August, 2014

Hey folks!  School is in "mostly" full swing.  I think we are all still adjusting to the routine.  The boys love their new schools and teachers.  Jacob is in 3rd grade and his homework level has doubled :(  But - he's not complaining and he's doing great!  Jacob also started taking piano lessons.  He has had 2 lessons and he really enjoys it and is doing well.

In other news....I started my own business this week!  It's an errand running service for locals around here.  I've had 1 client so far :)  I am currently passing out flyers/brochures and am trying to gain clients.  I also started a Facebook page for the business.  This is new territory for me so I'm quite nervous - but really hope it does well as I sure don't like sitting around the house and I really don't want to go back to an office setting.  
my business:  All Around Errands
Jacob and daddy in their first duet:  Duet #1  and their 2nd (this one features Ryan vs. the pillows) Duet #2
I tried to just load the videos here - but was having trouble so you can view them from the facebook link for now.

On to September!

Back to School!

Here we go!  Another school year has begun.  Ryan has started at Lee Co. Pre-K and Jacob is in 3rd grade at Twin Oaks Elementary School.  They both had a great first day and are excited about everything.  Jacob was most excited about the fact that at his new school, he has a choice at lunch time between 2 items.  He also loves his music teacher!  Ryan was excited to see his little buddy Logan who is a foster child that goes to church with us.    They love to play together.  Ryan also likes the playground and his teachers.  Hank went back to school too - but I didn't make a cute chalkboard sign for him.....

From Texas to tree houses to matching tee shirts to Tarpon Springs.....What a summer 2014 has been!

WOW, where to begin.  This may be the most traveled summer we've ever had.  We started off in early June with KidzBlast at our church (VBS).  And, yes, it was a blast!  The following week, we loaded up the van and headed on a 2-day trek towards Texas to visit with the Texas Carters.  We all had a blast swimming and eating (the 2 things we seem to do when we are there).  It was great to get together as always.  Already looking forward to next time :)

After a week in Texas, we headed to Louisiana to visit with Papaw & Grandma.  They were beyond excited to see us and dad had a special project planned for the week.  In just a few days we built a tree house for the boys!  It was a fun project and great memories were made.

We returned home from Louisiana after being gone for 2 weeks.  We stayed home for about 5 days and then we hit the road again for PA.  21 members of the family headed to Allentown, PA to Bear Creek Mountain Resort to celebrate Great Aunt Phyllis' 90th birthday!  We all had such a great time and I think we are all awaiting her 95th birthday so we can have another big party.

 

After our 2-day trek home from PA (which was a beautiful drive there and back!) we enjoyed some rest for a few days.  Hank took a week and went back to work for one of his camps.  Sadly on the day we left to head for PA, we learned that Nana Jan had passed away.  A service was planned for her in mid July.  So after a few weeks home, we took a 3 day weekend trip to Tarpon Springs/Palm Harbor to visit with Umpah and attend her memorial service.  

Here is Ryan after our quick trip to the beach after being in the car 6 hours prior.  We made the most of our 3 days in FL that's for sure!

And now, as I type this, we are 3 days from the first day of school for BOTH the boys!  Yes, Ryan will start Pre-K and Jacob will be in 3rd grade.  This will be a new routine for all of us and a huge change for me as this will be the first time in 8 years that I have no boys at home.  I sure will miss my peanut as we've made some fun memories these 4 years  at home.  He is beyond excited to go to "big boy" school and I know he will do great!  

And lastly, today is our 13th Anniversary!  We are celebrating by going to one of our favorite restaurants tonight.