Update!

The boys lasted until 3:20 am.  That is when Kent crawled into bed.  I guess Brayden got too cold.  They probably got a total of 5 hours of sleep.  Apparently this adventure is never happening again.  :)  This mini camp out may have put our family back another few years before we attempt real camping!  Bummer, I really want to do a fun, lake, boat (who has one?) camp out....

Onto other exciting things in the Phillips fam: 

1.  Functioning on very little sleep, Kent, with Kelly's help, is putting up the railing for the deck!

2.  We bought 3 gallons of paint last night!  These bare, dry walls are going to be seeing some color!  Yes, I know it will take way more than 3 gallons to do our whole upstairs and two bathrooms, but we of course have to make sure we like the colors!  Any idea on what color we are going to do our accent wall???  I had friends over this last week while Kent was out of town and got different opinions and thoughts (because I am HORRIBLE at picking out paint).  We reached a consensus and Kent vetoed it first thing.  Not a shocker.  I compromised, we are doing "Haze", through most of the upstairs (brownish/tan) and "Lost Atlantis" on the accent wall that spreads from the kitchen to living room.  I think we may also do our bathroom with this.  It's a dark blue/grey.  Surprise!  Kent has a minor obsession with blue, which I have learned to love....I guess it could be worse.  I think this color will be fantastic!

3.  We are also actively talking about carpet and flooring for the kitchen and dining room!  YAY!  It needs to be replaced so bad.  It has taken its toll over the last 8 years and three growing children. The replacement will be a ways down the road, until we figure out our budget, but it may happen sooner rather than later!

This means I will be able to check off quite a few things on my 40 before 40 list!  I can't wait!

Another thing that will be checked off within a week is an Alaska cruise!  This has been kept somewhat under wraps because it is all kind of crazy!  When we returned from our last cruise in May there was a message on our answering machine offering us a free cruise.  I  paid no attention to  it, I had a million things going on.....when  I went to delete messages a few weeks later, I actually listened to it.  I called the lady to get more info. and low and behold it wasn't a sham (as far as we know).  They are paying for a cruise for two to Alaska, from Seattle, with a balcony room and gratuities included.  WHAT???  It was too hard to pass up, especially since we don't have to pay airfare, just drive across the state.  We went around and around in circles trying to figure out how we could ALL go.  The best they could do was an outside room for 4 people.  This means we are taking the girls, Brayden has been on two cruises with us, so the girls will be trekking to Alaska with us.  Brayden gets to spend a week with my parents all by himself!  He is super excited and realizes that it's the girls' turn.  It still breaks my heart, but it will be special time for everyone!

This is all happening in less than a week.  We drive to Seattle on the 8th and cruise from the 9th-16th.  This happens to be the week before my sprint tri.  Do you think I might be sabotaging myself??? Oh well, couldn't pass it up. I'm sure I will be training hard on the ship, maybe I can climb a few glaciers in Alaska!  :)