now other news for this week.....

Well as you can tell from the pictures I posted last week - school started and they finished painting our house.
The boys (and Brad & I) seem to be adjusting well to the back to school routine. Alec had his first day of STRETCH yesterday. STRETCH stands for "Students Reach Excellence Through Challenge" and is the Blue Springs Gifted program. He will be traveling to a different school one day a week and working on special projects. He seems excited about it. There are only 3 other 3rd graders in his class so they should get lots of personalized attention!
Last night was curriculum night at Jason's school - so I got to meet all his teachers and hear what he will be doing this year. He has all the general classes as well as Family and Consumer Science (FACS) and French.
Taryn and Brady arrived last night for the weekend. They have tickets to the American Idol tour at the Sprint Center. All 10 finalists will perform but they are really going to see David Cook.
Taryn, Brady and I actually got to see David Cook live and in person just an hour ago. They unveiled a mural that had been created in his honor in downtown Blue Springs. It is very nice. I need to get a picture of it from Taryn. I failed to take my camera or my camera phone with me. It was a nice event because it wasn't well publicized so it wasn't horribly crowded. It was just a nice little home town event.
Taryn and Brady have gone to downtown KC right now to pick up their tickets for tonight. The boys are at school. Brad and I both have the day off. And how we spending it? - We are in separate rooms both on the computer. Oh well. :)
Sunday we are having a big party for Mom's 70th birthday - so I guess I better go clean house or something. I'll post pics of the party next week.
TTFN!

Donna

An old friend of mine passed away this week. It is very sad. I haven't seen her much in the last several years - but I remember fondly the years I worked with her at UMB. Her name was Donna Otto Moeller and she died much too young. You can read her obituary if you click on her name. It was a great pleasure to have had her as my boss, mentor and friend at UMB. She was such a terrific person. I know she will be sorely missed by her husband, son, father and many siblings. When I was searching for her obit - I actually found her mother's too. She also died of cancer - less than 1 month ago. My deepest sympathy to all of Donna's family.

Exterior Painting - Before and After

oh how they've grown....

2002

2005

2008

Scouts, School and House

It is about time for scouts to start again. We will start den meetings again in a few weeks. We had our August pack get-together on Sunday. It was 'Anything on wheels and water toys'. Alec took his Rip-Stick and a spray bottle. I think he had a good time and was soaked by the time we went home.


Last night was 'meet the teacher' at Alec's school. I had not met his teacher before. She seems very nice. The school population increased a lot over the summer and they are having to add teachers and a mobile unit for more classrooms. The new 3rd grade teacher they hired happens to be Jason's teacher from kindergarten. That is not the teacher Alec got - but it is a small world.

The painter's started on our house this week. So far so good. Here is a before picture and an 'in progress' picture. I will of course post the after when it is all done.


Before


In progress - they have the new main color on the front and 1/2 of the back. The trim has not yet been painted.

08/08/08

Today is 8/8/08. The 3 moms and 6 kids in our cul-de-sac went to Super Splash today. It is a small water park in Raytown. The mom's mostly sat and talked and the kids went on the Avalanche and other water slides over and over again. It was a nice afternoon. There wasn't much humidity and the temperature was in the 80's.

Right now the boys are next door at their friend Jacob's 11th birthday party. Brad is not yet home from work so it is pretty quiet here.

Other things we did this week:
Saturday - Alec went to a sleepover birthday party for his friend Michael B. Brad, Jason and I went out to eat at Outback Steakhouse and then school supply shopping. I bought a new printer too. It was Missouri's back to school tax free weekend.
Sunday - Cleaned the carpets
Monday - Jay, Al and I saw the movie Swing Vote
Tuesday - I worked from home
Wednesday - I took the afternoon off and took the boys to register for school
Thursday - The boys spent the day with grandpa and grandma and I went into the office and worked.

Exciting stuff! :P

not much to report this week

Since I just wrote Monday - not much to say today - but thought I would post anyway to keep up my momentum. I have been enjoying updating this every Friday - even if no one reads it. :)

This week has been routine - work for me and Brad - play for the boys.
We have been dealing a lot with insurance companies trying to get a good rate for Hunter's car. It is ridiculous how much it costs to insure a 17 year old boy. And the fact that he is in South Dakota and we are here- complicates it even more. Oh well - such is life.

Today I have just been making a list of all the things that need to be done around here. It seems to keep getting longer all the time. We do have someone hired to paint the house - but they don't know yet when they can start. We have also talked to someone about working on our landscaping - but we are having a hard time finding a time to meet with him. We've GOT to do something with the stupid pond - which right now is pretty much just a mud hole.

That's about it. I guess I did have more to say than I thought - mostly complaining though.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and week!

South Dakota continued

We had a pretty nice weekend with the kids.

We got a later start than we wanted to on Thursday. We planned on leaving at 2 and didn't get gone until 4:30 (Brad's work was the culprit). We stopped and picked up the boys at Grandpa and Grandma's where they had spent Wednesday night and Thursday day. And then we finally got on the rode. We made good time - I was driving ;) and we only stopped a few times for just few minutes. We made it to Sioux Falls around 10:15 and checked into the Ramada. We got a suite and it was nice (Big!) Around 10:30 we headed to the Eastway Bowling alley and lounge to watch Michael's band - Empty without Reason. We made it before they went on - so that was good. Heavy Metal is definitely not my kind of music - but we were very impressed with Michael's drumming. He is good!

Friday we slept late, Brad worked from the hotel and I took the boys swimming. The Ramada has an indoor waterpark that the boys really enjoy. Around 2:30 Hunter came over and we went to eat at Famous Dave's BBQ. yummy! After that we went back to the hotel and Taryn, Brady and Autumn came over. Autumn, Jason and Alec swam for a bit while the rest of them looked online for a car for Hunter. We were supposed to spend most of the day looking for a car but we only got a little shopping done. We did drive around a little bit after swimming and then we went to Taryn's for awhile. That was about it for Friday.


Saturday morning Brady came over at 8:45am. We were all still sleeping. Brad and Hunter were supposed to be up and ready to go. Brady was taking them to see a car in Hartford. They got up and were ready to go pretty quickly. At around 11, Brad called and said they were going to buy the car. It is a silver 2005 Dodge Stratus. They bought it from Bob's auto sales which wasn't really in Hartford but about 10 miles out in the country on his farm. Oh well - Hunter likes it and Brad thought it was a good deal. The rest of day was lunch at Godfather's, more swimming and a trip to the mall for Taryn and me. Around 7:00 we headed to Taryn and Brady's for dinner. They grilled burgers for us. It was nice. We all watched Ocean's Thirteen on HBO and then Michael came over. He had been at work all day. We all visited til about 11 and then called it a day.

Sunday we slept in again and then checked out of the hotel at noon. We picked up Autumn so we could take her home to Beresford and said good-bye to Taryn and Brady. Hunter met us at I-Hop and we ate 'brunch'. It took forever. By the time we got our food - we were all starving and cranky. It was probably just me that was cranky :) - but anyway. We met Hannah at Burger King to drop Autumn off and then went to visit with the Orrs. Hunter is going to live with them during his senior year so he can graduate from Beresford High School. He went to Beresford schools from Kindergarten to 8th grade and has really been missing all his friends. He came to KC for his freshman year and then to Sioux Falls for 10th and 11th. Anyway - we talked to them and got things squared away - hopefully. They are very nice people and are great to open their home to Hunter. He is a lucky kid to have so many people that care about him. His mother and family, his father and family and his 3rd family - the Orrs.

We made it home around 9:00 last night and here we are! Brad is taking the day off. The boys are still sleeping and I am just goofing on the computer.

Until next week.........

Autumn swims like a fish!


Hunter


Autumn and Alec playing DS


Hunter stayed at the hotel Saturday night so Alec's bed was 2 chairs pushed together. He called it his 'crib'.

South Dakota

Last Friday afternoon the boys and I went to see Hancock. It was okay. Not really what I expected. Will Smith's character was not a happy person! Lots of frowning. I've found myself doing a lot of that this week. Nothing related to the movie - just not smiling much. Not sure why.

We spent Sunday at my Aunt Faye's 87th birthday party.


Tomorrow, we are off to South Dakota to see the kids.

That's about it for now!

This week...uneventful

Not too much news this week. It was a nice, quiet week.

Last weekend we did a little yard work on Saturday and then spent most of Sunday cleaning out the garage. What a mess! We have too much stuff. I think it is time to simplify our lives! I had that exact conversation with my friend Kay at lunch on Tuesday. We discussed how too much stuff can really weigh you down. Her goal is to make her house feel as peaceful and uncluttered as a spa. That is a great goal! I think I will have to wait until the kids move out to be able to do anything like that. But I sure could get rid of a lot of stuff in the mean time.
It was really nice to see Kay. I hadn't talked to her for several months. She mentioned restarting our bookclub. I hope she does! I really miss my bookclub friends. Today is going to be catch-up on laundry for the most part. The boys want to go somewhere later - which is fine. We just haven't figured out where 'somewhere' is. Being that we will be gone all next weekend to SD - I would be fine with just staying home.

This summer is flying by! There is only one month left until school starts again.

More 4th of July, Friends and Neighbors, Scout Day Camp

4th of July evening was pretty nice this year. Nobody got too crazy, the kids had fun and I wasn't a nervous wreck for once. The weather was awesome too. The temp got down in the 60's and there was a nice breeze. We all grilled hotdogs and Lucia made popcorn on the outdoor grill. We had the outdoor fireplace blazing and made s'mores. We ate, drank and enjoyed the company of family and friends.


The kids sang the 'Star Spangled Banner' for us.


On Saturday, Lucia, Jennifer and I went to see the Sex and the City movie. I really enjoyed it and it was nice to leave the kids home with the guys for once.
We spent even more time with the cul-de-sac on Saturday evening. We all went to dinner at 'On the Border'. Six kids and six adults. We had a nice time with more eating, drinking and visiting.

Sunday was mostly lazy except for the hour or so I went to help setup for day camp.

Monday came the start of Cub Scout Day Camp. We had 18 boys and 9 adults on the first day. The weather had warmed up a lot from 4th of July and it was very hot and humid. I was very ready to go home by the end of the day. It didn't seem to phase Alec much - but I was sure hot, tired and sunburnt.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were more day camp for Alec. Brad and I both went to work and Jason was home alone.

Wednesday night Taryn called to tell us that her mother had gotten remarried. She did it without telling any of her kids. Crazy.

Friday I went back to day camp with Alec for the last day. It was really hot again but all the boys had spray bottles and kept us cool. We left right after the family lunch. We were supposed to go swimming but plans got changed and we just stayed home in the afternoon - which was fine with me. I am more of an air-conditioning/fan kind of person. The great outdoors, in the summer, - especially the buggy woods - is not my thing.

Alec at the Bubba Gun shooting range


Friday night, our little family of 4 watched a rented DVD together - Drillbit Taylor
That's pretty much it for this week.

This week......Happy 4th of July!

Friday afternoon the boys and I went to see 'Get Smart'. We all really liked the movie. It was 'laugh out loud' funny. The boys thought I laughed a little too much - but I thought it was hilarious.

On Saturday, we went to my Uncle Mike's 60th birthday party. Thus the pic of my dad and his brothers that I posted on Monday. The black and white pictures were from 1971 and color pics from Saturday.

We didn't do too much the rest of the weekend.
The natural spring in our backyard has been nothing but a pain since we moved here. We tried to make it into a pond for a few years but it takes much more maintenance than we expected. Sunday night we tried to drain it but it is not going well. We need about 80 more bags of rock. What a mess!

Jason and Alec spent the Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday evening at Grandpa and Grandma's. Aunt Nanny came over Tuesday night too. They always enjoy going over there and playing games/goofing off with their grandparents and aunt.

Last night we went and bought the kids some fireworks. They love July 4th. Not me - it makes me a nervous wreck. But I go sit in the cul-de-sac with everyone else and try to have a good time. I can't believe this is our 8th Fourth of July in this crazy cul-de-sac. :)

More 4th of July to come next week. This picture is from last year.
The kids usually put on a little show for us.

My Dad and his Brothers - then and now

this week - Bear Camp and other Cub Scout activities

This week was mostly geared toward scouts...

Saturday afternoon we went to the Pack's June family activity. We met at Blue Springs Park, played games, visited and ate snacks everyone had brought to share. The kids spent a lot of the time on the merry-go-round and slides at the playground.

Bright and early Sunday morning, Brad and Alec met our den at the church and headed out for Bear Camp. It was at Camp Naish starting Sunday morning and going through Monday afternoon. They did activities that included woodworking, leather working, archery, BB guns and water play. They called Sunday night at 9:40 and both sounded very tired. But they agreed it was a 'good' tired and they were ready for a good night's sleep.

Meanwhile, back at home, Jason and I didn't do anything too exciting. I drug him to Linens and Things to check out their 'going out of business' sale. No great bargains yet. I could have gotten a greater deal using coupons but they no longer allow them. Oh well. Jason survived that and we went to the mall for a little while. We didn't do much there but eat in the food court and walk around a little bit. Neither of us knew what we wanted to do so we came back home. I mowed the lawn and Jason goofed off.

Monday was even less exciting. I cleaned out the fridge and went to the grocery store. Jason kept asking when Alec would be home. He's lost without his little buddy.

Brad and Alec arrived home around 5:30. They said they had a good time at camp. I wish they had taken a camera. I will have to get some pics from one of the other scouts.

Tuesday was back to work for Brad and I. Brad found out he was moving to a different team and is going back downtown. He was very happy about this. There had been a lot of 'issues' with his current team.

Tuesday night - one last scout activity for the week. This one was just for me though. I had to attend the day camp parent meeting. It was fine but lasted too long. Day Camp is coming up in couple of weeks. I am going to go with Alec on Monday and Friday. The other 3 days are covered by other parents. I think he prefers it when I don't go. Oh well - he is stuck with me for 2 days anyway.

That's about it. Wednesday and Thursday were just work (me and Brad) and play (the boys). Brad and I did go buy a new color laser printer last night. I am kind of bummed though that my ink jet photo paper will not work in it. It just comes out as a big smear. Guess I will have to go buy laser photo paper. I did not know there was a difference.

Until next week.........

Back to our routine

We have been home a week now and are back into our summer routine.

Taryn and Brady came down on Friday. It was nice that Brad had at least 4 of his kids with him on Father's Day. We missed Michael.

They went home on Sunday and took Hunter with them. He is going back to South Dakota to start his summer job at the grocery store deli. It was really great he could stay for a few weeks and go on vacation with us.

Brad went back to work on Monday and I did on Tuesday. The boys are just enjoying their summer vacation from school and being lazy.

Day 8 - Thursday 6/12

Time to go home....

Our flight from Tampa to Atlanta was delayed so we had to run through the Atlanta airport to catch our connecting flight. We barely made it.

In the Tampa airport



But we did make it, had a good flight to KC and even landed 15 minutes early.

It was a wonderful vacation. It is definitely one of my favorite vacations we have ever been on. Although it is always nice to come home - I could have easily stayed there for another week!

Day 7 - Wednesday 6/11

Our last full day.

Today we went on Dolphin Racer cruise. The Dolphin Racer is a large speedboat that creates a wake that dolphins love to surf in. We saw 2 baby dolphins as well as several other adult dolphins. We saw 3 of them surf in the wake of the boat. It was fun and interesting. Unfortunately I couldn't get any good pictures of the dolphins. My camera is not fast enough.

The Dolphin Racer


The boys on the boat



There really are dolphins in there somewhere.



We had a nice dinner at the Hurricane. We went all out for our last night with drinks, an appetizer (gator bites), dinners and desserts all around.

The Hurricane



After dinner we went across the street to watch the sunset.

Brad and his souvenior glass


Alec


Jason


Hunter

Day 6 - Tuesday 6/10

More swimming



All you can eat crab legs R Bar



Another beautiful evening





With a few storm clouds thrown in

Day 5 - Monday 6/9

Today we decided to drive to Venice Beach. It is about 1 hour south of St. Pete.
When I had been to Venice Beach about 20 years ago - the entire beach was covered in shells. There was very little visible sand. You could search through the shells and find shark's teeth. I thought the boys might enjoy that.
Unfortunately, things can change a lot in 20 years. The beach was nothing like it used to be and had few shells. There wasn't even the possibility of finding shark's teeth.
We did pick up a few shells and then headed back to St. Pete. I was kind of disappointed but it was still a nice day. We ended up buying a couple of shark teeth necklaces back in St. Pete.

The guys on Venice Beach


It stormed on our way back from Venice but Monday evening turned out to be very nice. The boys went for an evening swim in the pool and Brad an I went for sunset walk on the beach. There was a nice cool breeze and it was just a nice, peaceful evening with a beautiful sunset. And rainbow too! No stress, no rush, no worries - just peaceful. I don't know what other word to use to describe the feeling.

The sunset


The rainbow


Just a cool sand castle we saw on our walk

Day 4 - Sunday 6/8

Lazy Sunday just sunning, swimming and relaxing.

We had a late dinner at the Middle Grounds Grille. Jason and Hunter said they liked it the best of all the restaurants we had been to.