Ouch! October!!

I was looking at my Facebook info this morning and saw my poor blog link just staring at me, begging to be clicked on.  One click was all it took to send me reeling in a slight state of shock.  Has it really been almost 4 months since I have posted anything?  Ugh!!  Well, that tells me a few things - first of all that blogging has not been on the top of my list (guilty), we have been super busy with the kids (always), I am up to my ears in homework and housework (surprise, surprise), and there are not enough hours in the day (duh).  If only I had an assistant - or maybe a clone..perhaps then? 

First day of school.

This is what trying to get everyone to look at the camera usually looks like. :)

School is in full swing for myself and for the kiddos - they are in 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades this year. I am technically a "Junior" this year and this is my 7th consecutive semester of school. I have another year of classes and this time next year I will be finishing my last semester of classes at Grand View and will be gearing up for my spring semester of student teaching. I'm going full throttle - I am taking 7 classes this semester and will be taking 6 classes (17 credits) next semester (and yes...summer classes will follow). I'm doing my best to keep my head above water (and I'm already 1/2 way through this semester - hooray). 

Summer 2011

State Historical Building

The kiddos are doing well - we just wrapped up football season for the 3 boys, and Miss Shay has a few more weeks of soccer.  They are looking forward to Halloween and are staying busy with church activities.  Since I last posted, they have sang twice (as a group) at church.  I just love seeing them sing together - especially to praise God.  It gives me all kinds of warm fuzzies and reminds me of how extremely blessed we are!! 

Church soccer - Cavy & Coach Daddy

We finally got to go and visit my dad's memorial bench.

Alden, Iowa - my dad's birthplace

Church soccer!

My monkey

Mr. Cavy recently turned 7!  My baby is no longer a baby!  Thankfully he still refers to himself as my "baby" and that, my friends, makes my heart go pitter-patter.  We've been so scheduled with sports, we have not had Cavy's "friend" party yet...I'm working on it.  :) 

The hubby visiting with Miss Main.

Football!  Mr. B looking way too grown up!

Bear baking cookies.

Before painting Bear & Cavy's room (it was still powder pink from the previous owners)/

After - a nice, neutral, boy-ish tan. :)

Are you ready for some football?

Bear on the field.

I guess I should update on the hubby too.  He had a medically-induced crummy end of the summer.  In August he found out that he had been watching around on a fractured foot (for several weeks).  So, he got to enjoy wearing an orthopedic boot (which lead to aggravating a prior back issue).  Things were pretty touchy (and sore) for awhile, but he is doing so much better now (thankfully). 

Lil sister in big brother's gear - she just about fell over!  Ha!

Happy 7th to my forever baby!

Papa's birthday!

Mr. B in action (closest runner to the camera).

Go Shay!

Miss Jones - #16 (for her bday).

Cheering with Just for Kix!

The kiddos at the pumpkin patch.

Run, Cavy!!

And there, my friends...is a very short update.  But hey...an update is an update! ;)  I can't promise to be diligent with blogging in the weeks to come, but I will try to get back into it.  I miss my posting!  I hope YOU are doing well.  Thanks for checking in with us.

Blessings,
Stephanie

Summertime, Summertime, Sum..Sum...Summertime...

Today is officially the first day of summer!  The kiddos have been on break now for three and a half weeks.  Since I last posted we've been busy with soccer, baseball, church, swimming lessons, and now vacation Bible school!  I have wrapped up one class, am taking one online class, and will return to the classroom in July for my last month-long summer course.  I hate wishing my summer away, but I am REALLY looking forward to having a few weeks off from school in August! 

In the meanwhile, I have puppy to potty train.  Yes, I said a PUPPY!  Miss Shaylen turned 9 years old last week!  We celebrated with a Hippie Retro Birthday Party...and with the best gift EVER!  Shay gave up her guinea pig last spring, allowing Teddy Roosevelt to go to a home where he would be the only pet.  Since then, she has been all about getting a puppy - not just any puppy, but a little GIRL puppy.  And since we are such suckers (Heaven help us), we found an adorable little puppy for sweet girl.  The puppy's name is Gabby, and she is a cutie!  I'll think she's even more cute when she stops peeing on my floor! ;) 

That's all for tonight - not a whole lot to write for not posting an entry for over a month.  I think I'm just tired tonight. :)  So, I'll save my energy for my favorite part - pictures! :)

With Shaylen @ her field trip to the zoo. :)

The day after the zoo trip, I went with Jaron's class to Living History Farms.

Bear and his good friends, Owen.

Mr. B playing 3rd base.

Bros

What a goof!

Bear and the game ball he was awarded.

Church musical - I was the assistant director.  See me on the left, in the front row? :)

Shay at her end of the year dance party.

Shay's dolphin for zoo day at school.

My graduation cake.  I told the hubby that I didn't want a party, but there's something about seeing writing on a cake that makes graduation feel "official."  :)

Bear making a demonstration video for school - "How to make smoothies."

Cavy sporting his first summer mohawk.

My handsome Mr. B.

Bear getting ready to bat.

POW!  There it goes!

Cavy & Bear sitting on the sidelines of Shay's soccer game

Go Shay, go!

Shay scored her first goal of the season during this game.

One happy girl! :0)

Cavy playing catcher.

My cutie pie!

Cavy watching his big brother play ball.

Mr. B & his wind up.

There it goes!

Shay's new pup - Gabby.

All dressed up & snoozing.

Kisses for her new mommy.

Gabby & Emmitt hanging taking a nap.

Shay getting ready to score in the Kohl's Cup.

Woo Hoo!! :)

The Hubby taking a snooze during Shay's 2 day Kohl's Cup tournament.

He he - I love this picture of Cavy in his Oma's floppy hat. :)

Last day of swim lessons! :0)

Yeah!  They all PASSED!  :)

Shay & her daddy, out to eat on her birthday.

All ready for Shay's party!

Shay & her sibs made the decorations for the party.

We made a "beaded curtain" out of yarn and cut up straws. :0)

Doing the Limbo.  Bear even got into the spirit and helped out. :)

The girls painted tote bags and made their own pet rocks (groovy, baby)!

Group shot (with Bear).  Haha

The birthday girl with her cake.

Three - legged Hippie race.

Shay's pet rock.

Shay & her good friend, Taylor.

...with her dear friend, Sydney

Father's Day - Shay's card made her Daddy tear up. Ahhh...

The kiddos with Papa.

Shay & Gabby

Isn't she cute?  Those little teeth are SHARP!  LOL

Father's Day 2011

Playing football in the yard.

What a catch, Cavy! :)

Blessings~