Free Range Family

So yesterday was my birthday. Isn't that so cool, that my mom had her first child the day before her birthday? Yeah we always thought so too lol. :P My friend and I at Relay this year, sorry I took no photos of my face on my actual bday lol I didn't do too much crazy things for my birthday, in fact when I told my friends at work my plans, they all teased me and said I sounded like their parents lol. I guess most people don't think 25 year olds want to take their kids to a water park and then go out to dinner with their husband for their birthday, partying and bar-crawling was the typical idea they had. But I am no typical lady. :) I had a good birthday too! I was able to see all of my favorite students at school, they sang to me twice there. I took my kids and my brother to an awesome place (even though we missed my bestie and her kiddos because we were too slow, boo), and then I got to spend some quality time with the man of my life. It was a perfect birthday, even ...

This NBC post has been popping up all over my Facebook and Blogger newsfeed all week. Since my family lives in the third best place on the list, I figured that I might as well give into the trend and write a post about it myself. You know, since I have like, personal experience on it and whatnot. If you want to see the full article and countdown, check out the link above. But for now, here is the top 10 Best and Worst Places to Live, courtesy of the Today Show and Best Life Magazine. Top 10 Best Places to Raise a Family in the US 1 Honolulu, Hawaii 2 Virginia Beach, Virginia 3 Billings, Montana 4 Columbus, Georgia 5 San Diego, California 6 Des Moines, Iowa 7 Minneapolis, Minnesota 8 Madison, Wisconsin 9 Colorado Springs, Colorado 10 Santa Rosa, California Top 10 Worst Places to Raise a Family in the US 10  Springfield, Missouri 9 Dayton, Ohio 8 Corpus Christi, Texas 7 Flint, Michigan 6 Columbia, South Carolina 5 Waco, Texas 4 ...

July was an exciting month for my family! Several babies were born into the family, including Miss Anna. We had a handful of birthdays and big events happen as well. Here is what happened this month: The first of the month meant my nephew Connor's second birthday party. Then Anna was born on the seventh, weighing a healthy 6 pounds and 13 ounces. Less than a week after Anna was born, Aunt Ariel turned twelve years old.  This month was also Alan and Anna's cousin Fayth's first birthday, but unfortunately due to the heat we weren't able to go to her birthday party. Then it was my birthday, and we went to the Oasis Water park to celebrate. The day afterward was Grandma Melanie's birthday. My cousin's wife had her son Joshua 22 days after Anna was born. The next day was not only Grandpa Kevin's birthday, but my other cousin's wife had her daughter Simmone!   The fourth of July was also this month, Lon and I took Aunt Ariel and Alan to Castlerock Pa...

On Monday, everyone went to the new water park in the heights, the Oasis, for Grandma Melanie's and my birthday parties. Anna and I didn't swim, of course, but it was great to finally get to see the new water park and we had a great time seeing our family and friends! The water park had one big water slide, a water playground with three smaller slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, and a toddler sprinkler area with a baby slide. Alan's favorite area was the toddler sprinklers, he played there almost the whole time lol. He also went on the water playground several times and even went on the tunnel slide several times (although he didn't get the concept of staying in line and waiting his turn lol, he needed to be reminded a few times). Aunt April and Aunt Natalie took him on the lazy river once but this time he wasn't too into it. Aunt Natalie was just thrilled to finally be able to hold Anna for the first time (she didn't get to the night before because w...

Today is Grandma Melanie's birthday. I love my mom so much. She has always been there for me, since as long as I can remember. We have so many good memories together. I tell my mom pretty much everything, I feel like I can go to her for any advice. She is always supporting me, whether its helping us with our financial struggles or watching our children for us or even just being emotional support. She is just as good with all my siblings too. I hope that I am someday as good of a mother as she is. :) She is not only a great mother but she is a fantastic grandmother. Alan just adores her, they are great buddies and he loves to spend time with her. She was there for his birth and was one of the first people who met him. She spoils him like crazy and he just loves it lol. :) Anna is still a newborn, but I know that she also loves her grandma. My mom wasn't able to make it to her birth, but she drove halfway across the state to get to us so that she could help watch Al...