Pumpkin Patch!

We had a really nice weekend...  
Saturday we had planned on doing the pumpkin patch with Blair and Martina, but the weather just wasn't what we had hoped, so we rescheduled for today. 

So Saturday, Ryan worked in the morning.  The kids and I kept fairly busy (with a whiny Cora), then we had a quick lunch at home... and good naps for the kids.  It was a rainy, windy, gloomy day, so it ended up being nice to just stay in and relax.  After the kids were in bed, Ryan and I layed down and I believe I was asleep within minutes... and I'm sure Ryan was too.  Man, we are lazy!  :)

So today we all slept in...  (apparently we were all tired).  Cora woke up around 8:15, K around 8:30...  so we started our day and headed up to the Center Grove Orchard.  We met up with Blair, Martina, Tate and Martina's parents.  It ended up being an absolutely beautiful day - the sun was warm, and there was a nice breeze.  I actually was sweating with my sweatshirt!  The kids had a blast!!

We headed home around 3:00 thinking both kiddos would nap...  NOPE.  Neither one.  Big bummer.  I'm worried how Cora will be in about an hour.  ha.  She's content watching a little movie now...  And Kayson is watching a cartoon.  So at least they are having quiet time.  So... if we can get through the next couple hours, we'll just put them to bed early and tomorrow will be a new day!  :)

Anyway, we had a great time.  I'm so glad it worked out to spend it with Blair and Martina.  

So much fun in the Corn Pool!

K thought these were the BEST pumpkins!  (we didn't get those)

Tate, K & C

Out in the pumpkin patch!

Our Night

We've had such a great night.  
My niece, Ashley, came to visit!  She's now going to DMACC in Ankeny, and we've been meaning to get to her, but the week nights aren't an option for US to go there (simply cuz Cora goes to bed so early)... so I asked if she would make the trip!

I made spaghetti (I totally went out of my way!)  ha.  I gave her some options, and that's what she chose!  :)  We had a great little dinner, then we just played and talked...  it was SO nice.  

This is actually from last night - but typically we get this wild smile at dinner time. 

Best I could do with my phone and Kayson talking non-stop!

Cora learned about chalk tonight!

Our 'quiet time' tonight - LEGOs. 

Kids are asleep... Ryan's working...  I'm doing laundry...  blogging...  spacing off... and should probably clean up the kitchen a little more.  

It was such a nice night!

A little of This... and a little of That!

We've had a great weekend... and I'm pooped!

Saturday morning Ryan and I headed over to Iowa City for the football game.  Just us... and it was nice.  We had a really good time!  The weather was brisk, but the sun was warm, so really perfect!  And the Hawks had a huge blowout... which I know the team we played wasn't 'good', but seeing all those touchdowns is FUN.  That's what I like - all the touchdowns!  

While we were gone, Mike & JeanAnn had the kids... and took them back to Creston for a sleep over, and fun time with Papa and Grandma.  From all the pictures I got from JeanAnn, and the stories today - I know they had a good time, and that makes me super happy.  Kayson has just grown up so much lately...  he has done really well for them (and others), and it's just nice.  

Ryan and I got back to DSM around 4 pm Saturday afternoon (we left the game early to beat the traffic), and we did some shopping.  Kayson needed pants desperately, so we attempted to buy some in hopes that they would fit.  We didn't do too bad!  Cora got a few things too.  :)  Then we planned on doing dinner out (somewhere nice - that we don't normally go to)...  but after hearing and experiencing some long waits due to Homecoming being at some of the schools, we settled for Gusto out in Waukee - which was great.  

Ryan and I tried to stay up... to party...  ha, totally kidding...  but we both were sleeping by 9:00 on the couch!  Party animals.  :)  

Meanwhile, Kayson and Cora had a great time in Creston.  It was 'Balloon Days' in Creston, so they got to see the hot air balloons up, close and personal!!  Kayson loved it - he told us all about it...  Cora didn't like the fire, but otherwise I think she was ok!  They also got to see a parade, and Kayson made out like crazy with candy.  He saw fire trucks, and everything!!  They played outside quite a bit too I think... Kayson drove the Jeep around, and gave Cora rides, and she loved it.  Especially the radio in the Jeep.  She cracks me up.  I think Papa and Grandma kept them busy and happy!!  

This morning Ryan and I took our time getting around - we got groceries, then headed to Creston to pick up the kids.  Kayson instantly wanted to go see the firetrucks at the Fire Station.  With Papa working for the city, he can pretty much do what he wants!!  Ryan, Mike, Kayson and I went up to the Fire Station to look at the new fire truck.  Kayson walked around that place like he was the BOSS!  (Climbing into everything, looking around, touching everything, opening doors) - It was hilarious (so much different from 2 years ago when we went)!  The best part was near the end, when we going to leave - the Fireman asked if Kayson wanted to go for a ride!!!!  K was hesitant at first, but as long as Papa and Mommy were going with - he was good!  The Fireman needed to fill the fire truck with gas, so we got to ride!!  It was SO COOL (even for an adult!)  Kayson was one lucky little boy!!  :)

We enjoyed lunch, then headed back home early afternoon...  we've just being doing this and that this afternoon.  I've done a ton of laundry, so cleaning, organizing, I put the fall stuff outside...  Ryan mowed...  we played, we read, we snacked.  It's been a good day and weekend!

Here are some pics!  

Showing us the hoses!

Standing by the new fire truck!

Cora being wild in the Jeep (she likes to stand!)

Big girl!

Hawkeye kiddos!

Strep Outbreak!

3 out of the 4 members of this little Taylor family have strep throat.  Kayson, Ryan and Cora.  

As I said while we were in Arizona, Kayson had a cough.  Monday it seemed worse, and he was more than exhausted... went to school anyway.  Tuesday I was able to get him into the doctor first thing - just to get it checked out.  He was positive for strep.  Doctor said she was shocked he wasn't in so much pain.  Ryan stayed home with him... and he rested most of the day.  This morning he was still pretty whiny, but by tonight - he was back to himself.  - attitude, fiesty and laughing.  That totally makes me happy.

Cora didn't sleep well last night... and has a cough as well.  So I was able to get her into the doctor this afternoon.  Diagnosis - positive for strep.  Are you kidding me?!?!  I just feel terrible!  So on our way home, I called Ryan - he, too, has had his normal cough he gets twice a year... and he wasn't feeling the best the other day...  within 20 minutes, he called me back and said he was going to the walk-in clinic to get checked.  Diagnosis - positive for strep.  Holy moly - three antibiotics for three people.  

I will be SO LUCKY if I come out of this with nothing.  I actually feel fine... throat is fine, I am tired, but I'm just marking that up to getting over vacation and now cleaning like crazy!  I don't ache, I don't have a fever... nothing.  Man, I hope I'm okay.  

If we can get through the next day or so, the three of them should be good...  

Arizona Trip 2013

We are home... and exhausted!  But it was a fabulous trip.  I probably will say this a couple times in this post, but I'm so blessed and happy that we were able to make the long trip for the few short days.  It meant a ton to me... and I want to thank my dad.  

Thursday morning we got the kids up early...  loaded everything up and headed to the airport.  We met my sister, Tricia and her hubby, Greg there...  they were on the same flights as us, which was a GINORMOUS help... and ease to my nerves.  :)  Flights went well... this was the kids' first time flying, so you just never know what's going to happen...  but it all happened smoothly...  They did awesome.  K was so brave and just had a smile on his face!  Then the iPad was pulled out... and he was in heaven.  :)

Waiting for take off!

K with his first ticket!

We landed safely in Phoenix, then Tucson... then onto get our rental cars.  I forgot to grab a picture of the car that Trish and Greg got, but it was hilarious.  Anyway, we drove the short way to the resort, got settled in and ate.  (We were starving - the time change had us all messed up!)

Aunt Trish with the kids - thank god they were there with us!  Such a huge help!

The view from the resort.  Amazing.

First family picture (in our travel clothes!)

From there, we made ourselves at home...  we had an amazing room, with a kitchen, dining room table, couches, etc...  it was perfect for the kids.  Lots of space.  Thursday evening we 'hosted' pizza in for Mom/Dad, Trish/Greg, and my Aunt Caroyl and Uncle Rick (Mom's twin sister).  We had a nice time visiting and catching up.  

Cool cactus - as Kayson would say!

Some swim time!

 

 
Friday was pool day and enjoying the beautiful scenery and HOT weather!  It was awesome.  

Cora loved the water!

Greg & Trish helping K do some tricks in the water.

She liked to take breaks too - snacking.  :)

Friday evening we enjoyed the rehearsal supper with the family... finally getting to see the rest of the crew.  Jacqui (cousin) is the one getting married...  Kellie and Cale are her sister and brother (cousins), and the rest of the family - kids, girlfriends and more friends.  It was a beautiful evening (once the sun goes down!)  

Me, Kellie, Trish, Jacqui & Katie (girlfriend of Cale)

Saturday was another pool day... and some relaxation.  We were all wiped out by Saturday morning, so we just took it easy.  I think we all snoozed at some point.  :)  

And Saturday evening was the big event.  We (us 4) had to leave super early this morning (Sunday) to catch our flight, so we were only able to enjoy the celebration for about 4 hours.  The ceremony was at a farm in south Arizona, and it was amazing.  Jacqui has always wanted to be married there, and her dream came true.  She has also found the love of her life, and that makes me so happy.  

It was a pleasant evening... and we really enjoyed ourselves.  I was super sad to leave...  lots of tears on my end.  I guess my emotions were out of control - happy, exhausted, blessed to be there with my family, and sad to leave...  It was an amazing trip.  

More random pictures... plus wedding pics.

My pretty girl... just hangin' out!

These signs were around the pool area... thankfully, we never saw any!

Cora's new face. 

Swim time!!!

My fun sister and Greg

US!  (sweating!)

Love the hair clip - and she kept it in!!

Such a handsome boy.

A few of the little cousins - Indy, Drew, Luke & Emily

My beautiful cousin, Jac, the Bride

My loves!

The adult cousins that were there (Kells, Cale, Jac, me & Trish)

Cousins & their kiddos!

Again, it was a great trip...  well worth it!  I'm hoping the kids are 'back to normal' by tomorrow night, as right now - they are all out of sorts!  K also has a terrible cough, so he'll probably be going to the doctor this week!  

I've got to sit down!

It's Tuesday night.  
We leave for Arizona bright and early Thursday morning...  so I've been prepping!  Tonight, we had a quick dinner, then tried to play.  Cora was tired...  so wanted to be carried around!  But then soon enough, Mike and JeanAnn came by.  (They are dog sitting while we are gone).  So they came to haul the dogs off... but stayed long enough to play a little, so that was nice!  Cora perked up...  then once they were gone - ready for bed!  

Kayson went to bed well too... a little later than normal, but that's ok.  As long as they both get to bed early tomorrow night, we'll be set!

My parents are in the process of driving to Arizona.  My mom doesn't fly... won't.  With her Alzheimer's, we are a little concerned anyway about them going, but it's important for them to be there...  I talked to Dad tonight, and they seemed to be doing well.  I'm praying like crazy for safe travels for them... and us. 

Ryan will be home tomorrow night from MN.  So much traveling for him.  He's such a trooper.  So we'll finish packing tomorrow night... and hope to just throw our 'getting ready' stuff in on Thursday morning.  I hope I don't forget anything!  As of now, we plan on stopping at a grocery store once we are there - I don't want to haul diapers for Cora (too heavy), and food...  well - we are still struggling with her eating big people food, so we'll need to purchase some snacks and some things to get her by!  It should work out... 

Anyway, two suitcases are half full...  the stuff for our carry-on is laid out... a few notes laying around...  I'm already wiped out!  ha. 

So now I sit.  And with the dogs away, wow - it's quiet... and I don't have to let them out every 10 minutes (it seems!)  I hope they are good for Papa and Grandma!  

The kids let me take a few pictures tonight...  Love them so much.