I did it!!!

Finally I took Megan shopping tonight for some winter clothes:) Anyone that knows me knows how much I HATE shopping especially for clothes!!! The only retail store I actually like going to is Target and we've been checking there each time we've been and they just did not have the right clothes for her.  Target had lots of pretty sweaters and some cute dresses but not for my dirt digging, tree climbing daughter!   So after some friends suggested Kohl's I finally made it in there and I'm so glad I did!   We even found some things we both agreed on.  These little outfits really fit the bill.....they are kind of cute while still allowing her the movement to climb and explore. Oh, and the best part was the price!!! She can mess these up and it's not a big deal. So glad I will not have to do this again until late spring:)

Such a Cold, Wet Day

So the rain came down, down, down......  Normally we really do not get much rain at all but this year we have had a nice amount of rainfall.  I recall in my younger days how much I didn't really like the rain but now as a busy adult my views have changed. I have come to enjoy how peaceful the rain is.  It's as if we are given permission to just slow down.  I have learned that it means baseball is canceled and mom gets the night off. It means that it's okay to just keep those overdue library books one extra day because the library gains that little late fee bonus.

It means it's okay to have hot cocoa at noon and stay in your PJ's all day if you want to. It means also when the rain slows there's a wonderful nature walk to be had. It means lots of wildlife will be coming out to play. It means the air will smell so fresh and clean. It means the flowers I forgot to water will live to fight another day. It means I do not have to worry about spraying the pollen off the car. It means the grass will be greener. It means the water bill will be cheaper.  All how I have grown to really Love the rain!!!!

Goodbye Old friend

Our trusty Explorer!!! We bought this explorer when Tyler was only a few weeks old.  For 10years this car has been an important part of our lives.  It has taken us to all the places we've wanted to go. It has pulled dirt bikes and hauled lumber. The back of it has been a jungle gym for the kids climb around in. Many speaker sound systems have been built in this car and it's even won a trophy in a car audio competition. It's been to Michigan and back a few times. It's been on several other trips here and there. Todd was always worried about the miles and encouraging me to stay close to home just in case but I always had trust.  Only once did it give me trouble and that was a Fuel pump and it messed up in my parents driveway thank goodness.   But today was the day! The explorer now has a new owner and is off to explore new places.

The Zoo with Dad:)

Halloween 2010

Kitty

Daniel Boone

Free Summer Family Movies

Hubby took a vacation day today so he got to join us at the movies. 

End of the Season Baseball Pool Party

Tyler was nervous all week worrying that he would not be able to swim as well as the other kids but it turned out fine, he even joined the other kids in the 8ft area.   Megan's swimmer from last year still fits her too so she was good to go all over the pool with no worries!

Megan's First Baseball Trophy!

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Megan was so excited about getting her first Baseball trophy, just like her brother!!

Things to do in the summertime

Passing on these great lists for anyone looking for some new ideas:

Latter Day Homeschooling Oh What Do You Do In Summertime

Willette Designs summer-photo-ideas

Work in Progress Blog 60-fun-days-of-summer

Feel free to comment here and add to this!

Latest RC Foamie

This is the latest Plane that Todd has cut out from sheets of foam. He did a great job on the paint too!

Hank the Cowpup--Growing up!!

At a year and a half old he's finally becoming a really good dog:) While he is still stubborn as a mule; he no longer eats the walls! Would you believe a shoe can sit by the back kitchen door for an hour and remain unchewed! If we are sitting at the dinner table he is quietly waiting under someones chair in case we should need his assistance with crumb droppings. If we are doing our school work he is there either laying on my feet or licking Megan's toes. When we call him to come in....He comes!!! No more having to play the open and close the door trick 30 times to get him to finally make up his mind to come in. When the kids are riding their bikes around there track in the back yard again he's right there running a step or two in front on them. If we say it's time for a walk he's there ready for his harness. If we ask if he wants to go out to play he runs and waits by the back door. Yes, he still believes the cats are his friends and WANT to play with him...I guess we will let him continue to believe that.

Todd told me that dogs as they get older they get better. I did not believe him but I'm finding out that he may just be right about this.

VERY LATE Easter shoot

4th of July

South Carolina Snow

Well having lived 2 winters in Michigan with Todd I know that I do not ever want to live in a snow state but I do wish we could get a really nice deep snow that would last a week or two just for the fun of it but that will never happen. Today was the first time Megan got to really see snow, they have been begging for this day for 2 years. They attempted to sled and have a snow ball fight and even build a "giant" snowball....Poor kids

Our Christmas 2008

For events like birthdays and Christmas I always like to to take a picture of the kids along with the items they received. I feel like someday when they are grown it will be fun for them to look back on the time when they were young and see all the things they enjoyed during that stage of there life. I had told the kids this year we were getting the Wii and then they would each get 3 gifts: something they wanted, something to wear and something to read. But I could not help but want to thought in a few surprises for them. I tried to get them things they would get use out of and not just things that go in a closet and cause clutter. Our goal this year has been to reduce things and live a more simple life. I am wanting to continue this trend into the next year and did not want to add unneeded things. Megan called me on going against my word and said "but mommy you said only 3 gifts" I told her I was sorry and asked if she wanted the gifts still and she gladly said okay.

Both kids asked for Legos. Tyler also discovered playmobil and that was the toy he asked for and each year he has received socks so this year he actually ASKED for socks---these kids are such creatures of habit. My uncle mailed them Chocolate milk mixer cups and another gift. My aunt mailed them money in which we placed an order with www.awana.com. Megan had been begging me to make a vest for her "Cubbie bear" but I have no sewing skills so be bought the real cubbie some other things as there gift from there Aunt Dora. My very sweet "little" brother gave each of them 10 dollars of his own money, he has such a heart of gold. My mom got Tyler some Yo-yo's he was asking for and Lego Cat women and her motorcycle she was wanting. And then Todd's mom Mailed all of us Down Comforters which me and Tyler LOVE but Todd and Megan do not. My grandma also mailed the kids a little money before going into the hospital, how thoughtful, I need to get some more pictures in the mail to her since she lives so far away.

Despite Tyler having a bug(poor thing) we had a great Christmas and I am so thankful for my family and the day we all spent together. We did other things too of course like eating, discussing there meaning of the Candy Cane and Christmas, played the Wii(which we all LOVE, I asked for the Wii for 2 years).

One more try at Christmas pictures

I put the kids through misery one more time today to try for our Christmas card picture. This bunch would rather do anything other than take a group picture for me. There is a great deal of impatience in this bunch. Plus add in the fact that I am slow and still trying so very hard to figure this out. I did try using my handheld light meter but what it said and what i wanted did not agree.

So here are a few of the pictures and also the Christmas cards I put together. I like one, Todd likes the other so I decided I will print a bunch of each one and shuffle and mail out to who I think will like which one. Some people may even get 2.

Just curious if anyone wants to join in I would love to here which one you like the most out of the card choices.