July 2012 Happenings

July was a busy month for our family.  On the first we celebrated CJ's 19th birthday.  He worked in the morning, as soon as he got home he opened his presents.

 His baby sister loves him so!

 A life long Stewie fan.

 Grammy and the C's joined us for his celebration.  Since our stove still was not connected at this point, I had to buy him a cake.  I was not happy about this because I enjoy making my families birthday cakes from scratch.  

 On Friday, July 6th Chris and I hosted the first (hopefully of many) annual Hartman Phillies Tailgate.  We all got to Philly about 6 hours before the game to tailgate. we had lots of tents, beverages, food, games.

 Some of the little kids watched movies to pass the time while their parents pregamed!

 The Hartman Tailgaters!

 My party of Seven!

After a great tailgate, even making it on the news, Channel 6 did a feature of our family, we headed inside.  Although it was a disappointing game, we all had a great time.   

 On Sunday, July 15 we celebrated Madison's 15 birthday.  All she wanted to do for her 15th birthday was spend the day in Ocean City.  We woke up early so she could open her gifts before heading to OCNJ.

 Her favorite gift, a 76er's back pack!

 By 11 the girls were swimming in the ocean.  

 Kamryn having fun at the waters edge.

 Sisters!

 As soon as we got home the C's came over to help us sing Happy birthday.  BTW, kitchen is done, oven is hooked up, cake was homemade!  Happy momma!!!!!

 May all of her wishes come true!

A North Penn right of passage.

Once upon a time, when we were a young family, we moved into North Penn school district.  One day, while we were out and about, we passed the big high school and saw names flash on the digital marquee. At the time, we thought we were sooo many long years away from having any of our children's names appear on the high school marquee.  Well, how fast those years went by.  

It is a great tradition that North Penn has been doing since the digital marquee was erected many years ago.  Every year following graduation, each senior's name appears on the marquee for 5 minutes.  They post the names and times on their website.  On Tuesday night, CJ was out with friends.   He met Chris and I at the school so we could get pictures.  Now I just hope NP continues this tradition for at the next 12 years, so we get to see all of kids names in lights!

Kitchen Update

We are now approaching three weeks into our kitchen renovation.  I can honestly say that all seven of us are     officially tired of take out Chinese, pizza, hoagies, sandwiches, we are even done with going out to eat.  

Below is our former closet. 

 It has not been easy being without a kitchen for three weeks, but seeing the progression and transformation makes it so worth while.  Waiting for the granite to get installed.

 Ta-da.....Granite has been installed.  I love it!  It is all coming together!

 Tomorrow our tile back splash will be installed.  On Saturday, the plumbing gets hooked up.

 I can't wait to get cooking with the new stove!  I am already planning to make something fabulous for our first meal in the completed kitchen.

 Beyond my expectations!

I survived Senior Week!

There are several rights of passage that we go through growing up.  Sleeping through the night, potty training, the first day of kindergarten, taking the bus to school, sleeping over a friends house, moving up to middle school, getting your drivers license, Prom, graduation, senior week.  This past week was Senior Week for CJ.  And Hell Week for me.  Sending my baby boy off to Ocean City, NJ for a week sharing a house a bunch of friends was so hard for me.  I had NO control.  I did not sleep well , I worried, I prayed. This morning Chris headed down to pick him up a day early because CJ has work at 6:30am on Saturday.  He survived!  He had a blast!  He has sooo many stories! When I got home from the swim club today I couldn't wait to hug and kiss him. Apparently, I forgot how little sleep you get during Senior Week.  He fell asleep on the sofa as soon as he got home, and will not be waking up until Saturday morning for work!  After a long week of worrying about my little boy, my Friday night was spent watching him sleep, safe and sound, at home.

Kitchen Update

The cabinets are in!

 The closet transformation.

 Less than two weeks in and the new kitchen is really taking shape.

CJ's Graduation

June 13, 2012 was a very important date for our family.  It was our 20th wedding anniversary and our son's graduation day from high school.  Chris and I started our day by running around getting balloons to decorate the house for CJ's graduation and making his requested dessert (strawberry cheesecake trifle.)  We then headed into Doylestown for lunch to squeeze in an anniversary celebration before our focus turns to our son.

20 years as Mr. & Mrs.

Our graduate!

 Our graduate and his sisters.

 Our gang.

 Here he is walking in during the entrance procession.

 Can you pick him out?

 Receiving his diploma and shaking the hand of one of the administrators.

 The very proud papa!!!!

 CJ and Chelsey

Kitchen remodel update

These pics of the kitchen were taken on day 2.