Thankfulness (In Pictures)

I am thankful for ...

My Love

Baby Girl

Big Stuff

Nephews, Niece and Cousins

Family

Patient Grandpa and Dad

Loving Grandma and Mom

I have so much to be thankful for. I have truly been blessed.

Fall Fun

Well, if I'm going to change my blog to Christmas themed, I had better atleast let you know what we've done this fall. We've had a great fall with farming, pirates, playing and new jobs! Enjoy!!

The kids got to ride with my Uncle Kent, their Great Uncle, in the combine. Thanks Kent for taking them, they had a great time. I grew up in the combine and tractors, but my kids don't have the opportunity to do that every day. I love that I have such a great family that are willing to help give my kids the experiences I can't!!

Last Day!!

Where does an adult go to celebrate their last day of work? Chuck E Cheese of course!! We spent an evening at Chuck E Cheese and boy did we have fun!! Nothing like some Ski Ball and Water Pistol races to say, "FINISHED!!!!!"

Halloween

We had a great Halloween this year. My pirates were on their best behavior and only threatened to make a few people walk the plank. We even got to have Becca home for a few days. It's always great to see her, but we still miss Clint!!

Oh what a birthday!!

Sometimes you just have one of those birthdays that is really, really memorable. Friday was Matt's 29th birthday. I can't say it's one he was really looking forward to, as he is kind of dreading the big 3-0. I tell him it's just a number, but to him it's not!! The day started as any normal Friday does, he went to work and worked the morning. But, that's where things went a little different. Matt has been looking for a change in work for some now and he had been asked to interview for a position, and the interview just happened to be on Friday at noon. He said it was much more like a lunch than an interview. Just a laid back time with 4 people that really wanted him to take the job. After his lunch and a call to me, he decided to take the job, but that meant he needed to also turn in his two week notice on Friday. He said he was nervous, but he did it. He officially turned in his two week notice and will be done at Hy-Vee on November 3. On November 5 he will officially be employed by Pine Lake Corn Processors. He is VERY excited. He's ready for a change. While he will miss his fellow employees and some of the customers at Hy-Vee, it was time. Please pray for us as we make this transition, it will mean some differences for us, but we are really looking forward to the possibilities.

Matt had a bowling ball he really wanted and was saving for, but the kids and I surprised him by getting it for him for his birthday. He was WAY excited for that. He's actually at the bowling alley today getting it drilled and testing it out before league on Wednesday. The kids spent over an hour on Thursday night making Matt a card. It was beautiful when they were done. I think they were the most excited of any of us. They love birthdays!!

I took him out for HuHot Mongolian Grill in Cedar Falls, which is an absolute favorite of ours. Jerod, one of our good friends, showed up at the mall so we got to see him and his son Braydem. What a doll Brayden is. It of course was good to see Jerod as well. We were going to go to a movie, but missed the early show and didn't really want to hang around for the late show. So, we headed home and watched What Happens in Vegas. GREAT movie!! The kids spent the night at my mom and dad's, but we had to pick them up early so Mom and Dad could go to the Iowa State game. I had told the kids we could make Daddy breakfast after we picked them up. So we made breakfast pizza (Thanks Andrea) and lounged around all day. It was a great way to spend a lazy Saturday. We don't get many lazy days, so it was very much enjoyed.

So, while it was a day of changes to come, we are definitely looking forward to the year ahead. There will be changes and tests I'm sure, but we're ready for it!

Muddy Monday

What's a better way to spend a rainy afternoon than in the rain!! Rylie and Walker spent about an hour this afternoon just playing in the rain. They may have gotten a little wet and muddy, but what fun memories! Last summer, Rylie and I walked the neighborhood looking for puddles to jump in. She is still talking about it! They are now inside with dry clothes and I think we're going to make some hot chocolate. What a fun, fall day!

Apple Day

Last Monday, Rylie had Apple Day at school. They made applesauce, did apple prints and made apple crafts. The kids had a great time and Rylie LOVED the applesauce. Rylie said her favorite part about apple day was painting their hands to make an apple. It was a nice change of pace!

Busy Week

• Well, it was one of those weeks that just flies by and you're not sure where it went.
• I left Wednesday afternoon for Sioux Center. We attend a teacher's conference there every year. I got home Friday evening.
• Since I was going to be gone, Matt took off Thursday, Friday and Saturday. He got to spend two days with just the kids. They had a GREAT time. And now, I get to spend Saturday with all of them.
• Both kids are fighting colds. Rylie's almost done with hers and Walker's is maybe on the mend. Oh the joy!
• I am loving this weather! I love when it's cool overnight and then gets to around 70 in the afternoon!
• Happy Anniversary to Clint and Becca!
  
• I don't have any pictures today, but maybe I can get some this weekend!
  

Walker Richard

Walker is our "Big Stuff." He is truly all boy. He loves any sport you give him, trains, trucks, tools and bugging his big sister! Walker joined our family on September 8, 2005 at 7 lbs 14 oz an 20 in long. Boy has he grown! He is now over 32 pounds! He wants to keep up with Rylie in everything he does and isn't afraid to try something new (unless it's food). He is really starting to talk up a storm now that Rylie is in school and isn't there to talk for him. He is 100% potty trained and is really starting to figure out his trike. Like I said, he loves sports. He really does have an uncanny ability to throw, kick, bat, ride a scooter, bounce, etc. I think we're in for many years of sporting events with this one. Right now, his life is a song, he sings everything. Even though he is all boy, he still loves to cuddle. I think I'll cherish that while I can. I'm sure in ten years that won't be so cool! He is such a loving little boy with a cooky personality. I'll end with a yearly picture of Walker. He and I sat this afternoon and looked through his first year of pictures, wow the memories! While I miss my baby, I love my big boy!

Walker less than one day old

Walker one year

Walker 2 years

Walker 3 years

Can you see the wheels turning in his head? This picture so greatly captures him. He can be so calm and serene and at the same time is always cooking up something.

A house needs a grandma in it. ~Louisa May Alcott

The kids and I got to spend the afternoon with my Grandma Perry today. I love getting to spend time with her and I love even more that my kids love their Great Grandma. When we arrived this afternoon, the first thing Walker did was run to her and give her a great big hug.

Grandma had called me on Saturday to see if I was available for hire or barter. Well, when Grandma says barter that can only me one thing: FOOD!! I LOVE my Grandma's cooking. She needed some help around her apartment and I am always in the mood for some food.

When we got there, Grandma had a list for me. Wash the windows (she has three), grease a hinge on a kitchen cupboard, dig potatoes (we found 6), empty her Gerbera daisy pots, cut the Cosmos, and take the pile of old flowers to the field. It was such a great time visiting and working.

In return, we came home with BBQ meatballs, fresh green beans, potato salad, cucumbers, pink love salad (one of my favorites), skillet apples and custard! While I've sampled alot of it already, I can't wait for supper!!

Weekend Away

Matt and I got to spend the weekend away. We had a great time!

We stayed at the Heartland Inn right on Clear Lake. Saturday was spent just hanging out and enjoying the quiet. We even got to spend some time on the dock just watching the boats and the sunset.

We have a very favorite place to eat in Clear Lake. It's called Ge-Jo's on the Lake. We sure were disappointed when we found out they were closed for the season. So, after some debate, we decided to try Azzolina's Hole in the Wall. (the name fit it perfectly) I think we would have been happier at McDonald's.

Saturday night we went to the Surf Ballroom to see Jason Brown in concert. What a wonderful place to see a show. It was really alot of fun. Sunday we slept in and got a late breakfast before heading back to reality!

A Teaser ...

Well, here's just a teaser of my Walker post. These are his 3 year pictures taken by Andrea right before his birthday. She always does such a wonderful job capturing the kids' personalities in their pictures.

Matt and I are going away for the weekend, but I'll hopefully get my Walker post done when we get home!