Schools out

Brennan and Myron have no school the rest of the week and Nathan had a half day today, so we ended up with a couple of extra kids last night for a sleep over. Fergus, Myrons best friend and Zack, Nathans best friend. Nathan and Zack had school today, but just a half day so N, Z and friend Noah went to see a movie after school today. I picked them up after the film and took them out for pizza. It was fun to get to spend some time with the boys. After taking Bren and N to football, we all went to the library. Rylan was so excited to get his first library card. As a book driven family, we were all very proud and had to photograph the joyous occasion. Mae hung out at the fish tank. We hung out at the church afterwards while the boys were at scouts. It is really fun to be there on Wednesdays because everyone meets on the same night. Nora and Mae were so happy to see each other. Especially since it had been a whole week and a half since they had seen each other. Too cute. Mae gave her more kisses in one night than she has given me all week.
That's all for now. I am working tomorrow.

Birthday fun

My birthday was yesterday and it was a special day. After church, we went to lunch and then met Myron downtown to pick him up. He joined his scout troop on a "Crop Walk" to fight hunger.
Rhonda and Myron walked three miles. He was very proud of himself. I got to take a Sunday nap, which has been non existent this last month. After the kids were in bed, I was cleaning up and found little heart shaped notes all over the house from Shane. One of the notes said that he was taking today off to take me wherever I wanted, so today we headed to Port Gamble.
It is a beautiful little tourist town with only 60 residents and as you can see by the photos, it is just too picture perfect. We, or I, I should say, browsed through the sweet little antique shops and found a great 1950's hat. We visited the shell museum that I visited as a child and Rylan was enchanted. As small as it is, he kept wanting to go back and forth between the displays over and over. He said to me "mom, can you bring me here whenever I want"? It was too cute.
Another cute comment from Rylan was in the car on our way to Poulsbo. "Mom, if I put this (starfish that we bought) in the water, will it come back to life"? Too fun.
Here is Rylan in front of the cool shark display. I know these displays look pretty sparce and low budget (they are), but they are still cool. I am happy that the new owners have left it still intact.
Here Shane is on main street.
Below is the museum (upstairs) and the general store downstairs.



After our little tourist stop, we headed into Poulsbo to one of my favorite restaurants, Campanas.
It is a family owned Italian rest. that I have been going to since I was 12 years old and still just as yummy. I had the seafood fettuccini and the scallops were cooked to perfection.
After that, I went antiquing while Shane kept the kiddos at the waterfront park. Then I stopped by the fabric shop to buy some great prints for my vintage apron I am making.
It was a great day and I had even greater company. Thanks for all the birthday wishes.
It feels good to be 33.


I am adding a video now that I have this new computer that recognizes the video format on my camera. Enjoy!

The boys are back in town.......da dum da The boys are back in towown.

I wish I could post the song mentioned in the title line in this post. I haven't blogged in days. Things have been fun and busy. My brother Eric was up from San Francisco and he came over on Wednesday night, Sandra (my other mother) came Thursday morning, and my other brother Greg arrived late last night. Sandra took me birthday shopping on Thursday and to lunch at Shima. It was wonderfully fun. We decided to stay on the Island, so I got some real treasures. I found a beautiful 50 ish jacket at Lilies and then found a great hat and some cute shirts at Zia. I never go into these stores to shop because of their high prices, so I felt pretty special. While sitting outside Calico Cat, I was stung by a yellow jacket? Not sure, but today, 2 days later, it is still itching and stinging like crazy. The funny thing is, the silly thing was stuck in my finger. As soon as I felt it, I looked down and it was just sitting there like "what". I tried flicking it, shaking it. Uh uh. It wouldn't budge. Finally the store clerk smacked it off and then squashed it. My finger is twice it's original size. Friday, Sandra had to leave early because of personal reasons and left me to do the rest of my birthday shopping on my own, so I headed to Silverdale last night. It just wasn't as much fun without her, and yet...still okay. ;)
This morning we all got up and headed to Brennans football game. They had their first win!
After that, Myrons soccer game that ironically ended with their first loss. It's good though. Those boys needed a slice of humble pie. Anyhow, that's all for now.
I have some cute videos and more photos to post later, but right now, I just want to spend time with my brothers.
Plus......tomorrow is my BIRTHDAY!! 33 years old already. Where did the time go?

Library storytime

Today, I had a lot of computer work since last night was the Haunted House meeting and I had to organize 92 kids into 8 different rooms, etc, and that's just the beginning. I really needed to do something with the kiddos. The library book sale was again today, so after visiting Wilkes to sign up the kids that were MIA last night, we headed over there. We found some great books as usual and then went to lunch at Isla Bonita. After that, I dropped Myron and Rylan off at the church to play soccer while I took Malan to a mommy and me storytime class at the library.
It was quite interesting to see Mae around so many babies younger than her, and strangers at that!
She didn't sit still (I didn't force her) and decided to be in the middle of the circle instead of on my lap. I think she just didn't know what to do with herself without her brothers or brother, pestering her all the time. You really could tell that she was the youngest and the only girl in our family. She's a tough one. I had to stop her twice from trying to hit a little boy. What have I gotten myself into?
After all that excitement, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.Here are some photos I snapped today. My brother Eric is coming tonight so I have really got to get this house in order. Bye for now.

Model Mae

Here is Mae modeling for my friend Karin's boutique. She will be in their new flyer being sent out this week. I just love this dress. She wore it to church on Sunday. She is "woofing" at a dog in this photo.

Street vendor

Some kids aspire to be doctors, firemen, lawyers, etc. Not my child, oh no. This is what Brennan came up with tonight. He confronted his brothers with his coat full of treasures and offered his goods at reasonable prices. As a mother....I am just so proud.

In other news. We had the 4th grade Haunted House big meeting today. I am the chair for the 3rd time in a row. It went incredibly well and I am really excited to see what everyone comes up with.

Just another normal day

Today was a great day. Sundays usually are. We went to church and Mae wore the most adorable dress from Lollipops. I'll post photos later. Karin, the owner is also a fantastic photographer and wanted to take photos of Malan for her sale flyer. I can't wait to see them and post them.
Anyhow, so I worked today after church and the boys hung out around town. Shane had a meeting with our bishop at three so they were around off and on. Mae took a nap in the back dressing room for two hours, which was nice. No one even knew she was there. As usual, I had a blast and met some really great people. I will be there next Sunday on my birthday so if anyone wants to come in and say hi, i'll be around. Lollipops is also having a major sale next weekend. 30% off everything in the store including costumes, so come on in! Hows that for promotion Karin!
Tonight, I am cleaning my room and it's interesting to me that even at 32, it takes me just as much time, if not more, than it did when I was younger. I have to go through everything. It's kind of like a treasure hunt, when I find old photos or cards. Tomorrow, the chaos of the 4th grade Haunted House begins. I am the chair for the 3rd year and it is a circus, which by the way might be the theme this year. Anyhow, all is well in this world.
Goodnight.