Thursday, June 25, 2009
Fun
Me: You know when you are doing 76 mph in a 60 mph zone you usually get to meet a police officer.
Anna: That's a bad idea. Did you do that?
Me: No Daddy got to meet a police officer today.
Monday, June 22, 2009
T.V.
Will be the death of me! Summer vacation is finally upon us and all of the sudden my kids have become addicted to the tube! For the first time in most of their lives, we have a big yard and lots of neighborhood kids to play with but everyday I have to declare the t.v. (and computer, Wii, Playstation, etc) off limits and kick them outside. ARRRR!!!
Friday, June 5, 2009
So what have we been up to?
Along with the new home, we've been doing all kinds of fun things this spring:
Mitchell had his first Pinewood Derby and was pleased to do the majority of the work on his car by himself. Matt supervised the sawing/sanding but it was truly Mitchell's baby.
Lexi had a terrific performance as a chicken at Primary Arts Night. Each class performed as different animals in the Barnyard Moosical and decorated the school with artwork from the school year. (True to my nature, I pushed the wrong button on the camera and missed her song but it was really funny.)
Anna took to the stage in her first ballet/tap recital. Due to new rules by the dance school, we weren't able to record the performance but as backstage mom, I took a few shots of her with her friends and teacher.
We spent Easter in Brookville with Mimi and Papa. Since we were on the road, the Easter Bunny got creative and delivered goodies in colorful gift bags rather than the traditional taking-up-too-much-space-in-a-minivan baskets. Apparently, Mr. Bunny also forgot that he delivers to our kids on Saturday morning so he scrambled around and left the bags scattered around Mimi's back yard which resulted in a basket hunt that would be followed later in the day by an easter egg hunt for the kids; cousins: Max, Mattie and Sammy; and some friends from church. (For some reason, Anna refused to walk up the little hill into the corner of the deck to collect her bag...hence the look of attitude on her face.)
Anna also completed her first year of preschool. She has enjoyed school so much this year...I wish I could bottle that love and give a little of it to her siblings who have mostly forgotten how much fun school is. Spring at preschool included some super fun festivities including an Easter egg hunt, a trip to the symphony and a fun fair. (The fun fair was the same day as the dance recital which explains the bun. Even with three girls, I'm still not much of a hair stylist so buns and braids are a rarity at our house.)
Over our anniversary, Kari was kind enough to keep our kids for a few days so I could join Matt at a conference in Orlando. We had hoped to spend some time at the beach or go to Sea World but wow! am I glad I didn't purchase any tickets in advance because it poured almost constantly from the moment my plane landed until I took off again three days later! During the few minutes between cloud bursts, we did have some fun though. While Matt was in meetings, I went to see the city of Celebration, had my nails done and learned about an interesting FL law. Exactly how stupid are people in FL anyway? (No offense to my FL friends but seriously...read the sign.) We spent part of a day together going to Downtown Disney and many of the Disney resorts looking for hidden mickeys. On our last night we slipped down to the beach of the Polynesian Resort and huddled in the rain under a little cabana to watch the electrical water pageant on the lagoon. It was a nice break from life.
Mitchell had his first Pinewood Derby and was pleased to do the majority of the work on his car by himself. Matt supervised the sawing/sanding but it was truly Mitchell's baby.
Lexi had a terrific performance as a chicken at Primary Arts Night. Each class performed as different animals in the Barnyard Moosical and decorated the school with artwork from the school year. (True to my nature, I pushed the wrong button on the camera and missed her song but it was really funny.)
Anna took to the stage in her first ballet/tap recital. Due to new rules by the dance school, we weren't able to record the performance but as backstage mom, I took a few shots of her with her friends and teacher.
We spent Easter in Brookville with Mimi and Papa. Since we were on the road, the Easter Bunny got creative and delivered goodies in colorful gift bags rather than the traditional taking-up-too-much-space-in-a-minivan baskets. Apparently, Mr. Bunny also forgot that he delivers to our kids on Saturday morning so he scrambled around and left the bags scattered around Mimi's back yard which resulted in a basket hunt that would be followed later in the day by an easter egg hunt for the kids; cousins: Max, Mattie and Sammy; and some friends from church. (For some reason, Anna refused to walk up the little hill into the corner of the deck to collect her bag...hence the look of attitude on her face.)
Anna also completed her first year of preschool. She has enjoyed school so much this year...I wish I could bottle that love and give a little of it to her siblings who have mostly forgotten how much fun school is. Spring at preschool included some super fun festivities including an Easter egg hunt, a trip to the symphony and a fun fair. (The fun fair was the same day as the dance recital which explains the bun. Even with three girls, I'm still not much of a hair stylist so buns and braids are a rarity at our house.)
Over our anniversary, Kari was kind enough to keep our kids for a few days so I could join Matt at a conference in Orlando. We had hoped to spend some time at the beach or go to Sea World but wow! am I glad I didn't purchase any tickets in advance because it poured almost constantly from the moment my plane landed until I took off again three days later! During the few minutes between cloud bursts, we did have some fun though. While Matt was in meetings, I went to see the city of Celebration, had my nails done and learned about an interesting FL law. Exactly how stupid are people in FL anyway? (No offense to my FL friends but seriously...read the sign.) We spent part of a day together going to Downtown Disney and many of the Disney resorts looking for hidden mickeys. On our last night we slipped down to the beach of the Polynesian Resort and huddled in the rain under a little cabana to watch the electrical water pageant on the lagoon. It was a nice break from life.
Home, Sweet Home
So...admittedly I have let my already pathetic blogging habit slip into nonexistence, but here's part of the reason.
We started out 2009 with a huge change. We traded in the townhouse for a larger 4br/2.5ba single family home in a great development in Hampstead. The townhouse only took 12 days to get a contract and fortunately, the house was a foreclosure so we got a great deal. Unfortunately, the house was a foreclosure. Since moving in we've been fixing lots of little "character flaws" courtesy of the former occupants including holes drilled into the bathroom drain pipes causing them to drip into the basement and kitchen ceiling, sensors removed from the garage door, and removal of the freon and accompanying pipes/wires to the A/C unit. Moving is always fun! Good news for you locals that are looking for a plumber or HVAC guys--I've got a couple great ones! I'm still working through the boxes and the house is still contractor white but we are finally getting settled. There are tons of kids in the neighborhood and Hampstead is a great little town...kind of Brookville-esque!
We started out 2009 with a huge change. We traded in the townhouse for a larger 4br/2.5ba single family home in a great development in Hampstead. The townhouse only took 12 days to get a contract and fortunately, the house was a foreclosure so we got a great deal. Unfortunately, the house was a foreclosure. Since moving in we've been fixing lots of little "character flaws" courtesy of the former occupants including holes drilled into the bathroom drain pipes causing them to drip into the basement and kitchen ceiling, sensors removed from the garage door, and removal of the freon and accompanying pipes/wires to the A/C unit. Moving is always fun! Good news for you locals that are looking for a plumber or HVAC guys--I've got a couple great ones! I'm still working through the boxes and the house is still contractor white but we are finally getting settled. There are tons of kids in the neighborhood and Hampstead is a great little town...kind of Brookville-esque!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Lots of crazy questions....
I never do these things but thought I'd pick the longest one that I've ever seen to get started. Here's a glimpse into me.....
1. Started your own blog -started yes--update regularly, no
2. Slept under the stars -Don't remember but probably in Emerickville or girls camp
3. Played in a band -More of an orchestra person until the music got hard, then I pretended to play until my parents let me quit
4. Visited Hawaii -twenty year anniversary honey? (you've got time to surprise me.)
5. Watched a meteor shower - yes, but not lately
6. Given more than you can afford to charity -don't know about this question...charities of choice are Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Toys for Tots
7. Been to Disneyland -we prefer Disney World...over and over and over.....
8. Climbed a mountain -does in a car count?
9. Held a praying mantis -eeewww. I don't do bugs.
11. Bungee jumped -never have, never will
12. Visited Paris -if I could get there without flying over an ocean I'd like to but that much water scares me.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea -not a huge storm but heat lightening
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch- um, I've learned to sew a bit but I'm not great
15. Adopted a child -No but Mitchell thinks we should adopt a boy or two to even out our family
16. Had food poisoning -peanut butter pie from American Hotel Restaurant. Yikes!
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty -Nope but I've seen her up close
18. Grown your own vegetables -tomatoes this year...next year hard core!
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France -back to that flying over the ocean thing...
20. Slept on an overnight train -why would anyone want to do that?
21. Had a pillow fight -not lately...Mitchell doesn't need to learn this one.
22. Hitch hiked -again...why would anyone do that?
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill- I prefer to call those "mental health days"...I miss the days when that was an option
24. Built a snow fort -repeated attempts were made to build the perfect "Puppy Palace" as a kid
25. Held a lamb -nope
26. Gone skinny dipping -hmmmm....no
27. Run a Marathon -Marine Corp Marathon: Oct 2007. (5:05 not speedy but complete)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice -still no to anything European
29. Seen a total eclipse - during choir in high school we all went outside to see an eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Both...sunset over the ocean is the best
31. Hit a home run -never was a power hitter.
32. Been on a cruise -thought I'd hate it but it was so awesome!
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - yup...took all four kids on the Maid of the Mist
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors -only if Brookville counts
35. Seen an Amish community -Um...yeah. They are around every corner in PA.
36. Taught yourself a new language -took Spanish but didn't do it on my own
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied -not yet
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person -nope
39. Gone rock climbing -Not with the ropes and all that but played on large rocks with the kids
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David - nope
41. Sung karaoke -NEVER
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt -nope
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant -not yet
44. Visited Africa -nope...maybe I can visit friends in Nigeria...probably not
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight -love the waves crashing on our feet at night!
46. Been transported in an ambulance -nope
47. Had your portrait painted -no but I've been tempted to have the kids caricature done at a park sometime
48. Gone deep sea fishing -don't like fish much so why go fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person -nope
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris -What's with all the Paris questions?
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling -unbelievable as it is...I went snorkeling in Tortola and ran into a barracuda...he was huge!
52. Kissed in the rain -Probably
53. Played in the mud -not lately but I remember my boot getting stuck in the mud as I ran to the bus in junior high. my next step was my foot straight into the thick mud. Fun for all watching from the bus!
54. Gone to a drive-in theater -Love the Moonlight Drive-in in Brookville
55. Been in a movie -i don't think but Aunt Rita and I almost got hit by a stunt car when they were filming a movie in Pittsburgh one day. (Was it Inspector Gadget?)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China -sounds fun but no
57. Started a business -nope but I helped my dad in his archery shop and I can fletch arrows
58. Taken a martial arts class -Nope but I should!
59. Visited Russia -Not really a desire of mine
60. Served at a soup kitchen -No but I should go with Aunt Sis sometime
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies -Tons...and I don't ever want to do it again
62. Gone whale watching -No but we watch for dolphins when we visit Ocean City
63. Got flowers for no reason -Matt brought me roses for no reason just a few months ago
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma -platelets yesterday...Red Cross calls me almost daily!
65. Gone sky diving -I'll pass
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp -no, but I really want to go to the Holocaust Museum in D.C. sometime. Anyone want to join me?
67. Bounced a check -it was a mistake a really long time ago.
68. Flown in a helicopter -nope
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy -yep
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial -I think every year when we went on youth temple trips
71. Eaten Caviar -nope but Clark convinced me to eat escargot
72. Pieced a quilt- I started a rag quilt eons ago but it's in my unfinished craft box
73. Stood in Times Square- No but I want to
74. Toured the Everglades -as many times as we've been to FL I should say yes but NO (Matt rode on a hoverboat and held an alligator.)
75. Been fired from a job -Mitchell fires me daily!
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London -nope...Europe
77. Broken a bone -I don't think toes should count so no.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle -yes...tipped off one in the gravel driveway once too.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person -never been that far west.
80. Published a book -never thought of it
81. Visited the Vatican -nope
82. Bought a brand new car -someday.
83. Walked in Jerusalem -nope
84. Had your picture in the newspaper -I'm sure for something in school
85. Read the entire Bible -not in order.
86. Visited the White House -took a tour once (Mitchell got scolded by a security guard for sitting in one of the fancy antique chairs) and we love the easter egg roll
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating -eeewww...
88. Had chickenpox -not fun!
89. Saved someone’s life -not recently...but I've taken CPR class so I know how
90. Sat on a jury -got called for duty last year but wasn't needed
91. Met someone famous - Ed Mulitalo and Jim Dasinger are both famous where I come from.
92. Joined a book club - tried that once but it didn't work out...I never read the book
93. Lost a loved one -yes
94. Had a baby -4 little monkeys at my house!
95. Seen the Alamo in person -nope
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake -my 4day whirlwind trip to UT didn't allow time for this adventure.
97. Been involved in a law suit -Matt is part of a class-action suit against Walmart right now.
98. Owned a cell phone -definitely!
99. Been stung by a bee - it's been a long time thank goodness. (I wouldn't say that for fear of bad luck if they weren't dormant right now.)
1. Started your own blog -started yes--update regularly, no
2. Slept under the stars -Don't remember but probably in Emerickville or girls camp
3. Played in a band -More of an orchestra person until the music got hard, then I pretended to play until my parents let me quit
4. Visited Hawaii -twenty year anniversary honey? (you've got time to surprise me.)
5. Watched a meteor shower - yes, but not lately
6. Given more than you can afford to charity -don't know about this question...charities of choice are Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Toys for Tots
7. Been to Disneyland -we prefer Disney World...over and over and over.....
8. Climbed a mountain -does in a car count?
9. Held a praying mantis -eeewww. I don't do bugs.
11. Bungee jumped -never have, never will
12. Visited Paris -if I could get there without flying over an ocean I'd like to but that much water scares me.
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea -not a huge storm but heat lightening
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch- um, I've learned to sew a bit but I'm not great
15. Adopted a child -No but Mitchell thinks we should adopt a boy or two to even out our family
16. Had food poisoning -peanut butter pie from American Hotel Restaurant. Yikes!
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty -Nope but I've seen her up close
18. Grown your own vegetables -tomatoes this year...next year hard core!
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France -back to that flying over the ocean thing...
20. Slept on an overnight train -why would anyone want to do that?
21. Had a pillow fight -not lately...Mitchell doesn't need to learn this one.
22. Hitch hiked -again...why would anyone do that?
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill- I prefer to call those "mental health days"...I miss the days when that was an option
24. Built a snow fort -repeated attempts were made to build the perfect "Puppy Palace" as a kid
25. Held a lamb -nope
26. Gone skinny dipping -hmmmm....no
27. Run a Marathon -Marine Corp Marathon: Oct 2007. (5:05 not speedy but complete)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice -still no to anything European
29. Seen a total eclipse - during choir in high school we all went outside to see an eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - Both...sunset over the ocean is the best
31. Hit a home run -never was a power hitter.
32. Been on a cruise -thought I'd hate it but it was so awesome!
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - yup...took all four kids on the Maid of the Mist
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors -only if Brookville counts
35. Seen an Amish community -Um...yeah. They are around every corner in PA.
36. Taught yourself a new language -took Spanish but didn't do it on my own
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied -not yet
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person -nope
39. Gone rock climbing -Not with the ropes and all that but played on large rocks with the kids
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David - nope
41. Sung karaoke -NEVER
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt -nope
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant -not yet
44. Visited Africa -nope...maybe I can visit friends in Nigeria...probably not
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight -love the waves crashing on our feet at night!
46. Been transported in an ambulance -nope
47. Had your portrait painted -no but I've been tempted to have the kids caricature done at a park sometime
48. Gone deep sea fishing -don't like fish much so why go fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person -nope
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris -What's with all the Paris questions?
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling -unbelievable as it is...I went snorkeling in Tortola and ran into a barracuda...he was huge!
52. Kissed in the rain -Probably
53. Played in the mud -not lately but I remember my boot getting stuck in the mud as I ran to the bus in junior high. my next step was my foot straight into the thick mud. Fun for all watching from the bus!
54. Gone to a drive-in theater -Love the Moonlight Drive-in in Brookville
55. Been in a movie -i don't think but Aunt Rita and I almost got hit by a stunt car when they were filming a movie in Pittsburgh one day. (Was it Inspector Gadget?)
56. Visited the Great Wall of China -sounds fun but no
57. Started a business -nope but I helped my dad in his archery shop and I can fletch arrows
58. Taken a martial arts class -Nope but I should!
59. Visited Russia -Not really a desire of mine
60. Served at a soup kitchen -No but I should go with Aunt Sis sometime
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies -Tons...and I don't ever want to do it again
62. Gone whale watching -No but we watch for dolphins when we visit Ocean City
63. Got flowers for no reason -Matt brought me roses for no reason just a few months ago
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma -platelets yesterday...Red Cross calls me almost daily!
65. Gone sky diving -I'll pass
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp -no, but I really want to go to the Holocaust Museum in D.C. sometime. Anyone want to join me?
67. Bounced a check -it was a mistake a really long time ago.
68. Flown in a helicopter -nope
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy -yep
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial -I think every year when we went on youth temple trips
71. Eaten Caviar -nope but Clark convinced me to eat escargot
72. Pieced a quilt- I started a rag quilt eons ago but it's in my unfinished craft box
73. Stood in Times Square- No but I want to
74. Toured the Everglades -as many times as we've been to FL I should say yes but NO (Matt rode on a hoverboat and held an alligator.)
75. Been fired from a job -Mitchell fires me daily!
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London -nope...Europe
77. Broken a bone -I don't think toes should count so no.
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle -yes...tipped off one in the gravel driveway once too.
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person -never been that far west.
80. Published a book -never thought of it
81. Visited the Vatican -nope
82. Bought a brand new car -someday.
83. Walked in Jerusalem -nope
84. Had your picture in the newspaper -I'm sure for something in school
85. Read the entire Bible -not in order.
86. Visited the White House -took a tour once (Mitchell got scolded by a security guard for sitting in one of the fancy antique chairs) and we love the easter egg roll
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating -eeewww...
88. Had chickenpox -not fun!
89. Saved someone’s life -not recently...but I've taken CPR class so I know how
90. Sat on a jury -got called for duty last year but wasn't needed
91. Met someone famous - Ed Mulitalo and Jim Dasinger are both famous where I come from.
92. Joined a book club - tried that once but it didn't work out...I never read the book
93. Lost a loved one -yes
94. Had a baby -4 little monkeys at my house!
95. Seen the Alamo in person -nope
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake -my 4day whirlwind trip to UT didn't allow time for this adventure.
97. Been involved in a law suit -Matt is part of a class-action suit against Walmart right now.
98. Owned a cell phone -definitely!
99. Been stung by a bee - it's been a long time thank goodness. (I wouldn't say that for fear of bad luck if they weren't dormant right now.)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Yin and Yang
As usual, there were some very strong feelings about the start of school in August. Kassie and Mitchell would have been happy to never set foot in a school again. On the opposite side of the coin were the little girls: Alexis was anxious to see her friends again and Anna was over-the-top excited to start preschool. For some unexplainable reason, I didn't get any good pictures of the first day of BCPS (not that any of them really cared) but here are some of the highlights from the first week of preschool--which didn't start until mid-September. She loves her two mornings each week with Mrs. Montanya and Mrs. Chase. I think Kate is the only little girl that she plays with still but the year is young so I'm hoping she will spread her wings and get to know some of the other kids as well. (Although we definitely LOVE Kate.)
Pool Fools
The kids spent a few weeks in swimming lessons over the summer. They would have loved to spend the entire summer in the pool but being the mean mom that I am, that didn't work out for them so they had to settle for an hour every morning for two weeks and occasional afternoon.
I'm pretty sure that I don't have the next Michael Phelps but they all learned quite a bit and had a lot of fun so it was all worth being at the pool in Westminster by 8:45am every day.
Fun with cousins
June was just packed with fun! As soon as we returned from NY and the accompanying reception in PA, Katie and Mark arrived in PA for a visit with the UT cousins. We got to see them a few times and had a great picnic with the whole family at Pinchot Park near Nana and Pappy's house.The kids pitched rocks into the lake; Jason, Matt and Mark took each of the kids out in the canoe; and the ladies did their best to keep the kids from plunging into the lake on their own. Unfortunately, Nana was bound to her wheelchair while her leg was recouping from surgery but I think we all had a good time all the same.
Love and Marriage...and Grouches
Steven and Mickie were married in the Palmyra Temple in June. Welcome to the family Mickie! It's late, I know. But I love you just the same. Here are some shots I took on their wedding day. The day was beautiful and everyone was so happy for them and to be part of their day...
Well...not everyone was thrilled about the plans for the day...
Some time into the pictures, it became quite clear...the pictures would be much less stressful if the little kids (grouches) were "out of the picture" so Matt and I took our little three and Maggie elsewhere. They enjoyed the playground immensely! (My new challenge became preventing them from trashing the adorable clothes that Aunt Mickie had given them.)
Well...not everyone was thrilled about the plans for the day...
Some time into the pictures, it became quite clear...the pictures would be much less stressful if the little kids (grouches) were "out of the picture" so Matt and I took our little three and Maggie elsewhere. They enjoyed the playground immensely! (My new challenge became preventing them from trashing the adorable clothes that Aunt Mickie had given them.)
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