Weekend Activities

The girls and I spent lots of time together this past weekend. My girls went tree climbing on the old oak tree in our backyard.   Then we went fishing. 

Clara caught the largest catfish I've ever seen in my life!  Sabrina's fish snapped her line but was kind enough to leave the bobber attached so we could watch it float around the pond.  We jumped into the canoe to see if we could snatch it up from the water but alas the fish was too quick for us.  

Lucy and her wad of cash

I snapped this after we finished the yard sale. Lucy wanted to count the cash and pose for the camera.

First day

A snap shot of Christopher from when I dropped him off this morning at Ryle. I'll post photos of the rest of them later.

Back to School!

School starts in 2 days so it's time to dig out the school supplies.

Louisville Day 1

We went to Flame Run today at Glassworks in Louisville. Annette got to make an ornament and we stayed around (a little past our appointed time) to ask all kinds of questions. The artist gave Lucy a complimentary clear glass of which we hope will arrive at home in one piece. We walked Bardstown Road and visited a couple of shops after dinner at our casa de Louisville. We'll see what tomorrow holds! 

Getting ready for the yard sale

The girls are busy pricing all the goods for tomorrow's yard sale.

Pops Sighting

Christopher and I were at Kroger's and ran across Pops. He and Granny had just returned from Coney and they were on their way home. Christopher and I were picking up a gift for some kid's birthday party and afterward we picked up the girls and went over to Big Bone for the star gazing event. I stared at the stars through an NKU telescope while the kids stared at an iPhone.

Scooter

Clara went dumpster diving and snagged an electronic scooter with bad batteries. She disassembled it and removed the battery hoping she could retain the scooter. Unfortunately she wasn't able to detach all of the old scooter parts so the scooter was returned to the curb on Thursday evening.

On Friday morning I checked and saw that another dumpster diver had picked it up and the scooter went on to another life.

Fathers Day

Christopher and I took Pops out for Father's Day. We moved the RV from Vevay to the mechanic and then went to Lloyd WMA to shoot some clays.

Big and little trucks

I've recently taken to parking Tim's truck next to the biggest, baddest truck in the parking lot that I can find. Just trying to keep it real.

Awards Night

Hug your kids tight!  The days are long but the years are short.  Here is Christopher while at the Gray Middle School 8th Grade Awards night.  

John turns 4

John turned 4 and we were all there to witness it!

Smore's and Science

"Remember kids, the only difference between Science and screwing around is writing it down." - Adam Savage

We gathered around the firepit for the great Smore's experiment of 2018.  We introduced a number of ingredients that could be combined with graham crackers and marshmallows to make the delicious campfire treat.  

We started the fire, warmed the marshmallows and put out the ingredients.  We then created several Smore's with all the goods and started to test them out. 

After the scientists had completed their experiment, they proceeded to act out on the hyped up sugar puling through their veins. In the end we concluded that KitKat were the best ingredient on a S'more.

 

Also, since I'm writing this in 2025, I was reminded of the fact that for some reason one of the scientists (Clara) had a fight with her stomach and unfortunately the stomach won.  I don't remember the specifics of what happened, but I had enough concern to take this photo to preserve the memory.  

Select Band at NKU

 Christopher was honored to participate in the Select Band Concert at NKU. 

Time with Christopher

We have 5 children but only one son. Today we both spent a little bit of time with our boy in two different venues. This morning Annette went on a Gray Middle School 5k Walk with Christopher for a fundraiser to support the needy families at the school. Then this evening Christopher and Adam went to the woods to pursue the mighty Whitetail. It was a good day to be outside and the result was one tired little dude at bedtime.

Sabrina's First Communion

 Our precious girl made her First Communion last Sunday at 9:30 Mass. it was kind of special to be able to share that with the whole church community. She was so excited! A good reminder for us all... to be so excited to be with Jesus!

It was a crazy weekend... out of power for two days and sick kids, but we made it through! Thanks to all the family and friends who helped out!

Prayers for all her class mates who will make their First Communion today at St. Tim's!

Science and Donuts!

We conducted an experiment this morning. We had 5 scientists who were independently evaluating donuts to find the tastiest. For our experiment, the constant variable was the type of donut & the time they were consumed, the independent variable was the bakery and the dependent variable was the taste & texture (at least that's what my 6th grade son tells me). We collected 4 samples all from a bakery along US 42 in Florence. We had Emerson, Dunkin Donuts, Florence Bakery and Paradise Donuts.

Our procedures were to 1) Collect the donuts; 2) Make Observations about sight and smell; 3) Eat the donuts; 4) Record the feel and taste; 5) Select the best and 6) Consume leftover donuts (if any).

After all the results were tallied, the best donut this morning was from Emerson Bakery.

Lego League Awards

The Gray Master Builders took home some hardware this Saturday from the regional Lego League Tournament.  

Burlington Christmas

 We took the kids to the Burlington Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, December 2.  Each, except for Clara, took some time to talk with Mr. Claus about what was on their Christmas Wish List.  Lucy made an ornament with members of the Boone County Historical Society.

Summer Camp 2016

My son and I at Summer Camp 2016