The Great Nephew is one

Back pain

Yesterday I threw my back out. It was the worst it if had ever done it. I was down. I even took a Vicodin which brought then pain from an eleven to a nine. It was bad. I iced it a lot and did some yoga stretches and was thinking that today was going to be even worse but I am thankful to say that today the pain is at a six. This Is what it usually feels like when I do this. I really thought that I was going to have to go to the doctors that's how much it hurt. I think I am just going to go get a massage in the nothing and I will keep up on the stretching. 

Hiking Lake Padden

Took a different trail today at lake padden and it was steep! But still so very beautiful!

This tree reminds me of the Swamp Thing!



She always wants me to take her picture!

jack and I

A glimpse

At this moment Courtney is reading while Sydney and Samantha are singing "let it go" in the mirror in the bathroom! 

This summer I have a chore chart and it's worth a dollar a day. They can only get that dollar if they do everything on the chart which consists of 20 minutes of reading, a grade level workbook, room clean and outside toys picked up. They have a rotating weekly chore of duties also. One week is garbage and floors, dogs-feed and pick up poop or dishes/kitchen. They can loose money by not putting their shoes away, crying, screaming, hitting, talking back etc... They get a warning but so far it seems to be working. They all lost their dollar the first day because they didn't read but they definitely are getting it. Sydney lost hers for throwing a huge fit and she didn't read. I have a jar for each of then with their money in it in top of the fridge and when they lose it they see me taking the money away so it becomes real to them. Hopefully this will make summer a little more bearable since we 69 more days left of summer! 

Mother's day 2014

Today we had a Super fun day at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park just north of Vancouver. They keep talking about it on the radio and it look really fun. It was a blast. So much to do. We will definitely do it again! 

Silver lakehike

A family photo from yesterdays hike at silver lake...took 3 tries with the 10 second timer!