Back from the lakehouse...to reality

Here I sit at the computer again...printing things off for the shop work that I do, listening to the Gospel Hiway, waiting for the dryer to stop, listening for the war yells of the kids, drinking cup after cup of coffee...back to reality after a weekend of sun, water, sand, campfire, yummy food, golfcart rides, walks, and just sitting around with family. It was a full time of odds and ends on no time limits! I sat and worked on a project on the deck...sat at the lake (and pool) and read a good book (still reading) and browsed through magazines...snacking on chocolate covered peanuts and licorice (great snacks that only require one hand!)
The lake is the one place I feel that I can sit and do nothing and not feel guilty about it...there is no reason to have to be busy all the time...it is a place to relax and just be together as a family...and do whatever whenever! This weekend, the guys put in the dock and cleaned up the boat. We will look forward to dropping the boat and cruising around the lake soon. The water in the lake is already nice and warm...doesn't take long since it is so shallow! The pool, on the other hand, is frigid! The kids got in yesterday and I was waiting for them to turn blue! The air temp was warm and humid...but not enough to stay in the pool for longer than 30 minutes.
Today is a day to catch up and just be home...the kids play with their toys better after being gone. They also have Teddy's birthday things to amuse themselves with...and a new DVD of Mr. Ed and Lassie to watch. Ahh, the pleasures of summer...even makes reality enjoyable for the moment!
It is always nice to come home...and enjoy the smell of clean laundry and the freshly brewed coffee.

Happy Birthday 4 Year Old!!!

This little guy has turned into quite the character! He gave me heartburn before he was born and now he giving us lots of laughs! I wish I could play the sound of his laugh on this particular occasion.
I watched Teddy walk around yesterday and today with his pop rocket launcher thing- a -ma- bob from Daddy and his rocket balloon pump from Aunt Mari's clan and just shook my head...where does the time go?
I remember the night we went in to get ready for his birth...he made his appearance at 10;05 am the next morning and immediately my heartburn stopped! Now I find my heart does little flip-flops when I watch him do something for the first time, watch him fall, watch him mimic his Daddy, watch him play, watch him help his sisters, watch him be a friend, watch him with his grandparents and uncles and aunts, watch him play with Chevy...he has grown up so fast! I am so proud of my husband and the time he spends with our son...for that has made him the little boy he is today...and my heart does another flip-flop of thanks to the Lord for giving Teddy to our family four years ago!

Miss Alisa's special flower

I told Alisa we would write about her special flower! She persevered to receive the prize...she won the quiet seat prize in the Wednesday night children's program at church. Our little wiggly, chatty daughter made up her mind to win it...mind over matter...nothing mattered but that flower...not even a potty break! oops! I am proud of her desire to do right even when there isn't a prize! She is soon to be our big 5 year old...and all ready for kindergarten!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

We went to the parade this morning with Grammy and this is all the loot! Our street is at the beginning of the parade route and they through tons of candy...and other misc sundries. The bag probably weighed at least 10 pounds! Our favorites this year...the firetrucks and Chester the Cheetah...he was handing out bags of Cheetos!!! We have enough sugar to fuel this family for the next year...we didn't even get through last year's stash!
The rain held off till after we got home...now it looks like it will pour all day and all weekend! We are waiting for Daddy to be done with work...then we get to enjoy some family time!!! Hooray!!! Our next big event...Teddy's fourth birthday!

Animal Crackers...more than a snack!

The kids always need a mid-morning snack. We go through spurts of what they like to munch...the past week or so (it was a big bag!)...we have been eating animal crackers again. The K5 graduate had them lined up for counting and sorting...then asking her siblings what each one said and what it was called...If I read between the crumbs, my guess is that she will end up being a teacher! She has the natural ability...and the bossiness of the older sister...hmmm, sounds like her mother...right, Mari!?

Wedding pictures

Congrats to Terry and Deana! It was a beautiful wedding. God's timing is always perfect!

Congrats to Paul and Carma too! I will try to post a picture of their beautiful wedding at the chapel.

Weekend pictures

One fish, two fish, three fish...
Daddy's helpers!
A pizza picnic after swimming..."this is fun, Mom and Dad! Can we do this again?"

The strawberry plants survive no matter what!

The blossoms are out on the strawberry plants. If they can survive the squirrels, birds, dog, and kids...we might get a handful of berries. The plants look healthy, but have never been great producers of fruit. It is time to go pick strawberries and make yummy freezer jam! The strawberry festival will be in a week or two. It is a simple pleasure to get excited about...but there is something fulfilling in the whole process of picking, tasting, washing, tasting, crushing, tasting, cutting, tasting, and cooking something so yummy! Grammy will be done with school this week...I am feeling a "field trip" coming on!

Welcome Summer Vacation!

Last Friday was Ashlynn's last day of school...they had a party! Then we took off for the WI wedding of Ted's friend...thus began our summer plans!

We shall look forward to the fall when Ash will be in first grade and Alisa will be our kindergartener! I wonder what the class bear's name will be? Ash's class called their bear "Ima Helper" and she got to bring her home a couple times. Ima graduated too and will move on to first grade...cute idea!

It is a beautiful day again today...with rain in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow.

I have locked the kids outside (naughty mommy?)...the in and outs have started and I am not dealing well with that. I know all the aunties are chuckling under their hands at me...I know "been there done that"! Any ideas to combat that? Maybe I shall consult Mrs. Piggle Wiggle...our favorite read this week.

I guess it is snack time!

Party time...thank you everyone!

It was a family affair!

Can you see where you are going? Ok, ready... set... go!
It is over Mom...can we go eat dessert?
My favorite Kindergarten teacher!
Daddy is so proud of you! You did a great job when you did your part!
Grammy and Grampy came for Ashlynn's special night...we couldn't keep them away if we tried, right Dad!

K5 Program and Graduation

This is the day we graduate.
This is the day we graduate?
This is the day we graduate!
Little Polly Flinders couldn't help Little Bo Peep find the sheep because "I just got a spanking".


Diploma time!!! What do I do with this now? Use it for a telescope? Microphone? Whapper?