Fun with Friends.

DAY 148 - May 28, 2010

Each of the boys had a friend spend the night tonight. They love to swim when it's dark out so here they are. Kaden had his friend Justin over and Kaleb had his friend Mason over. All 4 of them played very well together. We had pizza for dinner and they swam, played the Wii, and swam some more.

Some not-so-everyday critters.

DAY 147 - May 27, 2010

We took Lilly to the vet today to get her kennel cough vaccination and these 2 critters were in the field next to the parking lot. They were originally much further away when we first got there but had ventured over when we were on our way out.


As if camels weren't enough...there were some other "baby animals" behind the vets office in some pens...there were calves, goat babies (kids I think) and lambs. Here is Lilly sizing up one of the lambs. I love that they're eye to eye to each other and just examining one another!

The Final Walk.

DAY 146 - May 26, 2010

Today is the very last day of elementary school for Kaleb. Next year he'll be at the 6th Grade Academy. There will be lockers with combinations to remember and classes to move from one to the next...all different from elementary school. At Jeremiah Gray-Edison Elementary the 5th graders take a final walk while all the teacher, other students, and parents stand in the hall way and cheer for them. Here's Kaleb taking part in this ritual. We're pretty proud of that kid!!

This and that...again, trying to catch up!

DAY 145 - May 25, 2010


Kaleb rarely gets to celebrate his birthday at school because they're usually out by June 2nd. (Early I know!!) So, this year we picked up 2 cookie cakes for him to take to school during the last week. Looks pretty proud to be celebrating his birthday as well as his move from 5th grade to 6th grade!


DAY 144 - May 24, 2010




Today was Kaden's awards day at school. Kaleb came from class to watch the awards program for Kaden. Here we are after the ceremony with one of his awards. I came down from work to see him receive his awards. After the ceremony I headed back to class not knowing they would be doing classroom awards as well. Doug texted me after he received his award and his class voted him "Faithful Friend". He seemed a bit disappointed he wasn't "Most Artistic" because that's the award he really wanted. We assured him that being a faithful friend is the best kind of award. Of all awards possible, this is the one that suits him the most. We are so very proud of you Kaden!





DAY 143 - May 23, 2010


Today was the last day for soccer. Kaden's team did great and really played well this year. Here he is with Doug showing off his trophy from the season. He really enjoyed playing this year.


DAY 142 - May 22, 2010


We went to the Indians game again tonight. It was a beautiful night and I was able to play with my new lens too. Everyone is crowding around the pitcher to watch him throw a couple balls because he had just gotten hit by a ball. Turned out he was fine and the game continued.

Getting a little time for my project.

DAY 141 - May 21, 2010

Doug took the boys out and about tonight and I got a few hours to myself. I decided to work on my Picture a Day album. Here's all my stuff spread out. I concentrated on putting pictures where they go and writing out the journaling cards then stamping them with the date. It was nice to work on that project.

There's our graduate!

DAY 140 - May 20, 2010


Tonight was Kaleb's 5th grade dinner. I can't believe our Kaleb is already done with elementary school and headed to the 6th Grade Academy. The school always puts on a nice dinner for the 5th graders and their parents. Mrs Huckaby was Kaleb's Kindergarten teacher and her husband is a chef. Chef Huckaby made a nice dinner for everyone and we were served by the teachers who all volunteered their time to make it a nice night for everyone. Here's Kaleb coming back to the table after getting his Certificate of Completion. Doesn't he look handsome in his suit?!? He picked it out by himself and I think he did a great job! We are so proud of him and the young man he's become.

A little dose of "girly"

DAY 139 - May 19, 2010

I belong to a website called Buzz Agent. The idea here is to create "buzz" about new products. I get signed up for different campaigns and then all I have to do it wait for the product to come to me in the mail. It is free to me in return for my using the product, telling people about it, and filling out a survey about it. This time around I was given a set of Cover Girl and Olay Simply Ageless make-up. I got corrector, concealer, foundation, and blush. I like it but it's definitely more make-up than I'm used to using. I do use it occasionally but often don't take the time every morning. Plus, now, I've gotten some summer color and the color I got in the mail for the foundation was a little light so it makes me look pale. I'll save it for winter and maybe use it agian.

DAY 138 - May 18, 2010

I had a few minutes of free time tonight while the boys were at baseball practice. I decided to go to Archiver's to check out what they had. It wasn't all that eventful...but I did pick out some paper, a new pen, some cool alphabet stickers, and an adhesive refill. The best part? It was all "free" because I had a coupon for the paper and then put the rest on a gift card.

Dress clothes and snuggling.

DAY 137 - May 17, 2010

Kaleb's 5th grade dinner is coming up and we had to find something nice for him to wear. We headed to Kohl's tonight to see if we could find him something. He tried on several things and looked so handsome in all of them. While Kaleb was busy trying on, I sent Kaden out on a picture taking adventure. I first asked him to get pictures of the dress clothes area that we'd chosen things from. He took several pictures and I chose this one for picture of the day. The clothes Kaleb chose and the picture of him in them will be posted at another time on teh day of his dinner.

DAY 136 - May 16, 2010


Kaden and I took a few minutes to snuggle tonight. I love that he's 9 years old and still wants to snuggle. Of course, we were both so tired enough that we didn't last long. Doug took the picture quick and only then did we wake up. I took Kaden upstairs after that to head to bed. Thankfully, he's still little enough that I can carry him upstairs. I can't believe I've been doing that for 9 years!

Still waters for now, but not for long.

DAY 135 - May 15, 2010

This is the very first jump into the pool this season. Look how crystal clear and still the water is. The boys were so excited to get into the pool that they planned this syncronized jump. They quickly took the stillness out of the pool.

Ice cream and baseball...

DAY 134 - May 14, 2010

We took the boys along with Megan and Rachael Goldman to Ritters for an ice cream treat tonight. Of course Lilly came along and she got her dish of ice cream with the Milkbone in it. All the kids had a really good time watching her go nuts with her special treat.

DAY 133 - May 13, 2010

I always love watching the baseball team line up on the field for the National Anthem. There's just something about the team all standing together waiting to start the game that just says "baseball" to me.

Every day...3:50pm...

DAY 132 - May 12, 2010

School is almost out...but until then, this is the scene every day at 3:50pm. Kaden is by himself today becuase Kaleb was participating in the book club at school. Kaden enjoys these days now and then because it's just the 2 of us for about 45 minutes.

ROSES!

DAY 131 - May 11, 2010

These are the rose bushes in front of our house. I really love the color they add and just how full of flowers they are. They're really beautiful!

So much going on!

DAY 130 - May 10, 2010

In celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day the 3rd graders got a bare root Pine Oak tree from school. We'd had this tree sitting on our counter for a couple weeks. Kaden was dutifully keeping the roots moist and sure enough it started to bud. It was fun to watch the green little sprouts shoot out from the brown stems. Kaden's friend Justin came over to play tonight and he helped us plant it. We planted it outside our back yard fence along a row of trees at the back of our property along the decorative fence put up by the neighborhood. You can barely see the little thing there but Kaden will be able to watch it grow from his bedroom window. He was so proud to be able to plant it and is excited to watch it grow.

DAY 129 - May 9, 2010

Mother's Day...I'd already received my gift...my new camera lens...but the boys had something else up their sleeves. They got me these beautiful roses and cute little bear all on their own. We went out to lunch with John and Chris and Doug's sister Dawn and her family, along with Doug's Grandma and the boys presented me with this while we were waiting to be seated. It was so sweet of them and I could tell they were just so proud to give it to me. Can't you see it in their faces!?!

DAY 128 - May 8, 2010

If these are the smiles you have after 40 years of marriage I can't wait! We took John and Chris out to dinner tonight to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Their happiness is clearly visible and their love for each other is truly a testament.

It doesn't get more basic than this...

DAY 127 - May 7, 2010

Our mailbox...nothing special today but definitely worthy of the picture of the day.

Check this out!

OK...this is my first "not picture of the day" post on my blog. But this fantastic giveaway is completely worth it. Here's the link:



http://laurawinslowphotography.com/blog/2010/05/05/the-fabulous-fun-mothers-day-giveaway-scottsdale-photographer/comment-page-7/#comment-6656

Getting ready...

DAY 126 - May 6, 2010


Getting ready for a the National Anthem before a ball game. There's something about the way the team all stands on the line, hats off, and flanked by coaches that just says "baseball" to me. I love this moment before each game. In case you're curious...Kaleb is number 9. It was his dad's number all through Little League and it's been Kaleb's number many times too.

Bringing down trees and capturing the votes...

DAY 125 - May 5, 2010

This house is the "model" for our complex during the early building in the area. It's been owned for over a year now and the 5 lots that remain are available through a realtor rather than the builder. The dead tree behind this house has been a fixture since we've been there. It's always been "dead" that I can remember and they're just now getting ready to take it down. You can see as you move through the 3 pictures that it's coming down and while I don't miss it...it does look different. In the 2nd picture you can just see the "stump" sticking out over the house. I was gone when the top came down...would have been interesting to see how they brought it down.

DAY 124 - May 4, 2010

Primary Election Day turned out to be a good day!! David Taylor won the primary and will be the republican candidate for Perry Township Constable in the November elections. Doug was Chairman of David's campaign and he did a fantastic job. You would have never guessed this was the first time he had been in charge of a campaign. Here is David and his wife Sarah along with Doug and I at the location where we did our own count of the votes as the numbers came in. David won with 60% of the vote. His opponent got 30% of the votes. Now, if you're any good with numbers, you can clearly see that doesn't add up to 100% right?? Well, there was someone else that was in the race as well...he was the current Constable and while he was on his way out due to some "drama" he was trying to go for it in the Primary. Well, in March he passed away but for some reason they left his name on the ballot. He was able to pull away with 10% of the vote. Now, I know I may not always be the most informed voter but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't vote for a dead guy!!

Hey, I know you!

DAY 123 - May 3, 2010

Kaden had a make-up soccer game tonight that he was supposed to have over the weekend but because it rained they postponed it. I also got to play with my new lens and see how it does with the fast pace of soccer. I think it worked out good but my camera clicking timing is not always the best. But...I did catch this shot as Kaden first ran out onto the field and catches a glimpse of his friend Justin on the other team. I don't even know what he said to Justin but can't you just see the "oh...it's on!" look he's giving?!?

DAY 122 - May 2, 2010

Kaleb has been waiting all year for this day and it's finally here! He leaves tomorrow morning for a 2 night 3 day 5th grade field trip to Bradford Woods. Bradford Woods is a private camp where they learn all sorts of things about the outdoors and experience lots of activities like walks through the woods and along (and sometimes in) a stream, making campfires, archery, canoeing, crafts, and sleeping in a cabin. Here he is with all his gear packed up and sitting by the door for tomorrow morning.

DAY 121 - May 1, 2010

Today was the Southport Street Fair. David Taylor had a booth there to get out and meet and greet Perry Township voters. These are some of the happenings of the day...