Henna

The Osterberg's got Layne a Henna Tattoo kit for her birthday. She was very excited and we had to mix it up and do some art work right away. Heath started with me and I literally had to stop him from putting designes all over. He really did a good job and they turned out really cool. They last for a little over a week. Below is my foot art.

This is the Chinese character for Love. I was very impressed because Heath did this free hand--after I printed it I thought there was no way he could pull it off.

Just a little extra on my ring finger while we werre waiting on Layne.

Below is Layne's first design. Now, it looks like random lines but it is actually her entire name. In the frist box it all the letters to spell L-A-Y-N-E and then M-A-R-L-E-A-H in the second and of course H-O-K-E in the third.





After I had gone to bed, the two geniouses came up with this little idea for Heath. It is the Mizuno runbird!! Very clever.

Try some henna--it was a lot of fun!!

Another lovely hike.......

After the Osterberg's left early Sunday morning (July 19) we decided to just head out for a hike. This is a place we have gone before, but we took a different route. It is always amazing to me the things we find in our own back yard. There is so much to see, and some times I feel like we have seen most of what is in Colorado Springs--but I know I am so wrong. It is really important to get out early--especially this summer. We have been having afternoon showers/storms almost every day.

This hike is at the Red Rock open space.



I tend to take more photos of people and Layne enjoys taking many photos of nature and flowers.

I am not quite sure when we took this photo, but thought I would throw it in. One of the many beautiful rainbows we see on a regular basis this summer.

When I was just going through these photos, I was surprised to see this one. I think someone stole my camera and took a picture of a picture of Layne. Anyway, it was too cute not to just share.

Have a great day!!

Flowers and family

One thing that I left in Iowa (that I still have trouble with) was my beautiful yard. I worked very hard, along with my grandma Joyce, to make it beautiful. I have been in my home for 2 years and 1 month and I still find it hard to find the motivation to go outside and spend the time in my new yard. There are more reasons, that soil is awful and you MUST water regularly or everything dies. I have managed to get the front yard presentable--so we at least don't get written up by the HOA!! Once again, I have to thank Joyce and Gordon for their help and bring a little bit of Iowa out here to us. I must say that I have some very beautiful day lillie's from Wilson Gardens. I hope to have many more in the back yard also--once that project begins.

Speaking of wonderful things from Iowa--we were very lucky to have a quick but fabulous visit with the Osterberg's last weekend. They were in Denver for Zach's family and were able to come to Colorado Springs for a night before going back to Iowa to finish packing their home. Hayes loves to find bugs and spent most of the day looking for rollie pollies or jumping on the tramp.



And as if bug hunting wasn't great enough, the ice cream cart came by the house. What a great break from the hunt. Hayes told him "when we finish this come back and we will buy more ice cream."

Hayes and Cam in the basket.

Cam didn't want to get too close to me while Jessica was around. I did get to take her when they went to the store and she was just fine.

Hayes trying to be like Pedro or Bito as he call him.

Cam waking up from a restful nap.

Hayes hiding behind his cup.

Cam sleeping.


So, we do have some wonderful reminders of Iowa and often have wonderful guests from Iowa.

Layne at camp

Layne is just finishing up camp. She is attending the USA Volleyball High Performance Pre-Select A3 camp here in Colorado Springs. It is a 5 day overnight camp with 10 sessions in the gym. I went to watch last night and she is doing well.

Here is a link to photos that were taken last night. There are actually several groups traning at the same time. She is the first group in red and is in the front row, third from the right.

http://www.usavolleyball.org/multimedia/photo_gallery/841

I get to go pick her up later today!!

Heath also comes home this evening.

Heath In Thailand--Installment #1

This is an outside shot of a corridor at the ruins we visited on our off day.

Here the girls are heading out of what is believed to be a haunted area. The tomb room.

This sanstone temple is the oldest temple in Thailand. It dates back the the 12th centery over a thousand years old.

It started pooring right after we arrived but the rain was warm so I wan't going to miss out on seeing everything.

We were lucky to be Thailand during the Candle Parade. It is a once a year event. The floats are made from wax.

Each float is hand carved and extremely detailed.

Just a soggy me on the entry bridge to the temple.

There were several floats in the parade. Each one with a different theme and significant religious meaning.

ลาก่อน

laa gòn khrap

Officially a teen.......

We started the day with some embarrassing photos of Layne still in bed!! I had to get her in a peaceful state before she woke up all cranky or hyper.



She was actually very pleasant, I think the gifts on the kitchen table helped. I got up early and made her some yummy waffles!! Her first birthday call was from Aunt Jessica and Hayes.

During breakfast, she had to get into all her gifts. I asked her to open a few a lunch, etc...no luck on that. She got some wonderful gift cards, some gum, a Michael Jackson CD and money.

Over the weekend, I was trying to figure out something special to get her--something she would remember and treasure. It was decided to get a ring. She picked out a beautiful garnet and she seems to really love--let's hope she doesn't loose it.

It was a great morning and I can't wait to get home from work and spend the evening with her. I think we will be going shopping now.

I brought home pizza fun lunch and we had a nice lunch date. After work we went shopping--she had to use up those gift cards. The shopping was fun and she got some great stuff, she was very happy with her purchases.

Then we had to decide what to eat for the special birthday dinner. Her choice was Tomo Sushi, because she was wanting some chicken teriyaki. They have the best!!

Look at it, doesn't it just look like a work of art. Unfortunately Layne ONLY wanted the chicken.

I did ask her to try the sushi rolls I ordered. I really thought she knew what I had gotten?? So, she was quite surprised when I told her it was avocado eel rolls. She made a face, but I think she kinda liked them.

We were more than stuffed from dinner and desert didn't sound that great, but I wanted to do something. We had already gotten a huge ice cream cake from Cold Stone the week before--so it was apple pies from McDonald's. Tacky, yes--memorable, yes.

Some of her purchases from our shopping spree. You will see a book about Woodstock in there--that is something she wants to learn about. Should be very educational.

At Target, we decided to finish off the night with a movie. Layne wanted to stay up until midnight and make it a complete day. I thought it would be fun to watch something from when I was a teen. I think the Breakfast Club is rated R--although I was probably 13 when I watched it 500 times.

Another birthday photo of Layne and I.

Before the movie started, I made Layne try on some of her new close and pose for the camera. This photo is about the foot!!

This one is cool, because I didn't realize I was going to get Michael Jackson on the TV!! I think Layne is super cute in this one also--and yes, she is wearing a skirt.

I must say that I had a wonderful day with her and I am pretty sure she had a good day also. We are very sad that Heath had to miss another birthday, but we will do something when he gets home.

Layne also would like to thank everyone for their birthday wishes.

Happy Birthday Layne

Once upon a time, about 10 years ago, we tried to take some cute photos of Layne. Well, she was certainly cute. The thing is, tomorrow she will turn 13 and I can hardly believe it. I went to Hallmark to buy a card and ended up crying about 5 times. When I look at these photos and then Layne today--it is hard to believe how fast those 10 years went. I feel her growing up and needing me less and maybe me needing her more. I don't want to screw up being a good parent to a teenager.

This photo she was a bit older and more like a monkey. She would try to climb everything and now she just wants to sit and watch TV or do crazy things on the computer. She has changed so much and I can only say that with each stage I have enjoyed her even more.

We will wake up tomorrow morning and we will both feel the same, but we know that things are going to change. I am going to do my best to hold on to her and keep her safe--like I always have. I love her so much and as much as it hurts to watch the years go by, I know I will enjoy everything that is to come.

Happy 13th Birthday Layne. You are the best!!

Love,

Mom