This was the first good play outside day of the year. Ya, back in December!! The kids wanted to scoop the yard for us. Oh, I wish it were that easy!

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!