Summer is just moving by at super fast speed! I can’t believe it is already nearing the end of July. I haven’t posted here in ages, although I think about it all the time. I keep figuring I’ll get to it eventually. Well, now is eventually I guess!

Our summer has been relatively quiet this year. I have been dealing with a lot of sickness. Thankfully, I have an awesome doctor and we are pretty sure we have gotten me on the good meds now! My body is finally starting to heal and I hope to enjoy the last month of summer with my family.

In June, John’s parents came for a visit. We celebrated Benjamin’s 8^th birthday.

Kids and I also went to the Renaissance Faire (in the rain, mind you) and we did plenty of Scout stuff.

In July, we had the pack overnighter with the cub scouts (and some troop guys as well). We got to visit Fox News 12 with the pack and then near the end of the month we put in our resignations to that pack. Too much work. We were pulling about five jobs there and it was more stress than fun for us. There were many factors in our leaving … distance being a big one. We will miss the group but know that they will do awesome. So now we are checking out two new packs and will hopefully make our decision by the end of August to see which one will fit us best.

Next month’s big thing will be our camping trip up to Bull Trout Lake. I can’t say I’m looking forward to it yet. I don’t handle driving to new places that well… but it’s supposed to be beautiful up there. We will be camping with three other families from church and then the boys will all stay for a men’s retreat with the church while the girls all come home. Should be fun (I hope!)

So that’s all that has been happening in my neck of the woods lately. Will be sharing more soon.

Oh and it’s over… praise God I made it… he he. Hannah decided almost last minute that she wanted to have a birthday party. Eeks. Ended up having four girls over plus the cousins’ brother… so that made seven kids. Also had a neighbor boy hang out for most of it (but didn’t sleep over). They had a good time and she was spoiled royally. Look at the custom cake that Costco in Boise made for her :

She wanted a Princess in the Frog cake but Walmart is so darn expensive for about half the cake and half the taste quality. So we went with Costco… but was a bit bummed at first b/c they do not have character cakes. However, one of the Ladies there came up with this when we explained what we had wanted. It’s not on the list of cakes they make and was special just for her. That is super awesome. Great to have a hubby that works and knows people at Costco, lol.

To go with the cake, she got the movie… on blu ray with a digital copy that we put on her new ipod. That was her big gift from us. Can’t believe she is old enough to have one of those … eeks. So the kiddos all had Papa Murphy’s pizza and watched The Princess & The Frog… then had cake and ice cream.

Saturday was relaxing. Some of the kids were not able to stay till lunchtime, but they all did get to watch the new Barbie movie which was a gift from her Gparents(Mills).

She was spoiled with a few new dresses as well. Here she is in one that her Aunt Stephanie made for her… she also made the hair piece and the purse to match. Talk about spoiled ROTTEN!

After everyone left, we locked up the house (literally) and three of us took naps while Hannah played for a bit. I was plum exhausted. Just watching kids playing and goofing around can make me tired… I must be getting old! After dinner tonight we plan on watching Old Dogs with Robin Williams and John Travolta. Have heard some good things about it so looking forward to seeing it. Chat later!

WOW… Today my daughter, my firstborn… turns 9 years old. WOW. Just wow. Where has time gone? I can still remember the first time I held her, the first time we brought her home from the hospital. * sniff * My baby is growing up too too fast!

This is a photo of her on her birthday, hanging out in the car with her bubba. Daddy had a quick meeting at Costco concerning a marketing position and then we were off to the Discovery Center for the day. John had never been so we spent quite a bit of time there. Lots of fun! Tomorrow is one of my fave days of the year………… St. Patty’s Day (and really, only because it’s full of the color GREEN). LOL

Happy Birthday Baby. I love you!!!

Happy 43^rd birthday to my wonderful and amazing hubby.

Also a happy birthday to Mr. Tim… our cousin. May God bless each of you with many many more years.

After church today, John and I watched The Time Traveler’s Wife. That was a good movie. A few things that make it not family friendly, but a good date movie. Ending was great too… I cried (nothing new there). Then after the movie, we went down the street to our friend’s house. They cooked a birthday dinner for John… steaks on the grill (it was a gorgeous day today!!!), baked potatoes, asparagus, salad, and chocolate cake. Yummy. Always great to spend time with friends too

So Hannah had a spill today. What is it with the month of March? Last March she hit a bump in the sidewalk and fell off of her scooter, scraping her face and chipping her front teeth. This time (and not far from where she fell last time), she flew over her bike when she hit a rock… and here is what she now looks like :

My poor baby! Wonder if it will be gone by her birthday? Hmmm. Sadly, she did go into shock after it happened. She is super sensitive. Pale, pasty, fatigued… had to force her to stay awake and focused. Fortunately, she is feeling pretty good now. Hope it heals quickly. Thanking God for protecting her! He is so good!!!