Savannah has braces!

Spring Break 2011

We grilled hamburgers and the kids had a picnic under their swing set
The dogs sat patiently nearby waiting for some food to be dropped
We talked about going to the St. Paddy's Day parade, but instead slept in late that day, and hung around the house... also went out for a late lunch. Then I headed in to work later that day.
We also took a short trip to Collyer to visit family. 4 kids and 2 dogs... lots of activity in a Mini Van. George wasn't sure what to think on our way there, but he did much better on our way back home.
The kids played outside most of the time at Grandma and Grandpa Bray's house







They also had fun playing Croquet with their cousin Jake... who is a giant teenager that the kids think is the coolest guy ever. We think he is really cool too because he lets the kids climb all over him and bug him to death.


We got back in town on Sunday, and the kids had no school on Monday so we went to Heritage park, and played on the beach and waded in the water.



We went with the Beldens again... our friends who are like family to us.



The kids found lots of shells, and even a baby crawdad.

Addy and Jocelyn... two girls who I think will have a life time friendship. They have known each other since KDG... never once had class together, but have one of the best friendships!
Today is back to reality... the kids are back in school. I think for the most part they had a pretty good Spring Break!

Spring is here...

Today was the beginning of Spring Break. I pulled Addy and Savannah out of School early and we went to Heritage Park to watch them stock the lake with 1,000 lbs of Trout. I called some other friends in the neighborhood and we all met out there for the big event. It was still a little chilly with the wind blowing off the lake, but it's starting to feel like Spring. I am just ready to get through the weekend. I work tonight and tomorrow night. It kind of stinks, I haven't worked a weekend for 6 weeks. I am loving my new schedule













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Audrey, Andy, Nicholas and Joseph watching them dump the fish.






If there is a tree with low enough branches to reach, you can be sure to find Thomas and Savannah up there.
Joseph had blast running around. He can really keep up with the big kids this year.


Isn't it nice seeing a lake, and the Sunshine reflecting off of it...

Tried to upload a video of the fish being dumped, but it's not working, and I can't figure out how to delete it off the blog.

Pictures from the past couple months

Back in January...
Addy has her 10th Birthday party at Skate City. She invited about 7 other girls and they all did really great skating. After they skated we headed to CiCi's Pizza for dinner

After dinner, the girls all came back to our house for a slumber party. It was the longest Birthday party ever, since it started at about 2pm and went till 10am the next day... but one of the easiest. Very nice group of girl

In February the girls participated in the Pinewood Derby with their Girl Scout Troops once again.

These are just some of the various cars that competed in the same heat as the girls.

Here is Savannah with her race car.

Savannah with girls in her troop

Here is Addy with her "Wii remote" car

Addy and the girls in her troop.

Also back in January Addy participated in her second Competitive Swim meet, Called Rock the Blocks. Here is a picture of her hanging out with some of her friends from her Swim Team. I feel blessed that she has made some great friends this year. This is the "Crash Room" where kids and families hang out between the different heats.

She also qualified for Division 2 Championships. She wasn't able to participate in that meet which was held in March because she was doing a special event with her Girl Scout troop that weekend. She still got a cool shirt with all the qualifying swimmers listed on back. I will take a picture of her next time she has it on. Pretty cool shirt! We are so proud.

Sunday afternoon

"Mom... Dad... we have a great idea! Let's go to Chuck E Cheese today and use all of our left over tokens...and then we can go to the park after that..."

And so we ate lunch at home, took our left over tokens plus I got in an email for Savannah's 1/2 Birthday for 20 free tokens, and we went to Chuck E Cheese. The kids had a great time. Mom and Dad only spent a few bucks on a coke that we all shared.

Then we headed to a park after that and enjoyed the sunshine. There are so many parks around us, we could probably enjoy a different one every weekend. In fact, I am home with Joseph right now who is sleeping and Allen and the kids are at another park...

I prepared a lasagna yesterday that we didn't end up eating last night... so the wonderful Sunday continues as I get ready sit on the couch and read my latest book and dinner will be ready in about 45min! Hope you all had a relaxing Sunday afternoon as well.

Random thoughts

So, I just downloaded a bunch of pics on the computer and decided to update the blog. We have been keeping busy as usual.




Thomas attended Kindergarten round up this morning. It amazes me that I will have 3 kids in elementary school next year.







Addy is still enjoying swim team and practices on average 2x per week. She has also been very busy with Girl Scouts. She is currently a Junior Scout and they have been very active this year.



Savannah is still keeping busy with Softball. She practices once a week with her team currently and then she has been doing some extra skills clinics on Saturday mornings. Savannah also has been back and forth to the Orthodontist. She will have a new palate expander and braces on her top teeth placed in just a couple weeks.

Joseph, Joe-Fish, JOJO makes sure that we

never forget about him. He is a little character, constantly has bruises, cuts on his face or some left over food smeared across his face. He says the funnies things, is starting to learn his ABC's

and is the fastest 2 1/2 year old you will ever see on a Scooter



I have an awesome new work schedule where I only work Wednesday nights so our weekends are free. This has been great for the family. I only have to work every 6th weekend, so we have been free to do so many more things on the weekends.








I have recently discovered that My kids enjoy Chinese food just like me. This is a great discover since Allen will never order it with me. Now this is our special treat when he won't be home to eat with us.

This is Bosco Bear. My parents new puppy. He looks just like my dog Toby from when I was a kid. The kids have only gotten to see him once and are anxious to go back over and see him again.

These are the beautiful flowers and box of chocolates that Allen surprised me with in the middle of the day on Valentines Day. They lasted for ever. Actually I still have two of the pink flowers still in the vase today.

This is the cool snowman the kids made in our last snowstorm, but he melted away the very next day... I am glad I got a cute pic.

Another picture of the kids out in the backyard during the last snow fall.

I hope those are the last snow pictures I post this winter. We are anxious for Spring. Spring means Baseball, Softball, playing outdoors, Sunshine... BBQ's, Roasting Marshmallows around the fire pit. Can you tell I am anxious for Spring?