Superhero Anyone??

Does anyone need a Superhero with a constant runny nose and fantastic cape??

How about a Superhero AND his trusty sidekick? Both come equipped with ATV's to fight crime. (Thanks to Craigslist!)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours......May you eat,

drink,

and be merry!

Five

Poor Zo...Sunday was her birthday party at Incredible Pizza in Des Moines, complete with bumper cars, putt-putt and go-karts. We picked up her "best friend" Katie and headed to Des Moines. By the time we hit Eddyville we turned around and headed back home. The roads were terrible. But, she took it like a champ and we tried to have fun anyway. They sat in the back seat and put make-up on (notice the pretty forehead decorations on Zo), we hit Happy Joe's for lunch and then Target for a new toy to play with. Katie came home with us and spent the night. We made brownies, ate an insane amount of batter and stayed up late watching movies. I think she had a great time regardless. Then the next day, her actual birthday she got several visitors who all came bearing gifts for the birthday girl. Gayla came over to wish Zo well and to show off her hair that is growing in like crazy! I am pushing her towards the Victoria Beckham pixie cut but I'm not sure how thrilled she is with that. :)

Somewhere in the midst of all the celebration the realization hit me that my baby girl is FIVE. Where did the time go? I am already fretting because one-fourth of her time with us at home is gone! I know, I know...I need to stop fretting and enjoy life more but I think it is just a mommy thing.

Zoie's Preschool Concert

Can someone explain to me how in the world my baby girl is now old enough to be in school and singing in a Christmas concert?? She is growing up way too fast for me these days....
This is Zo and her dear friend Cheslea from school. They could pass as sisters if you didn't know better!

She was so proud of herself and so excited for today. She did such a good job and actually sang. There were numerous kiddos that either cried or just stood there in complete fear.

She wore her outfit from Grandma Mary (because it has a doggie on the shirt and she is ALL about doggies these days) and her "fur" coat from Grandma Janet. She was missing her Grandmas today but she was thinking of them when she got dressed.

This is the video but worth watching because the two little girls in the front row (wearing white) can't stop waving at their moms and occasionally they yell out "Hi Mom!" So funny....

Visit with Santa

One of the benefits of living in a small town is they do lots of fun community events. Every year Bloomfield brings in Santa's house and deposits it on the courthouse lawn. Along with tons of Christmas decorations and lights, they plan several events around the holidays. Saturday Santa came to visit his house for a few hours. I took the kids up to see him. Well, I took Kai and Zoie, who insisted I refer to her as a reindeer because of her antlers. Although none of the pictures turned out very well, they both got a kick out of him. They loved the candy canes he gave out even more. Zoie told him she wanted a sled for Christmas and Kai just pulled on his beard a bit.

We have a busy week ahead. Zoie's Christmas party at school is tomorrow, her chorus concert is Tuesday and Wednesday they will celebrate her 5th birthday at school since her actual birthday falls over break. Ryan is still really sore from him lithotripsy he had Friday but is recovering and has several bball games and events to attend this week. We will be ready for a slower Christmas week I'm sure. Be safe!

Thanksgiving 09

Yes, I know it isn't Christmas just yet but we had Thanksgiving dinner on Ryan's side and the kids won't be together for Christmas so it was also picture time. Every year Ryan's mom buys the kids matching p.j.'s and we try to get a picture. I suppose it is wishful thinking to get one where everyone is looking and smiling but they are special to us even with the silly grins.

We also had Thanksgiving lunch at my Grandma's house in Chariton. It was worth all the drive time to see both sides of the family. We also really enjoyed a few days at home together. We put up our Christmas decorations (although somehow most of them ended up in Zo's room), napped (yeah!), cleaned out the garage and napped some more (yeah!).

On a side note...my dear friend Gayla is having her long awaited surgery to remove her breast cancer tomorrow morning. Please keep her in your prayers and send her good thoughts. After 8 rounds of chemo and still maintaining a GREAT fighting spirit, she deserves to have a really successful day.

Christmas Spirit

Ryan and I are dropping the kiddies at Gramma's for the weekend and going Christmas shopping in Des Moines, ALONE!! In reality, we are very aware that every time we plan something like this something happens. Someone gets sick, works calls or some other situation that means we don't go. Friday is getting closer though, so as long as Ryan feels up to it (his kidney stone procedure is tomorrow) we are going. I need something to get me in the spirit...energy to fight the masses of ticked off Christmas shoppers if you will. So I dug into my pics and found these from last year.

Zoie hasn't changed much but Kai looks like a different baby. Same huge eyes, just much bigger body. Most of the pics I looked at were taken in the old house. It made my stomach hurt to even see them...we miss our house. alot. We also miss our neighbors, friends, friendly Target store and several other things. But this year has brought a lot of change for us and we are grateful. Ryan loves his job, the kids are in a fantastic school system and I learned we really can survive without Target. (it took a while though)

Shockingly enough, my child is the blonde posing like she is on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. I think we have our hands full.....

Wish us luck on the shopping, eating, sleeping in, doing whatever we want weekend!

Dance Party

This has been a really bad day. It started off with a failed house project (which means costly), a visit to the E.R. for Ryan (kidney stones) and ended with the worst haircut ever given to a toddler. No kidding....I wouldn't even post a picture of my poor son knowing it was all my fault. It is really, really bad. Apparently clippers plus one-year old do not mix well. That is a job I will say is best left to the pros in the future. Until then, he has every reason to hate me.

The only highlight of the day was watching this dance party that took place yesterday. "I like to move it" is heard in this household on average 1o times a day. It was made famous by the dancing penguins off of Madagascar II. Fab movie by the way....watch it if you haven't already. Tons of adult humor.

Here's to hoping tomorrow brings a better day. I did decide to sneak in a day of wearing my new boots my Momma sent for Christmas to ensure a better day. Surely she won't care, right Nana??

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to everyone! Davis County's volleyball team played in the regional final game last night so we went to that and missed our trick-or-treat night. Instead we hit the Ottumwa mall trick-or-treat night which was considerably better given it was indoors, warm and fast!

The kids enjoyed their costumes, thanks to Grandma Janet and Tom. They send MULTIPLE outfits each year and Zoie especially loves that opening that box. This year it was Cousin It and a chicken for Kai and a ballerina, witch and genie for Zo. They play with them year round though at least they get a lot of good out of them. We hope everyone had a wonderful halloween!

Davis County Homecoming

Last week was Homecoming in Davis County. The weather didn't really cooperate but we did manage to make the parade and crowning of the king and queen. There is a ton of school spirit in this town, which makes for fun events. But, I have to say, it is still really strange that we are not "bulldogs" anymore.

Finally....udpates!

I have been super slow at updating the blog. Here are a few pics of Kai's bday week. He didn't like the chocolate cake. However, just like his momma, he loved the cake batter!

No laughing at my cake! It didn't rise quite as much as it should have. I attribute that to a little too much batter missing.

Zoie loves her school. She made this "fall hat" and wore it all day. She decided this morning that on Mondays she doesn't want me to drop her off in front of school anymore. She would rather ride the bus like all the rest of the big kids. Seriously?? She isn't even 5 yet! Why didn't someone warn me that mommy isn't cool enough to even drop off a preschooler???

Happy Birthday Baby Boy

Happy Birthday to my beautiful baby boy. You are ONE tomorrow! You have been such a joy to our lives and we are so blessed to watch you grow. You are so happy and willing to share your smiles and dimples with everyone around you. I hope you always find life to be so amazing. I thank God everyday for this wonderful family and for bringing you into our lives. Enjoy your special day. As Zoie likes to say, "you won't be age zero anymore!"

ps....Thank you Leslie (again) for the picture!

Zo's first day

I am trying to remember to be grateful these days for the blessings in my life. But, this morning was just darn hard! I realize that this is the natural progression of your kids growing up but I gotta say, I hate watching your baby walk into a huge school full of strangers! Today was Zo's first day of preschool. Yes, I know, it is just preschool. To my defense though, it is all day, three days a week AND she rides a big school bus! Today I walked her to the school in the stroller but on the days I work she will get picked up at daycare by the dinosaur bus. She is super excited about that.

Hehe...her bag is almost as big as her but it had to have butterflies on it. Wouldn't you know that you can't get a normal backpack at Target with butterflies. We had to order a freakishly expensive one from Pottery Barn Kids only to find it is giant size!

The preschoolers have to walk past all the first graders to get into school...intimidating enough?? She was great and held up fine. Me, on the other hand, shed a few tears. My friends Jodi Lindberg and Rick Lynch helped though. So now Kai and I will begin our day in a house that feels way too quiet. Well, except for the moment because he has trapped himself under the table and needs help getting out. :)

Not so princess-like......

I had to post this....it literally wasn't an hour after I took the pictures of her nice clean pretty room that I thought to myself.....hummmm...Zo sure has been quiet for a bit. This is why. Needless to say, the princess got a lesson in cleaning her room.

Fit for a Princess

Zoie's room is finally done! Her room is the only room done but it seems fitting that the princess gets the best room. Lori worked hard last weekend to get it done for her since Sunday was our first night in the house. We still can't believe how talented she is and how lucky we are to have her in our lives. You can't really see from the pictures but she even put jewels on the dragon's collar, the mermaid and the crown above the door.

Ebay light that came in literally a thousand pieces. I realized once it got here just why it was so cheap!

The mermaid (blonde of course!) with jewels in her hair and on her jewelry.

One window has a unicorn, which Zoie informed me is not a pegasus because it doesn't have wings. A few more years and she is going to stump me everyday with her tidbits of knowledge. The other window has a dragon. She is a girl with frilly eyelashes and a collar full of jewels.

Zoie's princess crown above her closet doors.

Thanks again Lori. We miss you and Gail so much already. Zoie talks about you constantly. See you soon......

Gotta have more!