Staying in touch

I think I have mentioned in the past that technology is a wonderful thing.  In particular, technology helps me to be able to keep up with my 4 married children and their little ones on a regular basis and see how they are all growing both physically and spiritually.  I love checking in on Facebook and seeing new posts they submit to their blogs.  As we all know blogging comes on a regular basis at times and sometimes it takes a back seat.  Either way, the updated posts they each make are a joy to see when you live 100's of miles away.  So as you may have guessed, this post is about thanking technology and on sharing the blogs of my kiddos.  JULI is a photographer and I love seeing the latest posts and updates of her darling kids.  HEATHER (daughter in law) is also a photographer and I love seeing her precious kiddos as well and keeping current with their lives.  Christie hasn't come around to the world of blogging yet but at least I get to see her and her little on Facebook!!  ROBYN is the newest of our family to enter the blogging world and she does well updating too.  (unlike her mother)  She loves to write and share all about her life with husband Luke and beautiful new baby daughter Charlotte.  

As I have said, this is a post about sharing and loving technology.  That said, (again) I invite you to share in the musings, sighs, events, photos, ups, downs, and all the simple and complicated things that motherhood can bring to us all, including now, the lives of my girls.   Click the names below the pics to check out their latest blog post!!!

Robyn and Luke

Juli and Kelly

Vance and Heather

Oh, and speaking of technology AGAIN......

We got these little gems on Amazon (did I ever say how much I love amazon?) for Christmas.  We use them all the time.  Who would have thought?  Trips to the Y, when the girls take the dog on a walk, when running around the park, or wherever or whenever we need to stay somewhat connected. They are way cheaper to run than cell phones and have up to a 30 mile radius.  They were so worth buying.  We've decided that we need to at least purchase on more pair and by putting them all on the same frequency keeping up with the locations of our kids will be even easier.  Like next week we plan to spend a week at Wisconsin Dells and I am sure these will come in handy more than ever!!

Click the pic to read more about these awesome little "toys"

Wordless Wednesday-Vance, Vance, Vance, & Vance

Colorado family Christmas 2013

We had an amazing family Christmas in Glenwood Springs, Colorado with our kids.  It was so great seeing our 4 married kids since they all live out of state.  We had family coming from Wisconsin, Idaho, Washington, and Arizona meeting up in Colorado with Juli and Kelly hosting.  She showed us a great time and we were able to make wonderful memories.  Juli you are great for hosting such a big crowd and we had a great time.  Earlier in the month we were able to travel to Ohio to spend a few days with my mom and celebrate Christmas early with her.  It is pretty safe to say that our December was busy and amazing.  I love our family.   (Unfortunately my pictures are few because forgetting about the camera is so easy to do when such special times are happening and I just want to enjoy the moments) Kelly bought a karaoke machine and we did manage to get lots of video footage which was great.  Many laughs accompany them!

Kim and Emma dreaming while in Ohio!

Brynlee, Juli, Ambreigh, and Beckham.  I love your sweet smiles.

Some fun snuggles during some family time!

Playing puzzles with Grandma!

Baby Vance loved his popsicles. And I love him!

Juli too her 5 baby sisters and her daughter Aubryn out for a girls night!  They had a great time enjoying some sweet treats and big sis taking them shopping!  Its hard to tell which one is the mom and big sis!  She's the one with the green sweats.  Such sweet ladies.  From left to right-Aubryn, Mary, Emma, Janai, Juli, Makenzie, and Kaydee

Apparently there is only ONE way to eat a chocolate covered strawberry.  Thanks Mary for the tutorial.

Colorado/Christmas/Family Fun

Christmas Eve day was we spent at the Glenwood Springs, Colorado Hot Springs pool with our family.  It began snowing during our swimming which made it even more special.  Thanks Juli for the family gift.  We had a great time!

Christie, Jeff, Robyn and Luke

Mary and Janai just in time for the picture!

Christie and Robyn

Instead of forming the line "outside" of the pool to wait their turn on the diving my family decided to stay put in the water rather than freeze standing outside the pool!

It wasn't easy to gather everyone together for a big group shot but we got a few together for a pose.  The others were off swimming or diving off the board!

We spent one of days in Manitou Springs and visiting Garden of the Gods with Aunts, Uncles, and lots of cousins!  Here are some of my girls posing with mama!

Makenzie and Mary

Mary

August happenings, Ohio, and Six Flags

I had an opportunity this month to trek to Ohio to see my mom and sister.  I took our truck and two of our girls with me.  Not all of the kids wanted to go since we will be taking another trip soon.  I idea of driving so much didn't appeal to them at all.  At the end our stay we got to meet up with daughter Christie, her husband and his family as they were in the middle of taking a 21 state trip!  It was fun to see her for a couple days which is very nice considering she and Jeff live in another state!  Here are a few pics from our trip and some from home as we wrap up the month of August!

Driving all day can sure where a guy out.

Mary was ready for bed after arriving at Grandma's house.  She promptly prepared it herself and was ready for sleep!

Right before heading out in the country to grandma's the girls were treated to Dairy Queen.  Funny how that hardly ever happens when there are 10 or 12 of us or more! But 2 kids - totally doable!

My little princesses!

swimming in Columbus, Ohio

Saying bye is NEVER any fun!  

And now on our way home!

Taking a lunch and driving break the girls were playing and Mary ran into a problem.  Or should I say the problem ran into her.  She was very sad!  She got stung by a wasp on her lip and on her tummy! Way too much for any kid!  Hugs are a must!

Our problems didn't end with wasps stings.  My totally trusted truck decided to act up somewhere in Indiana!  Actually it began in Ohio but I thought I could make it home for daddy to fix it.  Christie's father in law discovered that she was leaking diesel.  GREAT!  It was very small at first but by the time I got to Indiana I realized it HAD to be dealt with.  Fortunately it only needed a fuel filter and it wasn't more serious but it did put me behind in driving.

However it was nearly worth the pit stop since we got to visit this quaint little town of Dublin.  And I thought my town of only 650 people was small.  Not so!  Dublin is smaller.  And very cute!  We spent our time waiting on the truck in their public library.  The index card in the front of the book totally through off my girls!  The library was actually in a house.  Isn't is just so quaint and homey!

Home again and some scenes from our month of August.

These guys have already done P90X.  Apparently that wasn't enough for them as they are now doing INSANITY!  And I will tell you - It is INSANE!  Just the warm up alone is a workout!

Emma was caught doing something other than cleaning her room!  I thought I didn't hear anything coming from her room!!!!!  But I must admit!  Getting caught reading isn't such a bad thing!

Our only August birthday.  Janai had two celebrations. One in Ohio and one at home. How cool is that!

A fun mommy's day out with my girls! Hobby Lobby, THE bakery, Barnes and Noble......FUN!  And of course a trip to the grocery store.  My most un-favorite necessary nuisance ever!!

And obviously proud of it!

I agree!

Enjoying the last days of summer

August brought us the best blessing of all.  A new baby.  Brynlee Eliza was born to Vance and Heather on the 22nd!  Such a beautiful growing family!

A VISIT TO SIX FLAGS CHICAGO

Five of the older kids had a great day in Chicago!

My heart is forever family!

I love it that I can take claim to this group!  Life is good and I am thankful!  There's just one thing that makes these photos imperfect.  And that would be the absence of Kelly, Aubryn, Beckham, Ambreigh,(Juli's hubby and kids) Heather, Gemma, and baby Vance! (Vance's wife and kids)

Just some hanging out photos.  But they are a treasure to me!