Ooops, still in Kansas...

After going to help my dad with stuff for the family picnic, my husband shows up and is like "I found the perfect place to take pictures."

Being the wonderful accepting wife that I am, I immediately grilled him on where this fabled location was, and did not believe his description of a little castle looking fort.

Turns out, he was right - a beautiful little setting for a couple of pictures. 

Who knew?

Bye, bye Kansas (for real this time)

Motel room fun...

We stayed in a lovely motel while on vacation.  Two princesses in one bed, and their parents in the other.  There is really no joy like four people sharing one room and small bedroom.  You find out how much one princess talks in her sleep and how much the other wants to stay up late and not fall asleep until her parents go to sleep. 

So. Much. FUN.

Fireworks and the end of us in Kansas....

The last day of our vacation in Kansas was July 4th.  Auntie Amy picked up some small fireworks and grandpa went outside with the little two girls and tried his hand at snakes.  They did ok and I think the littlest two enjoyed.

 Yes, what vacation would be complete without a fuzzy family picture?  Awesome!

Walkin' the dog....

Have I mentioned before that my kids love animals?  When I say love, I mean devoted, loving, happy, can't get enough of animals.

Well, my dad has a dog (Izzy).  She's a little fluff ball of a dog and my kids (especially my little one) went a little nuts over her.

Miss Liv just wanted to hold the leash and walk her (mostly because she's a bit of a control freak, like her mom).  Miss Mia wanted to love her, and take care of her, and walk her, and pet her and hold the leash.

Inevitably, bickering ensued. 

"I wanna hold the leash." "No - me, ME!"

This is what the walking of the dog looked like.

O has hold of the leash, and M has wrapped herself in the leash.  Oh yeah, we really need a dog (did you note the sarcasm?)

Bubbles....

BUBBLES!! (yes, my kids say this like that crazy fish in Nemo).  Anywho, as I said before, we were in Kansas during some fun heat.  When we weren't inside, we went outside and blew bubbles to chase around.

Also, have a mentioned that my kids are princesses and like to dress as if they are princesses?

Notice the beautiful yellow dress with the awesome hair.  Auntie Amy did the Hurricane's hair and my princess actually let her - without screaming "OW, OWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!"

And then she went around modeling for the next day - you know how princesses are.

I imagine that Princess Destroyer is thinking - "bubbles bubbles bubbles let me get the bubbles bubbles bubbles mommy get out of my way I want the bubbles bubbles bubbles."

Or something like that.

The year I turn 33....

So, yesterday was my 33rd birthday.  Yep - Happy Birthday to ME!!!

So, this year for my mom and my siblings is kinda weird and big.  My Mom started the fun by turning 55 last week.  Then, I turn 33.  Next, my little brother turns 22.  Weird, huh?

After that we hit the big birthdays.  My little sister hits the big 1-8 in September, and my other brother will be 30 in December.  2011 is sort of odd (in a good way) for my family.

On to pictures...

A few weeks ago, we loaded up the Altima and drove out to visit my dad and family in Kansas.  It was HOT.  I'm talking upper 90's with 70% humidity.  Kinda like walking in a blanket of air.

Needless to say, we spent some time inside - watching TV of course.  I find it fun to take pictures of my kids without them looking - while totally engrossed in TV.  I truly worry that bugs will fly in her mouth.

 By now, she has figured out that I'm taking pictures.

 This one gave up on TV and has pulled out the toys.



Barbie has ballet style...

Olivia! Clean up your play room....

This is what happens when we ask Olivia to clean up her playroom.  Happy Birthday, Mom (Grandma Wendy)!  I got a child that gives me a hard time about cleaning, just like I did.

Good God!  Can you say "Rubbish Sale?"

Eating Dinner Lapinskas Style...

Olivia?  What are you doing?  Sit down and eat dinner! 

I'm watching you.  Don't try to steal the watermelon that I haven't dribbled on my shirt yet!

 Oh look, there's a surprise.  Mommy-bommy's got the camera.  I guess I'll smile a little for her, then maybe she'll leave me alone so I can finish my spaghetti.

 Seriously dude.  WHAT are you doing?  Hmmm...  this is some awesome dinner entertainment.  I love to suck dinner off of my hands.  Yes!

 Mommy!  Mommy!  MOMMMM-YYYY!  Take my picture, take my picture, take MY PICTURE!  Here is an awesome pose for you.  I'm so cool!  Peace.

Have you met Chunky Butt?

This is Mack.  He is one of the four-legged members of our family.  He has had many names, Mackles, Mackleberry, Mackie McChunk-Chunk, to name a few.  Most recently his name has evolved to "Chunky Butt."  I think you can see why...

The funny thing is - he actually answers to Chunk, or Chunky Butt.  I guess it fits in more ways than one.