Remodeling Again?!?!

So it seems that we are starting a new tradtion around the home on South Custer...for those of you that remember, Dustin and I completely remodeled the living room, dining room, and hallway year before last Thanksgiving. Dustin has taken Christmas Eve until January 4th off this year to watch the boys...but in doing so, he has also decided to remodel our half bath off our bedroom. What started out as a "Let's just add a corner shower" has turned into "if we're going to do it then we might as well do it all".

In order to install this shower unit, we are losing about 80% of our closet, not to worry, I have always hung most of our clothes up downstairs in the laundry room anyway.

I will post pictures as the work progresses...here's what's happened so far:

- - Merry Christmas to All - -

Wishing all a belated Merry Christmas!!

As always we followed tradition - allowing the boys to open one present on the night of Christmas Eve. Tyler and Austin picked out what they knew were Transformers (because of the shape of pkg) and Owen - well to say the least he was quite disappointed about picking out a present with three books in it. But rest assured, he went to bed dreaming of all the toys he was going to get the next day...

Mother Nature had a present of her own also...maybe it was Old Man Winter? Who knows? but we received about 2-3 inches of powder beginning Christmas Eve into Christmas day. Definetly a white christmas for those in Kakeland - - but why the winds with 50+ gusts??

Another tradition that was followed this Christmas was Bert's (Dustin's mom) family favorite, Speghetti! With all the fixins'. We were all stuffed and ready for a nap but the boys insisted that we open our presents - imagine that!!

Love you Mom!!

Tomorrow night is the four week anniversary of learning of my mom's passing. It still hasn't really set in but I know in the back of my mind what is reality. It's the moments when I'm not keeping busy and actually have time to reflect that are the hardest. Of course I immediately miss mom with my trip to Seattle (having to take care of things) but now more than then I am missing our two or three or even four hour conversations - telling her of what all was going on in our life and learning about what was happening in hers. But as Thanksgiving is upon us, I thank you, God for giving me a wonderful mother who taught me so much and loved me unconditionally! I love you, mom and I miss you terribly!

Kansas State Fair - It's a Wild Ride, Baby!!

This last Monday, I let the boys play hookie from school and we went northwest to Hutchinson (home of the Kansas State Fair). It was free admission to those that presented a Dillons Plus Card. Cheap entertainment for all of us. Also, since I've started working 2nd shift, I haven't been able to see or spend as much time with the boys lately. I miss the rugrats!!

We started out visiting the animal barns. The boys were infactuated with the rabbits. Seeing a breed that was all white with big black eyes and what looked like eyeliner...beautiful rabbits indeed. Then we moved onto the birds (chickens, doves, geese, ducks, turkeys, and even a few pigeons). It was funny as we walked by a goose honking non-stop, Austin and Owen immediately put their hands over their ears complaining of how loud and ANNOYING it was. I reminded them that this is very similar to how they sound when they keep talking and talking and talking or screaming, yelling and some more screaming and yelling. They told me, "whatever mom", like I don't know what I'm talking about.

We saw goats and sheep. Observed a sheep getting sheared and got an educational lesson on the wool and what happens to it (bringing back memories of when I was in 8th grade "Homesetters" class with Mr. Bunton). I shared with them how that wool was cleaned and made into yarn to make all sorts of things. The boys got to see and feel the difference between the different types of wool and lanolin consistencies. We then went to the birthing barn. A baby lamb had been born earlier that morning. Tyler's first question was, "Mom, what is all that hanging out of the sheep's butt?" Biology 101 lesson was given. Thankfully, Austin and Owen didn't notice "all that stuff" and were more interested in the lambs and piglets in other pens. Actually, Owen was enjoying the hand sanitizer stations more than anything...I coudn't complain, atleast his hands and face were really sanitized!!

We visited the petting zoo and took a ride on the motor boats. And of course we had to spend time going though the four big buildings with exhibits and booths. Tyler and Austin were quick to get all the free candy and "goodie bags" that they could. We also stopped and watched the pig races...(a first for me and the boys). As we were leaving the option of ice cream or cotton candy was given. Ice Cream it was (unanimous vote) but mom still wanted cotton candy. We stopped at a McDonalds on the way out of Hutchinson for the ice cream sundaes and it was consumed before we even left city limits. Owen and Austin then decided to make great use of their spoons (mind you, the spoons still had remnants of melted ice cream and hot fudge on them) by having a sword fight in the backseat of the car. What can you say, they are definitely boys and I decided there was no point in even telling them no as they were going to do it anyway.

All in all, we had a great day and created memories that will last a lifetime. I enjoyed spending time with the boys and this will be something that they will be talking about for awhile. Enjoy the pictures below.

Just Updates & Recent Pictures

Owen sleeping...out like a light!!


Me...with dark hair. Dustin talked me into going dark instead of staying blonde. This isn't the greatest of pictures...just got off work and was tired but thought what the heck.


Austin and Owen being themselves and showing off...





This past Monday (Labor Day 2009), Tyler had football practice. They were running tackles and Tyler was up to carry the ball. His team mate was to run upto him at an angle and tackle Tyler. What happened instead was instead of tackling low, the other boy tackled to high. His helmet came up and split Tyler's chin wide open. The other boy, got hurt really bad and was fading in and out of consiousness along with temporary paralysis below the neck...he wound up taking a trip via EMS to hospital and was later released with just a concusion, thank goodness!! Tyler and the rest of us headed to Wesley's ER and prepared him for stitches. Twenty-four of them!! They will be taken out this weekend and butterflied. He is being a real sport about them now, like it's no big deal (still tender though).

New Visitors

Spring came and went. Summer seems to just be getting started. And we have new friends in the back yard. We have a new cardinal to the neighborhood. I see it on our railing outside the kitchen window - go to grab the camera and it is gone. But we see it out feeding on the dog food each morning with all the other black birds. Kohl just stays back and lets them feed. Such a stupid dog at times.

The newest addition that I have seen in our backyard is the two baby squirrels. The older squirrel loves to torment Kohl. Just staying high enough on the tree so that she can bark, jump, and bark some more. Am sure the neighbors love her at times. I just wish to shoot the squirrel. But now I caught two baby squirrels playing in the back yard the other morning. Kohl was no where in sight - again, stupid dog. But the other morning I noticed this...
...yes, one of the baby squirrels feeding off the dog food too!! If Kohl doesn't get first dibs on her food in the morning, she will go without.
To top it off (I didn't have the camera handy) but I have seen the birds feeding on the dog food, with one of the stray cats poised on the opposite side of the garden just waiting for the right moment. And again - Kohl - no where, probably under the porch watching it all play out - stupid dog!!

Tyler's 10th Birthday - 2009

Much like Owen turning five, I am in even more awe that Tyler was turning ten this year. Really, TEN??? Time can sure fly and we are so proud of him. He has his quirks but man, I really love this guy!! We stayed home for his birthday since we just went to Kansas City the weekend before. Rather than the cake, Tyler had a birthday cookie and a song to go with it. Oh, and we went and picked up his "new" glasses! Yes, he has his mother's eyes and is now in glasses - - poor guy. But he looks so grown up and handsome!

T-Rex Cafe

One of the girls at work suggested T-Rex Cafe while in Kansas City. I checked it out online and made reservations for lunch there the Sunday after Worlds of Fun with the family. It was part of Tyler's birthday present. All the boys enjoyed it and there was so much to look at. Owen was a bit timid at first entering the restaurant but soon warmed up to the idea after he discovered T-Rex was not going to "eat" him. They have huge aquariums and animated dinosaurs, mammoths, underwater creatures, etc. It most definitely was an adventure and I am sure glad we stopped to visit. Oh, and the food was delicious!!

Worlds of Fun - Family Vacation 2009

For the past several months, Dustin's mom has talked about taking a "family" vacation to Kansas City this year. Bert and Joe (Dustin's mom and step-dad), Aunt Debbie, Cousins Rachelle, Mason, Jayden, and Dawn, and the Mullen Clan drove to Kansas City on a Friday evening and spent the night. The next day began with breakfast at Waffle House (meeting up with Dustin's brother, Tommy, the night before). We started the morning with the family picture... ...then came the rides. Immediately it was off to ride the Patriot. After that I took Owen over to Snoopy Camp and he rode and rode and rode... ...afterwards, all of us stumbled into this "indoor" netted building (much like the playgrounds outside McDonalds or Burger King). What a blast...they had these contraptions (compressed air guns) that shoot plastic balls at what ever target you have in mind. The adults got in on the action and personally, I think they enjoyed it just as much as the kids. What fun it was to watch them. I told Dustin that would be perfect to have in our backyard, even when the boys are older. Well, the day continued, full of rides, walking, waiting, and more rides. It was a blast!! Dustin and I left early, I had a headache brewing, and the boys continued to ride more rides into the night. Tyler and Austin had a blast on the roller coasters and I don't think that they could get enough. Rachelle, Mayson, and Jayden were the first of the family to dare the Rip Cord, then Dustin and Tommy somehow talked Bert into it. Over 180 foot drop - then swing above everyone. It was something to see for sure.
All in all, the everyone slept well that night and were refreshed enough to go home the next day. Thank you mom, Joe, grandma, and Aunt Debbie for an awesome time and memories that will last a lifetime!