Christmas is over

And I missed about a month of blogging. I'll share a few pictures so that you can get an idea of what we've been up to -- lots of activities -

We (mostly Sue) baked a lot of cookies




Eric turned 11



We built a gigantic gingerbread house!


We had a wonderful Christmas!




We saw the Star Wars Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry


The boys played in the snow



We also watched a lot of Eric playing basketball. I didn't get very good pictures though. I did get a new camera for Christmas - so maybe I'll get some better pics to post.


We got a lot of snow in December -- and now its warm (37) and supposed to rain. At least it's better than 0 degrees like it was the last few days! Brrr.

The new header pic is a picture that Dan took in our backyard. There is a little stream behind us -- it looked very pretty with all the snow. I'm still figuring out the aspect ratio of the header - so it looks a little wierd right now......

The tree

Here's the tree -- and some funky pics that I was experimenting with the firework setting on the camera. I thought they'd make funky background pics...

The ornament Jim & Rose got us as a memory of our Curacao trip:

Visitors

I know I missed November --

Kris & Family Came to visit. We mostly hung out at our house -- took the kids for formal pics, etc.

Here's some hi-lites.

Alyssa is a cutie pie! But boy does she scream when she doesn't get what she wants. She can't talk really - so she's frustrated. Poor little girl. Those pigtails are a hoot though -- somtimes sticking straight up!!

Jared is growing up fast. He was such a nice boy - I noticed a big change since last year.

I miss them all!

Here's a few more pics -- we had to bundle up because it was COLD outside. Notice the snow (it was Thanksgiving!) We took everyone down to Lake Michigan -- even though it was cold it was a good hike / family time.

Think Positive

We talked a lot last night with Jacob & the therapist about Anxiety. That's a big word for a 7 yo. But he seemed to get it. And understand that he needs to think positive. Given a list of positive sayings - he was told to pick one that he liked. He picked --- I have energy! That totally describes Jacob - a big bundle of energy. So - our new goal is for everyone to think positive. No "I Can't" & no worrying about mom & dad on buisiness trips. It's good for all of us to think positive. Eric was there tonight & listened. Yet he still said "I can't" when practicing his sax. He's just learning - it's hard, etc. Yup - he's right, it is hard. But that's why he's practicing. He kept practicing - so hopefully this will teach him a lesson too!

Quote for the day

"You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it." Charles Bruxton

Hmm - am I always saying that I don't have time.. for friends, for scrapbooking, for things for me (exercise??) That I'll do something "later" when the kids aren't playing sports, when they are older. Does the time ever get here?

I guess I have time for what I want to do. I get the kids to their sports, scouts. Dan & I lead two dens of scouts right now. We attend church, are part of a small group. I see a few friends - but not nearly enough. I don't call people enough. My sister - lives so far away - I don't call her. My dad - the same. I forget to call - and I hate that. When I get all these things rushing in my head - I forget. I made a cute card for my niece - and I forgot to mail it. Just found it in my bag today. A week late in mailing. :-(

So - I guess I need to be better at calling. At keeping in touch. At not feeling so alone because no one calls me to chat. Because I have the time - I just choose to do other things. And I have the friends - I just don't call them.

First day of School

2nd & 5th - can't believe they're that old!

J Looks so proud

I got tagged

Got tagged by Sara


The game is SCATERGORIES….Here are the rules:Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the questions.They MUST be real places, names, things … NOTHING made up!If you can’t think of anything, skip it.You CAN’T use your name for the boy/girl name question.If your name happens to start with the same letter as mine, sorry, but you can’t use my answers!

My Name is Sue!

1. Famous singer/band: Scorpions
2. Four letter word: .... sh*t
3. Street: State Street
4. Color: Salmon
5. Gifts/presents: Somebody's birthday
6. Vehicle:Submarine
7. Things in a souvenir shop: Symbolic stuff
8. Boy Name: Steve
9. Girl Name: Sydney
10. Movie Title: Star Wars
11. Drink: Soda (Diet coke!)
12. Occupation: Scrapbooker
13. Celebrity: So not into celebrities
14. Magazine: Sports Illustrated
15. U.S. City: Seattle
16. Pro Sports Teams: Super duper Milwaukee Brewers
17. Fruit: Sherbet
18. Reason for Being Late for Work: Stupid traffic
19. Something You Throw Away: Silly junkmail
20. Things You Shout: Stop
21. Cartoon Character: Spongebob Squarepants