Labor Day Weekend

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Since we probably won't be going anywhere this weekend (Lewis has to work until Sat. morning and again all Sunday until 9:30 Mon. morning), I was thinking about the great Labor Day trips we had the last 4 years. We went to Freeport, Maine (gotta love the outlets and the sales) where we camped. Last year we added a bonus trip up to Acadia National Park which I highly recommend. It is so amazing up there. We took Brooks on his first camping trip ever to Freeport when he was only 6 weeks old. What were we thinking? It was great though, he cried and cried at home, but slept through the night in the tent!

Post Office

I think that Post Office workers have the same requirements as DMV workers. Seriously.

A swimming

Third post in one day-------oooooooooooooooh cool.
Did I mention that I saw 39 license plates on my trip?!?!? All I am missing now are: Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, and Hawaii. Just thought I'd add that while I am waiting for this video to load. Because I know you were all wondering.


and one more.....


tilt your head to the left :)

LEAVES!!

Our yard looks like it's the end of October with leaves everywhere! I am guessing it has something to do with the exceptionally hot weather we've been having mixed with the lack of rain. Don't worry, it's still super humid. Yesterday it got down to about 90 after a short rain storm so the kids and I got to work.




Aiden is pretty helpful for about 15 minutes, unless she decided she wants the broom you have of course. Then she disappears to who knows where and the house it a complete disaster in the blink of an eye. I am totally lovin' the outfit here though, my mom bought her the dress while we were in Kentucky. Cute.





Brooks on the other hand, I have NO idea what he was up to with that pump, but he won't leave Moose alone. She is good about it. She just gets up and walks away.



After about an hour I got probably an eighth of the yard "raked" with a broom. I think we'll probably be investing in a leaf blower!!!!!!

New Baby Mati

This should be at the end of the blog since it was after our trip, but whatever.

We celebrated my birthday at home by going out to eat and then having cake and ice cream. Aiden saved me on the blowing out the candles part.


This week the kids and I got a chance to go visit my sister and her husband and their new baby Mati in Cincinnati. It was such a fun trip for us and I hope we didn't stress them out too much. She is such a sweet baby and she SLEEPS and barely ever cries. We all couldn't get enough of her. You can see pictures on her blog. I don't have any yet because I was using my "old fashioned" camera and have to go develop the film and have them put the pictures on a CD for me so I can put them on the computer.
My mom was also there so it was great to see her. She always wears me out running around shopping and stuff while we are together, but it's so nice to see her and have her help with the kids. She was Aiden's "shopping partner" both times we went to the GAP clearance center (a great place if you are ever in the area) which was a mistake. Aiden has the habit of throwing things into the cart. My mom said she especially has a liking for things that are pink or shiny in any way. One time I noticed a few extra items in her cart when she thought she had gotten them all out--two pairs of men's briefs and one pink glittery shoe. It was funny at first, but got old really fast. We also made two trips to hair salons. The first time we all got haircuts and the second was just for me because I have a thing for getting bad haircuts. I wanted a lot taken off and I think the girl was just nervous to cut it so short since it was pretty long, but I wanted to try and donate it, so I needed 10 inches. Well, I ended up with 8 inches to donate and a haircut at least 3 inches longer than I wanted it. I looked like Ramona Quimby (or me in high school when I let my friends cut my hair) slash Lord Farquad from Shrek. The next day my mom carted me off to the mall where a nice lady fixed my hair. I think it's still longer than I wanted ( I was thinking a Post Spice look since I'm pretty much as hot as her), but it is much much better. I look older than 8 now. We did lots of shopping, lots of returning (Jackie honestly got more gifts than I have ever seen in my life), and lots of time waiting for her prescription at Wal-Mart. Think HOURS. I only said one mean thing though, at Sears, when she was offering me $1.14 for 3 outfits. Brooks was having one of his trademark come-aparts on the floor and Aiden was pulling on my pants and the poor lady didn't know how to type. I told her I would rather take them home and burn them thank you very much. Sorry lady. We celebrated my birthday with a totally delicious ice cream cake, cookies and cream, and dinner at Outback. It was a really great trip, and it was only a 7 hour drive. Mapquest said 7 hours 42 minutes, so I was pleasantly surprised. Oh yeah, we also got to see Uncle Matt the last night we were there since he and his brother were driving back to Williamsburg for school. He brought Moose for us and we are thrilled to have her. Brooks has a new best friend.

I saw Alaska today.......

Ok, most of you probably don't know this about me, but I LOVE to play the license plate game. This is a game where you look for all 50 states license plates. I can't see too far without my glasses, but I can honestly tell you what each state's plates (mainly just the most popular ones) look like from a mile away. I might be kinda sorta obsessive compulsive in some areas of my life, and this is certainly one of them. I think living in Park City where you see TONS of different license plates in the Albertson's parking lot is what got me started, but I can't remember. Family, can you guys remember when this obsession started? I think Lewis thought it was sort of fun the first time I insisted on playing, there are also lots of different plates in Provo, but it did take a few months to find all 50 states. I can't finish a game until all 50 are found. I have papers all over my car with different lists.
So, today I had to go to Wal-Mart (I know, I know) to get film because I want a picture of Aiden on her first day of school (today) and what do I see in my rear view mirror? An Alaska license plate, or TAG as they call them in Alabama. If you know me and my license plate game, an Alaska plate ALWAYS marks the start of a new game. You just see them too rarely to pass it up. I instantly started thinking about all the far away plates I have seen recently--Michigan, Utah (at Costco), Idaho, Wyoming, etc. and made a mental note so I won't forget when I go to write Alaska down. I think they count, even though I saw them before the game officially started. Is this crazy or what? It has taken on a life of its own, but I love it. Do you play this game too? Wish me luck!

Lefthander's Day!!

Today is Lefthander's Day and I couldn't resist letting you all know because I am QUITE proud to be a lefty myself (as if you couldn't tell already). I found this website devoted to the day. Enjoy a day to celebrate you, lefty!