I just finished reading "Shanghai Girls" by Lisa See. It's a great story focusing on two Chinese sisters and their struggles in Shanghai and subsquently America from 1937-1957. Interesting storyline and history wove together.
However, if you are reading this Lisa See, you had better be finishing up the remindar of the story! How could you just leave your readers hanging like that? I want to know what happens to May, Joy, Pearl, and ZG. It is so not fair to have sucked me in like that and then just leave the story where you did. I really hope you have the sequel ready to go to the publisher!! I mean come on, that is just so mean!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Neutgens Cabin Party Vacation Weekend
We left Wednesday and returned home late Sunday night after a wonderful vacation at the Neutgens cabin. With about 40 of us all together, there was plenty to do and see and have fun. Despite the COLD weather up north. We had to have a heater going all night long in the pop-up to stay warm! But, we still managed to go fishing, have pontoon rides, played a fierce game of baseball, 4-wheel rides, firecrackers, smores, and lots of games of walkie-talkie tag and kick the can! We woke up Sunday to gorgeous blue skies and warmer weather at 7am then we had had all week long. So a few of us stayed much later then normal and enjoyed the lake. Tubing, waterskiing and more animal floaties than at a zoo! It was great. All the pictures I took of the vacation are below this post, so check them out!
The weekend was topped off by some wonderful news from Russ' youngest brother Mat. He went and popped the big question to Melinda and they are officially engaged! We are thrilled for both of them, and Trent is actually hoping to not be the ring bearer, but get to "stand in front" with Mat. I told him we will just have to wait and see.
Monday I spent doing all those things you have to do when you return from a vacation, like doing the laundry, re-stocking the fridge, doing laundry, unpacking and cleaning, and did I mention doing the laundry?! There always seems to be so much of it! The kids started swimming lessons again and they will go for the next 2 weeks. Can't believe it will be August soon and school supply shopping is right around the corner!
The weekend was topped off by some wonderful news from Russ' youngest brother Mat. He went and popped the big question to Melinda and they are officially engaged! We are thrilled for both of them, and Trent is actually hoping to not be the ring bearer, but get to "stand in front" with Mat. I told him we will just have to wait and see.
Monday I spent doing all those things you have to do when you return from a vacation, like doing the laundry, re-stocking the fridge, doing laundry, unpacking and cleaning, and did I mention doing the laundry?! There always seems to be so much of it! The kids started swimming lessons again and they will go for the next 2 weeks. Can't believe it will be August soon and school supply shopping is right around the corner!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
MMM 7/13/09
Good morning to you! This weekend was Trent's big baseball tournament. They had a winning season of 9-1, so we were placed in the upper tournament bracket of play and had a bye Friday night. Saturday morning we headed to the ball field early (8am!) for a little practice before the big game. It was actually a little chilly out there with the breeze, but the nerves and my pacing kept me warm! All of us moms were pretending like it was no big deal, "It's just a game!" we kept telling each other. But, we knew that if we won, we would advance to trophy territory. We won!! We spent the rest of the afternoon playing in the pool at home, and later that night met up with Trent's friend Mitchell and his dad from the team to hit some balls up at the school field.
Sunday we had to be at the ball field at 10am, and then game at 11am. They played the Elk River team (grey) that had not lost a game during the regular season. The boys were really nervous and had a lot of errors in the field and a tough time batting. We lost the game. Trent has the GREATEST coaches though, and they gave the kids a pep talk about the game and heading into the play-off game for 3rd place. That game proved to be a tough one for our boys as well. Though, Trent played his BEST game of the season. We ended up with the 4th place trophy. But, the boys had lots of reasons to be proud: they had a great season, made lots of new friends, HAD FUN, and learned a lot about baseball. The parents and coaches were sure proud of them and cheered them on to the end. And we found out that we must of tired out that ER grey team because they had their first loss of the season, losing the 1st place championship.
Pictures are above this post and also include Trent's friend Connor (number 07). He is a year older then Trent, but Trent really idolizes him and Connor was as a great leader on the team to the boys.
We are all a little sad to have baseball season over again for another year. We had a great group of boys who all got along and had FUN with each other. Wonderful coaches, and fun families to hang out with. But, football season starts in about 4 weeks, and then it will be back out on the field for us!
We leave on Wednesday for a vacation up north at the annual Neutgens cabin party and hope the weather cooperates and let's us spend lots of time in the water playing and boating!
Sunday we had to be at the ball field at 10am, and then game at 11am. They played the Elk River team (grey) that had not lost a game during the regular season. The boys were really nervous and had a lot of errors in the field and a tough time batting. We lost the game. Trent has the GREATEST coaches though, and they gave the kids a pep talk about the game and heading into the play-off game for 3rd place. That game proved to be a tough one for our boys as well. Though, Trent played his BEST game of the season. We ended up with the 4th place trophy. But, the boys had lots of reasons to be proud: they had a great season, made lots of new friends, HAD FUN, and learned a lot about baseball. The parents and coaches were sure proud of them and cheered them on to the end. And we found out that we must of tired out that ER grey team because they had their first loss of the season, losing the 1st place championship.
Pictures are above this post and also include Trent's friend Connor (number 07). He is a year older then Trent, but Trent really idolizes him and Connor was as a great leader on the team to the boys.
We are all a little sad to have baseball season over again for another year. We had a great group of boys who all got along and had FUN with each other. Wonderful coaches, and fun families to hang out with. But, football season starts in about 4 weeks, and then it will be back out on the field for us!
We leave on Wednesday for a vacation up north at the annual Neutgens cabin party and hope the weather cooperates and let's us spend lots of time in the water playing and boating!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Friday Fill-Ins
Friday Fill-Ins: As usual my answers are in bold and off the top of my head! Here we go!
1. The last thing I ate was scrambled eggs and chips & salsa.
2. Scrapbooking paper is something I recently bought.
3. When it rains, it saves me from having to water the flowers.
4. Addy was the first person I talked to today.
5. Hugs are given a lot around here.
6. I travel with my pillow from home where ever we go for extra comfort.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner on the grill, tomorrow my plans include cheering on Trent's baseball team the Bulldogs in the play-offs, and Sunday I want to be cheering him on in the Championship game!!
1. The last thing I ate was scrambled eggs and chips & salsa.
2. Scrapbooking paper is something I recently bought.
3. When it rains, it saves me from having to water the flowers.
4. Addy was the first person I talked to today.
5. Hugs are given a lot around here.
6. I travel with my pillow from home where ever we go for extra comfort.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to dinner on the grill, tomorrow my plans include cheering on Trent's baseball team the Bulldogs in the play-offs, and Sunday I want to be cheering him on in the Championship game!!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
MMM 6/22/09
Whirlwind of a weekend. Addy's soccer tournament, Father's Day, the summer solstice, Valleyfair, oh yeah, and Trent's 8th birthday!! Really, I don't think we could of packed in any more action even if we tried!Saturday was the big trip to Valleyfair. We were up early and got there early, and rode everything we wanted to and many things twice. In fact, Trent & Russ rode Wild Thing and then we parent swapped and when I rode it, there was only one other person on it besides me. Now that was weird...yet, I still screamed. Trent rode the Corkscrew at least 5 times and we got soaked on the Wave. Addy wasn't tall enough for most of the big rides, but she enjoyed herself on all the various kid rides, and on the Mild Thing (pic of Trent & Addy below) and by the end this mom had had enough of the going 'round and 'round stuff.
Trent & Addy riding in the front on Mild Thing:
Trent and Russ on the Corksrew:
All of us on the Tilt A Whirl (Russ took the pic):
Sunday, of course, was Trent's 8th Birthday! And I know everybody says this, but it's so true: I can't believe how big he is! It seems like just yesterday he was a little baby and now he is playing baseball and football and taking swimming lessons and being, well, a boy.
In-between celebrating Trent's special day, Addy had her last two soccer games. Despite the rain, we had a great time cheering on the Pickles and her team won both games. They ended the season with only one loss, one tie, and the other 7 games as wins! She absolutely loves the game, had a great first soccer coach, and wants to keep playing.
Oh yes, Sunday was also Father's Day, and luckily both Russ's dad and my dad were able to make it up to our house for the combo soccer tourney, Trent's birthday, Father's day celebration! I told you we were busy!
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Another good read
I just finished the book The Testimony by Anita Shreve. A darn good read; one you must pick up and read this summer. I read it in just over a day's time.
It set at a private school and centers around how a scandalous act committed on campus affects the lives of those at the center of the incident, the school, and even the town. How one decision, in turn affects another decision, how emotions, perceptions, and actions are all related and come crashing together one night.
The story is told through various characters and the circumstances leading up to the incident, how they dealt with the incident, a sort of flash-forward from another character, and the aftermath of it all.
It set at a private school and centers around how a scandalous act committed on campus affects the lives of those at the center of the incident, the school, and even the town. How one decision, in turn affects another decision, how emotions, perceptions, and actions are all related and come crashing together one night.
The story is told through various characters and the circumstances leading up to the incident, how they dealt with the incident, a sort of flash-forward from another character, and the aftermath of it all.
Monday, June 15, 2009
MMM 6/15/09
This past weekend was Trent's baseball tournament. He played a game Saturday (loss) and a game Sunday (won) out at the YAC where there are real bleachers dugouts, concessions stands, and most importantly no weeds growing rampant between first and third base for Trent to try and pick! Nice treat for the boys to play on a "real" baseball field with all the trimmings! Here are the Bulldogs before the game in the dugout:
Saturday night, after an awesome dinner of T-bone steaks, corn on the cob, and grilled Italian bread, we got a call from our friends, the Dusbabecks, to join them at their house for a last minute bon-fire and get together. The kids chased each other around well into the night, Russ played some horseshoes and the ladies and I tackled world peace with some Mike's Hard Lemonade! It was a late, great night!
In-between all that, Russ worked on the yard. He pulled a ton of buckthorn out of the corner of the yard where we have the landscaping. It looked so empty to me at first, but now we can try and get some good bushes and shrubs in there that won't overtake everything in it's path. The kids also helped pull all the buckthorn into the woods to compost and ended up with a few scratches for their effort. Good thing Russ also set the pool up this weekend too. We told them if they keep helping us work so hard around the yard, they can work up a sweat and then jump into the pool! Here's a pic of the newly de-buckedthorned corner:
Saturday night, after an awesome dinner of T-bone steaks, corn on the cob, and grilled Italian bread, we got a call from our friends, the Dusbabecks, to join them at their house for a last minute bon-fire and get together. The kids chased each other around well into the night, Russ played some horseshoes and the ladies and I tackled world peace with some Mike's Hard Lemonade! It was a late, great night!
Sunday, after getting up early to cook & clean for Missy's baby shower, I then headed over to the ball field to catch an inning of Trent's game. Then back home for the shower. Missy (and baby) are looking wonderful and she received some very nice gifts from everyone. I had one game for us to all play, guessing how big around we thought her belly was, pretty fun and got some good laughs out of people's guesses.
After the party, I rested on the deck and read a book for a little while. Then headed down to the neighbor's house for out National Night Out Meeting. We weren't able to go last year as we were in Kentucky. Should be a nice event and good for the neighborhood. It was a beautiful night, so we enjoyed some ice cream out on the deck:
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