CrAzY WeEkEnD!! Part 3 --the Family Reunion

My Mom, her sister and 3 brothers...My mom was the youngest of 11 or 12 kids and only 3 of the kids were girls.

Me and some cousins--probably NOT even half of what there is...

Piper hanging upside down on the Merry go round...

My girls on the Merry go round...we got there before alot of the other kids...

We went to a family reunion on Sunday in Cambridge, the town I grew up in. This is the second year that they have hosted it. Not as many people came this year as last. It was nice catching up with some of my cousins that I "grew up" with. I didn't recognize one of my aunts that was there and I used to stay at their house ALL THE TIME--wow!! The years have really gone by and I still have the picture of what they USED to look like in my head. Anyway, it was nice to see some old relatives...Enough for now...-AS

CrAzY WeEkEnD!! Part 2

The girls getting situated on our float...

Family Picture on the float...

Chloe in the Clive fire truck...

Teagan in front of the Clive fire truck...

Piper is cheesing it up for the Cute Fireman!!

This weekend has been VERY BUSY...for us anyway. Our realtor deemed us as "clients of the year" which I think just means we have the most kids so they made a float for us to ride on in the Waukee Fall Festival Parade. I thought it would be really embarrassing but it was A BLAST!! That is the best to throw out candy.. I'm surprised Teagan didn't send someone to the hospital with her throwing...We all had a GREAT TIME riding on the float!!

That evening, our block had it's annual block party. So we got out and met a few more neighbors and the Clive Fire truck and Ambulance came and the kids got to sit in the trucks and the firefighters/paramedics answered their questions. It was a VERY CHILLY evening once the sun went down for Iowa (I'm talking 60's) so we had to get pants and sweatshirts on...much like a September/October evening...that was crazy. Lots of Great food and good conversations...Enough for now...-AS

CrAzY WeEkEnD!! Part 1 -- Lexi

Our new Kitten, Lexi...

Lexi had only been at our house 10 minutes when I snapped this...

Zoey is guarding the stairs so Lexi can't come up...

Friday, Taffy and I went and picked out a new kitten for our family. She's only 4 months old and full of SPUNK!! We ALL Love her...except Zoey! She is NOT impressed AT ALL! However, it is Sunday night as I'm typing this and they are sitting on my bed and Zoey isn't growling at her so we are making some progress!! In fact, Lexi was sitting on my lap "chasing" the arrow on my computer screen...she's a silly little thing and sooo TINY compared to Zoey--who I thought was tiny at only 7 lbs. Lexi is very sweet cat who LOVES to be held and will jump in your lap if it's available (as will Zoey). She is sooo SWEET!! I just LOVE her!! Enough for now...-AS

PS...I wonder how bed time will work out tonight...Zoey sleeps on my pillow EVERY night and I'm pretty sure she's not gonna give that up to the new girl on the block...I don't know where Lexi has slept the last 2 nights...last night NO One was in their correct bed but me.

Wordless Wednesday 8/26/09

Busy Weekend...

Piper and Teagan and the Hot Dog Statue...

Chloe...

Teagan and a cement Lion...

Taffy and Chloe playing in the water fountain...

Chloe, Piper and Teagan and the Hot Dog Statue...

We took the kids to the Iowa State Fair today. I LOVE the fair!! Shane does NOT love the fair!! It was kind of a spur of the moment decision to go and I was Happy!! The kids actually did really WELL this year walking around. They hardly complained==except for the fact I would NOT stop at every toy vender and buy them some piece of JUNK that we don't need!! Teagan REALLY wanted to stop and win something. I don't encourage the carnies...Sorry...we did let them make a sand art bottle but that was it. They ate a TON of food so they can't complain tooo much. And we did ride the classic Ye Old Mill and Teagan and I rode the giant slide so all was good in my book...Enough for now...-AS

Piper's 2nd day

Piper with the school sign...we got there early today and had some extra time...

Piper fell asleep with the remote in her hand...she was EXHAUSTED!!

All went well for day 2 for all the girls...as you can see, it wiped Piper out!! Chloe had some homework to do and got it done right away, Teagan walked in, dropped her stuff off and out the door she went...enough for now...-AS

1st Day of School 2009

Piper - Kindergarten

Teagan - 1st grade

Chloe - 5th grade

Piper, Teagan and Chloe 8/19/09

The girls waiting to go to school..

Piper--all SMILES after her first day!!

Today, 3 out of 4 of my girls started school!! Maybe I'm a bad mom for not crying and being sad but I was EXCITED for them and me!! We have been anticipating this all summer and maybe more so then previous years because we moved and had to switch elementary schools. I'm excited that they all GET to make new friends this year. Each of them will have a couple of faces that the recognize through preschool, gymnastics or from our church so it won't be TOO terrible. Piper was ALL SMILES when she came out of the school building today--I didn't really expect anything different from her.. we'll see how the other girls do when they get home. (Kindergarteners go shortened days for the first 2 and then regular days) I'll keep you posted on what their reaction is...enough for now...-AS

PS> Chloe was ANNOYED the first day of school because everyone kept asking if she was the new girl. Teagan did have much to say either way but I'm annoyed because she won't shake her COLD LUNCH habit everyday. I'm SICK of making her cold lunch that she doesn't eat!! ; )

Wednesday 8/19/09 Not wordless afterall...

I took the girls to Stella's yesterday for lunch...an old-fashion soda fountain/restaurant

It was sooo COLD in there, we had to hide in our clothes!! BBRRR...

Piper and Teagan are GOOFY!! : )

Piper...

Teagan getting a malt poured on her head...this is what is SOO FUN about this place!! Teagan was VERY disappointed that they poured it in a cup though..she thought they would pour it ON HER HEAD!!

Teagan making a GOOFY face...

Chloe, Me, Taffy and Piper...

Yesterday was the last day of summer vacation so I took the kids out for lunch and bowling. Bowling was a last minute decision after when contemplated several choices. We ate at Stella's, which is just an old fashion soda fountain/restaurant. It's pretty fun and the food yesterday was better then it has been on other occasions! BONUS!! : )WHen you go there, you HAVE TO order a shake and have it poured on your head...Teagan was the only one brave enough to do it but she thought they would pour it ON HER HEAD!! Boy was she disappointed when they poured it in a CUP!! SILLY GIRL!! Enough for now...gotta get Piper to KINDERGARTEN--her first day!! -AS

Chuck E Cheese

PIper and Teagan on the jeep...Taffy is behind Piper and you can't see her...

Taffy LOVED this horse!!

Taffy and Lilly...

Taffy and Chuck E...

Taffy...

oops...duplicate...

Chloe, Taffy and Piper...

Piper and Chloe...

Teagan and Taffy...

I took the girls to Chuck E Cheese's today to meet our old babysitter, Ashley, her boyfriend, Nick and his neice, Lilly. My girls ALWAYS say they want to see Ashley but they hardly even talked to her when we were there...too busy, I guess. Crazy kids... We wanted to do something special since this in their last weekend before schools starts. They start on Wednesday so I'm guessing they will want to do something fun on Tuesday as well. Enough for now...-AS