She's my girl...

Ella Jane, she's my princess girl. Just about everyday she chooses a few outfits to dress up in and then she's off to pretend. Yesterday, she was Fancy Nancy and politely informed me that I could call her Fancy. Nancy. Or Fancy Nancy. Very clever to have three names like that. Her princess cell phone would ring (that she's borrowing from her cousin Leah; which is huge for her by the way...the whole what can I borrow today thing) and she would say "Hello?, oh Hi Yuko, it's Fancy Nancy"...and proceed to walk around the yard during her conversation. It was too funny and very precious.

Her days have been so full of activities and cousins that by mid afternoon, she just plain conked out in the chair while watching one of her programs. It's all in a day's work for her and we'll start again tomorrow.

He's a big boy now...

Matthew started First Grade today and if I was actually there to send him off I'd have the pictures to prove it. But I wasn't. Not even close. The girls and I are still out west visiting family (going on 5 weeks now) so I missed the big first day event.

Jim bless his heart is doing a fabulous job at home managing everything by himself. Orientation; meeting the teacher, paperwork, school pictures, paying fees...all of the things I normally would have taken care of are now his job, not to mention his very own full time job at the University. I know he'll be glad to have us return to ease some of that burden!

The girls and I have had a wonderful time together taking advantage of the waterfront/harbor near my mom's house and walking the dog at the dog park every morning...with coffee and hot chocalate as a treat afterwards.

Four more days until the wedding. My sister has done a fabulous job on her dress, three bridesmaid's dresses, and two flower girl's dresses. Ella Jane and her cousin are flower girls and are pretty much giddy with excitement. EJ asks daily, "can I wear my wedding dress today?", "can I wear my wedding shoes?" She will feel like a princess no doubt come Saturday.

A few more...

Just a few more I couldn't resist.

What I've been loving...

for my kids... is cousin time with their kids. There are 10 kids amidst our siblings both Jim and I (including our own), and we've loved all the playtime our kids have gotten with them.

They've been loving it too.

In very random order...

you'll see bits and pieces of our trip out West. We went sailing last week with my mom and Chas. Jim and I had a wonderful time. It's been 3+ years since we've last been out and what a treat it was to set sail again. Except that we didn't do anything to actually help sail the boat. Chas. and crew did that. We simply sat and enjoyed. Well, that and corralled children, put life jackets on and off, fed babies, and took pictures!

Campout '09...

My mom held the first annual Suyetsugu, Gunn, Harris campout last weekend. All of these kids are her grandbabies. Can you figure out which ones are siblings? They are all actually mini-me's of their mom's and/or dad's. The big kids had the task of holding Sara down and they did their job fabulously! Notice the grip? (Sorry for the underline...)




Well, the presentation of this post will be a little bit random since I'm not on my own computer. Other computers do funny things with my picture placement. Enjoy in random order, pics of the recent campout at my mom's house. I realize I have no pictures of the tents but almost everyone really did sleep outside.









Ella Jane very eager to get her m&m for sitting in the picture. Actually they all were very eager but I love how Ella Jane's hand is shooting straight up. How else are you going to get 7 young kids to sit for a picture? Behind these smiling faces is Auntie M. jumping up and down with a colorful bowl of candy!



Sara has had a bit of a rough ride as of late. Diagnosed with her third ear infection a week ago she's been none to thrilled to be out of mama's arms for more than a nano second the last two days. She's feeling better today and joined the big kids for some fun playtime this evening. It's fun to see her run around and laugh again!

Long summer days=dirty bathtubs at night...

The above is true when we were visiting Jim's family in the country. Life was full of outside play, animals, driving lessons in the old pickup, harvest, heat, and dust. The bathtub was literally covered with dirt at the end of Sara and Ella Jane's bath that I had to get new water for Matthew.

Lots of fun with all of our families, cousins, and grandparents.

And...

Three more weeks until the wedding.

Sara came down with an ear infection.

Jim and Matthew go home this Friday.

A few more friends to visit.