I CANT BELIEVE IT! My son?

Ok, first of all I know I haven't done very well keeping up on my blog. It has to do with something called "life". I have a bunch of things to post and promise to get to them very soon. I ran out of room on my memory card in my camera so I have to download them soon or I cant take anymore pics.

Anyway, I just needed to share my excitement and brag a little. I just finished filling out Spencers application online to take the SAT test in Jan. We recieved a letter from his school saying that because he scored so high on his End of Grade test last year that Duke University has invited him to take the SAT test as part of a talent search they do. No this doesn't mean that he's going to skip to college although I bet he wishes. But it opens up ALOT of doors for him in the future. They have trips that they take. Some of them being a creative writing course held at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico, an e-studies psychology course, an independent learning Algebra course, and a tropical ecolgy course held in Costa Rica. He will attend ceremonies at Duke University and most importantly this will go on his applications for college. He shares our excitement for him but he's VERY nervous about going to the high school to take the exam with all the high school students preparing to go to college.

Anyway, I'll keep you all updated on his progress. I just had to share. It has already blown my mind that MY son has been an honor roll student for the last 3 years. Also, he's had pnomonia for over a month and still managed to stay on the honor roll. I dont know how he does it. But I'm VERY proud of him.

I should mention also, this is Asher's first year with letter grades and his first report card was all A's and B's also. They must get the brains from Mike.

Well, I cant keep my eyes dry while typing this from tear of joy. So I better end before I short out the keyboard.

Our family reunion in Gatlinburg, TN Aug. 2008

The first day at the cabin the kids could'nt wait to get into the river. Not long after doing so Austin ended up with a bad boo boo on his thumb. He didnt get back in the water again for the week.

Mikes sister Heather and her husband Steve during the ride.

Uncle Steve playing a slap game with the boys at McCallisters. And nope I know what you are thinking is that Reagan facing the left? The answer would be NOPE! That is her cousin Aubrey. I had mistaken Aubrey for Reagan several times that week. Reagan actually has her back to us in the blue shirt looking down.

The kids had a great time roasting marshmellows in the fire pit. Yep that's Mikes dad sitting on the bench

What a little monkey!

Ok!! this is suppose to be a trip away from the real world. No lap tops please! Mike just couldn't resist checking his work e-mails.

Spencer and Asher with their cousins Josh and zac on the playset at cabin.

Mike's sister Heather soaking up the sun while reading her book by the river.

Mike taking a nap in the hammock. I tried to take one with him but couldn't sleep through the noisy kids in the hottub.

We stopped at an overlook to take pictures.

Uncle Ed gave Reagan her first ride on a motorcycle. She held on for dear life but had a Blast!

Reagan showing off the jeep we rented for the motorcycle ride. Spencer and Asher stayed at the cabin with their cousins.

Spencer playing one of the video games at the cabin with his cousins. Josh, Austin, and Zac

ok, yes that's me on the motorcycle. And dont worry it's just my brother in law Ed. They all talked my into riding with him to the Burger King for lunch. I was VERY nervous. But have to admit it was fun.

Mike playing pool with his brother Steve and his brother in law Steve.

Poor Rhonda (Mikes step mom) in the hottub with the grankids. How relaxing.

Ok, so I know that I have really ignored our blog since school has started. Our life is upside down now that we have a middle schooler. I wake up at 6:15am with Spencer get him ready, fed and on the bus at 6:45am. Then I try to speed walk the neighborhood in the dark before I have to be back home to wake Asher up. (by the way the walking is only when Mikes home). I get Asher up, ready, fed and on the bus at 8am. Then right back into the house to wake Reagan up get her ready, fed, and drive her to school. Run my errands then pick her back up. And so on and so on.

Anyway, I'm back. My house work is being ignored since I'm sitting with this but oh well, it will wait. Priortities first right?I wanted to share some great photos that I took at the family renunion. All of Mikes immediate family met and shared an awsome cabin in Gatlinburg in Aug. It was such great fun! We had the river right in the back yard, a hot tub, hammock, and a game room. We went to the aquarium, Bubba Gumps restaurant, and walked the main street while listening to the Blue Grass music.

And we spent a whole day dedicated to a motorcycle ride thru the Smoky mountians except for me and Mike we rented a jeep and followed behind. I was to chicken to get on a motorcycle. Poor Mike I ruined his fun. I know he would've loved to have been on a motorcycle instead.

What we do on summer vacation

Yay! For summer vacation.

We love this time of year because one of the great perks of Mikes job is that he travels. Ok will let me rephrase that. We get to travel with him when he travels during the summer when the kids are out of school. And the company pays for it.

And yes that is a picture of Asher doing cart wheels across the beach flicking sand everywhere. Being the acrobat he is he cant even seem to walk across the sand like everyone else.

a couple of weeks ago we went to Myrtle Beach Sc. for 4 days. While Mike is working during the day the kids and I get to do all the fun stuff like Magi Quest, that is one of their FAVORITE things to do when in Myrtle Beach. They would do it everyday if I let them. We did do it 2 days that week though. It's actually pretty neat. They have magic wands that activate things in the room and saves their game. They are given a quest in the beginning by a computer and then run around this two story building set in the midevel times. It's kinda like a scavenger hunt. Or we will go shopping, to the aquarium, or just lounge on the beach making sand castles, playing in the waves and praying that there are no hungary sharks that day. And then Mike meets up with us in the evening. We usually go to dinner, or swim in the pool. This time he was able to spend a day with us on the beach before heading back home. That was a great treat.

This is the first year that Reagan has been willing to get in the water. Which means mom was able to get in the water. She really enjoyed the waves except when the saltwater would get in her mouth or eyes.

Next week we will be going to Columbia Sc. , Spartanburg Sc , where one of my good friends live so I will be able to visit with her, and then to the beach in Wilmington Nc.

Fourth of July

For our Fourth of July we went to our neighbors house (the Muhlesteins) with the missionaries. It was a BLAST literally!

Of course, boys being boys thought the sparklers were swords. We had to remind them several times that someone would end up with a spark in the eye.

We made foil dinners in the fire pit. They were sooooo yummy! And roasted marshmellows.

And we had enough fireworks to last

a more than 2 hours. The kids were sooooo excited. Although the state of North Carolina has a law that no fireworks that shoot in the air are allowed. Lots of people here just

drive to the South Carolina line and buy them there. But if you were caught shooting them in NC you would have a $5000 fine and 25 days in jail. So being the chickens we are had NO fireworks going in the air except for the ones that were thrown. Mike and I both being from Missouri where anything goes. Well being fireworks that is. And, really I guess, almost everything else. We REALLY miss the fireworks.

But the following Sunday we had a few families over from church and they brought the GOOD fireworks from S0uth Carolina. Although they were shot in front of our house so we would have been the ones fined. That's ok they were worth it.

Fathers day weekend

The kids and I had alot of fun with planning Fathers day weekend. We started Saturday off with breakfast and then Mike received his first envelope that contained clues to what would come next in his day. So first we had a massage planned for him. After that he read his next envelope and he had to meet us at a park where they played catch, we had a picnic, played on the playground and skipped rocks into the creek hoping we wouldn't meet up with any copperheads like the last time we had gone there.

He then had his next envelope of clues. We went to the High School Football Field to watch Asher perform his acrobats that he learned while attending Acro Fitness all year and receive his trophy. This kid cant seem to just walk. He's always doing a cartwheel or flip in the middle of just walking across the room. As I'm typing this he's doing hand stands while watching Sponge bob. We were able to get a picture of him practicing on the sidelines but unfortunately the performance was rained out. They wanted him to join the boys team for next year but we decided that we would have to pass on that for now it would require ALOT of time and money. So they put him in the advanced class for next year. He's so excited.

Next was dinner and then a relaxing rest of the night at home so Mike could play World of War craft with his friends.

Then on Sunday he got his last envelope of clues. We surprised him with his favorite dessert, apple pie and ice cream. And then we took him to the top of the hill in our backyard and surprised him with something that he has been saying that he would love to have someday. A TELESCOPE! He was so surprised. We hope that dad knows how much we love and appreciate him.

A/B Honor Roll

Spencer made A/B honor Roll. He is so smart. This picture is at his award Ceremony. He also made perfect attendance except that he missed the day before the ceremony. BUMMER! And best of all he recieved the Presidential award. He had to maintain a 90% or higher grade point average from 4th grade all the way through 6th grade. I have to admit I cried like a baby. Now my little boy is off to Middle school. Where has the time gone?

Ashers first Cub Scout Camp

Asher was so excited. After watching his big brother get to go off and do all the fun things in Cub Scouts it's finally his turn now. This is his first day of Cub Scout Camp. No overnights. Just Day camp. He had to wear this shirt EVERYDAY. Believe me. It was a different color by the end of the week. Archery and getting hosed down by the Fire Engine were his favorite parts. He was very concerned about ticks and had mom check him head to toe every day.