Just in case you wondered...it WON"T flush!

So, just a question...what's the best thing YOUR kids have flushed down the toilet? Well, I'm hoping that I discovered the last of my exciting surprises for a while. It all started on Tuesday night...when the water heater stopped working. No biggie, right? Just re-light the pilot light and forget about it. Until about 18 hours later when you desperately need a shower...

As the toilet in the downstairs proceeded to flood everywhere...it got a little crazy here. I don't like messes...and germs...so you can imagine my happiness when I was questioning the kids and Kolbe and Kenna both said that Avery flushed the toilet paper down. Avery assured me she didn't, obviously...but I discovered something here. Just in case you're wondering...the spring-loaded toilet paper holder thingy(is that technical enough?) and the toilet paper roll, won't flush. At least not effectively. It just becomes a ticking time bomb...Nate was busy with Young Men's so guess who did the job? That's right...Julie Pitcher...aka...the Plumber. I removed the old toilet, hauled it outside(sure the neighbors loved that) and installed a brand new one all by myself. Yeah, I know, impressive...and disgusting. Probably the worst thing I've ever done. My dad can't believe I didn't just clean the old toilet up and put it back. Ummmm....no. It wasn't completely unnessary spending..it was an ugly toilet, rusty and it ran non-stop. It was just a ways down on my list of wanted repairs. Not any more. Its a brand new beauty. And it doesn't leak. (yet)

Then I tucked kids in and thought I'd shower to clean up. And the water heater still didn't work! So, the plumber came Thursday and the needed part had to be air mailed from out of state and it didn't get here till today-Saturday. So, no hot water heater since Wednesday. But we are back in business today on all accords...and this is a pic of my proud moment as a plumber!

More of this morning

Some more pics of the kids at their desks...yes I'm one of those moms! And then Avery and Eli wanted some pics...they felt left out. But by the time I took Avery's picture Eli discovered the fish tank and was on to bigger and better things. Thank goodness it was tall and seemingly Eli-proof!

The First Day of School

So after MUCH anticipation(most of which by me) the big day is over! Kenna couldn't get to sleep last night because she knew today she'd finally have access to the stack of new clothes she's been staring at in the top of her closet for weeks. After an hour and a half I finally threatened to put her laid-out outfit of brand new stuff back up top and make her wear old clothes if she didn't go to sleep. That did it...she was asleep in no time. Funny what motivates her.

Kolbe has been seriously counting down the time to wear his cool 'skater' outfit. Its amazing how the attitude of "cool" is just an extra bonus with these clothes. Like his picture? Straight from Great Falls, Mt. to the hood in two seconds flat! He's a kick in the pants.

Kenna had me braid her hair last night so it'd be curly today. She looked great..

Both kids reported they had "awesome" days at school...so the fun begins. Kolbe brought home football sign ups...dance starts next week!

Happy Anniversary

Well, its official...we're on the downslide! (hee heee)We've now become old married people, with 11 big years under our belt! I know...its not that long, but its amazing to me that its gone that fast. A huge thank you to my parents who watched the kids for us so we could escape. My dad came Friday afternoon and helped for a few more hours on the deck... and we got out of town and headed for Billings. The Super 8 offers HUGE discount for people going to the temple...so, we stayed there and it was surprisingly nice...it even had continental breakfast(which we didn't eat because-hello, no children, we slept in!) We did a session in the morning and one of the workers was a guy that we were good family friends with when I was way younger. So that was fun. Also President Rollins, who was in our ward when I was a tiny little girl, recognized me and said hello. Its amazing that people recognize you when you're all grown up! We shopped and ate ourselves sick on salad and breadsticks at Olive Garden, and then I drove the golf cart while Nate golfed(its as close as I'll come to golf!) We picked up the monkies today at mom's and are so so glad to be home again tonight. I love my family...the alone time with Nate was fabulous...but there's nothing quite like having the kiddos crawling all over you and telling you they missed you.

A quick side note...the deck is now well over budget and thank goodness its beautiful because it would be hard to love the money pit!

Posers

The girls are the hugest posers ever...Kenna makes me take a picture a few times before she's convinced that its just the right position. And Avery just started this particular pose...not sure where either of them came from! I am absolutely amazed at how different girls and boys are from the very start. The boys are content to wrestle and romp and the girls dream of glitter and lipgloss. Kenna thinks she'd like to nominate me(and my sister Cami) for that TLC show 'What not to Wear'. She gets all excited when I wear a colored cotton shirt...calls it my 'fancy clothes'. That's sad huh? There's a lady in our ward the girls' absolutely adore...she's very fashion-esque...and the girls dream of being just like 'Suzette'. Its a hoot-I'm curious at what age they'll outgrow their love of dresses and stuff? Hopefully not too soon, as it makes Nate and I laugh every day.

Only one week left

Today the countdown begins...one week til

school. Its been a crazy summer but I think the kids have had tons of fun. I totally caught all the kids' personalities in this pic...can you guess which two are my crazy-kiddos?

Say Cheese

Eli wanted his hair like 'Bo-Bee's', which is Kolbe for those who don't do baby talk. And he's fascinated with the digital camera, we could sit and take pics and let him look at himself for hours. He is a goof...he came flying in the house this morning and trudged over to me and just slopped a big wet kiss on my face and said, " I wuv you mom!" And then he was gone...he is the craziest kid but he is my little snugglebug, and I love him!