HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LUKE!!

Just nine years ago today, I looked like this...



Ugh. I can't believe I'm posting this picture. Everything on my body was swollen or puffy! I remember that I was a week overdue with my third child and very uncomfortable!! The grandparents were both here because one gramma had already stayed with me for a week and the next gramma was starting her shift. After a long afternoon of trick or treating, we decided to take everyone out for dinner at a local resaturant. That's just when my labor started....at the restaurant, during dinner, with everyone there. Luke wanted to make a GRAND entrance.

Mr. LUKE THOMAS PETERSON came into the world at 10:45 p.m. with the cord wrapped around his neck 3 times and weighing in at a whopping 9 pounds, 6 oz. Ouch!!
We just love him SO much and we are celebrating his 9th birthday today!!

Here he is today (last night, actually) with his mini packer helmet that he won at his football awards banquet. It's signed by Packer player #89, James Jones. He was handing out trophies and participation certificates at the banquet.

State Testing

Andrew is going through "state testing" for sophomores at school the next few days. The school urges that students get plenty of sleep this week and eat a "good" breakfast. I think this is not only a good breakfast, but a good "attitude" breakfast. What do you think?? Jill

A nice, extended weekend

We had a long weekend due to Teacher Convention , so we took off for the "Chalet" on Friday! Nights were full of resting, relaxing with a fire in the fireplace,playing games, watching movies...



Days were full of watching Bella's new hobby....catching flies in the window..


eating "chalet" doughnuts...


long walks on the cart paths...


a trip to the dog park, and Bella's first experience with the lake which lead to this...


We woke up Sunday morning to this.... temperatures BELOW freezing....





It was a great time.... Jill

Fall Beauty

Although the weather man says that our leaves are "past peak," we still have God's beauty all around us. We just love living here! Take a look...
Jill

I'm Waiting...

Hi again. This is Bella, the new doggie. My family is really strange sometimes. Last Sunday, they pulled everything out of the garage and started throwing things away. They were even trying to sweep things OUT of the garage. Hello? Do they not know that I like to have leaves in the garage...they're so fun to chase when the wind blows them!!

Mom opened the doors to the car and started spraying stuff on the seats to wipe them clean. Hey, they were starting to smell really good to me and now they smell "fresh."

Mom left the car doors open so I thought maybe she MIGHT go somewhere so I decided to get in and wait for her.


I got a little bored waiting so I jumped into the backseat...but I got myself stuck. But I could still see out of the back!




Oh shoot, I really don't think they're going anywhere...but I can still supervise and keep track of everyone from here. I'll just rest my eyes for a minute....



Teacher Convention-so the kids are home today and tomorrow!! Jill

Wordless Wednesday - Luke practicing spelling words

Middle School Dance

On Friday afternoon from 3:15 until 6:00, I spent my time at our local school, chaperoning the dance. I figured that I would walk around with my ruler, making sure that these 6th, 7th and 8th graders were staying 12 inches apart on the dance floor. Well, to my surprise, I didn't have to do much of anything-- I did, however, have to walk up to a gentleman who had another in a headlock and ask him "Is that a new dance move?" That's all it took to break up the aggression!! By working at the dance, I've figured out the formula for having a successful one. Here goes...

Have plenty of caffeine to drink...

Eat lots of sugar...

and have lots of LOUD music...

and throw in a few "Twist contests"


Slow dances.. (with your friends)


The Hokey Pokey...


and a little of this when you don't want to dance...


The D.J. did a good job of playing a variety of music, although there were a few songs that I couldn't, just couldn't dance to.....where only a head bob would work. (I just don't understand some of these "rap" songs.)

In the end, my son asked me to dance, which was the highlight of the night for me...and I did dance....a little. It was a good time...I would do it again!! Jill

Highlights

Oh Boy, I would have to say that we were blessed with another beautiful weekend full of sun and warmish temperatures...and those darned chinese beetles!! Here are a few highlights from our weekend...

Mom chaperoned Ben's middle school dance on Friday night...


The kids spent time in the backyard catching leaves as they flew off the trees...



It was also time to clean out that garage...it took ALL afternoon!!


and we always have time for doggie lovin'...

Happy Monday!!! Jill

Someone's watching

When I had little kids at home, I was used to little people following me wherever I went...including the bathroom. Well, now that the kids are ALL in school, you would think that I could use the bathroom in peace...

YOU WOULD THINK... (don't gross out--I wasn't really using it that time) Jill

The Pumpkin Farm

Last Saturday was a gorgeous day and John needed to get some work done at the computer so the kids and I ventured to the local pumpkin farm.

Here's a shot of the kids when they sat down for a minute on the hay bales... (I think we should have worn sunglasses)


Anna made a new friend...


Luke found something cool. "Hey, look guys, you pump the pedal and water comes out."



The boys got lost in here for about 30 minutes...


so we had lots of time to do this...


and this...


I had then planned to get everyone a caramel apple until I saw the LONG line and the incredible price...$3.75 per apple. Just then, words came out of my mouth as if they were my very own mother's.... "I could make that!" I retorted to my kids. So we left, hungry, but with lots of fun memories!! Jill

Wordless Wednesday- First fire in fireplace this Fall

The Tea Party

Anna celebrated her 6th birthday by having a few friends over for a tea party. The girls played really well together.
Some played "house." Can you guess which ones are the doggies???


Some friends played "Loving family house."


I sent John and the boys away, so the girls wouldn't chase around a certain boy in our house!!


We made some crafts and then had our tea party. Can you believe that the girls didn't have a burping contest or a tooting contest, like we've had at many "boy" parties?? Imagine the nice change for me!! Heaven!!


I think the party was a success!! I like girl parties!! Jill

Weekend

We had a TON of fun this weekend, and here are some highlights....
Out for dinner on Friday..


Family Movie night at our house...We watched "Surf's Up" (Notice Andrew's seat)


Which started a new bad habit for the dog....ooops


Had a very fun trip to the pumpkin farm...


and celebrated Anna's birthday with her friends...


Stay tuned tomorrow for pictures of the girlie tea party!!! Jill

Training

It has just now occurred to my boys that basketball season is right in front of us. Andrew will be helping John coach the 7th grade boys basketball team at our middle school and he decided that he and the boys would start their training program. They all started jogging over to and through the next subdivision.
Here is the winner...


Here are the other two. Andrew, being the excellent big brother, hung back with Luke, the asthma boy, because he knew that Luke shouldn't be alone, walking on a busy street.


Then Ben had to get some doggie lovin'...


and this girl, despite the smile, did NOT appreciate the yummy dinner I made last night....meatloaf, mashed potatoes (I peeled 12 potatoes for them), and corn on the cob. No ice cream before bed for her!!! naughty!


Have a great weekend! Jill

Can you feel the love???

When Andrew gets home from school, he really enjoys laying on the floor and playing with the dog. I caught this tender moment after the "wrestle." A boy and his dog...it can't get any better than that!! Jill