Colorado

Keegan & Emma with their new best friend, Mike

"Best Friends Cabin!"

The sun hangin on while the storm's a brewing

I hate this pic of me, but it's the only one of the girls :)

At the lake

The boys

Paddle boat

We just got home from SPAR, CO and are pretty tired from our long weekend with friends. We had so much FUN! The weather was PERFECT and everything was beautiful. We didn't have running water while we were up there, so no SHOWERS for 4 days!!!! Thank goodness for BABY POWDER - just sprinkle a little in your hair and you're as good as new :)

Keegan had a great time with his friends and made a new one, too. The next door neighbor is an older man named MIKE. He was working on his cabin and Keegan just waltzed right over and struck up a conversation with him. When it was time for us to go, Doug went over to get Keegan and Keegan said, "Goodbye Mike, I love you!" It was pretty funny - I guess Keegan found a KINDRED spirit.

Right before our friends left for home, I took a picture of the kids in front of the cabin. Oliver said "BEST FRIENDS CABIN!" and all the kids yelled it out as I took the picture. I hope they stay great friends forever. We loved it up there and look forward to many more great memories in SPAR, FAR AWAY!

Carpenter Mieke!

I made this shelf from scratch - can you believe it? I'm so HANDY!!! :) Most of you know that that last statement is totally untrue. But believe it or not, I really did make this shelf. Of course, I couldn't have done it without my friend, carpenter extrodinaire, Suni Pehrson. Sure, we got some curious glances in the Lowe's parking lot as we shoved the lumber for the shelf into Suni's minivan and bungeed it in tight, but the end result was worth all the strange looks. Thanks Suni :)

Keegan's Birthday Party

the monster cake that just fed the 17 kids + adults

Keegan with 2 of his favorite girls, Kara and Riley

Having a great time!

With Josh

Can you find me, Mom?

Diet Coke is the Devil!!

I've been off and on Diet Coke now for the past couple of years. I know it's bad for me, blah, blah, blah and so I've determined to quit it several times. I usually am fine - I mean other than the withdrawal headaches and stuff :), until I go to a restaurant or have to run to the 7-eleven for something. Then my resolve weakens and I just have to have one! Seriously, what else am I supposed to drink when I get that huge hot dog at Costco? Obviously, I don't want to drink my calories - I enjoy eating them way too much! And nothing can compare to that fizziness at the back of your throat when you're drinking one - ahhhh, I can almost taste it now!

I'm a terrible blogger!!

Okay, seriously, I'm a terrible blogger! My new goal is to blog at least twice a month - hopefully I'll be able to do that. Anyway, our lives have been a little crazier than usual in the last month. Keegan started school and is loving it! I started school, too, and it's great (other than the fact that I feel like a grandma). We're starting to settle into our new schedule and it feels like things are slowing down a bit - yeah! Of course, this week is going to be crazy because we're finally having Keegan's birthday party on Wednesday (I know, I know - his birthdays was in July!!) and I'm hosting Bunco Thursday night. Luckily, I don't have to do organ duty at church anymore, so that stress is gone. The volleyball teams that I co-captain have started strong and we're looking forward to the rest of the season. I'll try to keep you updated!