Busy, busy, busy

As you can tell from the big time gap here, we have been busy. I am hoping to cut back to 3 days a week at work after Christmas....course that doesn't mean I will have any more time :) The UP enjoyed a wonderful warm summer and the past month has been sunny and lovely too! Jenna and Tom went back to school in September. Jenna is in 3rd grade, her teacher is Ms Parsons whom she adores and Tom is in 2nd grade, he has Mrs Lahti who Jenna had last year. Jackson gets to go to Little Gippers preschool on my work days, he likes going to play with his friends and seeing his teachers. We got lucky and found a woodstove with a water boiler on it so Rob has been busy making wood every night and weekend. It's a lot of hard work but it sure is nice to have the house toasty warm and not worry about a high gas bill! I'll put on some random pictures to show what's been happenin' with the Swykerts.

April fun

The grass is nice and green in Traverse. We spent last weekend enjoying the nice warm weather.

Here's Sadie helping gramma with the dishes.






This is the Rice Lake property view from the lake. It's very shallow, only about 2 ft deep for quite a way out so it'll be a perfect swimming area for the kids.

Spring happenings

Trying to keep up with facebook and blogs and email, I'm just exhausted! Phil made it through boot camp and is now in training somewhere in Maryland, haven't talked to him lately but mom and dad went to Kentucky for his graduation. The kids are looking forward to the end of the school year, only 6 or 7 weeks to go! Then it'll be out to the lake for us :) We are excited to start spending time at our new property on Rice Lake, it's back woods camping since there's nothing there but we'll still enjoy the peace and quiet! Rob's looking forward to doing more fishing this year since we'll be at the lake. We even took the boat out last Sunday for a ride, cast our poles in but nothing was bitin, the fish are probably still frozen. I've been working in the flower garden and tilling the backyard vegetable garden every chance I get. Jackson has been my helper lots, he is absolutely fascinated with bugs. I found all the rocks lining one of the gardens overturned, he was looking for bugs. He's been found holding beetles, ants, centipedes and wants to bring them all in the house. His preschool class took a field trip to a farm a few weeks ago and I went along. All of the kids were standing quietly by a fence listening to the family talk about the horses and cows and llamas. Where was Jackson? Running full speed at a group of chickens with his arms spread out trying to catch one! And he didn't stop the entire time, he'd sneak off when he thought I wasn't looking and corner a chicken. He wanted to take one home so badly! He did finally get to touch one when the farmer took pity on him and picked one up for him.

Happy Birthday and Good Luck Phil!

2010 started off with a bang for my little brother Phil, (he's not so little anymore I guess) he turned 21 on January 3rd and at 0630 on January 5th he left for basic training for the Army. It's actually the second time he's moved away, he was in Chicago for 18 months for school and when he graduated last June he came back up here. He's been waiting to leave for basic for a few months now so I think he was ready to get started. Although I'm sad to see him leave, I am very proud of him. He's a good kid and he'll be fine, but we'll sure miss him when he's gone.

"bye unca pil", Jackson.

What?! December's over already?

How did it turn into January 2010 already? I feel like I'm getting left behind here! Hope everyone had a very merry Christmas and may God bless you all with good health, love and lots of laughter this coming year!

Jenna and Tom, all prettied up for the Sunday school Christmas program. They both did a great job saying their "piece" and singing with their class.

opening presents Christmas Eve at Gramma Sandy and Papa's house

Tom's Diggler, he was so excited to get this from Santa!

Can't wait for summer so he can ride it outside.

Dad and Jacksie, I don't know who's goofier.

My princess with her new American Girl doll, Chrissa. Rob made the bed and I did the mattress, blanket and pillow. She was hoping for this dollie, so she was pretty excited too!