Why Bother....

So many times in my life I think, "why do I bother doing...." Looking at these pictures I guess the answer is, "so the kids can have fun".

Why bother driving to Colorado when the kids are just gonna get sick? And why bother going to Garden of the Gods when they are going to cry that they have to walk too far because they don't feel good?

Why bother staying up until 2:30 am (after driving ALL DAY home from Colorado) to sew towel "hoodies" for the Easter Bunny to hide when the kids only wanted the candy... (although, I must say that when Cameron told the kids I made them, Landon said it was cool that I could "build" a towel)
and speaking of candy why bother giving up chocolate and all the "good" Easter candy for Austin when he doesn't like jelly beans and gummy candy anyway?

Why did I bother spending all day cooking a turkey dinner for Easter when the kids only wanted to eat the rolls (at least I used Rhodes rolls and didn't "bother" making them from scratch) and why did I give up my yummy traditional ham and scalloped potatoes and deviled eggs so that I could make something they would eat? Special thanks to Cam for going to the store at midnight so I could make dinner - Cam why did you bother?!

Why bother vacuuming when the kids are going to have an Easter grass fight before I can even put the vacuum away?

and as long as I'm at it - why did I bother making egg free, non dairy choc. chip cookies tonight just so Austin could take one bite and say, "ew, I don't like it."


Hallalujah, I brought the nebulizer with us to Colorado. Zac spent a lot of the time like this and the rest of the time sleeping, except at night - go figure.


When we pulled into the parking lot Cam said, "wow you gotta take a picture of that." I thought he was talking about the beautiful red rock formations... but he was talking about this car. Seriously, that is where the kids get it from!
The kids got grass EveryWhere!!! Down the stairs and hall, in their room and in the family room. They cleaned it up piece by piece, and made a game out that. Two games in one. Pretty fun.

Things that make us {HaPpY}

We have been having so much fun lately. There's been nothing in particular but we've been laughing more and getting along really well. I've been paying more attention to the little things in life and I just feel so happy. Maybe it's the air getting warmer or maybe it's the anticipation of school ending and getting on to a "real" job. Whatever it is here are some things that've been making us happy:

When Landon realized that he couldn't actually bring a yak to school for "y" show and tell he searched the house to find something he could "yank". He settled on a yellow magnetic ball that can be "yanked" of a magnetic peg. (bonus: yellow starts with y too!) You would have thought he won the lottery to find something to yank for show and tell.

Grandmas make us happy. We all love talking on the phone to them. And we especially when they send us stuff. This is the blankie Grandma Meier sent for Isaac - it was a special order from me - big enough to wrap around him since he's out grown his other blankets.


We signed Landon up for Hockey and Austin for Soccer. They are both counting the days until their sports start. Landon even asked to make a count down chart. I wish you could have seen his face when he was getting fitted for his gear. The kid can't wait to play. Austin wears his shin guards around "practicing" his soccer kicks.

Cameron had a couple hours free in the middle of the day and we went to lunch, library, and grocery store together. Not only was Austin ecstatic that Dad was with us on our errands, I was more than happy to have someone to take Austin to the bathroom while I kept grocery shopping (somehow Austin seems to need to go to the bathroom almost every time we go to HyVee); not to mention spend a little time with me.

The last few days we've been going on walks. It just puts me in a good mood to be moving around outside. I love being outside and so do the kids. It'll be perfect as soon as it's 10 more degrees warmer.

Watching the expressions on Austins face is another thing that makes me happy. Seriously, when he's listening to something he doesn't quite understand you can just see the "gears turn" in his head. His concentrating face is hilarious. I just love it.

Zacky is always happy but Cameron makes him even happier. The kid actually tries to turn is head around backwards to keep an eye on his Dad. Another thing that makes him happy is when Austin jumps up and down. Zac finds it hilarious (full on belly laughs) that Austin can jump. I also think it's funny that he has this habit of waving his hands all around until he finds something he wants to touch or grab. He doesn't watch where his hands are going, they just move all around until they land on something he wants to hold, rub, or touch.

Landon cracks me up sometimes - of course that makes us happy. He's been reading more advanced books and because of it he's been speaking like he's reading. For example the other day he said, "I'm going downstairs to enjoy myself while I work on my legos." "Enjoy myself"? such a funny kid.

I made a YUMMY dinner the other night. It made me so happy I took pictures and I have to give you the recipes... Spring just puts you in the mood for fresh food and eating it makes all of us around here happy.

Green Salad with Cranberries and Candied Walnuts

Mixed greens. Sliced Bosc pears. A couple of handfuls of dried cranberries. Crumbled goat cheese (I'm sure Feta or Garganzola would be good too). Candied walnuts: mix 1/2 cup walnut halves with 1/4 cup sugar in a skillet and place over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves into a light brown liquid and coats the walnuts. Remove walnuts from skillet, and spread them out on a sheet of aluminum foil to cool. Toss with this dressing:
2 Tbsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. red whine vinegar (I used pomegranate infused blush balsamic vinegar - yummy)
1/4 C olive oil
sprinkle of salt and pepper

Monster Steak Sandwich

Marinate steak and sliced onions in Worcestershire, McCormak grill seasoning and crushed garlic. Grill onions and steak on grill or in a skillet. Toast a loaf of french bread under the broiler. Spread with mayo and Dijon mustard. Top with mixed greens. Slice steak and add to sandwich. Layer on the grilled onions and sliced tomatoes. Top it all off with provolone cheese and YUMM-O!!!!


Last but not least we are happy because we are going to CHUK E. CHEESE - that's right we sold our house! Our realtor called today and she just received notice from the bank saying that the woman who is buying our house qualifies for the loan so pretty much it's a done deal! Woo-Hoo!!!

Don't Blink

You know what they say - "if you blink you'll miss it..." Well, I feel like the past six months have been a blink of the eye. I can't believe that little Zac has been in our family for six months. Looking at these pictures you can see how fun the past six months has been. There is so much laughter and fun at our house. He is so easy going; weather he's got goose bumps all over him after a bath or having to wait another twenty minutes until I can feed him, he's almost always smiling. Isaac's sweet spirit really adds so much to our family. I couldn't imagine life without him.

Isaac at 6 months:
*size: 18 lbs
*nick names: Zac(y); Tootie (thanks to Austin!); Bubba
*favorite "big boy" food: prunes (half a jar a day makes everything better!!); oatmeal mixed with soy formula
*favorite toys: books - once he has hold of one you can't get it away without A LOT of protesting; crinkly things like clean diapers; his own feet - especially if they have socks on; his stuffed duck with a bell in the beak
*loves: baths; his car seat; his pacifier (at bed time); other people's fingers - he loves to hold them (and if your not careful put them in his mouth!); sitting up in someones lap and looking around
*dislikes: green beans (baby food); sleeping without a blanket; being alone in a room
*sleeping ritual: It's always the same: I lay him down and he turns his head from side to side until he's comfortable. He grabs his blanket and puts it over his face. I leave and usually he goes to sleep. Sometimes I have to go in and give him his binky, depending on his mood, but ALWAYS he has to have his blanket over his face. I was worried about SIDS for a while but the doc. assured me that as long as it's a thin blanket he's old enough not to worry any more. Better to be able to soothe himself to sleep.
*relating to the family: Isaac relates to each of us differently. It doesn't cease to amaze me how he's already developing relationships with each of us. Zac and Landon talk and coo back and forth and play games like peek-a-boo. They love to lay down next to each other and poke each other in the nose or cheek, kind of a copy cat game, with lots of giggles. When Austin's around, on the other hand, it's nothing but rough housing. Isaac braces himself and squeals while Austin pats his tummy, rolls him around on the floor, or puts his knees up to his chest. Isaac loves when Cameron comes home. He squeals and reaches for him and loves to be picked up and held high. When Mom's holding Zac it's all cuddles. He curls into a ball and just snuggles in. We LOVE it.

Cars....Cars....Cars

It's genetic - their love for cars and anything with wheels, really. You can not argue it, my boys LOVE cars (and trucks and planes and motorcycles...) Since I've known Cameron I've learned that a man truly can become "one with his car". In high school he built a horse trailer, rebuilt a '65 truck, and sang "God Bless America" countless times whenever he saw an old Bronco. When we were dating I often wondered who did he like more: me or the Bronco (I have to add, though that he sold his prized Bronco to buy my wedding ring - guess he liked me more!).

Landon wants to be a farmer so he can ride tractors when he grows up. Austin's favorite thing to do lately is race these two monster trucks around and around our house. Zac, I'm sure, will love cars when he gets older too.


Saturday we had a day with no commitments, which doesn't happen too often. So what did we do - the Car Museum of course! The kids (the Big One, included) were in heaven.

And speaking of cars, this is what I did four years ago:


We found out a couple months ago, after two sets of new tires and 3 alignments, that I damaged this:


And this is what Cameron did on his day off on Tuesday:


That is the good thing about being married to a guy that loves cars - he knows how to fix them. Cam - thanks for always being their to fix my mistakes.