The 80's Are Back!

Well there is officially only four more days until school starts. The shopping is mostly done and what the kids don't have now they will have to wait until after the first day.Has anyone else noticed that the cost of back to school clothes has increased every year. Maybe it is not so much that I noticed before but now that I have a Middle School-er in my house now it seems that the cost of everything has gone up. It could be that the cheap Walmart items that were good before are no longer acceptable. Now he wants the name brand of everything. We have had to make compromises. No skulls on t-shirts. He will not be looking like a hoodlum.
I don't quite remember this happening to me when I was in school. Maybe it was because I lived in a very small town and you had to drive 1.5 hours away just to get to a mall. The closest store there was was Walmart.

I do remember having to have a pair of Jordache pants with the bow and zipper on the back of the leg. Do you remember those? Well ladies and gents.They are making a come back! As a matter of fact I found Andrea a pair. They are so cute!As soon as she wears them I will make sure that I post a picture of them.
I so remember those jeans not to mention the peg fold,stirrup pants,slouch socks,and my favorite leg warmers.
What are some of the favorite styles that are coming back in style are you going to dig in your closet to find?

Ti Chi and Sloths

Back and Reconnected

Well after being disconnected from all of the technology I have to say that being away really sucks. I could live without cable and maybe even the telephone. But, take away the computer and internet I have gone completely crazy! This is my lifeline. IT is the way that I stay connected with my friends and family.
I am so happy that we have our service back. Some great things did get accomplished.

1. All of the laundry was done.
2. The house was cleaned and de-cluttered.
3. I lost 6 pounds because my behind wasn't planted in one spot.
4. The kids and I had some great fun at the pool. ( Which we are going to continue to do)
5. We visited the library checked out movies and books for free. I think I read 2 books the other day.
6. Lastly, Bill is much happier because I have been doing all of the chores he hasn't had to do as many. ( I still refuse to take out the trash!)

All in all it hasn't been all that terrible. Except for the times when the kids go to bed and the house is completley quiet. That is the time when I don't quite know what to do with myself. I am so glad to be back!

He's off!

Today was the day that I had to drop Mike off for wrestling camp. Let me just say this now.... I am toatlally freaking out! There doesn't seem to be any chaperone's to make sure they get from place to place on the college campus. First of all. They put Mike on a floor with a bunch of college guys. Hoping to move him down a floor with kids more his age later on this evening. He is suppose to move himself eeek! We got the map and we walked him over to the dining hall for dinner. By then he had ran into 2 Middle school kids from our town. Thank God someone he knows! At that point he really wanted me to leave and being a good mom I did. I sooooo wanted to stick around to make sure that everything went smooth and that he made it to the next location safely. Bill pretty much dragged me out of there. By the time we got home there was a message on my answering machine," Mom, mom are you there?I have my key stuck in the door and I can't get it out. Can someone help me?" So I promptly call him back but he doesn't answer! OMG!!!!
I am happy to report that I haven't cried nor did I cry when I left him there.
Oh it is going to be a long couple of days! Please pray for me!!

Their Courage

Their courage deems utmost respect Their mission clear, our way protect It’s sure to each what they must do No give or take, keep freedom true With the grand old flag, they'll unite Whenever they must, march to fight A life we know counts hard on them Without their ranks, hellish problem If our Armed Forces ceased to be How long could we survive as free Let’s well realize the truthful score We need our troops just like before Boils down to this, words to engrave Land of The Free, Due to The Brave God Bless each one for being there Their loved ones too, unending care Hope born from love touches the will Do back them strong, means to fulfill Americans – Who Serve To Give One Nation – Under God We Live ©2005Roger J. Robicheau

Camping Trip

Here are a few pictures from our camping trip from over the weekend. We all had a good time. Mike even caught a fish,gutted,and, cooked it himself. Can we say :puke! Andrea got a little sun burned on her face. Poor kid. Enjoy the photos!.





The campground that we stay out fosters 2 alpaca's during the summer time. Here are the 2 for this summer. Check out Hog Heaven. Which adopts unusual animals.

Just wanted to say Happy Father's day honey. You are such an awesome dad! Not only to our child but to mine as well. You are such a great man . You make me fall in love with you all over again every day.

Ok enough of the mushy stuff you still have dishes to do and laundry to put away. No rest for the weary. LOL

Summer is here!

There really isn't anything new to report. We have been busy with just everyday things. Mike has his first of two wrestling summer camps this week. This one is being run by the wrestling team that he is on. Just a day camp. It starts on Wednesday and goes till Saturday. The second one is in July and he will be going to a University near our home. It is an overnight camp and he will be there alone. Well I mean without a parent. It is the first time that Mike has tried something like this. I am nervous while he is excited. It is a week long camp. For the price he better have fun but learn something as well.

Andrea has started summer school today. It is only 2 hours 3 days out of the month. She really loves going. To see all her friends. I have a social butterfly on my hands. That is all I hear about is her friends.

We have Mike's last Cub Scout event next week. It is a weekend camp out at a campground near our house. I am one of the 2 moms that are planning it. So I will be busy all next week.
That is about all. Here are some pictures of my brother Steven's graduation.


The whole class. All 64 of them.

Summer Photo Shoot.

Why is it that when you want to take pictures of your kids that one of them has to always be trouble?Mike just didn't want to help me out. Mom do we have to? Yes you do I shout at him. Come on just give me some good shots and you can be done with it. The sooner you cooperate the sooner we can be done. Then he would give me the worst smile ever. The I'm constipated smile. I mean you are not pushing here just smile and say cheese. It didn't go as well as I had hoped but here is the fruits of my hard labor.

The Zoo and Pizza Hut

Since the end of the school year is winding down both Mike and Andrea's classes are trying to cram as many field trips in as possible. Mike hasn't had his yet and since I am the mom of a 5th grader I am not allowed to go. Not because of the school but because I have become an embarrassment to my son. I guess at the age of 11 ( or 10 if we go out to Chinese for dinner) it is not cool to hang out with Mom anymore. (Insert sad smiley from Facebook here)

Last week Andrea went to the zoo. This week she had a train ride and a trip to Pizza Hut. I forgot my camera for the train ride. What a bummer. But I do have pictures at the zoo and the Pizza Hut trip. ENJOY!!
The train at the zoo.



Going into the back of Pizza Hut.

First the sauceThen the cheese
Lots of pepperoni. Although she picks them off at home she ate them there. They must taste different when you make them yourself?


Now to devour it!

Dang it Facebook!

If you are addicted to Facebook please stand state your name and say you are a Facebook-aholic.
I will go first. Hi my name is Mandy and I am a Facebook-aholic. I haven't been keeping up with the blog like I should because I figure everyone is on Facebook and already knows what is going on with me. It's not like many of you read this thing any way. Right? That was until I checked it today and was told in a very stern text that I need to get to bloggin. So here I am Amy.

So here I am. We have been crazy busy. Bill and I took Andrea too our first ever regional. We had such a great time! It was so nice to meet all of the blog moms that we leave comments to. It was great to put names with faces. Even though I had a hard time remembering one of you. Sorry Sarah.


Andrea thought Emma was her best friend. She insisted that we go to Emma's house to see her. Meaning her hotel room. It was so nice that Andrea could come up to anyone and make friends with them. I can't believe how social she is.


While we were there we thought we would hit the museum. Even though I brought the wrong kind of shoes and my feet were killing me by the time we were finished it was well worth the pain.

Later that evening it was time to party! Andrea loves dancing. Plus not to mention she has more rhythm that I ever had.

Last but not least since Tonya decided to put a picture of me up on her blog in my swimsuit in the pool. Here is one for her. HEHEHEHE!

New Dryer

Bill surprised me and I have a new dryer coming today. YEAH! Our old one is putting holes in everything and I think the heating element is going in it. I can't wait until it gets here. I have so much laundry to do.

Have any of you started packing for Grand Rapids yet? Yeah that is why I need my dryer because all of our laundry needs to be done.

Also Bill is down at the hospital have tests done. He has been have kidney problems. So I will have to keep you updated on that.

Easter Picutres

We have been crazy busy around here. Bill went and got his kids from Michigan. We will be dropping them off on our way to Grand Rapids. Hope to see a lot of you there. In the mean time enjoy some great pics of us on Easter morning.







Handsome Austin


Heaven in her Easter clothes.


Austin with a chocolate cross that his mom made.


Mike trying to be cool.


I'm gonna shoot you!


Family picture before church. Minus Dad because he is sick.





The loot that the Easter bunny left .



Andrea with her Easter basket of goodies.

Andrea in her pretty Easter dress.

Five years ago this month I lost my mom to a brain aneurysm. She was 42 years old. It was one week before I got to bring Andrea home from the NICU. She would have been so proud to be her grandmother.
Mommy I miss you so much.

Reservations are made!

Well we have been talked into it. Thanks Tonya. We will be attending the Spring Regional in Grand Rapids. This will be our very first LPA event ever. We are really excited to meet everyone. It is one thing to talk to you all of the time on line but looking at you face to face is something else.
There are lots of things that will be going on while we are waiting to go. We have a Easter and then a major family event going on the same week we leave for regional. Everyone will be excited and happy.
Mike will not be traveling with us this time. He had already made plans to stay with one of his friend for the weekend. So it will just be Bill, Andrea, and I.
Grand Rapids is a 8 hour drive from where we live so we will be leaving bright and early in the morning to get there on time for the events.
Can't wait to see you all there!