More Iowa Fun

Cassie did a grand job of painting her room purple before her Mom got home. Isn't she beautiful?I can't believe we got them all in one room. Ben was SOO cranky. Whatever that's all about.
Marissa...Mother Mari...apparently my childhood twin. I'm told that we look just alike. You be the judge. I think we do look similar, and it's funny because my daughter, Emma, looks a lot like my sister, Deanne. Go figure. In case you weren't following Mari's Mom is my sister, Deanne. I don't need to draw a diagram do I?
Gotta love Drew and his famous Ketchup Sandwiches. Glad ya'll didn't sell those at Annie's. I did promise him that if he can get his whole family to come visit me in Idaho...I'd be willing to try one.
I stopped by Susanne's and of course Eddie Ray would have nothing to do with me. Well I just can't have that...so, I gave him a hard time. Poor kid. I'm hoping that they can come out and visit soon too. I just know Ricky and Lil Dan will love the mountains. And who knows maybe the little stinker in the picture might warm up to me.
I'm sad I was unable to drive to Washington and visit Lorianne's family. It's been a while since I've seen them too. And they make me happy.

I did have a chance to visit my brother, Rex and family in Omaha the night before I flew out. Nicole and Samantha were cracking me up with their wrestling matches.
Ethan was delightful and occupied, of course. Who can blame him really, teen girls are far higher on the priority list than old aunts. hahaha Let's not forget good ol' Mom and Dad who made the trip to Omaha with me. Aren't they sweet? I didn't even have to get a rental car. Ever giving.

Whew...What a Weekend

For those of you who do not know, I went to Iowa this past weekend without husband or children. CRAZY!! I drove back with my sister, Deanne on Friday. Yes, straight through. It's about a 19-20 hour drive when you only stop to pee or wander convenience stores to stretch the ol' hamstrings. I haven't been that tired since the birth of my last child. Anyway...

Sunday night all my sisters, Marianne, Deanne, Susanne and Lorianne and I plus my niece, Britt, got together for an evening of memories and fun. (Yes, Amanda, we missed you) NO HUSBANDS OR KIDS ALLOWED!!! hahahaha... Here's a few highlights of the night.
Deanne and I were the only ones willing to try a pyramid picture. So, here's the closest we got to one.I thought it would be fun to play some games. We played "Build a Story" using random objects from the house. It was pretty funny. Arrgh Matey...And this is for you, Chris. I hope you can forgive us. hahahaha (insert evil laugh) I am so grateful we were able to pull this off. We stayed up until the WEE hours of the morning. In fact, while saying a MORNING prayer together, Cassie called Deanne to remind her of the paper routes. MAAAAM... MAAAAAAAM

**Laughter, Love and Tears...what more could you want for a night filled with the women you love.

A Family Visit

I'm so lucky! My sister, Deanne, and her daughter, Alyssa, came to visit me from Iowa on their way through to take Aly to school in Provo, UT. It was so nice to have them here. The girls LOVE them. These first 2 pics were actually taken by Maggie. Not bad, huh?
Here's Alyssa on the couch.
And Deanne right at home with the laptop.Israel took us all over to the airport for a tour of the airplane he flies. It's an ATR 42...if anyone is interested. The guests were enjoying themselves... Aren't they beautiful?
but Emma....not so much. I wonder how she will be on a plane in flight. She has yet to experience this.
And here we are squinting in the sun for a picture in front of the ATR.
It really was a great couple of days. We watched movies, we threw a pampered chef party that was totally rained out (it hadn't rained in two months and this was the night...sigh), and got to chat. Perfect.

Time Out Makes Her Tired!!

In reality...I'm sure her being tired pushed her toward the time out. She was giving me attitude after dinner, thus was sent to time out to get it together. Before her time was up this is how I found her...fast asleep.

Up side... it's was super easy to put her to bed! lol.

Happy Birthday to Me...last Wednesday!

This past Wednesday I did the inevitable....I turned 30!! Yikes. I was lucky enough to have some great friends show up to soften the blow. My friend, Sara, drove all the way from Oregon to see me. Just kidding, she and her family drove to see family and I happen to live close so I totally lucked out! Yahoo! My friend, Juleen, lives if IF and she was so sweet to bring a cake she had made, balloons for the kids and pretty flowers. Sara wouldn't even let me do dishes on my bday or make lunch. What good friends I have!! It turned out to be a really nice day, despite the 30 I now have to claim.

Here's Juleen, Myself and Sara with her youngest. I did not take the pic so it is really out of focus, sorry.