Wild day with Boys

They say paybacks are a ____ (you fill in!). Well, it was my turn since Terri watched the kids for us while I was away earlier this month. I had Ben, Alex, Matt and Mitch for the day - 4 boys are quite loud, to say it mildly. They let me take this photo of the 3 playing Wii and making crazy faces - Alex was also "playing" but moved before I could get the photo. The best part, Lynn came over for lunch - so, you guessed it....there were 7 kids here for a while! It took a while to clean up Ben's room - of course they made a "fort" in there! Mitch and Ben helped and the 3 of us got it done! Now, only 5 days until Ben starts school, then another week for Alex and I can get back to work and maybe even get the house clean!

Back in Town and Back to Reality . . . .

Here is my last photo post from last week's conference! My group got to go on stage and be recognized which was fun. Even though we just walked across stage, it was fun to look out and see 6,000 people! Then it was back to Phoenix on Sunday and reality of 2 dirty kids and a dirty house! Bill did his best, but everything needed a bath! Ben threw me a "party" on Sunday night, complete with pizza and a family movie - it was a nice evening and he was so cute. Since then it's been cleaning and working . . . . . .but the trip was nice and the conference was very good this year.

More St. Louis Fun

More Conference Fun . . . .still in St. Louis and conference is great - the Holiday Catalog Products rock! The second photo is me on stage - - I was recognized for doing more than 80 shows last year! yea me!

St. Louis - Conference begins - after Beer!

Conference began in the Edward Jones Dome - 6,000 PartyLite consultants - what a crazy bunch of (mostly) women! However, before the conference began last night, we had to try a local attraction - the Budweiser plant - - they give you free beer at the end! Have you ever tried "Tilt" - it's now Elaine's favorite beer and she doesn't even DRINK beer! It's orange flavored and wow! Plus, here's the best part 6% alcohol!! We're having fun but a shout out to Lynn at home - - 5 kids for 10 hours - - Girl - you're the BEST!

St. Louis - we're here!

Arrived in St. Louis this afternoon - - - our hotel is right by the Arch - we can see about 1/2 of it from our hotel room window! The bus was in the convention center lobby - we just had to get a photo w/us in it! Two gals are missing, so we'll try to get another one with all of us! Yes, I'm kid-free and lounging in my hotel with my buddy Elaine! Conference starts tomorrow . . .yea! Time to get re-charged for holiday selling season!

Markie & Ben

Boy those two have been tight lately. Markie basically spent the weekend at our house. . .why? . . .because they begged. I forget Markie is two years younger than Ben, because they are so close, but then when Markie starts acting like a 5-year old, I remember! Markie does say some funny things and although I was in "Markie overload" by Sunday night, he did crack me up a few times. When they were cleaning Ben's room up, I got the vacuum out for them to use...Markie was about to turn it on and he yelled "here comes suction"! It was pretty hilarious! They'll be spending a lot more time together this week as Lynn is watching Ben and Alex for me for 2 of the 5 days I'll be gone - PartyLite National Conference in St. Louis - here I come - where the most stress I'll have for 5 days is figuring out where I'm supposed to be and when - for myself and 7 other gals who will be looking to me as their "fearless leader"! I'll try to post from there. . . .

Summer Water Fun

Ben's friend Evan came over for a play day on Monday. They had a lot of fun on the slip & slide. Evan is Ben's best friend from school - they always get along and had a great reunion seeing each other for the whole day. As I mentioned, Debbie is in town and helped keep watch on the boys while I worked - thanks Deb!

Lynn's Birthday

My sister turned 39 (no joke!) on Sunday! We went to the mall with Nancy and Debbie, and then Lynn and the fam came over for cake later. She doesn't look a day over 35!! Also....we went to "Sex and the City" last night - yes, I'm late seeing it - but Loved It! Great flick!

Low Key July 4

Probably one of the most low key July 4 holidays ever! Well, after the monsoon the night before, (on the 3rd) it left us hot and sticky - it was so humid! We mainly stayed indoors, trying to stay cool. Around 6:00 we went to Mark's (Lynn was flying) and grilled hot dogs, ate chips and fruit and planned to go swimming . . .until the storm hit! Wind picked up so fast - and we barely made it back inside from the grill with the food! The wind did die down a little bit, so we could watch a combo lightening/fireworks show from the kids' play house in the back yard! However, the kids were pretty bummed the swimming part couldn't happen - too much lightening in the distance. Oh, may I add, I did enjoy some Bud Light with Lime (the new best beer ever!). Here are a couple pics. . . .

It's July 1 !!

Holy Guacamole! It's July already!! Only one more month and the kids are back in school . . . . .good for me, bad for them!! Ben started soccer camp yesterday with Lizzy and Markie - they enjoyed it I think - they did the camp at Lynn's swanky resort-like workout place called LifeTime Fitness - they pump in the lavendar scent, I swear, so you feel like you're entering the spa!! I'll take blue-collar, nasty, can't afford good A/C 24-Hour Fitness thank you very much (OK, the truth, I can't afford LifeTime . . . .plus, it's too far from our house . . .heavy sigh. . . .)