Brand New Year

Well we just returned from another End-of-Year and it was quite relaxing and fun! We went to downtown Boise, their downtown is awesome - lots of things to visit - restaurants, cafes, stores, farmer's market on Saturday, theaters, etc. We had a recruiting and retention military ball and some fun raffle prizes - we won a basket of things from Sportsman's Warehouse. My friend Amy and I went and saw Mamma Mia - GREAT show, bought a new dress at the mall, ate and ate!, had a good time with my husband and relaxed! Craig's dad, Ralph stayed with the little people for us - he's a GREAT sport!

Now back to work and real life!

Ryan as goalie

Chad McKay's 7th Birthday!

Chad with his Spider-Man bubble bath

Reaching in the bag for more goodies!

His Marvel comics super heros poster

blowing out the candles!

Chad's 7!

Chad with his Spider-Man toothbrush, he's been wanting this ever since Ryan got one for his birthday!

Chad with his new cap guns - YEAH!

Indiana Jones Lego set

He loves LEGOS!

First Day of School - August 21st, 2008

Chad - 1st Day of 1st Grade

Courtney - 1st Day of 8th Grade

Joslyn - 1st Day of 4th Grade

Chad with his Spider-Man lunchbox, he insisted on a metal lunch box, I don't even ask why any more!

Ryan didn't get his picture taken, but he started 11th grade, maybe that's why!

New Baby

Craig and I are once again a GREAT aunt and uncle! Our nephew Nathan and his girlfriend, Cheyenne had little Eden Jade Ockerman tonight in Kennewick, Washington. She was born at 5:53 p.m. and weighed in at 7 pounds and 12 ounces and was 20 inches long! She's beautiful!

New Job

Well I finally went back to work, well at least the paying kind of work, and it has been an adjustment! I need to better manage my responsibilities, but it's getting better. My new job is with the school food service, I usually work from 8:30 or 9:00 to about 2:30 to 3:00, then come home and do all the things that need to be done here! I've learned to shift my laundry, dishes and cleaning to afternoon/evening instead of morning, but Craig has really pitched in! He is great about getting as much done in the morning before we all have to leave. I think the effort will finally pay off when that first paycheck comes in!

September Days

Well we have a crazy couple of weeks with school, soccer and work! I think we fianlly got all of Ryan's schedule changes done and he's back to the original!!! He's is on the varsity soccer team, but they have so many seniors this year, he has decided to play JV, as a forward and part-time goalie. He's liking school so far and doing well in some tough classes. Courtney is now in choir and will start cross-country sometime soon. She and Joslyn started piano today, so now we have to find practice time. Joslyn is liking her teacher and doing carpool with her friend, Amara. Chad likes to play football at recess and trading sandwiches with Zhigy! I started work on Tuesday and am slowly catching on to work again. It's hard work but am glad for the hours - 9 - 3 for training. Craig and Ryan helped his brother, Kevin put up a fence this last Saturday and we just relaxed the rest of the weekend. The weather has turned off cold here - high 50's to the low 70's, we're suppossed to be back up to the mid 80's by the weekend, but it has been a nice change and made us start thinking about fall and all of the fun associated with that. Courtney wants to put up the Hallowen decorations (it's her FAVORITE holiday), and drink warm apple cider and carve pumpkins.