New Fireplace Tile

Yay! We have come so far from this BIRCH brown house with gold accents!

Today right before Scott started (Camden from Connor's Soccer Team's Dad)

He let me get a crow bar and hammer and hammer away with him for a few minutes- loved it!

Tape did a nice job holding it in place until it set

Love it, clean, simple, us!

Did I mention I love one day, 6 hour projects? Vacuumed, dusted and furniture back before Ray walks in the door makes for happy customers!

House Projects

Starting to get ready for the Holidays. Touch up painted the guest room walls then tackled something I've wanted to tackle for 10 years. This dresser was Ray's Uncle Paul's in the 70's and has been in our guest room for 10-12 years.
I had never spray painted a piece of furniture. I don't have skills of my Mom friends, it is streaky and bubbly but in the pictures you would never know (wink wink).

If I decide to keep this piece then I'll probably buy new knobs to further update it but for now- it is done!

Halloween 2016

The boys loved Trick Or Treating this year. This was their first year not wanting to turn back and having Mom & Dad having to pressure them to keep going. The weather was amazing which always makes for a better T&T.

Fall Break

When you start school August 9th, yes you have already had fall break. We learned last year (as rookies) that when school is off for more than a week it means GET OUT OF TOWN! So we flew to Ohio. Last time we were there was last May so we were 17 months over due AND we needed to met the new kid on the block aka new nephew Jordan (Kerry's youngest).

We started the trip off with Kings Island with Heather, Izzy Travis & Cynthia. Connor hit the 48" mark so he was eligible to ride all the coasters- we rode 4 I believe, he LOVED them. We would have done more but the other 2 were not tall enough and the lines were long.

Next we drove to Columbus to see Emma Clare and Jordan. EC always calls the boys Connor Ryan, and Kerry and I aren't sure that she realizes there are 2 boys not one so I think she was out of sorts with the whole drive and adventure of the pumpkin patch but I loved holding sweet Jordan, catching up with Cousin Lindsay about her 2017 wedding and taking in the beautiful fall day.

We ended the Ohio trip with a visit to our alma mater, Miami. Connor loved all the Pokeman he found on campus and I loved the MU gear and food! We also got to stop in and see Liz & BJ (Charley & Oliver) and the Carters & the hood.

Good trip! Never long enough or enough time to see everyone but still great.

Ray was suppose to head back from Ohio with us but got called into a meeting in Ohio so I flew home with the boys by myself. Only one set of tears at the airport (that was from me), boys weren't helping me with all the lounge and carseats.

Upon arrive back in DEN Mimi (my Mom) met us at the airport. She stayed 5 days. We did pumpkin patches, arts and crafts, home made dinners and lots of organizing and cleaning. I so appreciate the mental break of single parenting when Ray is away. Thanks Mom for the help!

 Did I mention Ryan spent the day before our trip at Childrens? He was having a bad go with Croup? Yes that is me shooting myself in the head. "Ain't no body got time for that"

 I think Trav enjoyed the amusement rides as much as Connor

 How is this the only picture I got of love birds Connor and Isabella?

 Jordan sporting his new hat knit by Cynthia

 Pats kids and grandkids, minus Emma Clare

Too bad we don't know any 7 year old boys, oh wait.

Slow Down

I went to the "Belong tour" this past weekend. It is a women's faith weekend. It was nice to recharge with my MOPS friends and Casey and focus back on whats important.
One of the guest speakers was a singer, Nichole Nordeman. Live she had a great voice, this video doesn't give her justice but the message hit this group of Mother Of Preschools right in the heart.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clcNB_EUao8

Cousin Natalie Gets Married

Ray & I can hardly belief this day has come, Natalie got married! We drove to Iowa over the weekend to Lake Okoboji to watch Nat & Neil tie the knot. The weather was absolutly perfect, the yard was out of a magazine and it went off with out a hitch.

I probably need to buy a 50x50 of this print, he is so cute. Stay little my little squish face!

If only Connor was looking...and wearing his shoes

This is the only picture of the bride I got, oops!

Soccer

Saturday's spent on the soccer field I am pretty sure is all 4 of our favorite ways to spend the day. This is Ryan's second year playing for Storm but his first year on the big leagues and not "sparks" he was super excited to wear the real uniform! Ryan's team is REALLY good, I think they won 10-1. Connor's team was fun to watch they have all improved so much from last year, lots of passing and the goalie was on fire. Connor's team also got the W 5-0.

hikes

This summer we have been busting out hikes left and right. Last week I went on a hike with two other Mom's.

Our little guys did great at keeping up.

Eli Young Band

Went with John & Sommer on a double date downtown Denver to see Eli Young Band at the Grizzly Rose.

they said "someone big" is here...it was the lead guitarist for black sabbath (I don't even know if that's the right band) he did jam out 2 songs.

More Pictures Okoboji

Uncle Dave just sent me some good ones to share....

Everyone (Minus Dave, Travis & Lizzie)