what a beautiful mess

These boys got some haircuts also. Stephen really wanted a mullet but we nixed that one real quick. See that brownine Joshua's eating for breakfast? Possibly THE best brownie I have ever made or tasted. Here's the link. And apparently, it's Julia Childs' recipe. Not easy to make, but so, so worth it. BTW, the boys are not naked. Just shirtless.

Heck yeah, he did.   And he looks dang handsome too.

for me not updating for the last four days (he's had the camera in the car. and what's a blog without pictures?). Not that you're sitting around waiting for me to put something new on here. Or are you? Cause I do that~ wait for you all to update. And sometimes I get sorely disappointed. Anyways, on to the picture.... Here's just a moment in my day, captured in a photo. Thank goodness you can't see me. I'm sure I look a bit like the wicked witch of the west or a slave driver,  whichever one is meaner. Can you believe that I'm actually  making my kids clean out the dishwasher and pick up their messes? What kind of mother have I become?  

I heard Annabelle say this to Stephen who was trying to push her in the water at the river: "I AM a fraidy-cat. And Im a worry wart too." I thought it was cute and reminded me of myself when I was a child~I was both of those things myself. Now I'm off to investigate Stephens ear~ he says there is something crawling around inside it!??? That can't be good....

I have about 3 books that I am currently reading right now, going back and forth. Have any of you read Rebecca (Daphney Du Maurier)? Supposedly it's creepy but I haven't gotten to any creepy parts yet, it's just really good. And it has my attention, that's for sure. I love to read but my day has no time until 11:00 at night. Then I'm up till 2:00 in the morning reading... I'm really tired today.  My girls have always loved reading also.... So tell me, what is your FAVORITE book? I'm always up for suggestions~

We aren't the best fishermen, but we take some really good photos of ourselves. (No fish were harmed in the taking of these photos~ or caught.)

The circus was fun and made Saturday night better than it would have been to just take baths and cut fingernails.... I love Fathers Day for the simple fact that trevor gets to do nothing. I know, weird, huh? It's never more apparent than on Fathers Day how much Trevor really does. I felt like I was cleaning up and disciplining constantly (in a good way) Just to show my appreaciation, he got his favorites... Meatball sandwiches, steamed potatoes, salad (not his fav) and  CRAZY cake!!! The absolute BEST cake in the world. Just to make it even moister, I made it in the morning and frosted it a couple hours before we ate it. (Leftovers today) He totally deserved it. I wish my own dad could have been here to share it with us. But I thought about him a lot . Dang, now I can't stop thinking about that cake....... I love you, Dad!

Anna and I relaxed on the swing,  me reading, her writing. Stephen and Joshua played cars and water ballons. (have i ever mentioned how much i dislike those things? what a pain) Unfortunatley, Emily was at a friends house. So we decided to walk to pick her up and  to Fred Meyer to get some chips and lollipops for our big sleepover that is going on right now. It's 10:00 and Stephen is the only one still up. And he's watching Raymond. Great family show, if you want your kids to learn how to argue..... Oh and all 5 of us went to Costco today.  Sometimes, the sample people are so rude. Has anyone else ever noticed that? They don't really like kids eating their samples.  It's like they think we bring our kids there just to get a free lunch. :) Guilty. But I did buy the kids an ice cream when we were done. Unfortunatly, they were stuffed.

I didn't take any pictures today but there are images in my mind that I will never forget. Well, I'm at least writing it down so I don't forget: Annabelle walking with a purpose, with the MP3 player pressed to her ear, pretending it was a phone. She just looked grown up. Stephen having a freak-out (rightfully so) while a dog jumped up on him and did the doggie dance. It was scary then, funny now. Either way, I won't EVER forget it (i don't think he will either). And the dog was HUGE! Emily leaning on me as she said goodbye to her friend. I almost thought she was 4 years old again. Looking back in the truck to Joshua. His eyes were big and brown and so innocent. Every time I looked back in 30 seconds time, he would look at me. I just love his eyes.....  I need to get my camera out more but I never get the images I want to have the most. I need to have a hidden camera somewhere so the kids won't notice it and do the auto-smile..... But It was a pretty...

Is this swim suit modest? I'm a one-piece kind of girl but I don't want to be wearing a "Speedo" suit, if you know what I mean....   Please comment and let your voice be heard! (seriously, you will probably, but not necessarily,  hurt my feelings if you don't comment) :)  I bought one like it and it's cute (alright, it's the price that got me.. only 19 dollars and the ones i was looking at? 75-150 dollars~ way out of my price range this year!!!) I have yet to hear trevors opinion....  If you think it's a little "hoochie-mama-ish" let me know, but please be nice. :) (any men that read my blog can just ignore this post)

What I love about this photo: the four little children~ especially Emilys grin. candid photos don't happen too much around here. What I don't love about this photo: it looks cluttery. Something I will have to tackle today. Oh and that basket of laundry.

Who cares that it starts with Monday? Seize the day is what I say..... It's going to be a fantastic week for no other reason than the fact that it is summer and it is warm ! Halleluja!

Art today.. it took way more supervision than I expected (like, constant!) But the kids did a grand job! We  have polk-a-dots, abstact, and a summertime theme. Now if only the outside would look as sunny as my wall now does, we'd be set!

had me a blast.... I would never actually allow my kids to watch that movie (Grease). Since watching it as an adult, I realize how totally unappropriate it is~ but the songs are so catchy! First day of summer. We, of course had rain. And more is in the forecast for tomorrow and possibly the rest of the week, dang it.  We will NOT let it get us down. This will be the best summer ever... well, maybe. Lets not get carried away here....but it will definitley be great~ Emily planned, prepared, served and cleaned up dinner tonight. On the menu: Meatball Soup Jello with mandarin oranges (we missed you, Candice) Garlic Biscuits Peanut Butter Swirled Brownies It was delish! Anna is busy writing a story.  Papers were scattered all over the bar today. I think it's something I will just have to get used to this summer. I love to read the things my children write. At the library, Stephen checked out some how to draw books. He LOVES to draw. Right no...

So that's our week in pictures from St. Goerge. It was one of the hardest goodbyes  I've ever had to do. We're going to miss you Tim and Amy. So, so much. I wish I had gotten a picture of your beautiful family. See you soon...........