Tuesday, July 23, 2013

The Family That Vacations Together . . .

One of my Favorite things in life is Family Vacations! I just Love getting away from it all with the people I love more than anything! Making new Memories! And finding new Adventures! But, now that my Boys are older & have Jobs & Lives of their own, they couldn't go with us this year. (Who told them they could Grow Up? It certainly wasn't me!)


This summer after their Graduation, Zach & his best friend Jordan took a trip to Cedar Point in Ohio. One of the top amusement parks in the world. They had a great time celebrating all their hard work on their way to their Associates Degrees!



And Kyle is going this week to San Diego with some Friends as well. But it's getting harder & harder to all go on Vacation together! Two years ago Kyle didn't get to go with us when we went to see Zach at Mt. Rainier & Visit Seattle. But this is the first time Zach hasn't been able to go.



The night before we left for Vacation, Zach had to work late & we were already in bed when he got home since we had to get up really early the next morning. But, I found a note he left on my Suitcase. It brought tears to this Mother's eyes. It read: 

I realized that this is the first family vacation that I will miss 
and it is so very sad.
It made me think how in just a few years I'll be moving out 
and starting my own family
And I only wish it's half as good as this one.
You are amazing parents, 
Thank you for all you have done
and for this incredible family I'm blessed to be a part of 
and don't want to leave.
I love you mom and dad have a great vacation. 


All my kids are car sleepers, since they were little! Especially on Road Trips! :) Every time we take a trip, we see if we can see License plates from all 50 states! I think on this trip we got them all but like 8 states! That's pretty good, considering this was a pretty short trip! I've also Blogged about tips for traveling with small children. See it here.



 A funny thing that happened on this trip was we walked into a Truck Stop, while John was gassing up the car, & Erica squealed "Oh look, it's one of those kinds of phones! Take my Picture!" Then I started singing Maroon 5's song: I'm on a Pay Phone, trying to call home. All of my change I've spent on you! :) Yeah, we can always laugh at ourselves!

 

Our little dog Tinkerbell stayed home with the boys. We left early Monday morning & she didn't  eat much of anything all week. I guess she was just too grief stricken we had left! So on Wednesday afternoon we Skyped with her & told her to eat! And then they were able to get her to eat a little! :) Just one more benefit of modern technology! :)


We had a great time! I'll be sharing some of the Amazing things we did in upcoming posts. But wanted to just remind us all that you don't have to spend an obscene amount of money & go on big fancy vacations, we never have. But what really matters the most is just being together! Having fun & making Memories. I'm so thankful for my family & all the times we've had together, and will continue to have together.



Thursday, July 11, 2013

23 Years!


23 years ago today I gave birth for the first time,
and became a Parent! 

Happy Birthday to my Baby Boy
Kyle Micah Forbis
I Love You!

Yikes! 
Where has the time gone! :) 

What an Incredible Man you have turned out to be! 
Happy Birthday! 


Saturday, July 6, 2013

With Liberty And Justice For All!


Hope everyone had a Happy & Safe 4th of July! 
I love celebrating this great Country of ours! 
The Land of the Free, because of the Brave! 

My son, Kyle & his Girlfriend Katie
took plain white H&M Tanks
& spray painted them with Tie Die spray paint!
They looked Great!


 My little Miss Independences: Erica & Lexi.
Erica got a pair of Jeans from Goodwill & cut them off
then she made a stencil & painted them with fabric paint. 
They turned out so cute! 


We spent the day with family in the Pool!

 The temp here in the Beautiful AZ,
was just 114 degrees! :0

The kids all went to see Fireworks
But, it was so hot out, even at night,
John & I opted to stay home.
Man, we must be getting old! :)
There were some shot off in our Neighborhood though! 

Hope you had a great day too, 
Full of Family, Food & Fun!

Monday, July 1, 2013

When The Going Gets Hot, The Hot Go To The Lake!


This past weekend, here in Arizona, we've been breaking all kinds of Heat Records. Saturday was 119 degrees! That's right. We don't play around here in the Desert! "Sunshine & Summertime" is what it's all about!

Our Good Friends Jay & Tammy invited us to go to the Lake with them. They have a nice Boat & don't mind sharing it with others! Now that's the kind of Friends to have, am I right?! :)


Like us, they have two Daughters! Our girls have been BFFs since Kindergarten!


We went to Canyon Lake. The Sun was shinning, the Water was nice & cool, the Scenery absolutely beautiful!


Erica tried her hand at Water Skiing. Only the second time in her life trying it, and . . .


She did really well! I think it's that upper body strength from throwing Shot Put & Discus! :) 


Lexi had tried Water Skiing once before & didn't take to well to it, so like me, she opted to stay on the Boat. 


We also did some "Hotdogging!" They have this blow up Hot Dog, up to 3 people can sit on & get towed by the Boat! So much fun!


John & I even gave it a try!


It was so much fun! When I wasn't screaming, I was laughing! :)


The only down side to the whole day was Tammy getting stung by a Wasp & Me getting my first ever Bee Sting! :0 At 48 years old, guess I can finally check that one off my Bucket List! ;) 


Thank you so much Jay, Tammy, Maddie & Morgan! Best day off I've had in a REALLY long time! You guys are the Best!

 

Bada Boom! :)

Monday, June 24, 2013

DIY Graduation Announcement!

As you know my Son, Zach, just Graduated from Community College. And the Announcements the school gave us, well let's just say, we're lacking. They looked like pamphlets or brochures for the school, not Graduation Announcements. They had pictures of random students. No cards to add my child's name or anything . . . 


So I talked with my Husband, who is so good at designing just about anything, about creating our own. I wrote the text & he created the design & layout. And they are so much nicer than the original! And so much more personal. I love how they turned out . . .

 


Sunday, June 16, 2013

The Best Father!

On this Father's Day & Everyday, 
I am so grateful that my kids have the Best Father! 

Father & Friend!!

He's passed on his Knowledge 
to this next Generation! :)

And shares his Love of Music
with all the kids! 


Protector & Confidant!!

A great Example
and so Proud of all his kids!

When I chose him as my Husband
I knew he was a good man . . .

But I couldn't have foreseen the kind of Father he would become!

Happy Father's Day
To the Best Dad!
We Love You!
 

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Happy Father's Day In Heaven!

 
Missing my Dad this Fathers Day & always . . . 

He Danced through Life, 
the Best Grandpa any kids could have!

He was a Giver, and Loved his Family more than anything! 

Wish we could Celebrate Together instead of Apart.
But I'm glad Mom is now there with you.


 This is also my Husbands first Father's Day without his Dad.

As far as Grandpa's go: 
My Kids have been Doubly Blessed with Two of the Best!

 
 He was so much fun & could always make you Laugh!

He is spending his first Father's Day in Heaven.
No longer in a Wheel Chair! 

 
We're so happy you are no longer in pain, 
yet Your Family feels the loss, & we miss you here!