Our damage from the wind storm.

We were very fortunate to have not lost electricity but did have quite a bit of clean up on Monday morning. This is actually half of a tree on the roof over the dining room. There is a small dent in the deck from where the guys had to drop the limb when they were cutting it down, but no damage was done to the house. Dave and his friend Skylar cleaned up our yard and our neighbors in no time.
Centerburg had many closed roads due to fallen trees and low hanging lines. Praise the Lord, no one was hurt. Dave's grandparents who live just outside of town had to have their roof replaced. His parents, in Fredericktown, were without power for days. Aimee's parents, along with many, were without for a week.
A young tree in front of our house that may not make it. Dave pulled it back into position, but many roots were snapped by the wind.
If you look closely you can see Grace and John in what they believed to be their new fort. John called this pile of brush his "bird nest fort." He cried the day the men contacted by the village came with the chipper.

The Bobcats lost, but we had the best dressed kids in Athens!

Mom and dad (Mike and Peggy Streby) treated us to the Ohio University/Central Michigan game a couple of weeks ago. Although the Bobcats put forth great effort, they were defeated. We still had a great time. Mom had made these adorable outfits for the kids to wear to the game. Aimee's Uncle Jim and Aunt Jo were also there with John and Grace's cousin Kellan.
Nana Streby and Grace. I see some MacLean in this little girl.
John giving "5" to the O.U. Bobcat.

Thanks mom and dad for such a fun afternoon!

First Day of School

Our baby started school today! John had his first morning of preschool and loved it. He'll be attending the Knox County Educational Service Center 2 day preschool program on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. His teacher Miss Amy Bickel and her assistant Miss Kay Brittenham made him feel at home. He said snack was his favorite since they had cheese crackers. He painted us a picture, got to "read" lots of books, sang songs, played with the hermit crab, and also enjoyed the rice table. He said he only missed mommy a little. Mommy, on the other hand, was kind of a mess all morning. When I asked Miss Amy how he did today she smiled and said, "We saw some of that outgoing personality you told us about." Having been a teacher I know that can be code for,"He was bossy and wouldn't take turns." She elaborated by saying he is a natural leader and always has an answer to share. I had thought that on the first day at least he would be more reserved and a bit shy, but that apparently was not the case. How will he behave when he actually feels comfortable and knows everyone better?! Dave tells me to stop speculating on how his entire school career will go based on his first day of preschool. But isn't this what all moms do when they send their first born away? And by away I mean exactly one block from our house. Daddy took the morning off from work to go with us. Thank you soooooo much Dave!
This is our long, one block, walk to school that John insists he will do by himself on Thursday. Yeah, right, big boy.

Standing outside his classroom door.
John models his cubbie.
They start the day with activities on their tables while they wait for everyone to arrive.
These pictures were from orientation last week.

Here is Miss Amy. How old am I that my first observation was how young she is?


Grace will have mommy to herself a few hours a week now. Here she is admiring herself in a lion costume.