Nice weekend

Emily came home after spending 2 weeks with her grandma (my mom) in Ohio. It was her 4th year flying by herself to spend time there. They always do all sorts of fun things like going to Cedar Point amusement park and the Kalahari water park. They also visited Amish country, a mansion, and other tourist attractions. And she got 5 inches cut off her hair.

Sam went to a birthday party on Saturday evening. Rob got to go, too! It was for a classmate who also attends our church and goes to Sam's Sunday school. She had a hula party! They had food and a swiming pool and a pinata. Both Rob and Sam had a blast.

Rob's parents were here this weekend. Actually, his dad has been here since Tuesday. Rob took time off from work and they got some chores done around the house - the biggest of which was the removal of a small picket fence in the back yard. Riley, our yellow lab, jumps the fence with about 2 extra feet below her, so we are getting a 5 foot aluminum fence.

Of course, after ordering the fence on Friday, we decided to do things a little differently and the sales guy is coming out again today to modify our order. What's another $1000 when you're already spending $6000, right? Sigh.

And the best part of the weekend - our air conditioner quit cooling on Saturday night. It was only about 90 or so outside and quite humid, so opening the doors and windows was not an option. We had our new furnace and A/C unit put in in May of 2005 and this is the second time we've had to have them come fix the A/C. (We've had to have them come fix the heater once, too!) Rob's finally gotten as frustrated and angry as I have and will be exchanging some words with the sales guy today.

Now that Emily's back, things are going to be busy again. Sam has a baseball game at 12:45 today. I'm nervous because the heat index is supposed to be near 100 by then. Emily has dance from 5:30-7:30 and softball games at 6 and 7:30. I think we'll leave dance at 7 to be at the second game. Busy summer!

Picture of some cousins

I found this picture cleaning out some stuff! We were in MN for Karissa's first communion (she's the one that Emily is holding!). Next to Emily is Karin, holding Evan, and then Kaylee is holding Lexi. And Sam is standing not holding anyone!

Karin, Kaylee, and Karissa are Rob's cousin Sue's kids and Evan and Lexi are Rob's cousin Nikki's kids - Nikki and Sue are sisters.

Emily's spring picture - 7th grade

Thursday already?

Boy, the last 7 days have just flown by! Rob, the kids and I, and his uncle Jerry from Minneapolis, left at 7 AM Thursday morning for Devil's Lake, ND for the 8th annual Microsoft fishing tournament. Thursday was a little gray with scattered showers occassionally, but Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were beautiful! Temps were in the mid-upper 70's with sunny skies and light breezes. We camped, but slept in campers as Jerry brought his and then Bob and Mary Ellen joined us on Friday afternoon. Rob and Jerry didn't place in the top 10, but did get some fish. They took Emily and her friend out on Sunday morning and caught a few more. Rob really enjoyed his new fishing boat. I'm glad we have it!

Monday night Emily had a double-header softball game. Won one and lost one. Tuesday night we went to the Red River Zoo for a work event. (Emily had a better offer - watching a friend's brother's baseball game.) My co-worker took pictures and got this cute one of Sam.

Last night I planted 14 perennials and 2 bushes and pulled a ton of weeds. 2 hours later I was exhausted, so took a hot shower and went to bed early! Tonight I have to do lots of laundry because Emily leaves first thing in the morning for her annual 2 week trip to Ohio. The house just isn't the same without her around!

I just tried to upload her spring school picture, but got an error, so will try again later today or tomorrow. She looks so much older without her braces on!