More pictures from the weekend...


We went to watch The Wiggles here at PSU. The kids loved it, and couldn't believe it was the REAL Wiggles. The light sticks they couldn't live without, and "Aunt Tico" bought them some. It was fun to hear them call her Aunt Tico, even though I call her Keeko. Everytime they said it, we just laughed. This is the first time they are really old enough to call her anything, so I wonder if it will stick.

After The Wiggles show, we ate a dinner of Chinese and vegetarian sushi downtown, and went to watch the Homecoming parade. The college kids saw us coming with the wagon, and let us right up front! The students are very good about the kids - if we are going somewhere and holding the students up, they are very patient, smile at the kids, etc. I hope they are just as polite to senior citizens. Living in a college town certainly has it's advantages...

Mikey's Soccer Game

Mikey's soccer season is ending this weekend. He has had so much fun, and we have had so much fun watching him! Katherine and Stella came up for the weekend, so she took this picture. I'll post more of her good ones, since mine are still not so clear. On the happy side, I DID get a digital camera for my birthday (thanks, Chris!!), so I just need to learn how to use it. Here are some more pictures from our weekend. It is wonderful having my sister back in my life. OK, bookclub, you can quit with the "aawwwww......." ;-)

We had a great time at the game on Sat. - The weather was perfect!

Hello??

Who out there is in Catasauqua, PA??

Fall has arrived!!

Here is our wonderful house on our wonderful street with the wonderful leaves. Lots of leaves. Lots of leaves to rake. The kids love them.








Mikey loves jumping in them, Molly likes walking through them. They like the sounds of them. Isn't that the best part of fall? Well, besides college football....hee hee


I watched a friend have incredible strength today. Our friend from college, Todd Humble, died of a heart attack last week. The viewing was last night, and the funeral was today. I was in awe of Gina and how well she handled everything. It made me wonder, could I have done that? Would I have handled that the same way? Is that what I would do? It made me thankful that I don't have to answer those questions yet.

If there is any good that came out of today, it is that the Drill Team realized we need to do better at keeping in touch and seeing each other. Time is precious, and so are friends. We need to treasure both.

Five Weird Things About Me

I was tagged by Erin to come up with 5 weird things about me, so here goes:

1. I am actually very shy. OK, go ahead and laugh. I hate walking into a room full of ppl I don't know, desperately wanting to make a new friend. I put on a good front, and laugh a lot. My shyness sometimes comes across as being aloof. I am NOT aloof. ;-)

2. I can only clean and do dishes with rubber gloves on. My skin is really sensitive to water, so I rarely take a bath, just showers. Therefore, if I am ever over to visit and you want help with the dishes, I'll happily dry, or hand over some gloves!

3. Talents? NONE I don't have a single talent in the world. I have God-given gifts, like teaching, but if I had to be in a talent show, I couldn't do anything but stand there.

4. I'm scared of heights. Won't even sleep on the top bunk. I have sat at the top of Beaver Stadium, but didn't like it. I have this feeling that I will either fall or be pushed, and that will be the end of me.

5. I can bake up a storm, but can't cook at all with no recipe. If my family could eat baked goods for dinner, we'd be in good shape. Well, actually, we'd be in HORRIBLE shape. Thank goodness Chris can whip up a quick dinner.

Our big trip

Last weekend we went to Richmond, VA to see Heather. I hadn't seen her in over two years, and she had never met either of my kids, so we were both pretty excited, to say the least. It's amazing to think we talk at least a few times a day, and she had never met them in person. So, we loaded the car, stopped for gas and a coffee, and realized the DVD player was broken. It is almost 400 miles to get there, so we went across the street to Best Buy and bought a new one. JUST what Chris wanted to buy this month...but it is easier than not having it for such a long trip.

We were off. We had a crummy atlas, but it got us there. It rained a lot of the time, there were two tractor-trailor accidents in I-81, and total, it took us almost 9 hours to get there. We were SO ready to get out of that Blazer! Rebecca immediately wanted to read to my kids, but I told her they may not want to sit for a story right away. They were so enthralled with her reading, they just sat in the recliner and listened to the whole story. Mikey thought the sun rose and set on Rebecca all weekend, and Hayden played well with the kids, too. Hayden, Molly and Mikey played Hide-and-Seek for at least an hour on Sat. afternoon! Here is a picture of Hayden and Molly hiding together:




We just had fun BEING together. The guys took the kids to lunch and a nature reserve while we went shopping and out for lunch together, and then we played at home with the kids while the guys went out for a beer and some nachos. It was fun to just hang out. We ate, put the kids to bed, watched a little football, and laughed together. Here is the birthday cake Heather had for me a week early, and Rebecca had even made me a cute card.

The trip home was easier - pretty weather, I bought a new atlas (even though we went to same way!), we didn't have the accidents to deal with, and everyone was just happier in general. I can't wait to go again, or to have them come up here!

Leaves

Ben and Pia came over to play with us last week, so of course, Christy came out and we all ended up in the leaves. The kids love hearing the sound of them as they crawl in them, walk in them, throw them, and rake them. Reminds me of the time I got in trouble with the campus police because I was sitting in a pile of leaves on campus. Except I was 20 or 21, not 3 or 4. Leaves are just the best. I'll post more pictures as the leaves continue to change here on Pickwick Avenue.

Lurkers

Leave a comment! I would love to know who is checking in from Australia, Alabama, North Carolina, Ohio, Minnesota, etc. Wow, I have the power to reach the WORLD!! hee hee

Feeling un-needed sometimes.

Molly had her first playdate last week. Without me. It was a lot harder on me than it was on her - she was nothing but excited, and I was nothing but nervous. I had to let my baby ride home with someone else from school to play, and I was going to pick her up. I didn't really know the parents, I had to get directions to their house, and she would be there for 2 hours!

Mikey was all out of sorts because he couldn't go. The first individual playdate. So, I convinced him that WE would have fun on our own until we went to get her. We walked from school to the bank for cash (essential to have any fun at all!), and then he decided we should WALK to the Creamery on campus for ice cream. Now, to get to the Creamery it is at least a half mile, UPHILL. I tried and tried to convince him we should drive, that he would get tired, that it was a long way, etc. etc. etc. He said "If I get tired, I'll just keep walking." So, off we went. We held hands, talked about our mornings, sang songs, and walked. He never even needed a rest. As we sat eating ice cream and drinking chocolate milk in the Creamery he said "Mom, these people think I'm a college kid." I asked him what he meant. He replied "They don't know I'm a little boy. You are the only one here that knows I am a little boy - they all think I am a college kid like them!" He is the sweetest 4 year old boy on this Earth.

So, we walked down to school, got the car, ran home to change, and went to get Molly. She and Becca were just on their way out the door for a wagon ride with her mom. Becca lives on a paved road that is hilly, and Mikey wanted to ride her little tricycle up the hill so he could ride down, too. Becca's mom pulled the girls up, and I walked with Mikey on this tiny trike. Becca's mom pulled the wooden sides off of the wagon, got in with the girls, and they were off, screeching and laughing all the way down. Mikey started heading down, with me walking behind him. All of the sudden he stopped, stood up, and looked at me with an expression that I had never seen before. I realized he was holding the handle bars! I sort of laughed, and said, "Wow, I'm glad you could stop yourself! Let me help you..." I went to help put the handle bars back in the bike, but the front wheel came off in my hand! Then, I tried to pick it up to carry it, and the seat came off, too! So, the tricycle is in 5 pieces - the handle bars, the seat, the front wheel, the two back wheels, and some metal ring from around the front tire. At this point, I am laughing uncontrollably. Mikey is begging me to quit laughing - he is too embarassed. I assured him I was not laughing at him, I was just so happy that he wasn't hurt! We walked down the hill to the house, carrying the bike in 5 pieces, and I didn't quite know what to say to the mom. I looked at her and said "Ummm.... I think I need a tool...." She assured me it was ok, that it had happened before. I was relieved, but at the same time I thought "You put my kid on a death trap to ride down the hill??"

The funniest part of the whole day was when I was retelling the story to my sister, Katherine. She and I laughed so hard we were crying, and couldn't even talk to each other on the phone, because we couldn't stop laughing and crying! It was a great way to end my day.

Age. It's just a number.


I remember when we were in college. Adults seemed so OLD. Now, I have to face the fact that we are those adults. Two of my friends got promoted to Lt. Col. this weekend, and they aren't the two most mature people that I know. They are two of the sweetest, most fun friends I have, but the first word to describe them wouldn't be mature. So, I guess I have to admit, we are old.
We ordered a cake for Kevin, since he was coming to town. After all, what is a promoion without a cake?? I went to order the cake at the finest bakery in town, Wal-Mart. As I was standing there, I saw that you could order a cake with a photo on it. Now, that is a little more exciting! So, I packed up the kids and came back home. I dug and dug, and couldn't find the picture of Kevin in Jodi's bra on top of his winter coat. That was one of our finer nights in college....
I told Chris what I wanted to do, so he started digging for pictures. He found one of Kevin at the Skeller with is mouth full of food, cropped everyone out, blew it up, and ordered the cake. I love that guy, have I mentioned that lately? So, here is the fruit of our combined effort.

Here are some more pictures of us, with Kevin and Mark (who flew in from Colorado Springs for the occasion) at Mark's parent's tailgate yesterday. I have known Kevin and Mark since the fall of '87. Now we are old. Officially. However, old friends stick by you through good and bad, and we all have dirt on each other. They are the brothers I have chosen, not the one I was born with. It's great being military - you choose your friends to be your family. And I love them.

Bugs Bite


On Saturday we went up to campus to an exhibit called "Bugs Bite' put on by the Entomology Department. Yes, I had to look up the spelling. Anyway, it was pretty neat. There were Hissing Madagascar Cockroaches, which were creepy, and all sorts of bugs there. A lot were mounted, some were alive, some you could hold, and some you could EAT. The insect deli was pretty crowded. We all said we weren't hungry....lol.
The kids each made a Bumblebee hat, which is cute, and received stickers, tattoos, etc. as we walked around. Oh, we did watch a cockroach race. Four were competing, and it was pretty cool, too.

Then, we went to Fun Unleashed. A little bit like a Chuck E. Cheese, but it costs $9 just to get in the door to play. The kids loved it, and we stayed about an hour and a half. Let me tell you why I probably won't go back for awhile. I took Molly to the bathroom. The first one was busy, the second was full of poop and toilet paper, and the third had no toilet paper. I swiped some from the bathroom that was clogged, and let Molly have her turn. We then went to wash hands, as you do, and there was no soap! I told the lady at the front desk the bathroom needed toilet paper, soap, and a plunger. She thanked me, and went about running the register. Ten minutes later, I told another worker. She thanked me, and continued strolling the place. When we finally left, not one employee had even gone to check on the bathroom! So, I'm in no hurry to go back. Yuck.

Oh, I ordered our new carpet today!!! Hooray! They will call me when it comes in to arrange an installation time. I can't wait.

DelGrosso's

We went to DelGrosso's Amusement Park here in PA. This is a picture of Mikey and Emily, the sitter who lives next door on The Scrambler. She filled in on the rides we didn't want to go on! The kids had a ball, and Mikey loves to ride anything that goes FAST! Let me tell you a little bit about the park...

I wish I had a lapel pin camera to show you what I saw! Everytime I saw a new "sight" I'd think "OH!! If only I could show that to..."

I saw mullets, a rat-tail, a lady with one round eye and one Asian eye, and a lady with a hair line that had receded more than Chris's! The amazing part was she had it pulled up in a ponytail on TOP of her head, so you could see the receding hair line went all around her head...lol

As Chris said "Welcome to central Pennsylvania" all I could think was "These people could be in Southwestern Virginia!!"

The kids had a wonderful time. The funnel cake was absolutely delicious, and we came home tired. Fun, but not as good as The North Pole. THAT place rocks!!

And we have begun...

Mikey has started soccer. He has had practices twice a week for two weeks now, and loves it. Poor thing inherited my grace, so he spends a lot of time tripping over the ball, but he is happy. I was hoping to make some new friends with the other moms, but most already knew each other and hold their own conversations, while the questions I try to ask about their interests receive very short answers. Oh well. Hey, I have a son to cheer for! He is getting to be more aggressive about getting the ball, and is starting to remember to not use his hands. Molly is content to sit on the sidelines with me, or kick a soccer ball around with Chris, and wait for the team snack to be handed out. We all agreed to bring for siblings, too, so no one has hurt feelings.
Sorry the blog was so long coming out - we have had internet problems for the past week and a half or so. I have so much to tell and share about our latest adventures here at PSU! If I can get online tomorrow night, I'll fill you in.

Pickwick Picnic

This past weekend was our annual Pickwick Picnic. The entire street of Pickwick Avenue gets together, brings a dish, hangs out, and cranks the ice cream. So, here we all are and you can see how crowded we are!! It is a short street that has a lovely cul-de-sac, and everyone is so friendly. In all of our moves, no one has ever come over and knocked on the door to say"Welcome to the neighborhood..." until we moved here. I had people coming to visit for weeks with hot muffins, fresh vegetables from their gardens (knowing we don't have one since we just moved!), and even a phone number of a dentist they recommend!! Chris found us such a great place. Yeah, it's not our retirement home by any means, but the neighborhood is the best one yet. I wonder if we could buy the last lot left and build our retirement house there??

Out with the old, in with the new.

I was busy during the game this week, so I didn't watch very much of it. Good thing, since we got blown away...
Anyway, I was outside cleaning the deck. Our neighbor's lent us their pressure washer, so I started the deck. What a difference, huh? We spent the better part of the day out getting paint, looking at carpet, scheduling a measuring and an estimate, peeling wallpaper and broder, etc etc etc. It takes an awful lot to make a house a home! But we're getting there.

How Sweet It Is...

To be loved by you! Every day Chris packs our lunches for us. As I get myself ready in the mornings, he is getting lunches together in the kitchen. He has started sending notes in the kids lunches, too. Today, I was hoping that maybe I'D get a note. No such luck. I was a little bummed, and went up to the office to drop off some papers. Sitting there on the counter were these flowers that had been delivered from the local florist. Our director's dad died this week, so I was sure they were for her. Apparently, so was she! But no, my husband sent them to me at work today. For nothing. Just to tell me he was glad I had a great first week of work. And that I am the world's greatest mommy. (I don't want to tell him that all of you daddies think otherwise!) I have had the discussion with book club about who we love more - our husbands or our kids. I still think that Chris and I come first, and the kids are little satellites of our great relationship. Not that there is a right answer. After all, it is a different kind of love, isn't it...
But I sure am glad I have his.

M.I.A.


That is my camera, Missing in Action. Therefore, no posts or pictures in days. Sorry! I have taken pictures as late as this morning, but now I can't find it. If you could see the state of this house, you'd understand....I'm hoping for a new one for my birthday. Camera, not house!!

I just wanted to update you on some news -

Amy in Colorado Springs is having a BOY!! She found out today, and now I can start on some birth announcements for her.

Brandy in Colorado Springs is already a week overdue with Delaney. I am checking my email religiously for any news!

Katherine in Colorado Springs is doing well with her sunshine, and is due in less than a month.

Laura in Colorado Springs is 15 weeks and is starting to show!

Liz in Colorado Springs is growing hers just fine, and will separate from the Air Force when she has the baby.

Geez, after re-reading all of that, was it something in the water?? Glad I got out of town....

We took the kids to DelGrosso's Amusement Park yesterday for Labor Day. Check it out on the internet, and I'll post our pictures tomorrow.

Today was our first day of school. Both of the kids had great days, and mine was incredible. It makes the year look very promising. Today I had my Tuesday, Thursday group, tomorrow I meet the other one. I'll let you know how it goes.

We seem to have a lot of new's here...

New town
New friends
New school year

The thing is, I LIKE the new's....even though I still miss the old's....

We ARE.... Penn State!!!

We went to our first game since we had kids yesterday, and had a fantastic time. We bought tickets, they got traded, and we got the best seats we could have dreamed of. We were on the 27 in the FRONT ROW. We no longer cared that it took us 45 minutes to drive a mile and half, we no longer cared that we were paying a sitter, we no longer cared that it was raining, and we no longer cared that we were pretty much drenched even with the rain ponchos. WE WERE AT THE GAME!! And look at our view!! For the record, next time - we're walking to the stadium. We can take the bike path that comes out at JoePa's house, and be there in less time than it took us to drive. Let's go Lions!!

We did meet an interesting couple. While we were waiting in that traffic, we got cut off by a car that decided they didn't need to wait in the line. Chris gave them a short honk, but let them in. They stopped, got out of their car, and said they live a few blocks from the stadium and have an extra parking spot - they are so sorry they cut us off, would we like to park at their house?? So, we followed them and parked there, and drank a beer with them. They offered their bathroom, but we didn't need it. However, I went inside just to get out of the rain. They had gone in, I thought to go to the bathroom. When I walked in, their entire house smelled like one big doobie. I almost got a bad case of the munchies just standing in the kitchen! So, as we walked to the game I talked to the girl, who could barely keep her eyes open and focused. I wonder how long they made it at the game.... Chris laughed and said they probably ate their way out of the stadium and went home to nap. You meet all types here in Happy Valley. They sure were happy!

Rained out.

In a nutshell, that's it. Molly has the cutest cheerleading outfit, and she hasn't even worn it yet! All of the pep rallies, food vendors, JoePa, cheerleaders, and players speaking were called off. So, the kids are in bed, it's cold, raining, and I am STILL looking forward to the game tomorrow. I am in charge of a dessert for the Keller's tailgate, so I am thinking of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies so ppl can just put them in their pockets and head into the game. Either that, or a pineapple cream cheese cake. It is nice and light, and summery. But, I think summer is about over here. I guess I'm making the cookies.

Back to School

I don't have any pictures today - I had an in-service from 9-4, and didn't take any when we came home. I REALLY like the staff at school. We laughed a lot today, which is a good sign. I got teased a lot, which is also a good sign.

Not a good sign? The one that will say "SOLD" across the street at Tanja's house. They sold their house today, and even got a little over asking price if they would leave the washer and dryer. So, I'm happy for them, but selfishly sad for me. They close on their new house next week, and are relieved to have sold this one first.

Other big news...one of my bridesmaids just told me she is getting divorced. That is a bummer. Another bridesmaid had an uncle die yesterday, and she is in Germany and didn't make it home. That is a bummer.
So, here is a list of things that make me happy. Why end this evening on a bad note?


1. new school supplies
2. pink levi's on sale
3. towels just out of the dryer
4. waking up, looking at the clock, and realizing I can go back to sleep
5. getting mail from friends
6. stripes
7. curling up with a good book
8. keeny beeny ice cream from The Creamery
9. vacuuming
10. FOOTBALL SEASON!!

Tomorrow is the beginning of the festivities...so check back!!