Augi's Big Moka...

If you have ever taken an antrhopology course, you will know Ongka and his Big Moka. Well, Augi's 4th year Moka will be hard to beat. The theme: Pirate Girl! Aaargh!

Last week Augi and Em made the cupcakes...

Augi started her birthday on Thursday by having a sleepover with Grandma Meme. On Friday, she got to go to lunch at Grannie Annie's Restaurant with Grandma Meme and Great Grandma Farr (That is a lot of Grandmas!)

Grandma and Augi picked up the balloons and made it home a few hours before the party. Perfect timing!

Check out the cutest pirate girl banner ever--made by yours truly!

We started out with cupcakes and a story (Pirate Girl by Cornelia Funke)

Then, we took some swipes at the pirate pinata.

Mmmmm...Emmett really liked the cupcakes

Every Pirate Girl needs a pair of great HEELS

Checkin' out their LOOT

The treasure hunt was so fun. We had a map, clues in rum bottles, and an obstacle course.

Skull Cave was the best decoration, thanks to Pirate Daddy My littlest PirateOpening her loot

It's her party and she'll cry if she wants to...

Walking the plank...I'm not sure what the blow-up baseball bat is doing in the "ocean"

You can always identify the pirate captain by the HANDS ON HIPS Stance.

My favorite parts of the party:

• Augi telling Grandma meme that we were going to serve sprite and rum to the kids. WTF? (A few weeks ago she told Dayton I let her play with fire and knives.)
• Emmett diving face first into his cupcake
• Tanner telling Augi she should love her new snowcone maker because now she doesn't have to go to "Shavin Havin!"
• The first bloomed sunflower of the season chose Augi's birthday
• The balloons all flying away 10 minutes into the party
• Caisy's braids and pirate bandana

Augi's favorite part of the party: "The treasure hunt!"

Daddy's favorite part: "The treasure hunt and skull cave!"

Next on my plate--getting the luau invites out. Only 3 weeks away!

I'm Hyperventilating...

OK, breathe, Ok.
So, I just finished and emailed my technical interview for a position as an early intervention psychologist in England. It is one step closer to the actual phone interview then background check. What if I get it? OMG. Can we really move across the world?
The question is...can Chris really move? And, how will we fit Tanner, Libs, and Sarah into our luggage? They do transport 5000 lbs of junk, so we'll just throw them in the moving van with some food and water. I fully plan to get Sarah a job there and Chris will watch all the kids for us while we work. I checked out Lakenheath on google earth tonight. It looks pretty rural.

Preparations for the pirate fest are in full swing. We made cupcakes yesterday, we will frost them later. Augi is having a birthday sleepover with Meme tomorrow so I can get ready for the party. She talked me into decorating today, so I won't have much to do on Friday. Yipee! It is midnight and I am getting my second wind as usual...I guess I'll go lie in bed and read myself to sleep. Or, I'll start making party decorations. Wait until you all see the 40 foot pirate-girl flag banner I made.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today's my day. Cool-eh?
No pictures on this post. Sorry. Friday we went to the zoo early in the day so Addie and Augi could exchange birthday gifts. I forgot to put memory in my camera. Duh. Then, later that night we had some family over for a BBQ, and I forgot to take any pictures. It was fun, and the kabobs were great. Saturday we just hung out and I didn't find any great moments to capture in pics. Today we went swimming and I forgot the stinkin' camera. I wish I had remembered it because Augi went down the big waterslide with Chris a bunch of times and her smile as she came down was priceless. Oh well--I'll remember it next time.
As for my birthday, it was just another day like any other--great to spend it with my sweet children and their dad.

Not in the Mood to Talk...to Some People

Scene: Augi, Emmett, Chris, and I sitting at the dinner table tonight.

Augi: Mom, I am just not in the mood to talk to anyone.
Me: OK, that's fine.
Augi: Well, except you.
Me: OK.
Augi: Well, except you and Emmett.

Geez, Chris must have really really offended her!

Books.Books.Books.

Emmett is obsessed with books. He wanders around the house collecting books to be read to him. CONSTANTLY! It is fun to see him enjoying reading, but it is exhausting. I need to find some new books, too. We spent so much time reading the same books to Augi that I am completely bored with them.
Otherwise, I have been a terrible blogger lately. I am less busy at work, but more mentally preoccupied. Times are changing in education and I am not wanting to go with the change. I don't like the direction those in charge are taking. So, I am on the job market. Hopefully my written application for the overseas job will be finished tomorrow and the next step will begin!

The kids are changing like crazy. Emmett has several words and he understands just about everything. Augi is a little girl now. I miss her baby-ness.
By the way...The LUAU HAS BEEN MOVED TO AUGUST 22. Don't worry, you'll get an invite.

They are the best of friends.

Auntie Becky invited us out for a swim. The weather was great.

Em made a friend at the Treehouse Museum. She was a cute, fat little thing. Em always does this bend down with hands on knees stand when he meets a new baby.

Dressing up like a pioneer.

and a native American...

Typical. Mama Llama packs too much into the little Llamas' day...(I highly recommend the Llama books if you haven't read them already!)

Colorado Trip

We took a little trip to Colorado for 4 days this week...Augi is excited to go to the Baldwin's tomorrow, and she is very worried she is going to forget the names of her friends and the events of the trip. So, I am up late trying to get this post done so she can tell them all about it!
I was looking forward to this trip for months. These girls and I spent many good times together during grad school. They are two of my very best friends and I love them dearly. I miss not getting to have my children know them better. There was a moment when our three little girls were playing together and I got very teary. (I didn't let anyone see, though!)

Augi has been on an airplane many times, but she didn't really remember any of them. She was very excited about this one. Emmett was just happy to be hanging with his mommy and sister. He was great. We had a delay on the way out--an extra hour on the plane. Ug.

Here is Em with our wonderful hostess Brit. She really made the trip great. We stayed at her place with her four children--Noah, Macy, Sam and Ian--the twins.

On Thursday we just hung around the house anxiously awaiting Cherise's arrival and settling in. Augi was a little shy at first. Em's separation anxiety is at it's peak, so he never really warmed up until Brittany pulled out the candy. I should have given her that tip early on.

On Friday, Brit reserved a room at a nice hotel just so we could use the pool! It was great. Hardly any people had to see me in a suit, the atmosphere was wonderful and the kids had a blast. Here is either Sam or Ian. Sorry boys, you are both equally as sweet, but I haven't a clue...

Augi took this shot of the hotel and pool...aaaaa.

Augi and her new "best friend" Chloe. They are about 6 months apart and they were so cute together. They played for hours. Chloe is a talker and my favorite Chloe phrase was "stuffed up animals."

I got to spend some time cuddling Em while the other mommas entertained the gang.

Here are all of the children. Augi was not happy about having her picture taken, but her new suit sure looks cute! From left to right, Augi, Chloe, Macy, Emmett, Sam/Ian, Noah, and Sam/Ian.

Emmett enjoyed napping in the warm outdoors

Little posers

Here is the car gang. We were short one seat, so Macy rode with RD.

Saturday was zoo day. Now, Augi has been talking about going back to the Denver Zoo to see the flamingos for the last 2 years...which was the last time we went to Denver.

I'm not sure what this little creature is...Augi took the picture while I took the Lane Gang through the snake house. The other mommies were too wimpy.

Augi and the boys. They were so sweet. This morning they were playing prince and princesses. Each time I would go into the room I would hear Augi trying to convince them to kiss her. Later, at lunch, one of them said to his friend, "see that girl over there with the same white hair as me? (referring to Aug) She is my girlfriend." Woo-hoo! I'm all for that. She is betrothed already.

The flamingos...finally!

Emmett also found a little girlfriend. This cute little button belongs to Cory and Carrie--Cherise's bro and sis-in-law. Marley is six weeks older than Emmett. He kept squatting down to look at her--as if she is a baby and he is sooooo much older.

Augi holding Chloe's hand...and Taya is another cousin of Chloe's. These girls were like 3 peas in a pod later in the day. Taya and Augi were due to be born on the same day.

After the zoo we had to go to our favorite mexican restaurant--La Loma. Ron and Gail drove down from Greeley to have lunch. More BFF's of mine. It was a short visit, but great to see them.

Noah, Em, Augi, Twin A, and Macy

Back at the Lane place, Em enjoyed trying on heels. He can walk surprisingly well in them! Hmmm...

Sunday was spent hanging out, packing, and saying goodbye to our friends. We were sad to leave, but it is good to be home. We all missed Daddy.

Tomorrow it is back to work for me. OK Augi, I hope you got to show this to Tanner and Libby. I love you! You were a great travel mate.