Thanks Tank #21

This is going to be ANOTHER short thankful list but since it's my last official thankful post of the summer I'm assuming that my lists will get back to normal starting next week.

I'm so thankful for the chance I had to go to Oregon with my girls and spend time with my two closest friends. The second half of our trip was spent with the Owen's who are more like family than friends. Unfortunately the first part of the week was a bit rainy and dreary outside so for lunch one day we took the kids to McDonald's and they played for a long time. It was really nice having the chance to just chat with Jane Anne about life and get caught up a bit since the kids were so busy running around screaming and having fun.
I'm thankful for getting off the beaten path and beautiful surprises while "lost". (We weren't actually lost we realized right away we had drove past the driveway we were supposed to turn at.) The drive out to Brownsville was just gorgeous and then we were able to take some pictures overlooking this magnificent view! So fun!
I'm ALWAYS thankful for the opportunity to scrapbook but it was extra special scrapbooking with JA. We had a very fun day celebrating Jane Anne's birthday (belated). We had Chinese food for lunch. Shopped at this adorable little store and got awesome candles. Then stopped at Safeway for chocolate and coffee! Nothing much beats that!
I'm thankful for child-like fun!
I'm thankful that the weather got nicer and we were able to take the kids to the "pool-park". All the kids had a blast and the adults too! Even Seth - I think???



I'm thankful for pedicures . . . .
and manicures!!! (Can you guess who went white and who went black?)
I'm thankful for dear, dear friends who my kids call Auntie and Uncle. Everytime we get together we have such a blast whether we are being wild and crazy (please see posts on Anah's birthday party) or just hanging out doing nothing!
I'm thankful for Elsie Jane who helps me get a bit of my baby fix. I love that I've been able to be "around" (I use that term pretty loosely since we don't live that close anymore) for so many of her "moments" from being at there house after Seth and JA found out she was a girl to spending 5 anxious days waiting for her to make her big arrival and then her not coming til the day after her due date. She is such a doll and I love her to pieces!
The McCoy girlies and Owen boys - getting along, hanging out, just spending time together.


I'm also thankful for being home. For all the work my husband got done while we were away. I'm thankful for the chance to meet our girls' teachers this evening at the Open House. I'm thankful that the girls are looking forward to school starting and that they do so well in school. I'm thankful for the chance to get together tomorrow night with Keith's family to celebrate his parents anniversary. And sleepovers with little girls (who aren't so "little" anymore!). I'm thankful that I'm going to be getting my hair cut tomorrow because it has been driving me buggy for weeks!