A Day With Thomas

My brother and sister-in-law gave Tate a "ticket" to ride on Thomas the Train for his birthday. Jess and I took Tate and his cousin Jackson to Boone yesterday for the big ride.

We didn't know what to expect, but the train looked awesome and the boys were so pumped!

The sun was really bright and Tate was looking right into it. Hence the squint.

Waiting for the train ride to start. We sat in seats in the cars and took about a 20 minute ride. Tate kept saying "Thomas pulling me!"

The boys did really well together all day. There were other activities too. Like a tent with a bunch of train tables to play with. A train car where volunteers read Thomas books to the kids and of course, a merchandise tent. The prices were pretty good, so Tate walked away with a new fleece Thomas blanket.

He is growing up way too fast! And talking up a storm. Where did my baby go?
And we can't forget Sir Toppemhat. Tate wouldn't take a picture by himself so I got the pleasure of meeting him also! It was a really fun day. I highly recommend going if your child loves Thomas. I didn't think ticket prices were bad, but I would make a weekend out of it and stay in Des Moines instead of driving there and back in a day. The boys were wiped when we got home!

While we were gone Brad and Teagan worked on the deck. It is about 95% finished and I love it!! We just need to put on the steps, get the light installed, and fix the walls. This means a little painting by me, but we all know I don't mind a little paint! Have a great week everyone!

Oh yeah - how 'bout them Hawkeyes!!!!!

Our Princess

Homecoming coronation was tonight. The parade was cancelled and the peprally was in the gym, but Teagan still got to dress-up and wear a crown. Nothing better!

Kayley asked her to be her attendant for Homecoming and we were excited to say yes. Of course we had to go dress shopping. I am going to make sure we wear it for Christmas - yeah right. Like I'll remember!Here they are being introduced. Kayey's escort was Tanner Bloom and Teagan's was Ethan Heitshusen.
Teagan fixing her crown.
Waiting for the announcement.
It was Kayley and Tanner! So exciting, even though Teagan and Ethan seem to have no idea what is going on!
Here are the royalty! It was a fun night. Now we can focus on the football game and the weekend! Go Raiders!

A Dude and His Ranch

Tate would like to dedicate this blog to his friend Henry, with whom he shares his love for ranch!

Nothing says dessert like straight-up ranch! Off to the bath!

Fall fun!

This may be the first photograph I have taken that looks like a professional did it. This might have won a blue ribbon in Marengo people!! More about where I took the picture later.Brad was golfing in a tournament today, so the kids and I got a little bonding time. Here they are coloring some fall decorations. I love putting up stuff the kids make for holidays - then they get put back in the box for the next year. I love seeing some of the stuff that Brad's mom saved from when he was little.
Our deck was started and will hopefully be compelted by next weekend. When we left for the Iowa game yesterday morning there was a huge whole in my house. This is what I found when I came back. So excited. I had the screen open all day today (and I played with the blinds a couple times too!)

All framed out. We decided to put river rock underneath with some plastic to avoid weeds and grass from coming up underneath.

When Brad got home he suggested a family trip to Lake Iowa before dark. I forget how close it is and it has some decent walking/glass trails.

We saw some fun insects (hope you get the sarcasm in my voice), some geese (who Tate taunted by yelling conk,conk - his version of honk, honk!) and then some deer on our way out. All in all it was a good family night.

When we got home we had some apple crisp that I made before we left. Delicious! I love fall!!

Getting crafty

Whew! It has been a crazy week, but I can't really tell you what we have been doing. All I know it is almost Friday and I am looking forward to the weekend.

I got a little crafty tonight and worked on a couple projects I had been wanting to try. Thanks to Michaels, of course!

But before I share those I have to share the event that filled my Wednesday night...

Yep, here it is! If these 3 don't spell trouble I don't know what does! Just look at them. Teagan is spraying water out of the faucet, Jack is giving himself a bubble beard, and Tate is just being Tate. Why the community bath? Well, our deck is being started on Saturday so some friends came over to dig the holes and Derek and Jess brought in the deck materials and door that we had been storing at their house. After pizza and an exciting demonstration of how to dig holes the kids needed a bath.

I will keep you posted on deck updates - so frickin excited!!

Here come the crafts. I made chicken and noodles last night so all I had to do for supper tonight was put it in the oven. Awesome! So I got started on my first project. Using a craft pumpkin, tissue paper and Mod Podge. This turned into this-
Not super happy with the "S" (made it too big), but overall I am happy with it. Now all I need to do is find my battery operated tea-lights and it is good to go.

Check out these beauties! Got them for $1.48 each at Target. They were considered summer clearance. Works for me since they are an awesome fall orange color.

I add one part of adhesive Velcro to each pot and then attached the ribbon with the other. The 3 ribbons were together in the $1 bin at Target. And even better - I made them interchangeable and now I can use them for Thanksgiving too.
I put the Velcro on the back of these, so when I am done with the Halloween ribbon I can take it off and put on the Thanksgiving ones. These were $1 also. So total for the whole project - about $7.50 since I still have ribbon and Velcro left over. They will hold candy and other fun fall stuff.

I have not been very good about blogging about the kids and it is my goal to do that soon.

Teagan had her first dance class this week and Tate is busy just being Tate! It is a lot of work you know!

I did want to share this with you though. Teagan brings home schoolwork everyday and has been doing well. Her teacher started to check this problem (#4) wrong, but quickly realized what Teagan was doing (and at the same time realized she has been completely brainwashed by her parents!) The instructions were to color the first triangle the same color as the first and the second a different color. She chose to make them 2 colors - anybody recognize them?

Go Raiders! Go Hawks!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Thankful I Grew Up in the Good Old Days! Part 1

While driving to work today I heard an American Family Insurance commercial. Is this unusual? No. But, a new program they offer made me laugh out loud. Not because it is funny, but because if my parents had enrolled in this program I don't think I would have ever gotten a license - let alone a car! I'm not sure any of us would have.

Here is a link to the details:
http://www.amfam.com/learn-and-plan/resources/teen-safe-driver-program.asp

Basically your parents can install a video camera in their teen's car that tapes them while driving. Then the kids get to watch the video together with their parents. It made me think - what would have my parents seen on that video. Here are some highlights:

*a trip to South Amana pond in a Ford Windstar at way past maximum capacity

*a drive through a triangular median on a gravel road on the way to Mid-Prairie. My dad didn't find out about that one til about 3 years later. No video on that one!!

*Lets just say my Escort (RIP, baby) had back seats that layed down flat so that the hatchback was completely open. Enough said!

*MANY trips to 80s night at the Union (oh, the memories) with Pancheros on the way home.

*Waking up to find a questionable substance dried along the outside of the vehicle - possibly from Pancheros!

Take a couple minutes and reminisce about your first vehicle - good memories! To those teenagers whose parents do this all I can say is, glad its not me!! Watch for the next installment of the Good Old Days.

Weekend recap

Well, the weekend has come to an end and I can say it was fun-filled and exciting!

The garage sale went really well and I got rid of a lot of stuff. I still have quite a bit, but am happy to say it is packed up (this is what is left) and ready to be donated.

I am also glad to say that our garage is back to normal and we might actually be able to park both of our vehicles inside!

After the garage sale we got to hang out with some friends and enjoy a great Hawkeye victory!!
I am looking forward to going to my first homegame next weekend. Fall is by far my favorite season and I can't wait to put on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt and cheer on the black and gold.

We all know that Teagan enjoys putting on a good show, well it seems that Tate is following in her footsteps. Turns out he is quite the performer! Here he is singing about Hantana (Hannah Montana) and his signature song - Twinkle, Twinkle. As you can tell he is joining his friend Jenna in the "no" phase.

Have a great week!!

My Unhidden Treasures

In getting ready for my garage sale I have uncovered some hidden treasures and things that I didn't know we had. I don't have pictures to share, just words for this blog. The best find of the week made me cry and realize what amazing friends I have! I found cards that had been sent to Brad and I when his mom got sick, not when she passed away, but when things were getting bad. I won't name specifics, but to those ladies and my dear friends now - THANK YOU!

You are all such amazing people. Some of you weren't even officials residents of the 'burg yet or were barely out of college, but you took the time to let us know that you were thinking about us. It warms my heart to know that true friendships really can last a lifetime and you can find them in the most unexpected places.

So, to my amazing friends. I love all of you and everything that you add to my life!

Attention Shoppers...

if you come to my garage sale and leave with any less than this lady you will have to answer to me!

So, I won't really get violent, but I have to tell you am I ready to get this sucker over with. It hasn't been a horrible experience and if I didn't have so much crap it wouldn't have been so time consuming either!

This is what I did tonight. Could I have just made normal black inked posters. No way!! My garage sale is not your normal sale people!

Here is just one view of how I spent the better part of my week. It may not look like much, but ...

you couldn't see the 6 extra tables I couldn't get in the picture. This is what shoppers will see when my garage door opens tomorrow afternoon. Not to mention a pretty good chuck of items was taken away by some of my dearest friends and family - God bless you every one!!

Luckily the weather was nice all week so while I was organizing the kids could play outside and we could spend a little time together. They have been tuckered out when bedtime rolls around.
I like taking pictures of my kids sleeping - it reminds me that they can be still!!
Especially this guy! We haven't really hit the terrible twos (hear me knocking on wood?), but he is forever talking and saying some hilarious stuff.
I have mentioned to some of you that he woke me up yelling last week because I turned his lamp off - yep, yelling. "Momma - turn light on! My room! Light on!"

So the other night I turned his lamp on low and said goodnight to my angel. This is what I found when I checked on him about 3 minutes later. See that grin and the light shining bright? Can't help but laugh and love him even more!

Breaking news on the shopping homefront: Kmart has 20% off their clearance items. If your kids like specific characters there is some decent stuff. My deal of the week -

Leapfrog Fridge DJ - clearance priced $13.60 - $5 coupon = $8.60!

Have a great rest of the week! Go Raiders and Hawks!!!

Deals of the Day!

My Grandma is having her bi-annual (is that a word?) garage sale this weekend and after I put some of my stuff out I found a couple of exciting items.

Here are my deals of the day!

I have been looking for shades for my $3 lamps I got at Lowes awhile ago. I think these might be the winners. A little spray adhesive and some paper or fabric and I will have some extra lighting.
These were by far the best deal. I am excited to put them above my cupboards. I am sure my Grandma could have gotten a decent amount of money for them, but bless her heart, she gave them to me for helping her do some Christmas shopping last week. Yep - I said Christmas. I found gifts for all 8 grandkids and I even have a couple myself. Its never too early to find a good deal!
My mom had this fabric buried in a box. For some reason I don't remember having anything made of this material, so I think that means she never got to the project. Not sure exactly what I want to do with it, but never fear - I will do something! Who doesn't love old-school Strawberry Shortcake?
I was a little unprepared for the cool weather we have had lately and discovered Tate is in desperate need of pants. I found these Carters pants at Younkers. They are originally $14, but 50% off right now. Plus, I had a 20% off coupon for each, which made the total for each $5.70. A great deal for these pants, which I highly recommend to those of you who don't have any yet.

Now is a great time to start some early Christmas shopping. A lot of sales - 75% off at JCPenny and 85% at Younkers. Always looking for a deal!!