Berry Picking

 My daughter, little cousin, nephew and I went to Hoffman farms to pick berries. It was very hot so we didn't last very long but the kids had a blast. If anyone lives in the Portland area you should go there. They are the nicest people and have the best homemade pies. They sell other fruits and vegetables as well, and they have a little play set made out of a John-deer tractor and one of those huge black tube things as a slide for the kids

to play on and an area to have a picnic.

                                          The cute little store

                                         Aiden picking blackberries

MyInsite News

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	The biggest, smallest innovation in laundry is here with new all® mighty pacsTM NEW all mighty pacs are pre-measured doses of super concentrated detergent that help get out the tough dirt and stains so mom can spend more time with family and let her kids be kids without worrying about stains. mighty pacs are pre-measured to contain the right combination of powerful concentrated detergent with active stainliftersTM to deliver the same cleaning and stain removal benefits that consumers expect from all. Easy-to-use and safe in any washing machine, mighty pacs take the guesswork out of measuring detergent, providing the perfect dose every time so consumers know they are not over-using detergent. Available now, these small, but mighty pacs come in two varieties, original and free clear, from the makers of the #1 detergent brand recommended by dermatologists and allergists for sensitive skin. Like many other household products, detergents need to be used as directed and safely and properly stored. Parents need to remember to read labels carefully and store laundry products out of the reach of children. To encourage families to celebrate summer fun, mighty pacs has partnered with ParentsConnect.com, a Nickelodeon parenting site, to launch the "Mighty Fun, Mighty Moments" contest. The contest encourages parents to share their families' favorite activities and moments in 140 characters or less. Families can enter by clicking here for a chance to win a Nickelodeon Norwegian Cruise (no purchase necessary). Official rules can be foundhere. Visit all-laundry.com and the all Facebook page to learn more about how to simplify your laundry experience with mighty pacs.
	Eggland's Best "Your Best Recipe" Contest Judge Serves Up Tips to Help You Get Cracking Before Time Runs Out! A few months ago, we let you know that Eggland's Best is looking for "Your Best Recipe", using at least two Eggland's Best eggs, for their first-ever "Your Best Recipe" Contest. One lucky grand prize winner will receive $10,000!! Now through August 12, you may enter up to two recipes in each of the following categories: Breakfast, Appetizer, Main Course, or Dessert. In addition to the grand prize, one winner will be selected from each category and will be awarded $1,000!! Helping judge the egg-tastic recipes will be Chef Candice Kumai and Registered Dietitian Elizabeth Ward. According to Chef Candice, cookbook author and judge on Food Network's Iron Chef America, eggs have always been a must-have staple, enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Their versatility is virtually endless. As Chef Candice recently noted in a Women's Healthpost, all eggs are an excellent source of nutrition, however some eggs are a more superior lay for your health. Chef Candice only uses Eggland's Best eggs because they are nutritionally superior and are more consistent than ordinary eggs. Looking for some pointers before you get cracking in the kitchen? Chef Candice offers these tips: Keep it simple: The more simple and clean ingredients you use, the better the result. Food trends all repeat the same news; we are going back to basics. Learn to balance flavors: Utilize all of your pantry staples to create a balance of sweet, tart, salt and savory flavors. Allow these flavors to marry together and taste test! Add in a Twist: Strive for a recipe with great taste, and give it a healthy twist by swapping out high calorie ingredients for healthier options. Think you've got a winning recipe? Click here to get started. For official contest rules, click here.
	BK CROWNTM/MC Program Design The Crown Contest IMAGINATION IS KINGTM at BURGER KING® and now the BK CROWNTM/MC Program is letting creativity reign with its new Design The Crown contest! This summer, children ages 6 - 12 are encouraged to showcase their creativity by designing their own BK® Crown. With parent's permission, children can create and submit their crown design online or by mail-in entry now through September 3rd! BK® will select finalists from each state and Washington, D.C., and will feature all 51 custom crowns in an online photo gallery. BK® will then narrow down the field to four finalists, giving America the opportunity to choose the winning crown design from October 1st through 12th by voting atwww.BKCROWN.com. The grand prize winner will have their crown featured at BK® restaurants nationwide, as well as receive airfare, hotel accommodations, free admission, and an exclusive tour for four to their closest LEGOLAND® Park. In addition, LEGOLAND® Parks and the other US Merlin Entertainment Attractions, LEGOLAND® Discovery Centers, Madame Tussauds and SEA LIFE Aquariums are granting children free admission across the U.S. when they present their specially marked BK® Crown with the purchase of one full price adult admission. Please visit www.BKCROWN.com for more information and enter your child's design today.

Our 4th of July

Our 4th of July was a good one! My sister and her 4 kids and my great niece are here visiting for a couple weeks. This is the first time my sister has came to visit since we moved here 6 years ago this summer, so it has been nice to visit with her and my nieces ages 17, 21 and 1, my 18 year old nephew and my 2 year old great niece. "Lets see if any of you can figure that one out". We also had some family that lives here in Oregon just not near us here also so that was nice as well. We did a few of the fireworks while it was still light out cause it was fun for all the kids to see all the parachutes and flags come down from the sky. I think this is the first year when all the kids enjoyed the fire works and weren't hiding from all the loud bangs. There was 26 people over half of that was kids so it was fun watching how excited they all were.

                                 My 3 nieces and great niece

                                    My nephew

                              Finding ways to have fun and it was a success

Two of my favorite kids!

The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

Ever thought about entering the 2012 ING New York City Marathon, but needed a little extra inspiration to get you there? Or, maybe you tried to get into the NYC marathon through the lottery, but were one of the thousands who didn't get selected?  Well, today might be your lucky day! The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, dedicated to curing spinal cord injury and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis, is looking for enthusiastic, inspiring and committed people to run in honor of those who cannot. The Foundation has 30 coveted spots available on Team Reeve for the 2012 ING New York City Marathon, taking place on November 4, 2012. Participants are required to raise a minimum of $4,000 for the Foundation.  To apply for a spot, simply visit http://tinyurl.com/82auwxs to fill out the application. Applications will be vetted by the Foundation, with winners being notified within approximately one week of submission.  Additionally, Team Reeve has teamed up with exclusive training facility La Palestra in New York City, which will provide free coaching, strength training, nutrition counseling and training runs to all Team Reeve members. If you live outside of New York, the staff at La Palestra will provide tele-coaching. So, to all you runners out there...Go Far. Be Inspirational. Do Good. "This information was provided to me by The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation through MyBlogSpark."

Last day of school

Well today was the last day of school for my kids and that means I officially have two kids in middle school and one left in elementary school. I can't believe how fast this school year has gone by. My kids are growing up so fast and that is just crazy for me to think that they are mine and they are as old as they are. I have been very lucky to have such good kids in and out of school. I am always having parents and staff at there schools telling me how sweet they are. Well here is the first and last day of school pictures and if you want to look back at at the last two years here are the links- 2009/2010 and 2010/2011

Last Day

"Today was P.J day at there school" 

First Day

Last Day

First Day

Celebrate this Father's Day with UnitedHealthcare

Looking for the perfect gift for the father figure in your life this Father愀 Day? Instead of shopping for an expensive gadget or another necktie, give him something he惻l really enjoy. Celebrate this Father愀 Day by spending quality time together! Here are a few ideas from UnitedHealthcare on how you can make this Father愀 Day really special for your favorite guy. Host a Backyard BBQ For the grill master in your life, a BBQ is a fun way to celebrate Father's Day and prepare a nutritious meal. Invite family and friends over to try some of these recipes: Citrus Pasta Salad Grilled Cheesy Garlic Potato Packet Mediterranean Grilled Snapper Grilled Italian Turkey Burgers Fruit Salad with Strawberry-Poppy Seed Vinaigrette Grilled Portabella Mushrooms with Herbs Chicken Salad Pita Sandwiches Fresh Tomato and Cucumber Salad Pack a Picnic Enjoy the beautiful June weather with a relaxing picnic! Pack a basket full of some favorite treats and new options. Here's a list that will get your mouth watering: Grilled Pesto Chicken Packs Mediterranean Turkey Bagelwiches Caesar Chicken with Orzo Barbecued Pork Sandwiches with Slaw Angel-Fruit Parfaits Grilled Chicken Breasts with Cucumber-Peach Salsa Chicken Fruit Salad Stock the Fridge Make his day by stocking the fridge full of healthy staples combined with his favorite snacks. Clean out his fridge with help from this Refrigerator Audit, and while you're there use this Kitchen Safety list to re-arrange the kitchen so it's safer and more accessible. Now that you're feeling inspired for Father's Day, visit the Solutions for Caregivers website to download these recipes, find more tips, and learn about providing care for a loved one.

Carnival Party

 My youngest turned 10 in May which was a sad/happy kinda day for me. I was happy because he has grown up to be such a sweet and loving kid but I was sad because all of my kids have hit the double digits and its just that much more real that they are not my babies anymore. 


 Alyssa and I decided we wanted him to have a carnival theme party and started looking for stuff. I really didn't think to tell him and when I finally did he was not so excited about it but went along with us anyways. I wasn't sure how a bunch of 8 and 9 year old would like it but I have to say it was a huge success and I loved how excited the kids were when there parents picked them up telling them about all the fun they had.


          Here is a picture of Ryan on the day of his Birthday! With lots of hair!!

He didn't want a cake so I made him ice-cream sandwiches with cookie dough ice-cream

                The invitations Alyssa and I made

    The prize table where all the kids turned in there tickets that they had won

                                     The banner I made

The suckers and labels I ordered that barley made it in time for his party. I ordered them May 2nd and asked before I ordered if they would be here by June 2nd and she said no problem and they got here an hour before the party was over.

 My carnival workers

   Did you notice the hair cut in this one?? So much cuter with out all that hair!

 Ryan with some of his gifts and his cute mustash! We had face painting done by the girls as well

The police leaving after they made everyone leave because all the kids were being so crazy from all the sugar I gave them!

I know lots of pictures like always and if you are reading this then thank you for taking the time to look through this post!