The stud and his spud

For Christmas last year, Brady received the parts he needed to assemble a "spud gun", an idea he got from his father. Just recently "the boys" had a chance to put it together and put it to the test.Here we have the stud and his spud!
The gun is made from PCV pipe with a lighter stuck in the side. You can't see the lighter in this pic, but it's the kind you light your gas grill with.

It's always good to have a few spectators before getting started!

Next, shove a potato into the gun.
Force it down with a crow bar.
Next, spray hairspray into the bottom end, then quickly replace the bottom lid. One click of the lighter and the spud shoots out with a loud POP! It helps to have six siblings running around the yard retrieving the spuds once they land, and hopefully that's not in the neighbor's yard!

The latest on Kassie

This past Thursday evening Kassie attended an awards ceremony in which she received an academic letter for honors. Way to go Kassie girl!!This past week she also received a coupon for a free hair cut. The coupon was given to her history teacher, but since he is bald he offered the coupon to Kassie! It was a $25.00 haircut and all I had to do was pay the tip!
Before
After
It's been more than ten years since Kassie has had bangs. Lookin' good Kass!!
BTW: Yes, she did donate her hair to Locks of Love!

The best part about chocolate fudge?

Getting to lick the beaters!

Family Politics

A few weeks ago Ashton ran for Mayor of "Biz Town". Each year the fifth grade class runs Biz Town for a day from Mayor to grocery clerk. Ashton did not win the election, but she won for best campaign posters! I love the second one! It still makes me laugh every time I look at it!
Brady was Ashton's campaign manager and made the posters for her. Although she didn't win, they had a great time campaigning!

BTW: Ashton's job for the day was CFO (Chief Financial Officer)!!

On a scale from 1 to 10

Kassie brought this home from her early morning Seminary class. Makes you think, doesn't it?

Happy Mother's Day!

This first picture is Mom and I at my bridal shower, 17 1/2 years ago. The next picture was taken this weekend at Mom's church at the Mother/Daughter Banquet. I thought it would be fun to see how we've changed over the years! Mom, you've lost weight! Happy Mother's Day!

Another game, more pics

Ashton pitches.

foul ball

Single

Final vacations pics

Each year at the end of our stay in Virginia we take family pictures on the Massanutten playground. Here's this years pics.

Tonight's game

Ashton had a game in Hanover this evening. Avery, Kenzie and Kaden went along. Needless to say, I didn't see as much of the game as I would have liked to! I'm going alone to the next game!Ashton hits a single.
Another single. See the ball in the lower left hand corner?
Ashton runs home.

A reunion, nearly 12 years in the making!

I'm not sure how it happened, but Kristin and I lost contact with one another several years ago. The last time I saw her was nearly 12 years ago at her wedding. I was pregnant with Ashton at the time. Kristin and I went to college together, both majoring in early childhood education. We did our student teaching together and also worked weekends in Harrisburg at the science museum. Kristin is such a dear, sweet person. I feel so blessed that we were able to reconnect and get to see each other again after so many years! I saw her contact information in something the college sent out, so I emailed her. As luck would have it, she lives very close to Bonnie's timeshare in Massanutten! We met at the CiCi's Pizza restaurant in Harrisonburg Tuesday night of our vacation. Next year Kristin insists we come to her house. Is she nuts? Who in their right mind invites over a family of nine for dinner? LOL! (Actually, my wonderful Visiting Teacher had us all over for dinner last year. She must be crazy too! Just kidding Abby! You're so brave! I love having you as my Visiting Teacher!)
Kristin, Bobby and their children Rachael (Sorry if I'm spelling that wrong!) and Andrew
College buddies, together again! Hey, I need to dig up some old shots of us! Wouldn't that be a fun trip down memory lane?!

My reunion with Kristin may end up being a yearly event! Can't wait until April, 2009!

Science Museum

Last year while vacationing in Virginia we went to the Science Museum in Harrisonburg. The kids liked it so much we went back again this year! Avery
Brady and Kaden hook up the plumbing to their house!
Kaden was very possessive of the John Deere tracker! Any time another child got on it, he went over to stake his claim!

The theater section of the museum is a favorite. Here's Bryson the firefighter saving Kenzie from the flames!

The cutest puppy EVER!
Brady did this to Kenzie. I'm not sure what she is!
Ashton
Avery isn't sure what he is either, he just liked the red paint!

Kassie

Brady and Bryson There are so many neat things to explore at this museum. I'm not sure we did it all! I worked at a science museum in Harrisburg while I was in college. It's neat to visit other science museums and make comparisons. Being here brought back memories of some of the best times of my life. My job at the science museum was so much fun! I've never laughed more in my life then when I worked there! Good times, uh Kristin?