Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Halloween

It's been pretty quiet around here in the afternoon with Rowyn at school, so I decided it would be a good time to sew a little.

I started with a few new pillows.
I'd forgotten how calming it is to sew.



Now that it's chilly out, I've been walking indoors instead of out.

The kids like to go in the bounce house while I'm down there.

The other day, she had her best bud Quinn go with her.


I made a pin the other day, quinoa and black bean stuffed peppers.  They were delicious and I'll definitely make them again.


We purchased our ovens, cook top, and refrigerator for the new house.  

My dad was a rock star dealing with them and got us a fabulous deal.  Aside from the appliances, nothing new at the other house.  Clyde has been framing someone else's house, so ours is on the back burner.

Pumpkin time!
The kids cannot wait until trick or treating tonight.

Rowyn and Camdyn have The Nightmare Before Christmas pumpkins.
Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie.

Cooper and Riley opted for team spirit.
Michigan vs Iowa.

Happy Halloween!



Monday, October 22, 2012

Catching Up

Blogging has kind of been put on the back burner lately.
We've been so busy with everything going on.
I think it's a busy time of year for everyone.

Anyway, just catching up...


The kids went to a Halloween birthday party at a neighbor's house.
My neighbor, Angie, did an amazing job with all the details.
The kids had a blast!


Cooper was a zombie doctor.
Rowyn was petrified of him and wouldn't even let him touch her.


Getting into the fall spirit a little.  I made caramel acorns for an after school snack for the kids.


I also decorated the mantel.


We celebrated Riley's 11th birthday.


I surprised her with a Hunger Games theme.

She loved it. :)

Riley (#1 in the pic) started on a club volleyball team, Dynamite.  She's playing in Peosta now, but will also be traveling for tournaments.  It's fun to watch the improvement they're making already.  

She's playing the cello now and seems to really enjoy it.

Rowyn had her first school picture.
My baby...not so much a baby anymore. 


We celebrated my birthday, as well.
My mom made me the perfect card.
Bright, happy, rainbow.
Love it!

She also made me a homemade salted caramel cheesecake.
Divine!


I found this wine while grocery shopping the other day.
I like the look and taste of it.
Perfect for Halloween time.

We got together with friends and neighbors for an Iowa Hawkeye party.
We had fun...even though they lost. :(

I made it to one of Cooper's football games.
He's quarterback in this one.

Cooper and his dad.
Clyde loves being involved with his team.
Even though he hates all the drama that comes with it.
Seriously, you wouldn't believe the drama.

Cooper was pulled aside by the other teams coach after their last game.
He told Cooper that if he keeps running the ball like he is now, he'll be a superstar in a few years.
Wow, what a nice compliment...Cooper was beaming.  
We're pretty proud of him, as you can imagine. :)

The house progress has slowed down.
We do have most of the windows in (three didn't come in yet) and the house is pretty much enclosed.  All this rain has helped things.
They are supposed to come on Wednesday and hook up the water line so Clyde can pour the front porch and get the porch framed.
Then we can roof it all.
I'm deciding on siding colors now.
It's not going well.
It seems like every decision I make, I second guess myself later.
Then I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about it all and can't get back to sleep.
It's maddening.



Tuesday, October 09, 2012

Trusses and sheeting

 The trusses started going up the other day.  You could see the roof start to appear.

The crane was necessary to help lift them, since one truss weighed nearly 1000 pounds.


Once most of the trusses were in place, they started sheeting it.





Today they are putting the felt down.
Once the windows come in, then they'll cut out the sheeting...but for now it looks like a giant cube house.  I can't wait to get everything enclosed.