First Day of School

It's hard to believe but Drew is off to school in 3rd grade this year and Jack in 2nd. Things change as the school year gets started once again:

• I get back on a schedule because I have to, not because I want to.
• I don't have to run the dishwasher 2 times a day.
• Bedtime is earlier...more quiet time in the evening for Scott and I.
• More laundry....I couldn't possibly send a child to school in the same outfit as the day before:)(yes, in the summer I would let them if they weren't too stinky...prob. a bad mom I know)
• Different bus route.....making the kids get out to the busy about 20 min earlier, which means I have to get up 20 min. earlier...yea!!!! no not really.
• More things/appts. added to my schedule....pto, gymnastics, whew...no soccer (the boys opt'd out...Scouts are starting though...., field trips, volunteering at school.
• eating school lunch with my kids and their friends
• hugs and kisses as they head out the door EVERY morning
• being prepared with packing lunches most mornings
• watching my boys get ready for school by themselves: I don't know what came over them but they are getting dressed by themselves, combing their hair and eating breakfast all by themselves. They must have talked to Julie's kids!

Hope your school year goes well too!

Here's to you, Grandpa!

1921-2010

Here's to you, Art

WWII Vet, golfer, and friend



Here's to you, Husband

47 years, Florida-travellers, and tractor collector



Here's to you, Dad

Provider, woodcrafter, and 2 wonderful children



Here's to you, Grandpa

King's Island chauffeur, sea gull feeder, and Christmas Extraordinaire



Here's to you, Great-Grandpa

Snuggler, Candy-giver, and jokester



Here's to you, Art

89 years; Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Great-Grandpa



We love you and miss you!

Oh Crackers!

I love to bake, especially breads and one thing on my list of "to do's" are to make crackers....and boy did these turn out good! They didn't last long around the house. I brushed them with a little of my TS Roasted Garlic Oil (oh yum...it's one of my new favorites that is retiring Aug 31 boo hoo...yes, I am stocking up on it) and sprinkled them with

Kosher salt and TS Garlic Pepper (another one I am stocking up on before it retires).

Cowboy Jack wanted to help with the stirring. I love the way he dresses up in different characters....today he was a cowboy.

Now, if I can just get over my sinus problems I would feel much better! I think I better go lie down....again.....

Don't Look UP

After walking up a restaurant's steps, I looked up...I sure hope they are securely fastened to the chandelier! By the way, great places to eat in Minneapolis! So many....hard to choose from but this one was very good! Hell's Kitchen....

I spent almost a week in Minneapolis for my Tastefully Simple National Conference. I had a chance to tour the headquarters, which was absolutely fab. What a great place to work! Their break room had every sort of fun thing to do....pool, tv, coffee bar, dim lights, fire place....I could go on. They also had a workout room, beautiful landscape, a huge peaceful lake property (named after our top seller Bountiful Beer Bread, Lake Bountiful) complete with a small cabin, beautifully decorated old farm home, and a fire pit.

Now back to the real world and getting those kids ready for school....soon....

Summer passes quickly

I can't believe how time flies....but it does. The boys will head back to school on the 10th, which seems extremely early. It has been a fun summer just hanging out with the kids not doing a whole lot. We did get to go to the lake with my family and we had such a great time! The boys also had fun with the track program here at the High School. I was impressed at how they learned to use the starting blocks, the hurdles, and techniques for long jump and high jump. Here are some pics to share....

My kids adore little ones....especialy Lily! They ask when are we going to see her next....

Drew, Jack and Molly all tried skiing. They all did a great job trying! It was a lot of work to keep their legs in the right position with their skies in the right position, etc.... They would get up but not straighten up so then they wouldn't last long and fall. Maybe next year!

I did wait until almost the last day to try wakeboarding... I was sore the rest of the time....I won't bore you with pics:) but it was fun once I got up. All the men made it look easy...even my dad! I didn't get pics of everyone but made posters of dad and my nephews for fun!