ALLIE
Allie informed me tonight that she is planning to babysit when she is 15 & will do that until her art career takes off. I'm still chuckling!
This blog is written to help keep family & friends up to date on our day to day lives. Enjoy!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
STURGIS FALLS & OTHER STUFF
Scott & I had the best weekend! On Friday, we sent the kids to Michael & Kim's for the night, then to my parent's house for the rest of the weekend. Why? Some of our old college friends came to town for a get together. We picked last weekend because it was Sturgis Falls & there is a ton of stuff to do. We had the best time catching up & laughing about our UNI days. It was great!!
Allie is doing well in softball. She can hit the ball & field pretty well. She loves it, so that is great. Jake continues to enjoy baseball. His team still isn't doing great, but they are improving each game.
My sister & her kids came to visit overnight to see each of the kiddos play ball. My parents came up for a day to catch one of Jake's games. They'll be back later in the summer to see Miss Allie play.
The kids are having a great summer. We decided not to join the waterpark for the first year in 6 years! I was a little nervous about that, but they are having a great time running & riding their bikes around the neighborhood & playing with their friends. The other day, Jake went out at 10 a.m & came inside at 10 pm. He was outside all day long. All meals were served outside & he loved it.
We are looking forward to the upcoming 4th of July. I'm sure it will be a blast as always. The kids are so excited...I think that the 4th ranks right up there with Christmas for my kids!!
The whole group (front: Kari, Me, Cris, Mike back: Brian, Scott, Stacy, Betsy, Jodi & Dan)
Allie, Maddie & Ben watching a movie
Me & my some of my old roomies at Suds for old times (Cris, Jodi, Me & Stacy)
Allie crossing home plate
Allie ready at 3rd base
Scott & I had the best weekend! On Friday, we sent the kids to Michael & Kim's for the night, then to my parent's house for the rest of the weekend. Why? Some of our old college friends came to town for a get together. We picked last weekend because it was Sturgis Falls & there is a ton of stuff to do. We had the best time catching up & laughing about our UNI days. It was great!!
Allie is doing well in softball. She can hit the ball & field pretty well. She loves it, so that is great. Jake continues to enjoy baseball. His team still isn't doing great, but they are improving each game.
My sister & her kids came to visit overnight to see each of the kiddos play ball. My parents came up for a day to catch one of Jake's games. They'll be back later in the summer to see Miss Allie play.
The kids are having a great summer. We decided not to join the waterpark for the first year in 6 years! I was a little nervous about that, but they are having a great time running & riding their bikes around the neighborhood & playing with their friends. The other day, Jake went out at 10 a.m & came inside at 10 pm. He was outside all day long. All meals were served outside & he loved it.
We are looking forward to the upcoming 4th of July. I'm sure it will be a blast as always. The kids are so excited...I think that the 4th ranks right up there with Christmas for my kids!!
The whole group (front: Kari, Me, Cris, Mike back: Brian, Scott, Stacy, Betsy, Jodi & Dan)
Allie, Maddie & Ben watching a movie
Me & my some of my old roomies at Suds for old times (Cris, Jodi, Me & Stacy)
Allie crossing home plate
Allie ready at 3rd baseTuesday, June 23, 2009
FUN WEEK!!
Last week was full of adventure...like always!
Jake had a game on Wednesday. Another double header. They lost both games. Jake played well. He also had a doubleheader on Sunday. They lost the first by one run and won the 2nd game by 5 runs. His team made a TRIPLE play in one of the innings. It was so cool.
The kids went to a play date at Austin & Sami's. They had a great time playing in the nearby creek. They came home with 5 tadpoles as their "pets". The tadpoles last until today's due to the heat...
Allie & I went to Drew's first b-day party on Sunday (Jake had a game). We weren't able to stay long, we wanted to get home for Jake's 2nd game. I got to hang with Drew before the party goers arrived, so that was nice. I can't believe he's 1!
We got to meet Will's girlfriend at the party. She seems really nice & we look forward to getting to know her. Allie enjoyed the slip & slide at Michael & Kim's house. She opted to go down it in her clothes! I wasn't too thrilled with her. I can't wait to pay Michael back for his encouragement!!
Friday night was the annual girl's night at my friend Kim's house. This year's theme was ugly bridesmaids dresses. We had great food & drinks, along with a lot of laughs.
We've had several storms here the past few days. Sunday we had a tornado warning. There was a tornado that struck in a small town near us. Today the sirens went off because a tornado was spotted near the Dome, which is really close to us. Too close for comfort. We hunkered down in the basement until the storms passed by.
Drew is "1"
Miss Maddie, my niece
Our pet tadpoles
Ugly bridesmaids dresses (front Cindy & Kristin...back Kim, Karen, Cathi, Steph, Kristie & me)
Jake on 1st base
Last week was full of adventure...like always!
Jake had a game on Wednesday. Another double header. They lost both games. Jake played well. He also had a doubleheader on Sunday. They lost the first by one run and won the 2nd game by 5 runs. His team made a TRIPLE play in one of the innings. It was so cool.
The kids went to a play date at Austin & Sami's. They had a great time playing in the nearby creek. They came home with 5 tadpoles as their "pets". The tadpoles last until today's due to the heat...
Allie & I went to Drew's first b-day party on Sunday (Jake had a game). We weren't able to stay long, we wanted to get home for Jake's 2nd game. I got to hang with Drew before the party goers arrived, so that was nice. I can't believe he's 1!
We got to meet Will's girlfriend at the party. She seems really nice & we look forward to getting to know her. Allie enjoyed the slip & slide at Michael & Kim's house. She opted to go down it in her clothes! I wasn't too thrilled with her. I can't wait to pay Michael back for his encouragement!!
Friday night was the annual girl's night at my friend Kim's house. This year's theme was ugly bridesmaids dresses. We had great food & drinks, along with a lot of laughs.
We've had several storms here the past few days. Sunday we had a tornado warning. There was a tornado that struck in a small town near us. Today the sirens went off because a tornado was spotted near the Dome, which is really close to us. Too close for comfort. We hunkered down in the basement until the storms passed by.
Drew is "1"
Miss Maddie, my niece
Our pet tadpoles
Ugly bridesmaids dresses (front Cindy & Kristin...back Kim, Karen, Cathi, Steph, Kristie & me)
Jake on 1st baseSaturday, June 20, 2009
3:30 A.M.
3:30 a.m. That is what time my cell phone rang this morning. That is when a little, sobbing voice on the other end of the phone said "mom, I miss you, can you please come get me". Of course, I answered "I'll be right there". I stumbled around in the dark & made my way to the garage. I drove a couple of miles to pick up my crying daughter from her friend's house. I'm pretty sure that I didn't see a single car driving at that time. She met me in the driveway. I apologized to her friend's mother. She cried most of the way home because she had "missed me SO much". When everyone got up this morning, the boys were completely unaware of what went down overnight. Guess they must sleep soundly!
3:30 a.m. That is what time my cell phone rang this morning. That is when a little, sobbing voice on the other end of the phone said "mom, I miss you, can you please come get me". Of course, I answered "I'll be right there". I stumbled around in the dark & made my way to the garage. I drove a couple of miles to pick up my crying daughter from her friend's house. I'm pretty sure that I didn't see a single car driving at that time. She met me in the driveway. I apologized to her friend's mother. She cried most of the way home because she had "missed me SO much". When everyone got up this morning, the boys were completely unaware of what went down overnight. Guess they must sleep soundly!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
ONE WEEK OF SUMMER DOWN
The first week of summer went surprisingly well! The kids didn't fight & actually hung out together. I was shocked!
We had a Scout picnic for Jake. His last Scout event, he's decided to give up Scouts because he is too busy with other activities. I have to say that I was happy he gave it up (I was the leader & that means one less activity for me). Anyway, we went to our friend's house which backs up to the woods. There is a small creek that the kids spent tons of time wading in, catching toads and just playing. They had a bonfire and smores too. We had a great time & both kids came home exhausted & filthy.
Jake had a doubleheader on Sunday. His team won one & lost one. He had an amazing (lucky) catch in the outfield & he was pretty happy about that. After the game, the entire team & their families came to our house for a BBQ. It was a lot of fun.
Allie & I had a girls afternoon on Friday. Jake went with a friend to the Children's Museum in Coralville, so we painted pottery, had lunch, shopped & then came home & crashed. It was fun!
The kids finished up VBS last week. They had a big pool party on Thursday evening. It was chilly, but they still went swimming. I don't know how they could stand the freezing water!
The kids have been playing outside non-stop. The neighbor boys and girls have been coming and going. They are having a ball so far this summer. We also went to see 2 movies on rainy days. The movies "Up" and "Night at the Museum 2" were both cute.
Jake has been going to basketball camp a couple of days a week. He is enjoying that. Allie starts softball this week & can't wait.
Scott & I also celebrated our 13 year anniversary yesterday. Hard to believe it has been that long! So much has changed since our wedding day...kids, new house, new jobs, new cars, vacations and so on. It's been an adventure & I can't wait to see what happens the 50 years!
Allie painting her pottery
Half of the people at the baseball picnic
Jake's baseball team:
Front left to right: Mason, Paul, Nick, Carter, Mitch & Ben
Back left to right: Coach Newton, Sam, Luke, Jake, Reese, Austin, Will & Coach Bennett
The first week of summer went surprisingly well! The kids didn't fight & actually hung out together. I was shocked!
We had a Scout picnic for Jake. His last Scout event, he's decided to give up Scouts because he is too busy with other activities. I have to say that I was happy he gave it up (I was the leader & that means one less activity for me). Anyway, we went to our friend's house which backs up to the woods. There is a small creek that the kids spent tons of time wading in, catching toads and just playing. They had a bonfire and smores too. We had a great time & both kids came home exhausted & filthy.
Jake had a doubleheader on Sunday. His team won one & lost one. He had an amazing (lucky) catch in the outfield & he was pretty happy about that. After the game, the entire team & their families came to our house for a BBQ. It was a lot of fun.
Allie & I had a girls afternoon on Friday. Jake went with a friend to the Children's Museum in Coralville, so we painted pottery, had lunch, shopped & then came home & crashed. It was fun!
The kids finished up VBS last week. They had a big pool party on Thursday evening. It was chilly, but they still went swimming. I don't know how they could stand the freezing water!
The kids have been playing outside non-stop. The neighbor boys and girls have been coming and going. They are having a ball so far this summer. We also went to see 2 movies on rainy days. The movies "Up" and "Night at the Museum 2" were both cute.
Jake has been going to basketball camp a couple of days a week. He is enjoying that. Allie starts softball this week & can't wait.
Scott & I also celebrated our 13 year anniversary yesterday. Hard to believe it has been that long! So much has changed since our wedding day...kids, new house, new jobs, new cars, vacations and so on. It's been an adventure & I can't wait to see what happens the 50 years!
Allie painting her pottery
Half of the people at the baseball picnic
Jake's baseball team:Front left to right: Mason, Paul, Nick, Carter, Mitch & Ben
Back left to right: Coach Newton, Sam, Luke, Jake, Reese, Austin, Will & Coach Bennett
Thursday, June 11, 2009
LOVE YA MOM!
My kids are both very different. Most of you know that. Allie loves anything art-related. She loves to draw, color, paint, mold things in clay, use chalk and so on. She loves to dance and ride her scooter. She is good at reading & likes it. Math isn't her strong subject. She is quite clumsy and very affectionate. She is always hugging her mama, giving me a kiss for no reason, leaving me little notes/pictures, telling me how awesome I am as a mom. She isn't afraid to show her feelings. She is truly a sweet, sweet child. I feel so needed and loved around Miss Allie.
Jake on the other hand loves anything sports related. I've sat through numerous soccer, football, baseball and basketball games. He loves to kick a ball around or just run for no reason. He loves to ride his bike...fast! He loves math & could care less about reading. He is a nice kid with a heart of gold. He'd never intentionally hurt someone's feelings and he truly cares about people. He's a neat kid. HOWEVER, he doesn't hug or kiss. He doesn't tell me how awesome I am over and over. I rarely get a note or pictures, Mother's Day & my b-day is about it. What he does is pretty cool. EVERY single time he leaves me, whether going to a practice, a friend's house, school or just outside to play, he simply says "love ya mom'. That's it. Those three little words are SO cool & mean just as much as Allie's constant affection.
While each kid has a different way of showing their affections, each one is pretty special & I cherish them for their differences. I cherish the daily pats on the back from Allie & love the simple "love ya mom" from Jake.
My kids are both very different. Most of you know that. Allie loves anything art-related. She loves to draw, color, paint, mold things in clay, use chalk and so on. She loves to dance and ride her scooter. She is good at reading & likes it. Math isn't her strong subject. She is quite clumsy and very affectionate. She is always hugging her mama, giving me a kiss for no reason, leaving me little notes/pictures, telling me how awesome I am as a mom. She isn't afraid to show her feelings. She is truly a sweet, sweet child. I feel so needed and loved around Miss Allie.
Jake on the other hand loves anything sports related. I've sat through numerous soccer, football, baseball and basketball games. He loves to kick a ball around or just run for no reason. He loves to ride his bike...fast! He loves math & could care less about reading. He is a nice kid with a heart of gold. He'd never intentionally hurt someone's feelings and he truly cares about people. He's a neat kid. HOWEVER, he doesn't hug or kiss. He doesn't tell me how awesome I am over and over. I rarely get a note or pictures, Mother's Day & my b-day is about it. What he does is pretty cool. EVERY single time he leaves me, whether going to a practice, a friend's house, school or just outside to play, he simply says "love ya mom'. That's it. Those three little words are SO cool & mean just as much as Allie's constant affection.
While each kid has a different way of showing their affections, each one is pretty special & I cherish them for their differences. I cherish the daily pats on the back from Allie & love the simple "love ya mom" from Jake.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
HE! CAN! HIT!
Yep, you read that right. Jake got his first hit of the season last night. Ok...he did hit a foul ball last game & I was proud then, considering that was the first & only contact he'd make all season. Last night he actually HIT the ball! I cheered SO loud & was beaming for that kid. I suppose that I should mention that the ball landed in the DAMN shortstops glove on a lucky catch (his glove was on the ground...a inch & he would have missed). So, he was out. He didn't seem to mind because HE GOT A HIT!! Ok, you get the picture.
Jake was up to bat a couple of other times & got walked, struck out swinging (which is new for him) and his last strike out was called at a ball that hit the plate & was called a strike. It was bad. I'm not just saying that either (that is when the base ump went & talked to the plate ump). Did I mention my kid got a hit??
Jake did a good job at 1st base & also played right center. His fielding is usually pretty good & tonight was no different. Oh, did I mention my kid got a hit?
The game didn't end so well. It was a doubleheader and we lost the first one 9-3 and the second on 5-4. I will say that the ump during the second game was AWFUL & even the base coach thought he wasn't calling things right. Oh well! Did I mention my kid got a hit???
I will attribute Jake's hit to my brother's countless hours last weekend working with Jake. He threw tons of balls at him & fixed some things too. Thank you Michael! I will also say that it didn't hurt that I threw balls to him yesterday afternoon & made sure he could still hit :) I'm willing to bet Michael's instruction was worth more than mine. Did I mention my kid got a hit??
Ok...I swear enough bragging. But, um, it is my blog & well a mama can do that every now & then. So, I did & now I'll be done (until hopefully Sunday's game when he's a hitter).
Yep, you read that right. Jake got his first hit of the season last night. Ok...he did hit a foul ball last game & I was proud then, considering that was the first & only contact he'd make all season. Last night he actually HIT the ball! I cheered SO loud & was beaming for that kid. I suppose that I should mention that the ball landed in the DAMN shortstops glove on a lucky catch (his glove was on the ground...a inch & he would have missed). So, he was out. He didn't seem to mind because HE GOT A HIT!! Ok, you get the picture.
Jake was up to bat a couple of other times & got walked, struck out swinging (which is new for him) and his last strike out was called at a ball that hit the plate & was called a strike. It was bad. I'm not just saying that either (that is when the base ump went & talked to the plate ump). Did I mention my kid got a hit??
Jake did a good job at 1st base & also played right center. His fielding is usually pretty good & tonight was no different. Oh, did I mention my kid got a hit?
The game didn't end so well. It was a doubleheader and we lost the first one 9-3 and the second on 5-4. I will say that the ump during the second game was AWFUL & even the base coach thought he wasn't calling things right. Oh well! Did I mention my kid got a hit???
I will attribute Jake's hit to my brother's countless hours last weekend working with Jake. He threw tons of balls at him & fixed some things too. Thank you Michael! I will also say that it didn't hurt that I threw balls to him yesterday afternoon & made sure he could still hit :) I'm willing to bet Michael's instruction was worth more than mine. Did I mention my kid got a hit??
Ok...I swear enough bragging. But, um, it is my blog & well a mama can do that every now & then. So, I did & now I'll be done (until hopefully Sunday's game when he's a hitter).
Saturday, June 06, 2009
SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!
Last week was another full one! I worked all week & the kids enjoyed lots of fun things during their last week of 3rd and 1st grade.
There was snow cone days sponsored by student council. Each snow cone cost 50 cents and after 2 days the student council made over $1000. Pretty amazing.
I co-chaired the 2 day annual talent show for the 4th year in a row. It was another success. Jake's group danced again & did well. Allie and her friend Jordyn brought down the house with their version of Hoedown Throwdown by Hannah Montana. They got the loudest cheers for the day.
We had a week long coin drive come to an end. The kids raised over $7200 & got the opportunity to dunk the principal and some teachers in a dunk tank. The teachers were great sports & of course the kiddos loved it.
Awards day brought the student council awards for both Jake & Allie. Jake also got a garden club award. I was nominated for a volunteer award as well. I was one proud mama after all was said & done.
I got to go to Allie's class picnic on the last day of school. I loved it! I was also invited to Jake's end of the year ice cream party. They showered me with a cool card signed by the whole class and a gift bag of goodies for my time spent with his class.
Jake had a baseball game on Wednesday night. They lost, but Jake had some great fielding on 1st base and he even hit a foul ball (he eventually struck out & was walked too).
Allie went to a pizza party with her Daisy troop the other night. She got her patch & awards for selling so many cookies this year.
Jake played in a weekend-long soccer tournament. They won Friday night, lost 2 games on Saturday & lost on Sunday. They 6th placed overall. Jake had 2 goals in the tournament & played well.
This week brings: vacation Bible school, baseball practices, 2 doubleheader baseball games, Jake's basketball camp and catching up on housework.
Nick, Jake & Adam
Allie & her best buds (Madison, Allie, Andrea & Morgan)
Carmen. Ashlyn & Allie
Allie & her award for being on Student Council
Jake & his student council award
Dr. Reid in the dunk tank
Jake crossing home plate
Talent Show group (Ben, Olivia, Jake, Makenna, Paul & Sophie)
Allie & Jordyn ready for the Talent Show
Jake fighting for the ball
Jake booting the ball
Allie & her friend Ryan during the soccer game
Last week was another full one! I worked all week & the kids enjoyed lots of fun things during their last week of 3rd and 1st grade.
There was snow cone days sponsored by student council. Each snow cone cost 50 cents and after 2 days the student council made over $1000. Pretty amazing.
I co-chaired the 2 day annual talent show for the 4th year in a row. It was another success. Jake's group danced again & did well. Allie and her friend Jordyn brought down the house with their version of Hoedown Throwdown by Hannah Montana. They got the loudest cheers for the day.
We had a week long coin drive come to an end. The kids raised over $7200 & got the opportunity to dunk the principal and some teachers in a dunk tank. The teachers were great sports & of course the kiddos loved it.
Awards day brought the student council awards for both Jake & Allie. Jake also got a garden club award. I was nominated for a volunteer award as well. I was one proud mama after all was said & done.
I got to go to Allie's class picnic on the last day of school. I loved it! I was also invited to Jake's end of the year ice cream party. They showered me with a cool card signed by the whole class and a gift bag of goodies for my time spent with his class.
Jake had a baseball game on Wednesday night. They lost, but Jake had some great fielding on 1st base and he even hit a foul ball (he eventually struck out & was walked too).
Allie went to a pizza party with her Daisy troop the other night. She got her patch & awards for selling so many cookies this year.
Jake played in a weekend-long soccer tournament. They won Friday night, lost 2 games on Saturday & lost on Sunday. They 6th placed overall. Jake had 2 goals in the tournament & played well.
This week brings: vacation Bible school, baseball practices, 2 doubleheader baseball games, Jake's basketball camp and catching up on housework.
Jake & his best buds (Ben, Jake, Adam, Paul & Nick)
Nick, Jake & Adam
Allie & her best buds (Madison, Allie, Andrea & Morgan)
Carmen. Ashlyn & Allie
Allie & her award for being on Student Council
Jake & his student council award
Dr. Reid in the dunk tank
Jake crossing home plate
Talent Show group (Ben, Olivia, Jake, Makenna, Paul & Sophie)
Allie & Jordyn ready for the Talent Show
Jake fighting for the ball
Jake booting the ball
Allie & her friend Ryan during the soccer game 
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