Buchan's Labor Day Party

First, thank you to the Buchan's for hosting a fun Labor Day party at there club house! It was so nice to just sit and not have to clean up after everyone left! The food was super good from Brian's and I think everyone had a good time! Cheers to GOOD TIMES!

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Second, Drew or Emma got a hold of my camera a few times and took these winner pictures!











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Third, I took the following pictures. I wish I had brought my other camera because I hate the red eye from my little camera, but I have learned that the kids like to take pictures, so I do not think bringing my good one makes much sense anymore. Some of the pictures are cute even though the red eye is bad. It was nice to have Marci & Jason's little Ava (15months) and the Curtis' girls there (5&2) because there are way to many time we hang out with "the boys" and my little ones are the only Innocent youth:)

High School Football...

Where do I live? Do I live in the Midwest? Nope, but the way that the YLHS vs. EDHS football game on Friday looked made me think...where am I? Our dear friend teaches at YL and since I went to ED, Derek and I decided VERY last minute to take the kids. I was actually shocked that Derek agreed because he is usually not up for those things. So, we went to our fav pizza place






then headed to the new stadium at YLHS. I think we should have skipped the meal because by the time we got to the game there was no parking (looked for about 20min) and even if we had the line to get tickets was so long that we would have been in line even longer. The high school football gods were not in our favor last Friday, so we promised the kids we would go to another game real soon and left.

Moral of our experience....YLHS vs. EDHS football games must get valet parking and presale tickets available online!

First Baseball Game!

Our big boy (I am so sad to write that) had his very first baseball game on Sunday (yes, Sept 11th)! He has never had a practice (they had one of Saturday, but we could not make it) and we were SUPER nervous for him. Let me make that more clear, 'Derek was super nervous for him.' Since Derek played ball himself for so long he just wants Drew to be good, but slowly Derek realized that Drew is just 5 and only wants to have fun. Well, that was before we saw some of the other 5 and 6 year olds play! Some of those kids are GOOD! Maybe a little too good. Now we realized that Derek needs to work with Drew more on pretty much everything:)




But Drew did play left field and stopped a ball to make the hit a single instead of a double.




He also, got a little better at swinging the bat while 'on deck'



He hit the ball on the fourth 'machine pitched' ball for a line drive single. That single was followed by a bounce on home plate, another single and slide at home.





Then of course there was a team huddle and a SNACK! He was so happy! He says he really likes baseball, which I know makes Derek really happy.





He also had a fan club! Caden had his first game too, so we watched a bit of his game and got a picture of the two boys. Oh, and the GF came too:)

Remember 9/11

I feel just horrible that I did not blog something on Sunday, but now I am...still feel bad though.

Basically, I cried for most of the afternoon until around 6 when I could not take it anymore. I cry like a baby whenever I hear stories about that day. I wanted to do something for the day, so we went to the RNL to see a firetruck that helped with the cleanup and rescue efforts, a huge piece of steel from the WTC that was bent over, and another fire truck. There were many other people there to share in the giving of flowers and flag to those traveling memorials, I love being an American! I am not sure if this man, Krugman, being commentated on http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/the-five/transcript/paul-krugman-coward, loves it too?

Once again military and public servants like firemen, thank you for your service and your selflessness! On a more personal note, "Please keep your prayers for our brother-in-law Chris as he continues to find those IED's in Stan."

Play dates!

When Lilly and I got back from Boston we saw Sara 2 and Mar at our house for a play date! I had not seen the Zenhnter girls since July and baby Sam with Mar since May! I ABSOLUTELY can not believe at how big all of our kids are getting! Seriously, it makes me think of how old we are getting and how different our lives are from just a few years ago! For example, years ago Me/Max/Mar would head down to Mexico and now we met up at the mall with our three stroller! Oh, but we still went and got a glass of wine:) haha. And Sara 2 and I became besties before the kids and now we have 5 between us! Life is a strange little thing, isn't it?

Madi and Em in the 'little pool'


Bellaboo hiding


Handsome Samy


Max's SoSo (Sophia)

New Cousin Pictures

Since Em was here with the kids for 3 weeks during the summer we decided to do our bi-annual "cousin pictures." At least we will always have pictures of the kids twice a year even if they do live so far away!

All of the kids did fabulous during the pictures, but Lilly was a little 'crazy' which is totally her. My mom was cracking up! Here are just a few pictures of Tyler (11), Hailee (10), Drew (5), Emma (4), and Lilly (23months).

*I scanned these three in...I think I need to dust my machines!*

Cooking with Mommies!

I am always doing stuff with my Moms Club, one of which is making dinner for the family at 10am! In the past we have made pizza's, Mexican Stew, and beef wraps. Today we made taco salad.

Ground beef, chopped tomatoes, lettuce, bag of cheese, original taco seasoning, Doritos, and thousand island dressing are the ingredients. Typical recipe, but the dressing was a new one for me.

Cook the beef, add it to a bowl with the cheese, tomatoes and taco seasoning, and dressing. I am leaving it in the bowl until dinner time when I will add romaine lettuce, and Frito's. Quick and easy!

Batter Up!

Drew had his very first batting practice experience yesterday. After school, getting his gear, ballet for Em, dinner, and headed over to the cages he was. Not only is this his first time in a batting cage, but playing baseball on a team! His first game is on Sunday (after just one practice!) and whomever wants to come just email me:)

*He is growing up so fast!*