I am SO loved!

This week was dnd of quarter at work. For me, end of quarter is overly stressful. During these couple of weeks things can get pretty crazy at work. The kids and Niel all know when it is end of quarter because I can get a little grumpy.... or sometimes a lot grumpy. Tonight was the actual end of quarter night. This means I work until the orders are processed and the books are closed. Usually, I am not home until midnight, but tonight I was lucky enough to get home at decent time.... 9:00 pm. During the day I was also given permission to leave work for an hour break. My hour break was spent on the football field, watching Conner's team pull off yet another incredible victory (26-0). I missed the first half of the game, where Conner scored 2 touchdowns. I was bummed I missed those good plays, but happy I got to at least watch some of the game. After my break, I went back to work.

As I got home tonight, I went into each of my boys room and kissed their sleeping cheeks. I was so grateful for each of them and also for a good husband who put them to bed. Then, I went to get in bed myself when I happened upon this.....

...isn't this just awfully beautiful!

Conner had written a Thank You card telling me how grateful he was that I came all the way down to his game. And there was second card with a nice note from Niel, signed by Stocks, Gar, Zander and Conner. If you hadn't guessed from my previous post, I absolutely adore flowers. Conner knows me so well.... I LOVE Zingers! Plus, my bedroom was nicely cleaned up - bed made, floor picked up.... and they even vacuumed! WOW!

It was a perfect way to finish up the quarter! I have the greatest men (boys) in the world!

Just Because....

..... He Loves Me!

Bikers

We are Mean and Tough!!!

Zander, Ben, & Jordie

Breakfast .... for the not so champions

I know.... I know! This is what I have for breakfast sometimes. Don't tell the boys! They would think it is so unfair!

We spent a day at the cabin. It wasn't nearly the same as when Grandma and Grandpa J are there.... but we tried our best!

Serious Four Wheeling Time!

Zander's favorite thing in this entire world is riding the four wheelers. He counted down the days for an entire week before we went up. I suppose we need to get up there more often!

The weather was beautiful! Everything starting to turn into Fall!

Story Telling Festival

Grandma loves to go to the Story Telling Festival and this year she brought us along with her. We had a great time!

Do you see how many other people went too? The crowd was crazy full!!!

Our favorite was the guy at the end who told the snake story! He was great and very funny!!

Even Bryn came with us to enjoy a night out of great entertainment!!

Thanks for a fun night Grandma!!!

Update

August, September, and October happen to be the biggest, most busy time of the year for our household. Between school starting, birthdays, football, and all the other exciting things that take up time.... I just haven't had as much time to blog as I would like. So here is the latest happenings.....

Megan is enjoying Jr. High. She even got a student I.D. .... so she is official. She is serious about homework. She brings her book bag to football games and focuses on her math and reading. My goodness, I wish I had been that studious.


Conner ran for 6th grade boy class representative and won! He had an awesome speech and a great cheer! "When I say vote, you say Conner. Vote! Conner!! Vote! Conner!! Vote! Conner!! ... it's easier than thinking." No wonder he won!
Conner also had a raging party at the house. We had over 60 eleven and twelve year olds. It was the first boy/girl party in history (at least that is what Conner is saying). I was happy with how things went. I would even go as far as to say we will do it again!

Stockton had a fun scout event recently. Stockton and Niel put together this cool rocket. Then me and Stocks decorated it. The day of the big rocket launch, Stockton's rocket went so high in the sky, we couldn't even see it. And it took a long time to come back down. The best part was, his rocket didn't even blow up like the rest of the boys. He got to launch it a second time.... with the exact same results. Way high in the sky and no damage to the rocket. He was pretty proud of himself... me too!

If Garrett isn't playing football he is watching it! He doesn't have any particular team he likes to watch, he just likes to watch all the players and what they are doing. He will shout out big plays like "1st Down" or "Interception"! He will tell me what players are doing and call out their names like "Smith just made 17 yards" or "62 just recovered a fumble" .... stuff like that. I am learning so much about football this year. It is fun to watch him get all excited.

Kindergarten and Zander were made for each other! He absolutely loves school! He gets excited about homework and reading (I wonder how long this will last) and is completely serious about it all. He loves to color, cut, paste, trace, and recite. He loves to sing while he is working so hard. He sings songs on the radio.... loud and proud. I had to ask him to quiet down a couple of times so his brothers, and mother, can concentrate. He loves his teacher and friends!!

A husband that is a good cook is a keeper! Niel cooks all the time at our house. He BBQ's like no otherand makes the most delicious spaghetti. YUM! He cooked enough for leftovers for the week. Niel is always a great sport when it comes to helping me parent and have fun with the kids! I am lucky to have such a good support. There have been a lot of things going on in his life and I am so proud of his accomplishments and balance.

I love this man!

This is how I feel about life right now. Do you see this delicious, tasty, creamy, rich, splendid cheesecake I am eating? I love cheesecake (especially Cheesecake Factory 30th Anniversary Special Cheesecake)! And... I love my life too! About 6 months ago I got a nice promotion at work. While I was excited about the promotion, lots of stress, travel, and time away from the family come with the nice pay raise. I was delighted with the new job, but I was also sad it was taking away family time. I asked to be put back into my old role. It is good to be working at work, but also being me when the work day is done.

I also love the busyness of this time of year. I am a proud football mom. It amazes me the dedication and energy the kids have. I also appreciate the support of Niel, Megan, Zander, Brooke, and my parents who have all been there to cheer the boys on.

Life is good and I am happy to be enjoying the ride..... and eating LOTS of calories!! :)

Livingston Lonepeak - Undefeated!

Yep... that's right! Conner's football team is undefeated! AND.... they have played their 3 toughest games of the season! Conner is playing amazingly. He is starting half back for the team, which means he runs the ball a lot! He has gotten so fast this year! The games have been so intense!! Conner even had his first touchdown! Check out the movie!! Conner plays are always my favorites, but I added a few incredible plays from some of his team mates also. Conner is number 25. He is wearing a gold helmet in the first two segments.

Conner also made a post of his own about the games. He even got a new nick name. Click here!

Happy 9th Birthday Stocky!

Crazy how quickly the years go by! It seems like yesterday Stocks was getting baptized, and just a month ago I was holding him in my arms as a baby!!

He is growing up to be one handsome young man!

I found this note his teacher from last year had written, and I think it describes Stockton to a "T"

- Oh Stockton, what a guy you are. I just know that you are going to be amazing! I have loved teaching you, mostly because I have learned more from you than you probably learned from me. Whether it was something you learned, or just about how fun and talented you are, being around you is always fun! I have appreciated you trying to be more responsible and helping me stay on top of things as well. Our class was always more fun when you were around (and I LOVED your cooking video for the Talent Show)! Keep being curious, smart, and work hard next year! Mrs. Robins -

I wish I had wrote that note.... because it is exactly how I feel about this splendid kid!

Happy Birthday Stockton!!! I love you!

More Birthday Celebrating!

August is a great month! Conner, Stockton, Niel, and our cousin Jerin all share birthdays!!

Conner even got some a nice, big, huge bowl of ice cream! He is on a bet with us that he can go 1 year with no sugar. The only freebies he gets is on his birthday, Halloween, Christmas, and Valentines Day. He ate that whole bowl.... and it gave him a stomach ache. I guess his healthy body just can't take much sugar anymore.

It is always so much fun to have everyone over. The more the merrier!!

I didn't take very many pictures. I guess I was having too much fun socializing and I forgot to bring the camera out.

Thanks for coming!!! Looking forward to next year!

Take me out to the Ball Game!

Niel has always wanted to go to Boston and see the Red Sox play at Fenway. I have always just wanted to make Niel happy.... so for his birthday I surprised him with a trip to Boston, including tickets to see the Red Sox play the Blue Jays!

We had a BLAST!

I had never ridden on a Subway before. Good think Niel was a pro and knew exactly what he was doing. The Subway went all over town. If we weren't walking to get some place, we rode the rails.

Niel attempted to use his iPhone to guide us to some good eating establishments. Unfortunately, after walking over a mile in the rain, we got to the place only to find out it was closed for construction.

Here we are! Fenway was even better then I thought it would be!

A friend of mine said, "Fenway is the best place on earth to watch a baseball game!" I would have to agree!

Niel was giddy! We had some incredible seats (thanks Dave). We were right next to the Green Monster.

We were so close.... I could even touch the players...haha!

The Second day we spent walking the Freedom Trail.

A lot of very historical events transpired in Boston.

The buildings were so tall.... the sky was so blue. There was so much to take in. Boston is a beautiful city.

We happened to be visiting the North side during a big festival of some type. I found it so strange that people were cluttered around this.... thing (not sure what to call it). But it was a manikin draped with long streamer. People were lining up trying to pin money to the streamers. This things was covered in $10's and $20's. A band was in front of them playing as they moved down the street. And the streets were covered with TONS of confetti. It was interesting to say the least!

'The British are Coming!"
This is the church Paul Revere started from.

We toured the U.S. Constitution Ship. "Old Ironsides"


The trail ends at Bunker Hill. It took us nearly all day to walk 2.5 miles. But is sure was a nice walk!!


We ended up on the North End around dinner time. We stopped for some authentic Italian food. We even tried the cannoli's at Mike Pastry Shop. People were lined up outside, so we figured it must be great.

On the last day we went to the original Cheers bar. It was very cool! Delicious food too!!

It was a great trip! Probably rate up on as one of my favorites Niel and I been on!! I think everyone should go to Boston!!

Some things to remember:
"This is just a good opportunity for you to learn patience" ~ Delicate Rain~Sudoku ~ Loud Snoring Stranger ~ First Subway Ride ~ Midnight running in the rain ~ Will Smith Movies ~ Sleeping In (everyday) ~ Walking to the best Closed Restaurant ~ "Well I speak the most Italian, so I'll be your escort" ~ Freezing Movie Theater ~ Riding the Subway with all the Red Sox Fans ~ Boston Accents ~ Subway Attendants ~ Irritated baseball cap seller ~ "Sweet Caroline" they really do sing that at Fenway ~ Clam Chowder ~ Drunk Jay's Fan ~ Afraid of a Rain Out ~ Pitcher Pitching 8 Innings ~ Drug Rehab Man ~ Italian Restaurant Owner ~ Close quarters at dinner ~ The Mafia ~ No Socks ~ Ed Kennedy's Funeral ~ Rocks on top of headstones ~ Follow the Red Line ~ Moving a dresser ~ Riding the Subway to the next stop ~ Boston Creme Pie ~ Advil Lady ~ Boston Shops ~ The Saggy woman ~ Old Catholic Churches ~ Fun Memories~

Is it Possible?

I can't believe my baby is in Kindergarten! Where did the time go?