Ruby's party.

We had a family party for Ruby the weekend prior to her birthday. It went so well. Of course I was ready to have a panic attach 30 minutes before the party due to the fact I decided to make the cake & the cupcakes. The chocolate for the cupcakes could not be made ahead of time and everything was fine, I was just being crazy. I get like that everytime I host something. BUT, it was the first time I put my cake & cupcake skills to the test and they had to be perfect, ya know?! haha!

Roobs had so much fun. She is so funny though. She doesn't over exert herself. At one point, she was a little sleepy and while all the other kids were running around, she was laying on the couch, sucking her thumb with her bebe's in hand.

She received so many nice gifts from everyone. Whenever someone asked her what she wanted for her birthday, she said "Stompeez & cake." Of course, we had to get her stompeez. They get horrible reviews, but whatever. She wanted them and she loves them. What else did she open? Melissa & Doug playfood, a FAO Swartz music box, suitcase, cowgirl boots, money, art supplies, a Leapster explorer and several other things, but those are the things that I can think of.

I did take a little bit of video at the party, but the pictures that I posted are not the greatest. I didn't take that many. I ate cake with my girl, played, visited, ate chicken tacos and had a really good time celebrating Ruby turning three. I did not want to spend the day running around with my face behind a camera. And you know what? It felt pretty darn good.

Blueberry picking 2012

My grandma called me Tuesday morning and told me they were still picking blueberries. I asked her Monday night when we were together and she wasn't sure. I was going to be super bummed it they were no longer picking because the girls really enjoyed going last year.

When she called, I was knee deep in laundry, attempting to clean the house and the girls were working on their latest art project. I must admit, if there is one thing I have learned lately, all of that trivial stuff will still be there the next day. I threw on some clothes, loaded the girls up and a blueberry picking we went.

It felt so good to be able to repeat our tradition from last year. We picked a lot more last year than this year, but no big deal. Reyna definitely ate more than she put into the take home pile.

The 4th

I have zip, zero, zilch pictures from yesterday. BUT, we had an amazing day. At 7:45, one of the two cutest faces came to the side of my bed and said, "It's morning time now, mama. We are goin' to da lake."

I love LOVE that both of the girls' are morning people, just like Jade & I. They are always so happy. I got up, made coffee, put a movie on for Ruby and made my pasta salad for Shawn & Trisa's.

We spent the day at the day at the lake with a Brad & Stacey and Shawn & Trisa + their three girls. It's so funny that our two families = 5 girls total!!!! It's a whole lotta girls, let me tell ya.

After swimming, catching fish and getting some sun, we heading to the Thursh house and had a cookout. I cannot tell you how amazing our girls get along. Their girls are a little older and LOVE to dote on our girls and our girls love the attention. So, while the girls frolic back and forth from the trampoline, playground and in the house, it gives us adults a chance to share lots of laughs. :)

Happy, happy birthday (belated) to my AMAZING Grandma!

On Sunday, we celebrated my Grandma. We celebrated with family who came into town just for the weekend (hi Aunt Diane:)) and cousin's who chased butterflies together.

We celebrated with sleeping little babes who were doted on the entire time. I mean, how could you not soak up identical twin baby girls AND a new little baby boy in the family? It was hard to resist.

We celebrated with some good conversation and adorable little smiles. She just adores her Uncle Bobby, I tell ya.

Are they not the cutest??? I would love to tell  you which twin is which, but I have forgotten already! To top it off, one had to have her outfit changed during the party and that screwed me up even more.

We celebrated with rosy cheeks from running around in 85+ degree weather.

And last, but not least, I think I can speak for everyone that we all celebrated my Grandma and her health. As of right now, she is doing amazing. Her doctor called her "a miracle." She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 1 1/2 years ago and other than taking chemo, you wouldn't even know she has cancer. So, happy birthday to you, Grandma and cheers thank God for miracles.

MSU

A little glimpse into Saturday evening. The girls & I went to East Lansing, Michigan State to be exact. A very good friend of our family's, son was graduating. Jade was out of town all weekend, but luckily my parents & brother were there to help out with these monkey's. :) We were definitely glad to have daddy home Sunday late afternoon.

The girls had a blast at the party. Brian lives right on campus in a house with five other guys, so it's definitely not "kid friendly," but they entertained themselves and so did everyone else. At one point, I looked over and they were playing beer pong with each other....obviously a non-alcoholic version. It was definitely a proud mama moment.

At one point, I was standing with Judy (Brian's mom) and I told her that it was amazing that my daughters were now playing with her kids, that are now grown and college graduates...the ones that I used to babysit when THEY were little.

Fast forward to Sunday afternoon. I went into the kitchen to start dinner. I turned the tv on for the girls and came back into the living room to find Roobs like this. This is the child who does not sleep anywhere besides her bed. MSU was exhausting, I guess.

The weekend + the haps

• You are getting this post bullet style.
• Reyna was invited to her very first friend from school birthday party this weekend. She had so much fun. It was pizza, cake, presents and bowling. This was Reyna's first time bowling (besides the Wii) and she rocked! I cannot tell you how many times she has asked me, "mama, when do we get to go bowling again"? I was very proud of her. Did I mention that her friend was a little boy? :) His name is Carter and sometimes she calls him Quarter. :)
• Instead of throwing Reyna a party at our house like we do every year, we have decided to change it up a little. We are heading over to Splash Universe with my parents, Bobby & Kaitlyn, Jades parents, Nathan & Lins. It is going to be a blast. We are staying the night and swimming both days. Of course, when I told Jade we would be right next door to Cabela's, he didn't have to think twice about the location of Reyna's party. lol. He was sold. The girls are so excited for a mini-getaway. PLUS, I will not have to stress about having to prepare my house for a party, which I do every year. I am excited that our families are heading over with us, as well. That will make the weekend complete, for sure!!! LOTS of pictures to come of our birthday girl.
• I have been searching high and low for a new foundation. Before the girls, I used Clinique. Then I had the girls and the choices I made for/on my face started slacking. I have noticed my skin has been changing a little bit. I was in Macy's a couple weeks ago and ended up at the MAC counter. I walked away with a mineral foundation/powder combo that I love! It makes my skin look and feel fabulous. I almost went with Bare Minerals, but am suuuuper happy with the product I chose.
• Over the weekend, a good friend of mine turned 30. Her sister and husband planned a surprise party for her @ one of our fave local places to eat, Daryls. It is where Jade & I had our wedding reception. Anyway, it was nice catching up with good friends over wine, food and good convo. Lauren (birthday girl) was shocked. It was fun to see the look on her face.
• Jade & I put the girls to bed tonight and a few minutes later, their door was opening. It was not Reyna who was coming out, but RUBY. Guess who learned to learned climb out of her crib??? Needless to say, her bed will be getting turned into a toddler bed tomorrow. Here we go.....
• I am having a hard time with balance. Why is it that I had an easier time with this when I was working??? This is something that I really need to work on because I am definitely finding balance with life right now.
• Speaking about balance, I did make a sushi date with some girls this Wednesday.

Happy Labor Day

Here is proof that Reyna was exhausted after three days of camping. We opted to stay closer to home this Labor Day and camped with friends. We had a really good time. Of course, you should see my laundry room. It ain't pretty.

When we arrived Friday afternoon at the campground, it was hotter than heck. Yesterday and this morning, it was sooo chilly. Fall is officially here. It's definitely a bittersweet feeling.

I cannot believe our baby starts pre-school this week. Wow. She seems pretty excited. Jade, Ruby & I are going to take her and then we are going to take Roobs to breakfast. It is going to be strange having just one child during the mornings Reyna has school. I am looking forward to running errands and spending some one on one time with Ruby.

The fair 2011

Honestly? Summer is not summer w/out the fair. I think it's the food, the animals or maybe it's just the tradition. We have been going on Thursday's for as long as I can remember since it's the night of the livestock auctions. My dad purchases livestock for work, but since they were on vacay this year, they did not go with us. Of course, we still went on Thursday.

I LOVE that the girls are getting old enough where we do not have to lug around a bunch of baby crap. It made this year so easy. Plus, Aunt Em & Uncle Bobby could join. This is the first year Uncle Bobby could go since he has been in college. The girls were suuuper happy to have both of them there.

As you can see, he REALLY enjoy the food!!! :)

And of course, Reyna enjoyed her Aunt Em.

Never fails, every time Bobby has my camera, I get some random (yet cute) picture of him!!! I couldn't NOT share! :)

Reyna & Roobs took pony rides, but I couldn't get a picture while Ruby was on. I was with her the entire time and Jade & Reyna were in the bathroom. Reyna is convinced Jade is buying her a pony and two horses sometime soon. Either I need a job (outside of the home) or we need to strike the lotto.

Ruby LOVED the cows. She is SO my child.

The gang.

In the birthing barn with Bobo and Kramer's vet's, husband who is a vet to large animals.

Like I said, summer is not summer w/out the good ol' fair.