snow boarding

We got a light dusting of snow yesterday, so the boys took the snowboard out. They had a great time. Obviously we needed a little more snow, but that didn't stop them from having lots of fun.

Merry Christmas

We celebrated Christmas with the kids on Christmas eve. We started the day with a strawberry smoothie and coffee. The kids played some Christmas music on the piano, which I love! Then we opened presence and of course that is the kids favorite part. A few pix from our day.

Trevor got a "Halo War" lego seta new rip-stik for Drew

a Wii game system - which they all loved

her straight iron (she has been begging and pleading for one)

a snow board
now if we could just get some snow instead of rain

makin applesauce

Last week we decided it was time to make applesauce. The boys and Darrell did a great job helping, (Alysha went to a vb tournament). We started after school and soon had 2 boxes of apples done.Trevor sorted apples for us

cutting up the apples

they were practically fighting as to who was going to crank this thing first

Darrell got in on the actions too

the finished product (well almost finished)

Alysha had a great volleyball season this year. She loved everything about it, even practice.
The team did really well, I think there record so far is 17-7. Not bad. She improved so much too, it was great to see the team pull together and have fun.

photo compliments of her father :)

Road Trip!

Last Friday the boys and I took a road trip to Sugarcreek, OH to pickup a set of drums. We had a great time, slept in a medieval themed motel room (it was a bit scary), got stuck in a traffic jam but had fun together. Drew just about went nuts on the way home cause he had to wait to play the drums!

Here is Drew playing the new set

camping

On Friday evening we packed the vintage motor home and headed to Bo woods for a weekend of camping. We had a great time, the weather was gorgeous the kids had fun and we were able to relax.

at the boat ramp"Karate Kid's"

On Friday there was a stray dog that Darrell found at Okaw, nobody knew where his home was so we gave him a home. Of course the kids were thrilled. However, they knew that we needed to find out whose dog it was before we could claim him as our own, and unfortunately we did :( Alysha loved this little dog, he was so gentle and pretty well trained.

playing down by the lake, they made there own fishing pole.

and she thinks I don't have any fashion sense

the boys made a mud slide, what fun! There swim trunks are trashed.

camping '09

We went on our annual camping trip with my family this weekend. And as always had a great time. The weather was great, had a few sprinkles, got a little warm on Sunday but was so good to reconnect and just relax and read my book. Darrell and the kids got to spend some time on the lake too.

Love this boys curls

Trevor got a toy airplane stuck on top of the camper

They play this race track game every year - they love it!

Playing cards in the rain

Cousins = good friends!
Luke and Drew

snap shot of summer

putting together an erector set

playing in the rain

watermelon seed spitting contest

Holiday World, so fun!

enjoying an evening by the fire

Drew's Party

It's like they say "better late than never". We had Adam and Drew's party together this year, they both wanted to have an air soft gun war party, so we invited their friends down and they had such a good time. We had green b-b's all over the yard and patio, no big deal they had fun!

Darrell had to draw the gun

happy birthday trevor

Sigh, my baby is 9 years old. :( I can't believe how fast time has gone. Seems like not so long ago he was just a little guy (i like to think he still is). He had a couple of friends over and they ran thru the sprinkler, played legos, rode bike and had a dart gun war.

Sean, Isaiah and Trevor

his new BMX bike

his b-day cake, Alysha made most of it, Drew and I helped a little,
they did a great job.

our day

Finally it feels like spring is here! We had such a fun day. Darrell tilled the garden and put fertilizer on the lawn. Alysha and I trimmed all the landscaping. The boys played out in the creek and we all planted the garden. I'm exhausted, but it was a great day to be home and enjoy the great outdoors.

watering the lettuce

planting onions

Boys canoeing in the creek

snack time

our weekend

We have been enjoying a nice relaxing weekend (for once). It all started on Friday, we were in our pj's all day (it was wonderful) we baked and frosted Easter cookies, put 3 puzzles together and are working on the 4th one, had movie night, went to church, made a nice easter lunch and did all the other mundane boring things that you have to do to keep the house in order. Oh, and our dishwasher broke down :( our kids make excellent dishwashers!

we didn't have a egg cookie cutter, so we made our own pattern and then she cut it out with a knife. She did good!

the finished product

happy birthday alysha

Can't believe my "little" girl is 14 years old, sniff. We had a small party for her on Sat. eve Dale, Amy and kids and Doug & Mattie and their family came down for burgers on the grill and Amy made the b-day cake (thanks). Tonite I cooked her favorite dinner: poormans steak, mashed potatoes and green beans, yum!

her new walleta new dress