My Bountiful Blessings

Junior's preschool had their annual Halloween Party/Parade today. All the children put on their costumes and parade around the school. Actually they usually parade outside around the water fountain, but it was too wet and rainy this morning.

Junior went as a police officer and seemed to enjoy the attention and all the parents' flashes from their cameras. A few pictures he looks a little unsure about it. After the parade they participated in a few games. The pumpkin "toss" for Junior turned out to be a pumpkin "pitch". He didn't quite understand the "toss gently" portion of the directions. Then they played "pass the pumpkin" which was like "hot potato" but if the pumpkin landed on them they had to tell everyone what their costume was. Junior was a little shy when it came time for his turn. Then it was time for their snack...jello/fruit cups and juice...Yum!

Halloween Party

Another busy weekend for us! We took a short trip to visit some college friends, see their houses and meet their new babies for the first time. There was no excuse for us not getting out to see them earlier so we could not postpone our visit any longer.

The S family was kind enough to let us invade their home and stay with them. Just for the record, the C family offered to let us stay with them, but we didn't want to be a bother while they were still adjusting to their new baby girl (5 months). Next time we will stay with them!

We drove in late Friday night and visited with Mr. and Mrs. S while Junior and Gaga got out some of their energy from riding in the car. Little D (1 year old) was already down for the night so we would meet him the next morning.

And sure enough we did meet him the next morning as the door to our room flew open and little D was standing there looking at us with the "who are you and what are you doing in my house" look. He was not the least bit shy as he greeted us by smelling our feet! Yes, you heard me right, he likes to smell people's feet. It's actually quite hilarious! I'm sure his parents are proud of that. He was entertaining to watch and Junior and Gaga loved playing with him.

After breakfast we headed to the C's house to meet baby R for the first time. She was too cute for words and Junior adored her. We played, had lunch, visited and then returned to the S's house for dinner and more visiting and playing. Both R and D were precious little babies and we were so glad to finally have met them. We can not wait to see them again! We enjoyed all the visiting and playtime and of course all the meals. Good thing we left when we did because I think we started gaining a few pounds! Thank you to the C and S families for hosting us in your beautiful homes. We will gladly return the favor anytime you are in town. Click below to see more cute pics of the babes and their parents!

"A" town visit

We traveled down to H town and had a girls weekend, just Gaga, me and Aunt K while Daddy steam cleaned our carpets and sent Junior off to Nana and Great One's for the weekend.

Junior's weekend consisted of riding in a parade with Great One and his military group and going to the pumpkin patch.

When Gaga and I first made it in we stopped by Great Granny's house to visit with her and introduce the two of them to each other. On Saturday we went out to St. Arnold's brewery, had a short tour, ate a yummy picnic lunch and sampled their beers, including the Christmas flavor just in time for the holidays. That night we made it out to one of our favorite places to eat, Amazon Grille (Yum!). Sunday morning we woke up early to see Aunt K participate in a sprint triathlon along with her boss and a few other coworkers. She did an amazing job finishing 8th in her age group! Way to go! Sure makes me want to do one...maybe next season!! And who can forget the last meal we had there before heading to the airport...Chuy's!!! Another yummy place to eat! We burned calories and saved the earth by walking there from Aunt K's house. It is THAT close!

The weekend went by too quickly as it always does when we are visiting each other. But we sure did enjoy ourselves and can't wait to see Aunt K next month! (Pics below of our weekend.) Unfortunately I do not have any pictures from Daddy's weekend!

Just the girls

Junior's weekend at Nana and Great One's

Well, we thought we would make an anniversary weekend out of it, but time just got away from us and we didn't plan that well in advance. We were busy gearing up for the two weddings we were fortunate enough to attend...both on the same night! The first one was of my good longtime friend since middle school. The bride was beautiful and they both looked extremely happy! Sorry, we didn't get to stay much longer than we did! Congrats to you both!

The second one was for my good friend from work. She and her (now) husband were married in the same church Daddy and I were just one day shy of our anniversary. It was special for us to be there witnessing a wedding in the same church while thinking of our own wedding 6 years prior! Congrats to you both also!



We did manage to at least go out to eat and see a movie for our anniversary though. Thanks to both sets of grandparents!!! Nana and Great One watched the kids the night of both weddings and Mimi and Granddad watched them while we went to dinner and a movie. We are so blessed to have both of them near us to let us get out once in a while.





Then on Monday morning, Columbus Day, we had the privilege to have my great college friend visit us before heading back home. She was in town over the weekend with her husband, almost 2 year old son and baby girl growing in her belly. They were visiting her parents and they graciously made it over to spend a little time with us. They of course did not stay nearly long enough for us to catch up on all we needed to, but it was so good to see them! Thanks A family for stopping by!

On one of Daddy's days off, we headed out to the State Fair to visit Big Tex, see the farm animals and taste some fried goodness. We started off with the petting zoo, then off to the farm to see our little farmer in action, visited Tex while eating our Fletcher's corn dogs, then Junior got to choose one ride, then we walked around for a bit and ended with some tornado twisters and of course a funnel cake. Yum! A chilly, but wonderful day at the fair!

State Fair 2009

Junior's baptism day went a little off track when the house behind us caught fire. This led to us standing outside for most of the afternoon and into the early evening wondering what was happening and looking at all the amazing fire trucks that showed up which then led to Mommy not making his requested dinner...chicken and ice cream! So instead he got pizza. I finally did make the chicken the next day and I am almost certain that we finally did get the ice cream the next day after that. I guess you could say we celebrated over three days and made it a little more special! Thanks to Godmother Aunt K for Junior's baptism gift! We love you Junior...and God does too!!

Junior and Gaga's aunt and cousins came over to play while I made it to a doctor's appointment without extra appendages. This picture of Gaga and her 3 month YOUNGER cousin A was taken moments before we saw the flames behind our house. It was too cute not to share!