Instafriday

Can you believe tomorrow is December 1st?

Crazypants, right? 

I also can't believe today is finally Friday. After last week's super short school week, this week has seemed to go by super slowly.

Last weekend we wrapped up the ISU football season with a cold home game. It was cold, it was windy but at least it was sunny. 

 

We are cool and yelled at the marching band to come over and play us a song. And then we took pictures with them...because our whole tailgate isn't lifelong band geeks or anything....ha.

Despite the weather, we actually had a really fun tailgate and even snagged a group picture (totally stealing this from you, Christa!). I love it.

 

 

 

We were about the only ones tailgating in our lot. It was windy and we had our tent tied to a tree and it still broke. :o( 

The Cyclones lost but for the most of the game I thought they had WVU beat. It was a great way to round out the Thanksgiving weekend and hope it continues to be a tradition. Go Cyclones!

 

(not an insta, but I'd thought I'd include this one of my sister, Michael and I!)

Happy Friday! 

Instafriday

Happy Friday! We made it through another week! And guess what? Next week is Thanksgiving!!

Are you excited? I am. I am making my grocery list today and doing a chunk of my grocery shopping this afternoon. I have next Wednesday off work to be a busy bee in the kitchen. I hope everything turns out just the way I am picturing it in my head.

Last Friday I had a day off of work because it was conferences week (and us teachers put in a whole day of work outside of school that week) and so I spent the day celebrating my actual 30th birthday. It was awesome.

First up was a visit to Scott's office where he took me out for a delicious BBQ lunch at my favorite place, Catus Bob's. Next was spending the whole day running errands like a mad woman while Michael was at daycare. I got so much done!

On Saturday, Scott had to work in the morning and so Michael and I hit the zoo since it was 70 degrees and sunny!! It was crazy! We had a great time and we especially had a fun time playing with the new camera on my new iphone 5....a very special birthday present for me. :o) I've had my old iphone since before Michael was born so I am happy to be back with current technology. It's awesome!

We spent the rest of my birthday weekend at home, just hanging out as a family and doing some projects (which I can't wait to share with you later!). We also had my favorite Sunday ever--early church in the morning followed by a big brunch complete with eggs, rolls and bacon. I even snuck a little nap in while I was reading a new book. Perfect day, right?

Unfortunately, it is has been back to reality for me this week with a very busy week at school. We are gearing up for our concert on Monday (eek!) but the good news is that after our concert I will have lots of time to be home with my family, eat turkey, and cheer on the Cyclones!

And plus, with as awesome of students as I have- as demonstrated by this homemade birthday cookie with musical notes frosting-- going to work is pretty fun. Have a great day!

 

InstaFriday

 

Happy Friday! 

Another week (almost) in the books- yay!

I am celebrating my 30th birthday this weekend (even though my actual birthday isn't until the 10th). 30. Three-zero. Wow.  

 

Last weekend the Cyclones won and it was such a fun game. I had a great time. I can't wait for tomorrow- beat the Sooners!! 

 

I had a little wine and cheese Usbourne Books party last night and it was super fun. Thanks to all the friends that came and joined me! I hope it was a good night to get out of the house and away from the kids for a bit.

 

Michael has been such a sweetheart lately. He is picking up new words every day, left and right. It is fun to me to listen to him talk. :o) He is a cutie pie.

Have a great Friday!

Instafriday

 

It's Friday!

Another week in the books. I think I am finally starting to get my energy back...it is a lot to start working 30+ hours a week after staying home all summer. I only took one nap this week (when I shut off my alarm on accident and slept for two hours...oy!) and I've gotten up every morning at 5:30 to hit the Y. I made a deal with myself that I would exercise every morning even if it was only for a little bit and so far I have been loving it. I am way too tired and unambitious after work and my early mornings have become a little mini therapy session to start off the day. And no matter how hard my day gets...it has to be easier than running on the treadmill or squatting 160 lbs, right?? :o) RIGHT!?! 

So far I am not noticing any differences besides the mental benefit but I'll take what I can get these days...

Anyway, instafriday!

 

We got a new HyVee. Scott and I went there *for fun* this week. We spent an hour wandering around. It is like the Whole Foods of HyVee. Lots of good things including the hugest craft brew selection I've ever seen. Scott was a kid in a candy shop! 

 

We took an impromtou walk around the pond earlier this week when the weather was nice. It is fun to see Michael and everything he takes in and absorbs. He is learning something new every day- so fun to watch. I need to start recording or writing down all the funny things he says...he is one giant sponge, that kid. 

 

I have monster zucchini that are still popping up in my garden so Michael and I had fun shredding them up and making a really yummy zucchini and chocolate bread, okay who I am kidding, cake. It gets the Michael stamp of approval! I shredded up a whole ziploc bag of zucchini and it is in the freezer just waiting for more fun things to make.

 

I am loving my new job but I am also just really missing spending time with Michael. He is changing every day and it just makes my heart so sad. I often think about how our life would be if Trace was here too and how big he would be now too. I just feel like life is so fleeting and I just want to take in as much as I can each day. The other day I got home after Michael had been in bed and I went in to say goodnight and he looked so grown up laying there on his pillow. It was one of those "wow" moments where I flashed forward and could see him as a 10 year old or 14 year old...hopefully I will still be kissing him goodnight then too. :o) 

Life is good. Happy Friday!! 

Instafriday

 

Happy Friday! 

It hardly seems like it can be the weekend already. Our fourth of July felt like a whole weekend in itself and we are still recovering from it--I guess I better get busy on all my chores before this weekend starts, huh? 

 

I've been trying to get up early and out in the yard at least one morning a week to fertilize plants and do general weed picking and plant trimming. It is so nice and I love the sense of peace it brings to my mornings. I wish it was so cool and quiet like that during the whole day! 

We kicked off our 4th of July weekend with boating with friends on Tuesday night and then with my brother and his fiance (for a few more weeks!) on Wednesday morning. Both days were excellent and the conditions were good. Scott was so proud of himself for getting up early and getting on the water by 7 a.m. and as we were pulling out around 10 is when it seemed like everyone was trying to put their boat in the water. It was a good way to start the day! Michael even jumped in the water both times and when we previously tried to get him to go in he screamed bloody murder and we felt like terrible parents! He has gotten so brave on the boat and good at wearing his life jacket- we are very proud of him.

 We ended the day in Boone with a BBQ at a friends house where there were 5 little 2 year olds for Michael to play with. He stayed and chilled in the sprinkler and watched Cars while Scott came with me to the municipal band concert. It was super hot but I think people enjoyed the patriotic music!  A good old fashioned fourth of July celebration was held and enjoyed. :o) 

Instagram Friday

Yay for Friday! It is a beautiful day here and we are excited for a really fun day. Here is our week in photos:

 

 Summer time means time for summer hair!

I treated myself to a new cut and color while Michael had lots of fun with our neighbor girl who came over to play with him (boy, was he excited to see someone other than boring mommy!). 

Dig, dig, digging under the deck. Is a boy's work ever done?

 

Michael asks to "play marching band"....oh buddy, you make my heart swell. 

 

"Get candy"  at Johnston Green Days Parade last weekend.

We celebrated Father's Day with an 12 mild bike ride on our favorite trail in the morning and ended up at the Flat Tire bar for burgers and beers. I surprised myself and hopped back on my bike after taking three summers off...wowzers! It was fun! Don't I look great? haha. 

Linking up today at life rearranged...check it out and join the fun!