Wow!

So Prom was great and they're at the "After Prom" now (which looks SO cool).  So here are a few pics of Josh and Shannon right before they left for Prom.

...I picked them up, and was told they had a great time, it was awesome, and "we danced all night!"  Still more dancing to be done at the after party!

Getting ready

Prom is in a couple hours, and Cody's home taking pictures with us. Don't they look cute together?  More to follow as the countdown continues!

Pedicures...

Bethany traded me a foot massage for painted toenails last night. She did a cute job, don't you think?

Hunger Games were well fed...

We just got back from seeing the movie - part of Cody's birthday weekend - and it was awful. Anyone who read the book will be horrified at the liberties the movie takes. We've spent the last hour discussing all the changes, and how far from the story they went. An uprising in District 11? HAYMITCH tells the Gamemaker about the new "2 tribute" rule? What a farce. Some really nice special effects, but there wasn't a single image of a starving, dehydrated tribute once. It's called the Hunger Games for a reason! So disappointing...  But we LOVE the books! We're into Catching Fire now.

Success!

Mom, I'm so proud of you - you did it!    Hope your dinner went well, and you and Dad had a nice evening.  Love you!

Where's the wine?!?!

Poor mom - we just spent an hour trying to get her a google account, JUST so she can comment on my blog.  UGH!  Social networking at its' most frustrating!

I love you, Mommy...   ; )

Betty Crocker...

So the kids just came home, and I have sugar cookies from the oven and milk waiting.  I'm so good!

Okay:  so we'll keep the fact that the prepackaged, break-apart cookies were on sale, and I haven't actually 'baked' in months, to ourselves.  The kids won't care!

More to follow, with updates about the kitchen and cruise on the way.  Love to all!

So far...

The floor is looking great, compared to a week ago.  Thanks to my parents, not only was it all cleaned out and rearranged (in the living room), but the floor is getting done.  Here are some pictures of where the floor is at this point.

View from the doorway - 6 sheets (and most of the floor)

That's Mom cleaning the stonework; I'll post some before and after soon.

Looking at the doorway; more to do, but what a pretty, LEVEL, smooth base for the new kitchen!

I'll get some more pics posted as they are available!

-Kris

RIP...

to all the garbage by the road!  Yea to the Norwood Sanitation guys - they are so wonderful.  I'm on my way out to bring in EMPTY garbage cans.  Ah, relief.

Then, back in the kitchen to lay down some more floor.  Oh yeah, and laundry.

I have to start packing and planning the last details for the cruise, since spring break - and our Bahamas trip - are coming up in two weeks.  Yikes!  Yea!  I guess you'd call that happy stress?!?

Hey to all our friends...

It's been a while, but I'll update everyone.   My mom and dad visited this week for Bethany and Josh's Confirmation, and helped me destroy my kitchen as well.  We're replacing the floor, and all the cabinets are gone.  So much more to do, but they can't stay forever.  Darn.

So lots of microwave dinners for a while.  LOL.  Not really.

I'll post some pictures, so if you want to watch my insanity unfold, you can see the slow deterioration!  LOL.   Again, not really!

-Kristen

Lots of great news!

Hey everyone! I hope your new year is starting off right; it's been a bit hectic for us, but going really well all in all.

Christmas was wonderful - Santa was good to us, but we were better! LOL. We got some great gifts - Josh got the new computer he wanted (with a flat screen monitor; almost nicer than the laptops!), Hans got a DS Lite (like a Gameboy), and Bethany got a big telescope since she's our stargazer. And Santa brought her her own star, which she got to name! Now we can see it in the sky...

The week after was a little crazy - the kids were supposed to fly to Chicago, but were unable to at the last minute. A plane at the Chicago airport had skidded off the runway because the rain was freezing on the ground. So, no unaccompanied minors. Bethany was heartbroken, and I was for her. BUT, dad came here instead and they spent a week with him! Not something that will be repeated; it was harder to do and they didn't get to see the rest of the family, but at least they got to spend time together.

Since then we've been working around the house and making plans for the new year. I just finished a renovation on the master bath, and just have some detail work till it's completed. And Cody and I are making plans to completely renovate the kitchen (FINALLY!), and have begun making the purchases for this project. Actually, I've been buying stuff for this for over a year! Gotta get those sales... ; ) Cody is working hard, and we are grateful not only for this wonderful job, but all our many blessings. Good friends, family - it's a lot to be thankful for.

Well, time to go finish dinner (and balancing my checkbook - what fun!), but keep checking back. I'm going to make more effort to keep a weekly update, at minimum. Love to all!
-Kristen

Welcome!

Hi all! I'm starting this blog so family can stay in touch easier. I guess it's time to finally break down and do it...

Things are well. Josh made A/B honor roll on his progress report (waiting for the 'final' one to come in). He works so hard, but I still think we're just not paying attention in school the way he needs to. Boo and Hans are doing great. Boo missed straight A's by one point first semester (we treated her for all A's - it was soooo close!), and Hans got 'A/B' honor roll. Well, for his grade level!

Bethany and Josh have started altar serving at church - I'm so PROUD! - and Hans will be making his 1st Reconciliation/Communion next year. JUNE 13, 2009!!!

SAVE THAT DATE!

Had a blast in MI with everyone, and I am sooo glad we got to see you, Mom and Dad! Hope all is well with everyone. BTW, keep Cody and I in your thoughts; we picked up colds in MI, and are both working on not getting too sick. Thanks goodness the kids are fine! Love to all!
-K