Rain

I cannot believe the amount of rain we have had in the last month! I love it! I am looking forward to some sunshine though. We are enjoying our weekend at home. I love conference weekend. Today will be filled with family time, yummy food, great speakers, and dessert with friends. Yesterday I cleaned and did laundry so that I can relax today. Saturday is the special day....
I love the feeling of every piece of clothing (except the ones we are wearing) being washed, dried, and put away! Ahhhhh.... I finally broke down and used my dryer for the first time in 6 months!!! With all the rain we have been having hanging my clothes out back has not been an easy task. Between rain and working I was so far behind so I broke down and used the dryer. 7 loads later it is all done, yay!!! I'm going to make pumpkin bread today I sure hope it turns out yummy. I'm going to use the Heartland receipe so it should be fabulous.

Saturdays With My Family Are The BEST!!!

I'm sitting here exhausted from a long but good day. I love Saturdays, there is nothing better then spending time with my family! We started the day with going to the Pecan Festival in Mansfield. It was so much fun. We called my mom and invited her along and we are glad she came. There were all kinds of company booths and games for Jacob to play. Of course they had yummy food, Kevin got a turkey leg and Jacob had a corn dog. They had a "car show" too. I put that in quotes because I think there might have been 10 cars, but it was still fun. The weather could of been cooler with it being autumn and all but it is Texas. Tomorrow it is supposed to be so hot and then cool off again, lets hope that happens. I'm a little sunburned from being outside for so many hours but I can't complain I like a good tan! After that we came home to make dinner before Kevin left for work. We had cheese, avocado, and bean quesadillas, they were yummy! The rest of the day was spent being lazy around the house with a little clean up by yours truly so that when I wake up in the morning my house is clean, love that feeling. My back in all of its glory was out this week. It started hurting Sunday and by Wednesday I could not walk which also meant I couldn't work. Kevin took the day off and cared for me (isn't he the best) with a call to the doctor for some serious drugs (pain meds, muscle relaxer, and steroids) I am feeling much better. I had my back checked out before and they always say they don't see anything, well I don't know what that exactly means so I think my doctor is going to do some more testing, we shall see, this is a really long run on sentence. Well like I have said in my last few posts I AM LOVING MY JOB!!! I am learning all kinds of stuff again that I have forgotten since I was in 6th grade. I go to a 6th grade classroom twice during the day for Social Studies and Science and I tell you what I must not remember half of what I was taught. I get to work with some amazing kiddos and some amazing teachers. I see Jacob a few times during the day, which I love and for now he does too. Well I am off to lay on the couch and watch some TV. I am looking forward to a hopefully relaxing Sunday, I don't think I have any meetings and I haven't been asked to sub yet.... yay!!!

Here are a few (OK maybe more) pictures from some of what we did this summer.

Fossil Rim was SO MUCH FUN!!! We loved it and we can't wait to go back again. You buy a bag of food at the beginning and you can drive through the park at your own pace. Halfway through there is a gift shop, restaurant, petting zoo, and hiking trail. We loved feeding all the animals and it was so neat to have them so close to you, especially the giraffes.

At the end of our trip he lost another tooth. He lost his fourth this past Tuesday, I'm thinking he will probably need braces if his teeth look anything like mine did.

Our trip to Medieval Times was also a lot of fun. They had a special Scout discount and day for all Cub and Boy Scouts. We took advantage of the discount and we are so glad that we did, Jacob loved it. He even got to go in the arena with all of the other scouts and learn how to sword fight and be knighted.

Our trip to the beach was great. While there we went to a place called Gator Country. It is home to the largest alligator in captivity. We also went to where one of the first oil wells was in Texas. They had a little "town" all set up like it would have been many years ago.

Jacob loved holding the baby alligator.

Sydney, Serene, Abbie, Melissa, Jacob, and I at the oil place. Sydney loved wearing Jacob's goggles, she didn't want to take them off.

Jacob and Sydney playing in the ocean. Jacob is so good with her and she LOVES Jacob. While they were visiting every time Sydney would see Jacob she would get so excited. She is seriously one of the cutest kids in the world and she has a great personality, we love her!

Now that Jacob is 8 he is having so much fun in Cub Scouts. Here is at the Pack Meeting where he received his Bobcat Award.

Jacob mowed the lawn for the first time a few weeks ago. I think Kevin is anxious to teach him so he can pass this job onto him.

First day of 3rd grade, how did my baby grow so fast?

Jacob and Daisy being lazy on the couch.

Well I guess that is probably enough pictures! All is well here with us. It has been raining for 2 days straight and I love it. We haven't had this much rain in a long time. I am LOVING my new job. I feel so blessed to have it. Kevin is still loving his job. He is going to Indiana for another business trip this week. This will complete his training for becoming a District Supervisor. Hopefully 2010 will bring him a promotion. Jacob is loving 3rd grade and he has a great teacher. Life is good.

Summer List

I know shock right? I'm actually posting it has been over 2 months. Blame it on Facebook I spend too much time on there and none blogging. Well I would be here for days trying to catch up on our summer so in no particular order here is a list of what we did this summer, I might add pictures later :)
1. Spent many days laying around the house watching TV and playing Wii.
2. I went to girls camp as a stake leader over the YCL's, had so much fun and made new friends.
3. Kevin took a weeks vacation and we stayed home. I really loved this!
4. Went to Medieval Times.
5. Jacob and I did Cub Scout Camp.
6. Went to Fossill Rim which is an animal park that you drive through and the animals (all kinds of deer, giraffes, ostriches, zebras, and much more) come right up to your window and you fee them.
7. Kevin went on a man trip with Grandpa Quinn, Brandon, and BJ. They headed down to South Padre and camped way out on the beach in the middle of no where.
8. Jacob and I went on a girls and kids trip with Grandma Quinn, Serene, Melissa, Sydney, and Abbie. We went to the beach, Gator Country, and visited one of the original oil rigs in Texas.
9. Kevin and Jacob went to Six Flags for a day.
10. Visited our family in McKinney and went swimming with cousins.
11. I started selling Pampered Chef again which I love!
12. I was hired to be a Teacher Assistant in Resource at Jacob's school.
13. Spent a lot of time with some of my amazing friends and their kiddos.
14. Racked up a huge electric bill...TX is HOT!!!

I'm sure there is more that I am forgetting. It truly was a great summer. We are now busy with school. I love my new job!!! I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to work with such great kids each day. I guess that is it for now, I really need to be better about blogging!!!

Camping

Last month we went camping to Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, TX. We had so much fun!!! We went with our friends the Koenigs and the Boyers. Jacob loves camping and he loved it even more this time because he was not the only kid. The kids had so much fun playing and exploring. We only went for one night but we decided that next time we have to go for at least 2. All of the prep and setting up is a lot for only 1 night. I loved this park because even though it was Memorial Day weekend it was not too busy, they only have around 40 campsites. We roasted hot dogs and smores for dinner and breakfast was egg, cheese, bacon, and sausage omelets. The guys did a great job making breakfast. After we were all packed up we headed over to the river bed where you can walk around and look at dinosaur tracks and play in the water. My goal was to walk down the river with only getting my legs wet (it wasn't that deep) ya well not only did I fall in once but twice! It was so much fun and Jacob loved it! We will definitely be going there again.

Kevin and Scott setting up tents. Jacob loved playing with the fire.

Court, Hil, and I. I love these girls!!!

Scott and Courtney. Hilary and Bryan.

Kevin and I. The kids decided to make grilled watermelon. I was the lucky first customer of this great creation. I bit into a big crunch of dirt and so they decided to cook it on a skewer instead of a dirty stick. Luckily everyone else had dirt free watermelon.

Jordan and Camden...my friends sure do have cute kiddos.

Beckam, he was a little surprised by my picture taking.

The guys making breakfast...yummy!

Jacob loved hanging out in this tree.

All of us!!!

My sweet boy.

Dinosaur tracks. Walking in the river bed.

Playing in the river. Jacob, Cara, Brinley, and Ashlyn.

The kids and Daisy in front of a Dinosaur.

All of our T-Rex's.

Gardening...my newest obsession!

So I still have not posted about our camping trip over Memorial Day weekend...I will eventually. I am off to girls camp tomorrow so I just wanted to post real quick (for those of you on Facebook you may have already seen these...I'm sorry) the most beautiful vegetables in the whole world. That's right these are straight out of our very first garden.

We have already picked 5 yellow squash out and there are many more about to be ready. I have been keeping an eye on the green summer squash (so I thought) and there are a ton of flowers but I didn't see any squash...until today.
I must have missed this one, obviously. I think it is a little too big, but o'well. There is another one that is much smaller that I will have to watch more closely. We are going to grill us some squash tonight, YAY!!! I can't wait for the cucumbers and cantaloupe to show up.

The Longest Post Ever (mostly pictures)

Where do I even start? I guess I will try to catch up all in one post....this should be a long one with a lot of pictures!!!

We had a nice Easter. I even attempted to make a cute cake. I ran out of frosting so it is not all covered but you get the idea. Our family came over and Jacob and his cousins had an indoor Eater egg hunt because of the rain.

I turned this picture but for some reason it did not want to turn when I blogged it.

Coloring eggs. The Easter Bunny always hides Jacob's basket, this year it was in the dryer.

More Bakugan...just what he needed.

Addyson and Jacob looking everywhere. Addyson found the egg with $5 in it!

We did a garden this year and it is GROWING beautifully. Yesterday I spotted five tiny tomatoes and one yellow squash, yay!!! We are growing cantaloupe, cucumbers, yellow squash, green squash, lettuce, and tomatoes. Now that we know we can grow a garden we will add another one next year.

The beginning. Jacob helping, that only lasted a few minutes.

Kevin hard at work. After a long day here is what it looked like.

Stuff is starting to grow! I was so excited when I saw the first little plant sprout up.

Here it is growing some more.

My cute little squash and tomatoes.

I am still hanging my clothes on the line, I have not used my drier since April 4th. I love it and I am saving money. I haven't figured out exactly how much because we started using the AC and we switched electric companies. I am estimating around $50 - $60 a month!!!

May has been a crazy busy month (hence no updated blog posts) that started off wonderfully. Jacob turned 8 on May 1st and was baptized on May 2nd. We had a lot of family and friends there to support him on his big day. His baptism was perfect and could not have gone any better. His Grandma Cameron spoke about Baptism and his Grandma Quinn spoke about the Holy Ghost. After he was dressed in his white clothes he said to me, "mom this is going to be the best day of my life." He was so excited and we were so excited for him. It was a great day for our family.

His birthday started out with Grandma Quinn bringing him cake for breakfast.

We gave Jacob a new set of scriptures for his birthday and baptism. Grandma and Grandpa Frainee sent Jacob this towel for his baptism.

My two favorite guys!

Addyson, Kendyl, Kaitlyn, and Kelcie sang "When I Am Baptized" it was so sweet to hear them sing they did a great job!

Jacob and us. Jacob and Mrs. Wyman (2nd grade teacher), we were so happy that she came to his baptism.

Jacob and his cousins. Abbie, Kelcie, Addyson, Jacob, Kendyl, Kensey, Kaitlyn, Ethan, and Paige. Ken and his girls drove from TN. We were so happy to have them!

Jacob with Grandma and Grandpa Quinn.

My brother BJ and his wife Melissa and their daughter Abbie. Jacob with Jarrett and Grandma Cameron.

Jacob with Wendy, Dave, Addyson, Ethan, and Paige. Jacob with Sister Hemingway.

Grandpa and Ala. Jacob with the Manns, Boyers, and Koenigs.

If you look closely you can see Sean's black anklet socks that he wore with his church pants. Brittany did not notice until they were already in the car on the way to the baptism. I had to include this picutre because it makes me laugh.

After his baptism was his birthday party. He couldn't decide between Pokemon and Bakugan so we had a Pokemon vs. Bakugan themed party. Unfortunately it was raining so everything was indoors but it was still tons of fun.

The cake, this was the first year Kevin and I didn't make Jacob's birthday cake. Costco made it and we added the Pokemon and Bakugan toys. The party started before the kids arrived with a little Rock Band. That is Jacob sining, Dave drumming, and Addyson playing guitar.

Opening presents.

All the kids!

Kevin bought relighting candles but they did not relight...what a rip off.

Kensey, Kaitlyn, Kendyl, Jacob, and Kelcie underneath their blanket tent I built them in the living room. Dog piling on Jacob.

Now that Jacob is the big 8 he gets to go to Cub Scouts. He loves it!!! He looks forward to Wednesday nights and tells me all the time how much fun it is. Now with my new calling (Cub Committee Chairman) I am up at the church on Wednesdays too.

Next up in the month of May was 2nd grade field day! Kevin and I always have so much fun watching Jacob participate in field day, he looks forward to it every year. He walked away with first place in buddy boards and his class received 2nd place in tug-o-war.

Jacob and Kevin

All of 2nd grade did tye-dye shirts. I helped Jacob's class make them so I made one too.

Jacob and Daddy. Jacob and Mrs. Wyman.

Fireman carry. 50 yard dash.

Balloon toss. Tug-o-war.

Can I just say that I am so happy that there is no school tomorrow! During all of this I have been subbing every day. I am doing 5th grade Social Studies through the last day of school, fun but busy!!! This coming weekend we are driving to TN to see Kendyl get baptized. We are so excited to be with family again, it is always so much fun!

We walked into Costco the other day and the Michelin Man was there, I had to get a picture.

We went camping this weekend. We went to Dinosaur Valley State Park. We went with the Boyers and Koenigs and we had so much fun! We love camping and can't wait to do it again. Those pictures will have to wait for another post, hopefully tomorrow.