Earth Day 2010

After all the winter snow melted and a few windy days, I've noticed a tree line by our house that had a LOT of trash.  Every time we pass it, I mention to the kids that someone should be out there picking up all that trash.  Well, today on Earth Day I packed some rubber gloves, four trash bags, our boots, long pants and some bug spray.  We were the ones to go out and pick up the trash!

 

There's a little bit more.........back into the woods we go! Brady is having a GREAT time...you can tell by the look on his face! :)

 

After about 20 minutes of dodging thorn bushes and swiping ticks off our legs and loading four bags of trash, the fun was over.  We drove by the tree line again and we were proud that we improved the view.  We were not able to get it all, but the next time we have nothing to do and /  or the kids are "bored", I now know what we can do!

Happy Earth Day! 

What did you do?

Take Your Dog (and Child) To Work Day

Today, Cole joined me to experience the life of a middle school Spanish teacher.  We even had a guest speaker in class...Señor Archibald Strickler joined us as well.  He was such a good boy, he stayed in his "spot" and didn't even bother my students.  We dressed him up and he laid there like the role model student.  I think I'm going to look into dog modeling or acting.....  Cole was a good boy too! :)

Food, Tadpoles, Flowers, Toes & Face

Food

 

Last week, Brian and the kids made my favorite and most delicious dinner for my birthday!  Steak on the grill loaded with mushrooms and onions (I could eat the entire bowl of sautéed mushrooms and onions), fresh green beans and mash potatoes! Delish!

 

Tadpoles

 

We are trying again with another set of tadpoles.  It's a great at home science experiment for the kids.  It's takes about 6 months for the entire process of tadpole to frogs.  See a picture of our last experiment of our tadpole to bullfrog Bff below and visit his obituary at the link below:

http://thejaxn5.blogspot.com/2009/06/in-memory-of-bff.html

BFF our (Bull Frog Forever)

 

Flowers & Toes

 

Last Friday, these were delivered to me at school :)

Alyssa and I love all the spring flowers.  Thankfully, her and I don't have allergies (like Cole and Brian) and we are able to enjoy the colorful spring colors and walk in the fresh green grass barefoot!

Face

One of my favorite faces to look at each day!  How can you just not love those wrinkles, the under bite, the teeth, the posture....beautiful Archibald Strickler!

Riding Paca Pacas

We went horse back riding recently with Brady and some of the newest members of his scout troop.  I believe this is the first time that any of us were actually in charge of a horse all on our own.  I remember riding paca pacas in Guatemala when I was little, but I never had full control.  It was so COOL!  Brady wants to celebrate his 13th birthday at this farm, Marmon Valley Farms!  The party is in the planning stages.....

Safety first...posing with our helmets.  I really hope they disinfect these things....

Brady riding Chase:

 

Cole riding Maverick:

I'm on Peanut :) He reminded me of Archibald :)

Easter 2010

Cole's stain glass cross he made in Sunday school (PSR):

Alyssa's Easter party at school:

Cole's dyed Easter eggs.  He is always thinking about others, he made one for all of us. :)

 

Archie searching for a treat in Brian's Easter basket...so sorry Archibald, the Easter Bunny forgot about you this year :(

Too much sun for them to continue taking pictures....one more with the family....even if it's out of focus it will be the last one promise......

....and it's out of focus...but I promised them only one last one...but don't you just love my Archibald Stickler?  What a perfect dog....oh and the kids look cute too!

An early birthday celebration:

Not so funny....but this was the year I was born.