Thursday, August 23, 2012

First Day of School

Well, so much for recapping last year.  Turns out I have a hard enough time keeping up on the current year. All that may change, MAY change, I'm making no promises even though, for the first time in almost 13 years, I now have CHILD FREE DAYS!  WOOO HOOO! 
 Jacob is in Middle School this year and if the number of girls texting him all summer is any indication, he is going to have a good year.   He rode to school this morning with his friend Chase but will be relegated to his bicycle most of the time.  He is excited about being in the same building with all of his friends this year.
Jake and Allen

Chase and Jake

 Here we are out front of Solheim, a little nervous but excited too. 

With the St Mary Marauders, they're usually here signing autographs and  takings pics on the first day.
 We came to the open house on Tuesday and Julia explored her room and was happy to find some good friends from previous years in her class.  (Gavin is thrilled to be sitting right across from Julia, he thinks he's her boyfriend, he's really just a pain, says Julia) The best thing about Mrs H's room is the hamster.  The garter snake, lizard, turtle and two fish tanks are nice too.  Julia actually wrote a countdown on our calendar from 23 to FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!!!   Mrs H. was handpicked for Julia by Mrs. Hart, Julia's first grade teacher.  Julia's teachers pass her on with kid gloves and tearful goodbyes to the best teacher in the next grade, she is a dream student.
Julia and Mrs Herman
  This year is Joey's first year in school and she is equal parts nervous and thrilled! For the last two years I've answered endless questions about where Julia is, what she's doing and, most importantly, when will she be back and is it time to get the kids?  She has the most wonderful Kindergarten teacher in the world! Mrs. Leier (formerly Miss Moen, Julia's angel Kindergarten teacher) grabbed her name even though I warned her that she was most definitely NOT getting a Julia Jr.  Joey has all her own wonderful traits but quiet listening is in umm rather short supply.    I hope Mrs. Leier doesn't want to kill me by Christmas...

Miss Moen and Julia 2010
Mrs Leier and Joey 2012 Best K teacher EVER!
After school they came out across the playground holding hands like the best friends in the world.  Julia reported the "funnest day ever" and Joey complained about being thirsty all the way home.  Jacob stayed at the park with his friend Dylan and couldn't believe he had to be home by six.  His parents are ridiculous, we know.

Friday, February 24, 2012

February 2011




Well, the only pictures I can find for February are Pinewood Derby. So that must have been all we did.
Jacob and Allen made their best ever car and Jacob got his best ever race results.  Too bad Allen was sick at home with the flu and couldn't watch it.  I had a blast though.... I don't know all the magic they did this year but he was truly unbeatable and so beautiful!  We raced him a few times with his head on, just for fun.  If you want some unbiased opinion on how fast he is, give Aaron Shaw a call, he'll tell you ALL about it.

The car.  A sort of plesiosaur.

Races headless to terrify the competition.

The other car's point of view. 

The competition.

There were some cool cars there.

The hot dog car.

Final standings.

Monday, January 23, 2012

School Pictures

Here are the school pictures for the year.  Julia in Kindergarten and Jake in 5th grade. 
We took Jora's picture because we are too cheap to buy one.  She doesn't care anyway.
She only thinks about how to avoid having her hair brushed and peace.




2011 Now I'm only a year behind....

Here are some January odds and ends.
Jacob ready to go...waiting for the girls...again.

The inside of my computer tower.  I had no idea!  It refused to work under these conditions.

Julia's favorite way to go to sleep


A long winter nap
 
Julia telling us about her new diary she got from the book order. 
 I had a difficult time holding the camera still but it was funny to us.  Someday we'll hear all about
the grossness of it and Julia will be horrified that we put it on the blog. 

ZZZZZZZ


Julia will goof if Joey's the photog

More goofin'

Starting the Pinewood Derby work...this is going to be good.

Allen did some cutting and modeling, Jacob does the sanding and painting

If anyone looks like they might be painting, so must Jora paint

It was cold and very snowy.  Allen and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary.

Julia's Sixth Birthday

Julia helps ice her cake.

Another winner from Dad.

Celebrating with Julie Doll.

Julia's ready to open presents, Joey's wanting some cake and Jake is being a boy.

Clothes for Julie Doll from Grandma W


Clothes, a purse and some dollars for Julia

Ahh, Ladybug softness.


A new coat.
Happy Birthday Julia!

Christmas 2010

We wish you a Merry Christmas...we are so snowed in!

This years note to Santa

Gay and David sent us an ornament to commemorate our first summer in the Dakotas

Joey  and Diego

Julia and Julie

Jacob about to get barrel rolled.

Make-up! Don't look at Dad, Jake, he doesn't get it either.

Jacob decided to write a note to Santa on Christmas Eve... Santa got lucky this year.

Our tree, I found on Craigslist.  I really like it.

Allen and his T-rex

The girls cooking up some..stuff.
We had a lovely first Christmas in Bismarck. 

Joey's 4!

Happy Birthday Joey!
She helped Allen with the cake and had a great day.


Helping Dad with the cake!

Another masterpiece by Allen...the cake, I mean. 

Four presents for the fourth birthday, not a sign of things to come. 

Unicorn Pillow pet and play doh

A purse with four dollars.

A candy coma.

Tools for my animal rescue center

A new doll to abuse

  
The best part of my birthday.
Happy Birthday to our Jobey!