Long time coming...

aahh...there is nothing like sitting by a camp fire! Cameron...taking a break from searching for water bugs and fish.

nothing like having your brother around to always play with.

All my boys!

This WAS the road we used to drive up to get to our favorite campsite before it was washed away by a land slide. So sad!!!

Cameron being "Cameron". I can always count on my boys to pose for the picture.

Lovin my "cama-lama-ding-dong"

Me and my peanut

The trip was much fun! We actually just got back from another....this time 3 days. In August we plan on going every weekend. Gretchen has a love for camping but just can't bring herself to do it without a grown male around so she will be going with us on the 9Th to Ruby Beach. There we will actually be going to a campsite where they have bathrooms and running water......weird!

Back in the saddle again....

As most of you know, B and I love our camping in the great northwest. Last summer we went 10 times (5 times by July). This year however, we have been living our busy lives and haven't been able to go even once. So now our car is packed and we are pumped! Olympic Mountains.....here we come! Oh yeah....and I know you are jealous and foaming at the mouth Ben.

One CRAZY Family!

It was Matea's Birthday and we all came full forse with our party shoes on. Like I said....one crazy family!

Jonathan, Logan, & Cameron.

Spencer and our favorite...Sam.

Me and my Spenc.

Two crazy Showalter ladies.

Matea on her Birthday...showing off her new mood ring.

So you can have your cake and eat it too.

Logan's normal way of eating.

Katelynn, Amanda, and Pristine

Hope Father's Day was happy!

Father's Day was the greatest! It was the most relaxing day we have had all year. Due to Keith and Kim's party the night before, we ended up sleeping in until 11am (even the kids), which never happens....EVER. Then we took a nap around 3 and woke up at 5:30. We ended our day at Judy and Lars' house. This picture I love....three generations.....and boy does papa love his boys!!! Today after school we went to my Dad's for a boat trip. What a beautiful day it was!
Well I hope you were all able to let your Dad's know what they mean to you. I know my Dad is the greatest.....and as the boys would say.....I wouldn't trade him for a kong fu ninja!

And the Madness Continues....

Will this madness ever end or have I just gone crazy? Brandon insists that we continue this crazy diet. Yes, it has brought us smaller pants and flatter stomachs, but I just don't know how much longer I can stand eating chicken and beans day in and day out. And to think that I began this loving beans more than any other food. Now the fact is that I can barely stand the sight of them. Keep me in your prayers....I may have lost my mind by the time you see me again!

Strange...yes you could say so!

So I decided to go on a quick walk with a friend before I picked the boys up from school. On this walk I saw a very strange thing hanging from a window......a leg.. As I have said before....Tacoma is still a place of weirdness! And you wonder why I don't want to move to the city!

Charo inspired "cup o' wine! sooo yummy!

Random Trip To Gretchen's

Mista Wogan.....you make me laugh.

Man I love this kid!

Spencer relaxing by the fire.

Brandon feeling the heat.

Brother and sister putting back a few.

Go shawty.....it's your birthday.......

..........We gon' party like it's yo birthday. hehehe
Can you say....Old Hag? Yes....it is true. I am officially 30 today. Yesterday I was in my twenties and today I woke up in my thirties. You fully have my permission to call me an old hag. Really though, I don't even know what a hag is but it seems to fit!

Ooooh Mexico.....

A night to remember (our last night in Puerto) soooo sad!

Oooooh Mexico.....how we loved you. We had a blast! Next stop..... Maui. Charo and Neb are on board.....now how about Lizard and Nicole? These Florida girls were the greatest. They really know how to get low!

How is it that all of these pics are in the room? I guess that is where we had the most fun.

Ben found the greatest hat ever and boy did he know how to wear it. I hope it doesn't suddenly vanish Charo!

Brandon found his long lost sister.....they were two of a kind.

B and Lizard still getting crazy in the room.

This place has much memories......Jamie and shrimp fajitas! And lets not forget Lizards fish with eyeballs!

Sweet time together. I can't remember the last time we got to eat next to one another without the boys fighting over us!

Oh sweet Chara.....how I love thee!

Home At Last......

What a great trip we had! The crew was "dank" but the boat was "bunk". I was sooo happy to have my boys back, but I really miss the company the we left behind. Now I must tend to much laundry and many more hugs from my boys. I will post pictures in the next few days! Love you all.

And we're off!!!

So the time has come and I am finally all finished shopping. I just got back from Target, getting all of the final things that were needed. The hardest part was getting all of the boys stuff together for their trip to Grandpa and Grandma's house. Who would have know that it would be sooo much work to have a vacation without the kiddos.

So Mexico here we come. I hope you are ready for this bunch of people!

A year to remember!

There are many things big in our lives this year. Brandon is no longer 30....now he is 31. I will turn 30 June 5th. But more importantly....today is our 7th wedding anniversary. Wow how the years go by. I met Brandon the year of 92-93. We were freshman then. He had my heart immediately when he walked into our computer lab wearing short overalls with one strap hanging down. He was sporting the latest hair stile.....bleach blond hair with a side spike. Man alive was he HOT! Yes it has been 7 years of marriage, but we have been "off again on again" for 15 years (solid for 12).

We have been through allot together. I will say this....
He has full filled every dream I had as that smittened young girl in school. He is everything and more! He loves our children and myself more than life itself and shows us this love with everything he does.

Brandon....I thank you for giving me everything! You continue to make my dreams come true!

PS...This is a picture of our freshman yearbook. We laughed at what he wrote.

What Your Flip Flops Say About You

You are an outdoorsy person. You feel most comfortable in nature. Beautiful scenery and good weather always brighten up your day. Being outside allows you to feel calm and connected to the world. Problems don't seem so big when you realize how small you are in the scheme of things. Your ideal warm weather place: Costa Rica

http://www.blogthings.com/theflipfloptest/">The Flip Flop Test

A hard day of work....at least for them...

So there was much yard work to do on this very hot day....and we were hard at work. Really though when I say we, I mean Jonathan and Cameron. They pulled weeds and watered and even planted. Lets just say that they earned their money today!