Current River

In august I took off a few days to enjoy fun and friends. We headed to Current River in Missouri to go camping and canoeing. It was an overall interesting experience. I was car sick most of the car ride down which made that a less than enjoyable adventure, but once we got to camp I was ok rather quickly. We were given a 'quiet' campsite at Jason's Place Campground....For those of you who go camping...i would not call it a 'campsite'. It was more of a piece of land that you would set up camp on if there was not other land in the woods....covered in rocks and walnuts and a hill that was about at a 60 degree slant. I decided to be a snot and say no thank you, and I'm glad i did...they moved us to a nice grassy campsite that was only a 20 degree slant. Thank you campground staff :o)

We set up camp and made dinner over the fire. Ok so we were not roughing it when it came to meals. Friday we had Zesty Italian Chicken and Vegetables made in a foil pouch....yummy Saturday we had cream of mushroom pork chops on a bed of rices with veggies also prepared in a foil pouch. On the river we had salad kabobs and lunch meat subs. Breakfast was grab and go both days :o)

We had great weather all weekend, it only rained a bit at night. The campsite bathrooms disgraceful....took public restrooms to a whole new level. really the woods would probably have been a better choice :o) And showers...well if you like to pay to take a shower in a nasty bathroom then fine, we chose the river and pool...lol. the car ride home was worse than the car ride there if you know what I mean.

Our good camp site :o)

The s'more that makes all your troubles go away....heavenly

Love him!

I was worried we would not fit...but we did

I guess the little guy got tired and decided to catch a ride

love this place

Our little Canoe that traveled the 16 miles with us...

Our partners in crime just enjoying the day

It was a beautiful day....Missouri has a lot to offer beauty wise.

He is lucky we never tipped due to his ornryness

Rednecks....hello Mullet (so you know, that is a woman)

This guy would stand and paddle, lay down and use his hands, and just chill....he was quite entertaining.

Redneck central....our school bus ride to the river. (read the sign)

Overall great trip....who wants to go with us next year?

He's cute but he's trouble

Cooper keeps us on our toes....

Our yard seems to be the home of creatures. Bunnies and birds find it a great place to raise their young. And while I do enjoy seeing little baby creatures out there....it becomes stressful when you have a puppy who doesn't understand that he cannot play with them. We first had problems when then bunnies set up shop. They do every year but we were hoping that having Cooper outside for a few months would send a hint that it was not the best idea to nest there....

Well before we knew their were bunnies Micah came home to find cooper digging like crazy....he smelt them but didn't realize they were the itty bitty balls of nothing in a little hole covered in bunny fur. So one did not survive the attack...and cooper never did realize that there were actually bunnies in there because he dug them all out and flung them behind him and kept on digging. Micah, knowing his wife would appreciate the love he showed the bunnies, placed the remaining 4 bunnies back in their hole and covered them. They lived and grew.

Cooper had been fenced into a smaller area in the back yard so he could have his space and the bunnies theirs. Then one day I came home from work to see cooper frolicking around the back yard....it took a second to realize he was roaming the Whole yard not just his little fenced in area. Yup, he got out. Not really sure how but he found the poor little bunnies. They were big enough to hop away but i think he was too quick for one of them. The other left the yard and now sleep on the outside of the fence. The bunny he had in his mouth however....poor bunny. I hold the thought that he really didn't mean to hurt it and was only playing with it like he does his stuffed animals. Not a mark on the sweet little thing so it either died of fright or he shook it too much. I only cried a little (I know I know get a life....but they are soooo cute you just feel bad).

I thought the nature drama was over until I saw this:

And these:
But I figured we were safe because they are in a tree...and Cooper cannot climb trees (not that we know of anyhow). But as the babies grew and decided to learn to fly....they proved me wrong. I let Cooper out thinking nothing of it and followed him because he seemed to be getting into trouble. As I walked over to him two little birdies took off.....and landed. And while they did coast nicely to the ground they were not skilled enough to fly back into the nest, out of the fence, or more than 2 feet. And really I would not have cared, but they decided to coast in two different directions. Puppies must think this is fun because he went from one bird to the other jumping and enjoying life. So if you are my neighbor you probably think I am nuts as you look out your window: Baby birds jumping about. A black streak (Cooper) running like mad in the yard. A lady screaming 'COOPER NO' and chasing the black thing (that is incredibly fast i might add). And you may think that was entertaining enough. But no, now we have 6-8 robin mommas who decided to take on the dog and lady and start dive bombing them while making their incredibly creepy bird shrieks. So now you have a dog going nuts. Two poor birds jumping about trying to stay safe. A bunch of birds trying to kill the dog and lady (they clearly didn't realize i was trying to help them and save their young. seriously ZERO appreciation). And a lady about in tears trying to catch the dog and not get attacked by the birds.

For your info...we all survived. Cooper got a nice spanking when he finally obeyed and came inside, and my Heart rate decreased after about an hour. Lord help me next spring/summer.

Summer fun when we have time

We worked a TON in July....so fun was not very plentiful. But we did have a few moments of enjoyment. Fourth of July weekend we were able to sneak away with the Hirsteins and Millers for some boating fun. We went down to Clinton Lake and did a little knee boarding. It was a nice morning but the water was a bit rough. For my first time knee boarding I was not too bad. It was enjoyable but I preferred sitting in the boat enjoying sunshine :o) H.L. Did a great job teaching me and despite the attempts to spray me with water I would allow him to kneeboard with me again.

Tait seemed to have fun playing with his Thomas Trains and tuckered out after a short while. We were shocked he was able to sleep through the bumps. Kate and I got jarred quite a bit.

Thanks to Dr. Miller for letting us take his boat out without him :o)

Another fun adventure was the Hot Air Balloon Festival. We were invited by some of Micah's high school friends to enjoy the evening. Gene actually stood up in our wedding (I had never met him before then, pathetic I know). His wife Lindsay and I enjoy our time together as well, and often laugh at the boys and their identical thinking. The two of them together could possibly be trouble in the future.

The festival was fun, lots of interesting people watching, good carnie food...and lots of balloons.

Some balloons actually took off or landing in the field in front of us. Others just set up and then took town without taking flight.

It took us a while to figure out what some of the balloons were going to be once inflated. The polar bear we figured out after we saw its face take form....the balloon behind it is actually a shoe....that one took forever to figure out.

The shoe all lit up!

We always enjoy good times with friends!

Mr. and Mrs. TeBeest

My dear friend Ashley got married at the end of July in Sheboygan, WI. She is worth the 5 hour drive :o) Ashley was a wonderful friend in college. We met when she joined my Sorority and then became much closer when she partnered up with me to get Relay For Life going on campus. I could not have done it without her positive attitude and support through the last 3 years of planning. Lets just say, it probably would never have happened had she not come along. Love you Ashley...and love your heart!

For those of you who don't know her, you are missing out. She is the sweetest person you will ever meet, with a heart of gold. She has a passion for helping others and does everything she can to help support organizations battling cancer. Quite possibly why we hit it off so quick! Ashley is also a special education teacher which probably tells you a little more about her amazing personality.

Her wedding was beautiful! Absolutely breathtaking, but with a beautiful bride what does anyone expect. Her bridesmaids wore knee length strapless black dresses and carried bouquetsof white hydrangeas. Her wedding was mostly black and white but she had purple accents to honor those who had passed from, are fighting, or have survived the horrors of cancer. She also spent the money most people use for favors to donate to American Cancer Society.

Mr. and Mrs. Joshua TeBeest

Love Them!

Love him but someone forgot to pack his belt and nice shoes....haha he is lucky I was not as up tight as I normally am. Laughed it off and went on with the evening.

My wonderful Date

My sweet Chi Omega Baby Krystal, finally back from living in Hawaii

My College Loves

All the Chi Omega's at the wedding

Our little Chi Omega Family

Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day!!!! We Love you both!

Confessions of a Facebook Addict

Step one. Admit you have a problem.

Step two. Embrace it!

Confession: This post really does have a point, but it doesn't really have much to do with Facebook. Actually other than the fact that Facebook brought me to this post, it has nothing to do with it at all.

Just a little plug while I am at it... One great thing about Facebook is the networking. I must say, I originally got a Facebook account in order to 'be a college student', but now I can say Facebook is a blessing. Yes it can be time consuming however, it helps people reconnect, stay connected, and enjoy messages here and there. So, as annoying as I find all of the apps, stalkers, constant changes, friend requests from people you don't know, and news feed...I still say "I love you Facebook".

One to the real Post:

When i was a young one I was a part of a group that formed my core friends as well as 99% of my childhood memories. This group was no ordinary group...it was put on by mothers who put their creativity to work to serve their children. And to all those mothers I am forever grateful.

The Sunshine Club.

You laugh but this was serious business. We had a theme song (that i can still sing parts of), scheduled activities, crafts, field trips, and activities galore. We even had nick names and t-shirts. I am telling you, this was not some 'play date' where the kids run around like mad and the mothers sit a watch with smiles on their faces and chat about life. This was a CLUB. With creativity at it's finest.

I remember random bits from our gatherings and the rest of the memories are fueled by photo books. One activity was held at the Paluska house where we used Ice cream containers to make astronaut helmets and went to space on their back deck. I am talking real deal activities here. (With real ice cream cartons like they have at ice cream parlors that they scoop the yummy goodness out of and place it nicely in the cone for the customers to enjoy...side note (i have cravings ok)) Any how. We would have massive Easter Egg hunts. Awards ceremonies. I think we still have the gardening gloves gone Old McDonald's Farm...Puff ball animals were made and then placed on the fingers of gloves. (creative mothers remember) There were many other fabulous activities but those will have to wait until I can scan pictures to put with the stories.

One group that grew off of this Club was our Secret Santa. Started out small but soon became a Germantown Hills Neighborhood Hit. I cannot remember how many family we had or how many years it lasted, but i sure remember the events. Each family would get put in a bucket and then everyone would draw a family to surprise over the holidays. I think we did this for a week with different gifts each night. I remember waiting anxiously for our Secret Santa to surprise us but we were always fooled by how they actually got the gift to us. Back deck, front porch, mailbox...however they got it to us we didn't care. Delivering gifts was also fun. I am surprised cops were not called more often as we would creep down streets in all black. Drive around without headlights. Wander around peoples property....oh the joys of SS. At the end of the week we would get together and have a huge potluck and talk about all the great stuff we got...and then guess who had our family. Too much fun. One year we KNEW who our family was because my brother actually snatched up one of their kids and brought him into our house. They were new to SS and I am not sure if they participated again after that event. I just remember mom saying "let him go...". Have i mentioned we were terror children growing up?

Anyhow....we had a great group of families and friends. These people would do anything for anyone else in our group. I am grateful for ALL of them and no matter how much time passes it is still a joy to hear about everyone growing up, getting married, having kids of their own...I am sure all of our parents are secretly hoping we start Sunshine clubs of our own.

We had a reunion a few years back...(am i repeating myself too much if i say yet again this was serious business?)

Anyhow, Facebook ties into this because it has brought most of our Sunshiners back together. And has given me something to blog about.

**One member of this group is also getting a little advertisement from me due to her incredible talent. Miss Becky started her own business that any mother would LOVE...or anyone who loves bags :o) So, new moms, expectant moms, someday moms, or friends of moms....check these beauties out:

Custom Bags and her Blog is here

You can mix match, create, and ENJOY diaper bags or hand bags made by the wonderful Becky. The best part...her business is non-profit. So have a look and feel free to take part in her organization. I can promise i will be sporting a Better Life Bag when our family grows....or if I convince the hubby I'm in need of a new handbag.

Wedding Season seems to never end....

This summer was more mild than last, but we were still busy. In June I spent a weekend in Kenosha for Laura Fornetti's bridal shower. She was my roommate in college (would not have graduated without her by my side) and helped me though some of the toughest moment in the college years. I am very grateful for her friendship. She stood up with us in my wedding and then asked me to be a bridesmaid in hers as well.

Her shower was simple and lovely! Held at the Bull & Bear in Kenosha. All her bridesmaids were there except her sister Jamie...who is slaving away on her PhD and MD in Denver.

Bridesmaids: Kim, Me, Laura(bride), Ashley, Sami

Me and the very tan bride to be....or I'm just really pasty (thanks what working every day does to a girl)

Guest appearance of Mr. Will Waller (groomsman) to cheer on team USA in the World cup game that day....they lost

We got the groom to step in for a pic as well...he ran quickly after he was loved on by the bridesmaids.

Chi Omega's....I blame XO for our unplanned matching attire.

Had a wonderful time with the ladies....wish the weekend would have lasted longer!!!!

It's Baby Time

Most of my friends are due between October and December, but a few babies will be arriving earlier. And one of those little darlings just entered the world on June 5th. I was able to enjoy her for a few minutes on my lunch break.

Introducing Ella Faith Wiley...is she not the most beautiful little girl...

Sleeping and sporting her little hat I made her.

Not going to lie, I took a long lunch, I just couldn't get enough of her.

Just a little peanut

I cannot wait for all the other sweet little babies to get here. Baby Kaelyn arrived in February We have not met as she lives in Texas. And Baby Riley arrived a few weeks ago, but I don't have pictures with her for some odd reason. But she is beautiful and growing so fast!!!

We are still waiting on:

Baby Stein in September (not finding out the sex)

Baby Dunne in September (girl)

Baby Brazis in October (boy: Name is a secret)

Baby Heinold in November (girl: Mackenzie)

Baby Fleck in November (girl: Reese Josephine)

Baby Emlen in December (BOY: once mistaken for a girl, but it is definitely a boy)

Baby Knecht in February

It is going to be a BUSY BUSY year