No, I'm not dead - just overwhelmed. . .

Okay, I know all of you think that I probably gave up blogging for good like so many others do but I can assure you this is not true. I just have had so much going on lately and amazingly enough, not a whole heck of a lot to show for it. So here I sit, with a tall glass of Diet Coke and the two liter sitting near by, ready to update you all. Since I last blogged, I am now minus two kids for 7 hours a day. I have to say, that first day of both Audrey and Jackson being in school all day long was a tough one for me. I looked at Jane, Jane looked at me and we had no idea what to do for an entire day by ourselves so - I did what any other insanely sad lady would do - I rented a carpet cleaner and cleaned my carpets for two days. Here's the thing - when Nathan was in Iraq and had come home for his two weeks of R&R, the day after he left to go back to Iraq, I did the same thing - I rented a carpet cleaner and cleaned my carpets for two days. As I was cleaning my carpets this last time around, I did some deep reflection and realized that must be how I deal with changes in my life - I deep clean the carpets. It's challenging, requires a lot of physical effort, and it makes everything look fresh and new again - an immediate positive reaction that I can control! See how therapeutic that all was? And all for the low price of $30 a day - much cheaper than a therapist.

Audrey is thrilled to begin school - can't you tell? I actually think she is more bummed out that I insisted she wear a matching outfit on the first day. Don't worry Audrey, you can be fashionably challenged tomorrow.

Jackson is ready to get back to work. I think he is excited at the idea of being around more boys on a regular basis - with a family of 7 girls and 1 boy living next door and Audrey being the equivalent of a cruise ship social director, he has seen enough picnics, fashion shows, tea parties and girls playing house this summer to last a lifetime.

The week after school began, we realized that we definitely needed a break from all that hard school work so we went to Sun Valley for Labor Day. Actually, my family has a family reunion every year up there. It was so much fun! Jackson worked really hard this summer and finally saved up enough money to buy the Mountain bike he had been drooling over (we seriously went to the bike shop several times this summer just so he could look at it). I was glad that he was able to buy it before Sun Valley so we could do of mountain biking while we were up there. He is quite good at it and is not afraid of any terrain. Jackson, Nathan and I are really getting into the sport so hopefully Jane and Audrey will eventually like it too (yes Audrey, we can put ribbon streamers on your mountain bike).

Sun Valley was a blast! I love it up there. I wish we could go up there more often than we do. What a great time we had. I love my brother and sisters soooo much. Brandon always offers the comedic relief to any situation and he would do anything for any of his sisters- you are the best brother any girl could have. My nieces and nephew are so adorable and so much fun for my kids to be around! My parents have four children, 13 grand children and only two of those grand kids are boys (can you say DRAMA as these girls turn into teenagers?).

We all went ice skating one morning and it was so much fun to see the kids trying their best to figure it out. Sun Valley has an outdoor ice rink that is open all year round and professional skaters come and preform there in the the summer. Here are many photos of us showing off our stuff.

Audrey had a hard time getting the skating thing down so I tried to do my best to teach her what with my professional abilities and all. I even tried to eavesdrop on the lesson going on and get some tips to teach my kids (see photo below) but I think the guy was wise to me because when I came around he'd just skate off with his private lesson! Jeez - you're already making a boat-load of money off your private lesson - can't you share the love??

This is the Sun Valley lodge - have you ever seen Stephen King's "The Shinning"? I saw it on TV once and this is the lodge in the movie - very scary show - I don't recommend it.

I had to get at least one photo of Stephanie. She refused to be photographed the entire time and seriously, I get that but I think she still is a hot mama even preggers. This was a look we all got a lot during our family reunion weekend. Steph, you're a trooper! We are so glad you were able to still come to SV. Good luck with baby #4 (She is giving birth today even as I write this).

I continually razzed Marcus about his plaid jacket (in his defense, he borrowed the jacket from my Dad, honestly Dad, can you explain this purchase to me? When is it ever okay to buy a plaid jacket?)

The two guys

The gang's all here.

Debbi always looks perfect.

The Young family is represented well - Leia's soaking up the rays.

Brielle was such a champ - she would fall and get up, fall and get up and she never cried or complained! What a trooper girlie!

Kendra and her roomie Alyssa opted out on the skating thing - aren't they beautiful?

Our cheering section of all the lovely ladies.

Audrey had it after a while - she was a little frustrated. Good thing Grandma was there to make things better.

The man room - this is where the guys hang out and watch the start of the football season - Jackson says it's the best time of the year. Go Cougars!

Stephanie's girls were so cute on Sunday - I loved their outfits so I thought I would take some photos of them - they are darling!

Future chemist or lunchroom lady - you decide.


I am going to have to leave this post as it is and call it good.  I will post more photos and commentary about the Ringger family later.

UPDATE:  Stephanie did have her baby today.  The name is Savanna Ray and she was born 7lbs 3 oz.  Mom and baby are doing brilliantly!  Well done Steph!