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:))))