Thanks Dave and Jen!

Who has cool cousins, raise their hands!! I have both of mine raised and waving!! Cousin Dave and Jen were kind enough to share their court side tickets with us so we could be at the ISU vs. UNI game tonight!

Being UNI alums and living in Cyclone country, it's a tough game to watch! When we first came to Ames, wearing cardinal gold and red for the first time was TOUGH, it felt so strange! And tonight red felt "normal" and the purple and gold looked strange....it was one weird feeling!

It was great to see TC (the cat) again though! One notable difference was that he had new shoes! Come on, what girl doesn't notice new shoes....even if it is on a mascot?!?!

Thanks again D and J! We had a great time! You are awesomely generous and we are so grateful!

Latest attempt at a self portrait...

We realized that we really haven't all been together during the year to get a family shot of us...so what better time to do it than during the first snow of the year?!?! Brrrr!!!! It was chilly and it got colder carrying the tripod around! We didn't take very many pictures....the whole 10 second timer issue and the weather really didn't allow for many pictures. But we did get some that were Christmas card worthy...amen!!



And this is what happens when there isn't an operator behind the camera to catch clowns who decide it's funny to wave at the camera. What part of COLD and SNOW do brothers not understand about behaving for outside pictures?!?!

Wii had lots of fun!

This year we went to my brother's for turkey day! This was the first time we have had thanksgiving dinner with him in too many years! Working in retail and black friday do not allow for traveling so mom and dad brought the entire meal 4 hours to his place and we joined in the festivities too! Of course Maddoxx got to go to uncle Matt's and she thought she was in heaven, she had an entirely new place to explore and did a really got job of cleaning all the floors....a few times over.

While Matt was at work, we put the Wii to work....that thing is awesome and an extreme workout! I'm not sure who thought it would be a good idea to play boxing....but we played. Eric and mom played round one. Dad and I played round two...and I got a big KO....that's right, a knockout!! However, that one match put me on my butt the rest of the night and let me tell you, my arms were feeling it the next day....how sad is that?!?! Bowling and tennis were much easier....I think I better stick to that next time and leave the boxing for the professionals.



Maddoxx did not think the Wii was too cool. Check out this picture, it cracks me up! She has her nobbly ball at grandma's feet and is barking at her to throw it in the middle of her boxing match! She's a little demanding when her grandma's attention gets turned away from her. Oh my!

Happy Turkey Day!

Here's wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!
We were back home for a few days a couple weeks ago and when we were driving around we saw this turkey roaming the streets!
We wish everyone safe travels!

The white stuff has made its appearance...

that's right, snow has fallen. Even though the weather forecasters have been warning me that the white stuff was going to come today, I think I was in a bit a denial as I found myself surprised when I looked outside to see the snow falling! Most is melting as it hits the ground, but there were a few flakes that decided to hang out on the pumpkin for a bit. I am TOTALLY not ready for this change in weather. We have had so much fun outside this fall, I am sad to see that go. I guess this means we'll have to get our sleds ready to rock and roll so we can have just as much fun this winter!

The end of the season...

Tonight we attended Woodward-Granger's football banquet where we played the highlight video we made for them this season. I lost count of the number of awards and letters given out but it was exciting to see so many underclassmen and well as upperclassmen receive them. It was a true team effort this season from the freshman to the seniors! Way to go guys, thank you for letting us capture your season!

Sneak Peak for the "K" Family!

We traveled 3 hours to capture this family! We had a high energy and busy session with them. We started in their Christmas outfits and quickly changed to clothes that would let us jump, throw leaves, roll on the ground and climb the trees. Whoa, now that's what a I call a great family photo session! D, I know you are excited to see the rest of the images, the gallery will be up shortly!

The "F" family

I have dubbed little E the busiest little girl in the world. Wow!! She took us on a tour around the lake and didn't stop in one place for more than a few seconds. We were running to keep up with her!
Check out her curls and the sun shining through....wow, does it get much cuter than that?!?!?
Thank you F family for a fun tour around the lake!

The "J" family...

We had a fun session a few weeks ago with the "J" family! Mom and Dad said that baby Z just was not her usual smily self, but she sure gave me plenty of smiles! I would love to be with her when she's her smily self, I can't imagine how much fun she would be! Baby Z was so sweet and was such a trooper wearing her adorable "tommy" dress on a cool fall afternoon. And check out her melt your heart eyes! Enjoy!

A glorious sight...

Yes, that's right, this photo is a glorious sight!!! Why you ask? These are the lost safety deposit box keys! They have been "missing" since June! We did not follow the rules and kept both keys in the same envelope, so when we lost one we lost both keys which meant we needed to get the lock drilled. Needless to say we have been putting it off. This is the one time procrastination has paid off for us.
You wil never believe where Eric found them.....in our safe! There they were all by themselves in the safe as we have transferred everything else to the safety deposit box. Where it has all been held hostage since June. :)
I am puzzled by the find as the last place I recall seeing the keys was in my car. Apparently I brought them in at some point and put them right where they should be. Imagine that, I put something back in the correct place!
I searched every creavice of my car, even went back to the parking lot where I last remember the keys in the car....I am telling you I searched EVERYWHERE.....of course except for the logical place!
In about a weeks time in June, I lost the keys, my glasses and the FM transmitter to the iPod. I am happy to say that everything but the FM transmitter has been located! Tell me where the most logical place for that is because I'm sure I haven't checked there yet....

Drumline competition

This weekend found us in Warrensburg, MO with 18 of Eric's students for a drumline competition. Yes, boys and drums....
Are you asking what we were thinking?!?!? We left Friday and returned Saturday evening at 11:30 with a 3rd place trophy! Not bad for their first interstate competition! When you are traveling with boys who dig drumming, everything turns into some type of noisemaker....and why did we think it was a good idea to go to a Chinese restaurant.....with CHOPSTICKS?!?!?! Hello, that's an endless supply of drumsticks....drumming on the table, on glasses on eachother....oh my!
OK, back to being serious, they really were good and it was a good trip. They had a great performance and that's all that counts! Boys will be boys and that's just what they were. It was just a step outside of our usual 2 person trips. :)