Still around

I'm still around. Trying to keep up with our new fall routine and my usual responsibilities!! The kids are enjoying school, flag football and cheerleading, cub scouts and brownies. We do like to keep ourselves busy. I'm hoping to update more later this evening....today I'm working at the fair with my friend in the Miche bag booth. I'll have to keep myself far away from the elephant ears and funnel cakes, as we started another biggest loser contest at work and I'm determined to win again. $280.00 will buy alot of clothes!!

Here's a couple cute pics of the kiddos in their upward football and cheerleading uniforms...

Thanks, Lesley for taking the pics!

The summer's end

the weather is cool
the leaves are {already} falling
the pool is draining
the sun is setting {earlier}
and its dark again when the alarm wakes me

Fall is here.

School starts in 2 days
we're not ready {sniff}
we already miss swimming, splash pads, camping and lazy days

now it's on to schedules
homework
activities
raking leaves

I love fall, but am missing summer already.

Autumn harvest

{backwards-facing sunflowers}

No time to blog

I've had NO time to blog...because I've been...

• working, at a little thing I like to call a J.O.B
• helping out at our first cub scout meeting...yay!
• sewing patches onto my husband's scout uniform
• convincing my mother in law to sew patches on COLE'S uniform (ALOT of patches!)
• flag football practice
• cheer squad practice
• having dinner with friends
• dropping off / hosting sleepovers
• catching up on housework
• cleaning out the family baskets, and organizing stuff for the first day of school! (Wednesday)
• finally buying groceries to fill the fridge, pantry and freezer (Goodbye, $200.00)
• planning out school lunches
• dragging my children into dressing room trying to find the right size of jeans (too long, too tight, sigh)
• listening to "Water for elephants" on audiobook in my car because I just can't stay awake at night to read
• but STILL trying to finish "Eat, Pray, Love" at night. In 5 minute increments before I crash.
• drinking wine. lots and lots of wine.
• gazing at my kitchen which desperately needs new, (non-green!) paint
• gazing at my living room ceiling which needs paint as well
• moping because I can't squeeze in time for the gym
• missing my yoga class
• catching up on bill-paying and checkbook balancing
• taking the kids to birthday parties
• watching my tomatoes. Will they EVER ripen before the first frost?
• measuring my tallest sunflower
• eating salmon
• anticipating going to my women's retreat at Camp Sweyolakan next weekend
• stepping over slugs on my sidewalk in the evenings. Gross.
• contemplating college
• laundry, laundry and laundry

What have YOU been upto?

A new do

It was time for a change. Whatcha think?

Silverwood

A few days ago our family went to Silverwood with friends. It was a great, HOT day...perfect for the waterpark! Our favorite ride of the day was the family raft ride. It took us all day to convince Cole to go on the corkscrew rollercoaster...but he finally worked up the courage. Gracie, as usual...was fearless! She and I had plans to go on all the scary stuff, but since the park was SO packed, we didn't have enough time for everything.

Notice, however, all the "safe" rides, Cole went on...haha. He is NOT a daredevil.

Gracie and I on the ferris wheel

Cole and his buddy

The kids and I have a tradition of always going on the tilt-a-whirl whenever we come across one. We love it! Notice the bandaged finger in this picture? Daddy caught Cole's finger in the power window the day before..haha.

A great family photo of us...yes, we just came off the bumper boats and I was soaking wet!

We ended the day with a late dinner at Red Lobster with our friends. What a perfect day!

Golf

We had a wonderful Friday with our friends Wade and Becky golfing at Circling Raven golf course. What a beautiful place! It was my first real round of golf, and I definately have some work to do. {grin}. I never thought I would enjoy golf, but I really did and can't wait to go again!

Paco and Wade, searching for lost balls (theirs, of course.. Becky and I stayed on the course! haha)

Becky, taking a practice swing

Nice form, honey!

Trying to look like I know what I'm doing?

Luckily, no balls in the water!

Love this one of Paco!

Now, where did that ball go? Is it here?

or maybe over HERE?

My BEST shot of the day!! Can you find my ball?

Hmmm..notice one bottle is full, and one is almost empty?? I believe the one on the left contributed to my great shot in the above photo.

Ummm...Wade? What game are YOU playing?

18th hole, and the clubhouse.

Wade and Becky

The Suttons

We finished the day with dinner in Liberty Lake at a great little bistro. I had the salmon risotto and a lemondrop martini.

That's what I call a perfect day.

A surprise

The last few years , ummm, months,  my husband has listened to me whine about wanting to do more traveling. Honestly, I've been a bit bored with life lately. So, imagine my surprise when I accidentally discovered a BIG (early birthday) surprise he had in store for me! (it really was an accident how I found out, and I felt terrible for ruining it for him).

A trip to Charlottesville, VA to see my sister and her (soon-to-be) husband! I am beyond excited! He was even so thoughtful as to get me a window seat on the plane AND a vegetarian meal. Awwww, honey, you are amazing! My sister was also in on the grand scheme, the little darling.

I'm anticipating lots of wine, sightseeing and hanging with my sis at her new yoga studio, bend. Woot!!

I yak.

Ahhhh...it's been an eventful week. The kiddos and I had a great time at Mt. Rainier with my Dad at the cabin. I will be doing a post about that tomorow night. Be prepared for picture overload!

Last night Amanda and I went on our kayak and wine tour. Maybe you remember back in May when we went on our kayak and luau. So fun! Last night was even better. It was a beautiful evening on the river, and we enjoyed some great food and wine at Bottles wine shop in Millwood.

Look at this crazy slide!!

Amanda and her sister

my Yak buddy

I love this one!

Taking a break for a little vino!

Bottles wine shop

Too bad she only has two hands!

Sampling some chocovino (chocolate wine, similar to a port)

a beautiful way to end an evening!!