That's My Son.

Just had to share.

When asked today what his hobbies were, Josh replied...


...eating candy.


**big sigh**

Remember Me?

I'm alive.

I know you were wondering.

We had a really wonderful time with Troy's family in Utah.

We survived the 40 hour drive home.

I have done nothing but clean, go to doctor's appointments and shop for school since we got home.

I hope after the kids get back in school I can actually sit down.

For the record, in the last week we have had five kids visit the dentist (one more to go -- next week), 2 kids visits the pediatrician for shots and physcials (four more to go -- 1 next week), fours kids visit the orthodontist (2 more visits in the next two weeks as Emma gets her braces on), and we also have the audiologist next week and the eye doctor.

Holy crap.

That's what I get for leaving home for seven weeks.

We have also cleaned, cleaned, and cleaned some more. And sadly are not quite done.

The storage room has been organized. The garage has been cleaned. And I have started some home improvement projects.

Photos of the rest of our summer as well as before and afters of the home projects are forthcoming.

Don't give up on me yet. : )

Cali...by the numbers

We are so seriously going to miss Cali. The kids had so much fun...and it was just wonderful to see our family...and a few long lost friends.

So...I know you were waiting for it. Cali by the numbers:

What the kids ate:

4 pounds of m&m's
10 pounds of mini candy bars
46 liters of soda
60 amazing meals
80 individual reese's peanut butter cups

What the kids did:

1 trip to Griffith Park Observatory
2 trips to the beach
3 movies (Dispicable Me, How to Train Your Dragon, and Prince of Persia)
9 trips to the water park
30 (or more) bike rides

The results:

2 exhausted grandparents
8 seriously happy kids (my six and two cute cousins)

We really appreciate and love mom & dad, joe & nia, and lita & steven. We will miss you all terribly.