Historic Waukesha Riverwalk

We went on an early evening stroll at the Historic Riverwalk in Waukesha, Wisconsin. It was absolutely beautiful with the sun setting over it.

The Historic Riverwalk in Waukesha.

The riverwalk in the evening.

The riverwalk.

The sun setting over the river.

Another picture of the sun setting over the river.

A dragonfly statue in the middle of the river.

A closeup of the dragon fly statue in the river.

The kiddos at the riverwalk. Braden and Scotlyn would not cooperate!

Andy at the riverwalk.

Academic Awards Ceremony

Tonight was the 25th Annual Academic Awards Presentation Ceremony at Andy's school. Andy earned is "Academic Letter" along with 152 other junior high students. This means that those 153 6th-8th grade students had a 3.7 or higher GPA, made their AR goals all year, and never got in trouble once during the school year.

Spring Concert

Andy's Spring Concert was tonight. He (and the rest of the band) did an awesome job!

Mother's Day

My rays of sunshine gave me a wonderful Mother's Day! The kiddos slept in late, I had breakfast in bed and the kiddos gave me cards and flowers for my flower garden and deck, and I was taken out to lunch at one of my favorite restaurants. The kiddos baked and decorated a Mother's Day cake for me.

Band Fundraiser

Tonight Andy had to "work" the band fundraiser. It was the band's "20th Annual Garage Sale". The different bands were scheduled to play at different times and band members helped customers carry merchandise to their cars. The garage sale brought in $13,700.

Happy Birthday Dad

Missing my dad on his birthday...

B-I-N-G-O

Andy and I went to a fundraising event at his school. The PTSO had a Community Bingo Night. You paid $5.00 at the door and were able to play for 3 hours. They gave away door prizes every 30 minutes. They also were selling raffle tickets for a flat screen tv, $200 spa treatment, motorized scooter, 2 ipods, prepaid cell phone, and several other things I can't remember.

Merry Christmas Dad

Merry Christmas Dad.....

The Christmas Eve Blizzard

Here it is Christmas Eve and we're in the middle of a blizzard. Hope Santa can find his way!

Andy's Holiday Photos

Here are various holiday photos of Andy.

Braden's Holiday Photos

Here are various holiday photos of Braden.

Scotlyn's Holiday Photos

Here are various holiday photos of Scotlyn.

Santa Pictures

The kids went to Bass Pro for their annual visit with Santa.

Andy's Winter Formal

Tonight was Andy's "Winter Formal" at his school.

Andy before going to the "Winter Formal".


Andy with his girlfriend, Kelsey, at the "Winter Formal".

The Plaza Lights

We took a drive over to Missouri tonight to check out the Kansas City Plaza Lights. The kids really enjoyed them and it's starting to get them excited about the Christmas season.

Andy's First Day of School

Summer Fun

Here are various pictures from our summer.

Braden trying on his sister's sunglasses.

Last Night With My "Chosen Few" Girls

Tonight I met some of my "Chosen Few" girls for a last get together before moving. It was great to see them one last time. They surprised me with going away cards and gifts. I will really miss living so close to them and being able to get together with them each month.

Packing Day

The movers arrived today to pack us up for our move to Kansas.

Andy's 11th Birthday

Andy celebrated his 11th birthday today. Andy decided he wanted to eat at a local Chinese restaurant and then go to DQ for a new Brownie Batter Blizzard. Later, Andy opened his presents...his own cell phone, professional binoculars, a mega water gun, inflatable gladiator sticks, and water balloons...and celebrated with streamers, balloons, and a chocolate birthday cake. 

"Chosen Few" Night Out

I had the opportunity to go out with my "chosen ones girls" group of friends tonight. We went to the Springfield Brewing Company for dinner and sat around talking (laughing) for several hours. I will miss these friends...hopefully they can rode trip up my way and I can head back to southwest MO for some more girls nights out. Thanks Linda, Jen, Tabby, Juli, Andrea, Missy, Sharon, Becky, Kristine, Angie, and Lorie for the different times this past year we were able to get together for dinner and fun.

The Week at Grandma & Grandpa's House

Andy, Braden, Scotlyn, and I headed up to Brookfield, MO on Monday, May 25th to spend the week with my parents. We enjoyed visiting family and were also able to play in Brookfield's parks several times, play badminton, and tour the Walt Disney Museum and Wishing Tree in Marceline, MO.

Andy Celebrates A Friend's Birthday

Andy was invited to his friend Jacob W's birthday party which included spending the night. Happy Birthday, Jacob!

Breakfast With Mom

Today Braden's preschool celebrated Mother's Day by having "Breakfast with Mom". I was able to quickly eat a few donuts with Braden. I wish I could have stayed longer, but extremely bad storms were moving into southwest Missouri and I knew I needed to leave for the drive to work. Unfortunately, our town was hit by an F2 tornado.

Dixie Stampede Field Trip

The fifth grade classes at Andy's school went on their big field trip to Dixie Stampede in Branson today. He loved it!!!

Andy's Curriculum Night

Tonight was Curriculum Night at Andy's school. Braden, Scotlyn, and I enjoyed seeing Andy's work on display in the hallway. We also attended the school's book fair where Braden wanted to buy every book he saw.

Library Day for Braden

Today Braden's preschool had "Library Day". The local county library came to the preschool and read books and talked about a library.

Scotlyn's Surgery

In February we discovered that Scotlyn had fluid in her ears and had 20% hearing. Today she had minor surgery to put tubes in her ears. Hopefully this will help improve her speech and help her balance better when she walks.

Easter Bunny Fun...????

The kids had the chance to have their picture taken with the Easter Bunny.

Just A Walking!

Scotlyn is officially a walker today!

Braden Starts Preschool!

Today Braden started preschool!

Braden's Drawing

This is Braden's drawing of a snowman.

~February 2, 2009~

Native American Artifact Museum

This year I had my students make Native American artifacts to wrap up our unit. The projects went on display in our "5th Grade Native American Artifact Museum". We invited parents and other classroom to tour our museum. The kids did a wonderful job.

The Museum Welcome Sign

Artifacts in the Desert Southwest Section of the Museum

Artifacts in the Great Plains Section of the Museum

Artifacts from the Woodlands Section of the Museum

Grandma's Christmas Cookies

Scotlyn had her first taste of Grandma's Christmas cookies...the best Christmas cookies in the world!!!

January 1, 2009

Brookfield, MO

Scotlyn reaching for a cookie.

"Yummy!!! I love this cookie!!!"

"Hey, that's my cookie...this is my chair! Gee, brothers can be annoying at times!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Grandma's Christmas Cookies Recipe

(The Best in the World)

Ingredients for Cookies

• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions for Making Cookies

• Mix Ingredients
• Chill dough in refrigerator
• Roll dough out on floured area
• Cut with cookie cutters
• Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or so
• Let cookies cool
• Put icing and sprinkles on

Ingredients for Icing

• 1 cup powder sugar
• 1 tablespoon margarine
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 teaspoons milk

Directions for Making Icing

• Soften margarine by heating in pan on the stove burner
• Add sugar, vanilla, and milk
• Heat until it's consistency is that of frosting

The Family Christmas Extravaganza

The 1st Annual

"Family Christmas Extravaganza"

Another new tradition we added to our Christmas this year was "The Family Christmas Extravaganza". The kids sang songs and danced during a Christmas show.. Next year Scotlyn will add her own routine to the show. It's a wonderful idea that is memorable (and humorous). More importantly it's something we can all do together and it's practically free. I hope it's something we continue far into the future with daughter-in-laws, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

Andy performing his song and dance routine for the show

Andy and Braden (look closely) performing in the show.

Braden doing his dance routine in the show.

Christmas Down on the Farm~2nd Santa Pictures

We attended the Rutledge-Wilson Farm's "Christmas Down on the Farm" event on Sunday, December 21st. The kids were able to get their pictures taken with Santa. You should have seen Santa's outfit. It was so beautiful! If you look closely you can see the Nativity scene on the lining.

Scotlyn's First Haircut

Scotlyn had her first haircut today...just a bang cut. She did not like it as you will see.

Before

The saddest face you'll ever see!

Snip, Snip!

It's over!
After