Back at it

I was on a hiatus from blogging after my Blogger app on my phone stopped working on my phone. Long story short, I fell out of the habit blogging and poor GG had to search high and low for pictures of my for my 38th birthday card. Sorry G.G.

Here's a brief update since fall.

The kids got older and bigger

Laura is embracing her artistic talents

Sam was in basketball, wrestling, & soccer

The kids had fabulous teachers this year in school 

I started writing a children's book called The Silent E Speaks

I taught a morphology class with two other Ankeny teachers 

Eric has a new role at Deere (I can't remember the official title)

We had a surprise retirement party for GG (she was really surprised)

Sam got second place overall (and 1st place for his age group) in the Long Grove Strawberry Stampede. He was so confused why he got a first place trophy when he really came in second 

I'm sure forgot some important events but those were the main highlights since the fall. I'm uploading some pictures of the highlights as well. 

Hooray for summer!

I asked Laura, "Did your art teacher teach you how to draw like that?" Laura's response, "No Mom, I'm an artist."

Post Dam to Dam race

Building a fort with Grandma

Even though we surprised GG on her last day teaching at school, she STILL had popsicles on hand for all the grandchildren. 

Sam's trophy says first place...

But he really got second place.

Jayson really likes Eric. 

Maisie reading Goose Bumps aloud to Laura & Molly. 

Laura doesn't need glasses, she's wearing these for fashion. 

Teaching big kids. 

Father's Day hike

Sam took a picture of me while at tennis camp. My summer look, hat and pony tail. 

We love watermelon!

Fall

My iphone update messed up my Blogger app which has really thrown off my blogging. Ahh, first world, problems right. I have a whole season practically to catch up on so I'm going to just leave it to fall dump. The words fall and dump takes me back to our 2010 Squirrel Hunt...ahem, Mike Boyd. Nevertheless, enjoy~

You know you're home when there is an Ewolk tower, 9x13 cake pan, pie pans, & not 1 but 2 bundt pans in the sandbox.

Homemade playdoh and every cookie cutter under the sun is also a sign you're home.

Sam's first time shooting a real gun.

Sam reading "Sam and Papa".

He is reading The Little Red Hen to GG. GG knows this story well. ;-)

The Miss America Program from 1997 never gets old for Laura.

Our ninja & witch

Sam had a surprise donut on his sixth birthday!

Laura got her hair cut and styled. She suddenly looks 15.

At the recycling center Sam insisted on unpacking all of the cardboard himself. He's planning to apply at Fareway next week.

Making cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving

Laura saved Grandma a seat at Thanksgiving

Uncle Mark is so much fun and is always eager to play with the kids when he visits.

Laura likes to give you 6 sixes with the last kiss on the nose which feels like a dog licking your nose.

Grandma and the kids made a gingerbread turkey, the kids couldn't wait to eat it.

We went on an adventure to Ledges during Thanksgiving break.

Laura organized the pantry

We don't have many leaves in our yard so we went to a park with our rakes to make a giant leaf pile to play in.











Eric came prepared.





8

It's birthday party time at our house. We've celebrated Laura's 8th birthday with an art party with 8 wild girls. We painted an ice cream cone on canvas and I was doing my best to channel my inner Bob Ross, but he never showed. The masterpieces were definitely unique and it amazes me how different they all turned out despite receiving the same instructions. 

Laura was very specific this year about the cake so we watched some you-tube videos and bought the frosting from Hy-Vee's bakery. I'm pretty sure the girl in the bakery pulled a "Heidi" as I got a boat load of butter cream frosting for $3.99. Got to love those bakery and deli girls.

My girl is 8, wants a Fitbit for her birthday, loves to party plan and get her craft on. It's like she's been here forever, but at the same time it feels like she just arrived. How can that be?!