Through my children's eyes

I'm pretty confident that this is what my children see when they look at me.

Nature or nurture???

One of my favorite sounds in the world is listening to Hayden laugh, those laughs that are so uncontrollable that he can barely breathe, and the saliva starts dripping down his chin. What are the things that makes him laugh this hard? Tickling, and anything having to do with toots or poop. Hmmm, is it because he's a boy and it's in his nature, or because he's being raised by us and we've nurtured him that way? Unfortunately, probably a little bit of both.

Girls' Weekend in Seattle! It's all about US!

View of Seattle from the top of the Space Needle

I know it's been a while since I left a post, but I've had a hard time adjusting back into real life. A week and a half ago I got to go on a great vacation up to Seattle for a Girls' Weekend. It was so great. All my sisters, sis-in-laws, mom, and oldest niece went to my sister Esther's house and let her spoil us rotten. (12 of us) I left the kids here with Jerry, and I have to give a HUGE thank you to Jerry's mom for watching Hayden and Rebecca while Jerry was at work. They had a great time, and it made it easier for me to go knowing they would be happy and fine at Grandma's. So I know I'm a little bit of a picture fanatic, but I couldn't figure out which ones to leave out. So enjoy!

The Space Needle

We all arrived throughout the day on Wednesday. (I loved the plane ride and enjoyed Eclipse the whole way - but that's another post) I got there late Wed. night, after several of the girls were already asleep.

Thursday we went on a great run through some paths by Esther's house, then we went into Seattle. We hit the Space Needle first, then Pikes Place Market, and ended the sight seeing for the day at the Underground Tour of Seattle. SO FUN! That night after we got home we had a fondue meal. YUMMY. Esther is such a gormet cook, she says she can't cook and that Jeff does the cooking, but we all learned that is a big fat lie. Then we got to stay up late talking (and reading).

My niece Rachel, Me, and my sister Mary on top of the Space Needle. Aren't they cute!

Rachel, Jana, Me, Mary, Esther, Elizabeth, and Mom

Friday we woke up and Esther told us we were going to go do some exercise, but she was so secretive and wouldn't tell us what it was. I figured yoga or something like that. So we drove to her friend's house. She is an aerobics instructor and does all kinds of exercise. She lead us down into her basement and right in the middle of the room is a POLE! Yes, we did pole dancing. Don't worry, we did it as exercise, it was nothing kinky. Think of it as the monkey bars in grade school, only one vertical monkey bar. But I do have to give credit to those strippers - they must be in wonderful shape. It was a GREAT workout. I was sore for a couple days. Believe it or not, it was actually really fun. Everyone got into it, even my 68 year old mom (Sorry mom) was upside down on that pole. Later that day we had a "Favorite Things" party. We each brought our favorite things to share with everyone, things that people might not know about us. (Basically think Oprah) It is fun learning new things about the people you know so well. Then that night we had a formal dinner. It is fun to dress up and have a fancy dinner. Esther made a delicious roast meal with all the fixings, on her fancy china. Once again she is an amazing cook, and an even better party hostess. My dad took great pictures of everyone, but I don't have them yet, so you'll just have to look at the pole dancing pictures for the day. That night we had fun talking as we did the dishes (how come that is more fun when you're with your sisters than at home?) And I stayed up WAY too late again talking and reading Breaking Dawn. It's fine to stay up late when you don't have to wake up at 6:30.

Pole Dancing

My sister Rebecca, upside down on the pole. Sorry Rebecca, but there was no way I was putting a picture of my pregnant self on that pole. By the way, Rebecca was a natural.

Saturday I slept in till 10:00!! When was the last time I slept in that late? At least 3 1/2 years ago. We had a lazy morning just hanging out and talking. Around noon we stopped by the Victoria Secret for bra shopping :) That's something you just can't do with kids. Then we went boating out at Lake Summamish. (that's probably spelled wrong.) It was beautiful. Then that night we had a rock band party. FUN FUN FUN! We all brought our rocker outfits and got into it. What a great party. Unfortunately Jana and Rachel had to leave Sat. morning, we missed them. And once again, we stayed up late talking, talking, talking. (oh, and reading)

What hot rocker babes!

Can you see why we are all so fun when we have a mom like this??!

Me and Rebecca

Esther, Me, and Sara Rockin'

Rocker chicks, Angela and Me

Sunday We went to church and headed to the airport to say good bye. Sara, thanks for keeping me company for hours at the airport. It was fun. It was a wonderful trip. I love my "Roylance Girls" and yes it was, "All about US!" Jerry is so wonderful to be so supportive about me leaving for 4 days, and having a great time with my family. Also thanks again to Carol for all your help.

Pampered Chef Book Show

Hey everyone. I LOVE pampered chef. (but I hate hosting parties.) So I'm having a Pampered Chef book show. Browse the site www.pamperedchef.biz/amberperkins and see if there's anything you'd like. You can order on the site directly (be sure to put my name in as the host) or you can contact me to let me know if you want anything. Have fun cooking! The show will close Wed. Aug. 13.

Uh Oh

All I can say is that it started with putting a basketball in his shirt and saying that he had a baby in his tummy.
Luckily, he was saying he had two babies with the two basketballs in his shirt.

I can only wish that I looked like I had a mini basketball when I'm pregnant. Not my luck.

Bowling Fun

Megan, Hayden and Kyan


Last week we went bowling with my friends Heather and Mary Ann and their kids Kyan and Megan. Hayden had a blast and has asked every day when we can go bowling again. It was very fun.

Family Pictures

We made it through family pictures. Just FYI, in my opinion 6:00 at night is not the best time to get a 1 1/2 year old to be happy and sit for pictures. She thought it was more fun to try to run out of the room and climb on the waiting chairs in the lobby. At least we got a couple good shots of her. Mrs. Field's cookies was a good bribe for Hayden.

Here are some of the pictures that were taken.

What cuties I have!