End of summer photos....

It took time, but I decided to upload a bunch of photos...it seems like I never have the time:)...but I made it my goal for the day...DONE!!!

Ian and my dad planted gourds this summer. My mother-in-law actually bought the seeds for them and they planted them...ok..we had TONS!! This is only a few...next year we are going to plant some different types...Ian LOVED it!! We are drying out about 5 of them to make bird houses:)...it has been a fun project for Ian and grandpa. They had an entire garden with tons of veggies and TONS of pumpkins...I don't have a photo of those..but so nice to not buy pumpkins this year...watch out Morton..you got nothing of me!!



These two LOVE to cuddle in my bed...this became a morning ritual this summer...I would shower and they would laugh, talk, and wrestle on the bed:)


Ian can get grown men to do anything...the kids love going to grandma and grandpas house...and they don't mind if you pick their flowers..unlike me:(...AJ was a great sport and played right along:)

Amanda Mae went off to the University of Illinois...tears were shed and lots of hugs...she has been home almost EVERY weekend...yea...she made the right choice..farther away would have killed her...she is a family girl:)...she does love her coach and she is running great!!!

While we were packing the truck...Jade got caught playing in my car:)

Ian started school on the same day as Amanda...he was fine with it..but did explain that staying home is tons better...HELLO..but he is in full swing now and loves it again..he is taking piano at school also...he loves it..but can't wait to move on to the guitar:)

Jade just hanging out..she does this alot:)...she is a talker...all the time..she listens and repeats...over and over..it is nice because she understands so much now..makes life a little easier..

Jade is also very strong willed..she has a plan and doesn't want it to be changed..she gets mad and cries over the littlest things...but she it over it in seconds...lets hope it stays that way:)

Note to self...the next time I say I need a shed to put stuff in...Don't let Jeff pick it out:)...this is what arrived...it is actually pretty cool...3 doors and windows with shutters...looks like a little house on the other side...it doesn't look that big in our yard...I was shocked to say the least...I guess I shouldn't have been surprised:)

Jade hanging out in her baby pool...she loved to play in this..we called it our hillbilly pool...but it works until we get a real pool...I want to wait because she is wild in a pool...she goes under and doesn't care!!! Ian and her spent alot of time at Mount Hawley Country Club pool this summer and my sister house...but the hillbilly pool worked it a pinch:)

That is it...now bring on the FALL!!!

A long day...

I was up ALL night worrying about the cat. To make a long story short..the cat is dead. She must have gotten in the backyard and Beau..our dog...wanted to play with her..only she was too little to play. I found her this morning in his favorite spot just laying on her side in perfect condition...at first I thought she was alive..but no. Anyway, when Ian got up I told him and since he had a dentist appt he missed school...we went and looked at replacement cats/kittens at PetSmart...Ian found one..of course..I am still not convinced this is the cat for me. We will see.
My dad came over and we did what we did when I was younger...we buried the cat in the backyard. Ian got to throw the first bit of dirt on the box...the tears were rolling down his little cheeks...afterwards he walked away to be alone and later placed two flowers on her little grave...so cute and sweet.
It has all in all been a good thing...I don't think he has ever had to really let go of something he wasn't ready to let go of..he has lost 2 great grandmas and an uncle..but I think he thought of them as old and it being time...he just told me that his heart isn't hurting as bad tonight:):)
Now if I can only find a cat that doesn't mind me giving it a bath 2 times a week:(

The Cat.....

I had an entire post about our new cat....but for some reason I didn't post it...this cat was not my idea...it just showed up or should I say dumped at 5 weeks at our neighbors house..along with 4 siblings. I couldn't say no...Ian has been begging or a cat..ok..enough about that..that was my former post...
Well..the cat is gone..she went out today and hasn't come back..I am so praying this cat..Sandy..comes home. It is the first time I have seen Ian cry...sob..pray..shake..I am just dying here. He never gets like this, but I am telling you this cat is like a human..it even LOVES Jade or at least it loves all the food, drink, and pacifiers she gives it.
I am writing this to remind myself that if Sandy comes home...I will NEVER complain about her again:).......I will be up all night...if you here someone yelling..."here kitty...kitty" it is me...I used to make horrible fun of my in-laws for doing this..

This is what we did all summer long....

Amy Nunez...became Mrs. Amy Prather...here is a photo of Amy on her wedding day..this is her new step daughter:):)
I couldn't have hand pick her new husband better myself:)


Jade doing her usual ride up the stairs....she love that basket ride...

Action shot of Ian on the water slide we rented for his birthday party...we had to try it out before the party started:)


Jeff and Ian trying the slide out before the party...it was HUGE!!!

Summer has flown by...

These photos are mixed up...but I am finally getting around to loading some from summer...
We had a big party for Ian's 7th birthday...we rented this and another slide for the kids...they had so much fun!!! This was a huge slip and slide...so cool!

Jade loves the American flag...on day I was sitting outside in the morning and she was waving it saying.."USA"..."USA"...she is such a talker:)

I hate laundry...I hate wrinkles the worst:(....I am now forced to put my laundry away fast...or Jade hangs out in the basket:)

She hates getting watermelon juice on her clothes...great solution..take my clothes off!

This is a photo of us...minus Jeff..he was out of town on Ian's actual birthday..June 29th...he had 3 parties this year...which will NOT be happening again..I don't even know how it happened but I was tired and broke after it was all said and done!!

Randon photos....

Here are just a few random photos....

Jade eating her first of many cookies...she is really not a sweet eater...I guess she can hang with dad....I still have Ian!!!


Joe Burke was in town with Cat one night and stopped by...his wife my have thought he was having a relaxing night...but he had dinner with us...and played Nerf gun...while she was at home in Kentucky..taking care of her 3-under 7 years...and waiting for #4 to arrive...anyday. Jeff hired Joe right out of college when he was the Business Manager in Danville Kentucky...it turned out great!! He LOVES Joe..even though they don't work together anymore:(


Ian on his last day of school...he was so happy!!!

Ian loves getting into Jade's crib in the morning...it gives me extra time in bed...so it is great for me...and Jade loves it...she loves her crib. Her ideal life would be having Jeff sleep in with her in the crib...I know he meets the weight requirement:)


The little red Volkswagen...this little car was Amanda's(18), Grant's(12), Ian's(6), and now Jade's(1)...I will be saving it for Amandas little one...someday:):) My dad worked for Volkswagen for 30+ years and he always had great toys for us kids...this was a favorite of the grandkids....

More Graduation day....

Ian and Amanda both graduated on the SAME day....my luck!! Anyway it went great...I was a little sad seeing my baby boy grow up and I really about lost it went I found out Ian was doing a reading at the graduation...not sad...scared to death. I couldn't imagine him reading in front of ALL of those people...but he did GREAT!!! The highlight of the graduation was Ian receiving an award for being the most positive role model, polite, well mannered, etc...kid in the school....ok...I guess they don't see him at home...but I am so happy he is sooooo good at school. We LOVE his school...we loved the small class size and all the one on one learning he received this year.
I tested him at home...must be the teacher in me...but... he tested out a 3rd grade for Reading and 3rd grade for Math...2nd grade for Science...I swore I would never do that but I had to know:):) He will have 18 kids in his class next year...he loves school!! He is busy playing golf, tennis, taking swim lessons, and doing Art and Spanish classes!! He is getting really good at tennis...guess all those England lessons did pay off:)



Amanda also finished out her high school career...she did great and we couldn't be more proud...I was doing my normal..."good luck Amanda" on the sidelines and I said this is it...high school is over...that is what the look was about...she was VERY SAD..but she is now ready to compete at a new level...
The journal star named her Track Athlete of the year...it doesn't come out until tomorrow...but the photo shoot was SO COOL!!!!

Graduation Day....

I will post my photos tomorrow...I promise! Ian graduated from kindergarden today...I can't believe the year has just flown by...he LOVED it!!! His teacher made the cutest book for the kids...each kid gave her a recipe in their own words...Ian gave this peppermint cake that his grandma makes every Christmas...it was too cute to hear how he thought it should be made and what the ingredients were...I thought his teacher gave a really cute one at the end of the book...

She called it the "Cooks Surprise"....

Take 11 pieces of constant energy in motion..add several quantities of individuality, pinches of truth, not alot of experience, and more than enough mischief. Mix them all together well to form a kindergarden class. Pour them into Illinois Central Christian School and add one teacher...Sprinkle with lots of love, season with learning, flavor with some humor, toss in LOTS of patience, fold in support from home. Cook for 9 months in room 110...remove from the classroom and let cool for about 12 weeks...place back in the class in the Fall and you will have 11 first graders:)

Amanda graduated today also...it was only about 92 degrees or about 100 on the bleachers in the sun. I am off to bed..

Happy Birthday Jade....

Jade is finally one...today!! We had a pretend b-day party for her...her real one will be May 2nd so her other grandparents can attend the party. Here are a few photos from her little party...she LOVED the cake!!!
Notice the crutches in the background...that is a WHOLE other story...Amanda...we did get some GREAT news today...she could be back running in 2-3 weeks!!! State isn't until the end of May...so it looks like she could be back and ready well before the State meet...her goal is to break the 100 200 400 and 800...she only has the 100 left:))))

How does all this time fly by so fast....

I can't believe I haven't posted any photos in weeks....I do have them, but time is always aganist me!! Anyway...here are a few things going on here at the Saad house...

Ian- he finally lost his front tooth...I think it actually fell out on its own. The toothfairy made her visit and he was off to Toys R Us the next day...to purchase Nerf gun. I don't really like these inside since his main target seems to be Jade...he will deny this...but I know what I see. School is good and he is ready for summer and having friends over to our house.

Jade- She is running everywhere...she scares me to death! She is so funny...I guess I forgot all this baby babbling...it is so cute. She always yells dad, mom, Tina, stinky(because I always say her feet are stinky) and so many other cute little things...she is so much fun BUT man she makes me tired. She is not content to sit and watch...Nope...she wants to join the crowd.

Jeff- He is finally not traveling near as much:) He is doing great...loving his job and loving playing with the kids..NONSTOP....this makes life easier for me...I can get stuff done...but the aftermath of all the toys, games, etc....we gotta work on picking up!!

Me-I am still helping out at Ians school. I have been busy doing Spring cleaning and getting RID of so many things...it feels so GOOD to get rid of stuff!!!

That is it...track season is next week...so life becomes crazy...Amanda and Grant this year!!

She is really my daughter......

I admit she does look like me...but sometimes I wonder...what if a mix up occurred...usually this is about 3:00 a.m. and she is up for her fifth time of the night...but I always know that I would keep her!! I don't need to ask this question anymore..this is what I found her doing the other day....yep...that is my girl!! She loves it!! She goes around saying "sweep" which some may mistake for "sleep" but we all know my Jade...that word isn't in her vocabulary....

Well...actually it is...but she says "night night"....I will write more about this later...this is really blog worthy...I can't just use one paragraph to write about getting her to finally sleep...sometimes I even wake her up...I know..I know don't wake a sleeping baby...but after a 3 hour nap...I get nervous about the night time....more to come on that...

A few new photos.....

We can't believe it has been a year since we have been home...all the work on the house, the birth of Jade, and ALL the unpacking!!! I am still doing the house and unpacking...Jade is always on the move!! She is doing great!! Ian is doing great!! He loves school and all his friends at school and church. We are so ready for Spring to arrive....although...I am still doing organizing inside the house...I will be ready to get outside and work. My project was going great until I flooded the basement floor...don't ask!! Yep...I actually cried for about 3 minutes..yelled for about 2 minutes...than laughed and I am still laughing...stupid mistake on my part...but thanks to my WONDERFUL dad for helping me with the mess...I mean...lake!!
My parents are doing great also...they were suppose to head to Florida, but they canceled...they watched Amanda and Grant while my sister went to Hawaii...oh yea...Rob went also. I think the real reason they didn't go is Jade...yep..she has taken their hearts away...they are in awe of her. Everything she does...they talk about nonstop...I get sick of it and she is my kid. Jade loves them also..she goes around yelling "Johnny" or "John" all day long.



Jade finally moved up to a new carseat!! She has needed this for so long, but we finally found just the perfect one for her...she loves it!!!

Ian loves it now that Jade walks....they love to do this over...and over...and over again and again!!!

Jade goes into her room and poops in the corner...she like to hide...and yells "momma" when she is done...

Ian is still playing basketball. He really likes it...they have gotten so good. He can't wait to get our court set up this summer.

Amanda signed with the University of Illinois!!! She received a full ride to run track. She is so excited to go to college....I wonder when it will hit her...no one to do her laundry, cook her food, etc....we'll see!!

Ths problem at school.....

The above picture is what I found in the sunroom one afternoon..."What is wrong?" I asked...."Everything" replied Ian....ok this sounds bad.
After some questioning I find out the problem....nose picking!!!
Ian is NOT a nose picker..never has been...never will be...in fact, we have both thrown up before watching someone pick their nose at a stop sign...don't ask...we couldn't look away!!
Ian has a boy and a girl in his class that both are picking their nose and EATING IT!
The boy even sometime digs in his ears and licks his fingers afterwards...ok...this is just plain gross!! I got nothing for you kid....my advice...look away...don't let them touch your desk or pencil with their "snot" fingers..I am sending more wipes for this desk and hands....Ian than had his idea...he is going to offer them a wipe after they pick their nose or ears....ok...problem solved!!!
Ok...on to my next problem...why is Ian reading a Rifle magazine?? Just kidding..Jeff and Ian have been going over gun safety and rules for owning a gun.

More photos...I am on a roll.....

Ian...every morning...

Jade...every morning...do you SEE the problem??? Just kidding...she is always happy...just never tired!!

This is how they sleep best...but, Jade crawls all over Ian..he doesn't wake up, but I get worried someone will get hurt.

Amanda FINALLY choose Univeristy of ILLINOIS!!!! I will post more after her signing ceremony...

Ian has started shaving...Santa gave him a kit and he uses it almost EVERYDAY!! He loves it...and is very serious about the whole thing. Well, Well...I am 2 or 2 looks like I have shut Holli and Stacey down!!!

Finally some photos to post....

I have a few random photos from the past month...

Grandpa Eddie getting his birthday surprise....tickets to the MONSTER TRUCK SHOW...I am sure this is what he has always wanted...!!!!
Jade just hanging out with the family....
Ian and Jade love to take baths together and it so cuts down on my time...LOVE IT!!!