Fins Up!!

For Meg's BIG bachelorette party, we camped in Wisconsin for two nights and awaited some fun at the Jimmy Buffett concert. I've never been to a Parrothead event before, and let me tell you, I'm a huge Jimmy fan! Still... this was more than I could have anticipated!

Our camp was decorated, and Moog was to carry Petey Pablo around... ha, did he ever get lost! Us 12 girls had loads of fun around the campsite Friday...

And thenSaturday was the big day! Upon our bus ride entrance into the concert tailgate, we were told that cameras were not permitted, so we didn't even risk it... unfortunately, our concert memories are just that... until next year!

Busy Weekend in Cedar Rapids!

omedays I wonder why we pay a mortgage in Davenport, because I think we'd do fine claiming the basement at my parents! :-) This past weekend, we came into town Thursday night and Friday we spent the day shopping with mom and letting Papa and Cade have some time together. One of our stops was TJMaxx for a "little" gift for Meg... well, we turn around and Aly has some of the lace skivvies on herself!

Friday night was Meg's bachelorette party at Cibo Fusion and the Piano Lounge. We had a great time, and she had about 25 girls show up. The company was so fun and Moog loved seeing everyone. She was beautiful of course, and it makes us look that much more forward to seeing her in her bridal gown.

Saturday, we spent doing more shopping (duh!) and then it was off to a couple's shower fro Meg and Blake thrown by my parents friends. Wow... Glori and Deb sure know how to through a celebration! We started at 4 p.m. and in just a few hours they had us all playing flippy-cup. I was exhausted by the time we made it home, but it was a great time! Who knew that hanging out with your parents could be the most fun?

Sunday was Father's Day, and Dad and Jarin spent the better part of the afternoon working on building a deck at my parents. It's so neat to see those two work together. Their personalities match too perfectly to be a coincidence. God sure must have had a plan when he introduced me to Jarin, because he is a perfect replica of my dad. I love those boys!

The best part was that Caden fit right in with his own responsibilities! Look at those worker-gloves!

The Annual Garage Sale

Us Skala girls are quite the trio! We planned a garage sale months ago, and then about a week in advance we all scurried to get items marked, folded, and organized. We opened it to friends on Thursday night, the public on Friday, and Saturday was a bust because of the monsoon that came through (we watched for cars through the window and packed up early!) But, they are still as fun as they were 20 years ago on 9th Ave SW, when Weesie and Pat would come by and by all our jewelry and enjoy frozen rum drinks with mom! Now, those little ladies aren't here to consume, but Meg and I have stepped up to the plate!

 This was what it looked like, packing everything in the garage at 1:30 a.m. on Thursday night, before we opened for the first day!

This is just half of the garage... mostly the kids clothes that I'm selling!

We did good (made over $700 in one day!) but there is so much left. We're planning a Saturday in August at my house for the remainder. After that, it's a big trip to Goodwill!

This was one of the sweet pictures of the kids enjoying fruit snacks, powdered sugar donuts and anything else they could get their little mits on. (Cade's shirt says "Sister for Sale $1.00 or negotiable"!!!)

 Cade also spent time with Papa mowing the acre lot!

Later on Friday, the Fortune's stopped by for some slippy slide, drinks, and pizza. One of my all time favorites is below. Look at those rolls on the two kids!

The value of girlfriends

I have praised my husband, kids and family many times while blogging... but I don't know that I've ever really expressed my gratitude toward my wonderful girlfriends! Living in the Quad Cities puts a little barrier between me and my favorite girls. Unless there is an event of some sort, it's hard to get together for no reason. Well, Sunday was an exception! Trisha and Kati packed up their kids (in the Fortune's new mini) and headed down I-80. We pulled out the sunscreen, towels, chairs and slippy slides and the kids went at it. Us three relaxed in the sun and it was nice to have one of those no-brainer days, especially when it's all about girl talk! Here's some of my favorites from that sunny Sunday afternoon...

Isn't it sweet how they wait in single-file line at the top of the hill for their turn at the fun?

Yes, the pool is nasty! I think the whole sandbox was transferred to the water! But, look at Lindsay... isn't she the sweetest?

This is my little Godson, Cal. The kids taught him the ropes, and he was quick to figure it out!

This just says it all... five little ones between 1 and 4 -- you've gotta smile!

Wrapping up the day with ice cream...

It's funny that at nearly 30 years old, I'm content with a lawn chair and the girls. Okay, so a bucket of margaritas may have made the afternoon a little better! :-) Too often our schedules don't align and hanging out doesn't happen often enough. It's surely not something that I take for granted, so thanks Kati and Trish for the jaunt to Davenport. I enjoyed my time more than you can imagine!

Six wonderful years...

We sure have been blessed. Meeting 10 years ago in a drunken fiasco, somehow falling in love, and seeing the beauty of what our lives would be like merged. He asked for my hand in marriage on the dock of his family cabin, using the inheritance from his grandmother to place the ring on my finger. Now, six years later, I look at that stunning diamond and know that it came from family and created a family. A family I wouldn't trade for the world.

We have laughed through the years because the celebration of our marriage has always occurred all year long each year, instead of on one specific day. We've never been good with documented Hallmark holidays like Valentine's Day, anniversaries, and birthdays. While we love gift-giving for others, we've tended not to spoil each other on special occasions. This year was no different... we agreed once again to no anniversary gifts.

But, I was sneaky and ran to Hy-Vee for a nice card and special bottle of red wine, hoping we could enjoy it together after our dinner out (with the kids!) Guess what? I was the one dooped, not Jarin! He spoiled the crap out of me with a brand new set for our deck.

Here's to celebrating six years over and over again, to good (cheap) glasses of red wine, delightful dinners out with the kids, and relaxation at our home together. I love you more babe.

Memorial Weekend Travels

We spent the long weekend traveling up to Minnesota. Had a great time, enjoyed visiting friends and family, but wow, what a difference the extra travel time from the Quad Cities makes.

The kids did great traveling (for the most part). Of course, it's never as easy as driving across town, but between movies, books, and many unhealthy treats, we made it! I have to share this freaky picture I took on the way up. Attempting to get the sunset and windmills captured, I ended up with a really bizarre shot of Alayna's reflection ---

Here is what I was really hoping to catch... the timing of our view was beautiful!

Once we arrived (late Friday night) we got the kids calmed down and enjoyed the typical Black Hole of the old neighborhood. Saturday, we hung around the house, picked out flowers, helped plant the garden, found out that my little 2-year-old can count to ten!!! ... and had a couple brewskies!

Tam made an amazing dinner for us that evening and by about 2 a.m. we were in good enough shape to pull up a couple hassssstaaas! from the (vacant) neighbors yard! Geez, you troublemakers!

It was hard to leave, as always, but we were off to our next stop -- VIVIENNE'S!

Okay, so I must admit that I did an awful, terrible job at taking pictures of our three little munchkins together. But we had lots of fun! Right when we arrived, Vivi and Auntie Jacque were waiting patiently outside -- Viv looking for a playmate, and Jacq searching out a little adult interaction! (Justin was in a golf outing all weekend). So, Jarin and I satisfied her by accepting a beer, and then two, and then three! Pretty soon, our couple hour visit turned into an overnight stay! Nice coaxing Jacque! After Just arrived home, we spent quite a bit of time at the park, grilled out, and then bathed the little ones and tucked them in.

The next morning, all three got their drink of choice, and snuggled in to watch some Dora before breakfast.

We sure hated to leave their home too, but knew we had a drive ahead of us. Thank you to all of our Minnesota friends who made us feel right at home! And to all of you others who we didn't get a visit... so sorry! Hopefully we'll be up for the football game this fall! Miss ya!