{Wilbur-Derico}

We rushed back from camping (next post to attend Ali (our niece) and Jason's wedding. It was a beautiful day outside for the beautiful couple.

Out niece Ruby and Eliot (Ali's son)The bride and groom, with Tod and Jill (Ali's parents)Nick giving his toast (our nephew, Ali's brother)
Tod, Jill, and RubyThe cupcakes were delish!The very unique origami decorations the couple made for there theme.Colby and Ryley (Ry was very tired from camping).Chad and I

The family

Wishing them eternity together!

{Prineville}

This past week we went camping with 6 other families (which included 19 children) to Prineville for some sun and good company.Some of the kidlets, minus most of the boys!

We spent about 9 hours a day on the beach or in the boat (wake boarding, tubing, knee boarding, etc.). Maisey was a trooper with her cast. I was so pleased with her disposition, despite the fact all she could do was ride on the boat. It was SO hot and she was "beached" much of the time!The kids loved camping for three nights. It was really fun, but I realized 3 was as many as I could do in a tent (I even surprised myself with that number since it was SO dusty)! Next year, we want to rent something to sleep in! Here are some of my great girlfriends who came (minus Naomi who was attending to her family's needs, also new to camping)! We missed those few other close families who couldn't make it, but we LOVED seeing those who could, especially the Tonks' and Erekson's who drove 10 and 15 hours to come!!!

Forgive me if I have said this before, but my parents always told me growing up that friends would come and go, and that if you could count on one hand your "good" friends, you were lucky. Lets just say I know I am blessed and that each and every one of these women inspire me in a different way (including those who couldn't attend, but who were there in thought)!

{Ward Campout}

We can handle one night camping each year, and this week we are going for two... I know the kids will love it, and I will love seeing all our friends who are able to make it (7 out of 11 families).

Maisey won't get to enjoy the swimming and boating activities, but hopefully she will allow us to.

{Showered in Love}

My beautiful niece Ali is getting married in 11 days.

I was able to attend her shower 'brunch' this past weekend and now we will be attending her big day!

Something we weren't expecting as we had other long term plans which happened to change. Funny how things change...

The shower was small, intimate, and perfectly sweet...like these two ladies.

Ali and her momma Jill

{Spy Time}

I don't know what it is with kids around this age (7/8), but many of them love spying! Maisey went to a super fun spy themed party over the weekend with fingerprinting, code breaking, and all. The wonderful hostess dropped off a secret invite which had to be ciphered and then dressed each kid up in spy gear. Later she used the pictures for badges and...
the cake!!! This is Maisey eating herself. The presentation of the cake and all the party details were great.I had to post this random pic of the these three little ones because they were all born within a couple weeks of each other and we all met when they were newborns. I remember thinking we were the only people in the world to have such a big age gap of essentially 5 years, but nope, these little kids all have wonderful big sisters! We met through Girl Scouts 4 years ago and not surprisingly, Ryley will not be joining this next generation in GS.

{Tea}

We haven't hosted a tea party for at least a year, for more than two anyway. With Maisey's broken foot now seemed like the perfect time. We bought this fun new game (a very young child's game) because we love tea parties (Maisey has 6 or so tea sets she's collected), and we embellished by using real food.
Afterwards the girls watched an American Girl Movie and did some doll hair.

They had a great time and I decided I am the next one to have the girls for tea!

{This Week}

The weather has been SO beautiful this week- FINALLY!

So we went out with some friends for a nice evening. They did slolam skiing, wake boarding. Chad and I stick with the tubes and it was a wild ride. I honestly thought I was going to break my nose after getting hit really bad on 2 occassions. I had to call uncle and stop because the 25 MPH felt like 200 and I wanted to leave that night as I came!

Obviously the kids don't got so fast, but it's fun to watch their happy little faces!

Maisey, was good sport, although she wanted so badly to get in the water!

Her cast has been on for 5 days, but it seems like longer.

To keep busy, she has been reading (not too much however), playing games (electronic and board), watching some flicks, painting some faces, and doing some serious American Girl Doll hair with a new book and video she bought with "sick- get better" money. This week she's been great and still managed to have some fun at birthday parties, and the Stake Pioneer day.

{The Breaking Point}

This beautiful, brave little girl finally realized her summer fate on the way home from getting casted today! It was a breaking point, and a few tears and a big frown was displayed.

She's happy because we signed it!

***

It was a little sad when she realized she would miss most of the soccer season, and summer season which included lots of swimming, bike riding, boating, and pretty much everyone else summer!

But, there is no good time anyway with lessons all the school year long.

So, we will make the best of this down time. And a friend pointed out (A), this will slow us down a bit- okay A LOT!

Dang those Razor scooters!!! But, Maisey has informed me several times, she LOVES the pink cast!

{Greek Girls}

Ciara won the Greek hair contest and she should have! She was sporting some awesome heels (not pictured) and other cool accessories (beads and polyester)!Lisa, Carly, Me, Adrianna, Stephanie (back row)

Kristy, Ciara, Julie, and Naomi

These are my lovely gals. I don't actually know Stephanie, and Michelle is missing, and Jamie moved, but is always in my heart, but nonetheless, they bring light into my life.

I recently read a story about the release of oxytocin in the female brain. The study shows women are actually "happier" when they are with other women. Sometimes I think I am WAY too social (is there such a thing, I will check the DSM), but I really don't care as long as life stays fun!

And my gal pals keep it that way! I am connected to each and everyone of them in a different way, and we all respect each others differences. They love me for who I am, uniqueness and all!

They sure are special and I wish everyone the happiness I have when I am with them.

I always thank my husband for my "me-girl time." I am so lucky!

{Random- without pictures}

I've been back in school for 2 weeks now. As disciplined as I am, it has been a difficult adjustment with an extra family member home!

Along with the usual work and school, we have still managed to have some together at fountains, the pool, ice skating, etc....

Chad has also been great at taking the kids to the usual places (Zoo, Omsi, children's Museum, Pump it Up) at least 2x a week to keep them busy and out of my hair. Honestly, Maisey HAS to be busy every moment, and rather than wish she would entertain herself, we just go with it. And really, with a mom like me, it's no wonder she loves to be socializing. I can't stand not being busy, although a little down time would be nice!

I managed to get strep throat, a sinus infection, and a nasty eye infection (in one eye of all things)! It isn't bacterial, and it is less swollen today than it has been, which is really lovely. I scared myself when I looked in the mirror!

That's the update for now!

P.S. I am down 66 lbs and the neighbors are still reaping the rewards. Sometimes we go to the store and I agree we can buy something... Then we get home and I think it is too much of a temptation. SO, their waste lines are probably expanding!

Pictures to come in a week at my 5 month mark...

I do need to lose 16 lbs. in the next 3 or so weeks so I can horseback ride in Sun River. It's been my goal since I started so wish me luck!

I MISS BAKING!

{Cousins}

Cousins Peyton and Colby moved a little further away but they came to stay the night while their folks got some stuff moved. The kids painted
Sculpted cookies out of neat, already dyed dough. made picture framesand played beauty pageant and photo shoot. Okay, I "played" too! They just enjoyed being together!

{4 months}

Saturday was my 4 month milestone.

I don't feel so pleased right now (and I hate pictures of myself) because as you can see, this skirt isn't fitting right. Nothing fits right. My giant muscle calves have barely changed while the rest of me has gone down 5 clothing sizes. They keep saying I will be proportioned, but I'm not so sure!

59 lbs, 64.5 inches.

I concentrate on the inches when things are moving slower than I like and the fact I am moving forward! I will conquer this!

Just 112 lbs to go, or so... I am more focused on a size than the scale!

{Independance Day}

The day started out with the local parade. We are usually out of town with family, so this was a first in our town, and the kids loved it! The police department had some cool moves.The fun and entertaining rodeo. Overall, our 4th was a blast!

{kiddos}

Will this kids ever give me a nice smile, rather than a cheesy grin?

This is better!

A girl who never passes up a photo op!