1st day of School

Well, yesterday was Jordan's first day of 1st grade. She was very excited needless to say. I got up an hour before her bus was scheduled to arrive and sure enough if she wasn't already dressed, hair fixed, and shoes on waiting at the front door for the bus. (An HOUR early!) However, she still needed breakfast and her lunch made but other than that she was ready. So after a few minutes of getting all of the extra stuff done she was ready for the day to begin. So, with 45 minutes to spare we headed outside to wait for the bus.

Here is a picture I caught of her. It was a beautiful morning and a great way to spend the extra time together. I thought this was a really cute picture of Jordan and Isaac. They were holding hands at the end of the driveway just waiting.
And FINALLY, the bus made it and she was in a hurry to get on. She didn't even want to turn around at the bus or anything for a picture. What can I say, she was a "Girl on a Mission."

So, this left Isaac Sydney and myself to play for the rest of the day. We had a pretty good time. So at the end of the afternoon we headed to the front yard to wait for her arrival back home. We were going to be her cheering section when she got off the bus. Too bad for us that her bus was a HOUR late! This always happens apparently. So I caught this picture of Isaac and Sydney playing while we were waiting.

And When she got home we were there with welcome arms (and some freshly made Rice-Krispie Treats!). She was excited, hungry, tired and hot. What can I say, it was an extra long day for her. So here is a picture I caught of her getting off the bus. Her friend Carter gets off at our house also. He lives across the street so that is fun for her also.

So, here's to 1st day's of school. How exciting it is for everyone. Isaac starts in a couple of weeks and he can't wait. We hope everyone else's 1st day of school went well also.

Love Ya and God Bless, Tara G.

One last Outing

On Monday Patrick took off work and we wanted to make it a family day. So we headed towards Cleveland to "Memphis Kiddie Park." This is a park created JUST for little kids. If you are over 50 inches there are only 3 rides you can ride. There are not a lot big kids and everything is close together. Also, there are rides that even Sydney can ride. And let me tell you, she enjoyed every one of them. Now, don't get me wrong, this is no big fancy amusement park but it is perfect for little ones (especially ours.)

This is the welcoming sign as you walk into the park. Yes, a very fancy entrance. It is kind of like a gate that is open ready for cattle to run through. (This is our type of entrance. The kids can just run right in and jump on a ride as quickly as they can. Meanwhile, Patrick and I are trying to get tickets purchased in order for them to legally ride the ride!) First ride of the day! "The Rocket"

"The roller coaster" This is one of the 3 rides that adults can ride also.

"The Train" It really just goes in a big circle but another one that parents get to ride. (I should have rode the roller coaster with them!)

"Horse Drawn Carriage"

Isaac on "The Airplane."

Jordan and Sydney on "The Boats."

I thought this was a cute one. Sydney is standing ON the safety gate waiting for the other two to finish their ride.

Patrick and Sydney on "The Carousel." This was by far her favorite ride. She would cry every time we took her off.

So now it is back to the school schedule and routine. This was a good chance for us to spend some time together on the last weekend of summer. I hope everyone had a great summer. Love Ya and God Bless, Tara G.

175 Miles

This afternoon Patrick finished up is bike ride. This is the third year he has participated in the MS 150. It is a ride where all donations benefit MS (Multiple Sclerosis). Most people ride 150 miles (hence the title "150") but as most of you know, Patrick is not like MOST people. There was also the option to ride 100 mile the first day and then 75 miles the second. So that is of course what he chose. So, being the supportive and loving family that we are, we loaded up and headed to Cleveland to welcome him as he finished. It was very hot this afternoon but that didn't keep us from watching him finish. So, this morning the kids and I made posters and then we were off. We picked up some McDonald's for an early lunch and were ready to watch him come in. (Nothing like McDonald's while watching all those riders come in! I felt kind of guilty.)

Jordan with her poster waiting for Patrick at the finish line. Isaac with his poster.
Jordan and Isaac standing at the finish line waiting patiently. And yes, Isaac held his poster upside-down or side-ways the whole time.
Patrick with Sydney after lunch.

Patrick with the kids right after he finished.

And Patrick didn't ride this race alone. One of his good friends Tony rode with him. They have been training together this summer and I think the training paid off. Here is a picture of them after they finished.

And finally a group picture of the Gallegos Gang.

So, here is to another successful MS 150 (or 175, whatever you want to call it!). Way to go Patrick, you did a great job.

Love Ya and God Bless, Tara G.

Time with Dad

It seems like the kids have been playing at the neighbors house every evening this week. Which can be a good thing some times, don't get me wrong! However, tonight we decided to spend the time together as a family. No neighbors, just US! So, I caught this picture of Patrick reading to the kids. Everyone was moving around so much it was kind of hard for him to read the pages, but he managed and everyone had a really good time.

And after dinner we sent the kids to the back porch to play while we devoured some ice cream. (Like any good parents do!) Unfortunately for us, we were busted by Sydney and she also got to enjoy a nice treat with her parents. And if you listen closely, you can hear Jordan and Isaac playing outside.

So, here's to nice treats and time with the fam. Summer is coming to an end. It is so hard to believe. Jordan starts school in less than two weeks and Isaac starts after labor day (about a month.) This means fall is right around the corner and fall in Northeast Ohio is beautiful.

Love Ya and God Bless, Tara G.

The Fest

It was extremely hot today in Northeast Ohio. Our suburban read 95 degrees as we were leaving and there had to be at least 90 % humidity. Now, I don't know exactly what the amount of humidity was but I think my guess was pretty close. So, because of this beautiful (HOT) weather we decided to take our family OUTSIDE to a concert/festival full of inspiring music, engaging activities, and uplifting prayer. This whole collaboration is called "The Fest" and it is an annual event that the diocese of Cleveland puts on. We have wanted to attend "The Fest" for the past 2 summers that we have been here in Ohio but for some reason something has always come up. That is, until this year. So, we loaded up a cooler with Capri-suns, fruit snacks and ice. The essentials for any Gallegos Family outing. We finally had the opportunity to attend this year and I have to say that it was well worth it. Here are a few pictures we caught from this afternoon/evening. Jordan and I in front of the stage.
We ate dinner and a lot of junk while we were there. This picture is of all 4 of us sharing a bowl of dippin' dots. (If you notice, Sydney is screaming in the background for another bite!)
Patrick and Sydney chillin in the shade while Jordan, Isaac and I are waiting in line for cotton candy!
O' Ya, speaking of cotton candy, have you ever had cotton candy with 90% humidity outside. Well, it is not a pretty picture. It was like it melted right in front of your eyes. Here is a close-up!

And a picture of Jordan and Isaac enjoying their cotton candy. If you look closely, Jordan and Isaac also look like they are melting. Their faces were very red by the end of the evening.

Patrick and the kids after we had been outside for about 1 1/2 hours. Sydney is relaxing back on Patrick's legs.

A close up of Sydney and I.

So, after a lot of playing, food and running around it was time for the music. There were a lot of great performers but we only watched the ones that performed later in the afternoon and early evening. When we got there Brandon Heath was performing. (If you don't follow contemporary christian rock music than you may not have any idea who any of these performers are.) I really like his music and I have to say that Jordan knows a few of his songs also. Next, Praise-apella performed and then following them was Jars of Clay. It was a really great concert and I was bummed that we couldn't get too close to the stage. (It was just too loud for the kids. I am officially old, I have to stay in the back with my kids so it doesn't hurt their ears.) So, here is a picture of the lead singer of Jars of Clay. I got this picture of the jumbo screen. How pathetic.

I did sneek up and catch this picture of them during one of their performances.

After the concerts everyone celebrated Mass. Unfortunitally for us we had already been there for 4 hours and our kids were in melt-down mode. As much as Patrick and I wanted to stay we knew that the kids needed to go home and get to bed. So, off to the house we headed and Isaac and Jordan were asleep before we got home. Sydney somehow managed to stay awake the entire trip. So overall, I have to say that "The Fest" was a success and we are already planning next years trip. It is events like this that remind us how truly blessed we are here in Ohio. God is Good!!! Love Ya and God Bless, Tara G.

A Day at the Lake!

Our friends Laura and Todd invited us to spend the afternoon at the lake with them and we were very excited. They have a sailboat at a lake about 45 minutes away and we had so much fun. Neither Patrick nor I have ever been on a sailboat and it was a great time. All together there were 6 kids and and 4 adults. We (the adults) were outnumbered but we were up for the challenge. We sailed out a ways, anchored down and let everyone get in the water to play. Here is a picture of all the kids before we jumped into the water. Laura, Sydney and I sporting the cool and fashionable life jackets!
Sydney and Ella having a good time!

Patrick and I swimming in the lake. He was trying to pull me under but the life jacket saved me. (I guess it was doing it's job!)

Jordan swimming on her own. Which for Jordan was a big thing. She was afraid there were sharks or whales in the lake!

Isaac looking over the edge of the boat.

And a final picture after a nice bar-b-que. Between the two families, we grilled burgers and hot dogs, had fruit salad, pasta salad, chips, Oreo cookies and Swedish fish. Quite a well balanced meal if I do say so myself. Overall, we had a really great time and are thankful for very good friends.

So, to Laura and Todd we say "Thank You" for a great afternoon at the lake. And as a side note, we have officially been in Ohio for 3 years. We use August 1st as our date because that was Patrick's 1st day of work. So, this afternoon just goes to show that we have made some amazing friends here in Ohio and we are very blessed. So, a big "Thank You" to ALL of our friends here in Ohio for a great 3 years.

Love Ya and God Bless, Tara G.