Back to School!

Well, this morning was a big first day for all of my kids. Austin joined the world of junior highers, Hope had her first day of 1st grade (time to go to school all day) and Collin was thrilled to pieces to enter the 3rd grade world. I wish I had been using a digital camera 6 years ago that way I could show you Austin entering 1st grade but I was using the old-fashioned camera, and believe it or not we do not own a scanner. Hard to believe I know especially since my husband is such an electronic guru.

Anyway, everyone had a great first day (yes, even me) However, mine was spent at breakfast with a good friend and shopping at Target. See it was only a half day I could survive that~ Right? Yes, I am looking for a little convincing. Tomorrow will be a different story. Tomorrow is the first time in 12 years that I will be home alone on a regular basis :-( I'm not quite sure how I will spend my time. Because believe me many people have asked. I guess I will figure it out as I go along. Right now I have a couple of house projects I would like to tackle and hopefully the time will fly by as quickly as people have assured me it will.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures of a great first day~

Why? Tell Me Why???

Can anyone tell me why this is always bound to happen? Why is it I can go out in public (around my home) all put together (hair, makeup, etc....) and see absolutely no one that I know. However, I can go on vacation (Up North), head home, stop at Birch Run (an hour and half from home) Let me preface this by saying we had been at the Tally cabin (not the cleanest place in the world). I looked pretty grubby, tired, not much makeup on, hair (similar to a bad hair day). Anyway, back to my story we stop at Birch Run and Austin decides he would like to go into the Addidas outlet. Mitchell, Collin and Hope were munching on a snack so I decide I will take him in alone. I walk into the store and low and behold I hear, "Well, hello Mrs. Tally" I look up with curiosity wondering who in the world is speaking to me and I see a guy that I went to high school with. Why?????? Why don't I see anyone when I am put together? Well, at least I can say he still recognized me. I may be giving away my age but I did graduate in 88. Anyway, I just thought this scenario was pretty funny.

Fun Times at Hershey!

Chocolate Capital of the World

Last week we took a trip to the Chocolate Capital of the World ~ Hershey, Pennsylvania. We had a great time there and we had some adventures as well. On the way down, we had a flat tire in Ellyria, Ohio. So while Mitchell changed the tire on the side of the turnpike I was on the phone with Wal-Mart where I purchased the tires and they were able to direct us to the nearest Wal-Mart. Little did we know that Sunday mornings at 8:45 are a busy time for Wal-Mart in the tire department. We got our car in and they said give us a couple of hours to have it fixed. So we walked over to McDonalds, had breakfast, browsed Toys R Us once they opened, headed back to Wal-Mart and before we knew it our tire was fixed. The kids were great through the whole experience. Mitchell and I kept looking at our watches trying to figure out how much time this was eating up. Well, for a 7 and half hour trip it took us 10 1/2.

Once we got to Hershey it was GREAT! Our hotel had a fun pool which the kids took full advantage of. We went putt-putting and one of our favorite things (well I confess it was mine) was playing family Bingo. It's not that I enjoy Bingo. I enjoyed the prizes. First place won 3 large candy bars, 2nd place won 2 and so on. Austin and I won second place so we were pretty stocked with candy for the evening. As we drove around town to check things out you could literally roll down your windows and smell the chocolate. YUMMMMMMMMM!

One of the days we were there we spent at the Hershey Amusement Park. It was a blast. The kids loved it because most of the rides we only waited about 5 minutes to get on. I think there was one roller coaster that Mitchell and Austin rode that they waited for about 30 minutes. The next day we went to Chocolate World. The kids got to participate in an Assembly Line of Hershey Kisses workers (It reminded me so much of I Love Lucy when Lucy was working in the chocolate factory). We went through the chocolate tour of what goes into making a chocolate bar and we also so a 3D movie.

Fun times!!! Great memories made!!! We will definitely venture back to Chocolate Town USA!!

Happy 12th Birthday Aus!!!

It's hard to believe that 12 years ago today Austin was born. Wow! It really does seem like yesterday. I remember walking in the parking structure at Oakwood Hospital and deciding that I wasn't quite ready to go through labor. I tried to convince Mitchell to take me home but he didn't seem to go for that idea. It was probably a good thing since 5 hours later Austin was born. He is such a joy to us and we love him dearly. It is amazing when I think that in a year he will be a teenager and in 2 years and 7 months he could possibly be taking drivers training (as you can see, he has drilled this date into our minds :-) Anyway, enough sappy talk. Happy 12th Birthday Austin!!! We love you.