the mandel 5

So today was our last tee ball game of the season. It was a pretty emotional year for Logan. You see, he likes to bat. And that's it. We were on the field to start this game and pretty much every play goes like this....the ball is hit....several kids run to the ball and pile up on top of it.... Logan doesn't get it. He throws his glove down and cries..... Daddy carries him off the field..... Then we get to hit and all is well. First up is Nathan.... Then Logan.... He still slides into every base.... Look who came to cheer us on - Kylie! And her family. And Angela! Time for the cheer! The coach couldn't be there today so Rob filled in.... We got trophies and they are so cool! brothers

I'd like you to meet two of my very bestest friends in the whole wide world - Angela and Kevin. We met in 1986 when I saw Ang sitting outside our junior high English class and I asked her what time it was. Really, I remember. We became instant friends. Her family has always been like my own. She has like 18 cousins and 12 aunts and uncles and that's just on her mom's side. My small family lives far away. I went camping with her family every summer and had so much fun. When I first met her little brother Kevin, we hated each other. In fact, he created an Anti-Mitzi club and I formed the Anti- Kool Klub (the club he had when he was little) and recruited those 18 cousins to join! We even had t-shirts! =) But, we got over that pretty quickly and for all of high school and college and even after, the three of us went everywhere together. Angela is a master child wrangler, having taught preschool for years and years. I always ask her for advice with my crazy crew. She...

I took the kids down to see Julie and her kids while they were staying in Orange County for a conference. We swam in the hotel pool and had lunch. The boys managed to get themselves on two timeouts and cause several scenes. Too bad for them because I had packed the car up with enough gear to surprise them with an evening visit to Disneyland since we were so close. I realized there was NO way I could manage all three at the park by myself with the moods they were in. But anyway, we recovered from the morning and had a fun time at Downtown Disney window shopping and playing with our friends. Behavior was MUCH improved so we stopped for icecream on the way home. =) At the lego store....he was VERY into these...maybe we should get some.... the 5 kiddos the girlies

Today was Jennifer's California bridal shower. Everyone brought her a new pair of panties that represented themselves along with a clue. Mine were the first to be figured out - black with pink bunnies all over! Megan brought a pair of Ariel panties! =) Me and Lise The girls Yes, Jen will fit into our family nicely

so much for each having their own room!

something cool: click here

went to the movies with blake, kayla, kylie, jack, ang, lise, dawn, and ginger. Then we swam at B&K's house and ate leftover birthday cake. I finally got to meet Junior, Blake's new cat. He watched us from the window all afternoon. Keira girl

Today my baby girl is seven. To celebrate, Ang, Jen, and I took her to her favorite place on earth - American Girl Place (yes, I was just there a week ago). She used her birthday money from her grandpas to buy Kit (because she was always Grandma Corky's favorite doll), her dog, and three outfits for her. Nathan and Grace came along for the fun. Graci and her new doll (whom she is naming "American") and Megan with Kit At lunch - Megan blowing out the candle on her birthday sundae!

Daddy and the monkeys We had everyone over for breakfast today. Rob posted a list of omelet ingredients and each person made a list of what they wanted and then they got a custom omelet! Papa Bob with the kids ~Papa Jerry with the kids + Kari and Corey~ Dad was so impressed with his gift - I raised $2550 for my mom's breast cancer research fund! Thank you to EVERYONE who helped! Casey and Corey what we had done to the back "yard" was cement it. The kids LOVE it. They are outside all the time now riding their scooters and playing in the kiddie pool! Kari & Megan and Grandma Verna Jen and Lo The brothers through the banister Since Meg's real birthday is tomorrow, we celebrated that today, too Megan and Kari in their matching shirts