Merry Christmas!

All of the kids are at a wonderful age to really go all out when it comes to Christmas traditions. Here is a picture of Gunnr and Wylie with their "cousins" Jillian, Jack, Joey, and little Molly. They all have their pajamas on and are ready to go to sleep so they can see what Santa brings them in the morning.
It's morning time! We make the kids wait at the top of the stairs, so we can gather all of the adults, so they can watch.
Santa brought Gunnar just what he wanted, a Mega Spinosaurus.

Santa also brought Wylie what she had been wanting, which was a Baby Alive doll. Baby Alive can speak, eat, drink, pee, and poop. She is quite the doll let me tell you!

Dad got a good picture of Gunnar and Wylie looking pleased with their Santa gifts.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Cherryvale's first big snow happened early Saturday morning and the kids had to get out and play, of coarse. Wylie thought the snow was tasty, although I did warn her of the yellow kind. Gunnar threw many snowballs at his mother and sister and made a pretty good snow angel on the deck. Knowing Gunnar, the ground was probably a little too dirty for him to lay down on and make a snow angel. After they took off their wet clothes they thought it was a good time for some hot chocolate.

Only 5 more days till Christmas break for us school workers and this year we do not have to go back until January 7th! It should be a good break for me at least. We are meeting Josh's family in Gore, Oklahoma at a vacation house that is big enough for every family to have their own room. It's amazing, 20 people get together for the holiday. We leave the 23rd and may even stay till the morning of the 27th. Not only do Gunnar and Wylie get to play with their cousins for that period of time, but the house is set up with pool table, foesball table, karaoke machine, fire pit, and plasma tv. It will be even more fun with the kids on Christmas morning! Wylie's wondering how her Baby Alive is going to fit in her stocking and days later Gunnar said to me "how's my Meg Spinosaurus going to fit in my stocking?" Gunnar and Wylie are at great age right now, they are so fun! I hope that everyone who reads this has a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Second Yellow Tip...

Gunnar recieved his second Yellow tip last night, so I thought I would post the pictures that I took. The man who is given him his belt is Master Lewis.

Another Yellow Tip to the White Belt...Next Stop Yellow Belt!

Gunnar had his test to move up in belts last night, unfortunately I did not take very good pictures, but I will post a few anyway. He did a great job! At the end he got to break a board. I attempted to get a picture of this and it did not turn out.
The name of the studio is Christian Karate Academy, so before they begin their test there is a prayer.
Here is Gunnar doing a what I think is a front punch. They kids are in another room, but parents and family members can watch behind glass. That is what the glare is from, I forgot to turn off my flash.
Toward the end the kids get to do a little sparing before they go up to break the board. After the testing was over Gunnar decided he wanted to spend is $2 that he received from the Tooth Fairy on a smoothie from Sonic. Gunnar had a tooth growing in behind his two bottom front teeth, which were already loose, so the dentist went ahead and pulled both of them. Gunnar thought that the tooth fairy was pretty sneaky, since she manage to fit two dollars bills into the tiny treasure chest he had put his teeth in under his pillow.

Wylie's First Hair Cut!

At least a trim anyway. With her being 4 years old and all Josh and I thought it was about time to take her to the beauty shop. Josh took her to Tulsa today. They had a father-daughter outing together and just happened to run into Santa Clause. She wasn't sure at first, but Josh told her now would be a good time to tell Santa what you want for Christmas. After she was done telling him about the Baby Alive Doll she wanted, she came back to tell Santa what her brother was also wanting for Christmas, which was very thoughtful of her. Wylie recently had parents night at dance class where I caught a few clips on my camera. I am going to try and post them on the blog once I get to my laptop at school. She really did a good job and her dance instructor picked her to be the leader that night.

Are We Still in Kansas?

Well, I managed to get a picture of Wylie...Gunnar on the other hand insisted that I not take his picture, unfortunatly. We had a good time trick-or-treating, Josh had to work at the fire station, but we picked him up so that he could take the kids down Main Street.

Fall is in the Air!

Fall is my favorite time of the year, and there is no better way to ring in the new season than by making jack-o-lanterns while drinking hot apple cider (hot chocolate for the kids) on a cool rainy evening.

Check out my Slide Show!

I republished the slide show, this time without the music.

Go Wildcats!

Last Saturday went to Manhattan to take the kids to their very first college football game. K-State beat Missouri State 61-10. Although, it was not the most exciting game we had a great time none the less. Our seats were 30 rows back from the field, but the kids just had to go up to the top as you can see by the picture above of Gunnar.

Happy 4th Birthday Wylie Jade!

Wylie took cupcakes to pre-school yesterday and woke up to pink streamers and balloons at the bottom of the stairs this morning, opened presents after we all got home from school, and then this evening we went to the football game where she got to cheer all 2nd quarter and dance during half-time with the high school cheerleader. Here is some footage (I promise during the dance I had nothing to drink...you will see what I mean).

Extra Curricular Activities

Gunnar has been taking Karate class for the last month and Wylie has been to dance class twice now. They both really seem to be enjoying it. It sure is fun to watch!

Three Decades!

Well, I turned 30 years old last week, which it seems like yesterday that I was in elementary school wondering what I was going to be when I go up. I have to say… I couldn’t have asked for anything more than what I have now. When I look back at my youth as a struggling student with divorced parents, I am very thankful that my dad’s level-head has been passed on to me. I have always thought of myself as an optimistic person who looks at every experience (good or bad) as an opportunity to learn. One of my students (who’s life story so far is not so perfect either) told me, “You have the perfect life Mrs. DeWeese, with your kids (boy then girl), nice house, nice cars, an education, and a good job”, the response I had for her was, “I have to admit, I’m blessed, plus I have made good choices in my life.” I explained to her that bad things happen to a lot of people and you can either do bad things because of it, or learn from it. So, as far as me turning 30, it’s kind of a bummer that another decade has passed me by, but as far as where I am at this point in my life, it’s amazing and rewarding.

Trip to the Wichita Zoo

We met my Dad at the zoo this weekend and had a great time. I knew that we had better get together with them before school starts up again. I can't believe that in 8 days work starts up again. It's been a great summer and should be an interesting and busy year. This 1st semester should be challenging! I have all knew math textbooks, new 7 period schedule, two classes for masters degree along with practicum project and log hours, plus I have decided to start coaching again. I am going to be the head junior high volleyball coach his year and I am looking forward to it. Coaching makes you a little more active, more involved with the students, and not to mention the paycheck is nice. I kind of figured that once the kids were a little older I would get back into it and the opportunity turned out to be the right one. I will be sure and post my teams progress. Anyway, here are some pictures from the zoo trip.

Here is a good picture of my dad with Josh, Wylie, and Gunnar enjoying a snow cone on what was probably the hottest day of the year.

You don't get to see a lion up close often. This lion was laying right next to the glass. He would set up every once in awhile so we could get a really good look at him.

We had quite crew at the zoo. From left to right Jesse (my brother), Jeff (my youngest brother), Tim (my sister's friend), Abbie (my sister's friend), Jake (my sister's boy friend), Chris (my sister), and Josh with Wylie on his shoulders. Not the mention myself, my dad, Gunnar, and Cindy were also at the zoo. I must say that the kids did a wonderful job walking around the zoo. Man...they were sure tired when they got back into the car.

I thought that this was a good picture of Gunnar with this Uncle Jeff and Jesse. I can hardly believe how much they have grown. Josh and I had our first date 12 years ago at the zoo. We took all three of my siblings. Jeff would have been 2 years old. I remember Jeff on top of Josh's shoulders drinking a Mountain Dew so fast that it was dripping onto Josh's head. Josh said that he didn't care, he knew that Jeff was thirsty.

Congratulaions Josh!!!

Josh received he results back from the National Emergency Technician Boards that he took on July 7th and he passed! He is now a certified EMT! Josh had been a volunteer fire fighter while we were living in Oswego and volunteered at Cherryvale's department a little over a year ago. He says that he has learned so much on this department and they gave him great opportunity and financial help to be an EMT. He has been taking evening classes every Tuesday and Thursday since January, not to mention he has been taking masters classes with me every Monday night. I know that it has been a lot of hard work for him and I sure am proud of him for accomplishing his goal. He is not giving up his day job as a teacher or anything, but he is going to go on calls and volunteer a couple of nights a month. Congratulations Josh!

Summer Vacation

We spent a few days at Grandma and Grandpa DeWeese's house. This gave us an opportunity to go down to the creek to relax, canoe, fish, and swim. Gunnar caught his first fish at this part of the stream with his Sponge Bob fishing pole, which I must say was not the littlest fish that I have ever seen, considering that I am almost 30 years old and have never caught a fish. Let me just say that it was exciting and I was so proud that he caught it all by himself. After our many hours spent down at the place on the creek named "Mother's Day", by the DeWeese family, Josh and Wylie took and four-wheeler ride to the lane where Papaw and the kids go to throw rocks in the creek. Wylie also caught her first fist with the Disney princess fishing pole. Not at big as Gunnar's fish, it fit nicely in Josh's hand, although she too caught it all by herself. I wish that I had pictures of these two firsts, but I don't. I did not bring my camera on this trip (of course, I found it when I got back) and papaw's camera ran out of batteries when the Gunnar caught his fish. What can you do??? Here are some pictures taken by Josh's dad from he creek expedition.

As I unfortunately said before, I am almost 30 years old and this was my first canoe trip. Josh and I paddled down the creek and he said that I did very well. Balance is the key you know!

Gunnar was starting to get the hang of casting out. I was not to sure about the live worms. Grandma had to help me out with putting the worms on the hook. (I can't handle the way the worms move from the sharp poke of the hook...who can blame them? Really?)

Although this looks like Gunnar is caught in a tree branch, he isn't. He and Wylie ended up doing really well on their casting out.

Wylie's pole is not doing to well in this picture. I really published this picture because I thought is was pretty good.

This may be the reason why Wylie gets whats she wants most of the time. It's a pitiful site. Josh especially can't hardly stand it.

Ten Year Anniversary!

Josh and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary on the 12th of July. We celebrated the day by hanging out with the kids and throwing some nice steaks on the grill. We both agreed that it has not seemed like 10 years have passed or that we have known each other over 12 years. Throughout the years Josh and I have attended quite a few weddings, and looking at them now, a good portion of them have ended in divorce or have had there problems. We feel fortunate that we have managed keep our marriage steady and strong. Our secret... compromise, trust, and friendship, because at the end of the day there is no one else we would rather hang out with than each other.

Happy 4th of July!

We got the backyard all ready for swimming, grilling, and for setting off a few fire works of our own. Although, I must say the neighbors all around us put on a better show. We like to call it Baghdad in Cherryvale.

Picture in Front of Rose Bushes a Yearly Tradition?

It was a year ago that I took this picture of the kids by the rose bush that is front of our house. You have a window of time when the roses are in full bloom and I thougt that I might be able to make the picture a yearly tradition if I could manage not to kill the roses while living at 5th and Cherry Street. Well...as you can see from this years picture the kids are not exactly in to having their picture taken together. Wylie tried to stand next to her brother, but unfortunately he was in one of the moods where he's not wanting his picture taken. I may still have time to get Gunnar in a picture taking mood. If I succeed I will get it posted.

Memorial Day Weekend Adventure

We spent the Memorial Day weekend at Grandma and Grandpa DeWeese's house. This weekend was a good time to get together with Gunka Joe to celebrate his 37th birthday.
The kids played for hours blowing bubbles on the swing set. They called the area "The Bubble Kingdom".
It was amazing how long the bubbles would stay in the grass.
Gunnar got to go for a canoe ride down the creek for the first time this weekend. This creek runs right behind Grandma and Grandpa's house. Josh has spent countless hours as a boy at this creek.

A nice dip in the jacuzzi for Wylie, Gunnar, and cousin Jillian. They slept all night in the tent with Josh.
One of many rides on the four-wheeler, even in the forest!
Playing on the swing set.
Playing ninja turtles with plastic swords secured safely in the underwear.

Graduation Day

Gunnar graduated from Kindergarten today! Josh and I are so proud of him. Except for a few mornings of "I don't want to go to school", which we solved with slushy at lunch for an easy morning, and some time outs for making flatulent noises with his mouth, Gunnar managed to "light a fire" as him and his teacher would call it, and make it through to the end of the year. His favorite class ended up being P.E., library, and the learning lab (computer class). Josh and I are amazed at how well he reads, and I must say that he is not too shabby at working with numbers. Gunnar and Wylie are done with school now, but Josh and I have only 2 more days til summer break! Yepee!