Weekend time!

Evie had her final tournament today for volleybasket. Her  season ended and we are so proud of her for seeing it through, learning a lot and improving so much.  Unfortunately, we didn’t make it to watch her today.  We attempted it.  We tried really hard, but we got stuck in a mess of traffic that was trying to leave the lineman rodeo, the renfest, the American Royal and some sort of a cross country race all at the same basic location.  City of Bonner springs, you messed up!  Too many huge events in too small of a space.  We literally waited to get out for an hour and 45 minutes.  It was awful but we made it!  Jim is most likely on a list with the Bonner Springs police department, but that’s a story for another day.  

We did have fun at the International Lineman Rodeo.  Colin competed and I am always amazed at the things he is able to do while balancing on a piece of leather tied around his waist.  No way would I ever!  I am proud of him for the work he does.  Have I mentioned that I love the grid?  I do!  I love when I turn on a lights switch and just like that the room isn’t dark.  I love my electric stove and my heat and not needing to chop wood or haul water.  We have it pretty good here!  I am thankful there are people willing to do the work to keep these things going for me.  The other thing is that Colin loves his job. He likes the people. He likes the work. He’s happy and that is all a mom ever really wants for her children right?

Also, my bonus daughter is amazing. She is supportive of Colin, stands beside him and loves him.  They are pretty good together and she is a wonderful mom and partner to my son.  Again, my mom heart is happy that my son is living a good life.  We love it. 

And that Easton - he is something else.  He is so happy and sweet.  And busy!  I very much enjoyed getting some baby snuggles (although the snuggles have to be quick because he has better things to do!). 

Cameron and Tatum came over.  And Mallory rode up with Jim and I.  Spencer’s mom, aunt, cousin and her family were there.  Spencer’s cousin has 2 kids. They are super cute, but I got a huge kick out of Maxwell.  He is Colin’s biggest fan.  He was cheering loudly for Colin. He was impressed with everything and was having the best day ever!  Most enthusiastic fan of lineman ever!  I failed to get a picture but I should have - it was so sweet.  

I also failed to get any photos of Tatum. She ran a half marathon and then got in a car and came over to watch Colin.  I know she was tired and in some pain after her race, but she was happy to be there and still her spunky self.  I really like this girl.  She is great with Cameron and again, it makes me so happy to see Cameron happy.  

This old guy and I hit the jackpot in the family department.  

I cannot do justice to how many people attend this lineman rodeo.  I tried to take a picture from the gate but it just didn’t capture it.  It’s a pretty neat event.  And they are all very nice there.  The competition is in good spirits. The people are everywhere with their kids and grandparents and they give away a ton of cool stuff and people are just happy to be there.  I’m glad Colin invited us! 

Another happy thing - Saige and Harper finished marching band season Friday night with a performance at the last home football game.  I loved their performance- they sounded great.  Unfortunately I didn’t get good photos because I had to work at the last tuba toss fundraiser, so I watched from kind of far back. The girls are glad to be done going out to March early in the cold and wet grass.  I am happy to be finished with the tuba toss booth!  Successful year and happy to pack it up!  

 

29 again

Today I celebrated my 29th birthday (for the 25th year in a row). It was a most excellent day. 

I was amused when one of my new kids gave me a birthday gift.  I asked her how she knew it was my birthday.  She shrugged and said “my mom knows stuff!”  

I had a bus safety meeting where my boss gave me a “gift”. It was bus evacuation drill paperwork.  He gave them to everyone.  Not the kind of gift I really wanted and I told him next time he better get me something much nicer.  

This evening Mallory  and Madison showed up and cooked me dinner.  We had chicken Alfredo and German chocolate  cake.  It was so sweet the way Wrenley and Evie wanted to make it a special evening for me.  I love me some grandkids 

Easton is trying so hard to be a walking man. I feel completely amazed by how fast he is growing up. 

Even the weather was great today.  For some reason, I love a chilly rainy fall day.  

I got my bus kids spider rings and candy. They were so excited.  That’s because a spider ring is one of the best and  coolest intentions ever.  

I went out to open up our drainage ditch we have on the driveway.  That is when I saw blackberries in the flower bed.  Geez I thought these were lillies. I was correct, after asking a few questions I was told they are not berries, they are just seeds.   I am not sure if they have done this before and I just don’t pay enough attention, but they are sort of cool.  

Got a new photo of Rosie.  She is adorable. I’m not sure if my mom really loves the 5 am wake up calls, but she has been doing a good job  pottying outside!  They grow up fast, I’m sure it will get better in a few weeks!  Plus, look at her face.  She can do whatever she wants.  

A couple of years ago, I planted some morning glories at the end of the driveway.  I had this idea that they would look cool climbing the rock wall.  For the most part, they have slowly started climbing and I don’t really notice the flowers because they really do only open in the morning.  I usually leave in the dark/and or when it is hot they aren’t open.  But Monday, the kids had the day off.  When I left for work, they were putting on a show.  I love them!  

When Maude sleeps on the picnic table, I think she looks  like Snoopy. She is still a lot of puppy, but she is such a sweet girl. 

Well that was everywhere. I am such a blessed person. Having family to celebrate my birthday with is just icing on the very amazing German chocolate cake!  

Thanks so much for making a girl feel so loved!  

 

Upside down weekend

It has been a sort of weird weekend. Since I am blogging on my phone, I can’t seem to get the pictures downloaded in any semblance of order, so we are just going to go with it like it is.   Easton and his car.  Such a happy guy 

We got the girls Halloween shirts when we went shopping. I told them to let me take their picture in their shirts.  This is what we got.  They keep me entertained.  

My little cherry tree that the goats partially ate is blooming.  Not sure what, if anything it means but the blooms are pretty!  

All of our boys went to the KSU game yesterday.  Easton got to experience his first tailgating day!  

It makes me laugh that they eat all the food in their trough and then have to scrounge around for every last crumb that they drop.  

Mallory and Madison took the girls to haunted put put.  They said Evelyn was pretty freaked out by the animated horror show.  Wrenley thought it was awesome. She’s just a tad bit feral. 

Easton thinks ice cream is too cold.  I love this one. So funny. 

Jim and I ran to Manhattan today to take Preston out for his  birthday lunch. It was good to see him and Sunny. We always enjoy a day in Manhappiness!

Saige attended her first debate tournament Saturday.  She went 2-2-3.  She had the affirmative position on universal healthcare. She had a lot of truly great ideas and worked really hard gathering facts and putting her case together.  I’m really proud of her trying new things and working so hard.  

Side note- we were able to get her entire outfit from a thrift store for only a few dollars. She is pretty proud of her thrift store haul! 

This girl loves her pets.  She loves hard.  

I’m cracking up at Easton’s “rocking chair”. Hey whatever works to get them to sleep right? 

Wednesday, Evie had a volleyball game.  Tatum and Cameron came to watch. When it was over, Tatum gave her some pointers and encouragement. It was very sweet.  

She has improved so much since the beginning!  Evie even got several of her serves over the net!  

Volleyball isn’t an easy sport. It’s even harder if you are small. I’m proud of her effort and the fact that she is always ready, listening and trying her hardest.  Good job kiddo!

We thought she had her final tournament yesterday, but we  were wrong. She will play next weekend instead.  More time to practice! 

As we close out the weekend, I am thankful for this little family we have!  Such good people!