Where did summer go?

I have no idea where summer went but, the kids officially started fourth grade today...it pretty much makes me sad. I can honestly say that if I could pick just one super hero power to have it would be to freeze time.

Another birthday....

Chayley, 7 Weeks

Chayley, last week

Does everyone celebrate their dogs birthday? Well, my kids think you do...I love our dog but, let's face it, she's a dog and has no idea what a birthday is. That being said Jenna and I will be shopping for a "gift" today 'cause "it's her birthday, mom!!" I hate arguments that I can't win!

Happy Third Birthday, Chayley!

Happy Birthday...

Careful, Don't blink....two little twins just turned ten today! It's hard to believe but they did, I tried to stop it but apparently you can't freeze time. They are two amazing kids and I'm really proud of the people they are becoming, I just hope the next ten years goes a little slower...I know, I know, it won't but, it sure would be nice!

Happy Birthday Sam and Jenna!

Summer...

I can't believe it's almost July, where is the summer going??? It's been fun so far especially just being able to spend more time together as a family. Also, the no mosquito thing has been a plus!

Jenna and I made some fluffly flip flops 'cause well, why not?

The first water fight of the year made me realize two things...1. I can no longer out run my kids and 2. I need my own super soaker!!!

Biking Buddies!

I love my back yard (and the dog, too!).

I'm back...

Every year the third grade goes "fishing" at the duck pond in St. Peter. The fish were the size of minnows and we didn't catch anything, And most importantly, no one got a hook in the eye!

The last day of school starts with an awards program and this is when I brag about my daughter, you can scroll down now if you want to skip this part....I'll wait......okay, she earn an academic all-star award (third year!!!). We are really proud of her...way to go, peanut!!! Don't the kids look a little unhappy about this award??? By the way, these kids are not only smart but, really good kids too! Note: Yes, Jenna did wear the pink sunglasses all day and more than one teacher commented to me about how "Jenna" those glasses were!

The day ends with "Fun in the Sun" day...the rest of the day is games, karaoke and Popsicles! One of those days I'm glad I don't work so I can go have fun too! Don't let the fact that Sam's in last place fool you...he managed to win, albeit a little "cheating" occurred but, the kids didn't care and I think they were just as excited as he was.

Sorry about being gone for so long, this time of year is always a little bit crazy but, this year was bonkers! Here are some pictures from the last MONTH...geez, that was a long time. I promise I'll try to be better and post more pictures from our summer. It's kind of hard to believe that third grade is officially over, wow, that went fast (probably not for the teachers). I think we're all ready for some summer fun. Now that I'm done posting, I'm going outside and enjoy the day instead of sitting in front of this computer...you should too!!

Spring Pictures...

I finally finished all the planters and I have no idea why I decided to do moss pots but, it was kind of fun (they look better in person). I found the metal baskets at the swap meet and luckily the people at Drummers Garden Center were able to tell me how to make the moss pots. If you look really close you'll see our roses behind the pots TRYING to make it...so far, so good all six are at least green, one, however only has a couple of leaves...could be iffy!

We're just having fun BEING OUTSIDE! Leaves and grass are a beautiful thing and I am so happy that I can't see my neighbors anymore...not that I don't like our neighbors, they're great but, I missed all the green leaves!

Aaaaachooo...from the family allergic to tree pollin (didn't we pick a great place to live?)

Other People's Junk...

Every year our community has a clean-up day for the roadsides and riverbanks as part of Earth Day. This year we decided to help...it was a good lesson for the kids and Rick really enjoyed (sarcasm) lugging all the "big" stuff from the ditch to the side of the road. Wanna hear what we found? Oh, sure you do...

A recliner

A dresser

9 tires (car, truck and bike)

carpeting

and Rick's personal favorite...a TOILET!

And we can't leave out the beer bottles, plastic pop bottles and just plain every day trash. And let me just say this to all the people who threw this stuff there...next time you think about pitching your crap to the side of the road...DON'T!

Happy Earth Day (one day early)!

Easter...

The Easter Bunny has soooooo much fun filling baskets for kids who don't eat chocolate!!

Because there is some sort of law that say's a chocolate bunny MUST be placed in each child's basket Rick, Aunt Julie and myself had to eat them ourselves...don't ya just feel sorry for us?

Finally, the weather made it possible for the bunny to hide the eggs OUTSIDE! And, no, these are not the pants he wore to church!
Apparently you must run when looking for easter eggs...like they're going anywhere. Oh, I guess they could end up in her brothers bucket...and just for the record they did count who got more. That would be Sam 24 to 21.

Funny how the egg dying pictures are relatively the same every year, just older looking kids.

HAPPY SPRING!

Stress...

My Photoshop program hates me. I don't know what I did to it but it is causing me enormous amounts of stress. For everyone who watched last nights school board meeting on cable access channel 8 and who doesn't?, you will know that I really don't need anymore stress. So, I have decided that since the owners manual (worthless), Photoshop for Dummies book (also, worthless) and the online troubleshooting (you've got to be kidding me??) didn't work I am going to un-install Photoshop and re-install it. My stomach just turned over in knots even writing that, I'm definitely not going to say it out loud...that may just push me over the edge!

I have spent forever backing up, double checking, triple checking and quadruple checking to make sure every last photo and project is on a disc somewhere. Whether I'll be able to find them again is another story. Until I resolve this problem please enjoy a couple of photos from Photoshop past...

Wish me luck.

Forty...

Happy Birthday to my best friend! I love you.

Minnesota weather...

Apparently, it IS always a race!

In honor of our 47 degree weather (and, may I add it's about time) I am going to post the LAST winter pictures. And, that little "hill" they are sledding down (septic mound...don't ask) will once again look something like the picture below, shortly...I hope.

Wii....

I decided to get myself a Wii Fit for my birthday 'cause, well, I need it! My family has since dominated it...I'm not just saying that as an excuse as to why I haven't lost more weight but, that is rather convenient, isn't it? From these pictures one would assume that we have TWO Wii fit's...no, we don't. Sam is just being supportive of his twin sister and doing the hula hoop with her. That and boxing seem to be the favorites but, running (Rick and Sam) and yoga (Jenna) are close behind.

That little piece of plastic is a great way to get your kids to get their reading done but, it is awfully pushy!

Reaching for summer...

Maybe if we pretend it's warmer and summer is almost here it will be so...not. Last week's schedule, swimming lessons, blizzard, swimming lessons. I think the chlorine helped us forget about the snow and cold for just a little bit.

Thanks Jaclyn for getting my kids to fly off the diving board without fear or life jackets...miracle worker, that girl!!

Why Valentine's Day is always special in our family....

It's so fitting that the person with the most loving heart was born on Valentine's Day!

Happy Birthday Mom!

We love you very much!

It's all about the hat...

Surprisingly we haven't been kicked out of any stores, after seeing these photos one would find that startling. You should really have a good time wherever you are, right? We were at the U of M Landscape Arboretum in January and unless you're skiing or snowshoeing you really have to create your own entertainment...done!

These two are pretty good shoppers, especially Sam. He was helping me at the grocery store tonight...he really just likes to "drive" the cart. There are rules for cart driving, no speeding, no running into, people, displays, other carts or my heels. He tends to, lets just say, push these rules...do you think he knows that we are testing him for dirt bike/atv readiness??? Don't freak out, we're not getting him a dirt bike...at least not yet. Maybe when he quits running into my heels with the cart 'cause that would hurt with a dirt bike.

A boy and his dog...

We have a serious problem getting pictures of our dog with any humans. If you put your face next to hers she'll kiss you and that makes good photos well, difficult. Rick took this and I'm not sure how but, let's just enjoy it. This dog LOVES this kid and it's a pretty cool thing to see. Seriously, she's a great dog and we are very lucky that she's part of our family. Having said that if she chews one more pair of socks she's outta here...just kidding.

Happy 2009!

I hope everyone had a great holiday! We are finally all healthy and hopefully we didn't pass it on to anyone. The Wii we got the kids for Christmas helped entertain us while we were coughing and sneezing. Jenna even figured out how to cheer on her brother when he was playing even when she lost her voice...she used her white board.

They are happy to be back in school but, it sure is quite around here!