State Fair!

We usually head to the State Fair over the weekend; however, we wanted to go as a family of 3 so we decided to try it out during the week.  Let's just say it was AMAZING!  We could actually walk around and enjoy ourselves without running into gobs of people or waiting in line for anything.  Plus Landon was able to walk around on his own and we just followed where he led us.  Definitely worth it!  

We had a wonderful time but as I look back and pictures I giggle because our pictures are all over the spectrum with emotions.  

Landon wasn't quite sure about the petting zoo.  He had a really concerned face when I got close to them or tried to feed them.

But then...they weren't so bad and he started to call them puppies! 

Landon was really excited to see the giant combines but then...

once he got in one he was horrified. Do you see his face?

After making it to the first corner he then decided it wasn't as bad as he originally thought.

We then headed to watch the Sea Lions until we decided to throw a fit.  This picture makes me giggle because this doesn't happen too often and last night it was like the world was coming to an end.  

But then...10 minutes later we were happy to see the baby chicks!

And of course... we loved eating Pineapple Whip!  Great way to end our night at the fair!

Go Big Red!

IT'S FOOTBALL SEASON AND I'M SOOOOOOOO EXCITED!  I absolutely love this time of year, so we headed to our first football game on Friday night in Aurora vs. McCook.  When we first got there it was extremely drizzly and wet.  We spent the first quarter just letting Landon roam around.  He was so determined to make it out on the field.  There was one point that he slipped through the gate and was halfway to the field when we caught him.  The 2nd and 3rd quarter we sat in the bleachers with Aunt Carissa as Scott was taking stats and helping on the sidelines.  Landon was not a happy camper until these middle school kids started to cheer him up.  Once it stopped raining he loved watching the players and band.  He kept cheering, clapping and yelling ball and go!  It was way too cute!  We look forward to more home games!  

Fresh Start!

It's a brand new school year and I couldn't be more excited!  This year is very refreshing for me considering last year was definitely a challenge.  Last year I was definitely feeling burnt out from teaching, I was really sick all year long and pretty much just overwhelmed with everything at home and school.  The only stressful part about this year is my classroom was under construction until the week before school started, so I had to construct my classroom within a week. During that time Landon got sick and so did I!  However, we made it through! 

I absolutely love how my classroom turned out this year and the new construction makes my room feel cozier.  I stuck with the park theme again this year; however, added some birds to the ceilings and a proud wall; which I'm proud of.  I also have an amazing group of students that love learning and appreciate what I do for them.  I actually can't wait to go to work in the morning!  In addition, I have a student teacher this fall for the first 8 weeks and she is amazing too!  She is such a go getter and is already jumping in and teaching lessons.  I will hate to see her go!  Oh and we can't forget my new teaching partner, Megan.  Megan looped up with her 1st graders from last year and we love having her on our team!  

I still need to take a picture with my kids but here are a few pics of my classroom!

4th Anniversary!

Well the sad news is I had to go back to work on our anniversary, but the good news is we actually were able to go out on a date that evening thanks to my brother and his wife.  Kurtis and I headed to Texas Roadhouse for supper.  Wow…we ate a lot of amazing food; however, after a stressful week of just getting into my classroom and a sick baby the margarita tasted really really good.  After supper we headed to a movie. I can't even think the last time we went to a movie.  We usually don't agree on one but we agreed on Ice Age 4.  It was really cute!  Once the movie was over we were both ready to get home and love on our little one. We had a very nice evening together!  I can't wait believe it has already been 4 years and we look forward to many more years to come!   

Thanks Grandpa!

So as I was cleaning out my office the other day I noticed my wedding bouquet still in a trash bag laying on the shelf.  I then remembered how my Grandpa has been making all these shelves and shadow boxes lately for his tractors.  I told my mom the idea and of course she called Grandpa up right away and told him.  He was looking for another project so he was excited.  So excited that the next morning I got a call from Grandma saying they were coming to Grand Island.  Of course…to buy the supplies and pick up my bouquet.  

Not even a week later it was done and I love how it turned out.  Originally I was just going to put my bouquet in but then there was some extra room to add a few other memorable items.  I also added the paper in the background to make the items inside pop.

It was hard to get a picture because the glass kept either glaring or you could see myself in the picture.  

Thanks Grandpa!  

Last Summer Playdate!

I am truly blessed to work with some of the most amazing friends!  It's not everywhere that you can get 7 mommies and 12 little ones together for playdates every Thursday; we were even missing Shelley and her girls.  It was my week to plan a playdate, so I decided we venture to the Hastings Splash Pad.  The water was a tad chilly but the kids didn't seem to mind.  It was fun watching them all run around and play together.  They are definitely turning into a group of best friends!  After playing at the park we headed to Burger King for lunch to celebrate Hayley's birthday.  They even had an indoor playground that the kids could play on which was perfect!  

We had the entire splash pad to ourselves!

Will spraying Landon!

All seven of the "big" kids! 

While the kids play the mommies chit chat (90% of our conversations are usually about motherhood or school)

Landon and his bud Hayden!  

The birthday girl and her sweet little one!

I wish I would have gotten us all sitting at the table together. I could only imagine what others were thinking seeing us all there together.  Eating lunch with that many little ones was quite an adventure.  Jackie and I held down the fort and watched the three babies, Landon, Will and Monroe while the other moms went to order the food.  It's a good thing our kids are comfortable with all the moms; it makes things so much easier as we all help with each other's kiddos.  Luckily the play area was there for when they were done eating.

Our Kids!

Lily, Hudson, Addysen, Hayden, Jadyn

Jacob, Landon, Paisley, Monroe, Braxton, Aubree and Will

Ahhhhh, I can't wait to spend time with these ladies during the school year.  Hopefully we can continue our play dates throughout the year and even get the husbands involved too!  

July Phone Dump

Wow, I can't believe July is already over.  What an awesome month we had!

Landon loves his little horse he got from my parents' neighbor.

Kurtis had five days off from work which never happens.  He actually had clean hands.

Eating lunch at Pizza Hut with Uncle Scott.

Ice cream at Valentino's!

Landon and I went to watch Talon perform at Art in the Park.  He will be getting his black belt this fall and he's only going to be a 2nd grader.  One of our Newell students was also there.

Tackling a sub sandwich!

I have figured out how to climb up my slide.

Bubbles at a Library Lapsit!

Landon loving on baby Delaney!  

Bird watching

Whenever Landon and Daddy are together in the backyard someone is bound to get wet.

Long ways to go to fill Daddy's big shoes.

Watching the train go by at Kid's Kingdom.

He actually really enjoyed riding the train!

One Sunday afternoon we went to the Hastings water park.  Landon loved it!  He kept going through the sprayer over and over again.

This week we went to visit my friend Angie and her little girl Reagan in Omaha.  Landon and Reagan are five days apart.  Landon looks so big!  They enjoyed their snacks together.  Landon also enjoyed playing with all her toys.

Especially her pink guitar. 

Hanging out with Uncle Scotty at Aunt Carissa's school.

Landon is still in love with fish.  We visited my aunt and uncle in Lincoln and my cousin had a tank upstairs in her bathroom.  He spent the majority of his time up there with her.

Ok this happened on August 1st but had to add it.  Landon hung out with Megan (Jadyn was still sleeping) while I went to the eye doctor.  When I got back the two of them ventured outside together without us.  As soon as Megan and I got out there Landon was already in the water.  It was funny to listen to Jadyn explaining it was all his idea.  :)  Which I am sure it was; he loves swimming!