Thankful Thursday

I'm so very thankful for my village.  I had surgery a couple weeks agoto hopefully start figuring out all the headaches I've been having and my people stepped it up, BIG time.  Kent was amazing, getting my to and from surgery and keeping things lighthearted and funny when I got anxious.  My mom and dad have been such troopers helping out with the kids.  Keith and Cindy, fresh off a busy wedding weekend, have offered help bringing meals.  My sisters have been so supportive and thoughtful. My neighbors have helped keep an eye on Kase, brought us dinner and dessert and sent so many sweet texts.  My co-workers have been incredibly understanding about my absence as we start back up the preschool year.  Cousins have sent flowers.  People are awesome.

I'm thankful for all the times Kent has brought me my favorite soup home for lunch so far this school year.  He's the best.

I'm so thankful for Kael's first football game! I love that he's part of the team and seems to be enjoying the season so far.  He loved getting out of school early to go to Fort Dodge and I'm thankful that Kent and my parents were able to go watch him while I was at a teacher training all day.  I'm just really proud of Kael!

I'm thankful for all the frogs we caught last night! Kase has been so excited about catching frogs and last night we caught some big ones! Kylee and I had been on our way home from volleyball practice when we saw several frogs so as soon we got home she called for Kase and he ran out (in no shirt, wearing her slides) and we took off to catch them! He was SO happy.

I'm thankful for Keith and Cindy who are taking Kase on a vacation this weekend! He's so excited to get to go on a trip by himself with Grandma and Grandpa and also get to miss a day and a half of school! I will miss my little buddy but I know he will have a great time!

Weekend Wrap-Up

We love fall.  Our weekend was filled with football and time spent around the fire pit!

Kylee also had a sleepover with friends.

 And Saturday we spent celebrating Kent!

We enjoyed a nice meal at Jethro's with my family.

He loved his new Jaguar shirt, family photo and American flag socks.

Grandpa Keith and Grandma Cindy stopped by and even got to hear Kylee play her new clarinet!

The boys went to a neighbor's birthday party!

The Hawkeyes won, we had an Edward Jones get together on Sunday night, and overall it was just a great weekend with family and friends!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for Kent, who is able to handle all the phone calls trying to get our house put back together.  It has taken a lot of his time and he's so much better at it than I would be.

I'm thankful that another family stepped in to host the FA barbecue this weekend.  

I'm thankful for our frog-catching traps.  Kase and his buddies have been having the best time after school lately catching and playing with frogs.

I'm thankful for rainy days but so very thankful that the weather has cleared up.  It's so nice to have the windows open!

Weekend Wrap-Up

What a weekend! It rained allll weekend long but we managed to fit some fun in!

Thursday night Kylee had her first official babysitting job.  She was so happy and proud and I think she got along great!

These two spent a lot of time doing Nerf Wars in Kase's room since the basement is out of commission.

Sweet Kael still holds my hand sometimes when we're relaxing at night as a family.  He knows I've been feeling crummy lately and tries to make me feel better!

Kent took the boys to the apple orchard (thanks, Keith and Cindy for the season passes!!!) between rain storms. Kylee was with a friend and the boys needed a night out of the house.  I think they had a great time!

The next day, Kylee wanted to go, so back we went to the orchard.  It wasn't crowded at all and we had a lot of fun.

When we got home, Kylee made some homemade lipstick.  I know.  She is fully turning into a tween right before our eyes and I'm loving every second of it.

How do you like our new kitchen table? Ha.  Amidst everything that is happening in our house, I decided I don't really like the kitchen table we ordered a few weeks ago so we sent it back and are ordering a new one. But I loved coming in the kitchen the other day and seeing Kent drawing up flag football plays while Kylee colored at our little card table.

Later that night we went out for dinner with Keith and Cindy.  What a welcome distraction that was to our current crazy (flooded) home life! After dinner the kids ran next door to the party store while we finished up and were paying and they sent me this picture.  I died laughing.

Keith and Cindy came back here to hang out and it was so nice to spend time with them just relaxing.  Kael showed them a new quiz game he has been working on.

Meanwhile, Kase worked on his chip shot in the front yard.

Monday we just laid low.  Kase actually got sick Sunday night so Monday morning was super low key for him.  Kent and I took some stuff down off the walls since we will need to paint and the big kids helped us clean and just get things done around here.  Later Kael went to a movie with a friend and the rest of us took a long walk and enjoyed some family time. 

Over the weekend both of my sisters stopped by and it was really nice to catch up with them and also get their opinions on new paint colors and ideas for the house.  #ForcedRemodel

We are VERY ready to get back to a normal schedule this week and I'm looking forward to being at preschool starting this week too.  Hope you all enjoyed a nice long weekend!

Thankful Friday

I'm thankful for a rainy morning and a long weekend ahead with not many plans.  I can't wait to relax and spent lots of time with my people.

I am thankful for the queso my mom made for Kylee.  It totally brightened her day! Also thankful for all the meals my mom has made and delivered for the rest of us too!

I'm thankful for Kylee's first official babysitting job.  She was so excited and proud!

I'm thankful that a few initial tests are coming back negative as we try to figure out what's going on with all the headaches I've been getting.

I'm thankful to be starting to move forward in getting our house back after it flooded this weekend due to an ice maker malfunction.  It's going to be a long road ahead though.

I'm thankful for my village.  There is so much going on in our world right now I'm just not sure how I would get through it all without my family and friends.

Happy weekend, all.

Weekend Wrap-Up

We had such a fun weekend celebrating Kyle and Julia! So fun to get to be a part of their special day and we are thrilled to officially welcome Julia to the family! Here are some pictures of the amazing weekend!


Rehearsal was a super fun night!

Usher buddies.  

Kent did a great job speaking that night!

After the kids were done practicing, my parents took them home for the night.  Kylee and Kael went to the Jag/Hawk football game while my mom stayed home with Kase.

The next morning was a whirlwind getting everyone packed up and ready for a big weekend.  Kent and Kael went to Kyle's house to hang with the guys while Kase, Kylee and I went to the hotel to check in and get ready there.

One of Julia's friends did Kylees' hair- it was so pretty!

We had fun hanging out with Kaity and Kellen a lot that morning and leading right up to the wedding.

My girl.

Looking so grown up it takes my breath away.

This one did great at his Ring Security job!

You guys the kids were so, SO good.  The day was absolutely gorgeous and fun but also pretty hot and the kids were on their best behavior all day long. I was really proud of my crew.

Kylee met the owner of a triathlon club at the reception and they had fun chatting about split times.

Congratulations, Kyle and Julia! We love you!