Kennywood Adventures

Steve had his "company" hospital picnic at Kennywood Amusement Park in Pittsburg, Pa. We decided to go and have fun since the kids have only been to the county fair. They had a blast. I didn't take my camera since I didn't want to haul it everywhere and carry lots of stuff. These lame pictures were taken with my cell phone. Curtis does look very grumpy but he had a great time. He just didn't want his picture taken. We made it out of the park with only 2 very minor meltdowns...compared to some of the screaming fits we saw other kids doing...we were quite lucky.

Jacob and Steve went on the biggest rollercoasters. I think it goes 85 mph. Jacob smiled for 45 minutes after the ride. Dougie did one rollercoaster with Jacob and Steve...a big wooden rollercoaster. Steve said it banged him up alot and really shook little Dougie around quite a bit. He was done with rollercoasters after that. We all loved the raging rapids and the 6 of us fill the whole ride thingy...so it was just our family. We got very very very wet. It was fun...the boys and I went 3 times...Maggie and Steve were done after one turn...Maggie was the first one to get the huge waterfall...which she didn't think was all that fun.

Other highlights were the log ride...Scary for Mom and Maggie...but Curtis and Jacob loved it. Dougie and Steve opted out. We also all like Garfields Nightmare...which was a "tunnel of Love" ride type but it was about garfield and it was also 3D. The kids like the haunted house...which was not so scary...they got to shoot the goules? with lasers. Steve and I thought it was pretty lame for waiting in line all that time. Plus what is the fun of a haunted house if you are controlling the actions of the scary things? You hit the target with a laser and the skeleton moves...isn't the whole point of a haunted house is the fact that you don't know what will happen next?

It was very fun and the kids are already saying...the next time we come here....

Julie

Track Meet Pictures

Maggie competed in the 50 meter hurdles, 50 meter dash and the obstacle course.

Dougie did the 50 meter dash and the 100 meter dash. He took second place in the 100 meter dash.

It rained very very very hard. On friday when Maggie had her meet they delayed due to lightning...and then we got a huge thunderstorm. Scary huge.

Sat morning was Dougie's meet. No thunder and lightning but boy did it pour buckets. Steve had to work so he got out of the wonderful bonding experience that occured as we all huddled together under one umbrella. To say that we were soaked is an understatement. It was worth it to see Douglas on the stand getting a ribbon.

5th Grade Graduation

Here is Jacob at his 5th Grade graduation. Next year he will move to the middle school. He has done very well this year at school. He received all A's and B's on his report card...so did Dougie and Maggie got all S's...

Today was the last day of school here. They get out much earlier in Ohio. There is no winter break here...don't need one...and they start a week earlier.

Honey Bees for Pets?

Here are some pictures of our new pets? Douglas was the first to see the dark cloud of bees from the living room window. They quickly swarmed and probably moved in...I like animals and all but this move to the country has given us some real interesting animals to watch...mice in the kitchen...wasps in the eves and siding...ticks on the dog...peacocks roaming the yard...and now honey bees... Steve will be calling bee keeper today.

Jacob's First Band Concert

Here he is before the concert. I will see if I can download the video...you can't see him at all...because trumpets sit in the back...but you can hear the music...

Mother's Day

Here is the mother's day gift from church. It looks like a whole big loaf...but actually it was a mini loaf of yummy bread.

PEACOCKS!

Here are pictures of the peacocks that roam around our yard. Now they are getting brave enough to come up by the house.

D.A.R.E. Graduation

Here is the DARE Graduation. The kids earned DARE tee shirts and had a good time getting a certificate from the sheriff of Portage County.
I'm very proud of Jacob.

First Asparagus

YUMMY! Going to feed it to the kids for dinner...wish me luck!

Exercising the Dog

Jacob has found a new way of exercising the dog. The dog loves it and it seems to wear her out for about an hour or so.

On the Farm

Here is the little calf that lives out back. Very cute but mama keeps a close eye. I snapped this picture and mama called for her baby right away.

More Flowers

Sorry if you are getting sick of flower pictures. I just can't get enough of Spring this year. I think the first one is a cherry tree and the second picture is forsythia. My favorite. I miss you all. Take care and goodnight.

Love,

Julie

Barn Pictures

First Picnic of 2008

This is a picnic like Steve's mother taught him...go eat your dinner outside!

We had macaroni and cheese of course.

More Spring Pictures

Maggie and Curtis

Just taking snapshots before school. I like how they both tilted their heads the same way.

Mismatch Day at School

Here is Maggie on Mismatch day at school. She looked very cute and was the only one brave enough to do it. The boys were apparently worried that they would be the only ones to do it and refused. I love the ponytails...one up and one down.

Emailing posts

Hi Everyone...

Since there is sooo much excitement about my blog :) hee hee. Only 5 people care...boo hoo...
I figured out I can email you any new updates that I make to the blog and then you won't have to waste your time logging on to the blog...now you just have to waste time deleteing me. Seriously if you don't want to get the email just let me know and I will take you off the list. I know how exciting my life is and really it will be no surprise that you don't wish to read about it! Although you can use my life as a comparison...gee glad my life isn't THAT boring...so it might be good for something.

Love you all,

Julie

Homemade Bread

I almost forgot...Drumroll please...here is my first attempt at homemade bread...not in a breadmaker. It is edible and everyone likes it so far! I had a good helper in the kitchen! He was very proud of himself. He liked the punching the dough part!

New Sandbox

Here are the boys working on the sandbox and getting it just right for a summer of fun digging!

Have A Great Day

Just wanted to say Have a Great Day. It is warm and sunny and 60 degrees. I have to download some pictures tonight but don't feel like doing it now. The kids are in school, Curtis is watching a movie and the dog is finally asleep. I might go out and rake some leaves and get some sunshine. Talk to you later!

Misc. Pictures

Douglas on dress up as a movie star day... Maggie without front teeth...Maggie on Easter Sunday and Dougie on Easter Sunday

Kids in the Sand Box

The kids had fun burying Douglas in the sandbox. This is before all the work on the sides of the box. Now the kids are having fun digging deep because Grandpa used the scoop to make a huge mound of sand.

Spring Has Sprung!!!

MOM AND DAD VISIT

Mom and Dad came for a visit and helped rake out all the flower beds. Two days later the daffodills bloomed. They look good in their retirement!