Grocery Shopping

You know what is no fun? Grocery shopping with kids in tow. This is a major, and I mean major, undertaking. The whole event takes literally hours. Now, I have 3 children. I have been doing this parent thing for 7 years now. While I have my moments of panic and insecurity, I think that for the most part, I am getting it down to a science. I tell you though, the events described are enough to shake the confidence of even the most self-assured parent. It goes a little something like this.

25 minutes to dress myself (if you call brushing my teeth and throwing on sweats dressing) and the 2 little ones. The older one is on her own (This does not count sock and shoe finding and wrestling time).
5 minutes for potty.
10 minutes to lay down the rules for shopping, repeat them three times, then have everyone ask what the rules were again.
10 minutes to find shoes and socks.
10 minutes to get them on.
5 minutes for potty again.
5 minutes to gather purse, keys, and the bag that I refuse to call a diaper bag that I am currently carrying (that has diapers, wipes, and clothes for the baby in it-just in case we have an accident!It is NOT a diaper bag- stop saying that!)
10 minutes to find and put back on the shoes that came off while I was getting my stuff together. 10 minutes to load them up, strap them all in, and get out of the driveway.
ARE WE THERE YET????
I HAVE TO GO POTTY!!!
5 minutes to unstrap and remove everyone.
5 minutes to go to potty.
68 minutes of actual shopping time. This does include the trips back down 3 aisles I already visited, but I forgot stuff because I was trying to keep the kids from fighting and of course, putting the baby's shoes on again.
10 minutes of cries of "can I get ___________??????"
10 minutes to check-out.
15 minutes to load everyone back up in their seats, strap them in and get all the groceries into the car.
Yes folks, if you are keeping tabs we are indeed at over 3 hours! And the answer is no, I have not unloaded or put away anything yet!
10 minutes to drive home.
5 minutes to get the darn DVD player to work so I can occupy the kids while I am putting stuff away.
And last, but of course not least, 15 minutes to actually put away all of the groceries and rid myself of various bags, boxes, containers, etc.

By this point I need not merely a nap, but I think perhaps a hospital bed.

Cooking Extravaganza!!

Wow today has been my cooking day! I canned peaches (20 qts) and cooked dinner, made a peach pie, 4 pans of lasagna, and put together 4 pantry meals. Im tired im going to bed....



Sorry I don't have any pictures of my pretty peaches. I will add those tomorrow.

Good Times!

I have been so lucky to be able to go out with Bob quite regularly, because of a totally awesome arrangement with my friend where we trade babysitting! Well I have got caught up on all the movies that I wanted to see in theaters, so we decided to have a little silly fun... We met up with some friends and had a good dinner at Texas Rd House and then followed it up with some good ol' bowling! First game I WON! I bowled a 134 and the girls beat the boys!

They were a bit sore about that so we switched it up in game 2... LEFT hand only! This was hilarious,not only to try but to watch. You think we would do terrible?? The first frame they all got a strike but me, I rolled a 9, but not bad for lefty! Sara took the win this round. The last game We had to put a spin on it, the boys got into this and did really well, but Sara and I are a little out of practice at spinning our balls ;) We decided to "hold the pose". At the end of your throw ya had to come up with a bowling pose and hold it til the ball struck the pins. ( kind of hard to do when you know it is a bad toss and your going to get a gutter ball. Shawn won with his "swingin' arm"... Too funny But Bob had high score on spinnin round! By the end of the night my face hurt from laughing so much!


So why stop there? We went and found "Kingpin" and stayed up WAY late watching a bowling movie made all the more funnier because of the nights activities!

Letter From Washington

Alex recieved a letter from Washington in response to a letter sent a few months ago. In that letter she wrote to President Obama to make a law against smoking. Alex had recently found out about a relative that was sick because of smoking. She was concerned for him and want to make people relize how dangerouse smoking is.
President Obama sent her a letter thanking her for her note, and encouraged her to continue being a strong and determined student. With students like her, we can build on the progress we have already achieved.

I am so proud of Alex and am so excited for her, and her future! With her outgoing personality and her soft hart I know great things are going to come from her. Good job Alex and Good Luck!

19 mo and 20 days

She is POTTY TRAINED!!!! (mostly)




She still wears a diaper at night and nap time, but most of the time those are dry.

Just a note: I did do her hair today! She pulled it out, I went ahead and snapped the picture cause she is very private and doesn't want anyone in there when she is doing her thing. She looks happy but that was right before she yelled at me to "Go WAY!"

Salmon

Willis family went to Salmon last week. We had so much fun Swimming the river....
This started out as a nice "wading our feet in the water" event (hence no swim suit!). Then we got a bit further out then we planned. The water looks pretty calm but there was a pretty strong current, I had fun and got my adrenilin going! Fun!


Hiking....


We hiked 3 miles up the mountain to a beautiful water fall, and there was a hot spring that made the water feel like a warm bath water, we stayed and swam a little and tried to avoid the naked people! Eric, De and I hiked up the mountail a bit further searching for a rumored pool , we never did find it but we had fun trying!

Fishing...




The fish were biting! Eric caught a fish 10 sec after his line was thrown out. Everyone caught fish! We brought back about 30 and had a very good fish fry for dinne that night!


Relaxing....



Alot of time was spent just catchin zzz's and chillin' on the deck watchin the water flow by. The boys had the computers out, Bob had football, the kids played in the sand box, and I had Nature's beauty. I saw a bald eagle fly by and a few deer!

Getting dirty....



Yes Reagan's butt is hanging out! (I love the look of little Stephanie!) We are potty training and she has decided it is better to be naked then wear a diaper or panties..We are almost there!!! (post coming)

Hanging out with family....



Reagan finally warmed up to Gma and would let her hold her hand. The little pink car was a hit with the kids and I am so excited for next year! We had a great time! Love you guys!

Blankie Envy

My sweet little girl has never been a cuddle bug. Even when she climbs into bed in the middle of the night she just worms her way in and then pushes us out to fit her comfort. She is very independent and wants to do everything HER way. I get a few kisses and a frequent hug, but never the hours of cuddling I can do with William. Tonight after getting baths arobics and jammie wrestling done I set a movie up for the kids. What is the first thing Reagan does?? Runs for her blanket. Not just her favorite ( silky from gma Joy) tonight it is all 3 on her bed. Mommy gets a view of sleepy eyes, and I guess that is enough for today.