Life with my Three E's

2011-04-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

Easter!

2011-04-25T13:48:00.001-07:00

I trust everyone one had a wonderful Easter as we did. It was a quiet one, but a blessed one. I was for one not ready for another holiday. But I am glad to say we don't have to be all in the commercialized hoop-la of the holiday to remember what was done for us those years ago and still applies to us today. He was, He IS, and He will be forevermore! I did manage to snag a few pictures fo the boys. Aunt Becky was able to take some coloring the eggs and baskets, which are on facebook.

2011-04-18T09:15:00.000-07:00

Life has been good but very busy...... This is another time of year that seems to be crazy, the end of the school year. It is winding down, and I am glad another school year is coming to an end. There is a lot of decisions to be made by schools end and I am seeking what the He has planned for us in the future. Whatever it is I know that it will be what is best for us.

We had a nice spring break full of advententure. Now that we can look back on it..... Our second night in the tent and we were hit with a storm that had 40 mh winds. It scared the boys, we were right on the water and they were afraid we were going to be swept away to sea. One thought that we were in a tornado when I quickly woke them and told them to get into the van. They told us while they were in the van and we were quickly trying to gather everything that they were praying for mommy and daddy to be safe. So to the tent was never put back up but with mommy to the rescue I was able to to rearrange the van each night to make comfy beds to sleep on (thankful for stow away back seats) then each morning put everything back for our driving trips. Alot more work than I had intended but it worked out ok. Just wished we would have had a little bit more cooler breezes at night. We made it though. It is something to look back on and have great memories. We would like to go back again, only next time with a camper or hotel.

2011-02-20T12:51:00.000-08:00

"Guess What..." Family Night

I was anxiously awaiting to tell the boys in the morning what the theme would be for this family night by saying, "Family night is....guess what" and they would answer, "what" and then would start the "who's on First" dialog. But I was sorely disappointed when I failed to hear my alarm and Evan hearing his (what are the odds). I awoke with a panic rush to get the boys and their lunches, backpacks and instruments off to school.

I was excited more to do this family night more than others for some reason. I had fun doing it. I used the boxes seen in the picture for all three parts of my family night.
1. Home from school snack. And a good way to introduce our fun night ahead.
Here are the clues for the boxes and see if you can figure them out. By the way. I was not feeling the creative juices for my clues. and I may not remember the clues to exact wording that I had on them at the time.

a. tallest box: I am sometimes straight and sometimes twisted. Sometimes salted, sometimes, not.

b. green box : I melt in your mouth

c. the "woody" tin: Charlie Brown may not think me to be a snack but a title.

d. the little purple box: You may hang me on your Christmas tree but am enjoyed all year round.

e. smaller red box: when not a snack people use me to pull things but as a snack I am black and also come in red.

I wrapped some of the boxes pushing the flaps in so the bottom is open and it is easy and fun to lift up the box to reveal the surprise. I just used left over Christmas wrapping paper. The boys didn't mind. Well I don't think they did. They didn't say a word about it.

So did you figure them out. Easy ah?

a. stick pretzels

b. m&m 's

c. Peanuts

d. A bag of microwave popcorn

e. Black licorice

They could read as many clues as they wanted but when they selected one and revealed their surprise they had to stick with it. I will later revise this to when you find your surprise you can keep it our give it up for good and select a another surprise. It may or may not be better than what you started with.

I went to the store and purchased a differnent meal (I took grandpa with me so that 6 choices). I tried to think of different things and easy to make. I was going to make one a breakfast meal and forgot. Here is what I came up with and a clue

Mac and cheese with applesauce and drink ........ "I'm the cheesest"

BBQ nugget lunchable with pudding, and drink ....... I said something about cowboy and sauce

Sweet and sour chicken and rice in a stream tray.....In chapel they were told about sweet and sour frog. so I put something about, "Frog anyone? That I am not but I am sweet and ?"

Kids Cuzine......I am every kids favorite cusine

MC Pot pie and glass of milk.......by my name you would think that I was made in a pot and sweet. to both I am not.

and last

A flatbread of chicken and peppers and drink........I am as flat as a skunk in the middle of the road(remember I have boys and boys like that kind of gross stuff) but I smell and taste better with peppers inside.

Last of all the third part was the games. I did the same for the different games I selected. We played Apples to apples......you are the apple of my eye
39 Clues game.......do you have a clue what this game may be
skip-bo.......you dont want to skip this game

The boys really enjoyed the night. It was alot of fun. They enjoyed it so much they wanted me to do the same thing with their chores the next morning. I did, but a little differently I took some old blank cards that I had and numbered them 1-4 and put a different chore on each one. After the secound or third round. I slipped in a fun thing to do like. Read a book until the others are done with their chore. and this where we revised the game to, you may trade but you have to keep it. so the chore may be better or worse than the one you already picked but you dont know!

Now what in the world do I do next week?

Family Night

2011-01-09T17:12:00.001-08:00

Friday night is our family night. The boys look forward to it every week. I try and come up with different ideas for such an occasion. Some times things fall into place and other nights I just want to sit down with the boys and have popcorn and watch a movie. Most of the time I have a starting idea waiting to be embelished on, when the day arrvies, but usually does not break free, until that very day. I confess not all my ideas bloom into a wonderful family night and I am just stuck wondering what I can do.

Now during the Holiday rush we do many "holidayish" things so we tend to stay from the friday night, but now that school is back in swing, so is our family night. Not to be confused with Tuesday night game night which is a whole other topic.

To my friends who have asked me for ideas and for myself seeking creativiy from my friends. I post this so we can share, and all happy families be. (oh well besides the loads of laundry wishing to smells clean, dirty dishes itching to be scrubbed, and the dog.....you get the picture.) My house is not always in order(hardly at all, at the same time). But my boys will not be boys forever and the time will be here before I know it. They will be men with a life of memories and a heart full of love. A love for God and family!

So hopefully we can share ideas, thoughts and stories!

2010-05-16T15:11:00.000-07:00

So I was going to update with so pictures but it seems there was an error in loading and I am not up to messing with it right now. So I will update with no pictures. It has been a while since I have done any kind of updating on here. I am not going to try and get everything in but, I want to praise the Lord for being with me in the good and in the bad.
Last summer I was privaleged to go with Ethan on a TLC trip to Alaska. It was a wonderful trip. We were able to help in VBS twice a day up in Minto. And also helping get things ready for the next VBS after we left. The guys on the team also helped chink and chop wood for the church. It was a great experience I had with Ethan. We met some wonderful people while we where there along with the team from UBC and our own team members.
Ethan celebrated his 8th birthday when we returned and enjoyed 2 weeks of band camp learning the trumpet. Starting school was a blurr other than Easton started Pre-K half a day. Wasnt ready for that, but felt he needed it. I think it may be a blur because mom found out she had cancer and was planning for surgery and later had to start radiation.
In October the boys dressed up as Narnia characters. Easton as Aslan and the other two as Peter and Henry. For Thanksgiving it was nice to have Grandma Jackson here. We had a nice dinner and enjoyed some shopping together. Then in December we were able to take a nice Christmas road trip out west for Christmas break. We were able to visit the Alamo, The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Vegas, Santa Monica beach, and most of all our family in Phoenix. Papa, Mimi, and Ryan, and Shelby. It was a great trip. We were to go to a reunion but the boys and I ended up flying back to Florida to get them back to school and so Rodney could spend a little more time in Phoenix. I was going to try and get a ticket for the following day of the reunion but Rodney beat me to purchasing the tickets. I felt really bad that I missed some dear friends but hopefully we will get to see them another time.
In January things turned upside down for our family. The day of the Haiti earthquake my mother was taken to ER and we found that her cancer had come back and spread to her lungs, liver and abdomen. She had just started her second dose of internal radiation. She had finished her exturnal radiation before the holidays. It was decided that she would start her chemo. She had been in so much pain and didnt want to eat much. It was hard to watch. The chemo made her sesitive to light, sound and touch. She went back into the hospital and then released. She seemed to be in better spirits. I thought she would make it out of this. I thought it was just a bump in the road. But she still kept complaining of her pain. And then Sarah came down for a visit. She went with us to mom's last Dr's visit. On the way home she wanted to stop at the park by the water where the boats go by. I took her there one time on the way back from one of her radiation treatments. It is nice place to watch the boats. The week end she just seemed to decline. Finally on Sunday Sarah called me and said mom was calling for me so I went over and she said she wanted me to call emergency. I called her Dr and they told me to take her to ER so I did. She was having trouble breathing so the first thing they did was put her on oxygen. It was so hard to watch her go through this and it was so hard not to touch and hold her hand. She didnt want any of it. but yet she was still concerned about us in in her pain and suffering. she wanted me to take dad home. None of us knew this would be her last few hours. We still thought they would get her feeling better. so finally I told her I would take dad home and Becky would come and Sarah would stay with her. Before Becky made it there the Dr came to Sarah and was telling her things and she wanted Becky to hurry and get there. Becky called me and told me that they said there was nothing they could do to help her and that they were going to call hospice and bring her home. Well, then she called back and said they couldnt get hospice there soon enough because she was not going to make it through the night. And they didnt want to move her from ER because it would be too much they felt for her. Well by they time we made it back to the hospital and Rodney brought the boys and Pastor Vernon they felt maybe they should go ahead and move her to a room. I am so glad they did. By then they were able to have her resting comfortably but she was no longer awake. Just resting peacefuly in her room. not long after being in her room we all stood by her side and then she took her last breath. It was hard to see but you know God gave her that breath and He took that breath. We have no questions to where she is right now because of the life she lived. I thank God for her example. I was a blur the next couple of weeks. We had a viewing here in Florida for our dear friends here. I was pleased by short notice and word of mouth that we had about 70 some come for the viewing. There was such and outpouring of help from our church family here. The Lord has certainly blessed us. Then we went up to Michigan for two more viewings and and her funeral. She wanted to be burried by her grandmother who lead her to Christ. Even though it was a hard time it was also great to see so many people that we have not seen is so long. It was nice to have Pastor Bullock, Pastor Sickmiller, and Pastor Durr speak. And I know mom would have been so proud of her grandsons who sang while Ethan played "oh how I love Jesus.". The church ladies did a wonderful job with the lunchon afterward. The Durrs were so great in allowing us to stay with them while we were there. They were great host. And the boys loved playing with the "big kids"
The next couple of months has had its moments but God is always with us. We had a nice Easter with Dad and Becky. And this past Sunday was Mothers Day. We just relaxed with a picnic at the same park we went to with mom, remembering what she did and the things she enjoyed.
Now it is the busy end of the year school activities. many field trips and other activities. To add to the excitement. Evan and are going to Domincan Republic this summer and are helping with fundraisers with our team. Yard sales, dinners, car washes, bake sales, and Evan's lemonade stand. And anything else we can think of to help raise money for our trip. So if you pass me and I dont say Hello. I may be sleep walking. Have a great summer everyone! After our Dominican trip we will be going up north for most of the summer, but thats another blog. So there is scratch of an update.

Memorial Day 2009

2009-05-25T16:25:00.001-07:00

Memorial Day 2009

After have some rather rainy days, Memorial Day couldnt have been any more perfect. It wasnt to hot. The sun was out and just a little wind.

Just a little more windy on the pier.

Ethan was happy but Evan just hit his nose on a metal bar and the sun was getting to a boy who hadnt had a nap. Thus the black and white. They did enjoy themselves though. lol

2009-05-05T10:45:00.000-07:00

Spring Break Road Trip 2009

This year I wanted to visit family and friends while on our spring break. So we went to Michigan for Easter Week-end and Mammoth Cave was our other main focus.

Starting out on our long treck to Michigan. We made it 11 hours with one stop! All the way into Tennessee. It was a good thing too because of the storm we would have had to go through if we didnt. Here are the boys snug in the back. I thought we did pretty good packing for seven people. We also had to bring extra bedding and towels for the tipi's and cabin. We got everything in and nothing on the top or in my view in the back. All for a 11 day trip!

We made it to Sarahs on Friday and Becky the boys and I spent Saturday with her and our friends.

We took time out to visit the Easter bunny of course!

Easton and Austin

Ethan, Patrick and Evan

Clay and I

Saturday Sarah, Becky and the boys and I met mom and dad at grandpa and grandma Weatherwax's for Easter Sunday Service and Dinner.

We spent the night and spent the day with them Monday.

Becky and I

With my grandmother

Me and my sister Sarah

Me and my boys Easter Sunday

Before we left we had dinner at Logan's

Also Monday morning grandma and grandpa made us a yummy breakfast

Grandpa and Mom and dad

My greandpa and I

We went back to Sarah's Monday night and Tuesday we headed to Dayton.

On the way we stopped in Troy where we lived for a few years.

This is the house where we lived....about 27 years ago. I was yellow and cute then. lol

Where I went to school. Van Cleve

We did make it to Dayton on Tuesday. We visited the Airforce museum and stayed there on base which made it nice.

Wednesday we spent a few hours at IHC and was able only to see a few friends. We also at the Speghetti Warehouse. A first for me and the boys. Of course they loved sitting on the Trolly to eat.

Ethan and I enjoying our dinner on the Trolly

Easton's dedication pictures didnt turn out so I wanted to get one taken with Bro. Bullock who dedicated him. We were happy we were able to see him at IHC.

We were also happy to see Aunt Jeannie

A group shot with the boys before leaving. Can you tell where we are?

So Wednesday night it was my bright idea to spend the night in a tipi. Ok not such a great thing when it is freezing out. But we made it through the night. Ithink I was the only one that froze.

The next day Thursday we spent the morning and early afternoon at the creation museum.

Thursday after the Creation Museum we headed to Cave City where we stayed in a cabin for a couple of nights. The boys really enjoyed it. There was some activities for them to do besides playing on the campground playground. They also enjoyed have a campfire, roasting hotdogs, and marshmellows for smores. On Friday we went to Mammoth Cave. It was really neat!

Friday when we got back to the campground from Mammoth the camp had some kids activities, free mini golf, candybar bingo, hey hey ride with yogi and and outdoor movie.

Aunt Becky and Ethan saving Vinnie

on our hey hey ride.

Saturday we started heading back home with a stop at Robins AFB where we spent the night in two very nice TLF's (Temporary Living Facilities) in Georgia. We made it home safely Sunday evening. We thank God for keeping us safe with no problems and having such a great time!

cousins!

2009-02-18T09:18:00.000-08:00

It was so nice to have our cousins (Rodney's cousin, Darrell and his wife Missy and their two children, Cody and Cheyanna)down to stay with us for a few days! We really enjoyed having them here.

Cheyanna and Ethan and Evan doing some pictorial art!

Moon sand!

Enjoying a early movie before getting ready for the day.

Here is a for they helped the boys make in our back yard.

2009-01-10T18:40:00.000-08:00

Tonight some poor looking children tried to get into my home.

Easton and Evan had fun playing with the Thompson girls today.

If their appearance is any indication on how much fun they were having.

They were having a blast.

This picture was taken after they were having fun with the water hose...

washing off most of the mud. They were making a pond in the neighbors yard I was told.

They did stop over to sing Happy Birthday to me with one or two of their friends.

It was too cute. I wish I would have caputred it on my camera.

One managed to stay clean

I could not believe how dirty the tub was.

not a happy camper, but could let him stay in the dirty tub.

two clean boys showed up later.

2008-12-21T14:57:00.000-08:00

to the zoo

2008-11-11T17:14:00.000-08:00

This past week-end was a busy one for the boys at least

Friday night was family night mega bash at school.

Then Saturday I took the boys to the zoo since they were having

a Veteran's discount and we could get in cheaper.

Then Sunday of course we went to church, where I lead the

songs in Ethan and Evan's Jr Church.

After church I decided to go on a picnic where we could watch the Air Show

that was going on in Stuart.

Next week my sister Sarah is coming down for a few days with

some friends up home. Can't wait!

mommy and Easton at the zoo

"Where should we go next Evan" of course my map reader. He learned how to read the map on our trip to South Carolina. He was so excited about that.

Easton loved the "Penguins"

The river otters were the boys favoirte this trip

searching for a tiger....

ahhh there he/she is, good thing there was a fence.

looks like Easton and Evan were caught by something else

Ethan isn't going to go quietly

Isn't it cute.

Evan was the only one that would touch it

I feel so blessed to have such great boys and love spending time with them!

2008-10-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

On Friday night we have family night.

Here are some pictures of our pirate family night.

Aunt Becky bought the new veggie tale movie that just came out on dvd.

We had hot dogs and cheese curls just like "the pirates who don't do anything".

We had a treasure hunt with some clues.

Of course they had fun and wanted to do it again the next Friday night,

but we did a cowboy theme instead.

This week we are going to be in South Carolina with our friends the Wetherald's

to trick or treat together.

2008-09-30T12:00:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of Charlene and I on our trip to Epcot

in August. We went in August and followed Fay up there

of course hence the rainy weather.

It made it kind of nice though, short lines and cooler air, and not

scorching hot sun beating down on us.

It wasn't bad until the end.

This little light of mine!

2008-09-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

My sister keeps telling me I need to update, which is true.

So, I thought I would do a little something.

Friday is family night in our house, but the boys have been wanting to spend

the night at Aunt Beckys new place. She didnt have to work so

Friday after school the boys walked to her house to spend the night.

To find out how that went you can go to her page.

Easton went to grandpa and grandmas for a "party"

So Saturday I picked them up for family time. We let grandma and Aunt Becky

come too. The boys have been wanting to go to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, so after a quick lunch at Wendy's I took them to seee the lighthouse

There is also a little Museum and gift shop.

The boys really enjoyed it, so did grandma who is into lighthouses.

Inside the museum they had some really interesting things to look at.

We had to wait for tour guide to take us up to the lighthouse

So while we waited the boys enjoyed some time by the water

my 3 E's

still waiting and watching....

..the traffic

The lighthouse is actually on a military base (just some housing).

Evan and Easton were to short to actually go up, but they still were able to go in and look up.

Ethan did it!!! 102 steps up.

A tired and warm group

There you go Becky, I updated!!! :)

Ethan's Birthday!!!!

2008-06-26T09:47:00.000-07:00

Seven years ago I gave birth to a BIG healthy BEAUTIFUL baby boy!!!! He is still healthy and still hansome. I am so blessed!

Today is Ethan's 7th Birthday! LOVE 'M LOVE 'M LOVE 'M

Char

2008-05-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

Charlene and I work together and have become great friends. I would say she is my brains at work too. I don't know what I will do without here when she leaves. (a moment of silence please). Hopefully it won't be for a little while.

This is what happens to us by Friday!

Stamp'n up

2008-05-30T19:48:00.000-07:00

Had a great time. My friend Charlene had a "stamp'n up" party tonight. We (Charlene and I)have been going to these parties since February when a parent from our school invited us to hers. My party is next ,but not until August because there were no openings til then. Becky and Sarah were able to come with me this time. They really enjoyed it too!

Here are some of the cards I made tonight.

My favorite one of the night

(you can decorate the envelopes too!)

Not one of my top favorites

My second favorite of the night

Sorry the pic is a little blurry

Grandpa Jackson's Here!!!

2008-05-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Jackson and Rodney came for Sunday dinner. We have not seen grandpa for a little while. He is going to be staying with Rodney for a few days so the boys will be able to spend some more time with him before he leaves. Ethan remembers him when they came to visit in Dover. Evan doesn't remember, and this is the first time Easton has met grandpa Jackson. So they are going to enjoy spending time with him while he is here.

And yes also today Evan was promoted to his next class at church!

2008-05-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

This afternoon we were getting ready to go out and do a couple of things. I thought I would stop and deposit a 600.00 check into my account while we were out. When I went to get it, it was gone. I could not find it any where. The night before Easton had come out with some money of mine that was with the check. We looked and looked. We questioned the boys over and over if they had seen it with the money. We could not find it. We went through the boys room over and over, where I thought I might have left the money and check. We pulled out beds, dressers, and shelves(even the boys dirty laundry waiting to be done). Still no check. I didn't know what to do. Becky told me that Ethan had gone in her room and went on the other side of her bed and knelt and prayed. And I got on Ethan's bed and started talking to Jesus. I love having a personal relationship with him! I was telling him that I knew that it was do to irresponsibility on my part, but asking him to help me to remember or help me find it. As I was talking to him He told me it was there in the room. Of course I keep talking instead of listening finally I stopped and got up and as soon as I did I saw something laying in the middle of the floor. You guessed it! My check!

In my human mind I was dumb founded and in the back of my mind trying to figure out how it got in the middle of the floor that all of us had gone over and over. I just Thank God, no matter how big or small a matter is, He will take care of us. I just had to share!!!!

Friday night is family night!!!!!!

2008-05-24T17:57:00.001-07:00

During these busy times we still make time for family night. Especially with me being so busy with work and school, it is even more important to take the time to spend with the boys. I wanted to go some where out but it was rainy and wet so I stopped and bought the things we needed so the boys could make pizza. We rented a couple of movies. Rodney came over to spend some time with the boys too. Here are some pics.

recital night

2008-05-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

It has been soooo crazy busy here. Last night was our spring dance recital at my work (Easton's school) It is a big thing (for a child care center) My class danced to "Eye of the Tiger" it was too cute. Easton's class danced to "Footloose" It was a tribute to the 80's Each class also given a small wooden stool to paint and decorated and auction off. It is a silent auction starting a few days before. Our class did a beach theme. I drew a beach with palm trees and on the legs I drew some under the sea things. I painted some bodies doing things like two mermaids and two scuba divers for the legs of the stool. On the top we had a surfer, a body builder, and some other different bodies doing beach things. we then took pictures of the kids in the class and pasted the heads to the bodies painted. I really enjoyed doing it. I painted a plane with a banner that said Purple (our class color) in Paradise. Any how our stool went for $150.00 Last years went for $85.00 so we went up. One stool from another class went for $450.00.

All the parents enjoy the recital. Especially our classes age group even if they don't get the all the moves they are cute to watch.

Now I have to get end of the year portfolios ready to get out. And we roll right into summer camp which is really fun, but very busy. The theme for the first two weeks is "Welcome to Camp". In the midst of all this I am attending classes two nights a week at IRCC. Evan will be graduating from kindergarten and the boys have a musical coming up.

A side note: I did not take the pictures or video They have it taped and put on dvd but they don't have them done yet. I was in the back getting my class ready. And stupid me didn't bring my camera and the one used is giving fits so sorry about the quality of the pics and videos.

my class at tonights recital

2008-05-20T19:22:00.001-07:00

Mother's Day!

2008-05-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

Tomorrows Mother's Day, what can I say.....I am truely blessed to have such a great mother and to blessed to be the the Mother to the 3 most hansome and wonderful boys in the world!

Ethan and I on our spring break road trip (don't know why he is bitting his lip)

Evan and I in line waiting to see the Statue of Liberty

Easton and Mommy on our spring break road trip!

My mom has been and still is a wonderful mother. I don't know what I would have done without her. She has also been the most awesome GRANDmother to my boys. She has always put God first in everything she does and that has shown through.

Here is Grandma Gerard attending Easton's Mother's day Party at school.

I was bummed that I could only pop in for the party for a hug, kiss, flowers, and a card. I just started the lead teacher position in my class and thought it would be fun to have a tea tasting and fashion show. What was I thinking with 2 and 3 year olds. But the mothers and grandmothers really seemed to like it. So my first class party as lead teacher seemed to go well.

Easton giving mommy his plant and card

Love 'em Love'em Love'm

Aunt Becky at Easton's Party (only the best Aunts were invited JK)

Hope all you mothers have a blessed Mothers Day!

A little behind

2008-05-05T10:51:00.000-07:00

Yeah I am a little behind.....Its May already!!!! April was a busy month too!!! We went on a spring break road trip. We had a great time!!!! But that is another blog when I have time along with pictures. But I thought I would post Evans Kindergarten Spelling bee results. Last Friday was the spelling bee and Evan received a medal for 5th place. I was very proud of him. I wasn't able to go but Grandpa, grandma, aunt Becky and his dad was able to attend.

March Madness!!!

2008-04-03T17:56:00.000-07:00

Its April already, March just flew by....yes it was March maddness with a lot of gladness. Here is some of the maddness/gladness....

We started the month celebrating Papa's Birthday

Aunt Becky took us to a Marlin's game to help celebrate

"papa I think your older than that"

Ethan and Evan with their #1 "fan"

The Marlins minor league mascot

with two of the three cutest boys ever.

You tell them Evan

Patrick Air Force Base fam camp

I needed to update my military id,

so we went straight from school(as you can tell by the uniforms)

so I could make it before the office closed. Then we rented a

tent kit and lot and spent the night.

This base isn't as active as the base we use to live on,

but we still had fun.

The boys made their own flights at the park right across

from our tent lot.

They like the pier....

I think they found something here....
ah yes a horse shoe crab!!
They even enjoyed a little exercise.
later we played some card games

Next was Easton's Birthday!!!!!

Easton had a little party at school....doesn't he look thrilled.

Then a little party at home with a couple of his favorite friends

George and Elmo

He was so excited to see "his Birthday"

he was racing to get home and see

He loved his "friends" here

I asked him what he wanted for dinner for his birthday

and he said he wanted a "kids meal"

Mommy can't believe her baby is "3"!!!

I don't think he is sure about the cake.

Next Good Friday at Disney's Magic Kingdom

The boys dad took them to Disney for Easter, of course

I couldn't let them go without me! :)

(I didn't all my pics on this computer)

Three excited boys waiting to go

....at a 3D movie

"I think I like this place"

Of course Easter!!!!

Sunday morning before service.

Then later in the afternoon we had an Easter picnic at the beach

The boys with Papa and grandma at the beach

on Easter

This was just some of our crazy month a and a few pics. Now we are

in the middle of moving, working overtime, and preparing to go on a 10 day vacation. We are most excited for our vacation. The boys wanted to see the Statue of Liberty so we are going to do that while stopping a visiting friends on the way. I plan to have lots of pictures!

Forgive me Lord for I have sinned!!!!

2008-01-14T14:19:00.000-08:00

I can cry!!!!!

I got hair happy botching hair cuts for the two older boys, when

Easton wanted his done......

I want it back and now!!!!!

Before

I loved his hair!!!!What was I thinking!!!!!!!!

After

(He looks like the gay kid on desprate housewives)

crying for mommy
lost locks

I am not cutting his hair until kindergarten!!!!!!!!!(and maybe not then)

A Busy Christmas Season!!!!

2007-12-29T10:40:00.000-08:00

We had a very busy Christmas Season

The 12th my mom came down to help with the boys for the holidays

while I was at work.

The 13th Ethan and Evan had their Christmas parties at school.

I was able to get off work a few minutes early

to attend Ethan's party.

My mom was able to attend Evan's party which was at

Flights International Missions. It was really neat with

the planes and the airport fire truck.

The next Saturday I had a Christmas party at a friends,

while I was there my mom took the boys to see the candle lighting

on campus.

Here are the boys with their friend Patricia.

The next Friday Easton and I had our parties at school.

Grandma and the boys were able to attend for Easton.

I was only able to pop in for a few minutes because our party was going on

at the same time.

Earlier in the day Santa came to visit our classes.

Here is Santa giving Easton a gift.

We would take detours on our way home from places so we could see lights

We saw this one and had to take a picture for grandpa.

The Saturday before Christmas we squeezed in time with Santa.

(Had to tell him what they wanted for Christmas)

The Saturday before Christmas some of Jesus' Angels left us some

Christmas cheer! (A Kindergarten teacher we have never met challenged her class

to bring in gifts and money for Jesus. And our family was put on their hearts

She wanted them to see how much they brought in so she she put the money on this board.) To say the least we feel truely blessed!

Here are some of the gift they brought to us.

They also had a cake made for us!

We are so thankful and blessed!!!

The Sunday morning before Christmas.

Christmas Eve we were able to use a gift card from Jesus Angels

and have Christmas Eve dinner at Olive Garden.

They also gave us a gingerbread house kit.

The boys had a blast decorating it. We like making it into a

gingerbread chruch.

We attended our chruches Christmas Eve candle light service.

Finally Christmas morning!!!!!

The reigndeer found their oatmeal outside and Santa found his cookies.

After the Christmas story the boys are ready to tear in.

we had a wonderful Christmas!!

Have tons more pics but just too many to post.

grandma a boys showing off their socks

God is so good to us!

2007-12-10T18:19:00.000-08:00

This past week-end was the Singing Christmas Tree

at our church.

Ethan and Evan sang in the children's choir

and Easton was an Elf.

So here are a few mommy shots.

My friends, Jen and Charlene were able to make it on Saturday night

The four of us all work in the same classroom

(from left)

Christina-took over my afternoon hours for me :)

Jennifer -lead teacher

me -couldn't hide in this one

Charlene- started this past summer with us :)

Boys

Ethan, Evan, and Jennifer's son, Brandon

A quick pose before their second night
Getting ready to go!!!
My little elf.
There he goes.

2007-12-02T10:40:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was the Christmas Parade in Hobe Sound.

Jen, Brian, and Brandon stopped over and we headed to the deli to pick up lunch.

We then headed over to Charlene's where we ate lunch and the boys played with Mavrick.

Easton just loves Mavrick

Evan likes him a little too.

After lunch we all headed over to the parade.

It was such a nice day for a parade.

Evan got ahold of my camera and got a shot of Easton waiting for the parade to start.

It was so nice to see soooo many people we knew.

Since working again I am getting to know a lot more new people.

There were so many kids from work and some friends from church too.

Here are a couple of pictures of our crew.

curb: Evan and Ethan

middle row: Brian and Easton

Back row: Charlene, Jerri, and Jennifer

"I think the parade is coming!!!!"

Hobe Sound Christian Academy float
I thought it really looked nice. They did a good job.
Some of the other floats
My (and Easton's) school. You can see our bus behind them.

They had pictures of some of the kids in the window. Easton was on one.

I can't believe I didn't get a picture of it.

I was suppose to be walking with them but the boys had been sick

and my shirt was too small so I bailed

Easton was kissing up to Charlene for more candy.

One of the many creatures from Hobe Sound Nature Center

One of my favorite....Hobe Sound Elementary

Easton love'n the football float!

Ethan and Evan enjoying it all.

We got to see Herby!!!!

Another one of my favorites

I think Santa's coming
Hi Santa
Walking back
Easton on the way home.

The boys with the beach balls that Treasure Coast Irigation throws to the kids.

I didn't get candy or a ball but a t-shirt they were throwing in the crowds.

We had a great time!

2007-12-01T15:08:00.000-08:00

I got the tree decorated!!!

here is a couple a pics of my favorite ornament...

2007-11-24T18:09:00.000-08:00

We got our tree!!!!!

Friday night our friends Charlene and Taylor came over for dinner and then we headed out to get our trees. I am still getting use to this Florida holiday thing. We didn't know where "THE" place to get a tree is, so we heading out and stopped at the first place we came to that we knew had trees. Lowes!

Here are the boys entering the "forest" to select our tree.

They had a blast even if there were no Santa, snow, hot coco(we had some later at home),and all the fun that goes along with going out and cutting down your tree.

"mommy, I found one!!!"
Char and Taylor found their tree.
We finally found our tree
Taylor securing them on the roof.

Taylor found himself a little helper.

He would hand Taylor a screw and say "here you go".
It was so cute.
Then Charlene walked up and Easton came to a piece of trash and handed it
to Charlene and say"here you go".

Easton helping Taylor inspect the bottom branches.
"Is it straight?"
It's up....now for the decorating....maybe tomorrow...
Thank you Taylor and Charlene for helping us

Thanksgiving with Friends

2007-11-24T05:41:00.000-08:00

We don't have family down here near us and we couldn't go up to the cold north for Thanksgiving. So when some friends invited us over to spend the day, the boys and I accepted. We had a great time. I am still trying to get use to the warmer weather for the holidays. It just seems so different. The boys were able to play outside all day. They had a blast.

Evan's Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast

2007-11-21T12:13:00.000-08:00

Tuesday was Evans Kidergarten Thanksgiving Feast at school.
They were able to dress up as a Pilgrim or Indian for school. He was so excited. I wanted him to be a Pilgrim because I figured there would be plenty of Indians. But he said he was a pilgrim for the play so he wanted to be an indian for the feast. It was a little easier for me to do the indian because we had halloween costumes my mother made a couple of years ago that we could use.

Here he is ready to go to school. You can tell by the look on his face he is very excited.

Here is Easton wanting to get into the picture taking action

They had a great meal at the feast. I was able to get out of work a little early so I could join Evan at his feast. The weather was awesome too! Couldn't do an outdoor feast like this in Michigan

Each year they do it at a different students home. This year it was at the Lopers. I know my parents would have loved to be here too.

Here is Evan with his teacher Mrs. Deckard. He loves school so much and loves his teachers.

This year they had a student teacher, Ms McElwain.
Evan wanted his pictures with her too. She did a great job with the kids. She is finished now but is going to stay until Christmas.

They have 2 Mrs Deckards. This is "the other Mrs Deckard". He is the assistant teacher. Emily also wanted to join them in the picture.

Scott Loper, Evan and Miranda taking time out to let take a picture.

Evan and the girls. Keeping it real.

He had a great time at the feast and I am glad I was able to enjoy it with him. Afterward we were able to share a little one-on-one time before picking up his brothers from school. I really like those times. And he thinks its really special too.

Thanksgiving Feast

2007-11-18T14:29:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Feast 2007

Friday was our Harvest Feast at work(which is also where Easton goes to school). It is very busy morning trying to set things up plus do your regular routines with the kids. It was really nice that we are able to get extra chairs and tables from the Island. I like the look of the white chairs. Jen was able to decortate some while Char and I watched the kids outside. As you can see each class has their own feast in their own classroom.

Each class makes something for the feast. Our class and the other 2yr/3yr(which is Easton's class) class made homemade butter. It tasted really good. Then the 3yr/4yr classes made homemade applesauce. It was very delicous!!!! Then one of the preK classes made homemade cranberry relish and the other preK made pies. Everything tasted great. We had turkey of course and mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, stuffing, and all of the things listed above.

We had about 25 parents, grandparents, and aunts, make it to the party for our class alone. At this age it is really hard to do anything with them when the parents come, because it is all about mommy or daddy or whoever came to see them. It is especially hard when parents have to leave to go back to work, which most of them had to do. We had a song to sing while wearing the hats they made but most of them wouldn't let go of mommy or daddy. Then we eat. It is so nice for the children to have that timewith their family and they do really enjoy it. Easton really enjoyed it too. He wouldn't even put down his fork for a picture.

I tried to get over to Easton's class to eat with him after our class was all set(one perk of working where your child goes to school). I didn't get a chance to take many pictures because we were so busy. I did take a couple before it started and a couple with Easton.

It is a lot to get ready for while doing your regular duties with the kids, but it is definitly worth the extra work. And a great chance to get to know the families a little more.

Halloween 2007

2007-11-04T13:51:00.001-08:00

Photobucket Album

Where did he go...

2007-10-20T16:21:00.000-07:00

Time keeps going and going and we wonder where it has gone. I took these pictures of Ethan the other day and I just can't believe how much he has grown. Last night as we were driving home, he was discussing compound words and suffixes and prefixes and all that fun stuff. It is exciting to see him growing and and getting into new things but their are other time times when I just want him to just stop getting older. I just want him to love life and live it to its fullest.

He likes being the man of the house, maybe a little too much sometimes. He has been a great help to me and we enjoy some nice quiet times together too. He likes to have these times so we can just talk. I love him with all my heart!

Still working on it!!!!

2007-08-11T09:00:00.000-07:00

Here I am still working on my blogspot.

We have had a busy past few weeks and school will be starting in a week.

Here I am!!!

2007-07-03T09:47:00.000-07:00

Here I am trying to start another blog. Bear with me as I try and get this one set up.