State Fair

Every year since Joel and I started dating we’ve went to the state fair, well that is except the year I was in the hospital after giving birth to Kaitlynn. Sometimes Joel has had to work, sometimes we go just for a meeting, and other times we go to have a good time as a family.

This year we were fortunate enough to have my step sister come along with us. It was great for me to have an extra set of hands, and that way we could let Joel watch the cow show and go about our business. We also took Dahrran out of school for a fun “family day.”

Just starting the day out. Let me tell you, if you have kids close in age this stroller is THE BEST! It is SO worth the money. The best part is it grows with you, we’re about out growing it, but it does fit all three kids if need be.

 

Checking out the Longhorns. Dahrran LOVES Longhorn cattle.

Only family picture of the day…

Checking out the Clydesdales

 

We even checked out a few “shows”

 

They got “Pee Wee”, named not because he was small, but because he peed a lot!

The goal was to see who’s frog could jump the farthest. Everyone won a frog “trophy” that consisted of a plastic cup and a squeaker frog hot glued to the top. They got a kick out of it, but Dahrran didn’t want to touch the frog. Considering these are the kids who catch toads all summer long, it was quite the sight to see!

This was a high diving show. If you look closely there is a guy standing at the top. It was a really neat show, and I’m glad we took the time to sit and watch it.

There was a place that you could go “fishing.” It was basically a big pool, and they gave you a stick with fishing line and a hook with a worm. We couldn’t catch anything but one of the guys caught one and Kaitlynn loved it.

 

And then there were the Plasma Cars. I’m telling you, if anyone wants to buy my children these I will not stop you! They are AWESOME!!! Even adults can use them…or college kids! ;)

Tuckered out at the end of the day.

If you noticed she still had her binky in these pictures. We “lost” it for a while, and then mommy caved and gave it back to her because of teething. We have since “lost” it again for good. One day I was tired of trying to understand her through her binky and when she woke up from nap they were all gone. I told her we threw them away. The first week was hard, and it still is hard if she gets hurt. She will sit here and just cry “binky, inky, binky, inky.”

~Amanda~

Bits and Pieces

We’ve been super busy, or shall I say when we’re not busy I don’t feel much like blogging, or downloading pictures, or crud taking pictures for that matter. When I finally put pictures on the computer there were 398 pictures on my camera, and it had been over a month since I’d put them on the computer! I’ve decided I’m just going to put them up, and go from there.

Fun one of Kaitlynn

 

MacKenzie’s First day of School. Grandma Schoen was able to be there as well.

 

Kaitlynn’s actual Birthday. Grandma made her cupcakes while I was at work.

This is how she preferred to eat her cupcake. Or smash it as she would.

Sending Grandma Schoen back to Canada. MacKenzie was NOT happy to see her go. She cried harder than I did. This girl is in love with her Grandma Schoen.

 

Just us Girls

 

After looking through the pictures I’m just going to schedule posts for them. There are WAY too many pictures to put in one post. I will make each thing their own post, and HOPEFULLY catch up soon! Monday is Columbus Day, and so I’ve got the day off, which means a quiet day planned other than preschool!

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I didn't fall off the face of the earth. I have a TON of pictures to post. Stay tuned...maybe this week will be the week!

Happy 2nd Birthday Kaitlynn Elizabeth

Kaitlynn’s Birthday was the 25th of August. My mom was able to be here for her birthday which was pretty neat considering mom was here when Kaitlynn was born as well. We only usually do a big party for the kids’ 1st birthdays, and then do a small grandparents party every birthday after that.

Kaitlynn couldn’t decide what she wanted on her cake, but she didn’t seem to care either way. The girl “toad”ally loves frogs/toads, and so I figured why not.  Aunt Bridget was even cool enough to get her Frog pj’s, a Frog Book, and a stuffed Frog!

 

First Days of School

The first day of school seemed earlier this year, but in fact it was  few days later than normal. Maybe it’s because summer seemed to fly by with my “new” schedule. Dahrran was ready to be a first grader, but wasn’t too excited about his teacher. She is a new teacher, and he’d had the other teacher all through summer school. After the first day he was fine with her, and he hasn’t said a word about not having the other teacher since.

He didn’t want to take First day pictures, but then I told him we could do them on his bike if he gave me ONE good smile. I ended up taking 5 pictures, but I got my one.

   

Being as we missed the first day of school due to my grandpa’s funeral I had to do the whole “first day pictures” thing on the “second” day of school. The other kids at the bus stop gave me some dirty looks, but oh well!

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Next up on the blog list, Kaitlynn’s Birthday!

Family Gatherings

About three weeks ago I was getting ready to go back to work when I got the call. My sister had heard from my aunt who lives closest to my grandpa. He had passed away. It was quite the shock considering he wasn’t “sick” at all. Grandpa had been living in the nursing home battling a disabling disease called Althzimers. It’s a nasty disease, and I hope that I don’t have to put my own family through it.

After we got over the initial shock of it all, it was time to make plans. My mom was scheduled to fly out the next day and be here late at night, the funeral was the next day. With funerals usually come tears, but also come joys of family gatherings. Just thought I’d share a few pictures we took that day. It was a beautiful day, and I know Grandpa would’ve enjoyed it!

Deb, Mark, Mom, Gene, Tina   
 
 

Had to get a silly one!

Deb, Mark, Mom, Gene, Tina, and Grandma Chapman

My aunt Tina and her family (-2 grandkids)

Grandma and us

Grandma with all of the grand kids
(-2 who choose not to be part of the family)

 
We added in all the Great Grandchildren. We were missing my cousin Donny’s two kiddos.
And then missing my cousins, who doesn’t speak to us, two kids.
So total there are 11 Grandchildren and 8 (+1) Great-Grandchildren.

Here my mom is telling MacKenzie about her middle name. She is the 3rd in a line of Wylene’s who started with my great aunt Jimmy. So it’s my Great Aunt, Mom and MacKenzie Wylene.

Girls 3 generation picture. Then a 4 Generation picture with all the kids. We did get one of just the girls with mom and grandma, but thought I’d show you the one with all the kiddos.

Uncle Mark and his girl Kaitlynn. Don’t let this girl fool you, she was a fool for him. Would give him kisses, and everything but wouldn’t go to another soul.

Last but not least. My sister Bridget, Mom, Me and my baby sister Lindsey.