Sugar Sweets..

The top two photos are from Today, July 28 and the bottom one is from Monday the 26th.

Live life like it's Shark Week every week.

I added new photos to flickr today..

On Friday, we "are encouraged" to wear Vikings gear to work because we sponser the team coming to MSU to play with kids at training camp. When I said I needed to get a Vikings shirt, Jacques told me this was grounds for a divorce. He has yet to file.

I will not download free kindle books that are tagged Christian or Religious. It's not my thing.

We call Zachary, Zach Zilla.. like as in Godzilla. The Monster. You see the connection?

All my shower bottles must match. If I have a Coconut body wash that is tan colored, all the other bottles must be tan too. And the labels all have to face the same way.

This weekend Lincoln needs a new kennel/run.

There are only 477 days till the first part of Breaking Dawn ---->

I am gonna see Charlie St. Cloud this weekend. I read the book a few weeks ago.

I won't deny that I am pretty damn excited about Bare Minerals finally introducing a spill proof case. I have been annoyed at their cases since 2004 when I first bought it. I have been using only their products since. And I know Bell will be please too.

My Co-Workers are Team Edward so I feel like I have found my place in Mankato.

This family loves Wipeout. All the kids jump around on pillows and we hear "Ohh that had to hurt." We are also huge fans of Shark Week which starts this weekend.

Zachary talks about him self in third person all the time.. It's "Zachary can do it. Zachary's turn. Zachary likes Spongebob." It's soooo funny.

Ryan only eats the crumbs off the corn dog stick. Never the corn dog. I eat ketchup and mustard with mine. Jacques eats his with ranch : p

I am currently reading Garden Spells which is my 38th novel of 2010. That is the same amount that I read total in all of 2009. And it's only July!

Work is going well for me. The boss and highers up already love me. I work again Friday, and then just an hour each week till August 23rd when the fall schedule comes out. Then I think it will be 8-12 Mon/Wed/Fri but I am not 100% sure yet. I will also sub in for evening shifts/weekends as needed, if I please.

We went fishing last night for a few hours after the hubby got off. He and Jason had bites, but we didn't catch anything. We did however bring a ton of dirt home in all the kids clothing and shoes.

Jason would like to be an adventure when he grows up.

And a shout out to my newest BFF Aimee. Glad we found each other.

CONGRATS to Lewis who is a new Grandpa to Baby Bella.

Saturday.. all day.

An amazing start to a great day.. and it helps that now all the kids are napping : ) I kicked the hubby outta bed near 6 to tend to Ryan while Zach and I stayed in bed till 8. Then I got up started laundry, the dishwasher and did a load by hand all before my first cup of coffee at 853. I got around and Jason and I left for our first trip to the library. We were back home by 1115 and when I turned up our hill, these guys were on the road on the 4wheeler. It's a great daddy babysitting technique. Lunch was quick and I brewed a fresh pot of ice tea. Ryan went down. Then Zach and Daddy too. I am catching up on the net and then hitting my books. No real plans for later today, but because this is the Dake family, I am pretty sure it will involve shopping and ice cream.

Update.. It was a stellar Saturday, as usual. Napping. Shopping and ice cream, as predicted. A bondfire, outside play, 4wheeler rides, supper and chocolate. And it starts all over tomorrow!

Our Scout.

Sunday Dakes.

Party like a Cullen, It's Saturday.

Ryan this morning, outside rocking Edward's hair style. Love him.

Friday.

This was my quick lunch. I thought I'd get at least 45 minutes, but it was only 10. Zachary decided not to nap. I finished reading Lady Susan by Jane Austen. A classic I had on my To Do List. I get one book knocked off and add 5 more.

I took Jason to get his Cub Scout supplies. Tomorrow he will go with his "Pack" to a minor league ball game in town here to meet the players and watch the game. The Moon Dogs.

Brad- Thanks for the call back. You are the bomb-diggity.

Tonight I get a little Mandy Time. I have to go for diapers and will stop off for a venti latte, along the way, and a trip through Barnes and Noble. Thanks for the time off, Super Dad. It means the world to me.

Sunday will be busy too. We need 3 boys haircuts. I could use a trim and highlight too. Not sure if I will be able to fit that in.

We need 4 pairs of shoes too. I need a new pair for work. Can you believe I have 20+ pairs and none of them are tennis shoes? Heels, pumps, flats, flashy, glitter, flip flops, boots, pink, purple, gold and silver... but no tennis shoes.

Between the 4 haircuts and 4 pairs of shoes, there goes my first paycheck : P

Let's Rock Saturday..

TDY: Temporary Duty.

These are the things, besides the usual, that I am responsible for when the hubby is away. Just one night this week.

Getting the trash out to the curb.
Feeding the dog and getting him out.
Cooking supper.
Getting 3 boys to bed.
Carrying one 50 pound boy up 3 flights of stairs.
Locking up the house for the night.
Getting up the baby gate.
Turning off the A/C.
Shutting off the fan in Ryan's room.
Opening Ryan's door.
Keeping 3 boys in bed.

New Widget.

Only 496 Days. But Hey, Who's Counting?

Thursday.

Jason and I are both sporting Toy Story Band Aids.

Ryan has a chair up to the counter to watch the fish.

I made frozen waffles for breakfast.

We spent the afternoon outside. I hate bugs.

Zachary eats barbecue for his appetizer, entree and desert. Anything else on the plate is unnecessary.

Getting the mail is the highlight of my day wether I am expecting anything or not is irrelevant.

I need to purchase 2 more Buzz Lightyear toys. One is not enough in a house with 3 boys.

We already have 2 Woody's.

I have a $195 internet bill this month. Not a fan of Sprint right now.

I miss Columbia like crazy. Ready to go back.

Jason is officially a Cub Scout and enrolled in fall baseball. On another great note, all members of both his Pack and Team are in the same school as he will be.

I am super nervous about my job. I am worried that Ryan won't take to being there, which will result in a lot of problems. I am also concerned that Zach will lick everything in sight which will result in a horrific disease or us getting kicked out. I will also have Jason there for the first 7 weeks, and while I won't have to worry about his behavior, I will have to worry about him mingling with the other older kids.

I am 14% into my newest book Violet Dawn.

I have yet to get a library card here.

Elvis, the fish, is still alive and thriving.

So is Lincoln.

And all three kids.

Wednesday.

These are this morning's boys. I know it's blurry and that Ryan isn't looking, but I love it.

We spent Sunday the 4th at the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. They have over 2,300 animals on 500 acres. Photos are up on flickr.

We spent Monday the 5th out on Lake Washington in the boat. The kids swam and had a blast. Those photos are up on flickr too. Remember you must be logged into flickr to see the photos of the family as they are set to private.

I guess I should explain..

I know you are like, "What's up with these creepy, big headed dolls?"

Originally released in 1972 these are Blythe dolls. They were only around one year and only became popular 27 years later. They are from Japan. They are Collectibles. They tend to be Expensive. And did I mention, Cute? They are all I want on my Christmas list. I should mention, should you see one of these dolls at a thirft store, garage sale, PLEASE pick it up. It's worth the price you'd pay there. Even if it's naked, ruined, or only the head! I have a friend who is in to them with her own collection of 18 dolls. And she sucked me into their world with her evil ways and cute girls. I just have the two with a third on the way. They are such easy girls to play dress up with and to photograph without all the back talk that I get from the boys. And I totally get to play in her hair! So occasionally you will see one here, but mostly they will be on flickr.. amongst all the family photos.

Meet Elvis.

The newest member of the Dake family. Jason had been asking for a fish for a couple years now, well ever since Steve the Fish died. I had been firmly and repeatedly telling him no, then his father chimes in a "Yes" over the weekend. Thanks, Dad, now I have a new mouth to feed. Hell, I can barely keep the kids alive day to day, now I have a fish too. Great! In case you missed any of that paragraph, it involved a lot of sarcasm.

Saturday.

I saw Eclipse yesterday.
I was disappointed.
I got registered mail from Hong Kong.
Jacques and Jason are headed out fishing.
I am officially employed by the Mankato YMCA.
We are watching Toy Story 2.
I am more than half way through the coffee pot.
The Tour de France starts today.
I love me some Lance.
Tomorrow is my mom's anniversary.
I despise flys.