Girl meets Boy

OK- so first of all just ignore the fact that the following photos are glaringly awful and blurry. The lighting in the pseudo-banquet-room-turned-dance-hall was poor at best. It is certainly NOT the photographer’s fault!

Here is how the whole scene played out. The girls had found a pretty moth on a tree at the hotel and they would “check on it” every time they went outside. During one of their “visits” to the moth they met a strapping young lad who apparently loved moths, flowers and rain puddles as much as they did. Let’s just say Abby & Bree had fallen madly in love – head-over heals with aforementioned strapping young lad. The three hit it off very well and it was nice to see them actually playing with others (they don’t get out much). When it came time for dinner we had to go our separate ways due to assigned seating at the banquet and yes the tears rolled but they got over it once chocolate pudding was mentioned.

Later that evening it was time for the family dance.

From across the room Aubrey locked eyes on Cooper, a.k.a. strapping young lad and literally ran to his side of the dance floor.

It was obvious though that Cooper was playing the field and really didn’t have time for Aubrey at the moment.

After a little cat and mouse action they shared some groovy moves and had the whole family oohing and aahing at the cuteness of it all.

Aubrey was hearing wedding bells I just know it. Unfortunately, Cooper is actually her third cousin she’d just met for the first time. She doesn’t know this yet and will probably be crushed to know they can’t grow up and get married and cut a rug together the rest of their lives.

On second thought, distant cousins got married all the time in Gone With the Wind. How bad can it be?

Home

We've been home nearly 2 days now and things have almost reached the state we'll just refer to as "normal". Suitcases are unpacked, laundry is almost done, food in the fridge ~ yeah that is as normal as we get. We stole our niece for a few weeks and we are enjoying her company. Actually we are just giving her lots to talk about when her parents come to reclaim her. I can hear it now. Mom, the twins prefer to be naked ~ is this normal; Abby screams A LOT~ what's the deal; Is Bree too young to be OCD; Didn't Uncle Matt eat homemade meals every night; Will Aunt Jenn have a nervous breakdown someday? But hey what are families for?
I'll try to post some pictures later ~ after my nervous breakdown!

Father's Day Weekend Camping Trip

What a crazy, fun-filled weekend.

When we plan a trip with our friends Jen and Eric there is always visions of grandeur. You know things like extra long naps in the middle of the day; actually being able to have a conversation with someone taller than 32 inches; 3 square meals a day. Ahh can you feel it? It’s called relaxation…camping…Now snap out of it! Are you crazy? Oh yes, camping if my all-time favorite way to get away, however, it’s not so relaxing with two little squirm worms. Yet, oh so fun!

Here’s how the weekend shaped up. So we decided to all drive up together to see what kind of adventures we could drum up. We stumbled upon a new campsite that is so stinkin’ nice. Not too far off the beaten path but far enough to feel like you have checked out of the hustle and bustle for a day or two. The wind hushed through trees and our site was mostly shaded. And the smell of pine trees; ahhh!
This was only the 3rd time that Abby & Bree have not slept in their own bed at night so I would say that was our biggest challenge. Our little travel trailer (the girls call it a bus…don’t ask me why) barely held the four of us and the dog. We were hoping the twins could sleep on the twin bed but we don’t have a bed rail so that didn’t work. Friday night I ended up in the double bed with the girls while Matt squeezed onto the twin. Then Saturday night Matt again slept on the twin with Bree and I got the double bed with Abby (she squirms more). Neither night was very comfortable so we know we will need to get creative in sleeping arrangements the next time we camp. Can you tell I get a bit grumpy when I don’t get enough sleep?

Saturday was filled with a delicious breakfast (pancakes, eggs, bacon, potatoes, fresh fruit oh my) BB gun target practice, beers around the world, tree climbing, wagon pulling, horseshoe throwing, lots of munching (yummy “samiches” compliments of Ness,aka Jen W), a crackling campfire and a kiddie pool for the kiddies of course. That evening we went to visit my friend Susie and her family then headed to town to treat the boys to a Father’s Day dinner at Rod’s Steakhouse.

Now that we are home we are unpacking and thinking of our next adventure, this time headed in an Easterly direction for the Eminger-Gunn Family Reunion (Matt’s mom’s side). Maybe sleeping arrangements will be better in New Mexico. I’m so stinkin’ excited to bring our niece, Sky, home with us for a week or so too.

Ok Ok enough gabbing ~here are the pictures~ Enjoy!

The Three Stooges...and Scruffy getting a wagon ride...for the 543rd time!

Eric showing us his guns. Yes, I know I should have photoshoped this one. Just not enough time so move closer to the computer screen, and look to the right of the tree trunk.

The love of my life and my two munchkins ~ I mean miracles!

Aubrey having a splash in the pool.

Ethan ~ oh yeah, he's that cute!

Abby ~ with a very mischeivious grin.

Keeping cool and having fun together.

Lots to do today

We are going camping this weekend! I am so excited about getting away with the kids and our dear friends. This is only the second time we have camped with the kids so I am still tweaking the packing list. Wow, doesn't it seem like the smaller you are the more stuff you need? I used to make my packing list on a small half sheet of lined paper. I made my list yesterday on TWO sheets of paper! Honey, what is the GVW on the camper?

I also have to finish 4 craft projects for the family reunion before tomorrow; clean the house; buy groceries; pay bills; make several phone calls and tie up some loose ends. Sooo~this might be the last you hear from me for a while. I'll try to post pictures of the paint cans before I leave. Have a blessed day everyone!

Here are some pictures taken on the way to the CV Springfest. While we were there a fireman invited the girls to sit in his firetruck. They thought they had died and gone to heaven. Both kept saying Big Big Truck.

Not feeling very bloggity lately

Well, the summer heat has decided to stay. I absolutely love summer, most of the time. We are going camping this weekend with some friends. I'm really looking forward to getting away for a weekend. No laundry, no floors to vacuum, and we get daddy all to ourselves. I'm still learning to pack for four but I think I've got the basics covered anyway.
The girls and I have been playing outside as much as possible in the early morning and evening. I have made a commitment to myself and the girls that we would do something "artsy" and something educational every day. So far the girls have been loving more mommy time and I'm loving the fact that they behave better when they get more of my time. Yesterday we made daddy's fathers day gift and we worked on counting to 3. We also did some household chores together. Bree loves to help with the laundry and Abby loves to help unload the dishwasher. They also are being encouraged to pick up their room with mommy before naps and bedtime. Let's just say it's a work in progress. *wink* Today we are helping mommy with chores again and we've been putting together puzzles (Bree's favorite) and rolling out play dough. I'm planning on making homemade finger paint for an afternoon project.
I've also been working on getting my home back in order. I'm just going to take baby steps in this since it didn't get out of control overnight. I've been doing a lot of Internet research on Christian Homemaking and let me tell you... I'm inspired and a little afraid of failure, hence the baby steps part. I'll let you know how I'm doing and maybe one day I'll even post my progress on my blog.
Well, that's all for now. I think I'm going to make some pudding for dessert and get my sweet babies down for a nap.

Uhh...Babe I think we need a bigger pool

June 3rd was a nice warm day. I was out of ideas to keep the girls busy so I was going through last years summer toys. The girls discovered last years baby pool...
And the beach balls...
And the water hose...
Now all we need is for daddy to spring for a bigger pool. And for mommy to dig out the swimsuits *wink*

Abby decided it would be better to take her request to a Higher Power, the Almighty. Yep, she's got the right idea!