Thursday, July 28, 2011
Steps?Bed?
My Magdalene has become very naughty about getting out of her bed after being sent to bed! Every night it is a new reason for making her way down to us, last night "her leg hurt". To bad, up to bed and I will check on you later. NO MORE GETTING OUT OF BED! I thought I got my point across. I was taking some totes to the steps and went to place them on the first step as to take them up later(Keep in mind it was 10pm so it was dark) and I nearly dropped the totes on Maggie's head. All I could do was smile, tell Pete, turn on the light, and grab my camera. Apparently I need to be walking her to her bed!
my folks
The big girls and I went to my parents this past weekend and spent some time with them without the little ones. My dad is doing well right now. He was nearly walking on his own and played with the kids some. He still tires very quickly but at least we were able to hang out together again. We'll take any memories and time that God is giving us. My little nephew Josh stopped for a visit so we included him in on the photos. My mom is so great! She is always there to welcome us with open arms and seems to have all the good treats! Choc. chip cookies, Lucky Charms, and choc. milk - what more could a grandchild ask for!!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Dreams Made True
Dreams Made True, a pageant for girls age 5 to 25 who have special needs. I encourage ANYONE who knows of any girl from Iowa with special needs to participate. It is a day completely dedicated to the girls. They made posters in the morning, had a pizza party for lunch, the pageant in the afternoon, and then the celebration dinner that night. It is a $50 entrance fee but the rewards are priceless.
This is shot of most of the girls and their buddies. Each participate is paired with a buddy for the day. This buddy helps them with everything and especially during the pageant. It allows the parents a chance to sit back and observe their daughter and enjoy the day as much as the girls.Here is my Abby, an 8 year old with special needs and glorious personality. She is so full of life and we can all learn a thing or two from her. I am so proud of her and the great job she did in the pageant.
Abby and her buddy during the "Casual Walk".
Abby is her favorite "Dress up" clothes. I am personally a Hawkeye fan but who can resist her!!?!! She was adorable doing her cheer!
A previous Miss Iowa was brought in to MC the question portion. What is your dream made true wish. Let me tell you lots of the girls were so sweet that there wasn't a dry eye left in the building!
Abby won the People's Choice Award! We are so very proud of her and happy that she got such a great award.
Makayla, Maggie, and I feel very lucky to have been a part of Abby's princess day!! It was such a neat day . Thanks Abby for being you! We love you!!
Abby and her buddy during the "Casual Walk".
Abby is her favorite "Dress up" clothes. I am personally a Hawkeye fan but who can resist her!!?!! She was adorable doing her cheer!
A previous Miss Iowa was brought in to MC the question portion. What is your dream made true wish. Let me tell you lots of the girls were so sweet that there wasn't a dry eye left in the building!
Abby won the People's Choice Award! We are so very proud of her and happy that she got such a great award.
Makayla, Maggie, and I feel very lucky to have been a part of Abby's princess day!! It was such a neat day . Thanks Abby for being you! We love you!!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Puddle jumping
So after many days of scorching heat and sun we now have rain. Gentle downpours that make lots of puddles! Perfect for jumping in! My sweet cousin from St. Louis is back for a visit and I looked at her and said we should go on a rainy day walk. Her response was something to the effect of, "Well can't say as though we have ever done that before. " She has twins that are close to PJ's age and this was an experience for them! At one point one of them said "my shoe is dirty!" We said it is okay just jump, he did and LOVED IT!! I think they had a good time walking in the puddles and rain. Di and I were able to catch up a bit and the kids had fun playing.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
my family
This is my mom and dad, Walt and Velma. 
These are my brothers and sisters and their spouses.
This is my dad's fantastic hospice nurse Cindy. My dad was diagnosed with COPD, Emphysema about 2 years ago and entered hospice one year ago this week. My dad has grown weaker these past few weeks and though we do not know how many days we have left with him we are trying to make the most of the time we do have. Needless to say we have been and will be traveling a lot and trying to get in as many memories as we can with dad/grandpa before he answers to a higher call. Our weekends so far has been filled with much happiness and contentment. He watches the kids run around all weekend and finds great joy in their innocense about life. The kids are doing great with everything and are very happy to be spending so much time with their grandparents. Melody has been joining us on our journeys and has been know to bring a few smiles to his face as well.
This is my dad's fantastic hospice nurse Cindy. My dad was diagnosed with COPD, Emphysema about 2 years ago and entered hospice one year ago this week. My dad has grown weaker these past few weeks and though we do not know how many days we have left with him we are trying to make the most of the time we do have. Needless to say we have been and will be traveling a lot and trying to get in as many memories as we can with dad/grandpa before he answers to a higher call. Our weekends so far has been filled with much happiness and contentment. He watches the kids run around all weekend and finds great joy in their innocense about life. The kids are doing great with everything and are very happy to be spending so much time with their grandparents. Melody has been joining us on our journeys and has been know to bring a few smiles to his face as well.
Death is never easy and certainly comes too quickly no matter when it happens. However we are praying that when the suffering becomes great and he cannot take anymore the Lord will call him home and give him a place in heaven to watch over us all.
Sunday night performance
The kids are always so desperate to put on a show for us. Sunday night we finally said yes and sat and watch the entire 25 minute performance! A very practised script of plain chaos ensued for the whole time. It included costume changes, solos, duets, and use of props. It appears in this picture that they really had something here, nope just luck of the camera! 
PJ and Brie taking the stage for a few minutes.
Look at the form on those girls, good thing their daddy has taught them so well! Never mind the expression on Kayla's face, not sure what was happening there.
Brie took the upside down approach and got a lot of attention for this. It continued for about 10 minutes. Funny note on Brie, she had a top knot in her hair that day, the pretty came out and then she did this head banging thing because it made her hair bob. Very cute to see in person.
The best shot of about a 100 photos. I tell ya this taking group photos is getting harder!
PJ and Brie taking the stage for a few minutes.
Look at the form on those girls, good thing their daddy has taught them so well! Never mind the expression on Kayla's face, not sure what was happening there.
Brie took the upside down approach and got a lot of attention for this. It continued for about 10 minutes. Funny note on Brie, she had a top knot in her hair that day, the pretty came out and then she did this head banging thing because it made her hair bob. Very cute to see in person.
The best shot of about a 100 photos. I tell ya this taking group photos is getting harder!
Oreos and Teeth
Someone thought it would be a good idea to give Brie Brie an oreo. As with anything messy she has to see if it would make a good shampoo! Once again folks this food lands on the list of foods that DO NOT make good shampoo! Obviously she landed straight in a bath after this mess. Another favorite activity of hers. The close up shot of her face shows the large number of teeth that are trying to make there way through! Her personality has been less than happy and her temper has been quite hot lately, and the heat is not due to our extreme outside temperatures!
This photo of her big oreo smile is deceiving. In spite of her mood we still enjoy her shenanigans and continue to love her.
This photo of her big oreo smile is deceiving. In spite of her mood we still enjoy her shenanigans and continue to love her.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Pea patch
We were at my folks this past weekend. My sister has a fantastic garden and we had to go gather a few veggies! My mom showed us the path to the peas!!
The kids had a great time gathering peas. 
Brie was not sure what was a pea verses a vine so she grabbed whatever touched her leg. PJ however had to show his big muscles and pull the entire vine out of the ground a few times. By the end everyone had the hang of pea picking.
Each of them spent some time just playing in the dirt as well!
Upon our departure we had to "pet" the baby cows. PJ was even fortunate to get a "kiss" from one of the cows. I am amazed by Brie, she just has no fear. Not typical behavior for my kids.
Brie was not sure what was a pea verses a vine so she grabbed whatever touched her leg. PJ however had to show his big muscles and pull the entire vine out of the ground a few times. By the end everyone had the hang of pea picking.
Each of them spent some time just playing in the dirt as well!
Upon our departure we had to "pet" the baby cows. PJ was even fortunate to get a "kiss" from one of the cows. I am amazed by Brie, she just has no fear. Not typical behavior for my kids.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
How much is that kitty in the window....
Melody so desperately wanted to be outside playing with the kiddos!! That is never in her schedule! She is supposed to be an INDOOR kitty only. PJ gave her a kiss and that was not good enough.
Maggie had her doing all kinds of dance moves. I bet the kids played through the sliding door with her for 20 minutes.
They got tired of playing and all Melody could do was watch me fold the laundry. Do not worry she finds that equally entertaining, chasing shirts/towels whatever as I fold them. She is supposed to get shots tomorrow again so we will see how big she is. (If her whiskers are any indication as to how big she will be we are in trouble!!)
They got tired of playing and all Melody could do was watch me fold the laundry. Do not worry she finds that equally entertaining, chasing shirts/towels whatever as I fold them. She is supposed to get shots tomorrow again so we will see how big she is. (If her whiskers are any indication as to how big she will be we are in trouble!!)
Monday, July 4, 2011
One year later....
2010 and 2011
It is amazing to me to how much they have changed, Kayla and Maggie obviously not as much but still a lot in a momma's eyes.
Of course the photos is not as close so not an exact match, plus one cat! Do you think Brie will wear the stars and stripes dress next year:~)?
Of course the photos is not as close so not an exact match, plus one cat! Do you think Brie will wear the stars and stripes dress next year:~)?
Sunday, "Our Fourth" in photos
We had a gathering Sunday in honor of this great country. "Grandma Karen" came and stayed with us for the day. Typically the kids are thrilled to spend time with her and can't get enough of her. This picture unfortunately did not catch one of those moments. One of Pete's co-workers Omar and Miriam and family came to join in on the fun. The kids played in water and bubbles and all things wet. Then it was in for rest time so that we could be up very late.
Fireworks ala Pete, sparklers for the kids and BIG fireworks for the daddy!
If anyone has seen Tangled you have seen the floating lanterns. Well new this year were floating lanters. Take note the size of this lantern, nearly as big as Maggie! At any rate this lantern was worth its $5 and was quite impressive!!
We were able to watch it go to the moon, alittle hard to see here but the lantern is the bright dot in the center, the moon is just above the street light. Click on the photo and it may be easier to see. Others would send out their lanterns throughout the night and PJ would yell, "my lantern is coming back!!" He was very excited each time we saw a new one!
Brie was not one bit scared EVER! The little stinker was running toward Pete constantly trying to help! Here everyone is watching the lantern.
Mr. Omar, Gemma, and Carlos also watching the incredible lantern.
Fireworks ala Pete, sparklers for the kids and BIG fireworks for the daddy!
If anyone has seen Tangled you have seen the floating lanterns. Well new this year were floating lanters. Take note the size of this lantern, nearly as big as Maggie! At any rate this lantern was worth its $5 and was quite impressive!!
We were able to watch it go to the moon, alittle hard to see here but the lantern is the bright dot in the center, the moon is just above the street light. Click on the photo and it may be easier to see. Others would send out their lanterns throughout the night and PJ would yell, "my lantern is coming back!!" He was very excited each time we saw a new one!
Brie was not one bit scared EVER! The little stinker was running toward Pete constantly trying to help! Here everyone is watching the lantern.
Mr. Omar, Gemma, and Carlos also watching the incredible lantern.
weekend blast
Friday night we were out with the neighbors and watching them light off their fireworks. Maggie does not react well to bug bites and got a thousand. So between being up very late, her body fighting a lot of bug bites and the nice allergy medicine a doctor I know gave us she was out for the count Sat. afternoon. 
Kayla came running in the house and yelled the Ding Ding man is here Maggie lets go! Poor Mags in her medicine hangover tried to hurry outside. We have done the ice cream truck once each year since being here, it costs a small fortune! The kids were thrilled and now maybe the requests for the "ding ding" man will decrease for awhile.
After baths it was impossible to go to sleep Sat. night as some people thought it was time to shoot off their fireworks. Since we were post bath going outside was not an option, so we came up with a diferent front row seat! Gotta love PJ's face!
Kayla came running in the house and yelled the Ding Ding man is here Maggie lets go! Poor Mags in her medicine hangover tried to hurry outside. We have done the ice cream truck once each year since being here, it costs a small fortune! The kids were thrilled and now maybe the requests for the "ding ding" man will decrease for awhile.
After baths it was impossible to go to sleep Sat. night as some people thought it was time to shoot off their fireworks. Since we were post bath going outside was not an option, so we came up with a diferent front row seat! Gotta love PJ's face!
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