Summer Time

Houston Symphony Star Spangled Salute 2009

39 days into summer...41 more to go. We are right at the 1/2 way point. (not that I'm counting down...) It's been an easy going summer with lots of swimming to cool down in the 100+ degree heat. We are heading on vacation this week. We are driving to Utah. This will be a first time for Madelyn, King Max and I to be in the car for longer than 12 hrs (the boys drove down here when we moved). Any tips to survive? Hopefully, we'll make it there still speaking to each other. We haven't been back for 2 years..can't wait to see our nieces and nephews that have grown up to much. We'll be back the first part of August and I'll have plenty of pictures and stories to tell...

The other day, we pulled out the map to show the kids how we would be driving there and we decided to count how many states we've been to. How many states have you traveled? After this trip, this is how many we will have be to.

Matt 44

Natalie 27

Christopher 22

Garrett 21

Madelyn 20

Enjoy your last half of summer!

July Birthdays

Trang (left) was my next door neighbor until she moved to Kuala Lumpur last year. She came for a visit this past week and we were able to spend some time together. It was fun seeing her and her family. We miss her spunky personality in our neighborhood. Happy Birthday, Trang on July 13th.

Allison (middle) has been a great friend to me since we moved here. She is very thoughtful and is always thinking of others. She should have been a full time employee at the school for as many hours as she volunteers. My kids love to play with her kids so it makes it fun to get together. Have a great Birthday on the 23rd, Allison.

Happy Father's Day!

We love our Dads, Grandpas, Uncles and Brothers. Hope you have a wonderful day!

Cub Scout Camp 2009

BB Guns ~ What boy wouldn't love this?

Snakes came to camp too.

Madelyn came as a "Me Too". Looks like her buddy got their teachers walkie talkie....oops

Garrett liked archery.

Christopher and his Webelos Pack after attending an Engineering session and making annoying buzzers. We took those right back to camp...

Garrett and his Wolf pack. What a bunch of silly 8 year olds. We combined with another pack and had nineteen 8 year olds...boy, do I feel for those teachers at school...

I spent 2 days with Garrett's group.

And another 2 days with Christopher's group.

The last day is Family Day and the boys love when the fire truck comes and sprays them all down. 365 days till we'll be doing this all again...

Summer is Here!

The last week of school is party, party, and more party. Garrett performing for his "reading restaurant". He served up his best "stories" he had written during the 2nd Grade.

Field Day is always a Blast!

Christopher with his friend Andrew.

Garrett with his teacher, Ms. Bacon. Garrett has grown up so much this year. He has really come out of his shell and has loved 2nd Grade.

Christopher earned his Bear in Cub Scouts!

Madelyn had a great Birthday! Matt even got to take a "hooky" day from work. Matt had been in Seattle/Oregon the whole week before and his luggage was left in the Denver Airport, so his boss let him stay home. Happy 13th years to us that day as well. Since we have had a child born on our anniversary...forget the anniversary, the child's birthday always comes first.

Christopher rock wall climbing

We've squeezed in some movies and swimming too. We loved the movie Up. Bring some tissues!

What we have mainly been doing though for the last 14 out of 16 days...(yes, I said that right) is playing baseball. I thought we were done for the season, but Garrett made the ALLSTAR team, so our season was extended. Way to Go, Nationals! They played with their heart and fought right up to the end. Garrett was very honored to be on the team. It may be a once in a lifetime chance since there are so many great baseball players where we play.

Slide Home, Garrett!

Our Big #12

I found this picture on my camera...Madelyn must have taken it...Max loves to sit with me on the computer!

Well, next week is cub scout camp. Hope we survive the HEAT!

Madelyn's Birthday

Happy 5th Birthday!

M- Madelyn is Motherly.  Even though she is the youngest, she still mothers her brothers.  

A- Madelyn is Artsy.  She loves markers, crayons, stickers, glitter glue, scissors, paint etc.

D- Madelyn is Delightful.  I am going to miss my little buddy when she goes to Kindergarten this Fall.

E- Madelyn is Energetic.  She runs from sun up to sun down.  

L- Madelyn is Ladylike.  She loves necklaces, bracelets, lotions, fingernail polish etc. 

Y- Madelyn is the Youngest.  She fits the mold for the Youngest Child.  We all know what that means!

N- Madelyn is Noble. The name Madelyn means 'Woman from Magdala'.  The name originates from the follower of Jesus named Mary Magdalene, who scholars believe means Mary from Magdala.

June Birthdays

My friend, Chelsea Pace's birthday is June 6th.  Chelsea is great at anything she tries.  She has taken up crocheting since she moved and you should see the things she can make.  We miss her (and her family) in Texas but she is having an awesome adventure in Seattle.  Happy Birthday, Chelsea!  

Brooke Robbins' birthday is June 10th.  I went to High School with Brooke in Utah and now I live within a mile of her here in Texas.  Small world!  It's been fun to get to know her better! Happy Birthday, Brooke.

Leslie Sorenson's birthday is June 19th.  (Leslie is third from the right) I have been friends with Leslie for 20 years and she is still the same fun girl.  She always has me laughing.  I am glad I got to spend time with her before she moves to Hershey Pennsylvania this month.  Good Luck with the move across country, hopefully you'll have time to celebrate your birthday in the middle of all the craziness.