Manic Monday

Week 2 of "back to school" is upon our home. All I can say is, "ZzZzZzzzzzz...."

I am exhausted! I think all the fun we tried to have during our bizarre summer has us wanting to cram as much fun into the weekends of nice weather we are now having. It is exhausting work! And then Monday's are rough. I joke with Aaron that there are tears, and whining, and then he convinces me with a cup of coffee to get out of bed and get the kids up. :) But it's not that far from the truth.

I think it is hitting the kids hard too. Everyone came home and got started on their homework. Madie had soccer, and Jake was still working hard on his homework. It wasn't 30 minutes after dinner that I realized it was oddly quiet. Noah was out in the living room chair, and Annika was out on the floor. It was only 7:30! Settling into routine will be here, I just hope it is soon.

Ten on Thursday

We have been busy busy busy. Soccer practice has started, and season is soon to come. I am hopeful for a fun season. Our last week before school started we had a special visit from my sister, Deb. She brought amazing wine and See's candy to share. Thanks, Deb!! You are my favorite sister! :) We managed to have a movie night, relax at the winery, shop at Jungle Jim's, Teavana, Trader Joe's, and the lego store. We enjoyed yummy food and amazing friends.

I had my follow up appointment with the Cardiologist yesterday. I was happy to hear that despite the car accident, the structure of my heart is as it should be. I am having skipped beats, which explains the pain, and shortness of breath. We discussed why the symptoms got worse once my summer break started and my activity level came to a halt. The doctor seems to think that although the surgery to remove the left lung was a success, my heart was still affected since it is all the same system. He suggested a medication that after some research, I was not sure I wanted to take. I told him that now that soccer season has started I have been walking around the fields. On the days that I walk, I do not have the severity of symptoms at night. So for now we are opting for the exercise route. Once school start back up I will be all over campus just like I was before. I guess since the heart is a muscle, mine wants to work!

Here is Annika, ready for "Iron Man" on movie night.

So much for that. She was out about 40 minutes in.

I love playing with the settings on the camera!

Especially around our bonfire.

Here is Kaila with her cake. Off to school!

(Kaila since came home opting to go to UC instead. It's a good thing.)

Annika in the deluxe porta pot at Jungle Jim's.

First day of school 2009.

I have all 3 in one building this year. I won't see this EVER again.

Next year is 3 buildings, and the start of my pain. :)

Noah was really excited!

Jake looking cool.

Madie showing her style.

I loved how she matched everything up.

Getting the family together

It's no secret that Aaron's family is very close. Not only are they all very close, but the family is quite large. I come from a very small family, and well, we are all not that close. I know that I have cousins, but I don't know where they live, or anything about them. I know this sounds bad, but this is how I grew up. Aaron's grandparents were very close to their siblings, so close in fact that Aaron's grandfather's brother married his grandmother's sister! So these two close sibling sets raised their children to be very close. Now that they are all grandparents you can imagine how 11 cousins getting together can create a party of 60! At first these gatherings were a wee bit overwhelming for me. But I have grown to look forward to them, and I don't complain that everyone needs a name tag! Well, maybe the little ones, there are so many anymore!

Some of these were taken with my phone, so the quality is not as good. But the memories are perfect!

The girls are ready to go!

Annika rocking out to Cyndi Lauper.

Madie directing on how to work that contraption.

Sweet little Ava had fun.

The boys set up bionicle camp and were happy.

Mmmm... Bubbles!

Ava showing me how it's done!

The water fountain was the favorite hang out of the day.

Cousin Montana. Such a cutie!

Cousin Dakota. The happiest little boy I have ever known!

Well, maybe not here. I caught him off guard.

We are a very fertile family. Here is a game:

Find the Mundy's!

Mr. Azariah. This little man is so precious!

Noah and cousin Ryan did a lot of running.

Annika heading to the next fun thing.

Azariah and his Mamaw Josie.

There is always a good chance that Don will sleep somewhere.

I love the slinky stuck on his finger!

Hi Little Man!

Aaron and Brian. Aaron's costco card looks exactly like Brian.

What I missed out on for four years!

Funnel Cakes and Waffles and Pork Tenderloins, Oh My!!

We've been in Ohio for 5 years now, and we never felt a tug of motivation to do the county fair thing. Coming from California I was spoiled by the size and quality of the Los Angeles County Fair. Everything is paved there, and you could easily spend a few hours every day during the two weeks that the fair is open. I was unsure if I would like the country way of doing the fair. But Madie entered in a project for her American Heritage Girls troop which resulted in a free ticket. So off we were. Sunday was free entrance day, and Monday was free kids day. Bonus! Once again, Momma doesn't pay full price!

We were well greeted!

Hey kid what's in the bag?

This fella loved the attention from Noah and Christa.

This goat stood out in a crowd.

When all the kids climb in our bed I feel like the pig on the left.

Swine Flu?

This bunny's name is: Golaith. I don't know why?

Everyone was so friendly at the fair!

Nice hair!

Now to the rides!

Making some friends.

Annika loves rides. I love seeing her face while she is zoomin!

Madie was so thrilled to see the horses. We even got to meet a few!

Nothing is quite as entertaining as watching your men joust!

Ok, maybe watching the girls joust is a bit more entertaining.

Poor things could barely lift and hold, much less swing those things!

Luckily no injuries and they are still BFF's.

Our time at the Clermont County Fair had come to an end.

To our surprise the kids literally begged us to stay longer, but

we were being called to another adventure- Soccer practice!