Update

I don't know how some people do it but they write in their blog every day!!! I obviously get to it quite a bit less than that! I'm not even sure if anyone but my own kids read this!! My plate is very full with 5 kids, each one in various activities, plus a husband who travels alot. We are also in the process of flipping another condo so hopefully that will be done this week and put on the market.

Here are some pictures of the kids first day of school....okay so it was almost a month ago now! They all love school and are doing well. Taylor plays on the tennis team and Hannah on the volleyball team each day after school. Greta just finished soccer on Saturday and Ricky is in Adapted soccer once a week. Once these sports end, Hannah will start hockey (which is a 6 month season!!!) and Greta will start basketball.

Peter is 17 months old. He isn't talking much yet but knows everything we say to him. He goes to a Mom's Day Out program once a week so mommy gets a day off and he gets to be around children his own age. Separation is a very tough thing for him right now! He's a momma's boy!

The last picture is of our newest nephew, Daniel, who was officially adopted by Ed and Martine this morning!!! He is a blessing to their family and to all of us! Daniel is almost 3 months old already. Congrats to them!!!


Fall is in the air. Summer goes way too fast in MN! It is so beautiful outside and we try to enjoy it as much as possible before the snow flies!!

Trip to London

We spent an awesome week in London from August 8-15. Taylor and Hannah came along with Rich and I. Grandma and Grandpa babysat the 3 younger children. We also traveled with my brother Dave and his family...grandma watched his youngest also. We packed so much into one week...here is a summary of what we saw: Day one: double decker bus tour of London. Day 2: Finished bus tour and took a boat ride on the Thames River. Met up with my niece Bonnie who was studying there for a year. Went to Covent Gardens and had a nice pub meal of Bangers and mash! Day 3: Spent most of the day at Buckingham Palace, touring the Queens collection of art, jewels and antique furniture, the palace state rooms and the Royal Mews(the carriages used by royalty). Then we went to Herrods Department store where we realized we really didn't fit in!! They had boxes of chocalates for sale for only $5000!!! (or was it pounds!) Day 4 was spent touring the Tower of London. We also met up with Bonnie's sister Michelle, who was spending a month in Europe so we really enjoyed seeing them. Day 5 we went to the British Museum and more site seeing. Day 6 we took a bus tour out of Central London and went to Warwick Castle. From there we went to Stratford upon Avon and toured Shakespears birthplace. Then we finished up by visiting Oxford University before returning to London. It was a whirlwind day with so much to do and not enough time to see it all! Day 7 we got up early and left for the airport. The trip was great but it was nice to be home!!! Rich picked up the little ones in Pennsylvania and returned home with them on Sunday, August 17.