New Sport

Can you figure out Gabi's new interest....and something we may sign her up for in the fall????

Chicken Kabobs

So I tried a new recipe Friday night...and it was a big hit at our house! Gabi helped put them together, therefore, more apt to try something different. She tried all the ingredients...even the peppers! I was impressed!

Field Day

I was able to go help out at Field Day at Gabi's school this morning. It was awesome!!! Lots of blow ups to play and jump on, a velcro blow up, a snow cone station, facepainting, lots of games such as Volleyblast (toss a water balloon between teams with towels used by partners), tug of war, relay games, a sunflower seed spitting contest, a water balloon toss, and a DJ to set the mood for the kids. Heard lots of Hannah Montana, YMCA, Jonas Brothers and other fun songs that Gabi loves. It was an eventfilled morning! My baby girl is officially a third grader!! And she could not be more excited that school is out for the summer!!!!

Summer plans for her...to name a few - pom camp, prairie camp and lots of playtime with friends. I am sure we'll be posting as they happen. It was a beautiful morning...sun out here and there-just enough cloud cover to keep us from burning, comfortable temps of about 70 degrees or so...now it's getting breezy, I think the rains a comin. Happy Summer Break!!!

This boy...

...is officially a Senior! Can't believe it, honestly, can't believe how the time has flown by. I wish I could put time in a bottle because I miss the old days of watching him run around singing "Layla" by Eric Clapton without missing a word , days where I would watch him fight his NWA wrestlers in his wrestling ring, days where I would dress him as a Ninja Turtle or a Power Ranger for Halloween, days where he would get all excited to see me walk into the school to eat lunch with him or be so excited to show me off at classroom parties, days where we would watch Trenton in the outfield dancing and playing in the rocks on third base as the hitter passed him up during the teeball game, days of watching him curl up with his yellow blankie asleep from being such a busy body all day...now we move on to days of scheduling Senior portraits, filling out college applications, planning a graduation party, SATs....days of preparing for his future of leaving the nest. I am pretty sure this will be a year of many mixed emotions for Ben and I both...bittersweet. Yikes...not so sure I am ready for this...

Mascara

Just tried this product. The best mascara I have used thus far! Lovin it!!!

Lilacs

This is a post where I wish we could attach a "scratch and sniff" sticker and you could actually smell the post. Lilacs. A flower that brings so many memories of grandma Miller. Just the smell. She used to have lilac bushes at her house and the smell would just radiate the entire house in the summer with the windows open. Memories...funny how smells can trigger them : )

So...since I have some bushes outside my front door I snipped a few blooms and brought them inside to smell...and remember...

Happy Memorial Day!

Arcade Gold

Ben brought this home from the store last week! Remember those awesome games when we were kids...pac man, dig dug, and galaxian??? Well, this little thing brings them all home and it only requires the contoller and one wire! Easy to take along anywhere and easy for Gabi to play too. I'm lovin this! Probably because it's the only thing I can beat Ben at (Pac Man) and he hates it ; )

This Guy Can Dance

I have to tell you, with as much reality tv I watch normally, I have never gotten into "So You Think You Can Dance." I guess just because it runs in the summertime and we are outside most of the time and don't really watch as much television. Anyways, I caught the last end of the show last night and I was amazed at this guy!
Check it out!

And I have to say I was soooo glad that David Cook won American Idol! I was a little worried considering David A. brought in alot of younger votes but needless to say, they are both very good singers, but David Cook certainly deserved to win.

I LOVE sales!

In a previous post I mentioned a rip stick...well, at every other Wal Mart in the area, besides the one on Ireland in South Bend...they are $77.77! The one on Ireland...$40! Reason? Because they have been in stock for a quite a long time there. Wow! Couldn't resist getting Trenton one at that price (with an IOU of couse ; ) )
Anyways, want a rip stick? Go to the Wal Mart on Ireland!!!

Presley is Three!

Happy Birthday to my beautiful niece, Presley! Many exciting things happening to her in just the past few weeks...including getting a new baby sister!

We love you, kiddo!

Wheels

Last night...while watching American Idol and just before this commercial...
Gabi to me - "I love this commercial mom! I would love to roller skate like them."

Tyler also was able to get his long anticipated Rip Stick. The boys' new pasttime.

30 Minutes

....of running today. It was tough but I did it and I felt good afterwards! I was running about a 12 minute mile. I used to be able to run 3 miles in 30 minutes so I am not doing too bad. Probably a few more weeks of conditioning and I will be good to go. A little sore but not bad. I even indulged myself today...one of these from Starbucks. SOOOO GOOOOD!

Golf Outing

I have to say this weekend was a busy, but successful, weekend. I have been heading up the First Annual Mishawaka Wrestling Club Golf Outing (here) for about 2 months now with another mom. It has certainly kept me very busy. Because it was the first one I was nervous about the turnout. In fact, only a week ago we had 5 paid teams (and we had been wanting at least 18)! And to top it off on Monday the forecast was showing rain for Saturday. I was scared it was going to be a flop. Things seemed better when we ended up having 15 paid teams and 3 not paid teams by Wednesday. I was still nervous the weather would keep the non paid teams away. By Friday the forecast had changed...a slight chance of showers in the early morning on Saturday, windy and sunny by the afternoon. I was feeling better but still nervous. Saturday did turn out well and we ended up with 18 teams and about 15 hole sponsors! It was a big success. Parents showed up with goodies just like they were asked and we had so much fun! In fact, we are looking forward to next year's event!!! I could not be more proud of our success. Big smiles for Saturday : )

Favorite Season

Gabi's class published a book called "Our Four Favorite Seasons." Here is Gabi's submission -first one in the book and she was so proud...how cute!

State Rings

Had a great evening last night. We were invited to a dinner hosted by Mishawaka High School in honor of the wrestling team. The state rings were to passed out to all of the wrestlers. The city council, school representatives, coaches, wrestlers and their families were in attendance. On the menu...salad, rolls, chicken cordon bleu, mashed potatoes, corn and macaroni and cheese. For dessert - white cake with raspberry filling and chocolate cake. Riverside Terrace was a beautiful place. The Superintendant of Schools, School District President, The Principal of Mishawaka High School, The Athletic Director and Coach Snyder all had nice words about our wrestling team. The rings were absolutely beautiful, but I guess I can't really say that because it's a guy thing. They are very "cool." ; )
The 24 wrestlers who weighed in for team state also got a replica of the signs placed throughout the city but their name and weight class was added. Neat idea. I know the boys can't wait to put them up in their new rooms. Ended the evening with a highlight video of team state...awesome! I hope Mr. Trtan puts it on Youtube. If he does, I will most definitely share. All in all, a nice evening. A great ending to an awesome season!

Tadpoles!

Gabi got this for Christmas this year but wasn't able to get tadpoles because of weather and shipping, etc. It has been too cold. Well, we finally got two today! They should grow into these when all said and done. I got the habitat all ready and placed the tadpoles in. We will see how this goes...should be fun.

On a sidenote...today was a hard day running. 9 minutes running/1 minute walking (repeat two more times). Roughest yet but felt good afterwards.

Mother's Day

Dreary day...rainy, dark and cold but I was able to enjoy the day with family and of course, my children. We had our annual get together at my parents' house with lots of yummy food...I made my famous hash brown casserole (mom R's recipe) to share, in fact, I made 2 big pans and none was left. We also had barbeque ribs and chicken, noodles, pasta salad, baked beans, strawberry jello, watermelon, chips and fiesta dip, angel food cake with strawberries and pies. Everyone on my mom's side showed up. It was nice to visit with everyone. I have to say I was excited to see baby Reese again.

My mom asked me to do the same as I did last year for Mother's Day...to plant flowers in all of her flower pots. I happily obliged and got all the flowers from here. I did two big white pots with alot of different colors and types of flowers (I call it a butterfly collection) and 3 smaller pots (1 with yellow and orange mums and 2 with pink geraniums).

My boys went in together to get me a gift card to one of my favorite stores. I was very impressed and touched that they went and got this for me by themselves. I appreciated the act more than the gift itself! Gabi made me a very nice hotpad at school. She was very proud.

To all the moms reading this...I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day! May God bless you daily.

And one of my favorite mother's day poems...here.

New Phone

Got this phone on the "new every two" plan from Verizon. So far I am loving it cuz I love to text : )
Off to get Mother's Day gifts...beautiful day today, hearing it may not be so beautiful tomorrow though {sigh}

Week 3 - Running

For all of those wondering (along with my hubby who keeps me in check), yes I am still running. Third week down!!! 8 minutes running, 2 minutes walking (repeat two more times) was the schedule for this past week. After another week of walking/running combo, I will be running for a full 30 minutes again. My goal after that will be 3 miles in 30 minutes. I can honestly say I feel healthier now. I forgot just how much running relieves stress and I have had quite a bit lately. It helps.
So much going on.
...I have been heading up the Mishawaka Wrestling Club Golf Outing which is next weekend.
...Getting camp fees paid - option camp for football
...Figuring out summer jobs for Trenton - he got rehired at the golf course! So happy about that!
...Writing donation letters for Team Indiana
...Looking at possible summer vacation ideas - probably Cedar Point or somewhere close
...Figuring out summer camp (Iowa Wrestling trip and a team wrestling camp in Central Michigan) schedule for the boys
...Getting Gabi signed up for Prairie Camp and Pom Pom camp at school
and last but not least,
...Finishing our new house and hopefully moving soon
It's gonna be a busy summer....

New Baby Cousin

Here she is...Reese Sydney Brugh - the new little addition. Welcome, Reese! We love you!

Ben

Happy Birthday to my best friend and husband...
I love you with all my heart!

Freestyle State Continued

Tyler finished out the day on Sunday morning after his first match and second loss. It was sad to see him lose but we were very excited that he placed 7th. A HUGE accomplishment, considering last year freestyle state was his comeback from a broken ankle and he went two and out. You can certainly see a difference in his wrestling abilities this year! Trenton started out on Sunday morning against Ryan Stahl...remember this from folkstyle state. This time, Ryan won the first period, Trenton won the second and Trenton ended up winning 1-0 the last period, thus winning the match! We were very excited. Trenton continued his winning streak until his second to last match. He lost to Vitirisi (got first place) and Wodjyla for 2nd place, therefore, putting him in the third place this year. He made Team Indiana again! Folkstyle results are here from this year. Freestyle results posted here. So proud of both of the boys this year! Pictures here.

Freestyle State

Just completed the first rounds of Freestyle State this morning. Tyler is a cadet and wrestled this morning and then again tomorrow. Trenton is a Junior and only wrestles tomorrow. Tyler went 135 lbs. this weekend and so far is 3-1. We believe he is placing in the top 8 anyways, since he will continue tomorrow. Will update then...
Until then...enjoying the pool in the hotel, doing some shopping and grabbing a bite to eat for dinner.

She's Here!

My new niece arrived on April 30th at 7:12 pm. Got to meet her that same evening and she is adorable! Named after my dad : )
Details here.
More pics of the kids holding her to come.