life lessons - remembering, honoring, respecting...

Today I decided to take the boys to the local Memorial Day ceremony in town. I really enjoy going to this and it always gets me choked up to see all of the flags flying at the grave sites of all the people who served our country. The laying of the wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier, taps and the 21 gun salute give me the chills. It is so humbling for me to think about all of those young men and women who generously go into battle to keep total strangers safe.

So, being that the weather was nice I decided that this would be a good learning opportunity for the boys. We stood in the crowd and listened to the speeches honoring all the veterans who keep up safe. At one point during a song played by the band (I think it was the Marines' hymn) the older couple in front of us began to hold hands as the gentleman teared up. I thought to myself, what this man must have gone through, seen and heard all in the name of keeping our country safe so that my boys have a wonderful place to live. It is very humbling to think about.

After the ceremony the boys and I walked around the cemetery and I showed them where various family members and friends were buried. They got to see pictures of their great-great grandparents which they thought was pretty cool. Our final stop was at their Grandpa Ricky and Grandma Ada's graves. I had put flowers there the night before with my mom. We stopped and talked about how Grandpa Ricky had fought in a war and helped to keep us safe and even though we never met him that he was watching over us. Then we remembered stories of Grandma Ada - how she always bought the boys chocolate milk and came over every Christmas morning with homemade pancake mix for breakfast. It was so nice to take time to remember those little moments that make such lasting memories for the boys.

On the way home I answered lots of questions about soldiers and how they help us. I really think the boys learned alot by going to the ceremony and taking the time to honor and remember those that have gone before us. This will definitely become a new tradition for us - to attend the Memorial Day Celebration and remember, honor and show our respect to all those brave souls who contributed to making this world a better place.

Track and Field...

Nick and Eric had track and field this past week so we spent the better part of Wednesday out at the track. It is so much fun to see the kids cheering and chanting names of classmates while they are competing.

Nick competed in the 440 run (1 lap around the track), 440 relay, long jump & tennis ball throw. Eric competed in the 440 run (1 lap around the track), 440 relay, long jump & basketball throw. They both love running around the entire track rather than the short races and both took 1st.

Nick coming hard into the finish line of the 440 race.

Eric setting the pass halfway through the 440 race.

Nick's long jump - he jumped 10 feet 4 inches!!

Eric's basket ball throw - he took second place, maybe we have a basketball player rather than a hockey player?!

Nick with his ribbons

Eric with his ribbons

Happy Days Graduation...

Well, we officially have no more preschoolers in our house anymore. Ty "graduated" from Happy Days Preschool this past week and is now officially on summer vacation. I'm not so sure he is happy about this. He loved school and asked when it is going to start again.

Ty and Mrs. Lah.

Ty loved his teacher and we are excited at the possibility that he might have her again next year. She was hired as the new Kindergarten teacher!!

Ty and Mrs. Nelson.

Always with a smile on her face and a bubbly personality Mrs. Nelson made the year full of fun and laughter. She also taught the kids sign language which Tyler really took an interest in.
Having some ice cream after the program.


So another chapter in our life has closed. Next year all three boys will be in school full time. What is the mama to do??? They are growing up way too fast.

The dog days of summer...

Oh, to have the life of a dog. To lay around in the sun all day and just generally enjoying life.

While that is the life of most dogs - that's not so when Raven comes to "meme's summer camp". When Raven comes to the lake she puts herself to work as the self proclaimed beach cleaner.

First she stands on the shore scanning the beach for rocks. When she finds one she jumps in the water and the work begins.

She locates the rock by running her front paws along the bottom. At first I thought she was digging holes in the lake bottom.
Once the rock is located it's time to dive under to get it. The triumphant Raven then brings the rock to shore and drops it on the lawn. (sorry meme - watch out with the lawn mower!!)

This process will go on all day long with her unless she can find a willing human to throw a stick or ball off of the dock. I'm just waiting for the day when she dives for a fish - now that would be exciting.

Thanks Raven for keeping our beach rock free!!

Wordless Wednesday...

Practicing our karate moves on an unsuspecting purple whale...

Take me out to the ball game...

Nick and Eric had their first Little League baseball game. The Bears did a great job vs. the Braves!!

Nick ready and waiting to knock it out of the park

sliding safely into second

Eric about to connect with the ball. Love the sunglasses!!

Running on to second base

Here fishy fishy fishy...

With 80 degree temps this past weekend we hit the lake and "meme's summer camp" officially opened.

Kurt and Nick fished in a fishing contest to raise money for cystic fibrosis on Saturday and Nick came in 3rd!! He was so excited. He won 3rd place with a 1# fish.

Sunday the boys and I hung out at the lake and fished off of the dock. The boys were on the hunt for the fish that live under the dock and it kept them busy for most of the day. Luckily everyone caught one. The "pet" fish were kept in a cooler until it was time to go home for the night.

Eric proving he isn't afraid to stick his fingers in a fish mouth

Ty was so excited to catch his first fish of the season

Nick, the fishing pro.

Catch up...

Life has gotten busy here in the Mattila household and I logged on today only to realize that it's been 2 months since I posted anything. I thought that once hockey was done life would slow down, but I should have known better with three boys.


Everyone has been busy, busy, busy here. And luckily I got a new camera for my Birthday so new pictures will be coming soon. (Thanks mom and dad!!) So here is a quick update for you on everyone...


Nick - Is playing little league baseball this summer and practices have started this week. He is also in "fort building mode" and is in constant need of having a friend over. He has grown just as obsessed with the "mid life crisis truck" (I'll explain later) as Kurt has. He is also into taking apart bikes and rebuilding them so it seems like I am constantly picking up bike parts and tools off of the front lawn.


Eric - Is also playing little league baseball this summer and is on Nick's team. (the momma is happy about this because it reduces scheduling!!) Eric had his first communion at church and looked so handsome in his suit (pictures coming). He has decided to go to art camp again this year and I can't wait. The Greenstone art group in town does a fantastic job with this camp. He is also starting to think about new idea's for the cardboard boat regatta coming up in August.


Ty - Ty is just his busy, cute, smiling self. He is going to join t-ball this year with his friends. He is also super excited about kindergarten next year and can't wait to go to the same school as his brothers. Bike riding and playing with anyone and everyone are his main objectives right now.


Kurt - Since hockey ended Kurt has been working on what I am calling the "midlife crisis truck". Thankfully the project is done now as it totally consumed him. He restored the 1978 ford truck he had in highschool to it's original condition. He fixes other peoples vehicles all the time, but never did one of his own. I made the mistake of telling him to go for it and it has become all the man thinks about. But, the finished product looks amazing and he is happily cruising it around. (pictures coming)


I am hopefully going back to school this Fall as daycare is not what I want to do the rest of my life especially since all my boys will be in school full time. Looking into some online schooling that I can do in addition to daycare and my boys. Will fill you in more once I have more info.


So, that's whats been happening here. Like I said - now that I have a camera there will be an updated picture post coming.