We're finally "home"

Just a quick update..... WE HAVE BOUGHT A HOUSE and will be moving very soon! We just found out today that our offer was accepted. We are so excited to finally be home.... and our new house is such a great fit for us. I'll post pictures as soon as I can. Here are some of the details:

4 bedroom country farmhouse (could be 5 bedroom)
huge eat in country kitchen
sits on over 2 acres of land
2 plus car garage
huge horse barn
very nice setting

So wish us luck.... we have alot of work to do between now and our move in date. We'll be ripping up carpets, painting, cleaning and MOWING!

Taylor's 11th Birthday...

Taylor chose to have a swim party at Aunt Shannon's house this year. So, seven of her friends came over and had a great time. Instead of a cake, we had a chocolate fountain.... with lots of sweet treats to dip. After eating, swimming, and opening gifts, the girls made a scrapbook page for Taylor.. with a picture of themselves included. It was a great tween girl party!

It takes a village....

To arm wrestle Daddy! Kaitlyn, Jake's girlfriend, challenged Derrick to a competition. Here she is pictures trying with all her might...... The others decide to join in and offer some help!

My Freshmen and my 5th grader...

Every year Jake and Taylor head back to school means another year closer to when they leave the nest. I'm so proud of all my kids. Jake and Taylor have had to overcome some pretty crappy times in their lives but these two just take it in stride and make theirselves better people because of it. They are so giving and so compassionate... it makes me smile to no end. Of course this year Jake REALLY didn't want to pose for a picture (especially outside where someone might see him:) LOL....

Triple Trouble heads to school...

Aubrey, Broc, and Cain headed to school on August 11th. They were so excited to go and I was so happy that this year they are going together! They are in their third week and are doing great! Bedtime is no longer a struggle.... they are happy to rest after having such busy days!

Quality time together...

While the Indiana State Fair was in town, Derrick and I decided to take a day off work to spend together... as a time to relax before the hustle and bustle of fall begins. We accompanied Mike and Shannon.... who treated us to a free dinner at the pork tent. We had a really nice time just being together and enjoying each other. Like I've always said, " Having a happy family means having a happy mommy and daddy." And the best way to get that is to take time for yourself and each other. As a matter of fact, we took today off too:) Here's just a few pics of what I saw.

Our trip to the zoo..

We decided to take a trip to the zoo as a "last bit of fun" before school started back up. We made plans with the Crider family to meet them at the zoo and we could all hang out together. Well needless to say, a zoo trip is not the place to catch up on small talk. I think we passed the Crider's once or twice and waved but we decided it is way too heard to keep our two large families together at the zoo! Anyway, we had a great time.... we enjoyed a picnic lunch and strolled though the animals. We took a vote and the kids' favorite place to be was petting the sharks! Of course, we enjoyed the dolphin show too! Here are pics from our trip: