My "new" daughter

Old Camryn...

New Camryn ...

Isn't she CUTE!?!???????!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?

My New PINK Toy!

In order to help me overcome my recent bout with PCD (Post Cruise Depression), I decided that I needed a new hobby or new toy. I have been "casually" looking for a new laptop for awhile, so last weekend we happened to find this little beauty just calling to us from the back shelves of Fry's! Since she was PINK, we knew she belonged to our family! Addison is less-than-thrilled with the color, but she has all the cool techie perks that he likes - plus, he already has his own "man-laptop" in a very manly black color (yes, it matches his black "man-purse" too).

I know the color does not "make" the computer - but it sure does make me smile when I see it!

Ultimate EEEEEEUUUUUUWWWWWW!

Okay, sorry, I have no picture to post with this entry (I really didn't think to grab the camera at the time) - but I had to share my ULTIMATE EEEEUUUUUWWWWW!

This afternoon I was vacuuming the living room - not usually a big deal. I finished up the living room and moved into the dining room, as usual. When I was done vacuuming the dining room, I walked back into the living room to unplug the vacuum, and there, on my freshly vacuumed carpet was a DEAD MOUSE! Next to the poor dead rodent, was a very proud dog! Now the dead mouse was gross enough, but my question was ... "where in the house were you hiding this thing, and how long had it been hanging out in my house?!?!?!?!!" I'm sure it entered our home dead - thankfully. We often have such deceased "gifts" brought to the back door by our cats and dog. But when did she manage to sneak it in? That is one very NASTY thing that has been in my house for who knows how long, and who knows where! It was still "intact", so hopefully it hadn't been around too long. The last rodent-guest was found outside with all it's innards out. Yuck! But finding one on my clean white CARPET is just wrong.

Since it was late in the afternoon when our "guest" appeared (they usually drop by in the mornings when I am here alone), I kindly placed it out on the front porch to share with Addison when he arrived home. Why should I always have all the fun!?!?!??!

Halloween ... only 8 months early!

Okay, talk about planning ahead ... I made my girls buy their Halloween costumes this month! They all "get" to be pirate girls for Halloween, and that way they have costumes to wear on Pirate night on the cruise! Don't they look dangerous?I won't show you our adult costumes - I'll let those be a surprise! Hehehehehhehehehheh!!!

We're almost ready ...

Here are a few pictures from last night's dress rehearsal of Middle School Musical:

Mikaela as a "smart" cheerleader (Taylor in the real HSM movie). She tries to convince the new girl, "Maribella" to join the Honor Society instead of making friends with all the other kids.

Mikaela singing one of her two solos! Wow - who would have ever thought she would do this a few years ago!

Camryn singing her solo. The third graders are the "brainiacs" in the musical. She will have a lab coat on during the performances.

Jillian with the K-2nd graders. They come on for four songs - as the visiting, upcoming, students for next year. They all are VERY cute in their elementary school uniforms and steal the show while they are on!

We had a very long weekend trying to get this all pulled together - but I think we are just about ready for Wednesday nights opening performance! Addison did attract everyone's attention last night by stepping off the backstage, backwards, and tumbling down the stairs during the performance! Big thump, big man laying down at the bottom of the stairs in the dark! Everyone heard the big thump, but only a couple of us got to see him on the ground. He is home today with a very sore back - but otherwise okay. Bit of a scarey moment tho.

Amazing Video!

Check this out (I don't know how to put the actual video on my blog). The kids are doing this in our church musical next weekend. There won't be a dry eye in the entire place!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT7x3VnrqbA

A sad, sad day in our family

Okay, I have to share my sorrow with you all. Three things have happened today, one to each of my three girls, to make this a sad, sad day in our family.

First, Mikaela has lost her last baby tooth. My baby is growing up! Deep sorrow there as we enter a new phase of her (and our) lives.

Second, Jillian has learned to tie her shoes! Being the baby, I was in no hurry to teach her this growing-up skill - so she finally gave up on me, and taught herself. Man, I just wanted her to stay little! She thinks she has now accomplished the "last" of the growing up skills and is now ready for adulthood.

Third, Camryn figured out the Santa secret. I know, she is 8, but again, I was just trying to keep her little for awhile longer. Now I am having to answer endless questions ... "how do they have the Santa Tracker on the computer", "where did the dirty footprints come from outside the fireplace on Christmas morning" and "where do our letters go every year"?

Guess I should figure out what I want to be when I grow up before my kids all beat me there!

Happy Halloween!

Here is a picture of our goblins...

In case you can't tell, we have a Cave Woman, A Slumber Party Girl, and a Kitty. Mikaela made her own costume (first time!), and her and her two good friends all had matching wigs. Camryn has been wanting new pajamas, so this was her sneaky way of getting them (make them be a costume).

Oh, and for Leah, here was our dinner...

Sweet and Sour Eyeballs, Vampire Brains, Bloody Lady Fingers and Dragon Blood to drink.

A very long weekend

This past weekend was our Girl Scout Service Unit Encampment out at Camp Lyle McLeod. Okay, in laymans terms, that means that all the scouts from this area get to have an entire camp to ourselves all weekend. An older troop plans and runs the entire weekend, so all we have to do is show up. It's a great camping experience without all the work.

My troop (9 girls and 4 adults) got the wonderful pleasure of staying in the Ark this time. The camp is actually situated around a lake - there are several units along the 1 1/2 mile trail around the lake. The Ark is a floating cabin that is on the complete OTHER side of the lake from the lodge and all the activities. It's very cool to stay in a floating cabin (complete with full size walls and closing doors that many units don't have), but it is a challenge walking the 3/4 mile through the woods to get to everyone else! Sooooooo, since we are "special", we got to CANOE across the lake to our cabin, in the total darkness, on Saturday night after campfire! I have to admit (and note, I am NOT a camper), it really was very cool to canoe by moonlight! Truly the highpoint of the weekend.

The girls actually did a great job cooking, hiking, acherying, wood burning, swimming, crafting, cleaning, and all the other "fun" things involved in girl scout camping. I heard no complaining this year - a wonderful change from past years. I'm exhausted - but I think they all could have stayed another day or two.

Here are a few pictures ... for more, check out our troop picture album at: http://www.costcophotocenter.com/groups/juniortroop3127.And Camryn was able to attend with her troop this year - their first camping experience! They did get to stay in an indoor unit tho, complete with electricity, flushing toilets, and hot running water! Man, I was jealous of their warm (and clean) leaders!

Summer fun at the school

Here are a few pictures of my latest project. Since I am starting up a geography program at the school this year, the principal mentioned that it might be fun to have some maps painted on the playground. Of course you can't say "it might be great if..." to me without me taking the idea and running with it - no matter how big and ridiculous it may be! Sooooo, my family, along with about 20 other PTA volunteers, have painted two wonderful maps on the playground! The kids and teachers will be surprised next week when school starts! We would need a ladder to get a good picture - but you get the idea. They are BIG and BRIGHT! I had a great time picking the colors!

I got in!

After two months of trying to login, I finally figured out my new Google login and password! Guess I'll have to post on here now (if I don't forget it all again).

A blog-visit to the hospital

Since you all aren't lucky enough to go visit Dad in the hospital this week, I thought I'd take you there - virtually...

This is the door to his accomodations last night. Sorry, but I didn't think to bring the camera that night, so we have no pictures of him actually in there. You know, you don't really think to grab the camera when you get the call that your dad has had a heart attack. Next time I'll try to do better!

They had him hooked up to every machine possible. There were wires and tubes everywhere ... he couldn't move much at all.

Here is tonight's fancy suite, and Dad modeling his lovely hospital attire. You can tell he is feeling MUCH better today.

Dad did get in trouble today from the nurse for leaving his room. He took off to the cafeteria to get a coke, and she was standing in the hall waiting for him when he returned! They have him hooked up - still - so they don't want him going far. Guess his heart rate went down to 30 this evening. They came running to check on him when they spotted that! He pottied, which caused the drop ... guess that is a very relaxing activity. :)

Here he is trying to make another get-away so we can go throw pennies in the fountain. We all are a little overwhelming when we show up at the hospital - aren't we?!?!?

Well, now you know what we do. He's hoping to convince the Dr. to spring him tomorrow (Thursday).!

Let's Go To Victoria!

Since it's Spring Break, we decided to take a quick trip to Victoria, BC. The weather was suppose to only be nice Wednesday and Thursday of this week, so on Monday I booked us on the Victoria Clipper for those two days.


The Clipper started boarding at 7:00 am, so it was an early morning and a long three hour boat ride. The girls were so excited tho!

Once we got in, we checked into our motel, the Royal Empress, and set off on our two day walking tour of Victoria. We spent an exhausting two days shopping, visiting the Royal London Wax Museum, Miniature World, shopping some more, seeing an IMAX movie (Mystery on the Nile), going to a Bug Museum, walking the waterfront, shopping a little more, visiting Undersea Gardens, swimming, and looking at all the beautiful flowers and architecture in Victoria. The Clipper arrived back in Seattle at 8:30 pm last night and, after clearing customs (for the third time) and driving home, we finally arrived home at 10 pm with three sleeping, but happy, girls.

Happy Easter Birthday Mikaela!

Today we have an extra special celebration at our house. It's Easter AND Mikaela's 11th birthday! Wow - how time flies!
Easter 2003

Latest Scam

Seems the Better Business Bureau got a complaint the other day about a scam in which AFLAC allegedly was taking advantage of women on the street and stealing their money.Now we all at one time or another have thought that INSURANCE Companies have stolen from us; however, this scam is netting COLD HARD CASH from unsuspecting individuals.The way it works is the thief uses children to distract the target. While admiring the cuteness of the kids the target is robbed of her cash and never knows what hit her.I’m sending this out for all to be aware that this is happening and it’s right out on the streets in front of the general public.A passer-by with a digital camera phone happened to capture the photo attached.Review it carefully and use caution when distractions like this come along.Good Luck, and don’t say you weren’t warned.

Okay, I'll play too ...

Some random facts about me!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? not that I know of
2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? yesterday
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? not really
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? anything sliced real thin
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? YES!
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? possibly
7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? never!
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? I would have when I was younger - not anymore tho!
10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Fruity Pebbles
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? nope
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? definately (tho not physically) - and I want all three of my girls to be also!
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? anything smothered in chocolate syrup
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? attitude
15. RED OR PINK? PINK!
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? my skin
17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My sisters and brother
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING ? red and black flannel pj's and grandma's slippers
20 WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? girls scout cookies - thin mints to be exact
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Addison watching "Dirty Jobs"
22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? purple
23. FAVORITE SMELLS? freshly mowed grass, blooming flowers, christmas trees
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE ? Mom
25.PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? stole it
26. HAIR COLOR? red
27. EYE COLOUR? green
28. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? sometimes
29. FAVORITE FOOD? salmon
30.SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings.
31. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Ice Princess with the girls - it was great!
32. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Black with red and white scottie dogs - my pj's
33. SUMMER OR WINTER . summer
34. HUGS OR Kisses? hugs - kisses are nasty!
35. FAVORITE DESSERT? hot fudge sundae cake topped with vanilla ice cream
38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING? some mindless trashy novel - a great escape from reality
39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Dell - how boring!
40. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST? HGTV
41. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SOUND? my girls laughing together
42. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Beatles!
43. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Saudi Arabia when I was a kid - DC as an adult
44. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I don't think so
45. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Renton, WA

One weekend down ... one to go!

I have a few pictures to post. Here is the all cast picture(s) - I'm too lazy to try to crop them together at this point. The K-2 graders are in the white shirts (little men in black), and the 3-6 graders are in the colored shirts. See if you can find my two (one is a little man in black in the top picture and one is in a red shirt in the second one).







I have some video on my camera, but don't know how to get it on here so you can watch it. I'll have more pictures next weekend when Addison "gets" to sit in the audience and watch.

The fun has only just begun...

Tomorrow night is our first performance of "Mission Possible". With a cast of 90+ kids, it has been an extremely busy and stressful past 6 weeks trying to get this all pulled together. I was asked to assist with backstage help - and agreed - but had no idea what that really meant! I envisioned getting to know some wonderful and hard working members of our new congregation, being with my kids while they were rehearsing, and having a great time. Well, those all came true, but at the expense of spending 6 evenings a week, for the past few weeks, at the church building, many of those being extremely late nights (I haven't been out until midnight since before I had kids!). I am the "stage right" hand, dressed in black, in headphones with script and notes in hand. I know what every kid is wearing in all 13 songs, where it is kept, who is in each scene (for the entire two hour performance), and every other in-and-out of the backstage organization of such a huge production. All stage charts have been done on my computer, and changed after every rehearsal to meet the needs of everyone. Needless to say, my house is a mess, we have no food anywhere, clean clothes are very hard to come by, I am extremely sleep deprived, but I am in organizational-hog-heaven! I have a whole new group of absolutely wonderful christian friends who are as committed - if not more - than I am to making this a wonderful experience for our kids and a successful outreach to the community.

Man, I've never blogged so much in my life! Probably never will again either. :)

Oh, Mikaela and Camryn both have a few lines in the musical. They are thrilled! The main parts go to the sixth graders - something for Mikaela to look forward to next year. I wish you all could come and see it...I'll try to get Addison to take some pictures during the performances so I can post them here.

Break a leg...