Finally!

Good morning!

Yes, finally I am back.

I am sorry it has been too long.

I think it is a combination of computer issues, life, summer with the kids, and the extreme (in amount we've seen anyway...) house hunting that has kept me from keeping up. I hope to get better............

So, on to the updates - yesterday we put an offer in on a house. Don't know if it will wind up being a "done deal" or not. Waiting for their counter or acceptance of the offer. You all will know when/if we are ever home owners again. I won't go into the type of house yet or anything... but stay posted for updates either tonight (oh wouldn't that be great for it to be done tonight???!!!) or tomorrow. As soon as it's done. I'll just say this, it's similar in size to my old home but has five bedrooms! A room for guests! Whoo hoo!!!! Who's coming to visit me first?!

As to what else is new, not much. I will make a list:

*Registered the kids for school and they took placement tests this week. I was very happy with the positive reception they both received. :)

*This weather has been DISGUSTING here. My parents keep claiming it's "unusual" and "atypical" - but i've had some other natives tell me it's like this often. It is so humid outside that it is thick to breathe. Just opressive. Like you don't even want to be in a pool or at the beach because it's SO HOT AND HUMID. Yuck. My hair is in constant 911 mode. I kid you not it is like day 60 of this humid "spell". Please hope for me that it ends soon. I am VERY LUCKY though that my parents have central air, so at least we can sleep at night and breathe by day when inside. Phew! That's a good thing!

*All we have been doing every moment we have "free" time is house hunting.

*Abbie's soccer team had summer training this week (three days) and starts practices next week already. Whoo wee!

*If you here me say "i'm tarred" instead of "i'm tired" you will know that I am already aquiring a midwestern accent!

*I NEVER get any "free" time to use the phone! I miss talking to all of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*School starts here after Labor Day - I will be starting the countdown soon. I am so excited for school that yesterday we bought new backpacks (the Princess got hers at L2) and school supplies even though we don't know what we'll need yet!

*I have had a toothache for three days now, I need to find a dentist.

*Ethan is talking really well now (though you may hear him say he's "tarred") and loves riding his new bike. Our biking adventures are another post - but suffice it to say there has been a ton of riding being done. Where we are is full of biking trails.

*The house we put a bid on is a rideable by bike distance away from my parents, with adult supervision (there is some main road travel needed).

Okay - on to the story where I last left you a MONTH ago.

What exploring did we do that left something in many orifices?

Spinny guessed cereal - all I can say is I WISH!

Drum roll.....

Here are the pics: This is the vechicle that we did our torture ride in. No really, it wasn't that bad and was tons of fun and educational too!

We went on a dune ride and explored the dunes near Lake Michigan. We learned how dunes are formed and we learned that when the driver shouts "hold on" it is a good idea to follow directions immediately. We also learned that the driver means it when he says that you will get some sand "everywhere".

Here is King Max standing on a dune.

You really had to hold on! AND keep your mouth CLOSED. When you are going fast and whipping around a sand track and going up and down hills that sand will getcha. I had it in my teeth, hair, fingernails, on my face as a scrub. Crazy.

Can you believe all that sand!

After our sand scrubbing we all went to Lake Michigan for a dip, and aquired more sand! I am still getting it out of the rugs of the minivan. But hey, it was worth it. Family fun!!!

Well, I miss you all.

Leave a comment if you can.

Stay tuned for house updates and pics.

Take care and enjoy the rest of the summer! :)