Thought I would share an artist with you that has some very inspiring words, India Arie. About a year ago I decided that it wasn't where I lived that could make me happy. I needed to be happy where I am before I could move on. So I think I have finally reached this point and the song, Theres Hope, says it nicely.

All Hallow's Eve

This year we decided to forgo our annual party. Ashley had a babysitting job and the boys weren't feeling well all week. It was nice however to get dressed and go out. We started out with pumpkin carving at 4 (ashley and I saving ours for fall decorations). Christopher's is the puking pumpkin. Michael made me nerous as he got to use the filet knife and a few extra tools. When I cut jonnys he got mad because it was a happy pumpkin. He wanted a scary pumpkin so we added the arrow. This of course leads us to the costume ordeal. Back in September jonny and I found this monkey costume that he had to have. But for the last couple weeks he only wanted scary scary scary. He was not going to wear the monkey so was just going as himself. We finally got the monkey costume on him and all pretended to be scared. After about 4 houses he loved being the monkey and kept saying how much fun it was. We had beautiful weather and could not have asked for better. By the ended of mile two I ended up with a monkey on my back. hehehehe. The boys really had a good time and we ended the evening with a few munster episodes and some fear factor.

Veggie Tales

Jonny won 4 tickets to VeggieTales Live Concert. He waited for 2 weeks to go and some nights could not sleep. Finally the "great" day came and he could barely contain himslef. He pouted the first half cause he could not go on stage. At intermission we got him the wand(that all the other kids had) and he felt much better. He was up dancing around with Ashley and loved it. At one point we thought they might sing Moo-Shoo Gi-Pan but they were just teasing. Ash got really sad at that. Towards the end he started asking about the costumes and I told him the people were wearing some but the veggies were real. He looked at me, ummm what about the black feet. I told him they to move somehow and he said they just bounced. And proceeded to show me. Then another great song came on and he moved on. I think Michaels favortie song was the Hamburger song. I personally like "I Love My Lips", which of course they did not play. We had great seats...row 14, off the the left center.

Ashley Turns 16!
It started with her Grandpa showing up after school to pick her up in "the truck" This was a very nice surprise and started her evening off right.
This year was a difficult party for me. I was all excited for her party as she invited a few friends over for cake and games. But to my surprise this was probably the first time she didn't want mom to play. I went for a walk to the fort with the boys, then took Jonny to the park. Of course all of that went to fast. We came back and sang Happy Birthday, had some cake and tried to find something else to do. This was one of the times I wish we had our basement done. This girls took the living room leaving the rest of to our bedrooms. After hearing a few of their conversations I decided I didn't want to be out there anyways and I tried to remember what is was like to 16 and with my girlfriends. Of course I only remember the parties when I was little and it was okay to have family....lol When I got older and I don't think I wanted my firens over. The girls had a great time and asked to repeat it. I hope that they will continue to feel welcome in my home and and that there are many get-together to come. The song I have dedicated to Ash is "My Wish" by Rascal Flats.

This has been an exciting year for her as well. She attended her 1st school dance week(homecoming) and had a blast. She has been accepted in United States Achievement Academy Who's Who and been invited to tour France and Italy with People to People Ambassadors. Of course this probably won't fit in our budget this year so hopefully she will be offered this opportunity will come up again. We have the informational meeting next week and find out all the details. She is ranked #2 in her class for NWEA school testing and continues to take advanced classes as they are offered. 2 more years and she will off to college somewhere hopefully close to home. She has truly lighted up our lives with her smile. "My wish for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to, you dreams stay big, your worries stay small, you never need to carry more than you can hold, and while you are out there getiing where your gettin' to, I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things to. This is my wish!"

Jonny Goes to Preschool

Jonny has been waiting to ride the bus for a year now and he finally got his chance. He goes to school M-W-F from 12:20-3:00. The bus picks him in front of our house at 12:05 and then they bus him to Michaels' school and he ride home with him. His first day, Chris came home early from work to see him off. Then we went out for lunch. It was nice to have the feelings of not worry about the kids at home while we were out. However, before that we had to wait for the bus. It took awhile for the bus to get there becuase other moms were doing the picture things as well. So jonny spent the time running around the yard posing. When the bus finally got there he was scared to ride by himself but put the excitement took over and he smiled all the way. I started to tear but then got it together as I know this is where he needs to be. The other day while falling asleep, he sat up and said, "Mom, I have to tell you something about school. We painted with our feet. I LOVED it." Ain't it Grand!

I want to give a shout out to my great friends Christa and Susan who I miss terribly. And to the other great friends that I have met along the way. You have all helped me become who I am today. Thank You I hope I can help you all as well. Thanks

School has begun and the time is flying. But lets back up a little to Jonny 4th Birthday. We have been busy so we are a little behind. We went to see Wall-E when it came out and Jonny decided that he wanted a wall-e party. He had family and friends over to help him celebrate. His actually birthday was on sunday. He woke up on the 27th and wanted to open more presents. He had decided that he wanted a bike. We decided that he could have it before church and chris left for work. He took a couple of turns up and down the hall and then immediately after church had to ride again. He rides every day now even if is just for a sec. The great thing is that we live in a very quiet neighborhood and he can go out alone to ride. We he sees a car he pulls over to a mailbox and waits for them to pass. He has learned the rules very well and listens to the directions without having to be told twice. I hope this continues...

All is quite at home currently with the older ones on their last summer hur-rah. Jonny has missed them and can't wait for them to come home. School will be after the holiday with all 3 going at some point. Ashley will start 10th, Michael in 5th and Jonny in preschool 3 days a week. He is super excited. What will I do to fill my time....

We went to lake this past week and had a blast. Jonny went "skiing" for the first time behind the big boat. He did fall after a while and was alittle shocked to be in the water all alone...but then realized he could swim with his life jacket. Next Michael tried it and did very well. We also had a lot of fun in the tube going for great rides. Ashley went out with the "big" boys and and took several "tumbles" from the tube. She was sore for a couple days afterwards. We hope we can make it up there one more time this summer.

Fishing just hasn't been the same since we moved here. The boys have to fishing on the river for dirty catfish. We are on the catch and release program. But the boys love it fishing with Chris and going on the boat. If you click on the picture, you can see the whiskers on the fish..hehehe

In June I went to Colorado to see my family out there and attended my sisters wedding. I had a blast staying with family members and playing with a couple of my nieces' and newphews as pictured. They are such a hoot to be with and hope to send Ashley out there for awhile to visit and enjoy the beautiful mountains.

Thanks guys for the great time!

Now we will back up a little. In May Ashley was recognized with U.S. National Honor Student Award. The following is an excerpt from the paper:

" The United Staes Achievement Academy annouced today that Ashley Nero of___ has been recognized for academic achievement as a United States National Honor Student Award winner.

Nero, who attends ____ High School, will appear in the US Achievement Academy's Official yearbook which is published nationally."

It goes on to talk about her accomplishemtns and the benefits that will provided for her in the future such as scholarships and such. We are excited for her as she takes her studies seriously and is looking for the right college to attend. Hopefully the boys will foloow in her footsteps..hehehe

Okay, so I couldn't wait to post entries of june before I post this video of the 4th. We went to the lake for the 4th and took some time out for some tubing fun. Mike, Chris and Aaron took a turn in the tube.
I was able to catch alot of their fun on my camera. I trimmed off the first 40sec so you could just see the "30 year thrill".
We had fun visiting family and enjoying the beautiful weather.
Michael enjoyed anchoring off shore and swimming to his own beat. He had such a great time that he has decided to stay there an extra week and play with grandpa.
Ashley had to come back as she leaves for girls camp on monday.

In May we took the kids to see "Iron Man". After that jonny was iron man for several days. He started with just simple marker colors indicating his energy source then we found one of those self sticky battery operated lights in the drawer, you know that had to go on his chest. Then Chris bought one in red a few days later. Jonny wore this day and night. I think people thought there was something wrong as with the shirt over it it glowed through and there was a serious bump on his chest...what people must have thought....

In late Feb. my dad remarried and had a western theme. The grandchildren loved it and ever since then Jonny has wanted to be a cowboy(far right). He wears hi cowboy boots wherever he goes and wants a cowboy bedroom. Timeouts are currently ineffective so we take away the cowboy boots for 3 days. This really gets his horse up in tizzy.

Later that month, Ashley and Jonny used their down time to become birds of a feather.

Jonny sure loves his big sister and brother. They are the best he says and waits for them to get off the bus every afternoon. He can't wait to go to school like "Ash".

In March we tried lightening Michaels hair. With the sun hiding for 7 months of the year, it has gotten really dark. Well we didn't leave it on long enough and he had an orange cast. He loved it as orange was his favorite color, but his teacher and friends hard a hard time. We trimmed it and it eventually washed out. I don't think he will let me do that again. hehehe

Okay, so it has been a couple of hours since my first post and I am excited. So lets back up alittle and see what has happened so far this year.

Michael turned 11 in January. His cake of choice this year was carrot with cream cheese frosting. I am not sure he is looking forward to being 12.

Next, the boys headed north for some bonding time and spent a little ice fishing. Jonny loves times in the ice house as it is all free time.

Data Entry 1

I have given into the pressure of peers and decided to start a BLOG instead of reading more romance novels. Hoping to share some family memories with those who are interrested and let the blog be my voice. Let the blogging begin...