Summer.....

Well, the pool has finally warmed up since we got in the 90's last week and have lots of sunshine... aside from T-storms and tornadic activity, near Pullman anyway... I actually think the kids are using the pool a lot more than they did last year. They also spend a lot more time out there at night. We finally have it figured out to use backyard fogger ( for skeeters) And my off power pad lanterns and my conceal skeeter candles from yankee candle... all over the pool/patio area and it keeps the skeeters at bay pretty well, so it's actually really nice to sit out there at night the kids think it's so cool! Today it was only in the lower 70's but Bradley Ryan and Vincent went swimming this evening, they were cold when they got out, the cold front came through while they were in it, or so it seemed. Only supposed to be near mid 60's tomorrow and rainy, Vince will be staying the night, and I'm sure they'll stay busy tomorrow. Earlier today when I came home from lunch Matthew was here with a box of worms, he and the boys were going to the lake to go fishing, The Johnson's have their fishing boat at a dock on the lake, so the boys can ride their bikes down there, jump in the boat and fish. ( They both took boaters safety this spring so they're legal with anything under 16 ft.) the boat only has a trolling motor, so it's all good. They stayed out for about 2 hours when Ryan got bored and wanted to come home. I'm really glad the boys are having a fun summer... its' really flying by way too fast though.

Summer time in Southwest Michigan

The kids finally went in the pool yesterday. Although, I think they spent more time in the hot tub, because obviously it was warmer! the pool is still a chilly 70?? degrees, but hey they were in it. First time this season. Today is a warm 79 degrees, but a little overcast and really REALLY windy, sort of a bummer.... I laid out for about 1/2 hr, that's about all the laying around I can handle.

Caving

The boys made it back last night . They were all pretty tired. They had a great time. I took today off because I knew Bradley would be to tired to deal with Ryan, that and I missed him, so I could actually spend a couple days with him. I go back to work Wednesday. Here is what their schedule looked like:

Friday:

5:45 am: arrive at masons lodge and load up in van

6:00 am: Depart Fennville

1:30 pm arrive @ French Lick Railroad museum

4:00 pm leave RR for Marengo

5:00 pm Depart on Crystal palace tour @ Marengo

6:00 pm head for cabins supper & relaxation

11:00 pm lights out

Saturday:

8:00 am breakfast

9:00 underground adventure begins @ marengo

11:00 am change clothes & eat lunch

12:00 pm Depart for Squire Boone Caverns

12:50 arrive at Squire Boone

1:00 cavern tour @ Squire Boone

2:40 leave for Milltown & Cave Country canoes

3:30 arrive @ canoe outfitters

7:30 pm back @ van, head for cabins

8:00 pm dinner & campfire & relaxation

Sunday:

7:30 am wake up call

8:00 am breakfast

8:45 am leave for French Lick- RR museum

9:30 am Arrive at French Lick

10:00 am All aboard the train ( they do a train robbery twice per year, yesterday was one of them! )

Noon depart train, have lunch, head for home

Needless to say, they got a late start back and got back pretty late , but they all made it safely!

Robert "Bob" Heft

Top left, Robert Heft and our boy scout troop:

Top right, The boys got sparkling grape juice, the dinner was at the winery.

Lower left, the boys presenting the colors for the opening of the evenings events.

Our boys had the privilege of meeting Mr. Robert "Bob" Heft. Not sure if any of you have heard of him, but he is the designer of the current 50 star flag we are celebrating today! Which is why I thought this was a good day to post this. The Masons have their annual dinner and this year their speaker was Mr. Heft. Our boy scout troop had the honor and privilege to present and retire the colors for the ceremony. They also got to Shake Mr. Heft's hand ( who was a boy scout ) Our troop also received and signed flag ( we also bought our own ) His story was great! He was funny... We had a great time and I think the boys really got a lot of out it. Mr. Heft actually took apart their then current flag, and this was when we only had... I'm guess now, 48 stars... but he had a feeling we were going to get the other 2 states very soon, so he designed it with 50 stars. He did this for a class project in high school and his teacher gave him a C, Told him to get the flag approved by the president someday, and he'd change the grade to an A... Everyone was upset with him because he had taken apart the original flag to make this new design. He lived with his grandparents because his dad was killed in a war, so the flag was very important to all it stands for. He contacted his congressman, and from there got a call from the President and his flag was chosen. And yes, his teacher changed his grade to an A. ( Although by this point he was done with college)

Photos

Our boy scouts making french toast, scrambled eggs and sausage for the special women in thier lives for Mothers Day. They did a great job. From left to right: blurry kid... then John Kustron ( charter organization rep, we're chartered by the Masons) then Matthew Johnson ( Senior Patrol leader ) Bradley Bale ( Assistant Senior Patrol leader ) Kyler Kupres, Patrol leader and Dylan Aaldrink , Kylers Assistant Patrol leader ( we have 2 patrols )

Bradley and Ryan in our free hot tub ( yes the water bags from the pool have not been put away yet) We just got the pool open and clear it's still not getting very warm here.

Mady from next door and Bradley & Ryan on the last day of school. This is the first time Bradley has been taller than Mady in a last or even a first day of school picture... Bradley is now 5' 4-3/4 " tall. so yes, he's just about 5 inches taller than me. And Ryan I think has really shot up since this picture was taken. He comes up to my shoulder now. I realize I'm not very tall... but wow, they are growing up so fast....

Bradley and Doug... my men in uniform. This was after the Memorial Day service after the parade. Bradley really doesn't like getting his picture taken. He had to do a digital story for language arts at school, and there was a picture of him at the Soo Locks and he actually called me a picture freak in his story.... I am a historian, he will thank me someday!!!

Wow....

Gosh, what was I thinking, I should stay a little more up to date on here!! I know I promised over 2 months ago...

Doug and Bradley are in Indiana on a fun Boy Scouting adventure. They went to French Lick to a railroad museum, where they were going to start working on their railroading merit badge. Then they were off to Marengo Cave for a Crystal palace tour, then to relax and have dinner. They are actually staying in cabins this time, but still cooking outside and have to walk to the bathrooms/showers. They left at 6 am yesterday. Then this morning, they got up and went to Marengo cave for an underground adventure, which consisted of crawling through spots, I did speak to Doug briefly while they were on their way from the cave tour, to their 1/2 day of canoeing. He doesn't have a cell phone signal where they're staying. He said they spend most of their time in the water, so their legs and feet got cold. ( I sent junkie shoes for that ). After the underground adventure they went to Squire Boone cave, which is a national monument, which is great for Brad to visit for his citizenship in the nation merit badge he's almost earned. Then they went for a 1/2 day canoe trip. After canoeing they were going back to the cabins around 8pm for dinner. The boys chose a simple menu since they had such a packed schedule. They just wanted cereal for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, burger and hot dogs last night, and spaghetti and garlic bread tonight. Then tomorrow, they will again have cereal, go back to French Lick , to catch their train ride and finish up their merit badges, then back to lodge around noon for more sandwiches and then on their way home. They should be home around 8-9 pm. tomorrow night. Doug took the camera, and so did Denise so I will also download her pics on my computer, Doug said she took her camera on the underground adventure, so I hope they turn out well.
This group of boys have been really busy fundraising for this event. They brought their cost down to $50 per scout, for family members that wanted to go we'd have to pay the full amount, so that's one reason Ryan and I didn't go, that and you have to be 10 for the underground thing.
Ryan and I have had a good time. We went to Holland yesterday and ran some errands and did banking. Then today it rained for awhile so we went to see the movie UP.. it was really cute, funny thing too, two of our neighbors were there too! Then he and I bought groceries, went to Gordon foods and came home. I taste tested the lunch meat while we prepared Friday's sandwiches Thursday night, they had ham and turkey on sale so I bought one of each also so I can put it in food saver bags and freeze it. I got about 25 lbs of lunch meat for $28 can't beat that!! And these boys can eat! I also got a box of steaks ( Doug's been craving beef instead of chicken ) and a box of frozen burgers. It's so much cheaper to buy it there. We will really save on groceries now for awhile!! Just need staples every week.

sorry

Sorry for my absence, I sort of became a facebook junkie like so many before me...
Where does the time go? Seems like the kids just started school, and now, they are on Spring Break. I have to work Monday, and then I am off until the following Wednesday , I am REALLY happy about that. Doug and Brad left last night to go camping with the Boy Scouts not too far from here. I woke up to the sound of a very sick little kid.... I was so proud of him, he made it to the bathroom all by himself!!! He's got a bit of a fever and he's been sleeping off and on today. I have talked to Doug and am so proud that I didn't call and beg him to come home and help me!! I've only been home on maybe 3 occasions alone where kids have gotten sick, but Doug was home before the second episode, or in the middle of the first....
Thankfully we didn't have any major Spring Break plans.
I will do my best to try to stay more up to date on my blog, it really is sort of like a journal that is fun to look back on.
I'd better get back to my training to answer the phones for work.

Reading

As some of you know, I've never been much of a book reader. We always had books assigned to read in school, but I'd read the back cover and do the report ( like the teacher never noticed , silly me ). But in the last 2 weeks, I've read 2 books, cover to cover.... Bekah that I work with has an English and Lit degree, she reads ALL THE TIME.... Anyway she's also in a book club with Deb ( our CEO ) and she suggested Twightlight... so I got it and read it in 2 days. Then last weekend I bought the second book in the series New Moon and just finished that last night,, and while I was at Target I bought the 3rd book in the series, Which Bekah just finished. I have to say, I've actually enjoyed reading!! The boys have always liked it and now that I have my face shoved in a book all the time, they do too ( although the last couple days Brads has been a a "notebook" ).

Just thought I'd share ;-)

Wow, I really haven't posted in awhile. Things have been crazy with work and all. Does'nt seem to be enough hours in the day! I will have over 80 hours in the past 2 weeks, I know it doesn't seem like much to some, but when I had a day off last week it's a lot. Last Tuesday was my last Tuesday to work Tuesdays. I worked it out so I will now have a day off a week. The every other week thing just wasn't working for me. I was working 24 hours a week before and so the jump was a lot to try to adjust to. I always said I would be happy with 4 days a week, so now we'll see. If I ever need a long weekend, I can just speak up too. Things have gotten better. I've looked for another job, but now I think I would really be torn. I actually made a comment the other day and said " That happened before "We" started " Instead of saying, before " you guys" started. I refered to myself as one of them. Deb my CEO was so excited. Even Mike ( aka Dr. Meyer ) was excited. He said I was always on thier team and he was really glad I finally feel that way.... I still get stressed, but I'm learning.

I know it's hard to believe but it's snowing again, 4-8 inches is supposed to fall tonight.

Bradley won a laptop computer from his Orthodontist's office. It's very nice and he's so excited!!! It's also really nice that we have wireless internet, so we can take it anywhere in the house. He is nice enough to share it with me, since I make the ortho payments ;-)

It did again, snowed, we don't just seem to get a couple of inches at a time anymore.... When they call for less than 6" nobody here seems to upset, that's just a "dusting"

We did manage to play in the snow all afternoon. Went to the Johnsons and rode snowmobiles around. It was my first time to ever drive a sled, it was really fun, and at the same time a little scary. I drove Brad's around, it goes, but not like Denise's... Wow. She rode Daves, I rode her's and the boys rode thiers and the little kids rode with us. It was fun, until a ski broke on Bradley's . Dave had a donar sled, so it's fixed. Ride a while, fix awhile....

Happy New Year

Happy New Year, a day late. We had a great time Wednesday night. We got home from the party we went to about 12:30 ( we left when the hostess began throwing up... and continues to do so, I did not drink so much ) I had 3 very weak drinks, they thought I was doing shots with them.... I did not actually drink it! ;-) I am not a party animal, I like to have fun, but I also REALLY enjoy feeling good the next day!!!! So that's what we did. Bradley, Ryan & Vincent had a good time bringing in the New Year with funions and mountain dew, a snack made only for New Years ;-) Brad & Vince also stayed up until 4 or so. When Doug woke up and saw they were still up, he poked his head in and told them to go to sleep... they were watching Clint Eastwood in "The Good, The Bad & the Ugly"... None of us woke up until Vincent's Dad called around 10:45am.... For the rest of the day, I took down Christmas trees and decorations.
Today Doug is back to work and Bradley is out Goose hunting with Dave & Matthew. I will be preparing burritos and chicken parmasan for dinner tonight, the Johnsons (If Denise is feeling better) and the Schmucks are all coming to eat tonight. Ryan Schmuck had his tonsils and adnoids out on the 22nd and finally on Wednesday felt better.
I am also doing my favorite hobby..... laundry! ;-)

Blogging

Wow, it's been nearly 4 years since I began this blog, can you believe it? With this post, I have surpassed the number of posts in 2007. I either have more time on my hands than I did 4 years ago ( doubtful, I work full time now ) or I've just gotten better at posting. It is sort of fun to look back and see what was going on when I first started ( my kids were sick A LOT!!! ) And to see pictures of them as they've gotten older. Glad I don't age with them!

I am really excited, I actually got all bedrooms in this house all clean at the same time. Now they just need to stay that way. Bradley has his friend Vincent coming over New Years Eve to stay the night and it seems like anytime he's here, there is at least something in the house that is a mess ( and it thunderstorms ) So I want the ENTIRE house clean for a change. And it would be good to end the year and start a new on a clean note! ;-) I have to work today from 10-3 and then again tomorrow 8-1 so I hope it stays clean!! I also was given a snack list of things to get... Are funions really a snack?

Almost done opening...
The red presents to the left are for Ryan from Santa and to the right are Bradley's from Santa

Ryan made a book for Santa and left him a note, he also left a picture he drew for Santa after this picture was taken, they also leave Chocolate milk with the cookies.

The boys Christmas Eve

Christmas Cookie assembly line

Michigan Snow and Cats

The cats got new beds for Christmas ( early ) This is what they do instead of going outside in the winter.
Front yard

Back yard

More back yard. And more is on the way, another 3 to 5 inches by tomorrow evening and it will continue to fall until Christmas

We bought a snowmobile for $25 this fall, I seriously thought Doug was crazy. Basically all it needed was a little TLC and to be used. It is really running well. Bradley is having a blast on it. We have it over at Johnsons, then the boys can go out and ride. Tonight Doug took them over there so I could actually get some presents wrapped!!

Tomorrow I have lunch at Clementines with the "old" office and then I have a potluck and cookie exchange at the Holland office. We haven't gotten our carpet installed in the basement yet, so I have to clean up down there, put rugs down, and get the tree up and the basement decorated before Wednesday night.... I'd better get to bed!

pictures

Brad with the hat he rarely takes off...

Ryan and Tiger

Brad with Braces, Ryan is missing teeth...


I forgot to post pictures of the boys I took this fall, it was sort of late in the day, so the color isn't the greatest.

Lake Effect Snow warning

Yup, you read it right. We are supposed to get between 6 and 12 " of snow by tomorrow, our warning is until tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 pm



Had Bradley's PT conferences last night. He better get back on track! He didn't have a pleasant evening. Social Studies, he's doing great, Art he puts too much detail in his work... is that really a bad thing? Language Arts, she wasn't there, Science Brad stares into space a lot instead of doing work, Math, teacher was sick, PE, could of gotten an A but didn't do writing about physical activity ( the written work is to make up for being absent) He knew he could of written about Cross Country, Mr. Sexton even commented on how excited his son Jeff ( HS CC coach ) is about Bradley competing at the HS level. ( although he's got another year before that in MS) Band, if he did the written work and practiced he'd have an A, in class he does great. Brad's math teacher/ BB coach will help him on the school end, I will push from home end.. He's a smart kid.

Went to Ryan's conference the night before, Academically, he's doing great, but he talks too much ,, has to stop sneaking toys to school and may have to be checked for a bladder issue, he seems to use the bathroom every 30/40 minutes... hmmmm AT LEAST HE DOES HIS HOMEWORK!!!!!!

pictures

There wasn't any snow on the ground when I went to bed the night before

And it continued to snow

I just thought you might enjoy seeing our snow.... We did get the snow blower running last night, although it does need some parts, which includes the electric start.. for my benefit..

The snow did finally stop somewhere after midnight. The back roads are still a mess but the main roads seemed fine, although, I only travel a mile to work.

Winter

Well, Looks like winter is here... We got about 8-9 inches of snow during the day today, and are still under a lake effect snow warning until 1am. There wasn't a lot of snow when I got to work, it all fell while at work and has yet to stop. It is really pretty, but I don't think anybody was ready!

Fall colors

For my Friends in the Northwest, here are our Michigan colors

Halloween

Okay, so I wasn't able to get the alien made, that Ryan requested, but I did manage to make a mummy within 3 hours and that included a trip to the hardware store for more glue sticks! Bradley wore only the T-shirt in the picture.... He decided to go... at 5:30 last night...