Our weekend

This weekend was quiet yet busy enough that we weren't board. On Saturday we picked up five 3 year old red maple trees that we had ordered in June from the Hamilton County Park District. It took us two and a half hours but we got them all planted, mulched and with treegators (tree watering system) in place! Here's hoping they'll grow big and strong!

On Sunday Jason was at the annual Cincinnati VW show. The rest of us joined him after church, picnicked and played on the playground equipment. Jason had to cut his time with us short because he was asked to help judge the rest of the contest!


After the show all of us, except Jason, went to go see and for most, meet Finn at his home. Emily and Ella were in awe of their new little cousin. David was interested for a short while but then just wanted to know if he could go play with toys. We were able to help Jennifer out with Finn's first bath and then just enjoy the newness that is a newborn.

Ella showing off one of our new trees!

Emily and Finn

Emily, Ella and Finn

David and Finn

Finn getting his hair washed

Our new family member!

On Monday September 17th at 6:54am, Stephen Phillip Mast was born! Proud parents Joe and Jennifer couldn't have been happier with their 8#3oz little boy. He has blond/red hair and is "as cute as a button"! Mom and baby should be coming home from the hospital today, as Jennifer had a C-section. Now I'll just let the pictures do the talking!

Sparky the Squirrel

This past weekend we had an unexpected visitor in our home. It all started at Jennifer and Joe's house. We were over there for dinner with them and Mimi and Boppie and as we sat around talking Joe heard something on their front porch. He quickly let us know that there was a baby squirrel on the porch. We all took a look and when someone opened the front door, the squirrel decided he'd like to come in!

We didn't allow him to come in the house but I, against my better judgement, picked him up in my arms. He seemed quite content there and enjoyed being stroked by all. We decided to make him a little house out of a shoe box because he was obviously too young to take care of himself. We offered cat food, water and old washcloths for him in the box. He seemed content at first but then kept coming out of the box toward us as if to say, "I'd rather be with you!"

We were getting ready to leave and Jason and I decided to take him with us to see what we might be able to do for him, Jennifer and Joe couldn't do anymore for him with Finn scheduled to be born soon and 2 cats in the house.

We took the newly named "Sparky" home and set him up in our bathroom in the cat carrier. I looked up on the Internet what was needed to take care of him and found out he was probably about 8-10 weeks old and a lot of other info on how to care for him. We tried all that was suggested from a heating pad on low to keep him warm to Gatorade to help rehydrated him.

It was apparent the next morning that, well, Sparky wasn't going to last. He had been very tired from the time we got him but him status had only gone downhill from getting him. Sparky ended up passing away on Sunday about 3:30pm while I held him in my hands. It just goes to prove that God has created each creature special and what a large amount of specialized care each one takes.

Back in the swing of things

I think that since we've been back in school for almost 3 weeks now that we've almost gotten into the swing of how our weeks will go this school year. I hesitate to say we have figured it out because there always seems to be something that will throw us a curve ball and we have to adjust, life is like that isn't it?

Our family life seems to be revolving around Emily's cross country season (which isn't too long so I'm not complaining). We had 2 meets this past week, Lebanon and Mason (close so that was very nice). Ella and David are not that thrilled at having being made to attend these events but thankfully we're not there very long and we can leave with Emily in tow.

Emily's Lebanon Meet

Emily's Mason Meet

Ella's first grade teacher, Mrs.Creech, called us this week and let us know that Ella is transitioning well to first grade from kindergarten. Ella doesn't care for her homework (one whole sheet a night) but we do it and go on.

Ella showing her contempt at having to be at Emily's meet.

David enjoys his time at home with Mommy and I seem to be getting a lot more done with just him to deal with. I will start attending MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) this week at our church. This is my first time to do this and I'm diving right in and agreed to do the financing! I'm assured that it is not that involved and I stressed that I have never done anything of this type before but if they were willing to give me a chance I was willing to try.

Jason is busy with the demands of work and is now looking at a big side job for himself (and maybe a helper) to do later on this fall. He is going to be installing the HVAC system for one of our pastors in a house they're building. Jason was just over this afternoon discussing strategy before ground has even been broken. That's all for now, check back for further updates from our neck of the woods!

Labor Day at "The Land"

We had a relaxing holiday weekend down at "The Land". For those of you who are not familiar, "the land" is a plot of land that we along with Jason's parents and one couple of friends own in Kentucky. It's location is about halfway between Maysville and Lexington and is the better part of a two hour drive.

We started out the weekend, Saturday morning, in Hillsboro for Emily's second cross country meet. She improved on her time from last week by almost 3 MINUTES!!! Her time for the 2.1 miles was 15:03. Next we (along with 2 of Emily's best friends, Jordan and Rachel) drove our Suburban a.k.a. "the black school bus", along with all the toys down to the land. It was a beautiful day on Saturday and we thoroughly enjoyed it. That evening we roasted smores and enjoyed the atmosphere.

Sunday proved to be quite toasty. We went critter hunting and caught the better part of 20 salamanders, 4 frogs, and a slew of crawdads. I think our haul was so great due to the drought and the fact that the creek was down to a couple of puddles. Because it was so warm, the kids resorted to playing in a kiddy pool and splashing one another to cool off. Even that night was warm. We were able to enjoy the WEBN fireworks courtesy of the Wulfekotter's t.v. and reception from their trailer, they're never as impressive on the tv though.

Hoping your weekend was relaxing as well. Enjoy some of the photos from the weekend!

Emily and her fan club after the race in Hillsboro

Tea time at the land!

David showing off his hillbilly bath!

The Critter Catchers

Just admit it, it looks fun, doesn't it?!

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!!