it's back...sort of

So I was finally able to find the newer template to my blog and miraculously the blogs I read and twitter all showed back up! There's still work to be done, but at least I can see everything on here now. Oofta and the font is really small and things are a bit crooked, but I'll get that fixed...soon...I swear.

Shaylee and Shawndra have their first volleyball game in Howard tomorrow. Not sure if I will be able to make it. Honestly, finances are a bit out of control right now and I don't think I can spare the extra gas money. :( Sad I know. I'm sure they will do well and they will tell me all about it if I don't make it there.

We're also getting up super early tomorrow to go put a recliner on a friends rummage sale that we have been trying to get rid of. I'm really hoping that sells because I'm tired of it sitting in my garage.

This weekend is also another family reunion at Oakwood Park. I guess we'll see how the weekend pans out whether we get over there or not.

blogs

Bummed. Just realized I have lost the list of all the blogs I like to read and had listed on my blog. I remember some of them, but others I don't. :(

under construction

In attempt to make some changes to my blog, I got a little click happy and ended up deleting my entire blog. It was all blank except for the background. I've spent almost two hours messing with it. Until I figure out how to get things back to normal, it will be under construction. Blah. I guess I'm just very happy that I didn't lose all of the posts for good. For awhile, I thought they weren't coming back. As it stands right now, I don't have my Twitter information or the Feedjit on there. Neither are life or death....

Going back to work tomorrow, so it could be a few days before you see many changes.

braces

Don't mind the squinting eyes,but here is Miss Shawndra with her braces on the top. Beginning of October she will get the bottoms put on.

tidbits

It's been a busy week in our house again. We celebrated Dalton's birthday on Monday.

On Tuesday we went to Sioux Falls for dentist appointments for all 6 kids. None of the kids had cavities once again!! Shawndra got to adult teeth pulled which we planned on doing. She did not develop 2 adult teeth on top, so they had to pull 2 adult teeth on the bottom so her braces can pull her teeth together for her bite to line up. Braces get put on Monday morning.

Wednesday I worked a long day and Mike went to the farm to work, which left me busy when I finally got home from work. Shaylee and Shawndra were nice and cooked supper...chicken nuggets and frozen sweet corn. Thanks girls!

Thursday I worked a long day again and Mike also went to the farm until the combine broke down. I made 3 homemade pizzas, which is the typical amount for our family. He came home after supper was done and cleaned up. We got the kids to bed and I went to bed too!

That brings us to Friday. So far so good. I have to say it's been a crazy week at work. I wish the crisis' would stop, as it makes my work life much harder. Not much for plans this weekend that I know of. And that's my kind of weekend!!

Pheasants Game

Last weekend we went to a Pheasants game and it was so fun. 19 of us were able to use the Coca-Cola Suite. There was food to eat, drinks, plus we could sit inside the suite in the A/C or outside. The night was gorgeous, so we were outside except when we went in to get more food.

We were right beside home plate, so the view was awesome, but from what we could see, there isn't a bad seat in the place. I was surprised at how many empty seats there were.
The view inside the suite looking towards the field. Pretty fun, huh?! There was also a flat screen tv on the wall which we had tuned to the Twins game followed by the Vikings game.

Princess Leah sang the National Anthem. This was later on when she was walking around. The night was a Star Wars theme.

One of the players up to bat. It was amazing how fast the balls were pitched. They ranged from 75-90mph!

More Star Wars characters roaming around.

Inside the suite again.

Even though the Pheasants lost it was still a fun time.

Happy 9th Birthday Dalton

There once was a day when I met this little guy who was 2 years old, but soon turning 3, who later became my step-son. Dalton rode this truck out at grandpa and grandma's until he was way to big to be in it.

A usually happy kid, was not so happy to be as bored as he was waiting for his time to come down the aisle at his Aunt Lisa's wedding.
He proves to be full of spunk and curiosity and was loving this day so long ago when I took a bunch of pictures of him and his shadow. This one tops it all though.

Dalton has always been so full of excitement come time for presents. In fact, we've had to get pretty sneaky at hiding them so they can wait until it is time to open them. Dalton thinks the bigger the better and was way excited for this truck.

Enjoying cake at a birthday party a few years back. He is just like me in that respect...he loves sweets, including cake!

Dalton is so full of persistence and determination when he starts something.

And is willing to jump into perfect picture taking places...even if it means it might show up at his graduation. :)

A handsome and reserved young guy, he is.

Dalton proved himself to be a team play this summer during ball. He also made us laugh with how entertaining he can be.

Running through the sprinkler is a sure way to keep him amused and busied when younger ones are in the pool. His giggle is heard all the way around the house.

Happy Birthday Dalton! Your dad and I love you and are proud of you!

cicada

Just in case you've ever wondered what those noisy bugs look like that you hear at various times through the day...

a cicada caught in our backyard...resting next to a quarter...disgusting as heck.

Ok, carry on.

Happy 13th Birthday Shaylee

13 years ago today my first born, beautiful, loved, amazing little girl was born weighing in at 9lbs 7 ounces and full of love for the world.

She started sleeping through the night after a few short weeks, had the funnest spunk of a personality and won everyone over instantly.
Helping herself to donuts when mom and dad weren't looking, crawling into the cupboards or boxes, or just finding anything mischievous to get into was one of her specialties. Of course she would look at us with her brilliant blue eyes and stay out of trouble.

Grandmas and Grandpas, Aunts and Uncles, Moms and Dads were completely in love...even when she sported a nice pair of bottle thick glasses!

Around this age, Shaylee was known to steal the entire bowl of cookie dough and go hide in her closet until I found her eating it.

Shaylee at Grandpa Mark's house holding up his most recent rack. She was pretty amused how big they were compared to her.

Becoming a big sister to her half brother Jayden was one of her proudest days at this point. She has adored him since the day he was born.

Always sporting a smile, a bow, a hug....

or even challenging her family to the silliest face contest.

She has continued to impress us with an awesome singing voice, great grades, and the love for friends and sports.

Over the last 13 years, my daughter has transformed into a young lady who reminds me so much of myself....

Shaylee I want to wish you a very Happy 13th Birthday. You amaze me every day and I cannot believe where the time has gone. It seems like yesterday you were my baby with little sausages for toes that I swore we were going to eat for supper. I love you!

Now......just because you are an official teenager doesn't mean you have to cause me to grow gray hair....just sayin. :)

cows

I have always

loved cows and will stop anywhere
to take their picture, especially when they are up close or standing in water

simply because I love cows.

Shaylee's Home Run

Shaylee got a home run yesterday and was so excited. I got it all on pictures, which tell the story below. Up to bat and clearly focused. She was determined to nail that ball.

Made it to first base.
Running towards second and still keeping her eye on where the ball was....over by the fence!

So much speed and determination as she nears second base.

Made it to second and literally flying through the air towards third base!

Cruising towards third base. What a stride!

Almost there. Other team is still working on getting the ball in!

Just about to third and you can see her coach in the gray shirt pointing towards home. More times than not, he tells the girls to stay on third. But this time it was clear she could go for HOME!

Tearing past third and the coach is still telling her to GO! Bound and determined.

Almost home. All eyes are on her!

So close...

And she's HOME. Almost a grand slam. 2 bases were loaded.

She was so excited and so proud of her HOME RUN. You can see it all over her face.

Way to go Shaylee!!

tomorrow is busy

I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to juggle everything tomorrow. The girls have their end of summer softball tournament all day tomorrow, plus it's the 40th anniversary for 3M, so they are having lots of fun stuff.

I think we'll all try for a tour at 8:30am, then the game starts at 10am and depending on if they win or lose will depend on the next game. The fun stuff for kids starts at 2pm tomorrow at the Swiftel Center. They will have bouncy toys, BINGO, games, and lots more for the kids until 6pm. Then at 6pm the doors will open for the concert, which starts with White Creek Band followed by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The concert is only for adults and we have tickets!

The last game, depending on if they make it to the championship like last year, will be played at 7pm. Well the concert starts at 7pm and the girls are supposed to babysit. So you can see I'm in a bit of a bind. Mike and I have 4 friends/family that are coming with us to the concert.

Hopefully everything works out! Eeeek!!

painting

Jayden thinks he just had his birthday, but it was really 6 months ago. It's mainly my fault. You see, I got him paints and paintbrushes for his birthday, but he didn't really understand what they were for, so I put them up and never got them down.

But the other night when it was just him and I, I got them down. I think he thought it was like being in heaven. He kept saying, "this is fun". And if you know my Jayden, he doesn't say stuff like that very often. It was almost like a kid in a candy shop.
He painted two pages almost completely full. I had him copying shapes I made and even made a letter "J". It was cute watching him try to copy those.

After he was all done painting, he kept saying it was his birthday for several days. But I think that fad has worn off now.