Catching Up

Let's play catch-up. Afterall, it's been a while since I have filled you in! I haven't even posted any Easter pics. Yeesh!

Easter sounds like a good place to start. We were fortunate enough to celebrate with both sides this year. The more candy the better, right?

Ali Grace

Chloe

Caden

Lauren & Chloe

Elyse & Ali

Ali, Chloe & Bryleigh

Clockwise from top: Chloe, Bode, Brady, Brynn, Ali & Bryleigh

Brynnie

Caden gave his eggs to Bo. He's is the sweetest big bro.

Bode

Ali

Bode

Bode

Bode

Chloe

I would offer more details if I could remember them :) My memory is going as I approach 30. As is my eye sight. My hairdresser found three grey hairs. And I'm probably getting arthritis. Ugh. It's all downhill from here.

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Ali and Chloe are in full throttle prep for their dance recital. They're favorite part: wearing the costumes. Ryan says we'll just buy them the costumes next year and skip the pricey lessons :)

Hawt

Goofballs

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Ali had a spring music concert at school a couple weeks ago. She was entertaining to say the least, which is par for the course when it comes to Ali Goose.

It was cute to watch her with her schoolmates. They were so sweet to each other. 

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My little girl is growing up. I found this picture on my phone. Chloe has officially starting taking selfies (at age 4).

I have to say, I am proud that there was no duckface :)

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A few weeks ago we got to see my mother-in-law's side of the family. Ryan's grandpa, Joe, has moved so they were helping to clean out his house. I posted a couple of pics on the previous Wordless Wednesday of Chloe and Bode riding on Joe's mower. The kids visited Grandma Betty, ate pizza at Grandpa Joe's, performed in the theater room & ran like wild animals throughout the entire apartment complex. All in all it was a great trip and they can't wait to go back!

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Ryan made the girls clean up their room. Ali wasn't in the mood. So, she did what her mama would do.

She got out her bag o'money and paid someone else to do it. In this case, Chloe.

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Caden starting spring soccer. And, I use the word spring lightly. So far, the team is 1-1-1. They are playing on a much bigger field this year. It makes me think we should condition him on the off days. But, I'm not sure if that's ridiculous. Former college-athlete parenting problem I suppose. Anyway, Caden has scored one goal and dished two assists!

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Like I mentioned earlier, the weather hasn't been the greatest. Caden gets "bored" so, Ryan and I have found a great way to keep him busy. 

Did you know 9 year-olds can vacuum? Empty the dishwasher? Switch the laundry? Sweep the floors? As I realized this recently, something in my world shifted. Now the grass looks greener. The sky seems bluer. My smile is wider.

This whole parenting thing is starting to make more sense :)))

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We have had some nice days. Below you can see that Chloe made something very special in her pink wagon. Her famous "chicken noodle soup".  Ten points for creativity, Chlo. I'll let Ryan do the taste test though. Hopefully Kiki has stayed out of the sand.

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Chloe's preschool class took a field trip to a nearby farm. They had a ton of animals for the kids to see: around 20 peacocks, chicks, calves, cattle, longhorns, goats, geese, ducks, turkeys, cats and goldfish. 

There was crap everywhere. Literally. I know I grew up on the Nebraska/Iowa border, but don't kid yourselves. I am no farm girl. I'm gonna have to burn those shoes.

I'm not sure about Chloe though. She fed a calf and didn't flinch when it poo-ed all over. She loved taking it all in, but she wouldn't touch a thing. Not even the chicks! :)

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I'll leave you with a pic of Ryan and Bode. Bo is really turning into quite the wild man :)

Wishing you all well!

The Fairytale Ball

Recently Ryan took Ali and Chloe on a daddy/daughter date night. A local church puts on a charity ball for little "princesses" and their dads. It was really sweet and the girls had a great time with their dad. :) 

The promenade. Ryan's favorite part!

Hard to believe that is Ali turned around and talking during the head princess's story. :)

What's Mine is Yours?

Before I tell you this story, you have to know a few things about my husband, Ryan, and maybe you should know a few things about me, too.

First, throughout his life Ryan has been involved with all manner of ag business. Farm labor, hogs/cattle, ag lending, selling seed, crop insurance, etc. He currently sells crop insurance. Second, he is the breadwinner in this house. Sure, he earns the title by default as he is the only person working, but still, the title is his. Next, lets see ... how do I put this nicely? He's tight? He's a penny pincher? A Dollar Menu kinda guy? Like a little birdie - cheap, cheap? Love you, Ry, but you know it's true.

My turn. First, what little I know about agriculture, Ryan taught me. Well, mostly Ryan. Second, I love staying at home with the kids. However, not yet having a career of my own irks me at times. Finally, I am not a Dollar Menu kinda girl. I am a "Ooooh I can't decide I'll just get one of everything" kinda girl.

So, that should provide more than enough background for my story. My true story. A cautionary tale for husbands. Listen closely, or you could end up working for your wife. Just. Like. Ryan. That's right, Ry. YOU WORK FOR ME NOW! I'm only kidding. All stories need drama, right? Ok, ok, on with it.

A couple years ago Ryan began looking into turkey barns. The more he researched the more it seemed to be a good investment. So, he tried to get some of his family's land approved to put one up. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. He tossed around different options, but nothing came about until recently. He (and I, I guess) partnered with a family friend and got approved to put up our very own turkey barn. Yes, turkeys. As in, gobble gobble. Basically, we care for the turkeys until they are full size. Then they are transported to the giant Turkeyland in the sky.

Now, here is the good part, or so I'm told. We get the turkey poo. Fabulous, right? If you're thinking what I was thinking when Ryan told me this, it's probably along the lines of, "Uh ... that's um ... that's great." Well, it turns out it is great. Apparently turkey poo is in high demand. It does wonders for farmers' fields. In fact, Jack and the Giant Beanstalk's magic beans were actually little turkey poo's.

Just kidding.

So, back to the story. Ryan's place of employment is also where we need to get our loan.

"Well, gee," they said, "I think that's a conflict of interest" they said.

They wouldn't loan Ryan the money for our amazing turkey barns. Ryan was upset. But, don't worry, he did not put in his time and hard work for naught. Turns out, he did it for me. They would approve our loan as long as his name wasn't involved. Just mine.

That's right. It's mine. ALL MINE! Mwahahahahahahahaha.

Just kidding. I have no desire to be the Queen of Turkey Poo. However, most decisions require my big, fat signature which never gets old:

Ryan:  Katie, I need you to sign this.
Me:  I don't want to! Stop pestering me!
Ryan:  Kate, I need to get it in the mail.
Me:  Why don't you sign it?
Ryan:  Please?
Me:  I'll do it after you clean the kitchen and bathe the kids. 

Ahhh, we are just getting started and I can already tell it's going to be SO much fun ;)

Duck Hunt

Caden went on his first duck hunt last weekend with Ryan, my dad and my brother. Turns out they aren't the greatest duck hunters, as they came home empty handed. Caden did, however, eat a tremendous amount of food throughout the trip.

So, if nothing else, at least he learned it's a good thing we don't HAVE to hunt for our food :)

Catching Up

Phew! Where did September go?

I haven't exactly been on top of my blogging game. What can I say? I'm a bad, bad girl. In an attempt to catch up, I'm going to squeeze everything from last month into this post. Fair warning:  We had A LOT going on!

Little Miss Chloe started ballet class. She absolutely LOVES it. New friends, music, dancing ... right up her alley.

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Bo-man turned two on the tenth. He is all about tractors, so, of course we had a tractor themed party :)

Gotta get those pics fast, Mom!

Bode with my dad.

Ali G - always ready to party.



Chloe and Grandma Deb

Bode was thrilled to have his own special day. Ask him how old he is, and he'll hold up four fingers and say "two!" He wanted to take his time and play with each gift before opening the next one :) Ahhh ... he melts his mommy's heart. 

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We try to make the Outdoor Expo at Ponca State Park every year. My dad comes along and the kids really enjoy it. There are a lot of outdoorsy activities and sugar. Yep, sugar. If there is a chance Mom and Dad will let them have a pop, they're all in.

Bryleigh (my neice), Ali Grace, and Chloe waiting for a ride.



Caden is thinking _______?



Love this pic of my dad and Bryleigh

Hello, Beautiful.

Oh, Ali :)

Coco and Caden didn't want to ride horses. Maybe next year :) The shooting ranges, however, are Caden's favorite.

Caden shooting the bow with Backwoods Bob.

 

Pop, smores, slushies ... I told you about the sugar!

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Ryan harvested our corn a couple weeks ago. Our crop turned out better than expected. Why did we do alright despite the drought? I suspect we got lucky. Ryan insists he's just a great farmer. :) I don't know about that, but I do know Ryan is one busy man. He works full-time, farms, coaches Ali's soccer, coaches Caden's football, sells seed, and keeps me happy (which is hard to do YA'LL!) The man is amazing, folks. Just don't tell him I said that.

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We spent last weekend in Omaha. I've never seen the kids so excited! We ate out, swam at the hotel, and visited Vala's Pumpkin Patch. Not your ordinary pumpkin patch, my friends. We spent 3 1//2 hours there and only saw two-thirds of it. Simply amazing. My sister, Amy, and my parents were along, as well. It was great spending time with them and seeing the kids enjoying themselves so much.

Caden, my goofball.



Ali was obsessed with this skeleton guy working on the truck!



Caden's in this "don't take my picture" stage. I promise, I'm trying to anyway.



Coco and Grandma Joan watching the pig races. Go, Britney Squeals!?!



Apple Sling Shots! Caden has good aim!

"MOO!"

Bo kept runnig off the edge and biffing it in the sand. He thought it was hilarious. He literally pooped sand for the next 24 hours.

Why ride in the stroller?





September 2012, you exceded expectations. But as all good things must come to an end, I bid you adieu!