Uncle Derrick's Homecoming

Paul's sister Ashley has been staying with us since the end of August while her husband Derrick has been deployed to Afganistan for the past 6 months. And while he has 6 months left, he has a 2 week R&R here with us.

The girls holding up the sign we worked so hard on.


The moment where time slowed down just a little bit. It was so tender.


One happy family....well maybe not for Taylee.

Pouring Rain

It's not too common we have rain in these parts, however, when it rains-it pours and my kids love it. Usually we go play in it. While everyone else went outside in their clothes, my danty little Lily was the cutest in our only rain coat.

Not sure what to think about it just yet.


But then, decided she liked it.

Ava and Tucker

Ava's friend Tuck was over playing when they decided they wanted to go over to his house. I thought they were going to walk through the backyard, but realized he had brought over his powerwheels 4-wheeler and they were going to ride it home. I let them go, while I followed them in the car. Thought they were cute so I grabbed a few pics.
Surprised I was following them.

Showing off their skills.

Tucker, being a gentleman, let Ava drive for a bit.

1st day of Kindergarten

This little girl had the hardest time being patient while sisters went to school a week earlier. When her big day came she could not have been more excited.
Waiting for the schoolbus.

With neighborhood buddies.

Getting off the bus at school.

When she got off the bus after school my friend Kelly asked her how her first day went, and in usual Ava fashion, she shrugged her shoulders while letting out a big sigh and said, "it was alright, I guess I'll go back tomorrow."

First Day of School

Anna Jane, ready to start another year of school.

Lainie Grace is too.

Anna with BFF Madee

Off the bus...yes, I followed them to school, I do every year.

Apparently she's too cool for me now. At least Lainie wanted me there.

Adyn Terrance Aldridge

We have a new baby...well not really. Paul's brother and wife have a new baby, but I get to steal him away once a week while they are working. Loni was the miniest prego and I would have sworn she was only carrying a 6 pounder, but on 8.8.11 around noonish this squishy, round 8 pound 11 ouncer popped out. Isn't he the sweetest? Mommy and daddy couldn't be more proud. Congrats Terry and Loni, he is adorable.

Paul holding his new nephew for the first time.

My kids are very impressed with their new cousin.

Proud papa. (Can you tell he hasn't slept much? Nice bed head Terry. hee hee)

My Man in Action

One of Paul's co workers snagged a few pics on his phone of their latest fire @ a Jack in the Box. It's so fun getting a peek at my man in action, just wish I could see his face.

Paul in the basket.


Coming off the ladder. (He's the one on top.)


A pic of the building with Paul in the basket.


Guess they won't be selling any jumbo jacks anytime soon.

LA Zoo

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my. Actually the lions, tigers and polar bears were all sleeping and we didn't see them very well. We did however see lots of other animals. These kids favorites were the seal, flamingos, rhino, giraffes, gorillas, monkeys, elephants and zebras. If you ask Ava, she'll tell you her favorite was the hippo because it pooped and then used it's tail as a windshield wiper to clean itself.

Corona Del Mar Beach

Lots of pics. I know. Man, I love the beach. I could be there all day, everyday. This day, however, I get the worst mom of the year award. This particular beach has a little drive up area where you can unload then head back up to the street to park. Paul got all the kids (10) and all the stuff out of 2 cars while my girlfriend and I went back up to the street to park the cars. I remember locking my car and walking away thinking wow, that was easy...Paul had taken care of everything. We then walked down the hill and stopped by the restrooms before heading to the beach to find the kids and Paul. As we were walking towards our group I started counting my kids..Anna, Lainie, Ava, Owen and lily...where's Lily. OH CRAP, I left my sleeping child in my car up on the road!!! I started bookin it towards the car. My heart is pounding, the adrenaline is pumping. I was freaking out. How could I have forgotten my sweetest baby ever? She was still asleep when I opened the car. I was so thankful that it hadn't gotten hot in the car yet and that she was fine. Hugged her a little tighter than usual as we walked back down to the beach. Paul and Marla were harassing me a bit upon my return, which was expected. They were joking about terrible mothers forgetting their children and wondered if anyone called CPS on me. What was interesting to me is that not for one second had I ever thought of CPS or what other people thought, the entire time my heart was pounding, I was thinking please don't let anyone steal my child. Please let her still be in the car. That's how my head works, that's how it's always worked. Perhaps my personal history makes it work that way. Who knows. All I know is that my Lily was still there when I reached the car and I was very happy to see her.

Lost Tooth

A few weeks back one of Ava's friends lost her first tooth. That very day she checked all her teeth and decided that one of them was loose. I checked it, and it was in fact a tad wiggly, but barely. I thought for sure it would be months before it came out. Fast forward to this morning when she said, "My tooth is really loose now mom." Sure enough, she was right. It was barely hanging on. A little later in the evening she came running to get me outside with a bloody mouth saying, "mom, I pulled out my tooth." What little kid pulls out their own tooth? Ava. All I could say was "of course you did, Ava." She could not have been more proud of herself.

FIVE

Her birthday fell on a Monday this year and she was so excited to have her first ever "friend party." We planned all sorts of outside (very messy and wet) activities and wouldn't you know it, it rained! We did our best to manage inside, and in awhile it cleared up and we were able to play some games outside too.





Happy Birthday my sweet Ava. You are still my favorite sour patch kid.

Kitty

While moving a shed from my dad's house to ours, we discovered this little kitty living under the plywood floor board. Of course, this discovery was made when I had all 5 of my children with me...dang it! Paul and I didn't think it was going to make it, but we took it home anyway. We named her Mags.

Hiking White Mountain

Some friends came to visit us over the weekend and while it was great having 10 kids run a muck in my little house, it was nice to get them out and stretch their legs a bit. It was a breezy, cloudy day-a perfect day for a hike. Well, by the time we actually made it over it was 3pm and SUPER hot. All the kids were whining and crying and it turned out to be NOT SO FUN. I thought this shot was funny. All of my kids...GRUMPY! Lily is the only one who thought it was fun.

Independence Day

It was really hard to celebrate the 4th knowing that my entire extended family was enjoying perfect weather in Long Beach, WA. Paul had to work so we were unable to attend, instead we bought some fireworks and spent the day with my sis.

Lots of swimming



And licorice and cute babies.


And fireworks.

The kids all took turns lighting the fireworks. It was funniest watching the babies because they would light the wick with a punk and as soon as it started going they turned and ran back to their stoller. They would just be getting situated when it was over.

Lils

Somebody was diggin through my swim bag.