Monday November 23

My friends, I am beyond thankful to be blessed with so many great girl friends!  Seriously, I am lucky! 
I have already mentioned Brenna and Kelli, well now I haven't got to mention so many other of my close friends.  Like Ashley who lives so close but I never see her but hey she does have her Christmas party coming up soon, so I will get to catch up soon enough. 
Then there is Brandi, gosh I wish you were closer, but hey you are my reason to go to KC and visit. 
And what about my dear friend Red who is in Indianola who I NEVER see, but love her all the same and wish our schedules would match up! 
Lord knows there are several other friends I have not even mentioned Mandy, Leanne, Andrea, and Brianne.
And then to all of my work friends from either Winterset or Johnston you know I love ya!!! 

Here is a a great Monday and Turkey day is right around the corner! 

November 20

Not too many girls get the chance to have two of their best friends move to the Des Moines area in a matter of weeks apart!  But this girl did!!!  So you already know that Brenna moved here and most of you know that Kelli is in Ankeny.  I am beyond excited that Kelli and her family is so close to me!  We have the chance for our boys to grow up together and for her and I to do all kinds together; such as go on a girls trip!!!

I love that you moved back home and that we can spend time together.  We have been through about every thing together from high school to college to married life with children!

November 19

Because today is pay day, I am thankful for my job.  I love being a teacher.  I love that I get to work with challenging students (most of the time, sometimes I might get a little run down and just have a bad day)!  I love where I work.
I honestly, wish that everyone can work some place they enjoy going to each day, I enjoy going to work on most days, now do not get me wrong, I always like a day off.  Those occasional snow days or early outs are amazing!

November 18

I am beyond thankful that Brenna decided to move to Des Moines over the summer.  The boys have become so attached to her, especially Memphis.  And we are so blessed that she loves them as much as they love her.
Brenna is an amazing friend to me and one of my best friends.  We have been friends for over 10 years now but she probably knows as much about me as anyone who has known me my whole life! 
Randy is also thankful that he will be able to go hunting this winter on her parents' ground! 

We wub you Dwenna!  (in the words of Memphis!)

And most of you have seen these pictures because I haven't taken any of us lately!

November 17

Today I am grateful that we have Randy's Aunt and Grandma in our lives.  Nancy has always been so good to me.  I thankfully am able to work at her store and quilt on her long arm for extra money.  These side jobs help us each month with buying little things or setting money aside in our savings (which I feel like I need to do that more). 
Randy's grandma, Alene, is a neat lady!  She has a lot of energy and is always going, or it seems to me she is.   We are so thankful they are both in our lives and love us!

And for some reason I couldn't come up with pictures of you two ladies!!!  Go figure!  But we love you both! 

November 16

I have the best family ever.  This includes both the Hanson and Palmer sides.  I am truly blessed.  I know I do not always get to tell you I love you or give you that hug as often as I would like.  But know that you are in my heart.

November 14

I think back realize how lucky I am to have two step parents that are pretty great.  They love my boys and my family unconditionally!  Being a step parent I get it and I know what it is like to love a kid who is not biologically your own, but at the same time love them like they are.  Both Brent and Tara love in the same way I do! 
I want to thank the both of you for that, I love you!

November 13

Emma, you are one amazing young lady.  All of the kids love you!  You have blossomed into a beautiful young lady and how is it possible you are almost in high school?!?  I love that you always want me to make my macaroni and cheese, it honestly warms my heart because I always wanted grandma to make her mac and cheese (same recipe).  To know that I can cook almost as good as my grandma makes me happy!  So thanks, Emma!  We love you and you are the best!

Love this picture

Emma and Dad a few years ago!  Or like 11 years ago!

November 12

Tony and Britney are a pretty great couple!  And they are pretty great at loving our kids and our kids are pretty great at loving them.  Noah and Memphis both get so excited if we are doing something we Tony and Britney!!!! 
We are so thankful you two love unconditionally! 

Aren't they cute???

November 11

I am very thankful for this family!  Chris, Sara, Zach and Bailey.  You four are pretty amazing.  I feel that I am blessed to have you for a brother-in-law and sister-in-law.  And then have an adorable niece and nephew! You guys have always been supportive of us and we hope you feel the same way about us.  #Blessed

November 10

Today we are thankful for Peggy and Craig
We are so blessed that they is always willing to help us out!  They helped us out so much when we moved over the spring by letting Randy and Noah stay with them and helping us move or whatever else we might need.  We are so grateful that they are almost always willing to take the kids for a night or to watch them for a little bit.  But of our boys love spending time with them and I am truly thankful for that. 

We love you!

And here is the Halloween picture that I didn't post!

Monday November 9

Little brothers are pretty amazing and I am lucky enough to have a pretty great brother.  Yeah there are times when we do not always see eye to eye but at the same time I will always be there for my brother and I know he will always be there for me!

Love you little brother!

November 6

Today I am so thankful for my dad.  He has always supported me and my family.  Growing up dad would always be outside with us.  We would play football, softball, basketball and any other sport you can think of.  Dad is the one who helped give me that competitive edge and the desire to play sports.  Thankfully that led to a softball scholarship and being able to play softball beyond high school.

Love you Dad!

I must not take pictures around dad!  This is from this summer when Creston softball played Winterset.  Kendra Shaw (red head) plays for Winterset and dad and mom are her God Parents.

November 5

I am beyond grateful for my mom.  She has always been supportive of me and anything I have chosen to do.  She loves unconditionally and always there when I need her!  She would help coach my little league teams so that I could either get with a better coach or be with my friends, which essentially meant to be on the best teams, so that I would have opportunity to be the best I could be.

I love you mom, and thank you for all you do and have ever done!

Here is a throwback! 

November 4

I am looking through our family pictures and seeing amazing pictures of our boys.  I love these two with all of my heart.  You can see their personalities shine through these pictures.  Noah is becoming so grown up!  And Memphis well he is a true boy!  He loves preschool and learning but I honestly think most of all he loves playing with his friends especially, Minka!

I thank God often for these two boys!  Check out these great pictures!!!!

November 3

Today I am thankful for Tori.  And by the way it is her Birthday!  Welcome to the mid 30s club!

I am so happy you are my sister-in-law.  You are more like a sister to me.  I loved that you are married to my brother and gave me a wonderful niece and nephew. 

November 2

As normal I will begin my thankfulness month!  I love this time of year and I always think it is good reflect on everything and one that I am thankful for. 

I will start with Randy.  He is my rock, the one person I know I can always go to and speak my mind without any judgement.  I love him beyond what words can express (I know a little sappy right, but it is true).  I am so thankful for the husband, father, brother, son you are.  Love you more.

Friday October 30-Beggar's Night

Tonight was our trick or treating night in Des Moines.  We had a blast trick or treating.  We had lots of kids (I would say over 100).  The boys had fun, they went with our neighbors.  Which means Memphis got to go with Minka and her brother.  Noah tagged along too.  We left it up to the guys to take the kids! While the ladies handed out candy.  Fun was had by all!

Noah went as the grim reaper.

Memphis went as Pluto

Batman (Rockne), Elsa (Minka) and Pluto (Memphis)

Thursday October 29

Today I had conferences at school.  It makes for a very long day.  However, I had lots of parents by the end of the day and had some really great conversations with parents and students.  I am always thankful for that.  However, because of long days I miss out on seeing the boys.  I came home on Thursday night and this is how I found Memphis.

October 23-25

Girls Weekend-Ferryville, Wisconsin/Lansing, Iowa

This weekend we headed up to see my mom.  Kelli, Brianne, and myself thought it would be a great idea to make it a mother daughter weekend!  Kay and Mary Jo took off early so they could stop several places along the way.  While the 3 of us took off after lunch.  Friday night we arrived and went to supper and then, mom thought that it would be a good idea if we went to a Haunted House!  To be honest, it was a so much fun.  It has been years since I have been to a haunted house and I haven't laughed so hard in a long time!  It was a lot of fun!

Kelli, Me, and Brianne before heading to the haunted house!

Pictures are terrible at the haunted house...but we had fun!

Saturday morning, we headed out to Lansing to check out mom's shop and all of the other little shops that Lansing has to offer.  We had a nice day of walking around and finding things we thought we had to have. 
Such as these beautiful hats!

This just happened to be here for us to take out pictures.  It was like they knew we were coming to town!

Saturday night we stayed in at the cabin and just hung out.  The night was filled with laughter and even more laughter!  Thank you ladies for a wonderful evening of fun.  I think this is an annual event and we might even be adding more friends!  EEK...I can't wait!

Controlling these ladies was rough at times!  Mama Mary Jo, Mama Kelly and Mama Kay!  Love these women!

Kelli and I laughing.  it is what we do best!

And the sunsets are breath taking!