Friday August 31

Tomorrow marks the start of another season of Hawkeye Football!  Yes, the season will be in full swing and I can't wait to start cheering on the Hawks!  We just hope that most of the players can keep their noses clean for an entire season (sometimes that is hard for the Hawkeyes...ha)!  Noah and I have been excited for football to start.  He has been asking when the Hawkeyes will be playing so that we can watch them.
I have to tell a funny story about Noah:  One day Randy was wearing an Iowa State Track shirt from when he was in high school.  Noah looked at Randy and said, "dad why are you wearing an Iowa State shirt?"  Randy replied telling him that he got it a long time ago.  Noah promptly tells him, "dad we are a Hawkeye family, we cheer for the Hawks!"  At that point I realize that I have done my job! 

Go Hawks!

Thursday August 30

The last few days Memphis has been climbing everywhere.  Right now he loves to climb into a chair that my mom made for him and he will stand up in it and sit.  He just loves it!

Stand up and wave

Sit down and wave!

Monday August 27

I got some pictures of Noah's first day of school.  He was excited about school starting and he is still excited about school.  It is neat to see him excited and loving school, we will take advantage of it while we can!

Noah's class!  I believe their theme at school was Clay's Campground (or something like that)

Noah sitting at his desk!

Thankfully, my family that is down in Fort Myers, Florida is faring Hurricane/Tropical Storm Isaac fairly well!  I texted my Aunt to find out how they were doing and this is what I got back from her.

I think they are going to make it! 

The Weekend

Friday Night, Tori called and wanted to know if we wanted to go to the park with her and the kids!  We decided to go and have some fun.
The kids got to burn off some energy which was nice.
After we went to the park we went to Younkers and got some great sales and we even started our Christmas shopping!  That is right folks, you read that correctly, Christmas shopping has started.  This year I am going to try to get things early!!!

Saturday we relaxed most of the day, Noah and I baked cookies and for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to go to HyVee around 1pm...Not for sure what I was thinking!!  After we made cookies and went shopping, I was cleaning up and the next thing I hear is splash and then crying.  Memphis had managed pull Noah's apple juice off the table and pour it down his back and all over the floor (keep in mind I had just got done mopping about 2 hours earlier).  So a crying baby, who is wet+sticky floor+2 dogs trying to help clean+husband who is still at work=one stressed mama! ha!!!
Saturday night was much better as we rented, "We Bought a Zoo."  Now, if you haven't seen this movie I highly recommend it!  Good flick for the family.

Sunday we relaxed once again!

This was the only picture I could get of Riggins...man this kid loves to run and run! 

Noah walking very carefully across!

Randy shooting some hoops!

Noah and Jaycee digging...hmm...wonder to where? 

Friday August 24

I thought today I would update everyone on Noah and Memphis!  These two boys are growing so fast that I thought I would just tell you a few things each are doing.

Noah

1.  Started 2nd grade this week.
2.  Says he likes school.
3.  Even said that he was ready for 3rd grade already!
4.  Hates to clean his room.
5.  Is a great big brother to Memphis!
6.  His listening is getting better, still some issues, but for the most part he is doing good!
7.  Always has a suggestion for every situation...good or bad!
8.  Loves to have his cousins over to play.
9.  Always wants to help, whether it is with me in the kitchen or with Randy in the garage.
10.  Always wanting to take the mustang for a ride, as he will sit in the backseat with his hands up in the air (like he is riding a roller coaster)!

Memphis

1.  Crawling...everywhere!
2.  Stands next to anything and even will let go for a while...walking is right around the corner.
3.  Totally rearranges my house daily.
4.  Loves to do what Noah is doing.
5.  Brave enough to crawl up the stairs...YIKES!
6.  Doesn't care to wear socks or shoes...need to work on this with fall right around the corner.
7.  Loves to take a bath.
8.  If you have a dog kennel he will find it and you will find him in it, new favorite place to play.
9.  Fun to play in the dog's water and food bowl and put the dog food into the water...ugh!
10.  He is starting to give kisses, but don't stay too close for too long or those teeth of his try to get ya!

Thursday August 23

Happy Anniversary to Peggy and Craig today!  We hope that you two are able to celebrate and have some fun together.  Enjoy and we love you more!!!

I really need to get some pictures of Peggy and Craig together as this one is from Disney from a few years back!

Wednesday August 22

Happy Birthday to my cousin Brittany!  We hope that you have a wonderful day and year!  Wish we were in Fort Myers to celebrate with you. 

Random Picture of Memphis (i also need to get some new ones of Noah!)

Messy face and all...I will still find my way into trouble!

Tuesday August 21

Last night, Randy and Memphis got home before Noah and I did (as Noah wanted to check out the new Hy-Vee, for those of you who don't know Hy-Vee is a grocery store, and they just built a HUGE building over by us).  Noah thought it was pretty neat.  But while we were gone getting some groceries we received a text from Randy with a picture attached. 
Check it out!

Memphis grabbed Randy's shirt and put it on (all while Randy was shaving)!  I so wish I could read his mind...but I am thinking his thoughts are, "I wonder if this cape will help me fly?  But this cape doesn't seem to be working!  Maybe if I climb up on something it will help."  This kid is so funny and is always trying to get into something and everything.

 

Monday August 20

Today Noah starts 2nd grade!  WOW!!!!  We talked to him last night and wished him the best of luck.  I will have pictures tomorrow as Shawna (Noah's mom) is going to send me some pictures of his first day of school, they should be on here tomorrow. 

This morning as I was leaving Randy and Memphis were waving to me from the window and it was so stinking cute that I had to get a couple of pictures.  (The pictures are not the best as there was all kinds of glare and flash issues).  Anyway, it was so cute and I thought I couldn't pass up the opportunity of taking this picture.

Sunday August 19

Today we went out to Tyler and Tori's house as Dad, Tara and Emma decided to come to town to visit.  It was nice to catch up with them and to relax and hang out on a beautiful day. 

Dad, Memphis and Tara

Friday August 17

Happy Birthday to my favorite brother in the world, Tyler Dean!  

I hope you have a great Birthday little brother.  I am so lucky to have you for a brother and my children are lucky to have a wonderful uncle in their lives.  I am proud that Memphis is named after you and Grandpa. 
Have a great day and we will all celebrate tonight!

Thursday August 16

Well the summer went FAST!!!  I am back at school and today is the first day with students.  It always is a fun time to start the school year.  As a kid I always looked forward to the first day to see all of my friends again and to get back into a routine and to be busy again!  The same still holds for me.  I get so excited to get back and see everyone.  And, just like clockwork there will be one night in there that I will have so much running through my head that I will not sleep, and this has gone on for years!  (don't believe me, ask my mom...she called the next morning this week when I didn't sleep, she even guessed the night that it would happen...she knows me so well!!!)
I am in my second year at Johnston High School and this year is off to a great start.  It is nice to know more people this year and be much more familiar with the school and policies.  Oh you Winterset Gang, don't worry, I still miss you all like crazy and no one can replace the great friends and experiences I had there! 

To all of my teacher friends, enjoy another year filled with fun and learning!  Only 180 more days to go, well only 179 for me!  (HA!!!)

My first day of school self portrait! 

Tuesday August 14

On Tuesdays Randy and I get Jaycee and Riggins for about 3 hours as Tyler and Tori work late on that night.  Noah loves having his cousins at the house so he can play, play, play!  We have lots of fun, just take a look at the pictures to see all of the fun we do have!

Our neighbor, Kingston!

Rigs and Memphis hanging out on the swings!

Silly kids!

Look at all the fun we had!

Saturday August 11

On Saturday a good friend of ours got married.  Bailey Miller, well now Lewis, got married to Justyn.  They are a sweet couple and both looked great.  I would love to show you a picture of the two but that would have meant I would have been thinking enough to take pictures. 

Now I did grab a quick picture of Brandi (one of my best friends and sister to the bride) and her dad (John, who is like a second father to me).  The two looked stunning!  I was so happy that I got to spend the day with the Miller Family as I love them all dearly. 

John and Brandi

Thursday August 2

Tonight Memphis and I headed to Creston to spend about 3 days with my dad.  We thought we hadn't really been down to Creston lately and it would be fun to spend Friday with Emma all day and then the weekend with Dad and Tara.

Thursday night Emma had a program at Church for Vacation Bible School.  She did a great job and it was a fun program to watch.

When we got home that night Memphis was sitting on the floor in Emma's room and he decided that he should put a penny in his mouth and swallow it.  UGH!  I of course, panicked but there was no reason.  I called the doctor's office and they told me to just wait until morning and that they would schedule an x-ray.  Well now that means we had to come to Des Moines on Friday, so Emma, Memphis and I took off for Des Moines.  Emma thought it was pretty cool to see the penny in Memphis' belly.  The doctor said that the penny was not obstructing anything and that we would just have to wait for him to pass it.  Oh what fun, this meant that I got to dig through Memphis' poo!  The joys of motherhood!  Thankfully, on Sunday morning he passed it and we were done with the wait!!!  YES!!!  The penny is now soaking in hot soapy water and then going in his scrapbook.

We did head back to Creston and had dinner with Tyler, Tori and the kids, along with Dad and Tara at the A&G.  It was nice to see everyone and spend sometime with them!  Hopefully, our next trip to Creston will be less eventful.

Looking Good Emma!

Dad and Memphis hanging out

Missing In Action

Alrighty, I realize that I have been missing in action for a while.  We have not been doing a lot besides trying to stay nice and cool.  All summer long I have had plans of working on a nice tan, however with it being so hot it has been a struggle to take Memphis outside as it is a little warm for him.  But next summer, watch out, we will be out and going like crazy!

Memphis did have his 12 month appointment and the doctor said that he is doing really well.  He weighs 22 pounds 30.3 inches tall which is in the 64%ile for height.  He still has a big head as he was in the 79%ile (ha).  He really has grown and it has been an amazing year to watch him grow!

In the last month he has learned to crawl.  He is literally ALL over the place.  He is pulling himself up and in the last few days has started to move along the couch or anything that he has pulled himself up on.  He has learned to wave buh bye and clap.  Both are adorable.  We are now working on blowing kisses.  He is very close to walking but I think we are still a little way away from that yet.

Noah is also doing great.  He is his ornery self.  He is full of energy.  Noah will be in 2nd grade his year and just found out who his teacher is, Ms. Piatt.  He seems very excited about his 2nd grade year and I hope that will turn into a WONDERFUL school year.  It is much deserved for him to have a good year.  So we will take all prayers for a good school year  :)

I head back to school on Monday, Memphis will start at Karen's again full time on Monday, and Noah starts school on the 20th.

Good chance I am all caught up for now, sorry for such a long absence!

Oh do you want to see what Memphis has been getting into these days...YEP the dog kennels!  If I do not know where he is I check the dog kennels!!!  This kid definitely keeps us on our toes.

Thursday July 26

Today is our 4th Wedding Anniversary!  We didn't do a lot to celebrate just dinner at home.  We did plan an night out on Saturday as we went to dinner and a movie.  Thanks to Peggy and Craig for watching Memphis over night for us so that we could enjoy an evening.
Once we did get home we decided that we needed a ride in the mustang and drove around Saylorville Lake with the top down (the car's top, for those of you wondering!!!)

Thank you Randy for a great 4 years....Here's to many more!!! 

Love you More!