Are you ready for some football??

Here is Zack at 2 years old wearing a tie. The very next time he wore a tie in his WHOLE life was.....

Last Friday!!!!!! He will now be wearing a tie every Friday for the next couple of months since all the football players have to dress up for "game weekend". We definitely had to get dress pants and shirts for Zack to wear since he doesn't dress that way too often, but thankfully Paul has a great selection of "cool" ties that Zack can borrow.

Carlie and Brock are all ready to cheer on their favorite player!!

Here's #22 in uniform. The varsity games are played on Friday nights and then Zack's freshman games are played on Saturday mornings.

Showing our support for the varsity team...Friday night home games are so much fun!!

Brock used his connections to be a ball boy at the varsity game...thanks to his good friend Adam and Adam's dad, Coach Frey. He's even riding the varsity bus to an away game tonight...what a life!

Carlie was most anxious to see the halftime show :-)

Paul had to work the chain crew for Zack's game last Saturday so he wasn't able to take many pictures....this one is courtesy of Carlie. 

Zack is so fortunate to have such a reliable way to get to school!! There are definitely perks to having an older, driving sibling going to the same school!

Hallie is enjoying the new colored jeans fad :-)

So...in addition to golf, football dictates our schedule! But we're having a lot of fun and Zack really enjoys being part of the team. 

http://www.bhsspantherfootball.com/panthers/scores/  You can keep track of all the scores here.

Seattle Trip Photo Book from Shutterfly

If you click on the link below the photo book, it will take you directly to the shutterfly website. You don't have to sign in, just click on "View Book".

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly photo books offer a wide range of artful designs and embellishments to choose from.

It's been a long time since I made a photo book but I wanted to take advantage of the 40% off and the free shipping for qualified orders. So I made one from our Seattle trip in May because it didn't have an overwhelming amount of pictures to choose from. I'd love to do this with all of our trips but for some we have SO many pictures to go through. The shutterfly site is so easy to use and they make you look like a professional! I can't wait to get the finished product! Enjoy!

New friends from Norway!

We had the pleasure of hosting some new friends from Norway today! Let me tell you why Norway has special meaning to me.....my great-great-great grandfather on my mom's side is from there...I am part Norwegian :-) I even found out recently from a cousin exactly where my mom's ancestors immigrated from and it has been so interesting to learn more about that part of my background. Just a little side note....when they immigrated from Norway, they settled in Michigan...and we drove right through that area this summer on our way to Traverse City. Guaranteed we will stop and visit the town and surrounding area when we go through there again!!

Paul and I were in the Oslo airport a few years ago on our way to Denmark and at that time we really wished we could stay longer and do some exploring. Well, we're finally getting that chance when we go back this September on our way back to Denmark. This time we will be staying in Oslo for 1 1/2 days which is still not long enough but we will see all we can see in that short amount of time. We won't be able to visit the town where my ancestors are from because it is on the other side of the country and a little difficult to get to because of the topography, but at least we'll be in Norway!

Meanwhile, Paul became acquainted with Dr. Elsa Kristiansen from the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences in Oslo. She is a contributor to an upcoming book that Paul has coming out in 2013 and she has also published in his journal (IJSC). During their communication, we found out that Elsa's daughter was coming to IU to be on the swim team!! So, because it is almost time for IU to start classes, we were able to meet them all today! It was such a pleasure!

Siri is taking our picture where we went for lunch....the Tudor Room on campus.

Dr. Kristiansen presenting to a group of students/faculty/visitors. Paul will present to some of Elsa's students when we are at her school in September.

Dr. Kristiansen with the IU Sport Management faculty. 

So, we are excited to have new friends from Norway and it's neat to realize that we will see each other again in September as well as any time they visit Siri here at IU. And, of course, we hope to see Siri on campus and cheer for her on the swim team! Connections like this make the world of ours not seem quite so big!

I wanted to add this picture because I just got it from Elsa this morning. Now you can see Siri too!

First Day Of School - August 13, 2012

There was no kicking and screaming this morning as we left summer behind but I think it's because we are all shell-shocked that it's already time to head back to school! Thankfully, it's an exciting time and some new shoes and school supplies help the situation :-) How did we get by with only one new backpack this year?? I'm not complaining, that's for sure. I guess one thing that really helps us out is that Hallie has already been playing high school golf tournaments for the past two weeks and Zack has been in football training all summer (when we weren't out of town). However, when the alarm goes off every morning this week, reality will set in! :-) Opening activities are happening at the university starting today too but Paul's classes don't start for another week yet. Maybe we'll have to get him a new lunchbox to make him feel better :-)

Hallie - Junior

Hallie's junior year will be challenging but she's excited about it....her classes are AP US History, HD Physics, AP Calculus, AP Language and Composition, Spanish V, Finite Math, and yearbook! It's probably a good thing that the golf season only goes through the month of September :-)

Zack - Freshman

Zack is definitely ready for high school. Being involved with the football team has definitely gotten his foot "in the door" and it doesn't hurt to have an older sister there, too :-) His classes are HD English, Spanish II, PE, Biology, Algebra I, Computer Graphics, and HD Geography/History. All his freshman football games are on Saturday mornings so he realized the other day that he won't get to sleep in ANY day for the next 9 weeks!!

Brock - 5th Grade

After having the same teacher for the past two years because of a multi-age classroom, Brock was anxious to see who his new teacher would be. We are all grateful that it is another male teacher who is a good friend and a great role model. Plus, it doesn't hurt to have almost every single one of his classmates from last year!

Carlie - 2nd Grade

Thanks to our wonderful multi-age/looping teachers, Carlie is in the same classroom as last year  with the same lovely teacher! We couldn't be happier and are so thankful for all the wonderful educators that are back this year because they love children!! 

Of course, the littlest one gets an extra picture!

What a difference transportation is this year! Hallie can drive herself and Zack to the highschool and since we don't have any one in middle school this year, I only have to run the younger ones to elementary school an hour later!! Wow!! That will definitely save some gas and some time! Paul and I got a good laugh, though, because the bumper on Hallie's van fell off while Paul was "borrowing" it to drive to Chicago this weekend. Don't worry, it's in the back of the van and we'll have someone fix it soon. Sorry, Hallie!! :-)

I hope everyone has a great 2012-2013 school year!!

Hallie - Girl's Golf All-Conference

The girl's golf season will end later this month but until then there are some pretty important competitions. Hallie made her mark at Conference Indiana yesterday and we are so happy that all her hard work and dedication is paying off. She absolutely loves being a part of her team and who wouldn't love a day off of school to play 18 holes of golf?!?!? :-) Hallie, we are so proud of you....congratulations!!

I think you can click on the picture and it will enlarge....there are some quotes from Hallie at the end of the article and it will give you the details of her All-Conference win.

First Day of School, August 16, 2011

If you look below you'll see the last blog I wrote was in regards to Carlie's Kindergarten Celebration at the end of last school year. That seems like just yesterday!!!! And here it is the first day of the next school year already. I really do hope that we won't have as many snow days this coming winter because making up for those at the beginning of June really made our summer seem short. However, we made some great memories on our trip to the northeast and the kids have had a lot of fun being involved in their different sports this summer.

The house is SO quiet right now, although, with the gorgeous weather I can have the windows open and hear all the "outside" noises...a perfect way to start the school year. Everyone was excited to be back in school especially since they have so many friends they haven't seen all summer. One MAJOR change for us this year is a longer school day for everyone. The elementary children will have four more hours of instruction time per week and middle school and high school will have three more hours of instruction time per week. That means going to school 20 (H & Z) and 25 minutes (B & C) earlier each day and getting out 25 (H & Z) and 35 (B & C) minutes later.....EXCEPT for Wednesdays that start about an hour later but get out at the same time. How's that for confusing??! It's extra time for the teachers to collaborate which is great but I guarantee we'll forget a few times throughout the year!

Enough of the details...where are the pictures?!?!

HALLIE - Sophomore - High School

ZACK - 8th Grade - Middle School

BROCK - 4th Grade - Elementary School

CARLIE - 1st Grade - Elementary School


Hallie has already played in six golf tournaments with her golf team so far this year and their golf season will continue through the end of September. She'll take a break from sports for awhile and then start her track practice in January. Her class schedule for this first tri-mester looks something like this....Honors English, Pre-Calculus, Spanish IV, AP Statistics, and Chemistry.....I WILL NOT be able to help her with her homework....guaranteed!! (Well, maybe English) She has a couple fun electives later in the year but for now it's nose to the grindstone!

Zack gets to start Spanish this year so maybe I'll need to dust off my Spanish skills and we can be a bilingual household....haha! Of course football practices are going on and I'm looking forward to watching the games coming up in a couple weeks. The 8th graders "rule the school" this year as the upperclassmen but all that changes when they go to high school next year as the underclass freshmen :-) Enjoy it while it lasts, Zack!

Brock gets to have the same teacher again this year since his 3rd grade teacher now teaches fourth grade. That was great news because Mr. Stallings is a really great educator!! Brock really enjoyed being in his class last year. Brock is playing baseball right now and hopes to get some more golf instruction in this Fall.

Carlie found out who her teacher would be yesterday and we are thrilled with who she got. She was up bright and early this morning practicing her teacher's name so she wouldn't forget :-) Carlie is in a multi-age classroom so it's 1st and 2nd together. Our kids have been in multi-age classrooms many times and our school really knows how it works and they do it well. We are very grateful for the good schools in our area.

A huge thank you to those teachers/educators/administrators who are going to be spending so much time with our children this year!! You all impress me with your love of children and your joy in seeing them learn.

Well, that's it for now. I have a "to-do" list about a mile long that will take me several weeks to finish. Today, though, I'll be going in to Paul's office to help him with a project he's working on....I'm sure I can squeeze a lunch date with him in there too!!

Carlie's Kindergarten Celebration

Last Thursday night we went to our elementary school to celebrate the completion of Carlie's kindergarten year. It's hard to believe she is our last kindergartner and this phase is over with! There is definitely something special about that first year of school especially for a little girl who was SO READY to do what her older siblings were doing every day. She LOVED every single day of school and there was no way to get her to miss a day! She loved her teacher very much (Brock had the same teacher in kindergarten) and I have been called "Mrs. Shields" more than once!!

The "Class of 2023" had a cute program and Carlie thoroughly enjoyed being on stage and performing her songs for us. We are thankful that she had such a good year and that she's already looking forward to first grade.

I love that moment when Carlie spotted us in the audience and we got the little wave :-)

Carlie receiving her little certificate from our current assistant principal but new principal for next year!

Carlie decided to wear a vintage dress (circa 2001 :-) that belonged to her sister, oh so many years ago!! I believe the dress was handmade by S.Estes Designs. I found a picture of Hallie modeling the dress ten years ago!

We are proud of you, our Carlie-girl.

Earlier last week Hallie was honored at an Honors Night at her high school. Her grade point average earned her special recognition along with her "excellence in art". Great job, Hallie!!

Just last night, Zack was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society at his middle school. We are very proud of you, Zack!! Great job!

(Zack has a mouthful of cookies :-)

Just because there isn't any special occasion for Brock's 3rd grade right now, I hate to leave him out of this blog. Since the theme of this post is "school-related" I'll just say that Brock is a very good student and works hard to maintain great grades. We're so proud of him too!

Even though school is going well for all of them, we're looking forward to the end of the year in just a few days. Staying up late (since it's light until after 9:30pm) and sleeping in, is first on our agenda!! After that we still have a lot of baseball and golf to be played and then one big trip planned so far. If these hot temperatures hold steady we'll be spending a lot of time in the water too!! We hope everyone has a terrific summer!!

Mother's Day 2011

Following is a poem that Hallie wrote for me. Because we were in the restaurant when she gave it to me, I had to read it really fast and take a lot of breaths since the kids laugh when I tear up! I've read it several times since then, though!

Dear Mom,

I thought of many ways to express my love to you,

But none would come close to what I know is true.

So I hope this poem shows you my love,

For you are truly a gift from above.

You're beautiful, loving, and oh so very wise,

In a contest for best mother, you would take top prize.

You help us with our problems, our hopes, and our wishes,

And you even help me clean the dishes.

You take us to practices which makes your day busy,

If I had to do it, it'd put me in a tizzy!

You do these things willingly, almost like you are enchanted,

But inside us there's a seed you have planted.

One that will help us to grow in your ways,

And help us be loving through all of our days.

So Mom, here's the end and I have just one thing to say,

I think you're fantastic and Happy Mother's Day!

Love, Hallie

Wow!! Straight to the heart!! Thank you, Hallie, I love you!!

Then I got a "card" from Zack. I love its sentiment just the same and he knows how to make me laugh!! Here he is keeping us entertained at supper.....

And here is his "heartfelt" card!! :-) Oooops....someone may have not gotten the memo on Mother's Day cards being handed out at suppertime! :-) I love you, Zack!

Brock was next and he ALWAYS gets very involved in whatever celebration is going on. He loves to give gifts/cards and there is always more than one thing to be handed out. The more partying the better, as far as he is concerned. Thank you, Brockie! I love you!!

Little Carlie loves that she is old enough to make and write her own cards now! Of course, it's curious why she started out the card as "Dear Jen....." but whatever works! She told me her hand hurt after writing the word "love" so many times on the card. :-) I love you, Carlie-girl!

After some amazing BBQ (best in Bloomington, I'm pretty sure), we stopped for ice cream downtown. We love our town!

Brock really felt like he needed to take a picture of Paul and me and I'm glad he did since I couldn't be living my dream job without this man!!!

Thank you to my amazing family for such a special celebration. Being your mom/wife is more than I had ever hoped for. I love you!