Birthdays galore but few pictures

McKenna's first. April was her 10th birthday and she got a "big friend" party this year. She chose the bounce house which was a ton of fun (and a little exhausting for those of us older than 10).




Ellie's May birthday was next. Her's is an "odd" year (she turned 5) which means she got a family party. She wanted to go to the zoo but the closest one is 2 hours away and we talked her into Turtle Bay and a picnic lunch at the river.

Tyler's May birthday rounded it off. He also got a big friend party at a gymnastics place. He had a great time and we were all so tuckered out in the end! The bad news is my camera is lost and I hadn't downloaded the pictures yet. Just use your imagination.

I'm having a hard time with my kids getting older this year. McKenna not only acts 10 but she looks it too. Ellie starts Kindergarten in a few months and Tyler has grown so tall he caught up with McKenna!

That's all the ranting for now, I catch you up on the final stuff on the next blog!

Spring Break

Over Spring Break we decided to do a camping vacation. We started at Suzanne & Waf's where we went to the park and had a pretend birthday party for all those Spring birthdays. The next day we mosied on down to the Santa Cruz Mountains. The campground was amazing, we went to the Redwood National Forest. It was packed but you couldn't tell with all the trees. We FROZE the first night but were sure it would improve since the weatherman told us so. The next day we went to the Santa Cruz boardwalk where we played half a day at the Boardwalk and the other half at the beach.

We went back to camp exhausted and that, good camping food and a warmer night helped us catch a good night! Saturday we played around camp and Suzanne, Waf and the boys came up for the day. We hiked and sat around the fire and got really dirty and just enjoyed being together and outside.

Sunday we packed up (not an easy task when you have all but the kitchen sink...) and headed home. That is a brief summary and doesn't do justice to the best vacation we've had in years, but it will have to do for now!

I'm Back!

There is sooooo much to catch up on - first let me explain. I've been without internet for a good month plus. At first I thought I would die and had forgotten how to function without it. I was paying bills late, I wasn't able to balance my checkbook, I couldn't look at missing assignments for school, I couldn't recheck library books, etc. etc. I didn't realize how addicted I had become until I was going through "rehab"! However, after friends looking at the problem, a hired tech and our DSL people come to find out...our computer is too old. Huh. That is an expensive purchase when all I want to do is music, pictures and internet. So I thought no problem. I'll just wait. Twitch. Twitch. Twitch. I can live without. Twitch. Then my parents were coming to visit (story about that in a minute) and mom calls and says, "Charleen (or internet angel as I now refer to her) has a computer she doesn't use anymore, would you like it?" **AAAAAAAAAAAAAA** Not only did they bring it, dad hooked it up and Dee and Waf were able to get me connected. I feel like a cast has been taken off, or maybe my life-jacket was put on. Regardless, lets just say I'M BACK! Woot! Woot!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter everybody! I hope you were able to spend some quiet moments in reflection and peace and hope. I also hope you got lots of candy!

Aladdin Jr.

The kids have been involved in a children's production group and this weekend was their performance of Aladdin Jr. It was a cast of about 45 kids with two months of practice and rehearsals and the shows were awesome. I was so proud of those kids! This was especially a leap for Tyler who is generally shy but was brave and determined to stick to it. He fretted about things from "I have to wear make-up?!" to "I can't get my costume changed fast enough" but pulled it all together and had a great time. McKenna ended up lip-syncing most of the songs because she has a terrible cough and if she sang would end up coughing on stage. The production was wonderful and they are already looking forward to what is next. I am happy for a brief reprieve! I am so proud of them!

Mostly pictures

A quick update, Carter turns 9 months this week (I KNOW I KNOW!) and as you can tell he is as cute as ever. He's getting around now, not really crawling but rolling and scooching backwards. He's had a rough week of ear infections and pink eye but all is better now. The other kids are busy with an upcoming Aladdin performance they are in this weekend. Ellie isn't in it but she's the biggest fan and loves to watch rehearsals. I'll post pictures of that next week. There are also no pictures of McKenna but there will be soon. Please don't tell her, I don't want McKenna scorn! I've included a video clip just for the York relations, hope you enjoy!

Spring, play and dancing

Just a short blurb. Spring has sprung here and it's beautiful. We've had a few days of sun and a few days of rain and everything is blooming. The picture is flowers off our star magnolia tree in the front yard. It produces these incredible flowers that make me *sigh* when ever I see them.

McKenna finished yet another production. This one was through a drama group at her school and was so fun to watch. It was "Doo Wop Wed Widing Hood" with lots of singing and dancing and she loved it. Tyler and she are now rehearsing for "Aladdin Jr." which is going to be fantastic, but they (we) are ready for rehearsals to be over.

Tyler starts Little League tomorrow and he's excited for that, too. Dee gets to coach him this season so I'll keep you posted on how it all turns out.

Dee's birthday was this week and came and went without a lot of fanfare. We did get together with friends for dinner and cake and all had a good time.

Lastly, Carter started dancing today. Probably not a big thing to anybody but his mom, but I thought it was a kick in the pants so I've posted a little video. Eight months old and he rocks!