Girls NYC day

It was 5 1/2 years ago that Julie lead Devanie and I into NYC for our first adventure.

Mama Mia, and dinner at Serendipity was the perfect way to end this chapter in our lives.

Thanks, Girls!!

Guys NYC night.

I don't know when I'll get to post over the next 3 weeks, so I thought I'd take a moment.
Nate came home from being gone for 2 weeks and the kids were almost as excited as I was.

Our good friend Rob came to visit. He went to High School with Nate and Ken so they all went down to the city Friday.

Do you think we'll get so many visitors when we're not so central to many tourist destinations? I sure hope so. I'll fill you all in on the Cincinnati appeal as soon as I learn what that is!!;)

The joke is on me!!!

I just read this article that a friend had on her blog.
It is about a woman that made an imginary blog mocking the LDS blogging mommy.
The comments are pretty funny!

I guess if we can't laugh at ourselves, then what fun is life?

I particularly like how the blogger misspells on purpose- I am the worst at proofreading my blogs- so to those of you that I care about- sorry.

Just so you all know, sometimes we all need a Grandma Rhea life where:

1. everything is perfect,
2. your husband is the hottest, smartest, most successful man on earth
3. Your children are overachievers and an exact replica of yourself etc, etc, etc. :):):)

So if you ever want to barf after reading one of my blogs, just know this,
I usually write as a break when my life feels droll and I need to remember why I love my life. So, whatever it takes, right?

Champion

Here is our Little League Allstar Champion!!!!
He had a game almost everyday the last 2 weeks and it paid off. They won the championship!
Shawn even made the winning hit the other night.
It has been so good for him to play with some great players!
I watch the games and think, wow, when did they figure it out and we're not just sitting here laughing because they ran to the wrong base or are digging in the grass in the outfield!
We're proud of you, Shawn-do!

Shawn

Milford Grey

Ashley was in Shawn's class and on a different regular season team. They placed 50 cent bets on their games and each won once. She came to the game to support her friends. We're going to miss kids like this!! You can see they were embarrassed for me to take their picture.

Still going!

Trivia: The above saying is originally from what battery company?

Several People have asked....Any offers?

NO.

We have had lots of showings and lots of interest, but they all have houses to sell and we can't accept an offer until their home is on deposit.

So, we wait.

We don't know where we'll live either, but I know I am going to CA next week and then returning to drive to Ohio with enough stuff to last until our house sells:) School Starts August 20th- so we need a place by then.

Nate is already there and is looking at a couple places tonight that I'm sure will work out.

Thanks for caring.

Trivia answer: Duracell

and no, I don't think the sand in China is white!!!;)

Beach

We had a fun Beach day last week with Kim and her kids. Thanks for a great time!
Everytime I take my kids to beach, I think, "This is the way kids are supposed to play!"

Ella

Cadon and Ella

Seaweed Monster

Caught ya!











Mom getting baby hungry!










Beauty!










Claire- isn't she adorable!!

As Promised

Here is a picture of Ryan learning to ride his bike. He is doing great and the kids are having fun riding bikes and scooters this summer.

I'm so glad when Daddy comes home...

My Dad came and helped paint the house for putting it on the market. What a great dad!! He worked nonstop for 4 days!
I definitely feel thankful for both my parents and all their support. They are always trying to help me and when I let them, it is sooooooooooo nice!
We could not have done what we have in the last month without either of them
Love you.
On his way out of town I went to NYC with him. We barely missed the harbor cruise we wanted to catch. So, we went to the Empire State building as our last hoorah before we are gone and he can't come here to visit us.

Cincy

We're in Cincinnati house hunting while my sweet Mom watches the kids and shows the house. She is amazing and as young as she is, I am impressed!!!
So, I can't post pictures today- I have some great ones from the 4th with the Brinkerhoffs, the 5th with Alison and Michael and of the kids riding their bikes- yes ALL the kids.
Ryan took his training wheels off last week. What a prodigy:) Just barel 4 years old.
We are looking at TONS of houses. Our agent is great, I really like her.
We decided on a city because of the schools. But we flop with the neighboring city that is a little cheaper and has an excellent school system as well-- Just HUGE. Their answering service says, "Welcome to the Largest school district in OH with an Ecellent rating."
The state does report cards each year for each school with detailed information and improvement scores. It is very helpful as they show how many take ACTs, SATs, APs, their average scores, how many are enrolled in different levels of classes, etc.
I don't intend to find the perfect district, it just is an indicator on what they focus on because it is what they're rated on.
The house has been shown everyday since it was listed last Tuesday. Tomorrow is the city realtors caravan and Sunday is the Open House. So, hopefully we'll sell quick. As this is a buyer's market, nobody is in a hurry.
Here is a link to our listing.