CHLOE BELL

Announcing Miss Chloe Bell...
She is beloved, even though she is no Penny. We hope she will develop into a wonderful pet for our family.
We all really do love her. She is still acting a little shy and demure. We couldn't possibly have gotten the world's perfect dog.
She is so sweet. She is nervous and shakes a lot. Peyton is being very gentle with her too which is a pleasant surprise. She says she is the mommy. Chloe definately has her favorite. Marcus seems to be the master at this point. We will update later.
We are having a blast.

This is a little of what I have been working on instead of being a golf-aholic. I am finding it quite rewarding and enjoyable.
Swim Team starts tomorrow and Cloe is officially part of the Stanger Family as of 10:30 Saturday morning. (More about Cloe later.) So, I don't imagine I will have as much discretionary time to play in my yard...but I do
I find myself wandering through the different gardens I have planted around the place.

*** Yes, I am aware that the reds clash with the color of the house. I am working on it, and loving the process. I will be planting more yellows, oranges and whites in the future. The flowers in the baskets were supposed to be more of a deep purple, but they look so great in person.

This is Penny. Penny is beloved by miss Peyton (and Peyton's momma) We are actively searching for a Penny of our own. Penny's birth mother is expecting and we are on the waiting list for her little sister. We have been checking Kijiji everyday for a designer doggie of our own. If we don't find one, we will wait for the little sister to Penny. We are enjoying Penny on a doggie timeshare with the Quinns. We have talked and bribed our way into keeping Penny... Their little sister Kate is unfortunately attached to her too. SHOOT!
This is the only dog I have been able to have around without suffering with any allergies.

YAY! Tis the season of mommy's joy!
In so many ways this is better than Christmas.
I love swim season. The kids are entertained and the sun is out.
We spend time with friends and make new ones. It really is the best time of year for me.

Marcus is so happy because he has a new "old" friend.
Ely Cooper-Leavitte was in his preschool class in West Salem, and their family is building a new home here in Monmouth. We are THRILLED. Especially Marcus and I because this is a Cub Scout we will have in our troop!

Did I announce I get to pull the yellow shirt out of retirement?
Another yay. I will be over the wolves and bears. I am so excited. And Marcus is too.

MARCUS BAPTISM

Marcus's special weekend.
He was baptized. Pinchie and Frosty came from Idaho, Gan & Heather and the kids came from Canada and we were surrounded by beloved friends.
It was a very special weekend where we spent time at Duane's beachhouse coast and loved hanging out together.

Pinewood Derby

Marcus' first Pinewood Derby... He had so much fun. The track was fast and official and he placed several times. Most of all, he had a blast with his friends.

Happy Marcus Day!

Yay Spring!

This is really the first Warm day of spring (ok not technically spring yet two days away)with no rain. YAY! Go outside kids. They wanted to get out the sprinkler and the slip and slide.
It's not that warm yet, but soon...
I was able to get my rasperries pruned and Craig did a ton in the garden. He mowed and trimmed and he is still out there working. Everything is budding out and the crocus is blooming. The tulips are thinking about it. I LOVE spring. It is one of my two favorites. (Nothing will ever beat Summer.) Everything is new and fresh.
It makes my spirit sing.

Luck of the Irish?

Marcus decided he was going to catch a little leprechaun for St. Patrick's day...
So, speaking of Saints...
Has anyone noticed our last name? If divided correctly St. Anger.
Coincidence? I think not.

Faukers

Peyton kept asking for "Faukers"... HUM... "honey don't say that in church, K?"
For days she wanted "My Faukers."
Curious as I was, I figured it meant Marcus or some toy she dearly loved and couldn't live without. A few days went by and then, we were going out for a walk or something, I slipped on a pair of fabulous sparkly flip flops and loudly she exclaims "Augh! MOMMY FAUKERS" she was so excited. Then she quickly digs through the shoe basket searching frantically and saying "where my faukers mommy???" So, the mystery of the potty mouth two year old had been solved.
She wanted her fabulous sparkly flip flops...
Needless to say with our sense of guttoral humor we get quite a kick out of Peyton and her favorite foot ware.

Marcus The Actor

Marcus was too cute... He was so nervous leading up to the announcement of who would receive speaking parts in his class. He was on the high of his life the day he found out he had landed one of the lead parts. He memorized his lines that very night. Leading up to the Play (program) he was so nervous. It was the cutest thing. He kept saying "Mom, if I throw up will they give my part to someone else?" Once he had one performance under his belt he felt a little more confident. "But that was just the other kids at school Mom, not grown ups" Once he had the first evening performance done, he was on top of the world. He definitely has the acting bug.

Winter Fun in the "Fall"

So, Winter doesn't officially start until Sunday...
We have never been out of school for more than two days.
We read online at 10:30 that it is official. No school.
I have done all I can to entertain this bunch, and Christmas
break was supposed to start today after school.
The house has never been more decked out for Christmas.
My parents were supposed to be here today, but they are stuck in
Las Vegas. We have been dipping chocolates and making candy and cookies all week.
Hopefully someone other than me will eat it. augh!

Pumpkin Patch

We had such a good time at the pumpkin patch. The kids loved going through the grass maze. Somehow going through a grass maze is not nearly as creepy as a corn maze...
The fall views were beautiful. Matched only by the fascination of the children of simple things like straw and grain in an open "Grain Box."
The kids loved racing to the top of the straw bail slide.

Matthew loved football this year. This was his first experience with organized school ball. We all loved it.

Sunflower Princess