year's end...

Since I haven't blogged in forever, I am racing to get it done tonight before the beginning of the new year.  I can't believe 2012 is coming to a close.  It has been a great year and we are looking forward to all that 2013 brings.  We wish you the best and are thinking of all of our family and friends!!

Halloween:  

Mack dressed up as Iron Man.... 

he loves his super heroes!

2012 football season:

The Indians made it to the quarterfinal 

round and ended with a 

record of 12-1...WOW!

Mack can write his name

... in all capital letters!

(I know, I know...we will work 

on getting it right) :)

Christmas...

was GREAT, magical, and amazing!

Christmas Eve @ Mom & Dad's...

Christmas Day @ our house...

what an unbelievable morning with Mack 

and all of his excitement!

 Magical!

 Cheers to the new year!

October...

...is here!

I hate that I am down to blogging about once a month.  I want to and try to and think about blogging more often.  But...I guess it just isn't happening right now.  School is good.  This fall season is GREAT!  We are experiencing many beautiful colors and fabulous weather. 

Football is super exciting...the indians are 6-0!  We play a BIG game this week and are hoping for another victory.

Mack is AMAZING! He is a hoot - life is nonstop with him.  We love every minute!  I took him to the doctor for a quick checkup.  He is 45 pounds and 44 inches tall...he is almost square...lol!

I adopted a guinea pig as a class pet for my first graders this year.  It has been a great experience and ALWAYS reminds me of my previous teaching partner, Mrs. McGill...miss you tons!  My first graders love Cheetah (ya, that's his name).  They get him out daily while they work in our word work station.  They are so good to him and I believe this is a great experience for them.

...Mack ALSO really enjoys Cheetah.  Today I brought Cheetah home to clean the cage and 'refresh' his home.  Mack hardly left his side...he talked to him, fed him carrots, and made sure the dogs didn't get too close. ;)

Back at it...

Well... summer flew by, school has started, football season is underway, and we are busy as ever!  School is off to a great start.  It is fun to get started and get to know a new group of students.  Scott is doing special ed. at the elementary in the morning and then he goes to the alternative school in the afternoon.  I am teaching first grade again and loving it...this is the first time we have worked in the same building and enjoy going to work together in the morning. :)

Mack is going to his babysitter and loves spending the day with his friends.  He would be ready for preschool but it is not offered until he turns 4.  Oh well, no need to rush it.  He loves, loves, loves to go to the football field with Scott.  They are two peas in a pod!  He loves painting, coloring, playing with his football guys, cars, and legos. He is smart, funny, handsome, and our #1 blessing!  

Scott has been working hard with the football team.  The Indians are 2-0, yay!  We are excited to get off to a good start.  Mack and I love to go to the games, we are Scott's #1 fans!

The remodeling of our house is complete.  Hip, Hip, Hooray!  We love it!  It really stretched out our upstairs living space.  It was finished right as we started school.  Things are still a bit out of place but we are hoping to work on that tomorrow after church.  We are waiting for a new bedroom set to arrive and then I will post pictures. 

A BIG thank you to Alisha & Matt for trekking out to take some family pics for us! We love them ALL!

My favorite ;)

 

 

Lake of the Ozarks...

We LOVE the lake.  Scott's mom owns a house there and we love, love, love that it brings them here a few times each year.  We REALLY value our time spent together.  What a blessing!  We spent a week and a half eating, drinking, and being merry.


the lake...

the pool...

the fun...

the family...

QFT...Quality Family Time

My parents hosted a BBQ so we could all spend a little time together.  We really enjoyed and appreciated being with our families.  Mack didn't know what to do with so many grandparents at once...lol!

legos...

 Uncle George & Mel...

fishing...

Soxy & Moon...

the WHOLE family...

St. Louis Zoo

Grandma Laura and Loren flew into St. Louis on June 26th.  We picked them up and then enjoyed an afternoon at the zoo.  It was a fun day for all of us!


Grandma and Loren

going to the zoo

elephants

giraffes...Mack's favorite

hippos
















zebras

lots of walking

thirsty guy

a fun-filled day!

June...

Wow! Where does time go?  I was really hoping to blog more frequently this month.  Hmmm... maybe in July.  

We have had a busy month and are trying to slow down a little.  We just bought a house here in Kahoka and are excited to settle in a little more permanently.  We have spent the past couple weeks moving and unpacking.  Whew!  We have moved more than enough in the past few years and look forward to staying put for awhile!  The house is great and we love it.  We have planned to do a little remodeling and it will begin Wednesday.  Let the chaos continue. :)  We are excited about the completed plan and hopefully the dust will settle (literally) before school starts again.


Scott has been busy with the football team.  They have been to team camps and are playing weekly 7 on 7 games.  Mack and I love going to support the team!


Last week was VBS at our church.  I taught the 4-6 yr. old class and Scott was in charge of games.  Mack got to hang out with one of his little buddies in the nursery and join my group during activities for most of the week.  What an amazing experience for all of us!  We felt so blessed to have been involved!

Grandma Laura and Loren arrive on Tuesday for a month long visit.  We are SO excited to see them and spend lots of time with them!  They will stay a few days with us and then we will all spend most of our time together at the lake house.  YAY! 

Here are some recent pics:

after seeing Kung Fu Panda...  lol!

a day at football camp...

growing so fast...

we love to read!

Have a GREAT week
...stay cool!