storm days

Could this be from the earthquake? Irene or Lee?  Did we get a tornado?  Thank goodness- No!  Our neighbor who lives behind us decided to cut down 10 pine trees that surround the side and front boarder of his home.  I have more light now in my backyard which will probably help dry out our yard faster!  Downside, Im feeling a bit exposed from the extra visibility.  We may be helping to put up a new fence or bushes in the near future.  (ok, Im caught up on the pics I have- I will take more this month and post later.) 

I hope your all doing well and the new school germs aren't getting to you yet.  Gray and I have minor sore throats at the moment; so we are popping extra vitamin C. 

Hugs to all- Bev and boys

Noah's bday, visitors, football pics

 So great to have Sjuana and Dave visit us!  Thanks guys!  Sorry we were so busy when you came.

 Noah loving his cash and new clothes! 

 Owen in his new Raiders jersey on opening night!

 Our bus stop for elementary students!  Payton is my only one going to Elementary this year!  wow!

Gray, Tyler and Alex is at their High school bus stop above.  I snuck this pic- Gray didn't want me closer!  He only rides the bus when he doesn't have early morning seminary.

 My middle schoolers, on jersey day, before they lined up at the bus stop.  Aren't they so happy!

 Noah is a kicker for his team, for now.  He is enjoying football.   (Gray's first game was canceled due to rain.  I hope to get more pics of him and Owen soon.) 

My girls!  (I work with the 8-11 year olds in church primary a couple times a month for weekday activity days.  We do fun activities and work on goals, helping them get through their Faith in God booklets.  I work with Rebecca Goold.) lft-rt, top-bottom: Emeline, Shannon, Summer, Celeste, Eden, Christiana, Nadi, Kyla, Syriah, Lexi, Sabina.

Hershey Park 8-12-11

Here are those pictures from later Aug. into Sept. 
By the way, we were very fortunate not to loose power for more than 4 hours one day; and we didn't have trouble with flooding!  Praise the Lord!

  WE all did Comet, Sooperdooperlooper, Coal Cracker, then I joined the crazies on Great Bear once and that was it -I had a headache.  We did some waterpark stuff since it was summer and a hot day, but I wasn't really impressed with it mostly because it was so crowded.  The later half of the day we split up because Greg, Gray, Tyler, and Owen wanted to do more rollercoaster rides and did most of them even the Farenheit!  Noah, Payton and I enjoyed the wave pool, slides, train ride around park (over a zoo)  and chocolate tour.   It was a fun day!
Gray and Owen's friend Tyler joined us to Hershey Park. Do you see Greg on the Bear below? 4th from left.

August - football again

Its actually the end of July and football starts today, the 25th, for Owen and Noah who are with the Sykesville Raiders our local rec. group. Greg is still gone and gets back Aug. 4th. I sure do miss him, and not because I'm alone with my boys; I'm used to taking care of them. I miss Greg's presense. Of course, we talk on the phone but I have such a tangable connection with him that its hard to be seperated like this. I look forward to his return- 10 more days!

Funny, now to publish this.  Greg has been back for awhile and our life has been so hectic that I'm sure he doesn't appreciate my presence any longer!  I have been too busy which makes me tired and moody.  With football controlling my life I am not a happy mama!  Plus, I've over volunteered for this season: co-chair team mom for Owen's team; volunteer for Noah's team,  co-chair 2 PTO committees,  scouts and Activity Days started (I co-chair that responsibility) subbing in primary, helping to organize carpools, seminary starting, gettting ready for Gray entering High school which is expensive, fundraisers galore, back to school nights, etc... it doesn't end!  Oh, our relaxing, do what we want days of summer are gone!    boo-hoo!  (grass is always greener, right) 

Well, Im glad to be more on a routine and finally after 2 weeks of school I am feeling a bit more used to the change.  Transition time is always hectic!

Like a couple days before Hershey Park, a tragic accident happend in our home.  Our beloved hampster, Lisa, had an untimely death.  It was devestating to Payton and Noah because it was part their faults.  Even Gray and Owen were heartbroken by it, but Payton was by far worse off.  If you want the details you can email me.  The memory will forever be etched in their minds, but I hope the pain of her loss has dissipated by now.

Well, a couple fun things to reflect on are our trip to Hershey that we did in Aug.  The last real hot day of summer I can remember. Aug. 12th.

A visit from dear friends, Schorr's, and Noah's 11th birthday!  Aug. 16th.

Keeping up with Mary Kay, my new business.   Working on recertification for Elementary Ed.

An earthquake (Aug. 23), crazy weather- lots of rain (began with Irene and followed by Lee- Aug. 27-Sept.8th, and now we are in our 3rd week of school. Seminary started for Gray this a.m.  We all get up with Greg now at 5 in the a.m. (Well, Gray and I do.) 

Sept. 2nd, Greg and I celebrated our sweet 16th Anniversary.  We did our traditional trip to the D.C. temple followed by lunch together.  Greg loves Vietnamese food- go figure!  I am grateful for such a wonderful supportive husband. 

Sept. 8th was my 38th b-day and I chose not to do house chores, got a haircut, ate sushi- we have a great restaraunt in Eldersburg, got a girls' movie to watch, talked to all my sisters and received so many wonderful, thoughtful greetings from family and friends!  (Thanks to all for making my day special.) 

Well, its time to get chores done, my in-laws come for a visit on Wed. and my basement is a mess from my boys being home all summer.  I'll include some pictures later!