05-22-07

I've never been up to the lake in Michigan this early in the season...and let me tell you it is beautiful and QUIET! Just what we needed! The only visitors we saw for a few days were these little pesky 'baby' flies. There were a lot of them, and they were pretty slow still, so Chris managed to wipe out a few families while relaxing on the dock...here is his demonstration on how to kill a fly...

May 21, 2007

I just have to start out this blog by saying that Chris and I really thought God was testing us these last 2 days! Here we are ready to leave for a WEEK by ourselves to glorious Michigan...our first time without child (for more than one night) in almost 3 years...and things kept going wrong. The Highlander makes it home from KC but pretty much falls apart as I pull into the driveway. We refused to let this get us down and decided that there was nothing we could do about it right that minute (it was sunday afternoon) and we'd take the other car and deal with it when we got back, we were just very thankful that I made it back from KC and wasn't stuck on the interstate somewhere.

Then we get started on our trip Monday morning bright and early and everything goes well. We're making great time and by the time we stop at the rest stop to eat lunch we are STARVING! So in the midst of all of these picnic tables shrouded in shade from the forest I see the table we are meant to sit at! Remember in National Lampoons Christmas Vacation when Clark sees the ultimate Christmas tree and it looks like God himself is shining down on it...well this picnic table looked just like that!

I commented to Chris that we had to sit there so we drug the cooler and sack of food over to it and made some yummy turkey sandwiches and such...we've just taken a few bites of this lunch that we were STARVING for when (if you're eating now, you might want to read this later!) we felt a sudden rain shower from above...we thought, gee that's weird, it doesn't look like it rained here for awhile...so while I was looking up at the tall trees above us I hear Chris say "that wasn't rain" and I say, "sure it was, no big deal" needless to say I hadn't looked down yet, then I hear him say "it's brown"...at that very moment I see a huge racoon way up high...holy cow, we'd just been sh*% on! We pretty much dropped all our food right then and there...it is one of the few times that I've totally lost my appetite! We threw everything away, tried to rinse out our shirts and washed our hands and we were back on the road. Laughing. Because what else were we supposed to do? I swear it is always an adventure where Chris and I are involved! This is just a glimpse...our cooler...Chris's shirt looked worse, but I accidently erased the picture, just use your imagination!

So after that fiasco we had about 3 1/2 hours to go and thankfully we made it with no other adventures! And I think God had felt that we'd had enough for one day so he painted this picture for us that night as we sat on the dock and enjoyed each others company...does it get any better than this?

May 20, 2007

This picture was actually taken a few days ago, but with all the craziness of driving back from KC, my car falling apart, Braden leaving us for a week and packing to go to Michigan for a week..somehow a picture just didn't get taken today!

I saw this while we were playing at the park. All the equipment is made by this Miracle company and it is imprinted everywhere, I just thought it very fitting, that my Miracle was playing on it ;)

May 19, 2007

Today I got to venture down to Kansas City by myself to attend the bachelorette party of my dear friend Michelle! It was a hoot! We had lots of fun and I got to hang out with girls who I haven't seen in quite some time and meet some new ones too! Michelle and I have been great friends since junior year or so, that's a long time...11 years or so...holy cow! She is awesome and we've had many great times over the years! I will be in her wedding in 2 weeks and I know it will be beautiful! Thanks for all the good times Michelle! Love ya babe!

May 18, 2007

This morning as I was taking the trash out to the curb, much to my surprise, this is what I saw in our front yard! I guess I really heard them first and thought it strange...and this is what I saw...3 mallard ducks just hanging out! Braden thought they were pretty cool and wanted to chase them, but I wasn't sure how 3 male ducks would react to a little monster chasing them around the yard, so we just watched them!

May 17, 2007

Father and son cuddled up and reading all about Braden's favorite things...Trucks!

May 16, 2007

I thought this was pretty cool looking! Just a bunch of mushed up playdough...but it was pretty all the same, kind of reminded me of the Earth!

May 15, 2007

While I was doing some housework today :) Braden found a box that contained a wooden Nativity set in his room. When I found him...this is how he had it arranged. Pretty dang good if you ask me! He must get his smart genes from his mother :) He was so proud of it too!

May 14, 2007

I do believe that this is a first! I found Braden downstairs fast asleep on the floor this afternoon! He is not one to do this...you've seen the highchair pics...and that has happened twice in his almost 3 years...so here's another first! He spent the morning at Jill and Gavin's house so they must have worn him out! It was awfully cute though!!!

May 13, 2007

Braden picked out these beautiful flowers for me for Mother's day! It was great! Chris and Braden got me breakfast and coffee! We did a lunch on the deck and walked to the park and played. Then Braden got to play in the sprinkler for awhile! It was just the 3 of us and it was a great day to be a mom! Thank you both for making it a special day for me!

May 12, 2007

After training in Cedar Rapids all day I hurried back for Margarita Night at Jill's house! So technically this is May 12th's picture b/c it was taken after midnight! Yeah, I can still party like a rock star every now and then! And it is especially good when you just have to walk across the street to go home! Did I mention I have awesome neighbors? And the margaritas Jill made were Delicious...mmmm...so much fun!!!

Today is also my big brother's 30th birthday! Happy Birthday Eric! We love you! Sorry we missed the surprise party that Mom and Dad put together! We'll see you soon!

May 11, 2007

Today I drove to Cedar Rapids (first time ever) for some March of Dimes training! I chair a committee and we have some fun and exciting things coming up...it was very informative and I can't wait to get started on the new project that will launch in June! These are some of the awesome ladies I work with!

May 10, 2007

Tonight Braden found this binky hidden in my vanity. He hasn't used a binky in over 7 months...but he grabbed it and stuck it in his mouth. You could tell it felt kind of funny to him, he really didn't know what to do with it...but he thought it was pretty funny...and we had his hair in a pony tail and that is why it is all spiked up...the kid seriously needs a haircut...maybe one of these days!

May 09, 2007

Seriously, can you tell I love these flowers? And I haven't killed them yet, so that is always a plus :)

May 8, 2007

My garden is starting to bloom! I'm loving these new flowers I got this year, don't ask me what they're called, I don't remember! But this picture doesn't really do them justice!

May 7, 2007

We were watching our good friends Trey and 'Baby Bret' and Braden really wanted to read his garbage truck book to Bret! It was so cute, he'd ask him to look at the trucks and tell him what everything is! Then he wanted to give him big hugs and pat him on the head! I tell you this kid is baby crazy (even when the baby is as big as him :)

May 6, 2007

The big day finally caught up with Braden today! He fell asleep sitting up with 5 other people talking all around him! He was zonked!!!
But then he was all eady for some sugar! Mmmm...Oreos! (Poor guys allergies were bugging him...his little eyes get the brunt of it!)

May 5, 2007

Well, where to begin? Today was Walk Day! So much buildup has come to this one day! Thank goodness the rain stayed away and we ended up having a really nice day! I am astounded each year to see all the families come out who have been affected by prematurity...it was quite awesome! This year we went from 60 to 110 family teams, 1000 to 1500 walkers and to date have raised somewhere around $220,000! How awesome is that! Here's just a few shots from the day! I would crash your computer if I put all of them on here :)

My day began at 6:30 am, Shonda picked me up and we were off to help set up at the park. Thankfully there was coffee brewing and we got to jump in the bouncey house before all the kiddos got there and took it over...that was worth getting up!!!
That ornery look on his face...yeah he's the one we walk for :)
Just a few of the Team Miracle Monster crew! We had 19 people and one dog walking on our team this year...it was quite awesome if I do say so myself :)
Me and my good friend Shonda!
Braden had to stop and play in the *flowers* for awhile! It was very cute!!!And all this walking was quite hard on my pregnant sister :) It sure did wear her out! But the day wouldn't have been complete without her, because we walk for that little bambino in her tummy too...keep growing little one...get your whole 9 months in!!!

May 4, 2007

The reason for Braden's blue foot (see previous post) Look at those monsters! His baby footprint fits nicely in his instep...my how he has grown!!!

May 3, 2007

EWWWW...Braden has really poor circulation...ha ha ha just kidding...his mom just needed his footprint for his Walk t-shirt...and the ink pad I used just wasn't the easiest to get off :) I thought he might freak out b/c his foot was still blue, but he seemed to think it was pretty cool!

May 2, 2007

You can't really see them in the picture...but there is a handful of one day old baby bunnies in that hole! I discovered this surprise in my flower garden this morning! The mommy must have been in a hurry, because she had them in just about the least secluded, quiet place around...we'll see how long they stick around!

May 1, 2007

Chris and I have been meeting with a financial planner to make sure everything is on the right track! So far so good! Here is a mess of paperwork that Chris had to sign (I was busy getting Braden in bed...ha ha ha)

April 30, 2007

Today was the FIRST sprinkler day of the year! I guess you could say that Summer is officially here when you can jump around in your swimsuit in the freezing cold sprinkler!!!! Braden had a blast!

April 29, 2007

Back from our weekend in H-town and Mommy had to get to work on making our team shirts! Good thing Sunday night t.v. was on...Desperate Housewives, Brothers and Sisters...and I think I even watched an ER episode that I had tivoed! Thank God for TIVO!!!

April 28, 2007

Daddy and Braden exploring the great outdoors behind Jim & Sissy's house! He had lots of fun on the Sawdust Trail!!!

April 27, 2007

This has got to be the coolest way to travel! Got all the essentials...juice cup,check...Mack Truck, check...cool dude shades, check He was so happy to be heading to Meena K's and PopPop Dirk's house!!!

Braden's first track meet! We were in Hannibal today and watched Chris's cousin Leah pole vault! Braden thought the runners were pretty cool and said he could run *fast, fast, fast* like them!