My very own ANSIL ADAMS

These are a few more pictures that Kirk took on our 2nd Ice Day. I think he has a knack for sunsets and icy shots.

In other Putnam news....Kraig's CAT Scan came back normal and he was cleared to play in his last game on Wednesday night against Hudson. The 7th graders won their final game of the season. Kraig starts a tournament team this morning at 11. He decided to play some more basketball instead of wrestling this year.

K3 played a tough game last night against Albion. I don't think he is too thrilled to be on JV this year. HE ends up sitting more than he would if he was on the Freshmen team. I guess it will work to his benefit in the long run, but it is hard to watch this year. Baseball batting practice has already begun for him too.

Konnor is still "hunting" with his buddyDrew. They have already been out hunting rabbits for two hours this morning and is going back out in a few. I wish that we could put him in wrestling club but there isn't enough "parent mobile" to go around with the other two going a mile a minute. I don't think he really cares as long as he gets to play with his friends.

Brrrr....who turned down the HEAT?!

Just a few icy pictures that Kirk and Konnor took this morning on their walk. It is pretty as long as the electricity stays on. Luckily for us, it was only out about 10 minutes.

PS I opened my Birthday card from Kirk this morning....guess who's going to see John Mayer?!!! YEP, you guessed it! Yahoooo!!

There is only 1 place I'd rather be.....

than home on an ice day.....sitting on this rock in Cancun. This was just one of the great weather days we had on our trip. I decided after seeing Jen's pictures last night that I am definitely a canidate for LA Weightloss. Unfortunately, I like food too much! I just don't understand how I can carry extra weight with my job? It must be one of the wonderful benefits of the over 40 club?!

Hope that you too are reaping the benefits of this winter storm!!

Homecoming Court 2007

Kirk3 found out that he is on the Homecoming Court for Winter 2007. Pretty excited momma, I have to admit!! No fufu dresses, but shopping for a tux will be fun though. I'm hoping that I can post his shinner from last night's game. He got hit with another players head just underneath his right eye. This morning he has a maroon eye....not really pretty. Hopefully it will disappear before January 26th (homecoming).

PS he was not a happy camper about me taking this picture:(

40 and doin' FINE!!

......actually, a little tired(didn't get home until 3:30 AM), but still doing fine! I never would have imagined how easy it was to turn 40. Probably made the situation much easier to swallow since I got to spend it in CANCUN.

How many people can say that?! We had a fabulous time....weather was great, except for Tuesday, food was good, laughing was awesome, and Happy Hour by the pool was truly HAPPY!!

I had always wanted to travel somewhere that had white sand and blue water. I definitely got that wish. Cancun is gorgeous this time of year. We were able to be at the Beach or pool by 8 AM. The afternoons were actually a little too hot to lay in the sun, but we didn't have a problem lounging by the pool with a Tropical Punch in our hands.

The worst part (I guess if there was one....) was being cut off from friends and family. My cell didn't work and emailing was out of the question. So when I finally did get through these were a few of the things I found out....Monday Chance had surgery on his ears for hemorraging blood vessels.... Wednesday Kraig was in the ER for abdominal pain and now is done for the rest of basketball season and has a contrast CAT scan next Wednesday....and my parents aren't leaving for Florida because of a "small hiccup" in plans???? They found two growths on my dad's thyroid during a chest xray for something else. WOW!! I don't think I will leave home again. Kirk did an awesome job with keeping the household moving. He had so many "drama" issues to deal with too. I am very happy to be back home and sleeping in my OWN bed! I think I will head there now.

Oh my GOODNESS!!

I can't hardly believe that the trip to Cancun is only 3 days away!!!! You would think that I would be super happy and ready to leave, but I am a wreck. There are so many things I want to have done before I go to help Kirk and the boys out next week. I have tried to pack for the last couple of days and all that is actually in the suitcase is a beach towel and 2 bathing suits. What more could I possibly need?! I am looking forward to finding the "Florida Kristin" that my friends tease me about. I guess I have a total personality transformation on these trips....completely layed back, suprising I know.

K3 has a game tonight at home and then I will get that packing done. We leave around 4:30 on Friday for Cleveland and then 7 AM Saturday for Cancun. I can't wait!!

5 Days until CANCUN!!

These are the bewildered faces of the girls on a hectic trip. Hopefully this year will go more smoothly. We have been anxiously counting down the days until we (the coaches wives) leave for Cancun. Due to the unexpected flight problems last year, we were given free airfare for this years trip. When Gloria stumbled upon a timeshare in Cancun....we said, "why not!" We leave Friday after work and will be going to a hotel near the Cleveland Airport (3 hours away)- don't ask! Saturday morning we will be taking off at 7 AM arriving in Cancun by 9:40. Yahhhoooo!!!! We will be returning on Wednesday 10PM in Chicago (again, don't ask!). I hope that we will have a wonderful time. I am very much looking forward to sunning myself on the warm beaches. Where could I have found a better place to spend my 40th birthday?! Yes, that is the downside to this little countdown....it also means 5 days until I reach the top of the hill. I figure it will be all downhill from here, so I might as make it a special one.

Everything from b-ball to blankets....

The last few days have been filled with a variety of activities. 2 of my favorites were the basketball tournament (2nd game, not the 1st) and making my grandma's birthday present. I was drawning a blank about what to get my 91 year old grammy, and then it dawned on me.....Kayla had made me the most soft, cozy blanket for Christmas this year....I would make one for the "Big A". I had to think of something that might come close to last years Scrapbook present. These blankets are so awesome and EASY to make. Yes, if I can do it, then anyone can.

K3 got to start in the game on Thursday. He played an awesome game and his team ended up winning by 20 points. We were finally seeing a little bit of Kirk's basketball ability. He was more aggressive and willing to take the shots. I hope that was the beginning of more good things to come. He had been holding back a little this season because he was playing with Older boys. He said it made him nervous to not be playing with his buddies. Hopefully next year they will all be on the same team again.

The Best of BETH!

Happy Birthday to my very dear friend, BETH!! I felt that I would post a tribute to her on this special day, so here are the 10 things I love about my friend BETH.

1. She has a very infectious smile and laugh!

2. She demonstrates the true meaning of self-less behavior.

3. She is a loving mother to 6 (Lord only knows how she keeps her sanity)

4. She is a successful career woman with a knack for business.

5. She is incredibly creative and finds time to utilize her skills on thoughtful gifts for others.

6. She always offers words of encouragement when you are feeling blue.

7. She is always trying to find the good in people and situations.

8. Did I mention she is raising 6 children, running a household, and working full-time! AMAZING!!

9. She is a wonderful person- from head to toe, inside and out!

10. She is accepting, loving, and an INCREDIBLE FRIEND!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETH!

Merry "Marathon" Christmas

Welcome back blogging friends and family.....I hope your Christmas was wonderful. I titled this post Merry "Marathon" Christmas because that is what I feel like I just finished. We started with Shop to you drop day (couple weeks back), then there was wrap 'til your fingers bleed Saturday, and then in the last 24 plus hours we have celebrated xmas 4 times. WOW!! I am looking forward to having all the presents put away and my life slowing down some (NOT)! Tuesday AM will start with 8 AM basketball practice for K3, 9 o'clock vet appointment for chance, 11 AM eye appointment for Kraig, 1 tire fixed (flat on xmas eve), and then we are ending our day with the Motor City Bowl at Ford Field. Slow doesn't really fit into our vocabulary these days.

Santa treated everyone very kindly this year and we all got the main thing on our lists....Konnor got a new bike and ramp, Kraig got a paintball gun and Ipod, K3 got a cell phone(wasn't on his actual list, but it was a dream gift), K2 got a watch and some tool things, and I got my crockpot and money for Cancun. Yes, my friends, the countdown has begun for that Coaches Wives Trip which happens to fall on my 40th birthday. OH JOY!!

Christmas Collage Concert

I know the pictures aren't very good.... we've never been able to take a good picture in DMS auditorium. Kirk's concert went well on Thursday night. Kraig was called in at the last moment to help run the lighting for the evening because someone got sick. Both boys did a great job. It was amazing to see all of those talented students from HHS. It was really neat to see the "athletes" doing something "musical". Those students were so talented.

Well, we wrapped presents today for about 6 hours. I don't think I will ever make these same christmas shopping/wrapping mistakes again. It is such a shame to think that some of those presents won't even be wrapped for 24 hours before they are unwrapped. We start tomorrow at the Putnam's around 12, then to K2's uncles by 5, back to our house, Santa at home, and then off to Kevin and Shirley's by 3. Christmas is definitely a marathon around our house.

Wishing you and yours a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Tenysha the "real" Snowball Dance Date

What an adorable couple! I just got this picture of Kirk and Tenysha (his date to the dance) from last weekend. She wasn't in the orginal pictures because she was getting ready with her girlfriends and didn't come to the before the dance photo op. They do make a cute couple. I just wish she wasn't an older woman and in a completely different friend group. Funny story about that comment....the other night at dinner, K3 said that "all Putnam men dated older woman". He was right! I'm older than K2, Kraig's girlfriend is an 8th grader, Konnor's "girlfriend" is in 3rd grade, and K3's girlfriend is in 10th. Hmmmmm.....how does that hapen?! Heredity?

Calendar request

Wow was that simple....it did let me save from snapfish. My dad needed this picture for the family calendar, so I figured where better to send it. Hope your week is productive and non-stressed.....I know mine has been. NOT!!!!

Basketball and more basketball.....

k2 traveled to Tecumseh and Leslie this week to watch two of our favorite Hornets play basketball. Kirk's team lost on Tuesday, but he played well. Kraig's team pulled it off by winning by one point on Wednesday. He had 13 points overall. He has really started to turn into a great basketball player.

Tonight is the Christmas Collage Concert for the HS. Looking forward to an evening of great music. We are celebrating my mom's birthday tonight before the game. Her true birthday is tomorrow but we have a coaches xmas party to attend. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

What a Goober?!

Do you remember the Middle School years? I can....and I'm reliving them through my 7th grade Goober. One minute he is sillier than crap and the next minute he's Mr. Gumpy or Mr. Serious. How the heck are you supposed to read them?! I guess that is what makes their personalities so great. There is such a wide variety of emotions going on in that boy. Or should I say young "man".

This is Kraig posing infront of the tree after K3's pictures before the Snowball dance. What a hoot?!

K3 had a game tonight in Tecumseh. K2 went alone and I stayed back to run Kraig to basketball practice and entertain Konnor and Bryan. I also was in charge of laundry, picking up the house, giving the dog a bath, changing the rabbit cage, and my all time favorite, cleaning dog poop out of the yard! Tomorrow night K3 has Choir practice from 6-9 and Kraig has an away game in Leslie at 4:30. Maybe I can change my schedule around so I can go with Kirk2. Well, got to get Konnor to bed.

Woulda', shoulda', coulda' ......

How many times in your life time have you used one of those phrases? Last night's 7th grade basketball will be one of those times for that coach. The team was actually up on Columbia Central by 10 points for the 1st quarter.....shoulda' kept those starters in longer. The hornets ended up losing by 7 points in a "nailbiter" of a game.

In the coulda' department, Konnor stuck with his before school reading recovery tutoring sessions and tested out of the program at grade level yesterday!!! We couldn't be more proud of his "I think I can" attitude. We will need to continue to work hard, but he his now where he needs to be. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In the woulda' department, K3 travels to Tecumseh tonight for basketball. We ended up studying from 9PM (when he got out of practice) to 11 for a science test. Woulda' been nice if he didn't have a game tonight so we could study more. I think it will be study in the car on the way home. Yippeee!!

Hillsdale Arts Chorale

Kirk's concert was amazing today! The Hillsdale County Arts Chorale, the Handbell choir, and the HHS Concert Choir all performed various Christmas songs. There was actually a time when the Arts Chorale and the HHS choir sang together. It was really neat. We were able to tape that part of the performance, so you can hear it later if you would like. Thursday night the HHS Choir, Orchrestra, and Band perform. I hear that concert is very well done also. It was nice to see these kids doing something other than sports.

Memory Lane

Do we really have to take a walk down memory lane?...... to quote one embarrassed 15 year old on Saturday night before the Snowball Dance. Sarah's mother decided to tell about the time Kirk was quoting a line from a movie he had watched where the character had said "What a WOMAN!" at the same time as Sarah (red dress) just happened to be walking into the classroom. She thought he was talking about her. Did I mentioned this happened in PRESCHOOL!! How funny is that?! These are a few of Kirk's closest buddies trying to be all "grown up" and "mature". As you can tell by the pictures, there wasn't a lot of "grown up" or "mature" going on. I am glad that they decided to meet before going to the dance, so that we could get some pictures of them all dressed up. They looked so nice! PS K3's date is not pictured because she was getting ready with her girlfriends.

Where to start?

Well, I did get my much needed break from work on Thursday and Friday. Konnor, unfortunately, had strep throat and couldn't go to school. We spent all of Thursday watching xmas movies and building a 37 Ford Coupe (model) that he had gotten at the Hot Rod Christmas party with my mom and dad. It wasn't the easy already painted, snap together kind either. I'm talking....have to paint and glue a bazillion pieces together. He wasn't very patient and wanted it finished that day. I finally gave up around 9:30 PM. I also managed to get all of the laundry and some cleaning done, so this weekend should go more smoothly.

Friday K3 had a game in Portland (2hrs away). Luckily for me, Kayla is home from college and could watch Konnor and run Kraig to and from basketball practice. Kirk and I had a nice ride. We got a lot of "parental" discussions accomplished and a master xmas list review. All three teams lost, but Kirk played fine.

Today, seems to be flying by with not much being accomplished. I ran Kirk to his Arts Choral practice, then dropped Konnor off at Drews, went to pick up my ring from the jewelry store for the 2nd time, picked up laundry det. and prewash, stopped by a friends to see her hair and dress for a ball that she is going to tonight, went tanning, stopped at TSC to buy corn to feed the deer (Konnor's idea), and then swung back through Jonesville to pick up Drew and Konnor. Did I mention that I haven't gotten much done?! K2 went to Jackson to finish the xmas present shopping. Hopefully, this will be the end of it. K3 has a formal Snowball Dance tonight at HHS. Shirt, tie, the works. Hopefully he will have fun and I can snap some pictures as he is running away from me.

Tomorrow, K3 performs at the Arts Choral for choir with the City wide choir people (don't know what to call them). It is a ticket....no children event....and I am very much looking forward to doing something grown-up for a change.

Monday and Tueday blur.....

I can't believe that it is going to be Wednesday tomorrow. Not that I'm complaining, but what happened to Monday and Tuesday? Monday night Kraig had a game at home against Albion. Need I say more.....Kraig actually had a great game, but the score was anything but pretty! Those 7th graders from Albion can play ball. K2 held a 2 hour math tutoring session with Kayla (finals) and K3 test last night. I finally took Konnor to bed around 9:30 to read (his new favorite thing to do).

Today started at 5:45 by running K3 to 6 am practice, reading recovery at 8, grandparents day from 9-11, school, appointments, P-T conferences, and studying for 2 science tests, 1 vocabulary test, and a math test. Whew!!! I am whipped.

Tomorrow night Kraig travels to Western to play basketball at 4:30. I'm not sure if I will have enough time after work to get to the game. K2 might be going alone again. That is one part about working in the elementary....the schedule doesn't allow for much flexibility with early sporting events.

Friday night K3 will be playing basketball at Portland. It seems like an awfully long trip for a game. I think they will be traveling twice as long as they will be playing ball. I'm not sure if we will make that trip or get some more xmas things done around here. We still have a little shopping to do, but other than that, I was able to get everything else accomplished this weekend. Hope your have a slow paced week!!

OH, MY ACHING .....

FEET!! I don't think I have ever done that much shopping in 1 day?! I know I must say that every year, but there has to be a better method. I think I will start my shopping in June next year. We spent about 10 hours shopping on foot yesterday and about 2 hours shopping on line this morning. We still aren't done.....closer, but not finished.

Konnor and Kraig went to my mom and dad's yesterday to hang out while we shopped. Today they are at the Hot Rod Christmas party until 5. Thanks again for helping us out with the kids!

K3 decided to stay home yesterday to hold down the fort. He is much happier in his own surroundings. Kayla and he hung out, watched movies, went to lunch, and did some homework (yeah, right?!)

Today is another mad dash to get all those things done that make the week smoother (ie. laundry, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, etc) We have 1 home and 2 away games this week, so there won't be much getting done around here. If I have time later today I am going to address xmas cards. Hope you had a enjoyable weekend.

Naughty or Nice???

I'm sure you know, all too well, the answer to this question from this little elf! Konnor was our lone trooper tonight as we frantically put up holiday decorations. Kraig had gone to get the tree with us after school (k3 was watching his friends at the Freshman game), but then quickly ditched us for a Middle School dance. Got to dance with his honey! Sorry Madi, Kraig now has a girlfriend named Lauren. Don't fret too much honey, he is still your boyfriend. I guess I'm feeling a little better about my holiday preparations.....I was really starting to sweat! 17 days until xmas and still no presents, cards, or baking. Oh, well, it will all get done I'm sure. K2 and I will be shopping until we drop tomorrow (as long as all goes well, with 3 kids you never know for sure). I still need to finalize shopping lists in the morning and then off to grandma and grandpa's we go. Hope your holiday planning is going more smoothly than ours. Tis the season.....

Everything from basketball to choir.....

I know that Kirk and I should be very thankful that we have such well-rounded boys.....but, holy moly are we on the move. I went to Coldwater on Monday for Kraig's game. Kirk had stayed home from school with Konnor (stomach) that day, so I went alone. His team ended up winning in overtime and it was a very exciting game. After the game, he and I went to Dunhams to get him some different basketball shoes. Come to find out he had outgrown his "new" basketball shoes we purchased before camp this summer. He had been shoving his feet into shoes that were 1 and 1/2 sizes too small. No wonder he always said his feet hurt. Oooppsss!

Tuesday night was the JV basketball opener at Quincy. Kirk did a great job. He doesn't play a ton because he and Kurtis are the only Freshman, but still enough to make it a great learning experience. Their team also won.

Tonight is Kraig's choir concert at 7. We will pick him up from basketball practice at 6:15 and then turn around and have him back to school by 6:45. Whew!!! life is sure hectic. Kirk3 had 6 AM practice today and pictures at 5PM, so he will get to go tonight.

Kirk and I our going to do our annual "Shop to you Drop" Christmas shopping this weekend. I think we are getting our tree Friday, Shopping on Saturday, and who knows what on Sunday (except for K2's coaches meeting at 4) Yes, football season 2007 has already begun.

Week long wrap up....

As you can tell by the infrequent blogger entries, I'm barely hanging on these days! It's not that the schedule is busier than football...because that isn't even possible! It just seems like work is more draining....running the boys to and from basketball practice is more time consuming....homework help needs are more in deepth. I don't even have the energy to blog.

So here is your week long posting update. Kraig had an away game on Monday night and a home game on Tuesday. They have only won one game this season but are playing better each week. K3 has had two weekend scrimmages and will play in the first away game on Tuesday. Oh, I forgot two mention Kraig has an away game on Monday this week, so that makes back to back nights. Kraig also has his Christmas Choir concert on Thursday night. Sunday night is the football banquet for both JV and V. It should be a very good but lengthy event. I am looking forward to all the highlights from the season, there are so many!

Christmas, oh yeah, only have 24 days left to shop and have I even given it a thought? NOPE! I guess Kirk and I will have to do the annual 1 day shop to you drop again this year. How do people get there shopping done without it having to be a marathon? I guess I may never know. Well, I'm sounding a little whinny, so I won't bore you any more. Have a great weekend!

Basketball and birthdays

What do basketball and birthdays have in common? You can have a ball with both! I know that was a really bad joke, but I couldn't think of anything else. Monday and Tuesday Kraig had games at home and then Columbia Central. Neither game went very well, but it's still early in the season. We celebrated K2 birthday on Wednesday after school and practices. Kirk and I went to Saucy Dog with the Englishs and then we had cake and presents at home with the boys. The best part of the night was watching 2 1/2 hours of old family movies. Please tell me where those 15 years went????? There were some footage that had us rolling on the ground in tears. Konnor was a little twirked when we watched the tapes before he was born. He doesn't like the fact that we had fun without him. He also commented that we were a lot nicer back then. Hmmmm....could it be that they were a lot better behaved back then?!

WW II book talk

Kraig had to give a book talk last week on a book that took place during WWII. Grandma Linda came to the rescue with authentic WWII uniform and newspapers from Pearl Harbor. Kraig did a great job and the uniform was definitely a plus...Thanks for helping out Grandma.

In case you are wondering....

where in the World we are for the next 14 weeks....here is the basketball schedule for the Putnam family.
PUTNAM BASKETBALL
SCHEDULE 2006-2007
11/20 KRAIG@H 4:30 WESTERN 11/21 KRAIG@CC 4:30

11/27 KRAIG@ 4:30 STOCKBRIDGE 11/28 KRAIG@ H LESLIE

12/4 KRAIG@4:30 COLDWATER 12/5 KIRK@6:00 QUINCY

DMS HOLIDAY CHOIR CONCERT 7 PM 12/7/06

12/11 KRAIG@H ALBION 4:30 12/13KRAIG@ 4:30 WESTERN 12/15 KIRK@5:30 PORTLAND

12/18 KRAIG@H CC 4:30 12/19 KIRK@5:30 TECUMSEH 12/20 KRAIG@4:30 LESLIE
12/27 KIRK @ 5:15 JHS (READING) 12/28 KIRK@H PAT P - TBA

1/3 KIRK @ H 5:45 HARPER CREEK

1/9 KIRK @ H 5:45 DUNDEE 1/10 KRAIG @ H4:30 STOCKBRIDGE 1/12 KIRK @ H 5:45 LESLIE

1/16 KRAIG@4:30 ALBION 1/17 KRAIG@5:00 HUDSON 1/19 KIRK @5:45 ALBION

1/23 KIRK@H 5:30 ONSTED 1/26 KIRK@H 5:45 STOCKBRIDGE

1/30 KIRK@H 5:45 HOMER 2/2 KIRK@ 5:45 WESTERN

2/13 KIRK @5:45 JONESVILLE 2/16 KIRK@5:45 LESLIE

2/20 KIRK@H 5:45 ALBION 2/23 KIRK@4:30 STOCKBRIDGE

2/27 KIRK@H 5:45 WESTERN 3/2 KIRK@5:45 COL. CENTRAL


Hope to see you at some of the games. I can tell by the schedule above that I will definitely need to do something to ward off "bleacher butt" or I will be in trouble my Spring!!

So close....

Hornets were within the grasp of going to Ford Field for the football finals. Unfortunately, the offense could not complete the final pass in the endzone at 3.6 seconds left to play. The defense was amazing...holding Madison Heights to only 20 pts. There is no reason to hang our heads over this incredible season! K3 was disappointed by the loss, but was thrilled to have taken the field twice in the Semi Finals game as a freshman. Way to go K3!!

The tales of MICE and MEN

The bottom picture is a close up of the 2 newspaper articles K3 has made!

Or should that be "tails"?? Had a little mouse problem this week in the kitchen. Let me begin the story by saying "YUCK" "Double YUCK". I know I love all creatures big and small, but when they are somewhere they aren't supposed to be, like my kitchen, I get a little freaked out. I learned some important lessons about having mice in your house that I thought I would share.... 1st just because you have a cat doesn't mean they will actually catch the mouse...2nd the same cat would prefer to go upstairs and bug the hamsters in the cage then do its' job....3rd if you have mice in your kitchen chances are great they have built a large insulation nest in your broiler and insulation will make your house STINK.....and lastly, when you have one mouse you can pretty much figure that he has a friend. (this friend almost ran up k2's arm when he was checking out the fire location) I am happy to report there are 2 less mice in the world.

The other part of today's blog is about the MEN in my life....Kraig made 7th grade basketball (think I might have already mentioned that), K3 made the HHS JV Basketball team and didn't even make it to tryouts because he was practicing with the Varsity Football team, and Konnor has 2 more levels to go in Reading Recovery before we can stop the before school tutoring sessions. YEAh!!

Tonight I have to get everything organized for an early start for Gibraltor. Wish us luck and I'll keep you poste.