A little mini-vaca to Minnesota!

The four of us piled into our van and headed to the Twin Cities for a little get-a-way. This fall was extremely busy for us and daddy was gone a lot (Africa and working on the farm), so we were excited to have some family fun.  And that is just what we did!  We stayed at the Grandstay (has a bedroom and living area which is absolutely necessary with young children so we don't have to go to bed at 8:00 with them!).  We did some swimming in the cold pool and the hot pool as Ev calls the hot tub, enjoyed cable (we don't have cable at home) and ate up the yummy (Mommy didn't have to make or clean up) breakfast.  We hit up Ikea (we scored some majorly cheap closet storage, some kitchen organization items, and some fun things for the kiddos-i.e. a huge footstool so Evan can help in the kitchen and a race car rug for the basement).  We met up with my cousin Emily and her fiance, and got all the wedding details-it is going to be absolutely beautiful and they are a fantastic couple.  Better yet, Ev and Alea are going to be in the wedding, so fun!  She gave us the idea to head to the downtown Macy's to Santaland which is staged on the 8th floor.  It was so cool and free!  A double bonus.  The kids loved seeing all the elves and especially enjoyed the rice krispie treat at the end.  Last, but not least, we went to Toddler Tuesday at Mall of America, which means Dora was there and it was only 12 dollars to ride about 8 rides.  Ev absolutely loves the all the rides and man, did Alea want to go on them, but still too little.  Next year!
We definitely didn't get the best sleep and we dealt with some wicked tantrums,  but it was all worth it.  Maybe we will make this an annual thing!  :)

Evan at Santa Land in the downtown Macy's

Alea loved looking at all the little fake elves! (she also bonked her head pretty hard on this ledge about 5 minutes prior, but she is tough!)

Evan loves the rides at MOA-on the balloon ride with daddy!

Alea would probably love the rides, but not big enough yet, she had fun walking around and looking at them though!

Evan and Alea would hold hands walking down the long hallway to our hotel room-precious!

How is my little girl already 1?

Alea turned 1 on November 12th and I feel like it was just yesterday when I found out I was pregnant (much to our surprise!).  What a year it has been, being blessed with a little girl, adjusting to having two little ones, and finishing her 1st year with a big celebration.  We had a b-day brunch with lots of family and friends in attendance.  She was little bit overwhelmed but it was so awesome to have so many people there for her special day.  Her favorite part of course was eating the yummy cake-she had absolutely no interest in her presents.  The funniest part of the day was when she wanted to wear two headbands my friend Erin made her, when all year, I couldn't get her to keep one cute headband on!  She's apparently aware of how she wants to style herself after turning 1!

Eating her yummy pumpkin cake!

Her two pretty headbands!

Anyways, here are some things she is up to now that she is 1:
-Has been walking since 11 months, loves to climb, be chased, wrestle with daddy
-Says da-da, momma, hi, door, dog, duck, ball, horse, and your favorite word is no!  She just started saying belly button too while you lift up your shirt and point to it.  So cute!
-She understands a lot of what we say, meaning she can go get something if we tell her to, point to correct body parts
-Has an outgoing personality and is always making funny faces.
-Always ready to laugh /smile
-Very strong-willed and will not back down. Screams when her brother takes something from her and holds onto it with all her little strength. Once, at story time, there was an older boy trying to take her train and she just screamed right at him, not at all afraid that he was twice her size!
-She loves when the school bus comes and runs to our living room window and presses her face against the glass until it leaves.
-She still loves music and is dancing now!  She either bobs up and down or takes one foot and stomps it to the beat.  It is hilarious!
-She is a picky eater which is so different from my son.  It is a struggle to get her to eat most veggies!  And she likes her fruit cut a certain way or she won't eat it!  (Girls...)
-She loves her juice/water mix and kind of holds her cup off to the side when she drinks from it-so goofy! 
-She loves eating out of her snack cup-maybe I should sneak some veggies in there! :)
-She will play, then come check in with me by giving me a hug and patting me on the back-I must do that to her without realizing it. 

-She loves when I let her down at the store to wander around-she walks around like she owns the place! 

-She is still fearless-climbing on everything, standing on top of things, heads up the stairs whenever she thinks I am not looking! I really have to keep close watch of her!
-She loves her daddy for roughhousing, but is still a momma's girl right now.
-She LOVES her big brother and follows him around everywhere, playing cars with him, giving him huggers and kissers and generally annoying him, but out of love!  :) 

Thanksgiving 2011

Well, Thanksgiving was a little different for my crew this year, but we made do and it was wonderful.  I hosted my first Thanksgiving, but it was only my parents and my kids, so it was a perfect trial run.  They are pretty easy to please!  Mickey had to work so it was my mom and I in the kitchen.  We made all the usuals, but my best contribution was mashed sweet potatoes (a recipe I found on Pinterest) and my mom made some yummy corn pudding casserole and pumpkin pie!  It was a great day.  I got to run with my dad in the morning, watch the parade with my kiddos, and just relax (after all the cooking and cleaning of course!)  My mom and I don't do the Black Friday thing but thankfully, my in-laws do and they scored me a $180 carseat for $99!  Woohoo! (Thanks Cathy and Cari!)  Alea is ready to move into a big girl car seat so this was awesome.
We left for Omaha on Friday morning to spend a couple days with Mickey's family at a waterpark hotel.  We swam, ate lots of food, had a mini-Christmas, and just enjoyed catching up.  Unfortunately, Ev got a little sick on Saturday night and we had to head home early.  He is doing better now, I think it was just his allergies and asthma bothering him.  :)

Anyways, made it home safely and Mickey had to work today, so the kids and I had a bum around home day.  We did nothing!  And it was just what we needed after some busy days.    

Finally, my thankful list-These were the 1st 10 things that came to my mind in no particular order and is not a complete list whatsoever, I have so much to be thankful for.  

1. Staying at home this year to become a better wife and mom and servant of Jesus Christ-I LOVE being at home!  

2.  In this season of us not having two paychecks-God has provided for us over and over again.

3.  My marriage is improving-not perfect by any means-but God has us right where He wants us!

4.  Health-I take this for granted sometimes or overlook it, but I shouldn't.

5.  I have two of the most beautiful, amazing children-they bring smiles to my face everyday and I still can't believe sometimes that I get to be their mommy!

6.  Our church and our small group from church are my lifeblood for staying in the Word and drawing closer to the One who gives me Life.  

7.  Prayer runs-I have been running a lot and I purposely don't take music most of the time so I can just pray.  God has really used this time in great ways.

8.  Titus 2!  This group of women at my church that I meet with on Tuesday mornings to learn how to be a Titus 2 woman never cease to amaze me.  So thankful I know these women!

9.  I have incredible, loving, and generous parents.  They would do anything for me, my hubby, or my kids with no strings attached.  

10.  Peace and contentment from Christ alone.  I am so thankful God takes my fears and worries upon Him.  I wouldn't know any other way except to give them to Him.  
Happy Thanksgiving!

Beggar's Night

Beggar's Night was so fun!  Mickey didn't have to work so we actually got to trick or treat together.  (kind of)  I took Evan and Alea around the cul-de-sac, then came home with Alea.  Daddy took Evan and they were gone for an hour and a half.  I couldn't believe Evan made it that far.  He walked the whole way and carried his little pumpkin of treats.  Too bad he can't eat 90 percent of them because of his peanut, tree nut, and egg allergies!  There were a few things he could have, like Skittles, suckers, and Smarties so he was still happy.  Evan went as a firefighter (just like last year-he insisted even though I tried to tell him he can't be a firefighter every year just because that is what daddy does-haha!) and Alea was a little ballet dancer.  Enjoy a few pics below!

 

A loving and talented daddy!

Well, when my son said he wanted a Lightning McQueen pumpkin carving this year, I laughed and said, "Ask your father".  And that is what he did!  Mickey said, "Sure, why not?"  And he went to work.  He found an image online, then free hand drew it and carved it,  I am so impressed with how it turned out!

Evan loves it! 

Now, what to do for Alea's pumpkin?  Well, she is not old enough to have any favorites, so Evan chose for her.  "Alea wants Mater, daddy."  Oh my goodness... So, my hubby, the wonderful daddy he is, went to work at 9:00 at night after a long day of harvesting at his family farm.  He worked his magic again, and he accomplished the Mater pumpkin.

Apple Orchard Fun

Fall is by far my favorite season of the year (even though I am not too fond of what it leads up to...brrr!).  We have had such a beautiful fall here in Iowa and we love taking advantage of the great weather and scenery by going to apple orchards.  Our most favorite place to go is....Center Grove Orchard in Cambridge.  Oh my goodness, it is an orchard on steroids!  :)  I first discovered the place because a former co-worker of mine from Terrace Elementary (Trisha Romig) grew up there!  It is her family's place.  They have done an amazing job making it beautiful, fun, and festive.  They have animals for the kids to look at, a pool filled with corn kids can dive into, a humongous jumping pillow to flop around on, and a super duper huge slide to go down.  Oh and they have apples too!  haha!  We bought season passes this year and have already been there about 5 times and have plans to go many more times while we still can.  Below are some pictures of my kids (and my hubby and me) having a blast at Center Grove!

Alea loves making noises back ath the animals! Hilarious!

I love the corn pool, it is a good workout to wade around in!

I am just so happy she never even tried to eat the corn! Good girl!

I honestly think my hubs enjoys the jumping pillow more than my son!



Look of pure delight and terror on his face, priceless!



Evan's Dresser

Hey all, just wanted to share a pic of Evan's very cheap and fun dresser!  We bought the dresser at IKEA for $34.99 and a couple cans of spray paint at Walmart for $3.00 a can and now he has a dresser in his favorite color!  He loves it and it is a perfect size for underwear, socks, and pj's.