Christmas 2015 #1 (St. Joe, MO)

Yeppers...  that's right - our first Christmas is in the books.  Crazy huh!?  We've started the tradition of doing our Christmas with Aunt Maagie first (I believe we used to do this in January... and we either had trouble with weather or it just being brutally cold).  Last year we shifted to the end of November, and this year too.  It's worked out pretty well.  

We headed to St. Joe Saturday morning...  went through a drive-thru for lunch, and just kept on driving.  We got to the hotel with everyone else... and hung out for awhile.  Then we went bowling!  I think it was mostly for the kiddos (rather than making them stay at a hotel for hours on end!)... and it worked out great, they had a blast and so did us adults.  Good fun.  

After that, we ordered pizza in at the hotel, then there were a few Christmas gifts from Aunt Maagie and Jimmy & Diana.  Always spoiling those kiddos...  nice to have that extra family love them so much.  We just had a nice time visiting and trying to keep the kids quiet.  Ha - nearly impossible.  :)  

We got everyone to bed... then shortly after, Ryan and I hit the sack too.  Much to my surprise, I'm still awake tonight...  I literally hardly slept at all in the hotel.  I saw every hour, sometimes every 30 minutes.  I scrolled through Pinterest from 3:50 am til about 4:30 am.  No lie.  As I laid there... listening to Ryan snore and sleep so well!!!  and watch Cora toss and turn.  DRIVE ME CRAZY!?!?!?  It was a terrible night for me.  I sure wish I could sleep better at other places...  :(

This morning we got up and had hotel breakfast... then got on the road.  

What seemed like the longest drive ever, we got home around 1:40, Cora took a rest... I started laundry... Kayson wanted quiet time...  I got groceries and picked up Murphy from the kennel... and made supper.  Seriously - non stop.  

We had a great time seeing Aunt Maagie and Jimmy & Diana.  Someday we'll all be able to sit and have adult conversations while the kids play nicely... or scroll through their phones.  ha.  Someday!

These three.  LOVE.

Cheering on Daddy and Uncle Ryan!

She did pretty darn good... then she lost interest after the first game.

Silly.  (we glow!)

He did so well!!!!

With Aunt Maagie.

Cora got some real makeup... she tested it out!!!  Purple lips and messy!

Goofballs.

Thanksgiving 2015

It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is officially over...  that means Christmas is literally around the corner.  2015 has FLOWN BY!!
Wednesday afternoon, I left work a little early... got us all packed up, made a few things (food-wise), and got the kids early.  We headed up to Clarion. 

We stayed with Trish and Greg, and had a great time.  Wednesday night we stayed in - ordered pizza and played.  K and C seemed to have a good time...  and ended up being up way too late.  Cora really had a hard time falling asleep (it was after 10:15).  Again, normal when we aren't at home.  Poor girl. 

Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, we got up and just spent the day with my family.  It was a great day... lots of laughs, lots of food and lots of hours of 'Phase 10'.  Jill's were with us, however, Ashley had to work that afternoon, so we only got a short 2 hours with her.  Mom had a very busy, confusing day.  It was hard to watch her for hours on end.  Clarion (along with other areas of Iowa) was getting lots of freezing rain.  Mom was very concerned about that, but only cuz she was reading it on the TV.  She didn't understand that it was happening outside... never once looked outside.  As the day went on, she would ask why Eden or Lindsay weren't with us... when they had been with us all day.  A couple times they were right there with her.  I also feel Mom doesn't really know me anymore.  She doesn't say much to me at all...  but looks at me as if she's confused of who I am.  She also normally fusses over Cora, but she didn't.  The way this disease is, is unimaginable for us.  I have such a hard time watching her...  and I feel SOOOO bad for my Dad.  It literally aches.  

Anyway, besides all of that...  we did really have a great day.  I think we all had that moment where we stopped and were thankful for everything we have right now.  Even if it's not what/how we thought the Hardy family would be experiencing.  We still have each other. 

With the rain and very cold temps, we decided to stay Thursday night.  We originally were just going to come back to DSM late, but me and bad roads are not a good mix for this family.  :)  So we stayed put, and I'm glad we did.  We all slept better last night... and took our time this morning getting around.  

We got back to DSM around noon...  and had a great day at home.  Cora took a rest, we watched the Iowa Hawkeyes go 12-0 for the season!!!  (Ryan did a lot of hooting and hollering!!!)  We got the upstairs Christmas tree up and decorated.  It was just a really nice day at home.  

I'm very thankful this year... as always.  We are very lucky.
Here are a few pics from Thursday.  (Kayson isn't really interested in pics of just him...  the struggle is real.).  :)

Hardy grandkids

Hope had a school project to do - and Kayson was her student!!!

Love.

Uncle Greg loves Cora.  They really connected over the last day or so.

Cora was spoiled with hair curls and snacks.  :)

Weekend - First Snow & Go Hawks!

Iowa got their first snow this weekend!  Friday afternoon, the flurries started... and before we knew it, it was cold, windy, and the roads were covered!  It happened fast it seemed!  Kayson was more than thrilled!  It was the first thing he wanted to do when we got home!   (Imagine that!!!)

The kids got bundled up and shoveled just a little...  because at that time, it was just a small dusting, but they didn't care.  By 9pm, we had a lot - I think we got 4 inches or so?!  Either way, the ground is covered!

Saturday the kids and I, along with JeanAnn stuck around here - while the guys went to the last home Iowa football game.  Not going to lie - I'm glad that's over with!!!  But totally cool that the Hawks are 11-0!!!  and they'll be going to IN for the Big10 Championship (which Ryan and Mike, and some others are going to!!)  So it's been an awesome season for the Hawks, and my husband.  ha.  

We did a few errands, but that was about it.  The kids were on my last nerve - mostly disrespectful, and Cora wouldn't nap.  She has always napped well, and she still does (we'll continue to do the routine that daycare does), but Saturday she wasn't having it.  It just makes for a super long day... she was an absolute bear by 6pm Saturday night.  

Anyway, today we had a nice church service, then we had a ThanksLiving Dinner at church - turkey and all the fixings.  The ladies did an awesome job, it was very nice.  Cora didn't eat anything, not surprising... Kayson swore up and down he wouldn't eat the turkey - "that's gross!!"  Well he ate it, and he said he liked it.  Kids.  

Our afternoon seemed nonstop.  I did some organizing, a little cleaning.  Kayson and Ryan did stuff outside - Kayson again loved being out there.  Cora took her nice nap.  I got some Christmas stuff out... and got groceries, etc.  Just a busy afternoon.  I don't remember sitting down until 6:00 to eat.  

Anyway, we got one of the Christmas trees up.  We did our old one downstairs - and it's decorated with the kids' ornaments, and some of Ryan's old ornaments from when he was a kiddo.  It's so cool - I love it!!!  We'll do the other tree this coming Friday, after Thanksgiving.  

Here are some pics of the kids, and our weekend.

The snow from Friday evening

Eating snow.  Awesome.

K's face.  ha.

As much as they fight with each other, and with me...  I love them so much.

Looks nice huh??!?!

Kayson 1st Grade Fall Conference

I can't believe we are at Parent/Teacher conference season!!
Tonight, Ryan, Kayson and I met with Mrs. Turner.  Mrs. Turner started off by having Kayson read the things he does well, and some goals that he has for the year.  Goals?!?!  Awesome to see kids making goals for themselves.  
He then had to tell us (from a sheet that he had previously filled out) how he does in class.  For example:  "I am proactive in class", "I'm a helper in class"... things like that.  Mrs. Turner expressed that she agreed with him, that he's doing well and is a leader in the class. 

Then Kayson got to have listening time (with an iPad and headphones)...  Mrs. Turner just went on to explain some things to us - all things we were aware of, that Kayson's doing really well.  He has a lot of friends, which means he likes to talk, however she said his listening skills have improved and she's not reminding him near as much as she was a month ago.  

There's a small list of things that Kayson should work on (all learning stuff) -- 

• time telling
• subtraction

His current reading level is an I.  His FAST reading score is 455 (expected at this point is a 434).  She's pleased with how he's doing. 

One thing I loved hearing was Mrs. Turner said that Kayson is usually one of the first kiddos running down the hallway to the classroom in the morning - and she said "He always has a smile!  I know he's ready to learn."  

Overall, it was a super fast 20 minutes... and we are all pleased with how well Kayson is doing!

Weekend

Yet again, the weekend is over.  I was just talking to Martina earlier - and she said the same thing I was thinking -- "I'm so mad the weekend is over and we have to go back to work!!!!"  

Friday:
Ryan and I had dinner plans with our friends, Colleen and Mike.  Just a quick plug - Colleen and I have been friends for about 15 years - we met through an old friend... then I met Ryan through Colleen and her first husband.  We hit it off, and haven't skipped a beat since.  Like Lacey - Colleen and I have been through, well - you name it.  We have supported each other through some really crappy times, and held each other up through even worse times... but in the end, we've always smiled and laughed things off.  Our new saying is - "God will handle it."  And that's so true...  Anyway, we had dinner with them - again, it took us planning this at least 3 months ago!!!  But it stayed on the calendar and we had such a great time.  Dinner and that's it - that's all we needed.  Perfect night. 

Saturday:
We started our day pretty early...  hanging out, and did a quick lunch out.  Ryan, his Dad, along with 4 others headed over to Iowa City for the night game around 1ish.  I put Cora down for a rest, Kayson and I just hung out, played a little.  Once Cora was up, we ran to Lowe's.  I've been wanting a Christmas tree for the basement... so we picked one out, and then headed to Carter's/OshKosh.  That little girl --- ya know the one that ruins her shirts?!  Well I picked up a few more long sleeve tops for her... maybe we'll make it til Christmas!!  

We headed back home and played some more...  Cora really used her imagination all day long, which was great!  One example --- she was taking her baby dolls to the swimming pool.  They got their swim suits on, and so did she.  She put her bikini over her regular clothes.  It was hysterical.  

Then the kids and I grabbed supper out, then back home for a movie and popcorn night.  I couldn't figure out the DVD player in the basement - Kayson didn't have much patience for that!!!  So in the end, we picked 101 Dalmatians which was on Netflix.  It all worked out!  ha.  It was a great movie, the kids did awesome for me... and they went to bed great too!

Meanwhile - the Hawks were winning!!  a 10-0 record for us and the guys (and me) were so excited!!  It's so neat!  Ryan got home super late --- 1:22 am is when I heard him.  YUK.  But home, safe and sound. 

Sunday:
Church was had... then Ryan started putting Christmas lights on the house.  We've literally talked about this for years, and something came over him this year - and he did it.  I'm not going to say it was a smooth situation... there was cussing, an additional run to Lowe's and some grumpiness from him, but in the end - it looks awesome!!  GOOD JOB RYAN!!!!  In the middle of that - he had to stop (which might have leaned toward the grumpiness!) for family pictures.  :)  put your smile on, right?!?!?!  20 minutes of smiling and we were done - Harmless right?!  We should have some good ones... and some obnoxious ones of Cora - man, she's a treat.  

Overall - another nice weekend...  the holidays are around the corner.  It's crazy to think that!!!

See...  swimsuit over her clothes - oh AND the boots!

Loaded up with our new Christmas tree!!!

Movie and popcorn!

so sweet.

NICE JOB HONEY!

Cora May

I wanted to do a quick update on Miss Thing.  Oh Cora - she's still a challenge, and still has a very demanding personality...  but a heart of gold.  

• I can say she's 90% potty trained.  She's doing really well at school - really only one accident that I can think of, over the past 5 weeks-ish.  She's doing much better at home as well... and in public.  We now do underwear when we go out - church, errands, supper, etc.  So far so good.  
• With the potty training - whenever we are out to eat - the girl HAS to potty, no matter what.  The other night she needed to go 3 (THREE) times within an hour.  Grrr...  BUT - we can't tell her no, cuz we don't want an accident!  I'll be glad when we are over that stage!
• She continues to hate it when it's Ryan's turn to read at night time.  However, once she's in there, she's perfectly fine.  It's a show.  I also find it sweet as ever when I hear her say, "Good night Daddy, I love you. See you in the morning."
• She wants to be just like Kayson - tells us a lot that she'll be old like Kayson soon and do all the things he does.   
• She now loves Dora.  We have found that she will sit through Dora cartoons!  YEA!!!  I can typically get something done for 20 minutes!
• She's funny - and still talks all the time.
• Talks all the time in the car - has a huge imagination.  She'll tell us about school friends, or friends of Kayson's (like she really knows them).
• She showed us the other night how to get food out of her teeth with her tongue.  Yes.  Ryan asked where she learned that.  "I just knew it Dad."  Really?!
• She continues to pick at Kayson.  Anything that Ryan or I say - she immediately repeats it...  usually telling or asking Kayson something.  She's a copy cat!
• BOSSY.  Oh my goodness - she tells us all what to do all the time.  I appreciate a fiesty, know-what-she-wants type of girl... but not at 3.  She's not the boss.  

• Cora is definitely a princess, but also a little bit of a tom-boy.  She's tough, even though she cries a lot.  ha.

Here are a few recent pics of her.   

Love that sweet face.

Her crown says "Queen Cora"

Who doesn't wear snow-boots and gloves inside while changing baby doll?!

Playing with Matchbox cars.

Weekend

Friday:
TGIF right?!  We all got home at a decent time... and headed out to try Guttenburgers up the street.  We've heard mixed reviews, mostly 'not good'...  but we tried it, and it was pretty good.  We were there around 5:40, which was perfect.  Soon by 6:15, it was BUSY.  The food was good, we thought... and the service was good.  I'm guessing we'll try it again.   From there, we just played around at home... it was a nice evening. 

Saturday:
Ryan needed to work in the am.  So the kids and I hung out, then decided to get out of the house - we hit up the play place at the mall.  It was cold out, so the park it just out of the question for me... :)  So they played there for about an hour.  Back to the house to just hang - we had a great little afternoon at home.  Iowa got another win - 9 and 0!!!  I cleaned and re-arranged K's bedroom.  We played downstairs.  It was just a good afternoon.  

Saturday night we went out to Lindsay and Mike Taylor's - their annual bonfire.  And what a perfect night - it was cold, but no wind at all.  We got to see some Creston friends, so I know Ryan enjoyed that... me too.  The kids did pretty good, we pretty much stayed by the fire - Cora's fingers were freezing.  (She didn't have any gloves that fit her at the time...)  Regardless, we had a good time.  It was a late night tho!

Sunday:
Church, then back to the house to change clothes.  We had stuff to do!  We went to the mall - all four of us.  It makes me laugh cuz we don't typically do that...  in general, we aren't a 'shopping' type of family.  The kids don't like it... I get tired...  ha.  Our goal was a winter coat for K along with boots for him and Cora (and gloves!).  All a success.  It was great.  We had a super late lunch, which could have been a disaster, but it wasn't.  Back home - Cora took a rest, I got groceries, Ryan and Kayson fixed a part on Ryan's truck. 

Again, another great day.  It's been a super nice weekend.  

Snuggles with Cora Friday night.

Bundled up for the fire!

Flag Football - Complete

We finished up Kayson's first flag football season this afternoon.  I think Ryan and him had a really good time...  it was good for them to do this together.  

I took a bunch of pictures last week, which didn't turn out very good...  and today I only took a few at the end, with Kayson's medal.  His team got 2nd place, and they should be proud.  His team was undefeated and they played another undefeated team today.  Both teams did well, and it was good to watch (in between the two bathroom runs that Cora insisted on).  

Here are a few pics from last week... and then from today's final game!

and today's final game...  with a medal for 2nd place.

Halloween 2015

It seems like yesterday we had our Princess Sofia and Army Man.  Man times flies... 

Well, this year Kayson wanted to be a Policeman.  He was excited to have handcuffs.  Imagine that.  We had a hard time deciding what Cora should be/wanted to be...  So one night we got out the computer and started looking.  She instantly pointed to a cute little girl with red hair, and freckles.  Strawberry Shortcake.  She was a cute Strawberry Shortcake.  :)

Ryan and I helped at Kayson's school Fall Party.  We had a good time...  then K and I went home to do a few things, Ryan went back to work.  Around 5:30 we started prepping for beggar's night.  We headed out right at 6:00... just us.  We hit up my boss' house - talked with them for a little bit, he gave us a beer.  :)  Then we were off...  and just went around that area, plus around our block.  By that time, we were cold and done!  Plus Cora had to pee!  

We got home and the kids handed out candy for about 20 minutes, only a few 'visitors'.  We scarfed down grilled cheeses and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at 7:45... and the kids were in bed around 9.  We were all tired.  But it was a nice time. 

Police man and woman of the block!  (Livy)

With friend from daycare, Elaina

Neighbor kiddos.

At the end... he wanted to hand out candy!