It's Friday and you know what that means...

I know what it used to mean--hooray, my week is over, I made it...it's date night! Things have changed and mostly I am happy about it. But sometimes I secretly wish that everyone would just go HOME and let me sit on the sofa, eat ice-cream, and watch Oprah--and then go out with my husband on a date. Oh well, I guess when that "season" comes around again, I will be wishing I had all those noisy, crazy kids coming back over!

Here's the current "season" of my life I am enjoying in full-force. Claire and her friend, Mindy having a "Jo-Jo Jumble" snow cone sale (not sure where the Jo-Jo Jumble is from). Lauren and friends making pizza. Evan and his minions "sneaking" cookies. And Cole and Evan enjoying their unlimited Friday Rockband blow-out (It's very noisy)!

Campaign Time

I know you probably think the national campaign is at the top of our minds, but around here we are serious about a much more important campaign. It's that time of year again, and this time we're dealing with High School--this is the REAL deal. We're talking college application material here! Lauren is running for Freshman Class Secretary. I guess I have Kirk to thank for the "Running for Office" gene...

Here's Kirk's campaign poster...kind of lame, but his mom was busy with 7 other kids and did not have a design background unlike some other lucky person I know.

Here's Lauren making her "Badge-A-Minit" badges with "VOTE 4 Lauren" on them. They are cute, colorful and hip. She did not like my version. It was very professional looking and had a FABULOUS slogan (Go for the Gold and Vote for Lauren--Your GOLD Medal CHOICE). I guess I'm feeling a little under appreciated (something I guess I need to used to feeling). Yesterday she had to go and videotape her campaign speech. On Thursday, they will stream it into all the classrooms and the kids will watch all the speeches on their in-class flat-front T.V.s. She is nervous about this election. She is running against one of her soccer teammates, who she feels, is very popular and has lots of friends. This opponent, however, will not be at school Thursday or Friday (election day), so she is planning a campaign blitz on those days, buttons and candy! She is one smart cookie! Good luck Lauren!

Here's last year's campaign poster, when she still listened to my advise!

She smiled back then too!

The first school election way back in 6th grade!

From happy to sad...

Here are some of our back-to-school pictures. Each year I take a picture of the kids before they leave for school. I was very happy on Lauren's first day of school. She was just months away from her 6th birthday. She was more than ready! Cole didn't mind too much because he still had Claire to keep him company. He really didn't realize what it would mean for Lauren to be away at school.

Two more years and Cole started school. That was a VERY happy day for me. This party needed breaking up. Cole left for afternoon kindergarten and I had nap-time for Claire and Evan. Oh-happy day!

Things started to take a turn for the worse in the following two years when my sweet, happy little Claire left our fold. Evan was not sure what it would be like with just mom around. Mom, meanwhile, was starting to feel just a little bit sad. But, Mom discovered that it was fun just having Evan all to herself. Evan and Mom bonded. We rode bikes to preschool each day. We shopped together. Evan bagged the groceries at the store. We had quality time together and we loved it.

And then, all of a sudden two terrible things happened: Evan started kindergarten AND Lauren started Middle School (the big-bad-terrible middle school). Mom was sad. Mom had to wear sunglasses to say good-bye. Mom didn't want to talk to her friends and visit after school started. Her babies were all gone! Evan was sad for Mom. He wondered what she would do all day without her kids. She would be all alone!

Somehow Mom managed to find things to fill up her time. And time continues to fly by. This year was another sad year for Mom. The start of school makes her realize how quickly her children are growing up. Lauren started high school. She is a Freshman. She has to take Health class and learn all those scary, horrible things that they teach kids about now days. Mom can't shield her from it anymore (even though Mom is still trying). Cole is a big 7th grader and has long hair and feels rebellious because he knows Mom doesn't like it. Claire is in her last year of elementary school and next year will go to the big-bad-middle school. Evan is a 3rd grader. Thank goodness he still has 2 more years left in elementary school. Even though Mom is sad this time of year, she'll get over it. Having lunches and visits with friends will help. And, there is the shopping she can do...



Happy Back-to-School 2008, see you next year (boo-hoo)!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!!!

When I was 7, a really great thing happened to my only-child self...a baby brother. Now, mind you, what I thought I really wanted was a baby SISTER, but gratefully, Heavenly Father knows best. We had lots of fun growing up. Here's a little tribute to Mike on his special day!

He started out playing with MY Lego's! Love the 70's decor...That picture on the wall still exists in my nightmares!

Helping out in the garden (in his underwear). Be grateful, I passed up the naked picture!

Probably countless hours learning how to draw and shoot a pistol!

Now, the really great part about having Michael for a brother is the AWESOME Uncle he is for my kids!

They LOVE their Uncle Mike!!!

AND, so do I! Have a great birthday. I love you and I'm so proud of you. You are a great example of someone who continually perseveres and is working so hard to fulfill your goals. I wish you a wonderful year with much success!

Where are you Lauren-Lou?

Our Lauren-Lou is missing! She's been gone for almost 2 whole weeks now and we are beginning to miss her terribly. She went to soccer camp at BYU last week and this week has spent the week at a ranch with her Grandma & Grandpa.

Here's some highlights of life without Lauren.



Cole started football conditioning. Two hours of practice everyday in 100 degree weather! He's loving every minute of it-really! But, he's so tired at night. Good thing there's a nice quiet bedroom with a lovely soft mattress for him to sleep in...

Don't worry Lauren, I'll wash all the bed linens before you get back!

Claire's been very busy doing all sorts of crafts!

She needed some magazines to cut up. Hope you don't mind Lauren!

Claire didn't like being outnumbered with more boys than girls this week.

We're used to being very balanced around here.

She solved this problem by inviting her friend over as often as she could.

So, we've had our fun and enough is enough.

Please come home Lauren! It's just not the same without YOU!!!

Love, Your Family

Claire's 10th Birthday Party

Each year Claire's Birthday falls just before our McMullin Family Reunion. This causes Claire much stress, worrying that I will be too preoccupied with preparations to plan her birthday party. This year, Claire made sure she wasn't left out by planning her own festivities. She had very specific ideas.

The girls arrived and had to "walk the red carpet."

Then beauty assistant, Lauren, helped give them make-overs!

They were off to see "Wall-e" on opening night in our converted Suburban "limo."

Of course, we needed a Chauffer. Kirk was suppost to be wearing a black suit with red tie (I told you she was specific), but since he was late getting home (not Kirk!), he was allowed to go sans

uniform--but the hat was a must!

No red carpet, but they didn't seem to mind!

When they returned home, they had dinner at our exclusive backyard restaurant!

Overall, I think she was happy with her plans, as well as the few

modifications I made (to prevent my complete exhausion)!

Happy 10th Birthday Claire!

PRICELESS!!!

18' x 4' above-ground swimming pool, $300.00

1 evening trip to Wal-mart to purchase swimming pool with never-helpful Wal-mart employee,

8 bags of sand, $25.00,

Digging through storage shed for wheelbarrow, 1 hour,

Borrowing pick-axe from friend,

Site preparation, 6 hours of back-breaking work for Kirk in hot summer heat,

Endless hours of happy children playing peacefully in backyard this summer = PRICELESS