Back in Gymnastics!

So Wylie started Gymnastics a year ago in January and both Gunnar and Wylie took classes over the summer, then when Fall came around they took a break (mainly because I had to coach). Gunnar and Wylie have both been asking if they can go back to Mr. Casey's class, which is in Chanute (30 miles away). I have to admit I looked around at other studio's for something closer, but it boiled down to the fact that its a really good place to take the kids, you will see how cool the place is on the video. Gunnar and Wylie love the trampolines and they get to jump for 30 minutes each class. So they are now back at "The Launching Pad" and I even got them in the same class, which Gunnar wasn't to sure about at first, but doesn't mind now. Last class I took some video clips on my camera and made it into one movie, which is part of the reason why it took me so long to post...plus I couldn't figure out how to get it onto the blog. Anyway, here is the "movie"(it only last a couple of minutes).

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

It's 2009! Were Back to Work!

Not much tell right now. We had a nice visit at my Mom's in Coldwater, which I posted a few pictures of the kids playing out in the pasture. Josh had a lot of fun watching Gunnar interact with the horses. Gunnar would crouch down amongst all five horses and wait till one would come up to him, so that he could pet him. From Coldwater we drove on to Augusta and stayed at my Dad's house. I got to play pitch with my brothers and also see my step-grandma. Gunnar and Wylie always have a good time at Papaw Tony's, but they were pretty excited for New Years Eve, mainly because they get to stay in a hotel room, swim, and play with their cousins. After Dad's we went on to El Dorado, where the New Years Eve Party was held at the Holiday Inn...Gunka Joe met us there and shared a room. This is our second year spending New Years with Dustin and Randi and we had a great time (we always have a good time hanging out with them). I posted a picture of the "Rock Band" that was played most of the evening. Christina is playing the drums, Brad on base, Dustin singing, and Josh is playing the guitar, it was really pretty fun to watch. they rarely got booed off the stage.

When you gotta go you gotta go! I caught Gunnar urinating on top of the hill out in the middle of the pasture at my mom's house. I took this picture probably 100 yards away. I thought it was kind of funny!

Wylie ended up joining Gunnar up on the hill. They also had a good time going to feed the cattle with Delmar that morning.

New Year's Eve Rock Band! Looking back on 2008 I had a good year and I am looking forward to what 2009 brings. I hope all who reads this has a great year!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I thought I would share some pictures from Christmas that we spent Joplin, MO with Josh's parents and brother. We will also make a stop at my Mother's in western Kansas and my Dad's here in the next couple of days. Hopefully, I will get some good picture when I visit that I can share.
So to start off, I decided to make sugar cookies from scratch this year with the kids. I thought it would be something fun for them to do, to eat, and to give to Santa Clause. This is my first time ever making sugar cookies by the way, I even had to buy cookie cutters. Overall I thought they turned out well and even tasted pretty good. Now I do have to admit that Wylie helped me roll out the dough, Gunnar and Wylie both cut out some cookies with the cutters, but as far as frosting them...Wylie frosted one cookie and proceeded to eat it and Gunnar came into the kitchen saw a frosted cookie and also proceeded to eat it as well. Therefore, I was left to frost the cookies on my own. Funny, I thought the kids would enjoy frosting the cookies the most.

Sugar Cookies before...

Sugar Cookies After!

There were a couple of web site that would track Santa. We all had a good time watching for a awhile. We even got out a world map so that we could tell exactly where Santa was and how far he was from Joplin. Gunnar and Wylie both got pretty silly while they were watching Santa's every move, so you will see a few pictures below of their silliness.

A nuggie from brother!

The kids ended the evening as usual with letters to Santa. Gunnar asked for a D-Rex and Wylie wrote that she had changed her mind that she also wanted a Littlest Pet Shop VIP with her Easy Bake Oven.

I have to admit Gunnar's D-Rex is pretty cool!

And Santa happened to have a special bag to reach into, so that he could give Wylie her last minute change for her Littlest Pet Shop VIP.

One of the big presents from Mamaw and Papaw this year was the Green Machine. Both Gunnar and Wylie had a blast driving it in the parking lot next to the house. After only a couple of turns Gunnar was making it go as fast as he could then hitting the breaks and making a sharp turn as the same time, which would make him whip around fast.

I was pleased to see that Wylie really didn't have much trouble making it go. The steering will take a little practice, but for the most part she did a good job.

Overall, we had a wonderful Christmas! We sure feel like we are very blessed! I hope all my friends and family had a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Programs

Wylie had her dance recital last Sunday. They tap danced to Jingle Bells. I, of coarse, thought she did a wonderful job! I took a picture of her and Halle before they went on stage. They do not let you take flash photography during the program. And for those of you who knew about Josh's hunting trip...he made it back Sunday evening safely from South Dakota. He said he had a great time and shot well. Gunnar also had a Christmas program last Thursday. I didn't get any pictures of him, because I had to take Wylie to rehearsal and get her pictures taken then come straight to the program, which we barely made it on time, which means there were no good seats left. Oh I was in the front row, but unfortunately that meant the piano was blocking my sons whole body! Anyway, the k-3rd graders came back on the stage for a finally and I saw him singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas"! This is good for Gunnar because when I talked to him about the program he said that if he had to sing Silent Night one more time his head would explode! Ha! Ha! Music is not one of his favorite classes in school.

Holiday Confession

When it comes to holiday decorations I am CHEAP! I never buy ornaments or decorations, I think it is a waist of money. You know I have to take that back, I bought a bag of old ornaments for quarter at a garage sale this year! (No really, I got a good deal on these ornaments, and I like to think they look vintage. Ha! Ha!) The 3 foot tree that you see is a fiber optic that Joe gave us 4 years ago, which is how I aquire decore for any holiday. Thank goodness every year that Gunnar and Wylie are in school we get more and more ornaments and decorations that they have made themselves, which are my favorite. We decorated the tree this evening and thought that I would share some of the things that I get out every year. And I have to say... I think the tree looks great!

I like to put some of the kids' art on the tree, like the wreath Wylie made last year out of a paper plate (it's around the polar bear). Towards the bottom left you see a reindeer made out from a trace of Gunnar's foot and two hands. Wylie has one like it on the other side. They made the reindeer when the were 2 and 4 years old.

This is a Santa Clause that Gunnar made in preschool that I hang up every year. I think the cottonballs are a nice touch!

Another Santa Clause made by Gunnar when he was in kindergarten. Pretty good coloring for a boy who doesn't like to color. Very colorful too I must say!


I like to set these houses out on our side tables every year. The house to the very right was given to me by my dad and Cindy. As far as the other two, I have no idea where they came from, but I definitely know that I did not buy them.


This manger scene was my Grandma and Grandpa Streid's, which actually stays in our viewing cabinet year around. I like it a lot and I remember that it was always set out during the holiday season at my Grandparent's house in Illinois.


Another Christmas decoration that stays in the cabinet year around are from Grandma and Grandad DeWeese's. These Human Beans (get it?) are one of Josh's favorite decorations that his grandmother set out every year.

After reading this, I realize this post may not be real interesting to anyone, but it really makes a person sentimental when you get things out that you haven't seen in a year.

Thanksgiving Fun!

Another fun holiday with the January's (Josh's mother's family), 15 adults, 7 children, a four night stay in one cabin on the lake in Arkansas, and tons of good food! Pictures are in no particular order. This actually took me around 4 days to post because when I got back from Thanksgiving I got sick. Actually sick enough that I took my first sick day (for myself) in 3 years, but I am feeling much better now and know one in the house has come down with it either (knock on wood).

Here is a picture of the cabin that we stayed in, it actually belongs to Dustin's aunt, which I am happy to say our cousin Randi and Dustin recently got engaged. And I am not just saying that because of the cabin. Ha! Ha! Honestly, it was a great place that fit all 22 family members and not too shabby views of the lake as you will see below.

The guys decided to pitch in this year and fry a tukey this year for fun. I think everyone agreed that it was pretty good.

I also got a shot of Grandad carving the turkey while Nanny and Jack look on.

The cabin had a walk down stairs down to the private dock where the kids spent some time throwing rocks into the lake. From left to right is Gunnar, Jack, Dakota, Molly, and Amy.

A great picture of Jack, Wylie, Gunnar, and Jillian!

Besides playing Poker, Pitch, and Scene It, the adults (Josh, John, Dustin, and Randi) got to play some Wii. As far a "Black Friday" Josh, Dustin, Randi, and I drove to Eureka Springs, mainly because I have always wanted to go there. I have to say that I really liked the town and we had a great time.

One of the many dinners over the 4 days included marinated Ribeye steaks. I got a picture of Dustin and Jeff cutting the steaks on the desk.

I got a good picture of the kids eating a snack at the bar. Gunnar, Joey, Jack , and Wylie were getting a good laugh at each others jokes.

Thanksgiving morning I took this picture of the fog wall at the end of the cove.

Best Friends

This is Wyile's best friend, Halle. Her mom was on a business trip in Washington D.C., so she got to come over and play and then go to dance class with Wylie. They have going to the same dance class since August. Halle and Wylie have shared the same daycare since we have moved to Cherryvale, except for this year. Wylie misses seeing her, but they do get to see each other at Pre-school every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Hukuna Matata!

Josh had heard from one of his fellow teachers that the Lion King on Broadway was coming to Kansas City...so last Friday he went online and found 4 tickets 10 rows back from the stage in the middle section for Saturday at 2 o'clock in the afternoon (which is why we think we got a good deal on the tickets). Anyway, it was AWESOME! It was so awesome I can't even describe it! Both Gunnar and Wylie loved it! The picture you see is a poster we bought with the autographs of the cast members, which the proceeds went to the American Red Cross. The actual cast members were handing them out as you walked out the door. Our poster was from the actor who played "Scar", who happened to be our favorite. We left for downtown KC at 9:45 am, at 11:45 we arrived at the music hall and picked up our tickets, then grabbed a hot dog at a local stand and ate in the square amongst the tall buildings, watched the play, and then grabbed some IHOP on the way home. Josh and I had a great day with the kids.

Happy Halloween!

Wylie was a Vampire this year. She gave me a good scary pose after she was done trick-or-treating. I think the kids had a good time this year...one house behind ours had a haunted house that was appropriate for younger kids. We really only went to 12 houses in the neighborhood and they still came back with a load of candy! Gunnar was a wizard, which as you can see below I made him get his picture taken this year, not that he was happy about it. I took one with a flash, which I didn't care for the pose, but the picture with the better pose had no flash...figures! Anyway, hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

Neewollah!!!

Neewollah (Halloween spelled backwards) is a week long fall festival that happens in Independence, KS which is 11 miles from Cherryvale. We have lived in Cherryvale for 3 years now, but this is our first year to go to the festival. My students think were cazy for not going these last few years since people come from Oklahoma, Missouri, and Central/Southeast/Northcentral Kansas to see the play, eat the food, ride the carnival rides, see the parade, and to watch the Queen Neelaw Pagent. We knew that our cousin Randi would be there with Dustin, Jillian, and Dakota so we decided to to meet them on Saturday afternoon to watch the parade and then take the kids to the carnival. The kids loved it! Gunnar rode almost every ride, even the adult ones that I have always found scary, he loves. Below is picture of Wylie and Jillian with their face paint. They of coarse had to play a little dress-up when they got home. Randi and the crew also ended up staying the night at our place, which was nice for us to get to visit and for the kids to get to play together. We had a great time as usual! Thanks Randi, Dustin, Jillian, and Dakota!