Designing Women

A good friend of mine just had a new baby.  She received a great baby gift hand-crafted for her new little bundle... a plate with his name, birthdate and birth stats on it.  It's a simple ro make gift.  (Well, after you look all over to find out how to make one, that is!). 

Simple recipe for design fun... Buy a plate, figre out what you want to put on it, use a sharpie (any color works) to write on the plate, bake it at 150-degrees in the oven for 20-30 minutes and "wha-la"!  You have a gift for anyone.  I've decided to see if this works (the girls will have fun drawing Christmas things on plates!).  Keep checking back for a post with the pictures.

For more fun ideas, check out this website.

Good Times... :-)

We are crazy busy... but managing to cherish every good, memorable moment that comes along.  Here is our month in a nutshell...

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Football banquet planning has begun.  First Reconciliation prep has begun.  So... no rest for the weary in this household until Thanksgiving!

Happy Sunday all!

News! News! Get your dose of Update News!

Okay... as promised to all... here it is... an UPDATE POST!!!

In our defense, it has been a rather weird and exciting and time consuming start to the new school year.  We'll try to put it as simply as possible (so this post doesn't drag on... and on!).

• Devin is back to college and changing assistant manager jobs.  He just became an "independent" (aka "single") 20-year-old, though still very good friends with Sabrina.  He has matured so much over the past year and is turning out to be a very level-headed and responsible young man.  We're proud to say he's our son.
• Dalton has started his Sophomore year of high school off with a bang.  A lot of honors classes coupled with German II mean we make a lot of late night trips to the store to get project items.  Dalton is starting on the Varsity football team for his 6A school this year for special teams (first sub for LB) and starts on the JV as middle linebacker.  So... needless to say, we are going to football games twice a week - EVERY WEEK - to watch him play. 
• Emmalie is sitting at the top of her 2nd grade class early in the year.  All of her hard work over the summer paid off, and she's now reading at a 3 year 6 month level (over a year ahead of herself).  And all of her national test scores have come back with her being in the top 5%.  We couldn't be more proud of Em.  Outside of school, she is the same singing, dancing, gymnastic tumbling, 100% princess girl that we've grown to love!  Emma just started the prep for her First Communion this year too. 
• Bethanie, though still upset that she can't go to Kindergarten this year, is doing well in her second year of Pre-K.  It took her teachers a couple of weeks to learn that Bethanie needs a little more challenge.  She has flourished now!  Bethie has learned her beginner site words and can read simple sentences.  But her real ability is with math (the girl has a mathematical brain like her daddy!).  Surprisingly, Bethanie has become an image of her sister... sharing ALL of Emmalie's likes and dislikes (except for salads, that is!). And she never stops smiling~!
• Tony is working hard, every day.  Many last minute business trips and work-from-home nights fill his already hectic schedule.  But the doctor says not to worry because his risk of heart attack is very, very low!  (His lab tests this year were phenomenal... so the kids and I are looking forward to having him around for at least 30 more years!). The first ad for his photography side business was published and is receiving rave reviews as well.  Now, to find him some free time to play (or sleep!).
• Shelia.  Well, I'm busy at work leading my team.  I am in the process of taking more certification trainings to help further my nursing career.  But, being the official mother to four and the unofficial mother to 114 (the MHS football team that I help feed every Thursday night), is my greatest work.  I'm still co-chairing the football backers at the high school and also working with the school district on some other planning items; as well as volunteering with the March of Dimes walk planning as time allows.  So, like Tony, I don't sleep either!

Okay, I know that you're probably bored with all that update. So, on to the funner parts of life... THE PICTURES!!!

Awe... sisterly love!
 

Bethanie loves to hug on a football...
and kicks it well, too!
 

Emmalie in full gear like her brother!
 

Bethie loves the cheer outfit I made her.
 

Dalton... handsome football player,
but boy do those uniforms stink after games!
 

Only our daughter will climb playground

equipment in a skirt (thank GOD it was a sKort).
 

Sweet Emmalie... growing up so fast.
 

Bethanie... happy and full of life.

And we'll close with one of our annual video clusters of Dalton's football athleticism.  Watch out Bill Snyder... he's looking your way for college!   Dalton is now, and forever in high school will be, number 47.

 

October is upon us and the leaves are falling.  We have a birthday party coming up this weekend and the annual pumpkin patch visit... so more posts will be coming your way soon!  (Even complete with pictures of Devin and Tony).  Keep checking back. Happy Monday everyone.