John making a snowball with the little snow (2 inches) we got Saturday night.

Top Seller in her troop

We just had to turn in our forms the other day. Alyssa sold 202 boxes of girl scout cookies this year. They will be arriving for delivery the first week of January. We have to order full boxes so there will be extras left over we will need to sell. So just let me know if you'd like any.

John's 2nd lost tooth

After rough-housing with his sister, John lost his 2nd tooth. He was pulling on her clothes with his teeth and his bottom tooth came out - blood and all. He was excited and can't wait to take it into school to get some charm or something. So he is postponing the trip from the tooth fairy for several days. Looks like child #2 will need orthodontist work as well. His permanent tooth is almost fully in! It was hiding behind the baby tooth and we didn't even realize it.

The kids at Trunk or Treat.
The kids after trick or treating are waiting outside to pass out candy.

We finally made it to a Royals game this year! I had been wanting to go all summer so when offered free tickets we couldn't pass it up! It was one of only a few Sundays that we didn't have any soccer games or other activites planned.

First Tooth

John lost his first tooth today. He was so excited he took it to school so he could get a tooth necklace. He was also so proud to be the first in his class this year to lose a tooth. But after coming home he lost it several times before getting it put in his tooth fairy pillow his grandma made for him.

First full day of school for Alyssa and John.

Yesterday we went to a T-bones game. The kids were suprised to see the parking lot full of police cars, firetrucks and a helicopter. They had a great time - and that was before we even went inside the ballpark.

6.18.2010 Made a trip to the Blueberry Patch today. This year John went straight to this playground area while Alyssa helped me for just a little while. Since it was so hot and we didn't get there until almost 11am, we only picked 1.67 lbs.
7.1.2009 A trip to the Blueberry Patch with the mom's group. Alyssa and I enjoyed picking about 6 lbs of blueberries. John didn't like it so much. When we were tired of hearing the whining from him, we went to the playground and his spirits brightened a bit.

The kids have another cousin!! James Francis was born Thursday June 17, 2010 at 3:30. He weighed 8 lbs 8 oz. and was 20 inches long. Mom and baby boy are doing well and his big sister can already say "Jimmy".

Changes over the years!

June 2006 May 2007 June 2008June 2009
June 2010
Funny to see how fast they grow and change over the years. And some things still stay the same - Alyssa wearing the same shirt in the last two pictures. She is still picky about her clothes - she finds a few favorite shirts/shorts and that's all she wants to wear. Guess it saves $$$. Later she'll probably say she can't believe we let her wear the same outfit every day! :) And John seems to be following in his sisters footsteps!

Alyssa qualified (for the guitar and hula hoop routine)for the all school talent show on the last day of school. Alyssa performed in the final all school talent show today. She decided to add another song (Jingle Bells) since she was well under the 3 minutes they would allow you to perform. Unfortunately you can't see her face since she has the music stand in front of her. She said she really didn't need it since she had her music memorized, but that it would be something to look at instead of the entire school and parents.



Alyssa and her group made it to the final as well. Pardon the shakiness of the video. I was watching a three year old that day and had him in my lap. He fell asleep not long after she performed. (Alyssa is the one on the left side.)

Alyssa was in a talent show at school today. She performed in two different acts. She did a solo performance of Spanish theme and Bon Jovi's Dead or Alive on guitar.


She also did a performance with a group of girls in her daisy scout troop.

Daisy Scouts

Alyssa at her "bridging" ceremony. Where the Daisy Scouts become Brownies. So this will probably be the last picture of her wearing her blue Daisy vest.

Kids doing some artwork.

Kids taking a break from their riding.

Kids playing school after school.

Alyssa and John after finishing the mile fun run at the school. Not even half way through the race, John stopped. and took of his shoe. He said he broke his foot and sat down and took off his shoe. We told him to wait for us and we'd get him on our way back. Instead he decided to get up and turn around and finish the race before us.

I can't.....I can

After many times saying "I can't", Alyssa realizes she can...and rides her bike all by herself.
John showing off his new scooter along with his battle wounds on his legs.

Friday we went on an overnight with Alyssa's Daisy Scout Troop.

Happy Easter

What's left of the snow after a 60 degree day.

After 7 inches of snow.

VPike.com

It's amazing the things you can find on the internet. Here's my childhood home from 3rd -7th grades when I lived in Arkansas. All you have to do is go to the site and type in an address. Kind of cool but also kind of scary. I'm curious when they take these photos and how often they are updated.

Valentine's Day

Alyssa and John got cards from their grandparents. The $5 cash was such a thrill for them! Was funny to see their reacations and comments - a real paper dollar!

My brain hurts

John is home from school today. He has a cough and he said his brain hurt. So I told him he'd have to stay in bed - he actually went straight up to bed and fell fast asleep - for 2 hours. Guess he wasn't feeling well after all. Thursday and Friday of last week I had to pick him up from school after him only being there an hour or so - he was having trouble with his breathing. (We thought we had his occassional breathing troubles figured out - allergy to dogs - but not sure if that's the case now?)

1/9/2010
12/26/2009

This morning I saw this squirrel just eating some nuts and just had to take a picture.
Well tomorrow was supposed to be the kids first day back from winter vacation...but they have already announced school will be closed tomorrow. We have had 18.5 inches of snow here since Christmas. This afternoon I probably shoveled another 2-3 inches and it's still coming down. The winds are supposed to be picking up 25-30 mph tonight and tomorrow. Glad we're home and don't have to be anywhere!