Happy 37 Hubby!

 Dustin gets a little jipped every year on his birthday and Father's Day... they always fall at the same time.  So to make them both memorable we did Father's Day on Saturday and for Dustin's birthday I surprised him with a trip to the coast.  I sent him to work Monday morning, got rid of the kids, and then had his boss send him home.  He was delighted, and quickly went from feeling bad about not working to relaxing with his wife. 

Happy Birthday Dustin!  And here's to more vacations like these!

My boy is EIGHT!

The Birthday boy!

The CrAzY long straws I gave the kids for their drinks.

Such great fun for a buck and a half!

It was a good thing we were outside!

Preslee and Lucy!

My Lego Man Pinata!  

(mom of the year goes to....)

Me and my Man... Same pose every time!

The large pool of Legos.. yes we have that many.

Such fun!

Designed by Preslee.

And the cutest little straw sucker of all!

Carly Graduates!

Mom, Marisa, Carly, me!

We are very proud of Carly. 

She Graduated from High School with HONORS!

She's had a rough go the last couple years, but that is all over.

(fingers crossed)

She has been accepted at SOU with grants and scholarships.

Way to go Girl!

My mom and I drove to Medford Saturday morning, met Carly at a restaurant, attended the Graduation, found her in the crowd of people to Congratulate her, slept in the hotel, got up went to church with Carly at nine and drove home.  WHEW!  

It was all very fast but I'm so glad we were able to support her.

We love you CARLY!

Wish I would have taken more pictures!

the Rant.......

I'm trying to have a good attitude about the free movies no longer being free anymore.  

What is wrong with me?  I'm going to take more opportunities to do other fun things with the kiddos.  After all we have a GREAT theater room in our own house where we can watch countless free movies.  But its not the same.  

It is sorta like when the Zoo changed the $2 day to a $4 day.  

What a rip off! 

 (I laugh at myself as I say it)

No matter what... we'll have a good summer.  

There won't be any children telling me they are bored, oh no there won't!

Because I like a good adventure!

I am so wishing that Londyn was not in the stage of two who takes off her clothing at least three times a day and refuses to ride in a stroller or sling.  

She just wants to be one of the big kids and run free, 

only she does not have the maturity to know the limits for her own safety.  

And if I do decide to take my kids to the $1 movie.

You better believe that we are not seeing a movie we've already seen.  

And that is how it can be for a frugal, adventure seeking Mom who totally looks forward to having her kids all to herself this summer. 

Cheers!

Eat your Veggies!

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Kid worthy pictures.

 Don't you just hate it when you find you camera in the hand of one of your children only to find about a hundred shots of randomness?  Then you feel the pressure to look through all of them to see if there are any worth keeping.  The only good that comes from this is a good laugh and perhaps an interesting post on your blog, and then it is the final delete and everyone is happy again.  Thank goodness for digital... huh?

The Photographer (he's pretty sneaky but cute!)

Mother's day at my house!

 We hosted the Mother's Day celebration at my house this year.  Dustin made the spaghetti, and everyone else contributed to the meal.  We don't do this very often anymore, so it was nice to have everyone together.  We had performances by the Sellers' children which always makes for a good time.  We wish everyone could have been here!

My beautiful niece Marisa and my baby Londyn.

Gathered around the desserts!

My sister Jeanie and Allan.

Everyone watching the children perform.

Deacon and cousin Brecken.

My brother Vaughn!

My Dad and Preslee playing her cello. 

It is always during a holiday like Mother's Day that my husband asks me, "why are you so weird?"  I gotta say that I am not a huge fan of this holiday, not because I don't feel incredibly loved, it just because I don't need a special day to know I'm important.  "Every kiss (should not) begin with Kay"  And chocolate does not make me feel as good as a nice walk.  And what is with this holiday being on a Sunday?  It should be on a MONDAY!  So my husband and I got a good chuckle when I told him that because he didn't get me flowers and buy me a diamond bracelet with a box of chocolates I could not possibly feel satisfied with this day and he was failing miserably.  Then he let me help in the kitchen while I let him cook because it was after all mother's day and I wouldn't feel motherly if I wasn't in the kitchen, and Dustin wouldn't feel right to not be in the kitchen too.... We are a good team!!!!  My kids made me the cutest little cards and poems which make all the hub bub about this day darn worth it...  So next year I'll try not to be so weird and just enjoy my bacon in bed.