Happy Fall!

Every year about this time, the unmistakable sound of the combine is heard in my backyard. A telltale sign of another summer almost over, a growing season ended.

And dust. EVERYWHERE.

Despite all the dust, I do look forward to seeing the farmer gather his crops, letting me know that another season is just around the corner. Must be the Iowa girl in me.

Happy Fall Everyone!

Happy 8th Birthday Lars

French Silk Pie for his birthday *cake*
a secret book with a lock to keep those pesky siblings away...
look out Dempster Dr, he's got his own pads!!!

Happy Birthday Lars!

Who knew that 8 years ago I would go into labor 7 weeks early and give birth to a 6+ pound baby boy, only to have him decide to quit breathing, subjecting him to 9 days of NG tubes and CPAP machines.

Little stinker.

I can call him that now because I am convinced that Lars did NOT stop breathing because of health issues or being born preterm. I believe that he became ticked off when he came out into this world because it was freezing cold or something.

You see, when Lars was maybe 6-7 months old(???) he pulled a little stunt where he held his breath until he passed out. He had gotten hurt which of course made him mad.

He inhaled and held his breath, mouth wide open, body rigid, and then passed out because he wouldn't breathe. His eyes rolled back into his head and he suddenly went limp in my arms. He was still, and silent, for what seemed an eternity. All of a sudden he took a giant GASP and started breathing again. Then he began to wimper. He was so exhausted after this production that he slept for 2 hours.

I personally about died the first time this happened, as it was one of the scariest things I had ever experienced. EVER. And believe me when I say that this was not the LAST time that he performed this stunt.

Which brings me back to his birth. I think that Lars entered this world and became agitated that his surroundings had changed. He got mad, and threw a royal hissy fit. Plain and simple. Of course I can't prove this, but knowing my boy, it seems like something he would do just for the fun of it.

Ironically, his daddy used to do the same exact thing when he was little. Would have been nice to have that *heads up* when I saw it for the first time...

Anyway, Lars, you have grown up into a wonderful little boy who loves life, always finds the good in things (except chores), and will still snuggle with his mama. I love you forever.

Soccer

Lars and Maddi decided to try soccer this fall and have enjoyed their time with the Iowa Soccer Club. They joined the Academy division which means they focus more on techniques and drills, and less on games and winning/losing. In fact, they don't even play games, just do lots of scrimmaging and play fun games that incorporate different skills.

So far they are having fun...

Happy Birthday Jamie!

Another birthday for Jamie (ok, it was Sept 7, so I'm a little behind) and he was pretty excited for his present--a new iPhone! He had needed a new phone for several months as his old one would only ring about half of the time. He went back and forth trying to decide between the iPhone vs *(insert any other phone company's version here)*, but finally decided an iPhone was the new toy he wanted.

After dinner at Red's, we decided to surprise ;) him with his present and even had a piece of Cheesecake Factory cheesecake waiting for him for dessert. The kiddos made cards and we enjoyed a family night together celebrating.

Happy Birthday Jamie!!

Down, Set, Hike!

So football has started for my 5th grader.

TACKLE football.

Can't believe how big these boys look in their pads and how official they look with their helmets. All one of my friends could say (repeatedly) when she saw them was, "Now that's just cute."

Which they were, but I think when I am telling Drew this story I'll say she used the word "tough", or something along those lines ;)

Drew has been assigned to the position of center for offense, and for defense he is a middle linebacker. I think. I'll have to ask him...

First scrimmage of the season was this weekend and they had so much fun! Games start 2 weeks from today--Go Trojans!

Holy Hugeness!
Look at that center! (note TWO handed grip because his hands aren't quite big enough for a one handed grip)
defense
The snap!
Drew and buddy Ben taking a breather

Back To School!

Another summer gone by (too quickly, btw!), and now we are back at it! Drew started tackle football on Monday (I'll get a pic up later), and they all started school this morning.

All reported good first days and they all really like their teachers and classmates.

Off we go...

Waiting for the bus
...and away it goes!
running to the bus
Maddi
The best picture of Lars I could get
The best picture of Drew I could get--the boys obviously don't care about picture taking :)

Maddi Turns Six--Part 2

The second half of Maddi's birthday celebration was a little more low key--a party at home with family.

Still just as fun for Maddi, ands lots of cool stuff to open.

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea, Happy Birthday.

Maddi Turns Six--Part 1

the soccer cake
Maddi and Abby
party guests

Birthday Party at the Gymnest.

Lots of sweaty kids running around while Jamie and I sat and watched. Best party ever for a mom and a dad. Just show up, bring a cake, order some pizza-DONE!

Yep. It's that easy.

And the kids had a blast!

SugarBottom

We took Maddi on her first singletrack ride out at SugarBottom the other night.

And it went well.

Except for the bugs.

And the roots on the trail making it *bumpy*.

Oh, and the itty bitty fall into the leaves on the side of the trail.

But otherwise, she's a really big fan!

XTERRA

This year the XTERRA showed up at SugarBottom...a race that includes all facets of a triathlon, but has you mountain biking and trail running instead of doing them on the road. This particular race was a 1 mile swim, 16 mile bike on some amazing Iowa singletrack, and a 6 mile trail run with some *beautiful* rolling hills thrown in for good measure.

Never one to back down from a challenge, Jamie had his mind set on doing this race. After all, he does lots of tri's...right?

Well, yes. He does...

But never underestimate the difficulty of a race.

Or the presence of a fever. Yep, 102 to be exact. Not that he knew that before the race, but he did feel like crap, and did have a pretty bad cold.

4 hours later...the finish line was crossed, and Jamie's first ever XTERRA was complete.

Pass the ibuprofen please.

ready to swim
first leg complete
transition area
let the biking begin
pretty sure he has never been more glad to see a finish line...ever
all smiles, at least for now

Time To Relax

Just a fun day hiking out at Palisades/Kepler State Park on a lazy Sunday afternoon. We happened to stop by and see Grandpa on the way home and we were invited to dinner. Even better because I didn't have to cook or clean up afterwards!! Yippee!!

Jamie and I

Jamie climbing some boulders
love that sweet face
out on an adventure
water break!
smile!

20 Years!?!

Ok. So as much as I did not want to believe that I was old enough to be going to my TWENTY year high school reunion, the weekend came, and I went. And I was very pleasantly surprised at how much fun we all had, back together again, like time hadn't passed.

But time had passed. And I think it made us better.

Better because we now know *sort of* who we are. And are mostly happy with that. Or at least happier with that than 20 years ago.

Most of our lives are good. Great, even. Others have had a rough go. Yet somehow, for those few hours, we were able to be just a part of who we used to be, yet mix it in with who we are now, and it was good. And fun. And it made me happy to be a Fort Dodge Dodger, Class of 1990, for just one more night.

Erin, Me, & Clare
Christy, Me, Steph, Monica, & Brooke
David--our chick magnet. Ok, not really. But he was the smartest guy in our class, and one of the nicest. Is now a senior VP for google. Yes, google. Also, when he worked for Zeiss, he was one of 2 senior engineers that helped invent/develop one of the latest and greatest eye machines we currently have available in my eye geek world that I live in. Dave is my hero. :)
Christy and Clare. Two of my most favorite people. Ever.