Three months have gone by!

Since I am so BAD for not posting more often on this blog.....I think I need to repent and get this thing updated.  Here are a few things that have happened since my last blog posting...in no particular order:

• Started and finished a Psychology course. Got a 4.0 grade.  It was super hard, but I did learn a lot
• Registered for winter quarter: Taking a Special Ed class and then a math/science for children class
• Sasha started 11th grade; Jayson started 8th grade
• Daycare finally got full in September...now it is down to only half way again....gotta get more kids here starting in January.
• Dave worked in Moses Lake, WA twice for a week each time.  Sure miss him when he is gone.
• Sarah started a new job.  She works for a company that makes those Keurig coffee cup things. 

We are blessed with a great life....we keep busy, but there is not anything specific to write about.  

Family History, I am doing it!

 Sarah and her awesome accordion!  What awesome talent she has!

 Marriage certificate of Sarah's great grandparents Leland and Florence Paul

 Wedding picture of Florence and Leland Paul.  Isn't this a beautiful picture?  I love how love looks on them.

 Wedding picture of Linda and Jim Paul, Sarah's grandparents.  Aren't they super cute?

 Jim Paul's high school graduation picture

 Leland and Florence Paul, Sarah's great grandparents.  He died right before Sarah was born in 1989, and she died this May, 2011

 LaVerne and Art Dart's wedding picture.  Such a beautiful picture.

 Art and LaVerne Dart, Sarah's great grandparents.  Art died in 2007 (I think).

 LaVerne and Sarah

 Grandma Linda and Sarah.  Sure love them BOTH!

When we were on our trip to Chicago, we drove up to Casco Wisconsin to visit with Sarah's great grandma and visit with Great Aunts, Great Uncles, and extended cousins.   Casco is about 20 minutes outside of Green Bay Wisconsin.  We had a blast.  It is always fun to be with family.  They welcomed Dave and I and the kids with open arms.  I love them and can't wait to visit them again soon.

Chicago's Great America: June 27,2011

 Sasha and Superman

 Sarah and Superman

 Andrea and Superman

 Sasha getting her hair wrapped.

 Sasha's hair almost done being wrapped. 

 Sarah's hair being wrapped. 

 Ouch!  Even with sunscreen, the Chicago Sun is mean to our bodies.  I hate to think of what it would have looked like without the sunscreen.

On the way inside of the theme park, there was a big van with my name on it.  Of course, I had to have my picture taken with it.  

We went to Chicago's Great America Theme Park when we were in Chicago.  It was about 90 minutes from where we were staying, so we had a relaxing drive getting there.  We had a BLAST.  We all rode rides, ate great food, and got too much sun.  After we were done for the night, we discovered the Cracker Barrel restaurant.  Wow, did they ever have some great food...and I love the little country store attached to the restaurants.  All in all, a GREAT time.  Can't wait to go back again. I hadn't been there since 1988, and the rest of the family hadn't been there at all. 

We went to Chicago...Gotta love the Windy City!

 Dave and Andrea in the Windy City

 Dave and Andrea

 Sarah, Jayson, and Sasha getting ready to board the water taxi to get to Navy Pier.

 Andrea, Sarah, Jayson, Sasha, and Dave on the water taxi.

 I don't know why these two pictures are together, but the top one is of Dave and I on a high speed motor boat out on Lake Michigan.  The bottom picture is of Jayson, wind blowing his hair. 

 My favorite picture of Sarah and Sasha.  They certainly have wild hair.  Love the joy in this picture. 

 Sasha and Dave on the train platform.  We were waiting in the super hot heat.  The day we were there, it was 98 degrees.  Too hot for our blood.  

 Jayson and Sarah waiting for the train.

 Andrea and "Sue" the T-Rex from the Field Museum.  The museum was amazing.  Lots to see and discover. 

 Sasha, Sarah, Jayson, Andrea and Dave in front of the skyline.

Sarah, Sasha, and Jayson in front of the skyline. 

We went to Chicago on June 24th for the first leg of a two week vacation.  We stopped and stayed with Grandma Linda Paul for the first four days.  We were blessed with great weather, great fun, and a great time with Grandma.  We laughed, stayed up late, and discovered the wonders of Cracker Barrel.  Nummmy. 

Family Vacation in Chicago

L to R:  Andrea, Jayson, Sasha, Sarah, and Dave

We semi surprised the kids and took them on a family vacation to Chicago.  I will post more pictures later, but wanted to get this one online before I got too backlogged with other things to do.  We had a blast and can't wait to go back again sometime soon.  

 

 

It is finally here!

I LOVE vacations.  I love everything about them.....except getting ready for them...then putting everything away from them after it is done.  But the part in the middle....I LOVE!  It has been too long since we went on a nice vacation.  I am happy to have people taking care of our beloved pets while we are gone.  I am thankful that Dave gets a MUCH needed rest and diversion from the recent events at our house.  This is gonna be a great event...I can just feel it.

5 New Posts

I have been such a blogging slacker the last few months.  There is no big reason for this slump like breaking anything, working three jobs or anything near that exciting....the only thing that keeps me from writing is LIFE!  So, please read all five posts and enjoy the pictures.  They are fun to look at.  Here's to hoping I keep up the blogging with way more regularity. 

A New Grandson

 Isn't he perfect?

Just by coincidence, they were both wearing the same colored shirts.  I love this picture

Introducing Gabriel.  Heather had her precious new baby on June 6th.  He is a sweet boy who is very cuddly and sweet.  I love holding him and just being near him.  He is definitely a keeper.  

Sasha's First Date

 Dave and Sasha

Sasha turned the magical age of 16 on the 7th of June, and with that much anticipated birthday, comes DATING. She is now officially old enough to go on group dates. As is the tradition in our family, we as a parent, take our child out.  It is kinda a right of passage thing and very fun too.  They went to Anthony's Home Port at Pt. Defiance.  They had a great time and enjoyed really great seafood.  Here's to many more fun dates.  ( You will never forget this Sasha ).

Celebrating Sarah's birthday

 Sisters!  Sarah and Heather (who delivered Gabriel two days later)

 Dave and Heather

 Gee, I wonder who will have their baby first?

L to R:  Heather, Ava, Sarah, Sasha, and Jayson

We went out to dinner to celebrate Sarah's 22nd birthday.  We went to Jimmy Mac's Roadhouse for dinner.  It it the place that gives you a bowl of peanuts when you walk in, then throw the shells right on the floor.  It was very good. We had a great time with everyone.  Heather sure was ready to have that baby.  She looked beautiful in her very pregnant belly.  

 

Sasha Makes Meatloaf

Sasha made the most delicious dinner a while back when we had company.  I am so proud of her for her nummy cooking skills and her desire to learn.  This will definitely be a skill that will be used every single day in her adult life.  She has even taught me a thing or two.  Go Sasha...I will eat your cooking ANYTIME!

Cousin's Pete and Debbie

L to R: Pete, Sasha, Debbie, Jayson

More crazy people

On May 13th, Pete and Debbie came over from Coeur d' Alene for a nice visit.  They came just to spend time with us.  We had a delicious meatloaf dinner on Friday night, then on Saturday we went to the Tacoma Glass Museum, then off to Seattle so we could tour the Underground Seattle Tour.  Unfortunately, they had to go home on Sunday as they had to be at work the next day.  We loved spending time with them and can't wait to see them again.

6 years ago this very day !

These are the flowers that Dave and the kids had sent to me to honor and commemorate my dear Dad.  He died 6 years ago today.  There has not been one single day that has gone by that I do not think of him.  He was kind hearted, gentle, had a great laugh ( although I am starting to forget what his voice sounded like), loved unconditionally, and was a great example of who I want to be like.  He loved my children and was always happy to be near them.  It didn't matter if he was just sitting at our dinner table sharing a meal, or helping one of the kids build something, he was happy.  He helped make me who I am as a person .  I love him and miss him and know that I will see him again one  day.  He helped me know Jesus.  I can't wait until I get to squeeze him once more.  The last time that I did, he didn't know it was me.  The next time, he certainly will.  To the best Dad ever....
Love,
D.F.S ( he knows what this stands for)

Sasha goes to the JROTC Military Ball

                                           It takes a lot of curls to have pretty hair. Thanks Tessa!

 

                                                       Sasha and her pretty dress.

 

                                                            Granddad and Sasha.....so cute!
 

                                                       What do ya think of these rockin' shoes??
 

                                                                    Sasha and Granny !  

                                       Sasha receiving her beautiful orchid corsage from Dylan.

                                                 The corsage is beautiful !
 

                                           Dylan and Sasha getting ready to enter the dance.

This was Sasha's second opportunity to go to the Lakes High School JROTC Military Ball.  It was held at the McChord AFB Officer's Club.  It was decorated beautifully and the kids had a great time.  She had a nice time and looked really beautiful.  I can't believe how grown up she looks.