The Kids' Birthday Party

Last Sunday afternoon the kids had their birthday party with their friends. The kids wanted a sleepover but Dean said no way! So a bowling and pizza party it was. I think all the kids had a great time! When they arrived they ate pizza. Then they bowled for an hour and then for the last 1/2 hour they had cake and ice cream and then opened gifts and played with their friends. I'm just glad it's over! Here are some photos!

"My" New Baby

I mentioned earlier that my friend Maria had her baby a couple weeks ago. This semester she only has one class on campus (and one internet class) and has asked me to watch little Jordan while she attends class. Of course, I said YES!!! So every MWF for about an hour and a half, I watch the little guy. I started babysitting when he was less than two weeks old. How cool is that?! Needless to say, I look forward to my MWFs. He's so sweet!!!

Tanner's Birthday

Thursday was Tanner's birthday! It's hard to believe he's 11 already!! YIKES!! That means I'm getting old! I baked his cake at 7 am and almost screwed it up. I don't suggest baking as soon as your feet hit the floor in the morning!! He chose to eat at Pizza Ranch for his birthday supper. Then we came home and had cake.
This is his birthday present he picked out last weekend while we were in SF. It's a game called Cosmic Catch and it's lots of fun!!!

Tanner was upset that he didn't get trick candles. I almost always buy trick candles and just decided not to this year. Well, I guess that was a mistake. He'll definitely be getting trick candles next year because he was very disappointed he did not this year - who knew???

OK - So Here's My New Hair!

You wanted to know what my new hair looked like, right? Well, here it is! I'm still getting used to doing it but I think this is one of my better hair days so far so I better post a picture! Let me know what you think! But it's not like I can just glue my 8 inches back on! Remember that and be kind!

Fall is Here!

Another week is gone! Friday I was going to watch Alonna for a bit while her mom ran errands but then her daddy got to. I was disappointed but it actually was for the best. My friend Maria, who had her baby on September 29th, said I could come visit. So Friday afternoon I headed over to her place. His name is Jordan and he is so cute!! And little! I only got to stay for an hour, had to get the kids from school, but I wanted to stay longer. He is so precious! I can't wait to see him again. Soon, I hope!!

Saturday the kids went to bowling league and then we went to the Corn Maze. Hayley and I had been there twice before for Girl Scouts. Dean and Tanner had never been there, or to one period. I don't know why I suggested we go. I hate the feeling of getting lost and Dean was trying. He wanted us to split up, boys vs girls, but I said no way. This is going to be done as a family because really, I have no sense of direction. And even though they give you a map, I still would have been lost! We found the secret treasure chest so we all got a treat from the concession stand. Then we stopped in SF on our way home. We were only going to stop for a bit but it ended up being much longer. Imagine that!! We did a little shopping, the kids picked out their birthday presents, and then we ate at Chevy's. It was really good. But here we are at a mexican restaurant and the kids order american - a cheeseburger and chicken strips! Crazy kids!!

Sunday was laundry and homework for me! Dean took off for Mpls as he has a Quality Conference there Monday and Tuesday. So it's just the kids and I for a few days. Thank goodness today is a holiday!!

Thank Goodness Last Week is Over!!!

Last week was very crazy! It was homecoming week and I had two organizations in the parade - Hayley's Girl Scout troop (which I'm the leader) and PBL, a college business club (which I'm the president). I had two tests last week. I was supposed to have four but two of them ended up being yesterday (Monday). Hayley and I had a Girl Scout meeting on Tuesday. Friday night we had to decorate the PBL float for the parade. I received very little help so Dean and the kids had to help, A LOT. Thanks guys!! Saturday morning was the parade. After the parade, I had lunch with some friends, two who graduated last May. It was great to see them! I didn't get to spend very much time with them because we had to go to H2O to get haircuts and visit family. I finally decided to do something drastic, with a little prodding from Dean. I chopped off 8 inches!!! It was a shock but I'm slowly getting used to it. Hayley wants to get hers chopped now. We'll see if she actually follows through at the next haircut. I can't really tell if people like it or not because they don't even say anything about it. My goodness - 8 inches are gone!! Anyways, Dean and Hayley say it looks really good so I'll just have to believe them. Also, my mother-in-law said I look more professional and that's what I was going for as I will be out job hunting next year!

I had two tests and two meetings yesterday. The new school had an open house last night so we went to check it out. It looks really nice. But it's really big and confusing. After walking in many circles I'm not so sure I could have found my way out!! Hopefully the kids won't get lost! Today I have three meetings! After today, I should have a fairly relaxing week - which I really need!

Another Wedding!

Saturday we went to another wedding! This was the third one this year. Actually we had two weddings to go to on Saturday but chose the closer one and the one I had known about the longest and committed to first. It was a long day but very fun! Wish the weather could have been better. Here's the bride & groom during their first dance and at the reception. The other is a picture of my friends that have been so fortunate to already graduate. Boy are they lucky!!

My friend Julie watched the kids while Dean & I attended the wedding. She claims they were really good and the kids had a great time. They can't wait for next time. They enjoyed playing with Alonna and Sammy. Oh, and checking out the ducks that Nick and his friends killed. Yuck!

Rainy & Cold - Yuck!

Gosh! I just hate this weather! I don't know why I still live here! My body was meant to live in a nice warm, tropical location! I wanted so bad to put the kids in their winter jackets this morning but Dean was convinced that would be so stupid because it's only September. I'm sure he'll be upset when he gets home and finds out I turned the heat on! So instead, the kids are all layered up! Plus, this is awful weather for picture day. I can just imagine what their hair, especially Hayley, will look like after playing in the rain. I'm thinking we'll be doing retakes.

Saturday my friend, Julie, had a purse party! I just LOVE purse parties!!! Before I went, I limited myself to buying only two. However, I ended up only buying one. Tanner says it looks like a cow because it's black and white like a cow. Oh well, it's still really cute with a lime green interior. I would have bought more but they were all boring according to my tastes because they were fall purses! Who wants a brown or black purse?!?! That's so BORING!!! And they were so big! Sorry to those of you out there that like those! I'm a little purse kinda girl and like to see how much I can shove into so little! I'm all about color and funky designs. The best time to go to a purse party is spring and summer. They are so cool then! Hopefully Julie will be having another one then?! Or maybe I will?! Of course, Dean thinks I have enough but it's so fun to be able to change them so often. And of course, I got to see little Alonna again. She's such a sweetie!

The kids started bowling on Saturday. They had lots of fun! They didn't bowl so good but I'm sure they'll improve the more they bowl. Fun is all that matters, right?!

My Little Alonna

Friday afternoon I got to babysit my little Alonna! It was so much fun! Her mommy, Julie, said she was supposed to take a nap but she had different plans. She stayed awake to play with her favorite "Auntie". When Julie got here she thought she'd chat with me a little but Alonna had finally had enough and decided it was time to go home to get some sleep. She fell asleep in the carseat while Julie and I were talking in the driveway!! I can't wait until next time. I had lots of fun, but trust me, I don't want to have another (Julie)!!

Friday night we went to the football game. We lost! It was very cold. I swear I was an ice cube by the time I got home. Next time, if there is a next time, I will definitely dress warmer and bring my own darn hot chocolate. The concession stand wasn't serving any!

Saturday I registered the kids for a Youth Bowling League. It's a 20 week session so the kids will bowl almost every Saturday starting this week until April 1st. They're excited and can't wait to start! Tanner even got some strikes practicing on Saturday!

Then it was homework and laundry the rest of the weekend!! YUCK!!! The story of my life!

Time To Update

My sister is giving me a hard time because I haven’t updated our blog in quite awhile. So here it goes. I’ll give you a run down of what’s happened since we’ve been back from vacation.

Hayley & I had a Girl Scouts fun night for our troop. We had pizza at Pizza Ranch, made bracelets, and decorated flip flops with fuzzy yarn. The bracelets and flip flops turned out really cute. I want to make flip flops for me!

The kids and I started school last week. We were all dreading it, me the most. We really enjoy our summers off. I have 8:00 class three days a week. That is really starting to take a toll on me. Thank goodness the class is only 5 weeks long!! I can’t wait to graduate in May. Until then, it’s homework, homework, homework! YUCK!!! I think the kids are finally enjoying school, at least liking that they get to see their friends everyday.

Last Friday I went to a bachelorette party for a friend of mine that graduated last May. She’s getting married later this month. I had a good time at the party but didn’t stay long as it was raining buckets, I was tired, and I was with a friend that had a much longer drive home than I did. We played many fun games. We had to carve a body part out of cucumbers and squash. Use your imagination to figure out what most of us did!


Sunday and Monday we spent in H2O with Dean’s family. I got to spend time with a very special little girl, our niece, Rylea. She’s 2 ½ and a little ham. Although, she’s really starting to find her personality and becoming demanding. But what 2 year old isn’t?? I took about 20 pictures of her and her and I. She had that same big “cheesy” smile in each picture. She sure does love to have her picture taken!

What a ham!!