I am not mean.....you're just a sissy!

On my way to work this morning, I saw a bumper sticker that said "I am not mean - You're just a sissy!". Maybe it was lack of sleep or just a weird mood I was in but I literally laughed out loud. I think it struck me as so funny because it reminds me of my sister. Growing up, she was always saying to me "c'mon...toughen up...you are being a wimp!" She is one tough cookie and always has been. Me? Well, I would have rather been pampered than made tough but looking back, I am glad that she helped toughen me up a bit. And I am extra thankful for the times that she was tough enough for both of us. Love ya, Loli Pop! (I can call her that now but when we were younger, she definitley would have slugged me!) :)

Monkey Dooz Spa Party!

Aubrey had a blast at her "Spa Day" at Monkey Dooz! She was invited to a birthday party there where the girls got all glammed up with cool hair-dos, sparkly makeup and shinny nails. Afterward, they went back to the birthday girl's house for a Dance Party. Oh, they grow up so quickly! I have to say, though, that this party was a HUGE blessing and an answered prayer....Aubrey had been struggling with feeling like she didn't have any friends at school and her hurt over this was my constant prayer for a few weeks now. (Thank you to all of you who have been praying about this with me!) God is so good! :)

All dressed up and ready to PARTY!!

Fancy nails!

Date Night

Aubrey's school hosted a Daddy/Daughter Date Night .... Sock Hop!! They bopped and jitter-bugged the night away! Here are a few pics of the big night!

Thanks to Aunt Lori for making the FABULOUS poodle skirt!

Practicing her "moves" with little sis before they headed out to the sock hop.

Love you Daddy! Thanks for a fun night!

LONG hair!

Jessi has waited a LONG time to be able to have braids like her big sis! Her hair is finally long enough to braid! (itty bitty braids....but braids nonetheless!) I had to snap this photo on the monumental first day with braids! :)

Trying out the new camera

We are all having fun with the new camera. Aubrey and Jessi like to set up "photo shoots" for their stuffed animals, complete with back drops and accessories! I have snapped many fabulous photos of monkeys, teddy bears and fuzzy dogs. :) For this one, I managed to get my two smiling cuties in the picture as well!

Cabin Fever

We are so ready for SPRING!!!! Cabin Fever was getting the best of us so even though it was still cold outside, we decided to bring out the bikes! I think Jessi has grown at least 2 inches in the last few months. She couldnt even reach the pedals on this bike last summer -- now she is cruisin! :)

Black-eyed Sweet Pea

My little gymnast was practicing her latest tricks in the living room and bonked right into the coffee table. I wouldn't normally post an "ouch " picture on the blog but she is actually quite proud of her "shiner" - a badge of courage. Or it might just be that "shiner" is fun to say! :) Couple that with the fact that she got to wear a Hello Kitty band-aid on her cheek for more than a week - she is a happy girl!

My Little Gymnasts

Both Aubrey and Jessica are taking gymnastics classes....and they love it! Aubrey is great with tumbling and balance beam and Jessi is fearless on the bars. It is pure joy to watch them - both grinning a mile wide the entire time.

Family Bowling Day

I thought this was such a cute daddy/daughter moment .... I couldnt resist snapping this photo while we were bowling over the weekend. :)

Soccer Season

The 2008 soccer season has come to a close. I am so proud that Aubrey stuck it out, even though it was a little rough in the beginning. A huge gold star goes to her dad, too, who showed an INCREDIBLE amount of patience in coaching these little ones - giving tons of high-fives and loads of encouragement even in the face of complete frustration! He has a true gift with kids! So proud of her trophy! :)

"Puppies" - 2008

Not ready for winter.....

Even though it is chilly outside, we are squeezing out every last bit of summer fun (in winter coats & hats!)

Have you ever wondered.....

What was the #1 song on the day you were born? Well, now you can find out....

Go here Http://www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneInHistory/SelectMonth.htm

Mine was "Lean on Me".....I actually love that song!

Have a great day,
T

Jessi.....Fly Hunter!

Jessi was terrified (and I do mean terrified!) of flies.....until we equipped her with the fly swatter, or "fly getter" as she calls it. Now, when she sees a fly, she runs to get the "fly getter" and goes a'hunting!

Pumpkin Patch!

This little 'cow train' was so cute! Twenty cows on wheels were pulled by a tractor over all the lumps and bumps in the field -- the kids loved it.
I thought this was a great idea - a giant "sandbox" filled with corn. I think I am going to put corn in our sandbox next year -- not nearly as messy! :)

Jessi and Carter are the best of friends in pre-school. I truly believe that God send us all special friends in our lives to bless us. Carter is one of those friends for Jess.....he really looks out for her and takes care of her during the day. His mom says he even prays for her every night! Ahhhh!

After picking up and looking at MANY pumpkins......she found the prefect one! :)

Brrrrrr.....

It is officially the end of summer here in Idaho. Our weather went from mid-80s to 40 degrees in one week. Brrrrr! I went with Jessi's class to the Pumpkin Patch on Wednesday and this is how we had to dress.......

Hats, mittens...the whole works! I was even wearing mittens myself until I gave them up to a sweet little girl who's hands were even colder than mine! (Bill might argue that this is next to impossible since I am officially the biggest weather wimp ever!) I say - cold hands, warm heart! :)

More pictures of the pumpkin patch adventure to follow. It was adorable to see a bunch of little 3-yr olds trying to carry pumpkins that were WAY to big for them. (The rule at the pumpkin patch is that each child can get a pumpkin as big as they would like....as long as they can carry it themselves!)