Come on, hear the noise!!

My fridge finally went caput! After a popsicle was thrown into the fan and a blade broke(I'm not naming names...it wasn't me), the sound was unbearable. It sounded like one of those HUGE fans that are in the high school gyms. It was used as well and time to suck it up and purchase a new one. We found this one at Lowe's and I LOVE IT!! So quiet, I thought it was broke! It feels so good to purchase items cash and carry for my home! Praise God!

What a difference a year makes

We just returned from vacation with my brother, Chris, and his family in Branson, MO. Addison had a blast with her cousins, Tanner, Hannah, Bailee, and Alexis. The week was filled with Silver Dollar City, White Water, go-carts, bumper boats, swimming, and shopping. During one of the shopping trips to Branson Landing, I took a picture of Addison on the boardwalk. When I asked her to say "cheese", I realized that I had taken a picture of her in the exact same spot a year earlier while on vacation with mom and dad. See if you notice the difference in the past year...

I think she is taller, has more attitude, and more hair. What do you think?

To all the Fathers

This post is to honor the fathers in my life...my brothers, my dad, and Jonathan. They are all amazing men in their own right and enjoy spending time with their children. Family is always first and that truth is evident in the love that shines in their children's eyes. HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

This is my youngest brother Chris. He lives in Lindsborg, KS with his family. He is the father to my 13(almost 14) year old niece, Alexis, my 11 year old niece, Hannah , my 10 year old race car driving niece, Bailee, and my nephew, Tanner. Chris is a history teacher and a coach. He will begin his first season as the head football coach at Smokey Valley High. Wish him luck!

This is my brother Lance. He is the father to my 14 year old niece, Ashton and my 12 year old nephew, Caleb. He works hard to support his family. He is a logger. You know the big machine that picks up the huge trees and takes all the limbs off of it so that we can have toilet paper and writing paper. That is thanks to him.












This is my older brother Bo. He is the father of my very first nephew, Jacob who is 15. Bo works at Arkola as a test supervisor working in the lab. When we study rocks and minerals, he swears he will come talk to the class. I am holding him to it.

This is my husband Jonathan. He is Addie's Daddy! Addison absolutely adores him and when he is gone, her favorite words are. "Where Daddy doe?" She is the spitting image of him as well. I hate to say, but she is growing up to be a "daddy's girl"! Jonathan works hard everyday to ensure that things are taken care of for us at home and that Addison is as spoiled as can be.

And finally, my daddy!!! I am most certainly a daddy's girl. I don't go a day without talking to him. Most of my Saturdays involve spending some time with him. He is an excellent father who devotes all his spare time to all of our families. His grandkids adore him as much as we do. My brothers and I have been out of high school for over a decade and on Friday nights, one of us is always in attendance at Dad's games. Lance helps him coach and I usually am in the stands cheering him on. During the playoffs last year, all of us were together to support him. If I ever need anything, all I have to do is pick up the phone. Dad is always willing to help. Whether it is advice or an errand, Daddy is to the rescue. Thanks for all the love you share daily Dad! His love for his family and his love for the Lord is what makes him so special. I love you daddy!!

To all the Father's out there, have a blessed day!

Two Peas in a Pod

Our friend, Leslie, had a wedding to attend so, we were lucky enough to have her daughter, Ava Grace, spend some play time with us. Addison and Ava are getting to the age that they love spending time with one another and look forward to the next time. Here are some pics from the evening. It truly was a blast. Thanks Leslie and Ava.

Sharing the transportation responsibilities

I thought they were giving out on me...

But, here they are showing off their writing skills.

Dancing Queens!!!

Playing choo-choo in the playhouse.

It truly was a great evening. I can't wait to see what these to cook up the next time they are together. I think we may try the Alma Aquatic Center if we can arrange it. It blesses my heart to know that Addison is developing such great friendships at this age.

What would you do...

for a Klondike Bar?? Let me begin this post by saying that my freezer has been acting funny and I should have known better. Okay, I was at my dad's house a couple of weeks ago and was looking for something sweet to eat. Although my mother is diabetic, my dad has a ferocious sweet tooth and I can always find pies, cookies, cakes and in this case, the infamous Klondike Bar.I have never been a fan of hard coated ice cream bars. I think because my dad always bought the cheap ones on a stick that left a film in your mouth. I typically would not have chosen this treat, but I had a sweet craving so I said, "what the hay?" Well, it was very enjoyable. The crisp chocolate that snaps when you bite into it and then it is heavenly as the velvety sweetness melts in your mouth. Needless to say, I have thought of the Klondike bar many times over the past weeks. Well, I went to buy groceries yesterday (the first time in a month) and couldn't fight the temptation. I bought a 6-pack of the bars. That first one was all that I remembered it to be. I told myself going in that I would not eat more that one a day. If you remember from earlier, my freezer has been acting up, so I was forced to double up my efforts to ensure that the bars don't go to waste. I still have 3 left, but I will probably be forced to eat them all tomorrow so that they don't melt. So, in conclusion, this is what I would do for a Klondike bar...

1) map out a plan to eat one a day to keep the obsession going

2) totally blow the diet and exercise plan I began this week (I am still walking to work off the extra bars)

3) eat a bar that is totally liquid on the inside (darn freezer!)

4)refuse to share with Addison by telling her that it is "nasty" because it is melted.

5) write a post about my new obsession.

I promise after I eat the remaining 3, you won't hear another word about the KLONDIKE BAR!!

Tan the Man

Tanner is my six year old nephew and the baby of his family. He and Addie were inseparable this weekend. Tanner did such a good job taking care of Addison. He is a big boy now with lots of responsibility! Addison already misses him and can't wait to see him next month when we meet my brother's family in Branson for a week. I can't wait either. Here are some cute pics of Addison and Tanner.

Sweet!!
This Tanner, Bailee, Hannah, and Alexis with Addison. Can't wait to see you guys again!

There's no place like home, there's no place like home...

We are in Kansas visiting my brother, Chris, and his family. It is about a 6 hour drive from Fort Smith to Lindsborg, KS. Traveling with Addison was not that bad, but you can probably tell that by the above pic. She slept most of the way. However, she was up late. The sun did not go down until almost 10pm so it all worked out for the best.
Since Addison was awake and full of energy, we went to the neighbor's house and fed the horses. Addison also collected some eggs from the chickens, swung in a tire swing, and jumped on the trampoline. All of this after 9:30pm! It was fun, though.
After my neice, Alexis, played a softball game this morning, we went to the McPherson City Park. It was sooooo much fun. They had these stepping stones. So, being the competitive family we are, we were trying to see who could get across without double stepping. Dad was so determined to win that he did it but fell on the rocky bank in the process. He had a scraped shin, but we had a great laugh.

Dad and Chris left us at the park to go get some bread for the ducks. The kids loved feeding the ducks and the ducks loved the kids. We even feed a turtle. On a side note... dad fed the ducks Cheetos. OPPS...I hope they are okay!

Addison was so excited that we had to hold on to her everytime she got close to the water. Bailee did a good job taking care of her. Well, this post only gets us to Saturday afternoon. I hope to post again later. We are going to make smores by a campfire tonight. YUM!!