Ok, ok, ok...

I am finally back in Colorado. The summer is almost over and I've traveled enough: Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Florida. I am not leaving for a few months. Justin doesn't have any scheduled business trips for awhile. School starts on the 12th of August.

Update

We have Sunday morning available to visit with Grandpa & Grandma Paulsen, so we hope they are available then... I don't have anyone's e-mail...so am announcing it to the world.

The girls woke up this morning and before they left their room they had packed their backpacks. I'll have to go through them sometime today to make sure that Mallory isn't trying to bring every single stuffed animal she owns...

Justin has his list of things to do and I have my list of things to do and pack...and if all is accomplished by bedtime tonight we will be ready to roll in the early morning dark on Saturday.
One thing I was concerned about is the life jackets that the girls have been using. I am not sure if they will still fit...since they are in MN I can't look and see...I am not even sure who has them.
Things that make you go Hmmm.

Vacation Plans

Arrive Saturday the 12th

Sunday- visit both grandparents

Mon-Wed - Leech Lake

Thurs- return to Moorhead in the morning and then spend time with Jim

Thurs night- hang out with Wendy & Scott at their house or Joel & Nichole's or ??

Friday- Spend time with Jim

Saturday- Drive back

First Post on my New Computer

It's a laptop or I guess "Notebook PC" with a built-in webcam so I can call my sister in Florida and use Skypes to see her and talk to her that way. SO cool!

Other than that I am trying to get organized and ready and packed for our trip to Minnesota. We leave the 12th and will be back either the 19th or 20th. Then the next weekend I will be off to Florida to meet my nephew...

Thirty Freaking 7 Years Old

I am actually not loathing this day like I did last year. 36 was bad...because you are now on your way to 40...no longer 35...the downward spiral. 37 is just 37...not 38 or 39, but when I am 39- watch out...might be a replay of 36. I've been awake since 4 something this a.m. and didn't fall asleep until almost 1. Insomnia I guess. Last week I had it bad too. I did get 3 nights of 9 hours sleep in a row each night this weekend, so I can't be hurting that badly. I finished my book, have some coffee and am waiting for the girls to wake up.

Everyday I walk around with things in my head that I want to write down- things that happen, and thoughts too, but then by the time I sit down to write I have forgotten what they are. No, not Alzheimer's...

Had a very busy weekend-

Friday made a rhubarb pie in the morning with the girls while Justin rode his bike. Then, Ava and I picked my parents up from the airport. We ate dinner and watched fireworks at my parents' house later. The fireworks were the most beautiful display I think I have ever seen.

Saturday went to my meeting where I brought the topic: Happiness. It went well. Took Ava to the store to get birthday presents for Oliver, Ellery and Daphne...all have birthdays in July! They had a party Saturday afternoon/evening that we went to but weren't invited to until Saturday morning. Jill swore she told me about it a week ago, but then had this weird feeling, so she called and we were in the dark. All the kids had a BLAST playing and eating and jumping on the trampoline!

Sunday Justin went on another bike ride with some different (different as in new and new as in he's never biked with them before) guys from his work. He took the girls to Costco while I went to the library. Did laundry, cleaned up a bit. I already have most of the girls clothes washed and packed and hopefully I am bringing enough so we don't have to do laundry...or much. Will see how that plays out.

Going to have lunch with my mom and the girls today and then I promised the girls we'd go to Coldstone Creamery for ice cream on my birthday...am thinking though that maybe I can convince them to get an ice cream cake to bring home (will try to sell them on the fact that there is more ice cream for everyone that way...extended throughout the week/month) so cross your fingers that it works.... Not sure what I want to do regarding dinner tonight. I don't really have a hankering for any particular thing.