It doesn't happen to Dads

The other day when I was in the shower the kids were bombarding me the entire time I was in there (about 10 minutes).  They were banging and pounding on my door,  "Mom!"  "Mom, I need your help!"  "Mom can you get ... for me?"

And the same thing happens every time I use the bathroom.

Why is that?  Why does it always happen to the Moms and not the Dad's?

Are Mom's just so awesome that we can do amazing feats including help put shoes on AND shower at the same time?

Can I just have 10 minutes of peace for myself?  Please!!

First Day of School

Emma, the big 3rd grader

Zach, the shaggy 5th grader

(Yes, the mom was too tired to give him a hair cut for the first day.  He did have one by the 3rd day though)

Ty, the big 7th grader

(If you noticed, Zach and Ty have the same shirt.  I swear anything with camo or military they are both drawn too.  At least they aren't at the same school.)

(Oh, and Tysons new hair do is wet/flat/messy.  If I try to put a comb to it, or part it, he freaks out.  Hello to pre-adolescence!)

The consensus after the first day was they all loved their teachers.  I'm really hoping for an awesome school year and no more drama.

14, but really 10

Today is Ron and my 14th Wedding Anniversary.

I can't believe we've been married that long.  But then I got to thinking about it. If I deduct all of his deployments and training, we've really only lived together for about 10 years.  I tease him that I can't believe I still love him after all this time.  Maybe the separations really do make the heart grow fonder.  I certainly do appreciate everything he does for us while he is home.

I mentioned to Tyson yesterday that today was going to be our anniversary.  I asked him to guess how many years we've been married.  (Quick explanation, this is the son that just turned 12).  He looked at me and said without hesitation "10 years."  I said, "Tyson think about that and think about how old you are.  We were married before you were born."  Then he guessed the correct number.

I realize that MANY couples get married after they have a baby - but not me.

So honey, I want you to know how much I love you and miss you.  You are my rock; without you everything would fall to pieces.  Thank you for your sacrifice for our family and for our country.  Stay safe, and come home to me soon.

Love always and forever,

me

Vaughan Family EXTRAVAGANZA

We weren't aloud to call our reunion a reunion.  It had to be called an EXTRAVAGANZA!  And it was!  My amazing brother Macc flawlessly organized our activites and we had a great time!

The water was suprisingly warm the day we went to the beach.  Even the moms were willing to get in!

The boys spent the whole time in the water.  They love the beach!

Emma actually let the boogie board get in the water a little.

Uncle Shane  brought a kite to the beach.  It was a huge hit!

Tess loved it!  And I love her smile!

We brought kyaks to the beach with us.  My dad and I took them out and it was so much fun!  It is so peaceful out on the water.  I did keep a sharp eye out for sharks, but we made it back safe and sound.

The cousins burried themselves in the sand

The girl cousins were so cute together.  The 3 in princess dress up even called each other by their princess names.  They got along so great and it was adorable watching them together.

And we collapsed at the end of every day!

My mom and sister put together an AMAZING, Amazing Race for us.  We split up into 3 teams and we had tons of challenges and pit stops.  We had to organize everyones birthdays by their baby picture, race between trees, shoot baskets, buy something at a dollar store, eat cold mac'n cheese, go to the Wild Animal Park and have this picture taken, dive for marked poker chips in the pool and then race to the end.  The best of all was MY TEAM WON!!! 

Of course we did other awesome things.  We spent a day at the lake having fun on the boat.  We had a Wii tournament that came down to the boy cousins of course, Zach won!  We played baseball at the park, ate In-n-Out twice, had a movie night outside (Darby O'Gill and the Little People), and did a service project of care packages for soldiers in Afghanistan.

I love my family so much and I'm very greatful that we had such a wonderful week.

Beach

We went to the beach almost every week.  One night a friend of ours was camping at the beach and we went and bummed with them and roasted marshmellows over a fire.  I took these pics that night.  I love watching the sun set over the water.

My Family

Whenever we're together we attempt a family picture.  Ron is usually the only missing member, so it isn't the entire family, but close enough.  This time, it was my children who were the uncooperative ones.  Tess was a complete nightmare, and I HATE the way I look, all I see is fat (working hard on that one!)  But here is my awesome family!

L-R: Adriann, Andy, Me, Macc, Jacque and my Mom & Dad

All the grandkids.  See what I mean about my kids being the naughty ones?

Lots to BLOG about..

I know its been a while,and I'm very sorry.  We've been having FUN!!

I have lots to show you and lots to say, but a few things first.

I've been a little sad lately because I've been missing Ron a little more than usual.  We finally sold our house last week ( a financial blessing yes, but still sad).  I feel like I've lost a part of Ron.  He literally put blood sweat and tears into remaking that house for us, and now it's gone.  I've also cut my last tie to New York.  I really miss my friends there (Hi everybody!) and it absolutely felt like HOME.  I will miss it very much.  I also visited the place where Ron and I met, fell in love, and started our lives together; very bitter sweet.  Anytime the kids and I have an adventure (like those we've had this summer) it makes me sad that Ron isn't here to share them with us.  Like I said, this summer has been a little bitter/sweet for me, I'm ready for fall to come.

We had TONS of fun this summer, despite all my complaining and worrying.  We spent tons of time at the beach, had a PHENOMENAL family reunion and spent a fun week at my parents cabin in Idaho.  Don't you worry, I took over 200 pictures, and those will be coming soon.

Next week, life gets back to a new normal.  Ty, Zach, and Emma go back to school.  I go back to work, and Tess goes to some sort of child care (still working on that).  Ron and I will celebrate our 14th Anniversary next week, and we are already counting down the days till Ron comes home for R&R in October YIPPIE!!

I promise that posts on our summer fun will be coming soon!