House Spruce Up

As much as we adored the duct tape holding some of our stair ballisters together, we decided it was time for a change.  The kids were absolutely thrilled when I told them what I wanted them to do -- kick out a ballister.  I assured them this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.  :)

So, even though these have broken numerous times at the slightest bump, they kicked,

they pulled,

 and then Ted kicked and made one hit my dining room table which caused them to laugh and me to glare so he quickly ran away while the kids continued to laugh,

 and kick,

 until everyone successfully took out a ballister. 

 Then the staircase transformed to this.

 Then to this.

 Until it looked like this.  Now if only the walls were painted a different color.......  :)

 Soon after we began working on our backyard.  This is how it started.

 Then came the destruction of which Sam was happy to be a part.

 And this is where we are now.  Man oh man.  Those beginning pictures don't look so bad to me anymore.  :) 

I decided to document this transformation because it has really been a pain having our backyard out of commission.  The plan is to sink the trampoline, flatten the grass, cover the patio, and add some trees for some increased shade and privacy from the bluff and the trail.  So far we have a lot of dirt, dust, intense heat, and a rock chuck living in the water feature.  Not quite the dream we had in mind yet, but we still are hoping for the best.  Oh, and if you want a rock chuck of your very own in YOUR yard, let us know.  The trap is set and we will deliver.  :)

And we're off! Summer officially begins!

We are off and running.  Sam is running races, starting with the Capital Classic which is a one mile race.  He finished in 7:54.  He was pretty pumped and is now actively training for any race I will let him run.  He begs me every day to let him go running on the treadmill, the track at the school, or just through the  neighborhood.  Yeah, I can't believe he begs for that either. 

Tessa begs every day to have a lemonade stand.  It is so cute to see how serious she is about this production.  She wants it to be fairly profitable too - she wanted to charge $1.50 per glass, but I talked her into lowering her price just a bit.  :)  Now if they could resist drinking their own product, we might break even. 

Meanwhile, Lincoln is busy at tennis camp every day, and is quick to point out that summer time means sleeping in should be an option.  I guess leaving for camp at 7:40 every morning didn't sound so bad during the school year. 

Emma is also enjoying school during the summer.  If she wants to take seminary during the day, then something else had to give, so she is taking PE during the summer time.  The one up side to all of this is that she is able to DRIVE HERSELF!  Woohoo!!!!  That is right -- Emma got her license!!!  And it wasn't just Emma doing the happy dance about that fact.  This means no more driving to and from the school dragging everyone else with me.  This is no small treat for this mama. 

However, in order to keep things real around here Emma did have one other event happen that she isn't as thrilled about.  She got braces - again.  She only has to wear them for a few months, and maybe this time she'll be sure to wear her retainer.  

Yep, summer is bustling right along and I am loving it. 

Tessa graduates from preschool

Tessa has gone and done it.  Despite my every effort to stall her growing up, she went ahead and grew, and she was excited about it. 

She is already talking about going to the same school as Sam

She is planning what to carry in her backpack.

She is coordinating school outfits.

She is making a list of necessary school supplies.

She is drawing pictures to help me remember her when she is at school so I won't be lonely.

She is anxiously awaiting that beloved day when she can ride the school bus.

She is ready for kindergarten.

I'm not.

After two years of preschool with Mrs. Patricia, Tessa graduated, and she was thrilled.  She knows what comes next......Kindergarten.  And although I may not love that she is growing up so quickly, I can't help but catch some of that enthusiasm myself.  

Congratulations, Tessa!  We love you!

Turning 40!

This year my birthday was on Mother's Day, so I was esecially pampered, but I was still grumpy.  Turning 40 is not going to hit my "highlight reel." 

That being said, I didn't have any good reason to be a grump (other than the fact that turning old stinks and the fact that I relate to Barbara Bush who looked more like George Sr.'s

mother than his wife and Ted gets a few gray hairs and looks "distinguished" and I get gray and look like an old mother hubbard,  but I digress....) 

I was greeted with a homemade "smoothie" made by Tessa which consisted of strawberries and bananas sliced into a cup - her specialty.  I have a great husband who puts up with my neverending list of house projects, and I have sweet kids who remembered to pamper me all day long.

And I have sweet sisters who remembered to send me this lovely bouquet (even though I am sure they were itching to send me the old vulture cookie bouquet!)

I love you all.  Maybe 40 won't be so bad after all. 

Now if you'll excuse me, it is 3:30 in the afternoon so I better get ready for the early bird buffet at Golden Corral!  :)

Reunion in Savannah, Georgia!

Every decade (yes, you read that correctly) we vowed that we would get together and celebrate our birthdays.  I can't believe it has been 10 years since we met in New York to have a gals weekend together.  Most of our communication these days takes place in the form of birthday emails and Christmas cards, but it was great to be together again and catch up. 

We spent the days looking at the architecture, the scenery, the antique shops, eating some AMAZING southern cuisine, and just laughing late into the night. 

Liz (Bleyl) Morgan, Sarah (Johnson) Grabarz, Shellie (Marz) Hutchinson, and Leslie (Thompson) Wagner. 

Friends since second grade. 

Happy 40th Girls!

Easter 2012

Spring Break 2012

For spring break this year the kids came to us anxiously awaiting to hear what adventure we would be taking.  Two years ago it was Disneyland.  Last year it was a cruise.  You can imagine their enthusiasm when we told them we were heading to Shoshone Falls and then Lava Hot Springs.  Actually, they were really excited thinking these were exotic locations which involved many plane changes.  When we explained that we would be driving to Twin Falls and then over towards Idaho Falls, their enthusiasm seemed to wane a little bit.  However, we had one saving grace in our pocket:  we were meeting our good friends, the Lancasters, over in Lava Hot Springs.  When they heard this they perked right up and got excited. 

Shoshone Falls was beautiful but FREEZING.  They were more excited to head to Chili's and get some dinner.  :)

The next day we headed over to Lava Hot Springs.  We were a little nervous when we saw the hotel.  I believe Ted's actual text to Frank said, "What the heck?  Norman Bates says hello."  Frank thought it was hilarious - the kids were a little nervous.  When we emphasized that it was all part of the adventure then they managed to perk up again.

We had a great time sitting in the springs, playing games, and having the kids run back and forth between rooms was perfect for them - and us!

All in all it was a great spring break.  Thanks for everything Lancasters!  Our kids are already asking when we are going back!