This is why I will never be a fashion diva

• I am convinced that brown, black, blue and gray go with everything, even each other.
• I am willing to pay 3 times as much on a good pair of hiking boots as on dress shoes.
• Blue jeans are my safe pants.
• I am convinced that a heel less than 1.5 inches wide is a tool of the devil.
• I am convinced that a heel more than 1.5 inches tall is meant to cripple me.
• Mini-purses make me wonder, "Where do you keep the crayons and band-aids?"
• I like the feel of pants that come up to my waist, and the look of tops that go down to my hips.
• I spill on and stain all white clothing, save maybe white socks.
• I do not understand how anybody can keep white pants looking nice for more than one wearing.
• The notion that different shades of blue don’t work together is very difficult for me.
• I understand that different fabrics and textures should not be put together, but I am at a loss to tell what the rules are.
• I like pretty, shiny jewelry, but my mommy lifestyle requires very durable pieces.
• I would rather spend $20 on a nice meal than on a trendy fashion accessory.
• I can’t fathom having more than one purse, because I would be constantly forgetting important things like my driver’s license.
•  I'm grateful that we have uniforms in tae kwon do so that we all look equally stylish.
• One criterion for all my outfits is that I must be able to bend over and pick up a screaming (and possibly bloody) child without showing off too much skin.

Happy (Belated) Birthday Nathan

Our little boy is officially 3 now! Holy Cow!

He decided on a pineapple upside cake for his birthday cake, which is way easier than a lot of the kids cakes recently.

 Because of our crazy week, and the camping trip, his birthday celebration was postponed till Sunday.  But he didn't seem to mind.


When Nathan's not asking for "a great big pile of NO" or climbing on your head, he is a sweet, funny, & smart little boy. He loves to swing. He loves playing Legos. He likes to count your "hand piggies." He likes to flop backwards on the bed or couch.

We love you Nathan!

Campsite for 6, please

This past weekend we went on our first family campout with all 6 of us.  After packing the Suburban to the gills, we loaded up the kids and headed to Hocking Hills, Ohio.

Here's a few pictures from our trip:

Our home away from home

Starting our walk

Inside Old Man's Cave

Family on the Bridge

Looking up at Old Man's Cave

Looking Back at Old Man's Cave

Cool! Big Logs!

Playing at Lower Falls

Family at Lower Falls

Just Beautiful

Schlepping Nathan

Magical Forest Walk

Big Rocks Attract Kids

Clowning at Cedar Falls

Playing on the Log at Cedar Falls

Trick-or-Treat!

Our scary lot this year consists of a bat, ninja, bengal tiger, & zebra unicorn.

And thankfully, for the first time in several years, the weather was pretty decent. That, of course, means the kids were out begging longer, and brought in a significantly larger haul than previous years.