Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Three day weekend! WHOO HOO! So far, I haven't had much time to relax but I have gotten a lot accomplished. Yesterday I went to my parents and helped them "put up" corn which involved picking it, shucking it, de-silking it, boiling it, cutting it off the cob, bagging it, and freezing it. It is a ton of fun... you should all be jealous because you missed out! haha. I can't complain too much, I have a bunch of corn in the freezer now! It is YUMMY! I also was able to ride Mystic for a little bit! She is such a great horse. I wish so badly that I could ride her every day. I think that we could break her quickly... but with Kayla off to school and me in Bloomington, it makes that task somewhat difficult.

Finally, I went out to Valerie's house for Madison's 7th birthday party! She had a Hannah Montana theme. The cupcake cake in the shape of a guitar was so adorable... and delicious! ;~) I went to my Grandmother's after... she is looking really good!

While I was at my parents yesterday, Chad was busy digging trenches with Mike Janowiak. We have AWESOME friends... and we can't thanks Mike enough for all his help. They got a lot done, but needless to say, when I got home today, there was still a lot to do. There is a lot to do tomorrow as well! We should be sleeping but instead we are watching 21 (and I am updating you with the weekend thus far!)

I forgot to take my camera home this weekend. I was bummed because I really wanted to get photos of my parents new pups... Lucy had 8 (six boys and two girls). They are only 2 weeks old and they don't even walk yet. They are absolutely adorable! Next time... I will get photos. Until then, I did want to share some senior photos that I took of Chad's cousin, Michael out in Montana. Let me know what you think and enjoy your day off tomorrow!!!

Wedding Weekend

Last weekend was a big weekend for me. I had Ingrid and Brandons wedding! A big thank you goes out to Julie for all of her help. I couldn't do this job with out her. I also started an after the diamond blog... where you can read about the wedding, see my new business cards, and get wedding tips, etiquette, and trends. Check it out! www.afterthediamond.blogspot.com

Background changes

I know, I know... I can't decide on a background! They are all so cute! I do not promise not to change it again soon... :)

I have been promising a photo of the quilt I made for Baby Roethle... so here it is. I apologized for the delay and I blame the Olympics! These darn games have been keeping me up until 11:30 every night! Right now I am enjoying the sand volleyball match with May/Walsh. Chad has been in bed for quite some time, so I am trying not to scream since the game is so close (12/12 is the score now).

I created a blog for my business... you will see one of my logos as the header. Let me know what you think! I am excited to get this started and hopefully it will draw in more clients or at least give brides a place to go for tips, tricks, and trends. Check it out... http://www.afterthediamond.blogspot.com/ .

Well, I am going to finish watching this close game and head off to bead. Tomorrow is a big day... we move Kayla into Culver Stockton! How exciting! GOOD LUCK KAYLA!!!

Broken Ribs and Baby Showers

Broken Ribs and Baby Showers? What a title for this blog!

The "Broken Ribs" part is referring to my husband who was "leveled" on the flag football field. You know… the no-contact football game. I guess when he went down after another player illegally charged him, he got the wind knocked out of him and had a hard time getting his breath which caused him to dry heave. Little did he know, he had broken a rib (actually, the player that hit him broke it with his head). He played the second half of the game and played a full softball game right after football ended. He seemed to be in pain but thought it was just bruised. He refused to go to the emergency room but finally decided a trip to the doctor might be worthwhile when he woke up in a lot of pain. Sure enough… broken. I guess that means no more football or softball this year. Well, at least for the next 6 weeks. Chad does like to push the limits though… he has already found that he can do the elliptical at the gym without TOO MUCH pain. OUCH! Oh yeah… the player that hit him did get a penalty: loss of a down and 15 yards. Do you think that taught him a lesson? Hmmm…

And the "Baby Showers" is referring to the baby shower I had for Laura this weekend. Everything went fine and we had a good turnout. Laura got a lot of cute stuff and several books for her baby library. I will post a picture of the gift I made for her tonight (or tomorrow). :) I will get back to being a good blogger again soon… I promise!

Vacation

We are back from vacation... it was a long vacation but it went by so quickly! We saw so many sights on the drive out there and had such a good time with the family in Montana. Two more years before we all get together like this again. Everyone, especially the kids, changes so much in two years. It amazes me to see the changes in growth, maturity, and personalities in a such a short time. The whole family is great and I love these vacations.

On the way out, we caravanned with Terry, Cheri and our neice Ashley. We saw Mount

Rushmore, Crazy Hourse, the Corn Palace, Wall Drug, the Badlands and the original Dukes of Hazzard car. We also saw 1880 town, Custers Battlefield, and an Air and Space Museum on the way home.

The actual reunion in Montana had a theme each night we were there. We arrived on Sunday dressed in our favorite ballgame attire. We chose our cabin and relaxed and caught up with the family. Monday was game night. We played a lot of Euker (sp?). The boys played golf in the afternoon and I enjoyed shopping in Red Lodge where I helped Michael buy a nice new camera! Wednesday the ladies went golfing. Well, some of the ladies. I passed and went hiking instead. That night we had our 'Christmas in July' gift exchange. Chad receive the movie We Are Marshall and I think I was more excited than he was because Matthew McConaughey is in it. :) Wednesday we took an all day bus trip to Yellowstone. One the way home, one of the rims broke and we lost a tire as we were driving down the rode. Fortunately, busses have many dires so the remaining wheels on the bus could go 'round and round' long enough for us to get back to camp. Thursday was our last night together. The theme was corona night. We had a band and a great time! Chad and I did some finaly shopping in Red Lodge earlier that morning although we didn't find much. Friday we packed up and headed out. We spent the evening in Billings and went to see 'Red Elvises'. They were a very entertaining band.

We headed home on Saturday... and made it home on Monday night around 7:30. Gio and Genny kept the girls for a few days and then Kayla came up to watch them. They were able to stay in their routine and have someone around all day when we are usually at work. It was nice and Kayla did a great job while she was here. Chad and I send a big thanks to all of you!

Some photos of our trip... I will probably attach more in future blogs.

Mount Rushmore:

Crazy Horse:

Deadwood:

General Lee:

Badlands:

The above photos are all from our way out to Montana... I will post more later! :)