One day she may kill me for posting this. . . but I couldnt resist :)

My Aubrey is getting older and has official entered the preteen stage of life (attitude and all)!

1st stop. . . .SHAVED LEGS!!

We went the "Nair Route" and were surprised at the stellar results!
Not much else to say, but thought I would share and shed a tear or two with you . . . I'm getting OLD!

Summertime Ends . . . and School Begins

The kids had a busy and hectic summer full of fun and adventures but I believe we were all ready to get back to the daily grind of "scheduled lives" and start school! Cayden started the 2nd grade and absolutely adores his teacher! He has had two rough years with teachers, and subs, and long term subs, and more subs (you get the picture??), and I am hoping and praying things will be super this year! I cant wait to see what the year holds for him and all the knowledge he will gain. My Aubrey started the 5th grade, and had her Last, 1st day of Elementary school :( Where did my little girl go?? We are thrilled that she has the same teacher she had last year and know her last year in elementary school will be great! Wishing my kiddos an amazing year :)

Cayden's Birthday Fun

My little Monster turned 7!! I'm still in shock and feel my baby grew up in a snap, but I am very much enjoying this big kid stage in life. He is a wild and crazy kid, full of energy and ideas. I love him more and more each day!!

So the PARTY you ask??
I had this "brilliant" idea to celebrate with a backyard birthday campout at grandma and grandpa's house. I would love to tell you I stopped with just "the idea" and took my Cayden to Disneyland, but I didnt. I planned and executed this party . . . .and next year we will be going to Disneyland :)
Boys are SO SO different than girls. I was lucky to have the help of my parents and a couple close friends - without them, I would not have survived the 17 LONG hours with 8 young boys and 3 preteen girls :) I was in over my head from the start, but Cayden had fun (or at least we think??) and I lived to learn NEVER again - So I suppose we call that success!!

Highlights included pillowcase decorating, a hike at Dixon Lake, swimming in the Kelly Lake, Campfire with mallows, bug ice cream cake, and BEDTIME (wahoo) in tents :)





The following morning we loaded the tents in the car and headed to a "Farewell to Summer Campout" with friends. I was beyond tired and not thrilled about night #2 in a tent but it turned out to be an AMAZING trip!! We ended up with 6 families and some stragglers and had lots of fun hanging out for the day! This was Cayden's actual birthday, so again we celebrated with cake and presents from mommy! He was SHOCKED and ESTATIC to receive the paintball gun he has been saving up for months to buy. He cant wait for his first "battle" but got to spend the next morning after campling shooting rocks at the campground! The kid is in heaven!!

Dr. Cayden

I cant remember how it exactly it all got started but a year or two ago Cayden decided (or was perhaps persuaded by his mother) to become a dermatologist when he grows up! Since then - ask the boy what he wants to be and that's exactly what he will tell you. So a couple of weeks ago - after a long, unsuccessful battle with a hand growth AKA wart- I sucked it up and decided to go see the dermatologist. I was given the 1st in a series of shots and sent home. When Cayd found out I had visited the Dermatologist without him he was bummed out, and I promised next time he could go. 3 Weeks later - it was back to the office and at 8 am, on Summer vacation, Cayden was as excited as ever to be there in that office! We took some picts and I showed him some lovely "skin disease" pamphlets as we waited for the Doctor to come in and check my hand. Of course - Cayden (my little character) greeted the doctor . . . "Good morning Dr. (and without a second breathe) I'm going to be working here with you soon!!" I told the doctor his "dream" and the doctor gave Cayden a pep talk - a "do good in school and work hard in college" chat. . . it was very cute and Cadyen is still thrilled to drive his Porche to work one day - even after all those years in college:)
Cayden was the photographer here - although, I think he was hoping the doctor was going to let him actually give me the shot! Crazy Kid!

Yeah for Family Week . . . I think my dad is referring to us now as the "Fabulous 13," I'll let you be the judge :)

Okay, Maybe I made the" fabulous" thing up . . . I guess I think we are pretty fabulous :) The night prior to our big family vacation to the river, mom took us all (minus the grown up men) to see Wicked!!
The show was amazing . . . the rest of the night is still not being talked about (maybe a couple of us got a little "wicked")! No comment. . . THE END!!




I'm a little late on blogging this event, and am sure most of my "followers" have seen my families rendition of the "Annual" (or not so) Kelly Family River Trip - so I will make my version short and sweet!! Like always, put our family together and we have a pretty grand time. Overall - I think we like one another (maybe more so on a cruise ship and not at the hot river) and and have fun together! Our trip was pretty short but the memories shall last forever (haha, trying to be a little cheesy here)! Enjoy my chosen picts. . .




The Joys of Road trips . . . . attempting to entertain ourselves (even while driving and focusing on the road :)




Dad and the windstorm . . . us after the long day and battling the "wind storm"