PLINKO AND DUCK POND AND CAKE WALK OH MY

Nothing beats a good school carnival - P & K had a great time and I enjoyed the scotcharoos we scored @ the cakewalk! woo hoo

THE GIRLS BLOWING THEIR EAR PIERCING NEW WHISTLES

THE PONY SAGA CONTINUES

After McDonalds discontinued the happy meal my Little Ponies we let Katelyn use her sticker reward chart to get each and every pony they have @ Walmart 1 at a time and then assumed the crazyness was over but Katelyn KEEPS FINDING THEM EVERYWHERE

There are only 7 on the market, but everywhere we co she spots them 1 @ the wholesale store in Waverly, 2nd @ the children's shop in Dubuque and yesterday @ the pharmacy in Cedar Falls... each store only had ONE PONY but that didn't stop her from searching them out, and it's always fun to see how old they are (the last one had a copyright symbol from 2005!)

WORDS OF WISDOM

I just love listening to Katelyn's little 3 1/2 yr old life observations she talks non-stop (like mom)... here are just a few little tid-bits from today:

Katelyn to her my little ponies on the kitchen table:"Come on guys you need to put your dresses on because we can't go to the birthday party naked"

Katelyn to Chase in her bedroom: "Careful bud, if you get hurt we won't have you anymore, and if you're gone how am I supposed to have a whole family?!? So just be careful ok"

Katelyn to Mom @bedtime: "Wow I'm sleepy **fake yawn** musta been all that fun I was having today huh"

BACK TO THE GOOD FOOD

Monday was our final weigh in and I was officially the

BIGGEST LOSER -
I lost a little over 9% which was 14lbs, I ate terrible Mon-Tues-Wed and have surely gained a few back, but I intend to start working out now that I've shed a few pounds, hopefully it'll be easier with the warmer weather we've been blessed with. I'd post a before/after picture but
1)I don't have one ... and 2)I don't think anyone would really notice much difference. But the rest of my 18mo old "baby" fat is gone ;)

SENIOR PICTURES

For some reason when Katelyn sees my "big camera" she thinks she needs to put her hands on her chin and strike a signature senior photoshoot pose....

Attitude

Cheese

Striking a Pose

DUN DUN DA-DAHHHHHH

Today is our final weigh in @ work for the biggest loser, I'm crossing my fingers that the pizza ranch buffet I ate Saturday didn't to any damage....

MY ALL TIME FAVORITE

I think it's safe to say that I've taken thousands of photos since getting my 1st digital camera, but I thought I'd share my ultimate favorite photo EVER- this is my niece Bailey years ago:

WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

"Walk softly and carry a big stick.'' - Theodore Roosevelt

HEART OF GOLD

Yesterday afternoon when I arrived to pick the kids up from daycare Katelyn had 2 tiny candy hearts clenched in her little fists. She informed me that she had gotten them for sitting quietly and listening to the "whole book". I assumed that she had just gotten them prior to my arrival.

Katelyn refused to eat them, insistead insisting on waiting til Mark got home so she could show them to him. I sent our daycare director a message on facebook thanking her for giving her a reward that she was SO PROUD OF, it really made her day.

The daycare director said that she had received them at morning circle time... Katelyn had held on to them ALL DAY LONG just to show us her prize :)

WARMER WEATHER PHOTOS

It was so beautiful after work yesterday- I ran Chase up to mainstreet to take a few 18month snapshots, hopefully the weather will stay nice so I can get a few photos of Katelyn soon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUBREY!!!

Saturday the kids and I went to Chuck-E-Cheese to celebrate Ms. Aubrey's 3rd Birthday- her mom Brooke works just down the hall and I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of her and her husband Josh's new baby girl... it will be so wonderful to have a baby visit the office again!

Yee Haw

Whack Em
On the Go!

Katelyn & Aubrey

She Wasn't Leaving with out a HUG!

ENJOYING NATURE

ROLLING ADVERTISING

The other day Katelyn saw me working on the computer and asked me to play- I informed her that I was still working (I log on to work from 5-8am) - then asked her what she thought I did at work and she said COLOR PICTURES... smart girl!

We're finishing up another vehicle wrap for Witham today - here are a couple of my other designs:

Back Home

We had a great time in Dubuque - the kids had a blast at the waterpark, and Chase & I had fun shopping while Katelyn and dad went to Disney live :)

ALL GROWN UP

Chase got his first "clippers" hair cut and he looks so grown up!

BETTER... KIND OF

Couldn't handle the kidney stone pain so I went back to the clinic and got a new RX - still no luck but at least now I can preform normal everyday tasks :) We're looking forward to the Dubuque this weekend, hopefully I won't be taking the stone.

ROLL'N STONE

Haven't had a chance to update our blog lately (stay tuned, I swear it'll be soon). Sunday I went to the ER with side pain, at first the Dr. thought it was my appendix, but 6hrs later a ct scan showed it was a kidney stone - the pain medicine makes me sick and I have a nasty fever, but I'm hoping to be better soon!

Our lil Valentines

LIL MS. MICHEVIOUS

Katelyn has been going through a “MESSY / NAUGHTY & SNEAKY” stage that I hope passes soon – the last week has been rough:

1st offense: Baby powder all over Chases dresser (and later that night I discovered she had “dusted” his whole pj drawer as well)

2nd offense: Using the trial size canister of diaper cream (looks like carmex jar) as “LIPSTICK”

3rd offense: Squeezing an entire bottle of purple lavender scented Johnson & Johnsons lotion all
over Chase’s racecar bed – and his hair.

4th offense: “Washing” her sit’n spin down with apple scented hair detangler (she REALLY had to work hard for that one – that spray is on the very top shelf of her closet – I can only imagine the stacking involved in reaching the bottle)

My computer is in our family room situated between Katelyn & Chase’s rooms – when I’m working in the morning I listen carefully for “MOMENTS OF SILENCE” this is a clear indication that she is up to no good. Lord help us when she gets old enough to initiate Chase into her organized crime ring.

WINTER BLAHS

Winter is always so wonderful and new - after the first glimmering snowfall, but it's growing a little dreary leaving our whole family longing for spring.

We decided to take a little trip to Dubuque so Katelyn can visit her favorite place on earth (next to grandma & grandpa's house) Grand Harbor Waterpark. I hopped on the city website and it turns out that this...

just happens to be in town that weekend. So, Mark is taking Katelyn on a very special Dad/Daughter date :)

As an added bonus my co-work the lovely CPA Brooke and her husband have decided to take their daughter the same show. Katelyn and Aubrey had so much fun playing @ Clear Lake Beach this summer, I'm sure they'll enjoy each other's company @ the waterpark!

PLAYTIME

Now that the kids are getting a little bit older it's so nice to see them play and entertain themselves. They have so much fun together and are learning so much everyday.

Katelyn has been enjoying "reading" LeapPad books- a BIG thank you to Austin, Renae & Paige for sharing all their wonderful toys. She played on the couch for over an hour last night without a peep.

Chase is still very into his train table and cars/trucks/trains, but has recently taken an interest in "building" - I think it may be from him observing all our Bob Vila style home improvement projects...

New Livingroom Vinyl

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT (TOYS)

Just a heads up for anyone who has kids, grandkids, neices, nephews....
Target just started marking the rest of their clearance toys down to 75%off - I realize that Christmas just ended and that most people are swimming in toys, but this is an awesome opportunity to get birthday gifts or "rewards" for not killing your little brother during the summer months.

These toys are SERIOUSLY CHEAP - and there were 2 full isles last night (and I was stalking the guy who was putting out more). $165.00 for $40 is a steal of a deal!

My Little Pony Mania

CHASE'S TURN