Guymon Gang

When we got to Iowa I was in desperate need of a haircut and color. I didn't know anyone to ask for referrals, but my hair was driving me so crazy that I thought it couldn't wait. I stopped at a salon and just randomly picked someone that had an open appointment and figured I would take a chance. Well, here are the results... the worst hair cut that I have ever had, not to mention the most expensive - the most I have ever paid!! When I got home Russ told me that I looked like a completely different person. I mentioned to this girl that I wished I had dark hair (I didn't say that I wanted it)and she colored my hair brown. I had to go back the next day and have her add some blonde because it washed me out so bad. Then she totally butched my bangs - they are in the middle of my forehead, not to mention that they are not cut well at all. And, did you check out the back? It is so short in places I can barely get it into a ponytail. It looks like a mini-mullet. So, the moral of the story is DO NOT pick someone at random, epecially when she starts talking about raising calves from bottles and having rodeos on their animals. Now, I am a country girl at heart, but I should have known it was a bad sign for my hair. It's a good thing that hair grows and I will be taking those prenatal vitamins to speed up the process. A hard lesson learned....

My cute little guys just hanging out - aren't they cute?!

Garrett turned four months! I can't believe his is that big already. He loves sucking on his fingers and thumbs and even tries to when he has his binki or is nursing (which is interesting). I love this picture of him in his towel just after his bath, chowing on his hands. He is such a good baby -- I just love him!!

This picture is what Russ found when he went to get Garrett up from his nap -- to his surprise. Garrett's room was so hot that day that he kept waking up soaking wet. The solution - strip him down! I also tried a little experiment with his hair to see if the gel would hold in spikes, which it did. So, Russ found his little guy almost naked and with crazy looking hair and he had to take a picture. I hope Garrett won't hold it against me someday!!

We went through a bit of a hard time getting Cole to sleep in his big bed, or "baseball bed" as he calls it, after we moved. It took a few weeks of trying new things, but he is finally sleeping really well in his bed. We got so desperate that we bribed him with M&Ms (his favorite treat) and today when he got up from his nap the first thing he said was, "I want my three M&Ms". I couldn't help but laugh! I think it's a great trade - Cole sleeping without a fight for a few moments of chocolate enjoyment and I have a few moments to myself (if Garrett is asleep that is). Cole will read books until he falls asleep and sometimes that happens when he is on the floor or wearing his hat or sometimes he is even on his bed. He also sings to himself while he is winding down. He has a crush on our neighbor's little girl and I heard him singing "Anna's World" to the tune of Elmo's world. He is such a fun little guy!

I thought I would post a few pictures of the flood and the damage that was done. Here is a street not far from our house -- obviously the road was closed and has been for a few weeks. Businesses, homes and everything in the waters' path were destroyed.


We ate at this restaurant just the week before - so much for our newly found Mexican place. While we were eating there Cole yelled, "I like tortillas" really loud and we had several of the Mexican waiters give us strange looks. I sure hope they are able to get it cleaned up so we can make more embarassing memories there.


Here is a picture from our back desk of the clouds that started to funnell -- we were nervous that a tornado was going hit at any minute. Dorthy, we aren't in Virginia anymore! I'm not sure what is worse - tornados or hurricanes.

I have to brag a little about my cute Russ and the great father that he is to our two boys. He amazes me at his ability to make any situation fun. He can come up with a funny song at the drop of a hat and Cole will be singing it for days. He doesn't seem to get stressed out the way I do when he has both boys -- it seems so easy for him. Cole is his little buddy and loves to do anything with him - playing frisbee, shooting hoops, looking for sticks, etc. I am so thankful that Russ is the father of my children - a blessing that I didn't fully understand until we had children. I love you Russ -- Happy Father's Day!

I got Russ a shop vacuum for Father's Day. To some this may seem silly, but the fact that we now have a garage to use it in makes all the difference in the world! Russ can't wait to be able to get real "manly" gifts like tools and outdoor gear -- maybe when we're out of school, but for now a silly vacuum is exciting! Russ also got a pass to see Indiana Jones on the big screen, without a wife or kids to distract him from the movie. And since we are so new to the area and all Russ' friends are in various parts of the country, he went by himself.

We went on an early evening stroll after dinner and both boys fell asleep in the stroller. Church is in the middle of both of their naps, so they were especially tired. Aren't they cute when they are sleeping?!

First of all, we are safe and dry. The flooding is north of where we are, so we have been very lucky. We have had crazy weather (lightening and thunder storms) and a lot of water, but no flooding. Thanks to all those who have called or written to see how we are. But, keep the others in the state in your prayers and thoughts.

So, after eight days in the extended stay, we were so excited to get into the apartment and have a place of our own. The night before felt like Christmas Eve! When we arrived I rushed in to check it out and was shocked. The place was really nice, but as we took a closer look, it was filthy! I will spare you all the details, but it took me three hours to clean the fridge, we had to take the tracks off of the bathroom tub/shower because they were so disgusting (we didn't shower for two days because I refused to get in the shower like that) and the oven took three days to get clean (how do people live like that?!). I was in tears when I saw the mess. But, after three days of hard cleaning and organizing, the apartment looked great. Here are a few pictures of the unloading process --


Cole fell asleep while Russ and my dad were putting the BBQ together -- isn't this picture sweet?!

In the middle of all of the chaos of moving, Garrett rolled for the first time. I think he was just tired of being in his car seat or the swing. I even got it on video. Yay! Good job, Garrett!


My parents came and stayed for five days and helped us get settled. They hung pictures, fixed furniture, organized and did all sorts of projects. But, the best part of having them here was the time they spent with Cole and Garrett. I think Cole said, "Grandpa, what are you doing?" about a million times while they were here. He wrestled with Grandpa, learned a new saying (ring the bell, knock on the door, peek in...) and followed him everywhere. In the morning he would yell down the stairs, "Grandpa, wake up!" With Grandma he read books, played with his Thomas trains (Grandma built an amazing track), and played the marble game. Garrett loved being held by both of them and even spit up on them both!! It was a fun weekend and we are thankful they were able to stay.



Here are pictures of our little home at the extended stay hotel. Now that we are settled and it is a memory it is fun to look at, but at the time it was less than enjoyable. It's all part of the adventure!

We blessed Garrett the weekend of graduation. Russ did a wonderful job and gave him an amazing blessing. In the circle was Steve (Russ' dad), Jeff (Russ' brother), Jack Nelson (my old boss and "uncle" to our boys), Andy Stoddard and Ryan Saunders (friends and classmates). It was a special day and we were thrilled to have family for the occasion. Even though these pictures are old, I couldn't help but show off my darling boy! Isn't he so cute!!