Our Aweful Beautiful Life

As a recent (okay, well, not so recent, but I tell myself that) Purdue Alum, I really enjoy going to Purdue sporting events. And, given the fact that Purdue Men's Basketball is ACTUALLY doing well again (unlike the football team who can win the clutch games but not the easy ones), I really enjoy heading to Mackey to enjoy a nice night of basketball. My favorite trips are daddy date nights, where Dad and I enjoy the game and then usually a quick sandwich and drink afterwards. Nothing beats those nights. My second favorite date would be my husband, although, getting him to go to these games is like pulling teeth. He's pretty good at coming up with an excuse. Take this last Friday for example. Mom called, and offered us their tickets, as they were going to see Gram. Knowing it was the night before "opening day", I figured I was pushing my luck, but Jason agreed to go, and said he'd be in to clean up AFTER he went out and cut down a few branches. On...

Well, I've obviously slowed WAY down with my posts. But, I'll keep the site, it's fun to occasionally drop some pictures in here. See below to learn what we've been up to.... We couldn't wait to get out this fall and take a combine ride, and if this picture doesn't just sum up how happy they both were, I don't know what would.... Of course, we went for pumpkins and played in the leaves too... Then, Halloween came, and we got to play dress up, visit family, and say "tricky treat" ...which he loved more than the candy! We also had a Colt's football party with friends, and got to dress up again, with his playmates... And of course, I've got to include this, because it's hilarious. Aunt Dee's goodies are always top notch, but this year, they were over the top! She included a bag of cheetos in his bag, and warned Jason and I not to accidentally put them in our lunches, because after she bought...

Well, we've been keeping busy. In fact, I was just gone for about 5 days, meaning that I left the boys home alone to fin for themselves. I had a work trip to Grand Rapids, MI and they survived, but boy were we all glad to be reunited! :) Friday night, in honor of Jason's 29th birthday....we took Colton to Monkey Joe's to play for a bit, then off to Mt. Fuji Japenese steakhouse. What a fun night...Mom, Dad & Trent went with us, which of course, overjoyed Colton! Here are some fun videos! :) (Okay, so Mom, Dad, Jason and I all enjoyed going down the slides too....) And some pictures... Nat & Mike got married two weekends ago -- we had a great time at their wedding, and although I didn't get ANY pictures of the beautiful bride...I did get some cute ones of Colton and his future girlfriend Kendall...and him dancing with Aunt Stacy! This is Colton & Grandpa at Monkey Joe's.....immediately after this, Dad said NEVER AGAIN to this ...

Monday, 21 September 2009 Well, last Wednesday, we lost a good friend. Jasmine, the newest addition to our family, had been missing since Tuesday evening, and Jason found her Wednesday near the end of our driveway. Poor thing had apparently started to run (she tended to stay close to home, so this was completely new...) and we are assuming either sometime late Tuesday or early Wednesday she was hit on the highway. Jasmine was a good dog for us, one we'd only had since March. She wasn't high maintenance  and she was soo good to Colton. He even said (and still does occasionally) "Jaschy" which is his version of Jazzy. His favorite past time with her was bubbles...he and I would blow them, and Jasmine would jump up and bite them! She will be missed. RIP Jazmine...

Wednesday, 16 September 2009 Well, I'm gonna keep this short & sweet in the verbiage department, and probably quite long and obnoxious with the pictures. I think my jaw his the floor when I realized that State Fair was the last time I blogged, and honestly, that was some time ago! I apologize. Key points since State Fair -- We are loving this weather. 70's/80's during the days, 50/60 at night! It's perfect weather...a wonderful way to end the summer. The last weekend of August we headed to Illinois with Seth & Jen, Jacob, Silas & John for the 1/2 Century of Progress Farm Show. Lots of tractors -- Colton was lovin' it! That, and the fact that we basically spent the whole day on a ranger ride....he didn't want to get out of it to come home!  We also got to see my cousin Kenzie from DC, and Uncle Marc and Aunt Denise. That was a long overdue visit! September 2nd was a huge day -- Mom's Birthday celebration as well as Fa...

Tuesday, 25 August 2009 Indiana State Fair. One of my fondest memories growing up. It was typically our vacation and I think it all came rushing back to me when I walked into the pig barn this year, and took my first smells of my past....to us, State Fair was always about keeping your pigs cool, having a really cute show outfit, and getting run the grounds for the few days before it actually started. As the years progressed, I've spent my fair share of all 12 days working the State Fair from FFA to the summer I interned with Clear Channel to full time jobs after college. This year, I only had to work three, and I was lucky to spend my last shift on a daddy/daughter date. Dad's as much of a freak about the fairs as I am (which is likely where I get it), so he said he'd ride along with me, and after I got done working my five hour shift, we'd walk around some more. I warned him that he'd be on his own for 4-5 hours, and he was totally cool ...

Tuesday, 25 August 2009 Colton helped me bake a cake this weekend. He was actually really good, and it's pretty cute!! We got him a training toilet a while back. We paid probably $18 for the thing, and it's amazing. How did go from baking a cake to a training toliet you might ask? Hang with me...I promise I've not lost track. So this toliet, has a seat that can be placed on the regular toliet, or used in conjunction with the bottom of the trainer seat, which doubles as a step stool, and in our situation, even a booster seat. So, do you see we got a training toliet, booster seat and step stool, all just for $18! How awesome is that. So, on the day I was baking the cake, he wanted me to hold him, but obviously, I can't hold him and run a mixer, work around a hot oven, etc. So I sent him after his stool, and from that moment forward, he would put the stool down, step up, watch what I was doing, and when I'd go over to the sink, he'd step...

Yes, folks, it's true. My best friend of 27 years finally took the plunge this weekend, and I couldn't be happier for her. Talk about a beautiful bride. And a beautiful wedding. And most of all -- a beautiful family. Ever since I was a little girl who ended up with two brothers for siblings, these girls have adopted me as one of their own sisters, and I couldn't be more thankful for that. What a great group of girls to be associated with, and lucky enough, my brothers adopted them, and them my brothers. I'm not kidding....between New Years' Eve's spent as one big happy family playing cards around the kitchen table, or messing with our Ram Bucky in the pasture....we've had some good times together, all 7 of us! Who could forget rides in the Grape Ape home from basketball/volleyball games with our Dad's critiquing our performance, or getting ready for every formal dance together -- Stacy and I have shared so many memories, and ...

We had a fun weekend recently -- filled with good times. Friday night we went to Indiana Beach with John, Jess & Meredith. Saturday was Stacy's Bachelorette Party on the River and Sunday was Gram Pat's birthday party at Brad & Jacki's, followed by dinner at Matt & Amanda's. (Surely some of you are sighing about right now -- going, jeez, they run around A LOT!). Truthfully, i am too, after reading that...but you know what's sad. We didn't have ANYTHING planned for Friday night. Nothing. Who's idea was it to go to Indiana Beach even though she's running on empty.....MINE! I swear to you, there is something genetically wrong with me, that I can't not have something going on. Granted, looking back, we had a great time. But I'm exhausted, and we're going right into another crazy weekend. Although, hopefully this one will be more relaxing....kind of vacationish. We're going to Spring Mill State Park for ...