Days with the Dorans

I have been known for pickles since a student noticed me eating them everyday in my lunch (I kept a jar in Dawn's room across the hall). Since then, kids have been bringing me things pickle related for years and I LOVE it! I had multiple people and families (school) send me the information about Canterbury's first "annual" pickle fest! (because I know there will be more) I was thankful that the Cortevilles and Cosmans were able to join us for a bit! They were off to a concert after but it was fun that they were able to stop by for a bit. We had some pickle chips and chocolate (and regular sweets) and Jeff had some pickle pasta that was good! I'm glad my girlfriends were there because they are better at remembering pictures but I feel like I'm getting better. I was thankful to get these pictures from them! After they left, Jeff and I continue checking out the festivities. Lots of the food was sold out and the place was packed (and you had to buy tickets and tho...

For a while there, I was bringing Rizzo to Room 119 every day and the kids loved it! They would feed her carrots through the bars of her cage until one day when one of my boys stuck his finger through instead and she bit him! He said it didn't hurt and admitted he wasn't supposed to put his finger through the bars but since I know knew she was capable of biting, I felt I couldn't bring her anymore. But the new kids in Room 119 were asking about her so I surprised them with a visit from Rizzo and her father! I was so glad that Sean could bring her up for them to see! Now they are asking when Morty and Norbert can come for a visit... We'll see...  

Well Friday Night Lights are back!! (except that the first two games are on Thursdays). I call them Marching Band Games though sometimes there are people throwing a football around (but sadly not too well). I feel badly for our team and wish they could have more success! The band is fun though and the band fans are loud! Since they didn't have their uniforms yet, they marched in T-shirts but it was great to see Seany doing his thing! 

This summer Zach worked at Hungry Howies and while it wasn't a job he liked (at all) he did like the fact that if he couldn't find a job at school, he could always apply at the Hungry Howie's there since he was familiar with it and there was one near campus that he could walk to! The good news is that he does NOT have to work at Hungry Howie's now! He got an on campus job in their cafe and he is loving it! He gets paid $19 an hour and is learning all sorts of things. He loves prepping the food and even asked for a meat thermometer recently since he plans on doing more cooking in their dorm. I'm thankful that he's happy and I'm thankful that Kat snapped this picture for Mama Doran.  

Ali moved from the house she lived in Sophomore and Junior year to an apartment nearby with her roommate Hannah! She is so excited and loves her new space but sadly, I wasn't able to help move her in. As you may remember, Marty had his surgery and so I was staying with him since he is such a mama's boy! I REALLY felt bad not being there though and there were some things she forgot to take and so my mom and I took a little daytime roadtrip to go see my favorite girl and make sure she was all settled in! Of course we took her to Meijer and found some essentials. She has a big room (again- she's so lucky) so upgraded to a full bed finally so new bedding was a must! Ali is not quite settled yet. The boys moved her in and then they turned around and came home since she had to take SEVEN teacher certification tests which I am happy to report that she has passed and is officially a certified teacher! Here are a few pictures I snapped though while we were there! It felt like a full...

It's hard being home with just 5 (Joey fulltime in Kalamazoo) but it's harder as they leave one by one. It was time to move Z back to TC and he was so excited to get back to all his people! With no minivan, Sean wasn't able to help with move-in so the brothers said goodbye and Z, Jeffy and I were off with Franny (my Forrester) packed to the gills! There was a little hiccup (them ALMOST not letting him move in since we couldn't get there earlier in the day) but in the end it all worked out as things always seem to do! Zach's Room- In process Z is living with his roommate and suitemates from last year but they're in a different dorm and I use that word "dorm" lightly. It's more like an apartment. Each boy has their own bedroom, there is a small kitchen, a living room and two bathrooms! Living Room! They hung Z's flag. I'm so excited for him to start another year and he's so excited for his classes! After we moved him in we took off and le...

We were invited to the Macs for an awesome nighttime boat ride! I miss seeing them and love that we were able to make this happen before Zach and Ali head back to school. They were especially excited to see "The King" (aka Sean). It's hard to believe that the twins (as we call Ali and Sarah) will be graduating in May! Time is a thief! What a history those two have!  

Zach has been itching to cut those curls of his and once he hit 8 inches, it was on! I'm so glad he does this. My poor pony tails were so little I feel like my whole head was just one of his pony tails. Proud of him. And don't let that face fool you! He's thrilled!!

  Marty is my mama's boy! He always has to sit next to me on the couch and will whine and cry until Jeff moves over to make room. I love Marty with all my heart and the hardest thing about being a dog mom is them getting older. Marty is lumpy and bumpy and I always ask the vet about that and so far they have been nothing but THIS tumor was different. I got the call when we were in Kentucky that it WAS cancer (soft tissue sarcoma) and without asking cost or anything- I asked when we could schedule surgery to get it out of him! We scheduled surgery ASAP, but then had to reschedule because it was later in the day and as mentioned, Marty is a vocal boy. In addition to telling people that HE is the one who sits next to mom, he also regularly tells dad when it's time to eat and there was no way he was going to not eat when he got up. The second surgery date was first thing and so we were off. It was hard. I'm not going to lie. I cried and realized we were in the same room where w...

We haven't been out on the lake in forever- partly because the boat hasn't been working but probably more so because our schedules seem so busy. I was glad we were able to all get together at the lake for a boat ride!  With Marty's surgery around the corner, I knew it was unlikely that I'd be able to celebrate my little brother's birthday so I brought gifts to him early. I got him a Gordie Waffles bathing suit with a matching shirt and a cool bourbon glass that I found in Kentucky. I think he liked everything and said he was going to wear the shirt to school! It was nice all being together and I think the dogs may have loved it most of all. Again- I'm getting bad at the pictures but I do love the together time!  

I didn't take too many pictures of Jeff's 51st birthday. I've been bad lately but now that I'm blogging again so trying to be better! Joe was unable to make it home but the other three were here so it was fun celebrating together! Jeff went disc golfing early and then later we went to 4th Tavern with the kids and my parents. After, we came home where we sang and Ali made a super yummy cake!! Jeff loved his gifts and one was a fun music-related game called "Hitster" and let me tell you it was a HIT! I love family and I think that the best gift was being (mostly) together! 

After Away Camp, the band always puts on their preview show. It had to be at MY high school because Sean's is still under construction (even though my dad and I have been walking the parking lot there all summer). The parking at WLC is AWFUL but we got there early and managed to grab Sean's stuff quickly and get seats for his fan club! I was SO excited that Joe was able to make it home too! Sean went to all the Bigs things but with him the only one left at home, the sibs aren't able to get to his things. Ali and Z were home for the summer to work so I knew they were able to be there but when Joey came home it was the cherry on top! Sean was easy to spot because he has a unique Lions hat that he got in Myrtle Beach and we were so glad that he was wearing it! It is a bit easier to find him when he's not in FULL uniform but the hat definitely makes it easier! When I volunteered, I didn't ever see the band take the field or even play together so it was a total surprise,...