SNOW!!!!!!

The view of the back.

Dakota trying to make a trail for himself!

My Car!

Ben checking out the snow.

Last night it SNOWED for the first time this year down near us! WOW did it snow and snow and snow.

Traditions...

Last night I wrote about family traditions. I've deleted that post because I really upset my dad and I did not mean to, so I decided to explain my thoughts a little better.

Last night I wrote that I didn't have any family traditions and I was wrong. Very wrong! I was thinking more about traditions with my family, Jason & the kids. As my Dad reminded me, I have lots of family traditions and have started some with my kids and didn't even realize it. I think in my head, I've been thinking I don't have any of those WOW traditions. Sadly, I think I fell into the trap of wanting to be like other people, when really my family is pretty awesome and we have lots of fun and meaningful traditions.

My parents reminded me of some wonderful traditions we had growing up. We use to always get our tree from the Blank's Christmas tree farm. We would trek through their fields, past the kettle hole (I never did understand what it was), to find the perfect tree. I always wanted a TALL tree because our family room had a cathedral ceiling. My parents let us get those every few years! My dad said we then would go look for branches to make our own wreaths. Sorry Dad I don't remember that one, which I'm not surprised since I'm not that crafty. I bet Amy remembers.

Every Christmas Eve we went to my Grandma's house in Ellington. I remember loving my Aunt Susan's presents because she always made my sister and I something really special. Doll house furniture, mittens, poncho's...she'd fill a shoe box with really fun stuff too! Uncle Tom always called Santa and we got to talk to him! I know....very cool!! To this day I don't know how he did it. I remember at my wedding I asked him and he wouldn't tell me!!! After my Grandma passed away we started a new tradition of going to our family friend's home, the Clark's. Mr. Clark always played Christmas carols on the piano. My parents still go to their on Christmas Eve.

Jason and I started a tradition early on of spending Christmas Eve with his family and Christmas Day with mine. My sister actually started that and we followed suit. I love to spend time with both families. Jason's family is referred to as the Honey Pots, so as the planning is going on all the emails are titled to the Honey Pots. We've gotten together at houses over the years and we always have delicious food! A few years ago we stopped giving gifts to each other and instead started a Yankee Swap. I LOVE a good Yankee Swap! It's lots of fun to see what everyone brings and what the HOT items are. Last year it was Ryan and Amy's Lemon Cello. So yummy!!! This year we head to Paul and Marcella's to see their new home! I wonder what will be the HOT swap gift this year?

On Christmas Day we head up to my parents house and my sister and her family are there. The kids (5) all wait anxiously as we get all the stockings ready in the living room and my Mom runs about in her Minnie Mouse Headband getting her last minute things in order. Yes, she wears a Minnie headband. The kids giggle, scramble for their places on the couch and act like little angels as Nana hands out the stockings. Then it is pure delight listening to the cheers and excitement as they see what Santa and Nana left! Next it's time to eat. The kids eat fast...presents are downstairs by the tree waiting. They must hurry, but the grown-ups, we take our time enjoying whatever delicious meal we've all helped make in some way. Oh yeah, I'm no longer allowed to sign up for bringing shrimp. It's a tradition that I forget it at home! Then later that night, neighbors and friends float in and out for an open house which is always lots of fun catching up with everyone.

One of Jason's favorite Christmas traditions is to watch Christmas Vacation which he always watched with his best friend growing up, Jerry. Whenever we'd see them around the holidays they'd start resiting lines from the movie. Early in our marriage I thought this was, well juvenile. Now, I can't wait to sit and watch it and wait for the squirrel to JUMP out of the tree! I've seen this movie 20 times and still jump when it happens!

Speaking of Jerry, he and his wife Stefanie have been hosting a Christmas Party for the last 10 years at their place. 10 years...now that's a tradition!!!!

So, yes, I do have lots of traditions that I'm passing on to my children. Thank you Dad for helping me see that. I LOVE YOU <3

I'm passing on going to look for a tree. For the first 5 years of marriage we went to a Christmas tree farm and hiked in the mud, snow or grass looking for the perfect tree. Then we found a place 3 minutes from our home. Jason was elated. He never understood why I wanted to drive 30 minutes, walk through whatever in the cold to chop down a tree (he grew up in New Haven). I fell in love with this new place though. It was a family that had a lot of trees and he only sold about 20 a year. He always had a smile and the second year we went, he remembered us and Katie and saw that we had a new little one in tow! Well, then we moved and I wanted to drive back there but Jason found another "family" tree place...3 minutes down the road from our new house! Guess what? I now LOVE going there and he remembers us each year! Ben loves to climb on the rock walls and chase his chickens and Katie takes after me and looks for the biggest and tallest tree. She takes forever...just like me and it drives Jason nuts as I'm sure it drove my Dad nuts so many years ago.

I'm tearing up just writing this.

I can't believe I couldn't remember all of this last night!

So this year we are starting a new tradition. As I shared last night, one of my very best friends Kathy gave me this idea. Lisa Whelchel wrote a book, The Adventures of Christmas. It goes through in a kid friendly way, all the traditions of Christmas and relates it to the birth of Jesus or how it relates to his life and how he died to save us from our sins. She also has different baking projects and crafts that relate to the tradition. Check it out, it's really fun and interesting stuff too. Each night (start early in December) we sit and read a chapter (1-2 pages) together. After we do that they each get to pick a book from a basket I filled with Christmas books. My friend Kathy wraps her books up for the girls to open, but I hate to wrap so I have the kids close their eyes and pick :)

Thank you again Mom & Dad for your help jogging my memory!

So do you have any fun traditions you can pass along?

Heard Around the House...

Ben loves to dawdle in the morning. I must say "Ben, what are you suppose to be doing right now?" 10 times most mornings.
So the other day I said it again.
He stops, puts his finger on his chin and looks upward and says, "If I were me and I am, I would try cleaning my room."
No joke!
I love this boy!!

Ben Said....

Jason and I were watching the news this morning and a commercial for the fancy 1 cup coffee maker was on, you know the one, Geneve something. Jason commented how one of those would be so nice to have.
Ben appears from nowhere and says, "Dad you want to go spend your money on that! Go ahead, but I'm not!"

Grandpa Walter has a very bad eye infection and has not been feeling well for a few days. For dinner Ben puts all the drinks on the table and get Grandpa his beer. So we are sitting there and I said to Ben he didn't get Grandpa his beer.
With the most serious look on his face he says, "Mom, seriously do you think Grandpa needs a beer. He has an infection. He does not need a beer tonight."
Katie then adds, "Yeah, he might get addicted to it."

Yesterday we were driving in the car and as usual Katie and Ben were bickering about something ( I can't remember...). When they both don't like what the other is saying they will tell the other one, "You are not the parent!".
Well yesterday Ben actually knew the answer and I didn't. He was trying to tell Katie and she kept saying "You're not my parent so be quiet." Ben finally yells, "I am the parent about this!".

Where Do I Begin....

I know it's been awhile. I have a really good excuse though. Our house was broken into and our laptop was stolen. Yes we do have a desktop but it runs soooooo s-l-o-w and it constantly crashes! It's very frustrating to use for any amount of time longer than 15 mins. We really need to ask Grandpa Phil to check on it or take it to Geek Squad. Jason is fed up with it but I say let's try to salvage it because at the very least the kids can use it and you can still use Word on it! Anyway...

So we've recovered from the break-in. I will admit for the first few weeks I was scared to come home to the house alone. We were skittish at night and just feeling uneasy. We did our best not to let it show b/c of the kids. They were troopers and showed no fear. In fact they put up a security system of their own on their bedroom door. Walter took time to get over it too.

After a lot of prayer I told myself I can not live in fear. It's not good for me or for my family. I was so sad that all my jewelery from my grandma, parents and special pieces from Jason were taken. I was very freaked out that they/he/she was in our room. But, life goes on and I can not live worrying that they would be back. Prayer is a wonderful thing!!!

So in the midst of all that we started on making some changes to the house. We needed to make two rooms for Katie and Ben. Although Katie loved having the loft for all of her "stuff" she did not like sleeping up there and usually slept on the top bunk of Ben's bed. Well as you can imagine, that was starting to cause "issues". Basically she needs privacy.

Jason had a wonderful idea to divide the living room in half and make a small bedroom and the other half be a dining room. We then made the rock room/dinning room the living room. Jason did a fantastic job of doing this with keeping cost down and making it functional and able to be taken down if we ever wanted to.

A HUGE thank you to Ryan (Jason's brother) for helping with moving furniture! It was a big job!!!! Thank you Uncle Ryan.
A HUGE thank you and then some to my Dad for helping Jason sheet rock and do the electrical work!!
I of course thought this would be a "QUICK" project....no, but boy does it look awesome!!!
Here are a few pics of the new dining room...





Here's the living room...





Katie's Room- It's really, really pink! Passion Pink.



Ben's New Room. He chose a skate board theme. His room is still in process, but the majority is done. Jason is going to make a loft bed for him, to give him a little more floor space. Now, enjoy these pics you have no idea what I went through trying to get him to clean his room!!!




So that's the update with the house. I'll be back for another update soon, I need to go whip their butts in Crazy 8 card game! Our new favorite game.

Need Your Help?

So, I need some feedback on who can view my blog pictures that I put up on the LEFT side in Picasa Slideshow.
I will take it off if you tell me it's not working.
I'm not sure if it only works for those of you who have Picasa on your computer.
Not sure.
Let me know.

Need Your Help?

First Day of School

Today was the 1st Day of School for K & B! They both had great days! I added new pictures on the LEFT side bar. Just click on Katie and it will take you to my web album of K orientation and 1st day of school pics!

Ben goes to school till 12:30 and I was able to take a half day today to be home when he got off the bus! He was very excited and talked all about his day. After each part of the day he would say, "Well that's about all. Then we..." too cute! He showed the most excitement when he told me about how some of the kids got to go get hot lunch and pick out their OWN DRINK! He told me I never have to make him lunch again!

Katie got off the bus with a big smile and told us she loves 3rd grade and LOVES her teacher!! WooHoo!! She has a few classmates she knows, but mostly are kids she's never been in class with before. She makes friends easily so I'm sure she'll be fine.

As for me, well I had a little cry after they left on the bus. I can't believe they are both in school! I have a lot of emotions rolling around inside but trying very hard not to let them out (most are guilt related to working) and just enjoy the time and watch how happy they are!

Summer Pics...

Over on the LEFT SIDE -The Picasa Gallery.
If you click on each picture individually, you can see them bigger. I can't get the slide show to work.
I added captions to help you see some summer pics.

I'm Back!!!

So I'm going to skip the pictures for now. I'm a little frustrated right now with the hole picture thing!
Our camera died the day before the Last Day of School in June!! My friend Kathy lent me her camera, THANK YOU, all summer!! The problem started when I went to use Picasa. I like it all the things you could do with it, but found myself getting very frustrated. It didn't help that I changed my background on my blog and that wasn't going well either.
So, I'm REALLY behind. Sorry.
I had to jump on because I feel like so much is happening I'm going to forget stuff!
Here's a quick SHE SAID/HE SAID....To get you back in the mood for checking in on my Blog.
*Driving in the car: The kids were acting really silly and I told them that they better not act like maniacs when we get (where we were going. Katie says, "Mom our brains are just crazy." Ben says, "Yeah we are maniacs and you're our maniac Mom!"
*Katie loves to tease me about how she is getting older. I think she likes to see me cry. So her favorite thing to do is tell me only 2 more years and then she's going to Middle School! Yikes!
*Ben telling me the morning of his kindergarten orientation. "Mom I have 3 tests today. I have to go to my new school. See my class and then take the bus home to see if I like it for a test."
*Ben told me since he's going to kindergarten tomorrow I HAVE to make him a surprise breakfast! Katie can not have a surprise breakfast because it's not her first day of kindergarten.
Do you think I've been making a really big deal of kindergarten?

Speaking of Ben going to kindergarten, honestly I can't talk about Katie. I get weepy every time I think about how much older she is getting. No joke.
So Ben hasn't really said much about going to school all summer. Whenever anyone said anything to him he didn't really say much. We went out (w/Katie) to get backpacks. It was a big decision. G.I. Joe, Transformers, Spiderman...Well, I thought it was going to be Transformers, but he picked Super Heroes! Then we needed to pick a lunch box...Spiderman! Katie wanted the messenger bag this year. She wanted Hannah Montana, I said no. Then she wanted High School Musical but we couldn't find one in that style anywhere. Finally she found a very cute heart pattern messenger bag style at Target. Phew.

Today we went to Ben's kindergarten orientation. Ben was able to visit his classroom for an hour and the parents left to go listen to the principal talk. He was a little nervous. On the way in he wouldn't let me take his picture. Stinker. He told me his tummy hurt a little. He wanted to wait at the door for his Daddy. He wanted to make sure Daddy knew where to go. Very sweet.
We went into the room and found his name on a set of tables. He was very serious. No smiles. No running in. We found his table. He looked at the name, hm, BENJAMIN. I saw his quizzical look. I said with excitement in my voice that he was going to learn how to write his BIG name just like Katie did! Oh. Then he checked his crayon box. Hmmm. Same thing. Then he moved on. Phew.
When we got back to the room, it was time to get his bus tag and go ride the bus home! He was excited and we had talked to him a lot about the ride and what to expect so I think that helped. We saw the very serious look again, but he got on the bus. Around him, there were several kids who needed reassurance that their parents were going to be at the house to get them off the bus!
Well, the ride went fine. He ran right off the bus and grabbed my hand. Ah, he held my hand. Okay, he still wants to hold my hand. I'm so happy. He didn't talk much about his day right away. Once I got home from work, he told me all about it. He had fun and is really looking forward to going back tomorrow.
Don't worry, we went over the bus rules again.

WORK IN PROGRESS

Hello faithful followers!!!
I am attempting to update my blog layout and add some stuff.
It's getting late now (I've been paying bills, uploading a gazzilion pics, emailing, puttering w/blog) so I'm not sure how much will get done tonight.
It may be a work in progress over the next few days.
Stay tuned!

Susan

 

The girls loved their new furry scarves and cute little stuffed animal that also holds a pen and notebook. Very creative!

Thank You Aunt Susan

 

The boys loved their new blankets!

Growing Up

June has been a month of my little ones growing up. I've been teary a lot and I'll admit having a few meltdowns with all the changes going on in this house!
First Ben. This week will be his last week in preschool/child care. I am very happy that we will finally be done with paying for child care for sure. But, I have to admit it also brings a lot of emotion with it. For one it's the end of my baby days. Ben will be off to kindergarten in the fall. I will no longer have that chance to have my "mommy days" with either one. They'll both be in school full time. Being a working mom (outside the home) has always brought a lot of guilt with it. Working 32 hours a week (4days) was a wonderful thing for our family. It made me so happy. I knew I couldn't stay home fulltime, so when Katie was 18 months and I was able to drop down to 4 days I was thrilled. I am so thankful to Jason for taking on that extra burden, it wasn't always easy and we had to be creative at times to make ends meet. I will always be grateful to Jason for that.
BEN WATCHING THE BUNNY OUTSIDE OUR DOOR ONE RAINY MORNING LAST WEEK.

As for Katie, it seems like she has been growing up very fast this last year. I don't know, lots of different things. She is an amazing reader! She has started to read chapter books and she truly loves to read and asks to read. Now that is one thing I NEVER did as a kid! Last week she had her first research project. It was like a book report. She needed to pick a community helper and research their job. She decided on a librarian. Jason's grandmother and his mother were both librarians and she has always played librarian with our books. She asked to interview the librarian at our town library, Mr. Lou Daniels. He knew her great grandmother and I could tell he was tickled pink to sit and talk with Katie. She did a great job! She was very professional asking questions she had written and then writing down his response. I am saving her notes because I was so impressed with her spelling as she wrote quickly. We then used a box to display pictures and some information we found on the first libraries and librarians around the world on the Internet. She googled librarian!
Here are a few pictures of the project.
MOMMY GETTING THE BOXED TAPED UP

KATIE DOING HER RESEARCH


So then my little Pookers, Laura, graduated from college. She did an extended program and got her degree to be a Physicians Assistant! I know, my little Pookers!! I still remember braiding her hair, playing with Millie, her stinky cabbage patch doll, and having her up to college to visit me! It was so cute yesterday watching Katie follow her all around. She couldn't get much closer to Laura unless she taped herself to her! Laura took a breather when Kelly, my niece, got there and Katie went off to play with her. Oh my Pookers. I couldn't be more proud of her!
LAURA, KATIE & KELLY


LAURA AND THE BOYS (Brody & Ben, Liam had a baseball game)


We are all looking forward to our summer break that starts for me and Ben June 19th, Katie June 23rd and Jason June 30th. On the 28th we head to Marcella and Paul's wedding in Western Mass and then we'll go up to the lake for July 4th. I've been planning some mini-stay-cation things for us to do this summer that will be fun. I plan to take advantage of our town beach a lot more this summer and of course hope for some invites to my friend's pools!

Well, that's it for now I hope everyone has a wonderful start to their summer!

My Garden/ My Husband

Yes and No they are slightly related. How you ask....?
Well, I planted a garden this year all by myself. No my father did not help me!!! He was actually pleasantly shocked to see it! I was afraid he'd go into cardiac arrest, but phew, he didn't.
So, I really wanted to be like Caroline and have a garden and have fresh veggies all summer. I was really impressed by her garden last year and a tad jealous that she could walk out her door and WALA! Squash, zucchini, cukes...
Well, you know I get side tracked easily and heavy labor is really not my thing but I decided to sweat and give it a go a few Saturday's ago. Jason bought us a starter kit, like Caroline, and we started my peppers and some flowers indoors. The other stuff, cukes, carrots and lettuce I needed to wait to do outside. Well, so far only my flowers have sprouted. No peppers. Hmmmm....
Anywho, I decided to plant the "stuff" two weekends ago. Gram and Walter had a HUGE garden. I have been able to keep up with the raspberries and the rhubarb (YUCK). Last year I found asparagus (YUMMY) but it was already passed. This year I caught it and it has been delicious! Caroline pointed out scallions and Ben goes and picks them for my salads. Last night he picked it perfectly and the onion bulb was still attached!
Off track again, so I made a rectangle inside the huge garden. There was no way I was going to start big! Plus Jason was still layed up and couldn't help. I have no clue how to use that roto machine so it was up to me, my rake, my shovel and pitch fork. Yes, pitch fork. I broke up the hard dirt with it.
It's not the best looking garden but I think it will work.
I know my Dad is proud of me because he brought me over 2 tomato plants and planted them in my garden! Yeah! If he wasn't he wouldn't have shared. THANK YOU DADDY!!!
Well, the rhubarb plant is ENORMOUS!!! Oh my, I can't keep up. I keep sending it in with Katie to one of Gram's friends who teaches at Katie's school and my parents have taken some. My Dad said I should have a roadside stand and give the lady down the street some competition. Hmmmm, that's a thought. Just let me know if you want any.
If anyone has any ideas on how to prune raspberry bushes or grape vines, please share. I need to google that.

Ok, ready for the big reveal....

My Garden.


Growing something...


Cukes growing! I made that mound! My Dad was very impressed.

The flower garden my Dad made me last year, that I promise to keep up this year. He made it for me and there is NO POISON IVY!!!!

A really pretty flower that I found smooched in another garden.


Oh yeah, you want to know how Jason and the garden are related. Well, first of all Jason is doing GREAT from his surgery. He is back to about 80% and the doctor gave him the all clear! We are so thankful for all of your prayers and support these last few weeks.
Well, while he's been on bed rest, he's been watching A LOT of the Food Network! Good/Bad. He has a new idea....Canning and preserving food! YIKES!!! So he bought a book. He's going to start off small this year and give it a whirl! I'll let you know how that goes. If we start giving out our preserves for gifts you'll know he was successful!

Have a great week!

Fun Weekend

Ben

Katie

Today after church we went grocery shopping as a family. I know what you're thinking. Why? Well, to be honest when we go after church and Jason is with me, I go a lot faster. We are in and out, because they all drive me crazy!
I do, in a strange way, enjoy stopping at the store on my way home from work. I enjoy taking my time and browsing going up and down the aisles all by myself. I love to look for deals and try to stay within my allotted budget. The best part is when I get up to the check out and get to put all the items on the belt. I bet you think I'm not thinking to hard about it, at this point. Well you are wrong!! Just like when I load my dishwasher this is the only other area of my life where I like to do things in an orderly way. I think, "what do I want to load into the cart first?" "How will I arrange it in my car?" "I don't want my bread to get squished or my salad stuff smooched."
I know you are probably shocked by this and at the same time, hope you never get stuck behind me in line. Have no fear, I'm actually pretty fast now!
So I digressed for a moment there. Sorry. So we all went for our big, beginning of the month shopping extravaganza. I go to Shop Rite and LOVE the DEALS! My mom got me hooked on this store a few years ago and I can't give it up. I occasionally wander and go to Stop & Shop. I will admit, the scanners at S&S were VERY tempting to switch over. No, I'm faithful, unless I need to only pick up a few things on the weekend down near me!

After unloading all the groceries Jason was tired and decided to go lay down. Katie and Ben were outside. As I picked up, Katie came in and asked if we could go to the beach. Hmm. Not my favorite place, at all. Then I remembered my goal and promise to myself, I would take the kids to the beach a lot more this summer. Since Jason was taking a nap, we did a quick pack-up of snacks, drinks, towels and toys and jumped in the van and wham, bam we were there in 10 minutes. Although I don't like the beach, we are only 10 minutes away from our town beach. I need to take advantage. The kids love it. It's the perfect size beach and has a jetty to take a walk. We went at 2:30, so by 3:30 it was getting chilly. We headed home by 4 pm.

Yesterday, I went to WW and I'm happy to report that I am back on track after my 3lb slip with Jason being in the hospital. Then I went to go get my emissions done. It was expired. Well, I was shocked to learn that meant my car registration was expired!!! I had no idea I told the young kid at the hole in the wall emissions place, that the emissions and car registration went together. When did that happen I asked!? He wasn't to interested in my questions. He said I better get to the DMV this week! Well since there is a DMV 5 minutes away and it was only 10 am on Saturday, I decided to get my butt down there now! So I stopped for an Iced Coffee at D&D and headed down there. WoW the information line was long! As I waited I listened to all the stories being told around me. I got really nervous when the lady sitting next to the info line was telling a similar story to me. She had to get a number and wait. Hmmm. I was hoping to get this taken care of at the info counter. Oh, dear. I stopped drinking my coffee because I was getting nervous and didn't want to have to rush to the bathroom. Sorry, I know TMI!!! I was worried.
Well, $95 later, and no number, I was DONE!!! Phew.
Now, learn from my mistake...when you go to DMV to change your address make sure you don't just get a sticker for the back of your license, make sure the lady punches it into the computer. That way, you get your DMV notices!!!! DMV notices don't get forwarded in CT!! How ridicoulous is that!
Then it was off to a karate birthday party for Ben. It was a lot of fun and Ben was tired!
That night we watched Hotel for Dogs. Very cute movie. I would say a good family movie that the parents won't mind watching. I didn't even go on FB while watching!

So that's it in a nutshell. Now it's back to work tomorrow. Oh yeah, Jason goes to the doctor for his check-up tomorrow afternoon. He is feeling really good. Still tired, but little pain all day long! Yay.

Oh My It's Been Awhile!!

Well I Guess I Got A Little Behind!!
Well, let's start with Jason and I celebrated our 11th Anniversary on May 23rd. We were married on a beautiful and sunny day in Bristol, CT. We were married at my family church Immanuel Lutheran Church. We then had a fantastic reception at the Farmington Country Club. We were surrounded by family and friends and ate and danced the night away! Here are a few pictures of the day.



What's New, New....
Jason had to have another surgery. This time he had 1 1/2 feet of his large intestine taken out due to diverticulitis. Basically diverticulitis is referred to as the wonder bread disease, meaning pockets form along the inner wall and can cause holes. We've known for about 3 years that he has it. In the last year he's had several flare-ups and one very bad infection from it. After talking with two different surgeons after his gallbladder issue, they both strongly suggested he have this done. The hope is now he will feel A LOT better and we don't have to worry about more infections! He is home now and has one more week at home before he goes back for his check-up to clear him to go back to work. He needed to be out a total of three weeks. He spent five days in the hospital.
Jason is doing better every day this week (2nd week). He's eating normally, although he doesn't have much of an appetite and able to move around more and more.

Katie and Ben are doing really well with everything. They have been very helpful with Jason. Katie and Ben both love riding their bikes. Oh yeah, Ben learned how to ride his bike without his training wheels. He already popped one tire he rode it so much on our driveway, which is dirt and rocks. Luckily Nana and Poppy were able to bring down one that their friend Peyton outgrew! Phew. He is a maniac on it. He is crazy riding up and down, turning and crashing into my flowers and bushes. He's made many skids, he loves this and when he falls off, he just gets right back up!

Katie is very happy for her brother. She's been having fun painting, riding her bike and doing her archery in the back yard. She's had quite the spring with sleepovers and birthday parties! She has a very busy schedule.

Me, well I'm busy with work and looking forward to summer break. We had a very busy year at school and it went smoothly overall considering it was only my second year and my partners first year. It helped that she and I use to work together in birth to three so we knew each other pretty well. Now that it's spring, I'm trying hard to get the gardens in order. It is not easy. I get overwhelmed by the ones in the front. I'm going to try to stay ahead of it. The back yard gardens are looking good. Katie and I planted a lot of morning glories. We have them all over and heading towards the posts on the back porch. Wish us luck!

So here are a few pictures of some of the things we've been up to. Thanks for checking in and I hope you leave us a note to say hi:)

Easter Day

Katie painting outside.

Katie and Ben getting along! I caught it on film!!!



We watched my parents dog, Koda for a few days. I knew this wasn't going to be good but I kept taking pictures instead of stopping him...
CLICK ON EACH PICTURE SO YOU CAN GET THE FULL EFFECT!


Katie had a play/musical at school. Each second grade put on a short musical skit. It was very cute and well done.




Katie and I went to Aunt Marcella's Bridal Shower.

Memorial Day Parade, Brownie's march.




Today was Jason's first day out since his surgery. He wanted to go see his sweetie pie. It was a long morning but he was glad he went. It was good to get some fresh air.