Camera Cords Arrived!

My new cord from the camera finally arrived so I can pull the pictures from Hunter's graduation. So- a little late, but necessary to include!

The standard pose

at this point he already wants to kill me for taking so many pictures

proud parents

Owen could care less about the occasion

Grandma and Poppy getting some smiles from Quinlin

An attempt of a picture with me and my girl... have I mentioned I am in hardly any pictures with my kids???

Hunter doing the intro processional

Angry because we (as luck would have it) found seats directly where he was sitting.

Looking back to see if we were still there....

Enough pictures already!

I will give you a cheesy smile if you stop. 

Singing in the choir

Us afterwards

Semi- Wordless Wednesday

What happens when we try to take self- portraits

silly boy

Tell All Tuesday

My random rumblings of the day:

• We had a really nice weekend. We celebrated my MIL's birthday Friday night with a cookout at my BIL's. It's always so nice to get the kids together and watch them play. We missed my SIL who was in DC (Hi Jen) but look forward to seeing her this coming weekend.
• Saturday night we went to a really nice dinner at Ken Stewart's Lodge. We had a great time celebrating the birthday of my girlfriends husband and celebrating a night out before their baby boy is born. I cannot wait to hear what they choose for a name. Now I understand why everyone hated not knowing what Quinlin's name was going to be. We went back to their house and I tried to help organize the baby items. So hard to believe my babies were ever so small.
• Sunday we hung around the house all day. I didn't even dress the kids and my parents came over for dinner after bringing Hunter home to us (who was at Cedar Point on Saturday and loved it)
• Hunter started his summer job yesterday and I think it went well. He is babysitting for the kids who live across the street. The mom works from home, so it gives her a chance to get things done, and gives Hunter a little extra spending money. He's to work every day (or as many days as he can) for about 3-4 hours a day.
• He leaves tonight to see his dad for a few days. I told him he had a job now, so needs to make sure he is home for work on Thursday. So independent.
• Sean organized the storage room in the basement on Sunday. I went through a box of old cards and saved a few notes from relatives near and dear to my heart who I don't get to see due to distance. I'm almost jealous of my sister who travels to see everyone. Maybe someday.
• I've been more into the Bachelorette than I thought I would be this time around. I don't really care for Ashley, and didn't think she had the greatest crop of guys, but am liking what I have been seeing so far.
• I'm incredibly addicted to Words With Friends. I'm such a scrabble nerd now. I am horrible but it's fun.
• The babies are good. Quinlin just turned 17 months (yikes). She has started the transition to Toddler 1 at daycare. Yesterday was her first day of going downstairs and spending time with the 18-24 month kids, and also the 25-36 month kids (which included Owen). I was told that Owen was very caring of her on the playground and made sure everyone knew that was his sister and made sure to include him on everything he did. He showed her the slides and climbing toys and helped her do everything. Such a sweet little guy.
• Still waiting for my camera cords to arrive. :(

Goodbye Eighth Grade

Last night was Hunter's Eighth Grade Promotion Ceremony. It was a nice night, recognizing all 400 (est) Eighth graders for their achievements this past school year. My parents came along to root Hunter on as Sean stayed home with the crazies babies.

I went to plug my camera into the computer this morning and my USB cable broke (thank goodness for amazon and ordering another one that should be here in about a week). So- more pictures to follow from my camera as I get them. Otherwise, I was lucky that some friends posted some pictures for me.

What a great night! More pics to follow. Congratulations Hunter- for earning the bear award (3.5 or higher for the year) and for also earning awards in excellence in Science and Social Studies. I am so proud of him!

Um yeah...

tonight this little guy graduates from 8th grade... holy cow.



Our Low Key Weekend

Sometimes the better weekends are the ones where you don't commit to anything and purposely take time for yourselves/ your family. We had no plans, and although at times I was bored as Sean went night fishing, for example, I did enjoy it for the most part.

Friday started with me chopping my hair- yikes! I am slightly bummed because if I would have waited 2 more inches, I could have donated it. Oh well- new goal for next time. But- I needed a new summer do and something different than it ending up in a ponytail every day...

Friday night consisted of Owen discovering his love of water guns

and continued into the rest of the weekend. We played outside...

and went to the pool

and then came home and played with the hose....

and enjoyed popsicles...

Life is good.

SUYL- Favorite Appetizer

Today I'm going to participate in Kelly's Korner's Show Us Your Life Series and the theme is favorite appetizers. I really love making Buffalo Chicken Dip, but I'm sure many people will use that tasty treat for the series. So- to be original we will do Cucumber Toasties. They are so good- and a hit every time we have them. They're refreshing- and just so good!

Here's a pic when we served them at Quinlin's birthday party:

Creamy Dill Cucumber Toasties

courtesy of allrecipes.com
INGREDIENTS

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

• 1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise

• 1 French baguette, cut into 1/2 inch thick circles

• 1 cucumber, sliced

• 2 teaspoons dried dill weed

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, dressing mix and mayonnaise.

2. Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture on a slice of bread, and top with a slice of cucumber. Sprinkle with dill. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

I tend to start with a half of the Italian dry seasoning mix and add more to taste. Sometimes it can taste too salty if I use the whole thing.

more images from all recipes of the treat... so good. It makes me want to make them now. Enjoy!

Our night

Last night, after dinner, Hunter watched Quinlin and we took Owen to the park. We are so lucky that there is such a nice playground near where we live. The city recently built it within the last few years and it's such a fun place to take the kids. I would have brought Quinlin too, but she was acting every bit of her diva 16 month old self.

Owen had a blast- and it was such a nice night- we didn't want to leave (well, Owen didn't want to leave).

Wordless Wednesday

Quinlin had a blast at the rib cook-off over the weekend. She did not want to get out of the bouncy house.