all kinds of updates

I actually have the time and brain power to update the good ol blog... Tomorrow we head to Seattle for a weekend trip, we are all so excited, all 5 of my siblings will be there, and we'll get to see brand new baby Peter, Annika, Analiese, Aniva, and Gavin. how nice of all my brothers to pick practically the same name. But how fun to have kids the same age! Not mine of coarse, my girls will be the ones babysitting, and doing all the dishes for the entire extended family! Poor girls,It's just not fair! They are just kids too.... Sorry, I just had a flashback of my cousin Amy and I. :)
Now onto my cooking adventure, things are going really well with my cooking goals. I haven't found an apron yet, because I'd rather make one out of a towel. I think that would be cute. Anyway, I have planned out the entire month, and so far, so good. I did cook most of the meat after shopping, so that it would be easier to throw the recipe together. That helps immensly! I saved some chicken and steaks to cook fresh. But, we've tried alot of new dishes, and it's been fun. I think I'll definitely keep going.
Speaking of towel things, I made the girls each a pair of pajama pants out of towels, why you say? Because they are all on swim team and over the winter they'll have their toasty warm pants to wear to the car.. I am quite impressed with myself, I even put an iron on patch of their initial on the bum. The more I sew, the more I see that I'm going to have to buy a serger. No question about it.
My parents and Jim's brother Mike's family all survived hurricaine Ike. My dad said it sounded like a train going by right outside the window, all night long. He said it was awful, but he didnjoy using his chainsaw right away. Mike's family did well also which was a huge relief! Strangely enough, just last month my dad connected the generator to a light switch in the house so all he'd have to do is flip the switch and the entire house had electicity. Great timing!
The girls are enjoying school, swim team, and piano lessons. I am certainly at my limit for activities. And believe it or not, this is a breeze compared to the summer. Now we just need to figure out how to get them to pick up after themselves.
We have 3 foster babies right now, and the girls love it! We have David who is 2, Makayla 1, and Dradin 6 mo. It sounds insane, but we enjoy it, and this is how I imagined I'd feel doing foster care. They are all adorable, and some days it's hard but I enjoy it.
So for now, that's the update, I'll post plenty of pictures from Seattle.