Weekend

Friday:
Thursday evening Lacey texted - we talk daily, but to get a text from her is odd.  She wondered what we had going on Friday night.  Nothing for us, nothing for them...  so we got together.  Now with Lacey being my best friend, and talking daily...  we unfortunately don't get the families together, hardly at all.  Every once in awhile we'll get the kids together, or just Kayson and the boys...  but it's very random.  Ryan said he actually hadn't seen Laityn since she was a baby... she's 3 1/2.  BAD US.  So...  they came over Friday night - ordered pizza in and we just hung out.  The kids got along wonderfully - the girls played baby dolls and giggled and ran for hours.  The boys played pretty good too...  lots of giggles and wii playing.  

Saturday:
Ryan didn't go into work.  Hallelujah!  :)  We just hung out at home...  I did some cleaning and organizing, then we grabbed lunch out.  Cora and I stuck home and she rested, while Ryan and Kayson went to basketball.  The minute they got home, we got shoes on and out the door we went.  We drove to Pella to watch Colby play basketball.  It was a good game, good time...  and grabbed supper out afterwards.  We had a really nice time. 

Sunday:
We slept in a little... a lot actually for needing to get up and do baths and get to church.  We did it, with lots of hustling.  We probably shouldn't do two late nights in a row for the kiddos...  eek.  Anyway, had a nice worship service, then back home.  Ryan headed out to Nebraska this afternoon for inventories.  Long drive out there... and in anticipation for the snow storm to hit west and us... more than likely he won't return til Wednesday.  I'm hoping for a quick couple days...  and I actually wouldn't mind a snow day.  (Probably won't happen since Waukee rarely cancels school).  But we'll see!

Kids and I are just going to hang out the rest of the day...  We might get outside in a bit... otherwise, I hope to just have a quiet afternoon/evening.  

Kayson and Colby

Kayson - Lost 3rd Tooth

Over a year later...  literally, Kayson has finally lost his 3rd tooth!!!

A couple weeks ago, Kayson came whining to us saying he had a loose tooth...  he just freaks out.  ha.  We checked it out - yep, it was loose, but still had a ways to go.  The next day, he said there was another loose one!  (all bottom ones too).  

Life went on... 

Tonight, I was brushing his teeth - scrubbing them real good!  And pop - out came a tooth!!!  Man that was easy!!!  No tears, no freaking out...  he was happy, excited!  

So... he's lost 3 teeth - all bottom ones.  We anticipate the other loose one happening soon - maybe a week, or two.  Who knows.
  

Kayson - 7 Year Well Check

We had K's 7 year well-check yesterday morning.  I like these, because they are pretty basic... and he talks.  He seems to like Dr. Beebe - he'll tell her stuff and answers her questions, which makes things so much nicer.  

Stats:
Weight - 50 lbs. 6 oz.  (45%)
Height - 4 ft. 1 in. (75%)

She was thrilled to hear he was doing well at school - and also giggled when I said he is our 'social butterfly'.  :)  She checked him over, and said he looked great.  

Easy peasy.

Birthday Weekend

Our weekend is almost over...  well, pretty much cuz it's almost 8:00 on Sunday.  Gosh darnit, I hate Sundays!!!

However, today was a good, just nice day.  I turned 38 today.  38.  Good gravy, I'm SOOOOooooo close to 40 I can taste it.  YUK.  However, I've gotten a ton of compliments saying I don't look 38.  Which  makes me feel really good.  I guess I better try to keep that up.  ha. 

Anyway, today has been a nice day --- up for church, out for lunch, then a quick run to the mall.  Ryan and the kiddos got me a FitBit, I've been wanting one... so here we go!  I'll get it all set up tonight.  Kayson has been needing a new pair of tennis shoes, so we did that... and Missy Moo got a pair too.  Totally not needed, but oh well.  :)  We headed home - Cora took a short rest while I ran to the grocery store.  Then we woke her and headed back out to church.  Church was hosting a 'game night' from 3:00-5:00.  With our super small church, there weren't many people there... only our kiddos and two other little boys, then about 6 other adults.  We made the best of it - the kids played, the adults played.  It was actually a really fun time.  I hope we can do that again... and get more people there!

Ryan made some yummy soup for him and I tonight... and the kids ate and played some more.  So... yah, our night is pretty much over!!  But it was a nice day.  Thanks for all the texts, phone calls and gifts.  Much appreciated. 

Back to yesterday - Saturday was another good day.  The kiddos and I hung out in the morning, while Ryan worked for a couple hours.  Then we went to K's basketball practice/game... back to house for Cora to rest.  And meanwhile, Trish, Greg, Hope, Logan and Eden came for the afternoon.  I have such a good time with them...  gosh, it about brings tears to my eyes...  so lucky to have them in our lives.  Anyway, we hung out, then went out for supper, then they headed home.  I hated to see them go.  

Us girls.  LOVE.

You goof, Kayson!

Ed and Trish

Handmade cards from the kids, FitBit, candy and a nice card from Ryan.

Random - COLD/Snow & Basketball

It's been cold here...  really cold.  We got a little snow yesterday too.  So a fresh blanket of snow on the ground --- and who's going to ask to go outside?  Our kids!!!  Kayson even told me "Mom - it's 21 degrees, that's pretty warm!!"  well, it is... kinda, compared to 2 degrees!

So tonight when we got home, they got bundled up, and were outside for about 30 minutes.  I took pics, watched them play together, throw snow, play hide-and-seek in the snow!, and laugh.  I guess that's when they are the happiest.

I'm finally getting around to posting a few pics from Kayson's first basketball practice/game from Saturday.  I'll take more as the season goes on, but here are a few.   I noticed I was not at the right angle - I got a lot of pictures of his back or side!!!

Weekend Update

It's Monday already... I'm actually glad the weekend went quickly, I was over it... and I needed today to be 'my' day.  PFG recognizes today off for their employees... so I let the kiddos sleep a little, Ryan went off to work, and we started our day. 

Cora and I dropped K off at Beyond the Bell, then her and I went to get her hair cut and have a little Mommy/Daughter time.  Oh how I think this will be fun... and it typically is not.  She just doesn't do well for hair cuts... and yes, it's been a REALLY long time, so that is half the problem.  BUT - Abby trimmed her bangs, barely (Cora threw a fit), and cut the back off about an inch.  We'll see how it looks tonight after bath...  

I got Cora off to daycare, then I had a load full of errands to do.  Returns, and just browsing.  I needed a day, and I'm wiped out already.  Kayson wanted to be picked up early, so him and I are just hanging now.  Enjoying the quiet.  and warm.  (it's about 10 degrees out today!!)

Anyway, back to the weekend...  
Friday afternoon I wasn't feeling well.  I headed home shortly after lunch and slept about 2 hours.  That night Hope and Logan were supposed to come, but I cancelled on them (felt terrible)... and we just hung out at home. 

Saturday I was feeling a little better...  Ryan went off to work, the kids and I played in the basement all morning.  Then Kayson started his basketball season - we are doing this through i9Sports again (like we did the flag football)... so it's practice, then a game.  Ryan is the coach again, which I appreciate - him and K need that time.  Cora and I stayed back home for a bit - no reason to go for 2 hours (especially with her!)...  but we were able to watch for a bit, I took a few pics, then we came back home.  She was tired, and took a nice rest...  

Saturday night was Ryan's work holiday party.  We had Miss Lindsay come stay with the kids.  The party was at a Iowa Wild hockey game.  I'd never been before... and to be honest, I think I watched about 20 minutes of the whole 3 hour process, plus it was super cold in there!  I'm glad there were the partners wives there to chat with.  It made the night pass by quickly.  I had a nice time. 

Lindsay had a hard time with Cora unfortunately...  Cora just gives her a really hard time at bedtime.  I felt awful.  After lots of texts back and forth, Cora finally calmed down and fell asleep around 9ish.  I believe that was a long 45 minutes for Lindsay...  :/

Sunday we went to church, then out for a quick lunch... and since it was SUPER cold Sunday (I think like 4 degrees!!!), we all stayed in... well, I did get groceries... but we hibernated in the basement the whole afternoon and evening.  I, again, wasn't feeling 100%, but it was perfect to just stay in, no laundry, no cooking...  just relaxing, and that's what we did.  

That's about it... not many pictures either.  

Not a very good pic... but proof we were there. 

Cora loving on Murphy.  Melts my heart.

Tate's 5th Birthday Party

Mr. Tate Martin will be 5 on Thursday... but we all got together this past weekend to celebrate.  
This Taylor family headed out Saturday morning - about 9:30.  Our goal was 8ish, but that didn't happen - not even close.  The kids slept til about 7:30...  including me, on the couch.  Ugh.  (That's another long story).  

We got ourselves situated, and finally out the door - in the SUPER cold and EVEN MORE windy morning.  Yuk.  The kids did pretty well for the 3 hour drive, I was impressed... 

We had lunch, then just played all day...  The kids did awesome all day... no real fights or arguments, it was great.  Us grown women got out of the house Saturday afternoon - went up to a little boutique in Sioux City, I bought a few things... then hit up another store.  It was a good couple hours... just to get out of the house.  

Supper was had... then things started slowing down, and getting the kiddos ready for bed.  Following bedtime, it was time for the adult men to get out...  the guys went for a drink (or two) and hit up the casino.  Luckily, my husband was the lucky one that night... coming home with about $440.  Jackpot.  :)  That was fun.  

Sunday morning we got up and just hung out for awhile...  had a nice lunch, then we got on the road.  I hate that we have to leave fairly early, but with it being a 3 hour drive, and still having to do our normal Sunday stuff - it's just better to get on the road.  With my lack of sleep Saturday night - I did snooze a little in the truck... Cora too.  Cora slept about an hour and a half, then watched a movie - so she was really good on the way home.  Kayson played his iPad a little, then he ended up snoozing for about 40 minutes.  So it was a nice, quiet ride home too...  we MIGHT be over the terrible rides!!  Crossing fingers.  ha.  

It was good time being there...  the kids did great.  I took a few pictures, but not many.  

The girls playing in Landry's tent.  Cute.

Tater and K

The girls sitting with Papa and Grandma... of course, looking at pictures/videos! 

Cora asked to get into Landry's exersaucer - I said no, Aunt Tina said yes. 

Cora putting make-up on Papa.  Hilarious!

The boys.  Wish they would smile... 

Kayson read to Landry for a minute.  So sweet.

This & That Update

• Cora's nose is still running... however, doesn't seem AS bad. 
• Ryan's been to the doctor - got meds for his cough.  I'm sure hoping to see some results by tomorrow!!
• And now I have a sinus infection.  And ya know what, it really doesn't surprise me.  I get one every time this year - being overwhelmed, high anxiety and just around so much germs.  It's bound to happen.  so I'm really not that annoyed, just want to feel better.  I, too, have meds now - so I hope to see relief by Friday.
• Kayson is good.  Crossing fingers it stays that way.

That's all I've got.  Too wiped out.

This & That

• It's Monday - the Monday after another long weekend.  We had a great 4 days at home, doing random stuff... and lots of nothing too.  However, I was ready to get back into a routine... and hoping the kiddos do well today.  We'll get a good night's sleep tonight - and tomorrow we should be back to normal.
• Cora has a cold.  Snotty nose... and just no real sparkle in her eyes.  I gave her a little Tylenol this morning, just to ease her a little.  I'm glad it's just a cold, and nothing worse. 
• Ryan's had his cough for about 4 weeks now... I believe he said he'd finally get into the doctor today.  I know he tries to take care of it himself, but it just doesn't work...  Hoping he feels 100% by the end of the week!!
• Our heating element in our oven went out last night.  I had a nice dinner started - all ready to go in the oven.  I preheated the oven - and looked over about 5 minutes later, and the element was on fire.  LITERALLY!  I freaked for a second, turned the oven off, and the fire was instantly gone and the oven went black.   DAMN.  So our dinner we warmed up with the broiler for a little bit...  the cheesy hashbrowns didn't get cooked.  Bummer.  
• I've gotten back into reading.  I asked for a few books for Christmas (suggested by my friend Jessica), and so far, the two I've read/reading are great!  It relaxes me at night time.
• We are spending more and more time in the basement lately (however, it's cold down there)...  I'm just loving it.  The toys and everything are down there, and it's just a great spot for the kids.  They can make the mess, and it doesn't drive me crazy...  but it's also pretty easy to pick up and get organized again.  
• At work - they've put a better dress-code into place.  This obviously doesn't really apply to me, cuz I dress well.  But effective today - there's supposed to be repercussions for those who wear tennis shoes and/or hooded sweatshirts to work, plus other random crappy stuff.  I see two ladies every day (for the past 5 year probably), wear crappy jeans, crappy tennis shoes and hooded sweatshirts.  I really hope they make a change... it's frustrating.
• That's all I've got.  We are all hoping for a smooth week... getting back into the swing of things. 

Kayson's 7th Birthday Party

It's January 3, and we finally had K's friends' birthday party.  Talk about a busy three weeks - I'm officially wiped out. 

We decided (as a family) to do bowling for his party...  then it was up to him to pick 9 friends.  Only 9.  That's hard for a 7 year old.  He has lots of friends, or at least we hear about a lot of different names... so when he named off about 6, then he stopped...  but then shortly after, he came up with 3 others and we were set.  

Today his friends met us at the bowling alley in Waukee...  we were all set - 3 girls and 6 boys (plus Cora).  I tell you what - 6 boys are loud.  Holy moly.  :)  The kids bowled for one hour...  then we moved into room birthday room (to herd them!)...  pizza, cupcakes and ice cream was had by all.  Then K opened a few gifts - all great, little gifts from friends.  I know I'm thankful no one went overboard - simple.  :)  

And the two hours was up!  Just like that.  We got home - put Cora down, K had some quiet time... and I was off to the grocery store.  Again - wiped out. 

Here are some pics of the couple hours.

With Friend, Austin

Tough girls - pushups!!!  Love it.

Happy Birthday K!

The group:
Carter, Harrison, Kayson, Jake, Austin, Riley, Ella, Haley & Evan

With Friend, Riley

Cora was in the mix!