Tree Hunting

This year we headed to the tree farm with the red caboose. This has been our go to place the last couple of years.

What a beautiful day.

What about this one? Maybe.

This one is the one.
 

There's the caboose.

Before taking the tree home we dropped CJ at a friends house for a sleepover.

Decorating it will wait until CJ is home. 

 

 

 

First Snow Day

The first snow day came Friday after reports of impending snowmageddon. Schools across C-Bus started cancelling classes around 4am. I headed out at 7:30am to get milk. Yep we ran out after the first cup of coffee. If not for the always hungry teen in the house I would have waited. While there I picked up a few other items hoping to coax CJ out of bed before noon. He was pleased to hear that there was egg nog and protein powder in the house but opted for more sleep. 

This snowmageddon missed us. Another is forecast for Sunday.

This morning the sky is blue, the sun is shining warmly and we are preparing to go Christmas tree hunting.

 

Deer Season

If you look really close you will see two bucks. 

They are vying for one of the two does who are grazing nearby.

 

 

Awake...

At 2pm. Looks like nap time may be soon.

 

Home from Chicago

Just after 4am a very tired CJ arrived home. He dropped his stuff in the living room

and headed straight to bed. 

He did tell us that he didn't sleep on the bus and that the trip involved lots of waiting.

Thankfully there is no school on Monday so there will be lots of time for him to recover!

Goldilocks or Tucker?

Tucker likes CJ's new bedroom. The bed was made when we left for Chicago. When we got back it looked like this. 

Pioneers March in Chicago

There they are. Right before Santa and his elves.

 

We didn't wait to see Santa, we followed the band. And were rewarded with a little bit of post game and a whole lot of Long Train. A crowd gathered and were wowed by by the size and ability of our amazing band.

 

 

Off to Chicago

Dropped a very excited CJ off at school this morning. 

A 4am wake up call and a 5am drop off. He was smiling the whole time. 

After a nap for me and a little bit of work for Steve we headed for Chicago at 10:30ish. Around South Bend, IN we ran into a bit of snow.

Thankfully Steve had put the snow tires on over the weekend.

Our hotel was all decked out for Thanksgiving.

Complete with a real gingerbread house.

For dinner we met up with the Zapps for an authentic deep dish pizza.

We then window shopped along the Magnificent Mile. One store did draw me in where I bought a Christmas ornament.

It was a great night. Looking forward to the parade tomorrow. 

 

 

 

Friday Night Live

This year's theme was The Greatest Show on Turf. We sat under the big top and were treated to show by clowns, strongmen, bearded ladies, flapper girls and of course the amazing band.

CJ is in the last row on the far right.

 

 

 

 

OOHS Orchestra Concert 10/9/13 - Skyfire

Update on Egg Hatching

 

Soon after taking the picture of momma cardinal in the nest, she left and has not returned. The nest may have had an egg or it may have been a shadow. I don't know if I disturbed her when taking her picture or if she was just practicing. Either way, no baby birds by our porch.

 

One of the falcon eggs did hatch and it was a girl! Zoom is her name and she has successfully fledged and will soon be leaving the area to claim her own space in the world.

These pictures are from the  Columbus Peregrine Falcon blog

 



 



A New Fence

The fence between our house and the neighbor's has been in a bad way for several years.

 Recently Steve spotted carpenter ants and evidence of carpenter bees.

So, we replaced the fence.

It looks great, don't you think?

 

 



Who is taller?

A New Switch

 

This afternoon, CJ installed a new dimmer switch for the kitchen light. There were quite a few lessons learned.

1. Don't buy an open box.

The switch didn't work and must have been a return.

2. If the second switch doesn't work, check the light bulbs.

3. Turning off the electricity to the switch is a good idea, although not necessary.

4. Turning off the whole house is overkill.

5. Dimmer switches run a little warm, don't be alarmed.

 

Poor kid, it's summer and his mom is making him learn things! :)

Watching the Woods Bloom

 

 

 

 

 

 

A New Hip for Steve

That is Steve's new hip.
It was installed on Wednesday.
 

This is Steve on Saturday.

He is feeling well enough to be really bored.

 

On Father's Day he felt even better.
He was able to get around more so he was a little less bored.
 

 

This is Steve on Tuesday.
One week later he barely needs the cane.
He feels really good.
He's back to working, from home.
We run errands each day so that he can see the world.

On a different note - CJ is almost as tall as Steve!

Kilroy

 

That's Tucker staring at us through the screen door. He wants to come in!

Life of Luxury

 

Enough said.

Joyce & Dick are Back

The Lamps are back in Ohio.
Last year they spent the whole year in Florida and we missed them.
They are back for the summer and we look forward to more visits at the campground.

A Surprise Cheesesteak

Steve traveled to Philly and Boston this week for work.
Since it was Philly first and then Boston there wouldn't be a way to bring home steaks, bummer.
Due to a missing and then shipped part he had to make a return trip to Philly after completing work in Boston.
More work for Steve meant cheesesteaks for us.
Yippee.
And since we still had some Birch Beer left the meal was complete.
Thank you Steve, you are the best hubby ever.

 

Last Day as a Freshman

Just one more final and then he's done!!!
Great job this year CJ.
One day off and then back to school for his first band practice as a sophomore.
He's looking forward to being a role model for the incoming freshman.
(Interpret that last statement any way you like.)

Homemade Cheese-Its

 

They were easy to make.
They were yummy.
They are gone.
Need to make more!!!

Orchestra Concert and Awards

 

Tonight was the final orchestra concert of the year. They played a variety of Disney tunes and were to dress in Disney attire. CJ wore his t-shirt from Beauty and the Beast, he looks good in purple.

 

This video is music from The Pirates of the Caribbean.

 

The students also received their end of year awards.

CJ earned his varsity orchestra letter as a Freshman!!!



Way to go CJ!

 

Final Band Concert as a Freshman

 

 

As usual the last few weeks of school are hectic. Tonight was the final concert band concert and awards night. Once again the band was great. Mr. Z. talked about how some of the Freshman were a challenge, but in the end he has really enjoyed this group of kids. Seems we've heard that about this class before. :)

 

Hope you enjoy the video.

 

 

CJ's awards - graduation year numbers, chevron for participation, certificate and a ribbon for being in the All Horse Parade.