Happy Independence Day!

This morning the kiddos and I headed out early on a road trip to my aunt's house.  Doug wasn't able to join us because the corn does not stop pollinating just because it is a holiday.  My dad and I brought our fryers, and Dad fried pickles, fish and fries for lunch.  Every one else brought the sides and desserts, and it was fabulous!

The kiddos were excited to meet their newest cousin, Blaine

Even Julianne wanted to give some lovin' to the baby!

Reba and Dallas also enjoyed holding Blaze, whom they had not seen since Great-Grandpa's birthday party.

When we got home the fireworks were just starting, so we picked up Daddy and drove down the road to a little subdivision to watch.  All the kiddos loved them, even Julianne was cheering!

Until next time...

#PrezDaySnow

We woke up this morning to a beautiful snow covering!  Today was a snow make-up day; therefore, the kiddos were not scheduled to go.

Thankfully, the temps were bearable this morning, and Daddy had a work delay.  Everyone bundled up and headed outside.

Charlie and Fred were loving the snow too!  Fred even pulled the kiddos around on their sleds.

We don't have much of a hill for the kiddos to go sledding on, so we improvise and pull them halfway down the slope in the backyard.  In the picture, Doug is letting go of Dallas, and he can then make it the rest of the way to the barn (where I'm standing and taking the picture)

Shortly after taking the picture of all three kiddos, Julianne went in for a cat nap.  I headed inside after the sledding, but looked out the back window to see Daddy pulling Dallas and Reba on their sleds.

Unfortunately, Big Red (the lawnmower) didn't like the cold and stopped running!  

The ultimate supervisor back at work...

During this time, Daddy got a call from work that the station was closed for the day due to the snow.  The kiddos were super excited to have him stay home and play all day!

Later in the afternoon, we were back outside, and Dallas commented on the snow that was falling.  It was amazing how defined each snowflake was...

And finally, what's a snow day home from school and work without a snowball fight?

Until next time...

Chug a lug a luggin’ 5 miles an hour...

...On my International Harvester New Holland Combine

 

Last week, Daddy was harvesting at the Poseyville field, so I surprised the kiddos by taking them to the field so they could watch the combines.

Reba insisted that I take picture of her new shoes for all the blog followers to see...

Here comes Daddy!

Daddy took a break and ate supper with us, and then he was back to harvesting

Yes, we ended up staying until it was dark...the kiddos just didn't want to leave.  Then, the farmer (who happens to be a friend from church) came to move the semi off the road and into the field.  He asked the kiddos to help him.  They were in 7th Heaven!  When Farmer Frank started up the semi, Dallas smiled and said, "Just like on Smokey and the Bandit."  Farmer Frank even let Dallas pull on the air horn, which he was pretty excited about as well.

Watching Daddy dump into the trailer one more time before heading home...
Aunt Katie - do you recongize those hats?  I only let them wear them in the van...

Oh, and here's a video that Aunt Josie captured the other weekend of the kiddos singing...International Harvester by Craig Morgan

Until next time...

My "Golden" Birthday

That's right, this year I turn 30 years old on the 30th.  So why it isn't actually my birthday, we have already celebrated here at home.  Doug left Friday morning for work and headed to Georgia to help that group with their harvest.  Since he knew he would be gone, he took the kiddos shopping early in the week and let me open my cards and presents a week before my birthday :)

Reba showing off the art work she did on my card

Opening my card from Reba

Dallas opened the card he picked out for me

Reba picked out some new flip-flops for me - she knows her momma loves shoes!

Dallas picked out a new bird feeder for me and a big bag of feed (Dallas was explaining to me that we can hang the feeder out by the swingset so we can watch the birds eat while I push him in the swing...always thinkin' that kid!)

Doug also took me out to dinner before he left.  We ate at a local sushi restaurant!  It was the first time I have had sushi and it was really good.  As we were leaving the restaurant, Doug said, "I expect to see this on the blog."  I replied with, "Why didn't you have me take pictures then?"  So I apologize for no pictures.  I must be getting forgetful in my "old" age.

Until next time...

Oh, Canada!

Doug left very early this morning for Canada. He is doing an ISO audit with work, and he will be gone until late Friday night. He had a 5 hour lay-over in Calgary, and while waiting he saw many Olympians passing through. He was able to capture a couple pictures.

This man was on the (Gold Medal) Hockey team.
These 3 guys were on the Bronze Medal 4-man bobsled team.

Hope you all had a good weekend.

Until next time...

Happy Halloween!

On Friday, I took Dallas Trick or Treating at Doug's work. As you can tell, Daddy was busy when we got there...
Off to find some candy!

It didn't take Dallas long to figure out how to pick out the candy...

We also made a few stops at the businesses around the square in Williamsburg. They had Trick or Treating hours on Friday because most of the businesses are not open on Saturdays.

I tried to get a few more pictures of my bumble bee when we got home, but it was very windy and he wasn't in the mood to hold still!

Happy Halloween everyone!

Until next time...

Time Out

to recap our weekend.

We had a pretty good weekend. It started with dinner out on Friday evening. Doug was asked to donate platelets/plasma for a little boy in need at the university hospital. Luckily, they had a late appointment for Friday that worked in his schedule. They told him to eat a good meal before coming...so we all went out for Mexican and it was delicious! While Doug donated, Dallas and I made the dreadful trip to Wal-Mart. Thankfully, it wasn't too crowded and we managed to get all we needed and back to the hospital by the time Doug was finished.

Saturday morning, Doug went into work to get some computer stuff done because he figured on being in the field all week tissue testing. He only worked until noon and made it just in time to clean up the sick mess Charlie made. (Typically, that does not bother me...but just looking at it made me sick! Darn pregnancy!)

Anywho...Doug mentioned that there was a flea market/craft show going on at the square in town with some kid games. It was pretty over cast and wet (we had an inch and a half of rain through the night) so it was a good excuse to get out of the house. There wasn't much up there, but we did find some new kitchen towels that hang on the oven and a cute bib for Dallas.

After we finished walking around the square, we went and returned empty pop cans and beer bottles and picked up a few groceries and items for Vacation Bible School that is this week.

Sunday started with church and was followed by a farewell party for Chris - our director of religious education and Dallas' Godfather. After getting home, we mowed the yard, changed the oil in the truck, played with Dallas, and worked in the garden. Doug then had a Knights of Columbus meeting Sunday night.

All in all, we stayed busy! Needless to say, I was super tired this morning! Luckily, Dallas was too and we got to sleep a little late.

As I mentioned earlier, VBS starts tonight! Doug and I are in charge of the games. Hopefully, the weather holds out for us this week, and we can be outside for them.

Alright, I have now wrote a novel...and my timer just went off for the cookies! Plus, I have some things left to get ready before Dallas wakes up from his nap!

Of course, I have to have a picture...we had lamb bbq over the weekend. Dallas loved it so much, he decided to wear it!
Until next time...

I did it!

I have finally completed my degree in Medical Transcription! I received my diploma in the mail yesterday. Take a look...
Now, I am on the search to find work. My ideal situation would be to work for a company online from home. I don't think I'm quite ready to start my own business and all that entails. So...if anyone knows someone, or knows someone that knows someone, etc. that is looking for a part-time worker, please let me know!

Until next time...

Date Night...

Friday evening, there was a small group from work that went to see the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders battle the Indiana Ice. Thankfully, friends from church agreed to watch Dallas for the evening, so Doug and I had an evening out! Here are a few pictures from the game...

The RoughRiders are in the black. The always fun part of the evening...the Zamboni! The RoughRiders blank the Ice...6 to 0!

A little team celebration...

Until next time...

The Birthday Boy!

Here are pictures from Dallas' big day!

We had lunch with Daddy at work. Doug's boss had pizza brought in...Dallas thought it was pretty good.
They even had cake and ice cream!

Dallas ate his cake and ice cream with Theresa

Jim and Judy even got Dallas a present...he wasn't sure at first what he was to do, but he caught on!

Yea! It's my own farm set!

Farming with Daddy

We asked Dallas what he wanted for his birthday supper, and he said Texas Roadhouse! He loved the rolls (who doesn't?)

This is fun!

Cheese!

Our family

Today, I was taking some videos of Dallas (found in another post), and the dogs wanted to join in. I then decided to get a picture of the 3 of them together...here is what happened...

That was the best one!

It was pretty late when we got home last night, plus Dallas had fell asleep in the car on the way home, so tonight, we cut into the cake.

Until next time...