Action shot of Garrett Dustin and Tyler enjoying the water Bible School program

Crazy Busy...

I know it has been a long time since I last posted anything, but like everyone else we have been crazy busy. It seems there is so much to do yet and not enough summer to do it in. Does anyone else seem to have that problem?

Since my last post, we had a family a reunion on the Hase side. Alan, the boys and I only went to the Saturday event at a park in Warrenton. A lot of Dad's cousins from out of state were there. His cousin Gale has worked for Reba McEntire for 25 years. He is the Director of Lighting for her.

Fourth of July we went to a brunch and Mom and Dad's, very good food and conversation. It was a nice morning. Later of course was swimming at Sara's and homemade ice cream topped off with fireworks at Troy. They were beautiful!!

The boys had Bible School all last week. Dustin was a CIT and Garrett was in the 1st and 2nd grade class. They both had a blast and can't wait until next year. Garrett was just glad they didn't have any homework!

Last Friday night was another tractor pull in Centralia. The boys did terrific. Garrett pulled 166 feet and got 7 out of 13, quite an improvement. Dustin pulled 152 feet and got 2nd out of 19. I am not sure who was more excited, Dustin or Alan. I am glad they have this activity. It really helps all my boys bond and they all enjoy it so much.

This week is fair week for us. Tuesday night is the parade. Wednesday night the boys are pulling their tractors, Thursday is Shooter Jennings and Friday and Saturday are regular tractor pulls and rodeos.

Wednesday during the day, we are headed to Fort Leonardwood. Alan's cousin Andrew is graduating from his CID training and in August will ship out to Germany for 3 years.

Friday night we are headed to Paris for another pull. We also have a pull in Mexico on Sunday.

Dustin has been going to football camp 2 nights a week. The coach said he can see a definate improvement from last year.

I think that should just about bring us up to date. I will try to be a little more faithful blogging but I have to find the time to get the pictures downloaded!!

Hope everyone is enjoying what is left of their summer!!

Where is the summer going??!!
Why does it always seem like it takes forever for summer to arrive and then it is almost half over before you know what happened. July 4th is next week, how did that happen? To me that is always the halfway point. The Lake is like the final fun thing and then it is back to school!
We have been staying busy, of course, what family hasn't been during summer. Garrett's ball season is almost over, two games this week and the last game on Monday. Dustin has had optional football practices two days a week, we have been only making one because of the baseball schedule.
Dustin will be getting braces soon. We went today for the consultation, he had impressions made, he did not like that at all. We go back in July for to find exactly what he is going to be getting done.
Alan is finally done with the tractors for the most part. The fuel pump on Dustin's went out after the first pull so that will have to be replaced but at least he is home every night now.
I haven't been doing any crafting, which I think is a bad thing. My fall shows tend to sneak up on and me. I am in a reading mode right now and would rather read then do much of anything else.
I better close for now, the storms that hit Columbia a little while ago are now here. Lots of lightning and thunder, hopefully most of the rain will miss us. We have had enough for a few days.
Until next time, thanks for stopping by!!

We have had another exciting weekend ... our first garden tractor pull of the year. Garrett is getting hooked to the sled with some last minute instructions from Dad. He did great, I think he smiled the whole way down the track. He came in 9th place. This is the tractor Dustin pulled last year, we changed the name from Mr. Green Jeans to 2 Horse Down because it is only an 8 horse motor and the other tractors in this class are 10 horse.
Dustin was up next on his new tractor. He pulled in a different class than last year. He now pulls in the 1050 class. He finished in 13th place with very little assistance from Dad. Dustin enjoys tractor pulling almost as much as football. For those of you who don't know, this is the body of the Cub Cadet we got from the Centralia Hasekamps. Alan has been working like a mad man building it right up to the last minute. Dustin has named this tractor Malfunction, although we all hope that never happens!!!
Finally, on Sunday, Dustin became a teenager. We had a small get together with a huge Subway sandwhich and a Happy Birthday cookie courtesy of Aunt Sara. We gave him a digital camera and he is taking lots of pictures now.

Finally I am updating my blog. As you can see, I haven't exactly gotten the whole picture thing down yet. Anyway, to update everyone on things that have been happening here in our little piece of the world. Garrett did have an awards assembly also. He received several awards, national fitness, reading circle, AR goal and he gratuated from Reading Recovery. He worked very hard this year.

In case you have not heard, I have made a career change. I am no longer working as a secretary at Montgomery County Physical Therapy. My last day there was May 30th. June 2 and 3 I was in Columbia taking a class on Property and Casualty Insurance. On Thursday I took and passed the test to get my license to be an insurance producer. I will be working for Rural Missouri Insurance Services. Their specialty is crop insurance. They have decided to open a new division, Rural Missouri Insurance Solutions. This new department will be me! I am very excited about the opportunity it will provide for myself and my family as well as being able to help other families in the process!!

The last set of pictures is from our annual Relay for Life in Warrenton. It was Friday night, June 6th and I am very pleased with how we did. It takes a lot of work but it is definately for a worthwhile cause. One of the highlights of the evening was Lisa getting to take a walk with all the cancer survivors. She is an inspiration to our whole team and a reminder of why we do this every year.

Our summer is already in full swing. Garrett is well into his ball season. Dustin has a job this summer painting about a mile of fence for the neighbor. Alan has been working like crazy trying to finish up Dustin's new pulling tractor, Malfunction, so that both boys will be able to pull at their first pull next Satuday night in Salisbury. Dustin will also finally be a teenager next Sunday.

Lots going on here, hopefully I will be better at keeping everyone up to date!!! Until next time, take care and enjoy your summer!!

Dustin may have his calling in woodworking. The chair was his project this semester in Industrial Arts. I think he did a remarkable job on this big project.

Today was Dustin's 7th grade awards assembly. He received awards for perfect attendance, National fitness and Top male reader for the Ticket to Adventure program. Unfortnately Dustin Dyer only got perfect attendance and Dustin Dryer's name is on the other two certificates. This is his 2nd year of perfect attendance.

Tommorrow is Garrett's awards assembly. I know for sure that he is receiving at least one award. It has been a crazy busy week again, only one week left at my old job!!

Garrett finally lost his first tooth. It has been loose for awhile and the new tooth was already in behind it. He couldn't wait to put it under his pillow and see what the Tooth Fairy would bring him. He was very happy with his dollar. Unfortunately the picture doesn't show the missing tooth, it is on the bottom. Dustin was mad because he was in second grade before he lost his first tooth.

Our Busy Week.... Garrett started our busy week on Tuesday with Field Day. He participated in many events during the day including the long jump (picture). He had a great time and was worn out by the end of the day. The kids did a tug of war, 50 yard dash, 4x4 relay, long jump, bouncy ball race, sack race, crab walk race, wheelbarrow race and softball throw. It was a busy afternoon. On Friday, the first grade class did Mommy Makeovers for all their Moms. Garrett did a great job fixing my hair, putting make up on me and painting my fingernails. I also got a massage from him and a flower. It was a nice afternoon.
On Wednesday, the Middle School students who participated in the Ticket to Adventure program got to go the Rec-Plex in St. Peters. In order to qualify, each student had to read at least 12 books during the school year. Each book had to be at least 100 pages. Dustin read 14 books. At the Rec-Plex he was able to ice skate, play basketball and swim. He got to jump off the high dive. They were not allowed to jump of the highest platform though. He had a good time and will participate in the program again next year. He also did the program last year, the trip then was to the movies. He liked this trip better!!
Alan finished off our week today (Saturday) at the Kansas Motor Speedway. A few years ago for our anniversary I gave him a Richard Petty Driving Experience Ride-Along. He was able to go to the track and ride three laps at race speed (about 165-170 mph). He said it was a blast and that there were not words to describe the sensation of riding in a car and going that fast. He is now planning on saving up to do the Total Experience. He said the ride-along is well worth it too!!

Hopefully things will finally slow down a little around here. Dustin has football camp after school all this coming week. Garrett has baseball practice on Monday and his first game is on Saturday so then again, maybe things won't slow down!!