AGAIN....barely!

Maddie getting ready to put it on the other team!!

CHAMPION...AGAIN!

Max getting his 1st place medal!

Max did it again...barely! Last Saturday he won the Southeast JV meet but it was a close one. He led most of the race but as he was coming down the stretch his own teammate almost caught him. In talking to Max after the race he didn't even know the Drake was right on his tail. He ran the 5K in 18.21....some 20+ seconds better than the Emporia meet. He bettered his time which is what he was after but his goal is to get under 18 minutes. If I were a betting person (ok..yes I am) I would put all my money on him. When he puts his mind to something he usually gets the job done! Keep watching for me to report on him meeting his goal. Next XC meet...this Thursday at Ark City! Missing the BIG Rim Rock meet in Lawrence on Saturday to do his duty...he is walking "DEDA" aka...Shelly....down the aisle for her big day! I am sure we will have stories to report of him doing something crazy! Maddie also had a VB game on Saturday on ONCE again she crushed those serves over the net! She didn't try any overhand serves but that isn't because she cannot get them over...she was just taking it easy on the other team! We are all doing good just getting ready for the big day on Saturday! Will post more on that later!

G.D.O. (Girls "Day" Out!)

The "damages" all loaded up!!!

The Girls in front of Nell's House!


This was just the partial line that was formed!

My Mom, Cousin Connie & Mary Carol (owner of the house & store!)

Last Friday we headed to Atchinson to shop. Yes, you are probably asking yourself "Why?". Well there is a little store there that is FABLOUS! The store is Nell Hill's and we started going there some time back when we would go to visit my Grandma. The things at this store (most of them) are very reasonably priced which makes shopping much more fun! As you can see by the back of the van we found lots of things that were "reasonably" priced...well that is the story we are sticking with! My mom, Karen & their cousin Connie & I left Wichita at 6:30 am (yes...this was serious!) and picked up Paula in Topeka. We met Linda from KC there and the shopping was on. We first were able to tour the owner of this little store's home. I was not too impressed with her house but as you can see from the pictures many many people stood in line to tour it! I would not tour agan but will probably venture north again to shop! It was a fun day and our legs were aching when we got back to Wichita. The only thing that would of made the trip complete is if Shelly and Jill could of come with us! (We miss you two!) Thankfully I had my camera (yeah, like I leave home without it!) so enjoy the pictures!

My New Chairs!

This is the front porch with my new chairs! Yeah!

This is Mad expression of "are you serious" after I took

the picture of the new chairs!

Had been looking for chairs to sit on the front porch. Found these on Ebay and my friend bought them for me since I don't have an account! (Thanks Linda!) Of course they came and Joe had to assembly them for me. He said the first one took 10 minutes and the 2nd 1 1/2 hours. It was not up to his perfection but he got it! I think they look great sitting on the porch. When I walked in the house that night after he was putting them together he was sitting in one in the living room! They are in fact quite comfy! Stop by and check them out! Yes, that's an invite!

Roller Coaster of a Weekend!!!!

Here's Shelly opening all her gifts. What nice things she got!

Miss Maddie with her Student Council Campgain sign!

XC Star!!!

WOW! Didn't know I was still young enough to accomplish all that we did in one weekend! Friday I was supposed to get my hair colored, get my nails done and then clean house for the shower on Saturday. Well, plans changed! My mom's water heater broke and her basement was full of water. After cleaning that up (Thanks Bahr's), Maddie and I did a fast clean job at the house and went to the NW football game. Boy, it has been a long time since I have been to a high school game. It was a lot of fun! After the game we did another sweep of cleaning at home and called it good. Saturday morning we headed to Emopria to watch Maxwell Thomas run his first varisty XC meet. He did FANTASTIC! He set a freshman record for his time which is AWESOME! He ran the 5k in 18:43. He took 35 overall and place 3rd on the NW team. He "twicked" his ham and it was the first time Joe and I had ever seen him run in pain! Hopefully, it will heal but this Saturday. After getting home from Emopria, Mads and Joe headed to the Y for her VB game. They lost but heard she kicked butt with her serves. She has that overhand serve mastered. I should of gotten her in a club VB instead of the Y. Think it would of been better for her. Saturday was also Shelly's shower. We had a very nice turnout and she got lots of nice stuff. Some of which I was eyeing...I wish someone would have a shower for me! LOL! After the "hen" party as Joe likes to call them we headed for Biggins for the Bachelor/Bachelorette party. It was a fun time and I think B & S had a good time also! We had a late night but had lots of fun! Sunday was a day of rest...literally! We laid on the couch and watched football all day! Had to follow the Bronco game on the TV ticker and the internet. What a shocker...we won! This week is going good so far with not much planned...but do have a trip to Atchinson planned on Friday to go to Nell Hills. If you have never been there you must take a trip there sometime. Well worth the trip. We are also going to get to tour Mary Carroll's house. I will of course take my camera so hopefully I can post some pictures of her house! 2 weeks and counting till the big day! Wonder if I can lose any weight before then! LOL!

Finish....& it is BEAUTIFUL!

Close up of the front of the house!


Close up of the walk up to the front door


(hint...this is the one who volunteered!!!!!!!!)

Well, it took some sweat (but no blood) but we finished the landscaping. Oh my..that is some work but we will appreciate it so much more knowing that we put so much into it! Max and Maddie also got in on the planting. One volunteered...the other not so much. I will let you decide which is which! Anway...we ended up putting the bricks around the front of the house also and it is a good thing we decided to do that since we have had non stop rain since Monday night! If we hadn't of done that we might have mulch for the front yard instead of grass! Now the backyard needs some attention...that might have to wait till spring!

Oh So Close...

Today was spent outside landscaping. This is a chore that Joe and I both HATE but we kidnapped my mom and made her go to Lowes with us! Just Kidding. The 3 of us headed to Lowe's this morning and picked out all the bushes for the front yard. Joe dug all the dirt up and then he and Max laid the weed "stuff" and then it was onto the planting. We almost got them all planted but our backs were aching and our feet were throbbing so we decided to experience the fun again tomorrow! I think we all now know the meaning of "Labor Day"! Thanks Mom...we couldn't of done it without you! Will post pictures tomorrow...looks great so far!

WAY TO GO....MAXWELL THOMAS!!!

Just in case you aren't on FB and didn't get my news wanted to "brag" about Max. Today was his first High School meet for XC. You know Momma was a little nervous...well he did dominate last year in 8th grade so understandable about wondering how he would do in HS. Well, he put my fears to rest in a BIG way. What did he do you ask....he only went and kicked butt and won the JV meet. He ran the 2 mile course in 11:32 and won by 25 seconds. That is huge! Not sure if he will move up to Varsity any time soon...if so what an honor for him...if not...well looks like the JV meets have a new kid on the block to contend with! Of course we were all there cheering him on. He says he never hears us so that is good so that means he is focused! GD was cheering from heaven also you can be guaranteed of that. It was so cute..Maddie and Hannah were screaming and cheering him on also! Aaww....brotherly/sisterly love! As you can see from some of the photos after Max ran the "ladies" were a little bored and trying to pass the time. Well, Joe and I are going to try and do some landscaping this weekend. I'm almost postive that Joe will be doing more work than I. Thanks honey! Things are coming along good with the house. Almost done on the inside. Having some shams/pillows made for the bed and need to hang a few more pictures. I need to get on the ball as I am having a shower for Shelly here next Saturday....OMG! I need to get off this computer and get busy! Take care all....