(Strawberry) Harvest Party!

Sunday morning Lauryn and I were walking around...checking out all our plants. This year she has four pots that she planted and is responsible for--two pots of strawberries, one of tomatoes, and one with flowers. We discovered that her first strawberry was ready to be picked. Those of you that know Lauryn know she likes to throw parties for any reason. She said, "Mom...we can't pick it without having a celebration." She went inside and brought out a box of decorations and some paper to write her speech. She kept herself quite busy while I worked on trimming up some plants. Lauryn would make a great event planner.

My parents came out and we all sat around "the plant". Lauryn prepared a cute speech, cut the strawberry into 8 (very small) pieces to share, and we ate strawberry fruit bars. It was a pretty quick little ceremony but oh-so-special.

Here she is getting the bench decorated for the celebration.

Lauryn reading her "speech".

The first strawberry. Isn't it a beauty?

Picking the berry.

Brace Yourself!

Jen has been wanting braces for years. Well this past Friday she got her wish! I drove her to Richland for her 8:00 appointment. The orthodontist is starting with her top braces because she has some goofy stuff going on with the bottom teeth. One of her baby teeth doesn't have a permanent one underneath and is attaching to the bone. She will have to have it removed and a temporary tooth put in until she turns 17 and can have an implant. Needless to say...we will be funding some great vacations for the orthodontist.

The braces haven't bothered her too much. The Herbst Appliance - the "hydraulics" used to move her jaw- have been a bugger though. She really has to think about what she is eating and the size because her back teeth don't touch now.

Jen is such a trooper. She isn't in love with the whole experience so far(like she thought) but she doesn't complain.

Taylor Swift Rocks!

Months ago, it was rumored that Taylor Swift was coming to Yakima. I quickly added her concert tour page to my favorites...waiting for the day that the ticket sale date would change from "Coming Soon". Well one day I was shocked to go on and find that Yakima was replaced with Nampa, ID. I was just as excited as the girls and I was determined to take them to see her. I ended up getting tickets for the Spokane concert!!

We bought the girls glowsticks before the concert started. They had them in the air the entire time!!

After a costume change, Taylor (I say it like we're friends) came out and played in the section directly across from us. After the song she (along with about six large men) walked down the aisle to the floor. She hugged fans and signed autographs on the way down. She is just precious!

Taylor Swift played on a small stage directly in front of our seats. The girls were grins from ear to ear!

Here is the "fake" ending with Kellie Pickler and Gloriana.

Taylor came back out for an amazing finale! It was a very energetic ending. The "rain" had to feel sooo good because she worked her tail off.