Life's Delights and Joyful Moments

Mikey's First Day

2011-09-17T19:36:00.001-07:00

Preschool is here!!
FINALLY!!

Mikey has been asking every day if he can go to school. Finally today we were able to say YES buddy, you get to go to school today!! The night before he picked out Buzz and Woody shoes that light and flash. He was so excited about them and couldn't wait to show his sisters. A few weeks previous we found him a shirt and a pair of pants. Mike found him a Transformers backpack that he thought was really cool! He wore it around for days. He had a great first day of school. We adore his two preschool teachers and I love how all three kids have had them. I still can remember my preschool teacher! Anyway, a very happy day for him!

My next post will be about something that Mikey has really gotton into lately. He is infatuated with STAR WARS!! Mike is so proud! Mikey rarely goes by his given name now..he responds and referres to himself as Luke Skywalker. More adventures from "Luke" to come!!!

School Begins!!

2011-09-04T11:50:00.001-07:00

School time is here again!! I have butterflies and really hope that both of the girls like their teachers and will do well. School started the 15th of August this year. I think both of the girls are ready and look forward to seeing their friends and start to do something different.
I sure love to show for school. Its like a fresh beginning. New pencils, paper, notebooks, backpack, shoes, etc....I have such fond memories of back to school shopping. I remember a lot of our trips to Utah growing up where we would buy some things for school there. What fun! I always hated having to stare at those white shoes, new socks and clothes and backpack and couldn't wait to get into them. Having them sit in my closet for even a day was torture!!

Hailey is looking forward to 1st grade, however she has had her reservations...She is rather upset that her kindergarten teacher whom she adored will not be her teacher this year. When she met her new teacher on walk to school night, she was rather excited and thought she could still have both. Our social butterfly is ready though!! Practically all summer she kept asking if it was time for school yet. I sometimes wish for year round! :) I'm sure with all 6 of us, my Mom thought the same thing!

Kaitlynn starts the 2nd grade and she is really looking forward to this year. We met her teacher a few nights before and the whole way home she kept talking all about her teacher, how nice she is, how pretty she is, how nice her room looks, and how excited she was to see friends she hasn't seen all summer.

Mikey is 4....WHAT????

2011-03-10T16:45:00.000-08:00

Oh Dear!! Yes that is me...the so VERY HUGE prego woman!! I hated at the end where you get so bloated. So here is the quick version! Mikey was a tough one to get out. I was in labor forever it seemed! I was hoping to go in and have my 3rd natural birth, but he wouldn't have it that way. I sat on a ball bouncing and bouncing, walking the halls, trying to get that boy to turn. He wouldn't finish his turn. So they tried to give me an epidural. I was so mad! I didn't want one! But they thought it would relax me so he could maybe turn. He still wouldn't. By this time it was way too long from when my water broke, so they took us to emergency C-section. I was mortified and so scared! Dr. Elliot (Trent) and Mike gave me a blessing and off we went. I'm so grateful for Trent and for Mike giving me a blessing. It was such an emotional time and without it, I don't know if I could have gone through with it without more stress. In the end, it worked out! Mikey was grunting (literally) at the nurses and Dr.'s as they were pulling him out and cleaning him off! It was so funny! A healthy 7lb 7oz baby boy.
Now you are 4 my boy! I can hardly believe it!

Here he is at about 1 month old!! He was such a good sleeper!!

4 months old

8 months old

about 2 years old.
I will post his most recent picture in a few days when we have his birthday party. He wanted to go to the Amazing Pizza Machine here in town with a couple of his buddies, Reece and T.J. He is so very excited!
Here a are a few things that he loves:
-He loves to play puppy pals and is learning a lot with Leapster first computer. (great gift Mom and Dad)
-Buzz and Woody are still his best friends
-Every yellow car is Bumble Bee from Transformers
-We have been watching Little House on the Prairie and he LOVES it! All three of the kids do. When he wants to watch it he says "Can we watch Pa?" (Thanks Ammie)
-He loves to ride on his scooter and he has started to learn to ride a bike. It will be nice when the weather stays warm so we can get more practice time in.
-He is all boy. He loves tools, helping Dad with tools, lifting tools, and working with tools. If we let him, he would have the whole house taken apart one screw at a time!!
-Going to Preschool on Tuesday's and Thursday's is one of his favorite things to do. He will talk your ear off about it!
-He is still such a snuggle bug and a bit of a Mammas boy! I don't mind one bit! He is such tender heart, but when faced with his sisters, he is learning to hold his own.
We love our little man so much! He adores his Dad and tries so hard to be just like him! He has a great imagination. He makes up some of the cutest things!
Happy Birthday son!

Merry Christmas December 2010

2010-12-24T13:56:00.000-08:00

Well everyone, another year has come and gone and we at the Amandus house have been rather busy. We completed the hardwood floor, put in new white doors, textured and painted the main rooms, finished the garage (we now just need to get rid of a bunch of stuff and organize it). We also were able to go to Boise for a week and had a wonderful time there...OH I wish I could just stay!! We loved going up to the mountains and seeing some good friends there. It was so great to see and hug everyone while we were in Boise.
Mike is still on the Dean's List in college. He is still working at the guard unit in Lincoln and recently went to Germany for two weeks! He had a great time there and ate a lot of really yummy food! He really enjoyed the Christmas markets and liked the slower pace. He also has been very busy with the projects around the house and keeping the kids organized. He has taken on a couple Website jobs on the side and I sure love to look at the work he does. It blows my mind every time he comes up with the designs and layouts. He works very hard and it shows in his websites.
Loralee is very busy working in the ER as the Medical Secretary. She enjoy's all the people she works with and says the ER and the pace is very addicting. She has also been very busy with photography and had a very busy wedding, senior, and family portrait season. She had the opportunity to take her own brothers wedding pictures in March and cherrished every moment! She stays busy also with scrapbooking our family pictures and attends a swap every month with her friends. The kids keep her very busy as well with all their activities.
Kaitlynn started first grade and is doing so well with reading. We have been very impressed with her and her drawing. She also loves to sing and dance and is doing so well at both!! She also started playing soccer this year and even though she is small, she is very good at being the goalie! That is her favorite position.
Hailey started Kindergarted and any time you mention school her eyes light up and she gets the biggest smile. She is such a joy! She is really good with numbers and is learning her sight words. She loves to play, run, dance and burn that energy she has so much of!!! We love our little ball of fire!! She is also in dance with Kaitlynn and they just finished doing the Nutcracker. They had such a wonderful time as the cooks. Hailey loves to color and work on her bead crafts.
Mikey is all boy. It's all about Trains, Toy Story, trucks, Buzz, riding bikes, Woody, running around outside and getting dirty, Evil Dr. Pork Chop, the rest of the Toy Story Gang, and playing his leapster. He is FINALLY potty trained and we think what really helped him was the motivation to go to "school" like his sisters. He LOVE's preschool and also LOVES nursery at church. We can hardly believe he will be a Sunbeam!
We love our time together and adventuring around and exploring as a family. We are enjoying our time here in Omaha, but sure miss the mountains and our family and friends in the west...as usual. We loved watching the Broncos this season and proudly sport the Orange and Blue where ever we go. We are the Broncos biggest out of state fans!! It's nice to see other colors besides a sea of nothing but red and white.
We miss you all and hope you have a wonderful Holiday season!

Halloween Oct 2010

2010-12-24T13:50:00.000-08:00

We had a very fun time at the ward Halloween trunk or treat! They did it a lot different this year. It was just the trunk or treat and nothing else. The evening went fast and I missed having the chili, but oh well. We still had a great time. The kids loved dressing up and wearing Mommy's make up!

Pooleys Pumpkin Patch Oct 2010

2010-12-24T13:30:00.000-08:00

The kids loved the tire swing. Mike pushed them for quite a while! "More Daddy More!! Push higher!!"

We took a very long hay ride out to the pumpkin patch where there was an abundance of pumpkins waiting for us! We had a wonderful time and the ride was calm and relaxing! Another great tradition!!

Kaitlynn with her great find! She searched and found the best pumpkin and had to carry it back all by herself!!!

Hailey is such a natural! They sure love to ride!!

Mikey is really getting good at riding horses. Even though this is just a Pony, he sat up there very confident and happy to be riding. What a handsome little man!!

This is my John Deer!

I totally could be a farm girl!!

I wanna be a cow boy just like Woody!!

We had a very fun day at Pooleys pumpkin patch!

Kaitlynn's 7th Birthday!!

2010-09-27T20:17:00.000-07:00

Sooooo....I was hoping this was going to be organized, but it ended up being a mess and all out of order when I loaded them up! So it's kinda all over the place!SORRY! I can hardly believe that Kaitlynn is now 7!! It seems like she was just a tiny 4lb premie in my arms!
Her birthday was the 16th and we had a great couple of days. On the 16th we had lots to do. School, Soccer practice, Open house at school and then we went to dinner at Texas Road House! We actually were seated right away, which I don't think has EVER happened in all the years I have gone to TRH! SWEET!! She ate up her dinner and then they brought over a saddle and they sang to her while she sat on top of the saddle whipping the white cloth around! She thought that was great fun! My Mom sent her such a sweet gift and she opened it up after the song! She read most of it and then Mike took over and read what my Mom wrote! I was glad that the pictures turned out because I couldn't help but cry! (I miss you MOM) Then Kaitlynn opened her gift! A 1964 Barbie! HOW COOL! I can still remember the special days that my Mom would let me play with her Barbies from the 60's. I think we will keep that gift in its box for a while!!
The next day (Friday) we picked up the girls from school a few minutes early and went to Kimmel Orchard! We had a fun day. That weekend was the Apple Jack festival but because Mike had drill, we went a day early. Which was nice...no crowds of people! The kids road around on the ponies! 15 bucks for a few minutes! What a rip off, but oh well. The kids had a wonderful time. Mikey was a bit worried and just as he was getting the hang of it, it was over. I figured that since there were no other kids around that they would give them a little longer ride. Ya right. But the best part was watching their faces fully of excitement! After that we went down to the orchard and picked a bunch of apples. It was fun to sit after picking and eat one! Nothing better than a fresh apple off the tree! We then went home and had cake and sang to her and she blew out her candles. She opened up a super sweet card from Ammie and Great G&G Amandus and a few presents from us. A new Barbie, movie, and a kit on how to make friendship bracelets! She has already started one and really loves it! It was a GREAT couple days! I wish everyone could have been here to share her special day! Love you all and thank you for all your cards and gifts! Enjoy the pictures!!!

Go Orange Go BIG BLUE fight Fight BSU!!!!

2010-09-04T17:16:00.000-07:00

The only blogger background I could find with a little bit of orange and blue in it! I wish I knew how to design that sort of stuff and make one up! This will have to do for now! ;) Ok, I had to revise! My brilliant husband made my background for me! Can you believe that! He made it! I don't get the coding one bit, but he does! So I am enjoying the benifits! LOL!!!

I'm getting VERY excited for the new season to start! Game one starts on the 6th against Virginia Tech! Hey Broncos, we are giving you a HUGE shout from Omaha...Go Orange Go BIG BLUE, Fight Fight BSU!!! We will wear the colors proud and wave our flag and be watching every moment of the game on TV! I wish I could hear the roar of the crowd, the cruching of helmets and pads and stand and cheer those boys on in person! There is nothing better than going to a game and feeling all the emotions!! One of these days Mike and I WILL be season ticket holders! OH yes, they will be mine! We have a great line up this year and Coach P is an AMAZING coach along with all of the other coaches! I'm sure we are in for a GREAT season, Win or Lose, BSU always puts on a great game!

Back to School August 16, 2010

2010-08-18T15:28:00.000-07:00

The time has finally arrived!! Back to school. For weeks now the girls have been asking,
"What day is it? Is it a school day today? Is it tomorrow Mommy?"

"No honey, not yet! But soon, very very soon!!" was my reply for days!!

And the day before finally arrived and I was able to say..."Guess what tomorrow is? (blank stares) Tomorrow is your first day of school! You can get your school clothes ready and get your back packs out!"

They were both so very excited. They set out their shorts and tee-shirts, new socks and white shoes with the dangly heart on it, and put their back packs ready by the top of the stairs. "Can we go now Mommy"...."Nope not yet. After you wake up then we will get all ready and them Daddy and Mommy will take you to school!"

So I have been thinking about school lately. Remember the summer months seemed to fly by too quickly. There was never enough weeks or summer sun to last us long enough for all the baseball games, home-ward derby's in the front yard, or running around the front and back yard playing capture the flag. It seemed all too soon before we would have to go home after a day of swimming at the Natatorium or the baseball season seemed to end as quickly as the flavor of "Big League" chewing gum. Toward the end of summer, our Circle K runs would always end with us going by Liberty Elementary looking at the front doors to see if the lists were out for which teacher we had. Holding onto our Now n Laters, jolly rancher stick, and Charleston chews we would head home chatting about who we thought we were going to get. Once the list was finally up, we couldn't pedal home fast enough to tell Mom who we had and what things we "had" to have for school! I can still feel the excitement and anticipation of the first day of school.

I love to look into Kaitlynn and Hailey's eyes watching them dance with excitement and pure joy! I'm sure I had that same look in my eyes as a young girl. I hope that they will always have that joy and desire for learning. Im sure the teen-age years will be a treat, but I hope to keep them positive and full of the love of learning.

So my sweet children...I hope you have a wonderful school year!

HERE WE GOOOOOO!!!!!!

No!! These are not gang signs!! Its sign for K (Kindergarten)and 1 for First Grade!!!!

Hailey outside of school!

Hailey with her teacher Ms Shaw.

Daddy and Hailey girl before she goes into her class! Oh my little one!! My heart is pounding!!!!

Walking into school!

Kaitlynn outside of school!

Mikey sat in the hall at a desk and said..."Dad! Mommy! I reaeee for scoooo!!!" he sat there insisting that he goes to school like his sisters! Well, Im keeping my fingers crossed to get him potty trained by the end of next week so he can fill Hailey's spot at Pipal Preschool! It would be SOOO good for him! I wish he had more of a desire! Any help to teach a little boy would be so helpful! He just doesn't care!

Kaitlynn sitting at her desk all ready to go! She was pretty excited that her desk top opens up. I asked her what she is going to put in there and she said..."My Stuff!"
More to come I'm sure!

ALL ABOARD!!!

2010-07-25T16:24:00.000-07:00

Well, of course I downloaded all of these pictures in the wrong order...and I don't want to go through all that again, so I will do my best here!
You ever wish you could travel back in time so you could experience some great things. One of those great things that I would have loved to do is to ride on the old steam engines back in the 20's-40's. Dressed in those old style dresses and have big trunks to carry...or rather have hired help to carry them for me.

So anyway, here in Omaha we were able to go to Train days where we paid $10 for the family and went to 5 different places to learn and experience the history of Omaha and Union Pacific. It was so great to go to all the different locations and learn so much. Some of the time I had to take a picture of the information page because the kids wanted to get to the next thing! We went to Durham Museum which was actually and old train station. I love going there. They got a ticket from the counter and they had to go to 6 different stations and get punches from men that were dressed as ticket masters. The kids thought that was so cool! They got to color trains, find a bow tie in trunks full of clothes, get on trains and look through all the rooms, watch a movie about trains, and finally they got to see a real train outside that Union Pacific made one just for the Boy Scouts of America. The Union Pacific has only made 12 commemorative locomotives in its nearly 150 year history. It was so cool to see it up close and to know some of the history behind Union Pacific and the Boy Scouts. Kaitlynn took the picture of us...she did a great job!

We also went to Lauritzen Gardens Here in one of the many themed gardens, they had huge model trains. They also had buildings from Omaha's history. Mikey loved watching the 7 different trains go around on the tracks. He wanted so badly to have one and get up close to it and touch and play with one. He was rather bummed when we told him "No Way"!! The other cool thing to see is two of the largest locomotives ever made! The "Big Boy" and the "Centennial". They were not kidding when they said the largest made. The rail wheels were taller than I was by quite a bit...I would say at least 6 feet tall. It was so cool! I REALLY wanted to get into the Big Boy and look around. It's too bad they had it all sealed up.

We went on mail cars which were neat! I couldn't imagine sorting mail in that tiny area and have to do all the work in such a warm car. I'm sure there were many workers getting the job done. How interesting! It would have been fun to try and do it for a while though!

We didn't have enough time to go to the Union Pacific Museum or to the Dodge house, but we were able to see an old and very small train station that was full of artifacts from over the years. There was acutally a lot of information about Sun Valley, Idaho which was really cool! They used an old locomotive engine to power the ski lift for skiing there! The first chair lift ever recorded was for the lift in Sun Valley and was made by a man and his engineering group here in Omaha!

I hope to one day go throught these places and spend a bit more time there learning and soaking it all up instead of rushing to the next thing! The kids had fun, and it was a great evening and day. We had a wonderful time and I look forward to when we can go again!

Homemade Raspberry Jam

2010-07-25T16:11:00.000-07:00

So I have a raspberry bush out in the yard and it has turned out to make some very lovely raspberries this year! I am so proud of them! So I this year I decided I was going to try to make some freezer jam! So instead of freezing all the raspberries for the BEST smoothies ever...I used the first few weeks of pickings to make jam. So here it is and I have to say that it is rather yummy! Thanks Aunt Lorrie for posting about the new easy Pectin (LOVE IT) and thank you MOM for teaching me so many things!! I look forward for all the many more lessons you will teach me! I thought it was going to be hard to make and it was so simple! You shouldn't say easy as pie...because making pie is a lot harder than jam. The saying should be easy as jam! LOL!!! Give it a try! Try out the new Ball Instant Pectin! It's wonderful!

Happy Birthday to Ammie!

2010-07-04T21:07:00.001-07:00

We Love you Ammie! We hope that you have a wonderful Birthday! Talk to you when you get back! Hugs and Kisses from us all!!!

Hailey's 5th Birthday

2010-07-04T14:15:00.000-07:00

Time has gone by all too fast my little one. I remember these earlier days like they were hours ago! Happy Birthday Princess!!

New Born:
She was such a good baby! She has a smile that is so contagious! One you can't help but smile when she smiles at you! She lights up a room and lights up my heart!

One years old

Two years old

Three years old

Four years old

And NOW..... FIVE YEARS OLD!!!! We went to the "Birthday House" Red Robin! The kids love going to RR for their birthday's. We had a wonderful lunch and then headed down town to Rosenblatt stadium to watch the Royals take on the Cubs. Thank you to Papa and Gwamma and Ammie for my new bike too!! I love riding it and feel like such a big girl! (I will post some of those soon). Thank you for the cards From Great Grandpa and Grandma Amandus and Ammie! I got a new movie, Mermaid Barbie, and Strawberry Shortcake with a friend Raspberry Tart, they both smell "Berry Good"!!! My new bike is my favorite! I loved all my gifts this year and will have new things to keep me busy and out of trouble...at least for now...

My Girls

THE FOURTH OF JULY

2010-07-02T14:47:00.000-07:00

You know, when it comes to certain holidays, I turn into a big bawl baby! I believe the 4th of July is one of those days. I guess for more reasons than one. When I was a young child, I HATED the fourth of July! I would sit on Grandma Bleazards lap wrapped in my favorite blanket and hide in her shoulder with anything that lit up, moved, cracked, banged, or smoked! I couldn’t stand it! I think finally one year I was coaxed into going out and holding a sparkler and learned that it wasn’t soooo bad…. I was still rather hesitant with big fountains and the Whisleling Peets so it took a few more years to warm up to those. I think to this day I still cringe at the loud horrifying screaming sound those things make, finding myself looking more from the corner of my eye! LOL!!

I have many fond memories of the 4th of July with my family growing up. Many family picnics and BBQ's, filled with swimming in the hot sun either in the back yard or at the Natatorium, baseball games at Ivy Wild Park or home-ward derby in the front yard, and then sitting in the front yard as the air filled with colored smoke and bright popping lights eating home made ice cream. I can still see my brother's faces with each strobe of light flickering across with bright broad smiles and their eyes large with excitement. I'm sure my face mirrored theirs. Barry got rather adventurous when we went to the Taylors one year for fireworks. Came up a cool Batman costume and gun type thing that would launch fire crackers. Barry and Mike Drury were always creative when it came to things exploding or errupting with light and loud sounds! I also remember the first year I discovered a razor, that was the 4th of July so many years ago when we had my Dad's good friend over, Les. I fondly remember them laughing and joking about things I didn’t understand and knowing that they had Illegal fireworks in the back of the Cordoba and being so terrified that the Police would come and take them away. That BBQ was one of the best I ever had and the fireworks, although illegal, were amazing to watch…so much better than the genaric "legal" ones!!! Anyway that evening after playing so hard outside and getting so dirty, I took a shower and tried to shave my legs and ended up saving layers of skin off instead. I had no idea that taking a razor to a bare, dry leg was not such a great idea. I freaked!! Not so much of the blood running down my leg or how bad it hurt, but the fact I would have to tell my Mom and Dad what I did. In the end I think they realized I learned my lesson by doing and still have the scar to prove it! Yikes!

Being a parent now of three kids, our 4th of July hasn’t really followed a true tradition, except ONE…that we are together. While we were in Okinawa, we were not allowed to have fireworks, so instead we would go down to AmericaFest! Well, the only year we went to was right before we left. Mike was deployed the first one (2004), Hailey was just born for the second (2005), so the third was THE one and it was wonderful (2006)! Lots of family activities and we saw and met up with good friends of ours Jon and Ember and their two little ones! We had a great time eating yummy food, letting the kids play, and listening to bands play music that was fun to dance to and interact with. It was great celebrating our freedom with those that make it possible for us to be free on a daily basis, our fellow service men and woman that sacrifice so much for what so many take for granted. We wore shorts, tee-shirts, and flip flops and didn’t have to worry about saluting or being formal, we could be Americans celebrating our Liberty and our Military Families! Since our families were so far away. The best part…the fireworks.

One of the LARGEST shows that I have ever seen! It was amazing to sit next to Mike and with our two kiddos sharing fireworks together for the first time as a family. The show was spectacular. It was also accompanied by patriotic music that brought tears to my eyes! As the large bursts came and went smaller and larger with each climax in the song it gave me goose-bumps!

I can't listen to the national Anthem without crying. I used to be one of those that took my Liberty for granted. It wasn’t until I saw what Mike went through and still to this day goes through to understand what it means to be an American. I then broadened my view even more and looked around at ALL those that wear a uniform. I am not a service member, but I am the wife of a service member which for me was enough.

I wish everyone could somehow get a taste, a glimps, or open their hearts and minds for what our Service Members do for us each day. Although methods may not be the most logic or comfortable, we still need to believe in our Service Men and Women and support those that are making us safe! Those that respond to disasters, those that support other countries without question. Those that put on the uniform every day with pride and stand tall to make Freedom reality. Where is the PRIDE of America today? When I stand at a baseball game or other events and see so many with hats on and goofing around. It makes me sick! There are thousands today living that song on a daily basis. Past Wars...

that went through so much for what we have today. So with all of your picnics and family time this holiday weekend, take a moment and remember those that have fought so hard that have sacrificed so much for our country and all that we have today!

Other special 4th of July moments have been with friends and last year we had my parents come for a visit! We celebrated Hailey's birthday with my parents and friends and had a little kid pool party in the back! We went to a Baseball game (July 3rd) at Rosenblatt stadium and got completely soaked while singing Sweet Caroline as we tried to seek shelter!

"Sweet Caroline…(da da da) good times never seem so good. (SO GOOD.. SO GOOD..)"

It was a lot of fun! We also had an amazing dinner on the 4th. One of my favorites. I wanted my Dad to make his BBQ turkey with his AMAZING homemade sauce! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! We then walked up to the main road by our house that kinda overlooks the main part of Omaha and watched fireworks from all over the city. Some over by the Missouri River, Down town and out West! It was hard to decide which to watch! We had a great time and the kids loved having their Papa and Gwamma there visiting! We will miss you so much this year as well as the rest of our family and friends that we so dearly love and have such fond memories with!

So there it is…a few of my most favorite memories of the 4th of July! The best part…Family and Friends and the Freedoms that I am so very Thankful FOR!! I will add some photos from this weekend on Monday or something…so Stay Tuned for another great 4th!

Hailey and Leah...BFF's

2010-05-08T20:18:00.000-07:00

Hailey's best friend Leah will be moving soon to Michigan. She is so sad to say good-bye to her best friend. We had Leah over this week to play and hope we can have a couple more play dates to get them together before they move. We will miss the Stapleton's! Hailey wont be able to look at another yellow house without thinking of Leah! They just adore each other. Hand in hand all the time, giggles, and playing dress-up. Life can be so hard sometimes! We will have to send lots of pictures and color some pictures for her... right little one!?! Here are some pictures and favorite things to do together. Play outside on the swing set, watch My Little Pony or Strawberry Shortcake, dress up, dance, sing, do crafts, and just be fun silly giggle girls! BFF's!!!

Kaitlynn's kindergarten class field trip to Henry Doorly Zoo!

2010-05-08T19:16:00.000-07:00

Waterfall in Lied Jungle!

Some of the kids in Kaitlynn class! They are a good group of kids!

Just look at this beauty! Its hard to think that she will be going into the 1st grade next year and will be 7! I just can hardly believe it! Dont grow up too fast on me! I don't know if I can take it!

Kaitlynn with her teacher Ms Knicely! A perfect name for an elementary teacher! Kaitlynn adores her!

Ok so last week was so pretty and the day before this was so nice too, but this day, WOW the wind just was so cold and strong! The day of her field trip with her class. But she bounced around with her friends laughing and having a great time while I watched wishing I had a hot chocolate to sip. SO STINKING COLD. Hello...its not winter ANYMORE!!! Get on with it!

A couple of friends in Kaitlynn's class...brrrr

Ohhhh BUGS! We had to go see the beautiful butterflies but it doesn't stop at just seeing butterflies...you then have to walk through the bugs. Too many spiders and strange creapy bugs that we saw too many of not behind glass in Japan. Still cool, but gross!!! I still have to put the "this is so cool face" on so that the kdis wont see how much I detest spiders and other creapy crawly things. Kaitlynn is just like her Dad. Making silly faces at the right time. I told her to get close to the bug and was just about to press the shutter button and wham...THIS FACE!! She cracks me up!

"What are these Mom"...Well honey they are called stalactite and stalagmites. During our trip to the zoo I had the opportunity to teach some things and answer questions instead of just running after kids! It was quite fun! She loves the Kingdom of the Night down under the Desert Dome. We have a GREAT Zoo! We only visited a 1/8th of what there is to see at the zoo! You have to come and visit us and come see all the cool things here now and what's to come!

"Hey Mom..I know what this says. Its says Omaha. That's where we live!"

I saw this turtle and thought of Derek my brother...he loves turtles. I have NEVER seen a turtle that looked like this...Have you D?

You and me Kid!! I love you sweet Katie BUG!!

Kaitlynn was up on top of this bench and said "hey Mom...get a picture of me" and the struck this pose! I was laughing so hard!

Rosenblatt Stadium FINAL Season!

2010-05-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

We decided to go as a family to one of the opening games at Rosenblatt to watch the Omaha Royals play ball! We had a great time. We chose this night because they were going to do fireworks...well, it seems that when ever there are fireworks after it either down pour soaking rains on us or...the game goes 18 innings!! We left at the bottom of the 15th. Which was like 10:45 at night...way too late! But we ate peanuts and popcorn and danced in between innings and went the bathroom too many times, cheered and booed the poor umpire calls. We had a great time! We will go again! This is the last season at this park before it moves to a different location, has a different name and possibly different team name and mascot. We are so sad about the field being torn down. Say good-bye to the World Series at this historic location. We will see if we go to the other field...I'm such a brat!

The kids did so well! It was so cute to see them all enjoying and getting into the game! We had a great time!!

Yes...Another Blue Sushi Post!!!

2010-05-08T18:23:00.000-07:00

So yes...another Sushi post! Sorry! But it was too cute. We took Mikey to Blue and we weren't sure what he would do. Well, he ate a whole roll and a half and almost the whole thing of Edamame! We went again last week and he ate the whole thing of Edamame and a whole roll. He is a lover of Sushi! Good BOY!!!!
Goofy Smile!!

Notice the ladies in the background...they thought he as such a doll! Already getting the ladies attention! He gave them flirty eyes and smiles all through lunch!

He got VERY into opening up the pods! He had so much fun. He had to have soy sauce to dip them in which in itself was so funny!!!

Sushi...oh so YUMMY!!!

2010-02-27T20:03:00.000-08:00

Mike and I love to go to Blue!! It's a Shushi place here in Omaha and it's so yummy! (Not fishy what so ever) This is called Edamame (Soy Beans) and is a rather great and healthy snack as well as appetizer! We also make this "snack" at home and the kids get into eating them as well. You should ALL try it!! Super easy to make!! Here is the link on You Tube on how to make Edamame...about 5 minutes a tada...a healthy snack!!
YouTube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VPp6cB9qMc&feature=PlayList&p=24FE740EC28691FF&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=29
Edamame health benefits link:
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=56288

We got together with some friends. There were five of us and between us we got about 18 sushi rolls. This is what the bulk of it looked like! YIKES!! It was SOOO amazing! There were some other plates off to the left that you can see that had some that they brought out first! So VERY VERY Good! You have to try it!! It's not what you think...I promise! I'm so addicted if you can't tell!!!

Here is a plate and an upclose shot of a sushi roll!!

And here I am ready to eat an Asparagus Roll! OH I would love to get some Sushi RIGHT NOW!!!!

And to top off the evening...Here is some Fried Ice Cream...never have been a real fan until NOW!! OH ya! And this thing was HUGE!! I think I gained like 20lbs!! WHEW!!! What a night!! Thank you BLUE!!!

You've Got a Friend in ME!!

2010-01-20T23:12:00.000-08:00

So Mikey has been into Toy Story for a while now. He got these at Christmas and he totes them around with him wherever he goes. I love how he talks and plays with them. He had to sit in his "Beep Beep" bed and read a story to "Buuuttzzzzz and Woooeeeeee". I couldn't resist the moment, so I grabbed yet again what I had the closest to me and that as my cell phone and snapped a couple! He was so tired and ready for bed. I love his snuggles and hugs! What a good boy!

Winter WHAT????

2010-01-20T23:00:00.000-08:00

We have had some CRAZY weather this winter and just to show that, I took a picture of a tree in our neighborhood that looked SO COOL!!! I was on my way to get my hair cut and saw the tree and had to turn around to have a gander at it closer! I was very bummed without my camera in hand so I pulled out the closest thing...my cell phone! It took a couple great shots of these babies! I LOVE IT! So beautiful. I have never seen the trees do that before! So far we have had a blizzards, ice storms, freezing rain, loads of snow, rain, some sun, lots of fog, and basically the worst winter I have ever seen in all my life! Oh and it has got so cold here, feel like temperatures of -30's (that means with the wind chill) Although with all the craziness, I got this great picture and had to share!!

Grandmother's are so very Special!!

2010-01-17T16:52:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking a lot about my Grandparents lately. I'm not sure exactly why, but I just know that I stand in amazement of them and their unique talents and qualities, and testimony's. I find those same qualities in my parents and hope I can be half the person those before me are. I was going through Joanne Fabrics a couple days ago and found those plastic yarn grids that my Grandma Bleazard use to use. I remember going to her house and sitting by her chair watching her fingers work so fast making these beautiful things. I would ask her what she was making and who they were for. Hoping she would say they were for me. She would gently reply for a birthday, or a lady in my ward, or a friend I know that needs some cheering up. Those selfish thoughts would go away immediately thinking of those people that could use something like this more than me. I would find myself staring at all the beautiful colors of yarn. I think she knew what was going on in my mind and in she would reach and find a small ball of yarn and some scraps of the grids and let me create and imagine away. When I got older, she would have me sit on her lap and she would show me how to crochet. I thought that was the best thing ever! She would make afghans that were long, beautiful, warm. I love to snuggle in them and watch a movie with them while eating popcorn looking up at the ceiling with the silver sparkles that looked like stars! She was an amazing cook and such a comfort! I would sit on her lap during the 4th of July fireworks that would be outside the kitchen window because I was so afraid. She would hold me close and I can still to this day remember how her arms felt around me holding me close and I could smell her perfume and just feel at ease. This is like something that she would make. I only mention a few of her many qualities I adore about her.

Grandma Hallmark was like a whirlwind of getting things done. There was never a dirty room, window or closet. She would press her sheets and the beds would be made to perfection. Her home always smelled of things she was canning or cooking for dinner. She was the worlds best multitasker ever! She would have so many things going on that I could sit at her table and color and watch her fly around. And she would always have such a good attitude about it. She loved her home, she loved welcoming others into her home and made each person feel so special. Some of my most cherished moments were trying to sneak sweet pickles from the 5 gallon buckets that were pickling. I loved getting suckers from the cupboard. Her dried fruit was the best I have ever had, even to this day. I loved running through the sheets in the back yard. Smelling that clean fresh cotton is still one of my favorite smells. I would spend the night with her and felt so special that I could stay with her. She would tuck me into a perfectly made bed and I would lay there and just smell the sheets as I lay in the most comfortable cocoon! She would sing me a song and help me pray and I can still hear her gentle voice. I loved helping her pick things in her garden. Oh her garden was amazing! I don't think there was ever a weed that ever had a chance to even come up before she was plucking it from the ground. She would open her home so others could enjoy the blessings of going to the temple by letting them stay there since they had to travel many miles. I loved to help her get the rooms ready and welcome them there. I still remember her telling me, "Loralee, you be polite and on your best behaviour. Make sure you don't make lots of noise. Run along and play like a good girl." I loved all the many trinkets that she would pack away. She loved Avon and I loved all the shades of red nail polish in her bathroom. She always had her toes painted. Ice cream at her house was the best. I wish I could find those ice cream bowls from so long ago. I have so many fond memories they are just spilling in my mind and overflowing my heart with longing to see them and wrap my arms around them and Thank them for the many things they taught me. Mostly love and patience and always open arms no matter what. They were always delighted to see us. Here is something like what she would make. Her jars were much more beautiful!

I am sad that my children are missing the time and memories like I had growing up and being close to grandparents. I miss our families so very much my heart aches! I hope the times we are together have a lasting impact on my children as my grandparents had on me. I will have to write about my Grandfathers and the hero's they are in my life as well. If you have Grandparents that are still alive, sit and listen and cherish every moment. Soak up every opportunity to learn from them that you can!! Love EVERY Moment!! My arms reach up Grandmothers and I am holding you very close to my heart! I will have to post pictures of these amazing women when I find them and scan them into the computer.

Apple Picking at Kimmel Orchard Sept 2009

2009-11-19T17:33:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful day in Nebraska City!!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS PICTURE!!!!! Oh kids you are so precious!!!

You are so clever!! She thought this was so hilarious! She kept calling my name..."
"mommy mommy look what I can do!!" I turned around and laughed and snapped a picture of her silly moment!

What can I say...ADORABLE!!!

You are so beautiful my girl...what pretty flowers... always finding such pretty and cheerful things!

What did you find little man? BUGS MOM...WHAT ELSE!!!

Love this picture of Hailey!! What a poser!!!

Another Beauty Kaitlynn!! Yummy!!

Oh my sweet boy!! Good apple little man!!

Kaitlynn was very particular with the apples that she picked...they had to be the one that she wanted and had to be very pretty and without any markings...Much like her Daddy, she was very selective with her choice and picked some of the BEST apples!

Oh yes, I had fun too!! Reminds me of the days picking apples with my Mom and Aunt Lorrie!! Wonderful memories!! Wish we could pick again together...someday?

Love this one of Hailey!! This is the first one she picked and was so over joyed with being able to pick apples off the tree! Reminds me of when I was at Mike grandparents house and I picked Lemons for the first time!! I too had this look of joy on my face...wonder where she gets if from!!!

Mikey loved being lifted up high to get the apples!! He makes quite the apple picker because he would grab more than one at a time! I love this picture of my BOYS!!!

Hailey LOVED to pick apples...All the kids did!! They were so excited! We should have bought more bags...we would have had apples for months!

Kaitlynn getting face painted Kimmel Orchard Sept 2009

2009-11-19T17:22:00.000-08:00

There are moments that they are so sweet to each other!!! I have proof!!! LOL!!!

Kaitlynn was so excited to see that she could get a dolphin on her face!! She loved the sparkles and when it was time to wash her dolphin off, she cried so hard thinking that she would never see her "special dolphin again"!!! It was quite the emotional moment for her. We told her she would see her dolphin anytime because we would print a picture just for her to have! That seemed to fix the problem!! Our little sensitive one!! ;)

Hailey getting face painted Kimmel Orchard Sept 2009

2009-11-19T16:23:00.001-08:00

Hailey loved getting her face painted!! She picked a rainbow which I think suites her perfectly because she is such a joy and wonder! Much like Cheer Bear she can brighten any room with her smile and when she laughs and gives hugs its the best feeling ever!! That's our little energy child, Hailey!!!

Sorry Babes...Your too hot to not put on here!!!

2009-05-19T20:51:00.000-07:00

Love you honey!!!

My girls!!

2009-05-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

Boy's will be Boy's

2009-05-19T20:28:00.000-07:00

Mikey was so silly!! Playing with his fishies and doing goofy things with his sisters cup!! He loved messing with the lawn mower and anything "man tools" he could get his hands on. He was all over the place and it was great to just let him roam a bit!! ALL BOY!! Just like his Daddy! Silly BOY!!!

Where do I begin???

2009-05-19T20:11:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to ride again! I have missed it so much! My heart was beating so fast and when Dodger (the dark brown horse) wanted to take off when the field opened up...so did I!!! Of course I restrained myself, but that feeling burned inside me! I could ride every day. It was a wonderful day. The kids had so much fun, we ate great food and played really hard and had great conversation with friends (most newly met). It was a very very great day!!!

Just Horsen Around!!!

2009-05-19T19:49:00.000-07:00

My good friend Deb with Kaitlynn who was all smiles!! She let Deb know that she would love to go faster the whole ride!! LOL!!! Mikey was full of smiles and horse sounds and Woah and yeeehaaa!!! They all had a blast!!!

The kids were so thrilled to ride the horses! Mikey finally rode!! He didn't want anything to do with them last fall when we took the kids to ride a pony on Kaitlynn's birthday...he couldn't get enough of being around them!

He is so FEARLESS!!!

Such a little poser!!! She has two gumballs in her mouth and a Cool Aid smile....priceless!!!

What a fun DAY!!!

2009-05-19T19:26:00.000-07:00

Hailey just loved to pet this old cat!! As you can tell, I don't think that cat minded either...aaaaaachhhheeewwwwww for me!!!

Hmmmm....I wonder which picture shows the after a swig of Daddy's Dr Pepper....

2009-05-17T21:24:00.000-07:00

This is the only really good picture I have of Kailtynn's class. I will have to check with the other Moms.

This is after the recital. Daddy bought them each some flowers and they were so excited to have something special of their own! They also received a certificate from their dance teachers and we took them out to Red Robin for dinner! It was a fun evening! I had so much fun doing their hair and getting them ready! The girls were very excited to wear some of "Mommy's Make Up". We couldn't be more proud! We recorded them and hope to get them sent out to the grandparents soon!!

I finally got some shots of Hailey by herself! It took some coaxing, but she got into it! What a doll!

Dance Recital May 2009

2009-05-17T21:17:00.001-07:00

Kaitlynn is a very good dancer. This is her second year and she has really become quite good for her age. We have been told on numerous occasion that she is shown something once and she can do it! I love to watch her dance and see the joy in her face when dancing. They danced to Can't wait to be King (from the Lion King) and Me and My Teddy. Adorable!!

Dance Recital May 2009

2009-05-17T21:10:00.000-07:00

This is Hailey's class and best friend Leah. They danced to Yankie Doodle and Lets Get Together. This is Hailey's first dance class and recital. They did a great job for 3 year olds! Too cute for words too!!

Sister's...there are times I wish I had had one!!!!

2009-05-17T20:50:00.000-07:00

These two little girls can be the worst of friends and other times the sweetest, most lovable angels to each other. This is one of those moments. My little ladies!!! I hope you two will always be friends!

Easter Egg Hunt April 2009

2009-05-17T20:39:00.001-07:00

This could be a sport for this little boy!!! I could hardly get him to hold still for this shot and he wasn't very happy about it!! LOL!! This is Mikey's first Easter egg hunt. He loved to find the eggs. We had to have all the eggs taped shut or they would have opened them up spilling all the contents! What a fun afternoon!

Easter Egg Hunt April 2009

2009-05-17T20:32:00.000-07:00

You cant help but smile when you see the pure joy in her eyes!! She was already looking for other eggs before she had one in her basket!

Easter Egg Hunt April 2009

2009-05-17T20:01:00.000-07:00

Kaitlynn finds things so fast now!! She had her basket full before the others! She was so excited to find the eggs she colored herself!

Pay if Forward...

2009-03-29T20:34:00.001-07:00

So, here's how this game works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift/treat from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or be lazy and copy and paste like I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift!

You and Me BABE...6 years and going strong!!!

2009-03-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

We had a great anniversary!! 6 years! We went to Red Lobster last night and a movie. We were actually by ourselves...we could carry on a conversation without interruption!! We held hands and laughed and just really enjoyed each other! I love you so much honey...each and every year it gets better and better! I love you more and more with each day! You are truly my everything!!!

This time of year brings memories...

2009-03-29T19:24:00.000-07:00

This time of year brings back fond memories of beautiful cherry blossoms from the Cherry Blossom (Sakura)Festival in Okinawa Japan. I know this post is a bit late compared to the real festival, but spring is just beginning here...I can hardly explain the breath taking views at this festival. There is so much to see and do. The food is so wonderful, the Eisa dancers and taiko drummers, the sounds ring in my ears and I long for those sounds sometimes. There will ALWAYS be such a fond place in my heart for that beautiful Island. Someday I will go back....