Shoe love

Here are my FAVORITE pair of shoes in all of their old, ratty glory. I've had them for 4 years and I love summer because that means that I get to wear them all the time. But I think it's time for a new pair. I can't decide what kind to get - backstrap or not, the flip flop kind, triple strap, pattern or plain?? There are just too many choices for me...if I could, I would buy several different kinds and be done, but this summer, only one pair is in the budget. Nevertheless I can't wait to get a new pair wear them to shreds too.... On Saturday, we went to the local blueberry festival and left the house with only $10 in cash - it was $7 to park and no ATM so we wandered around, longing for blueberry smoothies, cake, anything...but to appease the girls we got a bag of kettle corn. It's funny because that stuff is all over the place - when you go to festivals of this kind in Germany, France etc.. you can get the exact same stuff. Must be because it's good...even Paige thinks so.

10 Things

#1 - The Tate family came to visit for Sunday dinner a couple of weeks ago. They were picking Kendall up from his mission. They are really a great family. Hope they had fun seeing Kendall and that he is adjusting well to post-mission life. #2 Maggie turned 10 - I can't believe she is in the double digits. I don't have any good pictures, but I liked the streaky flames in this one. We had a family day on Saturday to celebrate and her party with friends will be this Saturday at the pool.
#3 Tomorrow is the last day of school! Paige will be so happy to have someone around in the day time. Look at her with her puppy - this is actually a question on the developmental questionnare we filled out for her 12 month check-up. "Does your child play with dolls/stuffed animals by carrying them around?
#4 Christopher is gone again. Back to Italy, Germany & Turkey - he will hopefully be landing just in time for Maggie's party on Saturday.

#5 My neighborhood has turned into the Ghetto - on Friday night, teenagers broke into the other half of our duplex, and the neighbor across the street has decided to have friends over to hang out/drink beer/play thumping music/rev their speed bikes with until after 11:00 on several occasions.

#6 How embarrassing is it that the Air Force is about to re-do bidding for the new tanker for the 3rd time? (I have a much longer rant about this and government in general, but am restraining myself because Daniel is too busy parenting at the moment to really enjoy it.)

#7 My teeth still hurt after going to the dentist 8 days ago. The last 2 nights I have woken up in pain. I would go back, but I am out of benefits until February and have already spent thousands this year on my teeth.

#8 Ashlee hates the smell of clean sheets - whenever I wash sheets, she asks me not to wash her pillowcase because she doesn't like the smell. (I wash it anyway) So tonight she went to sleep with her pillowcase under her pillow until it smells how she likes it again (and it is time to wash it again)

#9 Today was beautiful weather - perfect weather. Mid 70's, no humidity, it was so nice, I have all of my windows open tonight, again, so nice.

#10 We have a pet rabbit - we often find him under the trampoline or in the front yard, Ashlee has even built a little nest under there for him. I hope I didn't scare him away with all the cayenne pepper I put in the flower beds - something has eaten my morning glories down to the nubs and now the trellises I put out for them to snake around look a little silly. We also have a pet tadpole that the girls have named Bubba (I didn't coach them, I promise.) I am honestly surprised that he has made it this long, and I hope he makes it to be strong enough to be set free!

Finally!

I am so glad that Obama finally has the nomination! If you don't have Obama fever, let me help you with the following link of his speech tonight! He is so inspiring and I am so looking forward to January 09!

http://www.barackobama.com/index.php