Trip to Cincy

After not being back since Mike and Alex's graduation 2 years ago we finally made it back to visit. It was wonderful to see everyone and get a chance to catch up. Saturday we spent the day on Mike's boat with Mike, Alex, and Chris. It was an extermely relaxing and fun day of tubing, swimming, and just floating on the Ohio river chatting. Mike was a great captain and I know Uncle Fred would be so proud. It's awesome to see how much they have grown up. It's hard to believe I've know them since they were little 3rd graders drinking 2 chocolate milks (as they always remind me). Now they are a wonderful young lady and two amazing young men.  I have to say as their "big sister" I'm so proud of them! :) 
After about 5 hours on the river we docked at a resturant and met up with Linda, Linda and Charlie for dinner. Here are pictures from the first part of the day.

Logan & Chris

Mike and Alex

Chris tubing

Logan on the tube

Swimming in the Ohio River

In the water

The parents :)

Me & my little sibs!

Logan & Chris

April's 35th

Yes, it's true- I'm 35! An old woman as Logan would tell me. Isn't he so kind? :) So my 35th was a  bitter sweet day. One one hand lots of fun because it was the last day of school and well I love my birthday. BUT it was also the last day that I will be working at my school because we are not opening next year so I had to spend part of my birthday in the closing service for the school. Thankfully Logan has been with me through many birthdays, last days of school, and unfortunately even a school closing so he knew I'd need an extra dose of fun for the day and he delivered! After work we put in our appearance at the school picnic and then headed to hang out with friends for some adult beverages, cake, and lots of goofing around. It was a great time filled with much needed laughs, picking on me and story telling- the more embarrassing the better! Besides a fun b-day "party" I got a cute new summer outfit and lots of well wishes, phone calls, and birthday drawings from my students and my family. Overall I'd say turning 35 was a lot of fun. Thank you to all who made it fun and special--especially Logan! Here are a few pictures from the night.


I guess when you're 35 you get to
cheer when you blow out 2 candles!

Yummy coconut cake!



more friends



Celebrating with friends




Thank you Logan!

Logan's New and Improved Room

A much brighter basement

So that room in the basement has always been Logan's Michigan room. After we took the wall down we decided to really make it Logan's Michigan room when we found out that you could buy the licenced team color paint. Here are pictures of the new and improved Michigan room and bathroom. It is so much fun!

Looking into the room

Logan's handy work

My handy work on the stripes

Very yellow bathroom

Michigan bathroom

Michigan bathroom

Secret Project

Before

Since we saw the house the first time we thought it was a little weird that there were so many walls in the basement. We especially didn't like the one blocking the patio door. Well, we decided it was time to tear down at least one of the walls. So with the help of Dad's instructions and Pastor Eric, we were able to tear down one of the walls in the rec/Michigan room and open the doors. Here are some pics of before, during, and kind of after. More surprises in the next post!

Before

Both doors open!

Both doors open!

Before

Ready to demo

Middle of the project

After

After

Cleaning the deck with Dad

Mom and dad came for Easter. On Tuesday Dad helped me power wash the deck. It looks so much better. Though my arms hurt for awhile! :)

My 1st try

Starting to get the hang of it

finished product

Learning how

Finished product

New Bedroom Furniture

So we decided to prespend some of our tax refund money and get a new head board for our bed. Due to a good sale we decided to go all out and get a matching set. We feel very grown-up now. Here's pics of the furniture and us working to put it together. It looks really nice and we are really enjoying it. Even if the drawers are a little smaller than the old stuff!

how the boys helped :)

Spring Flowers!

bush in front of house-matching one
on other side in light pink

front of house

view of backyard out of bedroom window

Don't know what kind of tree this is
but WOW!

Cool weeping tree by the deck

flowers on backyard tree

Having moved into our house in a very hot July we had no idea what kind of flowers we would have in the spring. I'm very happy to say our yard is beautiful! Pretty trees and flowers-though still waiting for more to come up. Here are some pictures of the pretty flowers.