MY GREAT FRIENDS???

So, it was my birthday a few days ago, (Happy Birthday to me...) and my friends were really nice and gave me a little mini party.

It was our regular monthly date night, and I had no idea they had planned anything. What great friends right? Well, you might think so, but you would be mistaken. By the way, in case you don't know, I hate feet. No, I loathe feet. I think feet are so, so, so, gross! I cannot even express in words how much feet creep me out. Did you know that they stay in your stinky shoes all day, and get sweaty and nasty?

Unfortunately, during the coarse of our monthly game nights, my friends have discovered my feet phobia.

Now, check out my cake!

Yup, you guessed it. My "friends" made me a FEET CAKE; complete with bright pink toenails and everything. Now, do not be deceived by this picture, and think "it's not so bad, they only have two large feet on top," for if you look closely you will see the little tiny feet all around the outside of the cake.

You cannot get away from the feet!

As you can see, I was having a little trouble. I was thinking about what clever "friends" I have, and how I was going to get out of eating that big foot. Because, you know, with "friends" like mine, my piece of cake was one of those big feet. I managed to eat a big toe, and all around the foot, and a couple of bites of heal, but it was really hard. The cake was really, really, good (thanks Chaz) but I just couldn't get passed the big tan foot with bright pink toenails.

(TOENAILS! Please people...they are gross.)

As you can see, Kirk enjoyed this whole situation thoroughly. I think he was glad he didn't come up the idea, so I couldn't get mad at him later.

In all actuality, it was a great night, and

I couldn't ask for better people to pretend to be my friends!

Oh, and thanks for the pedicure stuff, but don't think I'm going to come over to give you one.

I'M NOT TOUCHING YOUR YUCKY FEET!!

I'm Ready For My Close Up!

I just think this is a cute picture. Monique adores getting her picture taken. If the camera comes out, she is the first to jump in front. And then, she always needs to see the picture so we can discuss how cute she is, and what a great picture she has given me. I don't know where she gets the ideas for these poses from.
I love this girl to pieces!

Boy...I'm POOPED!

You know, we have provided her with a very nice, comfy bed in her very own room. She can sleep with all of her favorite stuffed "friends" and have them watch over her at night. Does she choose to sleep there? - NO! - She chooses to sleep in the basement in a plastic storage bin. You might think "Wow, she must be really tired and have terrible parents" oh- but you would be wrong. This child can sleep ANYWHERE! Ever since she was a baby, if she was tired - she fell asleep. It didn't matter where she was, and we didn't even have to rock her or anything. She would just find a corner, or just fall where she was sitting/standing and go to sleep. We would find her in the strangest places with who knows who or what. Even then, she didn't like sleeping in her own bed.
Don't believe me?
Oh, I have the pictures to prove it. See below!

Need a Good Dentist!

I don't know what is going on with Olivia. I know she is teething, but this is ridiculous! This can't be good for her self esteem. Now, I know what you are all thinking...."but Dottie, you have big teeth. She's just taking after her Momma!" Well, that may be true, but mine are not that dirty. Don't worry sweetie, we'll get you a really good toothbrush, and some whitening strips and you'll be as good as new!

Mother Guilt Reigns!

So, while I was in Utah, Izabella started 2nd grade. I can't believe how much this little girl has grown. She is really turning into a young lady already. Anyway, since I couldn't be with her on the first day of school I missed taking some cute pictures of her. Therefore, when I saw her wearing the same outfit she wore on the first day, I started snapping pictures. This way I can pretend I didn't miss it. It's not that much later...(school started August 25th)


Huh?! Why are you taking pictures of me?


You are the weirdest lady I know.


This is so dumb!
(but hey, Olivia thinks it's a perfect opportunity to scratch her bottom)


Finally, my cute girl emerges
from all the silliness!

Monique's First Day of Kinder Kids

Actually, school started a week earlier, but because of the unexpected trip to Utah, she missed her first day of school. So, this is her actual first day. I think she was glad to get back to her friends, and the whole school routine. She really struggled over the summer with no routine, and crazy, different things every day. She loves her new teachers: Miss Jelly Bean and Miss Teddy Bear. She gets to take her lunch box every day with her snack, and has Show and Tell every Wednesday. Of course, she was very willing to pose for this picture...as you can see, the pose was very thought out. She kept following me around saying, "Mom, my picture!" over and over until I snapped this one.

UNCLE DAN - THE NEW FAVORITE!

For at least 10 minutes anyway!

While we were in Utah for the funeral, we had a little get-together at the oldest Siblings house. It was so relaxing, and the kids had a fantastic time. It was nice after the straining week to just sit around, eat, talk, eat, laugh, eat, cry, eat, chase children, eat...well, you get the idea. Michael and Kirk had a great time discovering a fellow Trekkie in the form of my Uncle Jim (my mom's brother) and the girls had a great time smelling all Jean's Scentsy stuff. My Aunt Marjorie hadn't heard of it, so she thought it was great. Dan saddled up the horses, and the kids had a was great time. Of course, the ownership of horses made the children endure him for a little while! We also watched Londyn run the barrels and she is AWESOME!


Bella now wants to take riding lessons.
Too bad we don't live closer to the favorite Uncle Dan!


Monique wanted to ride all alone, and couldn't understand why Uncle Dan had to keep hold of the reins when she's a big girl.


All smiles after her ride!


Olivia LOVED her ride with Uncle Dan.
(and I use the word loved very loosely here)



She was happier on the fence.



Two cute Cowgirls!



The mosquitos started eating us alive, so we had to go in the house. All the kids were sad, but managed to entertain themselves by beating up on each other in the basement.
Yup, all in all...it was a great night for everyone.
Thanks go out to our oldest siblings!

CAUGHT AGAIN!!

This time, it was Izabella's S'more.
I'm obsessed with those things lately. Have you tried them without a fire? They are YUMMY! The best part....10 - 15 seconds in the microwave, and you're in fattening heaven.
Yup, my hips look like big marshmallows!
Come to think of it, they kind of feel like big marshmallows too.
OH MY GOSH
I'm turning into the
Stay Puff Marshmallow Man!