Backyard Fun

Okay, so sometimes the kids have to find their own fun....On this particular day, Emily and Natalie decided to fill up the baby swimming pool. Let's face it...they really are too big for it, but it provided some much needed entertainment for the afternoon. Emily was quite desperate to find her swimming goggles and since we haven't seen them since last summer, she resorted to some ski goggles...they didn't work quite as well, but she tried. Natalie decided she didn't want to take ANY chances on drowing in the 3 inches of water and found herself a life jacket. One can never be too safe!! Some days these two just make me giggle!

When the Family Gets Together

We just returned from a three day jaunt to Wyoming for a family reunion on Kim's side. As many of you know, my idea of camping is at the Hampton Inn and having to eat out for three meals a day....so, I was a little skeptical about how much fun it would REALLY be. Our "camp" consisted of cabins with bunkbeds, a concrete floor, and electricity!! And, the best part: running water, flusing toilets, and SHOWERS!! The cabing we stayed in actually slept 12 people comfortably, but as there were a few in Kim's family that pulled trailers to the site, we actually got to have our own cabin. The site also included use of a large lodge where there was a mess hall and a huge kitchen with fridges and freezers. Hallelujah!! So, needless to say, it was much more than I expected and we actually had alot of fun. The kids got to play on some homemade toys furnished by Kim's Grandpa Heaton and there was canoeing and Kim's brother brought up four wheelers. There was a scavenger hunt and water fight as well as alot of good food and alot of fun talents that were displayed nightly.

As we have just returned, I went to download all my pictures, and I am sad to report that I hardly took any pictures at all. But, here are a couple that displayed our fun. We're looking forward to doing it again soon.

My Secret Addiction

Okay, I know that I can't be the ONLY one out there who has a secret addiction to the Food Network....I have shared this secret with only a few select people, so I know you must be shocked. The thing that I love most about it, is that at ANY given time of the day, there is a show that I like on. Now, granted, I would not cook or eat about 50% of the things that they make, but I love the whole process, watching a great meal come out of nothing...and the best part, and this is realy where the reality of it all sets in, the chef or host of the show makes it look effortless. I know that it's all prepped before hand, and that someone is scouring the pans afterwards, but it seems so magical to me!!

So, today, I am watching the Food Network as I am folding laundry - Specifically watching "Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives" with Guy Fieri. This guy has got it made...no pun intended. He flys around the country and taste-tests all the great food in little diners, drive-ins and dives. What a LOVELY job he has....I am completely jealous...I mean to eat for a living. I wonder what his creditentials are?? I could and would LOVE to have his job. Now, I draw the line at eating seafood, but I could bring Kim along with me, as he loves seafood and he could critique that and I could make a three figure salary while simultaneously gaing 50-100 pounds!! You know that's why a man has the job....he eats anything he wants and then the next day is back to his original weight after his daily visit to the bathroom....well, I'm getting angrier and more jealous as I type away. I better get back to my room and turn it off...

Girls Night Out

On a recent trip to good 'ol North Dakota, I had the chance to meet with some of my best girlfriends from High School...it was like we never left each other!! It was a fun night at Olive Garden and we were there until we were practically booted out!!

Thanks!

I would like to say a special thank you to my wonderful, gorgeous, little sister Brenna for all of her help in creating this masterpiece of a blog! Now, there are no excuses for me not to maintain it!

Tag I'm it
A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: I'd consider Kim my best friend, and my sisters come in a close 2nd.
C- Cake or Pie: Pie!! Peach or Cherry!!
D- Day of Choice: Friday or Saturday....I'm guranteed a date!
E- Essential Item: chapstick....Lip Medix kind in the blue cylinder!! Can't live without it!!
F- Favorite Color: Yellow
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Worms
H- Hometown: Lisbon, ND
I -Indulgence(s): Pedicures and Dr. Pepper
J- January or July: July - I know I'm from ND, but I hate the cold!!!
K-Kids: Abigail Kate -10, Jacob Lueck - 8, Emily Esther - 5, and Natalie Michelle -2
L-Life is incomplete without: Family and Friends
M- Marriage Date: April 20, 1996
N- Number of Siblings: 6 - Steve, Brenna, Faith, Katie, Alyce and Timmi oh, and there's my other side: Steph, Megan, Mason, McKenna and Paige
O- Oranges or Apples: Oranges - yummy!!
P- Phobias or Fears: Death or sickness of Kim or the kids
Q- Quote(s): "Maybe God has a bigger plan for me than I had for myself" - as quoted by Oprah
R- Reason To Smile: My kids and they funny things they do and say
S- Season: Spring - yippee!!!
T- Toenail Color Right Now: Pink with flower stickers....
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I can still do the splits!
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: Meat, Meat, Meat!! Although I like chicken over red meat any day.
W- Worst Habit: I bite my fingernails and weigh myself daily even though it never has anything nice to show!!
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: ultrasounds
Y- Your Favorite Food: Pasta and Bread - Gimme some Carbs Baby!! Hence, why the scale is not nice to me!!
Z-Zodiac: Leo

I swear I will be better at doing this...I just need a few lessons on how it all works. You MUST remember that although I LOOK like I'm still in my early 20's (ha ha ha) I learned how to type on an actual typewriter in high school and have never taken any computer classes....I am self taught and still learning. Brenna will be here soon, so I will learn how to make it cuter and cuter!!!

Our lateset incident in the Brooksby House was Natalie and Emily's adventure on the electric scooter....It started out with Emily taking the scooter out for a spin and ended with her "treating" Natalie to a ride...and a little fall. They collided with the sidewalk and Natalie took the brunt of the fall. She had a goose-egg the size of an egg, literally!! It has since scabbed over and is just now major road rash. Can you say MOTHER OF THE YEAR?????