Close Up

This is a beautiful photo that I got of Alayna last weekend... had to share! Isn't it just precious?

We BIXed again!!!

I did it!!! The 2010 BIX7 was a hit! Jarin and I both sliced about 7 minutes off our time from last year, and loved every minute of it! My Aunt Deb and cousin Britni joined in the race, and did an amazing job running for their first time. We're hoping that we can pull everyone else from the family in next year for 7 miles of the US National Championship course. Our cheering squad was wonderful and we couldn't have done it without the support from all of our family and friends. What a great time and huge success. Thank you everyone for helping make this dream come true for yet another year!

Before the race!

After the race!

Happy 55th birthday to my daddy!

It's quite amazing that 55 years of life have passed for my dad. That seems like such a long time (sorry dad) to embrace the joys of life, and yet so short compared to all that he still has to look forward to. Thirty-two years ago he married the hot-chick from DrugTown; two years later they had their first child (me!) and then just a couple after that they were blessed with yet another girl. Dad allowed us to have pets growing up... all of which I believe were female, except one. He's always been outnumbered in that sense, and handled it very well. It's taught him to love getting his hair done and to take pride in his appearance. He never did have a helper with yard work, a companion while building and constructing things, or a partner for athletic events with us girls!

And then six years ago he adopted his first son and was provided a grandson four years ago. Dad has opened his heart to these boys just as though they were all his own, and I couldn't be more grateful. There aren't many times that families have the bond that we do, and it's really cool to see my daddy and my hubby interact.

Two years ago, dad got another little girl in the family, and it was apparent that he had a favorite! Papa has really come around full-circle! Just in time to walk his last baby girl down the aisle in just 16 days, and accept another son to the family. My dad would never admit it, but I think milestones like this are hard for even a man who's seen 55 years of life happen before him. The coolest part is that he's been the rock in building these little families and I know that the future will be even more amazing than the past.

Thank you dad for giving us girls all that we could have dreamed for. You have been the most amazing person to us and we all love you dearly. Have a great celebration! Cheers and happy birthday!

Golfing at 9 months... what?!

So, I go visit my dearest friend, Jenni (who, may I admit moved from Florida to Illinois... I swore I'd see her ALL THE TIME, but of course, you know how it goes...she might as well still be in Florida!) I take a 1/2 day off work, drive my 1.5 hours there and when I arrive, she is not only popping-huge, 9-months prego, but she wants to take me golfing! I agree to it. We get to the course, and she loads me up with a "to-go" bag of 3 Coors Lights. (She was driving the cart, thankfully!) And off we go!

She was a rockstar! And we had a blast together. As she texted me the next morning: "It always seems to feel like old times within just minutes of being together."

We ended the night with a great dinner out with her hubby... thanks Callan's for a wonderful day!

When I arrived home that night, I had a hard time locating my husband! And then, as I went to kiss my children good night, I found him!

How adorable! It was tough to decide whether I should let him sleep or to wake him up!

Friends, Bags, Sun, and Memories

We have an amazing group of friends ... many met in 1st grade, some joined the group in high school, a couple married in after college, and a few were adopted in the past 8 years since graduating. Needless to say, getting everyone together for a night out is tough, but to get a good long weekend away is nearing impossible -- but, we did it!  

This past Thurs - Sun we had 6 couples join together for a weekend in Galena, IL. We rented a 5 bedroom home and went golfing, shopping, spa-ing, hot-tubbing, paddle boating, and did a little drinking! It was a wonderful few days together... one we will never forget, and especially one that must become an annual event.

This is the house that we stayed in... dinners together were loads of fun!

Here is to the group (minus Kirsten and Josh) -- to celebrating marriages, birthdays, and babies!

And to my wonderful husband of 6 years... happy 30th to each of us -- what a perfect reason to celebrate!

 

Lake Time!

I can't believe it's been two years since visiting Jarin's family in South Dakota. Imagining that the last time we were there, Alayna was only 6 months old and now she is a blabber-queen! We piled the kids in the van early Friday morning and drove almost 10 hours to the lake. The kids did excellent once we got through the initial screaming. Finally, we just said, "look, it's gonna be a while -- you might as well just quit your whining now!" Eh, what do you know? It worked!

Once we got there the kids were thrilled with their options... boating, jet-skiing, pontooning, swimming, playing with the puppies... they couldn't get enough.

 

The kids were very excited to have time with their one and only little cousin -- Vivi! Those girls were inseparable! Alayna of course had to act like she was "mommy" all week (even though I think Viv towers her at 1 year younger)! But, the best part.... Vivi started walking and Alayna started potty-training! We were all so proud of them, and they sure soaked it up everytime someone cheered them on!

 Cade also learned a new trick this week... we proudly explained that sometimes it's okay to pee outside. Oh, geez, at first he was not having it, but by the end of the week, he was a pro!

We also celebrated the 4th on the water, and the kids got to stay up late, see fireworks from the boat, try a couple sparklers of their own, and be goofy with Aunt Jacque!

These two pictures with Jarin's grandma Gladys and grandpa Ron will always be cherished...

Here is the final clip to enjoy from our week... the "party barge" as we called it! Thanks Uncle Stan and Aunt Linda for your hospitality and putting up with all of us! You sure spoiled Cade with allowing him to drive every toy everywhere we went!

 

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!