Welcome To Our Crazy Life....

A new look and Format!

I've been trying to figure out a way to update the blog more regularly and keep everyone updated. but the truth is, I never have time to commit to do this like I used to. but I don't want to get rid of the blog. so here's what I came up with and what my plan is. for anyone who is still checking this...

I'm going to a newsletter format. and hope that by the 15th of each month to have a newsletter put together for the previous month's happenings in our house with pictures. then you'll just see one post each month recapping everything. maybe that will be more manageable? anyone?

in addition, I'm changing the blog's look yet again...and when I get home should be putting the finishing touches on that....

Also...one last thing. be looking for a photography only blog from me very soon...I have lots of things to post there! :)

that's it for now, check back this weekend! xoxox

ready for hip hop compitition, well almost..

the kids are almost ready for the compitition, it's next saturday...they are doing okay, just a few small things to work out. tonight we have Tyler's band concert, we had McKenna's school program on Tueday and gymnastics and dance of course...also roy and I leave tomorrow for Florence for a few days. I need to buy some time...anyone??  here's the kids at practice last night...so cute!

Flash Hail??

STARNGE weather we've been having here. it was 80 on Saturday and 50 today. cold! and they said summer would be later than usual this year. ugh. I am ready for sunshine and warm weather for a while!  nothing exciting here, I have piano today and haven't practiced, mcKenna has gymnastics and tyler has play practice, his new play opens this friday, I can't wait for all of it to be done! Received an email from the acting school the kids attend, Nickelodeon will be here the 29th for auditions, Tyler really wants to do this, I hope he has time...would be good experience for him.

My birthday yesterday was nice, Roy cooked yummy dinner for me, so that is ALWAYS a bonus! and he brought me the most beautiful Roses, I'll have to get a picture of them. but my favorite gift was ROOMBA! the robot vaccume. I love it, and really wanted one. so happy! can't believe I am 34 now. doesn't feel any different than 25? how is that? but all in all, so lovely. I received many nice cards, thanks Aunt Yo, and grandma and grandpa! we went out Saturday night and danced and sang Karaoke, what could be better? Chad (the DJ at Yun's) announced my birthday every 20 minutes, and said I was a different age each time, was a hoot!

okay, better go practice, here's a few pics from the hail storm yesterday! one picture of the actual hail, and one of the dogs staring out the window wanting to go and play in it!

it's gorgeous here today..

75 degrees and SUNNY. clear skies. warm. green grass. spring is here!! too bad it will be gone again tomorrow and the rain will return on Monday along with 50 degree weather. but for today we are enjoying it. the yard looks great, the house is clean and roy and the girls are washing the cars.

We are going out with some friends tonight to Yun's to boogie down and celebrate my 34th birthday (it's monday), we will sing Karaoke, dance and have a blast. I'm so thankful for the friends I have, and look forward to another fun year!

well..this is short, but I hate to post without pictures..so let me see what I can find!

here's one of McKenna surrounded by buttons all over the floor. LOL.

  Tyler and his friends right before getting on the bus to outdoor school. he had a GREAT TIME. loved it, and made lots of new friends. I remember outdoor school and it was the highlight of my 6th grade year. so glad they still do this in the schools. so important!

  I did some photos for a friends daughter for her 4th birthday. she's shy so I had her pose with McKenna for some. they thought they were too cute and too funny (which they were!)

and just for fun, here's one of Allison and Roy at McKenna's gymnastics meet playing hand slap (haven't had time to edit hers yet!)

McKenna's Gymnastics Meet

McKenna had her first meet of the year for gymnastics. she did really well on the floor, beam and especially Vault. Not so great on the bars, it is definately her weakest event. yikes! I did take video of all four events, only two the right way. ugh. so I'm sharing the Floor routine with you. not bad for being only 5 years old. she also walked away with two additional awards, fastest run for vault and straigtest arms for floor. woot woot! enjoy!

UnPubbed #4 - another Fav.

I love this LO for many reasons. But right now, the biggest one is that our beloved cat Brutis was killed shortly after this photo was taken. I'm so glad I captured this. I miss him everyday. thanks for letting me share!

No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth..

although, if you try and keep up with us on my blog you may think so. these past few months have been crazy. trying juggle life, scrapbooking, work, spending time with the kids, running said kids around. I feel pulled in a hundred directions sometimes. but we are here, and everyone is okay, healthy. doing well. so no worries there.

Tyler goes to outdoor school this weekend for 5 days with his 6th grade class, so exciting, I loved outdoor school so I know he'll learn a lot and make some new friends!

McKenna has her second gymnastics meet coming up next Saturday. will be long, but worth it, she's getting so good, so it's a lot of fun to watch her!

Easter was fun, my dad, mom and brother and family were here. we did a few photos (I forgot to get Roy in any..oops. he was mad!) but we hadn't taken pictures together for a long time. so that was fun! I'll be putting the rest of the pictures on my photography site once they are edited in the next few weeks, so be checking for those!

Peter Pan was a huge success, if you haven't seen the photos head over to my photography site and check them out. Tyler was AMAZING!! http://jchastainphotography.smugmug.com/

A little braggin...I can't help it!

McKenna had a GREAT week in Gymnastics. She's been taking gymnastics since just before she turned 4. She was moved up quickly and has a really great talent for it. she's now only 5 1/2.

I took these pictures on Tuesday at practice. it's the FIRST time she's done a hand stand on the balance beam by herself (with her coach spotting her of course!) the second is of her dismount from the handstand and the last is her cartwheel off the beam. I'm so so PROUD!! she has a meet coming up in april. we're super excited!!

sorry the pics are AWFUL. low light and had to use the telephoto lens due to distance, but I'm happy to have had my camera and caught the moment! thanks for letting me share!!

busy schedule...and I mean busy.

I have so much to post about. seriously. but this is this week's schedule.

Monday: Tyler's dress rehearsal for Peter Pan, which I'm photographing - 5pm - 9pm

Tuesday: Dogs to groomers 12:30 PM

piano Lesson:3:45 - 4:45

McKenna to gymnastics 5:00 - 6:30

Allison's school program: 7:00 - 8PM

Wed: Work 7:30 - 4:15

Tyler's dress rehearsal which I'm again photographing 5PM - 9PM

Thur. Work 7:30 - 4:15

McKenna gymnastics 5:00 - 6:30

Tyler's Band concert 7:00 - 8PM

Friday: work 7:30 - 4:15PM

Allison dance practice 6:00 - 8PM

Tyler's opening night for Peter Pan 5:00 - 9:00PM

Saturday: Tyler has 2 performances lasting from 11:00 Am - 9:45 PM.  we are also attending the evening performance and I'm volunteering at the other one.

Sunday: - DAY OF REST. I'm turning my phone off, locking the door and shutting the blinds. I can't believe our schedule is this busy and there isn't a dang thing I can do about it. I need a vacation. seriously. this bites. but when things call down I'll have pictures to post and share!

Favorite Unpubbed Call #3

I love this Layout, and when it was all finished I looked and looked at it for hours! TFL!