Happy Birthday Sam!

Sam always making silly faces in photos :)

My youngest son turns 15 today. Unbelievable. I know I am not alone - every mother can't believe how fast their children grow up. I sit here, yet again, in dis-belief that Sam is already 15. I remember well those pudgy baby arms reaching for me. We have had a tough year full of "teenage angst" but I  love him like crazy and have faith that the coming year will be better. Lots of fresh starts looming - his freshman year in high school starts in two days, he is playing volley ball on the high school team, he will get his learners permit in 6 months and so much more. Happy Birthday Sam! I love you more then you could know and am wishing you nothing but happiness and smooth sailing in your 15th year! 

Vacation! Ashville, NC

I had a hard time getting together a vacation this summer with all kinds of crazy schedules going on but I was determined. Unfortunately Sam couldn't come due to Volleyball practices but Abbie, Jacob and I headed to Ashville on August 13th for 5 days. It was a nice drive (only 6 and 1/2 hours from Richmond) and went quickly because we listened to Harry Potter on audio :) Here are a few photos from our trip:

 

The first night - yummy and sinful pizza - red potato, cheese and bacon.

 Followed by a movie in our room.

 

A few minutes after we pulled into Biltmore Estate we saw this Mama and her babies - so cute!

We took an awesome go at your own pace audio tour of Biltmore. Abbie and Jacob taking a break on the balcony.

Abbie's capture of a humming bird in the gardens.

One of many, many photos of the gardens at Biltmore.

The next day headed back to Biltmore and went horse back riding. It is so beautiful on the grounds!

Some of the horses.

Our last day, we went to a near by State Park and enjoyed a relaxing day in nature.

Abbie and Jacob at the falls.

 

Jacob enjoying the park.

All in all a fun, relaxing, family bonding time! LOVED it! (Thanks Mom and Dad! - This was our Christmas gift from last year - awesome!)

Let's Ride!

For Jacob's birthday back in June I got him a ride in an Indy Car. The day finally came and we headed to the track yesterday. My boy has been crazy about anything with a motor since I can remember and as he has gotten older he has fine tuned his love of cars. It was an exciting day for him and I was so happy to be a part of it :)

Getting suited up for the ride:

Here he goes:

Getting all buckled in and ready to ride at speeds of 170mph (yikes!):

A happy camper after his ride with his new tire (it is a boy thing that I certainly don't understand but I was surprised to see him stopped by several grown men asking where he got that tire and wanting one for themselves! lol)

Have a great weekend!

Ahhhh summer! Part of me loves it and the other part is having trouble adjusting to the lack of structure. That will all change next week when Sam starts summer school - he has to be there by 7:30 so we (him and I at least) will be back to getting up early and maybe going to bed at a reasonable time. He is off every Friday so I am thinking that would be a great day to schedule some "family fun days!"

Since my kids are teens now - they are going in all different directions - so I think a designated day will be great :) Today I plan to pin them down and ask each child for input then put it on the calendar (That is key for me - if it is not on the calendar it never seems to happen.)

I love having a map - even if the day just says "be lazy" Here is to a plan!

8th Grade Dance

Short Pump Middle School held the 8th grade dance last night and Sam was excited to go. We met his date and a few couples that were going together before the dance to take some quick photos. Then off they went! When I picked up Sam from the after party - he said it was the best time he had had all year! So glad he will have this happy memories. Thought I would share a few of the photos I took (I am sure I will have many more from the actual dance as the kids start posting them online!)

Here are a few with Sam and his date Kaitlyn:

Just the guys:

Just the girls:

The whole group:

Remember when we were that young?

Courage

(Jacob ready for ROTC Feb 2012)

Last night my oldest son (in 10th grade) handed me a form from school and declares "I have decided to run for student counsel historian" I am ashamed to admit that my first thoughts were all hesitation - What if no one votes for him? What if he slacks off and does a bad job? What if it requires a bunch of work/nagging from me? What if he is disappointed?

Yes, I almost let my own insecurities discourage my son - almost! I caught myself and talked with him in a positive way about why he wanted to do it and the possible outcomes good and bad. Without knowing it HE helped me to understand it will be OK either way. You see my son is obviously more secure then his mama and I am so very proud of him! So campaign and elections here he comes!

Friday Fill-ins 11/13/09

Abbie and her class pet Juliet 11/09

1.) The last band I saw live was Kenny Chesney.
2.) What I look forward most to on Thanksgiving is having company.
3.) My Christmas shopping is just getting under way.
4.)Thoughts of my mom and sister fill my head.
5.) I wish I could wear tank tops.
6.) Bagpipes remind me of Ireland.
7.) And as for the weekend, tonight I am looking forward to pizza and TV, tomorrow my plans include hanging some pictures and filling our new bookcase, and Sunday, I want to scrapbook (but not sure what we have in store!)

Hope you all have a great weekend ahead!

Best Shot Monday - 10/19/09

My sweet Abbie. Taken at the Melting Pot while celebrating her 11th birthday :)

8 Things: About Abbie

Abbie taken Sept 2009 while mini-golfing

Today is Abbie's eleventh birthday. How can my sweet baby girl be 11? I am so lucky and blessed to have a daughter like Abbie! For my 8 things Wednesday I thought it would be a great time to share 8 Things I love about Abbie :)

1.) She is driven. She sets a goal and goes after it - whether it is saving money or playing soccer - she works hard to get the job done.

2.) She is beautiful. Of course, I can not help but look at her through a mothers eyes but everyday I catch a glimpse of beauty in her.

3.) She is silly. She is not afraid to let loose and joke around - giggle and have fun.

4.) She is an animal lover. She loves animals of all kinds and I am so proud that she is taking the steps to volunteer at our local shelter.

5.) She is smart. Amazingly so - it is such a comfort to always hear good reports about Abbie when I hear from teachers.

6.) She is caring. She is always willing to lead a hand - she makes efforts to help the environment, her classmates, her family and her friends.

7.) She is changing. Each new day she seems to change in subtle ways as she reaches toward the teen years. It is amazing to watch it happen.

8.) She is a mama's girl. From the time she was born Abbie and I have had a special bond - she has always reached for me first and I am more then happy to have my arms wide open to welcome her.

Happy Birthday Baby - I love you so very much!

Friday Fill-ins 10/9/09

We got "boo'd" a few nights ago with a hit and run goody bag left on the porch. Fun! The kids had even more fun sneaking out after dark to leave our "boos" on two other neighborhood porches. :)

1. Sweet dreams is what I almost always have - I have only had a hand full of bad dreams in my lifetime.

2. It is so hard to get up when it is dark outside, especially for me.

3. Silliness in the form of made up songs is common around our home!

4. I think we will have more kids then ever stop at our house this Halloween.

5. Outstanding or not, I do not agree with Obama getting the Peace Prize.

6. Sweets are what I want right now! (I have been wanting sweets in the worst way lately!)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting back to the gym then a movie with the kids, tomorrow my plans include watching Abbie play soccer then finishing up getting ready for my parents visit and Sunday, I want to spend time with my Mom and Dad!

Hoping all my Canadian friends have a happy Thanksgiving this weekend!

Best Shot Monday - 10/05/09

Hmmmm...Monday already is it? Not sure why but the photos on my camera from this past week were sadly lacking. So today I will share some photos of my daughter who has very straight hair. We have talked for awhile that it would be fun to put lots of braids in then take them out so she could have "fluffy hair." We did just that - it was fun for a day :)

Before:After:

Have a good week!

Friday Fill-ins 9/4/09

Sam and Abbie with Zoe (the kids where calling her a river rat)

She can swim well but would rather be on the rocks sun bathing! Aug 09

Friday Fill-ins :)

1. I feel bad taking Zoe to be boarded - I know she is fine but I still feel sad leaving her there.

2. Traveling is always fun.

3. Right now, I can hear these things: county music playing softly from Abbie's room, a lawn mower outside, a video game and Don talking on the phone.

4. Summer is almost over and I'm glad we packed in a lot of fun activities!

5. The last time I scrapbooked with friends was July - I miss having friends to scrap with!

6. Looking forward to a family trip this Labor day weekend.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to arriving in Baltimore Maryland and checking out the harbor a bit, tomorrow my plans include taking in more of the city and a Baltimore Orioles baseball game and Sunday, I want to go to the Baltimore Aquarium!

Hope you all have a great weekend! Oh and Happy, Happy Birthday to my friend Lee!!

Happy Birthday Sam!

We have been celebrating Sam's 12th birthday! First was mini-golf and go-karts, then dinner at the melting pot, pineapple upside down cake (by request) and presents.

In honor of my middle son, I thought I would share 15 things about Sam today...

*He loves to sing and listens to a very wide variety of music.
*He likes to to collect things - currently it is old gameboy color games.
*He is full of drama - both good and bad.
*He likes the colors red and black.
*He keeps his room neat.
*He has a natural swagger when he walks.
*He has curly hair that when he decides to take time with it will make the girls swoon.
*He still likes pokemon and legos but doesn't always like to admit it.
*He hates to be rubbed but likes to be hugged.
*He is a movie buff (and especially loves old ones).
*He is a middle child and has lots of the characteristics that goes along with that.
*He needs to be entertained and always likes to be with someone.
*He is good eater - will try anything and is not picky at all.
*He is 12 and starts middle school (6th grade) on September 8th.
*He is loved.

Happy Birthday Sam!

It is that time again...

I made this page about the spring soccer season based on a sketch by Tracy Kosofsky from the Sketchapalooza 4 class at Feeling Scrappy.

The fall soccer season has started and Abbie is raring to go. She really loves the game. It is such a pleasure to be a part of something that your child loves so much. Go Strikers!

The Zoo

Today I took Jacob and Abbie to the zoo here in Richmond (Sam didn't go due to his behavior but that is another story...) The zoo here is fairly small and privately owned therefore very different from our Omaha zoo.

I was couldn't believe how active the animals were today! I was thinking with it being in the 90s the animals would all be lazing around but not so they were very active and entertaining. We had a great time - although I have to say that I never met a zoo I didn't like. Something about strolling along at your own pace with your family watching the antics of animals makes me so happy!

Here are a few photos from our day :)

Abbie feeding the birds:
Jacob with his bird:

The coolest thing was feeding the giraffe: