Don't Blame us, Blame Facebook

It's been a month since I got home and I've loved every minute of it.  I go back to work tomorrow, finally, but I thought I'd post a few things since it has been a while.  Here's a video from when I went to Reili's school to surprise her:

Here's a video of Amberly when she came home from preschool:

Of course, Wesley didn't remember me, but it only took a couple of weeks before he was my buddy again...  The kids wore me out...  They all wanted to spend time with daddy.  This is just an example:

My Favorite Decoration

Just before Tom came home I was able to finish (with the help of my wonderful friends) a project I had been working on for a few months.  It didn't really take a few months to do, just a few hours but somehow I could never get a round to finishing it.  Now it is my favorite decoration in our home and I wish I had done it sooner.  The picture has been up for several months (and part of my blog for even longer), but I finally got the vinyl lettering done a couple weeks ago and didn't post it then because I didn't want Tom to see it until he got home.  I love the saying...my friend saw it somewhere but it read "Land"  instead of "Home".  It definitely fits with the picture perfectly.  I love it!

Guess Who's Back?

Wednesday I was able to take a trip to St. Louis to pick up Tom.  It was so great to be together again after so long.  We were able to stay the night and then came back to Rolla on Thursday afternoon and reunite with the kids.  They were so surprised and happy.  I only got them on video, so we will have to see if they will upload.

My first glimpse of Tom at the airport in St. Louis.

So happy together!

MWC Swimming Championships

Last weekend I was able to drive down to Oklahoma City to attend the Mountain West Conference Swimming Championships.  My niece Annie swims for the University of Utah and I have lived away from the family for so long that I have never been able to see her swim.  I took a much needed break from our kids (thanks to Rachel) and took my friend Kari along for the ride.  We had a great time watching the events, shopping, eating, staying up way too late, playing cards, and even seeing a movie (a rare occurance for me).  Annie did great coming in 3rd in the 100 breast, and 2nd in the medley and freestyle relays.  All in all the weekend was a great success.

Kari and I pose in the stands between events.

Annie gets ready for the women's freestyle.

Annie soars into the pool during the women's freestyle relay.

The U of U swim team sings the fight song at the end of every evening.

Annie and I after the meet ends Saturday night.

Joe (my brother), Julie (his wife), Jane, and Annie at the team dinner at Earl's BarBQue after the meet ended.  The team rented out the whole restaurant and we filled it.  Yummy!

Reili Turns 7!

Happy Birthday to....Reili!  She turned seven today and was so happy it was her birthday.  She has been counting down for months and days.  Before she fell asleep tonight I asked her if she had a fun birthday and she said, Yes!  It all started with....

The new Hannah Montana cereal she chose to get for her special birthday breakfast.  (You just can't get away from Hannah Montana anymore...she is even taking over the cereal isle).

Reili and Amberly were both excited for this breakfast.

Then we got all ready and took donuts with chocolate icing and sprinkles to Reili's first grade class.  Here she is at her desk with her teacher Mrs. Yoakum.

Thanks for having a birthday Reili...this donut rocks!

Somewhere in between the morning and evening Reili learned something at school and got to go on a field trip to the Zone (the local skating rink) and was able to skate with all the first graders.  They planned that just special for her birthday I am sure.  The day was sunny and beautiful so after she got off the school bus, she got to play with friends outside.  Then there was the 45 minute nit removal (yes I found them again...yesterday)....but not to fear we ended the day with a wonderful waffle dinner with her friend Luke....then....

Here she is with her pile of gifts.

Reili opens her favorite present...a digital camera (she didn't know it yet here).  Luke watches and Amberly plays a chicken.

Colgate smile!  She has been wanting colgate total for a while (don't know what is wrong with aquafresh?) so when we were at the store the other day I told her I would buy it for her birthday (being the thrifty mother I am).  She thought it was great that I wrapped it and everything (who knew toothpaste could be a great gift).  This was something she probably really needed after all the sugar we ate today.

Somehow I didn't get any still pictures of her cake...only a video with me in it that I don't want to post.  Her pick for cake this year was actually Pumpkin Bars.  While it was delicious it really wasn't anything gorgeous to look at, so no need for a picture.  Reili loves things made from pumpkin and this is the second year in a row she has asked for a pumpkin desert.  I can't believe my little baby girl is already 7!  What a great birthday.  The only thing missing was...

Her Daddy!  We miss you and love you, Tom!