Labor Day Festivities

It's been a busy Labor day so far... and I'm loving the fact that I have tomorrow off work! Got to spend Friday night with my good friend, Adrian. We saw 'Mama Mia!' (my first musical!) and then hit Gordman's and Michael's. It was great to catch up and have a girl's night out.

Saturday we headed to Jen and Burt's for a Labor day BBQ! We had a great time and ate so much good food!

Tomorrow Andy and I are going to get the house ready for the party next Saturday and move our furniture out of the living room and family room as we're finally getting our carpets cleaned this week!

Hope everyone had a fun, safe Labor day weekend!

Happy 35th Steve and Alyce!

Today is Steve and Alyce's 35th wedding anniversary!

Their love and support of and for each other is truly an inspiration for me and Andy. It's so refreshing to see two people who love and admire one another, through thick and thin. Their love stands the testament of time.

We love you guys! xoxo

Fall is in the air!

Fall is my absolute favorite season! I love the crisp, cool nights, the sweaters & jeans wardrobe, snuggling under a soft blanket out on the deck... and I love decorating for fall too! Here's wishing everyone a happy fall!

P.S. For those of you that know about our painting fiasco, can you see the updates in the pics?!

I must live in a cave

How have I never, ever tried sushi before??!!

I'm sheltered, out of touch with the times, ignorant- whatever it is, I can't believe I've never had sushi before my 32 years of age. Last night, Andy and I headed out to run errands and I decided to pick up some sushi from the grocery store. It. was. fabulous! Who would have thought?

So yes, now I'm addicted to sushi and the best part, it's low in weight watcher's points! Which, subsequently, I had my WW weigh-in today and have successfully achieved my 10% goal! I am proudly sporting my new WW keychain which I'm hoping has magical powers because my next 10% goal is going to be a lot harder to reach!

I'm off to buy more sushi...

Old Car = New Headaches

I didn't want to believe it.

I didn't want to think about the fact that my newly paid-off car needed $1,700 dollars worth of repairs. I didn't want to believe it so much that I got a 2nd opinion. And guess what- my newly paid-off car needs $1,700 dollars worth of repairs. AGH! The story of my life...

Now I realize, that in today's society, there could be a lot more worse things to deal with than car repairs. And I also realize that buying a new car would be FAR more pricier...but at this point, the new Saturn Outlook is looking pretty tempting.

But alas, I think the good 'ol Mitsubishi will remain in our family until it takes its last breath!

Seeing Stars!

Honestly, I don't have a competitive bone in my body (why can't everyone win?) BUT I can truly appreciate the hard work and dedication our girls have put into the Olympics this year! We are so proud of them!

Medal or no medal- these girls are amazing and demonstrate honor and integrity, which can be a rare quality these days. We can all learn a lesson from them.

Go USA and go DSM!

Happy Birthday Scotty!

Today we celebrated Scotty's birthday at Steve and Alyce's. Amy and Steve were able to come as well and it was a great day of relaxing, laughing, and eating good food! Steve grilled out and Alyce made a delicious lemon cake.

Here are some pics of the kiddies- they are adorable and stole the show!

Naptime!

Enjoy your day Scotty!

Phelps ain't got nothin on me!

In an impressive one-hour's time, Andy and I consumed the following at the Iowa State Fair this year:
-Corn dog
-Beer
-Mini-donuts
-Cheese curds
-Chocolate dipped salted nut roll
-2nd Beer
-Jumbo Pork Tenderloin
-Gizmo
-Root Beer
-Deep fat fried Milky Way

Yep, I'll take the Gold in the category of 'Acting like a hog at the Fair.' I can see my Weight Watcher leader shaking her finger at me!

Next year- a slice of pizza as well!

Rollercoasters

I have never, ever liked rollercoasters. I despise them- the high up's and the low down's- the twists when you least expect them! For someone who came out of the womb with a day planner in one hand and a pen in the other, I'm not surprised rollercoasters just aren't my thing.

I need things in order- I need to be prepared, organized, well-equipped to handle anything that comes my way. Which would be easy if life was on MY plan, my time-table but it's not. Every once in awhile, I need to take a step back and remember- THIS is not my plan, but a larger, bigger plan that I just need to sit back and enjoy, or sometimes just survive, the ride.

After a week of up's and down's- first with my sister-in-law and then my Grandma, now Andy's Grandpa is the one needing the prayers, the uplifting messages, the words of strength. He was hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit on Monday and it has since been discovered that he has a lump (tumor?) on his intestine. Further test results will hopefully come back tomorrow and will turn out okay- but in the mean time, please say a prayer for him and for Andy's Grandma- that she may have the strength to get through this difficult time.

Like I said, I don't do rollercoasters, but I'm learning to do FAITH. xo

My new shoe closet!

Okay, wishful thinking I know- Andy needs a shed more than I need a shoe closet (I think?). Scott, his brother and nephew came on Friday to build us the best shed on the block! Now all that's left is to paint the trim and landscape around it. I'm so happy with the finished product! Thanks again Baldy!

Before: During:

After:

R.I.P. Bernie Mac

Another one taken too early... I'll miss his humor!

Thoughts and prayers to his family...

The calm AFTER the storm...

Things are looking up- believe in the power of prayer!

My sister-in-law is finally home, doing much better... They are busy getting settled and Braden is doing great. The kids are loving having a new baby brother!

My grandma fell and was taken by ambulance to the hospital. She was admitted and is looking at heading to the nursing home after her discharge. Luckily, nothing is broken- she is just a little shaken/bruised. It's a blessing since she needs to be where she can be supervised and taken care of 24/7.

My parents are here for the weekend- Scott is building us a shed and my mom is enjoying a much-needed mental health break!

Here are some pics of Braden- thanks for the prayers! xo

Prayers needed

Well the good news is that baby Braden is doing well... the bad news is that my sister-in-law is not. She contracted an infection in her uterus and has had a very high fever since Sunday.

As of late this morning, the doctors were able to get her fever to break and they are sending her labs to the disease center as they are not sure why she is so sick. However, the insurance company wouldn't pay to keep Braden in the nursery so he was discharged and is in the hospital room with my sister-in-law.

My brother is working the night shift and my parents are juggling the other 3 kiddies. Please keep them in your prayers! Thank you!

Happy Birthday Craw!

Last night we (finally!) got to try AJ's Steakhouse at Prairie Meadows- for Mark's birthday. And it was wonderful! The service was excellent, the food amazing, the drinks were plentiful and the double-layer chocolate cake was Better Than S...well, you know. I highly recommend AJ's for a nice, relaxing dining out experience.

Happy birthday Crawford!

Welcome Baby Braden!

My sister-in-law had Braden Allen Knight on Saturday night, I think just before midnight. He weighed 8 lbs 6 oz and was 20 in. long. Mom and baby are doing well! The kiddies are so happy to have a new baby brother! I'll try to post pics when I get them.

They are going through so much right now, having lost their house in the flood and getting their 3 tikes ready for a new school year. Of course, there is the worry of the autism spectrum with Braden as well so please keep them in your prayers!

Now THAT was a vacation!

Wow- what a week! Vegas was amazing and better than any expectations that I had. We were busy 24/7!

We saw: The Beatles Love- Cirque Du Soleil show at the Mirage, Hoover Dam/Lake Mead/Ethel's Chocolate Factory, Four Kegs restaurant (as seen on Diners, Drive-in's and Dives), ICubs vs LV 51's game, the Freemont Street Experience, Fashion Show mall, Craig Ferguson Live, In & Out Burger experience, the Paris Eiffel Tower experience (had to close my eyes on the elevator!), Lion Habitat at MGM Grand, dinner at the Stratosphere- Top of the World restaurant, Tournament of Kings, Thunder from Down Under, LAX nightclub and...even had one celebrity sighting- Jaime Pressley at LAX!

The service industry was very nice- accomodating, great customer service and friendly. Our hotel- Treasure Island, was perfect! The room was awesome, the pool was cool and the Mist nightclub was perfect for our girl's night out!

I can't wait to go back!

Having a cocktail before our flight to Vegas- The Beatles LOVE show at the Mirage-

Chillin at the Beatles Revolution bar before the show-

Waiting for a gondola ride at the Venetian-

On the gondola ride-

The Freemont Street experience- once the cowboy hats and cigars came out, we were our own attraction! Ha!

MGM Grand Casino-

Waiting for Craig Ferguson-

At the LV 51's stadium-

4 Kegs-

Our hotel-

Outside our hotel-

Dinner at Top of the World- 106th floor!

Shark aquarium at Mandalay Bay-

Thunder from Down Under-

At the airport, waiting to head back to DSM on only 3 hours of sleep!