Pumpkins and Such

What? I have a blog? Oh, that's right. I do. We've been busy, yadda, yadda, yadda. That's the go-to excuse for not blogging, so I'll choose not to make excuses today. I just haven't been in the mood. Anyway, there has been a lot going on, which I will fill you in on in multiple batches of pictures over the next few days (that's my intention anyway). The girls and I travelled down to KS for the big Fall Festival/Homecoming extravaganza. We had a good trip. I started a new Bible study on Wednesday mornings, which I really like. Both girls are old enough to come with me and go to their own class. They're lovin' it. What else...? Oh, I'm in the process of potty training Lauryn. That's fun. I have been dreading this for the last six months, and here we are. It's going all right, I guess. She pooped in the potty chair for the first time today, so that's a definite improvement! Anyway, here are some pictures to enjoy!

We had lots of fun painting and carving pumpkins at Grandma and Pa Pa's house last weekend! Grandma carved the jack-o-lantern face and the Cinderella, which was a big hit! Too bad it's already starting to go bad.

The Big Two

My baby's 2 years old today! Can you believe it? Me neither. We had birthday blueberry muffins for breakfast and are heading out to lunch with Daddy this afternoon. Later this afternoon Grandma and PaPa will get into town, and Grandpa and RaRa, Aunt Twink, and Aunt Marla will all come tomorrow! We're looking forward to a fun-filled weekend of celebrating! Happy birthday, Lauryn!

Closing Out an Era

So, I turned 30 a couple weeks ago. I've had a little time to let it sink in now, so I have a few thoughts on the end of one decade and the beginning of another. I remember thinking that 30 was so old and was really far away. Yet here it is, not so old at all, and it really didn't take that long to get here. It just kind of sneaks up on you. One day you're 25, and the next thing you know - BOOM - you're 30. Just like that. But what's the big deal? I don't feel much different. One of my friends thinks her metabolism completely shut down when she hit 30 back in June. To that I say, "I never had any anyways, so I haven't noticed a difference."

I didn't think I was ready to let go. My 20's were so good to me. I got married, graduated from college, bought a house, and had two beautiful girls during those years. These are not small feats, mind you. Each of those things changed me in some way, for the better, if I do say so myself. So, I guess I do feel a little different. When the 3rd graders I taught in AWANA my frehman year of college are now in college themselves, a little pang of "oldness" hits the pit of my stomach. Oh well. "Like sand through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives." Right?

Anyway, I guess maybe I am a little older and a little wiser. The next ten years will be good years too. I will get to watch my girls grow up, spend more time with my husband, grow in my relationship with God, and hopefully gain a little more wisdom (and a little less weight). Thanks for the memories, 20's, but I think I'm ready to move on.

Morning Messes

Kaylee rushed into the kitchen saying, "Uh oh, Mom. Come look what Lauryn did." These are not the words you want to hear at 9:00 in the morning, or any time, for that matter. I found the bathroom a disaster: Q-tips, pads, and bobby pins all over the floor. I called Lauryn in and made her help clean up the mess. When we were done, the girls went back to play and I stayed to use the restroom. When I opened the toilet, I figured out why it didn't seem like we had picked up as many Q-tips as I thought we had. Yep, the rest of them were floating in the toilet. Awesome. I attempted to scoop them out with a big spoon. That was useless, so I resorted to fishing them out with my bare hand. At least Kaylee hadn't peed in there this morning and forgot to flush.

4th of July in Photos (late, as usual)

Thank You, Wisconsin Dells

Well, we're back to the old grind. Vacation to Wisconsin Dells was great. The weather did not choose to cooperate, but we had a good time anyway. I think the high one day was literally 60 degrees. Nothing like wearing jeans and jackets to a water park. Let's just say we spent a lot of time on roller coasters and indoor water parks. The girls had a blast, and Kaylee said at dinner the other night, "I wish we were still at Mt. Olympus. Can we go there again?" Maybe this will turn into a yearly event. There were a total of 8 of us staying in a 2-bedroom suite. (B&J and the kiddos had their own room.) It worked out well, but what's a family vacation without someone being walked in on in the shower? In this case, I was the one in the shower, and my father-in-law was the unlucky walker-inner. Long story. I'll spare you the details. And now that it's out there, we shall never speak of it again. And now, what you've all been waiting for:

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Thank you Grandma for taking Kaylee & Lauryn on the spinning rides!

This ride was like the Detonator at World of Fun - but for kids. She LOVED it!

Lauryn and Uncle Chad formed a special bond during this trip!

Kaylee on the kids' roller coaster. She makes friends everywhere.

Chris, Ally & Kaylee on the ice cold water slide

Kaylee on the go-carts. She is the stereotypical woman driver. Sheesh.

Mind wanderings...

Why am I concerned about my carpets being nicely vacuumed before the carpet-cleaning guys come? What are they going to say? "Hey, lady, your carpets are really dirty." Well, isn't that why I called you in the first place?