Happy Birthday Nathan!

My Nathan :)  I can't believe that he is already 11.  I remember back to having him 11 years ago in Saint Vinzenz Krankenhaus, in Hanua Germany.  Not too many people know this, but I almost lost my life that day.  I mean, the Dr's really didn't think I was going to make it. (I won't go into details because this is Nathan's bday blog after all...). But my point is, he would have been worth it if I had to leave.  The world is a better place having him in it!



I LOVE the birthday cake he designed :)

National Junior Honor Society

Justin was just inducted to the National Junior Honor Society.  This organization is for students who have a high grade point average and  high moral character that is exhibited through out the year.  So proud of him! 



Mr. Grizzell~~the Middle School Principal:  he is great!



I Have a Teenager Now!

Justin is THIRTEEN!  I can't even believe it!  I keep thinking back to the day I had him thirteen years ago at Saint Vinzenz Krankenhaus in Hanua Germany.  8 pounds and 22 inches long.  Happy Birthday!

Being Recognized by the School District

This evening, Justin and Nathan, along with another OSEF award winner, was recognized by the Waynesville School District for their accomplishments in all of this year's science fairs.  They each had to give a small speech to tell what their projects were about, and it was all televised on local cable :)



RIP Trampoline

Wind storm equals bye bye trampoline.  We couldn't fix it.



Results~~~and a New Van

Last night, was the results of the State Science Fair.  Just to get anything was an honor because most kids there did not get anything.  The farthest Justin ever got in his past two time there was 3rd place.  On a side note, we have been having some van issues.  Right before we headed out to Springfield to get the results, we had a major decision to make:  pour more money into a van that was 9 years old and had 180,000 miles on it, or finally break down and get a new one.  The outcome of that decision is at the bottom :)  Back to the more important item:
The boys waiting to see what they won:



They both did great!!  Justin's won second place in Environmental Science, and Nathan won second place in Physical Science!  AMAZING!! 
Here they are with all the different second place winners in the different science categories (those 2 boys in the middle are only 14!!)

We are just so very proud of them!

Back to the other subject:  We decided to get a new van!  A Chrysler Town and Country to be exact!  Even though I am very excited about the new van, I am going to miss the KIA:



• We bought it right when we moved to Killeen, Texas (close to Fort Hood)
• Justin was 4 years old and Nathan was 2 years old
• It has been back and forth to Florida 3 times
• It had 180.000 miles on it

Here is where first, I backed into a parked car, and then later, Jon backed into a parked car (brilliant we are):

Here is where a ram butted our door with his horns.  Yes, a ram.  We were in a drive-thru safari park:

Someone hit us on this door:

And now, without further ado:  Our brand new Town and Country!

• It has stow and go seating
• it has electronic doors and trunk
• it has 2 different dvd players and 2 different screens
• and the best feature: a rear camera so we can see when we back up so Jon and I don't hit anything anymore!

The Shore's were there also and they happened to get a new van also that day :)



The boys went to Springfield last night to be judged for their projects in the State Science Fair, otherwise known as the Ozark Science and Engineering Fair.  They both felt like they did good on the interview.  They both received stickers on their projects, so they won something.   We all head back this afternoon to see what they got!!  Either way, to say we are so proud of them is a huge understatement :)



Spring Soccer!

Spring Soccer started, and this year, all THREE boys have decided to play.  This is the first soccer team that Owen has ever played on, and he is so funny.  He loves to run and fall on purpose.  I don't even know why.  Justin is on The Sting, Nathan is on The Coyotes, and Owen is on The Blue Dragons.  It will be a busy soccer season with 3 different practices and 3 different game schedules!