Four graduations down...one to go???

Congratulations Travis!!!

Travis finished his 2nd Masters degree, and graduated today. We are all so proud of him. Travis has been in the Navy for 19 years, and has loved every minute of it, well almost every minute. On the way home not to be mean, but I asked him if he was getting bored with graduating so many times, because I am kinda getting bored with it!! :) Anyway it was a nice ceremony followed by cake for the kiddos, and signifies the end of school, and the beginning of deployment.

Babe we love you, and are so excited for your future.

So, Travis any chance of maybe a doctorate degree in the future???

What's up with us? Well...

With summer winding down so are we. Madison is still cheering 3 times a week, and Evan still hangs out with us, and on us!!

Madison is not quite a pro on her backhand springs yet, but getting close. She can now do them without a spot at the gym, and with a spot on our trampoline. A huge thanks to Daniel for coming over to show us how to properly spot Madison. Oh, and if you ever see Daniel and a trampoline in the same place ask him to do tricks for you, he is absolutely AMAZING!! Here is some video of her last Sat. at private lessons.



Since Evan is 3 he pretty much has cheer 3 times a week too! He has been working on his toe touches, his dance, and pom routine! So here is some video of Evan yesterday!




A couple of weeks ago we had Christmas in July at the Gilbert's. We had all kinds of holiday food and eggnog. We all wore holiday garb, it was hilarious!! Another thanks to Daniel for picking up our sweaters at the Goodwill!

Ang. & Daniel

Daniel, Travis, Ang., Michael

Everybody

Carrie and I went to the Gilbert's last night for some Karaoke fun! I don't have any pics. or video, but Becky sure does. Carrie was FANTASTIC! I have never seen a better Celine Dion ever!! My heart will go on Carrie.... Maybe one day I will have the guts to get up there and join, until then I will continue to chair dance and sing backup. Good Times.........

16 DAYS!!!!

Yes that's right I am counting down to the first day of school for Madison. Summer has been great, summer has been fun, we got the t-shirt, now let's move on!! I am ready for a different kind of frustration, a different kind of busy, a different kind of schedule, like being room mom again, etc...

So today I was talking with my lovely husband on the phone. I took the call to the bedroom so maybe just maybe I could actually hear what he was saying instead of listening to LOUD kids. So I am talking to him, folding laundry, you know FUN stuff. I hung up with Travis, and I heard something coming from the end of the bed.

Yep you guessed it, Madison, and Evan sneaked in the room, and was down on the floor at the foot of the bed play fighting. And you know what? I so let them go for once.

Time to kiss, and makeup

Evan starts pre-school this year. I will start that count down in August, they don't start until Sept. Madison has 2 pillows in her room, a M and a C. Well Evan wears her C on his head. Anyway I showed Travis this pic. and the first thing that came to mind was a Las Vegas show girl! So funny, but NOT?

AND.....WE'RE DONE!!!!!!!!!

I know this is the moment most of you have been waiting for. For the past 4 months everybody knows we have been working on our summer project. For those of you who don't, let me fill you in...

Last April Travis extended our concrete slab that the previous owners called a patio. It took well over 50 bags of concrete, many man hours, plenty of hard work, and lots of sweat, but it was worth it. I never knew Travis was so talented in this area, but to my total surprise he was perfect!

I came up with an idea to tile the patio (looking back, what a dumb idea!) kinda of an oasis to entertain on, watch the kids play from, a place to drink cocktails on, etc... We have worked for months, laying out tile, forming the design, cutting tile, making sure every piece was perfect before we really laid it down.

Travis, and I laid tile for 3 straight days from 10 am until 2 am pretty much non stop. My Mom was here during this process to play with the kids, etc.... Thank goodness.

After that was all said and done, it was time to clean the tile, oh what a job that was. Bending over every piece of tile making sure all the mortar was off, and not too thick in between. This only took forever. Not only would we work days, but after the kids went to bed for several nights we worked well into the morning getting it done.

Finally everything was clean, now it was time to grout. This process was easier, but still hard work. We managed I'm not sure how yet, but we did. Travis, and I were so sore, and exhausted, but we pressed forward.

Today we sealed the tile/grout 3 times, and now it is dry, and ready to play on.

INTRODUCING THE PATIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know this post was not witty, or funny like most, I apologize for that. We are so happy to be done, and look forward to never ever tiling anything again!

Thank you to all of my friends who have listened to my war stories during this whole process.

Thank you to Earle, and Carrie Brown for loaning us your wet saw, and other tools which we need to return to you!

Now if you will excuse me, Travis and I are going to sit on the patio and do absolutely NOTHING!!!!!

Do you really know me?

I remember back in school I loathed pop quizzes. Well I thought it would be fun for you all to take one. Good Times.....

1. Do I have any brothers, or sisters?

A. no
B. yes

2. What vegetable is my favorite?

A. green beans
B. broccoli
C. none of the above, vegetables are for rabbits

3. What is my favorite t.v. show?

A. Grey's Anatomy
B. Lost
C. Tori and Dean
D. All of the above

4. My favorite color is?

A. Pink
B. Yellow
C. Blue

5. I like my steak?

A. Still mooing on it's way to my table
B. Just stopped mooing
C. Can't moo, burnt to a crisp

6. My favorite restaurant is?

A. Chili's
B. Olive Garden
C. McDonald's
D. all of the above

7. What is my favorite thing to do?

A. mow the lawn
B. read a book
C. shop
D. clean house

8. My favorite musical/Broadway show is?

A. Phantom of the Opera
B. Cats
C. Les Mis

9. What drink do I get at Starbucks (be very careful, read all combos before answering!)
***size TALL***

A. nonfat peppermint mocha with 5 equals no whip
B. peppermint mocha with 2 equals with whip
C. nonfat peppermint mocha with 2 equals no whip

10. My favorite NFL team is?

A. Philadelphia Eagles
B. Dallas Cowboys
C. New Orleans Saints
D. Washington Redskins

!!!!ANSWERS!!!!

1. No
2. C
3. D
4. A
5. B
6. D
7. C
8. A
9. C
10. B

Score - 1-3 Do we even know each other?
4-6 We need to hang out more
7-10 We are no longer friends, WE ARE FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope this has brought a smile to ya'lls face. Have a great day, and thanks for playing!!

Fears, tears, and cheers!!!

Today was "B" day in Clemville (braces). The alarm went off at 7:45, and I rolled over hitting snooze feeling excited, but dreading the morning. Excited because this is the day Madison starts the braces journey to a beautiful smile. HOWEVER... Dreading what Madison would say when she got up from a long sleep.

As I expected, Madison was crying from the moment her sweet feet hit the ground. All morning was spent making breakfast, getting both kids ready, and trying to assure Madison it won't be bad. She was not convinced and was so upset she could not eat, and her stomach was hurting.

We left for the office of doom but first we dropped Evan off at the Wells brothers house! I figured Rachel has 3 boys what's 1 more??? No, really Rachel was such an angel to take Evan for me so I could focus all of my attention on Madison. For this I truly thank you Rachel. (we will touch on Evan in a bit)

I told Madison to get all of her crying out now because when we get to the ortho she had to stop. I explained to her that if she is crying she may scare some of the other kids, and also Dr. Kay can not do her job and may decide not to put them on you.

Remember me bragging on the whole no more than 10 minute policy in the waiting room. Well on the day that I bothered Rachel to watch Evan, they were running behind. One of the clinicians had the nerve to have her baby last week, and was not back to work already??? So this time Madison got her wish to prolong the waiting time!

It was finally our turn and as we walked back with Madison clutching her mouse in one hand, and holding my hand with the other her eyes started to water. There was no sound, and you could see her holding, fighting back the urge to cry with everything her little body had. I felt so bad for her so I teared up too!

I don't' know who scheduled the little 9 yr. old girl next to us for the same time and day, but THANK YOU!!!!!! This little girl finished up and visited with Madison telling her it didn't hurt at all, and it will be ok. SCORE, TOUCHDOWN, GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MIRACLE? Maybe, but whatever it was, helped. Madison was nervous putting the spacers around the back teeth, and then it was smooth sailing from there! We were told how to take care of her teeth and how she can earn cool prizes if she keeps her teeth brushed, flossed, and her brackets, and wire in good shape.

As we left Madison told me she really enjoyed Evan not being with us! Which I understand, Madison and I never have alone time. When I am suppose to be focusing on her, I am always chasing after Evan. Then she asked me if I thought she earned a Webkinz? And you know what??? I did! Here she is at 7 with major work needing to be done on her teeth and gums for the next how many years? She was a trooper, so we went to Playville to pick out a new friend. As luck would have it there was a sign in the window 40% off select Webkinz! She chose a Kangaroo (which was not on sale, but it was so cute I could not say no), and a Schnauzer that was $5!!

We left there to go pick up Evan from having the time of his life, and Madison says do we have to go get him? I really like just being with you, can we go to the mall? Yes, she said mall, and while I was tempted, being a Mom means sacrifice, and responsibility so, we roll up to the Wells' house, and as the door bell rung you could see Micah, Conner, and Evan standing at the door ready to let us in. Rachel said Evan did great, so I asked her if she was lying to me, but she said no. It looked, and sounded like things went well. Then Rachel drops a bomb on me....Evan loves corny dogs, and ate it!!!! WHAT???? Let me tell you how this conversation goes at my house.

Me - Do you want a corn dog?
E - Noee
Me - Why?
E - Because I don't love it (thank you Carrie)!!!

Isn't it funny how kids treat everyone else in the world different? Rachel said that Evan told her that he loves corn dogs, and he loves her. Now that is just plain sweetness, and southern charm wrapped up in one.



With my OCD issues I can say Madison will have the cleanest teeth in the world. We brushed her teeth like 10 times today, because after every meal you are suppose to brush. She is suppose to floss and use Listerine. The ortho gave her a kit of tools to use at school after she eats lunch, and she chose purple since they did not have pink.



This is what she earns at every visit to get prizes. You get dollars for being on time (no problem, OCD), keeping your teeth clean (no problem, OCD), wearing your ortho t-shirt (no problem, OCD), having nothing broken (can't promise anything on this one) Are you down with OCD? ya you know ME!!!!!!!!!


Thank goodness Madison has not felt any pain or discomfort so she went to cheer tonight. I was telling her not to run up to everybody showing off her braces, because with this crowd she will get a bunch of so whats, and junk. I told her to just go in normal, and let them come to you. Then I told her when they come to you to just act calm, and say I got them this morning. She did just what I told her, and it worked!!! Most of the other girls thought it was really cool, and gave her hugs, and nobody teased her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did tell her that people would tease her, and it doesn't matter, they are just words, and yes words hurt, but what matters is what she knows to be true within her......but in my head (and yes this is bad) I was thinking I wish she could say yes I may have braces, and yes they look funny, but one day they will come off, but your ugly never will. Sorry that's just the rebel coming out in me!! I hate kids getting teased period!!!

And here she is..........



This evening Madison told us that she feels so much better about herself, and was very happy about her teeth now.

I know this was a long post thanks for reading.....

Vacation

To all of my faithful readers.......

I have taken a few days off in observance of me! I am very sorry for any boredom this may have caused in your life, and I will be back very, very soon.

Thanks, and keep reading...
Ang.

Rockin the 4th!!!

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July!! I must say this was the best 4th ever for our family. Travis, and I started the holiday by going dancing on Thursday night. We came home pretty late, and the kids were up fairly early. Me being mother of the year got up, made them chocolate milk, gave them muffins, and turned on the t.v. I told them no fighting, and I would be back. I went back to bed and snuggled with Travis until 10. I know, how horrible but the kids were safe, fed, and happy so I assume cps will not come knocking on my door.

A lot of times I am spun up by time, and schedules, but not today. It was so nice to just do what we wanted when we wanted. We ate our traditional grilled hot dogs for lunch, moseyed to Wal-Mart to get fishing supplies, and MILK! About 3ish we left for Heidi's house (Michelle's sister). Everyone there was so very sweet, and not completely bothered by our children!! The Well's joined the party, and at one point we were all in the pool for a great swim. Thank you so much Heidi for opening your home to us, and a big thank you to Michelle for extending the invitation to us!!

Ding, Ding, time for dinner!! We grilled out hamburgers, and I am not sure if was that we were all so hungry, or the world's aligned perfectly, but they were the best hamburgers to date that Travis has cooked. Great job hun!!!!

Here is where it gets just crazy. About 7ish we headed down to the pier to FISH!! (I know, me ms. prissy fishing) The weather was PERFECT. It felt like temps were in the lower 80's with a breeze. There was not a mosquito in sight, and none of us broke a sweat. We sat up camp, and fished until fireworks time. The Well's joined us at the pier, and we are so glad they did!! It was hilarious seeing all of the kids climbing up the wall looking over the side for the fish. Well I say hilarious, but it made us extremely nervous that they would become fish bait soon. As the sun set, the kids were getting tired, and we kept calling for a time check. :)




This years fireworks were at Foun. State Park. It was crazy to get to, and $10 per head. I am so glad we opted for the pier for FREE. I hate to steal the parishes thunder, but the fireworks show was no more than 10 minutes long, and pretty lame!!




Travis spent most of his night baiting our hooks, helping us cast, that manly kind of stuff. I felt bad for him, because it seemed like he did not get very much time for his fishing.



After the show most people left, and it was just us fishermen standing, waiting for that one fish that was meant to be....... Travis caught the only fish of the night, and I don't even think I would call it a fish!


The kids did a really GREAT for their 1st time going to the pier. Both of them were patient for the most part, and just hung out. Good job guys...




We stayed until 10, and it was pretty obvious to us the fish were being very snobby, and the kids were exhausted. Well Madison was not ready to go until she caught a fish, oh my goodness!!!! Let me tell you about little girls, (cause this is exactly how I reacted when I didn't catch a fish at Madison's age) when they don't catch fish, and somebody else does their feelings are so HURT!! It is so personal it is not even funny. TEARS, TEARS, TEARS!!!!! That girl cried all the way to the van, all the way home, during her bath, until her tired, hurt self hit the pillow and ZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!


Since both kids were crying (could not get the money shot of Evan crying, I tried so hard, sorry), Travis figured he would join in the fun...



I sit here exhausted, stinky, and ready for bed. Happy 4th everybody!!