And two years later....

I'm not sure what made me think of the blog tonight. At this point, I can't even remember the original reason I picked up my laptop. (I know there was a reason...I just can't remember what it was.) My last blog post was two years ago, which makes me sad. Life has been hectic, and two years ago, I also created an email just for my blog and guess what? I forgot what that email was. Somehow I managed to track it down through an old message in my regular email. Clever, huh? (I have my moments.).

So, let's see if I can tell you about the last two years, wrapped up in a nutshell. I just completed my second year of teaching. (Hooray!) I'm currently working on my master's degree and I'm half-way finished! (Another hooray!) I'm taking an education research class this summer, which doesn't make it much of a summer. (No hooray here.) The hubby is currently off of work with some back issues. (Deja vu?) The kids have grown. (A lot!) I'm pretty sure the ten year old and I are currently tied at the same height. The older three have left me in the dust. However, it is nice to not have to stand on a chair to reach things. I just holler for one of the kids and they help me out (not without throwing in a jab about my height, of course).

Mr. B is now 16 and driving himself around town (cue the gray hair). He has his first job working at a fast food restaurant in town. So far, he is really liking it (and the discounted food). Bear is currently on a mission trip with his confirmation group, which means it's pretty quiet around here. His birthday is coming up in just a few short days. He's going to be 15 this year! The princess celebrated her 13th birthday last week. (Yes, we managed to successfully get another one to teenage-hood.) She has a new kitty, who is very, very naughty. My baby boy has been playing baseball. He was selected for the all-star team and is really excited about the tournament coming up.

The whole family on Mother's Day - May 2015

That's all for tonight. Oh my gosh...I posted on my blog. Stop. The. Press. Who knows...maybe I'm starting a new trend for myself, or at least bring back an old trend.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you didn't fall over from shock! :)

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

I can't wait to tell you all about it!!

Blessings,

Stephanie :)

 

The Summer Bucket List - Part 2

 

After getting online to blog tonight, I realized that I still had an unpublished post in my "draft" box. It was the part 2 of our summer bucket list from last summer (2012). I had all of the photos uploaded, but nothing written. So, I'm going to try to go through this and see if I can remember what we did last summer!

 A trip to Big Creek.

 

 

 

Shaylen decided to make Emmitt into a star!

 

Ah yes, this would be Bear and Shay's camping trip to Springbrook. As you may be able to tell by the look on Shay's face, she freaked out at the last minute and did NOT want to go. She did end up going and she did have a good time, but yikes - I felt like such a bad Mommy! :(

 



The kiddos + friend Ashlynn ready for the Summer Fest parade!

 



I couldn't believe it was so difficult to get one good picture. In the picture above this one, Brayton isn't looking at the camera, and in this one, Jaron has his eyes closed. Ha!

Listening to some awesome tunes at the bandstand.

 



Fun at the carnival!

 



Julie and Ashylnn in motion!

I thought it was cute that the boys were still "young" enough for this ride. :)

And he still waves to Mom...I love it!

Cavy was soooo excited to ride the Tilt-A-Whirl with Jaron!

It did not go well...

Bumper cars!

Just a pic of the ferris wheel because I thought it was so pretty.

 

The Downtown Farmers Market in Des Moines.

Madison County Covered Bridges

Jaron missed out on the fun.

We didn't get to go inside John Wayne's Birthplace, but Brett was pretty excited just to be on the front steps! :)

Brett & the statue of The Duke

I loved this little one room schoolhouse by one of the bridges. Once again, we didn't get to go inside, but it was still neat to see.

Bathroom break, anyone?

Just a detail from the gate.

My handsome boy.

We stopped by the freedom rock on the way home from our tour of the bridges.

It was very moving. I'm glad the kids got to see it.

2012 Sports Life Camp at our church!

Cavy participated in the football program.

Shay did art!

I had the great pleasure of playing photographer for the week!

This was fun day (I don't normally wear pigtails).

Bowling for Ashlynn's birthday!

Shay & Cavy joined in for the last couple games of our church's soccer league.

John Deere night @ the I-Cubs!

 

We brought Oma & Papa along!

This lady sat in front of me and dug in her ear all night long. I literally almost puked.

Cavy LOVED the whole night!

It ended with some awesome fireworks (the lady continued to dig in her ears during the fireworks too - I know you were wondering).

 

Brett's sister and niece came for a visit from Fargo, so we loaded up the kids and went to the State Historical Museum. Loads of fun for FREE and another item to check off the bucket list!

I love that my husband is a good sport!

 

 

The kiddos with cousin Naomi outside of the museum.

 

We then drove up the road to the Iowa State Capitol Building.

 

 

 

The view of the city from the steps of the Capitol.

 

It was a fun day!

 

This was NOT on the bucket list, but I was surprised to see how much my little girl's feet were growing. She enjoyed trying on this sparkly high heels, but they did not come with us. :)

Back to school shopping with Oma. :)

What a goofball!

 

Brett volunteered at the Iowa State Fair for Deere.

 

I went on a different day with some good friends from church to support our awesome praise band, Risen!

This picture still makes me laugh. :)

Yep, these are my good friends from CHURCH posing by the Prisoner Transport van. Ha!

A little corn dog fun with Laura and Traci!

Me and two of my dear friends!

 

 

And that must've been all she wrote, for that is where the pictures end. We had a fun but busy summer last year! Looking at all of these pictures makes me very excited for this summer! It will be the first summer since 2009 that I will NOT be taking classes!! Yippee!! Well, I'm glad to get this post out of my draft box. Thanks for taking a little trip down memory lane with me.

 

Blessings,

~S