The sledding was fun! The kids had a blast and didn't want to go home...even after an hour and a half. I, on the other hand, was freezing and finally lured them home with a promise of hot chocolate.

I went down a couple of times but the snow flying up my pants and in my face kind of made me, well, cold. So I opted to take pictures instead. So now I guess the snow is worthwhile...for sledding anyways!

enough snow already...

I'm ready for some warmth. The plan is to go sledding and snowboarding tomorrow. Maybe that will make all this snow worthwhile.

How long 'til summer? :)

We got the Wii.

It's not only for the kids, but for us adults too. The kids play the kids, the adults play the kids and even the adults play the adults. It's such an interactive game that's really a lot of family fun.

So, we love the Wii. And the Wii loves us. And now to find it a permanent home in the game room. I know how hard it was to find this little system this holiday season and we're very thankful!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MADISON! She turned 8 yesterday, we had the girl party today. Party place? A spa of course. Pedicures and pretty toes were the highlight of these little girls' day. They all had a blast with all this pampering. I think they all want more. Isn't being a girl great!!

GAME ON. TONIGHT. MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL. VIKINGS VS. BEARS.

The brats are on, the chips and dip are waiting and the TV is ready to rock. It's a big game for us Vikings fans (minus the Packer-roid of the house) :)

My brother is a huge Bears fan so we'll be on the phone tomorrow saying either better luck next year or congrats.

I hope the Vikes can get another win. We'll be here cheering them on!

GO VIKES!

Tonight we took a break from all the hustle and bustle of the season and invited our friends over for a Christmas party. I got out the Christmas dishes I got last year and never used along with all the other holiday plates and decorative dinnerware. My table looked pretty cool. I wish coming up with a menu was that easy. At the last minute, I decided to make it easy and cook up 3 different kinds of pasta, two different kinds of sauces, grilled chicken bites to throw in the sauce if desired, Rani's awesome crab rangoons and breadsticks. Heidi brought the dessert and appetizers. We fed the kids first so our sauces were kind of cold and the breadsticks were left in the oven a bit too long but hey, those were some pretty dishes! HA! The kids disappeared together and us adults had some good laughs over supper, wine and beer. A fun way to end the week before a busy weekend and a great way to just spend time with friends. Even if it wasn't the perfect meal!

My 7 yr. old asked me if I was grumpy today. Her question made me stop and think. Yes. I am grumpy. I must have shown it if she asked me. I felt guilty for feeling grumpy. I tried to smile and told her the grumpy monster is bugging me today. She said she knows the feeling.

Unfortunately, the nagging monster didn't go away. I thought I'd make a list of why I am grumpy, thinking maybe it will help make me beat the mood:

1. Too much multi-tasking, trying to get too many things done in too short of time.
2. After literally running on the treadmill and from store to store, my son coming home from basketball wondering where supper was.
3. My daughters arguing again over who said what.
4. My son's eyes rolling when I told him what was for supper.
5. My dog being right in front of my feet at all times.
6. Decided to watch Christmas Vacation to lighten the mood...ended up with daughters arguing again before the opening tune even began.
7. Took older daughter to time away, listened to some crying, some negotiating and finally, let her come back to movie time.
8. Son wanting help with math homework. I had no idea how to show him, he got frustrated, finally finished on his own.
9. Ended up turning movie off after disagreements continued and putting kids to bed.
10.Decided I need to not multi-task so much as this is where the monster begin to rear his ugly head.
11. Going to bed to put the monster to sleep for good. Here's to a new happy day tomorrow!

Sigh!

This is a little past due since Thanksgiving was a couple weeks ago already. But here is my masterpiece of the dinner.

It's not the turkey, not the potatoes but this pumpkin pie. What makes it so special? Well, this was my first attempt (actually 2nd) at making a pie from scratch. My first attempt was about 10 years ago and it failed miserably. I gave up the effort until this year. This year I said the pie deserves another try. And it was good. So good, there were no leftovers. So good my son is asking for another. If you look real close, you can see where it almost spilled over the edge and the many pie "checks" in the middle. See the knife marks? If it comes out clean, it's done. So I kept checking. Not perfect looking, but good.

I have found a new love in pie baking. Who knows, maybe I'll get really crazy and try one of those merangue pies. (I can't even spell it) Then again, maybe i'll just stick to pumpkin for awhile. It's a safe bet.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EMERSON!

She turned 6 yrs. old yesterday and we had the party inspite of the ice storm. The snow didn't put a damper on the fun these little girls had together. Doesn't being 6 look like so much fun?!?

I think back to when I was a teenager, even when I was in my 20's, and I just can't believe how I thought I knew what life was all about. It kind of makes me cringe a little. As I sit here at 36 yrs. old, I look back and realize I knew very little about life and how every circumstance that happened throughout the years molded who I am today. I realize more and more everyday that the people I have met, the places I've been, the situations i've been through, have all been for a purpose. Little did I know that one day, this light bulb would go off and I see how everything comes twofold. My friend Karen came into my life in college. I never knew why she came into my life back then. all I know was she was great to be around and I thought she was such a good, fun person. Over the last couple of years she has come back into my life. And now I realize why.

Her path was meant to have crossed mine. I have been reading her journal, if you will, intently since she has been caring for her mom and I am convinced, her story has made my light shine. I have never met anyone like her before. I have never known anyone with her courage, strength and faith. I have never known anyone with a heart like hers. I think about her mom and how happy she much be to have Karen with her, how much peace that is giving her. I think if I had never met Karen, the light would have never gone off and I wouldn't be sitting here tonight thinking about why this friend came into my life so many years ago. God knew I needed a person like Karen and in His own sweet time, He showed me why.

I have been thinking about Karen and her mom a lot and I pray for her comfort, for these last days together to be filled with peace. The light has gone off. It's not about the clothes you wear, the square footage of your house, the car you drive, the vacations you take...it's so much more than that. It all comes down to the life after this one on earth, where we will all be together again.

You are one amazing person, Karen and I am so grateful to have met you in college and that we can still call each other friends. I pray for you and your mom everyday.

i'm nervous to do this but I think we are going to give my son his own laptop. I just got a new laptop and wasn't quite sure what to do with the extra one. My son has convinced us having his own would be great for homework, playing his own games and he'd even let his sisters come into his room to play their games. Sounds great, but this whole idea kind of worries me at the same time. This whole internet thing in his room....gives me the shivers.

So, my bh and I set some strict rules....his door stays OPEN when on the computer, time limit searching NFL.com and printing Brett Favre posters and letting his sisters play when it's their turn. And my all-time rule, no food or drink at the computer. He agreed whole-heartedly and he's such a great kid, he deserves this bit of added responsibility. So we're going to to do it. He's getting the laptop and my bh and I can enjoy our own computer without Dora popping up asking us to help get rid of Swiper.

Getting his own computer...another sign of my son growing up.

I have a special assignment for my family this year. Before we eat our Thanksgiving meal, we are going to go around the table and say what we are truly thankful for. I want this to be a serious thing so I am giving them a few days to think.

So today my youngest says, "Can we say we're thankful for clowns? Because that's not being silly because what if I really am thankful for clowns?"

I say,"Okay but try and think of something else to go with clowns."

I am really wondering what kind of can of worms I have opened with this task. I'll be interested to hear the responses. And of course, I'll fill you in.

Here was my project for the weekend. My husband loved it. Whew, I'm glad it turned out. I'm glad it's done and now we can just sit back, relax and enjoy it.

So as you know from my previous post, my hubby is out in the wilderness again. Not only is it hunting season, but it's redecorating season. For me. For some reason, when hunting season rolls around, I also get the itch to repaint, move furniture around, etc. Well it's no different this weekend. I'm kind of doing a scene from that old show "While You Were Out".

I've been wanting to redo my basement for the last few months. It's our family room, toy room and office all in one big space. Now that we have this bathroom down here, I decided this room needed a new look to match. My dilema as usual is choosing paint color. I'm terrible at it. I cannot for the life of me pick a color from an itty bitty piece of paper. I know I wanted a shade of brown.....and there are 1000 different shades. So instead of causing anxiety in my life about it, I called a girl I know who owns her own decorating business. I told her I wanted my space to feel like a den, a log cabin. She came over and told me exactly what color to use on the walls, how to move the furniture and what kind of pillows to put on the couch. Awesome. All my decisions were instantly answered for me. So tonight I started the project. 4 hours later, my walls are pretty much done. Sitting back and looking at it, I totally love it. My son was amazed at the difference. I can't wait for my husband to see it. Once I have it all the way done, it really is going to feel like you came in from the wilderness. Especially with these animal antlers on the wall. I think he'll love it. Tomorrow I'll post a photo for you to see. Yep, I think I should have been on that show. I think this will become my favorite room in the house.

Another deer...that's ours, on the left. Today mountain man left for somewhere a couple of hours away to attempt a whack at another unsuspecting deer. I seriously think at this rate, I should turn my house into a lodge. Or maybe a meat locker. Either way, my man is having a great time. Know how I can tell?

Look at the smile... :)

The greatest joy of my business is giving people a photo they will have for the rest of their lives. Nothing is more fulfilling than to take pictures of a family before the husband and father leaves for Iraq...or the 50th wedding anniversary where all the children and grandchildren have traveled for miles to help celebrate...or the child who has never had a professional picture taken...or preserving the memories of a wedding, where there is nothing but happiness. Giving that gift to people is what makes doing what I do so cool.

But I had a different request this week that has been heavy on my heart. It's a sad request, a request that I have never given any thought to before. It came from the OB unit at our hospital and they want to bring a national service to Yankton for families who experience the greatest sadness a family could go through. They want me to be a professional photographer they call upon at the family's request to preserve memories and through those memories would help the family heal. My first thought was no way, I can't do that. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized this is the ultimate gift for someone. This would be their only treasured memory. If I say no, families would never have this precious gift. A part of me would be very sad about that. I feel like God has put this in front of me for some reason. I could give this ultimate gift to people I don't even know and they would carry that memory on for the rest of their lives. But can I handle it? Can I put myself in that position and emotionally handle it?

I have to be honest...I really feel like God is speaking to me. And it's almost strange. I feel different this week. I feel like I am supposed to do this. I feel like he is telling me to do this. I went to the website of this organization that was founded in 2005. There are 3000 photographers worldwide affliated with them. The photos are beautiful. The stories are beautiful. It made me understand these families needed this to help heal, to help keep the memory. As I was searching the site, I came across this quote...

You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give.

For a half hour of my time, a family could begin to heal. Please pray for me and that I make the right decision, that I do what God wants me to do. Not only for me, but for families out there that need this organization in our town.

That's it. I'm doomed to go to any more movies. Not with dry eyes anyway. I took the kids on a date day today...pizza and a movie. Hunting man is sitting in trees all weekend so the kids and I spent the afternoon together. Pizza was awesome and we all decided the movie, "Game Plan" was the one to see. We figured it had a little girl in a ballerina dress and the Rock as a football player so I was covering all the bases! The movie was great and I would recommend it to anyone. But this was a Disney movie and halfway through, my eyes start welling up with tears. Luckily I had plenty of extra napkins from the popcorn bucket to quickly wisk the tears away before the kids saw. Too late. They noticed. It seems like every movie I go to, I always end up crying. And it's not even a sad movie! Just very sweet. And it involves an 8 yr. old girl. I get so sentimental and just can't help the tears.

So I have decided that every and any movie I go to, I must bring extra napkins...some for my buttery hands and some for my tear-stained cheeks. Because it seems as I get older, my sentimental side gets stronger. I'll be waiting to see if there is a movie that DOESN'T make me cry.

I'm on a roll...

Bargain #3: This awesome featherbed I got from HSN (I really need to get to bed earlier so I don't get sucked into these deals) It came with two down pillows. I've been wanting one of these and figured what the heck, I mean it came with two pillows to boot! We put it on last night and it is like sleeping on clouds. On those cold winter nights, it will be great to snuggle up in our bed. I would have attached a photo but it would have also included my sleeping husband...didn't think that would be such a good idea. He didn't come with the bargain anyway! Now I'm off to that comfy bed for some much needed zzzzz's...sweet dreams!

Halloween 2007...a ghostly fun time had by all! Except for the youngest developing a stomach ache about half through trick or treating. I honestly was holding my breath after she said this while we were standing in the doorway of a friend of mine...the doorway of a really, really, nice house...I am accustomed to the after affects of my children saying they have a stomachache. Throwing up usually happens next. But, my girl held up strong to finish up the block. She was not about to give in. We figured it must have been too much party-ing. She never did throw up but the stomachache kind of put a damper on her night. As for the other two, this will be the last trick or treating for my oldest...he has decided he's just too old. Gosh, I didn't know you could get too old. I sported my cat attire the entire day. Maybe that's why he was a little embarrassed when I showed up at his class. ( Oops, must remember he is in 5th grade now.) My middle child loved every minute. She lead the way and memorized every candy in her bucket. Whew. I'm glad it's over and now we can move on to the next holiday. I just hope it doesn't involve candy!

http://www.photographybydeann.com/

It's not fancy, it's not the coolest website, but I think it shows my stuff pretty well. It's better than what I had and the best part is, I can update my photos anytime I want. Which lately has been a couple of times a week. My goal is to keep it fresh, with new pictures every week. You know, change them around a bit.

So for now, this is what I will use. Even if it's not the fanciest site in the world. It's simple. Kinda like my business.

Thanks for checking it out. I hope you like it.

There is nothing more exciting than getting a great bargain. I love it. It's kind of like an adreline rush! Here's my bargains of the week:

Bargain #1: I noticed a fashion trend of skinny pants coming into style. Just when I started liking the bootcut, they bring back the tapered pants. Anyway, I thought I'd try some. On a whim, I found a pair on Ebay, new with tags for $10. The tag said $55. I thought if they don't fit, I'm only out a few bucks. So I bid, won, got them today and I LOVE them. Comfy, cute and maybe will put me in, as least a little bit, with the fashion scene.

Bargain #2: Needed new blinds for our bedrooms. I began shopping for those wooden ones and found they were not cheap, especially for 3 sets. So I waited for a while before ordering, I knew I could get some cheaper somewhere. Then I get this magazine in the mail from an outlet and had the exact blinds I wanted for half the price! I ordered, haven't gotten them yet, and if they don't work, I guess I can put them on Ebay!

nothing like a couple of bargains to make a woman happy all day...

A sneak peek at the family Christmas card 2007. Funny what bribes will do...

It's 1:30 a.m. and I'm working late tonight, getting caught up on all the appointments I've had the last couple of weeks. People have definitely started thinking about the covers of their holiday cards. It's been great, I've met some really neat people and have received some nice thank you's in the mail from people liking their finished pictures. I honestly could take pictures everyday, I just enjoy it so much. When I get behind a camera, I kind of lose myself in the real world and just get caught up in the action in front of the lens. I've done lots of weddings this fall, some seniors and a ton of kids (secretly, they're my favorites). I did a family last week and the dad is leaving for Iraq for the second time on Wednesday. I got him with his family, his wife and just his kids. It will be a great CD he'll get to take with him. I'm glad I got to do that for him. Another family had their full bred St. Bernard with them...she was huge and the sweetest 160-pound dog I've ever met. She posed very well. So with all the families I've been doing, I started thinking about our family and how we need a photo for the xmas card. And if you know the boys in my family, they don't like me mentioning it. My girls are all for it, hair done, smiles on, trying to pose us. So I brought it up one night during a Charlie's Pizza supper and surprisingly enough, they didn't balk. Before anyone could change their mind, I dressed us up, set the timer, bribed my son with a buck, my hubby with a backrub and snapped away. We actually had fun, waiting for the little beeper to go off before the camera flashed. We got the photo. It looks pretty good considering I have ten seconds to get in position! I was going to post the photo but blogger is having a technical difficulty, so it will wait until the next time. Hope you are all sleeping well...


Good night!

My Packer-roid son finally got to see his hero play in person. As you can see, the rest of us, including my dad, cheer for the Vikings. It was quite a sight. No one, not even us, can figure out where the Packer mania came from. He is the only cheesehead in the family. Nonetheless, we got to see Brett Favre break the record for the most touchdowns thrown in a career, which was Dan Marino's until then. (Just in case you wanted to know!) I love NFL football games and even though I'm not a huge Packer fan, I loved watching my son's face when Favre came through the tunnel. And I loved getting to enjoy it all with my dad. I hope we get to do it again next year.

And yes, the Packers ended up winning that day. But I didn't care. It will always be a great memory.

The last month has been so busy and I'm so glad I finally get a breather. It's been a whirlwind, like fall always is. I had many late nights working on customers pictures, helping kids with school projects and making sure I had my pom-poms for all the soccer and football games. Needless to say, my blogging has been next to nothing. One night, I tried to start a new post and I didn't even know where to start. My mind was bouncing around so I decided to wait until life just mellowed out a bit.

So here I am, catching up on my blog-girls posts and savoring the quiet time. I missed blogging. A lot. I hope to never get into that funk again. It's your blogs that add a little something special to each day. I'm sorry I haven't been posting but I have been reading yours and loving it all.

Another great time in the mountains of Colorado for my hubby. He got his elk, his second one, and is completely hooked on this kind of hunting. Yes, we get to eat it and it's awesome. Very healthy and very lean. I'm proud of my bh. Not many people get even one elk in their lifetime and here he has come home with two within 3 trips. He knows his stuff. Next time he says I get to go with. The hot tub in the log cabin sounds perfect to me!

Way to go, honey. Thanks for bringing home our food and incredible stories.

My 5-yr. old baby girl says to me,"Do you know there is a little man that lives in the oven? Yep, he does. He's a little green man and he looks over the food and when it's done, he makes the buzzer ring."

Pause.

"There's a little man in the micowave too. Except he's red."

And that was the end of the story about the little men that tell me when the food is cooked. :)

Paradise City.

This will mean more at the end of this blog. Race day was over a week ago already. Here's my rambling thoughts, mile by mile.

Mile 1: I can't believe how many people are here. This is awesome. I wonder where Rachel is? I'm glad we got to ride the shuttle bus to the starting line. I must get together with her again this fall.

Mile 2: Wow, I feel so good. The weather is perfect and people keep passing me. I wonder where all the Yankton folks are?

Mile 3: I feel like I am going really fast but my watch says I'm okay. Water break up ahead. I think I'll pass that one. Why does my nose run when I run? Kinda embarrasing to have snot all over my face. Hey, I think I know that person from high school...

Mile 4: Okay this is cool. Augustana Viking football players standing in a row cheering us on. That's so neat for them to get up so early to do that. Thank you. Too bad they can't hear me. More football players. They're from USF. Thank you too. Hope they didn't notice my snotty nose.

Mile 5: I really feel like I'm going fast. Oh my gosh, my watch says I did a 7 minute mile. Slow down, I'll won't make it to the end at that pace. Must have been those football players...

Mile 6: I am feeling really, really good. Totally in control. I am sure glad I have my ipod music. This song reminds me of my youngest daughter, she loves to sing this one. Oh I hope they are having fun swimming with grandma. The halfway clock just clocked me at 52 minutes. That means if I keep this pace, I can break my goal of 2 hours! Keep going, just keep going.

Mile 7: I think I know that person too. Wow, these trails are really pretty. I am so glad I got to meet Rani and Bobbi in person. They are such great people. I wonder what they are doing right now? Thank you God for all you do for me and for bringing me to where I am today. Oh this song reminds me of my other daughter! She can sing really loud and I love it. Still feeling good, still feeling good. Sure could use some Gatorade, water is making me feel nausous.

Mile 8: Now I really could use some Gatorade. I wonder how the kiddos are doing at the pool. The hotel was a great idea, we had a blast. I wonder how bh is going in the mountains. I'm sure he is wondering why I didn't answer the phone last night. Too tired, honey, too tired. That pasta buffet with my dad must have worked because I'm still feeling pretty good. Don't check my watch anymore. This song reminds me of my son. He is getting to be such a big boy. I hope he will still let me hug and kiss him before he doesn't want that anymore.
My legs are starting to tighten up, that's never happened before. ugh.

Mile 9: I think I am feeling some cramping in my lower calfs. That doesn't feel good at all. Maybe those carbs from last night are wearing off. I can't stop now or I'll never be able to get going again. So just keep going. Like my bh says, work through the pain, work through the pain. Keep going keep going. Now that guy is really happy. He must run these all the time. Like Carey, I wonder how that girl has such a little butt. Okay God, I really need that Gatorade now. Please don't let it be just water. Ick. Oh thank you. Powerade pit up ahead. How do people drink while they run? Mine ends up all over my face. Oh well, at this point, who's looking?

Mile 10: That last mile must have been measured wrong. That took forever. This must be the point where I hit the wall. I read if you do just keep running and you'll get through it. I can do it. My legs aren't that bad. The tightening feeling seems to be getting worse. Hmmmm, wonder why that is happening. Only a few more miles. I sure feel like prayers are being said for me right now. I'm so blessed to have such amazing people in my life. Man, now that would be a perfect photographic background. This mile is longer than the last. I think they need to measure again.

Mile 11: I think i'm past the wall. Whew. That was rough. Thank god for my music. I wonder where the song Paradise City is? I still love that song. Makes me feel old but I love it. That's funny, in between Newsboys, Switchfoot, 3rd Day and Mercy Me, there's this old Guns N Roses song. If that would just pop up, that would get me going. Wow, I think I am going to break my goal! This is so exciting. Keep running, keep running. Where is Rachel?

Mile 12: It's my song, Paradise City. I feel the adrenaline creeping through my body. My pace picks up a bit. One mile. I think it's so great how all these people are out here cheering us on. Complete strangers. I wish they knew how much I appreciate it. My cramping legs hurt but I must concentrate on the song. I can't wait to see my dad at the finish line. I sure love him. I must have the greatest dad ever. Everything good in me comes from him. One mile left, one mile left...

Mile 13: I'm turning the corner now. Oh thank you God, for getting me through the wall. The people are all over the place clapping, ringing bells. My song is up probably too loud but I don't care. I am totally pumped up and feeling good, except for those darn cramps. Where's my dad? Where is he? There he is! Hey dad, over here!! I go even faster, smile and cross the finish line in my personal best time of 1:53:45. I can't believe it. I really can't believe i did it.

After the race, I limped to the massage therapy tent for some professional treatment. My dad looked worried but soon the legs were fine again. Sore but fine. I am convinced the only reason I broke the 2 hour mark was because of my friends, my family, my blog family, my God and of course...good 'ol Paradise City!

Well, the husband is probably sleeping with the wildlife somewhere in the mountains of Colorado. So with him gone, the kids and I are heading to Sioux Falls tomorrow. After my son's soccer game, we'll be staying in a suite, complete with pool and hot tub. Oohh how the kids are excited. it's kind of like a weekend with just mom. And grandma and grandpa too. The big race is Sunday morning. It's what I've been running around town like a crazy woman for the past 6 months for. I'm excited for it and I can't wait to see all the other people there, including the 14 others from Yankton.

So I know I've said before that I totally am in God-mode when I run. And the other day, while I was running, I realized how blessed I am for this whole blog thing and how many awesome people I have met through this. There are so many times when I read your blogs and don't always get to comment but I just want you to know, that so many of your stories, your advice, your experiences, have totally made such a difference in my life! Know that when I am in the zone of running 13.1 miles, i will be thinking of YOU and YOU will get me to the finish line!! :))

It's that time of year again. My hunter-husband just left for Colorado in search of the biggest elk in the mountains. He went with his hunting buddy and hopefully will find their way through the rugged terrain, meet up with their guide and begin the quest. I'm glad the day is here. He's been waiting a long time for this one. Now I just hope he doesn't come home next week empy handed.

Good luck, my mountain man, bring home the big one.

It's been a crazy week, explaining why my blog is a little outdated. Here was my week in a nutshell...

2 lunch dates with friends

4 football practices

3 soccer practices

1 lunch date with husband

1 wedding shoot

2 wedding consultations

3 family shoots

1 senior shoot

2 photo shoots from previous week to deliver

5 days of school

3 kids to get ready in the morning for those 5 days of school

1 word of the week project due for 2nd grader

6 math problems to help solve for 5th grader

1 school carnival

1 Yankton Bucks football game

1 grill out at friends new house

1 tree stand to help assemble

1 yard to mow

1 yard to mow again

1 Jeep to wash

3 games of Monopoly

2 games of playing makeover

25 miles of running

1,000 prayers of thanks for our happy, busy life!

This was how the sky looked last night after a big thunderstorm. The whole sky looked like a bunch of cotton balls, it was really neat. The second picture my son pointed out...look closely...it resembles an angel.

Hmmmmm...I think that's why we didn't get the softball size hail they predicted. That's what my son thinks too.

My family grew by 3 the last couple of days. The extra children are the kids of our great friends. We met this family when we first moved to Yankton, 13 years ago. We trade babysitting, as well as shopping tactics, recipes, etc. As you can see, their kids are the same age and gender as our kids. So it's an instant bond. Their mom and dad are teachers and had to go back to school a couple of days earlier than the kids so they set up camp at our house. It was fun although I truly don't know how people who actually have 6 children do it! But the girls played dress-up and the boys played football and I just held down the fort. Shewww, I made it. I'm so glad we have such good friends.

This weekend is kind of like our last hurrah before school starts. It's Riverboat Days here in Yankton, where the town of 18,000 suddenly swells to 100,000. My girls dance tonight...which meant a week of dress rehearsals and run thru's. Tomorrow morning I'm running the 5K...it's a great race which goes along the parade route so lots of people cheering us on. Then the huge parade, then it's down to the river for lots of food, shopping at the hundreds of booths and letting the kids go crazy with the "kid" stuff. My son plays in a 3-on-3 basketball tournie. The night brings a sitter for the kids, my hubby and I and friends head back down to listen to Kory and the fireflies and partake in the adult festivities. Sunday we usually go back again for more food. Those darn funnel cakes...I love 'em.

So it's our annual tradition of saying goodbye to summer before school starts next week. It's a great time, we look forward to it every year. Seems like we were just there last year. I've said it before...the summer months go way too fast...

My 2nd grader was in my room watching me change my clothes into a new outfit.

"You're a hottie, mommy. I want to be just like you."

Where in the world did the word hottie come from? Another sign that my 2nd grader knows more than I think she does!

i'm in the prime of senior picture season...this is one of the appointments I had this weekend. I loved these. She has been dancing since she was 3...just like my girls...I think her mom will cry when she sees these photos. I know I would. Just wanted to share them with you...

This is a beautiful spot out by Lewis & Clark Lake we discovered just last week. I can't tell you how many times we have driven the sign "The House Of Mary Shrine" and just kept going. 13 years in Yankton and never once took this in until now. A couple of friends were talking about how cool this was. We decided to meet there one afternoon and I was totally impressed! Along the highway there are 3 huge crosses up on the bluffs, you can't miss them. Well, this place takes you up that hill until you are right up with those crosses with the view of the lake. The kids were so amazed they were up with the crosses they have seen from the highway so many times before. Next time you are in the area, you must take this in. We're going again very soon!

It has suddenly become extra-busy around the McClure house. My son started football camp, VBS at church, dance rehearsals for Riverboat Days, our new bathroom is almost done,my business is booming and still managing to get in those long runs for the half in 5 weeks (or is it 4 now...) And now I have decided to repaint the basement. But what has been cool has been this awesome quality time my bh and I have had. The kids are all at their acitvites at the same time for 3 hours this week so we've done things together that we don't usually get to do. Last night we ran with the dog together along the beach. The night before we biked the nature trail. We did some work around the house together. We' ve had so much fun together. So all these activities are not only great for the kids, they're good for the parents too!! Tomorrow we are heading to the lake with friends for a day of relaxing...because with all the chaos, we can always find time to spend by the water playing in the sand!

It's an annual tradition...one summer weekend, my son gets to stay with his grandma and grandpa in Sioux Falls. They go to baseball games, the movies, the watershow, retaurants and he gets to pick out his favorite Playstation2 game. He loves it. He got his weekend a month ago and this year, we decided the girls should have a turn. so this was their first weekend away by themselves in Sioux Falls. We picked them up on Sunday and I truly don't think they missed us at all! They got a pedicure/manicure, went to Rataouille, McDonalds and the watershow. They loved it. My stepmom gave each little one ankle bracelets as a reminder of their first stay with them. I love the memories they come home with. As the kids say, grandma and grandpa are the best!

Yes, they are.

My awesome gardening friends and neighbors have been generously giving me their goods this week. I love garden fresh veggies, mostly because I haven't taken up the challenge of growing my own yet. Anyway, I have this big bag of red, ripe, juicy tomatoes which is great but....no one in my family likes tomatoes! But we love salsa..so I thought I would try and put the tomatoes to use and make some. I went to the internet, googled salsa and was amazed at the thousands of recipes. There were some I couldn't even pronounce, much less make. I am asking my blog friends...is there a recipe for salsa that doesn't involve 5 kinds of peppers that I've never heard of and spices that I know I couldn't find in our town. I am searching for that easy to make salsa, that not only we will love to eat but so these gorgeous tomatoes won't go to waste.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions!

This is a crazy thing that happened a couple of weeks ago...it's been on my mind, kind of like I'm supposed to tell this story. Although I don't have a picture, I'll do my best to describe it with words.

I was running along the bluffs, my kids on their bikes in front of me. My mind was not thinking of anything, just watching my kiddos and wondering how they got so big so fast and listening to my ipod music. We came around a curve and there it was...a rainbow in the sky...starting at a point from behind the bluffs and ending in a cloud above us. It was probably the neatest thing I had ever seen simply because it's completely dry. Like most of you, it hasn't rained in weeks. And yet here was this rainbow making an appearance. Wow. What was even more cool? The song that came up the minute I noticed the rainbow was "Open The Eyes Of My Heart".

No one can tell me that wasn't a God thing because it had God written all over it. And I'm so glad we were there for it.

This is my girl sporting her SDSU attire which we will need to get out again once football season starts up. It's been 14 years since my bh and I graduated from the coolest school in SD and we are excited to become a part of the campus again. Only in a different way. A couple of SDSU alumni in town wanted to start a Yankton tailgate group, where we would have our own spot, our own tent and grill at all home football games. Since me, my bh and my son love football games, we decided to join the group. Not only is it a great way to be with people from Yankton that also went to State, it's a great way to meet even more people and their families, support SDSU and have some fun. So it's official. We paid the dues and we are now part of the 25 (and growing) families called the YJTG (Yankton Jackrabbit Tailgating Group). I'm excited to be in the college action again, even though I'm quite a bit older now. So, fellow Staters, we'll see you at the game. We'll be the ones stuffing down hot dogs and trying to act like grown-ups!!

A few snapshots of our favorite things to do when we just get to hang out and have some FUN! Of course we make it to the lake quite often but the sand does not do well with my camera! These are the times that are treasured the most. I wish the summer days would go a little slower...