Time for Catch Up!

I feel like it has been FOREVER since I blogged. I have been pretty busy lately with several things, so I am here for an update. It's kinda long, so you may need to take a break in the middle...good luck.

It was finally warm and dry enough for Joe to plow the garden. Anna hopped on and learned a few tricks of her own.

I think they were proud of their work.

My cousin, Roy, from Washington, came for a visit on March 4th. We haven't seen him in so long and it was great to catch up. He recruited my Dad and Joe and they finished the blessed dog pen overhang!! I can't really tell who is in charge here, but it turned out wonderfully!!


Joe's son, David, and his wife Reecia brought Alexis and Nick for a short visit. They came to take Anna's old bedroom furniture to put in Alexis' room. I heard her room turned out great! Hope she enjoys it as much Anna did when she had it. They brought Joe's mother, Mary, with them to stay with us for a few days. We didn't do much, but it was good to have her for a visit.

Anna has had some pretty good things happen to her. First, she got cheerleader for the 8th grade squad. She was the last one to tryout...number 53!!! She had to wait about 2 1/2 hours to perform in front of the judges, but she was a trooper!! GO TEAM!!! Also, she finally got to see her new room!! I think it was better than she expected. Here are some pics.

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Got report cards! All A's for both Anna and Jake! Yeah! Only one more 9 weeks.

Jake and his crazy friends took the plunge Sunday...the first plunge of this year that is! The outside temperature was 70 degrees, but from Jake's point of view, it was freeeezzzzinnnngggg!

I told them they looked like the three amigos in their freshly warmed towels!

I got to make a little moola on Monday!

I worked at Memories By Design, our local scrapbook store. Anna and Jake stayed with me, so I think after we bought the things to scrap with, we may have made enough to pay our bill!! It was fun and I think the kids enjoyed being a little creative.

This is our present project.

We finished our driveway entrance gate and we are running the electric and water lines out to the gate. Our outdoor fireplace is still in progress, but should be finished this weekend or early next week.

We are leaving for Chicago on Thursday. We have tickets to watch Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls play Thursday night. Jake is beyond excited. We are staying at the Ritz-Carlton atop the Watertower Place for the three nights. Anna has already planned out all the stores she wants to visit!! I'm excited about getting away for awhile....just a change of scenery (no dirty dishes, dirty clothes, or dirty house for 3 whole days!!) I'll take lots of pictures to share! Gotta run. We are feeding our friend's dogs while they are on vacation!

Bye for now!