Jake turns 9

June marked Jake's 9th birthday - hard to believe. I have photos around my desk of him at age 2 in a big cowboy hat, and dressed up like Batman for Halloween when he was 5. Looking at him in this photo with all of his friends it is amazing to think how fast time flies and how fast he is growing up. He had a fun birthday party - took his friends to the movies to see "Up!" in 3-D. The boys (and Ally) ate a ton of food, put on temporary tattoos (which they are showing off in this photo), and sat down with goofy 3-D glasses on for a really fun movie.
So, his ninth year will bring the 4th grade, bigger shoes, clothes and appetite, and probably a whole bunch of surprises that I can't anticipate now. While I look back at his baby photos and smile at so many great times, I can't help but anxiously look ahead to what Jake has in store for us this year. : )
Happy Birthday, Boo-Boo!

Indie and Jessie

Hi everyone. I want to introduce you to the newest memebers of our family. And, I want to point out that it was Tim who initiated this adoption. haha

Last week, we adopted these two adorable kittens from a friend's farm nearby. Jake and Ally had no idea what we were doing, even after we arrived at the house. There were two litters to choose from- about 6 kittens in all. The kids picked theirs out immediately. I don't know they chose, all the kittens were adorable, and there were some of every color.

Ally chose a little girl that looks more like a calico. She named her Jessie. Jake choose a wiry little boy who might have been the runt of the group. He has a big personality, and is very daring. Jake named him Indie (like Indiana Jones). : )

The kittens are adapting to our yard very well, and the kids play with them non-stop. The doggies still bark at them, but hopefully over time they will mellow out.

So much to catch up on

Wow- I can't believe it's been sooo long since I last posted a blog. I guess that goes to show how busy life has been. I have so much I should have been blogging about...I'll do my best to catch up slowly but surely. I am currently downloading all of our photos from our recent camping trip to Yellowstone. What a fun trip that was!
Tim has been home since June 6th, and leaves the day after tomorrow. : ( Time to wind up the fun and deal with the stress and sadness that comes each time he has to leave and go back to Iraq. This is our life though. We've had such a great time with Tim being home. All good things must come to an end.
Time to get dinner on the table and continue downloading Yellowstone photos so that I can share them will all of you.
Love to you all. I hope you are all happy and healthy tonight.

Ally, the Artiste

Well, surprise, surprise....BOTH of my kids have art skills far superior to mine. We all know that Jake is a great artist, with a wonderful knack for drawing and shading. But, who would've known that Ally, who normally takes after me in most areas, would be recognized for HER art skills as well? Two weeks ago, Ally was a awarded a $25 1st place prize for an art project she created at school. It was entered into the school's annual art contest, sponsored by a local Savings Bank. Two entries from each grade were chosen to receive awards...and Ally was one of them for Kindergarten!!! I got to attend the awards ceremony, which the entire school attended (all 250 kids and faculty- haha). It was a big deal in little Elbert, for sure! (Photo coming soon.)

Snow Fun!

The Funniest Picture in the World

Many of you have probably already seen this photo, but it is so funny, I thought you'd enjoy seeing it one more time. It was taken on the biggest roller coaster ride at Legoland, CA. We visited over spring break, and had a blast. This was Ally's first "big kid" roller coaster, as she was finally tall enough to ride. Well, right after this ride begins, you go up this really tall hill, and then SWOOSH....down you go! That is precisely when they snap your photo. Ally and I started off at the top of the hill clutching hands and screaming our lungs out. Probably about the time this photo was taken, I realized I was the only one screaming. I looked over at Ally and immediately knew she was terrified, but had NO idea how much until we saw this photo after the ride. hahahahahahahaha It STILL cracks me up!

Meistro, Please.

So, today was Jake's very first public piano performance. He'd been practicing his song for about two weeks, and had it down pat. He was scheduled to play a duet with an older boy - Meet the Flinstones. Well, when it was time to get dressed, Jake decided he didn't want to go. "NOOOOOO!!!!" I thought. It took some reassuring and a little bit of bribery, but I eventually convinced him to follow through with his commitment. So he got dressed in his new white, button-up shirt, black jeans, and western belt and we left for the performance. Oh, of course I took a photo of him first. He looked too dang cute not to. : )

So we get to the venue and are shocked to find two shiny, black GRAND PIANOS, connected like the yin/yang symbol for the kids to play! Wow- it very impressive!! Jake was very stoic the whole time, maybe just trying to keep his nerves in check. Who knows. He was second to play in a line-up of about 24 performances. He and his partner walked up, sat down, and played flawlessly. I was so proud of him! He looked so cute, and little up there playing on that grand piano. haha I took video while Ally shot photos. Jake didn't wait around to take a bow- it was right back to his seat in the same stoic manner in which he entered the room. My little meistro. : )