I love to organize!

This weekend Matt was going to help me put up shelves in our entry way closet, as we have turned part of it into a pantry area. This seemed like a quick job...but what home improvement job is quick?! Last spring when we painted the rest of the upstairs, we had picked up the paint for the closet and other rooms as well.

Since we were putting up shelves, Matt thought maybe we should paint really quick too. So, the quick put up the shelves ended up being a paint and then put up the shelves :) You are all wondering why we would paint a closet, but it is a huge walk in closet (you will see in the pictures). It is actually bigger than our main bathroom!

I love the color- a nice Harvest Orange color (I think the official color is Fragrant Cloves). Anyways, I am much happier with the closet space now that is organized and much more functional! In addition, a couple of weeks ago Matt put a tube light in this room, since the dogs spend time hanging out here. These pictures are taken without the lights on, it is nice and bright in there!

Handsome Boy...

Gavin was having some trouble with reading. The smart kid he is, with an incredible memory, we could not figure out what the issue might be. I had thought at some point we should get his eyes checked, but the thought kept leaving my head and I never made an appointment for him. A couple of weeks ago we were in Duluth and Matt was getting his eyes looked at and I thought, "oh yeah, we should get Gavin's eyes checked." There were openings with the eye doctor, and so we signed him up. As you can tell by the picture... Gavin was lucky enough to get glasses! It turns out he is far sighted and when he tries to focus in closer, his eyes cross. (Obviously this would make it hard to read). At this point, I am thinking to myself- duh!! Why did we not get this looked at earlier?! As a teacher, I have heard many stories of students that go through vision therapy and other vision correction techniques to improve their reading. I guess I trusted the fact that they do vision screening in the nurses office...but that simple screening that does not catch far sightedness or eyes crossing. This is a message to all you parents...when your children start school, get them to an eye doctor for a screening each year as well. It could have saved Gavin some big frustrations!

In the meantime Gavin has been happy with the outcome. Gavin does enjoy wearing his glasses, and he looks even more like daddy!

Gas!

On our way to the cities on Saturday, I decided to take some pictures of the price of gas. I could not believe that is was less than $2.00/gallon! These two pictures show the prices of $1.98 and $1.97! I was unsuccessful at capturing the sign that said $1.95 at a Holiday. Good news for us, as we have a 5 cents off card for Holiday stores! Needless to say we stopped on the way home to purchase gas for $1.90/ gallon!!! Yay!

Partying it up at Auntee Andee and Uncle B's!

As you may have read in Jenny's blog, Andee and Bryan had a family/friend get together this past Saturday. We all drove up and down to make sure Andee came back from London in one piece and without an accent! (She looked in one piece, and I heard no hint of British in her voice). Gavin ran around taking pictures of the action, and I think he was able to take a picture of most people. There was a lot of food, laughter and fun. Andee dug out her doll house from when she was little and that kept the kids occupied for quite awhile. Garek and Kaleb found some super balls and they spent a long time in the basement throwing them around. The best entertainment of course was the little kids running around! Gavin and the girls playing some Rock Band!

Uncle Jake

Grandpa Mark!

Daddy in his new glasses (of course they are from Lens Crafters)

Jenny and Andee

Ian was giving Addie smootches! (Look what happens when mom is not around)

Jenny and Gigi

Addie, Kathie, Nikki and Andee

Kaleb was hiding under the coffee table- actually I think all the kids took turns there.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Yesterday was my dad's birthday! Of course he went deer hunting for his birthday and he shot a deer. Jon went with him and also shot a deer. I am hoping this means some venison chops and steaks are in my future...hint, hint ;) Anyways, Happy Birthday Dad! See you soon!

Family Fun on Election Night

As you may or may not remember from previous blogs, Tuesdays are family fun nights! (Even on election night). The boys went with us to the polls so that they could participate in the kids vote. Then we went home and played our new X Box game...Rock Band!! The boys finally found a game they can get mom to play! After a bit of Rock Band the boys were happy enough to sit and watch the election information as it came in. I am glad that the boys were willing to watch history unfold (I guess you could say that about each election). At least this way, they should remember and appreciate the democratic process. Gavin had fun figuring out different states on the map too!

The Dobo Family Rock Session

They are proud of their I voted stickers.

Watching the results, camping out just like they would for a movie!

As promised...

I know I promised to post Halloween pictures...I guess better late than never! I have a good excuse though, on early Saturday morning we left for Duluth, so there was not much time for posting. On Halloween the boys were a vampire (Garek) and an "Army guy" (Gavin). They did a good job cruising the entire neighborhood with dad and brought home a load of candy! I manned the home front giving out candy, and actually had the turn off the front light at 7:30, at which time we ran out of candy (I thought 120 candy bars would be enough). It was a nice evening, as many of us can remember how unpredictable Halloween weather can be!

Look at all the loot!

Our Jack-o-lanterns all lit up!

Time for bed!