Time Flies

Taylor, Anna, and Hudson,

We are one week from the first day of school.  

One week!  

Where did the summer go?  

Well, you won't find much of it here.  

Life took over, and typing and writing were not the priority.... 

which is a good thing.

Daddy and I have paused many times this summer to mark little milestones and moments:

- A great time with cousins

-Trips to SLO and Arnold

-Daddy has been all over South America and Japan, 

and most of California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho

-Two kids to sleep-away-camp- without any trouble at all

- Hudson gave up the baba and his crib this summer

-Hudson let go of his encompassing fear of water and jumped into the Elk's club pool 

with both feet.  BOTH POOLS!  The deep end of the big pool too! 

-Anna got her retainer

-This house is CLEAN and clutter free!  Can you believe it?  

CLUTTER FREE.  

We have worked really really hard on this.  

Closets are clean. Drawers are clean. Bathroom drawers are clean.  

Kitchen cabinets are organized.  Systems are in place. 

We have taken MANY trips to Goodwill and the dump.

- We have made healthy, nutritious meals and snacks.  

-We have purchased and organized school supplies and uniforms- EARLY!

All of this on top of lazy days and great times with friends and family.

I would say that we have had a great summer!

Now, since I am not going to go back and cover all of the moments in separate posts.

Here are the pics for all of it.

In no particular order.

Here is to a great fall.

xoxo

mom

Birthday. A Milestone

My lovelies,

I love everything about my birthday. Love!

Surprisingly, your cards were my absolute favorite gifts! I am not usually a fan of the kid gifts- they are sweet, but don't usually land in a keep pile for me:)

This year, you outdid yourself!

Xoxo

Mom

Hubs is here!

Taylor, Anna, and Hudson,

HUBBIE IS HERE!

We are so happy to have Hubbie living with us for parts of the next year:)

She is such a great addition to our home. 

In order to welcome her, we spruced up her room. 

It looked a little worse for the wear after five years.

We started here: 

A fresh coat of paint.  New curtains and some art for the walls.

 This is a waterlogue of the Azinhal, Hubbie's 9 grandkids, and the world, which Hubbie is always looking to see more of.

 Quickly framed wrapping paper for above the bed:)

Well, the room was missing something.  

Taylor, we were browsing at Cost Plus and found the Oscar chair,

 which is more than perfect!

 Once we got the chair settled, we needed an ottoman!

 We set off for TJ Maxx where we found this perfect little treat.  

The colors were exactly what the room needed!

Hubbie's room really feels like a nice quiet space for her.

I couldn't be happier with this room and think I will move in when she leaves:)

Sleep Away Camp, Round I

Anna! 

You are at sleep away camp as I type this and I miss you so so much!!! 

 I was so nervous that I organized your bags within an inch of its life.  

When we dropped you off on Saturday you were pretty nervous.  

It is a big step to be completely out of contact from your family for an entire week.  

We have sent you notes/letters, and can look for photos in the online albums, 

but we can't hear  your sweet voice!

Your counselor, Tuba (made up name) walked us down to your cabin.

Home sweet home for the next week:)

 Thank goodness for Brooklyn's sweet face when we arrived.

I really couldn't help myself- I got you all set up in your room and unpacked your stuff.

 Your cabinmates:)

 One last picture with Daddy

We had a nice long drive home with loads of traffic, so we took the scenic route, 

which was supposed to be faster.

 We stopped at Pie Ranch, the most adorable little shop.

It was such a treasure, I am so happy we stopped.

 Great fresh veggies and herbs.

 A make your own bouquet stand.

 Taylor made a beautiful wildflower bouquet.

We also picked up some gorgeous purple potatoes, which became our side dish at dinner:)

Our farmstand dinner.
We stopped at the San Gregorio General Store to pick up
steaks and chicken, salad, peaches to grill and fresh breads.

As soon as the plates were cleared I started checking for online photos from the camp....nothing.
I was OVER THE MOON on Monday when a few photos from the website featured my sweet girl.

I continue to stalk the website to see your beautiful face and there have been some great pics!

Hopefully your mail arrived and you are now being showered with mail about how much we love you!

We miss you Anna girl and our house is NOT the same without you.

xoxox

mom

37

Well my loves,

Tomorrow I will be 37.   

37 is really FREAKING OLD and I am not feeling all that thrilled about it. 

Hellllllo downslope to 40.  

When I was in third grade my mom was this age, and she seemed so much older and more together.  

 I thought we would be further along in so many ways.  

That said, when I was 27 I became a mom, three babies in ten years. 

These past ten years have been full, and life-changing and hard, and amazing.  

Good, great, amazing, terrible, thrilling.  

What will the next ten years bring?

 Whatever it will be, I am so lucky that you all will be there with me by my side.

xoxo

mom

Wayyyyy behind

Now that we are far into summer, I wanted to throw up the pictures of the last day of school:)

We blinked and went from last year's last day to now.  

As a reminder, this was the first day of school

And the last day of school.  I can't believe how much older you are here:)

With Daddy on the first day.

\

 With Daddy on the last day.

 When the Saints go marching out.....

One of my favorite traditions about your school:)

So, now that we are almost done with July, congratulations on a wonderful last day of school.

We celebrated with a great trip to the Elk's Club for swimming and fun with friends.

xoxo

mom