NESTING

I have not been able to update this quite as much as I would like to in the past two weeks, because I've been nesting....yes, that's right- NESTING!!! Some would call me crazy, others would say I am nuts, but I do this every year at about this time....I NEST! No, I am not expecting baby #3, I am just simply preparing myself for another school/work year. My life in the last two weeks has been nothing but pure business. I've been cleaning closets, repainting, redecorating, shopping, getting the kids yearly pics. taken, eating out, haircut and color, and taking this kids to parks and splash pads. It has all been wonderful, but truly a bit mad. I know that I am still going to have time to do fun things when work begins again, but in my mind, there are so many things that need to be done before I am a full-time working mom again. So... until Monday, August 25th, I will continue to Nest and get things crossed off of my to-do list.
To Do List (as of August 21st):
1. Get Nolan's School Supplies
2. Set up twin bed for Nolan
3. Take apart Lilly's crib and store
4. Purchase new bedding for Nolan
5. Find curtains for the Living Room
6. Hang curtains in Bedroom and Living Room (Need husband's help...when he's not too busy =0)

7. Order pictures of kids from the Camera Shop
8. Fix my chair at school
9. Return Lia Sophia necklace
10. Clean out my closet and drawers
11. Balance the checkbook...since I've been spending like crazy =0)
12. Clean out my car
13. Cut out the items that have been freshly laminated for the new school year
14. Revise letter for Sunshine Committee
15. Place Stampin' Up Order
16. Clean my house
17. Finish the book I am reading "The Secret"
18. Take down the wallpaper in my bathroom
19. Scrapbook (Friday night w/ Darnell)

20. Sign up Nolan and Lilly for Gymnastics

21. Sign up Nolan for fall swimming lessons

22. Sign up Nolan for Sunday School
23. Spend time with my family (Not really #23...just something I can't forget about while completing #'s 1-22.)

There, it's all on a list...so, now I should be able to get some sleep tonight. Hopefully, I can accomplish this before next week.

24. Update this blog with my progress! =0)

Bunco Buddies

My Bunco buddies met at the Green Mill on Tuesday for another fun night. We typically get together to gamble, but have been switching it up during the summer months. The patio seating has been a nice escape for all of us this summer. Our group started out as a Pokeno group many years ago...I joined Denell and Brenda about five years ago and have met many new and exciting people over the years. Many people have come and gone since then, and we've recruited only the best of friends to be part of our new Bunco group. We all look forward to our date night each month....pictures are shared, stories are told, and many laughs are had. Not only is it a break from our kids, but a night to be with the "girls"...who doesn't need one of those?!!!

Picture: (top) Me, Brenda, Denell, Melissa, Terri (bottom) Steph and Carmen (not pictured) Kim

Happy Birthday Grandma Cindy!

WOW! Two birthdays in a row...the kids had a hard time believing we had another birthday to celebrate today. Grandma Cindy invited us over for a family pizza party tonight. The kids were excited to go and had a nice time playing. I dug out all of my old Barbie things and Lilly had a hay-day. Mike, Nolan, and Bruce had a lot of fun playing the Wii. I am not sure who beat who, but from the sounds we heard in the basement, we could tell they were having a great time. Thanks for having us out to celebrate...Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Jim!

These kids are so ready to dig into Grandpa's ice cream cake!
Cousins enjoying a picnic lunch together

Who are the kids here? Notice, I am not in the h2o..
someone needs to be
capturing all these fun memories!

The kids had fun feeding the sunfish leftover bread...
Brandon caught three fish right in the beach area.


Born to Dig!

The family got together today to celebrate my dad's 53rd birthday. We met in Annandale for a fun-filled day at the beach. Nolan and Lilly just love spending time in the water, so it was a perfect way to celebrate. They were so happy to see and play with their cousins; Brandon, Carter, Kendra, and Trenton. The kids swam and played on the beach for almost three hours. With summer quickly coming to an end, it was fun to have one more day at the beach. Happy Birthday Grandpa! Vroom!!!! Vroom!!!!

Class of '88

Mike's class reunited last night after 20 years. The Cathedral Class of 1988 gathered at the Red Carpet in St. Cloud for a night of reminiscing and 80's flashbacks. Mike really enjoyed visiting with everyone and catching up with friends he hasn't seen in ages. He has a hard time believing he's been out of school that long, when he still feels (and acts) like a kid. =0) Where does the time go? A lot of hard work was put into the event and we are thankful they had such a great turnout.

The most valuable thing Mike has learned since high school is: "I have learned that even though I have had a lot of fun throughout my life, nothing compares to having kids." WOW! What a guy!

Flashbacks from 1988

1 gallon of gas was 93 cents

Ronald Regan was President

US Postage Stamp was 24 cents

Top Artists: George Michael, INXS, Guns 'N Roses, Enya, Bon Jovi

Hawaiian shirts and acid washed jeans debut

The Last Emperor won 9 Oscars

The first major computer virus infects computers connected to the internet

Annual income was $24,450.00

Scrap the Day Away!

Yesterday was a wonderful day, because I got to spend it with some very close friends at Scrapbooks Plus. We checked in mid morning and scrapbooked until 11:00 last night. Some people might wonder how we can sit there and do that for so long?...but truthfully, it's never long enough. I was able to get 11 pages done...not too bad considering we break to eat, visit, laugh, and storytell. I've added a sample of my artwork to the corner of this blog, so you can view the projects I've been working on. Thankfully, I was able squeeze in a little time to be creative this summer. (Scrapbooking and card making kept me very busy during my children's nap times.)

As many of you know, I have a real passion for scrapbooking. It has influenced many aspects of my life and I believe it has made me a better, more appreciative, mother and person. Scrapbooking has become more than a hobby for me. It is a way of life. Obviously, I have my camera with me at all times, but it's more than just taking pictures and making layouts...and now updating this blog. It's about recording memories that might be lost forever if I don't preserve them. It's a passion, a simple obsession. Sometimes, I get a little camera happy (Mike will attest to that), but I also try to keep what's really important in focus: Live life to the fullest and appreciate all that God has given us. Scrapbooking with my friends, is one of those things I am so thankful for.

Benton County Fair

We took the kids to the fair last night, because everyone has to experience it. It was opening night and a great night to take them. The grounds were clean and it wasn't crowded. They loved looking at the animals and were able to pet several of them. Lilly's favorite were the baby chicks and Nolan loved the goats. They have a very nice area for kids with a variety of small animals for them to see and touch. Neither of them wanted to go into the big barns...the mooing and baaing actually scared them both. Nolan also enjoyed seeing all the tractors and farm equipment. (I think every boy dreams about riding in big trucks, tractors, trains, etc...) The Midway was open and they LOVED the rides. Nolan and Lilly both went on the Merry-Go-Round, Space Coaster, Speed Boats, Dragon Rollercoaster, and Ferris Wheel. Thank goodness only a couple of rides required an adult...because I was getting motion sickness just taking the pictures. (Good thing Mike can handle fair rides.) The kids indulged in a large bag of cotton candy before we went home. They've already asked when they can go again...and I responded with the some old response, "We can do it again next year!" They often hear me respond that way. Many things only happen one time each year, and that's probably why we look forward to them!

Pine Grove Zoo

The kids and I ventured to Little Falls this morning to visit the Pine Grove Zoo. I was pleasantly surprised to see how nice it was. The kids saw bears and cubs, tigers, cougars, a bobcat, wolves, elk, buffalo, wild turkeys, prairie dogs, an emu, and a large variety of farm animals in the petting zoo area. The animals kept their interest for about an hour and a half. I thought this was respectable since it truthfully isn't a very big place. We stopped at Subway for lunch and made it back home in time for naps.

This evening Mike and I took the kids to the wading pool and park near our house. Nolan rode his bike over two miles and was very proud of himself. Lilly so badly wants to be like her big brother and we are proud to say that she too has started peddling around the driveway on her own. Tonight was probably her best night yet. It won't be long and we'll all be biking on the bike path together.

I had to include the photo of Nolan flying his kite tonight. He has been longing to get that thing in the air, but the weather just hasn't been cooperating. I was shocked to see him gain enough speed to get that thing off the ground. He managed to get it up there with absolutely NO WIND. I guess anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

MN Copy Co. Picnic

Nolan thought this was great!




Nolan's first kayaking experience.... I was happy he sat still long enough to make it back to shore without tipping over.

Chillin' in the swing

Yummy!

We couldn't have asked for a nicer day to have this year's MN Copy Co. picnic. A big thank you goes out to Chris and Faith for hosting another fun gathering. Everyone enjoyed the beach, sun, water, food, and conversation. The kids enjoyed tubing, kayaking, paddle boating, swimming, and roasting marshmallows. Mike is very lucky to have such wonderful employees working with him. When we got in the car to go home, both kids talked about how much fun they had and Lilly made a priceless comment..."There were a lot of Copy Guys at the party mama." I guess I thought it was cute, because Lilly always says her dad is a "Copy Guy" when we ask her where her dad works. =0)

Happy 38th Birthday Mike!!!

We sure had a lot of fun helping Dad celebrate his birthday this year. He wasn't too keen on turning another year older, but luckily is aging quite well. His co-workers also caught wind of it and he found his office covered with Superman posters with his face on it when he got to work. They also used the photograph on a cake. The Good Shepherd Nursing Home gave Mike this stunning photograph several months ago, as sort of a thank-you. He has been doing home delivered meals for them for a couple of years now and they have been somewhat amazed with how efficient he is.... He was pretty surprised then and was even more shocked to see it made it to his secretary in time for his big day. =) Overall, he was very appreciative and felt a bit spoiled! Kevin and Denell met Mike, Lilly and me at Applebee's for dinner while our kids finished their last night of Vacation Bible School. We plan to dig into his all time favorite DQ ice cream cake tonight. Happy Birthday to you Mike/Dad! We love you!