Pictures of events get fewer and fewer as the number of my children at home decreases. And now I have such competition! So many people have commented on how much they enjoy Bryn's blog and what a good writer she is. Sorry people, but mine's just a narrative of my life.

Tuesday Paige stayed home from school as she got sick early that morning. She never got sick again, but she did sleep til 12:30pm that day. Jeff ended up staying home with her which enabled him to paint her bedroom ceiling. Tuesday evening I got to Zumba again and kept glancing at a woman I recognized. It took me a while to figure out she was from the hair salon I frequent. I didn't notice til on my way out that my stylist was actually there too! I totally didn't recognize her!

Jeff and I walked Paige's class schedule Wednesday evening during the high school Open House. We saw parts of the school we'd never seen before with Paige's courseload. She's taking 2 business classes that are held in the same room, but different hours. What a cool setup! They each have their own computer desk and very comfy office chair. And the teacher is uber enthusiastic! No wonder FBLA is such a popular club. Paige is also enrolled in a video/film production class that Abby and Bryn never took. The class is held in an actual studio. Paige mentioned last week the class rotated production roles while taping a "talk show." Later that evening, Paige got a call inviting her to participate in a local Fall Ball softball league with many of the JV and varsity girls. She's excited to be asked. Of course, the game was today at the exact same time as her first Confirmation class. She'll be there the following Sunday.

I finally got around to making myself presentable again by getting in to the salon to get my hair cut and highlighted. Love it. Just trying to blend in that new color (grey) coming in. From there I was off to the high school to help out with the Band Bunch serving a hot dog dinner before the football game. I know, I know, I don't even have a kid in Band anymore. But Band's been good to my girls and I had the time. Had a lot of fun and even made it on Fox6 News at 9 that evening with Tom Pipines! (I didn't get to see it.) Jeff and I along with the Seeds witnessed the first win of the season for our football team. Seeds invited us over for a nightcap after the chilly game. Dave opened his fancy Scotch for us to try. I settled for just a sniff. Definitely a warmer-upper!

Saturday I cleaned the office then ran errands: grocery store, WalMart, and Hallmark (October is coming you know!). Paige was supposed to have an all-day Confirmation retreat that was rescheduled. Somehow we didn't make the email list and didn't find out til that morning! Jeff and I stayed home and watched a movie and stayed up for Paige to come home. Paige spends a lot of time with her "big sister" from high school softball, Jamie. Paige went with Jamie's family out to a Japanese steak house! They said it was her birthday! And Paige caught a shrimp in her mouth from the chef! They have a lot of fun together.


Kristin, Evie and I followed our annual tradition and met at my house at 9am for the Cheery Cherry art fair. Again, a bit chilly. But I've found a heavy sweatshirt-like jersey of Paige's for softball that I purchased for her (and she's never worn) that's quite warm. We always seem to find something to buy. I convinced Kristin to add a scarf to her wardrobe. Isn't it cute? And she found the most adorable knit hat for Lucy. And we never leave without a giant bag of kettle corn from the yodeling kettle corn cowboy. Afterwards, we all drove over to Kristin's for lunch and to see their newly poured concrete patio and driveway. Bella was kind enough to model Lucy's new hat. I love it!

Paige earned herself another pitching lesson by completing the routine outlined for her, so Jeff drove her up to Horicon again Tuesday evening. Paige asked her friend Miranda to come along and be her catcher for the night. Jeff really likes the coach and Paige seems to be picking up on all his advice. Now she's got another 3 routines to complete before he'll see her again.

I finally went back to my favorite Zumba class. Since the Y flooded at the end of July, Zumba class has been moved to an alternate location which does not have air conditioning. The one time I went during the summer, I was so sweaty and hot and nasty I decided to wait til the weather got cooler. I was glad to be back, the class is so fun! And much more comfortable.

Friday afternoon I drove out to Carroll again to get a copy of Bryn's driver's license and her signature on a student loan form. We have to do the same thing with Abby, but will do it via faxing and emailing. I also delivered art supplies to Bryn freshly purchased from Artist & Display. (I never mind shopping there!) Only stayed a half hour as I had to pick up Paige from school so we could make our brow wax appointments.

And Abby was hired by Tree House Gifts in La Crosse where her first day was Friday. She'll work one weeknight and every other weekend. We got to Skype her today and see that she's doing well in the new house and cooking for herself. If Bryn keeps up her new blog, I won't have to write about her anymore! Go Bryn!

That night, we took Paige out to Home Depot to pick out her bedroom paint colors. She started with purple, but it changed to 2 shades of blue that will match NONE of her existing bedding or curtains. One step at a time. She and Jeff worked on prepping her room Saturday: Jeff taping the woodwork and filling holes while Paige did a good overall clean up. Then after church Sunday, Miranda came over to help Paige paint. Again, Jeff supervised the project and it looks nice! Projects with the kids go so much more smoothly when I'm not involved.

Saturday night Paige was invited to a friend's house for a Hawaiian cookout and Jeff and I were invited to Seeds for a delicious lasagna dinner. We came home at 10 because that's when we expected Paige back. After 2 hours of unanswered texts and calls from us, I pulled my fleece over my pajamas and headed for the friend's house. Luckily the brother was awake at the computer and went to get Paige. It was obvious Paige and her friend had fallen asleep, but Paige still received a little lecture on the ride home about on how not to worry your parents.

Finally Abby started her classes at UWL this past Tuesday. She's been working hard with her advisor coming up with different scenarios to see if she can graduate in 4 years. It will require her to take classes during summer and January terms, but nothing's for certain yet. Abby met with a family that she will be babysitting for every Thursday morning. And she interviewed for a shop at a local gift shop on Friday. I love the initiative, but cautioned Abby not to overload herself.

Paige shocked us this week by asking to drop Band class. It's just not a Saunders girl thing to do! We of course had a long discussion with Paige so she realized all the advantages and disadvantages, but she's determined that it's not for her. We signed the paper and she is now in InfoTech instead. With this new business direction in her courseload, Paige joined FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America), a very active and competitive club at school. Jeff cleared out the other side of the basement for Paige to practice pitching at home. When she practices at home, she earns another pitching lesson from the coach in Horicon. We found out she has to recruit a catcher to come with her for her lessons. Lucky she has 3 friends who are all catchers!

I donated blood Thursday evening at a local drive held at the library. Jeff and I went for a walk afterwards since Paige was over at a friend's. Friday morning Jeff golfed in an outing through work and I followed my Friday routine going to step class in the morning. About 40 minutes into class (good heart rate going by then), I suddenly felt like I was going to pass out! I prayed I would make it out to a lobby chair before that happened. Luckily I did and sat there until my hands stopped tingling and I caught my breath. Guess not having a full meal after giving blood affected me more than I anticipated.

Terry organized a Brewers outing that night. Kayla and Nate came in from Whitewater, Terry from Appleton and Bryn from Waukesha. We tailgated at our house before heading down to Miller Park. Couldn't have asked for more perfect weather. Terry was smart and purchased the parking pass online with the tickets. I never realized that when you did that, you saved half the price! Terry also treated us to Club level seating so we never had to get up from our seats if we didn't want to. But of course we did. Paige got a warm cookie the size of her head! Kayla and Nate got passes to check out the swanky 300 Club. The game itself wasn't a good one, but the time we had was the best.


Bryn stayed overnight at home and Saturday morning she, Paige and I cheered on the Cross Country team at their home meet. It was sloppy, but this meet usually is. I went to encourage parents of the girls team to take pictures and email them to me for the team's site I maintain. Bryn went to see old teammates and Paige went to record the event for a Media Studies assignment. Paige will then edit her clips at school for the final project.

And today I navigated my way through our new Pick n Save a little faster after getting my car washed by Paige and her fellow Student Council members. I'm hoping to get a long walk in later today and Jeff is out doing yardwork.

I'm completely amazed at how my laundry has diminished since the departure of my two eldest, but then again, not. The evenings are much calmer, but that's part of having a routine again. It's quite lovely to come home where it looks just as I left it. I'm slowly cleaning up Abby's and Bryn's rooms and Paige is anxious to re-do hers. I think we're painting next weekend.

Abby and Mark took a road trip up to Green Bay last Tuesday to watch the Packers practice, tour the Hall of Fame and Lambeau Field. Be sure to check out Abby's photos on her Facebook page.


Wednesday was Paige's first day of school as a sophomore at the high school. She didn't have to go in until 12:30pm which made each class only 5 minutes long. Not sure what the logic is in this short of a school day, but whatever. Paige found a few more friends in her classes, but still lonely in a few of them. That evening, Paige reported back to the softball field for her select softball team callbacks only to find out they weren't having them. ???? A missed email told us that the coaches didn't see enough talent to make a competitive team, so they just aren't going to have one at all. Jeff's hopeful to find another select team for Paige, it'll just be further vs. right in our hometown.

Thursday was Bryn's first day of school at Carroll. And she started her on-campus job on Friday. She'll get 5hrs/week at her desk job in the Physical Therapy Dept. She said it's pretty cushy. Good for homework I said. She's found a running buddy that also plans to join track. All sounds like it's going well.



Abby was a good little packer all week and had all her stuff set to go by Friday afternoon. She even labeled all her bins and bags! We waited for Paige to come home on the bus and we left for La Crosse by 4pm; Abby driving the Prizm with Paige which Abby'll keep at school this year and Jeff and I in the van. The traffic was typical Friday-before-Labor-Day busy, but we knew what we were getting into. We stayed the night at our favorite La Crosse hotel, Stoney Creek, and Abby stayed with us: Abby in the bottom bunk, Paige on top. We were all refreshed Saturday morning and invaded the house at 10am. Luckily no one else was moving in the same day. Jeff and Abby immediately commented how great the house looked since they had last been there. A couple of her roommates had certainly been busy cleaning and painting. Paige and I unpacked and sorted things out mainly in the kitchen and living room. Jeff had his duties completing Abby's loft and hanging up various hooks and decorations. Abby's job was certainly the biggest: unpacking her clothes. Even her Wonder Hangers couldn't afford her enough room for it all! She sent some back with us and Amy was happy to house a few pieces herself. The 2-story house is really nice with 5 bedrooms and 2 baths for 6 girls. I think Abby will love it there. Meanwhile, Paige recently posted on her Facebook "I am now an only child." She's still not seeing the benefits.



Back home on Sunday, it seemed a perfect day for me to fulfill a goal I had set for the summer: to bike the Bugline Trail from my house to Kristin's. It was so nice and cool as I trekked my way from the hospital (Jeff dropped me off at the trailhead there) out to Sussex. About 5 miles and 45 minutes later, I was in Kristin & Carlo's driveway. Kristin had hired Bryn to babysit that same afternoon so I got to see her and had made arrangements for Jeff to pick me up, then we'd drive Bryn back to Carroll. Kristin and Carlo took longer to come back than we anticipated, so Bryn was repeatedly driven to the "doctor" by Lucy, while the doctor (Bella) fixed Bryn's missing teeth. The Taormina van was followed home by our van each with a piece of a very solid desk Kristin and Carlo had purchased on Craig's List and enlisted Jeff's help in moving. We got it in and got dinner too!

Terry and Kayla drove down from Appleton a week ago Friday to shop with Abby, Bryn and Paige. They all left our house about 4pm and returned by 9 their arms tired from the loads of goodies. Terry and Maggie were quite generous with their allowance for the girls. The girls all said they felt rich and famous toting all their shopping bags through the mall. Jeff and I were treated to a fashion show upon their return. The girls were all so giggly - you could tell they really had fun together.

I spent most of the day last Sunday volunteering as a "floater" for my fellow artists from the Art Guild. It was our annual Art in the Park exhibit where the public can watch the artists work out in the open air. The day was simply gorgeous and I was happy to feel a part of it all just by giving the artists a break by sitting at their stations for a moment or running to get them food and drink. I hope in the next couple years to have my own station.

Our family was welcomed to the Taorminas for a "goodbye" supper for Abby and Bryn before they go off to college. We ordered pizza from a nearby place that Kristin and Carlo recently discovered. Lucy and Bella loved coaxing Paige to run and hide on them. Bella showed off all her new school supplies to us.

I took off work this past week from Wednesday on to focus on getting Abby, Bryn and Paige ready for school. Wednesday was Paige's high school registration day which began with getting her hair cut and styled beforehand. Bryn came along to school and guided Paige through the various registration lines and walked her schedule with her while I paid the big bucks. Thursday was pretty quiet as Bryn was busy getting last-minute time with friends in but by Friday morning we were all packed up and ready to go move her in to Carroll. The move was a breeze. We simply drove into the dorm parking lot and were met by a group of students who swooped in the van to unload everything. Jeff was then ushered to some offsite parking and golf carted back to the dorm while the rest of us watched another group of students carry Bryn's things up to her room. Bryn's roommate, Emily, was already there. We all helped unpack, put away, and assemble various things in Bryn's room. Abby was instrumental in the process. Bryn and Emily decided on bunking their beds into an L shape. The really looks quite nice and they have a magnificent view.

That evening, Paige went to the annual Corn Roast at the high school followed by the first home football game. Abby and Mark went mini golfing then back here to make banana boats in the outdoor fire pit. Jeff and I got to chat with them for quite a while. Now that they're both done working for the summer they can enjoy this next full week off before school.

Yesterday Paige attended tryouts for the local select softball team. She looked really good. She wants to play 2nd base or outfield. We've spent some extra time the past couple weeks driving her to various batting cages, to pitching lessons and encouraging her to just throw the ball around with friends. Paige was asked to come back Wednesday for further review. Go Paige! Then she got to go tubing with a couple friends and eventually they all ended up here for a sleepover.

Jeff flew out to Virginia the early part of last week to attend meetings on the big Martha Jefferson hospital he's been working on. He was happy he didn't have to drive (from the airport to Charlottesville is 2.5 hours yet) as he had just driven back and forth to La Crosse the day before to work on Abby's house and bring her home. Jeff said the flight was bumpy, but otherwise all was good.

He was welcomed home Wednesday night to Bryn's Bon Fire she had planned with friends that went on til 1am. The party was good. Bryn and Natalie bought goodies to make a variety of s'mores over the fire pit. And the very next morning, Jeff had to take off early to go a meeting up in Appleton.

Paige has been keeping busy going to waterparks, practicing softball for upcoming select team tryouts and a night of laser tag!

Jeff and I went with our friends, the Seeds, to State Fair last Friday night. We got caught in the rain a couple times, but we were prepared and could quickly duck into a beer tent, exhibit hall or animal barn. Jeff sampled a duck fajita and a bison burrito. I was quite content with my cream puff.

Bryn drove with Natalie over to Shell Lake to spend the weekend at Natalie's grandparents. Natalie leaves for college out in Colorado this weekend, so I'm glad they got to spend a lot of time together before they both left for school. Bryn said they had a great time swimming and boating and just hanging out.

Abby took part in Community Memorial Hospital's Wheeling for Healing last Saturday with her boyfriend, Mark, and his family. Jeff and I saw the morning news reporting from the event that day. We didn't realize it, but Abby and Mark rode the 33-mile race! Way to go Abby! She spent the afternoon at Mark's (recuperating!) swimming. She watched a movie with us that night and was in bed by 10pm! By that, you know she was tired!

Jeff and I went to see Abby "sent off" back to college from Elmbrook Church (where Abby attends when she's home) last Sunday. Kristin and Carlo belong to this church, so we coordinated a meeting spot before service started so we could sit together. We happily accepted to go to lunch with them— Bella and Lucy!—at Oscar's afterwards. So on the way home, I remembered that my college roommate, Polly, and her husband's home was on the way back to our house, so maybe we'd stop by and say hi. I'm the only one who had visited them earlier this summer. So we drive in on their long road, get to the edge of their cul de sac and are met with 3 police cars with the officers standing outside them. I got out to ask if we could drive in. "Who are you going to visit?" I told them and they suggested I call Polly and John to ask them to stay inside for a while because there's a "weapons situation." Of course I called, but then I thought "Why didn't the police call?" I didn't catch up with Polly afterward — figured there'd be enough neighborhood drama for her to deal with.

Tuesday I got to see a packaging design I did go on press at Outlook Graphics in Neenah. I really wanted to go to this particular print run because the client asked me and I worked there one summer during college. The place is a lot bigger than I remember. Our sales rep is going to drop off the assembled packages which I am excited to see. The product is called the Go Plate, and so far I've designed packaging for their generic colored plates, and their Iowa State branded edition.

So the last time I blogged was the day before the big flood. All the kids missed it! Menomonee Falls recorded 6.5" of rain in less than 2 hours that Thursday, July 22nd. Jeff called me from work at 5:30, saying he was going to be late. I was in the basement with Theo as the tornado sirens were going off. I said "You cannot drive in this!" It was not even sprinkling by his work near the Zoo. Jeff did leave within a half hour only to see the dark clouds as he drove north and soon was in the thick of the torrential rain. He immediately was tending to the sump pump when he got home and we were both outside arranging the sump pump hoses to empty as far away from our house as possible. The creek behind us swelled higher than it's ever been. But it did stop. We did not experience any damage.

Friday Jeff and I drove downtown Milwaukee to Gallery Night where many art galleries are free and open to the public. It was a beautiful night and quite relaxing.

Saturday morning Bryn arrived back from Kansas City raving that this was the best Mission Trip ever. I think they liked working on reading skills with the kids. The Welcome Back Luncheon put on by Bryn's group was plentiful and delicious as always. So nice to have the kids come back to that and be able to share stories with their families right away. Paige came back from Pennsylvania later in the day. Needless to say, both of them were super tired and had very smelly laundry.

The following weekend (July 31st) we spent up north at the Cabin. Just a nice, relaxing weekend with no plans. Abby and I went with my Mom to the Shawano Farmers Market to pick up fresh corn on the cob for dinner. We were all able to get some swimming and boating in. Abby's friend, Amy (from UWL), met us at the Cabin driving directly from her camp counselor job. She then joined us back at home the whole next week.

We stopped in Appleton at Jeff's Mom's/Terry's for dinner on Sunday evening and to pick up a couch that Paul had found for Abby's house. The couch is forest green leather, which matches perfectly with the glider/rocking chair that Meg had given her the week before! So perfect. Then were treated to a yummy cookout with leftovers!

Just this weekend, Abby went to a wedding in Eau Claire for a classmate at UWL. She drove up to LaCrosse in Amy's truck on Friday. They packed up the couch and a shelving unit Abby got from Hallmark. Then drove with to the wedding in Eau Claire on Saturday. Jeff drove up and back today to get her, but also to work and clean a bit on Abby's new living quarters for the next schoolyear. Jeff brought up the kitchen table and chairs we got from our neighbors, the glider/rocker from Meg and a dresser from Mom and Dad. Jeff was able to install a shelf and rod for a makeshift closet along one wall of Abby and Amy's shared bedroom.

I accompanied Bryn to a Carroll Preview Day where Bryn was able to walk her class schedule, get in to see her dorm and room, meet her roommate, and just get reacquainted with the campus. The week before, Bryn was switched out of her triple room and assigned a new roommate who's from the area as well. As you can see, Bryn's room seems large for a dorm room and she has a great view! I took Bryn dorm shopping today - she's getting pretty excited.