Picture Opps

We finally had the chance to get our family pictures taken this weekend. A friend of ours took them and she sent us a couple as a peak and here they are!

I can't wait to see the rest! So, this week Teagan had her first day of school. Unfortunatly I couldn't be there for the offical walk to the door, but Brad stepped up and took some great pictures!

This picture is my favorite. It is Teagan and her friend Hunter walking the crosswalk with our good friend Alan. We trust him everyday to keep our kiddos safe and we love him for it!!

Brad played in a golf tournament today so I decided it would be casserole stock up day. I made 3 lasagnas and 3 hamburger casseroles. Nothing like mass producing, but after eating one for supper I still have 5 nights worth of supper. I have found that a little time one day can save hours of work later.

Have a great Monday everyone!!

Back to School

Here at the Schaefers it is back to school for both Teagan and I this week. To get the year started off to a good start Teagan and I made a gift for her teacher to give to her at Open House. I got the idea here http://notsoidlehands.blogspot.com/

I started with a plate from Walmart that just happened to be Raider black and red.

A little chalkboard paint, supplies, and a sharpie.

Taped off the size of "chalkboard" I wanted. Was out of painters tape and the masking tape wasn't amazing, but I made it work.

Painted a couple layers of paint and then Teagan decided what she wanted it to say. Sorry about the glare - still figuring out the new camera.

The final product with good luck wishes for the year. Hoping she can use it for athletic announcements or other school activites. I had the stand so total for this project was about $4. Can't beat that after back to school shopping! Have a good rest of the week!

Our little farmer is 3!

Can't believe my "baby' is 3 today! He is playing with cousins right now, but had a chance to ride on the tractor with Grandpa last week. Obviously he was a little pumped!

















Its crazy how fast time is going!















How did we go from this.

















To this? Can't sit still long enough to take a picture!
















Showing of his form with a new golf club from Mom and Dad.

Some things never change! Have a great weekend!

July Recap

We have been crazy busy for the past couple of weeks and I have a ton to share. Its only fitting that I just noticed this will be my 200th post - pretty exciting!!
So, here it goes:

Teagan and Tate started swim lessons after the 4th of July. They were late in the morning, so by the time we got done ended up hanging out at home for the rest of the day.

By the last day Teagan was attempting dives off the side of the pool - a huge step for her! She also did the diving board once and the big slide. She probably won't be going near the diving board for awhile, but is a constant at the slide everytime we are at the pool.

Tate and I did a parent/child class for a week. Here he is patiently waiting with his new BFF Mia. It was all we could do to keep them out of the pool until it was their turn!

So at the end of that week I made an independent trip out to Denver to see my sister who was there for a summer internship. We had a blast! I flew out by myself, got a chance to read a really good book (Eat, Pray, Love if anyone is interested) and just relax a bit. We did a little shopping when I got there and headed out with some of the other students who are staying there also. It was a great time and I would like to think I hung pretty well with those young kids!

We did a little hiking in the mountains and then took a break at the Coors brewery. That night we went out with our cousin and his wife who live near Denver. We had a great time, but somewhere along the way I lost my camera. Luckily I had downloaded all the pictures of the kids before I left, but lost a couple of really good pics of Beth and I. Oh well, good excuse for a new camera!

We also did some rafting down the Royal Gorge, which was a blast!! The morning I left we went to the Red Rock Ampitheater and took in some amazing views. It was a great getaway and I am so glad I decided to go.

A couple days after I got back I had a tooth pulled and it wiped me out! They hit a nerve or something because part of my lip and jaw are still numb. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to make the trek to the Ozarks for our family vacation, but after some heavy doses of ALEVE I was ready to go.

Brad's co-captains.

Remember how I said earlier that jumping off the side of the pool was a big step for Teagan? Well, all you have to do is throw a life jacket on her and she does this all day into a 30 foot deep lake!! She was a total fish all vacation!

And not to be outdone by his big sister! It took me a little while to be ok with this, but once I realized the kids were good and we were close to help if needed it was a little better.

What I was not ok with, but had to pretend to be because my kids were all about it, was this:

Yep - they both went tubbing for the first time. Slowly, yes, but this water-hesitant Momma was a little tense! The kids loved it and Brad did a good job keeping them tightly pressed to the tube.

So, there it is. The last 3 weeks for the Schaefers. It won't get any less crazy either. This weekend Brad and I head to Chicago for a Bon Jovi concert with friends. The kids are going to Adventureland with a couple of their aunts while we are gone and I am sure they will have a blast. After that brings the kids' birthdays and then school. Lets just hope time slows down just a bit so we can all enjoy it!

4th Fun!

Wow, what a fun filled weekend with family and friends! Thanks for local festivities we had the chance to do a ton of stuff.















Saturday started with Kids Day and some fun and games for the kids.
















Brad and I had a chance to hear some live music Friday night, so we took the kids out Saturday night for a local teen band and then some dancing in the street. Tate and his friend Carson were all about it and once they started dancing we had to drag them out!















There was an electric bull there for riding that night and Tate was obsessed with it. Brad finally gave in and let him ride. He did awesome!! He loved it and the crowd loved him and..















so did the operator of the bull. He put his hat on Tate during his ride. I guess if a cowboy thinks you are worth his hat then you are a true cowboy! When Tate got off the first thing he said was "Mom, next time I ride I am going to put my hand up, promise." Needless to say he didn't ride again that night, but if we ever meet that bull again watch out!!















Sunday brought a parent-child look-a-like contest for Teagan and I. We didn't win - although we had plenty of comments that disagreed with the decision :), but it was fun and a little bit of bonding time.














Parade fun with our friends Luke and Ella. Tate has ginourmous shoes on because his feet hurt from wearing flip-flops. And so begins the fashion statements of a 3 year old!
















Teagan had the chance to ride in the parade and had a really good time!






























The rain took a break for long enough for us to get outside and do some sparklers before watching the fireworks.

We had a really good weekend and are still kind of recovering from all the activities. We started swim lessons this week and I take off Friday to see my sister. July is crazy at the Schaefers!! Have a good rest of the week!

Summer Math

2 crazy kids

+ 1 day at the zoo

+ 1 last week of tball

+ 1 practice run for the 4th of July parade

AND trips to the library, pool, and a day with Aunt Jill = a great first week off for Mom!! Have a great Friday everyone!