See Aunty Kathy, I finally made a post!!!!

Wow - I guess facebook has gotten the best of me!

Slade and I went up to the lake house last weekend and I thought it made a good opportunity to write a post! That, and the nudge from Aunt Kathy!!

It’s quiet in the UP - that is the Upper Penninsula of Michigan, where our lake house is.

Slade and I were able to sneak away for the weekend. We went up to the lake house – Slade says we always leave late – but this time we past all records – we left 21 hours late. We were going to drive up Thursday night, but the market went wonky and he decided he wanted to stay to work a bit on Friday morning. So we had a late start – but arrived Friday evening.

It is so quiet up here. So quiet because it is the UP, but also because we only brought Olive with us. Our good friend, Jonel, is staying with the boys. Last night she took them to Noodles for dinner and then to see Iron Man 2! Today she and Zane are watching Seby do his test for yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do.

It was snowing a good part of our drive up! When we first planned on coming up for the weekend we hoped for fair weather so that we could go biking – and I guess we really could – but we might also end up in a large mud hole, not my idea of biking. So, we are walking instead.

We first went to check on the garbage shed, only to find that something (bear?) was able to tear off the lock and get in for some fun. Luckily the trash was not all over the property – but we do need to clean it up and find a more secure system.



There has been some logging early spring, and things look a little different up here.

Here is the big opening (on the right, where Olive is), and the turn into what used to be a bit of a forest!



Here is where we turn right to go on the ATVs to the river, or to the left to go into town.



Here is that same intersection, but from approaching it when one is coming from town.



There are lots of trees planted – but my battery died before I could take any pictures.

We got back and fell into a favorite activite up here – reading!



We went on several walks and decided when we come back again (with the kids!) we will encourage them to ride their ATVs on some planned paths throughout the property - the ATVing really flattens the terrain and makes for easier walking.





It is a week later and I am finally getting this posted. Cody has several friends over and they are preparing to go to the Junior/Senior Prom for school. Much excitement! And takings pictures before hand seems to be a very serious affair. If I get my act together that will be another post!

College? Already?

I'm kinda freaking out. Today I made plans to take Cody to look at some schools back East. Tonight was also the Nordic Ski Banquet. I realized tonight that next year Cody would do Nordic Skiing again - but it would be his last year, and when he plays soccer it will be his last year, and in 3 weeks he will start his third year of Track - but next year it will be his last year! See - I told you, I am freaking out!

How can he be old enough to leave us in a year and a half. The really freaky thing is that Graham is just one year behind him!

Look at these two cuties!



Just to prove that my mind goes wherever it wants to - now that I've posted this adorable pic it reminds me that this was the camping trip that I broke down and bought Cody & Graham their first toy gun. Well, what I really mean is that it was the first toy gun that I purchased for them, they actually had others that were gifts from evil people that came to birthday parties for them. They were this cute silver-ish pair of shiny retro guns. It just looked so fitting with their adorable jean overalls. Of course a few months later the guns mysteriously disappeared! I know, bad mommy.

College. I just can't believe we are there yet. Luckily Cody desires a small liberal arts college - I don't know why I say luckily. Well, maybe because it feels like the right kind of fit for him.

I do feel that by the time Cody is really packing up and heading out the door he really will be ready, and I can already see that Graham will be ready too when it is his time. Seby and Zane - just don't start me on that!

I'm also turning 45 in a couple weeks maybe that is what is really freaking me out!

Yellow Belt

Let's not talk about how long it has been since I've posted. Long enough that Zane has now moved up to yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do. He had his test on Saturday and was so thrilled to pass the test.

time flies

zane started to take tae kwon do and is LOVING it!

wisdom day 2009 - see seby in his striped vest? he got to carry the class flag in! this might be the first year we had our own flowers to cut to bring for wisdom day. i guess i should explain what wisdom day is? Here is how the school describes it: Children bring a single flower from fields, florists, and backyards to greet their teachers. The flowers are brought into individual classrooms to create a bouquet.
We began this celebration in 1988 as part of a cultural exchange with Moscow School #31. It is a Russian custom to welcome the youngest children into the school and to remind us all of the privileges and responsibilities of education. Parents and children gather to hear our principal, Paulette Zoë, speak to the LCS families and staff, sing songs that are part of the life of the school community, and welcome the new year of opportunity and learning.
The ceremony concludes with two Children's House students carried upon the shoulders of two Junior High students. They lead the procession entering the school and are the first to be welcomed by Paulette Zoë. Next in line are the Children's House students (beginning with CH1) followed by the Elementary 1, Elementary 2, and Junior High students.


i know my updating is WAY over due - but these pics will have to suffice for now. life has been busy - the kids have been in school for a month. soccer is ending this week for cody & graham. cody takes his drivers test next week! yikes!

First Day of School

Here is Zane, ready to ride the city streets to get to school. He started his day at 1pm. He spent most of his morning looking at books while lying on Olive.



Zane also spent his last morning of summer arranging the animals for he and Seby "just so"!



Everybody started school on the same day this year - a first in a while! Cody & Graham were off on their bus at 7:50am, Seby then was picked up by a friend to start at 9am, with Zane attending his first day of Elementary 1 at 1pm.

I couldn't be more thrilled to have the teachers we do for both boys. Seby has a teacher that has been at the school since it opened many years ago, she will be working part time with the new teacher who will take over after 2 years. A very nice transition. I hope to learn as much as I can from her. Zane's teacher has been wonderful, letting Zane come and check out the classroom one day when we were at school (before the first day). I feel extremely fortunate to have such an amazing Montessori school available to us.

I promise to take some "retake" photos of Seby, Cody & Graham. Ops!

Walk For Justice

My trainer (I've been seeing her for about 6 weeks) advised me to volunteer at a triathlon so that next year I might want to do it. I associate even thinking of doing a triathlon as a very negative experience. The last time I tried to do one and in all the training and making sure I was doing the right stuff for my body - my doctor advised me to have my gallbladder removed, which resulted in some minor complications (but made me unable to keep up with my swimming training) and then we also moved - and that about broke my heart. Seeing this triathlon I think I can finally put those memories behind me and hopefully move forward to completing one for my 45th b-day, instead of my 40th (as previously planned).

I had never been to a triathlon and it was truly an amazing experience. I was placed along the run portion (which is also the last) - at a point where folks were just starting that leg - or just ending it. It was amazing to see all the different folks who did the race. How determined they were. It became obvious to me that how in shape you are has nothing to do with being able to do a triathlon - it is your determination. It also made me realize that Slade and I could and should do a run this fall. I found this, Walk For Justice, I found it thru our church (First Universalist, a Unitarian church).

So in just two weeks he and I will run a 2 mile race. Then I hope we will find a 5k to do in the spring. Today I did walking/running training for 1 mile - it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Thank you Kitty & Christina for the reference of the couch25k site. I have downloaded their 9 week training and my trainer loves it and I think will be passing it along to other new runners.

more recent oldies ...

Graham - our trash retrieving hero!



It was I don't remember how many years ago - 3? The Chicago cousins were there (O'd, Liz, Urris, Alex, Wes & Liam) and my sister and family (Christina, Chet, Catie & Becky), I think my parents were there as well.

A bunch of us were down at the dock (freezing!) and we saw a beer can floating in the lake. We all talked about how horrible it was and who was going to retrieve it? The moans all said it was too cold. Graham became our hero as he declared that he would go on the expedition to retrieve the trash.



Of course he received a proper hero's welcome!

California

What a great trip to California we all just had.

Seby, Zane & I arrived last Monday and stayed at a local hotel as all the rooms were taken at the Melnarik's. It was actually quite fun to have a swimming pool at our disposal. I have to admit I only used the gym once at our first hotel (stayed there 3 nights), then we moved to a different hotel once Slade, Cody & Graham arrived (they are high maintenance and needed a nicer hotel). Again, the pool was awesome - and this one was indoors and warm enough for the Hocia's to join us!

How fun it was to visit with my siblings. How much we have all matured.





We were able to see Dominick and his family - Lisa, Declan & Elta - what a treat to invite ourselves over to their home for brunch. All we had to do was bring our big family and two bottles of champagne.





The the big event - my parent's 50th Wedding Anniversary Party.




There was a wonderful pasta dinner at Paul & Miriam's the night before the big party. It was a great way to get some extra time with family we seem to hardly see!



I was even able to convince Cody, Graham & Slade to help sing a song to my parents at the party.