It's our annual party today...
07/07/07
at 7:07pm
Are you coming?
You can always plan ahead for next year...08/08/08!
07/07/07
at 7:07pm
Are you coming?
You can always plan ahead for next year...08/08/08!
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Friday, July 06, 2007
Part One
While in Oklahoma, we decided to do some shopping. We didn't get anything. 
The kids had a blast on the waterslide. This was on our first day and they didn't bother to put on their swimsuits.
Check out this monstrosity of fun! They LOVED it! As you can see, Eva preferred to climb up the slide. This was no easy feat as it had water streaming down it. But, she prevailed most every time.
Carl took over at this monstrosity of a grill! How awesome is that? It is Carl's birthday today. He decided to spend it at Scout Camp. He'll be back tomorrow morning and I'm making him a pie.
And, here is Caleb enjoying some time with his herd. He spent so much time following them around. He would put them in the coop, take them out, follow them around, and sometimes just stand by them with his hands over his ears. If the bigger geese came out of the pond, Caleb thought it his sacred duty to chase them back onto the water.
The kids had a blast on the waterslide. This was on our first day and they didn't bother to put on their swimsuits. 
Check out this monstrosity of fun! They LOVED it! As you can see, Eva preferred to climb up the slide. This was no easy feat as it had water streaming down it. But, she prevailed most every time. 
Carl took over at this monstrosity of a grill! How awesome is that? It is Carl's birthday today. He decided to spend it at Scout Camp. He'll be back tomorrow morning and I'm making him a pie. 
And, here is Caleb enjoying some time with his herd. He spent so much time following them around. He would put them in the coop, take them out, follow them around, and sometimes just stand by them with his hands over his ears. If the bigger geese came out of the pond, Caleb thought it his sacred duty to chase them back onto the water. 
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Back Home
I'm sitting in my own chair in my own room. It is really hot in our house right now because we turned the temp up so our AC wouldn't be running while we were gone.
We aren't unpacked yet.
The first thing we did was put our kids in the bathtub. They were nasty gross.
The big kids (Sam and Joe, my brothers) are getting acclimated and I think they've enjoyed their time with us so far. They had a blast at the 4th of July party at my mom's house.
Sam found a girl his age to play with (they're 11). Joe bonded with one of the boys (they're 10).
I took some pictures but not nearly enough. There was some sort of stomach illness going around. I had it one day, Caleb and Eva had it yesterday, and Carl was sick all the way home. It took us an extra hour to get here because we had to stop so much to go to the bathroom. Poor guy. I'm sure he'll be glad to know that I posted that information. About six other people at the reunion were sick as well. It didn't take away from the fun, though.
I'll post the pictures tomorrow once I get my camera upstairs.
My brothers are going to be here at least a week and I've got big plans for them...digging in the dirt for our patio, playing with my kids, vacuuming the floors, mowing the lawn, etc... In return for their service we are taking them to see the new Harry Potter movie (I know, big sacrifice on my part...ha ha), to the Omaha Zoo, to the Lincoln Zoo (free pony rides for Autism Family Network members on Wed night!), and who knows where else. The kids love them and should be good when they are around.
They won't be here while Carl is gone to France so I'm looking for someone to come and hang out with me anytime between July 20-31. Any takers? Free room and board? Lots of fun activities! No digging! Think about it, people. Email me if you're interested.
sra_nelson AT yahoo DOT com
We aren't unpacked yet.
The first thing we did was put our kids in the bathtub. They were nasty gross.
The big kids (Sam and Joe, my brothers) are getting acclimated and I think they've enjoyed their time with us so far. They had a blast at the 4th of July party at my mom's house.
Sam found a girl his age to play with (they're 11). Joe bonded with one of the boys (they're 10).
I took some pictures but not nearly enough. There was some sort of stomach illness going around. I had it one day, Caleb and Eva had it yesterday, and Carl was sick all the way home. It took us an extra hour to get here because we had to stop so much to go to the bathroom. Poor guy. I'm sure he'll be glad to know that I posted that information. About six other people at the reunion were sick as well. It didn't take away from the fun, though.
I'll post the pictures tomorrow once I get my camera upstairs.
My brothers are going to be here at least a week and I've got big plans for them...digging in the dirt for our patio, playing with my kids, vacuuming the floors, mowing the lawn, etc... In return for their service we are taking them to see the new Harry Potter movie (I know, big sacrifice on my part...ha ha), to the Omaha Zoo, to the Lincoln Zoo (free pony rides for Autism Family Network members on Wed night!), and who knows where else. The kids love them and should be good when they are around.
They won't be here while Carl is gone to France so I'm looking for someone to come and hang out with me anytime between July 20-31. Any takers? Free room and board? Lots of fun activities! No digging! Think about it, people. Email me if you're interested.
sra_nelson AT yahoo DOT com
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Cop Out
Here is my cop out post for the day.
We "kidnapped" my brothers for about 10 days. They are going to be my helpers. It is going to be a blast. At least it will be a blast for me!
Ha ha.
No, really. We're all going to have an excellent time!
We "kidnapped" my brothers for about 10 days. They are going to be my helpers. It is going to be a blast. At least it will be a blast for me!
Ha ha.
No, really. We're all going to have an excellent time!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Can't Stay Away
In the past few days we have:
1. watched Caleb follow around the ducks. It is really cute. He just follows them around the yard.
2. Seen Carl, Caleb, and Eva slide down a waterslide in the backyard.
3. Eaten way too much at Incredible Pizza and celebrated some birthdays.
4. Taken a shower in my mom's awesome new bathroom. The steam was a little much but I do enjoy the rain, the massaging jets, and the easy temperature control.
5. Planned a new haircut and color.
More later!
1. watched Caleb follow around the ducks. It is really cute. He just follows them around the yard.
2. Seen Carl, Caleb, and Eva slide down a waterslide in the backyard.
3. Eaten way too much at Incredible Pizza and celebrated some birthdays.
4. Taken a shower in my mom's awesome new bathroom. The steam was a little much but I do enjoy the rain, the massaging jets, and the easy temperature control.
5. Planned a new haircut and color.
More later!
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Fashionista
I'm actually writing this post while we're still in Nebraska. I just had to document this super cute outfit that Eva put together today.
Caleb helped out with providing some rockin' music to go with her groovy dance moves. Fun times.
***I'm in Oklahoma now adding on to this post I wrote earlier. The trip was fine. Most of Oklahoma is under water. It is crazy! We're getting muddy and wet but having a blast. I think I might actually take a day or two off from blogging (well, we shall see).
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Ready to Go
These pictures were taken a few days ago. The kids have been wanting to go in the car. They want to go to the airport. They want to fly in a plane. They have been sad ever since we dropped Grandma off at the airport and they didn't get to go on a plane. To make them feel better I told them we were going to go in the car again soon to see the other Grandma--the one with Peter (the dog!). They keep going out to the garage to sit in the car and wait. Caleb took his harmonica and Eva took an apple. They are so prepared. All day yesterday Caleb kept saying, "We're going to see Peter tomorrow! And the ducks! Quack Quack!". I hope we all survive the trip down to Oklahoma. My mom has been planning this family reunion for a long time and they've been working hard on "Camp Greer" and rumor has it they've purchased a huge waterslide for the event. Shoule be fun!
I'm going to try and keep up my blog a day schedule while I'm there. We'll have the laptop. If I'm not around for a day or two, just imagine me having a lot of fun at Camp Greer!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Big Kids
We took down the crib yesterday. For good. We are taking it back to the original owners (my dad and stepmom) when we go to Oklahoma* tomorrow. My kids are now both in twin beds.
Yesterday Eva spent most of the afternoon putting all of her toys down for naps in her new bed. She would pretend to give them a drink of milk, tuck them in, tell them goodnight, give them a kiss, shut the door, and tell us to SHHH! When it was finally Eva's turn to go to bed, she did an excellent job and didn't leave her bed even once in the night. Even when she did wake up, she yelled for Daddy! He went down and gave her a drink of water and we haven't heard from her since. Good stuff.
It sure is nice to have the kids in beds, out of diapers (still not totally trained--but CLOSE!), and out of strollers. Woohoo!
*I don't know if we're actually going to make it into Norman on this trip. My dad's so busy we might be meeting him while he is in Tulsa at the races. Maybe next time Tiffany and Melessa!
Yesterday Eva spent most of the afternoon putting all of her toys down for naps in her new bed. She would pretend to give them a drink of milk, tuck them in, tell them goodnight, give them a kiss, shut the door, and tell us to SHHH! When it was finally Eva's turn to go to bed, she did an excellent job and didn't leave her bed even once in the night. Even when she did wake up, she yelled for Daddy! He went down and gave her a drink of water and we haven't heard from her since. Good stuff.
It sure is nice to have the kids in beds, out of diapers (still not totally trained--but CLOSE!), and out of strollers. Woohoo!
*I don't know if we're actually going to make it into Norman on this trip. My dad's so busy we might be meeting him while he is in Tulsa at the races. Maybe next time Tiffany and Melessa!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Child Labor
FYI: I found a really unique way to help get clean water in Africa. PlayPump Systems is a way one group is turning a kids toy into a useful tool for the community.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Attached I-Cord: The Tutorial
I've been knitting an i-cord edge on my cardigan and I thought I'd share the way that I do this. I've searched online for several explanations of how to do an attached i-cord but this is the way that works for me. No need to pick up all those pesky stitches around the edge. Just start with a simple 3 stitch cast on.
For the sake of this tutorial, I'm using a different color yarn. To make an attached i-cord you need 2 double pointed needles.
WITHOUT TURNING YOUR WORK, knit those three stitches. Next, with your garment's wrong side facing you, pick up one stitch.
DO NOT TURN YOUR WORK! Slide your four stitches to the other point of your needle (as shown) keeping the yarn in back.
Knit the first two stitches and then knit the last two stitches together (this is including the one you picked up). You will now have three stitches again on your needle. You are now ready to pick up another stitch and repeat the process.
As you move along in your work, you will notice a nice cord forming around the edge of your garment. When you come to the end of your work, cut the yarn and thread the tail through the three stitches on your needle and pull tight.
For the sake of this tutorial, I'm using a different color yarn. To make an attached i-cord you need 2 double pointed needles.
WITHOUT TURNING YOUR WORK, knit those three stitches. Next, with your garment's wrong side facing you, pick up one stitch.
DO NOT TURN YOUR WORK! Slide your four stitches to the other point of your needle (as shown) keeping the yarn in back.
Knit the first two stitches and then knit the last two stitches together (this is including the one you picked up). You will now have three stitches again on your needle. You are now ready to pick up another stitch and repeat the process.
As you move along in your work, you will notice a nice cord forming around the edge of your garment. When you come to the end of your work, cut the yarn and thread the tail through the three stitches on your needle and pull tight.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Lizard Ridge
Remember this afghan? I've wanted it long enough. I'm ready to start accumulating the yarn to make it. It takes 21 skeins of Noro Kureyon. Ouch! If I grab a skein here or there it will lessen the sting of a REALLY expensive blanket.
Monday, June 25, 2007
My Favorite Things: Another Installment
I've got a few more of my favorite things to share and since my regular life is pretty much regular right now, I don't have anything personal to blog about today.
This is Irish licorice toffee. You can find it at Licorice International. I love black licorice and I love that this store is in Lincoln. You can go in and taste any kind of licorice they have. I think I'm going to make it one of my 101 in 1000 days goals to taste every single one. They have an online store if you want to try some of the best licorice in the world! Other good ones: Kookaburra (from Australia) and Black Licorice Caramels (from America).
For the past few weeks my legs have not been white as a ghost. It is because when I had my Beauticontrol spa party I picked up this lovely product. I'm always a little nervous about self tanners because I don't want to be orange. I also don't want to be super dark. I just want a "healthy" glow. That is exactly what this gives me. I'm pleased as punch.
These, my friends, are Addi Turbos. If I had enough money to replace all of my circular needles, I'd get Addis. Definitely. They really are turborific. The join is clean, the wire is smooth, and my yarn loves them. A lot.
This is Irish licorice toffee. You can find it at Licorice International. I love black licorice and I love that this store is in Lincoln. You can go in and taste any kind of licorice they have. I think I'm going to make it one of my 101 in 1000 days goals to taste every single one. They have an online store if you want to try some of the best licorice in the world! Other good ones: Kookaburra (from Australia) and Black Licorice Caramels (from America).
For the past few weeks my legs have not been white as a ghost. It is because when I had my Beauticontrol spa party I picked up this lovely product. I'm always a little nervous about self tanners because I don't want to be orange. I also don't want to be super dark. I just want a "healthy" glow. That is exactly what this gives me. I'm pleased as punch.
These, my friends, are Addi Turbos. If I had enough money to replace all of my circular needles, I'd get Addis. Definitely. They really are turborific. The join is clean, the wire is smooth, and my yarn loves them. A lot.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Bubba's Banana Bread
I think I'm going to have to rename Bubba's Banana Bread to:
Bubba's BLUE RIBBON Banana Bread
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Another Busy Saturday
I've got a lot going on today so I'm going to just post quickly about the agenda for the day.
1. Go to a few garage sales.
2. Make banana bread.
3. Make sugar cookies.
4. Go to the Blue Ribbon Stake Fair. This is an all afternoon/evening activity for our church. The whole stake (about 10 different congregations) is participating. Carl gets to be a judge for the food entries. I think he's pretty excited about that.
5. Win "prizes" for my banana bread. I'm only assuming this will happen as my banana bread is the bomb! There aren't really prizes so if I don't win it will be okay....I guess. ;)
6. Come home and SLEEP!
1. Go to a few garage sales.
2. Make banana bread.
3. Make sugar cookies.
4. Go to the Blue Ribbon Stake Fair. This is an all afternoon/evening activity for our church. The whole stake (about 10 different congregations) is participating. Carl gets to be a judge for the food entries. I think he's pretty excited about that.
5. Win "prizes" for my banana bread. I'm only assuming this will happen as my banana bread is the bomb! There aren't really prizes so if I don't win it will be okay....I guess. ;)
6. Come home and SLEEP!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Too Good To Be True?
The good behavior didn't last. They are still doing better than normal so for that I'm grateful.
Here is some news that is pretty darn awesome...
Here is some news that is pretty darn awesome...
EVA POOPS IN POTTY!
I missed it because I was at the class but Carl filled me in as soon as I called during a break. I'm so proud! This is the first time ANY of my kids has pooped in the potty in all the years of their existence. I hope she can keep it up.
I missed it because I was at the class but Carl filled me in as soon as I called during a break. I'm so proud! This is the first time ANY of my kids has pooped in the potty in all the years of their existence. I hope she can keep it up.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Showing Off
I didn't see the kids much yesterday because I was at my class in Omaha and then picking up their Grandma Nelson at the airport. We got home in time for dinner and then Carl left for his duties at church (for those that care--he is getting released this Sunday from being Ward Mission Leader--FINALLY!). Anyway, that left Janet and I to keep the kids occupied until bedtime.
THEY WERE SO GOOD!
They played so well together. Caleb built with blocks and drew on his board. Eva built with blocks and drew on the board. They didn't fight over a single thing! When it was time for bed I told them to clean up and they IMMEDIATELY started to sing the clean up song and picked up EVERY SINGLE BLOCK! They both went to bed without any fight.
I really hope they are this good the whole time she is here even if she thinks I'm crazy when I talk about how aggressive they can get.
I'm off to my class again today. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to catch up on all my blog reading!
They played so well together. Caleb built with blocks and drew on his board. Eva built with blocks and drew on the board. They didn't fight over a single thing! When it was time for bed I told them to clean up and they IMMEDIATELY started to sing the clean up song and picked up EVERY SINGLE BLOCK! They both went to bed without any fight.
I really hope they are this good the whole time she is here even if she thinks I'm crazy when I talk about how aggressive they can get.
I'm off to my class again today. Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to catch up on all my blog reading!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Minimal Crazy
The Cooks are sick of life on the road and have decided to go straight home today. Carl should have a pretty normal day with the kids while I'm at my class and we'll be anxiously awaiting the arrival of Grandma Nelson.
I made some awesome Crazy Bread for dinner last night. Want to make some? It's delicious!
3 1/2 cups flour
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
Mix it all up in a mixer for a few minutes. Let it rest while you drink a little Pepsi (or whatever). Dump the dough into a 9X13 pan or use a stoneware bar pan from Pampered Chef. There really is no equal. Get one. Roll it out. Sprinkle some italian seasoning on top. Pour some melted butter and garlic on top (about 2 tbsp. worth--or one of those Papa John's garlic sauce packets). Score it into breadsticks. Sprinkle a little parmesan. Let it sit for about 15 minutes while you finish your Pepsi and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake them for 20 minutes. They are best served piping hot. They are also good served the next day---if you made enough. They don't last very long.
Enjoy!
I made some awesome Crazy Bread for dinner last night. Want to make some? It's delicious!
3 1/2 cups flour
2 tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
Mix it all up in a mixer for a few minutes. Let it rest while you drink a little Pepsi (or whatever). Dump the dough into a 9X13 pan or use a stoneware bar pan from Pampered Chef. There really is no equal. Get one. Roll it out. Sprinkle some italian seasoning on top. Pour some melted butter and garlic on top (about 2 tbsp. worth--or one of those Papa John's garlic sauce packets). Score it into breadsticks. Sprinkle a little parmesan. Let it sit for about 15 minutes while you finish your Pepsi and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Bake them for 20 minutes. They are best served piping hot. They are also good served the next day---if you made enough. They don't last very long.
Enjoy!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Let The Craziness Begin
Today is the beginning of some major craziness around here. It's all good craziness, but craziness nonetheless.
The Cooks are on their way back to Indiana. That's four kids, Tara (Doug is already back home), Tara's MIL, and I think her BIL, too. They will stay tonight and tomorrow night.
I won't be at book group tonight, ladies!
Janet, my MIL, arrives tomorrow and will be here for a week. So, tomorrow night we will have a total of 12 people staying in the house. Good thing 6 of them are under 4 feet tall and don't take up too much space.
I'm taking a class in Omaha starting tomorrow that runs from 8-4:30 each day. It is on Teaching Communication to Children with Autism. I'm really looking forward to it. The two presenters are from Lincoln and just happen to be Caleb's preschool teacher from the last 2 years and the district's behavioral specialist (she has spent some time with us as well).
The Cooks want to spend tomorrow in Omaha up at Winter Quarters so I'll meet them after I pick up Janet at the airport and we'll probably grab some dinner up there. I'll miss out on all the sightseeing but I'm only sad about not getting to spend more time with Tara.
On the 30th of June we are leaving to go to Oklahoma for a family reunion. We will be gone until July 5th. This is going to be a really fun trip, I just know it.
I think my little brothers, Sam and Joe, are going to come back with us to stay for a while. If they don't come back with us now, I'm going to have them come up some other time this summer to hang out. They are 11 and 10 and I think they'll have a good time playing with the kids. Not to mention, they'll be a big help to me if we want to go do some fun stuff. Extra hands to corral the young'uns.
What I thought was going to be a pretty uneventful summer has turned out to be full of fun!
The Cooks are on their way back to Indiana. That's four kids, Tara (Doug is already back home), Tara's MIL, and I think her BIL, too. They will stay tonight and tomorrow night.
I won't be at book group tonight, ladies!
Janet, my MIL, arrives tomorrow and will be here for a week. So, tomorrow night we will have a total of 12 people staying in the house. Good thing 6 of them are under 4 feet tall and don't take up too much space.
I'm taking a class in Omaha starting tomorrow that runs from 8-4:30 each day. It is on Teaching Communication to Children with Autism. I'm really looking forward to it. The two presenters are from Lincoln and just happen to be Caleb's preschool teacher from the last 2 years and the district's behavioral specialist (she has spent some time with us as well).
The Cooks want to spend tomorrow in Omaha up at Winter Quarters so I'll meet them after I pick up Janet at the airport and we'll probably grab some dinner up there. I'll miss out on all the sightseeing but I'm only sad about not getting to spend more time with Tara.
On the 30th of June we are leaving to go to Oklahoma for a family reunion. We will be gone until July 5th. This is going to be a really fun trip, I just know it.
I think my little brothers, Sam and Joe, are going to come back with us to stay for a while. If they don't come back with us now, I'm going to have them come up some other time this summer to hang out. They are 11 and 10 and I think they'll have a good time playing with the kids. Not to mention, they'll be a big help to me if we want to go do some fun stuff. Extra hands to corral the young'uns.
What I thought was going to be a pretty uneventful summer has turned out to be full of fun!
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