Take me out to the fair!! - The Ventura County Fair

It is time for Ventura County Fair!!!! It is on from July 30 to August 10. A group of us went to on dollar Wednesday. So much cheaper. Next year, I am taking me own food. It was a lot of fun. We saw the turkey stampede, rode the mechanical bull, ate cotton candy and rode the rides. If you look really close you can see Amy, Karyn and me riding the swings. I might add that Karyn was trying to keep her shoes on that is why she is sitting so prim and proper. The view from the ferris was wonder. It overlooked the fair and you could see the ocean, too. We ended the day at the pig show. If you are looking for something to do next summer, go to the fair. Make sure that you check their website to check on the deals. See you at the fair.

May I suggest . . . .

I loved this book. My friend, Brianna told me about this book. It was so fun to read and had some great insights for me. So, if you are still looking for something to read, may I suggest. . .

Take your mark!

It is the last swim meet of the summer. It has gone so fast. The kids had a great time. Amanda and Natalie have really improved in their swimming. Natalie took second in one of her heats. Anna and Olivia completed for their first time. It was a fun and a confident building experience. So, if next year you are looking for something to use up summer days - check out the swim team. We will be there again.

Really, for me!!

My talented sister, Alecia has been working on this quilt for me for about 1 and 1/2 years. With a little help from my sister - in law, Bekki, she finished it. It is so cute. If you can't tell, it is 16 dress forms with a different material dress. Words do not do it justice. It is so cute. I feel so lucky to have such a beautiful gift.

That blasted umbrella!!!!!

You would think that when you buy an umbrella for the summer that it would last more than half of the summer. But, NO. . . . . As you can see from the picture, my beach umbrella died. It is so frustrating to be sitting by Castasic lake on our annual trip to see Liz's sister, Chrissy to have your umbrella keep flipping its top at the slightest movement of the air. While we had a great time swimming to the rope and eating Oreos, the umbrella had a mind of its own. Well, I got the last laugh. I threw the pain in the . . . umbrella in the trash!!!! It's off to Costco to see if they have any umbrellas left.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

We arrived at my mom and dad's house to help celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary together. Anna asked to see Grandma's wedding dress. So, my mom pulled it out for her and let her try it on. It was so fun to remember their wedding day thru the eyes of Anna. My mom said before you know it, she will be wearing one of her own. My mom provide Anna with something old - a satin covered button from her wedding dress to be attached to Anna's dress at a later - much later date.

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary Mom and Dad

My parents, George and Shanna Fink have been married for fifty years on July 19, 2008. We are going to see them this weekend to be with them. They have had a great marriage. They met when my mom was 18. Sure life has had it ups and downs, every marriage does. They have been a great example to me. My mom has always gone where ever my dad's jobs has taken them. They have always worked together. My dad has always been very loving to my mom. I have learned from them that it is a give and take. Sometimes you are the one giving 100% and sometimes you are giving 20%. Jens and I can only hope to be as successful as they have been. So mom and dad, Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary and we will see you soon. I love you!

Post Challenge!!

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I have had together. It doesn’t matter if you knew me a little or a lot, if we’ve actually met in person or not, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.

Swimming and a brownie - Activity Days

There is nothing like getting together with your girlfriends. While a lot of the girls were on vacation, we still had about 6 girls swimming together at the Bluths. It was a lot of fun for the girls to see each other. There was a lot of jumping, diving and going down the slide. They ended the activity by sharing a little of their favorite snack. Swimming and a brownie, what could be better!

Our First Swim Meet of the Summer

A group of our kids have been doing the South Coast Summer Swim team. They have been working really hard 3 days a week from 8 am to 9 am. It started the first week after school ended. Our first swim meet was today. Everyone picked two or three different strokes that they wanted to compete in. All the hard work paid off. It was Sarah's first time and she did great. Natalie won her heat in the free style. Adam came in 3rd on the backstroke. Sam swam and swam and swam. While it was hot, we did our best to stay cool under the Congelliere's pop up. The Eschenbergs came by to give their moral support. It was a great day. We will find out more on where the kids place on Monday. I will keep you posted.

Brotherly Love

I don't know about your house, but at my house, brotherly love happen once in a great while. It's not that they don't love each other, but it is often heard, "he is so annoying". Jake and Adam have been playing with their Ninento DS and I got this picture. Now, I have proof. You do love each other. Now,go give him a hug.

Let's boogie until we can't boogie anymore!

It's beach day in our little world. It was over cast today, but that did not stop the fun. Everyone was playing in the water, in the waves or on their boogie boards. Amy gets the prize of being the best mom. She was on her boogie board too. It reminded me of summer days when I was growing up. We would stay at the beach until the very last possible moment. When you fell alseep at night you could still feel the waves moving in and out. It is the best!!!!