Splash Pad

I have been watching kids this summer, so I have been trying to find some alternative fun for my kids that doesn't involve outright swimming.  It is quite a chore to take multiple kids swimming by myself.  This led me to the splash pad.  It is still fun and wet, just not quite as labor intensive.  They like to go, but never want to stay as long as they do at the pool.  This works out well, anyway, with the extra kids I tote with me.  

I snapped these pictures with my phone the last time I went and thought I would share them.  I was really struck by how old Chance looked, especially in that first picture.  I can't believe I am the mother of a fourth grader this year.  Time is really flying.  Notice the rainbow beside Ava in the last picture.  I really liked that, too.  I hope everyone out there is having a wonderful summer.  I know we have been enjoying it.  

~Crystal

(One) of our Favorite Things

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The kids and I LOVE Orange Leaf.  The kids love it because, let's face it, they love anything that even remotely resembles ice cream.  I love it because it is (somewhat) better for me than ice cream.  All this to say, we go quite often.  By the way, I'm pretty sure Orange Leaf should ask Ava to do a commercial for them.  What do you think?!?  :)

I really enjoy this little outing with them.  They always ask to sit outside, no matter how hot the weather.  I think one of their favorite things about sitting outside is that it is right next to a small pond.  Every time we finish our yogurt, they always ask if they can go over to the pond.  It's becoming quite the little ritual.  I have probably taken countless pictures of them by the pond this summer, but the ones below are some of my favorites.  I thought I would share them with you.  I have enjoyed these particular little moments with my kids this summer. 

~Crystal

A Rediscovery

I've been feeling a little nostalgic lately. This has led to me revisiting some of my favorite things from my childhood. One of the things I used to love was something that could be found at almost any of the parks I used to visit as a child: the very awesome, giant ROCKETSHIP (complete with a slide stragegically placed the the middle.) This used to be one of my very FAVORITE things, but is almost non-exsitent now because someone decided that playground toys should be safe (what?!?) for our children. Of course, I'm kidding. I also want safe playground toys, but I was super excited to see that one, lone rocketship still stands at the playground in my hometown.

I had been talking to my kids at length about how awesome the rocketship was when I was growing up. Perhaps, I over-talked it a bit, because I think they were a little underwhelmed by my discovery. (Looking back, I'm not sure if it was that, or they were just terrified that it may fall over and kill them.) At any rate, they were not as excited about this blast from my past. However, rocketship aside, the kids loved the rest of the park. It is full of new places for them to discover and has TONS of very tall trees and picnic benches...even a dog park. We have made it one of our new places to go. Always fun to have new places to explore. :)

~Crystal

Mississippi Trip

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We went to Mississippi this summer for our annual trip to visit Brian's parents.  It was a good trip filled with lots of food, shopping, outdoor fun, a visit to the Children's Museum, and even a small visit to the Marlett family reunion.  Most importantly, it was quite relaxing and Brian and I were able to catch up on some MUCH needed rest.  Enjoy the pictures!

Testing

I think I may have figured out how to blog from my phone. If you are reading this, I am one happy girl!! Here is a pic I took last night...
Happy summer, everyone. I'm off to the pool. :)
~Crystal

Family Cruise

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WOW!

Hello, all.  Ummm...I guess we can just say that it's been FOREVER!  Once again, I am trying to get my picture/documenting life in some sort of order.  I really miss my blog.  I feel like it was definitely a step in the right direction and I am in the process of reclaiming it.  This has not been the only area that has been lacking.  Every picture displayed in my house is from at least 3 years ago and we won't even begin to talk about my "scrapbooking".  Let's just say that I finished 2006 yesterday.  

I have decided that I am going to use the rest of the summer to get everything back on track. 

ACTION STEPS:

1.  I have loaded ALL my pictures (FINALLY) on my computer.

2.  My camera recently broke and I hastily bought another one that I was completely unhappy with.  I took said camera back to Walmart and used the money to upgrade my iphone instead.  I will use this as my camera until I can afford to get the camera I really want.  I can now directly upload all of my pictures to Shutterfly no matter where I am.  Awesomeness.

3.  As I mentioned before, I am getting caught up on my digital scrapbooking.  I hope to have all my books finished in the next couple of months.  With 2006 finished, I am only FIVE years behind now.  Progress.

4.  Finally, I am getting this blog back in working order. (Interesting note, my spell check on my blog just said that blog is not a word...that's irony for you!)  I noticed when I was working on my photo book yesterday that I have plenty of pictures, but really wish I had the STORIES to go along with the pictures.  I hope to use this blog as a reference to make even better books for the future that actually have substance.  

Here's to steps in the right direction.  For all of you that used to read faithfully (and have probably all but given up on me)...I hope I'm back for good and better than ever. :)

~Crystal