Busy Summer 2011

We have been busy this summer!

We headed to Tennessee to see my cousin Kevin marry Debbie. We stopped in Metropolis, IL along the way!

Cody turned 33 this year and we met with some family to have dinner at Marios' in Springfield:

We went to Champaign to celebrate Ben turning 2.

For Labor Day weekend, we left town right after I got off work to go see our friends, the Barrons'.

we got to ride 4-wheelers. Clay was so comfortable on it, he took a nap while we were riding!

We also got to go and see the newest member of our family. Evan VanHise was born, making this our 8th nephew!

Grandma

As you all know, my Grandma, Frances Sanford, passed away May 10. She will be sadly missed but her memory will continue on as well as the traditions she has taught us.

Easter

Clay's 2nd Easter and Easter Egg hunt. This year, he was able to carry his own basket and pick up the eggs himself. Grandpa Gary also gave him a tootsie roll.

He got to have two Easter Egg hunts this year. The first was on Saturday with some of Mommy's family. The second was on Sunday, with some of Daddy's family.

Clay's swing

It got a little windy here on Sunday night. Cody noticed this on Monday morning and got a picture of it. It is Clay's red swing, a little tangled in the tree.

We really don't have many new and exciting things going on around here. We have been busy with work and now Lent season, keeping us away from home more than I would like. Clay and I have been visiting Grandma every other weekend, going again next Monday while I am on vacation. Cody and I have done two trivia nights too. They are fun and we were part of a winning team for one of them!

Warm Weather!!

We got to play outside today. Clay wore a hat just incase the wind was a little too much for him. I wanted to rake the yard so that we could get dead leaves and grass out of there as well as sticks. Clay wanted to help and tried to rake a bit, but it was frustrating for him, because the rake is so much bigger and heavier for him. I pushed him in his tree hung swing for a while then cut both his and Cody's hair. They went inside and layed down for naps while I raked again. Man that is tiring. I will probably be sore but, like the work. Clay got a rocking horse from Jeri and Larry Marxman. He loves riding it but, gets frustrated that he can't ride it unless we are in the room. Giddyap!

NO!

Clay is quickly learning the word no. I didn't think he was told no as much as he likely is until he has learned to say it too! He also says don't too! He likes to point the finger as he says them both. I think it is funny but, can't laugh because he might be encouraged to continue to do it....like he already does during church services now. Church service on Wednesday nights has started up again for Lent so we are getting home late. We put him in his pajamas before we leave to head home so that he can go straight to bed since he would normally go to bed at 7 or so and we don't leave there until almost 8.
Easter is almost here!!!

Fat Tuesday

The visit was great with Grandma. I am very glad we went. It helped raise my spirits and hopefully her's as well. She let me borrow some Christian books.
Clay has a sinus infection and ear infection and seems to have also caught some other kind of bug that is giving him a nice cough. He is needing a nap right now but, is relaxing on the couch, watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Maybe after that, we will go lay down while I figure out what to make for dinner.
Tomorrow night is Ash Wednesday. We are having Italian food for dinner at church, followed by the 1st of 6 Lenten services. I love the fellowship that comes with that. Too bad the service starts at 7 and so does Clay's bed time.
I have started tracking what I eat. I should have been doing that since I started back at Weight Watchers in August but, have been resistant. I can't say much about results yet because it is only day 2. I have tried it in the past but, hate having to be accountable for it; which is in truth, why I don't care to do it. Weekends seem to be my big problem so, I have tried to start on Monday instead of Friday so I don't get so bummed out about the idea of ruining my efforts on day 2 (weekend). Hopefully I can look at it more like, day 6 and 7 are going to reap any leftover point benefits and if I mess up on them, it is the end of the week, rather than the beginning.

Grandma

My Grandma, 90 years of age, was told this week that she has leukema. This isn't the first time she was told she has cancer but, this time, they are saying that they can't do much for treatment.
My mom, sister and family, Clay and I are going to go and visit her tomorrow. I pray that we can keep her spirits up and help her enjoy the day!!

Brand New

I hope that I figure out not only HOW to do this but, to find the time!