Fourth of July Annual Parade 2009

A Start!!!

A few quick shots to post and then to bed. If I had a genie, she (yes, it would be a she cuz she would totally understand what it is like to be a she) would grant my first wish. And that wish would be to have all my file folders of pictures sorted and editted!! One can wish right? So, here are just a few......I need to get back into the blogging world.

I'm Here...Really I Am!!

Where, oh, where to start? I haven't been a good blogger this summer. Maybe it has to do with working tons, boys being gone, projects, visiting with neighbors....oh, the excuses!!!

So, I'll highlight some happenings of this summer.....

1. Frick, Frack and Smack have been up in the "frozen" tundra since the beginning of June!! What's that? STILL? Don't you miss them? Well, duh, yes, I miss them (not the fighting so much) but this is where those memories of summers at grandpa and grandpa's, aunt and uncle's, summer friends and adventures that will be with the crew forever get embedded into there thick skulls. They have bounced around but have mostly spent their time at the lake.

2. Bear and I made our trek up there the end of June and spent a week. Fourth of July at the lake was awesome! Weather great and visits from Karen and kiddos, Uncle Eric and Aunt Nichol and lake friends made it special.

3. Spent time in Milnor and Gwinner. The Jacobson's were great to host the Five. Poor Lynn!! She went thru two Erasers cleaning the shower after the three and theirs went four wheeling!! OY!!! She such a champ!

4. Then time at the Otterson's. We so love them!! And love that they let us "crash" there. Their little kiddos-amazing, cute, well behaved, well mannered, funny...oh, the list could go on and on!! Love making memories with them.

5. Dinner with the Johnson Four!! Great food and laughs!! Sorry, Frick and Frack fell asleep downstairs. Teenagers and getting up at 4:30 am to head to Watertown to move Uncle Eric and Aunt Nichol was hard on their slackin, summer, lazy agenda!!

6. Met my college roommate that I haven't seen in 15 years. We met for lunch and laughed and laughed. Susan is HOT as ever and loved hearing about her family. XOXOXO!!

7. Spent the night with Auntie and Mom. Dinner and Barnes n Noble (course, there was a Starbucks in there. One should never drink a caramel macchiato at 9 pm. I finally fell asleep at 2 am.)

8. Lake TIME!! It was great and I enjoyed some rays and laughter of the boys between the fights.....ugh!

9. Fireworks were once again AWESOME!! Gramps is good about letting the boys run the show but safety first, right Otto?!!

10. Grandma Syd fed us well.....our bellies are always full when we are there.

11. Bear and I worked on many projects! We had cabinets built for the laundry room-FINALLY!! They just need to be painted and I would be paint them but am afraid of the critical eyes that I am married to!! hee hee!!

12. Spent many weekends at Scott and Mary's for pool fun, margaritas, food and BLACK JACK!!! Oh, the laughs!!!

13. Work is crazy!! But FUN! Classes start August 24th. Faculty report Monday, the 10th.

14. I read several books. Love Half Price Books!!

15. And of course, the usual daily stuff.....dogs, parrot, mail, yard work, errands......

Pictures to follow...so many to edit. Love my Photoshop-thank you very much!!!

First Fish Of The Summer!!

The boys had a blast at my brother and sister in laws place. They always do and I am sure Nichol and Eric are exhausted!!

They arrived at the inlaws this evening and Ebo couldn't wait to "hook" lunch for tomorrow!!

Oh, BTW, he caught it off the DOCK!! I am sure by tomorrow evening, he will have worn a path between Nelson's dock, Gramps' dock and Dewey's dock "hooking" some more nourishment!! Thank goodness they all love fish! I just really hope Ebo is brushing his teeth!! I am not there to remind...er....threaten....DID YOU BRUSH???!!!!!

All Is Quiet Except For.....Bark, Bark, Chirp, Chirp

The boys have arrived in SD to start off their summer vacay!! So all is so quiet here....except for BARK, BARK, CHIRP,CHIRP!!! Ruger has been my shadow since I got home from work. He misses Smack, I can tell. Quaker is just being a sweet parrot and talking away!!

Friday was most stressful for me. VET visit for all THREE dogs! First Shadow and Ruger at 8:30 am. Arrive and all good. They call our name....Shadow's brakes come on. Ruger started shaking!! Shadow heads for the exit and wouldn't you know it.....the exit door isn't latched and out she went with leash into the parking lot. CRAP!! So tech and I are in parking lot calling her. Shadow at my van ready to go home. Grab her leash and out of the collar she goes into parking lot again.......heart sinks!! She comes back. Tighten collar and tech hands me Ruger who is still shaking. Tech goes to pick Shadow up and she not happy and gets out of collar AGAIN....so tech takes Ruger with him (poor Steve) and puts Ruger in a room and grabs muzzle. I sit on sidewalk and Shadow comes back to me.....put collar back on and muzzle. I think everyone in the waiting room plus staff were at the window EYES THE SIZE OF QUARTERS AND MOUTHS OPEN watching all of this. Finally get inside and then wonder where is my purse? I stand there in the waiting room saying to the tech, "Where's my purse?" What a great guy!! He had grabbed it and put it in the room with Ruger. Weigh Shadow...no problem. Enter exam room and poor Ruger is still shaking and drooling!! Shadow is his sista and he was a bit confused by all this.

Needless to say when we all got home, we all napped!!!

Then 3:00 arrives for Dakota's appointment. Piece of cake!! Last year he weighed 98lbs. Feb. weighed 86lbs.......FRIDAY.......76lbs!!!!!!!! Whoo Hooo!!! Thyroid meds are working!! Now just need to get him shaved down and he'd be a happy camper!!!

It's That Time Of Year.....End Of School!!!

WOW!! Where did this school year go? I mean it just seemed like we were buying crayons, notebooks, binders, backpacks.....!! But it has been an awesome year. Frick and Frack had their "awards" night last Tuesday. Upon entering the gym, it felt like a sauna!! People fanning themselves with their programs, sweat beading on their brows! Principal gave the opening remarks that included that the AC was broken, in fact, it happened that the part broke late that afternoon. GGRRR!!! In Texas, you need AC!! Well, a mom has to brag on her kiddos right? Frick received "Outstanding Achievement" in HISTORY and SOCCER!! Frack received "Outstanding Achievement" in ENGLISH, MYTHOLOGY and SOCCER!! Oh, and they wouldn't let me bring my camera either.....TEENAGERS!!! Very proud of the TWINKIES!!!

Smack had his "award" day today and received awards in CITIZENSHIP (they must be talking about some other kid cuz when he is home, he is not very CITIZENSHIP like) and STUDENT COUNCIL REP!! Little Smack will be heading into 6th grade next year. And all three passed their TAKS!! Smack scored 100 on MATH and SCIENCE!!! Proud parents to say the least!!!

They have one more week here in TX and then they are off to the unfrozen tundra!!! People just are shocked that they are gone for the entire summer but I remind them that the boys don't get to see their grandparents, aunts and uncles but once or twice a year. This is their time to make some memories. I can't be selfish and hoard them all to myself!!! Plus they still want to "hang" with them. My project list is growing daily with time I'll have to hopefully (not be lazy and watch movies) accomplish that said LIST when they are away. Bear and I will be making our way up to the unfrozen tundra the end of June thru July 4th. I mean come on, I live for decorating for the 4th of July "BOAT" parade!!

Randomness!!

If anyone has the answers to these 5 Random things, please let me know....
1. It has been, like what, 10 years since I bought formula. So how does a can of Enfamil Next Step show up in my mailbox? Where were the "freebies" when Frick and Frack were sucking it down?
2. Why does Dakota bark at planes and helicopters? Does he think he can "herd" them to the landing field?
3. Why is it that whenever there is a "HOLIDAY" weekend and a cookout involved, does the only raincloud in the sky open up just as all the food is set out?
4. Have you ever noticed the lever on paper towel dispensers in public restrooms are on the right? Or why is the gear shifter in your car on the right and not the left? Only reason I am asking is that when my right thumb required stitches, my left hand had to "grow" up and take charge. I feel your pain you lefties out there.
5. Why is it on the weekend, I have good hairdays while during the work week, my hair looks like crapola?

5 Things I learned this week...
1. If you are in a conversation and you think everyone knows you are joking around, never assume that everyone knows it and will not be offended!!!
2. It is ok to cry. It doesn't mean you are weak or a sissy. Sometimes there is nothing better than a good cry.
3. Never let your 10 year old have a sleepover or sleepout more than three nights in a roll.....cuz there is "HECK" to pay!!
4. Try not to hit your "SNOOZE" button more than 6 times on a working day. And if you do and you are a lady, there is NOTHING wrong with having a hair-clippy day!!
5. Even if you are having a crapola day, a smile and some chocolate always helps!!

Shave And A Haircut!!

Here are some "before/after" shots of two who were in need of some grooming!!!

Practice, Practice, Practice.....

Many of you know that I like to take pictures!! I am by no means a professional and have lots to learn but was lucky enough that the planets were in line so I could practice on this most BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL, KIND, LOVING subject.......er......subjects??

THIS is what I came home to on FRIDAY!!!

It seems that Dakota (that is who we are blaming it on) has a little thunder and lightning anxiety problem. See last Friday, April 17th, thunder boomers came a callin. It was during the day and Bear is usually home but......was out of town. Boys were at school and I was at work. Needless to say, when Frick and Frack got home from school, this is what they found......................





Dakota tried to open the bedroom door with his TEETH. What a great way to celebrate our 16th year Anniversary!! OOYYY!!!

Montage of Pix

A Little Catch UP Post!!

I haven't written anything in quite awhile. My excuse.....TIME!!! Where does it go? Let's see....if Bear is out of town, Monday's are...work til 4:30, speed racer it home to pick up Smack for soccer for 5 pm practice, drop him off, swing by Middle School and pick up Frick and Frack from soccer practice, drop them off at home, go in house and straighten up from morning rush, pick up Smack from soccer and go HOME. Then it's time to find something to eat...ugh!! Homework and then try to watch my favorite shows. I could give up the shows but it is my downtime. But usually DVR cuz QUAKER decides it is RAINFOREST time and starts his chirping and vocab lessons. Tuesday's it is pick up Frick and Frack from soccer then to their baseball practice then home.....aahhh. Wednesday's are the same as Monday's but after picking up Frick and Frack, we get home they shower and then drop them off at church for youth night, then get Smack. Pick Frick and Frack up at 8:30 pm. Then duct tape Smack to chair to do his homework!! Not really but it has crossed my mind several times. Thursday's soccer practice for Frick and Frack but now games have started so Tuesday's are now game day. Friday, sweet, sweet, Friday!!! Prepare for weekend.....Smack's soccer game or Frick and Frack's baseball tournaments. And if no tournaments, sleepovers or sleepouts, yard work, laundry, brushing dogs, cleaning house.....you know, the domesticated stuff. So now I am off to fold laundry and then, ready for this, take a NAP!!!!

More Baseball

And With Springtime..This Happens!!!

WOW!! What a MONDAY night!!! This occurred around 11:00 pm. Ebo slept thru it and the dogs were nervous. OOPPSS....I didn't even think to check Quaker.....better do that before bed.

Sometimes, I just amaze myself!!!

It's That Time Of Year...AACCHHOO...SPRINGTIME!!

The Otterson's ROCK!!!

WOW!!! What great friends we have!! Boys are sporting a new look---FARGO style. I took these with my phone so the quality isn't so great but you get the jist!!!

Baseball is gearing up!!