Christmas Already?

I know, long time no post. So here's Halloween pictures. I made Meghan a Tinkerbell dress, which she wore to our party, the GS party, to town Halloween day, and trick or treating here (we went to the church parking lot for "trunk or treat", where the church members bring their cars, decorate the open trunks (one lady had real candles!), dress up and hand out candy, and to 3 houses on the street). Jenna was Cinderella (purchased dress), didn't want the purple tulle skirt with it, wore that to our party and in town and then wore a purple cat costume trick or treating (much warmer). They had a lot of fun, but they don't eat most of the candy people give out. We carved a few pumpkins, did one with lite-brite type pegs that get pushed/pounded into the pumpkin - they liked that!

In case anyone hasn't heard, my beaded doll is in a competition, you can read about it here.

Christmas is fast approaching. I have Meghan's school pictures, Jenna's should be here soon hopefully, so they can go out in the Christmas cards. Both girls chose to wear the same shirts they did last year! It makes it really easy to notice the subtle differences in their faces. Last year Meghan's front teeth were growing in, this year it's the next ones over. A little more shopping to do, and that's done. Maybe I'll even have time to do some baking this year! I'll update the kids wish lists on the side after I'm done typing this.

Tomorrow is the last popcorn delivery day for me. I've been dealing with the BSA popcorn sale for 10 years, and I'm stepping down. Ship out the popcorn, collect the money, one more trip to Everett office, and I'm done. No more crazy Sept-Oct-Nov!

Meghan is officially a Daisy Girl Scout, and loving it. The girls and I have gone to the school skate nights, and their first movie night at school (first time seeing a movie with a group of people, and on a big screen - did very well!). Busy, busy, busy!

First Day of School, 2009

Jenna's first day was Wed the 16th, Meghan's 9/2. These pics are from Jenna's first day. She gets to ride the same bus as Meghan in the morning. We waited for the bus over 15 minutes, figured it must have come really early, so I told them to go home, I'd take them (Meghan rides her bike). Just as I got around the corner, I heard the bus. So I walked back to the road, told the (substitute) driver we thought we missed her, and that I'd take the girls in. Jenna was so happy to go to school! It's the same group of kids, and the same teacher, so they're probably already back into their routines. The bus got there on time today. I didn't have much time home alone since I ran some errands Wed, but Thur was great - actually got to exercise and get some beadwork done.

Busy, Busy

Well, like normal, last week was crazy! We went rollerskating Tuesday, to Anacortes parks with a friend Wed, Thur was speech and errands, Friday we went to Fort Casey with friends, Sat we went for a train ride with friends - Whew! I was glad Mark decided NOT to go get firewood Sun, we just needed to unwind.

So, some of you may be wondering about our trip to GA/FL. I actually made a list of parts of the trip to blog about, so I can do it in sections! So todays segment is on our road trip to FL....

Grandma took me to the rental car place, but they didn't have the car yet - they were being driven down from Macon. So I had them come and get me when the car was available. I got a white (no surprise there!) Toyota Yaris. Excellent gas mileage, not great on hills, and NO cruise control or power door locks - I now totally appreciate those things! We drove down to Leahan's, only getting lost on the last little bit, which is amazing considering the construction in Jacksonville - they have signs up with names, but the lane markers are taped over! We made plenty of stops for potty breaks and snacks; and stopped at a Indian Fruitstand place which as a little tourist trap was cool - each of the girls got a shell, and we got hot sauce for my BIL. We chilled out for the rest of the night with Leahan and David, and their Dalmatians, which Jenna got used to quickly - she was herding them around! Next day we went to the horse farm Leahan's daughter lives/works at, and saw baby horses/ponies. Her daughter has a beach club membership - boy is that place nice! We had fun in the surf for a while, played in the pool, had great hamburgers at Five Guys, and played in Leahan's pool when we got back. The next day we headed back to GA, stopping at the Okefenokee swamp on the way up. There was nobody but us at the gift shop, and a couple people in the visitor center (aside from employees). We didn't see any alligators, but we can say we've been to the swamp. We made it back to Grandma's in time for dinner. The girls did absolutely wonderful - the driving was around 7 hours each way, and I didn't hear a single whine. I had taken some of their toys with us, and the girls played, slept and sang. They are true road warriors!

Bear with me...

Computer demons, weed demons and life are intruding on my blogging time, so it may be a bit longer until you can read about our great adventure - and see some of the almost 300 pictures I took! I'll have some great stories to tell, as soon as I get a chance!

Your Majesty

Thur a friend picked Jenna up from school so I had time to go to the Quilt Museum in LA Conner. They always have such cool textiles, but they don't open until 11. We had a fun weekend, just kicking around the house (literally sometimes, Meghan loves playing withe her soccer ball). Mark took them to speech Sat, so I had some time to myself, which was refreshing. Mark took them for a ride on the mower yesterday (no blades engaged) (picture). They were playing at King and Queen for a while today (picture). Jenna fell asleep leaning against me on the couch this evening. I woke her up to get a bath, now she's wide awake when she should be sleeping!

And then we...

I apologize for so long without a post. Things we've done - Jenna's field trip to Padilla Bay, Free Kid's Day at the fairgrounds with lots of free stuff to do (Jenna especially loves the bouncy house), took the boat and went fishing, rearranged 8 out of 10 rose bushes and planted a white lilac bush and a snowball bush (I guess they call them pompoms here), put borders around the pumpkin patch and blueberry bushes with new soil and mulch, Meghan lost her 7th tooth and had sealant put on a set of molars, life went by faster than I want it to! (picture is Meghan at Rasar park enjoying the oddly warm river water)

I am sewing up a frenzy making some dresses and clothing for the girls to wear in GA. My sewing machine has been giving me fits, but this time I think we've got it fixed. I couldn't sew when people were sleeping, it thunk-thunked so bad. We've got 8 days of school left, then a trip to the zoo, and only 16 days until we fly. Meghan's psyched about the zoo, and knows that a few days after the zoo she's riding a jet airplane. (picture is Jenna on fieldtrip, looking very philosophical - I also have shots of scientist, gymnast, rock climber and architect)

Mark has been busy working, and doing yardwork when he has time (all that planting and borders, a truckload of soil and one of mulch). He's still working 5-6 days a week. At least we got to take the boat and go fishing, so we can say we at least got it wet this year!

There's now 2 houses for sale on the street (including Fort Knox - again!), and the neighbors to our west may move soon too - they have a 2 bedroom house, and are expecting their second child. They tore out most of the landscaping the previous person spent so much time putting in, and now they're looking at moving. Oh well, it's not my yard - that keeps me plenty busy!

Dentist, Fort Casey

We went to Fort Casey on Whidbey Island for mother's day. It's a large concrete structure, with paths, a beach and a great kite-flying area. You could literally put the kite up in the air a good ways and just stake the end of the string down and let it fly by itself. The girls had fun exploring the different paths and all the nooks and crannies in the buildings.

What kid cheers when they go to the dentist?! Mine do! We went for their regular cleaning, and the girls go in together, but without me. I could hear them giggling in the waiting room! Meghan goes back in 2 weeks to get molars sealed, and the dentist requested that he be the one to do it! I'm not sure how long it will last, but I'm glad they like to go, it's easier than dragging them in kicking and screaming!