I figured out how to set the timer on my camera (and how to use it). So, this is a pic of all of us after the Blue and Gold Banquet (minus Sky who is playing Golf in Myrtle Beach - so not fair!). Anyway, it was chaotic and Joshua is wild and can wear me down faster than a hurricane. But, it was enjoyable and everyone had a good time. So, all my little snide comments are only in good fun.

Tyler claims to have had 8 different desserts. Justin says there were only 7 kinds. I say: "What Were You Thinking?????!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Every now and again I feel like checking in somewhere (just for a few days). :)

Justin chowing down - Chris and his wife made 40 pounds of ribs (which were very, very good) that went real well with my 25 pounds of mashed potatoes! I was going to take the left overs to the homeless shelter - but, there were none. There was about half of what I made left but, fortunately, people were able to take leftovers home. I'm glad for that. At least I know people really did like my taters!

Pack 4006 (minus a few) -Aldo Leopold Community School.

Joshua in his new Little Scout Buddy t-shirt at Aldo Leopold's pack 4006 Blue and Gold Banquet.

(I stopped by the liquer store for some beer on the way home. Shhhh)

Here is Tyler filling out his pay slip. His classroom created a city called Springfield. The students set up the businesses and learn to run the them. There was a post office, pizza shop, jewery store, pet store, a theater (which Tyler ran with his friends Cody and Aaron), a primary school, and a grocery store. Parents were invited to come and shop in the city (with play money, of course). The clerks were very friendly and helpful and did a great job of couting back change.

Tyler purchasing a necklace at Shiny charms Jewels in Springfield City.

Tyler making a purchase at the Spring-Mart Grocery Store.

Joshua eating pizza in Springfield City at the 3 Muskateers Pizza shop (in Tyler's classroom)

Justin and Tyler - - - GOING DOWN!!!!!!!

Not the best picture but, you can click on the image and it will open in another screen only larger. Then you can click your back button to get back to the full blog.

Anyway, this is Sky (with Joshua on his back) going up the sledding hill. You lay on your belly, on your innertube, of course, and hold on to the rope. It pulls you up so fast it's hard to tell which the boys liked better: going up or going down. But, you have to let go at just the right moment. Justin and Tyler generally chose to walk it.

Here they are at the bottom of the hill. It's pretty steep.

Sky, Joshua, and Tyler taking their turn. I wasn't quick enough to get a good pic of Joshua on sky's back going down the hill. I was so afraid he was going to not hold on well enough and flip over but, he did real well. Everyone loved it!

Justin getting ready to go down the sledding hill. This is at the Triangle Sports Area down the road from our house in Green Bay.

Tyler's 3rd lost tooth!

Found an old pic of me and sky when I graduated from LTC - one day I'll go back to being a nurse - hopefully in Tennessee. Seeing my graduation pictures makes me nostalgic.

Snow's not stopping Joshua from playing on his slide!

Justin being pulled on a sled by the GATOR - with Jamie and Austin

Ascher's new hiding spot

What a big smile - that's Justin - always happy!

I know it ain't pretty but, this is what I looked like after an hour of shoveling 12 inches out of our driveway - half our driveway! (I made Sky get the other half.) Anyway, I looked like I just stepped out of the shower. My hair was soaked. My jacket was so wet I just threw it in the dryer - it looked like I'd been in a rain storm. Anyway, when I was done shoveling I had to shovel again because about 1/2 inch fell while I was out there - it's still coming down!

Joshua trying his best to ride his big wheel in the snow. This was before todays 12 inches (at least) and on top of about a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch or more of ice!

Snow bank again!

Justin and Joshua playing in a snow bank.

Me and Tammy were at it again! I kids better appreciate us. Making these things were a pain in my - I'll say it - ASS! But, I think they turned out nicely. I made about 60 or more. These were for the Valentine's party at Joshua's daycare. I made some for Justin's class, too. Tyler's class had an all out party with cupcakes and other foods. So, he just stuck to the cards with a sucker treat (that I didn't make).

Joshua was helping me with the laundry. He later crawled in and I took some pic's but, honestly, someone might report me for endagerment of a child if I were to post it.

Joshua and his trains! See, I made the track so it's really "mama and her trains."

If i can remember correctly It's called Khinkali, which is a meat dumpling from the country Georgia bordering Russia. I liked it but I think I would try a different type of meat filling. The spices were good but not yet acquired by my taste buds. Anyway, we had rolls and tomatoes and cucumbers with balsalmic vinegar and oil. It's fun to try something new. I like trying recipes from other countries actually. This wasn't the first.

Joshua was helping me make the dough for a new recipe

Tyler 'helping me shovel' - as if that's not enough snow we got about 12 inches today!

Well, I just got through reading a good book called Heat of the Knight by Jackie Ivie. Now, I really would like to say it was a 'really' good book but, it wasn't. This is where I get frustrated. It was excellently written. There was a lot of story here, a lot of cunning, an ultimate plan. A new war was in the making and I was really looking forward to clashing of swords, sweat and muscles. In the end, the bad guys were invited to a 'party,' made slightly carefree by opiates, confronted, taken hostage and overturned by nothing more than a show of arms! What a letdown! That is almost worse than a book that just sucks from cover to cover. But, I will read at least one more book of hers for comparison. That's only fair, right?

I couldn't get any real good pic's - BECAUSE My Hands were FrEeZiNg!!!! BRRR. Yes, our pack went sledding - it was 9 degrees. One mama said they should earn the "weather proof kid" patch. I so totally agree!

Joshua throwing snowballs at mama!

At Red Robin after wearing the kids out at Wild Air: Matthew, Tammy, Stephanie (in front of Justin), Tyler, Ben, Maddie, Christine, Julia, and Joshua.

Warming up by the fire after playing in the snow (yes they were wearing pj's beneath their snowsuits - why dirty clothes when you're not going anywhere?)

Tyler out back getting in a little playtime!