ISU Homecoming Parade

Waiting for the parade to begin...

Future lil' Redbird cheerleader!!

The stars of the show...the Big Red Marching Machine!!

Alex's Wish Almost Came True

Some recent Alexisms...

1. We noticed yet another for sale sign on our street this morning. Alex suggested that we move from our house into the house for sale. I asked him why he wanted to do so and he replied..."Nevermind, we do not need to move. I have a better idea...How about we get a cat instead?" This certainly came from nowhere, but later today, sitting on our porch was a black cat. Alex acted as though it was sent from heaven. He was not so pleased when I told him he couldn't have it or go pet it...Little does he know that mommy does not share the same love for cats as she does for dogs.

2. Alex's vocabulary continually amazes us...The other day while playing with his Uncle Jeff...Alex tells Uncle Jeff that he "exasperates him." Where does he get this stuff??

3. While changing Julia's diaper the other day, Alex tells me that "Julia's butt looks like donuts." I was slightly offended for Julia and asked him why he thought so and he told me it was because she had "powder on her butt." I quickly realized not to be so upset, I had just doused her in powder.

4. After I put my new sweater on the other day, I asked Alex if I looked "hot." He quickly responded..."No, just warm." Now, what exactly did he mean by that??

5. Alex was upset that his friend wasn't coming over to play the other day and I told him that it was because his friend's sister was sick with swine flu and they didn't want to get us sick. He definitely didn't understand the situation and I was trying to tell him that we could 'get bit by swine flu bugs' and get sick if we weren't careful. He seemed to understand until a little while later when he started to cry in the car...I asked him why he was crying and he said..."Mommy, you shouldn't leave the car windows open...the swine flu bugs will come in here and bite us." Good gracious, shame on Mommy for trying to enjoy the first nice day in a week!

Visiting the Pumpkin Patch

Hanging out at the top of the haystack with Aunt Tonya!!

When I asked Tonya to take our picture here, I did so because of the pretty mums...not because of the beautiful septic tank in the background!! How lovely!!

That is better!! No septic tank!!

I only took about a million pictures of this shot...A picture with the kiddies and their pumpkins...Not one of them turned out that great!

Another example...They never cooperate!!

Daddy's First 5K

Pre-Run Picture

Daddy (in the red shorts) anxiously awaiting the start of the race.

Here he comes--A finish of 11th place overall in 21:11!!

Julia doing a little running of her own.

Mommy and Julia having some fun at the 5k!

Getting ready for Alex's mini-5k!! Look--he is starting running position!

Daddy getting his medal for placing 5th in the 30-40 year old division.

One final shot...Daddy looking a bit dazed after his run...and the kids not paying attention...as usual!!

11-11-09--Happy Veteran's Day!

Daddy, Mommy, Alex, Julia, and Duke would all like to thank our family members who have helped protect our country our family over the years! Happy Veteran's Day!! We LOVE you!!

Grandpa Lloyd--Army Air Corps
Grandpa Richard--Air Force
Grandpa Wayne--Air Force
Grandpa Al--Army
Papa Carl--Army
Papa John--Navy
Cousin Nathaniel--Army (Currently Serving in Afghanistan)
Special Family Friend Aaron--Army

The Train Museum

Alex's first train ride...ever!! He was so excited! This was an original passenger train...I wish I had taken more pictures of the ornate interior. Not sure what the year was on it...

This is Julia's first experience on a train as well. She seemed to be cool with it, but I'm not sure she was as excited as Alex!

Alex and Daddy got to ride in the top seat in the caboose on the freight train! The caboose was circa 1946...A product of new production after the end of WWII!

Silly cheeses!!

Somebody has had enough...Four train rides was enough to tucker this little one out!

Julia Loves Pumpkin Pie!!

This is a tribute to Julia's love of pumpkin pie!! If you ask her what she wants for breakfast, she says "pie" and points to the fridge. When you tell her it is all gone because she ate it all, she cries!! :( When you call Meema to tell her Julia is crying, Meema immediately runs over with another pie (specifically, Papa's pie...Poor Papa!!). Julia has Meema wrapped around her finger!!

Airport Open Cockpit Day

Top Gun!!

Passenger plane simulator!

Shooting the guns...His most favorite thing to do!!

Checking out all the buttons!

The Last of the Halloween...I won't torture you anymore!!

Witchy Julia

Knight Alex and Pirate Duke

Getting ready for a night of fun!!

Take a good look at the costume I made for him! That is right...I made that!

Hopped up on candy...She made the loop in our house about 30 times. This is lap 21...

More Halloween

Alex's jack o' lantern....completed with the help of Uncle Jeffy and mommy.

Alex and his jack o' lantern!!

Alex and Julia sitting on the porch with the 'muck.' Julia can't say pumpkin, so she says 'muck!'

Next, working on Julia's muck!!

Julia's reaction to daddy putting pumpkin guts on her hands!!

A little treat...Julia's thoughts on touching the
insides of a muck!