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!!

Bronze, the new gold??
Dustin competed in his last track meet of the season last night in Troy. He competed in three events...the 400 meter dash, the 4x2 and the 4x4. The 4x4 is always the last event and he is the anchor on the team, that means he is the last runner. Last night the 4x4 team placed third out of 6 teams. Dustin is thrilled to have won a medal during his track season. He received his medal this morning at school and came home and put it on a ribbon with various other medals he has earned in past years. We are very pround of him. Aunt Sharon, Aunt Sara, Abi, Grandma Carol and myself were there to cheer him on as he crossed the finish line. We then celebrated at Imo's pizza in Troy. I'm sure next time you see Dustin, if you ask, he will be happy to show you what his bronze medal looks like.

So Sad!!!
Dustin had another track meet last night (Monday) in Hermann. He participated in three events this meet. He did the 200 meter dash, the 400 meter dash and the 4x4. He did ok in the 200 meter, as in he didn't finish last. The 400 meter he would have taken 4th but the combined the times of the 7th and 8th grade boys instead of keeping it seperate like at all the other meets. The 4x4 was a sad event, his team finished DEAD last. There was no hope there whatsoever!!
He informed me tonight that he is very sad because there are only three more nights of track practice. I for one am glad to get back to a halfway normal life...that is until Garrett's baseball practice and games start!! Dustin does still have two meets. Monday he will run at Mexico Military Academy and Tuesday will be the last meet in Troy. Let's hope the weather holds out so they can get the last two in!!

Finally a picture of Alan and Myself

This is one of very few pictures I have of Alan and myself. I have almost just as many of me with my boys. Seems I am always the one behind the camera. This picture was taken at my Godmother/Great Aunt's 90th birthday celebration. It was a really nice evening. We got to visit with the family and have great food and libation. Great Aunt Helen really knows how to throw a party to honor someone special. We are a very blessed family!!

Very Chilly Day to Run!!

Dustin ran in his second track meet today. Warrenton Middle School Black Hawks held their invitational track meet at their very nice high school track. Montgomery competed against approximately 9 other schools. Dustin ran in two events at this meet. His events vary from meet to meet because he is always trying new things. I think his goal is to do hurdles at one event just to prove he is not as klutzy as we all think he is! His 4x2 team finished in 4th place and his 4x1 team finished in 4th place. Dustin was pleased they didn't finish last in either event. Unfortunately, they only medal through 3rd place so we have yet to bring home a medal. Dustin got to see two friends from his garden tractor pulling association. His cousin Ashley Banze from Timberland Wentzville was also there competing. She is a discus thrower. Even though it was a cold day, Alan got to finally see Dustin compete. Grandpa Ron, Aunt Rhonda and Amiee braved the nasty day to see him compete. He is really enjoying this sport also. He keeps us busy for three seasons, Football, Basketaball and Track. Garrett steps in to play Baseball so we have all four seaons covered.

Field Trip to Foremost Dairy...Cold enough to make ice cream!!

Garrett's 1st grade class went on a field trip to Foremost Dairy in Columbia on Friday. It had to be the nastiest day ever for a field trip but of course the kids loved it...can't say the parents enjoyed it as much. This was basically an outside field trip to a cattle farm. We got to see the cows "bedrooms", the milking parlor, the food storage area and the babay calves. Then, as if we weren't cold enough, they gave us ice cream before we left. We got back on the warm bus and went to Cosmo Park in Columbia to eat and play. Needless to say, we only stayed there about 40 minutes before heading back home. Although I was frozen, I was glad I went and Garrett said it was his best field trip ever!!!

April Showers #*!!!

I don't know about you folks, but I for am tired of all this rain. It has rained so much that even the geese and ducks have left our lake. I have heard of April Showers and I all I have to say is the May flowers should be absolutely beautiful!! Is there a rainbow at the end of all this rain?

We have a runner!!
Dustin finally got to run in his first track meet...all the way in Elsberry! No first places but no last places either. He had a really good time and that was what was important. Hopefully, now that he knows what to expect, he will do a little better. The 4x1 needs some faster runners before they pass to Dustin. It is hard to come back from dead last when you finally get the baton. It was a learning experience for all that's for sure. He enjoyed Taco Bell in Troy on the way home.

Cowboy Up!! Dustin got to go with Aunt Gale when the PBR was in St. Louis. He had a blast. I think he makes a rather handsome cowboy!!

Our little rocker...the question is does he prefer ACDC or George Strait? Actually he likes them all, most of the time it is whatever big brother has downloaded on his MP3 player. Whatever did we do before MP3 players?

Dusitn and Garrett actually getting along. They are really both good kids. They keep us busy running, Dustin played football and basketball and is now running track. Garrett is only old enough to play baseball but he loves it and anything to do outside. They will both be pulling garden tractors this summer so check back for schedules and pictures and rankings.