Last Day of School

So, we all survived the third grade - by the skin of our teeth.  A full hour AFTER school let out for the year, Quinn's mean mother made him return with the ONE LAST ASSIGNMENT he had forgotten to turn in, so he wouldn't get an "F" on it.   He went into the classroom all by himself, and presented his case sans parental support (although I was doing my best to eavesdrop from the hallway).  He raised that grade up, that little man!  Thank goodness for generous teachers.  Responsibility.  Maybe it will magically appear at age nine???

 

 

The kids just couldn't help themselves.  Our trip to the park ended up with three kids in the lake.  That water couldn't have been warm, given that we still had snow on the ground not two weeks ago, but... they didn't really seem to mind much.

 

 

Three school-aged kids.  Kindergarten and Fourth Grade... here we come!!!

 



"That Puppy's NUTS!"

Memorial Day

 

 

Reagan planted a dandelion at Aunt Dorothy's grave

 

We took Fergie to visit Uncle Carly at the Nursing Home. 

From the Archives

THIS handsome dude in his first Model T at age 18....

 

 



It's amazing to me how even the grass and bushes in the background are familiar.  I know exactly where this picture was taken on my grandpa's farm, way back in 1965 or so.  My 18 year old father found this rusty thing in a field, and made it shiny and new again.  When the children came, he converted it from a roadster to a coupe.  There's never been a time in my memory where this car WASN'T a part of our family.  We'd take tours of logging roads and farmland, Mom would yell "I think I can, I think I can" whenever we'd come to a hill.... and there were more than a few hills we had to go up backwards.  I have memories of huddling down on the floor of the front seat under a blanket, trying to warm myself with the heat from the engine.  There were countless parades, people yelling "honk your horn!" while we threw candy and did our princess waves.   Cooking our lunch in a tin foil packet strapped to the radiator.  Learning to drive in a field at age twelve.  The Disney Epcot movie we filmed - the car was an "extra" for the barnstorming scene on the history of flight.  "Tin Lizzy" voyaged to  the San Juan islands, taking a ferry across the Puget Sound, where Mom celebrated her 40th birthday.  This car took my bridal party to our wedding reception, and came to visit us in Montana as newlyweds (Mom said NEVER AGAIN would she drive that far in a Model T!).  We got into the Guinness Book of World Records in parade for the 100th anniversary of the Modelt T in this car.  And now my own kids are building memories... going to the park and out for ice cream on our visits. 

This man and this car just go together.  And here's where it all started.

Colby's First Flight in the Rans S-7

Destination: Sidnaw, MI

Eixenbergers

Here are all the Eixenberger "kids" minus one sister....  all my aunties and uncles.  How I love and miss these great people!  They got to visit Brynn and my new 2nd cousin, Scarlett! 

Breaking out the Campfire

First campfire of the season tonight.  The kids roasted "smushmallows", and got thoroughly filthy in the back yard.  THIS is what we've been waiting for... these lazy, warm nights outside, enjoying the great outdoors and each other.   Later, after the children were in bed (they needed thorough decontamination - showers and tick-checks all around!), Dad and I sat out around the fire and reveled in the full moon and quiet evening. 

Spring.  I love it.

 

 

Last Cub Scout Den Meeting

These boys sure enjoy each other's company!

Rockets....

Launched 'em again this year.  By no small feat, both rockets that we made last year survived the launch THIS year.  Quinn's got lost in the woods at one point, but was rescued by an older boy, and lived to fly another day!!

Remembering The Fallen

As is our tradition, we went to the local cemetery to put flags on the veterans' graves today.  As is the weather's tradition, it was rainy and cold.  Mom is fighting a cold and was definitely feeling "under the weather" in both senses of the phrase, and three children were crabby, whiny, and using flags as swords.  Still wouldn't miss it, though.  I want my children to know the sacrifices others have made for them and this country.  It may have not sunk in YET... but if we keep doing this for another 10 years, it just might....