I Can Not Wait...

Now that the tickets have been finalized and days are rushing by...I am giddy! I am so excited to go home!
When I think of my parent's home in the summertime... I think of nice air conditioned coldness(been without ac for too long), chicken salad, All My Children, the smell of sunscreen, bathing suits, lazy afternoon naps, sitting in the sun room, my dad teasing my mom, my mom cooking; and the best thing since I have grown older...the sound of my children laughing as they run in and out! This is what I am looking forward to most, just being home! Time to soak all of it in, remembering the little things that I have forgotten. Oh, how I will want time to stand still! I want my kids to have these memories, I want for them to yearn for family as much as I do!
When I was little I do not remember my grandparents being a part of my everyday life; they where always so far away, and when we saw them they never had very much to do with me when I was little. How lucky my children are that they have two sets of grandparents that love them dearly, and who want to be with them! To make memories with them.
Although this distance has killed me; the lesson it has taught me is...make the most of every minute with family! We have been so lucky to have both my parents and Pat's parents come and stay with us for a couple of weeks each! Now it is our turn to visit them! I hope to get the most out of every visit. My mom asks me what I want to do; I do not really want to do anything but hang out! I want to sit in their sun room and laugh, I want to eat home cooked meals and be stuffed, I want to watch my dad take my boys fishing, I want to go shopping with my mom to all of the best shops, I want to visit my friends, I want the kids to see their friends, I want to sit and laugh around the McKain's kitchen table ...I want to just be! I want to feel like I am at home, not just visiting! I want to go to Florida and eat up Disney World! I want to head to Tampa and see my kids get spoiled by another set of grandparents, I want to have the kids do crafts with Grandma Lou, I want them to go the aquarium, again I want to just be! I really look forward to Pat and I to sneaking away for coffee...and Mike to make fun of my fu fu coffee!
I can not wait, I can not wait to go home!

Taylor

My baby turns 12! I can not believe Taylor is 12 today, it feels like yesterday that he was little! Time goes to0 fast!

Taylor has SO many qualities that I am so proud of...he is a great big brother, he is a great sportsman, he is dedicated and persistent, he has a huge heart and he definitely has an awesome future ahead of him!

Happy Birthday!

Blogged Too Soon!

Claire is now sick, and me too! Oh well, would not have been a complete school holiday without someone being sick EVERYDAY of it!

The Latest...

We ended our first school term with a bang! Both boys competed in a triathlon at their school; Taylor completed his individually while Hunter was part of a team. They both did awesome; Taylor rocked his! He was behind some of his buddies after the swim, but nailed them on the bike and running! Way to go boys!

Taylor finishing bike...

Completing run...

Hunter getting to his bike...

Such determination...

We did a bit of traveling over the holidays, back to the same National Park! This time we shared a cabin with some friends, and another group of friends stayed next door. We had a great time! The kids had a ball; there was a total of 11 kids!

We arrived home just in time on Saturday to prepare for the Easter Bunny! On Sunday after opening Easter baskets, we headed to church! Instead of cooking we joined some of our friends at an outdoor brunch...very nice! On our way home...Taylor puked in Claire's Easter basket! Lovely, needless to say Claire was pissed!

Kids dying eggs, Taylor in charge(of course!)

Easter Bunny left his footprints everywhere!

Easter Bunny brought new jammies!

Too busy eating candy to put dress on!

Over this two week school break, there has been at least one sick child with a short lapse of about 3 days! Started with Hunter, now Taylor. Lets just hope Claire does not get it!

Other news...We got a jungle gym. I finally talked Pat into it, and the kids LOVE it!

Our sweet kitty, Carson...

Claire eating MORE candy!

I have been reorganizing my office, and I am determined to start sewing and crafting!

And the best news...We are planning our trip home! I am giddy just thinking of getting to go home for awhile!

To come...Taylor turns 12!