Hi! Howya doin?

We're still around...and I have had very good intentions on blogging.  (Does anyone read this thing anymore) but we have been oh so so so busy.  Between me teaching aerobics 4 nights a week, working full time, running to and from sports and swimming lessons with Dalton, chasing an almost 2 year old (less than two weeks to go) potty training said 2 year old, I've barely had time to do the laundry and wash the dishes let alone blog.  But I miss this place. I still read all my favorite blogs and think I'll get back here, but it's hard ya'll!  So in a nut shell here's what we've been up to.

Rocky coached Dalton's soccer team...they only lost 1 game (but really it's rec soccer so we weren't keeping track)

We've played outside

We went to DeAnna Rose Farmstead

Had rootbeer floats

Gone for motorcycle rides

taken naps

Family vacation to Omaha

Ran the Color Run with friends

Gone fishin'

Enjoyed the County Fair and rode the "big kid" rides.

School will start in just 19 days and I'll be the mother of a 1st grader, somebody please tell me how this happened?!?!? We still have a mother son shopping day planned, a day to schlitterbahn and a week off with dad before school starts, but soon we'll be back into the routine of packing lunches, nightly sight word/reading/spelling time, washing soccer uniforms and bedtimes. As I know one little boy is sad to see summer end I know he's really looking foward to being back in school again.

Big Girl Bed

It's become apparent that our little girl is in need of a Big Girl bed.  So when a friend offered her bunk bed to us for free we jumped.  Now I know what you're thinking a bunk bed for an (almost) 2 year old.  What kind of parents are we? We most definitely do not plan on her having access to the top bunk.  So the quest began to find out what we could do with this bed to make it fun and lair for any little princess to lay her head. To Pinterest  (follow me) I went. And honestly I was hoping for some ideas than what I came up with. However I found one that I really love!

And I totally think my talented husband could pull this off...but right now he's building a shed so who knows when he'd have time. 

So now I'm thinking some sort of bed canopy.

(Source)

Then the thoughts on color schemes...because I totally want her to have a sophisticated room...and we're moving out of the baby stage so I could see whatever we chose to last until she's like 5...right?

Apparently I'm thinking some sort of blue hue for her. I'm making this my summer project and I'd really like to have it complete before her birthday...so basically I have two months and 2 weeks! Yikes! Guess I better be getting busy.  If you have any ideas for that bunk bed contraption I'd love to hear them. 

Oh, the Places You'll Go!!!

Congratulations!

Today is your day

You're off to Great Places! 

You're off and away

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes

You can steer yourself

any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who'll decided where to go.

~Dr. Seuss

Not long ago I found this pin (though I can't find it now) to have each of your child's teachers sign this book and then give it to them for high school graduation.  I instantly fell in love with the idea! And being the fact that Dalton was in the midst of his Kindergarten year I felt as if it was a project I could tackle! I'm proud to announce that yes I...Tiffany Evans actually went through with it too! Let's hope I can keep it up for the next 12 years...and do it for Sophie as well!

Today is the last day of Kindergarten for Dalton {Insert Big, Big tears}.  It's been a great year.  A learning experience for all of us.  I'm proud of the him and the way he has grown through out this year.  He was the kid crying everyday for the first month of school when I dropped him off...but now he's the big kid who has his seatbelt unbuckled and out the car door before I barely have time to tell him goodbye.  He was the kid who could care less about learning letters and numbers and writing his name...but the smile on his face when he wrote to 100 for the first time and got an Applebee's gift card from his teacher was priceless. He's sounding out words and reading to his sister, counting everything from the fish in the pond to the days of the month.  He's officially a BIG kid and so excited about what first grade has to offer!

I'm so excited to watch him morph through the years and see all the places he'll go!!!

30 Really Isn't all that bad!

My Good Friend Donna called me last week and said we should make a commitment to each other to blog again.  So today on my 30th birthday...I'm gonna give the blogging thing a try again

The 20's were so so so good to me.  I married the man I lusted after in high school, we bought a house, had a beautiful baby boy, completely remodeled that house, had a beautiful baby girl and bought our second house. We went on vacations, made and lost touch with friends, celebrated 10 years out of high school, celebrated marriage milestones with our grandparents and sent my oldest to school.  The 20's were filled with lots of beginnings for this crazy life of mine, lots of things I can't wait to watch flourish and grow in my 30's.

So today on this 30th birthday of mine I will not be sad that I'm leaving my 20's behind. I'll celebrate all that they brought to me and look forward to the future...because 30 is the new 20 anyway...right?!?!?

Pardon me while I thank my mom for getting me reading again...

I think I fell in love with reading sometime in Jr. High and couldn't get enough of those Baby Sitter Club books.

I would delve in and imagine being these high school girls.  The were best friends who had their own baby sitting club. In what I remember being one of my favoriets (though I no longer remember the title) where two of the baby sitters got to go somewhere tropical with a family and I'm sure there were boys involved too.

That theme has continued with me through the years. I can read while watching tv...listening to music...while my kids are bathing...just not while driving (bummer me...eww car sickness).  But in all honesty I haven't had much time to read since having kids.  I did read the whole Twilight series in a matter of just two or three weeks but other than that I haven't read anything regulary.

This year for Christmas my mom told my that my sister had mentioned that she might want a nook.  I was quick to say I want one too! AND I LOVE IT!!!!!! I've finished two books since Christmas which might not seem like a lot but it's more than I read all year last year so! I'm currently reading the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.  I'm on book number 4 of 18 but I have a feeling I'm going to fly through them. So if you have book suggestions to share with me...start sending them! My nook (I feel like I should name her) and I have a lot of stories to explore...I have a feeling it's going to be a very long and lasting relationship!

So mom thanks again for the nook and for reinstating that love of reading and making it easier for me to let my imagination roam into these other worlds.  I love you!



nook is owned by Barnes and Noble...you can check them out at www.bn.com .

Six years and a few days ago...

I gave birth to the second love of my life...he weight 6 lbs 3 oz and was the most perfect little man I had ever seen.  Now someone tell me where the last 6 years and few days have gone?!?!?!? How did my teeny tiny little baby turn into a big kid...a wrestler...a 6 year old!!!! I couldn't be more proud of the kid Mr. Dalton has become.  He has the kindest heart of any boy I know.  He plays with his sister and makes sure she's always well taken care of.  He smiles the entire time he's on the wrestling mat.  He reads me books at night and is always begging to make me a new piece of art.  He's my best friend! I can't imagine not having him as my first born...we have that first born-mom-son bond that words just can't describe.  I'm looking forward to watching him continue to grow and see what kind of big kid, teenager, man he becomes but right now I'm living and loving the moment we're in. He reminds me every day how lucky and blessed I am to have him and his sister and I'm cherishing everything about them that I can.

Merry Christmas

Because I know I will be away from the computer (rightfully so) for a few days I just wanted to take a moment to say Merry Christmas.  May your family find peace love and comfort this Christmas.  Let's work on getting back to this blogging business next year shall we?!?!?!?

Merry Christmas Friends and God Bless!!!!

Modge Podge of Stuff

It's a Modge Podge of stuff around here...not to be confused with Mod Podge...because I'm totally digging that stuff right now.  Hello Christmas Pinterest Crafts! I'm trying to find anything and everything I can to Mod Podge on to something :) Pic's of those after Christmas. Don't want to ruin the surprise you know!

We are knee deep in wrestling season (our first tournament is Sunday)...getting ready for Christmas (our first celebration is this Saturday) and this momma is tired.  At some point I've got to figure out a birthday party for Dalton who turns 6!! in less than a month! When did this happen...who let him grow up?!?!? I'm trying my hardest to keep him little but he keeps maturing on me day after day.  He reads books to ME at night ugh...stop growing kid stop growing!

Sophie is as onry as ever. Rocky's mom always warned me about paybacks for the naughtiness Rocky got into as a kid and I'm pretty sure the little diva is the payback! She loves her momma though and would rather be on my hip...dragging me around the house...painting her toenails or helping me cook (aka digging out every pot and pan at her level).  She runs to me when I walk in the door and wants my attention until she goes to bed...however this morning when Rocky told her he loved her...she responded "love you".  Not fair he got the first love you.  Oh well such is life.

Hope you're all staying sane this Christmas Season...now back to Mod Podgeing :)

Fall Fun and I'm Super Mom (not)

This past weekend was really kind of a short one.  I had like half a day to get the house clean, get ready for a garage sale and spend some quality time with the kiddos since Sunday involved a long all day trip to the Central part of the state for a family baby shower.  So I got up went to work for a few hours came home and Dalton and I worked on sorting through all of his toys to get ready for the garage sale.  We successfully cut the toy population in half after decided which toys he had outgrown and were ready to pass on and the ones that had broken peices and could be thrown away.  Whew...that took us all afternoon lets just say that kid is LOVED.  So now the toy boxes are ready for Christmas and his birthday 10 days later.  By that time it was late and time for dinner.  Somehow it became 9 o'clock and the promise of a family movie night was pretty distant in my mind.  Sophie was in bed and Rocky was heading that way.  Dalton was begging to carve pumpkins and since Rocky was going to bed I thought it'd be perfect time for some one on one time with my little man. 

I handed him some spoons to clean out the pumpkin while I cleaned the kitchen.  It did a great job, no complaining and very little guts left for me :)

I was pretty impressed with my mad carving skills and even went to bed telling Rocky I bet he was jealous that he didn't get in on that quality time.

 The next morning before Sophie and I hoped in the car Dalton and I painted our toast...I'd seen this on pinterest and thought he might find it fun. 

Just mix a few drops of food coloring into a cup of milk and use paint brushes to paint it on. I've seen people post that they popped these into the broiler, I just put them in the toaster and I forgot to take an after pic but once it's toasted it really enhances the color. Def. will do it again.

After a long day in the car and a fun baby shower Soph and I were suprised when we got home to this

Dalton and Rocky carved 5 pumpkins so pretty much take that mom you thought you were cool...

Hope you all had a fun Halloween weekend.



Happy Anniversary Babe

A couple of weeks ago the hubs and I celebrated 7 years of marriage, I'm happy to report that he still is agreeing to put up with baskets of clean laundry sitting around our house and I still don't mind that he's right most of the time. So what does a couple who's been married for 7 years do on their anniversary? Take their adorable children to the pumpkin patch of course :)

This was the only time she was interested in the pumpkins...she preferred picking her favorite rocks instead.

Such a scary monster

Last weekend we did make time for some "couple" time and hopped on the Harley and rode to West Mineral in South East Kansas to see Big Brutus.  I can say I was not really that excited to see the World's second largest electric coal mining scoop but it ended up being more than I thought it would be.

This guy loved every minute of it.

In the Coal Mining Museum they had some memorabilia of maybe the most famous Coal Miner's Daughter...my hero Loretta Lynn.

All in all it ended up being a great anniversary...spending time with the people that I love. Here's to many more years of him being right (most of the time) and my procrastinating on the house chores and raising to incredibly adorable children.

Are you pinning?

A couple of months ago I found out about Pinterest when Sasha blogged about it. Like any other social networking junkie would do I hoped over to see what all the hype was about. And now I'm HOOKED I've pinned things I'd like to make for Christmas gifts (don't worry family they're really cool I promise), tutu's I'd love to make for Soph, recipes I'd like to try and things I'd like to bake or cook.  So if you're not pinning yet I totally think you should be!  And Follow me...I promise to follow back...because like any other social networking junkie I love to stalk people :)

Who knew School could keep a family so busy!

I'm blaming it on school anyway.  Life just seems to being going at blazing fast speeds these days!

So let's catch up shall we?

This little princess turned 1!!!!

She is my wild child! She has 4 teeth now...weighs 19.6 lbs and is 28 1/2 " tall.  There's not a food this girl has met that she didn't love.  She says "Mommy" "Dadda" "Bubba" "Hi Puppy" "Nice Baby" and "Thank you"  She's taking 5 to 7 steps at a time on her own.  She never wants to be carried anymore just wants me to hold her hand and walk everywhere with her.  I love this little princess...we play with babies and put on 3 different headbands a day.  She is growing up too quickly...I just need time to slow down we have so much to do during her childhood! OK so maybe I'm being a little dramatic...but I know how quickly it goes...

You see this fella right here?

Well he's in Kindergarten and doing great! He loves school except in his words "when mommy has to leave" he'd really like me to stay there all day with him.  But we've been taking baby steps and today I actually dropped him off in the car drop off lane without any tears or hesitation! Isn't it amazing how quickly you start teaching your children to be independent it's sad but I guess part of life right?

This is how everyday after school looked that first week! This no nap business took a while to get used to.  Last week he began the after school program. He got to ride a bus to go to the library.  He liked riding the bus but now way does he want to ride it to school :)

Between school, soccer practice, football practice and life we are just busy! I'm hoping my DVR doesn't catch fire from recording so much once my falls shows start airing because seriously who knows when I'll have time to watch it.

For now I enjoy every minute with these two little sweet hearts that rock my world...I'm sure one day I'll look back and wish I could have just one more crazy morning routine, school drop off line, soccer practice, homework, baby playing, unsteadily walking sort of day!

Extreme Makeover:Home Edition

They're here!!!! In Kansas!!! And just down the road from me!!! I have been enjoying all things Extreme this week. One of my BFF's Katie and I volunteered over night one night. Such a neat and exciting experience. My son is totally impressed that his mom helped build a house.


I haven't had the chance to hang out with Ty but another one of my BFF's Jessica has!
I did get the chance to Interview the Senior Producer of the show Diane Korman before the family was surprised. You can listen to it here.

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I also got a quick chat with Paul DiMeo

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The family is a very deserving family. I do not know them personally...but the dad served in Iraq and know suffers with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder...he's spent the last year away from his wife and kids receiving treatment for this disorder. My eyes have been opened so much more on PTSD over the last 5 days. We CANNOT thank our veterans enough for the sacrifices they make for the rest of us!!!! God Bless America!!!

I will be proudly wearing my blue shirt tomorrow yelling "Move That Bus"!!! Look for our episode to air in October!

Let's Take A Tour #1

Does anyone remember that we moved? LOL. I finally got the chance to take a few pictures of the house this weekend. A few of areas that were clean at the time and while the little people in the house took a nap. I didn't get far. So welcome...this is standing at the front door.

Also at the front door looking into the living room. Those pictures on the mantel aren't staying...Eventually there will be some sort of large clock above. I just have to find the perfect one. (The windmill painting Rocky bought at an estate sale because it reminded him of western Kansas and I really have no clue where I'm going to hang it)

The Kitchen...I love it...so much more cabinet space than the old house. That Island Bar...the boys eat there for every single meal. I have to bribe them to join Soph and I at the dining table. They also don't push their chairs back in...but we won't talk about that right now.

Love these windows...I wish you could see the view from out them. I don't think we'll put window coverings on them...they bring so much light into the house.

So that's as far as I got...There's a lot of decorating that needs to take place...but moving has been expensive and unfortunately money doesn't grow on trees. But since we're not going any where any time soon...I'm confident I'll get it done someday :)

Summer Slow Down

Ah Summer...lazy days and fun nights...I wish

However the days this week have been a lot less crazy...thank goodness. This past weekend we were able to relax and enjoy our house it was nice. The kids are getting back into a routine and I'm finally having a little "ME" time in the evenings. I've enjoyed the time pruning my rose bushes (dude we have a lot of plants, know much about all plants come on over I don't know a thing) and reading...finally I'm reading again. Dalton is signed up for the Summer Reading program at our local library and decided that as long as we're there every week I should be reading too!

So I've started this series. So far so good...I love that there are 17 books in this series so far that means I don't have to think about what I'm going to read next which was really a job in itself. If you have any suggestions on what to read next leave me a comment. P.S. Isn't the public library a great addition to any community...I mean really it's great entertainment (reading is) and it can be FREE.

I've also decided (again I know) that I really need to lose some weight...I'm lighter than I was before getting pregnant with Soph but I'd really like to be at least to my Wedding Day weight which is 20 lbs to go. So Saturday morning I tried something new Jazzercise...and I'm immediately hooked! It really is so.much.fun. and my calves were sore for days!!! Right now I can really only make it on Saturday mornings...but you can bet I'm already looking forward to that next class! I've signed up for the FREE website MyFitnessPal and working on watching those calories...It always helps to be accountable to someone this site helps you stay accountable to yourself. Next up Running and this!

My first 5/K in like 2 or 3 years. So that's what's going on with me this summer! Hope your summer's going good too!

Blue Eyed Beauty

We are moved and unpacked and just as soon as tball isn't consuming my life any longer I'll give you a tour...In the mean time Sophie and I had a day to ourselves Saturday...so nice to have the downtime. A few years ago for father's day when Dalton was 2 I believe I made a collage like this for Rocky and he mentioned he'd like something like it from Sophie. So enjoy these shots of my beautiful blue eyed girl. I just can't get enough of her sweetness!!!