Never Before Published (by me) Pictures

Since I haven't posted pix in awhile, thought I would put some random pix out here -- then I realized most of them are from Thanksgiving -- so not so random ;-)

Blogging

I still think blogging is better than Facebook. Kelsie says that my blog is boring b/c I haven't been putting pictures up. Here is some randomness: It's been cold here -- much to my dismay. Tonight there is icing -- kids went to bed sure that school would be cancelled tomorrow -- only problem is that it's supposed to be 50 plus degrees tomorrow. So, they have delayed school start by 2 hours. They are not going to be happy campers when they find this out in the morning. More randomness: I was sick on Saturday so I did some online shopping for Christmas. I went out a bit today too, so I feel much better about all of that. What else? I spent about 2 hours on the Walgreens website tonight trying to make our Christmas card. I will see how it turned out tomorrow -- then, well, I will have to see if I actually address them and send them out. I did buy stamps, so I guess it's a step in the right direction. Thankful that my father-in-law is healing nicely from his stay in the hospital and in rehab. He's headed back home on Friday! Kelsie, hope I didn't bore you to death!

400

The day came...this morning. The kids and I went to church (Kenny wasn't feeling well). After church, Kelsie had the car keys and wanted to drive home. As usual, we stopped at Donut Connection, that went pretty well considering the parking lot is crazy and getting thru the drive thru is a challenge because of how cramped it is. Then the realization hit -- in order to get home, we have to drive on 400. I figured, it's Sunday morning, traffic won't be bad, now is the time for me to get tough, bare down and let Kelsie get on 400. I was good until she tells me that I can't be eating my donut and drinking my milk, I need to pay attention to her. YIKES! So I stuffed the donut down (maybe a reason I need to drop about 20 lbs) and focused. She made a nice left onto the ramp; I looked over my shoulder to the left and the "no Sunday morning traffic" I had anticipated was not the reality...traffic everywhere. I tried to remain calm, and I did a darn good job of it -- here it came, here came the merging...whew, I'm home safe and sound.

October 26th...and more

Today is my husband's birthday -- Happy Birthday Kenny! We've had a good night, hopefully he's had a good day. He's working with Cam now on the Amazing Science Cell Project -- thank goodness because this mother is not a science-project mother!

It's been an eventful October. Cam finished up Fall baseball, Kelsie started her riding show season this past Sunday - she placed first, so that was cool. Ruth & Heather came for a visit, we had a good time with them here. Kenny and I made it to the mixed doubles playoffs. We were supposed to have our first playoff match tonight, but we got rained out. My women's doubles team made it to the playoffs too, we have our first match this Saturday. So, I'm tired, but thankful for our good health and all of the activities. Oh, Ken and Cam went camping this past Saturday night -- they had such a great time that they are taking Kelsie and Laura this Saturday -- notice that one person is missing from the camping equation ;-)

October...BRRRRR!

I can't believe it's October and about 45 degrees outside -- this is crazy! Hopefully it will warm back up soon. I spent 10 days in STL, mostly working. Back home now and need to get back into a groove. I understand that my husband was interviewed for his book while I was away. Now there's only 1 problem with this book of his -- I am not mentioned once in it! I think this is going to really affect sales, so in the editing process, I expect some changes...so don't give up!

The big news: KELSIE HAS HER DRIVER'S PERMIT!

Seriously?

Last week some friends met me at Lotawata Creek in Fairview Heights for dinner. It had been quite awhile since I had been there and I remember the portions being big, but this was crazy! Chris ordered some kind of burger with onion rings and this is what it looked like:



Check out how big the "toothpick" had to be to hold the thing together!

The steak I ordered was pretty "normal" sized, but the baked potato was humongous!

I'm Glad Today is About Over

Can't believe it's September -- we have nearly 4 weeks of school under our belt and for the most part, it's going well. Of course I found it funny when I went to meet Cameron's teachers and one of them told me how she tells the kids that they're like a family and Cameron informed her that he's the "older good looking brother" of the family ;-) Gotta love it. If you are wondering, he gets that from his dad.

I've been in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area this week. Today was one of those days that I'm thankful when it's over -- I had to testify at a hearing today and it was a stressful day, pacing around waiting for my turn to be called. Thank the Lord He calmed me down once it was my turn and it all went well. I hope to sleep well tonight and head back home tomorrow.

The Klaus' are on their way to GA for the holiday weekend, we are very excited about that. My parents will leave and they will arrive -- I think the week at home has gone well which I am also thankful for. Happy September!

A Strange Happening and An Uneasy Feeling

School starts on Monday, I can't believe the bulk of summer is over. The kids and I spent 5 days in IL visiting my family and I returned to something very strange. NO BLOG UPDATES from my husband detailing my closet, my cleaning lady, my car...it felt very strange.

Every year at this time, I feel a little "uneasy". Don't get me wrong, it's about time for the house to be quiet again during the day, but I am never quite ready for the busy routine to kick back in. Tuesday starts riding lessons again, Thursday starts piano lessons, I signed Cam up for Fall baseball today, and of course to and from school, checking parent portal and angel for homework/school happenings, I'm tired already. The summer has, as usual, been a really busy one, but the start of the school year can never really be duplicated...thank goodness!

Amelia...Part III (& Final)

Ok, last set of pictures -- we had a really good week in the Amelia Island area. On Thursday, we did all of our non-beach activities. Took a boat ride around Cumberland Island, Ga, very interesting -- that's where we saw the wild horses roaming on the beach; then traveled to Jacksonville just for a bit, then on down to St. Augustine for the afternoon/evening.



Flagler College in St. Augustine.


I specifically turned this picture before posting, but it still posted wrong.

Most favorite picture of myself!

Waves got pretty big on Friday.

Swim time! It was a good trip, beach was very nice and less than 6 hours from the house!

Amelia...Part II

Amelia Island

We made it to Amelia Island on Saturday night...having fun so far...

Only the best for dinner -- Arte's Pizza was recommended by the ladies in the "Trailer Trash" store which Cameron found "intriguing". So, we went and found it -- a high class establishment you'll see...Kenny said, do you want to go in? Absolutley! So we did and they did have awesome pizza!

More to come...

July...

2 days 'til we leave for Amelia Island! Cam is going to White Water Water Park today for a friend's bday; he went Airsoft Depot and swimming for a party yesterday. Kelsie went to the driving range with her golf team last night & needs to get back to her horse lessons -- we have been kind of lazy so far this summer with that. Kenny and I have tennis practice tonight. July is in full swing. Hopefully I will have some good pictures to post next week from Amelia Island.

What a Month!

Started out 2 weeks in STL, with the kids the 1st week, then Cam went to my parent's house for an amazing week and Kelsie went to camp (more on that...) and I worked the 2nd week. Got to see friends and family and go to Rachael's wedding which was wonderful. Kelsie had a good week at camp, but came home w/o her suitcase. VERY long story short, her suitcase was loaded on a trailer of the wrong church and was FINALLY tracked down 2 days ago in Grapevine, TX. Hopefully it is either on its way home now, or will be very soon.

After getting back on June 13th, Cam started 2 weeks of basketball camp, Kelsie 1 week of golf camp. Kelsie then returned to STL on June 19th to work in VBS, will be back home tomorrow night; Cam finished bball camp last night. The 1st week the team practiced, this week they played 2 games each night in an UNAIRCONDITIONED gym - it's been 95 plus degrees all week, yuk!

Last Saturday I played in my 1st mixed doubles match of the season -- 3 hour, 3 set match in 94 degree heat, I thought I was going to be sick, but after 4 motrin, cold towels, drinks, I made it and we lost. But, it was still fun despite the heat and loss. And my partner was Matt King...see post below where Matt had a brain tumor removed and can you believe he is back on the tennis court playing amazingly? What a miracle!!!

This last week was a very sad week as a friend from work passed away after a long, courageous battle with cancer over the past year and Kenny's aunt Robbie also passed away after her long, courageous battle with cancer. I was so sad that I couldn't be in STL for Wanda's funeral. Ken and Cam left last night for Aunt Robbie's funeral, wish I could be with them too, but Kelsie comes home tomorrow night.

I will be heading back out on the courts in the morning for another match with a different partner. I do not like it when Kenny isn't there watching. Oh, I forgot, he had a singles match this week, he did not prevail, which is very surprising, he almost always wins. I coached him after the loss and I do not think he will ever lose again!

I think that's about it for June, at least I hope we don't have anything else going on. 2 weeks from today we leave on vacation -- Amelia Island FL. We haven't ever been to that part of FL before, I think we are all looking forward to it!

Happy Father's Day

To my husband, my dad and my father-in-law, I hope you all have a great day!!!

Coal Mountain Raiders...Part II

What a difference a night makes! Cam's team played for the tournament championship last night and it was a rough night, they ended up losing 7-6; but they got another shot at it tonight and they won big, 15-2! Cam had 3 rbi's and played 2nd base well. So, the spring season is over and we wait for the fall.

Coal Mountain Raiders

Here are some pics from Cam's baseball team. Crazy enough, they played their last regular season game Thursday night. Playoffs start next weekend, then the season is over. I still find it crazy that baseball is over in May here...until Fall ball.