A Little Bit of History

*I have no idea what is going on with the font...

Hubby spent the weekend in Iowa helping to clean out his grandma's house. She has made the choice to live in a Senior Apartment, and has been there since her surgery last winter. They have a coffee shop and play Wii every night. She likes it there, and many of her friends have moved there in the past months, so she has her friends still close. She is a social butterfly, has someone there 24 hours a day but is still very independent.

Her house has sat empty since December and once she made the decision to stay at the Apartment the decision was made to clean out the house and sell it. The brothers (Hubby's Dad and his brothers) all took the weekend and sorted, told stories and divided things up. Hubby took the trip down because there were things that he hoped he could bring home, things that meant a lot to him.

He helped clean the rooms that were dusty with lack of use, helped scrub the cabinets that hadn't been touched in months and relived part of his life in the many MANY pictures that Grandma had held onto.

He did bring home some things, things that meant a lot to him and things he thought we would all enjoy. I wanted to share some of it with you, since it is our own little piece of the family history.

This is a bible that came over from Germany in the early 1900's, the date written inside is 1899, given to a child at their birth from the little German I remember.

Even the scriptures are written in German, those I can't translate. It is simply gorgeous.

These are Hubby's Grandpa's medals. He was in the Navy, serving about the time of WWII


This is the ship that Grandpa served on for many years, one of a couple. The piece of paper in the corner is his Navy ID.


This is something that Hubby's Mom made 30 years ago, a picture of the farm that Grandma and Grandpa then owned.


These are old cookbooks, you know the kind, church and community cookbooks. I have called these the "Use 4 sticks of butter for everything" cookbooks. There are some FANTASTIC recipes in here and I can't wait to dive into them.


These are canning books, giving direction to can pretty much anything. There is also a grilling book, and Grandma's recipe for the BEST Pumpkin Pie. On the bottom of the recipe she even has where she took the pie many years ago.


Hubby brought me this. It is a Hamilton Beach stand mixer. It can also be taken apart to be a hand mixer. This mixer dates pre-1960 and still works like a dream. Big Sis said it will probably last forever.


It even has a timer!!


This...this just plain creeps me out, but it isn't staying at my house (thank GOODNESS!). It is a Santa bird feeder...and the EYES! Oh My Look At The Eyes!! Just creepy! Hubby's parents will be getting this bad boy at their house SOON.


Hubby was glad he went, so am I. I didn't know how he would handle it, but he said it was easier than he thought. There are a lot of memories tied into Grandma's house. We still have her, so more memories can be made at her apartment too.

Seriously, I have to stop looking at the Santa...

A fabulous afternoon!

Boo had a birthday party to attend this afternoon, her third party (counting her own) in three weeks. Plus we have another one next weekend with family for both Boo and Hunter.

I have had enough.

BUT, not the point at all.

While Boo was at the birthday party we stayed close. We were about 20 minutes from home, and didn't want to drive home only to turn around in an hour. We went to a local small town bar (gasp!) to have a drink (double gasp) in the middle of the afternoon (fall over gasping!). We played pool, ate nasty bar pizza and played video games.

Most importantly...

We talked.

Having time to talk, really talk about what is going on in our lives is so rare. We are busy, but overly so. We just don't talk with the kids around. We can't talk about what we REALLY feel because they don't know HOW TO KEEP THEIR MOUTHS SHUT. We don't need our inner-workings blast all over school or another household.

It was fabulous to have the two hours to sit, talk and just be together. We laughed harder than we have in such a long time. We talked about the fate of several of our friends, money (gasp!) and what we need to deal with first when we got home (none of which got done by the way).

I love my husband, and after today, love him even more.

The house is quiet once again.

Boo is asleep, much to her dismay.

Koda is bundled down, much to his glee.

Hubby and I are about to fall over, which I think Hubby already did.

We spent the day with family, and waiting. It was great to be with my niece and nephew, to once again be able to watch them open presents and just be together.

The kids spent almost two hours outside after gifts and brunch, and came in SOAKED to the bone. Two changed clothes, and all had coats in the dryer. Boo made a new friend, which doesn't surprise me in the least.

Hunter went home, which always makes me sad. It seems worse because of the day.

We got about 12 inches of snow so far, and it is snowing again right now. The roads are slushy after the rain mixed in, and some cities forgot what a snow plow is. We pulled one person out of a snow bank, offered two others who already had help on the way.

It was a day of family, fun and just being together. Boo is in hog heaven with her new books, clothes and games for the Wii. Hunter about freaked when he opened his very first hunting shotgun, I have never seen his face like that, not even at their birthdays. This topped it all.

I have pictures, and more stories. Last night we were at Big Sis's house, and that needs a post all in itself. Why? Let's see...snow, 2 year old, two 7 year olds and a 12 year old. You think about THAT one for a while.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, that you were able to hug your loved ones, you were healthy and you had a joyous time!

What I Learned this Week

I am a day behind on this, but still wanted to link up with Musings of a Housewife's What I Learned This Week party. So, let's begin shall we!

- Know what's worse than a sleep walking Boo...a SASSY ATTITUDE filled sleep walking Boo. I laughed, because it is sort of funny.

- Trying to clean your house, while you husband is framing in your bathroom, the kids are "helping" and the dog is running around like a crazy person doesn't really work.

- The grocery store is REALLY quiet at 1 am on a Saturday.

- If you beg enough, you just might get your name "drawn" for your child's field trip. Just maybe.

- Having the chance to see the play you were in as a child WITH your child, will make you bed, plead and borrow. Just saying...

- A total of 40+ leaf bags is what it took to clean our yard.

- It is not fun having to explain your self over and over and over again.

That's it, it wasn't that big of a week.

Head on over to Musings of a Housewife for more What I Learned This Week posts.

Dear Hubby

Dear Hubby,

I can't believe that it has been 8 years since we said "I Do".

This past year has been one of the most exciting by far, and I want to tell you that I love you.

I love your patience when I would tell you that we had to look at another house, that it HAD to be in Boo's school district and that it HAD to NOT have a full bar in the basement.

I love your honesty, your guts to tell me no and when to let me run with an idea.

I love your devotion, drive and dedication to so many things.

I love you, for you.

Thank you for 8 years.

I can't wait for the rest to come.

Much love,

Kellyn

We're going to win Twins...

Being the goon that I am, Hubby got his Father's Day present on Thursday. I can't keep secrets from him, and he already knew what it was anyway. He is super smart like that.

Last night, the kids and I took Hubby to the Twins Game. We lost, but still had such a blast. Boo saw her first (three) home run and I got to see the Houston Astro's coach get ejected...never seen that before. It was fabulous!

We even saw a cousin there, as we were 5 rows up from their season tickets. It was a nice surprise, we didn't know who in his family would be there.

We had foul balls fly over our heads (as I pushed Boo to the floor...lol) and some RUDE people in the last row. But, it was great. Lemonade, hot dogs, pretzels, peanuts and popcorn. It was perfect.

Boo got her face painted, professing her love for Joe Mauer, and then proceeded to yell and cheer like she was on Arsenio Hall every time he was up to bat.


That's him behind the plate...

Before the game, there are all kinds of festivities on the Twins Plaza. Players doing autographs, games and food. Of course, Hubby found the beer right away. That is where Boo got her face painted, and Hunter got a team photo taken...can you find him?

We had the best time, and will do it again the summer I hope. The entire family loves baseball games, and these guys are our favorite!

The Yard is ours

I am sitting here lurking at the Old Navy Weekly coupon site just waiting for the new ones to load. I haven't had a ton of luck so far, but this week might change that. Mama needs new flip-flops... This weekend we finally took care of this branch, and a bunch of other ones too. Spent a good 4 hours raking, chopping and chipping wood, leaves and pine needles. Thankfully Ma and Brother-In-Law came over to help us out. It would have taken us FOREVER otherwise.

We have 15 bags of leaves, branches and grass plus the yard receptacle. 15 Bags!! Holy Schmooly! Plus, all of this was from what we thought was a sand-box, but is in fact a garden! Who would have thought.


Hubby was all over getting that branch down, chain saw and all. He had a field day, and even found MORE things to cut down...boys and their toys. Once I opened my eyes and the branch was down, we chipped away.

Renting a wood chipper is probably the best thing we did all weekend. Sorting and bundling all the branches would have taken days. Instead, we had the chipper for just over two hours and got everything done that could go through it. My Dad is taking all the logs.

Hubby just plugged in his ipod, BIL had some ear plugs and they went to town. BIL even found some old wood buried in the woodsy area behind us that they chipped.

Koda was in his kennel, he is scared of pretty much anything right now. Boo hid in the basement to avoid the noise, otherwise she was outside helping us all day. We got a ton done, but there is still a lot more to do. Next weekend we are weeding along the fence, maybe we will know better what is growing over there.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

You Capture - Family

It is time for another week of You Capture hosted by the wonderful Beth at I Should be Folding Laundry. I have been MIA the past two weeks, and I was ready to jump back in.

This weeks theme (sound so much better than assignment I think): FAMILY

Family can mean so many different things, but to me it is 5 huge things.


Support


Tradition (the Shoe Tree at the cabin, years and years of many peoples shoes):

Comfort:

Strength (Hey Hunter, which way is the gun show?):

Humor:

And most importantly Love:

Head on over to I Should be Folding Laundry for more Family You Capture posts.

All pictures edited with Picnik, I had fun playing this week.

We got a man down

This past week we had some high powered wind come through. Walking to my car after work was a challenge, driving too.

When we got home from cleaning the old place, we found a very large branch down.

Hubby cleaned it up as best he could, trimming the branches with a hand saw. My Dad brought us his chain saw, and until next weekend it will hang a bit, but a good 5 feet off the ground so the kids don't mess with it.

I told Hubby "You wanted yard work...there you go..."

What I learned this week - Week full of wonderful

There has been so many things going on this week, between getting Boo ready for recital, garage sales and family birthday parties. Plus, I guess I have to squeeze work in there somewhere...if I have too.

What did I learn through all this... a few things.

- A 24 year old cousin will love a surprise party, but with his wonderful heart comment that he wished the young cousins were there.

- The minute you start looking for a specific thing at garage sales, that's when you WON'T find it. Of course.

- When you are frustrated and angry with a school, it might be better to NOT go to conferences...I'm just saying it was better without me.

- The only reason Boo still goes to dance is for her friends. She didn't smile once on stage last night. Good call on moving on next year.

- Everywhere we looked, there was hockey equipment for sale this weekend. It must be a sign.

- When massive amounts of kitty litter are shoved into your space, a migraine will follow. A bad one. I can't even talk about it except to say our new neighbors are not my favorite people right now.

- Trying to plan is not easy when the bank won't give you an answer on the house...two more days than we move on. We have a move date people...no time to wait on the moronic bank now.

- With the move we planned some huge changes. Exciting, happy (I hope) and worthwhile changes. It will be wonderful.

For more What I learned this Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

What I learned this week - Randomness

This week went by in a flash. Going out of town, watching bowling and seeing a movie last night makes things jumble together. This week I learned some important lessons, and some silly ones as well.

• At 29 years old, a person can still have a giggle attack as they are going to bed. Especially if the person sleeping next to you started it.
• Spending 8 hours in two days in a car can make you really appreciate the truck drivers that rule the road most days. I don't know how they do it.
• Finding out that your 12 year old made it to state for bowling will blow your mind time and time again. Hunter is such a rock star.
• Watching the same child bowl he game of his life during the last week of bowling will make you burst with pride. His "ring" is sitting on the dresser for everyone to see. More on that later.
• When sitting at the dentist, don't be surprised when he tells you that Boo has a chipped tooth. It really isn't a shocker at all, especially after this conversation on Friday.
• Be grateful when Hubby agrees to tape Oprah two days in a row...I can't wait to get DVR.

For more What I Learned this Week posts, head on over to Musings of a Housewife.

Morning Conversations

Me: Hubby, honey I am going to run to Target. We need mouth wash for Hunter and Ibuprofen for him too.

Hubby: And you need your movie...

Me: Yes...and I need my movie.

I thought I was being so slick...he knows me to well.

Spinning around and around

Today is one of those days.

You know the days I am talking about.

Three hours of sleep, a normal 7 year old who doesn't want to wear a sweatshirt/brush her hair/put on a belt/ do anything her mother needs her to do and a just plain rough morning together.

There have been so many things going on that I am stressed to my breaking point. I haven't been sleeping well for a couple weeks, but last night was the worst of all nights so far. Thankfully tonight Mikayla is sleeping over, so that means I will go to bed when she does. Early bed times are wonderful.

I need to focus on the goals ahead. I need to work to get my house back in order, since that is another stress that won't quit. I want to start packing up stuff, but must resist until we find out where we are moving too (and when!).

I need to spend the one-on-one time with Boo that she is craving. I need to focus on her successes, celebrate her achievements (and there have been a ton lately). She deserves to have her talents and gift pushed into the forefront, and that is something I am working on this coming weekend.

I crave the time with Hubby that has been spent in other places lately. We have had passing conversations while making dinner, walking out the door and in the few minutes we have snatched for each other. It is never enough.

I wish things would slow down, calm down and just plain stop. So much going on in all of our lives, and never enough time to do it all.

He loves me...He really loves me!!!

Over the past few months, my ipod shuffle has been slowly kicking it. Slowly, and quite painfully. Well, painful for me.


Almost four years ago, Hubby got me an Ipod Shuffle for Mother's Day. He knew I had wanted one, and knew my need for music everywhere I went. My Ipod has been everywhere with me: the cabin, Vegas, work and even in the car when I had an adapter.


It was my constant companion, and now it is dying.


People at work would give me a hard time when they saw my Ipod, since it was the 1st Generation Ipod Shuffle, it was a stick...but it was my lovely music filled stick.


This past week my Ipod has been shutting off at random times, deciding not to load songs and just being a pain in my butt. I was starting to get a bit bitter, and wanting to throw my Ipod against the wall.


Yesterday, Hubby gave me the green light to get a new one...the one I have been pining over for months.


The Ipod Nano, 4th Generation.


It is so pretty.

It's blue.

I love it!!!

I have been playing with it all day long, and I can't stop!

Hubby may regret letting me get it...just maybe.

The first day

Today was a first. Well, a first since I was like 7. Hubby, Boo and I spent a majority of the afternoon looking at things like this


Oh, and this.


Can I tell you have wonderful a built in hutch is! I never knew it before today, but it is lovely.

We looked at two houses today. One was a instant NO and the other has major possibilities. We also drove around with our realtor guy and looked at what else was out there in our area and price range.

Tomorrow I am going to an Open House with Big Sis. This is a great way to get ideas and see what else is out there. Plus, I am addicted now...it is fun to look at these houses and imagine what you will do with them.

Did I mention that I still and terrified, and felt a bit like vomiting this morning. Oh well.

A couple weeks ago Hubby had his twice-yearly "Man Weekend". In the summer they go to his friends then cabin/now home and in the winter they go up north to go ice fishing.

On the ice.

In the middle of the lake.

In a house.

The size of our house...well our living room at least.

That's JT...everyone say Hi!

This year there were 6 of them, and they had I think a 18 hole house. Each person can have two lines down, then they shut up the last four holes...to avoid past mistakes...like the phone going down the hole or the keys (I am so serious on those by the way. I had a great conversation with a Walleye once.).

They play cards, burp and drink whatever their hearts desire. Oh, and maybe catch a fish or two. They go the bar, but plan and eat everything at the ice house. My hubby knows how to save some money!

I used to go on these ice fishing trips...long ago. Long LONG AGO. A couple of months after we started dating Hubby asked me to go ice fishing, and I agreed to the shock of my parents. It was a blast. We played games, fished and were close enough to the local Casino that we went and won some money.

But you couldn't pay me enough to go now...not with all the boys. Hubby can have his man weekends, we will take the kids on the local lakes.

What I learned this week

This is going to be short and sweet. The couch is calling my name. I finally got the stomach bug that Boo has had not once, but twice this month. Not a good time for any of us.

This week I learned many important lessons. Some are no brainers, some I was surprised by.

- I have some of the greatest friends. Not only do I value their friendship, but I value their children as well. I got Baby Time twice this weekend, and it was the highlight of the weekend!
- Said friends will also see a movie with me that we have both already seen, but want to see again. This is a huge deal, not many would do that...give into my latest obsession.
- If you put something heavy on your keyboard tray, it will break. The tray will hang at a strange angle whenever you need to type, and you will be on the hunt for a new desk (any ideas?)
- I am not as immune to the stomach bug as I had thought, or hoped. It is a not a good time.
- Boo is the most kind hearted child I have ever met. She spent most of yesterday afternoon playing quietly on the computer letting me sleep on the couch. She even came over to check my temp a few times.
- My hubby is a wonderful man. Even though he jokes about splitting me and Boo up so the sickness will stop, he is there taking care of me. What I wouldn't do without him.

That is what I learned this week. Head on over to Musings of a Housewife to see what everyone else learned.

A Holiday Recap

I was waiting to write this until we were all done celebrating Christmas...but I can't wait anymore.

With the rotating holiday schedule for Hunter, the days are all squeezed into one week, either before or after Christmas. This year, Hunter came on Christmas Eve night, and he is here until this Sunday. We are loving the long week with him, and he is loving the break off school.

We have been so blessed to have such wonderful time with our family. This afternoon we have more time, and our last celebration. It will be great to see our cousins from Iowa, we don't see them nearly enough since they moved.

My kids love to give gifts that make people smile, and we had a great deal of that this year. Giving Mom her first digital camera, their cousin his first set of Lego's, and listening to their young cousin scream "MICKEY" over and over again. It was wonderful.

The gifts they received were limited this year, from us at least. We decided long ago to cut down to three from us and Santa, and they each bought one for each other. It was great to see the excitement that came across their faces as they opened some thing they wanted, something they never thought they would receive.

Both kids received a Nintendo DS this year, something to keep them entertained in the car during long car rides, and something they can earn more games for. Boo and Hunter were both so excited, with thank yous flowing to us and Hubby's parents.

I think my favorite gift they received was Boo's "Build A Fort" kit. It is the coolest thing EVER. It has rope, clips and suction cups along with the canvass pieces. She uses my blankets and yarn almost every day to build forts or "Shelters" when she thinks I don't know they are the same. Half my blankets are all stretched out, not a good time. We are busting this out tomorrow, the one day we have nothing going on. I can't wait!

Hunter is in love with his i-Dog. I won this on Classy Mommy's blog. The lights and action are great, and you can make it do tricks! That is the coolest part I think. I keep hearing it bark though, so that is a bit odd at times...lol

I got my rolling scrapbook bag!!! I squealed...Hubby laughed at me. Big Sis always knows just the right thing to make my day a bit brighter, and this year was no different. When we went to our scrapbook night in November, I felt like an inadequate scrapbooker. I had my canvass bags, and that was it. Big Sis had her cool rolly bag, and so did everyone else. Now I have one too! I can't wait to load it up, and I need to do that since my craft area looks like a tornado hit it.

Below is a slide show, works so much better than uploading a bajillion pictures. Thanks to Jo-Lynne at Musing of a Housewife for turning my on to One True Media!

Today is the last holiday, but also Mom's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!!! We love you!!!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Merry Christmas!!

The stockings have been hung.

The notes have been written.

The reindeer food has been sprinkled in the yard.


The cookies have been left out, with a glass of milk to wash them down.

The note tells Santa NOT to eat the gingerbread house.

Boo is tucked into bed (with cough medicine coursing through her system),

Hunter has been picked up and tucked into bed at Grandma and Grandpa's.

Hubby is at work, making triple time as I write (woohoo).

I am settling down to watch X-Men and finish wrapping the presents.

Okay...start wrapping the presents.

I hope everyone has a wonderful happy Merry Christmas!!

Every Day

There are many times that I wonder what I should do. Should I change jobs (not in this economy!)? Do I change my daughters school, or leave her in the soon to be magnet school? Do I work to find a new way to work our budget (reading Dave right now)?

There are so many choices out there, so many different options. There are times that it is terrifying being an adult, and a parent. Some days I am amazed we made it through at all. How I somehow came to the right choice for my family blows my mind time and time again.

When did I become a grown up? How did this happen to me?

Then I step back and look at Boo. I look at Hunter. I look at Hubby.

I am thankful each day that I have been blessed with so much happiness and so much love.

When I walk in the door after work, Boo is usually the first to meet me. She yells down the stairs, and comes running (as I tell her not to run on the stairs). This is something that won’t last forever, so I am cherishing each moment. When she crawls into my lap just to tell me that she loves me, so worth any stress or frustration she may cause.

Each time Hunter walks through the door, I am the first to meet him. I miss him every day he is gone, and while I don’t talk to him each day, he is always in my head. What is Hunter doing right now? I hope he is having a great day. Every time he leaves our house, I miss him. No matter how frustrated he may make me, he is my Peanut (I just might pay for that later). Even though he is now 11 (going on 25) I can still see the little guy I met so long ago.

Hubby, I can never say enough about Hubby. No matter what has happened, he has always been my rock. He knows my emotions like no other, and can always make me feel better. I love his laugh, his humor, his caring loving heart. Even though during the week we have little time together, it is so worth it to have the 20 minutes of just us each night before he goes to work. Don’t get me wrong, the man can drive me nuts, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

I have been so blessed and can’t ever be thankful enough.