These Days

I guess I don't have a lot to say tonight.  I just wanted to get back on here in less than two weeks!  Here are some pics of our past two weekends.  We visited the pumpkin patch in Norfolk last Sunday and got to see our good friends Mel and Tim there.  And we made a trip to Council Bluffs yesterday and got to see Kelly and Vince, John and Carolyn, and Luke and Holli and girls:)  Good times!  But the kids are now beat and with colds.  Jude even had a temp tonight, so hoping for better health in the morning.  Halloween pics to come soon!

Jude made a "castle" out of ALL of his toys last weekend!

Cora looking at the baby chicks at the pumpkin patch.

Here are the kids at the pumpkin patch (Eli and Isaiah-minus baby Aizlynn).

Gil taking Cora on the big slide!

Jude braving it alone.

An attempt to get everyone in a picture.  This is just how it goes!

We played outside Friday morning on my day off.  And we bundled up!  Cora is sporting her new winter gear.  This is what I get when I ask the kids to stand next to each other for a picture!

A friend of mine gave us a dual swing a few weeks back.  The kids love it!

Jude and I had fondu the other night.

Where We Are

Oh my...I guess I haven't been very faithful to my blog as of late.  I have sort of made a pact with myself recently that I will try to update at least once a week.  Probably on Mondays since Gil always works late those nights.  But then Monday happened.  And here I am at 10:25 when I would way rather, and probably should be, in bed.  But I just had to make it happen!  The sink is full of dishes that aren't done and I have a meeting at 7:30 am, but here I am!

This weekend I went shopping.  That is kinda a big deal around here because it only happens once in about 6-8 weeks.  I don't even go to the grocery store more than once a month usually (Gil gets the pleasure since he works in a town with civilization).  Why is it that this girl who loves to shop never does it?!?  Well, that is where we are these days.  We live 45 minutes away from a store.  I work full time.  I come home from work and work full time (aka: I have kids).  On the weeknights I can't justify a trip to the store.  On the weekends I usually can't either.  When I work all week I feel like my weekends should be fully devoted to spending time with my family.  Shopping means 45 minutes there, who knows how long there, and 45 minutes home.  Just too much!  

But Saturday I did it. We had our normal weekend morning routine of sleeping in, eating cinnamon rolls, and staying in pajamas.  But by 10:00 am I was out the door.  Mission:  Cora winter coat.  It turned into winter overnight around here!  I do have the luxury of online shopping, so I'd been looking around and just haven't seen anything I really liked.  But I decided to head to Target.  Can't go wrong there!  And besides after spending two hours in the store and then heading home again I decided that is where we are right now.  I don't have time to "shop around."  In the past I would go to the mall plus Target and check out all the options before I made a decision on what to buy.  Not anymore!  Now it is Target and home.  That is where we are.  

Now two hours may be a little much for one store, and some (or most) people could probably do it quicker.  But this is me we are talking about.  I need my time.  Now can you imagine if I had gone to all the stores I wanted???  I would've been home at midnight.  As it was I went to Target, spent my two long, nice hours of alone time contemplating the right moisturizer, getting the winter coat for under $30, getting some stuff for me on clearance (because saving money is another part of where we are; $10 now seems like a significant amount for a top!), getting a wedding gift for Alissa and Tyler (because getting things done on time is NOT where we are!), plus getting a few groceries!  One stop shopping.  That is where we are.  

I really wanted to go to Hobby Lobby and get some material to make our new baby BOY a quilt (not that I know when that would happen before February), but I got out of the store at about 1pm and was hungry so I went home to eat.  I could've gotten drive-thru, but that is NOT where we are.

We eat at home.  Period. That is where we are. Ok, there are a few rare exceptions.  If we are in a big hurry and all hungry we do the occasional McDonald's drive-thru.  We all know what to order there.  And we rarely go in.  We are on the go.  That is where we are.  

Sunday we did something totally out of our norm.  We took the kids to the Olive Garden.  That said, we were only there because Gil got a gift card for his birthday (Thanks John and Carolyn, it was delicious!).  And why we brought the kids is a question I cannot answer, but they did do really really well.  I always feel like couples that go out to eat with there kids must be rich.  Because they must go out to eat a lot.  Because why else would they bring the kids!  But there we were feeling mighty rich because we were eating out with our kids at a restaurant where you sit down to order instead of driving thru (only we knew we had a gift card!).  Jude and Cora seemed in awe of the place and all the people.  They don't get out much!  We should do that more often...but that is NOT where we are!

So this weekend I realized that we are Target and McDonald's people for now.  It won't last forever, but that is where we are!

Here are some photos of the last two months I've been on hiatus:

We celebrated Grandpa Gilbert's 90th birthday!

Cora and Sarai got to hang out both on two feet.

Cora and Jude still love each other, but have definitely entered the need for a referee stage.  It is comical to see Cora try to get what she wants.  And she is not always innocent!

But she is darn cute!

I cooked my first turkey this weekend and it was edible! Next time I will try to remember to take a picture before it is half eaten.

We got some pumpkins at HyVee because who knows if we will make it to a pumpkin patch...

Jude colored and I carved.

Here are the finished products.

The last batch of turkeys goes to slaughter tomorrow.

They are humongous!!!

videos of summer

*Announcement*:  I forgot to mention in my last post that the reason (at least partly) that I have gained 8 pounds this summer is that we are expecting baby #3 February 7, 2013!!!

Summer where did you go?

Oh, hi, you're still here!  But school does start next week, so whether or not it is still technically summer, summer is officially OVER in my book!  BUMMER!

I thought in May, "Oh man, summer is here!  I will have so much time!  I will read books, do some sewing, play with the kids, sleep in, make good food, work outside, go swimming, workout and look fabulous, blog, and be all ready for the new school year by August 1..."

I thought August 1, "Oh man, summer is over!  I had not time!  I did not finish my book, I did not get my sewing projects done, I want to play more with the kids, I've gained 8 pounds, I only blogged twice, okay so I did do some sleeping in and plenty of working outside, but I didn't make all the good food or go swimming enough!"

Where does the time go?  I was contemplating that today because all week I have been taking the kids to the new babysitter (loving her and Cora didn't cry yesterday!) and working at school.  Today I stayed home while Gil had to go in to Briar Cliff for the first time.  I got so much done at school.  Even with interruptions from my coworkers who I haven't seen all summer, I have my entire room ready and felt very productive.  Even when I got home I would get things done.  Then today, the day I thought I had "all to myself" I have felt the least productive (but look at me, I am blogging!).  It is CRAZY how two kids are like a complete time suck.  Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to be doing anythings else (okay, sometimes peace and quiet and doing what I want sounds good!).  But man, do they require time and energy.  So I am feeling a little better about not accomplishing all of my summer goals because really the only goal that mattered was that I was here for my kids.  And I WAS here for my kids!!!
Right now Cora is on her second nap and Jude is watching Bambi...I am checking email and blogging...not folding the clothes on the couch or emptying the dishwasher or working on more school plans.  Sometimes I gotta do the fun stuff!

So as many of you know we recently took a road trip to San Antonio, TX in the mini with the kids and Gil's parents to see his sisters that live in Texas and to celebrate our niece's 1st birthday.  We had a blast.  While I do not recommend driving to Texas EVER unless it is a must (this was a must!), we managed very well and survived to tell about it.  Thanks so much to the Herrick's for putting up with us and showing us a good old Texas time!  The highlight was of course seeing everyone and the birthday, but other than that we went to Sea World which was really cool.

We also got in a day at the Dixon County Fair before we left.  The petting zoo and the rides were the hands down favorite.  Jude wonders where the fair went every time we drive by.

in Sarai's pool

birthday girl

cousin hug

jude at sea world in the goofy hat mitch and minette got him at disney

petting zoo

dragon roller coaster with ashtyn

 

Never Stop Improving

Never stop improving.  From Lowe's?  Home Depot?  Something like that!  Anyway I like it and have decided it is a good motto to live by.  I want to never stop improving, I want my kids to never stop improving.  I definitely want Gil to never stop improving!  It is also nice when we get to do a little never stop improving to the house.  A few weeks ago we finally put hardware on the kitchen cabinets!  Yay, how exciting!  We also recently stained the deck.  It feels good to improve!

At the pool with Ashtyn

mom and dad bought a boat!  this was our first time out.  Jude was pretty hesitant about it, but he did love the "raft."

Cora liked moving, but didn't like the sitting still too much (go figure!)

I have been thinking I need to write a little about each of these two cuties you see below.  They are just growing so fast and I want to be able to remember what these days were like.

I will start with Judas Maccabeus:

Three is a good thing.  I have decided three really is so much easier than baby or 1 or 2.  If we can just get a kid to three we will be okay!  He can be (a little) logical and understand reason and use the toilet and sleep on his own and have very very wonderful conversations.  It is so nice to have someone to talk to during the day when Gil is out and about.  Once in a while Jude will have a melt down or be completely unbearable.  But those moments are not frequent and he usually snaps out of them very quickly.  When coming out of time out he gives me a hug and it is all over with!  Jude LOVES his sister!  He likes to tickle her feet when she wakes up in the morning and is getting to be able to play with her more (sometimes still a  little rough!). He tries to interpret her screams (I think she wants a chip now).  He needs an explanation for everything and when he is satisfied he will say, "I see."  He also likes saying, "whatever, nevermind."  Jude is a tornado.  I would've thought he would be over making messes by now, but no, it is his favorite!  If left unattended it is likely to get quiet.  Gil and I have noticed that he is a constant talker/noise maker.  If he is not asleep he is either talking or making some kind of noise.  Unless he is making a mess...that is a quiet affair too!  He loves to pile up blankets and pillows and make a "dog cage."  Or just dump every last toy from the box onto the floor.  He is also not a fan of picking up his messes, but he will do it when bribed.  Bribary is actually a fairly effective tool.  Jude's favorite book to read before bed his his baby book.  We look at the pictures and talk about when he was a baby.  He also loves his little blue "Jesus book" (bible).  He is starting to understand the basics of Jesus which is cool.  He loves to say his daycare prayer before we eat.  He is starting to have some shy spells in front of people we don't know, but they don't last long.  He loves to sing and will frequently break into "Beat It" or a number of other tunes even if it has been a long time since he heard it.

Cora Clare:

Cora is beginning to have a little personality.  She knows how to get what she wants, particularly from mommy.  She hasn't started walking yet, probably because she knows I will pick her up and carry her wherever she wants (or I want).  And she can crawl like a mad girl.  She is still somewhat of a picky eater, but if I get out a new food item she needs to have it ASAP!  She knows what she wants and lets us know if she is not getting it!  She LOVES to sit on our lap and listen to books while she turns the pages.  Her favorite is "Bubbles, Bubbles."  She really does like playing with Jude's cars too.  She loves her brother right back and thinks he is hilarious.  She is easy to laugh and smile and likes to say cheese at the camera.  She doesn't say too many words yet.  Hi and a wave is probably her best.  I'm guessing she will be just as social as her brother!  She loves to swing and play in the sand.  She loves the bath.  She also loves to dance to some Michael Jackson tunes.  She has the bluest eyes and her hair is getting blonder all the time.  I can almost get it into a full ponytail.  She takes good naps still and is finally sleeping all through the night with no getting up!!!  She doesn't seem as into TV as her brother is, so that's good!  She is a terrible traveler and sleeper away from home...uh oh!  She seems to really like animals and doesn't care if they climb all over her and lick her up.  She is a screamer and isn't afraid to be LOUD!  

Happy 4th of July!

On another note, I should mention that today is Gil and my 4th anniversary!!!  It has been an awesome 4 years full of adventure!  Love you honey!

awwwww...summer...

I had a couple photo shoots with the kids this week while the other slept!  Here are some of my favorites.  I'm trying to decide which to use for their 1 and 3 year pics.  Tell me which ones you like the best!

The next few are from our trip to Missouri to visit Gil's Buhman family last weekend.  We had a great time despite the fact that Cora is NOT a good traveler.  She sleeps poorly in the car and really poorly at night away from home.  Any tips?!?

And here are Jude's shots.

I love summer:)  It takes a couple weeks to adjust, but after that it's like school and the rest of the world don't exist anymore.  I love sleeping until after 8.  I love having a long breakfast with the whole family. I love playing outside and reading books and not caring if I get much done.  I can't get enough of Cora in pigtails or PJ's or Jude's wild imagination.  There are a lot of things I want to get in this summer:  Yankton, the pool, some sewing, some house projects, a trip to San Antonio (Lord help us!).  But my favorite days are the days at home doing nothing and EVERYTHING!

Cora Clare, 1 year old

presents!

Here are some snippets of Cora's first birthday party.  It was held yesterday, May 28, 2012 

(Memorial Day).

We had a lot of fun with lunch and presents and cake and ice cream.  It was a beautiful day!

This was my decoration station.  The gate is handy to keep the kids out of mommy's stuff!

Fruit kabobs!  We had these along with burgers and brats, potato salad, beans (pictured), lettuce salad from our garden, cucumber salad (that grandma Vonny made), homemade ice cream (that my mom made), and lots of
rainbow cake and candy.

Here is my rainbow table and decor

The birthday girl eating lunch (she loves those hot dog bites!)

kid table from grandma and grandpa Ridenour with Tierney, Jude, and Ashtyn.

Rainbow Cake!!!  How not to make a rainbow cake post to come soon.  But it actually turned out okay in the end:)

Happy Birthday Cora sign.  I also had a rainbow made out of her diapers above another window...picture of that to come too.

birthday girl in her rainbow tutu

not the easiest to get around in, but i could tell she felt like a princess!

This is our new sidewalk/flower bed/fire pit area!!!

family pictures.  Cora's dress courtesy of Aunt Minette.

Cora is about ready to walk!

The birthday girl taking a turn on the horsy swing

The Koester Family

The Ridenour grandparents

Carolyn, John, and Brittany helped out a lot!
My biggest regret is that I somehow neglected to get a picture of Brittany or Alissa (her godparents) with Cora.
Sorry girls!