We are so Blessed

There has been a lot of stuff going on around Jay and around me lately. Sometimes hearing what other people go through makes me feel so blessed. It's easy to get caught up in our lives and our problems, but it's good to really look outside yourself and realize that there are lots of people who have much worse problems than yours. God has blessed this family.

Laps for Learning

Zach's school has an interesting new fund raising idea. It's along the lines of the MS Walk. Zach gets pledges to jog/walk around the track at his school as many times as he can in 45 minutes. Other parents seem to be excited about the idea because they don't have to sell anything. The school is excited because the get 100% of the profits. I'm not sure what I think. I've never been very good at asking people for money, especially when they don't get anything for the money. I walked the MS Walk in high school and I put up the entry fee myself. I didn't ask a soul to sponsor me. Lame, I know. I did want to contribute, but I just didn't know how to ask people for money. I guess I am a horrible fund raiser. It's funny because I was in charge of fundraising at my old job. I was good at finding things for other people to sell/do to raise money. It's just the selling I have a problem with I guess.
So what do you think? Good or bad idea for a fund raiser?

Family is Nice

My parents came to visit this weekend. They came up for my dad's high school reunion. My 10 year is this November. I can't decide if I want to go or not. I'm leaning toward not. It's so complicated to do things out of town when kids are not invited. But, I digress. I was speaking of my parents' visit. It was nice to have them. The kids love it when they stay(and not just because they bring really cool toys;-) ) Even the dog loves it when they stay with us! Everyone gets lots of extra attention. I'm hoping my mom will want to come stay and spoil the boys when their little sister comes...hint, hint;-) It would be cool if dad could come too, but I know how hard it is for him to get away from work.
We had lots of fun spending time with them. We all went to the YMCA's family fun day. I love these little free events! I was planning on paying for stuff, but it was cool to find out it was all free when we got there(except food, of course). We stuffed a scarecrow and played some games. Jay chased the kids around this cute little hay maze that they had set up. Jay and my dad climbed this awesome tower thing. I was quite impressed with how well they did. It's one thing to climb a stationary object, but to climb up something that is swinging from two ropes above...whew. They both made it to the top and neither one of them took the easy way that everyone else was taking. It was a fun day.
I have pictures, but I'll have to post them later when I get downstairs to use the desktop. You can find them in the October Album if you want to go look.

Pumpkin Pictures

Here are the pictures of Ryan's latest adventure with friend Ben.

little pumpkins


Ryan insisted on pulling the wagon. It was a bit frustrating, but very cute:-)
pulling the wagon


This is what he did with his pumpkins when he got home.
Pumpkin Express

Picture Catch Up

It occurs to me that I have not posted pictures in a while. I've been using the laptop in the living room mostly and it's hard to get downstairs to use the desktop(where I have all the pictures) for any length of time. So I sat here picking some favorite moments out of the things we've done recently to share with you. Of course I had a toddler climbing all over me most of the time, but that's how it goes. I was determined to get these pictures up! Enjoy:-)
For more pictures you can check out the albums to the side. I'm going to upload the pictures now.
Open House at the Fire Department
Fire Truck

on the fire truck with daddy


Open House at the Police Department
first time on a horse

Ryan just loved the big trucks

driving the "big truck"


Corn Maize
corn maze


Zoo
The goat was nuzzling Ryan right before this picture.
the goat likes Ryan

At the zoo