Couple images of Disney--2009

The days of my life...

Where oh where has the summer gone???

Aside from our horrific heat wave in July, the rest of the summer has been gorgeous. No rain, since May, (until yesterday), and temps in the upper 70's and 80's!

New in our life....

**My boys were supposed to start school last Monday, but due to a very lame and bogus teacher strike, they have not. Five days missed already, and despite a court order to return on Wednesday of this week, there is some feeling the teachers may defy the order and stay out longer. Even if they do go back on Wednesday, they will have missed 6 days. That is 6 days to make up at the end of the school year--a school year that already doesn't end, in a good year, until the last week of June sometimes! Blech!

(the day before school didn't start, at Wendy's for lunch)

**My beloved husband celebrated another birthday. I love this photo of him.

(Sam baked the cake--chocolate with raspberry jam filling!)

**We took a fun little mini-vacation to Moses Lake with the boys a couple of weeks ago and had a blast. Good times playing in the water, reading, and relaxing. We would have stayed longer or gone somewhere a bit more expensive and thrilling, like Great Wolf Lodge, but we have booked a vacation to Disneyland over the Christmas break!

**I am ten weeks away from being Grandma! Well, technically I already am, but since she isn't born yet, there are times it doesn't feel quite real. I have had a fun summer watching my daughter's belly grow, buying little girl clothes, knitting a couple of little pink things, and best of all came last night! Sarah and Jesse finally revealed her name to us and I love it. It is very sweet and girly, unique and a touch old fashioned.

** Yesterday, daughter and I canned the Italian Plums that were on our tree in the backyard. Um, we managed to get 53 jars!! It will be delightful and yummy to pull those off the shelf, heat them up, and serve them with our dinners this winter.

**Fall is just around the corner here--the flowers in the yard are showing it, the last of our garden is showing, and yesterday I saw the first geese practicing the V shaped flying pattern as they prepare to leave soon. (Sarah actually took the geese picture)
Our days are cooler as well as our evenings and the it is dark before 8:30 pm. I am in the mood for some pumpkin bread and think the Fall decorations may make an appearance in my house next weekend!

So, another season already passed. I have many great memories and have so much to look forward to!

Another season comes to a close...

Both boys' seasons ended on Tuesday night, when both teams lost their tournament games. As much as this sport throws our evening life into chaos, I so enjoy watching them play. Gone are the days when I would be so nervous for them as they are both such competent players and know what they are doing out there. So, until next spring, we are done. But I have my pictures to preserve the memories.

Sigh.....

...Finally, the boys last day of school! As has been our tradition for many years, I took the day off work, and right after they got out, at noon, we headed out for our annual last day of school shopping frenzy. Yes, folks, my boy children like to shop!

First stop, a photo op in the front yard showing me how happy they are.


Then, off to Quiznos for lunch. Yum.


Then we hit Old Navy where I purchased 4 pairs of cargo shorts for them, and Austen bought a few shirts. We were not fans of Old Navy swim trunk styles this year, so we made a stop next at J.C. Penneys. We browsed around there and wandered into Uncle's game store before heading over to Borders Books to buy new summer books. Austen chose a graphic novel, Maus. Sam chose The Last Olympian, the 5th in a series he has been enjoying and waiting for this last installment.

Then, we headed for home, where I need to get off this computer and make some dinner! (I am not even letting myself think about the fact that I now have a child who will be 8th grade and another one who is a high school senior!)

Happy Summer Everyone!!

Day Off

My workplace opted to observe Veteran's Day today instead of on Tuesday--thus giving us a 3 day weekend.

Today has been a good day.
I slept in until 9:30!
I took Sam to the library to get a book he needs for a school assignment,
My house is picked up-add to that how much I love my Fall decorations and it all equals cozy!
I have had time to do some blogging.
I have 2 loaves of pumpkin bread baking in the oven and the stuff mixed up ready for 2 more to pop in the oven later.
Dinner is in the crockpot.
I have a little Christmas music playing.
I have a fresh brewed cup of coffee with pumpkin creamer in it.
My boys are home with me--rough housing and playing 1 on 1 tackle football and fussing at each other and just plain being the boys I love so much!
I have the new copy of Bookmarks magazine sitting here just waiting for me.

Yes, it is a good day.









(side note: this little session of brotherly love/ rough housing brought to you with a cut lip. Darn those braces! Sigh...)