Busy, Busy, Busy

Quick update on how the school year is so far....

Liz tested into the highest math class she is in 6th grade now doing 7th grade math. Also tested into the highest spelling. This is new for her as she has never been in the higher groups before. She tried out for drumming cirlce (a very popular music activity right now) and made it. This is Mon. and Thurs. mornings and they take two fieldtrips to perform around the state of Wyoming as well as participate in Half time at the Calvary Football games. Then on Tues. and Weds. mornings she does Lego Robotics, this goes to competition in Dec. and then ends. In the evening she does soccer but that will be over in the next month. With all the homework she has this year it is hard to do evening activities.

Mikaela - gymnastic is still her thing. She has her first competition this year at the end of this month updates on the blog will be made. She loves her teacher and gets so much respect from her classmates. I go in and volunteer in her class once a week (or more if time allows) it is such a pleasure to watch her at school (Liz says she is to old for me to be in her classroom so I watch her from the doorway without her knowing). I get told it is hard to have Mikaela in their class because she never does anything wrong. She reached the top reading level this year and has passed all the levels of math facts.

Weekend fun: our weekends have been fun of working on the house...this month it has been remodeling the entry way. It is almost done, I think grouting is going to be today YAH. Fall is upon us so we are outdoors preparing the yard and flowers for what is to come. We try to stay home and play games with the kids because there is not much time during the week. This is hard for Liz as she is always on the go no matter what day it is:)

College: I am extremely stressed this semester, there is so much to do and it all seems to be blending together at this point. But the countdown is on. I have one more semester after this and then fieldwork.

Ken: hating his job, but dealing with it for his family sake. He is on the way out the door tomorrow to see the Broncos kick the Raiders *!&#. He teaches Sunday school and helps or co-runs the Wednesday program as well. This keeps him sain as his wife is going crazy:)

Thanks to everyone who keeps me updated on life...it helps to keep me inline with everyone while I feel like my head is stuck in books!

Off to School

The girls started back to school today, and this is always exciting and nerve racking. Liz is now a 6th grader and Mikaela is in the 2nd grade. I know both teachers very well and am excited to see how the year goes. Liz got to announce the Pledge of Allegience over the school intercom first thing this AM. Both girls are amazing and I will keep the blog posted throughout the year with all their achievements.

Opa these are the new outfits you were wanting to see:)

(Emilie, Jesse, and Mikaela friends since age 2)

Liz and Tommy saying the Pledge

Our Nieces

We got the chance to spend some time with Brett's girls Danielle and Chelsea while on our trip. This was wonderful and they are growing up so fast. Brett is doing well too!from left to right (Mikaela-7; Danielle- 8; Chelsea- 6; Liz- 12)

Colorado road trip

Our trip this year was very simple but we got to see wonderful things and experience life in a different way.

It started out with the long drive to Denver. Debby, Dennis, Ken, and Theresa went to the Rockies and Cubs baseball game on Sunday. (We won!!) The girls stayed with cousin Rachel and we came back to laughter and smiles.

Then it was off to Estes Park and the drive through Rocky Mountain National Park. This is where we traveled over the Trail Ridge pass (the highest paved mountain in the US.)http://www.nps.gov/archive/romo/visit/weather/history.html

While in the National Park we hiked around Bear lake and then up to Alberta Falls for a total walk of 2.5 miles. This was my first major hike since surgery. (reminder to all that like to hike flip-flops and crocs are not advisable footwear:) Now for the trip down the mountain...Colorado Rocky Mountains are the best anytime of the year. We saw herds of elk and witnessed Colorados drastics weather within a 15 minute period. We headed down to Grand Lake where we pitched our tent and roasted marshmellows. This was our first time sleeping in a tent and all I can say is the next morning both Ken and I stated we were staying in a hotel the next night:) Long story but losts of fun!

(bear lake)

Then we did some typical tourist shopping and site seeing. On Weds. we did a white watering rafting trip with the girls. This was awesome! Our tour guide was a stick in the mud but the girls really enjoyed the experience.

(Alberta Falls)

(camping at Grand Lake)

Elitche Gardens theme park was on Thursday and school shopping on Friday. Lots of family time. On Friday I also got to visit with my two younger nieces (Danielle and Chelsea- Bretts girls).

Thanks again to our niece Rachel for shopping and entertaining the girls - we love you and wish you farewell as you travel to another year of school!

(can you see Presiden Abraham Lincoln sleeping?)

Parenting rewards

Sometimes it seems that parenting never has any rewards until the following things occur:

- Your 7 year old get a loose tooth while eating corn on the cob (no...she has yet to lose any so this is very exciting)
- Your child learns how to ride a two wheel bike and is now riding her older sisters bike from last year.
- Your twelve year old is out until 11pm two nights in a row babysitting (3 children age ranging from 6 years to 7 month; first night babysitting job)and has now made more money than you in a two day period.
- You look out the front window because you hear two siblings yelling at each other and the hose comes out and a huge water fight breaks out....yes, the 7 year old pulled the house out on the older sibling in rebellion. (This means you have taught them to fight their own battles!)

It has been a week of sitting back and enjoying the fun of two young beautiful girls that keep you on your toes at all times...just when you wonder "what in the world am I doing" the above things occur and you realize you are raising bright, funfilled, and well behaved children.


To all the parents out there...
Be sure to stop and look at all the good things (especially the little things) when things seem down and out!

Have a good week to all!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Today is my dad's birthday!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!

New Arrival

It is with great pleasure that I announce the arrival of our niece....Olivia Michelle O'Neil. (well the last I heard this was the final decision on her name:)

She was born to my (Theresa) sister and brother-in-law Stacy and Brad O'Neil on July 27, 2007.

Everyone is doing well and they have arrived at home!

CONGRATULATIONS STACY AND BRAD!

Also congratulations to all the grandparents who waited so calmly for this day to arrive.

just stuff

The last week or so has been busy as usually, I am told that it would be abnormal if I wrote that this week was not very busy:)

Our past couple of weekends have consisted of the college kids over for dinners, floating the river some more, and losts of sleepovers with the girls friends. Also study groups at the house for all the exams we have had. We hit the county fair and have made it a point to have at least one day put aside for family day. This coming weekend Ken's brother and sister-in-law will be coming for a visit and I think we might actually go out with adults for a date!!! Not sure if I will remember what that is like:)

I am finishing summer finals at school and then have three weeks off! I am very excited about this and have lots of R and R planned during this time off. Next week will consist of sitting by the pool side with the girls. We litterally have no activities for that week. Then the following week Aug. 10-18 we are taking our family vacation. It won't be much but a trip to Colo. for some white water rafting, six flags theme park, a Colorado Rockies game, and more R and R (rest and relaxation).

Liz: is continuing her volunteer work at the horse academy and last weekend got to help run the rodeo for the disabled children. She will continue to do some volunteer work but will also be taking a class of her own to learn more about the horses and get a chance to ride herself. She keeps herself busy with all her friends and has many plans when she starts school. She is very excited about this year as she will be the top of the school. (6th grade is huge in wyoming).

Mikaela: She did a gymnastics camp last week and got a trophy for doing back flip flops (a slow form of back handsprings). Each year at camp they have to achieve a new trick, we werent sure she was gonna pull this one of, but as mom (Melleen) says she will always keep us guessing and did want she was suppose to do.

Ken: more house updates....this last week was our entry way. We pulled up the linolium and it was disgusting!!!! He is now getting ready to lay tile in that area. He also painted and repaired holes. I will send pictures with the completions. Outside he has continued to work on the yard and pull weeds, sometimes I wonder if it is worth it (I usually help when children do not need transported somewhere). Or they are out helping. He still hates driving and will be so glad when I graduate!

All though it seems busy, we are sure to take time together as a family. The girls always have so much to say so we take walks and sit on the back porch just so they have time with us and know that we love them.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

Mikaela's Room

I was just reminded that I have not posted the home improvements that have been going on this summer. The one that we just finished was Mikaela's room. She chose her own colors and we are currently waiting for the matching window covers and bedsheet/comforter. We will be starting Liz's room next.

Another Full Weekend

This past weekend consisted of time at the Casper Rodeo and Fair. Liz could not understand why we would not allow her and a group of friends to go the fair by themselves. After we left the fair with her and a girlfriend she turned to me and thanked me for not letting her do that. The people who work those things are a little on the creepy side. They had a great time, Liz is the right size now to ride anything and that is what she does is ride anything. Her sense of fear "bone" has disappeared (just in the area of things that make your stomach turn). She truly has turned into a young lady. As she learns to grow into a teenager with good decision making skills; mom and dad are learning how to raise her with self confidence and pride for herself. I think we were going off track there for awhile but are getting back on track now. Mikaela is still to short to hit the big rides but the little rollercoaster is still daring enough for her. She still has her "fear bone". (well when it comes to rides, otherwise there is no fear in this child).

(safe motorcycles to ride:)

(Liz)

After a Saturday of house chores, groceries, and golf (Ken). It was off to float the river on Sunday after church. This was so cool!! The girls got in and swam (with life jackets), dad got flipped over on his tube, mom got in with Bree and swam also. We went with some friends from church and had a great time. You really cannot explain the experience so enjoy some of the pictures.

(Mikaela and Jenna on the tubes)

(Liz and Bree)

Oh the "Lazy Days of Summer"

Parade Day

It seems that Liz has done a lot but I have not forgotten about Mikaela. She was busy the past two weeks practicing for the Casper Rodeo and Fair parade. This is huge in our town and everything shuts down for the morning so that everyone can either watch or participate. Mikaela was in the parade doing cartwheels for her gymnastics company. Both Ken and I were sad because we had to miss the parade. I of course was at school and Ken was working. But we were told by friends that took her and others that saw her that she hammed it up!!! For someone who is afraid of being the center of attention she sure did enjoy this. It was perfect weather. Then of course it is off to the fair this weekend.

Liz's Trip

As you have already read Liz spent a week with grandpa and grandma.

Liz's words about her trip:

It was soooo coolio (not sure what that means but ok) We went go-cart riding and I beat grandpa!!!! Putt putt golf was a blast and they played two rounds. I got to go see haunted hotel. Got to talk to Aunt Stacy, went to the lake and met new friends, watched fireworks, and went to the fish hatchery. Found a new TV series to watch called "Lost" it is awesome if you ever get a chance to watch it.

Thank you, so much G and G Light for a wonderful time....most of all thanks for being there when I got ill and you took care of me!!!

Another Stop - summer Fun

Fourth of July-

Not to much exciting for this one...It was wonderful and I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing 4th of July.

We took Mikaela to one of the local Casper Wyoming Rockies baseball game on the 3rd. After the game we watched a series of fireworks and went home. We went with some friends of ours and their little girl. It was a lot of fun and the best part is it meant we did not have to go out on the 4th with all the drinkers.

The difficult part was that Liz was away from home...this is the first 4th of July without her.

I do know that grandma and grandpa took her to their local firework show. This was put on by grandpa's local fire department that he volunteers for. (Well when he is not injured anyway)

(Rockies Baseball Mascot)

or is it....

(Ken after a few too many beers:)

Next Stop - Summer Fun

Our next adventure was a day trip to Breckenridge Colo to play on the Alpine slide. This was on Saturday June 30th...the day before shippping Liz to Missouri for another week.

This was a day spent in the Colorado Rockies with both the girls as a family. When life gets so busy and everyone has individual activities it is important to remember to come together as a family. We had so much laughter this day. Things like mom freaking out that Mikaela was gonna fall out of the chairlift on the way up the mountain to watching the competition between Ken and Liz on the way down the slide.

I tried to find a website to describe what the alpine slide is but could not find one that did justice. For what it is worth it is a slide that goes down the side of a mountain used for skiing in the winter. It is made of concrete and you use tobagain type sleds to go down. Mikaela even got to go down by herself.

After our day in the mountains we of course hit the traditional Beau Jo's pizza joing in Idaho Springs.

Then home to pack Liz and prepare her for her first flight alone.

(The competition begins:)

(Mom was afraid Mikaela would slip out the back)

Summer Fun - Liz Camp

Summer is busy as usual....

We started with sending Liz off to Church camp at Fort Lonetree. http://lonetree.org/folders.asp?action=display&record=3 This was her third time attending and she came back so spiritualy filled it was great. She had to deal with normal young girl issues (and girls can be very nasty to one another) but she had a good problem solving skills and made it through the week.

They did many things like boating on the lake, rappelling, horseback riding, and her favorite thing was worship time.

I picked her up on Friday and we headed home only to do laundry, repack, and head to Denver to ship her off to grandma and grandpa Light in Missouri.

Ken and Theresa Update

Ken is still working hard...they just hired a new guy (finally) so hopefully he will get some down time. We have many home projects going and the yard is a job in its self. He is also helping our neighbor take care of her yard. (little old lady by herself with a huge house) Mikaela room just got a new makeover but it is not completely put together, when it is I will send pictures. Ken did an awesome job.

Theresa going to school, yup summer classes stink. I do enjoy it and have finally met some people in my class that I get along with. My hardest thing this summer is not having the time to sit by the pool side with the kids.

We have gone putt-putt golfing and many bike rides. Attended a few social BBQ's, and lots of work in the garden. I finally have tomotoes growing and my hens and chicks have taken over.

Now we are patiently awaiting our niece or nephew O'neil who should be arriving in July. Stacy I havent heard from you in awhile but we are thinking of you and hope all is well!!!!!!!

Love to all
The Anthony's

Mikaela's summer

Gymnastics, gymnastics, gymnastics....need I say more.

She puts in 6 hours a week and loves every minute of it. She will be in out town parade doing running front walkovers and cartwheels on July 10th.

She just finished swim lessons and we have spent lots of time at the pool.

I feel a little guilty because she is having to be pond off on all my friends while I attend school. She does not really complain but I think would rather be home instead.

Things Mikaela likes to do in her free time....Computer (ask grandpa she is a guines), Movie watching, and scrapbooking (I have taught her well). We go to the library once a week and she loves to joy read.

Liz's Summer

So far I am not sure I have even seen Liz this summer. She has been at the pool or bike riding most of the time. She even takes her sister on bike rides so that I can study.

Some things that she is doing.....

Volunteering at Reach For a Star. This is a horse academy that work with persons with disabilities. Liz cares for the horses and then leads horses during the class. She loves the little kids that she gets to work with and gets so much out of being with the horses. We are hoping this is going to work on her self confidence. I have already seen so much improvement and she is always asking to go out there. She even cleaned up her first horse manure the other day (without complaint) I took pictures of her horse grooming but do to confidentiality I cannot take pictures of her in the classes with the participants.

At the current time Liz is away at Church camp. This is 1 1/2 away from home and she has been there since Monday 6-25. I am leaving in about 1 hour to pick her up. I will send a blog on how camp went later next week. We are hoping it was spiritualy filled.

Then....we pick her up, head to Denver, and ship her off to Missouri for a week with Grandma and Grandpa Light.

I miss my baby!!!!

Happy Fathers Day from Theresa

"Dad, I'll never let go!"

As the years have gone by there have been many men in my life that I have called dad. What it really boiled down to after so many years is there is only true (OK two) dads....I was not able to find that out until I was 28 years old. This is when I discovered that the true dads in my life are my real dad and my father-in-law. When the word "dad" comes out of my mouth it is truly said from the heart!

Dad (Ron) thank you for being who you are and the person you have allowed me to become in the years. You give me strength and support when it is needed the most and best of all you gave me love!

Dad (Ted) thank you for allowing me to call you "dad". You opened your heart to me when it was needed the most. You also gave me strength and support and most of all you gave me love!

The card above says it all...you both are stuck with me for a very long time because I am never letting go!

To all the fathers out there, thank you for all that you do in providing support, strength and most of all love.

Fathers-to-be (Brad O'Neil) this fathers day cheer is for you too!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

love Theresa

End of school

Many events took place last week to end the school year. Lots of field trips, talent show, and awards.


The big field trip was both girls did the nature walk (hike). This is a two mile walk to the park...eat lunch...play...and a two mile walk back to the school.

Awards: The fifth graders do not get any except one that says they successfully made it through fifth grade. She also got honoral for holding all A's and B's for the year.

Mikaela recieved....great attendance (only missed three days), Good Citizenship Award (this is very hard to get and only two kids per class recieve this award, this is the second year in a row that Mikaela has been given the honor of this award) it is given by the teacher but has to have principle approval and is presented to the student in front of the entire school by the principle. She recieved many other awards such as straight A's all year and a successfully completed 1st grade certificate.

(Mikaela would not hold still long enough to get a picture but this is her citizenship award)

Talent show:

Both girls did the talent show but the pictures turned out terrible. Liz sang "God Bless America" and Mikaela danced with a group of friends.

It was a great school year and we are looking forward to a fast and great summer!