Funny photo

This was taken in August when the kids had well child exams before school started.

Isn't this stinking funny!!!!

They were just waiting for the Dr.

Halloween pics

YES!!!  Halloween pictures!!  I forgot I have been taking some pictures on my cell phone---when I don't have my real camera with me.  So---they do not get downloaded and I forgot about them.  So, bare with me as I post some old photos --- trying to catch up and get all my 2009 pictures blogged before 2010 comes!!

We Trick or Treated to Grandpa and Grandma Balzer's during the day on Halloween!!  This still works well, the kids don't know it's not "right" to Trick or Treat in the daylight!!

It was a beautiful day with leaves EVERYWHERE!!  So, Grandpa helped us rake a HUGE pile of leaves to play in.  Well, it was Grandma's idea....

And, look at all the fun that was had.....forget the candy, give the kids leaves!!!

Pure Joy and Excitement!

Burying Grandma was quite funny!

And Kisses from Grandpa -- even in the leaves!!

Halloween 2009!!

Remembering Grandpa Cordray

Last week we had to say good-bye to Steve's Grandpa Cordray.  He is now in heaven and I know SO HAPPY with his wife, Evelyn!  Grandpa was 93 and it was his time, but it was still so sad.  Steve and I decided it was sad to have none of our grandparents left.

Last August we went to Marceline, Missouri to visit Grandpa Cordray.  This is one of my favorite pictures from that trip----Steve and his grandpa!

Isn't he so cute!!  So, relaxed and looks so happy!!

Not sure why Paige looks so mad :)

We took Grandpa to the park and got Sonic for lunch!  It was a FUN afternoon!

I am so glad we took this trip last year.  The kids remember going to the park and they remember Great Grandpa!!

This is Tyler when he was just a few months old.  Sweet memories!!

This is one of our FAVORITE pictures!!  This was when Grandma Cordray was in the nursing home.  Doesn't she look so happy here, holding sweet baby Tyler!

Proud Grandparents holding their Great-Grandson!!

We love you both and will miss you!!

Christmas traditions have begun

Our Countdown to Christmas Chain!

Simple enough---we make a chain and cut one off each morning to count down the days til Christmas.

This year Tyler was SUPER EXCITED that he could staple the chain together without any help.  He remembered that last year he couldn't do it!!

Paige just cut a bunch of pieces of paper--nothing to do with the chain, but she was happy!!

I made lines on a piece of paper for Jaden to cut on--but he "wanted to do it himself".  So, he drew his own lines (uneven, not straight, and all different sizes).  But, he drew himself some lines and then sort of cut on the lines he made.  I had to help Tyler notice "how good his links were" and explain that the links didn't have to be all the same size.  Jaden was excited to help!!

And, the completed chain.

Then, I put a label on each link that has something "Christmasy" to do on it.  The kids LOVE cutting the chain and seeing what the nights special activity will be.

Thus far we have:

rented a movie and had popcorn

wrote letters to Santa

read the Christmas story out of the Bible

went and looked at Christmas lights (we'll do this one again!)

read a Christmas book

played a family game

Tomorrow is our favorite----a candy-cane hunt in the dark with flashlights!!  They loved this one last year!!

Another favorite I am looking forward to and is new this year---a snowball fight.... INSIDE... with crumbled up paper balls!  They will LOVE this!!

Other things on our list:

go for ice-cream

make treats for neighbors

make Christmas cards and mail to someone

buy a gifts for a family off the Angel Tree

Breakfast with Santa (this is Sat. morning)

going to a Christmas play (This is Fri. morning)

sleep in the tent in the basement

kids pick the meal

eat by candle-light (we haven't done this one before, but I've heard it's great)

hmmm....that's all I can think of right now!

One more football game

The tradition continues!!

This is the 3rd year we have gone with the Wilkinson's to the K-State/Nebraska football game!!  As you can see---they LOVE Nebraska!!  We LOVE K-State!!!

Of course the boys like to tail-gate...even if it's just a few beers in the parking lot!!  Steve offered to bring the beer this year----because he found PURPLE beer cans in Manhattan!!  Go CATS!!!!  Brian was a little suspicious and did guess the purple cans, but we didn't give in to telling him, until he opened the cooler to see for himself!!  Cheap thrills, even when you're in your 30's!!

The girls!!  All bundled up and ready for the cold weather.  It turned out to be an AWESOME night for football!!

This is the 2nd year the game has been at Nebraska (that we've gone too.)  I think I was more into K-State football this year or something, because it was more fun.  And, I noticed the stadium more this year.  WOW---the Nebraska stadium is HUGE!!!  It's bigger than the Chiefs stadium.  I mean HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!

The itinerary is usually about the same each year.  We spend the night in KC--no matter where the game is being played.  Then, we either drive to Manhattan or Nebraska!!  The reason we stay in KC is so Becky and I can SHOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

We usually get 75% or more of our Christmas shopping done this weekend.  IT IS SO FUN!!!!!!  We both have Suburbans and whichever we take---WE FILL IT UP!!  Literally.  The back and the 3rd row were stacked to the TOP with luggage and then shopping bags.  What a HIGH!!!  (At least for Becky and I).

So--we left town Friday at 9am.  Shopped in KC until about 9pm when we met the Oekens for dinner.  The entire drive to KC is finalizing our lists, checking out toy magazines, and planning our shopping schedule.  The boys wanted to check into the hotel before 10pm, but there was no time for that!!  Sat. morning we shopped at The Legends before heading to Nebraska for the game.  Back to the hotel at 1am to smell our neighbors smoking weed!!!  Really!!  THEN---Sunday morning we got up and went to the Cheifs/Steelers game.  

NOW--- I could have done without this.  I finally did (sort of) get into the game the 2nd half, just in time for it to go into OVER-TIME!!!!!!!!  oh my....  Steve thought that was pretty funny.  It was cold and I have no idea who any of the players are or anything about these teams, so it just wasn't interesting to me!!  Brian is a HUGE Steelers fan---so he was in HEAVEN!!!  

So--until next year!!  Maybe K-State will win next year, we've lost the last 3 years.

Tyler and Jaden in Manhattan

Steve got to take Tyler and Jaden both to the K-State / Missouri game!!  Grandpa Roth went with them and they had a BOYS DAY!!  It was reported that both boys--but especially Jaden--asked questions the ENTIRE drive to Manhattan.  And, I can only imagine because that boy likes to talk !!!

Before the game they got to meet Willie!!  Tyler drew him a picture in the car and proudly gave it to him.  Jaden was scared of Willie and wouldn't get his picture taken with him!!

All the fans got flags when they entered the stadium---very cool for the kids to wave!!

The last half of the game the boys were able to stand at the bottom of their section next the railing (there were lots of extra seats there!)  And, what are the odds.....that Tyler would run into his best bud from school---among all those fans in the huge stadium.  Well, he did.  He found Ethan and spent the last half hanging out with him.  HOW FUN!!!!  Here they met the Missouri Tiger!!

And the highlight---the boys got on the JUMBO-TRON!!  Here's a picture Steve took of the screen!!  As soon as Jaden was on the screen, he turned his head.  oh man....  But, everyone thought it was cool to be on the BIG SCREEN!!!

Here's to many more K-State games with the kids!!

K-State football

Yes--Football season is over for K-State this year.  No North Championship.  No Bowl game!

But, we did beat KU and I was there!!!! 

It was the most beautiful day EVER!!!  We were actually hot in just a long-sleeve t-shirt.  Steve wished he had worn shorts!!  And, remember, it was November.

I thought it was really funny that the trainers had to go get GIANT FANS to plug in for the players---in November!!!

A sea of purple.

Charging the field after KSU beats KU!!!!!!

Proof!!!  

The sun was SO bright this picture didn't turn out the greatest.  But, I still wanted to put it on the page!  Larry and Linda bought Steve and I's tickets to the game!!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!  We had so much fun.

And, now...

my dreams of my family owning a boat and spending our summers together at the lake, I think are officially over.  I LOVED this as a kid growing up.  Every weekend in the summer we would boat and /or camp.  It was great quality FAMILY TIME!!!

But, I am pretty sure our family tradition will be going to K-State football games together.  Steve is DYING to get season tickets.  And, I actually do think it will be FUN!!  We will tail-gate, take outdoor games for the kids to play in the parking lot and just make a day of it!!   I'll still get a tent, just not a sleeping tent, more of a canopy tent!  We'll grill and eat and it will be lots of fun!!!  Not sure when this tradition will start for sure.  But, I know it won't be soon enough for Steve!!