here we are having our summer fun! We are playing at a water park, going to the state fair, eating ice cream, and fishing!!! (Note--because of the unholy hour of fishing initialization, I do not participate in said summer activity) As you can see, Lucy is a champion hula-hooper; her record is 120ish...Elliott loves squirting his sister with water, or doing anything with water really, and we all love a rollercoaster ride! Yay summer fun!

Summertime fun

We have had a lot going on lately! These are some pics from when Juliet was here, our trip to pocatello to visit the Ruth's family and her baby, and Charice and her family, and our midnight vampire prom party and the bookstore! The fabulous, glamorous girls you see are the three of us waiting in line to get the new vampire book! The picture of me and the vampire on the couch is the scariest of all becuase . . . are you ready for this . . . that is Heather's little girl, JOY!! She is so old now! I loved it! There are also pictures from our National Night out party for our neighborhood. I somehow got designated as the resident face-painter, and then there was a raffle, jump house, and then the firetruck showed up and they let the children hold the hose, play in the water, and sit in the driver's seat! That was by far the best neighborhood party I have ever been to! Mikey bought me a new camera, so there are lots of pictures for you to enjoy!

Sumer Fun

Our camera broke on the fourth of July, Elliott dropped it from an incredible height! But, luckily, Mikey's brother Jason, and his son Rowan came last weekend, and they got a new SUPER-CAMERA!!, so he shared some of his pictures with us to share with you! Things are good, I am feeling healthy as can be thanks to physical therapy!! YAY!! If they asked me to I would stand on the street in a bone and joint costume cheering for physical therapy...I love it!! The kids are growing in size and catastrophe! They play together better than ever, and fight together worse than ever! Oh well, what can you do! I am also including a picture of Ruth's little baby Karver. This is Lucy's grumpy face, and her smile....we see both many times a day! This is elliott with his cousin Rowan, Elliott wouldn't leave his side! Fun times.

spring time fun

The semester at the little gym is over. Lucy had a karate recital and Elliott finished up his mommy and me class. Here are some pictures from those.






Oh yeah, Mikey got his motorcycle finally! He can't drive it yet because he hasn't taken the class, and his gear (helmet, pants, boots, etc.) haven't come in yet. But, that doesn't stop him from starting it up in the garage about 12 times a day! We love it, and the kids think it is the coolest too, as you can see from the pictures.

Diagnosis: Go greener!

Ok, I have been struggling for a diagnosis for my autoimmune disease for the last two years, and this last visit to the rheumatologist gave me my first glimpse of one! It isn't conclusive, but he suspects that I may have rheumatoid arthritis. That is enough for me, I am kicking into action! I have begun eliminating all the chemicals I can from my home: shampoos, makeups, foods, cleaners, etc. This isn't just about the environment any more, it is about my health, and the health of my children. I have been reading up on autoimmune diseases, and they are becoming a silent epidemic. 9 million people in america have cancer, 22.5 million are slowly dying while living painful lives and suffering from autoimmune diseases. It is the hidden triggers: chemicals in our water, food, clothing, homes, air...it is just crazy. Ok, the preaching is over, but it is all I can think about now. Every day, I look for new ways to eliminate chemicals and keep myself from having incapacitating "flare-ups". Think about how many people you know with type 1 diabetes, arthritis, lupus, vidilygo, crohn's disease..all authoimmune...all triggered by pollutants forcing our bodies' immune systems to go haywire. Scary. Anyway, SAVE YOURSELVES WHILE YOU CAN! Or, just try to save me, live greener...it's a wonderful challenge, and a great feeling to know you are taking control of your health, and the health of those you love!
PS, this picture is a result of heavy-duty medication prescribed for my disease--actually a chemotherapy drug! I'm not on it anymore, trying and anti-inflammation diet now! Anyway, I was always sleepy, and Lucy took the opportunity to take my picture! What a doll.

spring bread

Well, about two weeks ago, we got a new doggie! Her name is Sandy, and we rescued her via craig's list! She is a walker coon hound, and she and eddie are best friends. The second picture is of Lucy and Elliott's haridos. Elliott has to do EVERYTHING ANYONE is doing, which means he usually has a head full of barrettes and pony tails (insert Mikey cringing here). I love him, his quirks keep me entertained. Life is beautiful even if the weather here isn't. My inlaws leave for Korea tomorrow for two weeks...what will I do without my mother-in-law!!! I will have to find a way to survive.

P.S. Lucy slept through the night last night with dry underpants!!! Hooray! Miracles still happen!

Spring fun

Here are some pictures of the kids and our wacky, snow-filled adventures. Sometimes, we just get so stir crazy that we have to get outside, no matter what! Oh yeah, in answer to some of your questions, I am an English linguistics major, and I am taking spanish 101 and a linguistics class. Thanks to my parents for helping with tuition, and my mother-in-law for watching the kids!

So, these other pictures are of Lucy and my bread-making extravaganza. I made these rustic french rolls that you had to knead a certain way and let rest overnight, etc. For Lucy's bread, I just threw some flour, water, salt and yeast together and let her go to town. Guess whose rolls were better? Darn you Martha Stewart! Lucy's were way better! She's a budding master