DREAMING OF SUN.....

Oh man, I am really sick of the snow.... cannot wait for some sun and green grass. It's been quite slow around the house lately.. I think we are all excited for school to start again! There is almost too much snow for the kids to even go out in- it's too tall! So, not much to report, just thought I would say hi.... it's almost the New Year, so I am going to bravely post my resolutions for all to see:

- Lose weight (so cliche)

- Get a better paying job

- Pay off my debts (gotta get the job!)

- Have well-behaved, brilliant, lovable children (oh wait, I already do!)

- Have a well-behaved, brilliant husband (he-he, I already do!)

- Call my sisters more often

- Grow in my knowledge of gardening, and have a beautiful backyard this summer!

So, I will try my mostest to achieve these! Love you all- Kara and Fam

CHRISTMAS GALORE.....

So, here's some Christmas Eve and Day highlights.... We had a wonderful Christmas, went to Grandma Jan's and had a great dinner and opened LOTS of presents! Then we had a very relaxing Christmas day, ate lots of yummy ham and potatoes, etc, and lots of treats.... one more great Christmas in the books! Love you all- hope everyone's was as wonderful as ours! Happy New Year!

ONE MORE LAST MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

So, it's almost here, folks- is everybody ready? I just talked to my Dad, and Mom is just getting to the piano top decor, and then on to the trees- poor lady, she has been waaaayyy too busy this year! I love you Mom- keep it up!

Anyway- we were nationally recognized today on the news for our 60+ inches of snow we recieved in the last five days or so! Holy moley, it is crazy out there- we have pretty much been homebound this week- I hope we make it to Christmas without killing each other! Just kidding.... We have watched a lot of movies, ate lots of snacks, played on the computer a lot, and tonight we are making sugar cookies for the girls to decorate- Dad is at the store as we speak, calling every five minutes asking what else we need! " I can't find the sprinkles, honey!"

So, needless to say again, but I will- Merry Christmas to all of our wonderful family and friends... we love you and hope it is a wonderful holiday this year- the kids cannot wait! Tata for now....

Oh my, we have a lot of snow! Yesterday, they said we would get about a foot and it would stop around 4 am, but we are now into today and we have gotten about 26 inches so far, and they are predicting another foot throughout the day! The town has pretty much shut down for the day- no school, no work, nothing! So, we are playing outside and shoveling, and then shoveling some more.... It's definitely going to be a White Christmas!!

Snow, snow, and more snow....

Well, it's definitely going to be a white christmas here.... we have gotten like six inches already today... lovely! I do like looking at the snow, but I really hate having to go places and run errands in it, but ah, well, I will deal...

So it's the last week of school before Xmas, and then two weeks of freedom for Calli and Alyx.... Teags will have someone to play with, so that's good.... I think we are about to bundle up and head out in the snow...

By the way, Megs, we loved your gift! It is sooo cute- sorry, I opened it and it was not wrapped, so we got an early gift! Chris said I should open it because the gifts I sent you and Ames weren't wrapped either, so there you go.... So, when Calli gets home, we are going out in this crazy snow to build a big snowman! I will definitely post pics when it is done... thanks again, Megs! We loved it.

Alrighty, well that's it folks...

Oh, by the way- please feel free to check out my cooking blog, called Squeak's Kitchen- there is a link to the right- enjoy!

Oh, Christmas Tree....

Oh, boy- are we excited for Christmas- we got our tree, and we even have some presents already wrapped underneath- but certainly not all of them yet! Here you can see Teags opening her day on the advent calendar- this year, I put in slips of paper with special treats on them (like decide what is for dinner tonight, or stay up an extra half-hour at bedtime, etc) They are really liking the new part of that! So, onward to Xmas Day we go.... still have some shopping to do, but I think we are almost ready.... can't wait- I cannot imagine anything better than the looks on my girls' faces on Christmas morning- they are so happy and the best part is spending a couple of days of just family time, not feeling so rushed anymore and not having everything so hectic, so that is the time I am most looking forward to! I hope they are starting to get what Christmas is really about, love and family and generosity...... Love you all- hope you have a great holiday season!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMES....

Well, I figured I better get a jump start on wishing my beautiful sister, Amy, happy birthday.... it's not until the 10th, but I get points for being early, right!

My sister is one heck of a wife and mother, and sister and daughter... She has always been a great example to me, and someone I very much look up to. We always have gotten along really well, and Amy has taught me alot! She is my twixed-up-min, one of my best friends in the world, and a great sister that I am blessed to have in my family.

So, Ames, here's to you- hope you have a fabuloso birthday, get lots of good presents, and eat some yummy cake (probably carrot?)! I love you sooooo much and your little family too! Have a great day!

-Your sister, Kara

Here's my other half that I missed being with on Thanksgiving... Chris and his mom and grandparents... we missed you!

Oh, what fun!

Oh boy- the girls and I had a great time on our Thanksgiving vacation to Marmee and GG's, and Alyx's! We swam, had lots of good food, LOTS of laughs, and lots of fun altogether! It was so great to see my sisters and their families.... Ella had a wonderful birthday, too. I would like to post all the pic's I got, but here's a few for now.... I love my family and loved spending time with them... thanks again Mom and Dad! Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving also....

The rules:
1. Post the rules
2. Answer the six "8" items
3. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving them a comment.

8 Favorite Shows:
1. Chelsea Lately on E!
2. SNL ( I love Weekend Update)
3. Football...... Go Green Bay!
4. Friends- still watch the reruns.
5. Everybody Loves Raymond
6. Jeopardy- never miss it
7. The Office
8. ER

8 things I did yesterday:
1. Slept
2. Slept again (it was Saturday-okay!)
3. Grocery shopping
4. Internet Xmas shopping
5. Watched a lot of Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel with the kids.
6. My hubby was in Seattle, so I missed him
7. Made dinner- chicken alfredo, green beans, and garlic bread
8. Teags did not hold her dinner down and threw up a few times, so I did some laundry, got her to bed with me, and watched SNL while praying she would not throw up again! (She feels great today)

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Toro Viejo- mexican place here in town
2. Olive Garden
3. Chili's
4. Noodle Express
5. Spaghetti Factory in Salt Lake
6. Anthony's- fancy schmancy little Italian place here
7. My kitchen, and my mom's kitchen, and Chris' mom's and grandma's kitchens, as well as both my sisters!
8. Subway

8 things I'm looking forward to:
1. Thanksgiving with my family!
2. Christmas, Christmas! ( I LOVE Christmas!)
3. The looks on my girl's faces on Xmas morning
4. Getting my Xmas presents!
5. Having some great snow playing outside
6. A big paycheck
7. Super bowl- it's on my birthday this year!
8. Alyx's really great report card!

8 things on my wish list:
1. For my girls to be happy and healthy.
2. For a nice backyard
3. To lose ten pounds
4. New pots and pans
5. An elf to clean my bathrooms
6. Polite, never whiney children
7. A happy husband who never has to work outside in the snow
8. Some new decor in my house

8 people I tag:
1. Karen
2. Alyx
3. Mom
4. Ames- she hasn't done it yet.
5. GG
6. Jesse Duckworth
7. Grammy
8. Grandma Jan

Lazy daze....

This is how Teags entertains herself during the day while I am working.... she is very creative!

So, preparations for the holidays are coming right along- we are selling Calli's huge barbie house to make some room for her desk, which will have a computer on it! She inherited Grandma Jan's old computer and is very excited to play some games on it.

Besides that, my parents are coming up tomorrow for Alyx's court date- here's hoping all goes well... That will be a real quick visit, but then the girls and I are off to their house next week for tookey day (that's what Teagyn calls it).... the girls are very excited for Ella's swimming party!

So, that's all I have for you for now... by the way, if you have Amy's blog, check out her tips for the week on home decorating- very informing and cute, Ames! I love you all so much.... happy day...

Howdy, all....

Hey loyal readers! Sorry we have not been updating very much lately.... busy, busy.

So, for updates. We have all been a little ill with the dreaded flu... but I think it has passed. I am getting very excited for the holidays! We are going to Marmee and GG's for Thanxgiving and I get to see my wonderful sisters and families! I can't wait... I miss out on way too much with my nieces and nephews.

So, I have been trying to get some Xmas shopping done, and I came across the wonderful site of borders.com. They have a section at the top listed as Borders Wonderland and you can scroll to the right and find a category for anyone in your life.... it's really fun. So, that's an idea for any of you (it's not just books, it's music, DVD, crafts, etc.)

Anyhoo- Chris is doing great- going hunting on Saturday with his grandpa and Chad and his dad... they are getting up and leaving about 3:30 a.m. Fun, Fun! So the girls and I will probably be spending the day with Auntie Karen and Maddie.

That's about all for now- hope everyone has a great day.... here's a quick inspiration for the day that I like-

Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns,

be happy that the thornbush has roses!

-German proverb

Okay, here's the fabulous costumes! Enjoy.....

Well, I cannot find the cord to the new camera, so I can't upload any pic's from Halloween... ugh, so annoying! So, I hope that when my husband comes home, he can enlighten me as to where it might be. It's been a pretty boring last week- I have had the flu, so I haven't much felt like doing anything..but trick or treating was a big success. The girls looked soooo cute! Calli was Sharpay from H.S. Musical... she had her hair done up in those good old overnight foam rollers, like my sisters and I used to wear to bed Saturday nights before church, remember those guys? And Teagyn was Belle, and boy did she hate that dress... we had to cut off the whole layer of tulle off the front because it was scratchy- but after she got lots of oohs and aahs, she decided she liked it! I would like to point out that she picked out the Belle costume herself, not me.

So, I hope I can post pics soon... tata for now...

Slow day.....

Oh glory be- I have a slow work day! This is the first one in a long time- so I figured I could blog for a minute... we have a busy day ahead, me and Teags- she is going to "help" me clean bathrooms, and organize her bedroom a little. Everyone wish Alyx good luck- it's her first day at TFHS- my sister's and I's old haunt....

By the way, Amy and Meg- if you go to tfhs.com- there's a website set up for all the old alumni- I put a profile in there, my class has the most people listed- but I found some old friends that way.... do you remember Tina McBride, JJ's little sister, Megs? she is a PR director for Richard Simmons! There's some pretty funny stuff on there- you guys are not listed yet, I looked you up.

Anyhoo- Calli has a field trip today to the punkin patch, she is all bundled up and ready to go.. will post pics of our jack o lanterns soon. So, that's about it- back to work. Love you all!

ODE TO PARENTS....

I have always said I have great parents, well maybe not in my teen years, but I knew in my heart how great they were.... I am really lucky to have had my mom and dad raise me, help me when I was in trouble, and support me through everything today. There are so many people out there who are not blessed with good parents who love them and raise them to be good, hardworking, loving people. I have to thank my parents for helping me to be those things... Right now, they have completely turned their lives around to help Alyx and that is an opportunity most kids do not get..... especially being that they are her step-grandparents. I just want to tell them how much I appreciate them and love them.. thank you for all of it, Mom and Dad...

I cannot forget to mention all the other "parents" I have- my mother in law, Jan, who is such a big part of our lives and our kids lives- Chris' grandparents, who we love to spend time with and are also a huge part of our lives. They all make me feel so loved and appreciated and a part of the family! Thanks guys...... not to forget Grams, my most wonderful grandma in the world- love you Grams!!!

So, to everyone that does not know this yet, Alyx is moving to Marmee and GG's house tomorrow, on Monday..... this is going to be a great opportunity for her and us.... I cannot say enough about this wonderful girl. We love her in every way- she has many hidden talents, like her ability with kids, and animals, and her sense of adventure. She surprises me constantly with the way she takes things on, like rock climbing, and playing guitar, and writing. She is an amazing writer, really knows how to put things into words and describe things in a realistic way, like you are seeing them for how they are..... I hope that this will be a move that will give her ways to express herself and make herself a better person. I just want you to know, Alyx, that we love you more than anything and want you to be a happy, productive person. I have a feeling that you will understand so much more than you do now about feelings, and people's ways, and the way you feel about family, after you learn more about life and the way life is.

The most thing I want to say to Alyx from my heart is that even though I may be just your stepmom, I have loved you like my real daughter from the second I met you. I see in you so many great things. You have a long ways to go kiddo, but you are going to do great things! Please remember how special you are to me, and how much you have taught me about being a mother- you have really helped me in ways you do not know. I love you with my whole heart and whole soul. You are a wonderful person and you are going to do big things in your life. Know that and remember it! Love you forever and ever..... Kara

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHRIS!!!

Happy birthday to my wonderful, funny, caring, generous, talented husband... We love you honey!

I had to put this pic in here- it's a couple years old, but it's funny! Chris turns 35 today! He is a great husband and father to his three girls. He also happens to be a wonderful musician, and a very fun and loyal friend to his 500 "best friends" that he has- he gets a new best friend every month, I swear. So, that just shows what a popular guy he is.. I am a lucky woman :)

The girls love their daddy very much and wish they could spend every minute of the day with him. We hope a great year lies ahead for our family and happy b-day again, babe!

No more summer....

Well, summer is officially over- the ground frosted last night, we pulled out the a/c, and the heater is on! Sucks.... oh well, I do love my great sweater collection! That's a plus... here's a cute pic of our official last beach day this year... we swam (cold!!), ate corn and steaks, and the kids had a great time.

Here come the holidays- everybody ready?!

Hey all- just a quick update on us all... this is Grandma Jan's new puppy, Katie in the pic above...she is very tiny and the girls LOVE her!

So, not a whole lot going on... Alyx is doing pretty good, she has not been in trouble this week! So that's a start! She is doing well in school and has lots of friends, very popular girl...

Calli-bug is trying to pick her favorite friend to spend the night this weekend.... such a tough decision. She had a great time last Friday at her gymnastics place- they had a big sleepover in the gym and had pizza, karaoke, bouncy castles, etc.... the first thing she said in the morning when I picked her up was- we stayed up until midnight (with crazy, sleepy eyes)! She is doing great on homework and being a good big sister.

Teags is keeping me in very good company during the weekdays.. she watches lots of cartoons, reads tons of books, colors, plays with Playdoh, chases the dogs in the backyard, picks flowers and tomatoes, still, in the backyard, etc, etc, etc.... she is a very busy tigger! Today we are going to buy Daddy's birthday present- it is a couple weeks away- can't tell ya what I'm getting him, since he sometimes reads this.... i will let you know!

Oh yeah, Chris and I are doing great too- we are busy with work and trying to get ready for fall and winter and holidays, etc. We love you all!

TAG... I'M IT.....

I was reading Amy's blog this morning, and decided I am it... so here goes. By the way- Amy beat me to the punch on Meg's birthday blog- I was going to do the same thing, so I will just say that I love my middle sister soooooo much- and I hope she had a wonderful birthday! She is the most loving, generous, compassionate person I know- I love you Megs!!!

10 years ago:

1. I was living in a van down by the river, haha... seriously.
2. I thought about being a music teacher.
3. I met lots of interesting, worldly people (hippies).
4. I was not really working, but did some potato truck driving, and worked at the Dry Cleaners when I was in town.
5. I loved to visit my family and friends in Twin.

Present day:

1. I now live in a lovely house in a culdesac.
2. I am not a music teacher, but would still love to be...
3. I know lots of interesting people still, but not very many hippies, my husband makes fun of them!
4. I am a career woman/stay at home mom doing medical transcription.
5. I still love to visit my family, but most of my friends are gone from Twin.

Today's to do list:

1. Work, not very much today, which is nice. I have been super busy.
2. Of course, go to the grocery store- we go every day, I think.
3. Make a fabulous dinner :)
4. Do Calli's homework with her.
5. Play with Teags.

Favorite foods:

1. Pasta, bread, all the things I should not eat.
2. Potatoes, prepared any way.
3. Green salad, Caesar salad.
4. Tomatoes, cucumbers.
5. Anything with hot fudge on it.....

I have lived in:

1. A van down by the river....
2. Twin Falls, ID.
3. Eugene, OR
4. Coeur d'Alene, ID
5. Salem, OR

Anyhoo- that gives a little taste of my life for ya.... things have changed a bit in ten years, huh? Have a great day, everybody!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!!!

My wonderful husband, Chris and I's anniversary was on September 12... we have been married four whole years now! Wow- how time flies....

We had a great time playing a round of golf together at our little 9-hole course, Ponderosa.... and then we had a small get together with friends the next night. All in all, a great anniversary. We are actually really celebrating it this Friday because a really hilarious comedian, Josh Blue, is coming to Spokane and we are going to go. He won the show Last Comic Standing a year ago, and he has cerebral palsy- google him, he is so funny!

So, that is about all we have planned, probably a nice dinner somewhere, and the kids are staying with their beloved Auntie Karen- thanks Karen!

Anyhoo- life is moving right along around here.. Calli is doing great in gymnastics- she is learning the vault and the parallel bars mostly for now... Alyx is enjoying 10th grade, and Teags is being crazy and funny as always. So, let us know about anything going on in your lives! C-ya.....

My favorite things.....

Yes, Ames, I am totally copying this idea from you- but it's a great idea!

So- first of all, I love the color green. This is probably the biggest reason I miss Oregon so much- everything is just sooooo green! It's a wonderful place to live or visit.... secondly, I love plants, trees, and grass... these are things that make me feel whole and healthy. I also really love green salad, and lots of green veggies, and guess what? My kids do too!!! Ain't I lucky? The pic above is of Eugene, where I used to live.

Next, I sure do love my kids, and my nieces and nephews, and my friend's kids, and kids of all shapes, sizes, and colors.... kids are the greatest! They get so excited about the smallest things, and they make me remember to love the little things in life- for example, bubbles! sidewalk chalk! a new buddy! fingerpainting and playdoh! bubbles again! (my kids really like bubbles!)

I definitely love my family... my mom and dad are the most loyal, generous, honest, and loving people you could ever hope to meet.... when i worked here at the CDA Resort, anyone, literally anyone who came in from Twin Falls knew them and always had great things to say about them. I love you guys sooooo much, I hope you know that.. We are super excited to go and see them for Thanksgiving. I am not leaving out my sisters, Amy and Megs.. they are the best sisters I could ask for! Hilarious, good moms, great wives, PTA volunteers, etc.. you name it, they do it... plus, they are both going to make Martha Stewart jealous in her old age... tell ya what. I love you both sis'! I also cannot leave out my husband's family-- they are so fun to be with and celebrate things with.... his grandpa that cracks the dirtiest jokes, but the funniest, and his grandma (grape grandma) is the sweetest person ever.. Lastly, but definitely not least is Jan, his mom and my mom, and a wonderful grandma! She is a great person and the kids love her to death....

I guess my next thing would be music.... ALL kinds... of course I love to play my violin, but I also really like rocking out to some good metal, hard rock, alternative, punk, you name it... and then there's other great stuff like the oldies, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Elton John.... the list goes on and on...... My husband is a great guitar player and can really belt out a song.... so our kids love music as much as we do.... some day i will teach them to play violin, I swear.... really!

Well.. as I said, this list could go on for days, but I think I will drag it out a little and add some more to it as time goes on... I make new favorites every day! I love you all..... have a great day!

So, this is Calli's new 4-wheeler! Her dad has a friend who has a friend who has a brother that wanted to get rid of them, so he snagged a great deal on it! She got some hand me down riding pants and helmet, and was quite excited..... maybe we will have to quit the gymnastics and get her going on Motocross-haha....

Anyway, life is just dandy here... school is going well so far- the girls like their teachers and Mom and Teags have been very productive at home- yesterday we cleaned the garage out together, and we also mowed the lawn, cleaned the house, etc....

Well, everyone have a great day on me!

SCHOOL DAZE....

This is some of the beautiful country we are so blessed to live in.... Chris took this picture from the top of a mountain he was camping at a couple of weeks ago....

So, school started today... I have a small quote to share with you... Raising teenagers is like trying to hang jello with a nail to a tree! It has been a rough time for us lately, and all your support would be greatly appreciated. I have to talk about it because sometimes you just need to vent. We did have a great Labor Day weekend camping as a family.... and we got some good quality time in together. We did a little rock picking in the river, some fishing (with a plastic cup!), and ate a lot of hot dogs... mmmmmmm! Anyway- with school starting, we are really hoping that Alyx can find her way this year and get some good friends and a new outlook, so here's hoping.... any advice anyone has for her, let us know... Calli had a super day- she was very brave and did not shed a tear for the first time, so I cried on the way out to the car for both of us :) Teagyn is very sad that both of her sisters are not home to hang out with her, but she is coping. I personally am very much enjoying the quiet time and free time for running around town, as well as doing my work a lot quicker!

Well, for now, that is all I have to write... keep me posted on all your goings on, everyone that is reading, and we all love you very much!

Hey all- just checking in with everyone... this week is quite busy.. today we have good old gymnastics, which means I get a break for an hour to go to the library, run errands, etc.. I like to watch Calli's class every couple weeks so I can see how much she has learned the last couple weeks- it makes it much funner. So, Teags and I will have some quality time at the library, where she is so not quiet! Then, it's dinnertime- if anyone has ideas for me tonite, I am not thinking too uniquely today, so let me know.... maybe I'll check out Amy's cooking blog-there's some good ideas there, sis!

So, on with the week- we have this really great neighbor, Joanne, who is an older lady and loves the neighborhood kids- so she is throwing all the girls around here a fancy tea party- they are going to dress up and have cakes, etc. It sure is nice to have people that love my kids as much as I do and entertain them for me once in a while!

Then, since it is Labor Day weekend, we are of course going camping with our whole posse over the weekend.... it's always fun- will definitely have pics from that to share with ya.

And then- joyous day- school starts! Woohoo!!!! Just kidding... I am just excited to have some routine back and a little quiet time for myself (including Teagyn).. The kids have new backpacks, very cute lunchbags, thanks to their fabulous GG and Marmee, and some very hot new school clothes- we will take pics.. Calli starts a new school this year since we are so overcrowded and she is excited, almost as much as me! So, that's my update for everybody... please feel free to email me and catch up with me..... karawest@netzero.com---- Love you all!

WIPEOUT!!!

Hey all- you should watch the funniest show in forever.. Wipeout... it is so freakin hilarious... and I think my sisters Amy and Megan know what I am talking about when they watch it... since we seem to think people falling and possibly hurting themselves is just knee-slapping funniness! Anyway- here's to my sisters and their great personalities... I love ya guys!!!!

HIYO......

Hey all... busy day around here. We had gymnastics, swimming in the backyard kiddie pool, sprinkler under the trampoline, and I filled in for a medical transcriptionist that I know, and got some extra work- yee ha....

Christopher had a nasty spill today- he fell down his ladder, not really off the roof, but it was a long way down, and then he flipped over backwards on the last half- he is not really hurt, so we can laugh about this later, right? He is just super sore all over.... he's a trooper.

So, the fair is coming up-can't wait for that! The kids are finally all old enough to ride the bigger kid rides, which does not mean that they will... we will see! Make sure to take pics for all y'all and post them on here. We all love you- have a pleasant tomorrow, as Tina Fey would say....

Well, hello to all..... today is going to be a fun day... Chris and Callista are floating the river, while Alyx, Teags and I are staying home to fix up a big bbq for everyone to come home to.. we are making world-famous Mexi Dip from my mom's recipe, marinated pork, and even some fresh halibut from Chris' grandpa... so it should be quite feast!

Anyhoo- Callista went to the beach yesterday and amazed her dad with her swimming abilities.. she is getting really good! Water is a big thing around here- we really need to get a boat someday. Teagyn has finally surpassed all her big toddler obstacles.. she is sleeping through the night in her own bedroom finally, and is potty trained! It's pretty sad- she is almost faster on the computer than her father, at only 3 years old, but it took this long to figure out how to use a toilet! ( she was just being lazy, I think!) So, these are very exciting advancements for us and we are very proud of our little Tigger..

Alyx is working at Domino's Pizza and had a very busy night last night... she is very well liked at her work and doing a great job! We are very proud of her too!

So- off to the grocery store for mexi dip supplies! Have a super weekend, everybody.... toodles.

BUENOS NOCHES!

That means good night in Spanish, as Dora and Diego teach us! We just finished reading our bedtime story and learned a little Spanish as well- how handy is that... he he. So I am now watching the Olympics and also playing my most addicting game of Mahjongg.... seriously, I can play it for like five hours straight if I had the time- my husband loves it (not really). Anyhoo- good night from all of us- sleep well......

SUMMERTIME.....

So, we had a great time on our family reunion in Orcas Island, Doe Bay Resort.... I cannot believe how big my cousins have gotten, and how grown up they all are... we got to meet new family, too, like Uncle Brent's family-Sheila and her boys, who are all fabulous.

We took the kids to the Funhouse, which is a children's interactive museum... it was so fun- they had all kinds of projects and science experiments that were hand-on... Megs and her kids went with me and mine....

Anyway, besides that- we are enjoying the rest of our summer with trips to gymnastics and the library, and one more camping trip coming up on Labor Day- will make sure to post pic's from that! Love you all!

FINALLY!

Hey all interested parties who care about what I have to say.......

So the West family finally has a blog... just a few words about us. We consist of Chris, the dad, Kara, the mom, and our three lovelies, Alyx who is 15, Callista, who is 7, and Teagyn, who is 3. They are quite the package! I have to say I'm getting a little excited for school to begin again!

Chris is a wonderful dad and husband who works a gutter installer, which he has done for about 20 years or so... I am a stay-at-home mom who also gets to work at home doing medical transcription.... as well as clean, cook, and corral the kids...

So, today is Sunday, and that means nap and movie day around our house- we just watched Nim's Island, which was really cute. The kids are playing, sleeping, and reading, and I am about to head to the store for stuff to make chicken tortilla soup- maybe I will have to start a cooking blog like my sis, Amy..... she has the best blog! So, hey to all my family and friends! Love you all, I sure hope you enjoy this little creation!