Sharefest 2008

We spent this last weekend doing volunteer work with 35 other churches and approximately 3500 volunteers. It was quite the time. We stained some fence, built some benches, reroofed a shed, and did yard work for a house is Boulder that helps teenage boys. It was a great feeling to work side by side with them to get work done that may not have otherwise been done.



Brook and the rest of us were covered with stain by the end of the day.










Taking a break to chow down.




Sidney painting a bench

Brandon helping with the shed

Leo getting ready to chop into some lumber

Friends and Wedgies

I am so glad that I haven gotten to pick so many good friends. Thanks to all of you out there.

Graduation Day!

Hick-At-Heart

You grew up in rural Nebraska if…

1. You know how to polka, but never tried it sober.
2. You know what knee-high by the Fourth of July means.
3. You know it is traditional for the bride and groom to go bar hopping between the reception and wedding dance.
4. You know the difference between 'Green' and 'Red' farm machinery, and would fight with your friends over which was better!
5. You buy Christmas presents at Tractor Supply.
6. You spent more on beer & liquor than you did on food at your wedding.
7. You or someone you know was a 'Dairy Princess' at the county fair.
8. You know that 'combine' is a noun.
9. You let your older siblings talk you into putting your tongue on a steelpost in the middle of winter.
10. You think Lutheran and Catholic are THE major religions.
11. You know that 'creek' rhymes with 'pick'.
12. A Friday night date is getting a six-pack and taking your girlfriend shiningfor deer.
13. There was at least one kid in your class who had to help milkcows in the morning... phew!
14. Every wedding dance you have ever been to has the hokey pokey and the chickendance.
15. Your definition of a small town is one that only has one bar.
16. The local gas station sells live bait.
17. At least twice a year some part of your home doubles as a meat processing plant.
18. You think that the start of deer season is a national holiday.
19. Pop is the only name for soda.
20. Football schedules, hunting season and harvest are all taken into consideration before wedding dates are set.

All of these are so true that I had to print it. It does make us sound like a bunch of hicks. I will always be a hick-at-heart.

Celebrity Morph by MyHeritage

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celeb

I've Been Tagged

My friend, Natalie, tagged me and I guess that means that I have to answer some questions about my oh so exciting life in hopes that the people I tag will fill me in more on there exciting lives so that I can live vicariously through them. Anyways, here it goes....

What was I doing 10 years ago
I was trying to adjust to life with my first child.

Five things on my to do list today
1. Get motivated to go to the Body Pump class at the rec center
2. Laundry
3. Get started on going through boxes in the basement
4. Mow the lawn
5. Take a nap

Things that I would do if I were a Billionaire
Give, Give, Give, Give because I would still have enough left over to have a comfortable life and I can't even really wrap my mind around a billion dollars so I definitely don't need that much money.
Travel, travel, travel, because I have just gotten to enjoy the traveling life in the last couple of years and LOVE it.

Three bad habits
1. I'm a procrastinator
2. I belch like no woman you have ever heard before (but I don't know if that's a bad habit or a talent)
3. I pick at and bite my fingernails constantly

Five places that I have lived
1. Fort Hood, Texas (I was born there)
2. Germany
3. Indianola, NE
4. North Platte, NE
5. Lafayette, CO

Five jobs that I have had
1. I sold donuts at Sehnert's Dutch Oven Bakery
2. I was a grocery clerk at Blume's Supermarket
3. Paraprofessional at Madison Middle School
4. Evening manager at Sixth Street Food Stores
5. Dental Assistant

Five People that I want to know more about so I am tagging
1. Brandi Ginn
2. Robyn Huffman (this means you have to blog)
3. Jan Tighe
I can only think of three because alot of my friends have already been tagged or need to GET A BLOG. How sad is that.

Balloon Festival

Once again we had the chance to wake up extra early and enjoy the hot air balloon launch not far from our neighborhood. It was the most beautiful morning. I didn't even need my jacket. We were blessed with many friends to attend with us. We followed it up with a yummy breakfast at Gunther Toody's Diner. YUMMY!

This cowboy balloon was airbrushed on. It took them over 2000 hours to complete it.

Brooklyn, Kate, Parker, Allison, Sidney, Tara, Josiah, Christopher, and Logan all tried to squeeze on the little blanket.

Garden Planting Time

Brandon and the kids were busy Sunday planting the salsa garden. Brandon really missed not having a garden last year. He enjoys all of the aspects of gardening. I think that he gets it from his mom. The kids really wanted to help so Brandon, being the good dad he is, let them jump in and help. I just sat back and drank my coffee since it was mother's day and playing in the dirt really isn't my thing.

This is the bleeding heart plant that I have in my flower garden.

I just love the flowers.

Our Honeymoon

We got back from Cozumel on Friday night. It was worth waiting 10 years for a honeymoon. We had the most wonderful time. The weather was beautiful, the water was warm, the people were friendly, the hotel was great. No complaints will come from me. We are already planning our next trip. It may take us a couple of years to save for but it will be worth it. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort called the Melia Cozumel. I would give it 2 thumbs up for sure. I even won a bottle of Tequila after one of the shows. WooHoo! Brandon also got groped by the Village People. Just ask him! I am sure that he will love to tell you all about it.

Our hotel was right on the beach. That's where we spent most of our time. It was the most soft, white, beautiful sand.

There were several iguanas wondering around the resort. They are kind of big and a little intimidating.

This is my favorite picture. It is the view coming out of the restaurants.

We went down town to do a little shopping and these guys were more than happy to pose for a picture.

This sunset was beautiful. I don't think that the picture does it much justice.

Brandon and I did one touristy thing we took a boat trip on the Fury. It took us to a couple of reefs and to a private beach for dinner and more beach fun.

Brandon discovered his new favorite hobby. He loved snorkeling. He was amazed that he could float. He has never been able to before. If he hadn't fried his back after his first time I am sure he would have snorkeled even more.

We discovered that the best snorkeling was at the resort next to ours. There were so many fish. People would feed them bread and they would come from all over. It was pretty amazing.

I will put a plug in for the resort. I would stay there again.

Just For Fun

Thought that I would give my blog a new do and a new name. We are a bunch of busy bees here at the Brinker house so I thought that it fit well. Brandon and I do get to relax this weekend as we head off to Mexico. I can't wait. I will be thinking about you when I am soaking up the sun on the beach.

Japanese Speak Spanish? Who Knew!

Here is another little conversation that I had with Zach. He is just at the cutest age and I don't know where he comes up with this stuff.

Zach says to me "oh my gosh" and I reply "That doesn't sound very good. Let's not say that." After thinking a bit he says "You know mom other Americans say that and the Japanese too. No wait! The Japanese speak Spanish."

A Weirdo

I have always been told that I should write down the cute things that my kids say so that I can look back and remember so I will start today. I know that my kids are getting older but they still say the cutest things.
I was teasing Zach when he got home from school the other day about how he was more than welcome to come into our house and stay awhile. I gave him a tour of the house and he kept saying "Mom I live here" but I just ignored him and continued on the tour. Towards the end of our tour he turns to me and says "Mom, Jesus sure did make you a weirdo!". That was the end of the tour because I broke down in laughter. I love those times.

Destination Imagination

Brooklyn has been working for a few months with an after school club called Destination Imagination. They meet together twice a week and brainstorm. Their team name is Myth Busters and they busted a myth that you can make wings out of wax and feathers that will fly or something like that. They have been working hard and on Saturday they had the regional competition and they placed 2nd. WooHoo! Now they get to go on to the state tournament later this month.

Mrs. Mowry put in a lot of time with these kids. She was wonderful.

They are a Great group of kids!
Brooklyn was so excited to get her medal. She can't wait for the next competition.

Easter Sunday

Easter Is On Its Way

A Fine Day At The Zoo

Zach and I were invited to the zoo with out wonderful neighbors Jolie and Parker. The girls were in school so we took advantage of the outing. If was a beautiful day to be at the zoo and the animals were putting on quite a show. I think that the animals are ready for summer too.

10 Years Ago

Where was I 10 years ago on March 10th? Oh yeah! I was in the hospital giving birth to a beautiful baby girl who weighed in at 7lbs. Brooklyn turned 10 this year. Her golden birthday she calls it because she is 10 on the 10th. She has always made us smile from picking her nose, to wearing goop on her chin, to wearing crooked goggles in a pool where she probably never put her head in the water.

Where have the years gone? She wanted to have a sleepover for her party. 7 little girls can make for quite an interesting evening. She is growing up to be a beautiful person. I love you Brook!

Oh Happy Day!

What do you celebrate today? Do you celebrate the love that you share with someone? Do you celebrate that you are single like many who consider this day Singles Awareness Day? Do you spend the day complaining that this is another holiday thought up by someone trying to make a buck and the fact that they have succeeded because you have already gone out and spent money for the day? Whatever you celebrate I hope that your day is simply wonderful!

Almost February

It's almost February. The month of love. I need a change of weather and a change of blog and since I can't control the weather I went for the blog change. Do you have any plans for the one you love? If you do let me know because I need some ideas to show the one I love just how much I love him. Yes, it's Brandon.

What Would Wii Wear?

What is the proper Wii attire? At our house I discovered that pretty much anything goes. I walked out into the living room tonight and there was my husband in his snowman boxers and husker sweat shirt. He was too involved in the game to even fight me over taking the pictures. I hope that the curtains are closed.