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I don't know why but my pictures won't upload to my blog. I have an awesome post and I tried 6 times last night and 3 times this morning and I can't get it to work!! Stay posted!!

Our new piece of dirt!!

Today we signed the papers to buy Jim's new farm!! When you buy a house or a car, you always get a set of keys!! I decided that Jim should get a present when buying his new farm....some dirt from his farm!!

(I'm sorry you can't see the awesome pictures of Jim but I have been trying since Thursday and they won't post!!)

Gymnastics

Abby started going to Red Hot "On the Go" Gymnastics in September. She loves it and has learned so much in the past 2 months. Sometimes she actually scares me....she is currently learning how to do a back handspring!!

Wii

Our competitive child, Abby, loves playing the Wii...especially when she wins!! She is pretty good at baseball, bowling, and boxing!! As I am working around the house, I can hear screams of "YEAH!!!" vibrating from our living room! It is even more fun when Jim joins the two kids and I sometimes have to break up the arguments!!

Soo Bahk Do

This fall, Trevor started Soo Bahk Do -- a form of Korean martial arts. He goes to class in Clifton two days a week with his friend David. The teacher is Master Cooper (a woman!) and she is excellent with the kids. Trevor has to say "Yes, Mamm" whenever he speaks to her....now that is a practice that I would like to start at home!!

Sammi Update

I know, I know.....another animal post!! BUT this one is an important one. Sammi has been found by her owners!! On Tuesday (10/21), we got a phone call. The woman is the parent of a girl in Trevor's class. That day, riding home on the bus, the daughter saw the dog in our yard and yelled out the window, "Confetti!! Confetti!!" (Abby later told me that she heard someone yelling out the bus window but had no idea what Confetti meant!!) Sammi is really Confetti and they came and picked her up. Jim was the most devasted by the news....he had really come to enjoy Sammi!! The kids knew it was the best thing that Sammi go back to her owners but we are all missing Sammi and secretly hoping that she finds her way back to our house and our hearts!!

Trevor

On the 11th, Trevor and Poppa went to the Morton Arboretum. Trevor loves it there! He can explore and play at the same time. He is all boy!!

The Pumpkin Farm

On Friday the 10th, the kids went with Gramma and Poppa to the Pumpkin Farm in Joliet. The kids had the day off and Jim and I had to work. They had a blast (including Gramma and Poppa!!)! I am always amazed by the fact that my kids love doing "farm" things in the city too!!

Cat in a Fishtank

Leo enjoys sleeping in the empty fishtank!! Is he looking for food?!?!

October Sunset

One of the biggest reasons Jim loves the farm is the beautiful fall weather! Not everyone has this view from their front porch.

Our Country Kids

Our kids love being together and outside!! How could we ever leave the farm?!?!

Sammi

Sammi showed up at our house on Thursday night. Jim, having a soft spot for animals, fed her and she is still with us on Sunday!! We are going to try and find out if someone is looking for her. If not, I guess we are the proud owners of 3 dogs!!

Our Little Mermaid

We aren't really sure if Abby likes the boat or just LOVES being in the water. Sometimes she reminds me of another mermaid I grew up with...my sister Rebecca!!

THE Pontoon Boat

We bought a pontoon boat in the winter 08. Jim, my dad, and our friend Joe stripped the entire boat down and rebuilt the floor and carpeting of the boat. It was a ton of work but we finally took the boat on the lake on Labor Day weekend!! The boat floated and the kids had a blast!! I am still learning how to take the boat out of the water (without hitting things!). Thank goodness Jim drives large equipment for a living. Here are a few pictures of the boat building and the kids swimming in the lake off the boat!! Stay tuned next Spring and Summer for lots more boat pictures!!

We're Back!!

Great news....we can post on our blog again!! We are here and will be updating soon!! Keep checking back. Also, there will be more than just animal pictures in the future! As you know, I, personally, am not the biggest animal lover, but the people I live with (Jim and the kids) are. Therefore, be patient with the animal pictures and realize that they are a big part of our life! Thanks for reading!!

Leo and JoJo

Okay. This is the last (for now!) of the animal pictures. These are our two latest additions....Leo and JoJo. Leo is the dark cat and belongs to Trevor and JoJo is the light cat and belongs to Abby. We have had the cats for about one month and the kids love them....even the dogs love them!! Abby is very attached to the cats -- she will even climb a tree to save them from the dogs.

Abby and Maggie

Since it was Abby's idea to have the blog, it is only fitting that she has a picture in it. This is our other dog Maggie. She is a black lab and turned 1 in August. She is actually Trevor's dog and loves the kids. She follows them everywhere!! She even enjoys swimming in the creek!

Animal Love!

As you can see, I am new to this. That is why you are looking at the picture sideways!! This is our dog Cocoa. It is actually Abby's dog. She is a chocolate lab and turned 1 at the end of April.

Sunday Combining!!

Not everyone can say that they spend Sunday afternoons in a combine!! Jim has been very busy and the kids love riding with him. I just take the pictures because I am VERY allergic to the beans!!

1st Day of School

Abby is starting 2nd grade and Trevor is in 4th grade this year. This is the first year that they will be in different schools in different cities!!