The New Bedroom

It has taken 6 years longer than it really should have, but the bedroom is about done. The major painting is done. We need to do several touch ups and install light fixtures, plug plates, switch plates, and the bars in the closet then I am done with my portion of the bedroom. After that it's carpet and moving in. Unfortunately, Ashley will not be able to spend much time in her new room before she leaves for California.
It is times like this that I wish I would have inherited the "Energizer Bunny" gene. I think Todd, Juli, and ALee got that one. I don't know about Sandy.
We have had a lot of help. Todd, Dad, Jason, Dave, and Deric. Speaking of Dave; there are two times, of which I know, since Dave has been part of the family that he has wanted to punch me. One is when he and Juli were dating and I did something to Juli (it something that little brothers do), and then when he was working in basement he found that the wires for the sockets were "hot" when I told they were not. Thanks Dave for not punching it would have hurt.
Happy Summer!!!!!

So now Ashley is not happy about there not being a picture of her, so here is one of her and that will take care of everyone now. Whew! This was taken up at Mutual Dell ( American Fork Canyon) we all went sledding for an afternoon in January. It was a blast!!

Sisters

Maggey and Abbey were sad that there wasn't a picture of them, so here they are.... This was taken at Thanksgiving time, if you look close you will be able to see a pilgrim and an Indian.

Another Try

I tried to set up a blog after reading Deric and Stephanie's blog, but I cannot remember how I set it up.
I know Jen has had a bit of fun posting comments and we did pictures a few moments ago. I wanted to have a little fun and post my own.

From my point of view things are moving...in what direction I am not really sure. There is a week of school left and I am sad to see this class move on. They have been a wonderful class. They are one of the top two classes I have had in my short teaching career. I would love to have a class like this one every year. I have been fortunate to only have 18-19 students in my class the entire year. They really have been fantastic.

Nathan's baseball season is half over. The team has really made some progress. I can tell some things are sinking in. The kids have acted like they are having fun.
I have had my fun for the night.

Pictures

I am still learning about blogging. I am going to post a few random pictures to see how this really works.


It looks like Bartley and I together can post some pictures. It only took us 15 min. to figure it out!:)

For anyone who can't figure out the pictures, Lindsey is playing her flute at a Band Concert, I believe last fall and Nathan well he's just being Nathan.

Mothers

Whoever said Motherhood is not for wimps, well they were right. I have been running around since 6am trying to get everyone and everything done. I have been to work, cleaned house, done some of the mountain of laundry, got dinner (not fixed, Wendy's), took Lindsey to her concert, cleaned out the litter box ( I knew it would be me!) put kids to bed. No wonder I am so tired. It is a busy, crazy, happy life.

Lindsey participated in her last band concert at the junior high tonight. She is getting so tall and grown-up, it's almost painful for us parents. I guess the older I get the more I understand my parents and how much they love me. I also understand why they were always so tired when I lived at home!

Special thanks to my mom, for clean bathrooms, clean clothes, trips to the Library for a last minute reports, countless hours at the typewriter (typing the last minute reports), Halloween costumes, and Sunday curlers in my hair. I also can't forget the dent in the station wagon, the bent basketball hoop(the other dent in the station wagon), the hole in the downstairs bathroom door, and the many times I ran away to the backyard, (you helped me pack). Thanks for homemade wheat bread( you were right, I do love it now that I am grown up), toffee at Christmas, and bedtime stories. I can't leave out Christmases in general, stuffing at Thanksgiving, and the 4th of July. Thanks for teaching me to have this crazy, happy life, and the advice to love every minute because it goes by too fast.

First Time Blogger

I am not really sure how this all works, but I am giving it a try.

AAAAHHH, the last few days of school. A child's dream, a mother's nightmare(HA). Abbey says it was the BEST day of school for her because she had a Teddy Bear Picnic at the park today with her class. Complete with Teddy Bears,Lunch, and the story about the Teddy Bear Picnic. It is fun to her point of view, so innocent still.

Nathan had to write a report about a famous American, he presented it today. He was given the opportunity to choose and chose Ronald Reagan. Nathan has always admired Ronald Reagan and he did a good job. He had to dress up as the famous person, so he wore his Sunday clothes,and he borrowed his Dad's Cowboy hat. The kids in his class didn't really understand who Ronald Reagan even was, but Nathan is a bigger fan now than ever. I was proud of the depth of character Nathan has in that he didn't choose a movie star or a sports star but someone who was a true American.

Ashley is going to spend a month at Julie's house and she is sooooo excited. She is driving us all crazy with her excitement. She writes " CALIFORNIA" on every piece of paper, including napkins or paper plates. She is constantly making lists for herself what she should pack, what she should wear, when she should start packing, etc. I hope Dan is ready for all of this. Julie and Ashley are two peas in a pod. Two peas in a pod, with two bees in their bonnets will make for an interesting few weeks at the Holland home. We will miss Ashley, but we know this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for her to spread her wings a little and see another part of our country. Ashley earned every penny to buy her ticket and we are proud of her for setting a goal and acheiving it.

Lindsey is 15 1/2 now and is chomping at the bit to get her driving permit. I don't really believe that we are old enough to have children old enough to drive. I remember when I was old enough, and man my parents were old. I don't know what we were thinking, letting her grow up!! Anyway she is starting up Marching Band and is totally consumed by it. This is great because then she is so occupied that she has no time for anything else, not even American Idol! Gasp!

Last but not least we have our Maggey. She is in 2nd grade and is a joy to have in our home. Today after school I let the kids slip-n-slid, I was the BEST MOM EVER! I can't believe that she will be going to 3rd grade. It seems like they mature so fast once they are in 3rd grade, I will be sad to see the sweet little girl Maggey grow up.

Last but not least we do have a new member of the Nicholes Family. I know what you are all thinking and it is nothing like that. We have adopted a cat. I know don't pass out. Me the anti animal person, I have allowed my kids to get a cat. His name is Max and he is really pretty cute. He is black with a white "tuxedo" markings, with a white tipped tail and white feet. The kids have had a blast with him, but now that it is time to clean out the litter box, well no one is fighting for that job. Lindsey is especially enjoying the opportunity to have an animal around.

I will post some pictures, when I figure out how to actually do it. (I will probably need Ashley or Lindsey to help me) See how old I am!......