Sunday Photo Shoot

I was asleep when Doug got home from church a couple of weeks ago and I think he was bored.  That or he really thinks our chidlren are precious.  These are the pictures he took of Evan and Lexie.

Tomato Jam

Canning season is here and I'm tired.  Of the many things I canned this year I canned salsa for my brother's Christmas gift.  I ended up with a few extra tomatoes.  Not enough to really do much with, but since I 'm not a tomato eater too much to just eat up.  I found this recipe for tomato jam and thought, "Why not?"  It really isn't that bad.  Kinda like sweetened up ketchup.  Last night we had chicken nuggets and fries and I brought out a jar of tomato jam to try out.  Not too much complaining form the kids and Doug really liked it.  Peter was also a fan if him licking his plate clean is any indication.

Cross Country

I am not a runner.  Hate it.  Loathe it.  Think the person who invented the sport should be shot.  My treadmill and I have a love hate relationship.  I love that it is helping my lose weight but I hate the very act that it makes me do.  Do you get the picture?  I am not a runner!

Now having said all that, I did do cross country in high school.  Granted it was only one year and I did it for the love of family and friend.  My cousin wanted to try and wanted me to do it with her so, sap that I am, I said yes.  I think it just about killed me but I've found that I am stronger than running.

This year my oldest has the opportunity to try one sport out in school.  He's in 6th grade and you can only participate in one school sport: cross country.  For some unknown reason to me he decided he wanted to run.  Go Ben!  I'm really proud of him for sticking through with this.  After the first 3 days he was ready to quit, but he has seen such great improvement that he may continue.  He too is stonger than running.  We weren't able to go to his first meet, but 2 days later we went to his 2nd.  He ran 1.4 mi in 14 min 47 sec.  Wow!  For me that is amazing.   Last night we went to his 3rd meet and there he ran 1.5mi in 12 min 49 sec.  Way to go kid!   He ran longer and still knocked 2 min off his time.  He just about collapsed after crossing and had tears in his eyes from trying so hard but he was amazing.

Pictures from 2nd meet held in Deer Park

 2nd lap and 2nd to last

Pulled ahead of quite a few and now in the home stretch

Strong finish!

I love my husband

It seems that everyday one hears some spouse spouting off about something the other spouse did.  It's sad really.  I have no problems with my spouse and he'll probably kill me for putting these up, but I think my husband looks so handsome.  He is so patient with me and is always building me up.  He loves our children and always tries to be a better husband, father and man.  The most important thing of all is he loves my cooking. :)  No, really, the most important thing is he loves and supports me no matter what.  He always listens to what I have to say even if he doesn't agree, which we know never happens.  

  I love you dear.

First day of school - Already????

Wow where did summer go?  Seems like just yesterday I was cleaning out backpacks from the end of year send the desk home school is over time.  Now I'm repacking those backpacks to send them off again. 

This year my baby is in 6th grade.  Can you believe it?  He is growing so fast as are the rest, but since he's my first it hurts just a little bit more.  This year he is still in band, doing voice and piano, and doing cross country.  Normally you start school sports in 7th grade but here the 6th graders can do cross country.  The first day of school was his first practice and all was well.  By bedtime on the second day he was limping pretty bad.  Good thing he has a massage therapist as a mommy.  I had him take a bath and then massaged his legs.  By morning he could walk with just a slight limp and even though he had practice that night he was still not as bad as the previous night.  We'll see how he progresses. 

 Chris is in 3rd grade and has the same teacher Ben did.  I think he may do good so long as the teacher realized he is nothing like Ben. 

Evan is in 1st and has the same 2 teachers that Chris did.  The main teacher just had a baby and the long term substitute happens to be her student teacher from when Chris was there.  I really liked them both and I think they will be good for him. 

 Lex is a little put out that she can't go to school yet and even thought that only boys could go to school because she couldn't.  Don't worry Lex 2 more years and you will be on your way.

Breakfast:  Pear Streusel Muffins with Scramble Eggs and Milk

Chris and Ev eating

Ben eating

First day Crazies ready to head out

Fireworks

Growing up we always watched fireworks at my grandparent's house.  They may not have been as elaborate as the big city's display but to us it was awesome.  Then I married, moved away, had kids and have since moved back to my home area.  However, we now live in a different county than my parents and are not able to set off fireworks.  We could stay home and not have any or drive an hour plus to see the big show or drive 25 mins and see a slightly smaller show but big enough to wow us.  We chose to drive 25 min this year and the kids were ready. 

Ben waiting

The rest of the fam waiting

Peter waiting.  Poor guy was sooooo very tired, but he was a trooper

We have gone a couple times before and do you know what their memory of it is?  It was the homemade oreos that I made and took as snacks.  Those little cookies are now a tradition and must be made every year for the firework display.  This year I actually thought I had lost the recipe and I was sure I was going to have a mutiny, but I found it and all ended well.

Lex eating a homemade oreo

Peter eating a homemade oreo

Gone Fishin'

After celebrations at my parent's house we went to my grandma's for more 4th of July fun.  More games.  More food.  More people.  More insanity and all that goes with it.  Peter held up remarkably well for getting no real nap and the kids loved running and winning prizes.  The most looked forward to activity it the fish pond.  For weeks before the actual event all I heard was "When we get to Grandma Vanderholm's we get to go fishing for prizes."  Every child from the oldest down to the youngest (not counting Peter) had fond memories and couldn't wait to do it again.  So without further ado here are their fishing pics...

Benjamin

one of his prizes

Christopher

one of his prizes

Evan

Lex

one of her prizes

Peter