Days with the Dorans

 What a summer it was but now we must say farewell! I love starting school a bit before labor day- helps "ease in" to the school year. We had nice weather so joined the Drapals for a last boat ride (well maybe not LAST- but last of summer).  The cousins all had fun and of course so did the human kids and adults! It's so fun to watch the boys play and run and swim. I think their favorite place to be is the lake- I've said it before but Nana and Papa's is "Dog Heaven" to our fur babies!  Captain Zach decided to stop the boat mid-ride so they could take a little cool-off dip. We are so lucky to have these experiences and memories! Thanks for the memories summer of 2019!

 And just like that we're back to XC season! I can't begin to tell you how much I LOVE watching Joey run. I think I have a much greater appreciation for it now that I've started running. Joey ran in the reserve race and there were quite a bit of runners. Of course when we got there, he realized he didn't have his shoes! Before we left, I told him to grab his spikes and he said he had them. When we got there though, he had them but TWO DIFFERENT SHOES! He didn't seem to care and said, "Mom, I'll just run my trainers." Ugh! No you won't!!! Thankfully Nana and Papa hadn't left (and we had to be there early) so they stopped by our house to grab the shoes. They got there just in time. and he put on the shoes and headed to the start. This race is only a 4k so times are tough for me to compare. Joey tends to run better the further he goes which is strange- but true.  He did great though coming in 6th place overall and the team took f...

 After just a couple days of school we had our first home football game which for us means... MARCHING BAND!! I love watching them and I love it even more now that I have two kiddos to watch! Ali is having fun but still a bit on the fence I think. The pit is a bit separated from the rest of the marchers and I know many of her friends march. She did a great job though.  Joe is still in his happy place when it comes to the band. His best friends (for the most part) all play and they have so much fun together. I think it's going to be another great season!!

And just like that, another summer has come to an end. The morning came early but of course I had to get some pics of my high schoolers. Jeff switched schools and now is at the High School (and liked it more than he thought he would). Of course Ali was off and though she was nervous (which made me nervous), I know that girl will be just fine. It actually wasn't as bad saying goodbye as I thought it would be. Joey too was old hat at all of this- of course they worry about lunch and which friends will be in classes since they get schedules last minute but I know they'll be fine. Since it was the first day, Papa came over early to see them off. He told Ali he would walk her to the bus stop through high school but really- just that first day. I was walking Marty so got to grab a picture of them too. Twin Sarah was at the bus stop as well as some other kiddos I didn't know. It's weird because Joey was there all by himself last year. It sure is dark in the m...

With all the hours I've been putting in at school, I've really missed my Littles! I told them we needed to spend time together and they wanted to go have some fun jumping- so that's exactly what we did!! Love my kids!!

I don't feel like my room took quite as long to set up this year and that could be because Nana and I purged so much stuff at the end of last school year! I'm so lucky my mom keeps coming to help me open my room each year. She took this picture of me for my "Welcome" video that you can see by clicking HERE . Here is to year 22! WOW!

 I've been busy setting up my classroom and wouldn't you know... the day of "Smart Start" (aka- Zach's registration), I had a workshop (ugh). I called on the way home to tell Ali to tell Z to get dressed because the second I got home, he needed to jump in the car so we could be off.  Well, when I got home he was a sweaty mess from playing outside, but such is life. He got his picture (he liked it), his books, and we headed to his locker to put his books away. At that point he wanted to leave- he didn't feel the need to walk his schedule, but he did just because... well... mom wanted to see him do it. My little Goose is growing up and it's so strange. I remember having a locker in this building back when I was a "sevvy." Time really does fly when you're having fun. Have a great year, Goose!

Just some pictures from my brother's birthday. We headed over there for some family time, yummy food, and good drinks. Boys were off playing while the girls hung together (but close enough to grab a picture). Since Danny has been making "Oberon Art" we gave him a gift to help him with his craft (and even helped empty a couple cans for him). Happy Birthday, old-little brother!

So I've been talking about it for YEARS- literally... I was going to get one when I turned 40 (said a girl in her mid-late 30s. At 43, I finally actually did it. When Great-Nan died, I got to really thinking about how much I loved the Jonasens and how much I treasured them. I found an old letter my Grandpa had written me when I was 18 and he signed it~ Thanks for the memories~ All my love, Grandpa J. I loved the idea of having not only his words but in his handwriting forever on me. I got the name of a guy from Ty and my dad met met me at the tattoo shop (which oddly enough was where my dad got his (2) tattoos.  It literally took about ten minutes and it didn't hurt at all It felt a bit like sand-paper on my skin and that was it. I'm already wanting another! He put some tape over it and I can't run for a bit (which will be hard) but I have no regrets and keep looking at my arm and knowing wherever I am- I will always have all my Grandpa's love and that is...

It's hard to believe that Joey is starting his second year of high school already! He had to register early and then ran (literally) to XC practice. When I picked him up after, we found his locker to drop off his books and things. Joe had such a great freshman year. I can't wait to see what this year brings! He forgot his XC clothes so we had dad run some up and he pulled clothes from Joey's room from a LOONG time ago- that shirt was from a race when he was in elementary school (it WAS big then...). Next it was Ali's turn and I can't believe she's off to high school too! I know she's going to be great! She was a bit worried since they don't get their schedules right away and the set up of the building is confusing (though Joey swears it isn't...). We did find her locker and drop off her things. My kids just LOVE when I take pictures of them...