First day of school Sept 2009

I have just sent Madeliene and Amaris on their way to school. Madeliene is in 7th grade and Amaris is now a full-time 1st grader!
The summer seemed to go by so fast but I think it was because it started so early. School wasn't even out for the summer and we were breaking record high temps.
Ron started back to work after being off for nearly a year due to his leg injury. Would you believe that thing is still not completely healed? He still has a wound on the exploratory incision on his calf. It gives him trouble from time to time but he is a trooper. Ron is now the kitchen/deli manager at The Markets LLC in Birch Bay. He loves it and they love him.
We had a few camping trips and last weekend we went to Oregon with my sister and mom. We stayed in a hotel and went school shopping tax free. I don't think I have shopped for 9 hours EVER! Our feet hurt so bad by the end of the day we all bought slippers to wear on the ride back to the hotel.
The girls are playing another season of soccer, my only soccer free day is Friday and Sunday cuz the girls have practice on opposite days.
Val and Urijah moved back from Maryland just a few weeks ago so we have spent a lot of time with them just catching up and enjoying the last part of the summer. We went camping together and had a great time.

Gotta love baby chicks

I forgot to mention in my last few posts we have some new members of the family.....Baby chicks. Ok they are not really BABIES anymore, more like teenagers. Just what I need 12 more teenagers. Seriously tho they can be moody and a little snappy sometimes.
Early this year we decided we wanted to get some chickens. Not boiler chickens as we dont plan on eating them, just the eggs. We purchased 6 white leghorns and 6 brown sexlinks. The names of the chickens available "cracked" me up. But it is what it is. They are just a few weeks away from laying their first eggs.
Ron built the chicken coop and my gosh it turned out nice. The girls wanted him to just build them another coop cuz they had settled in while the babies were still in the brooding box and wanted to use it as a playhouse.

Here comes the bride and a bit of sadness

Well its official, my sister is a married woman. She and Rickie have been together for nearly 8 years, and have 2 sons together. I would say its about time, huh? It was a quiet (relatively speaking considering there was Holli and Rickies 7 , Erics 2 and my 2 kids involved) The day was beatiful and so was my sister. I didnt get pics of anything but us at the courthouse but they still turned out cute.
The same week my uncle Gus Hoover died. He was my mothers oldest brother. He had survived a long battle with brain cancer and was a year clear, when they found the cancer had spread to his bones. He will be missed greatly by his family and friends.

Summer starts early around here

The girls (and admittedly myself) have a serious case of SUMMER FEVER! The weather has been more than great! School is almost over, in fact Amaris graduates from kindergarten this week. Her offical last day is Wednesday. She will go to school Thursday but only for the award ceremony and a little reception afterwards. She has asked Dad to make her favotire chocolate chip banana muffins to share with everyone at the reception. He of course said yes.
We have the garden completely planted and all the starts and seeds are thriving. This year we have 2 kinds of cucumber, broccoli, califlower, early and late green cabbage, brussel sprouts, 6 varieties of tomato, radish, pole and bush beans, corn, potatoes, pumpkins and a sunflower garden.
We wanted to be able to afford a pool this year, since we bought the trampoline last summer there is a new toy needed to keep the girls busy durning the summer. Because Ron has been out of work since his leg injury we just knew the money would be tight so thought a $400 investment on a outdoor toy would be out of the question. Well I am a loyal craigslist reader and just happen to stumble across an older couple in Sedro Woolley who were selling everything needed for a summer of pool fun for only $60 bucks. This included everything from a 18x42 pool, ground cover, security cover, ladder, 4 huge blow up floats, and about $80 dollars worth of chemicals and filters to keep the pool in perfect running order all summer. Seems their teenage kids decided after just one summer a full size in ground pool was in order so their trash was our families treasure! We have it set up and oh my it has gotten so much use in just this week than I thought it would. The girls came home from school everyday last week and jumped in their swim suits! We had out of town guests this weekend and at one point we had 5 teenage girls and 3 kids under 7 in there at one time. Enjoy some of the first pics I took of the girls enjoying themselves

spring sports 09

Well spring soccer season has quickly come to an end. Amaris did very well her 2nd season she is quickly becoming an all star player. The team is young enough that the goals don't really matter much, unless of course you ask the kids. They know exactly how many goals they made. Madeliene seemed to enjoy herself as well. She ended up getting mono in the middle of the season so she missed 4 practices and 2 games. She is considering trying out for volleyball this fall and maybe taking a break from soccer. She was actively involved in her schools drill team and really enjoyed herself. They took 1st place in the Ski to Sea parade.

Its a new year, we have new dreams!

Happy New Year! My resolution is to not make a resolution but rather focus on the goals I hoped to achieve last year but was focused more on school and the health of Ron. Speaking of which, he has been released to go back to work part-time and light duty. He is doing physical therapy to strengthen his muscles and his leg. While you sit for 5 months something happens to your body. Can you imagine?!?!?!
I will be going back to school in the spring, hopefully by then Ron will be fully recovered and busy with his catering stuff. I would like to start a water aerobics class to get into shape, anyone want to join me? I hate to do those things alone and think thats one of the reasons I dont stay commited or even start. Its nice to have a friend there to encourage you and give words of praise.
The girls have been busy. Madeliene started color guard and Amaris is doing mini cheer camp. Madeliene did it when she was in elementary school and really enjoyed it, as I am sure Amaris will as well.
Today the U.S swore in the 44th president and made history. As I watch the Inauguration I was inspired by his hope for our country but am still so worried, he has certainly got his work cut out for him huh?
We are preparing our list of seeds to order for the garden this spring, I cant wait to plant again. There is a few things I will change and a few more veggies I would like to add. Anyone want to put in a request? :)

Happy Holidays

WOW Christmas went fast, eh? The snow came fast and time went faster. We had a lovely 21 inches of snow at our house not to mention the 4 ft snow drifts from the wind. It trapped us and we were unable to join the rest of the family for Christmas celebrations on Christmas eve. We were all very disappointed but it just wasnt possible. We stayed home safe and warm, made cookies for Santa and just enjoyed each other company (after the tears stopped)

Christmas day we had a great time, my sister and brothers family suprised us with a visit. They all have big vehicles so they made it thru the snow without trouble till they got to our driveway. OH MAN!

Our neighbor brought out his bobcat and plowed our driveway well enough that would could finally get out. (we were seriously out of things like milk and bread.

We have a lot to be thankful for this season. Ron is nearly recovered and has been given the ok to return to work! He will start out part time and I know he is looking forward to getting out. I cant image what it has been like for him.

Happy New Year to everyone.