In the blink of an eye

The other day I was putting Gavin's new picture into the frame on the wall. I have a few years of pictures stacked up behind each new picture. I pulled the old pictures out and saw the one of him at 11 years old. That was only 2 years ago. I was blown away at how much this kid of mine has grown up in 2 years!

 He is a man child, almost taller than his mom, and way too cute for his own good. It is a very surreal thing to have an adult in your house that is also your child. Hugging him and holding his hand is weird. I am hugging and holding the hand of a man. Sure love this kid. Can't believe how big he is.

First day of School!

The kids started school today. This year all 3 kids are in 3 different schools. Alec is still in Elementary, Brynn is in Middle School, and Gavin is in Junior High.

I started school today too. I am teaching art this year at Alec's Elementary school.

The boot I purchased a couple of years ago is proving to be a good investment!

I broke my foot this summer. Not exactly sure how. Let's just say I take clumsy to a whole new level: I can break bones in my sleep. Yep, I woke up one day and it hurt really bad. I went to the instacare and the doctor there didn't take x-rays because I didn't do anything to it to break it. He told me it was a Morton's Neuroma (google it).

 I then made an appointment with my foot doctor to talk about this Neuroma. I couldn't get into him for a week and a half. So I limped around on my painful foot for 2 weeks. I kept telling Brett that this neuroma thing was weird because it felt like a broken bone. Turns out it was a broken bone. Stress fracture. My foot doctor could tell right away. He put me in a boot for 5 weeks.

It is my right foot, so I couldn't drive. This put a screaming halt to anything fun left to do in the summer. For 2 weeks we sat around bored, and I was pretty depressed. So sick of my constant bad luck (did I mention that our basement flooded again, right in the middle of this broken foot business).

I couldn't take it anymore, and I taught myself to drive with my boot on. It wasn't as hard as I thought, and it really freed me and the kids up.

So today was my 5 week appointment. My foot isn't healing very fast. My doctor wanted to put me in a cast to speed up recovery. I talked him out of it though because I can't drive in a cast. So he wants me in the boot for 4 more weeks!! I start teaching school tomorrow. Teaching in a boot, in our un-airconditioned school is going to be a big challenge. Hopefully it is only 4 more weeks!!

Alec's friend party

Alec wanted a Lego party this year. It turned out to be a pretty easy party because the boys just wanted to play with Legos most of the time.

Guess how many Legos in the jar:

Mini-figure game:

The boys were told to build a car and then they raced them on this awesome track Brett made out of things around the house:

This was the hit of the party.  I had other games planned, but this is all they wanted to do.  Build and re-build and race cars.

Lego chocolate pieces made with Lego silicon molds for the sundae bar:

Alec, Tucker, Jackson, Kyron, Rome, JD, and Noah

Goodie bags made to look like a Lego:

Lego crayons made from another silicon mold:

Happy Birthday Alec Walec

Alec turned 9 today!

He is going into the fourth grade.  He loves his Avengers knit hat and wears it every day (even when it is 100 degrees outside).  He has the best smile, and is super funny when he is comfortable.  He is shy, and smart, and still  loves to snuggle with his mom.  Alec has a big, super sensitive heart, and gives the best hugs.  He loves Legos, and Mine Craft, and using his imagination.  He will finally wear non "soft" pants, still loves the Avengers, and got glasses this year.  We love our Alec and are so glad he is in our family.

Happy Birthday Brynnie Girl!

Brynn turned 12 today. 

TWELVE!!!

She is going into the 7th grade, loves watching Ghost Whisperer on Netflix, Minions, swimming, and the name Kevin.  She has started babysitting a lot, went to girl's camp for the first time this summer, is a sweetheart, and is very loved by her family.  We are so glad that TWELVE years ago she came into our lives.

Brynn's Friend Party

This year for Brynn's birthday she wanted a pedicure party.

I took her and 5 of her friends to the beauty college  to get pedicures.

Then we went to Twizzle Berry for some frozen yogurt and present opening.

These are the thank you for coming gifts we made.  Inside the nail polish box is nail polish, a file, and candy.

Day 4 of vacation: Lego Land

On Wednesday we left Disneyland and went down the road to Lego Land. 

Lego Land Hotel just opened up this spring and we splurged and got a room there for 2 nights.

We got the Lego pirate room. It was divided into two parts. A room with a queen size bed and a room with bunk beds and a pull out bed. They also had a treasure safe with a prize inside. There were Legos to play with and Lego sculptures everywhere. It was a super fun, kid friendly hotel.

And the best part was you walked out the door and you were in Lego Land.

Disneyland Day 3

Some of us went to the park early to see some of the characters (I have found the best time to find the characters without crazy lines is early in the morning). 

Ryan, Brynn, PLUTO, Emily, Gavin, and Alec

Brynn and GOOFY

GOOFY being goofy with my goofy boys

Emily and Brynn in a teacup

Brynn, MINNIE, and Mom

MICKEY and our gang

We met up with everyone else for lunch and then went on the Jungle Cruise.  A favorite, always a good laugh.

Emily and Angie had to leave early to head back home.  So Brynn and I went with them to California Adventures to get a couple more rides in with them before they left.

California Screamin

Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

Back to Disneyland and meeting up for some Space Mountain.

(We stood in this line FOREVER, and our feet were about to fall off at this point).

Brynn and Natalie: matching Minnie headbands