Time Out!

Karen and Elizabeth have been asking me to come back for Time Out For Women since before I left. I really wanted to go, but didn't feel like I should spend the money to make the trip. I guess I got over that because a little over a month ago I booked a flight to Omaha and found a couple of Grandma's to stay with my kids. I really had a great time catching up with friends and staying up late laughing. Look how tall I've grown since I moved away!

This is just a really great shot of Karen. She and Elizabeth thought it was really fun to take a bazillion pictures with my camera. Although this was my favorite, the one of the strange lady walking by was a close second. Oh wait, my second favorite was the one of Karen's second and third chin.

Here is the group of ladies that I went with. Most of them I already knew, but a couple were new to Nebraska since I'd left. Tracy and I discovered that we both grew up in Idaho only she attended our rival high school. I guess she turned out alright despite the obstacles she faced. Just Kidding! We all enjoyed the speakers and came away feeling glad we had attended the meeting.

Only Karen had trouble with the Mime statue pinching her butt.

Trip to Nebraska

Of Course all good trips involve food. Here is the group eating at the Old Mattress Factory (sounds yummy, right?) during the lunch break at Time Out. My bunny ears are complimentary from Karen.

Here are the mom's of our group, Tayna and Amy. I couldn't believe how big these boys grew since I saw them last!

Isn't this a flatering picture of me? We had to really squeeze to fit all of us in at P.F. Changs. Our fortunes last year were so close to our own personalities and current life situations, but this time they weren't nearly as fun. We laughed about how good they were last time and since I was the one to keep them I told them I would include them in this year's blog so here they are:

Natasha: Life is a tradedy for those who feel and a comedy for those who think

Wendy: You are contemplating some action which will bring credit upon you (she had a baby the next year)

Kristina: You have a deep appreciation of the arts and music

Suzanne: Depart not from the path which fate has you assigned

Karen: Maybe you can live on the moon in next century (I hope she lets me come and visit)

Colleen: Your future is as boundless as the lofty heaven (I'm still waiting)

Elizabeth: You like participating in competitive sports (She's back into running races since she had her twins later that year)

I had fun going to the Y early Thursday morning and surpising my friends there. As luck would have it Sue and Nancy already had a Starbucks date set for Friday morning so they babysat me there while Karen was hard at work folding shirts at Scheels. We had a good time catching up and laughing. They were both leaving for trips the next morning. I can't wait to hear how Italy was!

Halloween cookies

Every fall we have a FHE where we decorate halloween cookies as a family. Addilee was so cute this year, being so careful with her frosting. After 5 or so minutes on one cookie I asked her if she wanted to put candy on it. She got so excited and proceeded to cover her cookie with a mountain of candy corn. The next morning she went right to the kitchen to find her cookie. It took her all day, but she eventually ate the whole thing by herself.

JR's Flag Football

JR had so much fun playing on this flag football team. He looked forward to every practice and every game. The last two games were so cold that I was glad the season was over!

Taralee's Halloween Party

Taralee wanted to have a Halloween Party with some of her friends so we took atvantage of a day off of school and planned a fun party. The weather was warm enough to play our games outside and of course we had fun making and eating ghost cookies, mummy pizza'a, pumpkin rollups, and candy corn cake. The girls all got to make a halloween hair scrunchy to take home.

Our Flood

We had our first big rainstorm since moving here about a month ago. We were so bummed when the water ran down the foundation and through the footings of Taralee's bedroom. We pulled the carpet back and dried things out as fast as we could, but we will probably have to replace her carpet. We now have a long hose attached to that downspout to take the water away from the house!

MVC

As a Most Valuable Customer at Kohl's I was recently awarded with an additional 30% off, which I have been waiting for. I bought new towels for our bathroom and the main bathroom, but my most exciting find was this mirror and picture that were on clearance.

Progress

We had a cement patio and 3rd driveway poured over the last couple of weeks. They are done now which is nice, but we still have alot of work to do before we are ready for grass.

How to tell your not a vampire...

Justin and I signed up to give blood last week. I've never donated before so I was a little nervous. It really wasn't bad, even though I was declared a slow bleeder and watched people "hook up" after me and finish before me. The best part: they told me no strenuous exercise the next morning! My running partner didn't mind so we walked instead. It's sure good know that we are not vampires :)

School Spirit

Last week was homecoming for our high school and Friday was spirit day. Emillie borrowed a cheerleader costume from the neighbor and wore it to school. She was a hit with her friends and even won best dressed for spirit day out of the whole school. Her big prize: a crunch candy bar. YEAH! It was even better when the team won the game that night!

This week we play Highland. I'm pretty sure a bobcat can take a ram anyday! (We'll see what some of our cousins have to say about that)