Walking With the Wheats

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

2011-12-24T20:56:00.000-08:00

Hello!

Yes, its been a while. I'm a busy person these days.

Thanks for staying with me.

Santa came tonight to drop off some goods for the kids.

He left Owen a Cars basketball goal/hockey set up and a gaming chair.

He brought Abbie a vanity, scooter and dress up chest.

Then he brought them a combined gift of an easel.

Then of course mom and dad loaded them up.

Santa can't get all of the credit =))

Branson Famiy trip 2011

2011-11-22T13:30:00.000-08:00

We loaded up the car Friday morning and headed to Branson. We were going for the weekend to enjoy Silver Dollar City during Christmas. It didn't disappoint!!!

We had the best time. We rode the Ducks Friday night, Duke's dad, his girlfriend and her girls went down too. The Ducks were fun, the kids loved them. They even saw Santa at the end of the ride and he called their names from the good list.

Saturday morning we got up and ready. Went to eat, played mini golf then headed to Silver Dollar City.

I had 3 aunt, some cousins and their kids that met us there. Talk about fun, I loved seeing the kids with their buddy system holding hands. Owen doesn't get to see them a lot so it was nice to get a visit like that in.

OWEN~played this game............and WON!!!!

We had grown men coming up to us and asking Duke to win their kids one, even offering to pay him. Then Duke had to explain that Owen did it, not him =)

This Christmas will be different, but in a good way!

2011-11-15T19:26:00.000-08:00

We have decided that we want to have more experiences with our children this time of year instead of all the material things. Don't get me wrong, I like to shop, especially when its for my kids.

But, I want then to be grateful for every gift they get and not always want more.

Point in case.........I was going to get Owen a Leap Pad for Christmas (with games and a case), it was getting up there in price $150 (average). However, all he has asked for is transformers. I took him to walmart to see if he would like the Leap Pad and he wanted NOTHING to do with it.

Now, do I think he would like it or that it would be educational for him. YES!

But is it for me to pick his gift? NO

He has been asking for nothing but transformers and if you ask what he wants from Santa, he will tell you the BIG transformer.

So, this momma has decided to just tell Santa to get the transformer. Forget the Leap Pad.

Bonus, its only half the cost!!!

I want to enjoy these years before he starts asking for ipods, ipads, or a car =))))

Halloween 2011

2011-11-02T12:23:00.000-07:00

SO!!!!

My kids were awesome!

Abbie was a little 50's girl/ car hop.

~Adorable~

Owen was Iron Man. And we are getting our money worth on that one.

He has wore it everyday since =)

Even slept in it!!!

I LOVE MY KIDS!!!

Abbie did awesome trick or treating, she loved going to the door and saying "treat, pretty please".

Then she would turn around and swirl her poodle skirt and say "thank you".

We got so many compliments on her skirt, which made me a proud momma, I made it! I did run out of time t do the leash from the dog to the top of the skirt.

I also loved that this year that we had NO face painting. Last year Owen was a vampire and everytime I would go to love on him or take a picture I would get it all over my face.

iPhone dump

2011-10-20T19:26:00.001-07:00

We took out this huge bush! There were actually two...both gone!!

Sunroof wind!!

Nothing like sliding into a pile of leaves.

Ready for church.

Pumpkin fest :)

2 yr well check.

Homemade pizza!!!!!!

Joanns carts are a little small...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Fall pictures of my pumpkins

2011-10-01T19:05:00.000-07:00

We took TONS of pictures of the kids today. Abbie would not cooperate then throw a fit if you tried to correct her which would then result in her face getting red and blotchy from crying. REALLY?? I just wanted perfect fall pictures!

I did get one of the two of them that I will be ordering POSTER size!! =)

MY FAVORITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Overwhelmed

2011-09-28T18:58:00.001-07:00

I am OVERWHELMED!!! Going back to school is a killer! This is my third semester back and it's hard! It's like having a job you don't get paid for on top if my everyday duties as a stay at home momma! My kids still need me as much as before, I still have to tend to the everyday thing of running a household and now add school work to that list, and lots of it!! Plus, keeping my marriage a top priority! What was I thinking??? That's right, I want to prove to myself that I can do it, and let me children know that even if it's hard, it's totally worth it!!!!

Plus I have some cute iPhone pics to share!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

First soccer game!

2011-09-20T19:31:00.000-07:00

Tonight was Owen's first soccer game and it was a blast. These kids are still so young they just run wild. I think they fought more with each other over the ball than they did against the other team.

It is so fun watching them!!!

This week sometime is our fall family pictures and I am excited!! Abbie's outfit is ready, just have to decide on Owen's shirt. Decisions Decisions.

I also read http://www.lovefromtexas.com/ and she is doing the Dakun diet, and is in the first phase. I'm thinking about trying it, has anyone else done it?

Erin Condren....I love you!

2011-09-16T13:09:00.001-07:00

My hubs so graciously delivered me an awesome package! (for some reason fedex always drops my stuff off at the shop to him) I think he secretly pays the driver so he can see how much online shopping I really do ;)

Either way!! My planner is here!! These are iPhone pics so the quality does not do it justice.

The front....

Awesome tabs!

Cute labels too!!

Extra awesomeness!

Love this part for loose papers and bills....

Up close of the front.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Location:County Route 499,Holts Summit,United States

Soocer Practice.

2011-08-30T19:28:00.000-07:00

We had Owen's second soccer practice and since PaPa kept Abbie for me I was able to snap some pictures. The first practice was crazy and Abbie was everywhere. I enjoy watching Owen grow and learn. He is having an absolute blast!!

Top of the hill and Lake Ozark

2011-08-24T19:25:00.000-07:00

We had an awesome weekend.

We went to some friends house and hung out Friday, the kids played and we drove up to the "top of the hill" behind their house to hang out, we had a bon fire and the kids climbed on the hay.

They had a blast!!!

Our good friends also had their newest addition to their family....Bostyn!!! (joining sister Kenadie) We stopped by the hospital to say hello!! And get a picture.

Saturday we had a birthday party to go to for little Olivia. Her mom threw the cutest Mickey/Minnie Mouse party and she made the cutest cupcakes, there was a bounce house and tons of fun. Happy Birthday Livy!!!!

Later that day we headed to the Lake with our friends to her parents lake house. We went out on the boat and Owen tubed for the first time. She was such a trooper to do it with the kids. I'm new to this, I was doing good praying the boat wouldn't tip. (I have horrible anxiety...about EVERYTHING)

Bath and Bedtime....

2011-08-09T19:31:00.000-07:00

It is bath and bedtime in our house. Owen takes a shower. Abbie takes a bath. K.

They love to get fired up after said baths/showers. Even though this is supposed to be time to wind down.

Time to pick up the playroom. They were running, dancing, laughing and so on. Nothing was getting picked up.....NOTHING!

That would be no surprise.

The kids are growing so fast that I want to document their goofiness in every sense of the word.

In love with my TOMS.....

2011-08-07T20:21:00.000-07:00

My birthday was last weekend and my awesome hubby spoiled me rotten.

The day before my actual birthday I was in his truck and I turned around and noticed the TOM's box?!?!?! WHAT?!?!?! I have been wanting a pair forever. He actual remembered.

SO, oops, no surprise for me on my actual birthday (or so I thought).

The same night that I saw the shoes, the day before my actual birthday, Duke and Owen went to the store and bought me a cake, he took Owen. Big mistake, HUGE! (yes, that's from Pretty Woman, ha)

We had some friends over and we were on the deck, Owen comes out of the garage door and brings out a cake (that he found in the dark because for some reason my hubs put it in the deep freezer so I wouldn't see it.) He was so excited about it, he sang to me!!

The next morning, Duke woke me up, we got dressed and headed to breakfast. We pigged out! Then we headed to the outlets at Lake Ozark. I was excited. He was buying me a new workout wardrobe. We joined the Y ( I see a trainer on Wednesday) and I needed clothes and good shoes. So my hubby was generous enough to take me shopping and spoil me and he even kept the kids busy so I could look. It's not easy taking two little ones shopping, but we somehow manage. =)

We also registered Owen for soccer at the Y and it starts in two weeks. We also signed Abbie up for swim lessons that start next month. I can't wait!!!

Check out our cute pictures we took on Saturday. Loving my TOM'S...

Owen's first fishing experience

2011-08-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Owen went fishing the first time in our neighbors pond. He was so excited, he was going with Duke and Blair (Duke's good friend). I stayed back with Blairs wife, Sarah, and the kids. They have a little boy Colt who is a day younger than Abbie. They are a handful together!!! They really have a love hate relationship. Most of the time its just hate.

On to the fishing expedition.....

They caught several, nothing crazy, the pond is stocked but hasn't been fished in a long time so they aren't crazy big due to over population. (or thats what the guys said, maybe cause they just didn't catch BIG ones, HA)

Back to Owen, Duke said that he couldn't keep bait on his line, he was constantly having to re-bait his hook, and Owen being Owen is a little impatient.

Owen caught his first fish, he was so happy to tell me all about it. Already learning the rules of fishing, he used his hands to tell me how big it was, and of course, it was as big as him. He told me how it was bleeding. He had so much joy about his fish.

I asked Duke if he had taken any pictures and he laughed, so did Blair! Wait.....no pictures of my son catching his first fish.......and just why not??

Owen got scared and let go of the pole and the fish took the pole into the pond. Duke being the great dad he is jumped in, waist deep to get it. Sweet, right?? He then tells me that it was a good pole and he coudn't let it just sink. Nothing about Owen's first fish. Imagine that!!!

Blair said it was hilarious to watch, and I am sure it was.

Anyway, we did get some pictures of him with the fish in the bed of the truck. (Colt thought it was super cool too)

Two peas in a pod.....

2011-08-05T12:54:00.000-07:00

These two awesome kids that I have make me smile. I love everything about them!! (except the crying, the whining, the he did she did, mess making, fighting, tantrum throwing, well.....you get the point) HAHA!!

But.....they make my heart happy! Nobody can really love you like your kids at this age. I love when Owen says "mom, your so beautiful". He doesn't realize that I'm overweight and busting my hump every morning to get back in shape. He sees the momma that makes him chocolate milk, takes him to the movies and cuddles him when he doesn't feel good, not counting all the dinosaurs that I have bought. He sees the momma that loves him to the moon and back.

I L.O.V.E. them with every ounce of my being (trust me....thats a lot of ounces) =)

Still playing catch up.....

2011-08-04T19:40:00.000-07:00

For the other part of Owen's birthday we took him to Silver Dollar City in Branson.We bought season tickets this year and I am happy we did, I am planning two more trips back before the year is over. If you live close enough and would go more than once you will get your money worth.

We can never get a family picture..............

Duke's cousin Jimmy, his wife Jen, their daughter Kassie and Jimmy's dad Ralph (Duke's uncle) went with us (Did you keep up with that?) Ralph is older and has trouble getting around so he rented a motorized scooter for the day, Owen and Jimmy thought they were cool. HA!!

Being from Sikeston, where the original Lambert's Cafe is, we had to stop on the way home and check out the one in Springfield. Still yummy!! But I think my favorite will always be back home........Can't have a family picture without a dinosaur.

I promise Iwill catch up eventually! Hope you enjoyed!!!!

Happy Fourth, about 24 days late!

2011-07-28T18:19:00.000-07:00

Better late than never! At least thats what everybody says so I'm going to stick to that saying tonight.

We had a great time on the fourth. We went to our friends house and met a couple other people and their families to eat, be merry, and light some sparklers. My brother and his wife were also in town visiting with their two little girls.

Abbie dove right in, clothes and all!!!

Cousins, so sweet.

Playing washers......

Such FUN!

Blair and Colton

Kevin, Shelle (majorly preggo) and Kenadie

Hope you had a great fourth!!

Bad Blogging Lately.......But last night of Owen's Tball

2011-07-27T19:58:00.000-07:00

I know I have been horrible about blogging lately and I have a million and one things that I want to blog about.

Everything from Owens tball to this amazing dip my dear friend Jennie brought last night to a get together.

I promise I am going to step up the game. But don't think I am not reading yours, I am all about it. Just horrible at writing them.

But, lets start, Owen had his last game of Tball tonight and I went. This was only my second time going and it was HOT. We signed up Owen giving him something to do with just dad and it was a program where the parents are the coaches and are just guided by the actual coaches. Its been a great thing for Owen, even though he has a lot of typical 4 year old meltdowns.

I hate that he's growing up so fast but I am so thankful that he is a healthy brilliant little man.

My little man turns 4.....FOUR!!!

2011-07-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

My precious little guy turned FOUR on Tuesday. I hate that he is growing up so fast. He means the world to me, I love him more than I could ever put in words.

I remember the day I had him. I was being induced that morning, I'm sure I didn't sleep at all the night before. We had to be at the hospital at 6 in the morning and I was TERRIFIED. What if something happened. What if it didn't go right? What was he going to look like?

I wanted everything perfect.

It was, he was.

It brings tears to my eyes just thinking of that day and how far we have come.

We also took Owen to Silver Dollar City in Branson the weekend after his birthday as part of his present.

Stay tuned for those pics soon.

Family Pics........

2011-06-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

My sister in law was generous enough to take our pics this last weekend when we were back home. She took TONS!!!! I loved so many it was such a hard decision. I ordered several "bigger" ones. Here is a sneak peek......

Skinny Wrap....Please!!

2011-06-17T10:06:00.000-07:00

Be prepared you are about to see my belly after 3 babies, stretch marks and a c-section. I have done everything, ok, maybe NOT to extremes but everything that works for me and my family. Timing isn't always on my side. I can't justify paying a babysitter every time to go workout plus paying to workout. So with that being said, I have used our elliptical and I do the stairs everyday and eat somewhat decent. However, its not working. So I thought I would jump on the Skinny Wrap bandwagon. I did it this morning. Left it on for 2 hours and measured myself before and after. I ended up losing 2 inches so far. (I understand that it can continue to come off) I am going to do more, on my sides and my lower back area. But you can only do 1 every 72 hours so I am patiently waiting. I don't know how well you can tell in the pics, but I can really tell and I am pleased with my first time!!!

Heads up.............

Here comes the pics................

Be prepared............you will see stretch marks!!!

It's kind of hard to tell because of the angle, but there was definitely some toning and tightening done. I will be doing more!!!!

(ignore my pants in the after, I just washed my hands and loaded the dishwasher, my pants were more handy to dry my hands!!!)

Should have been first night baseball and GNO

2011-06-10T21:43:00.000-07:00

We have been busy this week. Starting with what should have been the first night for Owen's baseball. We enrolled him in Parks and Rec Start Smart Baseball and he was geared up ready to go. I had his shirt on and gear in hand. Duke took him to town and they waited for someone to show up. There were several other parents and kids there too, but no coach. Come to find out, it was postponed a week and for some reason the letters didn't get mailed out. Mix up.......yep! Oh well. I promised Owen that if he was good and listened, that I would have brownies made for him when he got home. He walked in the door and asked if he could still get his brownies even though he didn't play. Gotta love the kids!!!

I also had girls night tonight. We went to Madison's Cafe and had a great time together. The pasta was delicious and the wine was even better. We were short a couple of girls tonight but still had a blast. I love these girls. It was a special night for Kristen, she just passed her boards and is officially an RN!!! So proud of her. She is also on our bunco team and has been missed a lot do to studying. But totally worth it!!! Tonight it was Laurie, Shawn, Kristen, Shelle, Chantel and I..........

Swimming Sunday.....

2011-06-07T13:38:00.000-07:00

We went to Bub and Jen's house on Sunday to grill out and swim. The kids had a blast to say the least. They are so much fun to hang out with and great people. They are the ones that hooked us up with Owen's dinosaurs and they are doing Abbie a chandelier for her room. More on that when we get it up.

We got the hook up on dinosaurs..............

2011-06-04T20:01:00.000-07:00

If you saw my post a couple of days ago then you know that we did Owens room in dinosaurs. Well...........we totally got the hook up on dinosaurs for his walls. My husbands cousin (and his awesome wife) own Pro Dezigns and they are known for vehicle wraps to advertisements on the big windows to car magnets, everything that prints, they do! pretty much!!! Anyway, today my hubs came home with some cool dinosaurs for his wall, they look so cool in person. Take a look.....

Ignore the light bulb sticking out of the lamp, I don't know what is going on with it, need to find a different base I think...........

Owen sportin' his new shirt that Aunt Sarah and Uncle Dallas got him......

And the messed up nose from falling down the stairs...........LONG story!!

St Louis Zoo

2011-06-03T20:43:00.000-07:00

Went headed to the Zoo this past Monday for the day. We are spur of the moment people, and we aren't crazy about making plans, we both like the spontaneous things. Keeps us going!!

Anywho, we left early headed for St. Louis. I love their Zoo, its free, can't get much better. (Except for parking, which is a rip-off!! $12 just to park, that's NUTS) And realistically, I would have paid about $50 to get up front parking. Hey, it's a lot of work with both small ones, let alone navigating a parking lot where people don't slow down for anything or anybody.

We did pay to get the "bracelet" which allows for the children's zoo, the train ride carousel and a couple of other things but those are what we did. Totally worth it!!! Owen LOVED the water thingy in the Children's Zoo. And the train ride was a nice switch up to walking.

The Favorites.....

Owen~The reptile house, he is fascinated with snakes and lizards!! Even though the whole way there he kept telling us that he wanted to see the dinosaurs =)

Abbie~The push up pops that we kept her stocked up on. Those $3 ice creams were totally worth it, she would just sit in her stroller and eat and walk around. Hey, kept her hydrated and we didnt' have to chase her.