TKD testing

Jaxon tested out of his white belt yesterday. Here are a few pictures:


getting ready

jump real high

block

punch

stands still for 30 seconds



We had fun watching. My mom and dad came to watch so he was excited about that. But sad that Erik missed it but happy that my mom made a DVD of it. On Thursday night we go to the awards program and get his new belt.

Things are good

People have been asking how me and the kids are doing. We are fine. Erik has already said that the project is going to take longer then 3 weeks so it is now really an open ended trip. We have not changed much of what we did before just missing one person. Oh I have not cooked a full meal but we have been eating dinner just quick things the kids like - mac and cheese for example, I think we may have Tacos tomorrow. Jaxon has gotten 3 supers this week so that has been great. He is also testing out of his white belt this Saturday and is really excited to move up to the yellow. KK loves her dance class.
The neighbors have been great - earlier this week Eric cut the grass and today he was teaching Jaxon how to golf. Misty and I have just been watching the girls fight, I mean play. We did decide to put up a gate between the 2 yards but have the handle low enough that the kids can open it.
I talked to Megan and they are doing good. Ready to come home but they still have no power thanks to IKE. They are staying at a friends house on a ranch. Today they went to a drive through animal park. They plan on coming home Saturday since the insurance guy will be there and Megan has to work on Monday.
I'll update later.

Carpool lines

Ok I have a rant and I could go on for hours about how stupid people are in the car pool lines at each of the schools I have to sit in line for!
1 - KK's MDO school has a simple map - you go in one driveway then turn down the 1st alse, then turn down the part of the parking lot that the other entrence turns in at and go around the parking lot, keeping our cars off the road where many many other people are trying to pass but instead of going to the right entrence these people have to turn in to the wrong one and block the street. Those of us that can read and follow simple direction go to the right entrence and then have to wait while those fools feel like letting us in or there line ends. Today I had one of those fool tailgate the car in front so I could not get in and we ended up in the same group for loading the kids - so why was she such a bitch and why did it bother me???
2 - Jaxon's school has a no cell phone in line rule - for the safety of the kids and teachers. People can not follow this rule and they don't even try to hide it! Once again why does that bug me? Oh because they can not follow simple rules!
3 - back to KK's school - they ask if you don't want to use the carpool line then park on the other side of the church and walk to get your child. They have stressed many many times that they did not want you to cross the line of cars by yourslef and especially with your child - saftey of the children come fisrt. Since we have been doing carpool (1 week) I have seen no less then 4 mom's a day break this rule. Now I am not saying I follow every rule out there but these are simple and some of them could use the walk from the other parking lot!
4 - Back to Jaxon's carpool drama - ok drama was too big of a word to explain but it is crazy none the less. We line up in 2 lines in the parking lot the right line turns right and the left lane turn left when you exit the school. Very simple right. Wrong once again everyday there is at least 2 cars that are in the wrong lane and if you are behind them you have to wait to see if someone in the right lane will be nice enough to let there dumb ass in. The thing that bugs me about this one is - no matter which way you turn you end up on Airline Hwy. One is a longer street but faster light other shorter street but slower light - same amount of time!!!

OK I am done. I did not go back and read this so it may sound confusing but then you would get the idea of what carpool is like!

Happy Birthday to me!

Here is a couple of pictures from my Birthday - 35 already! Oh well it was a great day and night. I'll upload some of the kids later!

little dancer

Did you think I wouls leave KK out of the dancers in the family - here is here little outfit she loves it and her class is so cute and small 6 little 2 years!! She had her 1st class wednesday!

I will be glad when life goes back to normal - no more storm watching!

I have an order in for 5 key chains so I will be able to start fund raising for the walk! Yeah!!

Stormplus.com

http://www.stormpulse.com/


cool website for tracking the storms!

Thank you for your help (not the picture)

I took this picture off High Speed days blog (which has more pictures) This is my parents house.

I forgot to say Thank you to Bobby (my borther) for getting me much needed supplies.and Thank you to Jerry (brother) and my Dad for picking up a AC unit for Us!!

I was amazed at how helpful peopel were - not family but in the neighborhood. 4 neighbors went to help Paul across the street when he was out fixing his fence - in the middle of the worst part. ANd neighbor Eric helpd my Erik with our fence in the middle of it also! Then afterwards we were giving juiceand other drinks from another neighbor because her work gave her more then they needed.

a little update

I have a few minutes but wanted to let you know that it was more then a little rain. The wind was pounding the house and we lost power at 11:00 on Monday and we finally got it back Sunday around 1pm. We had rain coming in 3 windows and the front door. Thank goodness we were here to put towels to stop the rain from ruining our carpet and Katie's bed. That was about it for damage. Our fence did fall down in 4 places but we can easily fix it for less then the deductable. We became really good friends with our neighbors over the past week with sharing food and cooking duties - which the men mostly did on the grill. We stayed up late most nights playing board games. Now everyone is in the cleaning mode. The last night with out power we hooked up a window AC unit in the down stairs bedroom and had our first full night sleep. Humidity sucks! But over all we did very well. Now we need to shop to replace everything that went back. But my poor parents did not do so well. They had 1 tree go into their bedroom, 2 trees fall on their fabulous patio cover, and 1 tree on the fence. But with lots f help from family their yard looks so much better but they still have a long way to go!

Just rain

It is 10:30 and it is here well not really but we are getting the start of it. It started really getting winding around 7am according to to Erik - I was sleeping -
So far my Parents lost power but we are doing alright. The trees are going crazy but little rain. We still have a while to go so I will let you know how things are going....
Happy Labor day!

KK's 1st day

KK started today at St. Andrew UMC Mom day out program. she was happy to see her teacher - actually run up to her and gave her a hug - which is weird for her since she only meet the lady last Friday. ANy way here are a few pictures, I know her bag is to big for her but it had to fit her lunch box in it which is kinda big.
And no she did not wear her headband to school she took it out as we were walking out the door.
Jax gets school pictures taken tomorrow so hopefully no cheesey face!
Everything else is good, the kids went swimming in their clothes in the rain on Sunday (Fay rain so no thunder) They all thought it was great.
Saturday went out to a friends house learned to make a new craft and a new card game. Erik even let me sleep in a little on Sunday since I got in late.
I have been walking or doing something 4 to 5 days a week. Tomorrow is Erik's last day but he has one more night. My neighbors may watch the kids this week so we can go get Dinner to celebrate the new job just need to pick a day when nobody has anything going on.

Happy Birthday

I was looking on Clickinmoms.com today and saw it was Dawn's B-day - So HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAWN!!!!

Saturday Fun

We all headed to Bobby and Hallie's house for a little BBQ for Hallie's b-day. We had a great time. Yeah for b-days!!
The kids had a blast and played great for the most part. We tried the to make the Key Lime Martini - they were good but not at all like we were drinking in SC. We even made one with cranberry vodka in the place of lime kind - I liked that one better. BRAD what are we doing wrong??
I love this picture of Hallie! She just looks so happy.
The pictures are being added to snapfish right now so I will add the address when they are done. Tons of cute pictures of the kids.
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=241795979/a=3637060_3637060/t_=3637060

1st day of school and other things

What are you looking at??


Jaxon did really good his 1st day at school. He was so excited today to see me at school serving lunch - he wants me there everyday! Not going to happen but I will be there at least once or twice a month.
He is still enjoying his Tae Kwon Do. He has been doing it for almost 3 weeks and really loves it. I ask him at the end of each class if he wants to come back and he says yes.
We are having a little trouble with getting him to bed before 8 so today we sent him to bed and let katie stay down with me while I watched the Olympics. Look Michael Phelps swims again! He is amazing but he has a 6'7" arm reach and is 6'4"
he burns 4000 cals in one work out! WOW that is what I call a work out. OK back on track.
Today I served lunch at school- much better the I thought it would be. The time went fast, Jaxon did not act crazy when he saw me and listened very well while he was eating minus a few screams of "Hi Mom" but still very good.
look WR and another gold for Phelps and Lochte who just swam and won gold 26 minutes ago wow these guy are good (I know they are in the Olympics)

10:00 bed time and both kids are up! Yeah for crying
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HALLIE

Fun with Balloons

wish I could take credit but this one was taken by Erik

Wednesday came early

Here is a picture of Erik's new car


Things are going great. Yesterday was crazy but I am mostly done with Jaxon for School. I finally found his uniforms but I still do not have the logo - I will get them at the school on Thursday. It is amazing how hard it is to find navy blue shorts and a white knit shirt - if the store had them they did have them they were flat front or not his size. But 5 store later we have 3 to start with. Then mom helped me make it flame print(he picked it out) sleep mat so that is done.

Yes the time stamp is right it is 4:15am and I have been up since 2:30 when Erik's alarm went off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A week in Review

Wednesday we went out on the boat - last time we went out was last Memorial Day it was so nice to be on the river again!!

Wednesday after Megan and the kids got here we played on the water slide - don't ask what KK is doing to Ivy because we have no idea!

Thursday we went to the Mall and played then played outside before it rained

Friday we went to the indoor park
Had pizza and Megan read to the kids - bath time now and then Martini time!!!!!

Mom's Birthday Pics

Bobby jumped up out the way of the water

The boys

All the girls were swinging KK

Little super models


The pictures have been up loaded to the family album on snapfish - if you want to access the family albums let me know and I can add you.

link to pictures

I was asked to upload all the pictures and the only place I know of that I can up load all of them was snapfish so here is the link -
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=457221216776978732/l=411771624/g=3637060/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

a few pictures from Friday 7/11

Joy of sisterhood....

More Wedding update

OK so I stopped on Friday - Friday was a great day. We had an excellent lunch for the bridal luncheon - Thank you Hallie and Hillary for putting that all together. Great place, food and of course company. The place was off the Reedy river - Mary's - very good if you are in the area.
From there we went to get to ready for the rehearsal. Erik took pictures, while I learned the ins and outs of reading for a wedding. I love the church - Prince of Peace Catholic Church - very beautiful with tons of natural light. Even the wedding coordinators from the church were nice unlike the one that helped at my wedding and Bobby/Hallie wedding!
Then it was off to Brad's restaurant - Gerald's - great place once again if in the area you should try it out. The food was wonderful - I LOVED the raviolis they were filled with butternut squash - yum yum. But that night I got the nickname of Mrs. Martini from the groom Dad. In my defence I was trying different ones and letting everyone taste them so in reality I did not drank one full one by myself - and if you know Bobby he helps a lot when he likes one and he loved the Key Lime one which we really need to get the recipe for (hint hint)everyone was great that night. Once again great food, great drinks and great people!
WEDDING DAY!!
Saturday was the big day and everyone was ready. I went to the church at noon to help out in anyway needed. Everyone was relaxed - I think. The dress was beautiful. The bridesmaid look happy and their dresses were beautiful also. They took pictures and then it was time.
The wedding itself was short and sweet. I was nerves for no reason the reading was fine - I really liked how the pulpit was off to the side not in the front of the church so even though everyone was looking I not not as aware.
The reception was fun fun. One thing I found odd was the groomsmen did not dance, but to each its own. But don't worry the bridesmaids and friends made up for that. KK fell a sleep in the middle of everything. The wedding cake was really pretty and the grooms Donuts were plentiful. Jaxon and Tommy found some little boy with a DS so they were happy.
Then Bride and Groom looked so happy as they left for their week in Boston!

last one for tonight

KK on the Reedy River

playing chicken

OK so here is the link to snapfish were I uploaded the the pictures from the Latham's house and the BBQ.
http://www1.snapfish.com/share/p=1004181216436515076/l=411669099/g=3637060/otsc=SYE/otsi=SALB

I just love this picture

This was taken at the place we had the BBQ

Pictures to go with the story

Shot gun

The look of approval??

The tractor

Look no extra wheels

I just love their faces!

One of the Donkeys

KK found her toy at Mrs. Kay and Mr. John's house

Jaxon and a chicken

The mice on Main Street - there was 9 we found 8 of them

no end in sight

SO this has been a very busy week and 1/2. As most of you know we went to a wedding in SC last weekend. We had a great time and very little drama with my little family. The drive up there was hard - we did not leave till 2pm in hopes that Erik would not be cranky but that did not work so I ended up driving from 9pm till 2am when we finally got to our hotel.
Tuesday was fun we hung out at the bride's house then we learned to Shag dance (SC state dance) we had a blast doing that even Jaxon tried to learn. KK and Maddie just ran around and had fun! Most of the time Jaxon and TomTom were plugged in so they were happy!
Wednesday we headed to NC for a BBQ and a lazy day at Hallie's parent's house. Fun fun times I even shot gunned my 1st beer! 3 of the 6 kids got stung by something but over all a great time. The kids held chickens, petted donkey's and rode and a huge tracter.
Thursday we really took the day out from Wedding stuff during the day and enjoyed our 10th wedding anniversery. Yes 10 years already where did the time go?? We went to down town Greenville and did the tourist things - found the mice on main street, played on and by the bridge on the Reedy river and played in the Children's garden. Then at Mexican at a place on Main street because it was the 1st place we saw after the kids started to get hungrey. Even my parents enjoyed the lunch and they are NOT mexican food eaters! Later that night we left the kids with Mom and Dad and headed to another party for the bride. We ate at a wings place where we got a bottle of Champane for our annivery - Thanks to who even paid for that!! Then we went to this hick back woods country bar with a mechanical bull and yes most people rode it. Me Bobby and one others decided it was not a good idea - me and Bobby wanted to save our little backs but everyone else had a great time! Then we danced into the night. Some drank too much but everyone had a great time.
Then Friday started ....

quick update

I have been really bad at uploading to the website - so I just wanted to add a picture from the 4th. I hope everyone had a safe and fun filled on. I know we did!
This is what happens when you get a bunch of big kids together with a little bit of beer and water!

Fire in the hole

Things are going great. The kids love summer camp still and now they love thier new water slide. Jaxon would stand at the top and yell fire in the hole, then KK started doing it from the bottom of the slide it was very cute! Hers was more Fire Hole but what ever she is 2! We have to wait till the back yard is shaded but that is alright. Yesterday our neighbors came over and her and KK had a great time playing. They have great conversations we can not understand most of what is being said but they do. She is spending the night Friday so that will be fun. She is a really easy child to watch and the girls play really well together. She is 2 1/2 so not that much older.
We have a busy weekend coming up. Friday the house people are coming for our 10 month walk through to fix all the stuff that needs to be before our warranty is up. Saturday we are going swimming at a friends house and Sunday is Father's day.

just wanted to share some pictures!

Morning gone crazy and other stuff

This has been a good week. The kids started camp so they are really happy with this - Wednesday is water day so they really love that day. Thursday was a crazy day but one little Thank you made the morning so much better, here is what happen:
Jaxon woke me up 4 times during the night, I made their lunches which one was moved from my pile of stuff that needs to make it in the car so I had to run to Walmart to get something else, The gas was pretty cheap there so I tried to get gas but the pumps were not working so I wasted time. That morning I had finally sent Jaxon's teachers their end of the year present (yes 3 weeks late) it was just a snapfish book but the way they acted it was gold. ( I had taken pictures all year long and when I was thing of a gift I went the easy way and just threw together a book).When I went back to bring KK's lunch I saw Jaxon's main teacher which is also his summer camp teacher and she was almost in tears she loved it so much!!!! So all my aggravations was gone all because she loved my present. SO leaving her lunch turned out to be the best thing after all! Oh yeah I did not have any coffee yet- that might have been a big part of the morning gone crazy.

Today we went to see Kung Fu Panda - it was really good. Jaxon loved it KK fell alseep but I don't blame her after 30 mins of ads and previews - I would hate to see the ticket prices with out those!
After Erik left for work we played outside from 4:30 till 7 in the water - the water ball that sprays water is great they played with that for an hour, they even placed it by the swing so they would get wet while they were on the play set!

and to top all the crazy stuff we worry about they added dry drowning to that list - did not even know that could happen. If you have not heard about it go to MSNBC and they have a report about it. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24982210/

My cousin Jene had her baby this week a little boy. The family keeps getting bigger and I love it, even though we don't get together as much lately it is still great to know you have so many people to turn to if you need them!

OK I guess I have wrote enough for one blog