As I sit and relax for a few minutes before getting up to get the kids headed towards bed I was cleaning out my favorites list on my computer and came across my blog.  Funny how it's been over a year since I last wrote on it so much as changed mostly for the good.  We survived our first yer back in Oregon, Tyler made it through another year of college, I went back to work at the hospital, the kids all grew 20 inches (ok not really but it sure feels like it when you have to buy new clothes all the time :-))  This summer brought on another big change for our family.  Tyler went back to work full time after spending the last 4.5 years at home/going to school.  he is in his final year graduating in May and he's going to be working Full time!  It's amazing how God works things out you just have to be patient and wait to see what he is doing even when you don't really like the steps he is using to get you there.  he's been back to work now for 2 months which has enabled me to only work 1 job and under 40 hours a week.  Wooohooo for free time!  I think I have been busier not working than working.  Making baby gifts for my soon to be newest niece, canning 73 quarts of pears and running the kids all over town and back for this or that.
It was fun to look at the picture of the kids posted to this blog.  Haylie has changed so much.  I will have to post some new pictures but I'll have to do it from the other computer because this one doesn't have any on it.
Next week brings on another milestone.  Haylie gets her braces off!!  Pictures to come!  Funnniest part of that is she has school pictures the day BEFORE they come off!  She was not pleased to say the least.

Summer fun

Here's a few photos from this summer

Here we go again!`

With a little over a week left to go before the big moving day our house is an unsettled mess.  For me with both physical stuff and my emotions.  I'm not completely thrilled with the idea of moving back to Oregon.  Yes there are some positives like working days, being back with friends and family but the biggest negative is moving away from my family.  I have and I believe we all have really enjoyed the last year together.  I think we needed each other through losing grandma and my parents were able to be closer to her in her last few months which I know grandma really enjoyed.
As Tyler and I have been talking and packing we have come to the conclusion that we want to simplify life and get rid of junk.  The question came up as to why we hold onto things.  For example I have 6-7 baby blankets from my childhood.  I have no idea who made them for me or where they come from or what I would ever do with any of them.  Some of the them are so ugly I would never display them and for the last 16 years they have been in rubbermaid containers in the attic.  Moving from one attic to the next.  I didn't even pull them out to use with Haylie so the questions is why do I still have them? Why do I still have yearbooks that haven't seen the light of day since I graduated which again is 16 years ago.  Some of which we have duplicates.  None of these items have an monetary value and do they really have enough sentimental value to continue to hold onto them and possibly pay to store them?   All the kid's school papers that I have kept which is just a few from each year what will they ever do with them.  Leslie gave us what she saved of Tyler's and where do they sit?  In a box in the attic never have even looked through them.  All the items my dad has built for us what do you do with them?  I love them and I think he has done amazing craftsmanship but this huge toy box shaped like a firetruck where the heck do I store it?

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!