November: In Review

November flew by in the blink of an eye.

Clyde began his firefighter class and is now officially part of the Asbury Community Fire Department.  We're very proud of him and he seems to really be enjoying it.

Riley had a basketball tournament in Bellevue.  Digs went along with me.

In between games, they had some old fashioned fun on a vintage merry-go-round.

We had some pretty awesome seats.

Cooper's school celebrated Veteran's Day and he invited his Papa as his guest.

We went to Chicago for my sister Caitlin's Engagement Party.  We had Thai food at my sister Kathleen's before heading over to the party.

I also got to visit Maddux...my sister Caitlin's sometimes-naughty Basenji.

My beautiful sister and sister-in-law at the party.

My niece, Isabel, was allowed to make a brief appearance...she was pretty happy about it!

I can't believe I didn't get any pictures of the couple, after all, it was THEIR engagement party.
*sigh*  

I voted.  

Tashi realized Booth was the warmest spot in the house.

Rowyn found treadmilling in princess gear and heels wasn't impossible.  When there's a will, there's a way.

Rowyn's class made these cute candy turkey's.

Thanks to my sister, Caitlin, I'm hooked on Trader Joe's for protein shakes.

Digs was less-than-impressed when her Grammy made her a JibJab video...Gangnam Style.

We started watching Revolution.  Hooked.

I took family pictures.  Only once did I have to deal with one little drama queen storming off in a huff.

Petey-Woody-Charlie is back from the North Pole.

We celebrated Camdyn's 7th Birthday in everything rainbow.  She loved it!

 My mom prepared the perfect Thanksgiving meal.  I love being with family...wishing everyone could have been there, but we'll see them at Christmas.

 Rowyn found a vintage ball gown in my parent's basement.  Presh. ;)

And, last but not least, Lumpy went cannibal on the turkey leg.  Good God. 


There.  I updated.  A whole month.
No more nasty grams on my Facebook page.
Ha!

Halloween 2012

We had a spoooktacular Halloween.
The kids came home from school in a whirlwind, wanting to get their costumes on immediately.
I'll be honest, that first hour is not my favorite part.
Trying to get everyone something to eat.
Trying to find coordinating mittens, etc, because it was cold out this year.
Missing costume parts needing to be found.
Fighting over who gets what bag to carry.

But we got through it and then everyone was happy.

Well, not everyone...

Rowyn reached over and put her arm around Camdyn.
Camdyn protested briefly, hence the scowl.

Then the dog tried escaping.

Finally I enlisted help from dad (see his reflection in the window...haha!)
But I got them all looking and smiling.
Well, all but Cooper. ;)

Cue the goofy shot!




My little girls love the new song by Taylor Swift...We are never ever getting back together.

I busted Rowyn yesterday about to break it down. ;)

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!

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.