In an unusual turn of events, Cori was home today while Cassi Raye was away with friends.

Cassi is always so good about helping out with cleaning projects, 

so I made sure Cori and I had a big project to work on too.

This is the upstairs bathroom, that is normally covered in dirty clothes. 

We also have a perpetual mildew problem and we finally got a handle on it. 

It looks fabulous!

Alaska

4:00pm

We swung by the beach for just a minute- the day was gorgeous.

While we were there an eagle took of into the sun.

I couldn't resist.

Alaska

6:00pm

I replaced the automatic shut off valve on my RO system tonight, all by myself :-)

Florida

7:30pm

Michelle gave us loads of new-to-us toys, yay!

I would only let Cali keep a few.

This one is one of her favorites-a science kit with a microscope.

Alaska

7:30pm

I used my new electric weed eater for the first time today.

Florida

6:45pm

Cassi is head over heels about a new band called 1 Direction.

She buys every magazine she finds to read all about them and cut and paste pictures all over her room.

I find it pretty funny- everybody has one (a band, group or singer) that they are gaga over sooner or later.

She is definitely a super fan!

Alaska

2:00pm

I found this project on one of my favorite blogs and I've wanted to try it forever. 

I finally broke down and made some of my own felted rocks.

I love them and I can't wait for Annie to get to play with them.

I think I'll make more soon.

Alaska

9:00pm

Cali on a throw in. She is really starting to love soccer!

Alaska

5:30pm

Isn't he cute?  I found this little guy in one of my plants on the front porch.  He must be trying to protect himself from the storm.

Florida

5:30pm

Some friends are friends for life...through it all.

Alaska

8:45pm

I was very happy to see a TECO truck in my neighborhood after being out of power for 5 hours!

Florida

3:30pm

On our way home from Anchorage...what a gorgeous day!

Alaska

3:00pm

We've been purging around here.

Cali, who has hoarder tendencies, is struggling with the idea of it all.

She made me take a picture of her with her old playhouse before we sold it.

Alaska

3:00pm 

Cali loves trying new recipes with me. 

These bacon-wrapped hot dogs were a HIT!

Alaska

4:00pm

Cali and I hanging in the hammock, making friendship bracelets.

Alaska

5:00pm

I've been missing my girl so much. 

She's been in Colorado, playing soccer with an older team that invited her to play.

I asked her to send me some pictures and this is what I got today.

Her friend Alli was asked to go too and they've had a lot of fun being there together.

Alaska

3:00pm

At the dealership watching a movie while they changed my oil and rotated my tires.

Florida

12:30pm

It was a beautiful night at the Kenai soccer fields!

Alaska

8:00pm

Am I a borderline Hoarder?  Who needs this many rags and sponges,,,
Florida
8:00pm

I took Cali with me to my yearly mammogram appointment.

They didn't want her in there while they were taking the pictures 

but when I was done the lady agreed to show her all the images on the computer.

We had quite the lengthy conversation about all the tests you go through as a female.

I am hoping that by making it not such a scary thing they will be diligent as adults!

Alaska

11:00am

I spent some time photographing this little guy today. 

I wish it was in a better setting although as young as he is,
even in the best of surroundings

it would be hard to catch him too far from his Momma!

They were hanging out near the church at the top of our road.

Alaska

6:00pm

This is an extra picture from yesterday but I couldn't resist.

The girls were showing me these headphones they really want.

The decided the best way to show me was to put them on and break it down.

Amber was with us and we were rolling in the isle of Target!

It was really funny!

Alaska

7:30pm

Gas prices seem to be coming down!
Florida
4:10pm

I get rather melancholy when I look at this set of pictures.

Here she is at the airport getting ready to go through security on her way to 

Denver, Colorado to play in the 2012 President's Cup.

She is playing-up (an age group) with her old Riptide team. 

(She started early and played on an older team originally.)

I am so glad she is a confident girl who is talented enough to be asked to go.

I'm a little sad that with every step of confidence she gains,
she leaves me behind a little more.

Had Scott been in town,
we likely would have tried to send him to watch a little of the tournament.

Alaska

10:45pm

We had a few tickets left over from the night before 

so we ran over to the carnival again for a few minutes to use them up.

Surprisingly Cassi agreed to ride some rides with Cali
while Cori went with a couple friends.

They were cracking up on this ride.

Alaska

3:00pm

Cassi's assistant coach decided that rather than having practice,

the whole Rowdies 99 team should meet at the carnival and spend the evening together. 

This isn't everyone as there were some who showed up late and 

we couldn't contain them long enough to wait for the others to arrive.

I think he had a pretty good idea and they all seemed to bond pretty well. 

Cassi had a blast!

Alaska

6:30pm

We have a car wash fundraiser on Friday.

I had Cassi and some other cheerleaders meet at the gym
to create car wash posters together.

I think they had fun!

Alaska

10:30am

This is the first picture I took of her without braces!

On a side not (since I am posting this several days after I took it)- 

I received a thank you note written by Cori in the mail today...

they had her do it at the Orthodontist's office. 

I thought it was a nice touch!

Alaska

11:00am

Ladybugs are lucky!

Do you see that little guy on her knee.

She was pretty proud of that!

Alaska

2:00PM

They dug out my backyard today to prepare for new sod.

Florida

5:15pm

Scott left for a new job this morning...as a bear guard.

He has wanted this job for some time, I am hopeful it goes well for him. 

He climbed in the plane right out the back door of the building.

There is no room for us to wait with him until he takes off so 

we drove around the back of the building and stalked him until he left. 

They drove down this little road and made their way to the runway.

It was a tiny little plane.

Alaska

8:00am

Cori received her first real paycheck for reffing and it was wrong. 

She was quite bummed!

Alaska

9:00pm

Cali working hard to help her Dad get ready for his Bear Guard job.

Who knew cotton balls covered in petroleum jelly make good fire starters.

It was a really ooey, gooey fun job for Cali though. 

She could have done it all night! :)

Alaska

6:00 pm

Another afternoon at Busch Gardens.  I love the new Tiger habitat, you can get really close to them.

Florida

3:00pm

Breakfast at the Cuban Sandwich Shop.  Bacon, eggs and pancakes...I cleaned my plate again.

Florida

11:30am

Keeping up with her sisters at the soccer fields is hard work!

We were in between games when she curled up on Cori's soccer bad and went to sleep.

I wish I could have joined her!

Alaska

3:00pm