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Happy Birthday, old man!

At least you can still say you're married to someone in their 20's!

Morning Walk

I took Daisy for a walk this morning after the kids got on the bus and Bret left for work. However, I'm not sure that she understands who is suppose to be walking who.

I then managed to lock myself and the dog out of the house. (Stupid key pad wouldn't work!) I then had to borrow Teri's car and drive over to my in-law's house to pick up a spare house key. This isn't the first time so one would think I'd get around to having a key for myself made, right? Wrong - it's been three years and I still haven't done it. Maybe in the next three years I'll get around to it. Better yet, I'll add it to Bret's "honey do" list.

Frustrated & Giving Up

While doing the crossword puzzle in my InTouch Weekly magazine, I was ashamed to find that I could answer all of the questions about Boy Bands (Wasn't every girl in Junior High into Boy Bands?) but was short four of the regular questions. Can anyone get these? I could cheat and check the answer page, but where is the fun in that, right?

1. U.S. soldiers ( G_ _ )

2. Make more lean (D _ _ AT)

3. The Bee Gees' "__ Talkin' " (J _V _ )

4. Letters on a military plane (U _ A _ )

Don't be shy. Leave your answers in the comments.

I'm Such An Instigator!

This is just a little video I took from our camping trip this past weekend. It was all my idea (no fault whatsoever to Quentin) and I'm still laughing about it as I rewatch it.

My kids...

. . . because they're cute.

Living The White Trash Dream

(Please note that this post is not meant to offend anyone - it's just all in good fun!)

We survived Ryan's first camping experience and had a great time. He, Ashley and Daisy both were excited from the time we pulled into the camp site until the time we left to go home.

We got the kids some lotto tickets on the way there, and were disappointed that they didn't win us some money or at least a free ticket! (But it did keep them busy on the way there!)

We arrived at our camp site and began the "fun" task of setting up camp. I was told to go off with the kids while the big boys set up, so of course, who am I to argue?

(He probably could have used my help though, lol.)

So Teri and I took the kids on what Quentin swore was a hiking trail. I'm still not so sure. Eventually, in fear of getting lost (Or worse!!!), I turned us back around and we headed back to camp. A few snake holes and piles of animal droppings were enough to hold back any protests.

We did manage to make our own "Survivor Style Bathroom" in the woods behind our site. And yes, I did pee outside! You would have too if you had seen the condition of the outhouse. And besides, we were suppose to be roughing it, right? (Keep on reading...ha!)

The kids kept busy with the playground and their bikes and scooters. It was really nice because the campground was on a big cul-de-sac, so the kids were able to do laps.

Super cute Ryan.

And because we were, you know, um, roughing it, Scott set up a DVD player in the tent for the kids to watch before they went to bed so we could have some adult time around the camp fire.

Sleeping was pretty rough last night though. The wind was howling, the crickets and bull frogs wouldn't be quiet (no matter how loud we yelled at them) and Bret was talking in his sleep. I had to keep getting out of the tent to pee. Bret had a difficult time on his cot and the air mattress left Ryan and I pretty much sleeping on the ground.

This morning, Scott cooked us a 5 star breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage over the fire. . .

. . . however, Ryan prefered his donuts.

Daisy ate pretty well, too. (Busted - LOL)

While we packed up to go home, the kids made a few last minute laps around the site.

I'm glad to be home and clean again, but we'll have to do it again next year.

More on Flickr.

And We're Off...

What's up this weekend? Camping with Teri and her family.

Interesting things to look forward to? Ryan, since it's his first (nonbasement) camping experience and the possibility of West Nile Virus (which is why it's been so long since we've camped.)

Bets on when one of us has to bring Ryan home? I'm afraid to jinx it since it'll be me who has to bring him home.

Stay tuned...

Bret's Celebrity Look-alikes

As you can imagine, Bret is happy with his celebrity look-alikes. Unfortunately, I didn't realize I married Charles Manson. Pray for me.

Homecoming Parade

Tonight was the High School's Homecoming Parade. Ashley walked in it with her Girl Scout Troop and Ryan stood by on the curb and collected more candy than he does on Halloween.

Ryan watches while the fire trucks line up.

Teri and I were watching, too, but it wasn't the fire trucks we were watching! Ha!

Ashley walking with her friends/troop in the parade.

Now Teri, isn't the candy for the kids? LOL. Bret looks like he missed out.

Driving Miss Daisy - he says he was sitting back there to hang out with Ryan , but we know he really wanted to be closer to Ryan's bucket of candy!

More on Flicker.

Not For The Faint Of Heart

We had a very creepy visitor this afternoon in our window well. Our neighbor came to the rescue and managed to get it out and into this bucket. (Bret stood by while the woman next door tackled the hissing biting thing.) Does anyone know what kind of snake this is? It isn't the first one! This and the mole are a regular occurance out here. I guess that's what happens when you live in the middle of corn fields.

"BreLyn" Is The New "TomKat"

All in good fun:

After checking out Jamie's blog at Feet Firmly Planted this morning, I had to check this website out. All I can say is that you have to be kidding me. First of all, I'm not even sure who some of "my look-alikes" are, but seriously, Corey Feldman is my top match? I can kind of see the Gene Tierney resemblence, but Corey Feldman? And after seeing this I can guarantee you that I will NEVER chop off my hair like Melanie Chisholm. Who the heck is she anyway?

One Man's Trash Is Another's Treasure

Ryan has been fixated on this old wheel barrel tire he got from a neighbor a couple of days ago. Can someone please tell me what is so great about this tire? I think it may be because he idolizes this neighbor that he got it from. I swear, we do buy him toys!

Rocket Man

Ryan thought it would be fun to arm himself with his nerf rocket launcher (with all the extras stuffed into the back of his shirt) to attack Ashley's friend, Quentin last night.

"Mission Control, this is Ryan. Operation take out Quentin with the rocket launcher is complete!"

"Roger that, little buddy."

( Time out from the mission to catch an episode of The Simpsons.)

Baby Fix

I am so excited because today I'm watching both of the babies that I'll be babysitting soon. Ceceilia is coming at noon and Chloe is coming at 1pm. This could end up being a good practice run if they overlap today. Two babies that are both less than 2 months old. At my house. Today. Should I be nervous? Nah. Because, you know - eeeeeee, babies!

* * * * * * * * *

Four diapers in four hours and 2 bottles later, I got my double baby fix.

Welcome, Baby Ceceilia! Isn't she a little peanut?

Guess who came home from school and stole little Chloe away from me?!

New Blogger Alert

My friend Teri is now a blogger as well. We got her all set up tonight. Check her out at Q-Sky.

Intruder

Last night at about 4:30 in the morning, after putting Ryan back in his own bed (yes, again) we woke up to a loud crashing noise from somewhere inside the house. Bret jumped out of bed and searched the house (in his boxers - was his plan to flash the intruder?) while I held onto the phone ready to dial 911. After a few minutes of searching he finally figured out where the noise came from.

To see the intruder, click here.

Scared the crap out of us. Yet, Daisy slept through the whole thing. Some watch dog.

September 11, 2001: We Will Never Forget

Five years ago today the unthinkable and the unimaginable happened.

Terror struck the United States.

Killing and injuring thousands of Americans.

Changing the lives of families everywhere.

But it made us stronger.

And freedom reigns.

To the victims and families of 9-11: We will never forget!

Apple Blossom Farm

Today was our first trip this fall to Apple Blossom Farm. (We'll go back next month when the pumpkins are ready.) Bret and I brought some of the neighborhood kids with us and met his brother's family there. The kids had a really great time today and they should all sleep good tonight, right?

Hayrack Ride - me with all of the kids.

Ryan, Quentin, Sklyler, Ashley, Reece & Halle (who's driving - watch out on the sidewalks, everyone!)

Ryan & Ashley measuring up again this year.

Ashley "on the go".

Ryan "on the go".

Ryan in the jump around. This, however, may have been taken when I fell over. (I'm just saying.)

There are more photos I wanted to post, but Blogger is being a brat so you'll have to go to Flickr to see the rest of them.

Temptation and Disobedience

Everyone ended up gathering around in our neighbor, Perry's backyard this afternoon, while he was working on building a wall to go around a pond he's putting in for his son, Jared. The boys provided some assistance spraying water into Perry's concrete mixtures. (Perry didn't get wet, of course.)

This is the view down to the creek behind Perry's yard. Looks pretty tempting to a bunch of kids, right?

Wrong. It was the dogs that couldn't resist. Below would be Teri's dog, Simon who got caught in the act. (And probably a cold water hose down when they got home.)

This would be Scott, Bret and Teri - looking down at all of the action as Maggie contemplates going for it again.

These would be the two creek covered dogs and Daisy, who was smart enough for her own good to stay out of the creek, chasing each other around the yard. Her staying away from the creek had nothing to do with the fact that she thinks she's a princess and loathes any kind of water.

As If My Day Hasn't Been Fun Enough

Ryan got taken out and thrown to the ground on his ear this afternoon by a big double jogging stroller. He landed on the ground on his ear and I'm not sure if his hearing aid is working properly anymore. It sounds okay when I tested it, but we'll be taking them in on Monday after school to see if they're damaged, just in case. My poor baby! Is it just me who is having such great luck today?