35!

Can you believe it's the number of worms that were on the sidewalk from my car to the door at work? Ewww!

Bryson went to work with me so he could work on his science fair project (not every 9-year-old has access to world class scientists and equipment, so we take advantage of it. I'm pretty sure most of the parents at the science fair didn't understand his project 2 years ago. The principal commented, "That seems really advanced for a 2nd grader." It was, but it was all his idea. I just helped him understand the concepts behind the science. He understood and could explain it perfectly). When we were walking into the building he was counting rythmically and I thought he was counting the number of sidewalk squares to the door. When we got to the door he said "35!" I said, "There's 35 squares to the door?" "Nope, 35 worms." Ewww!

Karaoke and sewing don't mix

I just got the wierdest phone call from home. McKay was singing karaoke and was annoying Parker who was sewing. So Parker took the cord to the karaoke, so McKay took the cord to the sewing machine. And thus began the standoff.

Anyone who knows my (or any) 15 and 17-year-old boys has to ask, what in the world were they doing anywhere near karaoke or sewing? Good question. Parker is working on a service project for his Citizenship in the Community merit badge for scouts and is make some baby quilts for a local homeless shelter. Sorry, that's what you get when you ask mom to help you find an 8 hour service project that can be completed in 5 days in his spare time. McKay and karaoke...still a mystery. This is the kid that dropped out of chorus as soon as mom would let him. I came home and found him singing last night. Although, it might have something to do with the fact that he's grounded from the computer, TV, movies, and video games.

Word to the wise...don't leave your teenage sons home sewing and singing karaoke at the same time without a referee.

The family that pulls together sticks together!

That's what I was looking for! Walt gets 1st place in the clever quip contest. Is anyone surprised?

Pulling Taffy

I'm serious, the Gibson family had a taffy pull tonight. Bryson got some laffy taffy at church and asked if they really pulled taffy. So I just had to show him. I haven't done it for years, but the recipe still works. The boys had a great time and the blisters on their fingers will heal soon enough. Just kidding.

The family that pulls together, ummm...uhhh...man! it sounded like such a good way to start a clever phrase. Sorry, I've got nothin.

My Young Women!

I ran across this picture from New Beginnings earlier this year. Being YW President is challenging and a lot of work, but moments like this make it all worth it. Aren't they beautiful!?!

I curse all software programmers

OK, so I'm working on a project at XOS where I'm the Project Manager for a new ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning which is code for "software that runs everything in the company") software implementation.

The thing is that we chose a brand new release of the software because it has some functionality on the financial side that they didn't have in the old release. Unfortunately, there are way too many bugs for my liking. I feel like a beta tester. I'm on a first name basis with 4 tech support people at the software company and have talked to about 10 others. It's starting to wear on me.

Luckily, I have the support of an awesome implementation team (oh, and don't forget company President - thanks, honey) that is as willing as I am to set unrealistic goals and then make them happen. Darn overachievers!

Out of Touch...

I feel like I've been out of touch with the world lately. 2 weeks ago the motherboard on my laptop died. Such a hassle! No data was lost (plus I back up the things I really care about frequently, so I wasn't too nervous about that), but I depend on the computer so much! Even something as simple as I wanted to make some fresh lemonade and my favorite recipe is online, I turned to my empty computer desk and grumbled as the empty desk mocked me. I now have my new laptop and it will take me weeks to configure it the way I want it again, but now I can blog!

We've been unbelievably busy even without my computer. David's free time has been dominated with a Superintendent search and interviews for the School Board as well as church responsibilities (if he volunteers for anything else, I'm going to scream!).

I have been working mostly full time and the project team is great, but the product we're working with is riddled with problems that I am constantly having to work out to try and keep the team working. Throw in being Young Women's President at church, Young Women's Camp Certification Leader, and, oh yea, all the mom stuff - I barely have time to breathe (if I can't say "no" to anything else I'm asked to do, I'm going to scream!).

A pathetic example of how busy we are is that one of our cars ran out of gas close to home, so it has been sitting in the driveway for two weeks and we've been driving the other two cars because we can't find time to grab the gas can and get gas. Totally pathetic.

Anyway, I'm back online and feeling human again.

Birthday and Baptism last weekend

Last weekend we went out to Massachusetts for our Nephew Zac's baptism. It was about the best attended baptism of an 8-year-old I've seen. Here is a picture of Zac and his Dad, Frank.


It was also Betsy's birthday so we got to celebrate with her.

Walt has been feeling pretty good, although he tires easily. That doesn't slow him down, much, he's been working 4 or 5 days a week and still fits in some Grandpa time. Here is a picture of him with Jen's son Tommy.

We stayed at a hotel near Jonna and Frank's church and only had two beds, one for David and I and one for Parker, so we put Bryson in the closet (McKay stayed home with a friend). The couch cushions fit nicely in the bottom of the closet for padding. Yes, Bryson actually slept there all night! This picture was after he had fallen asleep.

It was his idea. He's so weird.

Objection your Honor!

There was an ongoing investigation at Voorheesville Elementary in order to solve a mystery using science. Someone was murdered and the 4th grade has been processing the evidence in their science lab to determine who could have done it. Finally a suspect was identified and a trial was scheduled.

Bryson was appointed as the Defense Attorney. He has been preparing for three days including a meeting of the Defense Team at lunch yesterday. The Prosecuting Attorney was Bryson's friend Carson. Bryson spent last night preparing his questions, closing statement, and memorizing all the possible objections for the trial today. He left the house in his best suit, hair combed nicely, and a cookie for morning snack.

The trial lasted for 45 minutes with one 5 minute recess to re-angle the cameras in the courtroom (sort of like the timeouts for commercials at football games), so the 4th grade could watch the trial from their classrooms. Apparently during the 5 minute recess both attorneys grew mustaches of marker ink. The Judge, Principal Diegel, and Jury, the entire 4th grade, unfortunately found his client guilty and she was taken away in handcuffs. He joked that the Bailiff had to restrain him from attacking the judge when they announced his client guilty.

He really wasn't too upset about losing his first (and maybe only) trial, but I consoled him by saying, "You win some, you lose some." His response was, "I'm just in it for the money." lol!

Ice Skating

We've been looking for someplace to go ice skating since we got used skates for everyone last fall. Just before everything started to melt, we found out OUR town park had an ice rink set up. We had driven by looking for one several times and didn't notice it down one of the hills and not visible from the road. Grrr. So we finally got out on the ice. Although we may never take Parker again because he's always whinning about how his skates fit (darn wide sasquatch feet) or their not tight enough, or the laces breaking (a valid complaint since it happened).

Some are graceful, some are boys.