Swim Team

Elli wanted to try the swim team this year. She loves to swim and wanted more than one week of lessons this summer. She said she would rather swim than walk, which doesn't make sense to me. Swimming totally wears me out!

Thursday was her first meet. She had 3 races and said the backstroke was her favorite.
I think it's because she gets to start in the water rather than dive from the block.
She did so well! I was surprised and proud. She didn't seem nervous at all and can't wait to practice each day. She must get it from Riley. I am not comfortable in the water at all.

Emmaus Parade

Our friend Christina (between Elli and Amy), invited us to the Emmaus parade. The girls were excited because last year, candy was thrown at them from the floats. This year, the parade lasted for a total of 2 minutes I think. Seriously 2 minutes. There was a small band from the highschool and some scouts and old people and that was it. Not sure if it was the same parade as last time or not. A bunch of them tried to catch another parade in Macungie at 10:00, but we had some errands to do in Emmaus and I didn't want to hop back and forth. So we...

Went to the Park Instead!

Adam was having a total blast, as you can tell!
Elli has been asking to go to this park for a while. It has a very squeaky merry-go-round that she likes.
Amy is the monkey bar queen at school, but was recovering from related blisters, so decided to swing, too. Thanks for getting us out of the house, Christina!

Hair Cut

Someone around here needed a haircut. He actually wants me to pay him to cut his hair. So, I got mine cut instead. Now we almost match! I am not quite sure what I have done. That's all I will say about that right now.

Pennsylvania's Rolling Hills and Shaggy Buffalo

Riley runs on a trail up in these hills and wanted to show us what he found. This green country is everywhere out here and part of why we love Pennsylvania. Imagine this in the Fall!
We started out on the trail in search of some buffalo herd that is protected 'round these parts. It was up and down and we almost lost Elli. She just didn't think she could make up one more hill.
We finally found them and they were large! Of course as soon as we get to the top of the hill, the herd headed down to the bottom. Elli's grumbling probably scared them.
After catching our breath, the girls were ready for a photo. It was a nice trail and we got to bring home some momentos. We pulled off at least 20 ticks from Sandy and are still finding big fat swollen ones in her fur. G-ross!

May Birthday Girls

It is a big month around our house. Elli's birthday, Mother's day, and my birthday, too. I honestly couldn't remember how old I was turning. I thought it was 31. Not so. Not so. Anyways, Erin sent me this cute sash and it gave new life to an old skirt and sweater I had. Love it!
I also got some spending cash, flowers, a book Riley saw me gawking at, and a sweet scalloped table top! I made out pretty well! Yummy dinner with good friends and a break in the rain for some sun to shine through to go with it. Thanks everyone! It was a great day!

Copy Cat

This is what I wore for my birthday day. I had my eye on this skirt for a while and then it went on sale just in time for me to order it for my birthday. It came in the mail right as I was getting out of the shower. Amy brought it up to my room and I just couldn't take it off. We had a baptism that afternoon and dinner plans that night, so I decided to wear it the whole day! I totally copied the website. Not original at ALL, but I love it and am not ashamed to say it! I just need to find some white keds to complete the picture. It really was comfortable though. I may wear skirts more often.

Nine on the Ninth!

Elli turned 9 on May 9th this year and noticed that that only happens once. She could have had a party or a big family present and she opted for her own Nintendo DS. I tried to surprise her, but she knew. She wanted to make these hamburgers and fries for her birthday instead of a cake.
I baked them and she did most of the decorating herself. She did a great job!

And here is the chef herself in her new birthday apron from Grandma O. Happy Birthday Elli!

Easter Line Up

Easter pictures in front of the piano never disappoint. Adam annoyed, Elli crying, and Amy chipper.
After dinner was all cleaned up, the girls got to color a few more eggs. They already decorated the really bright ones at the neighbors house the night before. Adam didn't want to do any more.
Happy Easter!!

Final Pinewood Derby

This was Adam's last chance to race in the Pinewood Derby before he becomes a boy scout. He has had some bad luck in the past but was confident in his design this year.

Here he is setting his car in the line-up. Then they run to the finish line and watch as the cars are released.

Here they come!

No way!

Yes!!

He worked hard on his car and took first place this year! Way to go, Adam!

Annual Girls Getaway - Southern Style

It is March again and instead of basketball, I think of my fun friends from North Carolina! It is our time to plan a long weekend together and catch up on what's been going on the last year. We decided to try somewhere warmer this year. We ALL decided to, not just me. I didn't even suggest it. I was all ready to go to NYC again, but I guess my murmurings from the past were too much to think about. We chose Savannah, Georgia! And it WAS warmer and more comfortable.

Our first stop was Columbia, South Carolina. We feel better if we start out our trips with a temple session. It was a small, beautiful temple and it's always good to go.
Then we get to think about food. The last two trips have largely been centered around food. Luckily all four of us appreciate food the same way and look forward to the next meal. I should have noted the names of the restaurants better. This was a little cafe with tiny desserts. I had 3 small truffles for a large price. They were extra special truffles though and served on a special little plate.
This was the breakfast cafe we went to twice. Mmm.
Our last dinner was at the Melting Pot. I had never been. I think the dessert course was my favorite. My pants will tell a different story. We also ate at The Old Pink House one night where I tasted duck for the first time. I am all about duck now. Oh, mommy! It was delicately crunchy on the outside, yet juice and tender on the inside. Wonder if I should even attempt to duplicate it. (If you guys remember the names of the restaurants, let me know.)

Spa Day

Everything was in walking distance from our hotel. We passed through these beautiful parks along the way. Each park took up a square block and all the surrounding houses faced in toward the park. After Riley and I live and work on our farm, I'd love to buy a home right here.
So, we made our way to the the spa. After various massages and facials, we each got a pedicure, two at a time up on raised thrones. I felt rather silly for paying so much for a pedicure, so I unabashedly helped myself to the mini cupcakes and fancy chocolates they offered.
Lenette and Heather got red toes.
Debbie got pink and I got the white tips. My girls at home laughed when they saw how tiny my pinky toenail was and joked how small the brush must have been to paint such a little white line on it.

700 Kitchen Cooking Class

My favorite part of the trip was definitely the cooking class we took. We learned all about preparing a scrumptious brunch from chef Darin. He was amazing! I can't wait to make the brown sugar bacon and the lemon curd again. We all agreed that cooking classes are a must for every trip from now on!

Wide Open Fields

Riley and Adam found a great spot where Sandy can run free (and kids too). She didn't get as many walks this winter as she probably would have liked, but this is right around the corner and she can get out quite a lot of energy without us being out too long.

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Here in Pennsylvania, today is Fat Tuesday. What is Fat Tuesday?! A long time ago, across the swirly, twirly river, Pennsylvanians would use the lard, flour, sugar, and butter they had in their pantries to make fastnachts. This would happen right before lent began so they wouldn't waste their food. They would eat tons of them since they had to give up the sweets during lent. Although we don't observe lent, we will surely eat the fastnachts! What is a fastnacht? It's a donut like pastry with no hole. Traditionally, you cut it in half like a bagel and put syrup on one side and then put the other side back on, like a sandwich.

Amy's New Specs

After failing the school eye exam, we went to the eye doctor and sure enough, Amy has inherited my near sightedness. Now she can see the board at school and the leaves on the trees. Wish my first pair of glasses was cute like that. She picked them out herself and so far likes to wear them.
I cannot get a normal picture of Elli. She is in the silliest moods lately!

Adam's Flashy Smile!

Here are the braces! Wow. I can vividly remember my own. He claims his teeth have already moved and has been so good at brushing. The $500 cash prize that the orthodontist is offering at the end of the year may have something to do with that. Now, what are we going to do with that hair??

Flower Party

Amy wanted a party instead of a gift from the family. Her choice of theme was flowers. I did my best. February birthdays are hard. Either pay a ton to have it at a facility, or have it at your house. (I will probably never do a sledding party, unless Riley takes them out. sorry.)
Some of the decorations and food. Amy cut out all the cheese and ham. Pretty cute!
I have wanted to make these ice cream pots for a long time, so when she said "flowers", I said "really?!" They took the place of a cake, so there was nowhere to put candles. We just sang instead.

Party Games

Here's Amy at the table at the beginning of the party.
When all the guests arrived, they first made flower art with dots and crayons. Then they could make a necklace if they wanted.Then we played Pin the Dot on the Flower and her friend, Taylor, won the prize. I totally forgot about a prize until the guests arrived, so I gave Adam $5 and asked him to run to CVS to buy a little prize. I was thinking a lip smacker or nail polish, but he came back with silly putty. He said that was all they had. I'm guessing he didn't want to be seen buying girly things so he got the first thing he saw. It was nice of him to run out for me though. He got to keep the change for his trouble.

We also had a little game where they had to find flowers hidden around the house with clues attached to them. Each clue told where the next flower was.

I hope she had a good time. It was a lot of work and I swear after each party that that is the LAST one. Elli and Adam were a big help though. Elli helped me serve the food and keep track of presents and run the games. Aside from running to the store, Adam steered clear of the girls most of the time. Maybe a small party next time. Maybe.