Before (we didn't get the best before picture)


After sanding


After stain/poly

This is our newest project. We tore the carpet out of the kid's rooms, the hallway and the living room and started re-finishing the hardwood floors. One room down three to go. I probably shouldn't say "we" since Tom does most of the work.

Roseville lost their last two games but they beat Hastings Blue today. After Jake's game we went to the Roseville homecoming game where they also beat Hastings.

Roseville vs. Oakland, score 30 - 6. Jake caught two passes and ran 50 yard touchdowns. They beat Hastings Blue on Tuesday.

This is Gabrielle's new closet.

Parkway Tournament Day Two

Three games today, ugh. Twins won the first game and lost the last two. They didn't place in this tournament. I guess we'll have to see how they do in the tournament next weekend.

Parkway Tournament Day One

It stayed clear for the first game, then it rained from the end of that game to the beginning of the next game. It also rained during the game. Our coaches wanted to postpone the game due to the condition of the field but Hudson wanted to play. The Twins won both of their games today.

Football Already?

We aren't done with baseball and already football is gearing up. The boys are coaching a North Area Football camp this weekend. Tom was only able to make it to today's camp since they are playing in a baseball tournament this weekend.

The Pink Panthers

Gabrielle is running home after her two run homer. They ended up losing the game by one run.

Twins vs. D-backs

It's been a busy few days so I'm catching up on the last three days. Twins almost lost to the Diamondbacks, who haven't won one game this season. They managed to pull it out in the last inning to win by one run. Jake got on base at one of his at bats, he stole 2nd, stole 3rd and this is him stealing home.

Twins vs Angels

The first game of the week went well, Twins beat the Angels 4-3. We have six days of ball this week and next week.

And More Ball

Today was a make-up game for a rain out a couple of weeks ago. Twins beat the Rays.

More Ball

The Pink Ladies lost this game. No runs were scored the two innings Gabrielle pitched.

Play Ball

Not Jake's favorite position to play but it had to be done. They won by one run.

Memorial Day

We went out to Fort Snelling National Cemetery today.

Hula-Hoopin'

One of Gabrielle's cousins brought her hula hoop to the birthday party and she hula-hooped for 30 minutes straight. Her uncle had something to do with it. I think she started out to break Josh's record and she ended up going for much longer. I told her we would buy one so we made a Target run this morning.

The Big 4-0

Tom turned 40 yesterday so I threw him a somewhat surprise party. He knew his family and my family were coming but he didn't know his uncles, aunts, cousins and friends were all coming. I made him a pumpkin pie in place of cake since it's his favorite.

1st Softball Game

We had a busy day today, the AESOP program, lunch, and then field day at school. Early evening Gabrielle had her first softball game. They beat Northwest Como 2-0.

Overnight Camping Trip

Jake went on an overnight camping trip with school. He did not want me to take his picture this morning.

Monday Night Baseball

Jake was pitching in the first inning when a ball got hit right back at him hitting him in the chest. It hit his thumb too which bruised up instantly and he has a nice red circle on his chest. He was back in the game by the third inning. They ended up losing though.

He's Safe

Today we played the Cubs and the Cardinals. Twins lost against the Cubs. They were only two runs ahead and almost everyone on our team started to get poor attitudes. We played a half hour after that game ended so all the kids quick ate lunch and got back to it. They beat the Cardinals.

Saturday Games

We have baseball all weekend. Two games today against the Rays and the Diamond Backs. Twins won both games. It was a little cool at the morning game. It started to rain once Jake and I got to the car. It cleared up right before we were leaving for the second game in the afternoon. Lucky us. It was nice and toasty for that game.

Bones

Today the 3rd and 4th graders put on a performance about "bones". Most of the fourth graders had the speaking parts but at the end Gabrielle and some of her other classmates sang about how the bones are connected.

Our Friendly Cardinal

I love these birds. This is one of the few times I will talk about Cardinals and not be referencing baseball.

Roseville Area 6th Grade Track and Field

Tuesday was a track and field meet for all the 6th graders from the different schools in Roseville. This is three of the four boys who won the 4x100 meter baton relay. Henry, Gabe, and Jake. Michael also was a part of the team but I think he had to go run in the co-ed relay. The schools included Parkview, Brimhall, Falcon Heights, Emmett D. Williams, Edgerton, and Central Park.

Twins vs. Cubs

This is Jake rounding third on his home run hit. They were down until the third inning and came back with five runs. Twins won 7-6.

2nd Place

Twins beat St. Paul Park the first game so they advanced to the championship game. They lost to Hudson Aqua to take 2nd place. We were at the ball park from 9:15 to 5:30. We are all a little sunburned. Except Gabrielle, she spent the night at a friend's house.

Day One of the St. Paul Park Tournament

This was day one of the tournament. It was a beautiful weekend after a week of rain. Twins beat one of the Hudson teams their first game so they don't have to play until tomorrow.

Heavy Book Bag

I'm always telling Jake to take what he doesn't need out of his bag and leave it in his locker. Friday I go to move it from the living room to his bedroom and the thing feels like he's carrying around bricks. I went and weighed it, that kids lugs around a 14 lb. bag.

The Science Museum

Today was the field trip to The Science Museum. They all liked the Iguana sculpture in the area where we load/unload the buses. We watched the movie Arabia. They talked about the golden age when the people made their wealth selling frankincense. While we were exiting the theater one of the kids said "I can't believe they had that Frankenstein stuff".

Wonderful Wednesday

I got to stay and watch gymnastics tonight since Jake's baseball game was cancelled (due to the never ending rain). She has a hard time with these on the floor, let alone a beam.

Twins vs. Mets

Twins lost to the Mets 2 - 6. It rained the entire game. Jake did not have a good game.

Gopher Softball

Gabrielle wanted to to see the girls play. It was a beautiful day compared to this last week. The Gophers lost to the Hawkeyes 9-4. They don't have a very good record this season.

Softball Time

Gabrielle has started softball. She was watching the Gopher girls play today so she decided she needed to practice in the back yard with dad. We'll see if she follows in his foot steps as a catcher.

Minnesota Gophers

Friday night we went to the Gopher's baseball game. Gabrielle got a hug from Goldie. He wasn't too happy with Jake's Texas Longhorns sweatshirt. Minnesota beat Michigan 14 - 7.

Twins vs Cardinal

Twins beat the Cardinals 9-2. Jake hit a home run his second at bat.

Baseball Opener

I'm behind in my postings. Saturday was opening day for baseball. He is playing for Parkway Little League this year. There was an opening ceremony followed by a carnival and games scheduled all day. Jake plays for the Twins. Unfortunately they lost 5 to 6. Jake scored the first run. He hit a triple and then stole home. He also pitched the first two innings and only allowed one run.

More Braces

Jake got his bottom braces on today. His last couple of adjustments haven't bothered him but he said his front teeth were starting to hurt already. That's with them having to remove one of the bands on his top teeth because it was loose.

This is my before picture. I'm trying MiracleGro in my garden, we'll see if the plants get bigger and have more blooms.

Gardening

I failed to cut back my flowers last fall so I had to do it today. The garden looks much better after removing rotted and dead leaves. I just need to add some more flowering plants.

Morning View

This was my Friday picture. I open all the blinds in the house before we leave for the day. This was my view when I opened the blinds in our bedroom.

Coaching

Opening day is May 1, Tom is working with Jake on his swing.

Flowers

Gabrielle found these flowers so she planted them in a pot and gave them to me when I got home from work on Tuesday.

A Trip Around the Lake

The boys are at baseball so Gabrielle wanted to roller blade around the lake, I jogged along with her. She made it 3/4 of the way around, I towed her the last quarter. The lake is 1.6 miles around and then to and from the house, those little legs went two miles.

Spring Showcase

Today was the spring showcase for gymnastics. She gets to show off what she has learned the last few sessions. She has moved up to the last level for rec gymnastics.

It's that time of year. Jake already started baseball practice. Gabrielle will start softball next month. She was asked to play on a traveling team, all their games are double headers. She decided she didn't want to play double headers so she will play up at the rec center.

Another Winged Critter

I was cleaning the family room and saw something walking around on the roof so I went to check it out. I ran in to change lenses on my camera to get a close up of him but he disappeared. I figured he walked to the front of the house so I went to go find him. He was out there with a female, I wondered who he was "talking" to. One of the neighbors walked by and they flew off before I could get anymore pictures.