how we spend our days...

I always say that my days typically feel like groundhog day(the movie.) Very repetitive, familiar, same ole' same ole'. I'm not complaining, I just think it's funny. I'm so glad that most of my friends share this same lifestyle. We usually have a good laugh or two, maybe shed some tears on our hard days in mommyville. Being home...that is what I have decided to go back to. After August 14th, I will be free from a job that has consumed my life for the last year. I have met some incredible people, and enjoyed what I've done for the most part. However, my family needs me more, and I need them. As repetitive, chaotic, and busy as it gets around "the zoo" in our home, I have learned that this is where I belong =)

Swim Lessons

Olivia and Nolan had swim lessons every morning for 2 weeks in a row. While it made for a busy morning each day, I like how they kids were in the pool daily learning to become comfortable in the water(which I think is one of the most important things when learning to swim.) Their teacher was so patient, sweet, a perfect instructor for the way my kiddos are wired. I sure hope she offers swim lessons again next year, we really enjoy her!

4th of July Part 2

Here are a few of my favorite pictures during the 4th. I put the one of the kids in the raft up because they were all about to doze off while sitting in it. They were knackered! I also love the picture when the fireworks started and everyone is looking up at the sky. Enjoy!

4th of July 2009 Part 1

We had a lovely 4th of July spent with our dear, dear friends, who are truly like our family. We were at Loon Lake and the day/night/and following morning were so much fun. Shane and I have decided it was one of our favorite 4th of July celebrations yet. We went for a boat ride, cooled off in the water, Nolan caught his first fish with Daddy, LaUgHeD, Laughed, and LAUGHED some more, ate lots of lake food(chips, cookies, dips, ice cream cones, you know, the healthy food in life.) The fireworks were amazing and seemed to last for hours. All the kids did great, stayed up for most of the show until they fell asleep on their Daddy's, so cute! Some of my favorite memories that are still making me laugh as I write~
*A tube from one of the fireworks came down HARD and hit my friend D in the head, and left a huge bump(it's okay, she's laughing about it too!) At first we didn't know what the heck had happened until she found the piece that hit her. It resembled a small toilet paper roll, OUCH!
*Shortly following, the neighbors roman candle container tipped over and started shooting the fireworks right at us. I of course was in sheer panic, grabbed Liv(Shane had NJP,) and headed for the cabin. D was in shock too and yelled out "Wells, get the kids!" The best part about that, the kids were on her lap =) I was so embarrassed because I let out a big Oh F*** when it happened. I seriously thought one of the kids was going down, or maybe I thought I was. We laughed about this for the rest of the night.
*Last but not least, while we were taking a little stroll on the beach before we headed home this morning, my little wild guy decided he'd like to take a dip. He ran in to the water, which I figured he'd stop once his feet were in, but NOPE, he kept going, AND going! It had a slight drop so, in and under he went, while I ran after him in my clothes. What a scene! He was totally fine, in fact, it did not bother him a bit. I on the other hand...this is why I have high anxiety =)
Richie bought a special firework for Shane & I. Mine was called "The Luck of the Irish." It was one of my favorites. Shane's was "Jack A** " and was seriously the loudest firework I've ever heard in my life. It also had me running towards the cabin at full speed.
I love the memories we made this year. Loon is a sentimental place for us and has many years of special memories especially for Shane. Thank you for everything Wells Family & Much Love!
Part 2=Pictures very soon!

Tiny Dancer

The dancers waiting to go on stage(Ava, Olivia, Ivy, Paige, Lilly--some of her favorite ballerina buddies)

Ava, Paige, Liv

Olivia & Sweet Lilly

Bravo!

Olivia had her end of the year recital a few weeks ago. It was very cute, revolved around familiar nursery rhymes and children's stories. Very simple, short(at least Olivia's performance was,) cute, and a little too hot & humid in the theatre(that's what you get in an old building I guess.) There were lots of performances done by the older girls. Watching the older, more experienced dancers is always fascinating to me. I think ballet is such a beautiful dance. It will be interesting to see if Olivia really takes to it and dances for most of her young life like it did. I just wish I'd never stopped. I'll live vicariously through her if she chooses to stay with it =) Here are a few pictures from her performance at the Bing Crosby Theatre.

The BiG 32!

Gosh I seriously can't believe I'm 32 now. Time really does fly on by, I just can't catch up with it. I had a WONDERFUL birthday, and it seemed to drag on for most of the weekend. I felt loved, spoiled, and a bit pampered for 3 days--whohoo! Shane took me to Clinkerdagger on Friday night, just he and I. It was so overdue, and much needed. We had a fabulous time eating, drinking, and dating. Saturday was my actual birthday. The kids, Shane and I went out for coffee, and then I scooted off for a mani/pedi at my favorite salon, Incognito. Later that night I met up with some friends for a few drinks and then a night of dancing. We had a blast, wait, a BLAST!

I feel incredibly blessed by all of my sweet family and friends who thought of me on my birthday. Jen, thank you for the beautiful broach, I love it so much and already know how I'll wear it. Siri, Laura, & D~thank you for my lululemon gift cert, can't wait to head over to Seattle to use it up =) Laura, thank you for all of my other treats, you know me too well. April, thank you for your sweet card, you never miss my birthday, I love and miss you dearly! Tab, I got your sweet card too, thank you! Shane outdid himself this year. I will finally have my own computer very soon. Shane got me a laptop, thank you Babe! But one of my favorite gifts, tickets to Coldplay at the Gorge, smack dab in the middle 17 rows back--I get butterflies just writing about it! Those of you who know me, know that I'm a music junkie. Coldplay is one of my favorite bands, and I CANNOT wait to see them in July. Thank you again everyone, you are so thoughtful and I appreciate, and love each and every one of you. I will be sending out proper thank yous. Cheers! How odd that I'd be having technical difficulties with my blog--the slideshow stops at one point, but the pictures will continue within a min or so.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Lilah Ann Wiley

Some of our dearest friends added a new addition to their family just 4 weeks ago. The Wiley's now have a precious, sweet baby girl, Lilah Ann. Shane and I wanted to see her while she was still a little newborn, fresh into the world =) So we drove to Seattle and back last Saturday. It was a lot of fun actually. I say anytime that we can spend together as a "couple" and to have some alone time is WONDERFUL. At the same time, the kids love being with their grandparents. Both of our parents pitched in, one taking a morning shift, and the other the afternoon/evening.

We spent a few hours with the Wiley's at their house. We always have such a great time with them, and wish we lived closer! On the way out of town, we hit our FAVORITE restaurant, Typhoon Thai, and another favorite on my list, Trader Joe's. I wish, I wish, I wish, we had a Trader Joe's in Spokane! We stocked up on all sorts of yummy organic food, and treats. It was a perfect way to end our quick trip over to the west side. Most of all, we're so glad we got to meet Lilah, not to mention I wanted to hold her the entire time. I'm a sucker for newborns, babies, and pregnant mommy's(which happen to be all around me right now.)