The Games at the Fair!

Of course the day wouldn't be complete if you didn't waste a little money on some useless crap - we came home with 2 inflatable crayons, an inflatable bat, an inflatable hammer, a sword, a rifle, a hand gun, a large car, a 20 pack of small cars, and 2 stuffed animals. It's amazing the things you win when you fish out plastic sharks, pull ducks from ponds, throw darts at balloons, or watch a rat run around a color wheel!

The pictures I didn't get to take were of all the exhibits in the buildings - great looking veggies despite our draught, pictures, afghans, baked goods - all the stuff that makes the people of this area so proud to show off at a fair.

The Rides at the Fair!

Kim rode the train with Max and Logan, Fifi the Merry Go Round and the Tilt A Whirl, a few others Zach jumped on, but the two little ones could care less as they will go on any ride that you let them!

The Animals at the Fair!

Horses, cows, goats, sheep, rabbits, turkeys, chickens, and piggies, I'm sure I'm missing something, but they are all there for you to see and some of them you can touch, like the baby chick you see here in Kevin's hand as he shows Logan.

It's Fair Time!

It's fair time here in Shelby, and we braved the crowds today to get a glimpse at the adorable animals, ride some rides, play some games and eat some treats that only fairs bring. Yum - whether it's Elphant Ears, a Zeppoli or a Funnel Cake there's nothing like some over the top carbs to start or finish (as we did) your fair adventure! We also induldged in popcorn, taffy apples, soda, lemonade, fries, and italian ice.

Jake and the Western Cluster

As I type Tim and Jake are getting ready (photo of Jake as he headed into the bathroom) to head up to St. James, Newton(www.stjameslc.org), where Jake will attend the NC Lutheran Youth (www.lutheranyouth.org)- Western Cluster Fall Rally. He was elected VP to the Western Cluster Youth last year and hopes to either maintain his spot or move on to President. He will get there today about 2, and then we'll pick him up tomorrow after church around noon.

Happy Birthday Logan!

Yesterday was Logan's birthday and Max and Zach and a bunch of other people joined him as he celebrated at Chuck E. Cheese's. I of course - after many days off in the last 2 weeks, was at work, so I didn't get a good shot of the birthday boy on his birthday. Instead, I bring you one from early summer where Logan and Poppa seem to be having a party on their own. (Thanks, Bootie for the pic!)

Happy Birthday Big Guy!

The boys and I took Tim to El Titanic for a fiesta birtday!
Happy Birthday Daddy!

Yum!

Growing up in the Chicago area, we grew up eating Maurice Lenell cookies. They are located right on Harlem Ave. not far from Irving Park Rd. We would either be shopping at the Wieboldt's in that area, or on our way back from visiting the cemetery in Niles. We would stop, watch the cookies go by on the conveyor belt and then take home the treats! Occasionally, here in the South, we can pick up a package at the local Walgreens, but some how they don't quite taste the same as getting them straight from the store. Here you can see the Bootie and Poppa brought us back some goodies, and of course we had a few for dessert tonight - Zach loves them as much as his parents do, and Max digs 'em a little bit.......Jake - was looking for chocolate chips.........

Trick or Treat

The goodies keep rolling in as we prep for Kev's 40th birthday party. Fifi scored some great decorations, the hall is reserved, the dj booked, now we just have to concentrate on the costumes - here Max and Logan check out the vampire teeth Fifi picked up today.

Say Goodbye to Summer

As we head into fall, we pay tribute to the summer and the great fun we had in the pool with these closing jumps. The pictures were taken by Poppa.

Time Flies

Ok, so I am taking PTO this week, and don't have to go back to work till Saturday. I thought that I would have so much time on my hands, but really, it's running out faster than I thought, and things I normally get done aren't getting done (like this blog), but we did head out yesterday in search of Captain Jack, and Optimus Prime, and we found them, along with Death's Sickle and horns for the devil. No angel wings for me yet - I'll keep looking. Here's a preview fashion show by Max this morning, Captain Jack is complete with Fruit Punch moustache, and Honey Bun crumbs!

Mom, Where's My.....

Jake had a Youth Synod meeting today in Arden, NC, from 10 to 4. Since it was an hour and half north by Asheville, and Jake doesn't drive, Tim took him, and......he had to Zach and Max, because they won't be back in time for me to go to work at 5. What an oppurtunity for me!!!!!! I did the ol' Bootie trick of dumping everything in the middle of the floor. She used to do that to us, but then we had to sort through it. I am the one sorting through it today - ALONE! That way I don't have to save some action figure's arm hoping to find the body - it's called trash - woo hoo!

Just Taking A Rest

Before Bootie and Poppa left for their trip, they burned me a disc of spring and summer pictures. I had never seen these two pictures (Jake and George, and Lee and Lamby) I thought they fit nicely together for a blog entry. :)don't kill me Jake!

And So It Begins..........

Fall soccer - every Monday night there's a game - every Tuesday and Thursday - practice.

Lunch!

Max, Fifi and I joined Tim for lunch at Shelby Cafe - Max order panpakes and bacon.

A Day to Remember

Just taking a moment to reflect on the day in our life time that we'll never forget, and memories that were made there before the tragedy.

My Girl

Casey never sits still long enough for me to take her picture - but I guess the curiosity of who (Chelle) was behind the camera, kept her looking straight ahead.

Ahhhhhhh Summer.....

.........where did it go? It seems like just yesterday we opened the pool and had Jake's Birthday (May) and this weekend was the big Shelby/Crest game (don't ask) and the last party of summer. At least the weather is still nice enough to swim. All the little boys enjoyed some play time in the pool today - and of course so did the big kids!

What's the Story Morning Glory?

I was prepping for last night's party, and was out by the pool early in the day and came across a lovely sight. Morning Glories! I knew they were out there, because you can see the buds in the afternoon, and the little guys kept telling me about the blue flowers - but I never go out back in the early am - so I was pleasantly surprised!

Water!

There is no better to way to cool down!!

A Day in the Park

More like a little over an hour! (not really a day) It was hot!!!! But after breakfast with Charlie, Fifi, and Chelle, and chillin in Fifi's apartment Kim and Logan, - we headed to the park to get our sillies out. The "bigger" boys enjoyed the slides, but all three enjoyed Fifi pushing them on the swing. As a bonus our park offers a carousel and a train - All Aboard!!

Max's First Day of School

As you know this is big. My last son has just started pre-school at one of the local churches. Today was his first day, and Bootie and I took him over there. He did great! They openned the door and he went right in- Mom who??? I was hoping to be there when he got out - but work circumstances disappointed me, so Boots picked him up and they headed to her house for lunch and a 3 hour nap! Today's pics are of Max with lunch box and back pack, with a change of clothes and his show and tell items - which leads us to picture number 2!

A Day in the Life.....

Our day went as follows: Tim's alarm went off at 6 - he hit snooze twice. Mine went off at 6:30, and I hit snooze twice. Jake got up somewhere in there. I woke the little guys at 7. We were all dressed and ready to go with lunches (or lunch money in Zach's case) in hand by 7:30. Drop Jake, drop Zach, drop Max - have a light breakfast with Mom and Dad, and say good-bye to Uncle Lee. I'm at work till 6 (alone till 5 - lucky me) Tim's at work till 6. Mom picks up Zach at 3, takes him to soccer practice at 5. Soccer wraps up at 6. Mom drops Zach and Max at my store at 6:15. We leave Blockbuster at 7. I miss Tim's call on my cell. (He was to pick up Jake from football). Tim pulls in, Jake looks like hell - he's hurt again. Probably not as bad as before, but he's back on injured reserve. I say screw cooking dinner and head to BK for them and nuke myself some of Bootie's lasgana. The whole time were sitting there we are trying to figure out the strange smell in the house. AND>>>>>>>>>it's the ceiling fan in our bedroom, melting. So, we wrap up tonight with a disconnected ceiling fan, and a teen in a neck brace again, and Max has is very first day of school tomorrow........the fun never stops.

See Ya Wednesday!

Fifi and I had a lot of fun flippin through the old photos and looking for some of our favorites. (One of my favorites will always be the one the that says "Women" above our head from Mike's wedding.) So when she gets here this week, we'll start a whole bunch of new pics, but it won't be us - it'll be Charlie, and Max, Logan and Zach, the next generation, and their antics. Hope you enjoyed the last few days whether you know Chelle or not. :)

Tomorrow we resume with Max's First Day of School!!!

Bonus Footage!

We were over at Fifi's last night, and she went through a box and found a few gems - check it out!

Retro Chelle Wrap Up (Day 4)

Retro Chelle and Family- Day 3

Happy Sunday!