Well we are back from our vacation, rested and ready to tackle the next endeavor. No that doesn't mean we've sold our house. As much as I'd like to say we have we are still in limbo - - - Argh!!! We hope to hear soon, of course, but we are done, exhausted and burnt out over this. We've never sold a house before and totally underestimated this process. So we will be patient for this offer to run its course - but after that we're done. Remodeling it is - not that this sounds much fun either ;)

But back to our vacation - it was great - good family time without distractions! I'm all caught up on laundry and now we've resettled into our daily routine.

Here are a few pictures.

Ahlyana and her Cousin Sienna, first day at the beach!

Ahlyana and her extended cousin, Briti (literally, I think they are like 4th cousins)

Briti is also from ISRC

Ahlyana (future biologists???) Loves clams, snails and frogs!

Dreydens future is so bright - he has to wear shades

(what a handsome man, not that a proud mommy may be a little bias)

Rainy day in the camper, this is life with the two of them. Ahly is so motherly, that the smothering is fairly constant. Dreyden is such a trooper with it, most of the time.

Finally, Dreyden has realized he LOVES ketchup!!

this and that

Well I've already not met my goal. Sure thought I'd be able to do one update a week and now it's been almost a month.
To my defense it's been beyond hectic. We are still in the midst of trying to sell our house. Actually it is considered sold, but the buyer is using a government loan and YIKES, what paperwork and ridiculous amount of inspections and mandates. I know these are suppose to help people get housing they may not have been able to afford otherwise, but my gosh it requires a lot from the sellers - especially when we both work and have two little kids. This last month has been nothing but cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning. Juggling of schedules to make sure we are out of the house when we have to be and there when they need us. I have to apologize, to all those super effecient Moms that work out of the house because I just find that there are days where this just isn't time to make a bed in the morning! Kudos to those that do :)
Anyway, it appears that we are closing on the 14th, so things will only get more hectic I'm sure. But first of all we are taking our annual vacation. We leave tomorrow for 10 days of camping. I know some of you are saying - 10 days!!!! But yes, 10 day of family time, no TV's! Just family, sun, hiking and lots of swimming. Unfortunately, everything with the house requires us to take the cell phone!!! (darn) This is typically so much fun - actually more of a reunion - it started at least 30- years ago with Aunts and Uncle, with all the kids. It has turned into about 25 families on my Dads side all getting together. A cool part of this is that my 3rd cousin and his wife have also adopted a little girl from ISRC - she is now seven - so her and Ahlyana have the best time together. This year we get to throw Dreyden into the mix, which will prove to be an adventure in and of itself - since he is a real go getter - seriously this boy isn't afraid of anything!
Oh yeah, one more thing, my husband decided that at 41 years of age he has to play softball like the young pups! Anyway, this last weekend he dove for a ball and has either broke or severly sprained his thumb! Of course he can't go see a Dr to find out! - what is it with men anyway????? We need to finish packing the camper and need to start packing up the house - the one armed-bandit isn't proving to helpful in this situation :) I feel terrible for him and it could be worse - 2 years ago he broke his leg. (Love ya Honey - but what timing)
So any way, it will be a while now before I post but I will try and get back at it as soon as I can! Happy remaining summer everyone.

Ahly's graduation

Camping Memorial Day and Ahly's new found love of toasting marshmallows! (Dreyden already in bed) Bad mommy ran out of batteries right after these! Then Preschool graduation OH MY! What a day it was, our little girl and her first of many graduations. After a really cute ceremony of singing and diplomas, it was followed by a day of golfing. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of Dreyden, but believe me they too are coming :)

Notice Daddy's hand on Ahly's back, just in case she reaches a little to far!


YUMMY!






Don't anyone show me how to hold a golf club! I can do it myself :)

New Goal

I have decided that I don't post here quite enough. So I am going to try and get some type of update 2-3 times a week. Let's hope that I can do it.
Well for those that have followed for a while, you will remember that we had decided to sell our house and find a 3 bedroom ranch instead of our 3 bedroom bi-level with 1 bedroom down. It just wasn't what we thought it would be with two little ones! Who knew 10 years ago that we were going to be blessed with two wonderful kids :) So we've had an offer on a house since March, contingent on selling our house. This offer is good only until the end of this month, then it's anyones guess. As luck would have it, we have a promising option in the works. I am hoping that by the end of the month I will be able to post better news on that front! Extra prayers of most definitely welcome.
The kids are doing great. Dreyden cut 3 molars this past weekend - YIKES - poor boy had a low fever, runny nose and drool every where! He only wanted mashed potatoes and to be held. Sleep was completely out of the norm, so we all had a very challenging weekend. But yesterday, he seemed much better. Nose is doing good, drool is down and we have our little dancer back. Have I even mentioned that this kids loves to dance with his sister. It is the most adorable thing to watch. With any luck maybe I'll get some video of that and can post it for everyone.
Ahlyana is growing up to such a little lady. (most of the time) She loves to help fold clothes, empty the dishwasher and "tattle" on her little brother. But watch out when it's bed time - the girl fights it to no end. It really started when we got back with Dreyden. Of course she had to sleep with us, since it was only fair. But now that Dreyden has transitioned to his room - she hates to go into her own. The whole drama of another book, using the bathroom or being thirsty. It's almost comical some nights - Mainly because if Todd is gone I can get her to down fairly decent. But if Todd's home, she can play him like a fiddle (and she knows it). I hope that changes soon, since at the age of 8 or 9 we could have much more intense drama.
Our summer has been spent mostly camping, maintaining the house for selling and yard work... Working full-time with two little ones and keeping the house perfect for showing is proving to be a huge time consumer. But this too will pass.
Well I think that's about as much of an update as I can give now - I really will try and post more often.

Pictures as promised

Yes, they are very late, I just don't know where the time goes. I hope you enjoy!

Ahly looking so grown-up at 4.

(cake made my Mom - Thanks Betty Crocker!)

Strawberry Shortcake was the theme!

Loving her Bangles!

Monkey see Monkey do - Ahly is pretending to be texting!

What are we in for :)

Easter Egg hunt!

Finalization (Do I see a tear in his eye)

If you missed my previous post, our Judge also adopted from ISRC 9 years ago!

Princess Ahly "lov'n her brother"

First nice day out doors - Ahly giving Dreyden "mowing" instructions.

The family at Dreydens Baptism