Memorial Day Fun!!!

After Predictions for storms.....it turned out to be an AWESOME weekend (at least Sat. was great)!!! My brothers flew in from Chicago and Wisconsin, along with Miranda (Josh's girlfriend). My parents also were able to get in on the action. We fished, went tubing, skiing, roasted smores, played rook, Mad Gab and a ton of bolo ball. Thanks Nate for bringing the yummy Lou Malnatis pizza all the way from CHI town...It was fab!

Uncle Nate and Kade attacking Uncle Josh with water guns upon arrival!

Grandpa and Kiersten with Kiersten's Blue Gill catch
Uncle Nate and Kade taking divots!


Steph and her girls (with Miranda's dog Bella)

My brothers playing a little bolo ball
Scott and Kade...more fishing
Miranda and Kiersten

Josh And Miranda saying "Good-Bye"

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!!!!!!

It's official schools out for summer. Kiersten ended 1st grade today with a bang. Her class had a pizza party after school at a friends house and then it was off to the Time Out Corner for some mini golf and arcade action. We then adopted 3 new gerbils from her teacher Mrs. Pittenger (their names are Flame, Tickle, and Jack-don't ask!). Next Kiersten was off to her friend Halle's house for dinner and playtime. Seriously how am I going to compete with this each year!



"Seriously...she thinks its a cat"


Karli, Kiersten and Halle

Time out corner with Kiersten and Kristen L.

Mrs. Pittenger and our newest additions!

Mandles - BluefishTV.com

If your looking for a Father's Day gift....FYI

Rhubarb Punch

For those of you asking for this wonderful recipe. Here it is:

8 C Cut up Rhubarb
2 quarts water
3 C Sugar
1/2 C lemon Juice
2 Small packages Strawberry Jello
2-2 liter each of Ginger Ale and Sprite

Cook first 4 ingredients until rhubarb is tender. DRAIN juice and throw away pulp. Add Jello to liquid. Freeze-stirring frequently while frozen for 2 days. To serve take out of freezer and add sprite and ginger ale to taste. ENJOY!

Happy 30 something B-day Scott

Happy Birthday to my beloved husband. He turned 30 something today and all I gave him was left over graduation cake. Talk about being selfish. Steph has been so busy that she did not even make her poor husband a cake...but the good news is: we were able to use up all the left overs! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AN AWESOME GUY!!!!




"The left-overs"

Graduation...Finally

After 6 years of studying, presentations,and stressing...Steph can finally say she is DONE with her M.B.A.-Yippee! This graduation day has been very long awaited by my family who have stood by me the entire time with only the greatest of support. So thank you to my dearest fans, Kiersten, Karli, Kaden, but most of all Scott. Steph could not have even tried to achieve this dream if it were not for him. So thank you dear husband for your patience, understanding, and your self-lessness-----I know I could be pretty uptight at times. And thank you to all my dear friends who have endeared my complaining and negativity about school for the past umpteen years--I love you guys!!! Okay I am starting to sound sappy....Below are some pics of the BIG DAY!!!! Glad its behind me.........time to celebrate!!!!

Sprinkler Fun

Too nice of a day to not pretend is isn't summer. Kade and Karli had a blast playing in the hose....... and with Steph done with her last final today...we were all due for a celebration! On to commencement on Friday-YEAH!!!

Karli's Dancenastics Performance-K.O.Boxing

Last Day of Pre-K

Karli's last day of preschool was today and we are going to miss Mrs. Bahner and Mrs. Queen so much!


Saying our Good-Bye's...and yes Mommy cried

Playing at City Park

Kade and Dad

Dancenastics

Most Treasured Gifts......

The girls woke up at the crack of dawn on Mother's Day to make Steph breakfast...they were so excited to show off their hard work. Above are their precious gifts they made Steph for Mother's Day. It does not get better than this...TRULY!!!

HAPPY MOTHER"S DAY TO ALL

A MOTHER'S PRAYER


Dear Lord, it's such a hectic day,
With little time to stop and pray,
For life's been anything but calm
Since You called me to be a mom--
Running errands, matching socks,
Building dreams with wooden blocks,
Cooking, cleaning, finding shoes
And other stuff that children lose,
Fitting lids on bottled bugs,
Wiping tears and giving hugs,
A stack of last week's mail to read--
So where's the quiet time I need?
Yet, when I steal a moment, Lord,
Just at the sink or ironing board,
To ask the blessings of Your grace,
I see then, in my small one's face,
That you have blessed me all the while --
And I stoop to kiss that
precious smile.

Gillam Girls Day Out!!!

The girls and Steph had so much fun today! We went to Topeka to try on Flower Girl dresses for an upcoming wedding this July..and actually found some-YEAH. We then headed to Chucky Cheese for some FUN, then to the Olive Garden to meet Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, and then for some much anticipated shopping! ( for those of you that know Steph..the Chucky Cheese thing was SERIOUSLY pushing it)


Claire..the BRIDE.....




"the Choice...so Cinderella"

More Activites

As if there is not enough activities going on at the end of the year, between the girls wrapping up their dance activities, gymnastics, tennis, swimming and school, and Steph in the middle of finals and graduation..... to add to our crazy life, yesterday Karli had her Beach day at her preschool and Kiersten had poetry day after her field day yesterday (thank you Scott who was able to attend this one!!!)

Field Day at Amanda Arnold

The K-2nd graders had their field day this morning at Amanda Arnold. They had sack races, 3 legged races, water balloon tosses, and the 50-yard dash. This is a highly anticipated event for these little guys and they were fully "amped up".

70's Day at Amanda Arnold & saying Good-Bye to Ms. Appel

It was Spirit day at Amanda Arnold today and the kids were told to dress up like the "70's decade", of course no child knew what that meant. I was even a little bit fuzzy, so I called my mom and asked her how she dressed me in the 70's--okay I did grow up in part of the 70's, but I just could not remember (or choose not too!).

ON another note......Ms Apple, the KSU intern had to say her good-bye's to the class today, as she is graduating from KSU next weekend and will be teaching 2nd grade at Lee school next year-YEAH for Ms. Apple--we will miss her!

Washington Dance Recital 2008-"Dance Journey's"

Both girls completed their first Washington Dance recital today. They both did great. Kiersten danced to "California" with her "Rhythms" class and Karli danced to "All together Now" with her ballet class. They both can't wait to do it again next year...of course with different costumes (and they already have them picked out).
CONGRATS to Jenny Washington Stout who was presented with a very distinguished dance award from Ruth Ann Wefald today. Her efforts definitely do not go unnoticed.


Ready for the performance

Pics with Grandma and Grandpa Gillam

Hugs from Grandma Anderson

Kentucky Derby Party--Success!!

We attended a Kentucky Derby party tonight and had so much fun! I learned so much, and we were rooting for Big Brown...little did I know that he won ( and was in the the # 20 spot)..okay..okay.. as far as the party went, we drew names and we did not win anything..but that's okay we had so much FUN. Thanks Palmgrens's for a GREAT time!!!

http://www.kentuckyderby.com/2008/news/2008/05/03/big-brown-wins-kentucky-derby-134


"The Girls"

" The Guys"



"The Fancy Food"

May Day!!!!

Have folks forgotten about May Day!!! I do not know about you, but it was a tradition growing up, we would make May Day baskets for our friends ring the door bell and run..... so with that said, I was so excited to see the Shamburg girls at our front porch on May Day. They out did themselves and made beautiful cookies with PINK frosting. They looked like little princess wands, even my son loved them (go figure).