First day of school

August 15th
Joel - 4th grade
Anna - 1st grade
Matthew - 9th grade
Carolyn - 6th grade!
Me - not in school - yeah!

Might be better than Disneyland

oops this is a draft from June

Joel's Cub Scout Pack had a Family Campout this weekend and Springbrook Park.  I had never been before, but Ken was going with Matthew to Scout camp the next day, so I volunteered to take the other kids.  It was awesome.  I will go every year from now on!

First we helped to band birds.  The park ranger was awesome and he is holding a bird in one hand and Carolyn's hand in the other.

 Now Carolyn is holding the bird (that was later banded).

 Here is Joel with members of his Den doing a water survey.

The kids also kayaked (Anna with me holding onto the back in the beach area), did archery, had smores, fished, investigated Owl Castings and watched a movie.  (Ken came for part of the day and got pictures of some things, but is at Boy Scout camp until tonight.)

The food was prepared in the cafeteria and we slept in cabins, which is a good kind of camping for me.  I truly feel like I had more fun at Springbrook at Disneyland!

Super summer

I know I have been a total blog-slacker, but not because of lack of material!  We had a great summer and here are some pictures.  Not representing everything, but just a smattering.  Right now my computer hard drive is full and probably has “issues” so I can only load a few pictures at a time.  I can’t get blogger to download everything in one post (perhaps related to computer issues).  I’ll post a few here and a few in another post.

 Ken's best bud (who must be taking this picture) visited Iowa and we went to McBride State Park to see his family.  Awesome weekend.

Matthew's first Summer fest parade in the band.  He is in the back of this pic.  Marching band - he is loving it!

Joel was in the parade with the scouts (and his dad!).  I have a pic of Matthew and Ken in a parade in Newburgh - but since I am slacking - I am not even searching for it!  Still - good memories.

Carolyn is 12!

Carolyn celebrated her birthday with her best buds (minus one who was at a wedding).  We took the girls roller-skating and I think everyone had a ball.  Carolyn is LOVING this time in her life.  Sorry for the blur - it was a little dark in there!