Random Shots

We are continuing to enjoy our time at the lake and feel grateful to be able to stay for an extended period of time.  I have done a lot of reading, finishing three books.  I've also ran or walked every day, sometimes twice a day.  The boys have been playing inside and outside, enjoying their bikes, towing around grandma's wagon, playing in the sand, racing around the house, etc.  Yesterday we watched a movie, How to Train A Dragon.  Cannon loved it.  Colson sat for about 3 minutes and then was done watching!  Mom found my collection of little house books and we started reading Little House in the Big Woods to Cannon.  Colson is enjoying the book, Big Dog, Little Dog, which is a book from grandma's collection.  I think I have read it at least two, if not three times each day.  (I can read it by heart now!)

Here are a few more pictures from our week:

I brought strawberries from Spooner Farms over to make jam.  We made a couple of batches and have already gone through one tub this week.  We've eaten the jam on waffles, pancakes and had it over cheesecake!

The boys made chocolate chip cookies with grandma.  They have a whole bag ready to give to Auntie Karin and, of course, more to eat!  

The Ringa-Majigs that Karin and I played with as little girls are still fun to play with 30+ years later!  

Colson really enjoys playing in the sand, digging and dumping.  Both Cannon and Colson have spent hours playing out back at grandma and grandpas. 

As always, we see a ton of deer.  I saw this one of my walks.  They are everywhere!

I took this picture because Cannon's hair was sticking straight up after driving the boat!  Lots of wind when you are going fast!

A huge bubble bath is always fun in grandma's big tub.  Both boys have taken a couple of bubble baths this week.  (In fact, Colson is in the tub right now!)

The boys picking cherries at Kay and Karen's house.  The cherry tree is overflowing with cherries!  So fun to pick and lots of fun to eat!

Chris (with Cannon supervising) helped my dad put up a fence to keep the deer out of their yard...and from eating their plants.

Enjoying every moment!

Bird Feeder

During a walk up the hill at mom and dad's house Cannon and I found a bunch of great pine cones.  (not uncommon around here at this time of year)  Cannon ran to pick some up and both of us agreed they would be great to use at bird feeders.  So we grabbed a few to bring back.

Grandma got together all of the supplies and she worked with both of the boys to make some feeders.

Grandpa hung up one in their back yard.
They gave one feeder to Kay and Karen.
We have one to take home.

Fun and quick project!

Enjoying every moment.

Hello 40!

Happy Birthday to me....40!
Oh my.

Adult birthday's are pretty laid back in our family.  I really try and embrace every day and each moment, no matter how old I am!  Turning 40 doesn't change that.

Today I had a great day!  We are at the lake, as usual on my birthday.  I love being here.  It's relaxing and easy.  It's a true vacation where I can read a lot, sleep good, go on long walks, enjoy the sun, see family, and just breathe.

This morning, mom made omelets for breakfast and we all ate outside on the back patio.  The sun was warm and it was perfect.  Then Cannon talked us into heading out on the boat.  So the four of us took a cruise to Hawk Creek and then down river for a few miles.  The days was warm and beautiful, there were hardly any other boats on the lake and the water was great.  Cannon got to drive quite a bit and loved gaining confidence.  He listens to Chris very well and takes everything in...and doesn't forget.  I was impressed how well he did.

Mom had lunch all ready for us when we got back...and had a plate of brownies with candles in each one. Colson enjoyed helping her light the candles and the boys helped me blow them out after a great round of "Happy Birthday!"

I was able to do some reading, play with the boys, and go on a nice walk.  Mom and Dad took us out to dinner at The Fort!  It was a very relaxing evening out.  And no one had to cook!

Wonderful day!  I am so blessed.
Here's to a great year!

Enjoying every moment.

And the Tooth is Still Loose!

Cannon has had a loose tooth forever now.

It's still loose.
And the new tooth is coming in.
I thought for sure that he would have pulled it out by now.
But that tooth is hanging on by one big root!

We've been reminding him to wiggle it.
Cannon even allowed Chris to try some tools....

But Chris wouldn't pull it unless it was really ready.
And that tooth was really slippery!
So for now, Cannon has to keep on twisting and wiggling that tooth!

Enjoying every moment.

Lovin' the Lake

We are two days into our time at the lake and loving every minute of it!
We are relaxed.
We are having fun.
We are enjoying the views of the lake.
We are blessed to be with family.
We are happy there is warm weather.
We are spending a lot of time on the boat.
We are laughing a lot.
We are enjoying each other.

The boys hanging out at the beach. 

Cannon at the waterfall. 

Cannon and I dressed alike....not on purpose!

Cannon did NOT want his picture taken. I won!

The boys peeing through the fence....boys will be boys!

Colson smelling the lavender.  

We've gone on a few bike rides...Colson has done a lot of walking his bike!

Colson and I on the boat.

Grandma made hot cocoa for the boys this morning and they sat outside to enjoy 

the scenery and each other!  Cheers!

Cannon swimming in the lake.  

Chris and I, so blessed to be here enjoying ourselves.  

Colson having a great time playing in the sand and water....naked!

Enjoying every moment!

Basketball Camp

Cannon participated in his first basketball camp!  It was put on by the White River High School boys basketball team.  It took some effort on my part to even convince Cannon to sign up.  He was very nervous and later, I realized that he didn't want to sign up because he felt that he couldn't make a basket...it was too hard to shoot the ball and make it through the hoop.

However, after just four days, Cannon has built confidence and learned so much.  Each camper got their own basketball and Cannon has been practicing bouncing the ball and shooting hoops.  He learned the basics of playing offense and defense and enjoyed their mini scrimmages.

We are proud of Cannon for following through on something that was difficult for him.

Enjoying every moment!

Summer!

We have officially started summer vacation.  It's been a fast week, with basketball camp for Cannon and I still had to move my classroom.  So we haven't really had a full day "off" yet.  But it's been nice to sleep in a little bit, have lunch together at home, enjoy the afternoon doing whatever we want and know that we don't have school in the morning.

Here are a few snapshots from our first week on summer break:

Colson has been coming up to school with me as I finish packing my classroom and moving it to my new room next year.  He is also working on potty training and is doing a pretty good job!  (He'll kill me for this picture later on!)

I've been going through Cannon's school items from the year as I work on putting together pages for his school scrapbook.  He spent an hour looking through his memories from Preschool and Early Kindergarten.  It was great to look through it with him, listening to him 'remember.'  This is why I scrapbook!  

The boys ended up digging in the mole hill one night....and getting totally filthy dirty.  They had dirt pretty much everywhere, including in their mouths!  Cannon brought the mud balls he made for Colson into the house to show us! 

The boys enjoying watching videos of trucks, trailers and boats on YouTube.  It's funny to listen to them discuss what they are watching.  

I showed Cannon how to use magazine pictures, cut in half, to work on his drawing skills.  He glued down one side of the picture and then drew the other half of the picture.  This was a stretch for him and he needed a bit of encouragement, but actually, he did a great job!  

A bit of ice cream for a snack.  There's nothing better!  

Enjoying every moment!

Much Accomplished

This past weekend there was a lot accomplished around the neighborhood.  Dan and Claire had trees topped and cut down, which was a huge hit with Cannon and Colson.  Cannon didn't even come home for lunch...I took it to him!  It was amazing to watch the guy climb the 80 foot trees and cut down branches like he was using scissors.  The boys helped pick up the branches and Cannon loved the chipper!

That afternoon, Chris helped Greg and Brenda build a new fire pit.  They purchased 99 blocks (all that McClendon's had!) and finished the fire pit and also lined the area around the patio.  Of course we all celebrated the days accomplishments with a fire that night in the new fire pit!

Chris also got the railings back up around our upper deck.  That makes a huge difference and we can now be out there safely!  We can't wait to use it when the warmer weather returns.

Sunday, Chris spent most of the day working on the motor home.  He cleaned the carpets, took out the old TV and mounted the new one, put up a new TV antenna, took out the couch to get re-upholstered and probably worked on a lot more that I don't even know about.  He's getting ready for our big trip to Yellowstone!

And...it was Father's Day weekend!  Chris said he didn't want to do anything...I asked multiple times.  But he was happy to be home working on projects.  The kids and I did make a nice breakfast for him and then I cooked a steak dinner.  We're thankful for everything that Chris does for our family!

It feels good to have weekends like this.  I was able to accomplish a lot inside the house, but nothing as "big" as what was accomplished outside.  

Enjoying every moment.

A Few More Last Day Pictures

As I was going through photos today, I realized I had some more memorable last day photos that are worth sharing.  The year does go by in the blink of an eye and I was glad I took quite a few photos throughout the year of my class and Cannon's class.  Maybe that will be another post later on.  I know first hand how important it is to organize and write about the moments in our lives so we can look back on them later. So for now, it's all about the final day of school, Friday the 13th of June!

Another photo of my class heading to buses for the last time.  I love how excited they are.  I can see a group of four boys in the back with their arms around each other.  Love how they became such a family through the year.

Klein didn't want a picture with me, but I got one anyway.  He was in my class last year and gave me a run for my money.  However, I continued to believe in him and hold him accountable....and he eventually came through and showed wonderful progress.  He came to say hello nearly every day this year.  He will be off to the middle school next year.

Some of my former students from last year...and a few I had in first grade, too!  These girls are off to the middle school next year.  They will be great leaders!

It's a tradition on the last day that all the teachers line up in the bus zone and wave to the buses.  The buses circle around again and honk, allowing the students to wave and say one last goodbye to their teachers and the school year!  We all love this tradition.

And finally, one more of Cannon and I.  I am so proud of his accomplishments this year and I hope that he can see all of his growth and understand that his hard work has paid off.

Enjoying every moment.