My New Swimsuit

Doesn't this look like "Pre-Three-Babies" Me??? NOT!!!!!
The new swimsuit is on it's way to Iowa! Thanks to my sister, Maren, I will finally have something new to wear. Since I have had the same swimsuit since July 2000, and only a year ago I got rid of my swimsuit from our honeymoon. Yikes! Twelve years!
Maren gave me the idea of purchasing my tankini from two different places. The "bottom" is coming from Land's End and the "top" is coming from Victoria's Secret. I will post these pics now, so you don't ask me for a real photo in the future! I am finally EXCITED to go swimming with the kids.
I promise tomorrow that I will post something a little more 'scrapbook' related. I have a bunch of layouts to post and some pictures from a little daytrip I took today. I saw someone that I have not seen since I moved to Iowa and the two-hour drive was MORE than worth the little over two hours that I was able to spend with her. Every minute was priceless...Check back soon...

Birthday 07-27-07

a handmade card from a friend
a call from my grandma
a chore list completed from a helpful daughter
a call from loved ones over the ocean
a phone call from my sister
a song by my SIL and my nieces and nephew
a phone call from a friend in Texas
a Pepsi from a neighbor and close friend
a T-shirt from a close friend's husband
an email from a friend
a silly card from the kids (with a B&N gift card)
a bunch of flowers and a beautiful cake from my love (with a kiss and a camera :)
an invite to the farm
a surprising "Happy Birthday Song" from new friends
a night of crickets and fireflys, yakamundos and roasted marshmallows,
laughs and more laughs
a 32nd birthday that won't be soon forgotten

Where Has the Camera Gone?

Just before we headed back to Iowa from Utah, Aunt Dana treated us to a day at Lagoon. If you are a local, you know all about Lagoon....the white roller coaster, Colossus, the swings, Pioneer Village, JetStar 2, bumper cars, etc. Sydnee wanted to ride EVERYTHING and Christian was a little more cautious. Sydnee rode the Wild Mouse twice with Mom and Christian LOVED the Flying Aces. Our favorite ride of all was Rattlesnake Rapids.
At the end of the night, Jordan and Taylor talked me into riding the new rollercoaster, Wicked. I was very nervous, but felt that I could handle it with my nephews by my side. We had to wait in line for about 45 minutes and didn't know if we would even get on before it closed. The anxiety was building and we did get on and it is the best rollercoaster I have ridden since Speed in Las Vegas.
In the midst of all the excitement, I forgot to take my camera, with all of my pictures from the last two weeks, out of my pocket. Yikes! It had flown out somewhere between the 55 mph shot into the sky and the corkscrew. I was in tears! Luckily, the lady at the Lost and Found booth said that I had a 5% chance of finding the camera, much less the memory card. Thank goodness for Dana's quick thinking, Taylor and I went back to the coaster just after close when they were scoping out under the ride to find all of the lost items. There was a line of people waiting for their wallets, hats, cell phones, etc. We waited in extreme anticipation. The girl approached the desk with armloads of stuff and MY CAMERA and all of it's exterior parts was included. All I could do was hug her! The camera was in bad shape, but luckily the memory card was jammed inside. Phew! All of our vacation pictures were saved! Lucky, lucky day.

Summer isn't Summer without Swing Baseball

We went to the Swing baseball game on Monday night with the Poock's and the Baldwin's. This was a first for me and can you say "fun summer night"? We had such a good time. Parker even loved it until it was 10:00 p.m.
We all loved the view of the Centennial bridge, the free hotdogs and sodas, dancing on the big screen to Napoleon Dynamite, and just being together on a perfect summer night.
Before the game, we grilled out at the Baldwin's and they had an early surprise birthday cookie cake that was so yummy. Double the chocolate chips and double the M&M's. Need I say more?

TEC

While I was in Utah, I had the amazing chance to surprise my book club at their monthly get-together. It was July 5th, and they shared the book, Gone With The Wind. (That is why you see some of these very stylish gals in hats adorned with flowers.) I only had a short time to spend with them, but it was truly worth it. This group is fantastic! Each one of them is different and has so much to contribute. In 1998, Kristen sent around a sign-up list at church, and the rest is history. I loved being with you and still sharing a part of TEC for just an evening....

"It Takes A Really Long Time to Get Through Nebraska In A Van..." Guitar Hero

I am back and we had a good, good trip. I have lots to post, but here is the summary:
2900 miles
13 days
32 family members seen
12 book club friends hugged
3 waterskiing bruises
2 movies
1 tub of Eucerin (kids with dry, dry skin)

Wow! We packed so much in! Here are a few pictures to get you salivating, then I will post the novel....