Arrrrrrr......Pirates...the Musical!!

Abby auditioned for a part in the school musical and was cast as a Prisoner.  She has had a blast staying after school and preparing for the play.  She did a fabulous job and the director said it was the best cast she has ever worked with!!

Art Show

At the band concert, the art teacher also posts the students' artwork.  Trevor had 2 nice pieces on display. 

Percussion Master

Trevor plays percussion in his school band.  It is hard to understand what he does sometimes (especially since I have NO music knowledge at all) since we don't see him practicing at home.  He plays many different items during the concert.  He has really come a long way since first joining in 5th grade!!

Trev

Throwing Discus at GC Meet

I always wonder what he is thinking about!!

  On 4/12 we were at Gibson City for a Track Meet.  It was a beautiful day for a track meet!!  Sunny, not too windy, and not too hot.  Trev threw discus and shot put.  

Trev's 1st Track Meet

  Trev competed in his first track meet.  He competed in discus, shot put, and the 100.  He did a fantastic job!!  It was really cold and windy!!  We can't wait to go to the next meet on Thursday!!  Stay tuned for details.

Snowboarding

Jim got out the 4-wheeler today to take Abby snowboarding.  She loved it!!  Trevor and Maggie loved chasing after her too.  It was great to get the kids outside for some fresh air!!

Getting ready to take off.

Trevor & Maggie getting in on the action!

Oops!  She does occasionally wipe out!

Jim pulling her on the 4-wheeler.

Abby's Birthday

Abby's new Tony Hawk Huckjam series skateboard -- level 4!!

You have to remember that we have been housebound for the past 3 days!!

Abby explaining the skateboard to Trevor.

Getting ready to blow out the candles.

It was definitely different celebrating Abby's birthday this year.  Due to the blizzard, we have not left the house since Monday night.  We did do our shopping early but I had to improvise with the cake.  I made a new recipe -- Dump Cake.  It wasn't too bad for a last minute substitution!! 

Happy 10th Birthday Abby!

It is impossible to believe that my baby is turning 10 today!!  Here are several of our memories!!

Happy Birthday Abby!!

• You were born on a Saturday night.
• We left for the hospital at 8 a.m. that morning after Gramma & Grampa K. came to watch Trev.
• You looked so serious when you were born.
• They put a pink bow in your hair as soon as you were born.
• You were way too little for the beautiful white snowsuit that Gramma T. bought you!
• Trevor was amazed at you as he looked in the cradle at you.
• Trevor thought that you belonged to Gramma T. and that you should go home with her!!
• You were a good sleeper and a good eater.
• You looked absolutely adorable in your pink Winnie the Pooh hat.
• You began walking at 9 months old -- just trying to keep up with Trev!
• You were a good car rider.
• You looked so tiny in your Dad's arms.
• You are quite athletic -- you aren't afraid to try any sport and you are pretty good at many of them!
• You like school and your teachers.
• You love goofing around and playing sports with your Dad.
• You always stick up for your Mom.
• You miss Mom when she goes scrapbooking with her sisters.
• You love your brother -- even though you fight like cats and dogs!!
• You are a big Bears fan -- just like your Dad!!
• You like to be outside with your dogs and cats.
• You love to read -- just like your Mom!
• You ask tons of questions....all the time!!
• You like to know all about the past -- you will be the next family historian.
• You love spending time with your family.
• You are so happy to have a cell phone -- and you are pretty responsible for it (except for the recent JC Penney incident!!).
• You enjoy visiting Mom's sisters in Chicago.
• You remind me of a city mouse/country mouse -- you enjoy the best of both worlds.
• You do tend to yell more and more often!!
• You take the longest showers -- we may have to get a timer for you.
• You love taking care of your "baby cousins."
• You look up to your older cousins.
• You wanted to be "one of the boys" in Shelbyville -- you took off your shirt, just like the boys!
• You stayed up later than everyone else on our first night in the pop-up camper.
• You love fishing and catching frogs while camping.
• You gave us quite a scare when you crashed your bike -- we learned what the inside of the Shelbyville hospital looks like!
• You have a sweet tooth.
• You just informed me that you are not a cake person -- I can't believe that you are related to me!!

Happy Birthday Abby!!  We look forward to many more exciting years :)

Love,

Mom and Dad

Digging Out

This is our snowblower!

Jim blowing out the lane so we can drive somewhere soon!

Playing in the Snow

  The kids had fun playing on the piles and the dogs loved it that the kids came out!

2011 Blizzard -- Day 2, Wednesday, 8 a.m.

My kitchen window

Looking out the front door towards the road

Normally I can see the stopsign from my front door.

It didn't seem as bad as we thought it would be.  The wind is still howling so we will see what today brings!

2011 Blizzard -- Day 1, Tuesday, 5 p.m.

The storm has gotten a lot worse very quickly!!

2011 Blizzard -- Day 1, Tuesday, 2 p.m.

They say that this is going to be a blizzard to remember so I am going to document it the best that I can -- remember that my internet is bounced off a grain bin so it may become quite difficult!!  As of 2 p.m., here are the pictures of the storm from my front door.

Happy Birthday Bec!

My youngest sister Bec turns 34 today!!  Happy Birthday Bec!!

My favorite "Bec" moments....

• She always changed her mind about which candy bar she wanted in the checkout lane -- she always wanted the same kind as me -- even if she didn't like it!
• The 1st time we went camping, we had to walk to the pay phone every night to call mom -- even though the rest of her family was with her!!
• She used to love rubbing my feet!
• Her hair always looks great.
• Her nails were constantly "wet" from being painted .... especially when it was time to carry in the groceries.
• In the summer, her hair looked like Billy Idol's because it was so blond.
• She has always had "angel kisses."
• She was a fish in the water -- constantly swimming under the water and never wanting to come out.
• She loved to drink hot Tang as a kid.
• She would go to McDonald's and only eat fries.
• "Oh my gosh!!  Look at that big dent in the limo!!"
• She has known Jim since she was 14!!  WOW!!
• She got blamed for rubbing chocolate into Dad's backseat of his new car -- until Dad realized that Jim actually did it and then it was all okay.
• She will do something when you least expect it and it will shock you -- like singing in front of a group of people in Florida!!
• Not everyone can have 2 apartments for the price of 1!!
• She would get out of bed to turn on the hot water in her shower, jump back in bed, and wait for the water to warm up.
• She will go on endless journeys with me to find the perfect cupcake -- we will find it eventually!
• We enjoyed sipping wine in Napa Valley.
• She never missed out on Girls' Weekend in Door County -- even when she lived in California.
• She is an amazing mom with endless patience.
• She is a wonderful sister and I treasure the time I spend with her!!

Happy Birthday Bec  :)