Thursday, May 25, 2017

I have some sad news and some happy news...

...for my dad and Grandma anyhow. 
Last night Doug flew into Syracuse at 11:20 after being gone for a week and a half.  We were at the airport to surprise him again like normal even though his flight came in so late.  We went to a different terminal than what he normally is at, so we found a good hiding place.  


The only problem is that I forgot to turn off my location setting on my phone when I left the house.  I did turn it off when I got to the airport, but it had already put a pin point on Doug's google map saying I was there.  Of course if he wasn't a brat and didn't check when he landed he wouldn't have known, but he is so he knew!  LOL  It was still fun!  Madalyn said next time we aren't going because he is expecting it now so we need change things up a bit.  :)
So starting this morning, Doug is on vacation until a week from Saturday!  I am sooo excited.  We are pulling out later this afternoon with the camper for some R&R!  :) 
That is the good news...the bad news is, we are going to a campground that is going to be sketchy on service and of course no internet.  
The blog will be down for a while unfortunately because of this.  
I'll have lots to post about when we get back for sure though!
See you all in a little over a week!

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

100% FINISHED!!!


As of this morning, we can now say that we are 100% finished with school for the 2016/2017 school year.  The girls did their state tests over the past two days, which was the last thing that we had left to do for the year. 
 We now have a 7th grader and a 5th grader!  INSANE!  What's even crazier is that we have been homeschool for 8 years now.  It's been quite the journey, but I really do enjoy it.  
I am thankful for another summer though, the breaks are very nice!  
Now onto all the fun that comes with summer!!! 


Monday, May 22, 2017

Madalyn's Birthday Celebrations

Since Doug was going to be gone to New Mexico for Madalyn's birthday, we actually celebrated her birthday on the 13th.   We went in the morning and picked our camper up, and then headed to Old Forge to pick up her gift.  Honestly I think she was hopeful that she was getting what she asked for, but I think she was prepared for "It's too expensive".  
I made her close her eyes when we got close and she walked with her eyes closed into the store.  She was pretty surprised!


This is her "I'm not going to cry in front of strangers" look.

All she wanted for her birthday was a mandolin.  Doug and I figured since it's been a couple years of her asking now that it was time to make the investment into music!




She is so big! (Again trying not to cry LOL)
She has been practicing every day and is doing great.  Her fingers are finally starting to build up a tolerance, which is great!

Friday, May 19, 2017

Madalyn is 10!

Man time flies!!!  
Madalyn has brought so much life to our home!
She was always a really easy baby and toddler, but you never knew what she was going to be doing next, or where you would find her sleeping!  LOL  Going through pictures I have to laugh because I have more sleeping pictures of her!
Happy Birthday to my "baby"!  Thanks for being such a joy to be around!
You are amazing!



She was bound and determined she was big enough to hold Molly on our way home...


"How many clothes can I fit on at one time?"

See what I mean?!?!

Probably my favorite picture EVER!


So grown up!  

Thursday, May 18, 2017

A surprise box in the mail!

Last week we got a box in the mail that I wasn't expecting.  It was from Grandma and Grandpa Geiger...the 1st part of the girls' birthday present.  
We opened it and found 12 caterpillars in a kit that has it all set up to watch them go full cycle!  


The girls have really enjoyed watching them!  As of this morning we have 4 in chrysalis' and 2 in the "J" shape and getting ready.  Half way is a good sign.  So far we only have one that we aren't sure is going to make it thanks to one of his fellow friends who messed with him while he was transforming. :(
I'll update with more pictures once we get them all changed and moved over to their new home!

For anyone interested, you can purchase these kits and others at https://www.nature-gifts.com/, for a super great price!

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Marissa's Birthday Celebrations!

We celebrated Marissa's birthday on the 6th.  We knew that we would be celebrating Madalyn's birthday on the following Saturday, so we gave her the option of having a Saturday as well so she could have the entire day as "her birthday."  
All Marissa asked for was a piano...thankfully we were able to pull it off.  Doug was supposed to get his Grandpa's electric piano, but instead, he gave it to Marissa!  It worked out great!


She LOVES it!  

We found an app that teaches the basics, and she has been very diligent in learning!

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie was the choice this year...

I love her so much!

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Headed to the Park

What a beautiful day!  It almost looks fake!

He is pretty handsome ;) <3


A pretty special boy right there...




<3






Before everything was said and done, all 4 of us were up there.  I didn't last long since it really made me want to toss my lunch!









The dogs had an absolute BLAST!

She is such a good girl :)


 She made it to the top, but I have no proof! LOL














Madalyn found some good seats...








Mom's turn!





...And she is stuck ;)








I love her!

The wind made the audio horrible, but in case you didn't catch that Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Chelsea, Marissa is driving Grandma to come see you!