WE WON!

WE did it! The 7th grade boys won tonight! It was a tough game and they played their hearts out. It is only our 2nd win of the season--but this was major competition tonight. Coach got a little aggravated "several" times with Jacob.
I'm your biggest fan, Jacob! Way to go!

He Left Today!

My heart is sad again tonight. I've dreaded today since he came home in December. Michael left for college again today. He has been home almost a month! It was so good to have him home. We had no worries, no places to be, lazy days, and some snowy days. It was a very nice break for him....one that he sure needed! He is all rested up and ready to move forward with his next semester. I'm just counting down the days until semester is over and we can begin our summer. We love this kid so much... and wish him nothing but the best for his next semester.

We will ALL miss you! But know you aren't too far away! Good luck this semester!

New Year/Snow Day

I can't beleive another year has passed us by. What a HUGE year 2009 was for us. Roger changed job positions, and became Human Resource Manager, Michael graduated high school, (Roger gave him his diploma--that was O-mazing) Michael left for college, baby became a teenager...and I learned how to deal with some empty nest syndrome (still dealing).

Such great boys. Taken New Year's Eve night. We brought in the year with friends. I don't make New Years Resolutions...'cause I don't ever keep them.

Michael and Roger on New Year's Eve. I didn't get a family picture. :(

SUNDAY MORNING we woke up to SNOW...ALOT of snow. We were only suppose to get a "dusting"...I think we got around 4-5 inches. It's still snowing. No school tomorrow...probably none for the rest of the week, 'cause it's suppose to snow somemore later in the week. (I'm not sad, because that's more time with Michael before he leaves again). So today we all enjoyed some time outside playing in the snow.

Family

Fun day today. Roger's side of the family came to see us today and have Christmas. We had a very nice time....sooooo glad they came to see us. While they were here...the "boys" thought they needed to play some Rock Band (one of Jacob's Christmas gifts).
Roger was very serious about his singing~he thought he did a fine job. We had a couple of laughs.

The "crew". Glad everyone came to see us!! Love you guys.

Merry Christmas

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!

Today was NOT as relaxing as I would have hoped for on Christmas Eve day. Finished wrapping a "few" presents that took "several" hours...more time than what I wanted to devote to wrapping today. Did the Wal Mart run...that was terrible! Then Michael FINALLY got up and we made chocolate cookies for "Santa". This is a tradition I have done with my boys for many many years....some things ya just can't let go! I'm so glad that they like to continue to make cookies. Michael took over .... and .... we had some great big giant cookies. They were Yum-O!

We had some friends over for burgers tonight. Then we all went to the movie to see INVICTUS.

We always go to the movie on Christmas Eve. Jacob has had an earache...so we swung by the ER, nobody sitting in the waiting room...but they told us it would probably be TWO hours before we could be seen. SOOOOOOO........my crew did NOT want to wait. Jacob said it wasn't hurting that bad. Bet we end up in ER AGAIN before the weekend is up!

Off to my side of the family for Christmas dinner tomorrow (if we aren't snowed in).....and my in-laws will be up on Saturday for dinner with us. Can't wait for some family time....I sure am loving every minute with my little family.

It's Been Busy...

SATURDAY: It was the day to make Gingerbread houses. Each boy had their own house to do. I have NO idea why we did 2...we usually only do one...I LOVE that my 18 year old son still participates and enjoys doing this....
Good job!

Doesn't this side of Jacob's house look yummy!?

Ta Da...his finished product.

Saturday night...went to see PLANET 51 with our friends and their two little girls. It was actually a cute movie.

SUNDAY: SILVER DOLLAR CITY

Standing in line to ride "Powder Keg"....they stood for over an hour...they love this ride. NO, I did not ride it. I rode EVERY roller coaster with them in Disney World...but refuse to do it at Silver Dollar City...no idea why....

Boys getting ready to BLAST OFF!!

We don't even consider leaving the park UNLESS...the boys have had "THE SKILLET"--corn, peppers, sausage, and potatoes...AND "Cheesy Potatoes"....

We HAVE to have a "funnel cake" when we go to Silver Dollar City.

Mr. & Mrs. Claus found the sleigh loaded with the presents!

One of my favorite guys!

TWO of my favorite guys! They are pretty awesome!

Getting ready to ride the train. I LOVE riding the train in Silver Dollar City. One of my favorite things to do. Love the sing along songs, love the Christmas story that "Grandpa" tells, just love it. Nice fun family day. Boys "REFUSED" to have their picture taken with Santa!ha We usually do it as a family picture at Silver Dollar City...but they gave me a hard time this year...they said I told them last year that would be the last year to do it! (I don't remember saying that)...I'm still not giving it up...Christmas isn't over yet.... love this crew anyway....

Tomorrow off for a "girls day"...shopping with the girlfriends..... no sleeping in on the first day off from work! :(

HE IS HOME....

My boy is home for the holidays!!! Michael finished his semester exams on Wednesday. He got home Wednesday afternoon. He had originally planned on going to Breckenridge, CO on a ski trip with his fraternity brothers, but one day last week sent me a text and said that he wasn't going...that he just wanted to come home!!!!! I can't tell you how relieved I was to hear that. He would have been gone from December 17-21. Soooo ... he is home! Just hanging out with his brother, friends, and playing video games. I am so glad to have him home with us!!!! (It will be rough AGAIN on me when he leaves in January-but who wants to think about that).
Just a quick brag session....Michael had a heavy load his first semester...he carried 16 hours of hard classes/some honors classes. He made "A's" and "B's"....he worked very hard for those grades and we are so proud of him! 1/2 semester down....bunch more to go! WAY TO GO SON!
This little guy is asleep in the vehicle coming home from Branson tonight. We needed to run a few shopping errands, and he wanted to eat at Steak and Shake. So we met Rog at Harrison and went to Branson for awhile. He is all pooped out.
Today was our last day of school until January 4....whooo hooo!!!!! Sooooooooo excited.
Ready to spend some time with my boys and family!

College Soccer

Michael is on an intramural soccer team at college. Him and some of the local boys who are REALLY good. They hadn't lost any games-- until tonight! It was the finals. :(
Roger and I made a flying trip to Fayetteville Monday night to take Michael some video that he didn't think that he needed for a project, but ended up needing. When we got to Fayetteville at 7:30 they were at half time of the soccer game. So we got to watch the second half (20 minutes). The game went into over time and they had to do a shoot out.

Michael made the winning goal of the shoot out! We were the ONLY parents at the game! But we couldn't help but yell and cheer for them. Man, we love our soccer! And we sure did enjoy seeing Michael on the soccer field again...even if we only did get to watch him for 20 minutes.

Thanksgiving

Last year during this time, we were on vacation in Florida. We spent Thanksgiving Day with these characters!! It was a very different Thanksgiving day for us. We had a wonderful time, but did miss our "traditional" dinner. So this year we are looking forward to our traditional dinner.
We are so thankful for so much in our lives. We love our family and friends. Hope everyone enjoys the day.

Weekend of Soccer!

We had a gorgeous weekend of soccer. The weather could not have been more perfect for soccer. We went to North Little Rock to Burns Park to play in the Fallfest Tournament. It was suppose to have been last weekend, but the rain forced it to this weekend. We have been playing in the tournament for as long as I can remember. Michael started playing in it years ago, then it became to the point where they BOTH played in it, now it is just Jacob playing in it. Jacob was so young when Michael was playing that he use to have to "trick or treat" down there, because many times it would actually fall on Halloween! Our weekend games were not so good to us. We played two games Saturday and one game Sunday. We lost all 3! Two games were good, close games. The boys played their little hearts out, played on a field much bigger than they are use to. These are great memories they are building. Not only are they a team, they are friends. Great group of boys! Great group of parents! The parents are the ones that make it all possible.

When I first saw this picture appear on my computer screen, it took my breath away. He looks so much like Michael!!!

And he really looks like Michael here! STOP growing!

Michael did drive down from Fayetteville and joined us. We sure did enjoy spending the weekend with him. Jacob LOVED that his older brother came to watch him!

We had lunch with Michael in Conway. Then to Wal Mart to pick up some necessary college essentials. Then we each headed our different directions. That was sad! But I sure did have a lovely weekend with my three favorite guys!

Halloween '09

We had some fun carving Halloween pumpkins. We didn't get to carve our pumpkins until HALLOWEEN day! We had to wait for Michael to come home. We have carved pumpkins every year. Both of my boys love to carve pumpkins, and it makes me so happy! (It makes me happy when Michael comes home too!)

What's wrong?

The good ole nasty stuff.

Ta da! Would we expect anything else but some type of sports theme? Awesome job!

Working so hard on his pumpkin. He was the LAST one to get done. Takes such pride! (He had coffee break and salsa/chip break during his carving)

Ta da! Witches brew! What a fine job!

Are you scared Michael?
Alex carved a ghost. She thought it looked like a thumb!
The three happy campers!

Hope everyone had a great Halloween!