Spring Break!

Beautiful aren't they? I was hemming some pants, and they put what I cut off on as hats. LOL!

We just got finished playing cards with some of our friends. Sadly, I have to report that the girls lost 3 to 1. Oh well, sometimes you have to let the boys win so they'll keep wanting to play. Yesterday was our first "official" day of spring break. Kerry was diagnosed with Strep throat, Ryan played with his 1 million hot wheels, and Lenae and I made the yummy cookies that are pictured! Frosted sugar cookies are my absolute favorite cookie! YUM!



Lenae will be making her first communion next month. She's very excited about finally being able to go to communion with us. We found a dress this past week (thanks mom!). I picked her up so shoes that just happened to match too! When the day arrives, I'm sure I'll have plenty of photos to post. She'll also be turing 8 here in a couple of weeks. YIKES! Guess I better figure out what we'll be doing for her birthday too.



Ryan is wearing us out as usual. He has taken a liking to the phrases, "you're a pain in the ying yang" and "meanie". He's also FINALLY decided that going to the potty is fun! Now, to get him to tell us that he has to go, instead of us playing the guessing game. Maybe by the time he turns 4 we'll have it down!

Happy Easter!

Hardest thing I've had to do this week....

A challenge from Jeanne....

I guess that would have to be being the emcee at the Geography Bee today. Although it really wasn't THAT hard. Thank goodness we didn't have a ton of parents. Put me in front of a crowd of kids, and I'm good. Add adults, and I get weak in the knees.

A Survey

Seeing that I don't have much to post right now...I thought I'd do this instead: (by the way...I'll do a real update this weekend when I have more time!)

Name someting you eat with fruit: cottage cheese
Name something you make with fruit: smoothie
Name something you do with Flour: make dough
Name a color not in the rainbow: pink
Name a college in the South: Texas A&M
Name a state in the West: California
What is something teenagers do on Saturday night: Drink
What is the most used room in the house: Kitchen
What is the most used appliance in the kitchen: Refrigerator
What is a fun food to take to the theatre: m&ms (easy to sneak in)
Name a kind of dancer: Belly Dancer
Name a type of root: Carrot
What is another word for male: boy
What is another word for female: girl
What dog breed is typically the smartest: jack russell terrier
Name a child's cartoon: Bob the Builder
Name a Disney Movie: Cars
Name a romantic comedy: Somewhere in Time
Name a horror movie: Nightmare on Elmstreet
Name a food that is good with garlic: Bread
Name a food that is good with milk: Cookies
Name a food that is good with ice cream: Brownies
Name a pizza topping: Cheese
What is the best way to call a dog: whistle
Name a government office: President
What is a word that has the word Key in it: keyboard
What is a phrase that starts with the word Don't: Don't touch!
Name a type of house: Ranch
Name something that people do just before going to sleep: Take their medicine
Name something you associate with McDonalds: Fries
Name someone famous named Billy: Billy Idol
Name something made of metal: Scissors
Name something you build with wood: A desk
Name something you do while on a camp out: roast marshmallows
Name someting you light with a lighter: candles
Name an exercise that everyone hates: jumping jacks
Name a tree with the prettiest flowers: redbud
Name a reason (other than being sick)people call in sick to work: Tired
Name a piece of furniture that is most comfortable: Couch
Name something people steal from work: Copies
Name a popular Milkshake flavor: Strawberry
Name a movie with the word Kill in the title: Kill Bill

Merry Christmas!

Today is the first day of winter, and appparently mother nature wants us to take notice! It's been crazy here the past couple of weeks. We started off the 2nd week of December with a horrible ice storm that the thousands in the dark. We were fortunate and never lost our power, although we did lose our internet for a few hours. After that storm left we had a day of respite only to receive about 9 inches of snow! That melted and we enjoyed fairly nice temperatures for a few days, 40s and even low 50s. This morning we woke up to 35 mph winds and blowing snow. Yay!

In the ice-storm, My in-laws lost their power. They have been staying with us for the past 12 days. All in all it hasn't been too bad. This morning they went out to the farm to check on things and feed the animals, as they have done every morning, and found the electricity is back on! Yahoo! They are going to spend one last night here tonight and then get groceries and head out tomorrow. Now, as long as the roads don't drift to the point of being impassable we'll all be happy campers!

Ice Storm Damage

Here are some pictures from the damage at my parent's house.

The dog ate it

So what do you do when you tell your child to eat their supper....and he feeds the dog with it? LOL! I told Ryan to finish up his hotdog. He ran into the kitchen and then came back and told me that Casper at it. I about died laughing! Note to self - When asking Ryan to finish his supper, make sure Casper is with me or in his kennel. Also be sure and tell Ryan NOT to give his food to the dog.

What can be better than hand made?

I have found that I really enjoy making altered items with my scrapbooking things. The last thing that I've been making are ornaments to give away in our goodie bags this year. Although, I think I might have to make some for home too! I found this idea on another website, and it looked easy, but very pretty. Hope you like them!

Plane Ride

Well...after belonging to the plane club now for 8 months, Kerry finally got me up in the plane. We used to go flying all the time when we were dating and before we had Lenae. Then she came along, and the last time I went up with him was when she was 6 months old. Lenae and Ryan have both been up with him in the plane. Anyway, I wanted to go see the wind farm that is being constructed south of Lincoln, KS and Kerry suggested we fly up there and view it from above. You forget how beautiful the land is when you keep your feet grounded on it, but seeing it from afar reminds me just how amazing Kansas really is! Enjoy the photos.

Veteran's Day

First - Thank you to all those who have served and are serving our country. I am forever grateful to you. I have many in my family who are vets, including my Dad who was in the Navy, and my Husband, who was in the Army Reserves. Both did tours during wars, My dad fought in the Vietnam War, and Kerry fought in the Persian Gulf War. Thank you for risking your lives for the people of the United States.

Boo!

Okay, so they aren't really that scary, but they sure are cute! Lenae was a Medieval Queen this year, and Ryan was Thomas the Tank. The weather was great for Trick-or-Treating! We went out around 6:30 and it was nice and crisp, but not too cold, and the wind had died down from earlier in the day. This was the first year that Ryan really knew what was going on, and boy did he have a great time! Lenae showed him how to say "trick or treat" and he layed on the charm! He was "choo-choo"ing at everyone when they passed us. And he figured out a way to get double treats...(Kerry must have taught him this, I take NO responsibility!). As the people would hand him candy into his bucket, he would reach in the bowl with the other hand and take more. I was so embarrassed! Anyway, we had a great time, Lenae looked beautiful and we have WAY too much candy in our house right now!

Sunny Side Pumpkin Patch

We loaded up the kids and took them to the Sunny Side Pumpkin Patch this afternoon. We were looking for something to do this weekend, and since we've never taken the kids to a patch before, we thought it sounded like fun. Ryan had a ball playing in the corn box with the little tractors and trailers, and Lenae enjoyed the horse tire swings. They both had fun in the haybale maze and seeing the farm animals. Dad and Lenae tried out their aim with the gourd sling-shot, and we all went on the hayrack ride around the pumpkin patch. Afterwards we took the kids out into the patch in a wagon and picked us out 4 pumpkins. It was a lot of fun and we'll definitely have to go back next fall!

Our 2007 Family Photos

Too cute

Just had to come and post this one photo...it's too cute not to share! He won't let us cut his hair, so I put in some gel and styled it.

Road Trip

Kerry and I took the kids on a road trip this past weekend to Kansas City. We went to the Renaissance Festival (which was a lot of fun, but REALLY REALLY hot and humid) and met up with Lenae's friend and her parents. We walked around and let the kids play some games, took in a few side shows and looked at the crafts that were for sale. We would have probably stayed longer, but with the heat, cranky kids and Kerry's knee hurting from walking on the uneven ground, we decided go find a place to relax.

A teacher from school had told me about a restaurant that her kids really enjoyed, and so we thought we'd try it out. It's called "Fritz's RailRoad Restaurant". It's a hamburger joint that serves your food by train. We knew Ryan would be in heaven, and we figured Lenae would have just as much fun. However, Kerry and I enjoyed it just as much as the kids!

This coming weekend we are getting our family photos taken by a local photographer. I hope the weather holds out, as we are supposed to have an outdoor session. When we get them done, I'll post some. I'm looking forward to having some new ones of the family. Until then....................

How could I forget?

Ryan's newest spot to relax....

You got it...on my dresser watching "Cars" on the portable DVD player. ROFL!

Fall breezes are blowing!

First off...I've really got to keep up better than this.

We haven't had any "big" things happen during my hiatus. However Ryan did go for a plane ride with Kerry for the first time. He had such a good time, and was quite disappointed when it was time to go. I was worried that he wouldn't like it once they were up in the air, but Kerry said that he was really good.


This week, we've gotten a welcome taste of fall. The nights have been cool enough that we've opened up the windows to let in the fresh air. Yesterday was almost down right cold! I thanked my lucky stars that I didn't have recess duty since it was raining and I would have had indoor recess. 57 10-12 year olds in one classroom is quite crowded, let alone noisy.

This past weekend Kerry and I loaded up the kids and went to the Kansas State Fair. We had a ball! We met our friends Mike & Debbie and their foster kids and spent the day roaming the grounds. We even ran into Lenae's friend that moved away this summer. She was SO happy to see her! They rode a couple rides together, and we talked about setting up a date to get together during Christmas vacation. She's looking forward to it.


Later that evening Lenae decided to share her tickets and take Ryan on the carnival rides with her. It was his first experience riding them. They both had a great time.

My Last Offical Day of Vacation

I haven't had a good update in a while, so let me think.
Lenae finished up YMCA/MRC Summer Fun Camp last week. She had a great time this summer attending camp during the day. The last session there were only 6 kids, and she said that was the best one of the summer. She always enjoys Thursdays the best, since they go to the water park that day.
Ryan turned 3 on the 22nd of July. We had a "Thomas the Tank" party for him. He was such a hoot too! In the middle of opening his presents, he showed off his muscles for everyone. It was too funny! He blew out his candles like a champ - last year he was kind of afraid of them.
Kerry and I celebrated 13 years on the 30th of July. We didn't make any special plans prior to the day, however Kerry did take the day off from work. In the mid afternoon we finally decided to go to Wichita and see a movie and go to dinner. Since we had the kids, we decided on the new Disney flick, Ratatouille. It was pretty good too! This was Ryan's first experience in a big theater. And we did it right by going to the Warren. He was amazed at the screen, and the sound caught him by surprise. I think he held his hands over his ears for a good part of the show. Of course right after the previews were done he told me he was ready to go. However I convinced him to stay and he sat on my lap and watched the movie. Afterwards we went to Hog Wild Pit BBQ. It was yummy and we all had a great time.
We just bought a good cheap car for me to drive back and forth to school. Kerry wasn't really impressed with the almost 20,000 miles I put on the Avalanche this past school year. So...we got a 1998 Buick Century. It's a fairly good looking car...except for the front grill - which screams "OLD LADY". But, I'll survive. No car payment, and good fuel mileage. What more can you ask for?! Oh...of course the first week I had it (this past Thursday), I got nailed in Walmart parking lot! Oh yes...a fender bender! I went and got estimates yesterday... about $1500 in damage to the rear bumper & quarter panel! Holy Canolies! It doesn't look THAT bad. Good thing it is fully insured. Oh yeah, it was both of our faults. And the bright side(if there is one)...I didn't get a ticket.
Well, I suppose that's enough excitement for now. I need to get some photos taken of the scrapbook pages I've done this summer. I also need to get some of the kids too. Hopefully this weekend I'll have those ready to post. Ta Ta for now!

A Tribute

It's been one year since you left this earth and I still can't believe you are gone. For some reason I've been more touched by your passing than any other. Maybe it's because you were so young, and your death was so sudden. Maybe it's because like me, you have a young family. Maybe it's because I hear Kerry talk about your adventures together and so I feel that I know you more than I really do. Regardless, I know I think of you quite often and I continually pray for your 3 beautiful boys, and your amazing wife. Rest in peace, Rick. We love you, and we miss you!

P.S. The music is for you, Rick. This song always makes me smile and think of you!

Tiny Town Video

Here it is! The kids had a blast!

Home from Colorado

What a trip! We had a great time visiting Kerry's cousin, Beth, and her 3 boys. It's been almost a year since her husband died, so we wanted to go and visit. We spent a week with her at her home in Aurora. It was a LOT of fun! We took our kids and her youngest for a day of running around. We went to Tiny Town and the Coors Brewery. We also took a nice drive through the mountains. We spent another day in Glenwood Springs with my friend, Karen, from college. We ate lunch, checked out the shops downtown, got some ice cream, went geocaching, and grilled out on her deck for supper. We also got to meet her boyfriend. We decided that he's a pretty nice guy!

Lenae said her favorite part was going to the lake and being on Beth's boat. She also helped the boys catch minnows. Ryan had a ball running up and down the shore helping me get tiny seashells. I rode a jet ski for the first time! I was pretty unsure of myself, but after a bit of getting used to it, I had a ball! Even managed to get a few jumps in. Woo-hoo...go me!

Unfortunately, I was not of sound mind when it came to bringing our camera along. We'd always be on the way to where ever and I'd realize that I left it behind. I did manage to remember it on our trip to Tiny Town. So I hope you enjoy the couple of photos from there. I think I'll try and upload the video as well.