breaking up is hard to do

i have tried at least 3 times between my last post in june and now to write a new post, but i failed each time (obviously).  i almost decided to break up with my blog.  but something about shutting it down made me feel really sad.  so, i haven't done it.  :)  then, a friend who recently moved to a little town in idaho started a new blog and i've been visiting it to see how things have been going for them.  i've REALLY enjoyed reading her posts.  so much so that i've been prompted to finally post an update!

(these pics will take you all the way back to the summer)

we took a whirlwind road trip over the summer to visit my grandma.  she's doing great, but aging quickly.  i miss her and still remember how much i loved having her live with us when i was young.

while on our trip to california, i was feeling very nostalgic so we stopped by to see my old elementary school.  glenmoor elementary looks much the same!  the classroom on the back left of the pic was my kindergarten classroom.  i still remember my teacher was mrs. mueller.

the kids loved flying high on the playground!  my second and third grade classrooms are in the back.

my three turkeys got cabin fever on our drive home.  they decided to surf and model on the top of the car.  :)

our friend claire's 6th birthday!  so glad she is back from japan!

canon beach camping trip.  SO FUN!

the kids wanted to bury chester, and a view of haystack rock in the background.

downtown canon beach.

the girls got their ears pierced on 7-11.  emma was SOOO brave, but her little face caved a little right after she got pierced.  it was so cute.  here is she being brave again showing off her newly adorned ears!

elise was super excited about getting her ears pierced, but refused to go after emma (even though emma didn't even cry).  we asked her if she wanted her ears pierced.  she said yes, but that she was scared.  so allan had a heart-to-heart with her about not letting "fear" overtake her, and she agreed to do it.  you can see she shed a few tears.  :(  boy, were we glad we had two piercers on the job!

a typical summer day in the park.

and just for fun, i gave myself a french manicure because i always think they look so nice on others.  but, they're too fancy for me!