So Long

I know that I haven't been very good at keeping up with everyone - but it has been lose my mind crazy around here. I don't know why every year I do this to myself. Shawn says that it is because I don't know how to say NO. I say it is because if I don't do it who will? Anyway I couldn't sleep so I thought I would send you all a quick update! I am currently coaching the flag team and cheerleaders. I am co-teaching 4 classes each day and I have one resource that is 10 students (REALLY BIG). I have said to several people that I feel like I am running with my hair on fire from 8:00 AM until 6:00 PM. I am also teaching Early Morning Seminary. That is really keeping me hopping.

Shawn is teaching at RCC. During this budget crunching time it has been tough there. He is having to teach a math class at the prison for RCC even though it is not something he particularly wants to do. We are grateful that he has work, but look forward to the time that he will have a more secure situation. The oysters continue to grow and he is making some good business connections. O don't know if this business is a trial or a blessing, but it has taught me to be patient with my husband. It has also taught my two boys how to work. So if that is all that comes from it then I will count it a success. Our Stake President often says that the biggest problem missionaries have is not knowing how to work. I don't believe that my boys will have that problem.

Mike is running cross country and has really enjoyed it. He decided to do it to help get him in shape for wrestling, but I think he is enjoying it more than wrestling. He is not the fastest on his team, but he consistently comes in 7th or 8th on the team and is cutting time off of his personal record. He also is lifeguarding occasionally for the Y. He is taking 6 dual enrollment classes and doing pretty well. I think that he is tired of bring at home still and ready to move, but at the same time he is nervous about leaving home and being an adult! So he is on a rollercoaster of emotions. He is a great kid, but he is driving me CRAZY!

Morgan is loving high school. He is also running cross country. Last night he broke the 9 minutes mile in a meet. He was so happy. I love that cross country is all about beating your own times! It has been fun to see him interact at the high school. He is so SOCIAL! I think he truly is my son - He really just is so friendly and nice to everyone. (I know some of you can't believe this, but I am REALLY friendly.) He got straight As on his interim and we will see how he does on his report card. He is so tired of his schedule, but he continues to plug away at band, school, scouts, and cross country. He wants me to enroll him at the Y for soccer, but I said - NO! You do not have any more time. He really hates getting up for seminary, but once he is there he is so goofy that the other students just laugh at him!

Dave is reading! Well at least most words. He is playing soccer for the Y which means I have Saturdays and one week night running him. He loves school but HATES the computer lab. He is having a hard time not being home often enough. When we are home he is out in the backyard jumping on the trampoline constantly! When he was little he use to have a circut. Well he still does Legos, trampoline, fort, soccer, computer, LEGOS, trampoline, fort, soccer, computer... If you can figure out where he is you'll know where to look for him next. He is a joy to me and I am so grateful that he is in our family!

Well, I think that is more than any of you want to know about - so UGH. Now I am going to start my family and get off to seminary!~ YEAH!~ I love to wake Morgan up - argh!~'

Love you all!

Prom pictures Scraped

Yes, I know Prom was 4 months ago. I just got inspired to scrap these pictures. I hope that you all enjoy them.

A couple of cute pics!

Here are a couple of new pages that I just created.

Swim Lessons

Dave just finished his first set of swimming lessons. He still can't float but he sure tries.

New Member of our family

We have a new member of our family. Luka - he is a 1 1/2 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever. His owner was having to move into an apartment so she didn't have room to take Luka. He weighs 115 lbs and is sweet.



He really like to play fetch!



Davis and Morgan just love him - Whinny is not quite so sure. We are having a few problems with them getting along, but I think we can work it out. Any tips on this would be helpful.

Speed Scraps are FUN!

I have been having a blast doing speed scraps at scrapmatters.com Here are my latest layouts. (They just give you a few rules and a time limit and then you go at it! a lot of fun!) I know get a life - oh well!

Many Scrap Pages from the beach

Make sure you check out all of the posts I put on today. I went a little crazy trying to get pictures up for those that we missed at the beach!






I just love these quick pages! I hope you all appreciate the nuts I spent a week with, well at least the pictures.

Brothers @ the Beach

I didn't realize how great of an expression Davis had on his face until I was looking through the beach pictures! Is that a look of adoration or what??

Here is a really cute picture of all my sons at the beach! Yes posed, but...

A Senior Picture

Here are a couple of pictures that I took and filtered for Senior pictures - let me know which one you like best? Please vote as a comment.

Full Color


Black & White


Sepia

Cousins @ Beach

I scraped this page of all the kids at the beach.

Time to scrapbook

I have had a few minutes to scrapbook. It is so nice! This is a special picture. I usually do not allow photos of me...

New Post of Dave

I made this page with Debbie's constant input and analysis of my triangular pattern.

Love Photo Shop

I just love Photo Shop! I found this adorable kit online for free! AWESOME!

Picking Blackberries

The cobbler was great! My hands are still stained! But it was all worth it!

4th 0f July Page

Morgan was in a parade on the 4th of July. I just finished the scrap page. My family thinks that all I scrap is Davis - I just had to show them that it isn't all about Dave! It is Dave and others! HEHEHE!



We just picked a bunch of blackberries. I will have to post those pictures tomorrow~ Maybe I will make a cobbler tonight. I have gotta run and get Dave to the pool!

A Page I just put together

I decided that I could post a page that I just made for fun. Thought you all might like to see it!

Peter the Stage Manager

When we were in Boston Peter was selected to help this street performer in his "production. He did a great job - it was really funny and cute. Here is a picture I took of him during his performance. He knew his right from his left foot - that got a lot of applause from the crowd. I was impressed that he wasn't the least bit shy.



I recorded the finally! Here it is. After all of this he finally gave Peter a sucker.



Don't worry Amy was right there in the crowd watching his antics.

Photoshop Magic

Shawn has said that I have been making a scrap booking page, not a blog SOO I thought I would share something I have learned with you all. I have been learning and growing in photoshop. I just thought I would share with you all my latest accomplishment. See if you can find what is missing in the before and after.

Before




After



It was a little strange cutting Davis head off to fix the background. He walked in while I was doing it and got all upset that I cut his head off. It was actually pretty funny. I think it looks pretty good, but I can see a couple of little booboos that I would fix next time. I love PhotoShop!

Boston Trip

I finally finished these two pages. I had too many pictures! I had to pick and choose. I hope you enjoy them.

Morgan's 8th Grade Graduation June 2008

Morgan had a great evening. I think he enjoyed it even though he was made to go!

Lost a Tooth

Dave lost his first tooth today. I thought you all might like to see how proud he is of it!

The North Bridge at Concord, MA

I just finished scrap booking these photos and thought I would share it with you all! Enjoy. We had a great day and really enjoyed seeing Vicki. Check soon for other postings!

Visit with David's Family

I had to go to CT to get some algae caulwells for Shawn. (Big Fiberglass tanks to grow algae in.) So I decided to make a trip of it and see David, Amy, Peter, Abby, and Vicky. Morgan, Davis and I had a great trip AND we got to me Vicky's roommate Nicky. (Who is REALLY REALLY nice. But I wonder about the whole Vicky and Nicky rhyming thing hehehe!)

We had a very nice visit with David and Amy and their family. Yes, hugs were dispersed. Morgan, Davis, Peter, and Abby played in their back yard with a big blue "soccer ball".



This little video shows the game in action!

An Evening of Soccer

Here is Mike running prior to a game. (He is 3rd) I know not a great picture.



Here is Morgan posing after his game.



Here is Dave running around like a crazy person during ALL the games!

A Little Kindergarten Joy

Remember you asked for an update. Here is Dave with his class signing. He was chosen to wave his flag for his whole class. He was soo proud. I am not sure he really knew all of the words. I am still trying to upload the video. The pictures are not the best. The video is really cute.

Morgan's 8th grade graduation

Here is Morgan being recognized as a Presidential Achiever. He refers to Pres Bush as his Home G. Pretty Silly.


Here is Morgan with his friends, Chris, Conner, and Jared. Fellow 8th grade graduates!

Mike and Randi at Prom

These are a couple of pictures we took of Mike and Randi before they went to the Prom. I think they had a pretty good time. They went to the afterprom and didn't leave until 4:30 am.