One tub of 1st grade

It's that time of year where I organize & sort all of Alexis' school papers. I only keep 1 tub of stuff from each year. I throw everything into the tub during the school year and boy does it add up fast. The tub was overflowing months ago and that didn't include all her art projects that were in a different pile. So this morning I decided to start sorting it all out.

Here's the mess of papers that I was sorting. I forgot to take a picture of all her art projects.

Alexis holding the tub that everything must fit in to. I did end up throwing away about 3/4 of a trash bag full of stuff.

I could not believe it fit and even had some extra room. You can tell half of the tub is art projects from the colored construction paper.

Alexis is now an author!

Alexis wrote a story and had her book published. The book is called The Lost Horse. It is about a horse named Shine who is lost and is looking for a place to live. I went to visit Alexis in her classroom where she presented me with her book.

Alexis with her teacher Mrs. Rose. All the kids did a wonderful job on their books. It will be something that we will cherish forever.

P.S. The Justin Bieber song is for Alexis who can't seem to stop listening to it this week after she got his cd.

Grandpa Enters Heaven

My last post was his birthday and this post is about his death. My last grand-parent passed away April 20th. I spoke with him on Monday before he passed. I couldn't understand much of what he said, but I told him all about the kids and what they were up to. We knew that this day would be soon since his health was getting worse. He has been ready for the Lord to take him for a long time now. I know all 4 of my grand-parents are having a wonderful time in heaven. They were all good friends. All 4 of them were so faithful and loved God. My grandpa's were both church deacons. I have a lot of memories of them all and share their stories & pictures with my kids. Alexis will probably remember great-grandpa Rule, but Nolen probably won't.

The funeral was beautiful, despite the rain. A big thank you goes out to all who helped out. It was a difficult day, but I kept telling myself that he is in peace now.

Grandpa turns 99!

Celebrated number 99 with my grandpa (Arthur Rule) today. He's been in a nursing home for several years now. He seemed to know us all today & looked good for 99 I thought. I did hear him say he was 100, but maybe he's getting ready for next year. My mom made lunch for us all and dessert was his favorite, chocolate pie.

Happy 7th Birthday Alexis!

Alexis wanted to have horses on her cake this year. We celebrated at the Illinois Gymnastics Club so all her friends could have some fun.

Since she had to go to school on her birthday, we visited her at school and ate lunch with her. She knew I was coming, but daddy coming was a surprise.

Alexis having some fun on the trampoline in her new outfit I bought for her just prior to the party.



The giant inflatable slide is a new addition to the gymnastics club and was a big hit with everyone. Yes, even I had to try it out.

It's P90X Time Again!

So Pete & I have started round 2 of the P90X program. Last year was a great success with these workouts for 3 months straight. So after taking the summer off, pounds were creeping back on. We decided to start the program again and then we'd be in great shape by this summer. I'm not looking to loose a lot of weight cause I can still wear size 3 pants. Just want to tone up what I do have & feel great. We are in week 5 now and I can already notice results. We just love this program & have several friends that have ordered it. There are so many programs out there, you just have to see what's right for you. P90X is tough, but we love all the different workouts & time together. We enjoy working out at home, put the kids to bed, pop the DVD in and in a little over an hour later, off to bed for a good nights sleep.

I have found out that veggie burgers, turkey bacon, and wheat waffles are really good. Doing some changes in my diet as well. Of course there are still the times when a DQ Blizzard is a must, but over all we are cutting back on a lot of the junk food. With Alexis turning 7 today, I will have a piece of cake. I'll just work it off later.

Fun in the snow

One beautiful sun set.

Pete having some fun in the snow with the kids & a neighbor.

He takes them over a small hill for some fun.

Pete shot this red fox a few weeks ago.