Sunday, April 26, 2009

Feels like Summer



Hank finished the deck this week..he did most of it in Sept./Oct. and added to the length of it and added the top this week..Can I say how nice it is. It gives us more space for sitting and entertaining:) PLUS some shade!!!
We also got our new pool liner this week and I have to say I like it better then the other one which did not last at ALL!!! We only had it 3 years and it had ripped in numerous places and look like cr@p!!
My sister and Kaitlin came over yesterday for both of their Bdays and we floated and layed out and I am so SUNBURNT!!! I should know better!!! So today there will be no floating for me:(

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Tyler's DI Group

Tylers DI (Destination Imagination) group went to State this weekend. They ended up getting 3rd which was GREAT!! Last year they ended up going to Globals and they had a GREAT time but honestly we were not sure this year if we were even going to send them as it would have been around $5500 to send just the team and 2 parents!!! There challange was called "A New Angle" and they built a structure (you can not see in pictures) that weighed 24 GRAMS and it ended up holding 102 pds!!! AMAZING to me:)
We had a fun day and we were all very proud of the kids.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Job Description

PARENT

Job Description

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way,
I don't believe any of us would have done it!!!!

POSITION :
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma
Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :

Long term, team players needed, for challenging
permanent work in an
often chaotic environment.
Candidates must possess excellent communication
and organizational skills and be willing to work
variable hours, which will include

evenings and weekends
and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.
Some overnight travel required, including trips to
primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities!
Travel expenses not reimbursed.
Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :
The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily,
until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
Also, must possess the physical stamina of a
pack mule
and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat
in case, this time, the screams from
the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges,
such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets
and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and
coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings
for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be willing to be indispensable one minute,
an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a
half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for
the quality of the end product.
Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and
janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :

None.
Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills,
so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :


None required unfortunately.
On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :

Get this! You pay them!
Offering frequent raises and bonuses.
A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because
of the assumption that college will help them
become financially independent.
When you die, you give them whatever is left.
The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that
you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :


While no health or dental insurance, no pension,
no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and
no stock options are offered;
this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love,
and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.


Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do or have done

on a daily basis,
letting them know they are appreciated
for the fabulous job they do...
or forward with love
to anyone thinking of applying for the job.





** AND A FOOTNOTE **


**

THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!! **

If you are fortunate enough, you will become grandparents!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Happy Easter

Last night we were invited the our friends house for Easter. Diane is a AMAZING cook and hostess and she went ALL out. She had a Basket at everyone's chair filled with ALL homemade cookies, candies, and treats!!! We ate a HUGE dinner, laughed, ate more and laughed more (I was more then 1/2 sick). They fished, played pool, fozz ball, airhockey and we watched Marley and Me. When we left Dianes there was a HUGE ORANGE moon and I said look at the moon and Tyler said GRANDPA:) I agree Tyler, it was a sign from Grandpa!!!When we got home there was a Bunny sitting in the yard so I am pretty sure he was one of the Easter Bunny's friends:)
Today we went out for a great breakfast and Hank worked in the yard and is now watching the masters and the kids and I have cleaned their rooms and closet..OMG is all I can say on that one:) We are grilling steaks out for dinner. It has been a great weekend and a Happy Easter spent with GREAT friends:)

Friday, April 10, 2009

The Bunny Cake lives on..


My mom made a Bunny Cake EVERY year for Easter. This is the 2nd Easter without my mom (and the first without my dad) but the Bunny Cake lives on in her Memory!! My sister is off to FL tonight so we are going to some friends house tomorrow for Easter! My sister even said "are you making a Bunny Cake". We do not remember all the "stuff" we were bought when we were kids..we remember the Cake my mom made every Easter....
I hope the Bunny Cake is something my kids carry on also!!
Happy Easter and We love and miss you Mom and Dad!!

Thursday, April 09, 2009

Hank & Diana plus 2


Both boys are gone tonight so Hank and I ran out and got a quick dinner and then we ran into the grocery store. We needed to get eggs to color for Easter so said to get 2 dozen..Hank picks them up and starts putting them in the cart and I said "You need to check them" ..he says "OK KATE"..like in Jon and K@te + 8..Can I tell you I CRACKED UP!!
**He did follow it up with "she is so mean to him.."
Gosh he needs a JOB..we are together way to much:)

Saturday, April 04, 2009

And the HEAT is ON...

Tyler had his first soccer game of the Spring Season today..His team is called The Heat!! They did really well and won 2-1. It was a BeAuTiFuL day on the soccer fields!!! He is now getting ready for Baseball evuations!!! I had him try his baseball cleats on..he said well they feel find..maybe a little tight. I ask what size they are and he said 6!!! He wears a 8 or a 8 1/2. Guess I need to go buy new cleats!!
PS..Yes this is 3 post in 1 DAY!!!! WoooHooo!!!

BuNcO BuNcO BuNcO

Last night was BuNcO and as usual it was FUN!! Tonights "theme" was Uncle John. It was at Samantha's house who has a Uncle John and he gave then a framed picture of himself for a gift..Uncle John is a NICE NICE older man who has never been married and he had more fun then he probally has had him his 72 years:)
The song of the night was "Lets get in on"..and then Jill added "with Uncle John"..This is WHY I LOVE Bunco. Where else can you go and have this much fun with a FRAMED picture of Uncle John:)
PLUS I won most losses ($20), Diane was most wins and last BuNcO, Suzanne was MOST BuNcO and the New Sub, JOY (I got Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in my Heart, WHERE, Down in my HEART) got the Thank You for Coming:)

Are You Smarter Then a 5th Grader

Tyler and some other kids from his room were ask to be on Are You Smarter Then A 5th Grader at the one High School here. It was part of a girls Senior project and it was CUTE!!! They went "up against" the head of the History Dept. who happen to be Tylers soccer and basketball coach for 2 years. The kids did GREAT and he made it a lot of fun for them:)

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Newport Aquarium

Yesterday we took Tyler and his friend Dalton to the Newport Aquarium and spent the day in Cinti as it is our Spring Break. It was a BEAUTIFUL day and a lot of FUN!!! The Aquarium was nice as it was EMPTY but the boys had more fun playing by the river..(yes, I could have saved $65.00:) We need to make more of a effort to get down there as there are a lot of fun things to do (and lots of good food).
Nicholas has been snowboarding in Salt Lake and gets back tonight. I got a text from him yesterday saying he wants to go every spring break and winter break as he loves it out there. He loves the who skiing and snowboarding and I just HATE cold BUT I do think it is just BEAUTIFUL out there.

Hayden Micheal

My God-Daughter Amanda and her husband had a baby a month ago and I FINALLY got down yesterday to meet him. Hayden is AdOrAbLe!!! Here are a few pictures I took before my camera battery went DEAD:(

Saturday, March 14, 2009

What has been going on..

I have so not been in the blogging mood..I have actually been in a pretty CRAPPY mood lately. As some of you know and some of you don't Hank was laid off a month ago..Well, we all know how hard it is to find a job now a days. I love where we live but will not be surprised if we end up moving.(All I say to him is I hate cold so if we move can be go SOUTH). I am so PISSED at the company he worked for and I know I need to get passed this but it is HARD!! I honestly can not stand driving past it (multiple location in town) or hearing their name..yes I have it bad!!!
What have I learned through all of this..I spend way to much money on crap I do not need or my family does not need.
I hate bitching about this when I read other blog where people have sick kids or family members I remember that is a PROBLEM and I should be thankful. We are much luckier then others but it still SUCKS!!!
The one positive that has come out of this (other then me realizing I spend to much money on crap) is that you so realize who your friends are..Hank is AMAZED at the how many people that have said I have a friend who has a business and forward me your resume and I see what I can do. It has meant A LOT to him and to me:)
On another note I am a STRESS eater and that is all I will say on this...
I have a ton of pictures to post of Tyler. He had his DI (Destination Imagination) competition last week and they got 2nd in their challenge so they go to State in April. He was in the Talent Show and played "Carry on my Wayward Son" on his electric guitar. Was in the Math Bowl competition and they came in 3rd. (1 pt separated 1,2 and 3rd.) There was a tie for 1st so one of those teams got first and second and they were 1 pt behind them. AND he had his Science Fair this week!!! Soccer starts in a week and Baseball, which is his favorite in a few weeks:)
Nicholas is in Salt Lake with his friend Andrew..He was invited by his other friend Kevin and his mom. Kevin ended up sick on the plane and had REALLY BAD ear aches to they stayed in MN. and his mom got him into a Dr. there and Andrew and Nicholas flew on to SL. Hanks family is there so his brother in law picked them up so they are with them till Kevin and his mom get in on Sunday:) Nicholas and Andrew both ended up in first class for the 2nd half of the flight so all is good for them:)
I will post pictures later this week..it is Spring break for us so we are off. We have a couple day trips planned for Tyler.
I did get to see a friend today that moved a few years ago. Michele was near Columbus for a funeral so we meant this afternoon and it was like we just saw each other yesterday..not 2 years ago:) I have a pic to post of the 2 of us too. She looks WONDERFUL!!!
Since I am "kinda" complaining..I bought a BIG bag of Jelly Be-lly Jelly Beans..How many people acually want to eat a JB that tasted like Buttered popcorn. If I want Popcorn I will pop some..if I want a JB I want it to taste like one..Not like popcorn or coffee as I am not a coffee drinker. (This all related to me being a STRESS EATER)!!!

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Relay for Life


My friends daughter Caitlin in doing the Relay For Life. Here is her page if anyone wants to support her. Caitlin was just diagnosed with Crohns and it has not stopped her. She is a GREAT swimmer and a GREAT girl walking for a GREAT cause!!! My mom, Mary Federman, passed away from Pancreatic cancer a year and a half ago.

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

So wrong in so many ways!!

I know, EVERYONE is entitled to their OWN opinion BUT there is NO way I will EVER think this is OK..Watch this video..This women is STILL brea$t feeding her daughter who is almost 8. She said she will stop when her daughter no longer "feels the need to do it anymore". Her opinion is no one goes to college still brea$t feeding..HELLO, there has to be a first!!! Her kids have ever NAMED HER B00BS!!!! I about crapped!!

Sunday, March 01, 2009

Prayers Needed


Please pray for this family for what they are going through. I am AMAZED at the strength and faith they have. I have been reading their blog for awhile and Gracie has touched my heart and made a difference in how I think each day. I need to QUIT complaining about the little things and realize how lucky my family is.

Hello my name is...


Do they have a support group for people like me who are ADDICTED to BANANA NUT CHEERIOS!!! I saw them at Sams Club ONCE and did not buy them..when I went back they were GONE. Friday I was at Target and saw them..bought 2 boxes and a box and a 1/2 are gone so I went back LAST night and they are sold out!!! I even found a person and had them check to see if they had any in the back..how sad is that!!!
I love BANANA flavored things and these are WONDERFUL!!!

Friday, February 27, 2009

Bald and Sectionals

Well, last weekend was the Boys High School Sectional Meet. Nicholas swam his best times and we were so proud of him as a Freshman. UNFORTUALLY we only had 1 boy advance to State (WTG WILL) but a lot of them were so close!!! Friday night was shaving night and it took me 45 minutes to shave his head..He shaved his own underarms as he said to me "It took me 15 years to grow these bad boys and I will shave them off myself:)" He also shaved his arms and legs and I did his back..oh how he will ITCH!!! I loved HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING and can not wait for next year. Nicholas still does Club swimming so we still are around the same FUN parents:)

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

1 Step Closer to BALD!!






Here are a few more steps to being BALD (Friday).
We have been Blue, Blue Green, Purple, Purple tie-dyed, Pink and now a Mohawk. Today was their pasta dinner and they shaved or mostly shaved their hair. Tomorrow night is Prelims and Saturday is Finals for Sectionals. I have to say it was FUN being there as they are FUNNY!!!