Saturday, January 31, 2009

ICE & more ICE!



The drive to KY, like I said was fine or rather the interstate roads were fine. We did have a little adventure trying to find Gas. With the 80,000 folks without electricity in KY and unpassable roads for mulitple days last week, many places were without gasoline or the ability to pump gas. We stopped at the border of MS and KY to try and fill up before finishing the last leg of our trip and we unable to get gas. I must say it was a little scarey driving through the town and all of the gas stations being closed. But we found some and were on the road again. Most of Western KY was without power so driving hundreds of miles without seeing any lights was eerie. Small towns looked like ghost towns all covered in snow and ice. We took several pics (the fence covered in ice was very close to my parents) but I'd like to borrow one from one of my KY friends, Angie. This pic is of her parents driveway and is a very good example of what half the state looked like. There were acres and acres of trees that were damaged or broken to the ground. Power poles were snapped in half or completely down. It will take weeks to replace all of the electric poles. Fortunately, my parents had power when we arrived, but many family and friends are still without power. We spent most of the day with Mammaw and Papaw visiting. We did manage to get to see Novice and she cut the little guy's hair. Yeah!

Friday, January 30, 2009

100th Day of School


Today Buddy is celebrating his 100th Day of School. He was so excited to take his collection of 100 pennies to school. Although I don't think he got to share them with his class because we picked him up early from school to get on the road. I was nervous it would take us extra time to get there with the roads being icy, but thanks to the Missouri road dept and KY road dept the roads were dry and clear.
Isn't he such a sweetie!
Both boys did wonder in the ride there. It was a long drive but they were so excited to see their cousins and Mammaw & Papaw.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Getting Ready for KY

No pic today as I'm busy getting us all ready for our trip to KY. We are hoping they have electricity before we get there. They've had some real winter weather. Hopefully I'll have some great pics on Monday.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

ICE + SNOW = FUN


So we got ice, then snow, then sleet, then back to snow before it finally quit precipitating.

It didn't make for good snowballs or snowmen, but at least they got out in it and made some snow angels.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

ICE!

Major winter storm is now here and its been freezing rain for a couple of hours now. Its not going to be fun in the morning for driving, but I'm sure school will be cancelled. It sure is pretty though. My family in KY is without power due to the ice, so this is a major winter storm. I'll post more pics of the boys playing tomorrow.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Finished!



Please excuse the bad hair day, just look at the scarf. I made it. Yes, I knitted that lovely orange scarf I'm so gorgeously modeling. First the Man wanted to model it, but beings I made it, I got the honors. I'm so proud of myself. It's not perfect. I managed to accidently create 3 buttonholes in it, the bottom edges look like the U.S. coastline, and I really didn't know how to finish off the yarn and did a really poor job of it, but its my first and its done. Yeah!

I think, I'm going to do another scarf or dishclothes next. Then socks. Nice fuzzy warm socks.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

The New Baby


Our good friends' (who brought us out to OK) little sweetie finally arrived yesterday!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Best Buds

Buddy did really well as school this week, so he was rewarded with having a friend over this weekend. It was no suprise to any of us that he invited Zman over. They are such wonderful friends and we couldn't be happier.

It is so fun to listen to their conversations as they play and pretend. Here they are really into Star Wars legos. We also watched episode V, so you know, Star Wars ROCKS!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Chinese Water Torture

Last week the hot water knob on our bathtub began to drip, then trickle, then stream until eventually it began to pour and the sound of bought water going down the drain was driving me insane. No matter where I was in the house and with what ever distraction, I could hear this water running!


The Man to the rescue. First he fixes his truck and now with little nagging he fixes the knobs on the tub. Way to go DH! And we only had to put Grandpa on speaker phone twice and make three trips to the hardware store to get it done.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Lastest Casualty

Here's the thing... backing up in a mini-van isn't the easiest thing to do nor have I ever parked in a garage before requiring me to back up all the time. So there were bound to be casualties (I'm average one a month) to this learning curve of backing out of the garage. And its true Nana drove a truck with horse trailer from WA to AZ and only killed one traffic cone and I can't even back out of the driveway.



1st it was a small basketball - you would think it would have rolled out of the way, but no - I popped it. It was very loud.

2nd was the tricycle. This one actually brought tears to the boys eyes as they examined the mangled wheels and broken back axel of this hand-me-down tric. (It was already being held together with duct tape). Grandpa and Nana were here and it was even worse when Grandpa declare it dead. But they came to my rescue and got the boys some used bikes. Yeah!

3rd it was the kick ball that had been on our neighbors side of the fence for over a month and then two days after I retreived it, I parked the van over it and it melted - so technicly this was not due to my backing up skills but to my lack of judgement.

4th this lovely pink girl shovel that Little Guy used to dig in the flower beds and bury his CARS cars.



Moral of this story... Don't leave things behind or near Mommy's van or she will kill it.
P.S. I haven't actually hit the garage - yet!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

I've got such good boys

The Buddy has really been making good decisions lately and his listening skills are improving week to week. I think approaching his 6th birthday is doing something too him. Today he actually asked if there was anything I needed help with. So, I sent him off to bring the trashcan from the curb back up to the house. He's such a great kid. And btw its nearly 70 degrees here today. Aah!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Monday, January 19, 2009

Boy needs a haircut


This takes me back to the days of Miss Jacklyn at daycare. Little Guy is using a hair clip to keep his bangs out of his eyes. (side story: he was nearly 2 before getting his first hair cut and in the mean time his beloved teacher at daycare would pin his curls up for fun, it was pretty cute)

The real story: He doesn't like haircuts especially by someone other than our beloved Novice in KY. So we wait until we travel the 15 odd hours from here to there to get his haircut. We've got to be the only crazy parents in the universe that will drive this far so their little one doesn't flip out over a haircut or lets their son use hair barretts. But it works and it gives us just another reason to visit.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

The New Monstrosity

DH has wanted a flat screen tv for years now. I mean years. Thankfully he was kind enough to let me keep my foot to the floor and substained from getting one. With that said, I did promise that if he got a promotion at this new job, I would budget a new tv.


Promotion came Jan. 2, therefore we have a new tv.

I'll admit its really cool and watching the playoffs on it were killer. Too bad the Steeler won and are on their way to the Superbowl against Arizona and that we had to re-arrange the living room again. But isn't a cool tv. You deserve is Babe!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

I learned to KNIT!

I was invited this week to a Knitting Party! Much thanks to my new friend, Elise for the invite. I had a blast. I've never knitted before and was nervous that I would be awful at it, but it turns out it wasn't so bad. We had a lot of fun visiting and talking and knitting, although I will say talking and knitting is hard at first, but you can listen and knit quite easily.
So my first project an orange scarf. And I'm going to make myself finish. Wish me luck! And thanks again Elise, I had a blast being around some grown women having grown women conversations!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Last Hunt of the Season


Much to the Man's disappointment, his first duck season in OK was not what he'd hoped. Believe me it wasn't his lack of trying! He spent some very fridged mornings out on the ponds. He finished the season with 7 ducks and these 2 geese. Using the little guy for scale you can see the goose on the right is as big as he is and probably wieghed more. Huge bird!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

1st SNOW!

I know, I know, its not much to write about, but it actually did snow for the first time this year. And you have to celebrate the first SNOW!

(the little pink flags at the edge of the driveway is so I know where the sprinkler is and don't run over it with the van... anymore)

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

MUSIC in my ear

Today has been all about music for me. I got on the ole PC and rip some songs for my mp3 and have listened to music all day. Its been absolutely wonder. I actually found some old Dave Matthews which has been refreshing and taking me back to college memories. Still loving the White Stripes and the Shins.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Sleeping Prince




Refussing a nap doesn't always mean he doesn't take one! And yes he is wearing DRY underwear and not sucking his thumb although it looks like it in the pic!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Monday Mornings are Soooooo Fun!


I've been having trouble getting myself out of bed since the christmas break. Therefore, breakfast has been getting later and later to the table. When this happens everything is off. Buddy gets just as frustrated as I do about being later than normal to school. Two days this year the morning patrol (middle schoolers who help the little ones out of the car at drop off) has already when in school. This seriously upsets Buddy. So Mommy is going to do better. Promise!
Uncombed hair and not wanting to waste time taken photos Buddy is ready to head out the door.
(the band-aids on two fingers are from his karate chopping a toy and ripping the skin off, they did actually bleed alot)

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Weight-Loss Challenge

It's the end of the day and I haven't taken my photo of the day, so the Man says take it of me! Mr. Attention. So I'm like what about you? "My belly", he says. Huh?
So here's the thing, my DH is on a serious calorie cutting diet to loose his expanded belly. His new job has him sitting at a desk 9 hours a day, eating wonderful food provided by vendors and meetings, and I'm actually cooking supper everynight as well, so in the 6 months we've been here his put on more than a few pounds. So off they go! I'll spare you the hairy belly photo of the measuring tape wrapped around his belly button, but I'll keep you posted on the 11th of each month the disappearing inches!
Goodbye weekend!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

No more sleeping in!


Basketball games for Buddy are every Saturday at 8:15 AM! Its like getting ready for school 6 days a week, but a lot more fun. The kiddos are having a blast and doing really well. Their improvement from week to week is amazing. Our other team parent took some video, so if you need a big smile check out his blog at http://www.cklewie.typepad.com/. He sent me the link via html code, but I'm not savvy enought yet to be successful at link it.

Award-Winning Photo

Yesterday I got an email from my sister with some photos taken by my 3rd grade nephew, S-man. He is on his schools technology leadership team and he's really into photography right now and he is AWESOME. I've got to show you the photo that has been entered into a local contest. It's a cotton bloom taken on a visit out to see us.

Hope you win S-man! This pretty is awesome.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Santa was here 2 weeks ago...


So I've taken the tree down, taken the lights down, put the mantle decoration away, filed the Christmas cards, and yet the stockings still hung.
Santa visited us in New Hampshire and apparently spotted by our empty house in OK and left a little something for the boys in their stockings, but did the boys rip into them? Uh, no. Here they are two weeks after Christmas and still hoping that someone will open them.
Finally wanting to put all decorations away, I mentioned to Buddy that he might not want to offend Santa in more and open his stocking. He was more than willing and excited. I'm not sure what they were waiting for, but they did get open. Little Guy got a DVD of all the School House Rocks songs and Buddy got a Dale Jr #88 die cast car. Santa sure is smart. The car is just what Buddy wanted.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Obsessed!



Obsessed!

I need not say more! Oh wait, I do need to say a big THANKS to my friend Esther, who loaned me all four books. I'll likely be reading them again soon! Just waiting for the DVD to come out.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Tires & Nails, like PB & J

OK, if there is a nail, screw or small piece of metal on any road in this city, I will find it. Little Guy and I had to go directly from taking Big Buddy to school to the tire center to get this tire patched yet again. I'm sure it will not be the last time.

At least we were up and out early so we got alot of errands and things done today.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Back in the Swing of Things!


We are really getting back into a routine around here and the little guy is still trying to potty train, which mean lots and lots of accidents therefore baths.
He really loves the bath so its a good thing!

Monday, January 5, 2009

5 Star Day

With Christmas break behind us, its time for us once again begin our 'checks and balance' system of behavior. Each member of the family judges themselves on their abilities to listen, make good choices, & being nice, giving themselves up to 5 stars a day. Each 100 stars milestone means a family treat (bowling, putt-putt, etc). It has been a wonderful thing, thanks DH for coming up with this one!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

The Woes of Potty Training

Do I really need to explain this one? The little guy's trying without success!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

The Budget Begins!

There's no picture today, because I took a photo of kitchen table scattered with all our bills, notes, & spreadsheets on the laptop, thus our family budget begins. Much inspired by my in-laws and out-of-necessity (we make two house payments in two different states), I worked hard in December getting ready for this new year of becoming debt free. It's really a five year plan, but with the economy the way it is, I often wonder if we've got that long.
But its a good thing... the budget. The Man is on board and we are ready to do this. Happy Saturday!

Friday, January 2, 2009

The Man Can Fix a Truck???

Before we went on our christmas trip to New Hampshire, the Man's truck was not acting right and eventually wouldn't start at all. After consulting with my father (via phone), they determined it was the starter.

In all the years I've known him, my dear husband (DH), has never so much as changed the oil in a car or possibly ever checked the oil in a car, but today he successfully changed the starter on his truck. I can not express how super PROUD I am of him for this. Not only did it save a lot of money, but its a major accomplishment & new skill he can passed down to the boys. Just another reason why he's The Man!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

New Year, New Beginnings

It's a new year and a new beginning and for many years now I've wanted to do a little project call PROJECT 365! This is a scrapbooking project where you take one photo each day and scrap it. So, the idea of scrapbooking 365 photos scares me, as I only completely like maybe 20 photos all of last year, so I'm going to do some photo album scrapbooking with this project and I would also like to post these photos on this blog to let those who may be interested see them. Probably not too likely, but it'll be fun for me.


So Day 1:
The boys enjoy some cartoons and cereal (they eat it like popcorn) with still several days before school and life really starts back up again. And btw we were all in bed by 9:30 last night. Happy New Year!