mickey's the kids favorite restaurant

The kids even enjoyed the rental car... maybe more than the rides :)

It's been awhile :)

So, a lot has been going on over here. We are almost through our spring season at work, helping schools get donations, Captain's basketball, Cuddlebear's singing, school end of the year mumbo jumbo, home study paperwork, moving our work office, my doctors and dentist appt.'s... ugh!!!

So, we took a few weeks off of adoption- schmoption to see where things were going with our current agency and to see if a switch was needed (we are still trying to figure this one out). This led to us realizing that summer is here and we will have to move slower through our paperwork process the next few months b/c our summer funds get a little tight (ahhh.. the seasonal business). I am still working on a yard sale for those who so graciously said you could donate some of your used stuff... I am thinking sometime in June. But, with the slow down means our 3-Day Weekends Full of Fun are coming... hip hip hooray.

Hubby and I started this last year and it is fantastic. We take Fridays off the entire summer and we do day trips around our state and little night stays here and there. I am so excited b/c we get a little sneak peek at the summer get-aways this weekend because we are going away for Mother's Day. I can't wait!!!! I feel like we get so much closer with the kids and we really all bond and re-connect as a family. And, the great thing is there are so many ways to do this on a tight budget. We bring snacks, food, & our ice chest from home. We already have all our beach/ outside toys that we bring with us. We stop at my fav place Trader Joes and pick up pre-made sandwiches etc... near our beach or hotel. And, it is so much fun when you look up local beaches and parks online (yelp helps). Being a tourist in your own town and its surrounding community has so many perks... you should try it!!! I could not believe how many places were an hour away and yet I had never traveled to them before.

As I have been trying to step back from the adoption process I sort of stepped away from my blog too. Which is why I may have overcompensated with some cute pics of the kiddos below. I think my kids are so darn cute... so YES I know I am "that" mom :) Oh, well... at least hopefully the grandparents will enjoy!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

Fun with our Cousin!

Our wonderful big cousin came to play--and give mom and dad a break yesterday. They played slip and slide and other water games. The boys always have so much fun with their cousin, and dad enjoyed a quick snooze with baby Belle and mommy got to do a little cleaning!!