Our Thanksgiving holiday

We had such a wonderful time this past weekend. Thursday we enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal with Gary's grandparents and his siter Stefanie. It was a yummy dinner and a very enjoyable time.

For the first time in years I didnt' get up at 4am to shop!! I did however go to my mom's and she took me and the girls out to eat at Red Lobster (one of my favorite restraunts) and we did shop for a few things but overall not a lot.





Saturday Tanner and Chase had there 1st wrestling tournament of the season. They both ended up with 2nd place which I think was pretty awesome!!! After that we had a soup lunch at my moms and then we all got ready to go to the UNI football game. UNI has had a perfect season and we were all excited to see them play in the 1st game of the playoff's. Let me just say it was a very exciting game and I'm glad we went even though it was a VERY late night for us.









Sunday we got our Christmas tree. This year we decided to go for a real one. Gary got rid of my fake tree this summer, the kids and I had fun picking it out and Gary had fun getting it on the van.

Big things are happening around here!

Well today is Sophia's 4 month birthday. It's hard to believe that it's been 4 months. Wow how time flies. Here is a picture of her from this past weekend when we celebrated Mason's 5th birthday.


Today Mason also lost his first tooth, Danyelle helped him pull it out. He has another one loose, so it's just a matter of time. Here is the picture of his first missing tooth.

Mason turns 5 today

And let me tell you he is EXCITED!!!! He's been up since 6:00am and just informed me that he needs a booster seat in the van instead of the car seat because he is 5. Today we will go to Chuckie Cheese for lunch and Saturday we are having his birthday party. Happy Birthday Mason we love you!!!!

Oh it's a Monday again!!

I really didn't want to get out of bed this morning. When my alarm went off I was thinking....AGAIN!!!! Trying to get his house in order is such a chore and it takes a lot out of a person ya know. Friday night Danyelle had a dance thankfully Gary was home so I could go to bed early and not have to wait up for her.

Saturday I got up at 5:10 (way toooo early on the weekend) so that I could get myself and Sophia ready to go to a Holiday Showcase with Tastefully Simple. It was a bit of a drive but I got the pleasure of hanging out with my friend Abby and meeting Kate, Joy and Cris. It was a GREAT day with some major sales and even more importantly friends.

I got home Sat night and Gary had been to work and back, I think it was seriously the shortest job he's ever gone on. So we decided to head out to listen to a band playing, they were pretty good, but I was TIRED as I finally crawled into bed at 1am. Being up for 20 hours doesn't work to good for me.

Sunday I was up at 7:30 as I had to teach Sunday School, then come home to make lunch quick and take Danyelle to cheerleading. While she was there I spent the time shopping for Mason's birthday presents. By the time we were done I was totally exhausted.

So that's the reason for my Monday morning dread. I'm still dragging, but I still have so much to do, so I had better get to it!

Wrestling starts tonight!!!!!

I'm so excited that's all I have to say :)

Our Anniversary!!

Today is the day that I married my best friend! God has blessed us so much and I'm thankful everyday for the privilage to be his wife. Here's to many more anniversary's!!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

It's my favorite time of the year (said with much sarcasm). Halloween the day that starts the fight with my children for the next few weeks of whether candy is a major food group and if they can PLEEAAASSSEEE eat it for every meal of the day!!!

Sophia's first Halloween, her cute little outfit says "I love MUMMY"!!

Mason as the Tin Man. We had a whole Wizard of Oz theme going but our scarecrow turned into a Ninja as the costume didn't fit and we had 2 Dorothy's. I was the witch...just not in costume...The GOOD WITCH ;)

Our town celebrated Beggars Night last night. We held our annual Halloween party for my daycare families. Usually we have soups...chicken noodle and chili, but since it was so warm I changed the menu to ham or turkey sandwiches. It's a fun time for the parents to all come together and I'm providing them a meal so they can get out the door to trick or treat faster!!!

Here are a few of my daycare kids before heading out to get candy!

Gary actually made it home for 1 hour of the festivities!! Emma was so excited to walk with him getting her favorite thing in the world....CANDY!!

Emma practicing her skipping on the yellow brick road. She LOVES her ruby slippers!

Sophia the Lion feel asleep 1/2 way through. Thankfully we had WONDERFUL weather, a little windy but very nice overall!

Happy Birthday Gary!!!!

Today is my wonderful Husband's birthday!! He is such a great provider and an awesome Dad! I am so blessed to be married to him, and I thank God everyday for bringing us together. I love you Gary!!!

Happy 3 month Birthday Sophia!!!!

I can't believe how time is flying. 3 months ago our latest blessing was born into our family. She is such a sweet and good baby, I can't believe how well she does with all the running around and craziness here in the house. God is so GOOD!!! HAPPY 3 MONTH BIRTHDAY SOPHIA!!!

A week in review

Busy, Busy, Busy is all I can say. We have been busy doing all kinds of things this week. Soccer, Volleyball, and 2 football games. Here is a little photo recap of the week.

Here is Chase's soccer game last weekend.

Chase really likes soccer and has enjoyed playing this year. Only 2 games left. We play this weekend and then next weekend. Soon wrestling will start!

Up next is Danyelle's volleyball game. Here she is saying HI to us before the game starts. Her season is now over. As a team they had a winning season and she really enjoyed her first year of volleyball.

Here she is getting ready to serve, she scored 3 points for her team off her serves.

Now onto our 2 football games from yesterday. Here is Tanner, he is playing for the Broncos this year he plays middle linebacker. He loves playing football and his goal is to beat his dad's high school tackle record of 22 in one game.

Our last picture is Chase's flag football game. We made it just in time for him to play. He really enjoys playing sports.

Will she fit mommy???

Emma wanted to see if she if her baby sister would fit in her dolly stroller so we tried it out :) Sophia enjoyed her ride.

A little Ramble

Sophia turned 2 months yesterday! I can't believe how fast it goes, I love watching her change and grow it's so amazing. Here she is with her favorite blanket made by a wonderful friend. Her big sister Emma just loves her so much, it's so sweet to hear her talk and singing to her baby sister.

The kids are keeping me busy, running here and there. It's so fun to see them in all their activites. Saturday Tanner won his football game, Danyelle scored 3 points in her volleyball game, Chase started Kids Club at church last week and loves going.

Daniel loves Kindergarten and Mason is actually going to Sunday School this year and LOVES IT!!! Praise the lord :)

Aside from my normal mommy duties, Mom's group started back up and I'm getting those meeting organized, I also took over the Sunday School administrator job and teaching 2 times a month. Girl Scout will be starting soon, we had our kick off this past Monday and my Browinie troop went from 4 to 11. It's really great to see and Danyelle being a Cadette will have great opportunities to help!!

Gary is busy on the road and we are contiuning to pray that the house sells so we can be closer.

Here is our littlest cheerleaders from this past weekend....GO Hawkeyes!!!

Sophia has finally hit 8 lbs!!!

We had her weight check today and at 7 weeks old she is finally 8lbs 3 oz. She has gained a little length 20 1/2 inches. Were excited to finally use the size 1 diapers :) Keep growing little one!!

Summer is coming to a end

With the passing of Labor Day it means that our summer is coming to an end. As much as I love the long days and *care free* summer activities I must say Fall is my favorite season and I can't wait.

This weekend we went out our annual family reunion it's always fun to see extended family and catch up on who's adding to the family and what there all doing.

After that we went to mom's to stay and spend a little time there. I havent' been *home* since Christmas and it was great to be there. The kids played and had a blast and I was able to relax a bit (it's sure nice to not have to pick up after myself ;) oh how I miss my mommy!!!

Other than that we are back in the swing of things. Soccer starts for Chase, Tanner has his first football game Saturday and Danyelle has her first volleyball game tonight.

BUGS!!!

So last night I'm at a meeting at church. For those who don't know our church is directly behind my house. I left the kids w/big sister to eat and of course while I'm at the meeting the boys decide to come over to *play*.

Another lady from church had her boys there and they were on a mission to catch BUGS!!! As we are sitting in the meeting we here these voices....MOOOOM you HAVE to come here and SEE this!!! We run out to see what we HAVE to see and we find a new friend....this HUGE praying mantis.

The joys of being a railroad wife

Gary was able to come home last night and it was great to see him. As he's running around getting his laundry started and I make him dinner he decides sit down and do the bills. It then dawns on him......where's my cell phone?? After looking in the car and bedroom we find it....at the bottom of the washer!!

All his work #'s saved on it....and guess who now doesn't have a cell phone for a few days....yep me!!! Which is ok as then it gives me an excuse to not answer it :)

On the home front it's been a pretty uneventful first part of the week. Cheerleading was cancelled for Danyelle as it was too hot in the gym where they practice. Chase had his first tumbling class, and Danyelle's dance class starts back up tonight.

The rest of the week should be nice and quiet....we hope!!!

So I have officially joined the blogging world

I have seen all of my friends wonderful blogs and decided....what a fun way to communicate to all our friends and family. So I present to you all the debut of our family blog. I'll *hopefully* update with excitng and fun tales of what's going on in our life.