It has been so different not having the boyz around. I try to keep busy with things around the house, but I find myself just sitting and waiting to here "mom, I'm hungry", or "mom! make him stop!" ~ I miss it ~ I miss my boyz ~ I know they are having a great time, though.
Randy's mom did call yesterday after they arrived and got the boyz settled in and I was soooo thankful for that phone call. She said they were checked in, and she helped them put their stuff away, and helped them get their beds made and they had met their counselors. Jared connected with his through sports and Randy connected with his through hunting. I think that helped ease their transition as well.
I will hear from mom again sometime Tuesday or Wednesday with an update on how they are doing. So then you will have an update on mommy at that time ~
In the meantime ~ daddy and I will have a special suprise waiting for the boyz when they get back. We are working on a concrete pad for them to play basketball. (they have so outgrown the swingset that has been negleted) And the one thing Randy would like to have when he gets back is a special dinner for the four of us ~ Meatloaf and mashed potatoes~ so of course I will be sure to have all the ingredients for that~!
It's so Quiet
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
I was just sitting here thinking what a lazy day we had today. The boyz enjoyed the pool in this hot humid weather, Jazmyn likes getting in to cool off as well! I didnt get any photos, but it was cute.
Daddy and the boyz are off to hunt more of those pesky ground hogs, and I stayed here to get some burgers on the grill and get some fruit cut up for dinner. As quiet as it is right now, I guess that is what I will have to look forward to next week.
Randy's parents are taking the boyz to a christian camp called Camp Sandy Grove ~somewhere in West Virginia/Maryland area ~and they will be gone from Aug 3-10. I am already missing them (even with all the bickering and pestering they do=-) I know they will have a great time. Jared is signed up to do canoeing, nature exploration, archery and outdoor cooking and Randy is signed up to do guiter, archery, soccer, outdoor cooking and as a bonus white water rafting (must be 10 and older to do that). On top of all that, they will have all kinds of water things to do ~ its Wet and Wild week that they are signed up for! I am really excited for them and they are ready to go!
Off to get dinner finished ~
BIG HUNTER, JARED
So while Randy was out on his "excursion" to the park (see next post) ~ daddy and Jared went ground hog hunting. That was more exciting for Jared, and he wasnt upset he didnt get to go to the park. Such a sweetie! He and dad saw one ground hog ~ way out in the distance so dad took the shot and got him! Since they didnt see any other hogs for a while Jared got to shoot at a can they found. He's a pretty good marksman!
DATING!?
As a mom, you can never prepare yourself for the first "date" of your oldest son! Not that it was a "date" date, but Randy was invited to DelGrosso Park to spend the afternoon with ...Jessica... ohhh dear! They came to pick him up and boy was she dressed to the nine! I seriously doubt she wanted to get her hair wet at the water park! lol ~~not to mention the cologne Randy was sporting when he left here ~ so very cute. Wait, did I just say that? I am still not ready for the girlfriend thing with either of my boyz.
When daddy got home, he asked about Randy and did he get to the park ~ Jared was around the corner and he started his "punkin" laugh ~ "hehehe~ He's out with his girrrrl friend ~ oooo ~ kissy kissy~" We just rolled laughing! that was funny!
Now Randy was due back home around 7 ish so when he called to ask if he could stay longer (because they spent the whole afternoon at the water park, they wanted to catch some rides) I couldnt say no. He limited his extra time out to one hour saying he could be home at 8ish. Well bless his little heart ~ at 8:30 he tried to call the house but I was on the phone with a friend (no call waiting) and after a few mins I checked the voice mail and his little voice was there telling me he knew he was late, he was sorry and that he was ok. awwww!! He called again to let me know they were on their way home. When he got here, he just said he was sorry again for being late, but that was the only time his ride could be there to get him. I just gave him a big-ol-hug and said "it's ok, sweetie! thank you for calling and letting me know ~ thats all".
He is such a good kid and we are so very blessed to have him as our son ~ but I am still not ready for him to be .....dating......
My TWO All Star Baseball Players
OUR MINI VACATION
After we got dried off from pool time, we headed into downtown Pittsburgh for a Pirate game! They were so excited to see a "real" game!
Walking across the Clemente Bridge to get to PNC Park....
Then our picture taken with Roberto Clemente ......
Jared was really getting into the song and having fun!
Then we were able to catch up with Mr. Pirate and get our picture taken with him (mommy was not going to give up on that photo - op! LOL)
....and after 12 innings of play, the Pirates pulled out the win with bases loaded and no outs, a fly ball drops into center field, and one run comes in! We definately got our monies worth out of that one! afterwards, they had a fireworks show....it was very cool. 
......which was a trip to Kennywood Amusement Park! We followed the yellow signs through Pittsburgh, to get to our destination! 
.....waiting for our first ride the open ~ the exterminator!
:Later that day we got on a ride called Raging Rapids, and boy were they raging! We got SOAKED!
Daddy and Jared behind me on a roller coaster....
Mommy and Randy on the humongo swing! It was waay cool!
On the way out we all decided to get "tatoo's" and this is what the boyz picked out....Randy's says "Jesus" in the shape of the fish, and Jared's is a cross....mommy got a butterfly on the ankle and daddy got a dragon on his arm....
The ride home was priceless ~ the heat and being just pure tired they didnt make it out of downtown before they crashed.
OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS
Our family of birds have new additions to their family! This first picture was taken yesterday afternoon ~ with one not quite out of its shell! So awesome to see!
This picture was taken this morning! Four of the five eggs have now hatched, and one thought its mommy was bringing food ~ so sweet!
FATHERS DAY
On Father's Day we went to a friends house (actually one of Jared's coaches) for a team picnic. It was Fathers vs. Sons woofle ball game ~ and both teams won! =-) It was a great time!
/\ Brothers? \/ =-)
so if dad missed it, Jared was there to pick it up for him! lol 
JARED'S SEASON COMES TO AN END
Tonight was Jared's last game of the season, and thankfully we won! The final score was 13-3 ~ now the question is .......where was this team Wednesday night when we needed that win to push us to third place overall?.....?? Oh well, its over and Jared had a great season. He pitched for one inning tonight and struck out one batter, and no hits (due to the fact that we soft toss after 4 balls, the kids struck out on soft toss!) ~ the rest of the game he played first base, and one inning made two of the three outs himself ~ he was soooo proud and was beaming! He made many other great plays throughout the evening, and we are so very proud of him.
We are unsure as to what will happen with all-stars.....they want to have a 9 and under team and there are actually enough 9 year olds to make up that team ~ so Jared may have to wait till next year, we shall see.
Randy had a game this evening as well, and lost by 1 run! 11-10 the final. SOOO close! We are still in the running for third place in his league, too. Much better than our one win all season last year...
Enjoy the photos and I will talk to you again tomorrow!
Going home!
