A new chapter in our parenting book....

Kirk and I completed a new chapter in our parenting memory book yesterday. K3 is now sporting his very own set of wheels. I think we were even more excited than he was (if that is possible?). We had been searching and shopping for the last few months.....and finally found a 2003 Ford Taurus (one of the safest and cheapest to insure cars available now days). It has power everything, a V-6, low mileage, clean, and most important to K3 a Alpine 6 CD changer! How funny is that?! Kirk and I are looking at the vehicle and K3 is looking at the radio.

Love the picture of the cloud last night! We are so lucky to be able to see this right off the deck.

Why didn't I think of that?!

The boys have been working hard this week at Charger Football Camp. It is always a good precursor to the "real" football camp at Ft. Custer, which is quickly approaching. I started feeling the pinch yesterday when I realized I only have 5 weeks left of vacation. Not that I won't be excited for school to start....but....it is always a big adjustment to go from being on top of all the chores to lagging behind again. This year Kraig joined the big boy ranks as a lineman this year at camp. 1st shot was brothers going head to head with a giant cushion in between. Why didn't I think of that?! Maybe if Konnor and Kraig could "duke" it out with protection, things might be ok?! Probably wouldn't work with them. It was very sweet that they came home from camp and played football with Konnor in the front yard. Maybe they are "getting" it?!

Everything but hanging the stuff...

So everything but new shades and the stuff hung back on the walls is finished on the first floor. I think we are going to take a break before tackling the stairway....if we can remember correctly (7 years ago) it was a major pain in the butt to reach the top of the walls. K2 started filing the holes, cracks, and sanding though.

1st Floor almost complete!

I decided yesterday that I was tired of looking at the "beige blah" front room. So while the boys were in the weightroom, I started painting. Can't really say "NO" from the high school and I was far enough into the job that we had to finish. K2 is on his way to get more paint so we can finish it up today. I'm supposed to be painting trim right now.....my bad....decided to post a couple pictures instead. The color is the same as the dark wall in the living room. This picture makes it look gross

but it really isn't. Squirt was up to no good this morning so I took some pics of him too!

We're BACK!

Feels good to be home and unpacked....I really don't care for living out of a suitcase. I'll have to keep that in mind the next time I decide to run away from home. Kirk and I spent Sunday and part of Monday on Put-in-bay Island. Not what the brouchures tell you. Unless you a 30 year old party animal....there isn't much to do or see. Monday we visisted Marblehead and took pictures by Lake Erie. (oh, we decided to try the other coast this year) Monday night we drove to Monroe and watched harry potter. Can't tell you the last time we watched a movie without chaperones??! Tuesday we drove back to hillsdale via Ann Arbor and Jackson stopping at every used car dealership in between. We think we may have found a car for K3 today. I'll keep you posted.

Introducing.....SQUIRT!

We have come to the realization that we can't let this kitty leave our lives now. Friday I finally caved in and took him to the vet. He weighs a whoppin' 1.7 pounds and is only about 7 or 8 weeks old. He is healthy and looks like the fleas are under control. We finally decided that Squirt is a fitting name....not only is he a tiny spaz....he also has so many worms he has the "runs". YUCK! He will get his 3rd dose of wormer in another couple days and then he will hopefully be worm and flea free?

Baseball officially ended for us today. Kraig's team lost in extra innings to Port Huron in Districts. Yesterday he had two great games and they won both. Today they weren't as lucky. A little disappointed but I think he is excited to take a break from organized sports for a few weeks before football starts.

K2 and K3 are at Northwood College today for a 7 on 7. They left at 7 and I expect they will be home late tonight. I have spent the day (after baseball) getting the house clean, laundry done, groceries bought, and packing for K2 and my trip. We have no idea where we are going but we do know that we are leaving tomorrow without children. Hopefully I will have some beautiful t sunset picutres to post on Wednesday.

Baseball, baseball, and more baseball. That about sums up what this weekend consisted of. Kraig was in a tournament in Hudson (2 games on Thursday and 3 games on Saturday) They ended up loosing two of the games in extra innings-sudden death. First time they had lost all season so it was a little rough. He also had two games on Friday night and won both. Kirk 3 has two games tonight and they are definitely gonna be scourchers! Other news....football is already in full swing around the Putnam household. It's only the second week in July you say....yep, but it has already begun. K2 and K3 will have Hornet football camp from 9-12 on Monday and Tuesday. K3 has Specialty camp at MSU on Tuesday afternoon, and they both will be gone on Saturday to Northwood for a 7 on 7. The following week there are two 7 on 7's . Yippee! Coaches widow in July.....how special?! Hope your life is more relaxed than this.

Happy 19th Kayla!

Today we had a " princess" birthday party for Kayla. She was excited about her blanket and crocs. The kitty (name still being decided) was a little overwhelmed by the party....hence the poopy on the rug. Yes, I scrubbed that rug clean! It was really quite comical though. Kraig thought it was hysterical. Guess (PW, PeeWee, or Yamaha) won't being coming back in the house for awhile or at least until the wormer makes it through his system.

Happy 4th of July!

We spent the day with the Laingsburg Putnam's, the Lansing Putnam's, and the Eaton Rapids Putnam's. Had a great day and the weather couldn't have been nicer. Did some fishing, hillbilly golf, fireworks, and of course EATING!

Saving a life.....PRICELESS!

Dirt bike $

Wormer $

Flea Shampoo$

Kitty food $

Saving a life ......PRICELESS!

K2, K3, and Konnor stopped to look at a 80cc dirt bike for Konnor on Tuesday. As they were inspecting the bike a kitty came bounding out of the pine trees and would not leave them alone no matter what they tried. So K2 brought the little fellow home with them. Now that wouldn't have been all bad except that it was probably days away from death. The poor thing had more fleas showing than visible skin, he was definitely starving, and had a big belly (worms). I'm happy to report after 3 baths, a flea comb, some kitty chow, and wormer he is a healthy baby boy, at least I think he is a boy?! Haven't agreed on a name but Lucky is definitely in the running. He was definitely lucky to have found him when we did.