Emily's first meet!

Emily participated in her first cross country meet today. Although it was run in the morning, the day started to heat up quickly, even for us not running. Emily made us proud by finishing strong and not giving up. Her time for the course was around 17:50. One of the other partents commented that she had done a great job for her first race and that their daughter, who is an eighth grader, ran the same course last year in 23 minutes. We stayed around to cheer on the junior high boys as they ran and then we left to come home.

David and Ella said they had to get in their running exercise too and were also busy doing all types of tricks for Jason and I while we were waiting around. Enjoy the photos!

First Day of School!!

Today was the first day of school for Emily and Ella. Both have reported successful and HOT days. The temps did not interfere and both seem eager for a good year. Emily was on her bus early, as usual, while it was still dark out. Ella didn't get up until after Emily was gone and seemed very excited to start her elementary school career. Mimi and Boppi came over to see both the girls off to school, which was much appreciated.

Emily was supposed to have her first cross country meet today but it was cancelled due to the heat. I planned on puttind up those pictures too but they'll have to wait until I can take them!

This year each of the buses besides being numbered have also been assigned an animal. Emily's "rides" on the cow bus and Ella "rides" the dog bus. We had one funny thing happen. After Ella got on her bus it continued on to our neighbor's house to pick up their little boy, Zack. He was accompanied by his parents, little brother and the family dog. When Zack got on the bus his dog followed him onto it. We laughed saying that since it was the dog bus it was only appropriate that he got onboard (he did eventually get off)! Here are some pictures of the girls before getting on the bus for the first day. Enjoy!!

Emily and all her gear!

Ella with her big smile, ready to start the day!!

Jennifer's Shower

This past Saturday we had a baby shower for Jennifer and "Finn". Jennifer and Joe are naming their little boy Stephen Phillip but Jennifer has said she wants to call him Finn because his given name is too big for such a little boy.

A good time was had by all. Jennifer had her family, highschool friend, ladies who watched Jennifer grow up and others present to celebrate. I don't think that Finn has much to worry about as far as clothing, toys, and baby items are concerned. Now we play the waiting game and hope that all goes smoothly with Stephen's entrance to his new world!


Wreath made by Alison for Finn's room, hung on front door for the shower.

Guests having a good time!

Jennifer recieving many wonderful gifts.

Men hiding out in the kitchen during the festivities!

David proves himself a Hartman

In the past month something has occured that has made Jason strangely proud of his son. David has proved himself to be a true Hartman male. For those of you who are not familiar, the Hartman males have a reputation of being able to fall asleep quite easily in all types of situations. Jason was known for falling asleep in History and English classes in high school. Tom, Jason's father, quite often can be found nodding off during a family conversation. More often than not the guys have just recently had a meal and this makes for the situation that I am speaking of. As you can see in these two seperate occasions, David fell alseep at the kitchen table after very recently eating some food. We cannot help but laugh and say, "Yes indeed, he is a Hartman male!"

Week in review

This week proved to be eventful in our household. Emily started off the week with Jr. High Cross country practice. She thinks she's going to like it but we want her to try a few more practices before we "run" out and buy her special shoes. On Wednesday, Jason's great grandmother (Emily, Ella, and David's great-great grandmother), Grandma Williamson, died. This was not unexpected as she was 90 and had been in hospice for about a week by this time. Friday (which just happened to be Alison's 30th birthday) was the viewing/funeral/burial. With all of this going on not much celebrating occured, understandably.

At the moment Emily is in PA with a friend for a few days visiting Hershey Park and the ocean in New Jersey. Jason is very busy at work and is having to work extra hours to help appease customers. As far as Alison, Ella and David, well we're trying to stay cool and sane inside the house with all of this hot weather we're having. Hoping things are better with you and that our next post will be more upbeat.

Time at the fair

Most of this past Sunday was spent at the local county fair. Emily, as she more and more frequently is now a days, was at a friend's house when we ventured to the fairgrounds. Jason was very excited about the demolition derby and introducing Ella and David to their first taste of redneck entertainment. They enjoyed the beginning of the derby when all 21 cars were driving around smashing one another but lost interest as the sun grew hotter and the moving cars dwindled. Jason decided to stay and watch a couple of other derbies happening and I took the kids to see the farm animals. I think their favorite parts were holding baby chicks that fell asleep in our hands and feeding a horse grapes, at the suggestion of the owner. After about 3 hours at the fair we left feeling very hot and tired but satisfied that our time was well spent.

Watching what the local rednecks do for fun (Jason wishing he was one of them)!

Holding baby chicks!

Going for a ride at the fair!