Our Visit With the McKenna's!

Dave's parents came out East for a family gathering in Nauvoo. They flew to Michigan, stayed with Dave's sister, went to Nauvoo, and then drove here with Dave's sister Bethany and her two little girls. They were here on a Friday afternoon and left Sunday early afternoon. It was a quick trip. On Saturday, there was a water main break in town so the ten of us had no running water for HOURS! We went to the pool for a swim. Afterwards, we can home, still no water, ate lunch, and went to see Cars 2. Pretty fun movie. Porter actually sat through most of it! Afterwards, we got pizza and went to a park to let the kids play! That pretty much sums up our visit!

Dave, His dad, Martha, and Cole.
 

I know, it's a "head shot," this is Braxton having fun!

Porter was a bench warmer, like with anything else that includes water (I sat out with him)....

Cole just taking a breather!

Dave.

Dave's dad and Martha.

Dave's sister Bethany, and youngest daughter Alina.

Dave's mom.
 

4th of July Festivities!

We went to my parents house for the 4^th. We love being on the lake to watch fireworks and have a bonfire! We roasted hot dogs, bratwurst, and marshmallows! Our friend Robyn came to visit us and hang out for festivities also! My sister Jen and her family were there also!

 

My Aunt Josie makes donuts with all the kids. This is the first year my kids were here to help! They had a lot of fun!!!

 

My sister Jen and I.

  

 

Porter just hanging out!

 

The boys fishing with my dad!
 

 

  

 My sister brought a few fireworks and sparklers to use at my parents house!

 

  

Every year the lake association has a boat parade. People decorate their boats and go around the lake in a line. The boats are judged and you can win prizes!
 

The fireworks!
 

Cole's Ocean Night at School!

The last week of school there was an ocean night for Cole's class. They had been studying oceans and made lots of pictures and projects to decorate the hall with the ocean!

Here's his sea urchin.

The turtle.

The octopus.

The jellyfish.

Cole and his starfish.

Cole and his shark.

Last but not least, his rainbow fish!

This is his sweet teacher, Mrs. Follett. She was so nice to Cole and he never complained about her! She helped make the moving transition smooth for him!

Mother's Day!

The kindergarten classes at Cole's school had a Mother's Day program right before Mother's Day weekend. They had prepared several songs to sing for their mothers that day!

After the program we went back to his classroom for treats and "tea" (we had pink lemonade. sweet tea is huge here and that was the other option.)

A few days before his teacher sent home a note for me to send in a picture of the two of us for something......

When we went back to his room this was displayed in the hall!

The Last Month....

has been so busy! Last week I was sick and spent most of the time sitting on the couch or laying down. Unpacking has been quite the chore! Our movers made a huge mess of everything! In two boxes they put open bags of sugar, needless to say I spent a week at the kitchen sink washing all of our dishes because they were coated in sugar. In another box, they put an open box of pancake mix, it too was all over the other food contents of the box. I still have to deal with that one. We have been looking for our computer cord, printer cord, hard drive cord, and mouse for three weeks. We couldn't find them ANYWHERE!!! We'd gone through all the boxes with contents from the house over and over again with no luck. Finally, beyond frustrated, I opened a cardboard picture box one night and they had placed all of the missing items in it!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think I ever want anyone to move us again!!! I'd rather do it myself and know where everything is when I'm done.

It has been great for us to be back together as a family. We are adjusting well to Dave being home with us all the time! We miss people, but it's bearable most of the time. This morning when I woke up I was about to cry though. I miss my doctor who delivered Porter, I stressed out because I forgot to get a copy of Porter's immunizations before we left. I worried that it makes me the WORST mom in the world. I don't even know how to get it now that I'm gone. The last time I tried to get a copy the office I called told me I had to personally pick them up (not Uncle Russell's office).

We officially have PA driver's licenses, and are working on our title and car registration now. On Friday we will be able to complete it. That kind of stressed us out too. They told us if we had a hard time getting the title from our bank who has our auto loan, we might have to find a new lender here to get the registration done. For us, we have too much outstanding debt right now and that would be impossible. Luckily it worked out!!!

Slowly, but surely we are getting back to a normal life. My parents are coming for two days next week so I hope to be completely settled by then!!!

The New School!

I feel bad that this is the SECOND new school this year for the boys. They seem to be adjusting well and the transition has gone pretty smooth. It makes me not want to move for a LONG time! We have moved six times in just under ten years.

The new school seems to be really good. They are in a lock down mode all the time. You can't get into the school unless you go through the office. None of the outside doors are unlocked. If you need to take anything to your child you have to sign in. There are drop off and pick up procedures that are strict. They have staff standing outside monitoring them. If not done properly, they approach your car and let you know. You can't pick up your kids at the end of the day without signing them out. EVEN WHEN school is over! You have to sign a sheet requesting them and they check your id to make sure they should be going with you. I thought it was a pain in the beginning, but I think it's a good way to keep kids safe. We live in a very safe area, but you never know. I guess one year they had a problem with a custody battle and since then they have become very protective.






When we were first here and in the hotel all the time, we would go to the park in the mornings to play. That is if it wasn't raining......it has rained most of our time here.