Is it June Yet?

Since last September, I have yearned for it to be June. The summer of 2010 was, while a very special one, quite a "wash". I spent the first part of it enormous and pregnant, and the second part of it cooped up with a sweet little newborn. To say that I didn't experience much summer fun would be an understatement. For me, being cooped inside during the summer is pure torture. My summer's are always spent out in the sun, riding on a boat, camping in the fifth wheel, bbq'ing and enjoying a frozen drink that starts with an "M" and ends with "argaritas". *laughing* None of this occurred last summer. Ok, well, that's not entirely true...I did enjoy getting on my bikini and sitting in the older girls' wading pool in the front yard. Oh yeah, I was hot. Literally. It was hot folks! Think what you want...the neighbors didn't seem bothered by the sight...they would come out to their backyard and sit in their lawn chairs, acting as though they were enjoying the weather. I know...what they were really doing was taking in the free freak show. No need for tickets here. Thinking back on it now I probably wouldn't...oh, yes I would...I'd still do what I did. It was hot. Psh.

When I returned to work in September, the "washed" summer weighed heavy on my mind. I felt like I had been cheated of all the things a true summer break entails. My girls missed out. My hubby missed out. I had to make it up to them (and myself). That's when the greatest idea came to me! We should travel half way across the country with other family friends of ours and stay in a great beach house! No, I'm not crazy...I've just been in a very bad mood for forty years! Ha ha...love "Steel Magnolias". Really though, I didn't think the idea was manic. It was perfect.

Obviously others agreed, because in less than 90 days, our family will travel with three other families to Panama City for a week long vacation in this beautiful beach home...just steps from the sand. I'm talking, the back yard is the beach! Does it get better than this?!?! Ok, maybe...if it were an adults only vacation. For me, 8 children under 4 is still totally worth the beauty and fun we will all experience during the 15 hour drive there, 7 days in the beach house on the sand, and 15 hour drive back. Bring. It. On.

We're Moving On Up

Tonight, we started moving the last of our farm equipment from the "sold" farm to the new farm. Robert and I decided to buy land a bit closer to town...yeah, a whole 1/2 mile from the property we currently own! It's a bit ridiculous, but our new place has a lot more open pasture for the girls to run. The "sold" farm is completely treed with only groomed trails and a few open spots where we cleared for building. This was Big Man's dream property...that was, of course, before he was blessed with three lovely daughters. Our new farm allows for us to have whatever livestock "The Trifecta" may beg us for. There was a large gooseneck trailer and an old blue tractor still waiting to be moved down the road. It sure was, well, for lack of better words, a true redneck evening...

"Big Tex" had no problems hooking up to the large trailer loaded down with old telephone poles. You bet! Telephone poles. They will soon become the framing for our new property entrance...oh, how I can't wait to share what we've designed for that. It's awesome! One load down, one more to go. It's gettin' hillbilly now...

Big Man had to drive the old blue tractor to the new farm while the girlies and I drove behind. You'll see, soon enough, why we had to follow...





At this point, I'm listening to a screaming 8 month old, and Lillie hollering, "Why are we going so slow?!" "Honey, because that tractor doesn't go very fast! Now sit back there and hush!" What are you grinning at, Big Man? You get back here and deal with "The Trifecta" and let me drive that sexy tractor!

Hold up honey! There's a stop sign! No, Honey! Hey, this may be the country, but you have to mind the signage...

Oh yeah, we were right out of the song "International Harvester"...holding up rush hour traffic.(yeah, like you have that in Johnson county Missouri!) As I followed Robert down the road with three screaming girls, country songs about tractors and trailers sung by Alan Jackson, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, and Tim McGraw played through my head...and on the radio. *smirking...I hear banjos!*

This may not be Big Man's dream property, but for us, for now...it's where we will soon call home. I kinda like it...I decided to hang on to the back of Big Man's truck for a real scenic view. Some of you know why this isn't a good idea when riding with Robert...I'll share that story later! *grins* 

Daddy & Me Date Night

Robert took Lillie out on her first formal date. Sedalia Parks & Recreation was hosting a "Daddy & Me Date Night" in Liberty Park. The evening was planned to have dinner, dancing, crafts, limo rides, and photos. For weeks, Lillie has counted the days and talked about the happenings that would occur. None of us could hardly believe the evening had finally arrived...

Like Cinderella, Lillie put on a very special dress adorned with the perfect accessories...

Mommy curled her hair and applied a bit of shadow...

Daddy presented her with a gift she had never before seen...

With little hesitation, she reached out for the petite flowered bracelet...

And picked it up for a closer look...

Daddy slipped the pint sized corsage on his daughter's tiny wrist...

As younger sisters watched from afar...

Thanks, sealed with a kiss...

The cute couple poses for a moment...

The excitement of the evening shows on her face...

And in her arms...

And her feet...

The look of anticipation as he takes her out for a special evening...

A moment neither will forget...and neither will I.

Be Still, My Heart

I have fallen in love. Deep...deeply...deeper, in love with Shellac by CND (Creative Nail Design). It is, by far, the most amazing invention I have ever ran my eyes, and fingers, across. This is a revolutionary nail polish. It is like getting gel nails, but with the ease of application that of a regular nail polish!

The big deal? It is chip proof, fast drying...I'm talking seconds! (uses UV light to set), and lasts up to 14 days. Guess what?!?! Mine looks brand new at 14 days...I'm quite sure I could go 3 weeks and it would still look perfect. You will notice the growth between the cuticle and polish after a while, but the polish will still look great. I never go past the 2 week mark because, well, frankly I can't wait that long to change the color! *laughing*

I suggest any girl who loves a gorgeous manicure that lasts, to try Shellac. Most nail salons offer the service. Here in the 'Burg, they are charging around $15 for the polish application. I'm lucky enough to have the whole system. It might have been a hefty chunk of change at the beginning, but totally worth it in the end. I'll be posting a Shellac tutorial and review soon...be on the lookout!

If you'd like to read more about Shellac by CND, click here.

Calling All Graduates

I'm heading up planning my 10 year high school reunion with an great friend from school. Wow! What a big task we have surrendered to. I can finally say, with confidence, that our registration page (on the web, I might add) is finally up and ready to be filled out and submitted! The best part? I was able to attach a direct pay button so that our classmates can pay by debit/credit card! Amazing what 10 years allows you to do, eh?

Are you a Warrensburg High School graduate of 2001? Then fill out the Registration Information Page!

Date Night

After 13 years, we sure know how to have a good time...

Road trip to Sedalia for Colton's and back to the 'Burg

Believe it or not, I went almost the whole night not noticing he shaved off his beard that morning!

He really is having a fun time

Whatcha' doin' there honey?

First threat to quit snapping pictures...

Nope. Nothing spilled. "White Lightening" floods!

This is our "behind the tree line" neighbor...yes, that is a jet airplane...yes, someone lives here.

Doh...second threat

Happy Birthday Blizzard for us!

Oh honey, stop!

Hmmm...what shall I get?

It was love at first sight...clearly

Gonna check out "Hall Pass"



Of course...I ALWAYS keep Blizzards in my purse!

Didn't think I'd smuggle it in, eh?

Even still, you didn't think, huh?

Happy Date Night!

Everywhere a "Quack, Quack"

Thanks to "Papa Rolly" (That's Papa Roy), the girls now have 3 pet ducks. Uh, yeah. So, these are not our first ducks to care for. We had a few back when Lillie was 2. They were purchased for her 2nd birthday party...a petting zoo. Yes, I tend to go overboard for parties. No hassling necessary. Big Man takes care of that, thanks. These ducks, however, are the first since Lillie has really grasped the concept of "survival of the fittest". Let's hope these cuties climb to the top of the food chain once they are released out on Papa and Ma's pond. I'd hate to think of my girls broken hearted...they are having too much fun playing with them. Sure, it may have been 80 degrees, but this may have been a bit overboard for the middle of March...

Hmmm...Maybe it isn't the animal predators these little guys should be worried about after all. My "Trifecta" may put them in an early grave with all their jumping and splashing around!