Blowing Bubbles

Mackenzie finally learned how to blow a bubble with gubblebum. (that's
what she called it when she was little.)

Soccer tournament

Hanging out at Christina's soccer tournament.

Christina's First Communion

Christina had her first communion at St. David's Lutheran church.
She looked very beautiful (we don't do the 'white dress.')
She celebrated with some friends at an ice cream parlor in the afternoon.

(nice bunch of girls... so ladylike!)

Glug glug glug

I'm not into political commentary, but I just hit $62 for a tank of
gas! Holy cow!

Sent from my iPhone

Mothers Day

How many moms get a Rip-stick for Mothers Day? Plus I got to run a 5k race this morning. Johns cooking up a feast for me and his mom today. Doesnt' get any better than this.



Okay, I wasn't quite so smooth at first....

Working at the Car Washer

It was so beautiful out, we washed the car!

Yesterday was the usual madness: John left with Christina for an early soccer game while I made pancakes for the triplets and the friend who slept over. John came back and took Matt to his baseball game, then to coach Christina's softball team. There was a delay getting Courtney to a birthday party when I locked us out of the house, but fortunately Mike was at Christina's game and drove over with John's keys (on his cool new motorcycle!). Courtney got to her party, and Mackenzie made her soccer game on time. I was even able to get my hair cut before going out to dinner with all my running buddies and their spouses.

Friday Fun Night

We planned on going to the Cradle of Aviation Museum, but ended up at Dave & Busters. They don't serve beer at the museum, as John says.

A beautiful day

We planned to go to the Cradle of Aviation, but the beach was a better
idea. Good thing we brought towels!

Museum of Natural History

We started our week off from school with a trip into NYC. So much for educational endeavors, their favorite part was climbing rocks in Central Park.

Little Ladies Dance

Christina, Mackenzie, and Courtney looked beautiful in their pretty dresses for the dance. John got them all corsages, and took them out to dinner.
I went to Matthew's baseball game. He got so muddy he needed to change before going out to dinner. We decided instead to get some pizza on the way home and make ice cream sundaes while watching Speed Racer videos.

Forgot One. Again.

I forgot Courtney at gymnastics. Again. Oops.
It was another run-around-crazy day. John and Christina left early in the morning for her soccer game. Mackenzie and Courtney came with me to Matthew's baseball parade at 9:00. We walked from Birch Lane Elementary to Burns Park, and waited (and waited and waited) for team photos. At 10:45 we saw Mackenzie's soccer coach, and she walked over to warm up for her game. John arrived with Christina, and took over waiting for the team photos while Courtney and Christina came home with me. (Are you still with me?) They ate, I put Charlie Brown in a box, and on the way to gymnastics we passed John's car. We stopped, Christina jumped out to go with him so they could go to her softball practice at 1:00. I leave Courtney and bring Charlie Brown to the vets. He has mites. As I'm cleaning his cage, Courtney calls and wonders when I'm going to pick her up. Oops.
But wait, there's more! When everyone ends up back home, I have just enough time to run, shower and take Christina to her friend's birthday party. We don't have a gift, so I head for the mall. We get home just as Courtney's friend arrives for a sleepover. The friend's dad helps John get the garage door open, which got jammed closed. It's open by the time I get back with pizza for dinner. Christina and I go back out to buy her a new softball bat.
Is it any wonder I forget one, once in a while?

Expert Night

Christina put together a really nice presentation about Search and Rescue Dogs for her magnet class 'Expert Night.' Even though she scrambled the night before to put together her display board because she thought it was actually next week, it turned out very well. She was awesome at explaining her research to her visitors, even offering dog cookies (for people) and dog treats (for pet owners).
And guess what! Courtney, Mackenzie and Matthew have all been accepted into the magnet program! Yay for us.

Easter in Maryland

No matter where we go, the Easter Bunny manages to leave lots and lots of goodies. This year we spent it with Peter, Laura, Maxx and Kyle in Maryland. Allen and Donna were there, too!

On Saturday we all took a trip into Washington, DC to see the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Viet Nam War Memorial, WWII Memorial, and the Hope Diamond at the Museum of Natural History.

The Whole Gang
Ice Cream for Dessert, Kyle-style:

Mom Rips It!

I borrowed Matthew's friend's ripstick, and with just a little skinned knee started riding it.


Christina got it after awhile, too, but it's not as easy as it looks...

Toby Ate It

Just when we thought he'd consumed the weirdest thing so far, our dog Toby continues to amaze us with his appetite. Today we came home to find him in his cage, and he'd chewed up and eaten his own collar! To see more bizarre comestibles, check out the list at Toby8it.blogspot.com, or use the link at the right.

Sledding at Cedar Creek Park

Christina's Wipeout

Snow Day!

Finally! A Snow Day! Unfortunately the kids were already home from school all week. They suited up and were outside after breakfast. They came in for some hot chocolate, and were back out after lunch, doing all the required snow day activities: building snow forts, snowball fight, making a snowman (cowboy theme this time), and shoveling the driveway. They even shoveled for the old lady down the street, who gave them a bag of Ghiradelli chocolates for their efforts.

Science Fair

Only two entrants this year. (Go figure - last year all four participated, despite everything we were dealing with!)

Mackenzie tested her theory that chocolate tastes good, no matter what brand or what price.
Christina compared which made better pets, dogs from shelters or breeders.

Happy New Year!

It can only get better...

Merry Christmas!

Gifts that got the biggest screams... ipod, fuzion scooter, fly pen, nintendo ds, diamond bracelet (me). Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas!