A Picture Journal of Our Life the Past Couple of Weeks--

First of all, Kaden and I got the cookies made yesterday, Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal---YUM!!



They were a great dessert to this little meal I whipped up for our Monday evening.



Now, back to the previous days.

We enjoyed having Mark's parents here for several days last week.


We took in a neat festival--Apple Butter Makin' Days.
Kelsey didn't have her own sunglasses so she wore Marks.


Karson enjoying his ride through the booths, and throngs of people!! I'm not sure how much longer he will be content to ride all the time. He has already(at 7 months) started pulling up! And here I was hoping that he would be one of those who didn't walk until 14 months or so....


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Last Thursday Kaden had to have a little work done on one tooth at the dentist. He had been before for a check up but never to have anything done. I was a nervous wreck!! We don't go to one of those "fancy-smancy" dentist with the PlayStation's, green or pink fillings, etc. On our way in he guessed where we were going so I tried to prep (bribe) him as much as possible. Long story--longer, the sword and shield are what he chose for a prize. He did awesome!!


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Kaden and Kelsey found a nest outside. They thought that if they put an egg in it surely the egg would eventually hatch. (even if it's cold and pasteurized out of the refrigerator) Khara was letting me know through looks how silly their idea was. :-)


Poor Karson, Kaden shows him love in lots of different ways!!

Even with eyes closed, squints, not everyone smiling; to get all four in the same picture looking the same direction is success!! ;-)

Just To Brighten Your Monday....

Just wanted to pass on a little bit of happiness--- On Mark's way to work this morning he saw gas priced at $2.21/gal!!!! YEAH!!!!!

I hope to get a better blog on w/pictures later today. For some reason, (maybe 4 children...:-), I'm finding it difficult to find much time to post. Right now Kaden is waiting to make cookies with me. If he gets to crack an egg (or two or three makes it even better), he is more than ready to help in the kitchen. I'll have to admit, at the age of three, he is getting to be quite the "pro. egg-cracker". He loves it!!! :-)

More later....Hopefully!!

"Oh, What a Beautiful Morning...."

It's another Monday morning. Karson was awake EARLY and is now playing , Kaden is still sleeping-- YAYYY, Mark is off to work, and the girls are on their way to school. AAAHHH!! Maybe I can get a little update in before I take on the mound of laundry, full dishwasher ready to be unloaded, a certain little girls' bedroom that needs to be straightened, .....you know, all of those wonderful tasks that we face on Monday mornings.


We loved having Dana and Philip around last weekend for a visit. The Walnut Festival was that weekend so that is where we were found Saturday.

Waiting for the parade to begin, sporting the star crowns that Phil bought them.


For those of you who get a little nervous around clowns: here's a pic. for you. Kaden took off to the back when he saw this guy coming. :-)


Talk about a bright, sunny day. I'm still trying to teach my children that you get a better pic. if the subject is not having to stare directly into the sunlight.


Dana and Kelsey enjoyed some of the delicious Festival Food. I tried deep fried oreos for the first time. YUM!!!

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Last week Kaden, Karson and I took advantage of this beautiful Fall weather and went to the park with some friends.

Kaden letting Camille push him while he enjoys the ride.


Camille and Karson having a little "heart to heart".


Enjoying the day.


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I am so thankful I can stay home and enjoy these little guys all day!! They keep the days busy, but oh-so-fun!!

Best Buds!!!


Karson is changing so fast!!! Just last week, he started crawling on all fours really well, got both of his top teeth in, and started saying "da-da". (Yeah, Mark stands even a little taller now :-). He is such a precious little guy!!!!



Well, I'm off to say "good-morning" to some laundry and some dishes. Have a wonderful Monday!!!

Time For An Update--

Life is seeming to go so fast. I would love to be able to find the brakes somewhere!!!

Khara and Kelsey are really getting into the rhythm of school and loving it!! Kelsey let me know Thursday that 'Dustin' was no longer her boyfriend--"he's mean"!! "Well then by all means drop him like a hot potato"!!!!! (EEEEKKKKK--she's 6)

Last weekend my mom and I finally got around to accomplishing the dreaded task of having a Garage Sale!!! Khara, Kelsey, and Kaden were very sad to see it come to an end. There is something about having steady "company" for 2 days the they really enjoyed. It's a great feeling to clear out a bunch of stuff !! Saturday Kaden looked up at my mom and said, "Grandma, what are you gonna be when you grow up?". Needless to say, people that were at the sale and heard him thought it was just priceless! :-)



Saturday evening, in celebration of my dad's birthday the next day, we went to an incredible steak house. Absolutely delicious!!!!!
Patiently waiting to be seated.


My dad thought it was one of the best steaks he has ever had!!

Onion Ring Appetizer, we didn't realize the size of them and made the mistake of ordering two of them! Delicious!!!

Karson just woke up from his nap so that ends this post. :-)

What A Deere--

Look what showed up in our yard this morning.


Kaden and I went out and watched them for a while. Every little boys dream-- to operate one of these. Kaden has big plans for his shovel, tractors, road graders, etc. once they are gone and leave some loose dirt. All of the water lines are being replaced along our road so we've gone through about 6 months of having a torn up yard--uggghh!

Success!!!!

This week:


Made a few more jars of salsa to add the the collection.


I tried out a new venture this week: Apple Butter. I was never that fond of apple butter until I had it freshly made, still warm, at a festival last year. With some apples from the neighbors, Kaden and I had fun with the nifty little apple tool from pampered chef. I put all the ingredients in the crock pot for several hours and we love the results. On warm biscuits....Delicious!!! Definitely something I will make more of!!

And now for my biggest Success of the Week: My Walgreen stop today. I have totally fallen in love with all the great deals you can get at Walgreens and CVS!! I think today was my best deal so far.


These are all of the products I got today. (plus a 2nd pack of Extra Gum--Khara already had that in her purse, and a 2nd roll of LifesSavers--it doesn't take 3 kids long to down those) By using lots of coupons, a $6 gift card, and several "Free after mail-in-rebate" deals, I will only have paid $11.85 for ALL!!! WOO-HOO!!!! I'll take shopping trips like this any day! :-)

Pictures From August!

Wow, I just can't hardly believe that August is over. Before we wave it a final goodbye, I'll share a few pictures from our happenings.


The Missouri State Fair:


Kendall and Leanna were at my parent's house that weekend. We all went to the fair for the day.




Karson enjoyed the day! :-)

This is how he fell asleep a couple of times during the day. Chewing, chewing,...zzzzz


The little future Dr./nurses, gazing at the little piglets.


Every year in the Hiland Dairy building they have a butter carving sculpture. I am amazed at the detail and design; very intriguing. I can't remember how many pounds, and pounds of butter they use, but it's a lot!! At the end of the fair they melt it down to use it again next year.

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Kendall and Leanna with Karson after church.


Karson has started really enjoying his baby food...

and his ice cream!!! :-)


Kaden's new hobby...a hammer and nails. Kaden LOVES his little hammer. Every year our local pharmacy sends out gift certificates for their customers birthdays. I was in there in May trying to let Kaden "spend" his certificate. We had found some little toys, trinkets, etc. when I asked Kaden if there was anything else he wanted. He said, "yeah, I want that hammer." I told him I didn't think they had hammers in a pharmacy. He took me over to the scrapbooking supplies. There was the hammer-- they say it's for embossing and what not. Kaden found that this little tool works for all kinds of things. Mark did have to tell him, no more nails in the tree trunks. He's all boy!!! :-)

-School Days-

Today was the big day!!! Khara and Kelsey greeted the morning before 7 a.m. (the first time that has happened in months), and very excitedly began the 2008-09 school year. Wednesday evening was open house, the time for them to meet their teacher and take all of their supplies. I snapped a few pictures of them with their teachers then so that I could let them 'fly solo' and hop on the big yellow bus this morning. This was Kelseys first time to ever ride the bus. She left all smiles!! :-)



Open House--The picture I took of Khara and her teacher had Mrs. Hutchisons eyes closed so here she is outside of her room.




Kelsey unloading all of her supplies. It's interesting to me the amount/type of supplies they need. Neither she nor Khara could even fit them all in their backpacks. Baby wipes, Ziploc bags, dry erase markers..... I have memories of a brown paper bag with the Big Chief Tablet, 2 Big Pencils, and 8 fat crayons. We all really enjoy doing the "back to school shopping" for supplies. When we were packing their supplies, Kelsey opened the package of erasers and said, "Khara, smell these...." awwww, memories.



Kelsey and her teacher, Mrs. Mays. Kelsey has the same teacher for 1st grade that Khara had. We love her!!




Ready to go for the first day!!


Khara is happy to have someone to wait for and ride the bus with.


And away they go....

Hey, I'm still around just being kept very busy these last few days of summer break. Kendall and Leanna came to Mo. Aug. 7. and were able to stay for several days. We had a great time going to the Mo. State Fair, fishing, enjoying homemade ice cream, eating great Mexican food, etc. We then started church camp last Sunday and enjoyed going to around 15 services. 6 people x 2 outfits(at least) per day x 8 days.....guess what I did today?? :-)

Tomorrow Mark is taking a day off and we're heading to the big city to finish up school shopping and have one more fun family outing. I promised a Chuck E. Cheese trip several weeks ago and they haven't forgotten. :-) Khara and Kelsey start back to school on Thursday which seems totally impossible! This has truly been the quickest summer ever for me!! They are excited to go back and I anticipate another great year. They both were placed in classes with great teachers! (Praise the Lord, this is always a matter of prayer and big concern for me!)

Well, I'm off to grab a few hours of sleep before we hit the stores runnin'. Hopefully I can take a minute to get that camera plugged in here before to long. Have a Terrific Tuesday!!!

Enjoying The Summer!!

This morning I was out in our garden before the kids were awake and got this picked:


The last of the corn from our garden.


Wonderful tomatoes!!

I now have 12 more bags of delicious corn tucked away in our freezer. On the schedule for Monday--can tomatoes or make salsa. I just love this time of year.



Thursday I made my first Walgreens trip in search of those amazing deals I've been hearing so much about. I was not disappointed!!!! I was able to purchase jumbo packs of diapers by using several different coupons for the incredible price of around $1.50 each. With that kind of price I stocked up.


This little guy got his first tooth Sunday.


The rest of the gang before leaving for church on Sunday.
Sisters!!!

Happy Anniversary, Brenda& Aaron!!

Happy 9th Anniversary BRENDA & AARON !!!!