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Cyclone State

2012-01-28T16:51:00.000-06:00

Emily and I had a girls night out. We watched the ISU gymnastics team clinch the CY-Hawk Trophy for the Cyclones. It was family night, so we went early to take part in the fun kids activity.

Picture with Cy, he also came to sit with us for a while. Boy was Emily surprised and giddy when he plopped down in the empty seat beside her!

Getting a tattoo

Making a sign to cheer on the team

Enjoying a Clone Cone

#7

2012-01-24T09:39:00.002-06:00

I almost forgot... about three hours after posting about our teeth yesterday. Emily's 7th tooth fell out when she accidently hit it with her spoon!

who wants more pictures?

2012-01-24T09:35:00.000-06:00

I am sure my family is thinking enough of these posts without pictures!

Noelle loves wearing jewelry. Everytime she finds a dress up necklace she puts it on and says "pretty"

Out house at Christmas

Rob left us a message on the chalkboard. Emily added her own.

Cheering on the Cylclones!

Dallas (sick), napping on my bed

Noelle doesn't seem to care the Cyclones lost

Gross! Mom's do you regularly clean the pad and underside of the carseat. We have used this seat for almost 4 years, the cover finally needed cleaning (pee incident). Look at all those snack particles. I have to do this more often.

Just cause she is so stink'n cute!

Teeth, more and less

2012-01-23T13:07:00.000-06:00

Emily and I visited the dentist this morning. She had hers counted polished. Still not quite brave enough to have the x-ray fill shoved in her mouth ( I don't really care for it either). It does save us a few bucks I suppose, but soon we'll probably need to persuade her a bit more to get it done. She came away with 11 on top and 8 on the bottom. She has two of her six year PERMENANT molars. Her other top front tooth is hanging on by susch a little thread I think it took all the hygenist will power to not pull it for her. The Doc was pretty sure it might fly out the next time she sneezed!

I walked away with a tiny cavity, sad. They also want to seal the rest of my molars when they fill the cavity.

Noelle also has been getting new teeth lately. Since Christmas all four of her molars have pushed through. She needs her canine teeth and she'll be finished for a while.

I also scheduled Dallas happy visit for May so he can go with Rob the next time he goes in.

almost

2012-01-22T13:30:00.000-06:00

My single parenting week is coming to a close soon. Rob is on his way home. While I am so thankful for these opportunities and for the fairly easy week I have had, I am counting the minutes....

Some things are alot easier when Rob is gone. I don't do such a big production at dinner, and honestly I don't normally do a big thing. But when the boss is away, we will eat PB and J or oatmeal for dinner. Saturday night we had popcorn and apple slices!
Things got hairy on Friday when Noelle and Dallas both had a temperature. It seems like Noelle has not had and booger or snot free day in 6 months but she has no other symptoms. Dallas got his usual virus. By Saturday he was full on wheezing/coughing and we have been using the nebulizer every 4-6 hours since.
We had plans to do the gym on Fri and Sat. I have been picking up a new workout schedule and doing pretty well, but it is hard to workout with the ladies at 5:15 am when your hubby is gone. Also I missed a visit to see my Grandma in the hospital, but I couldn't tote sick kids to the ICU with me. So we will visit her when we are well. We also skipped church this morning, so that was another 3 hours I was hoping to help fill with a fun activity.
Emily did get to go on a playdate Sat, she had lots of fun. I am so Thankful she is such a healthy kid.

Noelle

2012-01-13T09:10:00.000-06:00

Huge Noelle developments in the last week.

I placed Noelle in a standing position last week and she held it for 30 seconds! Yesterday she climbed the bottom stair, she made it up one, got the My Little Pony she was after and then promptly sat down. Luckily Emily was right behind her because sitting down on the stairs does not work unless you turn around first! And today she pulled herself up to a standing position (barely). She is working with the dishwasher as a table to pull herself on, I suppose it is only 6-8 inches off the floor. This is something she has never attemptedbefore, to put her feet down and hold on to something. Way to go Noelle!

Emily lost tooth #6

2012-01-09T09:19:00.002-06:00

Lost is the key word! When she woke up this morning she was sad and showed me the new hole in her mouth. Before I could even ask where is was she said it was gone. I might check her bed, but she mentioned "feeling it" last night while playing memory game with the babysitter. Since we were not here when she went to bed or possible lost it I don't know where to look. Is it even worth my time to look for a microscopic tooth in the living room and her top bunk. I probably will, because I am sentimental and want it for some reason.

That is six teeth in 11 months. She has two more she considers wiggily!

ETA, found the tooth as we were tucking into bed. We had just finished writing a note for the Tooth Fairy saying the tooth was lost... and she has three wiggily teeth, not two:)

more Christmas

2011-12-27T23:35:00.001-06:00

I said we would probably wait a little while before attempting a family movie date again. Well we waited a month. We headed to see Arthurs Christmas Sunday evening. We went to the 7:00 pm showing in Story City. For you locals, admission is only $3, and candy is only $1. What a deal. I think there was about 15 of us in the theater. So I let Noelle crawl up and down the aisle when she got bored, and Dallas might have put down all of the seats in one section to keep occupied the last 30 minutes of the movie. I think Grandpa Dallas, Lynne and Emily enjoyed it, and even Rob and I really liked it even though we were kid chasing some of the time.

randoms for the week

2011-12-27T23:31:00.000-06:00

sweet Noelle at the end of Christmas day

The hooded towels, they look wonderful on the hooks in the bathroom

Egg Nog, yes please!

much of Christmas fun for me revolves around this puzzle and my dear Sister. Lynne spend Christmas day with us. We worked too long on this 500 piece puzzle with the help of some Lucy Lane wine, we made it within 1 piece of being finished. I loved doing this with her, I hope we have started a tradition!

I am not worried about Noelle surviving around here, she is very opportunistic

Out of proper food, ice cream cones (just the cone) filled in for the afternoon snack. I pretended they were graham crackers

we gave a bag of cookies to several of our neighbors, attached was our Christmas card and an invite to The Perfect Gift, an event our church holds each year

the Johnson boys and the Kibbe boys

ice cream cone for snack

attempting a cousin picture, we need professional help

more Christmas

2011-12-27T23:11:00.000-06:00

Grandpa Dallas joined us for Christmas in Ames. We love having him here. Santa was a little selfish and gave him a new coffee maker, but for our house! (don't worry, he'll get a gift he can take home with him at Kibbe Christmas in a week:)
He is the primary coffee drinker at our house, so our pot gets used once or twice a month, a little more when he stays the night. Guess what, our previous coffee maker, while still functioning was purchased in 1993. I thought it made awful coffee, and I think most coffee is awful. He deserved an upgrade!

Christmas morning 2011

2011-12-27T23:04:00.000-06:00

We are really trying to balance things at Christmas. Emily knows all about the meaning of Christmas, and that presents are just a nice addition, so we seem to be doing well so far. Our house is fairly small and the kids get spoiled so well from the Grands that we have tried to stick to small meaningful things rather than just having lots of things to open, for the sake of opening.

Have you heard of this.

"something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read"

-we kind of used that as a guideline

Noelle received a Bilibo

Emily - Lego's

Dallas a garage for his cars

Dallas and Emily got slippers that they still haven't taken off. Noelle got an outfit since she doesn't keep footwear on. They each received a book. I always like to hand make them something, so they each received a big, cuddly, hooded towel, should be great for bath time and for trips to the pool this summer!

first Lego set

2011-12-27T22:42:00.000-06:00

Emily recieved Lego's for Christmas. A building house set, and then we also gave her some Lego's that were given to us a couple years ago, that we have been waiting for this age to hit. I love everything about this picture. The concentration! She seems to enjoy it. I helped a bit with the first couple of pages, showing her how to read the directions. She wanted to save the last bit of the book to do with daddy.

Christmas in Oskaloosa

2011-12-26T17:50:00.000-06:00

Aunt Chelsey snuggling Noelle and Charley

Photographer Charley

He looks even more cute with the bow!

Noelle and Uncle Greg unwrapping

Aunt Lynne and Emily working their way through the Christmas Look and Find book

Grandpa sleeping, doing what grandpa's do best

Opening presents

I think he was going for a boogie

Little Miss runny nose

The following pictures were taken by Emily. She recieved a new camera from G&G Gallagher

National Parts Depot visit, Ocala, FL

2011-12-22T10:36:00.000-06:00

I don't know why I am even attempting to write this post. Maybe I can get Rob to help me out over break to explain it properly. We stopped in Ocala while in Florida so Robert could meet with one of The MuscleCar Place sponsors, National Parts Depot. The FL location is their biggest and acts as headquarters. It was really amazing, offices, warehouse, and this great big personal collection of cars. The owner and son store some of their collection (all drivable), and we got to take a peek. It was eclectic, but fun to look through everything. I have only posted a few of the pics.

Gingerbread House 2011

2011-12-21T16:45:00.002-06:00

Decorating cookies

2011-12-21T16:29:00.000-06:00

I let them do it ALL by themselves. I prepped and baked the cookies, and tinted the frosting. I gave them bottles of sprinkles and let them be... we had already baked and distrubted other cookies to neighbors, so these didn't need to be "pretty". Emily loved every minute, and Dallas loved licking the frosting off his fingers.

another one bites the sandwich?

2011-12-21T14:11:00.000-06:00

the fifth tooth came out during lunch, I guess that is what happens when you eat a PB and B. This tooth has been loose since August. She spit out her half gummed sandwich while saying my tooth! I heard it drop to the floor. I found it! Now there is no escaping her grown-up grin. With the four bottom teeth you didn't notice right away, but a top tooth missing changes all of that. Her smile is still pretty as ever!

2011-12-14T22:20:00.000-06:00

I have been car pooling for Awana the past month, I have to say it is fabulous. On my week off, I get to stay at home, and my week to drive I get an hour and half to myself to browse Target, or get any errands checked off my list! Plus I get an extra little cutie to ride along with.

Noelle has been extra crazy lately. She talks all the time, to herself, to objects, to the dog, to the dvd's, and occasionaly to D or Em, and always to me.
She is fast out of the gate when she crawls, often she will trip up her arms with her leg and topple forward, it is so cute, she face plants into the carpet, then talks to the floor and is on her way.
I am pretty sure she is cutting a couple four more teeth, she is all gooey again!

We are off to the Dr again tomorrow, so I am sure we will be sick, just in time for the weekend.

Disney World: Breakfast with the Princess' at Cinderella's Castle

2011-12-12T21:17:00.000-06:00

Back to the FL trip... after the wedding we headed to Orlando. We planned two full days at Disney World, specifically Magic Kingdom Park, which seems most age appropriate for the 5 and under crowd. On Sunday I had booked a breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table, ie you get to eat in the castle with the princesses. In my opinion this was well worth the money, and it isn't cheap. But it was so magical, and since we rarely take vacations, when we do take them we go big (and pay cash!)

One of the perks of a dining experience like this is the Princesses come around to your table and wait patiently for you to jocky your camera to get that perfect picture. They will even coax your shy little one to pose with them. We didn't have to stand in the long lines around the park the rest of the visit to wait for photo and autograph moments! Also if your little one wears a princess dress, everyone working at the park will call her princess all day long. Emily never stopped grinning.

Emily and Cinderella

The Kibbe Clan and Cinderella

Belle and Emily

Jasmine and Emily

Aurora and Emily

human Ariel and Emily

Another perk of making your dining reservation early is you can get into the park before the park opens to the public. Makes for perfect pictures of the family and the castle with few others to share.

Main Street USA (notice only Cast members and few others posing with us)

Our table in Cinderella's Castle. The breakfast also came with special wishing stars for all children, boys also received swords, and girls received wands.

2011-12-12T20:56:00.000-06:00

My body finally succumbed to the germs I have been fighting off. It really was good timing (sorry for those I hugged Sat. night!) It hit as soon as we got home Sunday from all of our obligations. I excused myself for a nap, and spent the rest of the day in bed. I know why Dallas was so miserable for 3 days! I was enough recovered this morning that Rob could go to work, although he did come take Em for piano lessons mid-day which was a huge help. I could stay in my jammies all day and restore as much as possible.

A pukey, pukey day/night

2011-12-08T14:12:00.000-06:00

Our poor little birthday boy spent the day being sick. Our tip off was that he didn't a thing for Birthday lunch at Hickory Park, seriously, chicken tenders and warm applesauce? He took a good nap and didn't complain about it, which is also weird. When he woke up from nap we gave him our gift. He seemed to really like it and play with it if we played with him, otherwise he wanted cuddles. Thank goodness he didn't eat dinner either. He woke up every couple hours with diarhea and throw up. The best part was when we were at the buisness center at the clinic this morning checking in. They have a new system and they want to scan your card and ask all the questions, so there was a long line, we finally made it to the front.... and it happens, we earned a fast pass out of that line, a housekeeeping visit, our own little green bowl to carry around, and half a pack of paper towels. Everyone was so sweet and helpful.
So we were not so well at the well visit. Little man grew 4 inches and gained 2 lbs over the year. Compared to Emily at three years they both measured 31 lbs, but Dallas is 39", the height Emily was at four year checkup. Since Dallas was down a couple lbs since the last visit and doesn't eat dinner, he got himself a trip to the laboratory to get his iron checked. He aslo gets to visit the allergist soon. Overall a good visit, I don't think I would have made it without Rob. Dallas was needing to be held and comforted the entire time. Hard to do when you still have a baby that doesn't walk. I assume Dr's offices are not the cleanest places to crawl.

Hoping this is a 24 hour thing. He last puked at 1:00 pm, debating whether I should have him lick the rest of us to get it over with...

Happy Birthday Dallas

2011-12-07T20:19:00.000-06:00

What a delightful little boy you have become.
- you love your race car, you ask to drive it everyday and everytime you see it in the garage
- you don't eat Dinner, ever, I can't remember the last time you chewed something and then swallowed it without being under parental duress at dinner time
- you have mastered that whole toliet thing, for that I am so grateful!
- you love playing with your cars, this takes up the majority of your day
- you often have a car in your pocket
- you can chew the same food and keep it your mouth forever -- we find this gross
- you love eating breakfast, you usual is a couple three bowls of oatmeal, or a couple scrambled eggs followed by some cherrios chaser, or maybe 5-6 slices of pumpkin bread
- you sleep best on the floor, and you have finally started sleeping through the night (if you count 5:30 am)
- again with the Cars, but you'll randomly say "kachow" or "dag gum"
- you say things like "Maybe I would like to come"
- you love watching Dora
- you made up a new word, Dungas. You pray for the dungas, sometimes they are people, objects, food, or bad things.
- you really love your sisters, and don't hit them nearly as much as you used too

We love you so much Dallas!

2011-11-28T21:39:00.000-06:00

Dallas is doing so well using the bathroom! He has not had one accident while wearing underware since we started. He doesn't want and will not use any potty but his little blue one. Makes outings hard, but he seems to have great control. I can't believe that in a years time I might be diaper bag free!

Our first movie

2011-11-25T18:27:00.000-06:00

Rob and I love movies, our typical date night is movies and dinner or a movie and a drink if we are short on time (read, we are paying a sitter in $$$ instead of use of laundry facilities).

We went as a family to see the Muppet movie. It was so good. Lots of movie references, throwback songs, and jokes. I recommend all ages will enjoy, especially if you love a good spontaneous song.

I am looking forward to many more years of movies as a family. The kids did well, Noelle spent much of the time eating popcorn and sucking on her paci, Dallas and Em watched and also helped down the large popcorn!

randoms for the week

2011-11-17T12:39:00.001-06:00

Noelle and I have split two avocados already this week. They were finally a reasonable price at the store, we eat them with a spoon right out of natures container. Nobody else really cares for them, and I am fine with that, I don't have to share.

All three kids did take down two large cucumbers the other night. I make this recipe about once a month, and cucumber adds crunch to the lettuce wraps, we leave off the mint. Emily and Noelle love the meatballs. I sliced up one cucumber for a little pre-dinner snack and it was gone in 3 minutes.

A house a block away had a big fire last night. Weirdly Rob and I slept through it all, it started burning at 11:00 pm. It is the talk of the neighborhood today. The couple and their dog are safe, but could probably use some prayer, and a new house.

Noelle is busy crawling around and around the house. I think if finally have taught her not to use the dog water bowl as a bath tub. I bet poor Bo has been parched lately.

Dallas has kept his cute little lightn McQueen underware dry all morning. His is hitting 5 for 5 today, the downside is lots of Dora has been watched, a little too much tv for my taste, but he is very motivated by Dora? eta: he stayed accident free all day!

Emily earned a Christmas themed piano book at piano lessons. She has mastered piano and forte, knows all the key notes and how to write a quarter note differently if it is played with a right or left hand. We are working on "Up on the Rooftop".

Still looking for a piano.

Noelle decided it was time for me to scrub the kitchen floor, she empted a box of baking soda everywhere.
Rob has been really busy since we have gotten back from our little vacation. He is working so hard for us, I love him for that. He has some big things on the horizon!

The Wedding

2011-11-15T20:06:00.001-06:00

My girls sporting the dresses I made them

I wanted a cute picture, we took this pose maybe 20 times!

The centerpieces on the alter

Dallas loving on Aunt Jen

Emily hardly left the brides side

My amazingly handsome groom!

Mark and April during the reception

The wedding was great. It went off without a hitch. I took it all in, trying my hardest to take in the moment and keep the kiddo's fairly silent. (and from running up to hug April mid vows). I had a bag of candy and fruit snacks that I was liberally dolling out. Parenting with candy, keeping everyone happy was the mantra! Dallas went through 2 Dum Dums, Noelle one, and Emily one.

Batman is getting married

2011-11-14T10:09:00.000-06:00

This morning all three of the little munchkins were playing together while I was putting away laundry. The door to the bedroom was cracked a tad, it deters Noelle from crawling straight for the stairs, which are currently un-gated. In the hallway I over hear this conversation.

"Batman, do you want to get married?"
"Sure, Batman always goes to weddings"
"Well, lets get ready, you change in this room and I will change in that room"
"You mean in married clothes?"
"YES, you have to wear married clothes and weddings."
"Noelle, that is for Batman and Cinderella Princess!"

I was dying to peek in there to see what was going on, but I was having too much fun eavesdropping.

The Hotels

2011-11-12T15:14:00.000-06:00

Besides the house we rented for our stay in Orlando, all of our other reservations came via priceline.com on the road. Rob put me in charge, I think because he knows I like to score a good deal. We stayed at 3 and 4 star hotels the entire trip for an average of $53/night. I do love a good deal! The house was also a decent deal considering we each had our own room, including Grandpa Dallas!

Some of our hotels had kitchens like this, drool!

The entry way to our house in Orlando, three bedrooms, three baths, and a washer/dryer + pool. The kids bedroom was dripping in Mickey Mouse themed accents. It was a fun place to stay!

The kitchen, living room and pool at our house in Orlando

Noelle liked to crawl to the full length mirrors and kiss the baby

Real phones in the hotels made all the stays extra fun

Some of our rooms had balconys

The Hilton in Ocala, FL had a horse named Buddy

We also found a fountain in one lobby. If I remember correctly $0.25 wishes were made since I didn't have any pennies. I am so generous on vacation!

The drive

2011-11-12T14:20:00.000-06:00

Packing.... I only took three suitcase for all five of us, I was pretty proud of that since I was preparing for 2 wks on the road. Then add in all the contingency stuff like snacks, nebulizer, stroller, baby carrier, laptop, camera, fleece jackets + hats/gloves, activites/books, cooler, and not to mention one whole bag contained diapers for two of us. I thought I did pretty well.

I read all four books in the Twilight series, the kids watched lots of movies, and drew tons

The van aged some

We saw pretty landscapes, or as Emily yells, "Bob Ross"

Noelle occupied her time working on her flexability

Sometimes boredom ended in scenes like this, we also had many unsanctioned leg tattoos, and one incident of sporting a "hitler type" mustache for a day.

The kids took pictures of the drive too.

Self portraits

Kentucky and Tennesse were breathtaking

Zoomed by the Arch

This warms my heart

2011-10-29T10:06:00.000-05:00

My husband takes holidays seriously, like really seriously. He would and has put carved pumpkins in the fridge each day to make them last longer. Every year I try to get him to carve earlier, but he won't have them go bad! I love this about him. This year we (he) has been really busy, working alnost every night. That is how it goes when you are readying to take off for two weeks, and you have your own buisness. We still wanted to carve pumpkins, but just couldn't work it into our usual tradition time. Carve pumpkins and watching the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. This year we did what we could. I hollowed out three of them Thursday afternoon. Friday morning at 7:00 am, Rob had special pumpkin sprinkled donuts waiting and we carved pumpkins before work. It was a fun way to start the day!

Tonight we will watch the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, and we might even order a pumpkin shaped pizza.

Top L to R, Laura - Noelle - Robert, Bottom L to R, Dallas, Emily

I was pretty impressed with Dallas. I carved his true to his marker drawing. I didn't even know he new how to place face features. I have never seen him draw a person before. Circle eyes, an x for a nose and a smiley mouth. Emily loved carving hers as well. I let Noelle eat/test out her pumpkin lid while we worked on hers!

Fire Drills

2011-10-26T12:10:00.000-05:00

Emily showed me this picture she drew this morning, she wanted to take it to her BSF teacher. At first I was taken a back, she described it as follows. "this is the church on fire, and here is our teacher keeping us safe outside" They practiced a fire drill a couple weeks back. I am glad the teacher is keeping them safe, I love that part way more than the church is on fire part!

Her BSF teacher with the children playing outside, ended up on the backside of the paper.

Hard work Tuesday

2011-10-25T22:53:00.000-05:00

Now that soccer season is over, out Tuesdays are free. We don't need to leave the house for anything, this homebody likes a day without errands.

Today we accomplished school, laundry, piano practice, made grahm crackers, and ate a lot of crackers! I did a couple things I haven't done in the six years we have been here. I removed 60 or so hosta plants from the backyard. I also washed a lot of the windows. I had to open them first, my fault for painting some of them shut. It amazes me that we got so much done, last week we barely finished school each day. Helps to have healthy kids, and a happy momma.

Noelle Crawls!

2011-10-25T19:17:00.000-05:00

Noelle is crawling. What finally interested her enough to move, a bottle of carpet cleaner from Craftsmas Carpet Care, perhaps she thought the carpet was just too dirty for her to move. I am taking this as sign to get my carpets cleaned. She crawls for the first time at 13 mo 3 weeks!

Emily's First Piano Recital

2011-10-25T14:05:00.000-05:00

Featuring Emily Kibbe, playing LH Rainbows, R. H. Rainbows by N. & R. Faber, also featuring Dallas wailing, and if you listen closely Noelle saying "Hi"

I love this kid!

2011-10-15T12:42:00.000-05:00

? for the farmers

2011-10-14T13:58:00.002-05:00

I have let my kids play in "Corn pools" a number of times. How do they keep the rats/mice out of these pools. Please tell me they are not hidden below, and filled with turds everywhere! Am I the only one who thinks of these things!

2011-10-13T20:21:00.000-05:00

The little two are sick. Noelle has been pretty restless, and has had a really hard time sleeping the last couple nights. We have had several campouts in the steamy bathroom to settle croupy coughs. Dallas was feeling left out so he joined up last night. Today he was full on sick. His usual scarey 55 breathes per minute, wheezing, temperture fluctuating from 101 -104. Off to the Dr. we went to check for pnumonia. He is clear for now. Poor little guy! He is such a trooper. Took Noelle along for the ride, she has an ear infection too. She has also been getting her 8th tooth. She has apparently saved all the drooling for this tooth, she is soaked within minutes, she has never really drooled before.
So thankful Emily is such a healthy girl.

Kansas Speedway

2011-10-11T09:35:00.002-05:00

Rob had pit passes, can you tell?

Deal's Orchard Fall Festival 2011

2011-10-11T09:26:00.000-05:00

Face Painting

Tractor Driving

Playing bean-bag toss with Aunt Lynne (the fall colors make this picture)

Corn box

Hay bale maze

Fall at Center Grove Orchard

2011-10-07T14:01:00.000-05:00

She did go, I just wore her the whole time. Eating her apple for lunch

Hayride

He kept pointing out that the tractor doors were open, while we were moving

Tractor driving

It was hard to tear him away, he actually came back twice, once without asking!

Pumping water to scoot the duck across

Jumping into the corn pit/pool

Dallas was a little unsure, he walked around alot with a big grin

We went on a field trip with Emily's K-1 class to Center Grove Orchard . We haven't been since Emily was 1.5/2 maybe? They sure have a lot of buildings and tons to do, I think they call that agri-tourism? It was a fun way to spend our morning. Noelle rode in the backpack all day and was very pleased about it! Everyone should go check it out, it is a little spendy, I am glad we got in with the class/tour price. We came home with two coupons for $4/off if anyone wants them. Sunday we are headed to Deal's Orchard, they are having Fall Festival this weekend, and Rob will be in KC watching some NASCAR. I even know some Deal's so I am excited to head up to Jefferson.

2011-10-06T20:24:00.000-05:00

a brother, a sister, and the sun

a decorated bedroom door, picture of Dallas and Emily, a princess sleeping door handle sign, a house with some sky

Emily spelling phonetically, she was outside when she wrote these.

leaf . grass

tree . flat

grill . table

go . hat

green . red . 10 . word

words

Emily is submitting this cat to a magazine to see if it gets published

She can get herself to sitting now, found her in the crib like this on Tuesday

carrots from the garden, all shredded for soup and muffins thanks to Sarah

Noelle's Birthday

2011-10-06T20:10:00.000-05:00

I have been trying for weeks to upload these photo's for weeks. Blogger and I have not been friends. Plus I don't have a picture of the sweet daisy's, or cupcakes. Does anyone have a picture of the table decorated? On Noelle's birthday we had whole grain blueberry muffins and scrambled eggs with a candle. Rob took the day off to hang out with her, I love that he takes the kids birthday's off.
Her cupcake was really cute, I used chocolate ganache for frosting, while tastey, it was a little harder than I thought so it didn't make a really good first cupcake (aka, she didn't get all that messy!)

She moves

2011-09-29T14:39:00.000-05:00

Here is your proof! I have caught her up on all fours a couple times. She doesn't crawl forward yet. As evidenced by the video, she inch worms herself backward, usually into a corner or wallk, or in this case the couch. She now easily rolls (when I am trying to change her diaper). At 1 yr and three weeks I finally feel that it is unsafe to keep her on my be while I get ready. I think we should lower her crib off the top setting while we are at it! Way to go Noelle!

9/11

2011-09-29T14:15:00.000-05:00

Pictures provided by Greg and Chelsey.

2011-09-29T14:07:00.001-05:00

What the rest of us do while Emily is at PE. We find ourselves a little park, and have a sticky snack and dig a hole!

Living Room

2011-09-20T12:38:00.002-05:00

I am itching for a change in the living room department. For all that have been in my house, can you suggest some furniture rearrangement ideas? I feel stuck.

2011-09-19T13:21:00.000-05:00

2011-09-15T19:58:00.000-05:00

Some of us are sick, I don't deny the coicidence that this happens the same week we have to visit the Dr office three times. GERMS! I think I will go to bed soon.

On another note, I bought Dallas and Emily shoes today. Last year in Sept. I bought Dallas size 7.5 shoes, this Sept size 11! Emily picked out a pair of 11.5 , I guess they can share.

I have a big hanker'n for hot apple cider, do they sell that at coffee shops. I need to check to see if I can get a 1/2gal at Fareway yet.

5 yrs and 1 yr

2011-09-14T15:46:00.001-05:00

Emily did well at her 5 yr well visit this morning, besides operation flu-mist that almost required another nurse to help hold. She gained 3 inches and 1 lb in a year.

Noelle also had a good one year check up. My big concern was her lack of motivation to move. I am tired of people asking why she doesn't crawl, stand, cruise, walk... so far everything checks out. Her leg muscle tone is excelent, and she has proper reflex response, and can bear weight. Her fine motor skills are also good, she can feed herself, turn pages in a book, use a cup, pick up toys... We are going to practice standing daily. We are going to give it three more months, then we'll probably get refered to physical therapy. For now it is a motivation issue :)

She weighs 18 lb 8 oz, 28 inch long at one year. Emily was 21 lb 7 oz and 28.75 inches at a year.

randoms

2011-09-14T15:07:00.000-05:00

Ames needs a kids shoe store, and a chiptole, and a kohls, and a H&M store, and a nicer JoAnn's, and an Ikea, shall I go on..
Dallas talks with his hands, and shakes his head for emphasis lately, it is super cute.
Noelle screams out of glee, many people have mentioned to me lately that she is the happiest baby. She can also out eat her sibblings most meals.
I am slowly giving out backyard a little overhaul, every few days when I find the time, hosta's are moved. I need to make a little budget and determine how many lilys I can buy, and add some mulch. It will be time to rake before I know it.
Each kid will have his own trip to the Doctor by the time the week is over. (flu shots are done)
ISU plays Conneticut on TV Friday night, everyone should watch!
Dallas also is still not sleeping in his bed all night, but we have nixed him sleeping in ours. Solution, he sleeps on the floor.
Emily has two soccer games plus team pictures on Saturday, guess what I will be doing?
The weather is gorgeous! I am in such a household groove lately. Doing the dishes everynight, unloading the dishwasher early am, laundry everyday. Still need to find time to catch up on Project Runway. I have no idea what Lynne is saying to me:)

Prayer Request

2011-09-13T20:52:00.001-05:00

I have a little prayer request for Emily and me. The last two weeks she has developed some pretty serious anxiety. For anyone who knows her, this is unusual. She is known to be a tad shy at first but warms up to people and activites quickly. Something has happened, I hope it is a short lived phase! She is suddenly afraid of the dark, wants to be near me always. She wonders where I am if I go to the bathroom, she starts crying if I leave the floor she is on, say to change the laundry or check on something. Bedtimes have been a hysterical mess, she wants me to stay in the room with her, and clings to me as if she is falling off a mountain. Forget the fact that we now have tons of activities that she needs to be dropped off at. Awana drop off was a mess last week. PE class on Monday produced 20 minutes of tears. Soccer seems to be ok, but since I help coach I don't leave. We have more activites on Wednesday and Friday, and also a well visit appt this week, who knows how she will react to getting blood drawn and shots.My prayer specifically is for this to pass quickly, if there is some root problem that we can discover to help us correct it. That Emily will be comforted and know she is safe. And patience for me. I am frustrated, I feel like this is a stage for a three yr not a five yr old, and she has been sleeping in the dark, with the door closed for 5 yrs! I need patience and compassion for my little girl. Any sage advice???

Noelle is One! Enjoy the video.

2011-09-09T18:38:00.000-05:00

2011-09-07T20:17:00.004-05:00

Look who's going to be one

State Fair 2011

2011-08-25T21:01:00.002-05:00

Piano

2011-08-25T20:49:00.001-05:00

Emily also started piano lessons this week. Her teacher is WONDERFUL. I am looking forward to watching Emily learn and love music. We have a keyboard to practice on thanks to some great friends. After going to the first lesson I really want the real thing! We are going to work with the keyboard, and take our time, think and budget and figure out what we really want for years to come.

Another visit to the Zoo

2011-08-25T20:11:00.000-05:00

Riding the train.

His bravery improved

Special summer dinasour exhibit

I thought she would fall asleep, she didn't

We bought a year pass to the zoo, we have officially gone enough times that it has paid for itself. We can take lots of extras on our pass if anyone wants to go with us.

2011-08-22T20:19:00.001-05:00

these days

2011-08-17T19:50:00.000-05:00

I unload the dishwasher just to fill it up with all the stuff I have stashed in the sink

I am so joyfully doing laundry, for about two months my dryer squeeked with every revolution. Sometimes it would self correct 10 minutes into the cycle, some days we listened to that squeek for 50 minutes. My dear husband fixed it for me on Sunday while we all stayed home sick from church.

Speaking of sick, Dallas and Noelle had some cold, they both needed 24 hours of round the clock breathing treatments. So thankful for the nebulizer.

I am stuck in the middle of a good book. I want to finish it, but have only found tiny chunks of time to fit it in. I read three books while in Wisconsin. The Help, The Well Trained Mind, and The Girl with the Who Played with Fire. I am 1/3 of the way into The Girl who Kicked the Hornets Nest, since it is the last in the series, it occured to me that the heroine might actually die.

I have been occasionally forcing Noelle to stand and hold on to something to practice. She hates it.

Dallas would spend all day driving his race car in the back yard. We occasionally have to five the grass a one or two day break.

Emily has been painstakenly drawing a thank-you card to everyone for her birthday love. It might take a while, she only gets one done a day, but they are all really thoughtful. Look for them in the mail along Halloween time.

I have been un-needlessly stressing over booking a hotel for our little stay in FL. What I want doesn't exist, I should just suck it up and book something. Did you know that 5 persons occuping one room in most (all) hotels is illegal?

2011-08-16T18:49:00.001-05:00

I broke out my new to me Grandma Johnson's Bernina today. Whoa, what was I waiting for! It runs like a BMW compared to my (grandma Johnson's) ole Singer. So sweet and smooth, and quiet! I have a little project that consisted of sewing straight rows, so I thought it would be a good test. I think I am sold. It is running pretty great, anyone know the last time it had a tune up? Nothing like jumping from a 40 yr old machine to a 20 yr old one.

ETA:
With a couple of emails from my Aunt Margie, and my dad, I am re-figuring. The Singer must be 45-50 years old, and the Bernina at least 25. And it was last known serviced in the 90's. I guess I will look around for a place to take it after I finish my newest sweet project... if only I wasn't trying to finish a book at the same time!

Madeline Island Trip 2011

2011-08-15T21:43:00.000-05:00

Beach steps from our beds

I need better speed boat hair

It has at least one wheel

Our one attempt at a family shot, with an extra kid and missing Noelle's head

Noelle and Robert

First campfire smores

friends

he rarely left his swimsuits

Oshkosh 2011

2011-08-15T20:51:00.000-05:00

What to do with all this room to myself?

I can only really comment on the Noelle photo, perhaps Rob can add some commentary when he has the chance.

2011-08-09T08:12:00.001-05:00

what a busy couple weeks. Here is my review, hopefully I will have time to come back and make more detailed entries.
Emily turned five. We had a party with rainbows incorporated into every detail, well as many as seemed practical and the budget allowed. She has been busy writing thank you cards since.
On the 28th, Robert left for Oshkosh with Dallas, Emily and Grandpa Dallas. They rented a camper trailer and hauled it with our new truck, which deserves a post itself. I was a mom of one again for four days. It was really quiet on Thursday and I think I talked to the dog a lot, but it was really refreshing for me. Noelle got to experience having all of my attention for a couple days.
Emily lost her third tooth on August 2nd. She decided to pull it out while she was coloring because it tickled. I noticed when I was inspecting her mouth afterwards, that her second adult tooth has come in... behind the first adult tooth. Guessing Em will be getting an orthodontic consult sometime soon.
Then on the 3rd of August we joined some good friends up on Madeline Island, it is one of the Apsotile Islands outside of Bayfield Wisconsin. It is so pretty, you can see God's glory in everything. And no cell service so we truly had some family time.
For a couple of upcoming Mondays we are watching a little baby. She is three months younger than Noelle, but way more mobile. It was super fun to have her here yesterday. The kids had fun kissing her and they all played house, pretending they had twin babies.

That is the news, I will try to go back and do some picture heavy posts. Gearing up for the State Fair trip next!

I want!

2011-08-02T11:48:00.001-05:00

http://www.amazon.com/Household-Essentials-1600-Umbrella-Style-Aluminum/dp/B000BO96W8

I want this, Christmas presents in August??? Has anyone seen these used on craigslist. Acutally $40 is not that bad. I could use my umbrella stand hole on the deck, or stick it in place of the tetherball pole. We don't tetherball much anyway.

ETA: I just saw one for $15 on craigslist in DSM, don't you all go stealing my idea. Wonder if it is stilll available

Emily 0-5

2011-07-28T10:10:00.001-05:00

If you need another blog to follow

2011-07-28T09:09:00.000-05:00

http://adaptivesportsiowa.blogspot.com/

I have been inspired by the above blog. Did you know Iowa has an adaptive sports foundation? The organization helps disabled athletes compete, providing assistance. Makes me want to get my but and gear and get certified to be a runners guide for a blind person. The blog has been following their first ever RAGBRI team, it is very cool.

My baby is Five

2011-07-26T21:48:00.001-05:00

. I remember holding your tiny, fragile body in my arms and thinking this is a perfect example of God's love, given to me. I have loved watching you grow the last five years. You are a great big sister. Your little brother loves you so much, and he can't get enough time playing with you. Little Noelle lights up when you come into her view, you can make her laugh like no one else, especially during long car rides.

You are kind, funny, joyful, creative, loving, and so smart. I can't wait to see what the next year holds for us. Five is the last baby year, six is just so, so SIX, like buy clothes on the other side of the isle big. Let's slow down and have a fabulous fifth year, my sweet little soon to be kindergartner. You are so easy to please. Nothing excites you more than new crayons and construction paper, a donut or a twirly dress. You want to be an artist/painter and Doctor like "Nurse Nancy" when you grow up. You are starting to gain confidence on your bike, and have become a great swimmer this summer.

2011-07-26T13:05:00.000-05:00

Hello Internet, how I have missed you! I did just get a $5.16 credit on our account since you have been away so long. Now Rob can see us just a tad more, if he needs to work at night he can do it from home. The bane of having an online buisness is that you need to be online!

2011-07-20T20:42:00.000-05:00

My date taking a buisness call, then I heard him say, " I am on a date with my beautiful wife, I'll talk to you later"

Some toys that didn't get played with much inside, get new play in the sandbox

Emily's 4 yr picture entered into the PPG coloring contest at Good Guys, she has entered every year

Tired?

The reason Emily, not Dallas will always be left in charge

2011-07-20T20:33:00.000-05:00

mommy, daddy

2011-07-18T21:22:00.000-05:00

"No, your the sister, I am the mommy"
"I am the sister, you are the brother"

This is what I listen to all day long. Dallas and Emily are into role playing lately. I have stopped answering to mommy the last few weeks, because it is never for me, it is them playing and asking for "mommy". The funny part is one will stop playing without notifying the other, and then a fight will ensue because then they really are brother and sister! It is funny.

The Ba Ba

2011-07-18T21:19:00.000-05:00

I just took Dallas "ba ba". Bedtime has been really drawn out tonight. Noelle has gone to bed poorly for the last couple weeks. I am blaming her teeth coming down and going back up over and over again. Well the kids completely conked out at naptime. It was so blissful for me, I let them sleep a little too long, I usually pay for it at bedtime, as they are not their usual tired.

The only threat/reasoning that usually works on Dallas is taking his paci and or promising to break it. He currently only has one left, and I just took it. The crying has ceased up there, so maybe I won. I should probably go ahead and break the last one or stick out in the trash, so I don't have the chance to give in at 3:00 am.

2011-07-18T21:08:00.002-05:00

My first Sweet Corn thanks to DeMoss Farm!

Wake Up

2011-07-17T22:14:00.000-05:00

Swimming lessons

2011-07-14T10:25:00.000-05:00

Emily jumps into the pool unassisted and moves to a back float.

Vote now: cd collection

2011-07-11T22:56:00.000-05:00

Our cd collection... it all fits into an 18 gallon tub. It has been virtually untouched, save 1 or 2 look-sees since we moved to Ames, 6 years ago. What should we do with them?
Save, toss, sell... spend the time and work to put them on a hard drive. We love all the music, but honestly we don't have a lot of time to listen to music right now...

My good eater

2011-07-10T14:32:00.000-05:00

I thought I would quick record what a good eater Noelle is. She turned 10 months just yesterday. She is currently only a momma's girl meaning she cries when I am not holding her, and she likes me in her line of sight! She has learned to wave and will clap if you ask her too. She can roll over now, and practiced lots when she is ticked off and doesn't want to be put to bed. She still doesn't seem to roll over for motion or to play.
But what a good eater she is. I know I need to take advantage of this because soon she will be picky, and then at 4 perhaps she will like food again (Emily had three tacos last night!)

Today she had some of my eggs and broccoli for breakfast, and a little pumpkin oat muffin. For lunch she joined in with us and some diet coke-butt chicken and roasted carrots. She loves to feed herself, but will still take stuff from a spoon. And she generally lets you know if it is not coming fast enough.

Garage Sale

2011-07-07T22:00:00.000-05:00

I think it is been decided that our garage sale will be next weekend July 15 and 16. Hope I can throw this together that fast. Most of the stuff I want to sell is in one corner of the basement, just need to tag it all.

I will willingly sell anything for my friends. I am using little white circle stickers, just mark your stuff differently or use your on the tag initals and bring it on over. We live on a pretty hight traffic corner so I hope buisness will be swift. I would love to borrow some folding or banquet table if anyone has them.

Time to lighten the load...

2011-07-05T15:51:00.001-05:00

Bo indeed has a parasite. I am thankful this will hopefully be an easy fix, and he will start acting normal and feeling better.

Thursday Update: Bo has to take 2.5 pills a day, and doesn't even notice them. We just put them in his food. He is on day three and is doing really well. I think he gets one more night out in the garage, and if that goes well he can become an inside dog again.

Independence Day

2011-07-05T13:30:00.001-05:00

our weekend in words...

sick dog
heat
hot rods
2 lemonades
swimming with our clothes on
cruising
parades
3 fish caught by Emily
aunts and uncles
sparkler burns in the belly button
parades
bleach, lots of it
daddy
red
white
blue
3 picnics
1 pond
catching frogs
bucket of oxyclean
1st fireworks
half birthday party's
mowing
no Chevelle
sticky
bloody nose during fireworks
1st sparklers
dirt, lots of dirt, and sand
hotdogs
late nights
candy

On to July

2011-06-30T21:02:00.000-05:00

It is going to be a busy month. Robert is working the first weekend in DSM at the Good Guys Heartland Nationals. The second weekend he will be working at the Ohio Good Guys show. He is probably headed to New Mexico the third or fourth weekend to check on the Chevelle and do some "wrenching". The last weekend he is taking off to Oshkosh with his dad for the Air Show, the neat thing is he is taking Emily and Dallas. That will be my relaxing payoff for a hard month of work. Four days with a 10 mo old who takes 2 sometimes 3 naps a day, whatever will I do!

Ode to June

2011-06-30T20:53:00.000-05:00

The MuscleCar Place have new mics

Emily (with grandma's assistance) made a pop up Birthday card for Robert

Painted face (a first, I think)

Caught Rob taking pictures of the truck while it was shiney, there is a good chance it will be for sale soon

Waiting for Cars 2 to start

Grandpa Dallas Kibbe turned 70

We had our favorite visitors from Delaware, wished you could have stayed longer...convincing them to come back in August

Noelle getting her first taste of ice cream, she first helped herself, then I reluctantly decided to share

The kids first time seeing hot air balloons

They did this a lot

Noelle was a "model" for a boutique tutu dress

the dining room chairs are getting a new look, recovering with khaki microfiber, and going really classy and topping three or four of them with vinyl for kids only seating

Used our Reimen Gardens membership 3 times

We took Grandma to Taki for sushi and a Japanese cooking show for her 60th Birthday

Robert's Birthday

2011-06-28T21:14:00.000-05:00

I am behind blogging. My interest is waining at the moment. Last Friday it was Rob's birthday. Thanks for all that remembered his (and mine). It is nice to get a call or a card. Emily and I baked cookies for his birthday sweets. I borrowed car shaped cookie cutters from a friend and we got to work. It wasn't my best effort. Making black icing is messy. I had to clean up the cookies so Rob wouldn't see them when he came home from work Thursday, alas the final touches were not set, and everything became swirled and smeared.

Friday we headed out get a sushi lunch for Rob, and I wanted the kids to pick out a gift or two for him to open. I guess I am getting him a "new" Chevelle this year. Friday evening the main Birthday event. We went to see Cars 2 in Newton at the Drive IN!!! While it is a fun event in itself, it is harder to watch a movie and keep track of three kids that would have been asleep if we had been home. Part two of his birthday was going to Cars 2 movie again, in Ames, in a movie theater on Sunday.

Happy Birthday Robert

Excited

2011-06-28T09:47:00.002-05:00

I just read that one of my favorite bloggers (ever) is moving to Iowa. Cedar Rapids, specifically. Trying not to think how I could stalk her now... perhaps I shall go over an introduce myself .

Memorial Day family portriat

2011-06-21T21:31:00.000-05:00

Mowing

2011-06-21T21:28:00.000-05:00

They like to both take a running start and slam into each other, then giggle

Helping daddy mow

Noelle and I just get to hang out and watch it all unfold

2011-06-21T11:06:00.002-05:00

Family pictures provided by http://www.destriandorf.com/ . Destri is now booking sessions. She is great with kids!

2011-06-21T08:25:00.000-05:00

The second tadpole has legs that we can see, but hasn't started kicking them yet.

A garage sale is eminent at our house. We need to lighten the load, God doesn't want me hauling all this crap around, weighing us down. I want to have maximum benefits with minimum efforts. Pondering when and how...

2011-06-20T21:08:00.001-05:00

Our first tadpole has legs!

Tadpoles

2011-06-16T10:27:00.000-05:00

Did I happen to mention we are raising frogs? We have had three tadpoles in our care for the last three weeks. Monday I caught Dallas feeding them some lemon juice, (the juice extract in the little lemon bottle). Either the tadpoles didn't mind or he didn't get enough into our ice cream bucket to cause a disturbance in the ecosystem. It has been a fun science project. We are patiently waiting for the emergence of feet and arms.

After we have frogs, we are going to go caterpillar hunting. Grandma bought us a butterfly habitat.

Noelle 9 mo stats

2011-06-13T12:35:00.000-05:00

Noelle and I had a date this morning for her 9 mo well visit. Robert graciously worked from home for a little so we all didn't have to go.
She is still a perfect "little" bundle of joy. No issues in her development although she refuses to roll, and probably won't crawl anytime soon. I was told some babys skip steps, and her adversion to rolling, might lead to an adversion of crawling. Perhaps we will have a baby that will go straight to pulling up?

Our "little" baby also didn't gain much weight. Looking at her you would never think Noelle as petite, but she went from perfect, average baby to 20% weight baby. This is new teritory for us, as all our baby's have been spot on the average curve. She gained 2 ounces in 3 months!
Emily was 18 -5"
Dallas was 20-15"
Noelle is 16-14" at 9 mo, guess she really does like those multiple night nursing sessions! She loves to eat table food, so we are going to let her at it, and check her weight again in 6 wk.

I am 9 months

2011-06-09T20:41:00.000-05:00

...and she told me I had to help with the laundry now!

Sunday

2011-06-08T21:14:00.000-05:00

I'll have some of that.

Noelle wanted nothing to do with the nursery after the first hour and half she spent there, she came to hang out with Rob and I at Adult Fellowship, and drink our pop.

Dallas going for his Sunday drive

If you click on the picture to enlarge it read what my little girls tag says. Can you believe it. They promoted this class in the summer so they could acquainted in a more low key environment (less people go to church in the summer)

Video Blog: A Trip to Mopars In the Park

2011-06-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

Video Blog: A Trip to Mopars In the Park

for the technically savy

2011-06-07T09:06:00.000-05:00

I want someone to design me an app for my phone. I would like my Sony audible baby monitor system tied to my phone. Take it one step further and tie our video monitor to my phone as well. There are many programs in the app store that advertise baby monitor systems. All seem to require you to leave your smart phone next to the baby, and it will alert you by calling a number or another smart phone. Who has two iPhones, one to leave by the baby and one to hold? I would like to use my existing system, probably have to have the app use the frequencies of the Sony monitor. I always carry my phone (thanks to my husband for training me) and it is much cooler to have a phone in your pocket than the monitor reciever.

OK, I gave you the idea, get to programming! I will take 10% of the sales!

Popcorn

2011-06-04T19:31:00.000-05:00

Does anyone have this local?

Lawry's Black Pepper Seasoned Salt. I can not find it Ames anymore, check all four of our grocery stores. If anyone finds it, I will take 6 bottles, and pay you for them. This is our all time favorite thing to put on our popcorn, we haven't even used our whirly pop in a long time, popcorn isn't the same with out this stuff. I might have to break down an order a case from Amazon!

2011-06-03T15:34:00.000-05:00

A t-shirt refashion

Reading

Car Show

I asked her to pose

sick Dallas, sleeping in my bed with his legs crossed (this was a 10:45-2:15 nap)

anything and everything goes straight to the mouth

Mother's Day re-visited

2011-06-03T14:15:00.000-05:00

We have three kids, can you believe it?

My birthday

2011-06-03T13:58:00.001-05:00

I am way behind in posting, so I will take you back to May 17th. I had a great birthday. I was delivered breakfast in bed by my loves, then Dallas ate most of my toaster strudel. I am happy to share.

I dropped the two older kids off at playgroup for an hour, Noelle and I ran some quick errands. We were invited out to my dear friend Katie's house for lunch. She made me delicious tuna salad, and the kids bounced on the trampoline. Rob left work a little early too. He took us to Des Moines, dropped the kids off at Aunt Lynne's (thanks for sitting) and he took me shopping! That is the best part of the gift. We don't necessarily enjoy shopping with each other. He was super patient, he called ahead to the store and they had wine chilling for me and beers for him. I got to try on jeans to my hearts content and he got to help-watch, in the comfort of a chair! It was perfect! Then I requested Mexican for dinner (one of my favorites, not Rob's). We picked up the kids and made our way back to Ames. Rob had also gotten me an apple pie from Dutch Oven Bakery. It was late when we got home, and I was stuffed. We celebrate with the pie on Wednesday. It was so good, I even ate the last piece out of the tin. Thanks for all the birthday wishes, and to Rob for making the day special. Thanks also to Gpa Dallas for the special birthday spending money!

Our birthday drinks

Cousins

2011-05-15T19:48:00.000-05:00

A year ago, my kids got the best gift ever. A cousin. Hopefully they will get a couple more soon, what a blessing to grow up good buds with family. Happy Birthday Charley, glad you were born May 16th.

Photo BOMB!

2011-05-15T19:36:00.000-05:00

Some of these pictures are not the greatest and a little blury, but they are such a great representative of my kids and what goes on here.

We were having a dance off, guess who won?

Sisters

First teething biscuit, nom, nom.

Fell asleep in the hall

Navigating the rope bridge at the zoo, last year she was scared to cross

Aunt Lynne joined us at the zoo, her first visit in 15 yrs

The ducks walked us to our van

why I love my life, 9:00 am still in bed with my boy

laying next to my girls, all in pjs... trying to cuddle, being lazy

Mother's Day breakfast, my favorite strawberry toaster strudel and a DC

reading a book together

smile, my hat is too small

I let her have a lemon, it was too funny. She loved it and it was too sour all at the same time