Hi

Hello Ladies,

Well summer had been good to us in Spo-ka-vegas. Lots of sun once it decided to grace us with its presence. We bought a season pass to Silverwood so we've spent a ton of time there this summer and at the lake in Coeur d'Alene.

Found out two or three weeks ago that I am getting laid off along with about 13,000 others at the end of September. I was shocked at first, but it's turning out to be the best thing ever. I have been here 7 years now so I get a decent severance package and I'm going to just take advantage of this to spend some time with the kiddos. I've never been a stay at home mom, so I'm going to give it a whirl for a while.

Lizzy starts school on August 17th so that's just around the corner...time flies! I went school supply shopping today though so I think I'm all set. Allie turned 3 on the 26th and she's the biggest little kid I've ever know. She's much more self reliant than Lizzy ever was. I love it.

Eli started a new job with the county two weeks ago and it's going well so far. No more part time, so I am super excited. It's funny because he started his new job the same week I lost mine...nutty.

That's pretty much our life in a nutshell...good times my friends...good times.

naughty girls

ya'll are being unusually quiet.

reily got her cast off (thank you jesus). avery turned 4. carys can get all 10 fingers in her mouth. work is spaking my ass on a daily basis. it's hotter than Hades.

hmmm.... yup, that pretty much sums up my end. how about ya'l ?

xoxo
kri

ahh hell

just thought that i would post a quick update on the Brown clan. reily broke her arm yesterday while at her first sleepover ! apparently, she fell climbing out of a bunkbed. poor little trooper-she was a champ while putting her arm in a cast. she kept begging me to allow her to return to her friend's house. i think that she was more upset that she was missing out on the fun than the actual pain. of course, that also means that we didn't get home until after 4am, in bed after 5am, and woken up by the other two at 6:30am. so if any of ya'll got some extra ritalin or adderall, please send it my way. mama's gonna need some pick-me-ups before going back to work tomorrow !

xoxo
kri

Dress Rehearsal

Just a few pictures from the dress rehearsal for dance recital. Vivian did great. Not to brag to much, but there were a few times where she was the only one who wasn't a few beats behind the music. The first picture is jazz, the second is ballet, and the third is tap.
Amy

Summer Vacation At Last

Everyone has such beautiful families! I can't believe how big all of the kids are getting.

Samuel will have extended school year starting the 14th and going through mid July. He did great at his preschool graduation. He had to wait for a few other names to be called before getting his certificate and he didn't fuss once (last year they had to call him first to keep him calm). He also stayed in his spot during their music presentation. He did wave at me a lot during it, but it was an improvement over him running up to the front of the stage multiple times last year.

Vivian was excited for the end of the school year. She says she'll miss her friends but she knows she will get to see them over the summer. I am very impressed with her academically (she is reading a grade level ahead) and am very proud of her dedication to dance (she insists on practicing everyday for about an hour).

Theodore is not sure about having everyone home right now, he is so used to having undivided attention in the afternoons that it is just not as much fun for him.

I just got a new job. I am an in-home caregiver. I do light housekeeping, cooking, and assist with other non-medical needs to help elderly people stay in their homes. It is perfect for what we needed (flexible hours, good pay, rewarding work).

ok ok i am a picture slacker

hi loves

these are from hawaii in february... gotta get some others offa my camera. xoxo

marystarr

howdy

sarah - i can't believe how big all of the kids are getting ! ashley is starting HIGHSCHOOL !! it is creepy to think that she was about riley/reily's age when we all met. damn, we are getting old.
marystarr - where are the pictures of your babies ? wilder is growing up too fast. it makes me want to appreciate carys that much more so since it is a reminder of how fast they grow up. how is matt doing ? have ya'll given much thought to moving to n'awlins ? we could really use a great chef down here....
everyone else - que pasa ? avery is chasing reily with a tomahawk and carys is somehow sleeping through it. so is daddy, as a matter of fact. i return to work around june 14th. not looking forward to it. there have been a lot of changes in management and quite a few people have jumped ship. all in all, there's a shit storm brewing that i'm about to get into.
ah hell, carys woke up. lots of kisses ladies
kri

All is well here!!!!! Riley finished Kindergarten last week. Matthew finished 6th grade (special ed), then spent a week at Camp. Ashley finished 8th grade (I am SO old!)....
Caden is 5 1/2 months old now and just the most precious thing!!!!

WIlder is 1

wowza! my baby boy is one year old today. He is fabulously cute and a total nut, tearing around my house trying to bust into every cabinet and drawer and open and shut every door. He is running, climbing stairs, kicking balls and throwing them overhand. He is a little wonder man.

Carys is beautiful, just like her mama and all the ladies in her family. I miss you all and am sorry to be so quiet this year. I am crossing my fingers that we can get the ball rolling again and be more communicative. big hugs to you Amy about your great grandma. I am sorry for your loss, but so amazed at the incredible opportunity you had to know her and for her to meet your children. Wow. thanks for sharing that picture. its really something to see that many generations of a family together... you come from strong stuff!

xoxoxoxoxo

MaryStarr

Kri, She is absolutely beautiful! Not surprised at all, your girls are all beautiful.

Everyone is very quiet

We took Samuel to his new school last week. He got to walk around the building, eat lunch, meet his special education teacher, and have lunch in the cafeteria. He loved it and one of us will take him at least once a week to familiarize him with the school. We really want him to be able to eat lunch with the other kids (and so does the teacher, we are on the same page with her for everything so far).