Homemade laundry stuff!!

So back in December I decided to try and  make my own laundry soap.  For about $3.00 I made a 5 gallon bucket.  it's now June and I'm coming to the end of my bucket.  I figure I saved $60 by not buying laundry detergent!!  This morning I decided to take a stab at fabric softner and for about $1.50 I made a gallon and then I went to work on the laundry.  I have to say I like it and my towels are super soft!  I've been a Downy snob for years and I think I just switched.  Only took about 5 minutes to make it to!!  What a bargain!!

Less than 48 hours

In less than 48 hours we will be in the sky on our way to the Happiest Place on Earth.  Well for some.  It seems like just last week Tyler and I were kicking the idea around and now all of a sudden we are almost ready to leave!  How is that possible?  The kids are all extremely excited.  Dylan is ecstatic to be flying and has already claimed a window seat for all flights (he's gonna have to share though).  He also requested I call Alaska Air and tell them we need one of their Disney Planes to fly down to LA on.  Haha like they would listen to little old me.  Tyler did make us all matching shirts so we are going to be one of "those" families the first day. LOL  Gotta love him he is still a big kid.  We are staying on Disney property again at Paradise Pier I'm hoping for an upgrade so we can get a view.  We did upgrade to Concierge level so we could get breakfast and snacks through out the week.  This is a first for us just to see how we like it.  The kids are doing well in their new school.  It now seems like that is where they have always been.  The boys both just had their conferences and are doing really well.  Haylie is enjoying life at Middle school.  She had her first Band concert and it was much better than expected.  For beginners they are doing fabulous!
Dylan finally lost a top front tooth just in time for Disneyland which is a blessing because he looked like he had Billy Bob teeth.  It was so nasty and not normal.  Now if we can just convince him it's ok to let go if your baby teeth,  He has become quite attached to the little suckers and hates to seem them leave his mouth.  You would think he is loosing a leg when it's just a tooth that will soon be replaced with a bigger and better one!

I love my Girl!!

Yesterday I spent my morning driving all over CdA looking for a binder for Haylie that zips shut.  It had to be pretty large because they use them for all their classes.  I ended up going to 5 stores before I found one that would work and I wasn't sure she was going to be thrilled with the color but I spent a small fortune on it anyway and brought it home.  Since I leave for work before the kids get home I left it for her to see and told Tyler to not let her rip tags off unless she liked it.  Well when I got home at 11 I found a envelop with mom on it, inside was a letter from Haylie saying thank you and how much she appreciates what I do for her.  AWWW what a way to make my heart melt!  Love her!!

Just a few photos of some of the fun we had this summer!

Fall is here and in the air!

I'm starting a whole new blog because my old one won't let me change my email address.
If this year wasn't full of enough change I had to go and make some more cahnges!  Last week I started a new job with the Spokane's Veteran's Affair.  I'm working at the state owed hom for Vet's.  I'mnot exactly thrilled with the hours and days but the benefits and future out weigh those.  I'm working Tuesday through Saturday 2-10:30 pm.  I'm missing out on 4 eves with the kids but I'm home every morning with them and since they are early risers and schoold starts so late it is working so far for us. In six months I can bid on open positions so maybe by that time it will be time for change again!  :-)  It's def a different but I'm enjoying it so far and have heard some interesting stories.  The time flies while I'm at work too because I'm on the run the whole time.
The kids have settled into their routines of school.  Haylie is enjoying Middle school and has joined the Cross Country team.  She's learing enduranceand how to pace herself.  She ran her 1st 5k with Sara (Darren's girlfriend) this past Sunday in the Race for the Cure.  She loved it and wants to do another!
Parker and Dylan are enjoying school as well and love to play with the boys in the neighborhood.  They both are on the run from sun up to sun down (which is so early now)  They have enjoyed having kids to play with right on our street.  It's nice for us parents to cause we don't have to plan playdates.
Tyler has also gotten back into the routine of school.  School started for him back in August which was a little rough since the weather was so nice and his schedule is burtal but he is plowing through and counting the days until Christmas break.
Here are a few pictures from our summer of fun in the sun.