Thankful #9

So, I'm a couple of days behind, but that doesn't mean I'm not thankful!  Today, I'm thankful for youthful innocence.  As I was getting ready yesterday, Owen joined me in the bathroom and asked what I was doing.  I replied, "Putting on my makeup."  He questioned this action, "Why do you have to do that?" Of course after repeating this same action daily for the last 25+ years, I said, "It's just something girls do to look nice."  With the sweetest voice he said, "But you're already beautiful mom!"  The pure innocence of a 5 year old who loves his mom!

The kind young man himself!

Thankful #8

I'm thankful for the 19 smiling faces who greet me each morning!  What can we say...our future is so bright, we have to wear shades!

Thankful #7

I'm thankful my boys have such a connection with their dad, especially in the area of sports.  Being a dance team member and cheerleader myself, sports knowledge was not a strength of mine.  However, after numerous hours on a bleacher or in lawn chair supporting their adventures I am becoming a more knowledgeable fan.  Ron generously donates hours upon hours to coach the boys, and while I'm not always so thankful of the time away from home, I am grateful for the bond with the boys.  For some reason they don't want me to coach them in dance....hmmm, wonder why?

Thankful #6

I'm thankful for kids with an adventurous spirit!  While on our spring break vacation to the beautiful state of Colorado last year, my kiddos (and their cousins) were gung ho to go on a four mile hike.  I can't say that I was as thrilled, but was very happy with our accomplishment when all was said and done.  There aren't a lot of pictures of the uphill...possibly because I was out of breath.  But I did manage several at the top and on the downhill...much easier!

Beautiful view!

All, Maya, and Owen enjoying lunch half way up.

My two hiking buddies!  I love Maya's comment about half way up, "I sure hike a lot and I'm still not any good at it."

As Owen says, "Our favorite Colorado cousins."

This was our trail, which was very close to the Colorado fires this summer outside of Fort Collins.

Yep, here was the bottom and you can almost see the top!

Thankful #5

I'm thankful for my camera and the ability to capture moments and turn them into memories.

 Like skipping rocks,

building sand castles at the beach,

and finally making it up on the knee board.

These are the moments that make up the memories of a great vacation!

Thankful #4

I'm thankful for my large family.  Now days, a family with five kids is nearly unheard of, but years ago this was the norm.  While it is difficult to get everybody together, since we now cover 5 states, I love the idea of my kids having lots of aunts and uncles and cousins to grow up with.  Some of my best childhood memories were playing with my cousin, Amy, who lived nearby.  Of course, I had many others to play with as well since I was one of 52 grandchildren on my dad's side and one of 16 on my mom's!  Ron's family is very similar in size as well, both immediate and extended.  Think of it this way...there's never a shortage a family to visit!

The Bormann clan...all 5 kids, spouses, grandkids, and mom and dad.  Don't forget Mugs, the dog!

Thankful #3

I'm thankful for the many kind and giving people in this world, who think of others before themselves.  We had an excited trick or treater at our house this year, thanks to the generosity of Carlos Anderson, a UNI football player.  Connor wanted to dress as his idol, and through a few connections, his dream came true.  Carlos generously loaned him two of his jerseys to pick from and a helmet for the big night.  What a guy!

Our own little Carlos!

The real Carlos in action!

Thankful #2

Oh, how thankful I am to have time in the kitchen.  I'm sure some would not see this as a reason to be thankful, but rather a burden.  However, I truly do enjoy trying new recipes, cooking, and baking.  Homemade applesauce is a favorite in our house and even though we had a busy fall as usual, the boys and I squeezed in a little time for a batch.  There's nothing better than a warm bowl of fresh applesauce, with cinnamon of course.

Thankful #1

I've never attempted to post daily, but I'm going to give it try.  Short and sweet...I can do this!

Easily, my first thankful post is my boys.  Even though we had a crazy evening involving two separate wrestling practices, basketball practice, baseball practice and to top it off I had to work an event at the high school and Ron had a meeting.  Yep, still love the boys, but man are they hard to keep up with.

Halloween 2012 Goblins...Carlos Anderson (Connor), Batman (Owen), Carlos Anderson (Mason).  A big thanks goes to Carlos Anderson for letting us borrow his jerseys and helmet.