A little bit of yard work - alot of pain!

Got the yard mowed in between going to lunch with my good friend Sheri, and picking Cam up at school. Got cleaned up and went to Sani's softball game. Got more yard work done. Bought flowers and herbs (which San is major into right now!) and pear tomatoes. Want to get them planted tomorrow. Hopefully won't be raining like it is now. I really don't mind the night to early morning rain - don't need to be out in it. Although that is when Patrick is driving so with that thought don't like it at night either. Anyway it looks like I will be doing most of the yard stuff this year as Patrick has to keep our truck moving. Most weeks now he is out in his truck for his work week. Unfortunately he gets better miles that way. Then when he is home for his 34 hours off we don't want to spend it doing work. Yep that is right 34 hours!! Not much time to do much anyway. I really don't mind yard work. it is just this first spring clean up stuff that gets me! I hurt all over. Have to keep reminding myself that it is a good thing - to have all over body hurts means that I have gone out and did something! Need to get the Easter photos in the computer so I can share them. That is on the long list for this week.

Awesome start to spring!

We have been busy around here. Well I know that is not new but what is new is that Sandra was accepted into the National Junior Honor Society - this week was the induction ceremony. She said she was nervous but knew that was silly cause the Oath of the Society was just said with the whole group and she didn't have to memorize it as it was just repeated phrase by phrase. We got to the ceremony and I pulled out my camera and NO MEMORY CARD!!!!!! AHHHHHH! HOW COULD THAT HAPPEN!!! Well it was in the printer as I was transferring photos earlier that day!! Boy sometimes I wonder how I even remember to fed the kids sometimes! Anyway I did take a short video with my phone - got when they called her name and she was on stage! Then I took pictures when we got home. Her grade point average is a 3.8. Just finished a play-which was great to watch. She loves drama and has been coming out of her shell. She has started softball - her games will start after spring break.
Now for Lizzi - She has a 3.8 GPA too!! She has had 2 Softball games (well 4 since they play double headers0 and they have won ALL of them!! Cool huh? She is doing great at bat and has only not got on base once (struck out) and most of the time she makes it home. Scares me to death when she steals a base and i should be used to it by now but no it still gets me! Here is a photo of her up to bat and one at first base.
Cameron is still doing great in school. Many activities with the leadership group and with Dragon Jam (the marimba band she is in) in school. They just got done recording a CD. Can't wait till we can buy one. She has a solo in the "Hamster Dance" song. The group will be on tour the end of May. Going to many schools up toward Spokane and then a fun day at Silverwood. She can't wait! She is just awesome in her school work!! This is the first year they hand out letter grades. She has a 4.0 GPA!! Can't ask for better then that!!! She loves to read-has read to Florida! (they get to travel one mile for one minute of reading! That is many miles/minutes from Washington!) This is a photo of her in her Dragon Jam t-shirt.
Gabe is going good he works at the Senior Center one day a week and he is doing great with moving from one activity to another in class. (That was a biggy prob this fall! He would like doing something too much and did not want to move on). Kristin is starting CBC. Meghan is waiting for Jobs Corps to call - hopefully go in May. And last but not least Janie and Nanni are keeping me hopping!! Always into something!! Janie loves the computers and is getting good at all her letters and wants to type ALL THE TIME.

So that is the start of my AWESOME SPRING!!

I'll post cute photos of the other kids later as this has taken me a long time - clearwire is slow today!

Been a L O N G time!!

Boy did I hate being without a computer!! Has been a long time!! Now we have three!! Patrick has a laptop - for his truck, then we have a desk top and a net book for the house! Oh I guess I should say it is for our truck as he says it is mine too. We became owner-operators of our truck in Dec 09. Right before Christmas!! Very scary!! But it has turned out to be a good move-so far anyway!!

So I know I have said it before but this time I am actually going to do this blog thing more this year!! I am putting it in my planner so it will planned out that I post!! Around here I tell my kids "if it is not written in the planner - it just won't happen!"

Can't post much more now as Janie and Nanni (Savannah) are up and asking for things and I need to get ready to take Lizzi to yet another dentist app! Which I know she won't be happy about since they called me this morning and said they could get her in so as of right now she still doesn't know about it!

Some Photos

Janiemarie and Savannah in their matching jammies

Peace baby!!!!!!!!!!!!

These were taken by Kristin. She got a new camera and has been having fun so she actually takes more pictures than I do!! Now if I could just get her to scrapbook them!!!!!!!!

Today I wish...

>Janie would have got the hang of the potty chair months ago (note - she is now as we finally had a dry night last night and dry day today)

>Patrick would not have to work as much.

>There was at least 6 more hours a day just for me while my kids slept so I could scrapbook. (I probably would still ask for more hours though)

>It was Spring so it would not be still be so cold

>We didn't have to worry about money so much

>I could see my brother and his family more often

>that my 8 wonderfully crazy kids would grow up happy and healthy

Today

Today I ..............

...Like my hall - right now it is the cleanest area in my house, even the walls are clean as I wiped them down this morning.

...took a shower without someone knocking on the door wanting something.

...I talked to Patrick for over an hour as he drove to Seattle.

...Went to the scrapbook store down the street and got some Daisy Bucket stamps, paper and a new big chipboard that they are "test marketing" here.

...got my hair trimmed finally - now just have to find the time to get it highlighted.

...am tired of hanging up clothes to dry so I can't wait to get the dryer that we have needed since last summer.

....was sad that I couldn't get a Chai Tea - a blended 32 oz Spiced Apple Chai Tea

...bought 4 and a half gallons of milk and brought them home on the bus with Lizzi and Sani and Savannah.

...made Sweet and Sour Chicken for dinner.

...told all my kids I love them.


I actually wrote this list on Friday January 30 and wanted to post it that night but fell asleep while rocking Savannah and Janiemarie.

Wow OK well I wanted to post more last year HA I guess I didn't meet that goal!! So if you would have told me that there would be another baby born into this already large family I would not believe you. Oh well right. So lesson finally learned (I hope). What lesson? Don't ever think that you know where your life is going.

So baby 8 --- Savannah Sue. We had a hard time naming her. I guess we had thought of all the girl names that we liked. Well I must admit I liked Coreylyn Susanne (or Corielyn) but it was not my turn to have the final say on the name. So she was born on Nov. 7th 2008. I had gone into my Dr's that morning, had an ultrasound. Found she was still breech. Patrick would be home so I said "just take her out!! It has been long enough. I don't want to go into labor and find that she still won't turn and end up with a cesarean anyway." So we got to the hospital around 4. she was then born at 7:38. My mom and the rest of my kids were there too. They all got to see her get cleaned up while I was in recovery. She is just a little thing - 8lbs 15oz. Well little for us. She really is just petite.

Well that all I can write at the moment - I have to blow dry Cami's hair.

I wanted to post more this year but....

Well the kids have been home from school for 5 days - they had last Friday off because of report card prep for the teachers. Then on Sunday we get slammed with 1.5 inches of freezing rain and then it turned to snow! 7.5 inches of snow to be exact!! UGH!! Sunday night they were already saying it would be a school delay and then Monday morning they canceled it! Yesterday it started to melt but they said no school again. So last night it froze again but today they were determined to have school and they didn't even delay it for 2 hours-well with our early release that we have on Wednesdays if they delayed it for 2 hours the kids would have only been in school for three hours and what is the point of that!! Anyway they are reporting that we had a 80% chance that it will rain today and then get in the 20's for over night temps so we may be looking at a delay tomorrow!! We go several years having some snow here and there and maybe only delaying school once or twice and then we get hit like this. Funny, people complain that we don't have much snow - other areas around us get it and then we get hit like this and they complain that we have too much!! I think those people just like to complain!
So no school means I do not get computer time since 5 of my 7 love being on it!! And it is a great way to get them to clean something before they are allowed on. But today it is my turn-well at least right now anyway. I have got some scraping done in the last few days and some never ending organizing of my supplies. I think I will take some pictures when I am done and I will share them. I don't have a big space like I did in our other house two years ago but this house is better in so many other ways that it is OK! I would share my layouts but I think I am going to submit them and I am also working on a few things to try out for the Craft Warehouse design team (a craft store that has many stores here in the northwest). So I am off to do my other Internet things and I should take a shower. Oh and I will share some photos later-got to get them off my camera.

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year-okay I know it is 4 days into it. I've had a constant headache since New Years eve! Somehow am managing to deal with it. We rang in the year at home-although Meghan was at a friends we still had a house full of kids - three more then our 6 that was home. We watched Kaydee and then Katelyn and Ally was over too!



Wow what a year 2007 was!! If you would have told me last new year that I would spend Thanksgiving in New York City I would have laughed and laughed!! That is such a good lesson for me!! I have always wanted to go there-the sights-the sounds-the architecture, mainly the Flatiron-the history!!! I loved it all!!



So with the very busy, party filled, non-stop HOLIDAYS are now over we can get back to some what of a normal life around here!! HA if it is really ever normal here!! Kristin and Elizabeth are very much the social butterflies. Always out with friends or having some here. Meghan too has been busy with friends that were home from college. School was back in on Thursday the 3rd. This morning I was back in helping in Cami's class and then Sani's class. Next week there is Girl Scouts for San and Cam and symphony for Kristin. Then there is Janie's second Birthday!!! Note to self - must share the adventure of Janiemarie soon!! I'll pencil it in for next week!! Although let me say this about her right now SHE IS SOMETHING ELSE!!!!!



I would like to get more scraping done this year!! I just finished a little Christmas album of the kids-I don't know what I want to do with it yet so I am not going to share it. I got a few pages as well. I am thinking about trying for the design team for Craft Warehouse-a craft store that has a bunch of stores here in the Northwest. So if I am I need to get going on the items needed to apply.



I must end this now as Janie is getting into many things now that all the other kids are sleeping and I am not really watching her!!

This is why I have not had much computer time

I have been crocheting this afghan to raffle off to help with Kristin's expenses.

Hallowen Goolies!!

They are not scary goolies but goolies none the less. This little bunch went Trick or Treating downtown - the bussinesses hand out candy in front of their stores, we usually go there. Then we went to McD's for dinner then on to our nieghborhood. Lizzi's friend Ally was with us (she is the extra in the picture) and her mom. Janie did not want to be in the stroller so she walked. After all that the kids dumped out their candy on the floor like they always do. Of course Janie joined right in that too. She then decided to unwrap, lick or bite, then wrap back up a good portion of her candy! We think she was making sure that no one else would be eating her candy!!!! I don't think anyone would - my kids would rather have fruit then candy!! About three weeks ago I threw out their candy from last Halloween. Janie was going to be Mumble from the movie Happy Feet but she would not take the pumpkin sweatshirt she was wearing for the day!!! So maybe mumble next year!! Oh and Cami was a cat, Sani a witch and Gabe was a baseball player.

Lizzi the Vampiress and Ally the Mime

Janie Pumpkin and her candy

Cool pumpkins!!

Toot'n the horn again for Kristin

Her story is now in the local newspaper!!
Here is the link-
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/story/9426761p-9338890c.html

We are in count down mode!! Ugh! There are so many things still to get done before we go!!!
She is so nervous that it we won't get it all done-mainly buying the make-up and other few things we need to get like camera memory cards!!! She also has a cold!!!!!!!! Pumping her with vitamins and chicken soup and green tea!!!

On the news

Hey we (as in Kristin and I) were on the news last Saturday!!
It was a story about going to New York City for the parade!!!

Here is a link -
http://KEPRtv.com Click on the Local & Regional tab at the top then it will be about half way down - click on the story called "Kennewick Senior To Show Color in Macy's Parade".

Kristin's Senior Photos

Here is just a few of her photos that I took for her senior pictures. I took over 100 well 110 to be exact. We had fun. Went to several places around town. Took about four hours!!

She has not decided yet as to which one should go into the school yearbook. I think these next ones are the choices she has it narrowed down to.

We took some fun ones as well!!

She is showing me her gum!!!

Always the ballerina!!

These next two are my favorites in black and white!!

Look at my hippie-disco chick!!

We were BBQing and she was having so much fun with that hat on!!

If you look closely at her hand in the photos you can see her bandage. She got burnt. 2nd degree - inbetween her thumb and finger and up the thumb. Meghan was giving her lunch-one of those frozen Smuckers PB&J uncrustables. Jm was screaming that she wanted it NOW!! So Meg put it the microwave for 30 seconds. Well the filling squeezed out onto her hand! Fortunately she didn't get any in her mouth. We ran water on it and then ice. The blister was so big the next day!!! The Dr. said he had never seen one that big before. He was a jerk though and kept infering that it wasn't an accident and that it will take months to heal and will take skin graphs. Well it has been just about a month and you can't even tell anything happen to her sweet little hand!! She was really good at letting me change the bandage and put the Silvadene cream on it. Oh the Dr gave us this huge tub of the cream-we haven't even used a fourth of it!!
Look at those eyes!!

Fun angle!!

BIG NEWS

Well another month has gone by!! I am not a very good blogger!!!! I can put the blame on the kids though!! They are usually on the computer but Kristin is at band camp, Lizzi is sleeping , Gabe is eating and the other kids are playing an "old fashion board game" (their words! I guess if it doesn't plug in then it is old fashion).

So the month of July was very busy!! I am gone doing more kid running now then during school!!

My family will not have Thanksgiving dinner together this year!

Well I said there is some BIG news!




OK that is only part of it!!
Do you watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade? Well you should!!!



I get to watch it in person this year as Kristin IS IN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She has been invited to march with the Macy's Great American Marching Band!! They lead the parade!!!! This is such a huge honor! She is in the Color Guard (which perform with the flags). She is representing the state of Washington as they only pick one person from each state to be in the Color Guard. We will be there from the Sat B4 Thanksgiving to Friday after. There is a lot of practice but also some fun - tours and eating and such!!
Anyway pray for us-we want a great flight and nice weather! Oh and she will be wearing a red uniform with a silver star on the front-as for me I have not yet decided (ha ha).

Pool Fun!!

Here is some pic's from a spur of the moment pool trip

June 20th Sani, Janie, and Lizzi

Lizzi and her BF Ally at the snack bar

Meghan and Kristin

This is Cami

Cami under the "mushroom"

Janiemarie

Lizzi, Jm, and Sandra

Gabriel

Janiemarie had fun walking around and Cami liked to show me that she could finally go under the "mushroom". Sani and Lizzi swam in the "big" pool with Ally. Gabriel had so much fun swimming-he finally would hold his breath and go under the water we need to just get him to kick now since he does moves his arms!!

What a great day!!!

I forgot!!

Boy sometimes I know these kids are doing damage to me!! I just hate that Lizzi and Kristin fight so much!! I get so frustrated I want to pull my hair out!! No matter what I do or say to them they just can't get along!! They are so much alike - I know that is why they can't get along! They both have to be the boss. So dealing with them I forgot to post Photos of the softball girls.

So here is Cami waiting to bat and then batting-

This is Sani on deck and then right after the game-
And Lizzi playing left field-

Almost been a month

My last post was almost a month ago!! Wow!! Life is so busy here and then I don't get the computer much-now that it is summer the kids are all on it!! Cami even has web sites she enjoys going on!! So the computer is running pretty much all day long. Plus we have been enjoying our backyard. So I guess I have just been enjoying life too much and not taking the time to write it down. That's what it is all about anyway - right?

First of all Meghan's graduation was fun but very emotional!! I started crying even before it started!! Her party was a success too. Here are a few photos! We get to do it all over again next year! Although it will be different because Kristin and Kaitlyn are having it together and at the Rose Garden. Those two thought they should have it that way since they have been together since kindergarten. So Kaitlyn's mom and i are already planning it. Then the next grad party is five years after that and will be with that family too as Lizzi is BF with Kaitlyn's sister Ally.
Here some photos of the graduation-

So we have already started enjoying our usual summer activities. Going to the free movies, the pool and the sprinkle park. Tonight was the last of the softball games!!! I am glad it is over but then again I am not. They just start to get good and then the season ends! Cami is such a good hitter. Even though she hits off the T she is one of the three on her team that made a "home run" (three times) by hitting the ball way out to the grass. Sandra has grown in her hitting too-she hits off a machine and very rarely strikes out. Then Lizzi had such a good season her team won most of their games and one game she made the winning hit!! She was so excited. They all want to play again next year.

Today was the first free movie "Ice Age - the Melt Down". We have seen most of the movies that they are playing this year but not on the BIG screen. Plus it is something fun to do. Meghan didn't go because she had her first "college" class. It's really just a fun class but it does count towards getting her BA. Grandpa Steve has been going to a jewelry class for a couple of years (and he's really good at it-he has given the girls and I a few of his pieces and they are well "really pretty" as Cami puts it!!) Anyway he gave Meg the class for part of her grad present (she got a beautiful necklace to that of course he made!!) She thinks it will be fun.