Out With the Old and in With the NEW...

This is our second roof in 2 years due to hail damage. Benjy says that we live in Hail Alley, rather than Tornado Alley. This year we got really excited when we found out we were getting new siding and windows, too.

Here is a picture of the old Blue siding against our brick. With our old camera and the way the sun was hitting it, you can't really see the contrast between blue and brick in the picture.Here is a picture of your new Natural Clay siding with the brick. Kaydree asked when she got home, did we get new brick too? It looks so nice together.

They are putting in our new windows as I type! We can't have any blinds up until Monday, after they stain them! That means our whole upstairs pretty much will be nice and bright! ;-)

I got a $10 coupon for JcPenny and the Nike running shoes she wanted were on sale so Kaydree got new shoes. Aren't they soooooo cute? Her old ones were getting a little too small. I sat looking at her shoes debating if I will go back to Nike. I have such fond memories with my Nike running shoes. I switched to Asics and then to New Balance, but miss my Nike Shoes!

I Have Been Tagged Twice...so..

So Jamie and Emily have tagged me now, so I guess I will do this, although I can't guarantee what you will get.....here are the rules:

1. Post the rules on your blog
2. Write 6 random things about yourself
3. Tag 6 people at the end of your post
4. If you are tagged, just do it, and pass the tag along!

1. I am doing this because I enjoyed reading Jamie and Emily's random things....but hesitate to try to pick 6 random things to write about because I seem a little crabby today? When I feel like this, I try to really watch my thoughts and words because I know it isn't usually how I would normally feel and act or what I would say.

2. I am a morning person. I love the early mornings. I feel so much closer to Heavenly Father in the quiet early mornings. It is by far my favorite time of day and something I look forward to when I am not rushing to get out the door.

3. I get lost all the time when I am driving! I am always running late and have been this way since I was a little child. Ask my Mom and Dad! I actually hate getting to things early. I feel like it is a waste of time to rush to get somewhere early and then to have to sit and wait for something to start. I actually don't wear a watch because I demagnetize them. I get a watch and the battery dies, I get a new battery and it dies within weeks, I buy a new watch and the battery dies...hmm.... I would think I was crazy but Benjy has witnessed it!

4. I like Chocolate a lot!

5. I love to workout. It is my stress reliever. What I lack is the will power to eat the way I know I should!

6. I am usually cold and love to be warm and snuggle up. I like my house to be bright with the window shades up and the lights on. Benjy likes our house to be dark and all the lights off except for one little lamp. (Probably so he can't see the smear marks on the floors) ;-) I don't like to watch T.V. I absolutely hate commercials. I mute them when they come on which is why I prefer to read or blog instead. We both love to play games together like tennis, scrabble and racquetball because we are both competitive. We both do love to watch movies especially because they don't have commericals.

Like I said this was an odd post!

I tag Serena, Andrea, JoDell, Shantel, Audrey, Lindsey, Chris, Tina, Stephanie, Luann, Shalayne, Laurel, Crystal, Janice, Linda Holt, Michelle, Korbi, Nicole and anyone who wants to do this?!. (Samantha, Jamie, Becky, Tammy, Emily and Kansas Kochs you have already been tagged.)

We Went to the Fall Festival so...

....... Kaydree could find her teeth!Kaydree invited Brynn and Abby over for her First School Friend's Sleepover!

Kaydree has had sleepovers with her cousins, church friends and some of my friends' children, but never her friends from school. Benjy and I weren't sure if we were ready for Kaydree to do this at second grade, however she has been invited to some Birthday sleepovers and our rule was....No Sleepovers and we had a family counsel to examine this rule! For my paranoid reasons... over protective Mother....have a hard time letting her grow up reasons...too, Benjy and I decided we would start to open up this door for Kaydree. So a couple of weeks ago she sent out two invitations. We told her maximum of 4 people. She decided to only invite her two best school buds. Abby was in her class last year and Kaydree cried when she found out she wasn't going to be this year! After the first day of school, Kaydree and Brynn hit if off sooooo well, so I knew she would be fine. She does tell me often that she wishes Abby could be in their class too!
They did eat some Chili, Hot Dogs and Carrots. I tried to limit their sugar and junk intake! I had actually forgotten about Karsyn eating at this point. You know how that is...when you're responsible for someone else's child, you worry more about them then your own, right?
Thank goodness for Serena and Clint... At one point I had to go to the restroom and I said to them, "Could you watch Kaydree and her friends and make sure they stay in the gym, well on second thought, I am not worried about Kaydree and Karsyn, JUST WATCH KAYDREE'S LITTLE FRIENDS AND MAKE SURE THEY DON'T GET LOST!"
Why didn't I just have Benjy watch them? Well after our family counsel and Benjy really wanting to let Kaydree do this (I was the one against sleepovers) and with all of his support, he decided two days ago, that he was going to fly out to Washington to see his family and go to the Notre Dame Football game! Thanks Uncle Tony and Uncle Ken! ;-) Actually I am so excited for him! What an opportunity.... to say that he loves Notre Dame Football would be an under statement! Ken started texting him two days ago and then Tony called him and put Benjy into tears by offering to bring him out for a little Family Reunion and Football! I am sure they had a great night. They surprised his mom and dad by bringing in Benjy and his younger brother Danny for the weekend. So...tonight if you get a chance, turn on the Notre Dame game and cheer Benjy on....
The Fall Festival was a great activity to bring Kaydree's friends to. They made crafts and played a ton of games. It was actually easy for me...The Seamans and Judy did all the work!

Karsyn just ran around and did her own thing. She tried to use her connections with Mitch Welker. The man behind the fishing game. She just by passed throwing it over the top and went right to the source!

Karsyn was a little bummed that she didn't get to invite her friends over too, yet she was so happy the entire night! Thank goodness!

Hannah and Shantel Hobbs. Her husband Mike was working so we were in the same boat so we just chatted. (No...not me!)

Karsyn with Robbie Kastel and Emily Hobbs.

Former Bishop, Dick Andersen: we got a chuckle out of him trying to eat chili with his little mustache hanging down and I told him, I loved his side view! Aren't the center pieces cute? So... JoDell made the center pieces but I put the little scarecrows in the middle of them! See I can have a little creative side too...
His wife Kathy Andersen.

Rebeckah Hall and Madisyn Hobbs. Maddi got her Laura Engels Wilder outfit for her trip to Walnut Grove this summer! I have lived within 20 minutes of Walnut Grove and have never been to the pageant. What a shame!
Some of the Lamberts and Carlsons with a Madyun and Seaman family member.

The DeGoliers were the best dressed family..... by far!
My little Pumpkin and Red Riding Hood! We had a great time... Good Food, Good Games and Great Company!

All I Want For Christmas is.....

My Two Front Teeth....

Kaydree has decided she loves to try to say Chips which sounds like ships....

I Can Smell...

Peanut Butter and Jelly,
Scrambled eggs,
and dog food!

I don't know 100% for sure if it is the antibiotic, but I can smell things that I haven't smelled in a long, very long time! Yesterday I made Karsyn eggs and I walked up to her when she was eating them and I asked her, "Did you pass a little gas?" She said, "NO, why?" I realized I was smelling her eggs. I kind of chuckled and then thought, "Wow, I didn't even realize that was their smell anymore!" This morning I made toast with Peanut Butter and Jelly and I kept smelling the open jars because I haven't smelled that for so long either. I want to keep walking around smelling things except Charlee's dog food, which almost made me gag! I am so worried that after I am done taking this medicine I will go back to not smelling again!? :-(

I Think I Love This Time of Year?

When we got to my parents house I couldn't believe how beautiful the colors were!
The girls always love to rake a leaf pile just to jump into it.
Grandma and Charlee helped.
We went for a walk and I loved the colors at this time of year however,
my sinuses were going crazy. In fact my mom, my dad and myself are all on antibiotics for Sinus Infections. I haven't been on an antibiotic in four years and I hate having to take something for it! Yet, I haven't been able to kick this sinus pressure, chest gunk (I meant gunk not junk), headaches, ear pain and nausea.
The doctor said that this is the worst year he has ever seen with these sinus issues for people. I guess we are not the only ones. He called it the Minnesota yucks...?
I guess the price some of us pay for living in such a beautiful state?
It is worth it though!
My parents chickens and Turkeys seem to be enjoying the fall season.
The last of the flowers before a hard freeze! I stand all amazed at the beauty all around!

Oh... the girls found this snake and Karsyn was very sad that he was dead. We don't know what happened but I thought it was an interesting picture? All of the Grandchildren actually enjoy finding these little guys out here only if they are alive though. I thought it offered a contrast to all the other fall pictures I took! Kind of shocking and gross... yet sad that it is still a loss of life? Just curious what was your reaction when you saw the last picture?

Harry Potter Teaches about Friendship!

I finished the Harry Potter Series last night. I tried reading the last couple chapters out loud to Benjy as he drove, but I was crying so hard I couldn't get it out! What an amazing book! It ends exactly the way I wanted it to. I don't want to give away too much because I know I keep telling some of you out there that read our blog, that you would enjoy reading these books! I am still hoping some of you will give in and give them a try! You stubborn people....you! ;-)
The friendship that exists between these three is unbelievable. The thing about these three is that they had their moments where they didn't always agree, they didn't always like the decisions the others were making, yet they found a way to truly love the person for who they are! They defended each other, protected one another and worked together in order to help one another reach their potential. When they were wrong or had moments of weakenss, they apologized and moved on but ultimately they loved one another so much that they wanted the very best for each other. Do you see why I loved these books so much! I am grateful for my friends that love me even with all my imperfections. I am grateful for my friends that know my weaknesses and yet love me in spite of them. I am grateful for my friends that balance me out and give me advice when I need it and correct me when I am wrong! I only hope that my friends know that I love them in this way and hope to be this kind of friend to them! I am grateful for friends today and everyday!

To The Cookie Fairy,

Dear Cookie Fairy,
I want to thank you for the beautiful Air Bake Cookie sheet and cookies. I had a day that started out great but for a moment tonight I thought I couldn't wait to get into bed so that I could be done with this day! Somehow I think you knew that? Did you know that Karsyn and I have been fighting off some colds? Did you know that I was craving some chocolate? Did you know that Heavenly Father has blessed me with amazing people in my life that lift me up and love me when I need it the most? Do you know that at times I wonder if I am even worthy of the love that is shown to me on a daily basis. It may seem small to some but your gift of friendship and love lifted me up and has made my burden light! I thank my Father in Heaven for a Cookie Fairy like you! I only hope that I am deserving of such a gift.....

AREN'T THESE PERFECT COOKIES?P.S. You are a very very very fast Cookie Fairy, your wings must flap extra fast in order to fly out of here so fast. Kaydree looked out the window in less than 5-10 seconds and you were already gone!
When I was younger and I was having a bad day, My Grandpa would rub his hand down my face and then back up again and say,"Why is it so smooth going down and so rough coming up?" Meaning: Why is it so easy to be frowning and so hard to be smiling?
Well I have a message for you, Cookie Fairy:
YOU HAVE TURNED MY FROWN UPSIDE DOWN!
(Honestly: These are tears of Gratitude! Thank you! Whoever you are! I needed that...)

Card Playing and Another Cookie Mishap...

There are some members of my family who like playing cards. They like a game called Pegs and Jokers. My oldest Brother Steve and his wife love it, Benjy loves it, Emily tolerates it, but Spencer and I really do not like to play. The rest of the family is always trying to get Spencer and I to play. I don't know why, I always win, but they keep asking me to play. I agreed to play this weekend in order to make my husband and parents happy. I agreed to when Benjy and my dad went on a walk for me and my happiness. Mom and I won on Friday and Saturday night. I just wish we had more of a challenge, but it was a decent way to spend time together. Notice I did not use the word "fun" in order to describe playing, however it was FUN to win!
Those of you who know me, know that I can not make cookies. Even after I got a new oven and new baking soda, that I no longer keep in my fridge. Yes, I have tried, all butter, all shortening, 1/2 butter and 1/2 shortening and they are still flat. We got some cookie dough from Papa Murphy's and now I have a whole new problem.... they aren't flat, they just all slid together!
Do you think my pan might be the problem?

Pumpkin Pictures Galore!

For Friday Family Fun Night Kaydree wanted to carve pumpkins. We didn't get to it Friday night, so we made it a priority for Saturday after soccer.

The girls drew the faces on the pumpkins.

Grandpa and Benjy cut out the tops and faces.

At this point Benjy called the insides the GUTS, so Karsyn wasn't going to have anything to do with that! Take note of Karsyn's face through all of these pictures!

Kaydree was so excited and couldn't wait to be very dramatic about it! Don't know where she gets that from?

Karsyn is very disgusted! In fact she kept saying, "That is so disgusting, No way am I touching that!" She would say, "NO, dad don't touch the guts!"

Kaydree tried to get the job done with a spoon.

She gave up and used her hands again and Karsyn would put one seed at a time in the bowl.I don't know who enjoyed it more, Benjy and Grandpa or the girls.

After I told Kaydree how proud I was of her for digging in the pumpkin, Karsyn tried so very hard to give it a try, but just couldn't do it!
Kaydree really got into the big sister role and tortured Karsyn with the guts just to get a very dramatic reaction! I am not sure Karsyn really enjoyed this Family Fun!

The girls took showers in order to get all the guts off of their hands
The finished Jack-O-Lanterns.
We soaked the seeds in a little salt water, brushed them with some Olive Oil and baked them for 45 minutes. Benjy and I have enjoyed snacking on them but the girls not so much!