Happy in Harpsterville

Annual Boys Ski Trip

2012-01-25T21:26:00.000-08:00

So, it's that time of year again...

My Natie, my Natie! Nate has been taking an annual trip with his friends from back home since long before I was in the picture and the time varies from year to year...however it always seems to fall at the wrong time! I can't recall each year the troubles or dismay, but here are a few to speak of, one year I was only weeks pregnant and while he was away I experienced some bleeding which is SCARY for a pregnant woman, another year Emma convinced me to drive his jeep to go get donuts as a treat and we ran out of gas and walked over two miles with me carrying Lauren in her carseat and carrying Emma at three years old in the other arm...oh and on the way back to the jeep carrying 1.5 gallons of gas too!, last year the trip was planned the weekend I had promised my sister to keep her children so she could celebrate her 30th birthday in style (in Vegas) so I was alone with 4 kids and blew a tire on the highway, this year we had a storm blow through on Saturday night that got my allergies going and I have had nose bleeds, sinus pressure, a gone through a full box of tissues in 3 days. Today was a half day at school so I decided to leave Emma at the babysitters with Lauren and enjoy my afternoon, I treated myself to lunch at one of my favorite spots and headed straight to redeem the gift certificate that Nate got me for a mani/pedi (guilt pay-off). My lunch was amazing, my phalanges and tarsals look camera ready and the massage chair was bananas, but somehow the "ski trip curse" had to continue to haunt me. I spent the afternoon at a friends house assisting with draperies and on our way home we got caught in motorcade traffic for President Obama and couldn't escape. Everywhere I tried to turn there were police or unmarked vehicles blocking the road. I had no choice, but to follow a million police cars and several limousines and suv's. Once we were free all the girls saw ahead was golden arches and I was stuck eating and feeding my children McDonalds for dinner. The only thing that feels worse than that brick in my stomach is the one on my head. AND the only thing that looks worse than the bloated belly is the bloody tissues stuffed in my nose to stop my 3rd nose bleed for the day. My husband works hard and deserves this trip more than I'd ever admit to him, but why oh why does it come at such a price to me! 3 more days or 68 more hours if you are counting...

Baby Riley!

2012-01-22T21:47:00.000-08:00

Aunt Nay Nay and Baby Riley came to spend the weekend with us and the girls were so excited. I guess I had an epic fail as a mommy because this is the best picture I have of the girls. Riley is on the move and Lauren and Em are trying to wrangle her. Lauren is obsessed with her and turned into quite the little helper for Aunt Nay Nay. Emma just wanted to get her to laugh. It was very heartwarming to see them with her. Love it!

Disney's Toy Story 3 on Ice

2012-01-21T22:00:00.000-08:00

Myself, the girls, Natie, Aunt Nay Nay, Baby Riley, Ender, Adelade, Body, Steve and last but not least Andrea went to go see Disney's Toy Story 3 on Ice. I have seen a few of these shows before and they don't disappoint. We (and by we I mean I) decided that it would be fun for us to take the Light Rail downtown for the kids to be able to ride the train, however all the website says is the train leaves every 11 minutes. We arrive, we park we ALL hustle across the street to the station, buy the tickets, board the train, give snacks, eat snacks, realize that the train will get us there 15 minutes late, get off the train, scurry to the cars, speed down the freeway jump out at the door, rush in to our seats, miss a few moments of the show, wait for the men to park cars and join us, watch show, spend too much money on popcorn, a straw and a snow cone with commemorative Jesse cup, walk to cars, drive to train depot, wait for train, take train to depot closer to home load back into cars waiting and head home. Ideal, no, but you live, you learn. I had fun. The girls had fun. That's really all that matters...right.

Just Because...

2012-01-19T22:04:00.000-08:00

Rover, just because you put a pillow on top of Sly Guy doesn't mean that you aren't laying on your dad.

Louie, Louie!!!!

2012-01-11T21:38:00.000-08:00

My little Louie is turning into quite the character! She is in a phase where she has to pick out every piece of clothing she wears, right down to the jammies she sleeps in. This was the outfit she choose to wear to "Grandma" Karen's today. Karen looks forward to whatever she will decide to show up in...usually it is just a hat or some princess shoes, but sometimes it's more serious. Oh, Louie, Louie!!!!!!!!

Oh Daddy!

2012-01-08T20:19:00.000-08:00

Nate has always loved the soapy hair spike!

Kindergarten Lyrical Genius!

2012-01-07T21:22:00.000-08:00

Rhyming is such a big part of Kindergarten. Emma is a rhyming genius. I almost feel like she may just be a rapper (as previously mentioned in the blog). I don't want to forget this phase as it seems she is learning and changing daily. Today at Wal-Mart I asked her a question and her answer was, "sure." quickly followed up with, "sure as the cure, pure, on a tour, bonjour." Yesterday I say, "Em, feed the cat." She says, "Cat, hat, bat, mat, fat, that." Such a goof ball.

Here We Go Again...

2012-01-07T20:13:00.000-08:00

I swore up and down that I wouldn't potty train Lauren since I endured such a nightmare with Emma, but she is SO interested in the potty that I guess I can't avoid it. Emma and Lu are reading The Story of Jesus while taking their morning potty break. For the record, Lauren has yet to actually go potty in the potty and tells me she has to go after she just went. We have a LONG road ahead of us. Maybe my first thoughts were right. Lord help me please.

Just Another Day In My Life...

2012-01-05T20:00:00.000-08:00

Today we headed to Old Navy to check out the sale rack...while I was digging for my sweet bargains the girls were also digging. Emma and Lauren come to me all decked out like this and Emma says, "Mom, I need this stuff for when I am a rapper!"

Damn You Moon Dough!

2011-12-30T20:30:00.000-08:00

This is why I said, "NO!" to the Moon Dough. I made her play with it on the porch and it was everywhere. It was all over her jeans, socks, the ground...everywhere! Play Doh kicks Moon Doughs butt!!!!!

Boo!

2011-12-27T20:21:00.000-08:00

Today my Emmie asked me if she could play with the Moon Dough that Santa brought her and I said no. She plead her case and I still said no. When is this kid going to learn?..when I say no, it's a NO! Anyhow, I go to the restroom and she barges in the door, places a note in my lap and storms out. In case you can't see it, it's a sad face and it says "bad mom". Geeee, I'm so glad that she is writing now. My first official note from her and this is it! BOO!

Ho, Ho, Ho!

2011-12-24T20:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Santa,

2011-12-23T20:48:00.000-08:00

Emma's Wish List:

Zoo Moon Dough

Teddy Bear

Mini LaLa Loopsys

Littlest Pet Shop Walkables

Fur Real Pets

Rapunzel Barbie

Francesco R/C Car

Lauren's Wish List:

Teddy Bear

Baby Doll Stuff

Baby Doll Highchair

Mater Toy

Nanni The Kindergarten Class Helper!!!!

2011-12-19T21:59:00.000-08:00

I volunteer in Emma's class every Tuesday and I was so excited to find out that Nanni would be here on a Tuesday so that she could experience a day in Emma's class with me. Knowing that Nanni isn't your regular Grandma she's more of a Glam-ma she'd do wonderful with the kiddos. And she didn't disappoint!

I was doing a craft with the kiddos and sending them on a word search then they would go to Nanni for rhyming game. Here is Nanni getting all the pieces sorted out. She did SOOOOOOOOOOO great with all the kids that she worked with, learning their names, keeping them on task and getting results. You don't raise 4 successful children without knowing how to work the kiddos.

Here Nanni is with her favorite kindergartner! Emma was so proud to have her Nanni in her class and helping her friends with their game. She may have needed a nap after her hour of fun, but those memories will be with Emma forever and all of my co-workers keep telling me how fashionable my mom is. I guess if they associate a fashionable, youthful looking woman as being my mother...who am I to correct them.

Singing At the Nursing Home

2011-12-19T20:55:00.000-08:00

Today a group of us went to sing at the Nursing Home. I have done this many times over my years, but today had such a new meaning. This was Emma and Lu's first time and they LOVED it and I got to witness the joy first hand. Melanie (our neighbor and friend) arranges it every year and bakes fresh bread for the patients and gets grape juice for those on special diets. What a heart this woman has!

Melanie, Thank you for arranging, inviting and baking. May God bless you in ways I cannot.

Ender and Adelade colored pictures for the patients. We got to visit 4 rooms each group and we had some lively gals. Some were very talkative, and singing with us and some just smiled and nodded. All gave high 5's and made the kids happy to be there. Ender was shy for the first time in his life and only got lively when we were singing. Somehow we just couldn't get 'Frosty The Snowman' to go off without a hitch. We'll stick to some other Christmas classics. I am so thankful for this opportunity for myself and my children. The only thing that would have made it better is if my hubby were there. Maybe next year. If you haven't done something like this this season...go do it!

Lunch Date at Rubios

2011-12-19T20:42:00.000-08:00

After our wonderful morning at the Nursing Home, Andrea (with baby #3 on board) and I were STARVING!!!! What do 2 girls, with 4 toddlers and a baby on the way do when they are hungry??? Head to Rubios, of course!!

Lauren and Adelade on their lunch date! They are immediately eating, chatting and laughing. I can't wait to see 20 years from now what these two are doing.

Ender and Emma look like an old married couple on their date. Ender is looking off at the lake and the passing cars, Emma is looking at Adelade and Lauren wishing she was at the single table and there is silence coming from the table. LOL!!!! That only lasted as long as the photo...within no time they were laughing and having fun.

No pictures of Andrea and I because we were stuffing our faces. After our lunch we took a nice walk around the pond to see the majestic Canadian Geese...majestic till we had to dodge their droppings all around the sidewalk. It disturbs me that their poo is as big as my 65 lb. dogs. Anywho, I digress. Lunch was YUMMY, the walk was fun and baby #3 was happy that "s/he (more she than he if you ask me)" was fed.

Emma Is Mommy's Little Helper!!!!

2011-12-17T21:26:00.000-08:00

We were in a bit of a rush getting ready this morning because we had a fun filled day planned and I asked Emma to go dress herself. She came out of her room and says, "Mommy, I have a surprise. I got Lauren dressed for you too." She dressed Lauren in one of her dresses that is two sizes too big for Lu, but they were both so proud of their accomplishment that I had to let her wear the dress.

Why LuLu, Why???

2011-12-17T21:17:00.001-08:00

LuLu was nice and clean, fresh from the bath and decided to go color on her sisters chalkboard...she did get 'some' of the chalk on the board, but most of it was all over her face, her shoulder, arms, (not sure how) and on her back. Why LuLu, Why? Just stay clean for 5 minutes!!!!!

A Harpster Dog's Life...

2011-12-11T21:11:00.000-08:00

I have never made any excuses for the life that my animals lead. They have two little girls here that love nothing more than to play with (sometimes torture) their two favorite dogs. Sometimes even Nate and Ryan take part in the torturing. Almost nightly, one of the Harpster boys will get Rover in a Full Nelson. It's how it is. Doesn't every dog need pink barbie glasses.

Uncle RyRy's Family Day!

2011-12-11T20:10:00.000-08:00

The girls loving them some Uncle RyRy

Nanni and Uncle RyRy

This may just look like a bad picture, but if you look closely you can see Uncle RyRy rockin the hot pink barbie shades!

Uncle RyRy showing them the burnt building

LuLu trying to open the hydrant

Emmie and Nanni trying to open the hydrant

Emmie and LuLu walking with 'duck tails' to make sure they don't touch anything in the burnt out building

Checking out the roof structure

Uncle RyRy, Natie and Nanni

Uncle RyRy

Emmie and LuLu in their new fire hats...Daddy's station only has red hats so they liked the yellow because that's what Daddy wears

When you are cute, you are cute

Emmie makes friends anywhere she goes

Mr. Jaxson Matthew himself

Getting cozy in Papa Paul's chair

Had nothing to do with Family Day, but the moon looked awesome

Now that's a fire...

Daddy holding is big girls hand

LuLu trying to go night night under my dress

Asssweee going to get her some Lu

Emma telling Suuuusssssie that she is going to be a Fire Girl and a Police Girl

Fires all put out, time for some more hugs

Nanni and Uncle RyRy

Sledding, Our Annual Tradition!

2011-12-10T20:51:00.000-08:00

Bright and early this morning we took our trip to Mother Nature's Farm to do their annual Snow Day. Nanni got to join us this year since she arrived last night.

Emmie and Nanni

LuLu and Nate

Emma and her buddy Aislyn

Emma watching someone catch major air

I sent LuLu down solo and she loved it!

Emma

Ender and Adelade

LuLu throwing snow

Emma rode down on a sled more like she was surfing and it worked really well. She did awesome!

Me and LuLu

LuLu guiding Nanni through the hay maze

Say cheese LuLu!

Adelade and Lauren in the playhouse

Lauren trying to get Chloe in the playhouse

Lauren turning the playhouse into the pine cone house

Cutie Lu!

Emma got Nanni on the slopes!!!

Nanni got a little air

Smiles all around!

John and Chloe taking off like an airplane

The Same, But SOOOOO Different

2011-12-08T21:31:00.000-08:00

My girls look so similar, little things differentiate them visually and sometimes Nate will mistake one for the other in a text picture.Although they look similar they couldn't be more different in their personalities....

E: Puts on shirts head first

L: Puts o n shirts arms first

E: Lives for dinosaurs

L: Lives for babies

E: Sleeps like clockwork

L: Don't get me started....for the record she does sleep semi-regularly (lately), but she is a wild card and can not nap OR nap 4 hours. She can sleep all night OR be up at 3am wanting to watch Cailliou, you just never know what you are going to get.

E: Loves vegetables!

L: Loves meat!

E: Never wears shoes

L: Can't leave the house without shoes, sometimes more than one pair.

E: Loves milk

L: Loves juice

E: Easy going, footloose and fancy free, hippie by all accounts.

L: Not easy going, footloose or fancy free!

E: Is a Momma's girl

L: Is a Daddy's girl

Haters Gonna Hate...

2011-12-07T20:42:00.000-08:00

Part of my duties is to safely cross students at the end of the school day. I happen to feel great power holding the sign and directing traffic (and little humans). Emma likes to wear my vest and play with the sign at home. She safely got Ryan to his car and the cat to the litter box. Safety is our number one concern around here...obviously!

1/2 Day = Holiday Theme Dress!

2011-12-07T19:22:00.001-08:00

Once a month they have half days at Emma's school and they always have a theme for attire and I usually don't do anything for it unless she brings it up. This morning she wanted to make sure she was dressed for the occasion. This is my sweet baby girl waiting for me to finish my duties at school. How can you not love that face?

Christmas Lights...Gone Wild!

2011-12-06T22:25:00.000-08:00

There is a house walking distance from ours that is so far beyond the competition that it isn't even funny. Well, last year it was "a" house this year they have linked 4 houses. They have lights galore and they tune them to the radio station that you can play in your car. It is amazing and the kids LOVE IT! www.gilbertlights.com They raise money for Make A Wish and I require Emma to make a drop in their collection box each time she views their lights. If it't 15 cents, then it's 15 more cents they had times 2 months of viewing! Tonight she decided to donate her Chick-fil-a book because, "kids just don't need money, they need books too." God love her spirit and her loving, wonderful, amazing heart!!!!! Thank you Lord for the lights and what the lights bring out in our lives. If you live close...go, donate! If you live far, login and donate. If you know how to do lights like this, come to my house and HOOK ME UP!

1st Day Treasures!

2011-12-05T20:06:00.000-08:00

So I started my new job today at Emma's school. I am a floating aid and go from room to room assisting teachers with children that need a little help or need a little muscle to get them moving on assignments. I know from my many, many volunteer days in Emma's class that kids say the darnedest things, at the darnedest moments, for no reason at all! I was sure that I would get some gems, but each room I went to provided me with little moments that I don't want to forget.

Assignment: Write if you were on the naughty or nice list and why

Student: Had on their paper: "I am on the nice list because"

Me: "Why do you think you are on the nice list?"

Student: "I have an 8-pack"

Me: "What's an 8-pack?" (not thinking of the obvious for a 2nd grader...)

Student: "Muscles! Do you want to see?"

Me: "Ummm, no thanks. I'm sure they are lovely."

Two lovely little ladies at my 4th Grade lunch assignment told me I was "pretty"...they are my two new favorite people in the world!!!!!

Last class of the day I am assigned to a special little guy who is quite the character. I am not sure of (if there is) any diagnosis, but he is a special one indeed (and by special, I mean FUNNY). He so politely introduced himself to me and sat for a moment while I helped him with his project, he turns to me and says: "You smell like chocolate. (with a LONG pause) I'll get use to it." I think I did a pretty good job of keeping a straight face, but inside I was cracking up. I smell like chocolate???? Is it seeping through my pores...my bad! If that were the case, I'd smell like coffee, mint oreos, cranberry lemonade, and diet coke!!!!!

Thank you little ones for touching my heart today. Volunteer tomorrow in Emma's room, then work my new scheduled classrooms...can't wait! Thus far in Emma's room I have been told about someones 2 mommies, dad getting the cops called, dad being gay and a mom that doesn't do anything cool with her kids, those are just a few..........

Barbie Box Turned Kissing Booth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-12-04T20:52:00.000-08:00

The Barbie Box soon turned into the kissing booth...

Me kissing my favorite boy! Ethan, I love you!!!!

JJ getting kissed by her favorite girl...her Mommy! Happy Birthday JJ! 7 years...where does time go????

Oh boy, pull the shade!

Ethan's Soccer Game!

2011-12-04T20:48:00.000-08:00

We went down to Tucson for Jordan's birthday party last night and got the added bonus of Ethan's soccer game this morning! Yeah baby! It was freezing and started to rain immediately following the game, but it was so worth it watching my little E in action.

He is #4...which was always my number. I still play it on lotto tickets when I think enough to play. MFEO!

Go Ethan GO!

My sweetie pie after the game with his favorite cousin Emmie Remmie. They didn't win, but they didn't seem to care much. See that stormy sky...yowzers! We drove back to Phx in that mess.

Cousins!

2011-12-04T20:09:00.000-08:00

Emma and Jordan developed a very close bond last summer when they stayed with us for a few weeks while in transition from FL to AZ...I won't make it all rosey because it wasn't, but they developed a bond and thankfully they never let it go! Jordan doesn't have a sister and if I believe my sister for her word, she will never have one :( so Emmie is the closest thing she will get to that beautiful relationship.

I look at this picture and I see trouble. First, they are so beautiful...trouble. Second, they love these dress up outfits...trouble. Third, look at these faces...trouble!!!!! Should we save college money or bail money?

Now we have the flip side of the cousins. LuLu is obsessed with Ethan. She quietly went into his room and climbed into his bed. He was still watching some night time toons and thought she'd make herself comfortable and go to sleep and nobody would know any different...wrong! I was looking for my little baby oven to sleep with. The next morning I had to use the restroom upon waking and I came out to find this exact image only Ethan was far less lively looking and the covers were over their heads. I don't even think he knew she was there. SO FUNNY!

The Barbie Box!

2011-12-03T20:38:00.000-08:00

Ok, so my sister made this adorable Barbie box for Jordan's birthday party and she was taking pictures of all the kids in it. I know that this is Jordan's birthday party, but the winner for 'Best Barbie Box Moment' is Ethan....

Bank Robber Barbie...ummm, well I guess Ken

Easy E and LuLu chillin in the box...

Fashionista Jordan and Emmie...

Emmie Remmie...

Me and my Princess Jordan the birthday girl. JJ, I love you with all my heart!!!!

Me and my babies!!!!

Oh no, better get the kids to bed. Payback for Nate and I getting into the hamster ball at Ethan's party. Check please, I'm outta here!!!!!

Just Havin Some Fun In A Field!

2011-12-03T20:23:00.000-08:00

Decorate Uncle Jake!

2011-12-03T19:59:00.000-08:00

Why would you play with toys the way you are supposed to when you can just use them to decorate your Uncle Jake. LuLu loves her some Uncle Jake and she thought this was a good way to spend time with him.

Pretty sure these are the only earrings you will find him wearing...ever!

Potholders....no they make a good hat!!!!

Atomic Farts!

2011-12-02T00:15:00.000-08:00

Our neighbors Dean and Hilary (I am guessing more Dean and less Hilary) got Emma a whoopie cushion as part of her birthday present. She had seen it upon opening and questioned it, but didn't make much of it. Tonight she found it and wanted to see what it was. Upon first trial she was very excited to see the result!! At first, just sitting on it was good for laughs. Soon it started to progress. She is now jumping from across the room doing "atomic farts" on her whoopie cushion. Careful little one...atomic farts can hurt you too!!!! The whoopie cushion had a major blowout and exploded on her leg. I will spare you the photos of her wounded inner thigh (actually I will spare her future campaign manager) and just show you the extreme blowout when you run 25 feet across the room and jump on a whoopie cushion. Dean and Hilary, thank you very much for the extreme laughs tonight. Still laughing my butt off!!!!!! Priceless.

First Library Book!!!!

2011-12-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

Emma was never interested in getting a library card from the city library, she's more of a buy it at Barnes and Nobel kind of girl (unfortunately). Since starting school, each Thursday they go to the library and she has been salivating at the chance to checkout a book. Today was the kindergartens first chance to take one home. Emma's choice...'Why Do Kittens Purr?' Too bad we couldn't read it tonight because she lost book privileges due to a smart mouth! I read it after she went to bed...very cute book.

Silly Lu Lu!

2011-12-01T00:11:00.000-08:00

Oh my silly Lu! Andrea, the kids and I decided that tonight was not a night to cook dinner. We headed up to Costa Vida (Quesadillas) for some yummy dinner. Lauren found the table tent and thought it made a much better hat/mask...depending on the moment. She keeps us laughing.

Happy 1st Birthday Ellie!

2011-11-26T20:11:00.000-08:00

Today was sweet little Ellie's 1st Birthday party. It was soooo great to see her and how cute she was with her party, cake, gifts, etc. Happy Birthday Lovely Lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome Home...NOT SO MUCH!!!!!!!

2011-11-25T00:07:00.000-08:00

Rover Anthony did not give us a welcome home present, he decided to destroy our 4th trampoline net while we were away. UGH!!!! Can anyone say Craigslist? Does anyone want a year old boxer with a slight chewing problem (no trampoline net, no problem). Also, the fish missed us so much it died. No joke. RIP, Shark Bait the 5th...

Meet Grandpa and Nana!

2011-11-21T21:49:00.000-08:00

My father is 82 years old and not well. He has never met his granddaughters and today was the first time I have seen him in years and years. I don't care who you are or what relationship you have with your dad, once you sit in their lap, you are suddenly 5 years old with pigtails and a lollipop in hand. This is me at this moment. My dad was father of the year for as many years as he wasn't so I am torn. Being a mother it points out his flaws and exaggerated his steadfast efforts. All I can say is this is a happy girl...

My Step-mom Peggy (Nana as the girls call her.)

Going in for a Grandpa hug...

He managed to pick her 50lb. butt up and put it on his lap...he'll need a nap later for that one, but this picture will live forever...

They are playing a version of 'Ring Around Grandpa' and everyone is loving the new game.

LuLu is always last to warm up...she is just happy to be standing next to Grandpa and smiling.

'Ring Around Grandpa' continues...

Dinner at The Original Hooters!!!

2011-11-21T19:46:00.000-08:00

We had spent ALL day at the beach in Clearwater and a storm rolled in. What do you do when your kids are pooped and you need to eat ASAP so they can sleep on the 30 minute ride home...you eat at the closest restaurant around. This plan worked out for Nate, BIG TIME! We had dinner at The Original Hooters just outside Clearwater Beach. Dinner was just so so...it's hard to get excited about wings when you have grown up in Buffalo, NY...home of the chicken wing. Anyhow, the girls loved the atmosphere, hot dogs, lemonade and most of all the hooters...the owls...get your mind out of the gutters! Nate liked the other hooters.

Cousins, Well 2nd Cousins and Extended Cousins...

2011-11-21T18:01:00.000-08:00

We met my 2nd cousin Marci and her granddaughter Bella for lunch today at Chick-fil-a. Technically her dad Rick is my cousin, but Marci and were so close in age that we took to each other very young. Marci has since lived in a few states and I have slowly moved west, but it was so nice today to catch up with her and to finally meet Bella.

Me & Marci

Emma, Bella, and Lauren

Emma getting some quick hugs from her little sis

Tampa: Day One

2011-11-20T20:45:00.000-08:00

This morning we were supposed to start off our Tampa trip with a visit to my Dad's church to see my Step-mom sing in the choir, but after our plane was late and we didn't get our rental car and to the house with the girls in bed till 1am...that didn't happen. We went to the park and laid low once we woke up. Next on the schedule was a luncheon for my brother-in-law Skip to celebrate his 59th birthday.

Emma playing a guessing game with a cup and crayons with my lovely sister Phyllis and my great-nephews Evan and Drew

Seems like things are off to a great start!

I was REALLY bad at pictures at lunch. I was so happy to see everyone and catch up that I didn't pull out my camera all that much, ok, not at all. UGH! We headed off to my 3 older sisters mothers house to have cake for Skip and let the kids play and the girls gossip :)

LuLu was loving the big backyard and lack of fencing...she hates any restraint!

Evan and Drew bringing the fun..

Emma immediately bonded with Auntie Phyllis, and found a nice warm lap to sit on once we came inside. She smiled for a photo and then taught her the signature Emma photo pose...

Look at these supermodels...hard to keep the camera in focus when you are laughing. At least I know she fits in the family...peas in a pod!

This is SKIP! I was in my sis Susan and Skips wedding when I was just a little tyke. One of my first memories is of peeing my pants at their reception and being forced to play on a playground with my dad in my pee soaked pants watching fun through the glass from outside. Sad, pathetic, I know, but it is what it is and oh, how I've grown (and learned to control my bladder). Skip isn't what one would call a kid kind of guy, however!, growing up he was the best. I just loved me some Skip. He loved animals as much as I did and would talk to me like a human and not like a little child. I had a huge crush on him. He looks exactly the same as he did when I was a kid, a few more grays, a little lighter on the scale, but more or less...the same! I can always count on Skip to do two things 1. Keep it real and 2. Love my sister. They have stuck together through thick and thin and made it look so easy. He seems to have lost a little bit of his fight lately (been battling cancer for years) and spirits weren't high on this trip, but I know he is a fighter and will be here long after I'm gone and I'm 24 years younger than he. Skip, even though you hate it...I'm sending you hugs and I love you so much!

If only I knew what they were talking about...Evan, Drew, Emma and Aiden!

The following shots were taken my my amazing niece Erica. She was able to capture the joy of the day and the moments we don't want to forget. Thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures!

Lauren developed a "thing" for Aiden really quickly. He's a hugger...

Now he's huggin some Bubby!

The Harpsters

This is my favorite shot of our family...ever! This is SO us. I'm fixing Emmie and laughing, Lu is staring at Emmie and copying me, and Nate is laughing at us! This is the Harpsters in TRUE form!

Me and my beautiful sisters! Catherine, Phyllis, Susan, Me, and Cheryl!

Pa-Pa-Pa-Paaaaparazzi!!!!!

(my niece Erin on the left and my sister's mom Anise...sorry you just get their backs, they are both too lovely for this treatment)

Lauren and her new love...Aiden!

My great nephew from my half sister with my daughter...is that 'really' even related anymore? We are from Florida, not Alabama so if they don't pass the blood test then no marriage! A hot affair, yes, but no marriage :) LOL

Travel, Travel, Travel...

2011-11-19T21:04:00.000-08:00

Words can not explain how excited I am to go to Tampa today! Although I miss my family so, it has been too many years since I have visited. I am SOOOO excited for my husband and I guess most importantly, my children to meet my family.

My sweet baby girls ready to get on the plane! Here we go...

My hubby was so proud of the fact that he got both the girls car seats locked together to appear as one so we wouldn't have to drag two around. Things that make him happy, whatever!

This is what it takes to take a family of 4 away for one week. I think I did pretty good by not over packing. I have friends that would pack 2-3 outfits a day, I only packed 9 total outfits and we were there 7 days. Nate actually packed more for himself than I packed for myself or the girls. And of course flip flops don't take that much room!!! ;)

Watching planes go by while eating a snack...

Is that our plane???? Yes dear, it is...To Be Continued....IN FLORIDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Poor Sly Guy!

2011-11-18T23:45:00.000-08:00

When you are a good boy and sitting still for a few minutes...you get messed with. Lauren found it necessary to place this tiara on Sly's head. I thought he looked lovely...he DID NOT!!!!

"One, Two, Three, ONE HUNDRED!"

2011-11-17T21:24:00.000-08:00

Emma has been practicing counting to 100 all over the house, car, store, wherever she can. Little ears are listening all the time and Lauren is in the back of the car and I hear her, "One, two, three, one hundred." Without her sister's influence she can count to 29 all by herself and now suddenly she only cares about the destination and not the journey. I'll work on that one with her later, right now I'll let her relish in her joy of 'counting as high as sissy can'.

My Blog

2011-11-16T23:48:00.000-08:00

"You never blog anymore!" I know! I don't know why...my blog and I are like old friends, no matter how long it's been we just pick up right were we left off like we never missed a second...so here we go.

If You Don't Like The Book, Just Say You Don't Like The Book!

2011-11-16T20:50:00.000-08:00

Last night at Chick-fil-a they were giving out Golden Books in the kids meal. As a child I had ALL the Golden Books and read them till they fell apart. One of my favorites ('The Little Red Caboose') was included in Emma's meal and I couldn't wait to get home to read it to them. While they were int he bath I decided to read it. Emma LOVED IT! Tonight I told Emma to go grab it from my bathroom and bring it to her room so I could read to she and Lu. Lauren goes running off, Emma finishes getting her bed ready for story time and heads into the bathroom to fetch the book. I hear Lu in her room and call her in to get ready to read. She comes in and sits down. Em comes back a minute later saying she can't find the book. I search all over. I ask Lu about it and just the way she answered me I knew that she had something to do with the books disappearance. Since I knew I heard her in her room I decided to start there. Tucked in the bottom of the closet with all the dressup clothes she hid the book. I started to question her and she slowly takes the book from my hand and says ever so quietly, "I don't like the book." and calmly tosses it back in the closet. So we read 'The Grouchy Ladybug'...if you don't like the book, just say you don't like the book.

Paging Dr. Emma..

2011-11-15T21:51:00.000-08:00

Today was Emma's 5 year checkup. We had to wait about 15 minutes in the little room for the doc and Emma was doing her best at entertaining herself. She read books to her sister. She spun on the stool. She climbed up on the table, down off the table and repeat for far too long. Eventually, the doc came in and started her appt. Immediately upon entry, Em informed the doctor that she was told at her 4 year appt. that she didn't get any shots till she was 11 and not to bring her any. As you know at these checkup appointments not really much goes on. They ask the children/parents a bunch of questions to see if the are developing accordingly and then IF you have any health concerns those are addressed. We hadn't been to the doc with Emmie since her 4 year appt. and didn't have any issues to discuss. Once the doc finished her Q&A it was time for the nurse to come in to give her the flu mist. While we waited Emma wanted me to play pretend, she was the doctor and I was the patient. She sat on the stool, pulled out the shelf and proceeded to ask me a million questions while she pretended to type my answers in her laptop. I was laughing so hard that she ordered the pretend nurse to come in and give me a shot.

After leaving she was allowed to go to the sticker basket and pick a sticker...the basket was unattended so she helped herself to 9 stickers. After the 15 minutes of waiting I didn't feel bad about it. I also allowed Lu to pick one....of the whole basket full of all the things she loves, Dora, Handy Manny, Tinkerbell, Micky Mouse, etc., she picked the JUSTIN BIEBER sticker. WTHeck?

Too Much TV, I Think So!

2011-11-14T20:20:00.000-08:00

Our neighbors decided to put up their Christmas lights obscenely early this year so of course my children wanted to go check them out after bath time. We pull up and Emma has her head hanging out the window to get a better look and she says, "Look Mom, Geico." I'm thinking, "What????" then I look in the yard and there is a lizard in a Santa hat that does look like the Geico lizard. Her TV time just took a drastic cut!

Happy Hour at The Harpsters!

2011-11-05T20:43:00.000-07:00

Every night for about an hour Uncle Ry Ry gets mauled by his nieces that love him so. Sometimes they just bother him by stealing one of his many flavored drinks, sometimes they just want to watch kid TV that makes him sick to his stomach, sometimes they want to play games, sometimes they want to torture him...most times, in fact. In this picture Emma climbed on his shoulder to pretend to be his parrot. Lauren had to imitate her sister and get up there too. I am cooking dinner and all I hear is, "Squawk! I'm a parrot. Squawk!" I peer into the living room to find him sitting there with my children on his shoulders. Well at least they make me laugh even if it is at his expense.

Oh Shucks!

2011-11-02T20:40:00.000-07:00

Well, it was bound to happen. You cant put that many miles on that poor little thing without a little work. I decided to "try" to fix it myself. I got everything working except the reverse stitch and buttonhole. It's time to say goodbye to my best friend and get a new one. Can anyone say Merry Christmas Kim!

Kissy Face!

2011-11-01T07:07:00.000-07:00

Last Friday Emma's teacher pulled me aside at pickup time and said that Emma was in "the yellow zone" for kissing a boy in her class. She said that it didn't happen just once and that she did stop when she was told to. I had a LONG talk with Emma about kissing boys and that other than Daddy, Grandpa and her Uncles she was NOT TO KISS ANYONE EXCEPT HER HUSBAND! She said she understood. Nate came home and had an even LONGER talk with her and told her basically the same thing. What worried me the most is when I asked her why she was kissing him she said, "I think he's cute!!!!" WTHECK!!!! I thought I could skate by till at least puberty before she noticed boys. Now, in her defense, he is indeed a cute little boy and a sweetheart too. Monday was Halloween and we didn't have any problems, but old habits die hard I guess...Tuesday she was in the "the red zone" which means she doesn't get a good behavior stamp...for kissing another boy! This boy is not one that I would prefer her to be kissing either...he's the class clown and a little wild, I have visions of him pulling up on a harley in a few years to drive away with her! Please pray for my little princess to keep her lips to herself!

Halloween 2011 - Grease!

2011-10-31T07:35:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows I love a theme at Halloween time...this year GREASE! I can still remember the first time I saw this movie, I was in Tampa at my cousin Marci's house and we stayed up watching both Grease movies. I loved it! Marci had seen the movie before so she was singing and I just thought it was so cool! Nate and I are in our own clothes just tweaked a little and I made the girls their skirts and shirts and I had to buy red lipstick...this years costumes for a family of 4...$11.77!

Meet Sandra Dee, Danny and the Pink Ladies!!!!

My sweet Pink Ladies getting ready to hop in the wagon and head off! Only they didn't want the wagon at all. Emma and her bud Bryten were running from house to house and we literally had to track them down about every 3 minutes. Lauren did awesome. She only hit about half the houses as the big kids, but she didn't know any different and was loving getting candy. She started to get into the candy a little too much. After a few blocks, Nate took LuLu home to get cleaned up and put to bed. I took Emma and Bryten down a few more streets and then walked Bryten home since her mommy had to leave early for a very cranky pilot (not you Riley...Parker). Emma and Bryten started to poop out...

Emma decided to lay in the wagon...

Bryten is trying to figure out how she can fit in there too. They were exhausted!

2011-10-27T21:03:00.000-07:00

My sweet baby Emmie Remmie is 5 years old!!!!!

Where the heck did the time go. Just yesterday I was sitting in a cozy hospital room looking out the window at the jogging trail and watching Nate sit in my hospital bed holding this little tiny muchkin in his lap. How? How I say, did I blink my eyes and have my baby grow up. It is so bittersweet with this one. Every new age I say, "This is my favorite age.", BUT that doesn't mean I don't miss the days where she was a little needy peanut that wanted nothing more than love from her Momma.

Emma Reese, I couldn't love you more if I tried. You have been the light in my life, the warmth in my heart and the best little golden child a mother could ask for. Happy Birthday Remmie.

Fun Facts About Emma at 5:

In Kindergarten and loving it!

Favorite Color is: "Pink, Purple and Red" (in that order, she can't pick just one)

Has a heart of gold

Thinks farting is why she was put on Earth

Loves peach applesauce

Likes her hot dogs cold

Would eat french toast every morning if I would let her

Demands to wear hair accessories, necklaces and bracelets with all outfits (to school only)

Never wears shoes

Has gone from underwear only to underwear and a shirt as her 'at home' attire

Obsessed with dinosaurs and science

Says she wants to be a dentist when she grows up

When asked who her best friend was she said: "Ellie is my best buddy at school. Ender is my best boy buddy. Will is my best buddy. Bryten is my best girl buddy and you (that's ME!) are my best friend!"

5 years down, 13 to go...after that rent is $2k a month...stay as long as you'd like. :)

Picasso in Training...

2011-10-26T21:24:00.000-07:00

Give Lauren something to paint and you'd be surprised how much you can get done. She loves to paint so much that she just sits there entertaining herself. If you don't keep a close eye on her she will paint whatever she gets her hands on. Be warned!

Taylor Swift Concert

2011-10-21T21:28:00.000-07:00

Our neighbor/friend Dena called me with the most amazing news...she got free tickets to Taylor Swift and wanted to take Emma and me with herself and her lovely daughter Alissa. I was so excited. I was not much older than Emma when I went to my first concert. It was Wham! at the Orange Bowl and I was over the moon. Now the difference between Emma and myself is that I was much more exposed to music than she was. Heck, I had mix tapes coming out of my ears that I recorded off the radio with cat-like reflexes when I'd hear the first note in the song I wanted to hear. I digress, Emma doesn't really know music that well and when I said that we were going to the concert she really wasn't sure who Taylor Swift was.

Don't get me wrong, I like Taylor Swift, but I'm not like a die hard fan or anything. HOWEVER, opening for TS was David Nail and I LOVE him. As you can see he is VERY easy on the eyes! If you took a second to google his music (assuming you like country) you would see that it is VERY good as well.

Next up was another band that I like. I can only hear them on Pandora, but they are awesome.

Obviously when we arrived Emma was just soaking it all in. She didn't really know what to think. Here she is posing with her TS light necklace thing that she just had to have. She seemed to be so excited. As soon as TS took the stage Emma says, "Mom, she sings in our car." I found that very funny and laughed through most of her opening number.

Emma, Alissa and Dena!

So Emma was rocking out and having a GREAT time and all of the sudden she says, "I'm tired". Now mind you, if we were at home it wouldn't even have been her bed time yet...well it would have technically been her bed time, but she wouldn't have been in bed or asleep. She sits down in her seat and gets cozy and proceeds to sleep soundly through the next 45 minutes of the concert.
I can sleep through anything, but I don't think even I could have slept through that. At the end of the evening she was so happy to have gone. She had a serious case of Taylor Swift Fever and wanted to watch her on YouTube. She loves her song "Mean" and loves to walk around singing it. So amazing. What a fun night!

The Tales Of A Mother's Shirt...

2011-09-16T23:23:00.003-07:00

Sometimes you can tell the kind of day you've had by what is left on you at the end of the day...or at 2pm in this case.

**If you can't read this click on the picture**

I Am No Art Critic, BUT!!!

2011-09-15T23:27:00.000-07:00

I was going through Emma's school papers and noticed some of her drawings and had to pause for a moment. Who am I to criticize anyone's artistic ability, but those don't really look like socks to me. They do look like something, I just can't put my finger on what that is...

Happy Birthday LuLu!!!

2011-09-14T23:40:00.000-07:00

My baby is 2 today! WOW, does time fly. Some facts about Lauren at this 2 year old mark...

Weight: 26lbs.

Height: 33"

Favorite Thing: Her "Sassy" (pacifier)

Favorite Food: Squeeze Pack Applesauce

Favorite Show: Caillou

Favorite Movie: Beauty and the Beast

Favorite Toy: Violet the dog

Best Friend: Adelade (pronounced Eye-e-yah)

Funny Laurenisms...

She holds your face with both hands and gives you big huge kisses.
She screams at the top of her lungs, "Emma Reese" to get her sissy's attention.
She throws something and immediately responds with "Come ON!" because of her throw.
She blames anything and everything for any boo boo she has, even if those individuals were nowhere near her when it happened.
Likes to have a dance party in my bed with her sister after bath and when I turn off the music she points to the TV saying, "party! party! party!"

Things Lauren Doesn't Like...

Hates any sort of restraint; highchair, stroller, shopping cart, car seat, etc.
Doesn't like pasta.
Doesn't like being bare foot (I knew she was switched at the hospital).
Doesn't like milk.
Doesn't like car rides over 10 minutes.
Hates flies.

Louie, I know I joke, but I wouldn't trade you for the world. Happy Birthday to my sweet Louie Bouie! I love you so much and can't imagine life without the sunshine you bring to it. Hugs and big kisses from Mommy, Daddy, Sissy, Sugar Cat, Sly Guy and Rover.

Quick Draw Louie!

2011-09-14T23:32:00.000-07:00

Lauren got this puppy from Aunt Dana for her first Christmas and she has loved it ever since. You connect it to the computer and store in her name, favorite food, color, etc and it sings songs about her and all the other info. SUPER FUN TOY! I had it disappear for awhile because she kept accidently setting it off in the middle of the night and waking herself up. She didn't need any help with that. She just recently unearthed it and her kinship was back in an instant. However, she seems to only like one of the 12 songs it sings. She will click the green paw like a man with a remote control channel surfing in rapid fire to get around the loop to get back to the song she likes. I try to click it mid-song to mess with her and she will start her quick draw clicking immediately. I took a video, but I am unable to upload. She never passes it, she always stops right on that song. I don't get it, but I am pretty impressed by it.

Not The Birthday Present She Expected

2011-09-14T00:02:00.000-07:00

I always said I'd let my kids have their pacifier till they were 2. I don't know why that is my magic number, but it is. We broke Emma at about 21 months and did it the WRONG way. We took all of the pacifiers we could find and threw them out. No weaning, no warning, no nothing, just tossed them. We had 2-4 weeks of H E L L! I swore I wouldn't do that again. A friend of mine had told me about cutting the tip off so that that you are letting them have it, but it doesn't do what they want so they give it up themselves. This is my plan. I still give her a solid one at bedtime, but the rest of the time this is what she gets. So far so good, she puts it in for about 20 seconds and spits it out, fusses for it a little while later and does the same thing. Keep you posted on the progress...

I'm Not Even Going To Ask...

2011-09-06T00:08:00.000-07:00

Playing dress up gets pretty interesting around here. I did take her out of the house in this outfit...I didn't let her get out of the car though...

What Will They Come Up With Next?

2011-09-05T00:20:00.000-07:00

We went to Andrea and Steve's today for a bbq and Andrea came out with this game for the kids to play. Of course Emma LOVED it and I see it in our game bin very soon.

You take bits of FLARP (farting sounding putty) and feed treats to the dog, then you take the dog for a "walk" by squeezing the leash

And it poops FLARP on to a shovel

First one with 3 poops wins...Emma got the most poop so she 'wins'?

Odd little game, but they loved it and Nate equally enjoyed it.

James Monroe, Really Emma?

2011-09-04T00:12:00.000-07:00

I'm going over President flash cards with Emma and I flip to James Monroe and guess the first words out of her mouth...

"Oooooohhhhh, he's handsome!"

Really? I guess he is McDreamy in an 1825 kind of way.

A Rough Day...A Long Post

2011-09-03T22:23:00.001-07:00

Today was a rough day. By rough, I mean R-O-U-G-H!!!!! I was woken at 6:30am by Lauren screaming from her crib, "Momma!" (you have to scream it like "Stella"!), I go get her and she settles in nicely in my bed with a juice and a cup of cheerios watching Olivia. Emma wakes at 7am and wants her cereal and juice too, I oblige. After 18 minutes they are busting at the seams demanding to do our Saturday routine (1.5 hours earlier than normal).

I get them in the car with full drinks and blankies and a new Rexbox movie and we head to Dunkin Donuts...coffee for me, donuts for the girls. We continue on to see if we can find any treasures at garage sales. They complain the WHOLE time, typically, they are happy go lucky and crying when it is over instead of the entire route. I cave and bring them home. I get them home and try to get cracking on some projects that have been stacking up. I TRY to get Em and Lu to play...wrong. Em wants nothing to do with her and Lu only wants to be with me. Em, watches the rest of the movie, and Lu is my special little helper. Yay for me. After an hour of that nightmare they are complaining that they are hungry and I realize that we are out of bread...off to the store. I figure that we can kill two birds with one stone and head to Wal-Mart so I can get bread and black spray paint to finish one of my projects. As soon as I strap Lauren in to the shopping cart she starts to scream. By scream I mean S-C-R-E-A-M at the TOP of her lungs...in to Wal-Mart we go anyway. Lauren has issues with restraint and I am trying to stop these issues while the cost is low. Today cost me a few annoyed Wal-Mart patrons, later it could cost me bail money. One way or another I will get her to realize that even though she doesn't want to sit in that cart, she has to and she will. Neighboring friends, I'll send out a mass text or FB blast when I am headed to the store and you can re-schedule your trip, cause if history repeats itself, this one will take more than a few visits. And a total side note...THANK YOU to the patron that stopped me in the parking lot with a still screaming child and said she saw me inside and that I was doing a great job, it's hard and it gets easier. God sends his words when we need them, I was just about to SNAP. Thank you whoever you are, you truly did make my day and change my heart at that very moment.

Came home with our bread, forgot the spray paint and made some yummy pb&J's with their favorite chips that I grabbed on and isle end-cap. Lauren started to freak and I was OH-SO-DONE, so I picked her up, kissed her face and promptly placed her in her crib for a nap. Came down and Emma decided that she wasn't hungry anymore and didn't want lunch. I said she had to sit at her table till her food was gone, that was at noon, she sat there till 2:45pm and still had half of her sandwich. I finally let her up, but with the understanding that she wouldn't get ANYTHING till dinner. She begged within minutes and I didn't give in till dinner time. Hope a lesson was learned. Emma was asking for certain movies and games so I assumed that she would be occupied with those while I could work on some stuff, wrong. She would have been happy, if only, I had not been working on other things. She didn't want to help me, she wanted to play dinosaurs. Now, I don't spend NEARLY the time I used to with her so I skipped my plans to play dinosaurs with her for nearly 2 hours!!!!!! To Do list will have to wait till tomorrow. Our play was cut short when we heard cries from upstairs...Lu was up. Now LuLu looks so sweet, but she is the kind of girl that when she wakes the devil says, "Oh no, she's up!" Everything seemed fine and she seemed happy, then we needed to get in the car for 5 minutes to return the Redbox movie. All hell broke loose. I lift weights 4x a week, I run, I consider myself a strong person and Lauren makes me seem like I've never been to a gym in my life when she doesn't want to sit in her car seat. I had to wrestle her gently to get her buckled in. Every Mother reading this knows what I mean. You can't go all hog wild to get them pinned down, but you aren't letting them up if it kills you!

After a 20 minute, very loud trip that should have been 5 minutes of silence we were back home. I didn't have it in me to carry through with my spoken plans to Emmie to go to the gym and swim in the pool so I heard a mouthful from her. Lu was happy and playing. Complaints of hunger so I started dinner. Meatballs and spiral pasta (always a favorite) went uneaten while they continued to complain of hunger. I caved and gave them cheese squares and packaged up their completely uneaten food for tomorrow. They will have that as the only food option till it is gone. A quick visit from Andrea and the kids to borrow some tools and for us to return some books and some heart-warming play starts with Em and Lu. They start scaring me with a rubber lizard and laughing so hard that they can't breathe by the reaction I am giving them. I continue to deliver and so do they. Then Lauren wants to jump from the coffee table to Emma on the couch, Em isn't into it so I throw Lu on her back, she thought that was SO funny. This pattern continued for over 30 minutes. They were laughing and developing trust int he manner she was getting on her back and carrying her around. My heart be still. Finally, it's time for me to call bedtime and they are both sad. We brush teeth, read books and all hug and kiss goodnight. I place Lu in her crib and give more kisses, return to Em's room for more kisses and tickles and head downstairs. As I wish I had an adult beverage in the house I think about how stressful and how fabulous the day was. I sneak in to check on my monkeys and this is what I see...

My Lu sleeping with her Sister's Pinkalicious (formerly her cousin's) doll because we read the book and she says, "Pinkalicious" so damn cute that I'll read that book everyday till she says it different.

And my Em, exactly how I left her. I leave and find her in the exact same position everyday, yet her hair is still a wild mess when she wakes...I don't get it.

I am one SERIOUSLY burnt out Momma, but I love my girls like NO OTHER. Nate has been gone for 8 days now and I have been solo and it is wearing on me like a bag of bricks. I miss my husband so much because of his work schedule (and vacation schedule...UGH!) and then the moment that he is home I ditch him with the kids because I need a moment of quiet. Where will I find balance here? I want to miss my hubby and enjoy him. I want to enjoy my girls and not feel like I need to run the moment Nate gets home (aka home from a boys trip). What's a girl to do?

Mud Is Fun!

2011-09-02T23:25:00.000-07:00

Now typically my Lu is a clean freak (just like daddy) today she seems to be totally with the dirty mud puddle that is growing in our side yard. Rover, our puppy, has done some NAUGHTY things lately so I wanted to drill in a stake to keep him on the side yard and the ground, as you can imagine with over 100 days with 100 degrees or higher was harder than a rock. I turned on the hose to get the ground to soften up so that I could drill in the stake. Lauren was in heaven! She was stomping around in her PJ's so happy...

Boom, boom...

Boom, boom in the puddle...Yeah baby!!!!

Wait!!!! I'm dirty...

"Momma, towel!"

Real Conversation

2011-09-02T21:48:00.001-07:00

Walking out of the car on the way to go into the gym...

Me: "Oh, I forgot my book. Let's go back to the car so I can grab it real quick."

Emma: "What book are you reading?"

Me: "A book on how to make me a better mommy."

Emma: "Oh."

Me: "What do you think will make me a better mommy?"

Emma: "You could be nice."

Now this is from a girl that had just gotten laid into because she threw out her lunch storage containers to hide the fact that she didn't eat her lunch...again. I worked out, sat by pool and went to pick up girls from the childcare area and she starts right away,

Emma: "Did you read your book?"

Me: "Not all of it, but a lot of if."

Emma: "Are you a better mommy?"

Me: "I'm trying to be."

Emma: "Can we eat in the Cafe?"

Me: "No."

Emma: "Your book isn't working."

A Rough Patch...Again!

2011-09-02T21:32:00.000-07:00

I am making fun to keep from crying. It was just explained to me that the terrible 2's didn't mean that they were terrible when they turned two...it means that they are terrible for 2 years. Lauren already knew this!

"I hep you, Ry Ry."

2011-08-30T23:50:00.000-07:00

Lauren saw Ryan getting ready to leave for class and she promptly ran to grab his boots for him. Now mind you these are size huge and steel toe so for a 25 lb. 2 year old they are HEAVY.

She waits for him to come back in from starting his car to cool it off...

He is happy to see her determination in her assistance...

BUT, he doesn't need his boots on just yet...so she puts them on...

And quickly falls before she makes it one step...

Oh, there's Uncle RyRy's water...he must need that too...

Our girls LOVE their RyRy and want to do anything and everything for him. Hugs, kisses, boots, water, walking to car, you name it. It will be a SAD, SAD day when Ry breaks it to the girls that he will no longer reside with us. Lord willing that day won't come too soon. Emma is convinced that his wife and kids will eventually live in our pantry...I don't know how this story started, but it seems to grow each time we tell her.

More About Emma

2011-08-30T23:40:00.000-07:00

Emma was given a project to place 5 items (or pictures of those items) in a bag for her class to get to know her better. In Emma's bag...

1. My Very Own Name-A book about her name and the day she was born. A first birthday gift from her very first friend Vivian.

2. Picture of our summer family vacation in Utah.

3. Ella the Brachiosaurus-Emma is obsessed with any and all dinosaur books, toys and shows.

4. Emma's near and dear, Comfy.

5. Emma's Collections-I took a picture of her collection shelf and then placed samples of her, bb's, rocks, sea glass, Squinkies, marbles, tumbled rocks, smashed pennies, etc.

She was so happy with her bag and to share with her class a little more about herself. She asked me if I would put a picture of her playroom in there so kids would want to come and play...she barely spends time in her playroom...why would they?

Lu...

2011-08-27T23:37:00.001-07:00

I smile because you are my daughter,

I laugh because there is nothing I can do about it!

Hobby Lobby....

2011-08-27T23:20:00.000-07:00

So we are leaving Building School and Andrea says, "I have to go to Hobby Lobby, you need anything?" I say, "I'm sure I do, we'll go with." I stop at QT to get the kids bribe lollipops and we head in. Andrea, as usual has a list of the items that she needs. I, as usual have a million current projects in my mind and can't think of my list. This is the kids at checkout...Lauren is in midst of throwing her cup at Ender for getting too close with his lollipop stick in is mouth...

He goes in to save himself and sticks her again...

After the turmoil of checkout, Emma poses so sweet with a scarecrow on our way out the door. No harm, no foul, no broken items in Hobby Lobby. Success!

Building School -- Locker

2011-08-27T22:20:00.000-07:00

After a L-O-N-G break from Building School, we were back in action today and with smiles all around. With the trouble Lauren has been to take in public (or private) we have chosen to skip Building School. Typically, I go with the girls alone and I end up ditching Emma in the isle and chasing Lauren around the store. I AM SO HAPPY TO REPORT THAT LAUREN WAS A COMPLETE DOLL TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PRAISE GOD! Both have new lockers built by none other than themselves (with Momma's help). Yay for Building School and yay for good little girls. Now, do I buy 4 and almost 2 year olds locks for their lockers?...NO!

Lunch with my Emmie!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-08-26T23:48:00.000-07:00

I was looking at the calendar and noticed that Nate was home today, needed a private lunch with my Emmie and 100's of other kindergarterners and students... Nate may have LuLu in his pocket as a Daddy's girl, but my Emmie is a Momma's girl, no doubt. Since she has been in school, I am missing my MUCH needed Emmie/Mommy time. I brought her a yummy lunch and spent recess in the library with her getting the "ants out of our pants" since the heat topped 115 degrees and they couldn't go outside. Here she is so excited that I brought her some yummy fruit snacks for herself and for her friends at lunch. Her friends were so happy that I brought them too.

Assssweeee!

2011-08-25T22:52:00.000-07:00

Ashlee is headed back to Flagstaff for her Senior year at NAU so we decided to have a play date before she headed up the mountain. She came to see Emma in her dance class and then we had some pasta dinner. After a little play time with the girls a storm started to blow in so she headed back to her mom's house to finish packing. :( We love you Ash!

Emmie getting one final hug.

Emmie and Ellie

2011-08-24T23:08:00.000-07:00

Ellie is one of Emma's classmates. She wasn't as gung ho about going to kindergarten as Emma was. She had many, many tears shed upon arrival and throughout the day the first couple weeks of school. Emma has such a good heart for that she took Ellie under her wing. She talked to her and tried to take her off to play and feel comfortable at school. The girls had early release today so we took them to the mall to cool off and play!

Serious game of hide and seek going on with other kids in the play area.

They even had matching water bottles...they thought that was so funny.

Heat+Trampoline+Sprinkler=FUN!

2011-08-24T22:59:00.000-07:00

Usually we go for a walk in the evenings, but today was just too HOT! It was 117 degrees and we were feeling the heat so I offered to let the girls jump on the trampoline with the sprinkler. Nate set it all up and we took our positions around the edges because we have no net right now (Thanks to Rover). Ryan had gone on a workout and was pouring in sweat so he decided to join the girls in the water and he regretted that immediately. They decided to climb all over him.

He soon forgave Lauren when she gave up the mauling and wanted some loving!

Rover, NOT AGAIN!!!!

2011-08-17T23:46:00.000-07:00

Rover ate the net to the trampoline again! The girls headed out to jump and found shredded pieces all over the yard. Uncle RyRy went out to supervise while I headed in to get my camera and he decided to dress them up in the shreds. I love how you can still see Rover's guilty paw prints on the trampoline. What are we going to do with this do?! Craigslist?

Lunch with my Emmie!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-08-17T23:23:00.000-07:00

We've been having a little trouble getting Emma to eat all of her lunch. I decided to go and have lunch with her to see what was going on and to meet the Lunch Aids to convince them to hound her till all her food was gone. I guess I should start with this morning though...I sent Emma off to school with no lunchbox and told her that I wasn't going to pack her lunch anymore because she wasn't eating it anyway. She got mouthy in the car and told me that Mrs. Eversole buys kids lunch that forget theirs. I told Mrs. Eversole (so that Emma could hear) that she was NOT to buy Emma lunch that she didn't get today. I sat stealthy in the cafeteria waiting for her class to come in. I saw her standing next to Mrs. Eversole as she passed out the lunchboxes to all the kids, everyone ran off to their tables to start eating and Emma just stood there looking up at her so helpless like a little puppy. She didn't say a word, she just had this pathetic look on her face. I jumped over and said, "You looking for lunch little girl?" She was so excited to see me and was so excited that she was getting a lunch.

A yummy lunch! PB&J, grapes, apple sauce, white cheddar pirates booty and marshmallows for a treat!!!!

Emmie and her new bud, Ellie.

The little boy sitting across from us wasn't in Emma's class, but he introduced himself to me "I'm Brigg." said in the most Texan accent I've ever heard. I said, "Hey Brigg, can you take a picture of us?" He did and looked at the image and said, "It's perfect." I didn't want to question him so I didn't look...guess I should have.

After lunch I went out to recess with Emma and played in the sand, played tag, and showed them funny animal videos on you tube on my phone. Emma got to be the line leader for her class as they headed back in. I walked her to the door and kissed her goodbye. She was so excited for her lunch visit!!! So was I :) I miss that little booger.

First Day of School Gift

2011-08-10T23:18:00.000-07:00

Emma made all 25 kids in her class rainbow bee crayons. This was a fun project for she and I to do and a great way to teach her to be generous and crafty! Her school mascot is a hornet so a bee is as close as I could find. Unfortunately, the school does not allow any homemade food items...are they trying to ruin my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll find a loop hole in this system.

Emma's First Day of Kindergarten!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-08-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

The day has come...my baby is started kindergarten today. I managed to fight back the tears and just be as happy about it as she is!

It was a bit of a madhouse today so we parked down the street and walked her on campus. Normally, we will ride our bikes or walk together since it is just blocks from our house. Here we go...

We left Lauren at Grandma Karen's so we could focus on Emmie and her big day. I'm sure sissy will appear in some of the after school pictures.

Emma and Mrs. Eversole.

She immediately headed to the playground and made herself comfortable in the sand.

Time to line up for class, met her first friend Brandon in line.

Happy. Confident. Ready to GO!

Blowing kisses to mom and dad and off she went to her classroom. So proud!

Silly, Silly Girls...

2011-08-09T22:17:00.000-07:00

Tonight at Chick-fil-a they were making masks and the girls were having too much fun with them. Emma, and Lauren with their CFA friend Aislyn. Silly, silly girls...

Meet The Teacher

2011-08-08T22:21:00.000-07:00

Emma helped me put paper flowers on a bouquet of pencils for her new teacher!

LuLu is so proud of her big sister!

Before you enter the classroom you have to write your name. She is using her right hand, but she is really a lefty.

Introducing...Mrs. Eversole!

Mrs. Eversole took pictures of all the students to make them badges for the first few days of school. Last thing they need is a bunch of lost kindergartners running around the school.

Emma found her desk...look at that happy smiling face...I am going to miss that face everyday, all day long :(

Here's her cubby! I told her it wasn't for her shoes like at a play area, but she insisted.

Her teacher had cute little packs for all the students with all kinds of goodies in them.

There was a reason for everything in the bag...a woman after my own heart.

Do NOT get me started on the school supply list though...This is what is required for each kindergartner. Ziploc bags, cups, plates, bags...what the heck happened to good ole pencils and paper????

It was so much stuff I had to pack an extra basket to hold it all, she couldn't even carry her backpack on her first day because it was so loaded down.

Will and Emma's Playdate

2011-08-08T22:01:00.000-07:00

Due to summer travel and summer heat, Emma hasn't seen much of Will and she has been asking for him like crazy lately. I arranged a play date and they started to play every game in our bin. Will especially liked the Don't Wake Daddy Game...maybe for his birthday?

Then they snuggled into Emma's sleeping bag to watch a few movies, they didn't get through any of them because they kept changing their minds. Will went home and Emma got ready to go meet her kindergarten teacher.

Who's My Teacher

2011-08-05T22:09:00.000-07:00

Emma found her name on the list and sister sat right by her side for support.

"There's my name right there!!!"

Proud cutie pie at her new school. Yay for kindergarten!

Sometimes One Isn't Enough

2011-08-04T00:03:00.000-07:00

She's having a 2 "sassy" (pacifier) day!

Yeah, 4:45AM "Seemed" Like a Good Idea...

2011-08-02T00:10:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought I was over my case of "The Lauren's", I was wrong. Lauren has spent the past 5 mornings waking at 4:45AM-5:15AM. Thanks Lauren, Mommy really wanted to wake up early and get a jump start on her day. NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She was so pooped out at 7:15AM that she put pillows in between the couch and coffee table (all on her own) and laid down with her "oppy" (blanket). When Emma woke she placed her baby on top of Lu for comforts sake. She slept for almost 2 hours here. Please, please, please God...stop this! 7AM is a perfectly fine wake-up time...especially when Mommy typically goes to bed at 2AM.

Happy Birthday Nathan!!!!

2011-07-30T00:56:00.000-07:00

Today is Nate's 35th Birthday! I tried to take this photo to use as his card from the girls, but after ALL DAY of trying to persuade Lauren to cooperate without success, I threw in the towel. Maybe next year...

Emma and Nate both have what I would call, an Angry Bird obsession so she wanted to make (or have me make) blueberry Angry Bird cupcakes for him...

I saw this on a blog somewhere and thought it was funny. Every year I have 12 days to razz Nate about being so old, then my b-day comes and I turn the same age. :)

We hid behind the table and ambushed him when he walked in from the door with silly string. He didn't even get to put his stuff down.

We had gone the day before and got him a bike that he had been coveting since we were in La Jolla in June.

Cruising...

Enjoying his Angry Bird cupcakes...Happy Birthday Old Man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Bead Barn

2011-07-28T01:33:00.000-07:00

Today I spent over 2 hours driving around town to look for beads that I found in UT, only about 42 minutes from where we were staying and I begged my husband to take me back to one more time before we left UT. Needless to say he didn't, he couldn't, he wouldn't...and did I mention...HE DIDN'T. Anywho, my girl Andrea will hook me up tomorrow by making another visit to the store on my behalf. Thank you Andrea, NO THANK YOU, Nathan Paul!!!!!!!!!!

*****Additional Story Notes*****

Since my hubby decided to put in his worthless 2 cents in the comments area, I will update the post with some facts. Yes, he did watch his children for 8 hours so that I could go shopping with Andrea. I will not even count how many hours I keep the children so that he can go golf, vacation, etc., that argument has no merit and should not have even been mentioned. His alternative was to accompany me on my day of craft/home/clothes shopping, it was his choice to keep the kids and send me off alone. Yes, I did go to the bead store with Andrea and I choose lots of beads to make a necklace & bracelet set for Emma for school. If you have ever worked with beads before, you just don't know what you will need until you actually lay out your beads, I didn't want to take that time on our shopping day. In addition, I decided later that day that I should have gotten some more colored beads to make a few more sets because you CAN NOT find those beads in Phx or online. I asked to go back there Friday, Saturday (closed Sunday) and Monday, so it's not like going a little out of our way on the way home was his only option! He also was warned that he would regret not allowing me to go back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Real Conversation

2011-07-28T00:05:00.000-07:00

Emma: "Mom, I can't eat this popcorn because it looks like a french poodle."

Me: "Ummm, ok, feed it to Sly Guy."

Emma: "Dogs can't eat dogs."

Me: "Ok, feed it to Sugar Cat."

Emma: "Ok."

Bagels For Laughs?

2011-07-26T00:28:00.000-07:00

My girls sure know how to make mommy smile. Both developed these cream cheese mustaches while enjoying bagels on the patio of Einstein's Bros. this morning. Neither one could figure out why mommy wanted them to pose for a picture. Ahhh, the moments that make my heart melt. Thank you God!

Angels Landing-Take Two

2011-07-21T23:58:00.000-07:00

Nate just had to get to the top of Angels Landing. Andrea agrees to come to our hotel room to stay (sleep) there while the girls were still passed out cold so that I can join Nate for the hike. We head out at 5:15am to catch the 5:45am shuttle in the park. Nate didn't have his large camera the day before with the boys so he was stopping to take lots of pictures and I just kept on hiking along...

Here I go...

We took lots of pictures of little critters along the way to share with Emma...

One of MANY poses that Nate took of me...

Here I go again...

Sun is starting to rise, wind is starting to die down...

There was a little cove with a hole that Nate had me poke my head through, he told me to be the grumpy old troll, but I'm a morning person so all smiles...

Natie...

We reached the chains...

More chains...

Good morning sun...

That's the path, straight down on both sides 5700 feet down!

Yep, here I go again...

We made it to the top!!!!!

Soaking in the VERY picturesque view...

Relaxing while Nate takes more photos...

Little chipmunks trying to steal the nice Danish mans lunch...

I don't know why, but when I hike I run down the mountain, here I go...

Skipped running this and nicely walked down...

Stopped for a moment to leave our footprints...and ran off...

Nate leisurely hiked down with a father/son as I ran...

Here is where he found me, chilling with my feet in the river...

Looking at this view while I waited...

And back to the hotel. Kids just woke and Andrea must need some help by now!

Zion is so beautiful and breathtaking this hike was the most beautiful hike I have been on, both the view and the company.

Emerald Pools and River Fun...

2011-07-20T23:22:00.000-07:00

I don't have all the pictures from this hike yet, so more will come once Andrea returns home. Lauren was tired and needed a nap, Nate took her back to the hotel and the rest of us carried on...

Emma did amazing on this hike, not one complaint, just happy and walking along. Adelade was not exactly a happy hiker. I ended up holding her because I figured that I would have had to hold Lauren the whole time anyway and got relieved of those duties and sometimes kids are better without their parents, plan worked like a charm. We sang 'Wheels On The Bus' the whole way and if Steve or Andrea tried to hold her she asked for me again. Love me some Adelade!

Insert Doe Picture Here

We got to see a doe having some lunch. Meet Emma the deer, another happy 4 year old, check!

Emmie made it to the waterfall. Yay!

Once we finished the hike we sat in the river. As I was watching the kids chuck rocks I noticed that Andrea had taken a leaf that Adelade gave her and placed it in her hair. The leaf was sure to be lost, but the memory would live forever in my camera...or my blog, whatever. The picture where you can see the leaf really well isn't her best photo so I'll post this one where you can sorta see the leaf :)

E & E chucking rocks as big as their heads and loving it!!!!

LOL, as I am taking pictures of Emma, she turns to me and says, "Mom, I have to poop, NOW!". A moment I didn't want to forget. We headed to the Lodge for a little visit to the bathroom...

She confiscated my camera in the restroom and proceeded to take pictures of herself.

We came back to the river and the boys look pooped. Time to get ice cream and head back to the hotel.

Weeping Rock

2011-07-20T22:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know, it looks like we are in front of a fake movie set...it's legit. Zion is breathtaking everywhere you look. I kept saying the whole time, "it looks fake".

Adelade and Lauren just couldn't resist a lonely little mud puddle...

Lauren is testing out her new shoes and some boundaries...

Harpster Family, Weeping Rock 2011

Last night when Andrea and I were on our walk (post kid/husband bedtime) we ran into a few deer that were not too happy that we walked by their late night snack. One of them actually juked (if you don't know what that is, it is when they fake like they are going to run at you then run away) us. The kids got great entertainment of the deer story around breakfast picnic blanket so Emma and Ender had high hopes that they would see deer on our hikes for the day. They had established that if they saw a boy it would be named Ender and if they saw a girl it would be named Emma...meet little Ender, 1 happy 4 year old...check!

Zion Rescue

2011-07-20T21:55:00.000-07:00

There is no cell phone service in Zion so Andrea and I had no idea that the boys weren't going all the way to the top. We headed into the park on the shuttle with the kids to join the boys for a picnic in the Grotto and we hear about the rescue in progress. We get a little nervous. We see helicopters, we get more nervous. We send up prayers that they are not there for our husbands. Turns out that...2 climbers doing N.E. Buttress route, both of whom took separate falls about 1/2 way up, sustained non-life threatening injuries, but serious nonetheless, and were stuck on a ledge with no way down. Were picked off from the ledge by a medic being lowered from the top on twin 1600' ropes and brought safely to the bottom. We ended up watching the rescue with the kids. You can see (ever so slightly) the medic with the two climbers, because they are WAY WAY UP there.

Angels Landing-Take One

2011-07-20T21:38:00.000-07:00

As soon as we decided to go on the trip to Utah Steve could not stop talking about the hikes at Zion. Nate, of course was totally on board for as much hiking as we could fit in. Angles Landing is a serious hike and the boys wanted to tackle it bright and early.

Tim looking like a serious hiker...

Steve, not a morning person...

Natie, ready to GO!

Pretty high up there, no railings, one good wind and I would be a widow.

As I was surfing through the pictures from their hike I found this and it seemed a little gay that Steve was taking these of Nate, but it looks pretty cool so I'll post anyway.

The top of Angels Landing was closed due to a rescue effort in progress so the boys were not able to go all the way to the top. It was killing Nate that he got so close with no cigar. Steve and Tim were happy that they made it that far and weren't about to do it again....good thing Andrea is a great friend and came to our hotel room at 5:15am to sleep till the girls woke her and I went on the hike with Nate the next morning...

Frazzled Dinner!

2011-07-19T21:27:00.000-07:00

After a long day of travel and activities the kids were pooped and so were we. Thankfully, we had to walk 10 steps from the hotel to the restaurant where we decided to get some dinner. Lauren is looking at flash cards on my phone and Emma is playing Angry Birds on Nate's...thank you God for technology!

As you can see...Nate and Andrea are frazzled and all the kids are standing at the dinner table, not a good combination for a peaceful dining experience. We all make it through and went back to the hotel to get some Z's. Day one vacation...check!

Hike, Hike, Hike...

2011-07-19T02:16:00.000-07:00

We arrived! Andrea plotted out an easy hike for the kids upon our entry to Zion National Park and they couldn't have been more happy. All the kids were thrilled to be out of car seats and on the move, the only one that was complaining was Steve, but he soon settled down and let the kids enjoy the hike with a little bit of sprinkling rain to boot!

Emma making her sister pose for daddy!

Mommies working it!!!!

Emma in the lead...as usual...

Harpster's...Zion 2011. Look out Utah!

Beautiful, only the first sight we will see on our trip...

Damn, Damn!

2011-07-19T01:48:00.000-07:00

Andrea couldn't have planned our 'stretch'/'potty'/'play' stops better. We stopped at the DAMN for the kids to play and Andrea strapped on the monkey to Adelade and Lauren couldn't have been happier! She L-O-V-E-D holding on to the handle and walking Adelade around the area.

And off they go...

Damn!

Damn Harpster's 2011!

Lunch in Flagstaff...Give Me Some Ellie Belly!

2011-07-19T01:40:00.000-07:00

Headed to UT and needed to stop for lunch in Flagstaff. I called Min Min to see if she and the Ellie Belle were free for lunch and God willing...they were!!!!

Ellie a.k.a. Mini Slack with Momma's lips (hidden by a binky)!

Lu, totally jealous of Momma's new lap mate so she wanted to get some Ellie lovin too to see if she was missing something. She was! Ellie is so yummy and delicious. Thank you Slacks for blessing the world with her life...time for mini Slack #2.

Headed On Vaca...Utah Or Bust!

2011-07-19T00:26:00.000-07:00