Back to School!

Another summer gone and a new school year begun! First out the door are the mighty High Schoolers! Two of them at this house! Notice that Dad is really sad to have them go...

One slight difference this year... That is not a school bus...

 And who is that in the driver's seat? Watch out world!  Mom is only freaking out a little bit!

And off they go!

 Next round, and Mr. Sam is off to Junior High! Say it isn't so!

Off to catch the bus... which came about 40 minutes late or so...

 And round three!  Last, but not least, off to elementary school we go!

 Carter got to bring a "stuffed buddy" to school the first day...

So the best part of the day came when I walked these two down to the school and gave them hugs and kisses goodbye.  While giving Carter a hug I said, "I am going to be so lonely today!" And without missing a beat he said, "Then get a dog!"

And so it begins!

The Dukes of Hazard and A Paltry Week Four

My picture challenge keeps getting more and more paltry.  I am hanging on by a thread, but still hanging on.  We'll see how long I last.  On a positive note, I have, at least, posted much more on my blog in the last month than I did all last year!  So, if my picture a day isn't going so well, at least I am recording some memories, right?
So I am not even going to do a day by day of this last week because it would be pitiful.  But I will show what I have...
First off, meet Duke...

Duke was given to Carter this last Christmas by Sydney and quickly became a favorite friend. A couple of weeks ago Carter snuck Duke off to church with him in his scripture bag, and after that day we couldn't seem to find him anywhere.  I asked Carter if he was sure he brought him home that day from church and he assured me he had, remembering that he had buckled him into the car seat next to his to make sure he was safe.  He told me he brought him in and threw him down on the floor in the laundry room.
We searched the laundry room. Carter became concerned that maybe he had fallen in the garbage can that sits under his hook and I began to wonder too.
Two weeks went by and no trace of Duke.  Then, a couple of days ago, I went in to wake Carter up in the morning and in his sleepy little voice he asked me if I could hand Duke to him.  I said, "Carter, Duke is lost remember, we haven't found him yet."  Sad Carter eyes. "Oh, I was dreaming about him Mom."  Sad Mommy eyes.
That day I was at Walgreens and there on the shelf was a little Duke. Needless to say, he came home with me and waited anxiously on the table for Carter to home.
And, as you all predicted, a couple of days later Duke the first showed up in our basement (yes, I realize that says something about our basement) So now Carter has what we lovingly refer to as the "Dukes of Hazard".

Happy Birthday Dear Carter!

Birthday time has come around again for Carter, and this year is the big 6 for him!  We decided a Lego birthday party might be fun for a Lego loving boy!

Carter had a very distinct vision for his birthday cake.  He wanted a race track, but instead of cars, he wanted Lego people running a race.  He picked out the contestants for the race himself, and among them we had a Storm Trooper, a Ninja and, of course, Yoda!  Tyler was kind enough to build the stands for the spectators, a few of them even have ice cream!

Ah, what a smile!!

                                                    Just waiting for the party to start!!

One of the favorite activities of the day was Lego car building and racing.  My big boys were great helpers!  They were right there ready to help the little boys with wheels and design ideas!

Another fun activity was beating up on the Pinata!  Steve was super brave and actually came away unscathed.




Not the best picture, but I love Carter's face in this picture, and Jackson's in the background!

                                                     And then time to enjoy some cake!

                                                 Happy Birthday Carter! We Love You!!

Week Three

Week three was a really bad picture taking week.  We will just put that out there right at the start.  Steve's sister Ann came to visit, which was awesome and while it should have led to more picture taking, I seemed to get derailed instead. But, we will just work with what we have here and do our best...
Day One: Nada
Day Two: Zip
Day Three: For your viewing pleasure, a grainy phone camera picture of me and Sam first thing in the morning. Sam and I spend about 40 minutes alone in the morning as Spencer and Tyler have already left, and Syd and Carter are still sleeping. We have a bit of a routine we go through, and in the winter part of that routine includes sitting on the vents trying to get warm. (No judging here)  I used to do this when I was a little girl, and I would use my nightgown to make a warm, snuggly tent.  Seeing as I don't wear nightgowns anymore, I resort to a quilt.  Sometimes Sam and I share the vent and the quilt, sometimes we each take our own vent as in this picture...

Day Four: Family Game night with Ann...

Day Five: Um, no good
Day Six: Belgian Waffles baby! Just take a look at those pockets of sugar! Need I say more?

Just pile that sucker up with some berries and cream! Yum!

Ann helped me do a little project while she was here.  Saturday was gorgeous and sunny, so we spent a good deal of time out in the garage where I learned how to use a scroll saw.  So fun!

Day Seven: Sunday night I started to feel really yucky.  My throat was hurting and I was pretty certain I was getting sick. Steve was up and getting me some hot cranberry sipper before I knew it.  So, while it is another grainy cell phone pic, I offer it up as evidence of my sweet man.