Thursday Thoughts

I am going to be a bit of a copycat and do a random “Thursday Thoughts” post.

I am back to work from a week’s vacation.  As I have done fairly well with getting somewhat caught up I still have so much to do.  Tomorrow I am going to lock myself in my office and turn my phone “do not disturb” light on.

I left for vacation and neglected to share the pictures from the 50th Anniversary Celebration that we hosted for a fellow co-worker.  Everything turned out great and we had over 250 customers come out!  I got most of my decoration ideas from Pinterest including the pom-poms and 50 photo collage.  I designed the logo for the event which we had put on the t-shirts and framed for his gift.
Congrats again Keith!

This morning my sweet friend, Laura, and I started back running.  We did 2 miles and it felt so great.  She is training for a half marathon in December in Vegas.  Think I can talk Tyler into this?!

My parents are coming up for the weekend tomorrow.  I am so excited to see them.  It hasn’t been that long but I begged them to come because I just sincerely want to spend time with them.  My dad invited my aunt and uncle to come as well.  I really hope they come too!

When I went to put on my favorite pair of jeans this morning they were reeeally tight in the thighs.  I loved all the food on vacation but it caught up with me, ha!  No regrets…best.fudge.ever!  But I knew it was time to be proactive so I started using My Fitness Pal today to help me track calories and log my runs.  I used livestrong several years ago but decided on My Fitness Pal since my sister is using it.  I love that I can track on my phone.  My friend Kady uses it religiously and recently lost 50 lbs!  If you are using My Fitness Pal “friend” me.  My username is kelley201.

Keeler is going through a phase where he is constantly telling me how much he loves me & making funny comments…I am soaking it up!  Yesterday he was eating Swedish Fish.  You know, the sweet red gummy candy.  Well, he looks at me and asked, “Did these fish use to be in water?”  I said, “no silly.”  He then replied, “Well, they are really juicy!”

I have been following The Anderson Crew blog for a while and have been meaning to link up with her  "embrace the camera" Thursday.  I love this concept.. so true so please check it out.  

Hope you enjoyed my randomness.  Have a wonderful weekend :)

Minnesota Vacation

We made it back today from our family trip to Minnesota to visit the Van Bakels.  We had a wonderful time and the vacation seemed to fly by too quickly.  

This was both the little cowboys’ first airplane ride.  They did great!

Andrew & Kristin were perfect hosts.  They had an great agenda planned but allowed us leeway so the time there was easy going and fun for everyone.  We absolutely loved getting to be around baby Henry.  His demeanor (completely relaxed) seemed to make us realize how different our baby Kal is.  The babies are only 10 weeks apart but seriously, our kid is crazy busy!!  

Between Kristin & I this might be a bit of picture overload but I hope you get the idea ---we had an amazing time and loved being around great friends. 

Mall of America fun!  Keeler might have stayed here the entire trip.

Cabela's visit.  Who knew this could be so much fun?!

Farmer's Market Morning.  
On the way Kristin asked Keeler what be wanted to he eat for breakfast, he said "fish."  Guess what, he got fish!

We enjoyed lots of great food, Keeler had his first lottery experience with pull-tabs, the little cowboys enjoyed an impromptu swim on the deck & Kal continually got in Hen's bubble!

We loved that we got to celebrate Andrew's upcoming 30th birthday!  We stayed in a hotel, went swimming and tried our best to get our money's worth of the free happy hour while the babies crashed!  I didn't get any pictures but Keeler had the best time playing by the fountains with other hotel guest children.  

Look at these sweet babies in matching pajamas --- by far the best purchases from our outlet shopping day!

On our last day in MN we went to the horse races.  Keeler had more fun playing at the playground and at the petting zoo but Tyler won some money in the casino and I won $1.60 on the first race!  

Since our departure flight was delayed Andrew took us to the Mall of America one last time.  Keeler AND Tyler had a great time!

I snapped this photo from the Van Bakel's kitchen window one morning.  Can you imagine looking out at this everyday...absolutely breathtaking.  

Thanks again Van Bakel's for a wonderful time.  We hope to see you very soon :)

Weekend Whoas & Randoms...

1) We spent the weekend at home getting ready for our vacation!!  I feel like a little kid, I am so excited to see the Van Bakels.  

2)     This morning, Keeler & Tyler went to the farm to complete chores so I got to spend one-on-one time with baby Kal.  After we got ready for church, I spent some time taking pictures of this sweet baby.  Seriously, how is it possible that he just keeps getting cuter!

3) I think we managed to eat corn with every meal this weekend...no complaints :)

3)     It finally feels like summer because Big Brother is back.   Thanks to DVR & sleeping cowboys I was able to catch up on past episodes & I think I have my favorites picked: Shane, Ian and Danielle.  I also love that Brittany is back coaching.  Who are you rooting for?

4)     Keeler had a blast playing with his new bubble machine from his grandparents.  Pardon his goofy clothing but after church he wanted his "comfy pants."

5)     On Tuesday, Tyler & I will celebrate our 8^th anniversary.  I love my cowboy more today than I even thought possible.  I love where life has taken us and I can’t wait to see what’s ahead. 

6)     At work we are hosting a co-worker’s 50^th anniversary party on Wednesday.  Can you imagine working for the same company for 50 years?!  
He's a rock star in my book!

Have a great week!

Party like a 4-year-old!

We celebrated Keeler’s 4^th birthday this past weekend.  I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that my baby is 4-years-old.  My mom, sister, her family and my cousin Ashley with her baby all came up on Thursday to go to the fair.  This schedule has become somewhat of a tradition.  Keeler was born several weeks early but it’s worked out great since his birthday week is such a fun week in our little town...just meant to be :).  On Friday, we ventured to the local water park where we met up with Mimi, aunt Tiffany and cousin Bryon.  Granny also came and brought Shalie, Larissa and Nichelly.  

My sweet friend Anne made Keeler’s cake.  She is so talented and it was so yummy --- check out her treats at The Pink Momma.  All our guests were highly impressed!  

Since the party was at the water-park and since we had several people staying out our house over the weekend I opted to decorate the house.  Keeler wanted a Caillou party.  Once I started telling people the theme I discovered that Caillou is not that well know.  If you have never heard of him, it’s a darling little PBS show about a 4-year-old boy and his family.  Keeler just loves him.

Before we headed to the water-park we all ate at Pizza Hut and had cake.

Keeler always has great parties!  

1 year: John Deere Tractor Theme

2 years:  Curious George Theme

3 years:  Backyardigans Swim Party

Someday I'll have to do a post on each one.  

Oh, how I wish I would have started blogging sooner!

Our party babies with Jarret & Samantha

Grandma got Keeler just what he wanted, a whoopee cushion.  

True Story. :)

 Uncle Troy & Ronda gave Keeler a miniature roping dummy.  Keeler LOVES it!  They always think of the best gifts for my little cowboys.

 I didn't take my camera into the water-park for obvious reasons but my sister got this photo.  These kids had a blast! 

We loved having everyone for the celebrations.  

Kallahan and Brynlee were so darn cute together!  

Even it they both get a little rough at times! :)

----------------------------

Keeler, "You've got mail!"

Keeler's birthday has spilled over into the week.  He has two play-dates and then last night when we got home a package had arrived.  It was from his Grandma Shirley & Grandpa Kaku.  They sent him a bubble machine and Slip & Slide.  He had to test it out so when daddy got home Keeler & him went out to play.  Kallahan was having fun in the boxes until he spotted what was going on outside so we all ended up wet.  I just love my little cowboys.  Thanks everyone that helped make Keeler's 4th birthday the best yet!

Fair Week!

This time of year our little town hosts a week-long county fair.  I always think it reflects on our great community.  As Keeler gets older he has more and more fun and gets more involved.  This year I think he would have lived at the fairgrounds if we would have let him.  His Granny took him every day, I would meet them for lunch, they went back to her house for a nap and then we returned in the evening.  

Turtle Races - July 17th

Keeler helping his cousins clip for the livestock judging

Keeler showed a pig in the pee-wee judging! 

I missed it but a sweet coworker took some pictures for me. :)

Riding the T-bone Express with cousins!

Kid's Rodeo...yee-haw!

 Tractor Pull

Bit and Spur Rodeo

Another perk of fair week is Keeler’s birthday.  

I am still going through pictures and will do a separate post very soon.  Have a wonderful week!       

Happy 10 Months!

Dear Kallahan,

You are 10 months old!  Just two more months and we will be celebrating your first birthday…how can that be?!  We have had a busy month with celebrating birthdays, parades and other summer fun activities.  You have loved being around family and all the festivities.  Everyone comments on how sweet you are.  You are still such a friendly and happy little baby.  I love you so much!

First Parade - July 14, 2012

You now have eight teeth.  A few of them have not come down all the way but you will be eating steak before we know it, ha!  You are no longer eating baby food because you prefer to sample all of our food.  You love to drink from cups and with a straw.  You scream whenever you see someone drinking or eating, hello don’t they know how to share!

You are still army crawling and every so often you lift your belly off the floor to actually crawl.  But however you do it you get around quickly.  

This coming month you go on your first airplane ride and family vacation.  We are all so excited.  We love you sweet Kallahan.  We look forward to planning your big 1 year celebration.

Love,

Mommy    

Still Cycling at 70!

 This weekend we celebrated my husband’s grandmother’s 70^th birthday! She is known to everyone as Granny.  She sure doesn't look nor act like she is 70!  She has been mentioning for a while that she would like a bicycle - one without gears.  So, when her milestone birthday rolled around the theme just fell in place, “still cycling at 70!”  We all went together & bought her this darling bike and a pull-behind cart for my little cowboys.

 Tiffany did it again, another darling cake!  She is amazing :)

  Tyler's mom found so many cute items for the party.  She had everything so organized!  Ironically, I have decorated my little cowboy's bathroom with boy toys like trucks, planes &  bikes.  So we pulled the bikes out and used them as decorations for the party.

  My boss' wife has added sublimation items to her business...she made this stone for me to give to Granny on Friday...so cool!

 Bryon loves being a cowboy in Kansas!

 Granny came over again this morning and gave Keeler & Bryon a ride.  I think she loves her new bicycle!  All our company went home after a swim and lunch today.  What a fun weekend!