24 Hours

In 24 hours we will be on our way to Alaska! I'm starting to get an upset stomach over the packing and the traveling. I'm worried about forgetting something important as well as over packing. One checked bag per person and one back pack. I have a lot of first aid products, book, gum....I just wish it was tomorrow right now. Everyone is excited to hop on a plane to have some fun! I hope my kids will be have and not fight on the plane or while on vacation. I think they'll be too excited to think about fighting!

It was funny to watch our synchronized packing. I had 4 bags on my bed and called for the kids to bring me things in order. When someone didn't have a needed item, we stopped and took a break until the item was found (washed).

The kids have been playing well with eachother....I think it helps that I locked the TV in the living room. They are banished to the basement, where I hear barbies and legos being played with.

I'm going to try to keep a journal of our trip....since I'm not sure if I'll be able to update while on the road.

Keep us in your prayers that we stay safe.

The many faces of Jackson

Pug Pool Party

It was a hot day in Omaha today. We filled the pool up this morning and by the afternoon it had warmed up enough for a little dip. Chase loves water, so we had him join the kids in the pool. Here are a few of the pics I took. I'm still loving my camera. I took loads of pics today. I know there will be so many great shots in Alaska! We are so excited for our trip. We leave in 6 days. Joe returns tonight from his DC trip. I know he's had a great time!

I got a new camera

I just love my new camera that I got today. Here are some pictures I took:

Hug a Pug!

Chloe (black) and Chase (tan) are here for a week. My friend / co-worker is on vacation and we volunteered to pug-sit! They are so fun and cute!

Joe is in Washington DC

Joe awoke today at 3:00 AM to start his voyage to Washington DC. Jeff and I both got up with him. Joe wanted his dad to drive him to the airport....so I made some muffins. I fell back to sleep about the time Jeff got back from the airport. Joe has my digital camera and my video camera. I hope he gets some great pictures!

Joe did text me when his plane landed. The poor kid sitting next to him didn't handle the flight very well and got sick. Unfortunately, some of it landed on Joe! I knew there was a reason I had him pack 5 outfits for 4 days!

I've been busy folding laundry, ironing clothes, and cleaning the house today. This evening the PUGS arrive! Jackson and Jenna will be dog sitting for a few days for my friend, Jill's, two pugs. She and her hubby are going on vacation. It will be nice to have the dogs here - since we are missing the energy of our cat, Mr. Whiskers! Jenna has been busy cleaning and rearranging her room. Jackson has been a big help taking care of anything I ask of him.

This weekend Jeff will be doing the Des Moines / Hy Vee Triathlon. He's been keeping busy working out, swimming, and biking.

My mom and I are trying to organize our trip to Alaska. I think we have a bit of a plan for the first week.

It sure is quiet around here with Joe gone. I'm not complaining, tho!

Miss Ella Graduated

Our beautiful 18 year old niece, Ella, graduated from River Falls High School this past weekend. Although we had some rain, the energy level was high. We had a blast cutting up fruit for the celebration.


There was a chocolate fountain that the kids loved. Jenna made a mess of herself. She even had chocolate in her hair!!!


Jenna had a great time playing dress up at Grandma Gruber's house. Her cousin Anna joined in on the fun.


We were able to get the whole family in a picture.

Joe's 8th grade awards night

Joe after the awards

Honor Roll Award

Activities Award

3 years at Beadle Award

Presidential Award

Joe and his teachers: Mrs. Wittgren, Mrs. Novotney, Mr. Kessling

Finishing up the deck

Here are some recent pictures of our deck. Jeff and the boys did an amazing job. We just LOVE it! It's such a wonderful retreat!






Jenna even loves it to lay down and play her DS. Notice it's plugged in and charging!

1.5

The count down is on. We had our multiplication ice-cream party. We cleaned out our desks. My report cards are nearly finished! 1.5 days to go until I'm home with my kiddos! I can't wait!

Remember When?????????

Life was crazier? You were more tired? Kisses came often? Toys were played with? Meals were smaller?

NOW...life is still crazy....not as tired....fewer kisses....fewer toys......need to butcher a cow to feed these kids!

Here's my latest book

My dear friend, Julie, convinced me to read this book and lead a book discussion on it for our church's adult ministry. It won't happen until August....it'll give me plenty of time to read it (on my trip to Alaska) and make plans for the discussion.

Have you read it? Have you seen the movie? What do you think?

3.5 days to go

With just 3.5 days left in the school year - we are finding ourselves so happy to have beautiful weather, very little homework, and are enjoying each other's company. Joe commented this evening that he is bored and wished he had some fun homework to do. Jackson's homework consisted in finding the definition of "share cropper". Jenna spent the afternoon playing in the basement with her barbies. I've stayed on top of all of my correcting - and my report cards will be done by Friday! Life is good!

Jeff is taking Friday off to finish a few deck things. We are planning on sticking close to home over Memorial Day weekend. I have plans to clean up the basement, perhaps paint the first floor bathroom, paint Jenna's room, and go to our friends' lake house.

My parents have taken their dog, Shadow, to a breeder to meet her new mate. Hopefully, we'll have puppies after our trip to Alaska! Jeff hasn't complained any more about getting a puppy when I mention it...so he must be board with the idea!

Jackson and Jenna will be pug baby-sitting right after school gets out. It will be nice to have this good dog practice for our kids. I like the idea of them being more responsible.

Our niece, Ella, will be graduating from high school in two weeks. We are so excited to see her in her cap and gown. She was only 3 months old when Jeff and I got married. She is the first on either side to go through this! Next year we will have two HS graduations...niece, Abby and nephew, Jeremy.

HE MADE IT!!

Thanks to my parents, who read this blog, I am reminded that I never shared the results of Jackson's Middle School Show Choir tryout....HE MADE IT!!!

He's rather excited to be part of the Beadle MS "Show Dogs". His BFF, Alex, is the one who shared the audition info with us - and Alex made it too!

Putting on the ROOF

We put the roof on the deck today. It was an all day project. I'm so proud of the boys for being helpful and hard working! I think Jeff loved having his two big guys there to help out.

Jackson went to the doctor today where we discovered he has an ear infection as well as a sinus infection.

Jenna biked around the neighborhood looking at the many garage sales. She spent her own money on play money, a roll of tickets, and a bracelet.

Jackson, Jenna, and I went to my friend - Jill's house to meet her two cute pug dogs. We will be dog sitting for a few days in June. I know we will all have a blast with Chase and Chloe!

Looks like a family movie night tonight.

Rain Rain Go Away

Jenna loves sponge rollers






Lots of rain falling on the prairie this week. Sure doesn't feel like summer is coming. I've been wearing my sweaters again.

Today at school we got I-Pods. They are already set up with our reading CD materials. We aren't allowed to use them for anything but the Reading Series...no apps, no personal music.....but I think the I-Pods will be easier than digging for CD's. I like our new docking stations that can charge the I-Pod. It's a CD / Radio docking station. I can't wait to try it out tomorrow!

The 4th and 5th grade teams got SMART BOARDS today. I had fun learning about it from my friend, Christy. I kind of wish we were getting one...but at least the projectors will be more readily available for the 3rd grade team.

Jeff was in Missouri today - just a day trip, but a lot of road time. The kids and I went to Hy-Vee for Chineese. I don't need to go there for a while. Jenna was cranky about not liking her selection.

We will find out tomorrow if Jackson made the Beadle Middle School Show Choir. Keeping my fingers crossed.