Homecoming

Homecoming is a big event in Randolph. The bleachers are packed and standing room is snug for whatever side of the field the ball is at. All of the kids are free to run with their friends. As a parent, you are constantly looking over your shoulders to see where your child is. It is a hopeless effort with all of the spectators standing around. We are fortunate because Seth and Sam run in front of us or stop to say hi every couple minutes.

During half-time, the elemenatry classes march on the field carrying their banners and showing their Rocket Pride off to the spectators.

Moments

I absolutely

LOVE

watching my kids be so...

Carefree

Young

Energetic

Happy

Inquisitive

Entirely Innocent

I think about how they will one day be teenagers then adults, and starting a family of their own. How these moments won't last forever and how it seems not so long ago, they were in diapers and starting to say their first words. I'd love for those days to be back again. Where I can hold them close to my heart, and sit there and stare at their precious faces so full of wonder. Yet, I'm excited to see how my babies will grow and mature on their own.

Being a parent is so bittersweet.



The Number of Seth is 18

(The Perfect Title)

Written & Typed By: Samantha Brunner

Age 6 years, 3 months; 1st Grade

seth is a prfeckd (perfect) litl (little) boy ho (who) is 20 yers (years) old. seth is a man ho (who) wil (will) be a strong man and his sistr (sister) is 16. he is a man he has a frend (friend) hr (her) name is johana (JoHanna) is a nis (nice) frend (friend) and his athr (other) frend (friend) namd (named) josh

josh and johana (JoHanna) seth and samantha

I wanna help!

We have lived in our house in Randolph for two and a half years. Shortly after moving in, we purchased Screen/Storm windows for the bedrooms and a few key windows in the house since the only window we could open in the entire house was the one in the kitchen; no screen doors or any other means to let fresh air into our house. So far we have installed one window per year (measuring, cutting new window to fit, scraping old paint & glaze off, re-glazing, painting and sealing included). This year we decided to speed track the window installation and just put the windows up until we could come back to them to do the scraping & re-glazing.

I am proud to say that with the window shown to the right, we have made it to two windows this summer! I know! Record breaking!! Four down and only seven more windows to go.

What makes it difficult is that four of the windows will require a high scaffolding from Nick's dad. The scaffolding that they are standing on now has been perched outside of our bedroom window since August. Thankfully there haven't been any signs of Peeping Tom's perched outside.

This couldn't have been done though without Seth's help. Whenever there is a construction or household project (that doesn't involve cleaning), Seth is eager to jump in and help. Nick kept him plenty busy with all the screws he kept dropping.

Those That Give it Their All

Watching their children play their sporting event...

Enjoying a meal with their family...

Celebrating a happy occasion with their friends and family...

Finally sitting down from a long day of work...

Snuggled into their warm beds, catching up on some much needed sleep...

"Beep BEEP Beep Beep BEEP Beep BEEP Beep Beep BEEP Beep BEEP Beep Beep BEEP"

"Paging Randolph/Hampton Station 1 on a {Delta Medical Level A}/{Fire} call at "fill in the blank""

No matter what you are doing, it isn't as important as rushing to the aide of someone in need.

Since Nick joined the Randolph/Hampton Volunteer Fire Department last year, the pager has gone off at all times of the day and night; and at times that aren't very convenient for us.

But really, was it convenient for the person needing help?

Not likely, so it is hard to be frustrated that duty calls.

Just last Wednesday the pager went off around 11pm with Hastings Fire Department requesting Tenders of water to be brought to a shed full of hay on fire. Those who made the call, didn't get home until 5:30am, and then they needed to go about their normal lives and get to work on-time.

Just today the pager went off at 6:30am with the report of an accident with injuries in Hampton.

I looked at Nick saying I planned on leaving for work at 7am, but go, and I'll leave when you get back.

Later to find out that the woman was struck by a car and was killed.

I am proud to know the volunteers and live in a community where the volunteers, every day people like you and me, freely give their time to help others who are in need of assistance, no matter what their need may be. It isn't only calls that they are available for, but a minimum of three meetings/trainings per month along with additional trainings on weekends.

Thank you!

Starting the Morning off Right

Seth's favorite breakfast is pancakes. He could eat pancakes every day, every meal, if he had it his way. This morning I thought I'd make some fun pancakes for the kids.

Seth also at a whale and snake, and Sam ate a butterfly. Oh, let's not forget Nick, I made him a heart.

"Wait Momma, we need the syrup in the picture."

Elko Speedway

The Prairie Lake Scout District held a special night for Scouts and their families. All of the Scouts were asked to meet at Victory Lane to walk out on the track for pictures and be a part of the National Anthem. We had hot dogs, french fries and a pop with admittance to the track. Seth and Sam were pretty happy that their Dad was able to make it for the night as well.

I heard how they were looking for kids under 10 years old to participate in scooter races by Victory Lane. About 20 minutes after they raced, we heard over the intercom "Would brother's Seth & Sam Brunner return to Victory Lane for the scooter finals." I suppose the announcer didn't know that Sam was short for Samantha. We made our way back to Victory Lane for Seth to race Sam for a Cars2 scooter. Seth cheated and took off on "Ready", while Sam waited for the "Go". He had a slight advantage with stronger and longer legs then his sister. The top two kids that were older than 10 years old competed and the girl won the scooter that didn't have a loose handle. We then had to calm Seth & Sam down because Seth thought he'd have to give his new scooter to his sister because he already has a big boy scooter in the shed, and Sam was crying because she knew Seth wouldn't share his new scooter with him. It almost seemed easier to give the scooter to the other 10 year old who got 2nd place.

We hung out and watched all of the races except for the final 40 lap race. At that point, Seth had a headache and said the cars were being too loud. We headed down to the pit entrance to meet our friends Melanie and Dan who were in the pits with their neighbor who was racing. He even let them sign their name on his race car. Sam had about enough and decided to snuggle up on the ground until it was time to be carried to the car. It wasn't her first time passing out. She was out cold during the second to last race.