So happy together

(picture taken October, 2006)

Today David and I celebrate our TWELVE year anniversary. We're not quite the same people we were twelve years ago, but I have to admit that I like us even better now. We've learned how to really LOVE each other. And what's cool is we still LIKE each other. Through good times and bad he's the one I want beside me. For-ev-er.

Different perspective

I have a friend that LIKES to clean. When I asked her about it she explained that there is total satisfaction in getting a room just the way she likes it and then backing out and enjoying how everything is in order. When I thought about cleaning with that perspective I started to see how I could enjoy it. It becomes more of a creative process instead of pure drugery. And what is more gratifying than taking something that is unorganized and with a little work creating something that is neat, clean, and beautiful!

If you are an Anne fan....

...then you will love Betsy.

This is a series of books my mom recently gave to my girls that I have kind of taken over. They are positively delightful!! Set around the turn of the century, they chronicle the youth of Betsy Ray starting when she is five years old. You'll get to know her friends and family and will grow to love the little town of Deep Valley. They will cause you to look back at your own youth and to remember the fun, follies, and frustrations of growing up. And like most books set during this bygone era, they will cause you to yearn for a simpler time and place. (At least that is what has happened to me as I read them.)

Emily at Six

Today was Emily's birthday. She is SIX years old. And honestly one of the sweetest little girls you could ever meet. For her birthday I decided to interview her so we could have a little record of what she was like at six. (And I wish you could hear her voice answering the questions. She is rather animated and can't pronounce her r's.)

Name: Emily Anne
Age: "Five....... oh! oh! I mean Six!"
Favorite Color: "rainbow, sparkle, golden, silver, and pink"
Favorite things to do: "PROJECTS!!!, watch TV, swing on the swings and jump on the trampoline."
Something you like about yourself: "People like me because I am nice to everyone and I make notes for people."
Favorite TV shows: Little Bear, Max & Ruby
Favorite Chore: "Uhmmmmm..... I don't have any. I don't like chores."
Friends: "Everybody that I know."
Wants to be when grow up: teacher
Favorite music: "Doe a deer" (from Sound of Music)

Happy Easter!

(for the tutorial on how to make their little fabric flowers, go HERE)

(Thanks to Jen for the idea to Google how to make them!!)

We are campers!

We took off Wednesday afternoon with Audra & Mike and their boys for an overnight camping trip up into the north Georgia mountains and had an AWESOME time. We were a little nervous because the forecast included temperatures of about 40 degrees, but we braved the elements and were so glad we did!

Our girls were troopers. And Chloe was a little angel. (BTW, this is the first family picture we've had since Chloe was born.) :)

The kids had so much fun being with their cousins while experiencing the novelties of camping (starting fires, roasting marshmallows, sleeping in a tent, peeing outdoors, exploring the woods, and hiking.)

The first night was mostly spent around the fire. But the next day we set out on a little hike.

Part of the fun was finding the perfect walking stick. Summer's original stick got thrown into the creek, which was a cause of MUCH weeping and wailing. But when David found this stick for her she was all smiles again.

Our hike took us up a hill that ran along side our campsite. After a while we ventured off the path down to the creek. Mike taught the kids the finer points of stick racing.

Chloe enjoyed the hike just as much as anyone. I think she did like getting out of her little backpack though.

And as girly as Emily is, she sure had fun getting dirty!

For me, the best part was getting to spend 24 hours of uninterrupted time with David. He has been working 17 hour days lately and has been so stressed and busy. It was doctors medicine to get outdoors for some good old-fashioned fun.

And now that we know that we can do it, I'm looking forward to many more camping trips in our future!

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions. Your ideas helped make things easier!

Sit

Look who can sit up!

Got game?

Now that my kids are a little older, we've started to carry on the game-playing tradition started by my grandparents. It's the best cheap entertainment around!!! Here are links to the rules for some of our favorite card games.

• Scum
  
• Bid (FYI: we use the simultaneous bidding method and we score 1 point per trick and 10 points for getting your bid right.)
  
• Spoons (We played this last night and even Summer caught on. Although, we had to pass the cards a little slower than we might have otherwise.
  
• I Doubt It

(I don't know what it says about us that all of these games are also known by a less savory names.) :)

We also have had a ton of fun playing Ticket to Ride, Apples to Apples, Pit, Catch Phrase, and Loaded Questions.

What are your favorite games?