Smolek Happenings!!

2012-01-20T19:35:00.001-08:00

Been thinking alot about the funny things the boys say and do. I wish I could just have a video camera on them 24/7. We we were talking about snow, and it made me remember Colby looking out the window and realizing for the first time it had snowed.....he got so excited and pointed out and said "Noce! Noce!" So for a long time, snow was noce. ;) Love that. That was probably when he was 18 mos old I bet. About the same time he'd see Mickey Mouse and say "Kickey Mice!! Kickey Mice!!" :) Or at age 2, eggs were "eeeks", mouse was "moss", kite was "kot", and one of my favs, milk was "muck! muck!" and cop was "pock". Both boys would hear sirens and they'd stop, drop everything, and RUN to the front window to see what it was going by!! They still do that on occasion....unless they're eating, which is sacred now, lol. ;) Their baby books are both chock full of the things they said and did those first couple years--I ran out of room, lol.
They say these funny things even now. Today Ryan said his tummy hurt and I asked if he was nauseas. Colby says "what? His tummy is nachos??" :) Or the other day Colb was being overy ornery (no way!!) and I was tickling him, trying hard not to say he was being a little pain....so I said mid tickle, you're a pppp.....and he says "I'm not a penguin!!" :P Like I told him so often as a baby.....good thing you're so cute....!!!! :)
Ryan came home from school the other day, Martin Luther King Jr day, and I asked if he learned about MLK Jr at school today. He says "yeah." So I asked what he learned....his response?? "He got shot!!" Oh. Lord. 6 yr old boy! lol. We did a lil further discussing and he did learn more than that, whew! :) He comes home and tells me this girl or that girl hugged him today, and he played with his girlfriend Corina today. :) Lil stinker.
I went to a movie with the girls, and came home to a "no girls allowed" sign on the door. ;) Ryan Thomas Smolek!! lol. then he brings me a little note that he actually wrote....I love you mom....<3 be still my heart. :)
I was going through some crib sheets for a friend at work, came across Colby's "Kickey Mice" toddler bed set....and just cried like a baby. Can't believe my babies are so big already.
Out of time for now, To be continued........ :)

2012-01-08T17:55:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!....wait, January is already into it's second week!??!!? Geesh! :) We recouped well from Christmas. :) Ryan had the flu, I think, late into the night Christmas night and then bounced around all day Monday, and then threw up once more Tuesday night. So strange. Still not sure what that was. But thankfully no one else got it, and we were able to go to Grand Island and celebrate our Christmas with Nate's parents anyway. We really enjoyed our time with them in their new home. Hard to believe they've lived there over 2 mos already!

New Years came in quietly at our house, just like we like it. :) We watched cartoons and snuggled our boys, and once they went to bed then Nate & I made some popcorn and had some gummy worms and watched the New Years Eve stuff on t.v. New Year's Day, Nate and I went to Lincoln for one of my good friend's, Anne's, wedding. It was beautiful and very relaxing. We spent the night in Lincoln and met up with more friends on Monday; lunch at Olive Garden, Chris & Holly and Avery, and Jenelle; lots of laughs, little shopping too. :) I also got to catch up with a friend, Mike, at the wedding that I haven't seen in probably 12 years, which was really awesome. :)

This last week and weekend have been spent at home, relaxing and doing little projects around the house. Tomorrow will start a new week and hopefully finally back into normal routine. :) Routine is good around here, we kind of thrive on it!! :) Here's to a blessed week!!!

2011-12-26T20:57:00.000-08:00

December memories, through the month :)

2011-12-26T20:41:00.000-08:00

Unbelievable that it's been 2 years ago last night/this morning that we lost Gramps. It's a testament to his love and relationships with us, how much our hearts still ache, and how many tears are still shed missing him. He was the best, and I would have given anything to hear him call me Melissa, eaten peanut brittle with him and played games and joked around last night when I was hanging out at his house on Christmas. Merry Christmas in heaven, Gramps. ♥♥♥♥ Love you so much.

Lots of Christmas goodies, wonderful family time, mega-piles of toys for boys big and small, naps, a diamond necklace ;) , a movie and cozy socks, treasures and trinkets, tears and memories ♥.....Merry Christmas

Still laughing at Colb from yesterday....I called him Dennis, as in the Menace, ahem, and he says "what!?! I'm not a dentist!!!" ..... :)

Funniest thing I've heard Nate say to the boys today???...."Ryan, he's not a hammer brother....he's your brother....now stop."

LOVING Ryan's Kindergarten mind tonight. When I got home, he very seriously told me about how his class decorated a humongous gingerbread man, and when they came back from lunch, HE WAS GONE! "HE really just ran away this time, Mom. For real, he just ran away". Hand gestures and all, so serious. ;) I LOVE THAT KID SO MUCH!!!!

T.G.F.E.B.......(Thank goodness for early bedtime)........i love my kids, i love my kids, i love my kids, i love my kids, i love my kids.............

Thinkin how cute Ryan is, he came home the other day just grinnin, telling me about a little girlfriend at school. He said "She's my girlfriend mom, I asked her at second recess and she said 'sure'. So I play with her everyday" :) today he says "She blew me kisses mom. I'm not looking at girls anymore." LOL. :D But alas, today he played with her again.....oh the life of a kindergartner. :)

Colby says "Just me and you home all day mommy? Know what I'm gonna do? Hug and kiss you, all day long." ♥♥♥. :)

the 4 of us my end up with a bellyache from taste testing all of these gingerbread men i'm baking, but we've got to make sure each and every pan is juuuuuuust right.....right?!?!?!?!?! :D

Boys played outside and came in with red cheeks and a smile for hot chocolate, having bread bowls with soup for lunch, and thinking it might be a great day to turn on Christmas music and wrap presents!!! :D

2011-12-11T19:45:00.000-08:00

I almost don't believe it's been the whole month of November and half of December since I posted last, ohmygosh, that must tell you how busy things are!!! :) But things are good! I've spent most of my "free" time in the kitchen, which I love, but I must admit things around here tend to get a little neglected when that happens, lol. I've been doing tons and tons of Christmas baking, some for orders, some for friends, lots for family and of course, for my boys. :) The boys have decided they love gingerbread men, and peanut butter balls, and oreo truffles and cherry mash and fudge and cut out sugar cookies and m&m cookies and peppermint chocolate cookies and toffee bars and dipped pretzles and...................everything else i've made :) It's so much fun. Times like this though, really make me want a dishwasher.....*sigh*..... ;)
I can't believe only 2 wks until Christmas; how fun!! We had our family Christmas at my parents' house today, it was a blast as usual. The kids played like crazy, we ate lots of good food and treats, my brother brought out the 4 wheeler and sled, and I even got in on a snowball fight with him....I won. ;) Good times, as always, lots of blessings being able to celebrate with family. :) Took only a couple hundred pictures, so I'll have to pick & choose a few to share. :)
This also means Thanksgiving has come and gone.....this year, that's kind of ok!! We had all sorts of plans to have a wonderful family Christmas.............and plans go as sometimes they do! Both Nate & I ended up with Grandmas in hospitals, and so it was a bit stressful! My grandma was in Lincoln at the hosp for some ongoing problems, which they finally now have (fingers crossed!) gotten taken care of. On Thanksgiving Day, as we pulled up to Nate's aunt's house in Hastings, the ambulance was leaving.....ugh, not a good sign....poor little Gramma Emily fell and broke her femur, which required some pretty intense surgery. Both Grammas are on the mend now, but we're just looking forward to moving on!! We are eternally grateful for all that we've been blessed with, and thank God our grandmas weren't in worse shape.
Unreal that the fist semester of the school year is almost over, Ryan's loved Kindergarten thus far!! P.E., lunch at school, first lost tooth, and first "girlfriend", lol, I think we've filled the cup. :) Ready to have my boy home for school break with Colby & I, it'll be fun to have some of those days at home where we all stay in our pj's for hours. :)
Pictures to come soon, for now it's time to catch some zzzzzzz's. :)

October, a month of memories and fun. :)

2011-10-31T19:57:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the most important October event in our house, is Ryan's birthday!! This year we celebrated big number "6", which is just as unreal as it gets. He's gotten to be such a mature, funny, independent little, excuse me, big guy. That kid is so tenderhearted and sweet, and just says the funniest things!! We love him to pieces, and thank God every single day for blessing our lives with Ryan Thomas Smolek. :) His lil brudder luvs him too. :) We had a soccer themed birthday party this year, and he just loved every minute.

Ryan & Noah playing Ry's new Angry Birds game. :)

Daddy & Ryan checkin out the new Transformers.

Grandma Angie and great Grandmas Emily & Della

Great Grandma Shirley

Grammy BooBoo :)

Mama & me <3

Shannon & Dad hangin out. They were actually playing Angry Birds and I caught them on a break. ;)

Cooba eating his frosting (I mean, cake?!!?!?) :)

Story time with PaPaw, so precious

They are THRILLED when BooBoo & PaPaw spend the night!! :)

October has been such a fun-filled, beautiful month. We've spent lots of time outside, and the boys even got to "help" pick corn. They've ridden in combines before, but actually while combining corn was pretty awesome, they said!! :)

Halloween is always fun for the boys, we did the usual running around to friends and family here in town, they sure enjoy showing off their costumes to the great grammas and friends. This year we had a Knight and, of course, Luigi!! :) Minus the moustache, since it pretty much had it's wear through the year. :) Ryan told me this morning that since he's a knight, if I dressed as a princess, he would save me from the dragon. <3 Such a sweetie pie! It was a fun evening, the boys are over their sugar high and sound asleep. :)

My 4 boys....Ryan, Nate, Colby, & Dad headin down to the field

Waiting for Kurt to bring the combine around! :)

Gotta check out what's in the grainbin! :)

Nothing's in there Papaw! But I yelled and laughed at the echo!!

Ryan's turn to check it out!

Cooba and his PaPaw :)

Dad and Colby on a mission

Here comes the combine!!!!!

So excited for their ride!!

Pickin corn is way cool!!!

THANK YOU KURT!!!! :D WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!

Loving their new seek-and-find books!

My Knight-in-shining-armor. :) Told me that if I dressed like a princess,

He would save me from the dragon. <3 My boy.

Ryan's class Halloween party, I got to help! FUN!

My buster at the end of the party.

Love love love being a mama!!! <3

Happy Halloween 2011

Such cute tough guys :)

Daddy & his boys, at trunk-or-treat!!!

Caught up with our buddies!! :)

Colby & Kortlin "fixing" the door!! hahaha!

"Lil Moo", Avery :) So cutie!!!

Ryan, Colby, & Avery!!

Joy and the kiddos!!

Love our babysitter!! :D And our buddy Avery!

Gr Gramma Della and Cooby <3 :)

Such special times with great grandma. We love her so very much!!!!!!!

Gr Gramma Della and Ryan <3 :)

Bragging on Ryan......

2011-09-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

We had Ryan's first Kindergarten parent teacher conferences last night. It was so much fun to listen to his teachers brag about him. :) Mrs Niles said he's doing a wonderful job and picks up on things so quickly. She said he's alot of fun to have in her class and is very smart. They did their first DIEBELS (reading assessment) testing of the year, and one of the tests is on phonetics, hearing letter sounds. They said words to the kids and they had to tell the teacher what sound the word started with. She said most all of the time, this first testing period, the kindergartners usually have no clue what they're even talking about, let alone which sound is which. They usually score zero on this part, until later in the school year when they test again. .......however, my lil mr smartie pants Ryan scored 21. :) So proud of that lil boy! She did say he gets a bit chatty & social, LOL, and we laughed about that....esp since that was always the one thing my parents heard about me at conferences. :) Then we went over and talked with Mrs Cattau, who is his reading teacher and has him a couple hours a day. We sat down and she said "I only have good things to say about Ryan, I would take 20 of him!" She said she would take him home, any day. :) She said he's in her top reading group, and is very intelligent and sweet. She said she loves to hear him talk and tell stories when he's excited. She said he does an outstanding job and is always right where he needs to be!
Talk about a wonderful first Kindergarten parent teacher conference!! He just loves school so far, and even came home with an Outstanding Student Good Manners award from the music teacher last week!! : ) So that's my brag session for the day on my little Star Student. :) More to come soon, I'm sure. :)

September 2011

2011-09-26T18:36:00.000-07:00

LOL. Ryan is eating sour candy and when it made him squint he said "What is my eye doing?!?!" :)

Colby asked me who was singing the song on the radio, and when I told him, he said "Is he wearing an Angry Birds shirt??" Can we say obsessed?? :)

on a surprise family getaway day for the boys, taking them to see The Lion King 3D in Norfolk!! :)

Opened Ryan's backpack to put his lunch in....and a school picture of a sweet lil girl named Adalyn fell out.... ;)

Kid question of the week: Mr inquisitive Ryan asked me the other night "Mom, why does green mean 'go'?" That's among the ones that stumped me. :)

Ryan was trying to get our dog's attention but she was blissfully ignorant, tongue hangin out, and Ryan says "Holly should be on 2 stupid dogs." :)

Colby was backtalking, and when I told him to get upstairs, he bounced up the steps and said "yes! i didn't get soap in my mouth!" :O

motherhood has hit a new high when both of my boys have been telling me they want to marry me when they get big like daddy ♥♥♥

the boys are thrilled this morning that it's Friday.....that means it's the weekend and they can play the Wii ...... you'd think they were deprived!!! :)

2011-09-18T18:36:00.000-07:00

In Menards today, Ryan leans on a shelf, crosses his feet, and says "Mom, do I look like a teenager now??" :) Lil stinker!!

Playing outside and Colby brought Holly another puppy treat and I said "Colby, no more puppy treats, you'll get a tummy ache!" ;) So he takes a slick and says "YUCK!!!" ....and then teases holly so she chases him all around the yard for the treat. And then Ryan says "Sometimes when I come down in the nighttime to go potty, I sneak a puppy treat for a snack."....and then just grins like crazy! Nutso!!

What a GORGEOUS day today, we spent alot of time outside. Took the boys to the park so Ryan could ride his bike on the trail and Colby started out in Nate's bike trailer, but didn't last that way too long. :) It was adorable, as they chugged along, I'd hear them jabber and Colby say "I love you, Ryan".....then they'd start discussing Transformers or squirrels or whatever else came to mind. :) So sweet to watch these babies, side by side, always. :)

My baby's 4 year checkup, such a hoot. He's sitting there while she took his BP and he looks at me and grins and says "It's a little bit tight!" and then when she was counting respirations/listening to lungs, he says "Mom, it's taking a long time!"

He was practicing writing his name, drawing "Papaw's head", and making crosses :)

"Tall and Skinny" says Dr Anderson. Ha! :) So smart too. On the 4 yr questionare, one of the questions to ask him and record his answer was "what do we do when we are hungry?".....his answer?? "Starve!!!" :) Like this kid has ever missed a meal......heck, he's never missed a snack! :) She got a kick out of that one, even though I wrote down his next answer "Eat toast!" :) He's a funny one, that child. <3

Ryan's lil team "the perry's", minus one player that was gone

He is so stinkin cute :)

This kid LOVES soccer, and hustles like crazy!!!

He's gotten really good at kicking as he runs

How proud does he look? About as proud as his mama is :)

My big sweet boy. It's so much fun to watch him do something he LOVES and is passionate about. It's like a light bulb lighting up when he gets out there on the field. What a joy, to watch my son enjoy something so much, something he's decided he wanted to do, all on his own. I'm sometimes breathless, in watching these boys grow and develop their own passions and loves.....and they're still so little!!! :) I love them so very very much, they are my heart. <3

Summer 2011 Funnies....

2011-09-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

We just stopped by Nate's gramma's house but she wasn't home.....Colby asked if she was out polka-dot dancing. :) He's right! Lol

Colby's highlight of the parade--Miss America caught his lil eye & waved right down at him.

When I asked about today, Ryan told me some stuff, then said most of it is a secret & I'll have to come to Kdg to find out! Then he ate 2 steaks & 2 ears corn!

has to admit, shed some tears after the kdg parents mtg and tucking in my sweet big boy. had a hard time letting go and leaving his room tonight! ♥♥♥

Well, since Colby came in my room at 7:00 this morning and asked me to please make meatballs, I suppose I better get on it!! :)

Colby was whining and I asked if he was wearing his crabby pants....he says "Nope, just regular underwear!"

Colby just broke my heart....he says "I don't need my taggies anymore mommy, cuz I'm not a baby".... :'(

taking the boys to Fremont for the biggest surprise of their lil lives....to see 2 of the Transformers vehicles from the movie, EVEN Bumblebee!! gonna FREAK!!

ya know those little white flowers that we hate in our yards? they are somehow beautiful when a little boy brings me one and says "here princess, i picked you a fwower!" ♥♥♥

the boys are in HEAVEN.....the city is cutting down a tree right across the street and have a loader out here helping!!! such entertainment!

Me: What's wrong, Coob?

Colby: I mad at you mom!

Me: Why?!?!?!

Colby: Cuz you keep "no"-ing me, all the time!!!!!! *stomp stomp*!!!

Colby's supposed to be going to sleep.....he just hollars down..."Mommy, I forgot to kiss your hand!!!" ;)

Colby's "interviewing" Ryan, using his Schwans push-em as a microphone. :)

my little charmer colby.....hollars down...."mommy, can you come hug and kiss me again??..... you're pretty.....!!!!" :) he got several hugs and kisses again!! ♥

best part of my day is still this a.m. when colby crawled in bed with me to snuggle and started singing "my mommy is my princess......!!!!!" over and over. ♥ :)

Ryan did AWESOME at his physical. Not one tear from him!!! (that was mommy's department) He is set and ready for Kindergarten!! (again, tears for me! :) What a kid. :) ♥♥♥

2011-09-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

Ohmy, the wonderment of time. September is half over already; Monday this week was a hot 94 degrees, today a chilly 54 degrees. Fall is in the air, soup on the menu. :) Alot seemed to happen this last week; Ryan had his first soccer game last Saturday, which he LOVED and played his little heart out. Colby turned "4" years old and had his heart's desire in a Mario birthday party, although it took some imagination on mama's part! :) My grandma got the flu and ended up severly, critically dehydrated and hospitalized in Lincoln for several days and is still trying to recoup. :( I've topped off the crazy week with a head cold that's left me drained and exhausted!! I've thanked God every day this week for the family time we've had together. These boys are just too much, it's just a blast, as crazy as it gets and I try very hard to remember and ENJOY every moment with my babies and husband. :)

Colby & his buddy Avery, I mean Luigi & Mario!! :)

Birthday love for the brothers!!!! :)

Mushroom cupcakes!!

Happy Mario Birthday, Colby!!!

Can't believe my baby is "4" already!!! :)

Ta-da!!! Mom's masterpiece!!! :)

The Smolek family, in their Mario shirts!! :)

Mama & her babies <3

Noah & Ryan, buddies forever!!!

Opening gifts, in true Luigi fashion!! :)

Uncle NaeNae always gets the best gifts :)

Luvin the new toys!!!

SOCCER SATURDAY!!!

RYAN SCORING HIS 3RD GOAL OF THE DAY!!! :)

Colby & PaPaw, ready to watch Ryan's game!

Colby & his hero, big brother Ryan :)

2011-09-05T19:22:00.000-07:00

Such a fun, long, beautiful Labor Day weekend!! Nate and I had a date night and went to the LeAnn Rimes concert at the State Fair on Friday night, then Saturday we took the boys out there and met up with my parents & grandma and spent the day. The boys had an absolute blast, loved all of the animals, machinery, rides, and treats!! :) Sunday & Monday were spent being totally lazy, enjoying the amazing 73 degree cool weather, took the boys to the park. It's supposed to be this way all week long, can't believe it. :) It's just perfect!! Tomorrow gets us back to our now normal routine, with Ryan off to Kindergarten and Colby & I hanging at home for the day before back to work on Wed!!

2011-08-29T19:59:00.000-07:00

Another exciting week/weekend all wrapped up, tied with a bow. :) Ryan had his first full week of kindergarten last week, and flew through like a champ! Loved every bit of it except the chicken fajitas. ;) He's learning already to write his numbers, coming home singing new songs everyday, his favorite thing so far is P.E., and he's sleepin like a baby....wait, make that better than a baby. :) He's completely zonked out by 8:00 almost every night and most mornings I have to wake him up at 7:00. :)
Colby's missing his brother something fierce, and can't wait till we go pick him up everyday! Most mornings he says something along the lines of "I wish Ryan just wanted to stay home with us and eat toast & watch sports center." :) But then we come home, and have our toast, and watch our cartoons, and play with our blocks and run errands. I'm going to tether him to my side next time we go to the store; all of these ladies that work at Walgreens & Super Saver just want to keep him. ;) He's such a funny lil fart. He usually ends up running errands with me dressed as Luigi, often wearing his hat from his Halloween costume and some mismatched gloves. :) He jabbers with everyone we meet, and people are always telling me how sweet and funny and well mannered my boy is. :) Makes a mama proud. He's a little jokester, crosses his eyes at me, calls me a silly dork!!! Tells me I'm so pretty, brings me "flowers", and sticks his tongue out at me. :) We hold hands while we walk, and snuggle up to watch Wubbzy. :) Then.......we go pick up brother, and suddenly Mom's not so much fun. :)
Tonight Ryan had his first soccer practice, ohmygosh, going to be soooo cute watching those lil farites out there running around. Can't wait till his next practice and first game. :)
Mom & Dad came down yesterday and spent the afternoon hanging out, supper at DQ, spent the night, Mom hung out today with Colby while I worked; I don't know which one of them was more spoiled. ;)
Speaking of work, in a couple of weeks I will come upon the one year anniversary of working at Columbus Women's Healthcare!!! Unbelievable!! No way does it seem like a whole year since I changed jobs already; it's been a blessed year, and I'm very happy with the transition. I still miss my girls up in Norfolk, but have found a whole 'nother set of wonderful friends & coworkers, employers & staff. Plus the added bonus of being here in town, so close to run Ryan to school, easy to work part-time, etc. It's working out really well. Nate just came upon 3 years at A.D.M. and is cruising right along; it sure has helped since they've hired a few more PC Techs to help him out. :)
We're planning on going to the state fair in Grand Island this weekend, looking forward to a few days away, and a date night with my husband. :)
In the mean time, here are a few pics from Nate's cousin's wedding over last weekend. :)

It's Official!!

2011-08-17T18:58:00.000-07:00

My boy is officially a school-ager! Today was Ryan's first day of Kindergarten, WOW, talk about a FUN, EXCITING, NERVOUS, EMOTIONAL day!! More for Mama than Ryan. ;) He just hopped out of the van, walked right up to school (barely even holding my hand in the crosswalk!!) and right into the classroom!! He did hug on his mama when we went in and were looking around, but then he saw a buddy from preschool and they settled in on the rug, all smiles!!! :) Of course, I was on the edge of tears but smiling the whole time; once we walked out of the classroom, the tears rolled!! Bless his lil heart, it's just unbelievable. :) I thought about him all day, wondering what he was doing eveytime I looked at the clock. :) When 3:25 FINALLY rolled around, I could barely contain myself! I had to hold back from RUNNING up to the school, lol. He came out all grins, and definitely exhausted!! He told me some fun things from today, like singing one of his favorite morning songs from preschool, "Rise & Shine"; going on a "bear hunt" around the school, getting to RUN in the gym, eating lunch in the cafeteria, and more...but he did tell me that "most of it is a secret, Mom, and you'll just have to come to Kindergarten with me to find out!" :) Little stink! Then for supper he ate 2 steaks and 2 ears of sweet corn; then of course a couple of snacks this evening!! :) He fell into bed, exhausted and happy. LOVE LOVE LOVE that boy!!! <3

2011-08-16T20:11:00.000-07:00

Time is tickin away.....man, does it ever. Tomorrow I send my baby to Kindergarten, so be prepared for some tear-stained pictures from then. ;) Until then, let's recap. The last month has been fun and busy and all of the normal summer things! We haven't seemed to gone much of anywhere, but seem to have stayed busy just the same! Normal daily life with two little boys, normal daily life we love. We've really been enjoying lots of time at home, just relaxing, and being cozy with our boys. We've celebrated our nephew/cousin Noah's birthday, spent some time in G.I. at the lake, I went to a Women of Faith conference, which is always so much fun and so refreshing!! :) Gave me a little time to miss my boys, and come home ready to snuggle!! Nate & the boys went to G.I. during that time, and as you can see, Colby decided he is now big enough to jump off of the rope into the lake. Little stinker!! :) Lots of fun pics, they are pretty self explanatory!! I'll tell more stories later!! :)

2011-07-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

2011-07-05T12:25:00.000-07:00

What a fabulous 4th of July weekend!! Besides the fact that it was a wonderfully looooooooong weekend, we got to spend so much time at home with the boys, lighting off fireworks, playing outside, in the pool, making cookies, watching movies......just good family time that sometimes gets pushed aside due to the business of so-called life. Sunday evening was fun, spent it over at a friend's 4th party, let the kids play, watched the city fireworks, and just hung out in good company. :) Monday, on the 4th, we took off for my parent's house and spent the whole day; Nathan, Shannon & Noah were there, Nate, myself, and the boys, and mom & dad! It was great!! We grilled, played outside, had a water balloon fest for the boys, they rode 4wheelers, and I even shot my brother's pistol. ;) The evening was capped off with ice cream and fireworks!! Always more fireworks!! :) It was the first time in a long time all of us were together at Mom & Dad's. It was really fun. Nate & I even took a lil time to visit some childhood landmarks of mine, the sweet little Rosenburg church included. Nate had never been in there, so we visited. :)
I can't say I've minded having an extra day off and at home today. The boys & I slept in a bit, watched the city cut down a tree across the street, played the Wii, and just have enjoyed relaxing!!!!! :)

2011-06-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

Well, the boys started another week of Vacation Bible School this week, at the Berean church with some friends....and they BOTH get to go! Talk about an excited couple of kids! Esp that 3 1/2 year old who always says sadly, "I'm not 5-enuf yet"....I don't think he even believed me for sure that he could go, until I actually dropped them of yesterday. :) Funny boys. They're loving every minute of it, and it's so good for them. Can't wait until their little program at the end of the week!! :)
We've been busy as always, had my great uncle Ewald's funeral this week. Sad to lose him, glad he's no longer suffering. Love him to pieces, lots of great memories growing up. Other than that, the week's been ok so far! Stormy weather has made for some short nights, but so far we've stayed out of the line of damage!!
Tomorrow I get to spend the day with my Grandma Shirley and cousin Kim! We're going to meet up and go to Norfolk for the day, it will be good to just hang out. :) Then tomorrow night is the LAST NIGHT of T-ball already for the season! Crazy how fast that 6 weeks have gone, kind of bittersweet that it's almost over already!!! We'll see if we can keep Ryan awake for his last game, it doesn't start until 9:00 pm!! :) Can't wait. :)
The pictures pretty much tell all the stories needed, so hard to choose the cutest ones to post. :) Enjoy, I know we sure do!!! :)

2011-06-22T20:23:00.000-07:00

June 2011, Colby Stories.....

2011-06-22T19:07:00.000-07:00

Me: What's wrong, Coob?

Colby: I mad at you mom!

Me: Why?!?!?!

Colby: Cuz you keep "no"-ing me, all the time!!!!!! *stomp stomp*!!! BAHAHAHAHA!!! He's such a terd!!!!

Colby's supposed to be going to sleep.....he just hollars down..."Mommy, I forgot to kiss your hand!!!" ;)

Colby's "interviewing" Ryan, using his Schwans push-em as a microphone. :)

my little charmer colby.....hollars down...."mommy, can you come hug and kiss me again??..... you're pretty.....!!!!" :) he got several hugs and kisses again!! ♥

best part of my day is still this a.m. when colby crawled in bed with me to snuggle and started singing "my mommy is my princess......!!!!!" over and over. ♥ :)

Time Flies......!!!

2011-06-12T19:50:00.000-07:00

Can't believe another week is done and gone. :) We had a busy but very good week! Ryan got to go to his first year of Vacation Bible School, which thrilled me as much as it did him! He had a wonderful time, learned alot, and even got to sing on the church stage for their program, which was very exciting for him! He wore his little VBS beads with his name on it almost all week, and couldn't wait to go every day! VBS was such a fun and exciting time for me as a kid, just such precious memories. I was able to go to our little country church VBS, all of us little country kids. :) It was a wonderful time. A country church fellowship hall, which I can still remember the distinct look and smell if I think about it. :) Singing classic VBS songs, making crafts, picking mulberries, playing with friends, and learning about Jesus made such a special week!! So glad my kids still have this type of opportunity. :) They were invited to another VBS this month at a friend of mine's church, and even Colby can go this time!! He's three-enough!! :D
Now onto this week, and some "home-time" relaxing with my boys!! Looking forward to a couple of days off this week with no major plans, other than sleeping in a bit, staying in our pj's a little longer than normal, and just being home. Ryan has his last two t-ball games this week and next, so looking forward to those. It's been really fun to watch the "Bullfrogs" play ball each week, and Ryan is getting so good! Hits the ball in the outfield and runs like the wind! :) He looks so darn cute out there; I can just see him maturing and growing before my eyes. My sweet sweet baby. Kindergarten is around the corner. He did so very good at his physical and didn't bat an eye at his shots.....although he's quick to tell everyone that HE didn't cry but his MOM did!!! :) My boy. And Colby was quick to help brother out, esp during his eye exam when Ryan was reading the eye chart and telling the nurse what the pictures were....when he was on the tiny row close to the bottom, he paused to think and Colby says "Ryan!! That one's a circle!!" :) The nurses & Dr got a kick out of that! ;) Such a good helper, that little brother, who was standing much closer to the chart. :)
My Colby-pants and I have sure enjoyed our mornings together this last week while Ryan was at VBS; we did everything from watch cartoons to run errands to go to garage sales to playing outside!! Lots of snuggles and, his favorite, yogurt drinks. :) He tells me he's getting "so good at helping make cookies and kool-aide", and loves to be mom's little "shopping buddy".... :) As much as he wants to grow up like brother and go to school too, this mom is sure glad she has more time home with her baby before that happens!! I just think back at that time I had home with Ryan before Colby was even born, and how now is my time with Colby.....it's just precious. :) Just the little things at home together makes us happy! :)

2011-06-07T13:58:00.000-07:00

Memories....

2011-06-07T13:07:00.000-07:00

May/June 2011

Colby was saying how God made TREES and flowers and animals.....and Ryan was getting upset, saying No He Didn't!! ??? Finally he says, "Colby, God did not make CHEESE!!!!" :P bahahahaha!!! funny boys. :)

Ryan's all excited that VBS starts tomorrow; poor Colb...just another thing he says "I'm not 5-enuf yet". :P awwwww.....♥

So I just heard the boys saying Transformers can fly......with the help of pixie dust.....a little too much Disney channel perhaps?? :)

Ryan did AWESOME at his physical. Not one tear from him!!! (that was mommy's department) He is set and ready for Kindergarten!! (again, tears for me! :) What a kid. :) ♥♥♥ Yeah, it was kind of funny tho....every time someone asked him if he cried when he got his shots, he said "no, but my mommy did!!" :P

♥ I told Ryan he has beautiful eyes....he said "Just like you, Mom." ♥

totally enjoyed rocking both boys tonight at the same time, the three of us singing Sunday school songs together.....what a joyful noise. :)

we're in walgreens, and colby picks up an ad and says "Oh! Mom! Here's your coupons!" :)

2011-05-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

My boys' Sunday school teacher, Miss Summer, told me tonight that on Mother's Day when she asked them one thing their mommy does that they just love more than anything, very seriously they both told her about these awesome, huge, perfect chocolate chip cookies. :) love love love those boys!!!!!!!! :)

.......and it's May!!!! :)

2011-05-05T19:58:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe how busy 5 year olds are these days!! :) Ryan went from being our little Ryan, to suddenly he's in swimming lessons, t-ball, signed up for soccer and kindergarten!!! It's crazy!! He finished up this session of swimming lessons last week, and passed his first level! Yippee!! My little fishie, just loves the water. Then today was our first t-ball practice, and he just had a ball. Can't wait till next week!! :) So cute to watch these little people out there running around. Ryan is one of two leftys on the team. :) They're pretty funny, they tell them to run to 2nd and they don't stop there!! lol.
Colby wants so badly to play ball too, but as he told a friend of ours "I'm not five-enough yet". :) But he's sure good at cheering on his brother! He says "great job sliding, ryan!!!' :)
They're all sorts of excited, b/c the BIG sandbox we built a couple of weeks ago FINALLY has sand in it!! We still need to get one more load to top it off, but we've already got dump trucks, shovels, buckets, loaders, excavators, etc etc etc in there workin hard!! :) They can actually both play in there at once with plenty of room!! It's wonderful. :)
I had a conference all last weekend, some continuing education. It was a good conference, and an even better time to catch up with some friends I don't see real often!! :) And the boys had what they call "No Girls Allowed" time with daddy. :) I'm thinkin probably lots of Wii and Happy Meals. :) I'm so glad they can enjoy some time together, it's so good for them. I'm very grateful for Nate, and his willingness and enjoyment of his time with the boys; he's an awesome daddy. :)

2011-05-05T19:47:00.000-07:00

Janeen, Trista, & I at Applebees after a conference

My silly, swinging boys!!

Ryan in his cleats, doesn't he look proud?? He's so excited for soccer!!

My little FBI agent. :)

Buster at his first T-Ball practice!!

These kids are so stinkin cute!

Run Buster, run! :)

My little lefty!

GOOOOOO Bullfrogs!!!!! :)

So excited about our new sandbox!!

Lots of room to dig and play!!

2011-04-18T19:55:00.000-07:00

Well, after being 51st on the waiting list for swimming lessons, somehow we ended up getting a call a couple of weeks ago and saying they had a spot for Ryan open!!! Yippeeee!!!! :) So my lil fishie got to start swimming lessons tonight, and had so much fun. He just loves the water & jumped right in!! It's cute to watch these lil guys learning. :)

The Sweetest Secrets of All

2011-04-13T20:44:00.000-07:00

My Baby!!

2011-04-13T20:25:00.000-07:00

Ryan & Mrs Muntz, Preschool teacher

It's crazy! Ryan's all registered for Kindergarten this fall, and today we had his year-end home visit with his preschool teacher, Mrs Muntz. :) It's a neat thing she does to show parents the progress throughout the year; she brings a folder with some things from throughout the year and shows how he's gotten better at things, etc. He does a fantastic job cutting shapes out, and straight lines. He loves to cut and color, does a really good job. He's a whiz with numbers already, thank goodness. :) He didn't get that from me!! lol. At the beginning of the year he could consistently count to 13, mid year it was to 69, now he's counting consistently to 100 with no mistakes!! :) that's my baby!! so proud of him!! and he recognizes/reads numbers written up to 30, which the standard for preschool is up to 15. :) He's known all of his letters, lowercase & uppercase, and colors all year. His name writing is adorable, so much improved, it's just so cute to see!! :) He is able to put things in order/sequence things really well. She said he's been a joy to have and she's really enjoyed having him, and thinks he's very ready for Kindergarten. :) Such bittersweet times!!! My sweet lil baby boy. Man, I better get the kleenex ready. SO PROUD OF HIM. :) LOVE YOU RYAN!!!!! :)

2011-04-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

When I was rocking and snuggling Colby tonight, I just thought "I want to remember this forever; how he feels, how he smells, how he talks and giggles." I wish so much there was a way to just keep a piece of that forever and be able to pull it up and have it fresh and real, ya know? Just close my eyes and be back in the moment and be able to kiss those little cheeks and smell his little neck and just squeeze him tight. :) These boys are just so precious, and I just enjoyed so much this evening sitting on the couch and watching cartoons with a boy snuggled into either side of me. :) I thank God for my sweet boys everyday, and cherish every moment I have to chew on them. :)

2011-03-30T20:23:00.000-07:00

What a week!! Busy busy, and hard to believe we went from t-shirts and no jackets, almost 70 degrees one week to several inches of snow the following!! No worries, the boys enjoy it all. :) I do, however, prefer the days I can send them out to the backyard to run around and burn off some of that excess energy that strong, healthy, perfect little boys tend to have. :) Beautiful babies, the pictures speak for themselves!!

Memories....

2011-03-29T06:22:00.001-07:00

lol. ryan comes in the living room and says "mom, if i give you kisses can i play bowling on the wii?" :) my smart, sweet boy. ♥ :)

March 25 at 4:15pm

Colby was trying to figure out how I put my earrings in, and when I told him there were little holes in my ears, he just giggled and said "that's a great story mom!!!" :D

Colby's such a flirt!! We were sitting in DQ havin supper (and dessert!!) and he's grinnin and wavin at some girl goin thru the drive thru!! hahaha!! :) Ryan was more excited about the equipment drivin by! :)

March 24 at 7:24pm

I walked in the bathroom and the boys were going pee......at the same time......dueling.....!!!\n\nMissy

March 16 at 8:21pm

LOL!! The boys are licking their nerf darts and sticking them to their foreheads!!!

February 28 at 6:39pm

today's the day I register Ryan for Kindergarten!!! My bebe!!!! My gosh, can't believe it's been a year since we registered for preschool and he said "I just can't wait to see all those girls, mom!" :) What a big boy!!!!!!!

March 22 at 8:15am

Ryan's at Noah's for a sleepover tonight, and poor Colby cried most of the way home...."I want brother home with me".....he's so attached! ♥ lovebugs!

March 10 at 10:21pm

The dentist said Ryan talked the whole time he fixed his tooth. lol. What?? My kid?? Talk alot?? hmm. ;) Wonder where he got that.....!?!?!?!?! Oh, and Ryan giggled and said he accidently licked the dentist. ;)

March 10 at 8:33pm

What's it tell you about the boys' rooms when they put on their hard hats to clean up??? ;)

March 9 at 4:32pm

so colby was making a mess, and i said "colb, i'm your mommy-not your maid!" he smiles and says "nice to meet you!" :P

March 3 at 9:34am

dance party in the basement with the boys and the glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs! I don't know who's more worn out, me or the boys!! :) good memories ♥

February 9 at 7:31pm

my 5 yr old just totally impressed me by helping me put away laundry----he hung up all of his & colby's shirts on hangers & put them in the closet, with no help!! :P I had no idea he knew how to do that!! YES!!! :)

February 2 at 7:42pm

loves our bedtime routines with the boys. stories, snuggles, & songs, hugs, kisses & tuck-in's. no matter how chaotic or frustrating or crazy our day may have been, we always end the day on a sweet note, falling in love with our babes all over again. ♥ : )

January 30 at 9:07pm ·

2011-03-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary to us!! :) This weekend we celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary! How fun and blessed to be able to do so. Nate's mom picked up Ryan on Thursday afternoon for a couple of days in Grand Island for spring break, so we had some time with just Colby! We took him out for a Happy Meal and to the park. :) Then my dad picked up Colby on Friday after work for a sleepover at their house! So! Nate & I had Friday evening to ourselves, something that doesn't happen very often indeed!!! :) We went to Applebees for a leisurely quiet supper, went to a funny movie, and then went bowling!! We had a good time, and enjoyed just being together. <3 Saturday we laid around and watched some tv in the morning, and went out for lunch, signed Ryan up for T-Ball for this summer, and then a little bumming around town; we met up with nate's dad and picked up Ryan and then headed up to Mom's to hang out and pick up Colby!! By the time we got home, they were both absolutely shot, and crashed hard!! We had naps today for sure!! :) Today was a great relaxing Sunday. After church this morning, we came home and had sandwiches for lunch, took naps, played outside, made cookies, had comfort food for supper, and played outside some more!! :) The kids are off to bed now, and it's time to relax and watch a little t.v. before bed!

It's a circus!!

2011-03-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

It's so much fun to watch the world through the kid's eyes. :) We took the kids to the Shrine circus last night, and I thought it pretty funny that Colby's favorite part was the clowns's leading the chicken dance. :) He just boogied down and giggled!!! I don't think I've seen that kid dance that much forever! lol Very cute! And Ryan's favorite part was the clown cops chasing the jail bird that stole the donuts!! For two kids who were freaked by the clowns when we walked in, they sure ended up loving them!! They just laughed and laughed at those clowns, and even wanted to give them high fives and try some of their tricks, like spinning the plate on the pencil. :) It was very cute to watch. They enjoyed the lions and tigers and elephant, and the dancing puppies, and the pretty girls too, lol. The circus is just one of those rare times you can just sit back and laugh at nonsense with the kids and just enjoy the moment. :)

My Funny Boys.......

2011-02-23T19:57:00.000-08:00

Friday November 19, 2010

Ryan gives me a hug and says “You’re in my heart, Mom”

Ryan was watching Toy Story 2 and says “Mom, my eyes are taped to the t.v. right now.”

Colby says “You a princess, Mom. You girlfriend.”

Ryan loves preschool, and has lots of friends. Has a crush on Abigail. 

Sunday November 21, 2010

Colby turned the freezer temp dial waaaaay down, sometime this week…….figured it out when I went to get out my peppermint ice cream and it was verrrrrrry soft. Grrrrrrrrrr………… Kinda reminded me of the time he pulled all the eggs out onto the floor at jack & angie’s house.  lol.

Colby has been calling his dad “nate”. Hey nate!! Nate, come’re!! Oh, child.  His lil voice is too cute.

February 9, 2011

Colby is 3, and calls his mommy his Princess and his Girlfriend.  “You girlfriend, Mom.” “I lub you, Princess. You in my heart. “ 

His little voice is so tiny & cute, except when he’s screaming.  I asked him if I could take his picture and send to Papaw, and he says “No, I don’t want my picture, Mom, but thank you for asking me!”

We walked into the house the other day and he looks around and says “Whose place is this anyway?!!?” 

When I tell him something, he says “I just can’t believe it!!” Or when I ask him to do something or for a hug, he’ll often say “Sure, no problem!!” Such a luva. 

I asked him one day if I’d told him how much I loved him and he smacked his forehead and says “I forgot to ask!!”  Then later I asked him where he got so cute, and he said “Walgreens!” 

He just loves his brother. Every day when we pick Ryan up from preschool, Colby says “How was your day Ryan? What’d you make today? “  He calls Ryan “My Buster”. 

Snuggling with Ryan, rocking him and singing to him, I just love talking to him about when he was a baby, and telling him how much I love him. He’s still such a snuggle bug, and loves me to sing Twinkle Twinkle, just like when he was a baby.  He says “mommy, will you color with me again tomorrow?”

We totally had a dance party in the basement tonight, we blasted TobyMac & NewsBoys, and just rocked out with the glow-in-the-dark dinosaurs.  We literally collapsed after almost an hour. 

February 9, 2011

One day last week I told Nate about some dream I had, and Ryan says “Mom did you have one of those little clouds above your head when you were dreaming??”  So stinkin cute.

I told Colby one day I’d help him after he went potty, cuz his undies were twisted…he looks at me and says “TOASTED!?!?!” Why my undies are toasted?!?!!? 

When we tell Ryan to do something insane like eat his peas, he says “When I’m 31 like dad, then I’ll have to do it!!!” ;) Smarty pants!

Colby totally loves peanut butter and banana sandwiches.  My boy!

Took the boys to Albion to the theatre to see Yogi bear with Mom & Dad, such good memories. 

Ryan told me one day when he came home from school that “Gracias” means Thank You….in French.  Must be all of those little “French” buddies at school, lol.

Got the giggles one night with the boys as we sat in the Tahoe shivering, but eating our Frosty’s from Wendys. 

Oh So Handsome!!! :)

2011-02-23T19:14:00.000-08:00

2011-01-12T19:22:00.000-08:00

LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW!!!!

Oh, the boys are in heaven with all of this snow! It's fun to watch their lil eyes get big & excited when they look outside.....and they look so stinkin cute in their snow pants & gear!! Watching them trudge through a foot of snow and make snow angels, coming in for hot chocolate...and snow ice cream! :) This is the stuff memories are made of!

2010-12-03T20:38:00.000-08:00

My 'lil boys are growing up so very fast. They are no longer babies, or even toddlers. They are just such amazing, beautiful kids; they bless our lives every day. Raising them is a privelage.....and a challenge some days!!! :) But we sure do love them, and thank God for them every day & the light they bring to our lives. :)

2010-12-03T20:05:00.000-08:00

Well here we go.....December!!! :) Christmas tree, lights, and decor are up and lit, presents are bought & wrapped (but not under the lit up tree, due to little hands...), music plays, cookies & treats are baked....and even the first snowfall has come & gone!! :) I love this time of year.....and this year has GOT to be better than last year. It seems surreal and still painful that a year has come & gone since we lost Gramps. Still miss him oh-so-much; we got through Thanksgiving and were so glad to be able to be there with & for Gramma. Sometimes it's hard to know how to feel, excited & celebratory about the time of year, but sometimes it's hard to feel happy when I think about not having Gramps here to celebrate with......but I do know that he loved Christmas and that he would want us to remember him and still be happy & enjoy the season with our kids and family. So it's a work in progress, and when I feel those flutters of excitement when I see the pretty trees and such, I try to remember that IT IS OK and even RIGHT to be happy at Christmas time, and that Gramps is even HAPPIER in HEAVEN this year. :) LOVE YOU GRAMPS.

The boys are really getting excited about Christmas and I've been really trying to teach & remind them of the true meaning of Christmas, and that we give gifts to each other to show our love to each other, just like God gave us the most precious gift of all, because he loves us even more than we can imagine. :) Colby even sang Happy Birthday to Jesus already......and then asked for a present. :)

Ryan's been doing some things at school in learning about gingerbread men, and we decorated the cutest gingerbread man for him to hang up at school; He's excited b/c they are making Christmas trees next week!! He's learning so much at preschool, learning his letter sounds and even starting to sound out some words! He's so smart and funny. The boys are really into doing puzzles, and one day I told him that doing the puzzles helped keep him smart or something along those lines, so the other day Colby did a puzzle and said "I did it!" and Ryan said to him "Good Job, Colby.....did it help your brain??" :) Lil smartie. Funny kid!

We were blessed to have Thanksgiving Dinner with Nate's parents, and then we went to my Gramma Shirley's for supper that evening. It was a nice relaxing day, lots of good food & family time!! :)

Colby & Grandpa Jack chillin on the couch, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Checkin out all of the toy ads with Grandma Angie & Daddy!

My buster helping me peel potatoes for Thanksgiving Dinner

Mommy & Colby

Mommy & Ryan

2010-11-03T19:24:00.000-07:00

My little Mario & Luigi brothers!! They had so much fun on Halloween, and I think their favorite part was wearing their mustaches! I couldn't believe it, but they loved wearing them and left them on all night!! They both got loads of candy, and will probably be on a week-long sugar buzz. :) Ah well, whaddya do. :) At least when they crash, they sure sleep good! ha!

2010-10-17T09:17:00.000-07:00

The boys had a fun experience this last week. The local public power companies had an Energy Fest downtown, and they had lots of things to see & do.....including rides in the bucket trucks!!! The boys were sooooo excited to be able to do this, and weren't scared one bit!!! They suited up and grinned nonstop!! They wanted to do it again, and were so wound up when they got down! Ryan was so excited because he could see the rooftops and the trains in the trainyard from the bucket, they extended so high!! Colby was just wound up. :) He loved it and talked the electricians ears off. :) So here's some fun pics from that!! Thanks to the power companies for the fun!!

2010-10-17T09:06:00.000-07:00

Well, tomorrow is Ryan's 5th Birthday. :) Absolutely amazing to this mama. My baby, growin up so fast. Surely it was just yesterday he was learning to sit up & bounce to music, or crawling in my curio cabinet with all the dolls!!! But now he's in preschool, getting smarter than mom by the day, and is so independent, I have to steal the times I can just snuggle with him or even zip his jacket for him!! My buster!! We got him a bycicle for his birthday, and I just can't wait to give it to him. Seems to me 5 years old is a right of passage to get his first real bike. :) Spiderman, none the less! Nate assembeled it and I wrapped the box so he could open it without having to wait for it!! :) Construction zone cake & party subs all ready to go! I think I'm as excited as he is for this birthday!! :)
I made sure I had everything in order ahead of time for this birthday party, b/c I knew I'd be kind of out of commission this weekend. I had my wisdom teeth + pulled on Friday. It went alright, kind of an interesting experience......I was under the impression that with IV sedation I would be pretty much out and not remember anything.....ummm, I was awake, but drowsy, most of it. :) And they couldn't get my right side numb, so it took much longer than anticipated. poor nate sitting in the waiting room. lol. however, i'm doing well. still a little swelling & tenderness, but nothing severe!! Just no bending or lifting for a couple of days, and lots of ice cream. :) there goes my diet plan! ha! Just sooooo glad it's all done & over with!! I have good little helpers at home. :0
The boys are in Grand Island for the weekend; Nate took them to his parents while I recoup,bless his sweet heart, so they're busy doing lots of fun things like going to the park, digging in the sand, playing out on the beach, going to the pumpkin patch, and just playing like crazy with Grampa & Gramma!! :) Hopefully they get some good pictures, so I can share! :) It's so fun to watch them play. Colby's really now getting into using his imagination.....the other day he set up his whole little farm; barn, animals, farmers, tractors....where as in the past he just played with one thing at a time, ya know? And he's hooking things up to his crane, and imagining so many things, it's fun. : ) He's such a character, the things he says. My dad was telling him about their fishing boat, and he says "That's a great boat, papaw!" :) We go get Ryan from preschool, and when he gets in the van, Colb sayd "How was school Ryan? What'd you do today Ryan?" :) Such a little smartie.
Well I'll get more pics uploaded soon. That's the fun part to look at anyway. :)

2010-09-24T18:46:00.000-07:00

2010-09-24T18:34:00.001-07:00

I just can't believe September is almost over! That means Colby is now 3 and Ryan is well on his way to being 5. No way!! :) Time flies, and we're havin fun. :) These boys keep us on our toes, wether it's playing in the mud and making handprints all over the outside of the house, dressing up in their halloween costumes and jumping around, pushing each other around in the Tonka dumptrucks, fighting like cats & dogs, or snugglin on the couch watchin cartoons and eatin fruit snacks. :) They're so precious.
This week Ryan & I are both fighting sinus infections, we're both on Omnicef and on the mend! Poor kiddo though, he had to miss 3 days of school this week, he had a fever for 48 hrs and started really saying his head hurts, etc so when we took him in and Dr Anderson said he has a sinus infection & possibly some strep throat, I wasn't too surprised. Just glad to get him on something. Sometimes I think "I wish these kids would just SIT down!!!" But then when they're sick and layin around, all you want is for them to be feelin good & jumpin around! :) Today was much better for him than yesterday, thank goodness. :) Colby so worried about his brother!
I can happily say that I have switched jobs again, and hopefully for the LAST time for a very very long time!! I'm back to working in the medical field, at Columbus Women's Healthcare here in Columbus. I am loving it; it feels great to be back in my element, and not 50 miles away!! :) back to part time, so loving my precious time at home with these bebes. Nate's doin great too, keepin extremely busy at work,as he's the only guy in his dept right now. Such a good husband & daddy.
So overall, things are great and we're all looking forward to Fall weather and playing outside even more!!! :)

2010-09-01T16:23:00.000-07:00

Again!!

2010-08-31T12:43:00.000-07:00

What a month this has been! Ryan's doing great, loving school! He's excited to go every morning and wears his 'lil backpack with pride!! :) He's been painting, according to his clothes :), and coming home & telling me about his "job of the day"...feeding the fish, attendance counter, watering the plant, getting the milk...so busy in preschool! He's just simply adorable. :) And Colby still wants to go to school too, so bad!!! "I wanna go school with brother!!" Our babysitter was sick today, so I stayed home and Colby & I took Ryan to preschool and he wanted to go in so bad and see Mrs Muntz. :) hahaha! He whined when we left....until i told him we'd go to walmart and get a cookie. haha, bribes! So all's well in preschool land and luvin it!!
As for mama's days, whew....!! My job at the school has really been going well. I have alot of fun with the kids, and enjoy getting to see what they learn & how they sneak in lessons with fun things too!!
We took the boys to G.I. for the State Fair on Sunday, and aside from it being the windiest day of the year, we had a great time. The boys are so much fun to watch on the rides and equipment, and checking out the animals. I'll try and get some pics uploaded soon! They loved the roller coaster, and laughed so hard! They got to ride real combines and cruise on pedal tractors! It's like little boys heaven out there! =D

2010-08-22T18:58:00.000-07:00

A brand new era!!

2010-08-22T18:43:00.000-07:00

So I just put Ryan to bed, the last night before I have a school-goer!! I just cannot believe it. Seriously! My baby is old enough to start school already!?!?!?!? He's so excited, and so am I.....but I'm really startin to feel the "mommy" emotions that come along with another big "first" in my baby's life! Kinda like when he started walking.....that little tug, of "no longer a baby....." He's just such a punkin, and so smart and handsome, and so mature!! .....unless colby takes a toy or something, then it all goes out the window. :) But here we go, another big step in our lives. :)

2010-08-17T17:42:00.000-07:00

Where oh where has the last month gone???? My head is kind of spinning, and it's just beginning!! Done at Women's Health, starting at the school; getting Kindergartners in the school groove, and figuring out my role!! Just a few more days, and Ryan starts preschool, Colby will be the big man at daycare. Mommy's tryin to figure out where I fit in the mix of everything!! Love love love being home at 315 every day; but really missin my home days with the boys. I know it will all work out, but adjusting can be hard!! Especially to a once-monthly paycheck!! haha!! Preschool home visit today so Mrs Muntz can get to know Ryan---however, he got all shy and practically hid in the other room.....Colby, on the other hand, is ready to start school tomorrow!! He made buddies with the teacher & is ready to roll!! Only 2 more yrs, bud!! hahaha!! What a goober. :)
A fabulous weekend at Women of Faith under my belt again this year. Always such a refreshing fun fabulous bonding time too. Missy, Julie, Kathy, Kama, Laurie, Jeanie!! How could it not be fun!!?!?! Such amazing speakers, awesome music, and inspiring stories. Can't wait till next year!!

A Bookmark.....

2010-07-29T11:35:00.000-07:00

As I sit here today, I am thinking about changes, and how sometimes they are good, sometimes they are bad, and sometimes they are just hard, wether good or bad. My life is about to take a big change, that will be very bittersweet for me. I will no longer be working at Women's Health in Nofolk, a place that has been my home for the past 6 years. Instead, I am taking on a new adventure as a paraeducator at Centennial Elementary School in one of the Kindergarten classes!! I am very brokenhearted about leaving Women's Health; but in turn am very excited about this new job! : ) In addition to being so very much closer to home, and no longer having to worry about weather/road conditions, I will have such wonderful hours and now that Ryan is going to start preschool at Centennial this fall, I will have the same school hours as he, and within the next couple of years, both my boys. I will be able to be home by mid-afternoon with them, and able to have time at home on a more routine basis. I can actually have time to plan & cook supper before supper time!! I will have summer vacations, Christmas breaks, and other school out days off and home with the boys. :) I can't wait to work with the kids, and am only about 3 minutes from home!!.......However, with that being said, I will wholeheartedly miss my 2nd family, up at the office. It has been such a rewarding and neat time with them, not only as a work environment, but to form such deep, close relationships with everyone there. I have decided to say that this chapter of my life is not closing, but that I am putting a bookmark there, and will go back when I can! :) I'm sincerely hoping I will be able to help them out and work with them on summer breaks & school breaks; a benefit for both them & myself!! =D So I look forward to the next few weeks with mixed emotion, and just have to relax in the knowledge that this opportunity is from God & it will be GOOD!!! Not only is Ryan going to school.....but Mommy is too!!!!! =D

2010-07-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

Here are some newer pictures!! They kind of speak for themselves....swimming at Grampa & Grammas house, going to the fair with PaPaw, Katie & Logan's wedding....lots of fun summer activities!!!!

2010-07-19T20:42:00.000-07:00

Whew! What a fun, crazy week!! Takin the kiddos to the fair, spending the weekend in Hastings/G.I. for my cousin`s wedding, today in Lincoln running errands--and taking Colby to Chuck-E-Cheese! (Or Munkey Cheese as he says it!) Lots of running, lots of fun.
I look forward to taking the kids to the fair as much as they look forward to going, I think! Always fun childhood memories at the fair. I love how excited they get to see farm animals!! And climbing on the equipment is about the highlight for the boys! They did enjoy some rides this year, fun to watch! =)
Katie Seda married Logan Lukow on Saturday in Hastings, and I couldn`t ever remember such a sweet, heartfelt day; such a relaxing and fun day /evening! Even through a nasty storm we waited out back at the hotel! Lots of great family time.....priceless!! =) The boys got to spend the night with Grandpa & Grandma Smolek, and we came back to 2 fishies in the lake with Grandpa! Talk about tough to get them out of the water! Ryan got to stay an extra night, and so today Mom & I took Colby with us to Lincoln! We had a ball, and he very much enjoyed his first visit to Chuck-E-Cheese! (Does it age me that I remember going when it was Showbiz Pizza??) =) So it`s off to bed to rest up for another busy week!! Pictures to follow soon!

2010-06-11T20:07:00.000-07:00

Diggin in the sand at Grampa & Gramma's house!!

Little Stinker. :)

Colby, flirting with all the girls!! Don't know any of them, but he had their attention!!

Ryan & Grampa Jack, & their fishie!!

Daddy, Ryan, & Colby fishin!!

Roooarr!!! Colby the Lion!!!

My little sightseer!!

Can we tell it's past naptime? Yet the option of a train ride always wins!!

PaPaw, Ryan, & BooBoo on the gorilla!

Colby & Daddy waitin for the ChooChoo!!

2010-06-11T19:57:00.000-07:00

**SIGH** Everytime I log in and it's been 2 mos, I vow to update things weekly.....I guess my mind doesn't quite follow! oh well, must mean we've been busy! With these 2 boys, we're always busy! I have tons of fun pics, of course, and will have to transfer & upload them later. We've been happy & healthy this week; a couple of weeks ago not so much! The boys literally went all fall and winter long with barely a sneeze or sniffle, and then bam! poor colby got hit hardest. started out with a fever, the stomach flu, and terrible diarrhea, then ended with a cough that took his breath away. thank goodness for Rx cough syrup! Poor baby! Didn't slow him down much tho, he just stopped running to cough and blow his nose, then took off again! : ) Ryan had just a bit of a stuffy nose, nothing major! They've totally been back in the saddle this week, playing outside as long as I'll let them!! Coming in covered in dirt and grasstains, sweaty & happy!! : ) They can be a bit challenging, these two, to get back in the house! Heaven forbid we have lunch!! : ) Usually asking Colby to wash his hands does the trick....he loves playing in water of any kind! They haven't even minded the stormy week we've had; in fact we were fortunate to be at home on Thursday with all the rain--and we stayed in our pj's and watched the cars "float" down 8th street! They were quite entertained with all of the splashing going on!! Ryan asked if he could put on him swimming trunks and go out in the street to swim.....Um, No!?!?!?! : ) Silly! Always coming up with something!! We did make it to the zoo a few weeks ago, and had a great day! Mom & Dad came with, and were helpful as well as fun! Colby got snapped at by a small monkey in the jungle, and told that monkey "Not Nice!!" (he's fine. :) I think we rode the train for over an hour; kind of a good thing they've made the passes all-day instead of single trip!! : ) Pictures to follow soon!! I'm terrible, b/c I upload them all to Facebook at once and get too lazy to upload here too! I promise to try and be better!!! : )

Favorite Recent Moments

2010-04-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

We got the boys tucked in for bed last night, and I sat down on the couch....I sneezed a couple of times, and he hollars down the stairs "Bless You Mom!!" Thank you Colby.....then I asked Nate where the remote was, and Colby hollars down again....."Mom! You find a-mote?" Yes Colby, thank you...... "Welcome Mom! Mom! You watch tv?" Yes sweetheart... Go to sleep Colby..... "Ok Mom. Yuv you too!" : )
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ryan and Nate were talking about catching raindrops. Ryan wanted to catch them in a cup and drink them. Then he said he wanted to catch milk-rain. Nate asked him what he meant, and he told Daddy that when cows go to heaven and Jesus milks them, it can come down as milk-rain! He said Jesus is a farmer in heaven, and gives the people the milk. =]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
In talking to the boys about this summer, and then fall when Ryan will start preschool, I was telling him that Mommy might be a little sad when he starts school! I said I might cry when you turn 5......and he said, "Don't be sad when I get 5 Mom." Then I asked him if he could just stay 4 forever, and he says, exasperated, "I'm just trying really hard to stay 4 Mom, but I just can't help it! I have to grow up!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pushing Ryan on the swings, he says "Oh Yeah, Mom! This is what I'm talkin about!!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Colby can now climb the fence. And I mean to the point he is close to being over.....!!!! He gets in trouble for climbing it and has to go in the house! Heartbroken!!! Then, as with everything else, he holds his finger up and says "One more time!!" : ) Silly boy!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
Colby loves to "tell stories" when we rock at night. His favorites are telling us about baby Avery, and everything at Joy's house!! He loves his babysitter!! : ) He's so serious about his stories!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
My little stinker Colby decided the other day he could ride our dog......yes, our dog. Poor Holly! She happens to get near him, and he just throws his leg over and holds on for dear life! She gets partway across the yard before she sits down and he rolls off, laughing!!! =]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I was tucking Ryan in tonight, he had already rocked & snuggled with Dad and it was past bedtime, so I gave him kisses & hugs and told him goodnight. He asked me to lay with him, and I said not tonight, but tomorrow. He folded his little hands and says "Please Mom, I'm praying you to lay with me!!!!" =] Had to snuggle a little........!!!!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colby's totally figured out his puppy dog eyes....he's learned to make his eyes huge and sadly look down, or out of the corner of his eye......and give a little smile.......melts me every time!! I always tell him....It's good you're so cute!!! :) Esp when he's tipping over my plant, or dumping out all the toys, or throwing things over the fence, or swimming in the sandbox, or carrying milk jugs & OJ jugs around the house, or "washing his hands" by himself........and the list goes on and on and on!!! LOL. My bebe!!!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
When I was in Lincoln for a conference last week, I called home at night to talk to the boys before bed....and actually had full conversations with them. So precious. Their little voices telling me that they "yuv" me so much......and telling me bout the choochoo trains, and the airplanes, and that they got time out, or got to play with Avery......it was just so sweet. I could have just let myself doze off listening to their sweet voices!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Took Ryan to register for preschool last month, and we pull up the school and get out of the van. He says "I just can't wait to see all those girls!!!"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

These children bless me (and Nate too!) so very very much. We are so proud of them, and are so thankful to God for giving us our boys!!! =] Never a dull moment!!!

2010-03-30T19:34:00.000-07:00

My sweet boy!!

And my sweet ornery boy!! He runs around like this and says "Naked baby!!"

Ryan's little girlfriend, Avery!! We got to babysit all day last Saturday! The boys luv her!!

Think they like her, even a little bit!?!?!?!?!

The 3 Amigos!! Colby, Noah, & Ryan

Admist all the tough times our family has gone through lately, we are so blessed and grateful. Ya know, it's hit me over & over again, how awesome it is to have these children, who make us laugh and overflow with love, every single day. If we could chronicle every moment, we would. Ryan's getting ready to start preschool this fall, such big doings! When we pulled up to the school to go register him, we got out of the van and he says "I just can't wait to see all those girls!!" OH!?!?!? I think he has a bit of his Uncle NaeNae in him. : ) lol. They are just growing up sooooo fast, way too fast. Sometimes I wish I could freeze time, even for a week, and just memorize every little part of their being. Colby's big puppy eyes and chunky arms & legs; Ryan's soft smooth baby skin that he likes us to put lotion on, esp his feet! Colby's baby jibberish, which is dissapearing more every day--suddenly he can talk in paragraphs, and we can understand most of it!! These boys are just such precious reminders of life, and the life God has blessed us with. We have ever so much to be thankful for, and need to remember to keep our eye on the big picture. =)

Time Flies.....

2010-03-30T19:26:00.000-07:00

Geez, seems like just yesterday I wrote a post, yet it's been months! I just can't wrap my head around how fast time flies. Between the bebes, work, life, and everything in-between, time is just gone. Just thinking how everyone is preparing for Easter get-togethers, and family time, and egg hunts, and ham. And how we're preparing to go to my Gramps' grave, and wish him a Happy Birthday.....he gets to spend his first Easter in Heaven, and on his Birthday!! Yay for him!! .....and SO sad for us. :( This time of grieving is so hard, and we know that it takes time to heal, and God to heal our broken hearts. Psalms 34:18 says: "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart"....and I know that, and I believe that, and I feel that. But I still feel that loss, that gape, and that void.....and our family is workin on it, but it's tough. Nearly everyday, there are just moments in time where something hits home, and the tears fall. And then the memories of Gramps make me smile, and sometimes laugh out loud. And always miss him so. We all love & miss him so much, and are ever so grateful and thankful for the times we've had with him here on earth.....and look forward to our times with him in Heaven. Luv ya Gramps.

A Good Week!!

2010-01-30T19:53:00.000-08:00

Here we are again, another week's come & gone! Amazing how time flies! This coming week will be busy too, I work Monday, Wed, Thurs, Fri this week. Whew! Excited my Mom gets to come down & hang out Monday with the boys, while I work in the afternoon! Fun time for BooBoo & the boys!! =) This week must have gone by just fine and dandy, nothing exceptional strikes a cord, hahaha! But believe me, after the way things have been lately, that's just fine with us! We're havin a good, fun, busy weekend. Today we babysat for our friend Kyli's 6 wk old daughter, Avery. The boys had a ball, they absolutely adore her and couldn't wait till she woke up! She knows their voices too, esp Ryan's. He'd come over & talk to her, and she'd turn her head and find him! He was so sweet, rubbin her head, smoochin on her, tellin her secrets....helpin me feed her, adorable. So much like he was when Colby was a baby. : ) And Colby!! He would come over & check her out, and say Bebe!! But then he was off, playin & runnin. Then he'd come back over & check on her again, and go play again. : ) I got some really sweet pictures, of course!! =)
Tomorrow Nate's parents are going to come down & spend the afternoon. It'll be nice to relax and visit with them. Last time they were down was for my Gramps' funeral, they took care of the boys for us, so it wasn't much of a fun visiting time. This time will be much better!! The boys are excited to see them; although Ryan did tell me today that he wants to go to GI to see them so that we can go to K-Mart!! lol. silly boy! =) I think that's next weekend's plan!

The boys are doing wonderfully, strong and healthy, ornery & rowdy, sweet & silly!! Couldn't ask for anything more!! =) Colby's favorite thing is now chocolate milk, and he'll go to the ends of the earth to find it....that along with bananas & string cheese!! =) Ryan's really into oranges and peaches right now, and water with ice! They're learning to play together a little better every day....a mom can dream, right?....lol.....and spend lots of time in the play room downstairs with their train sets, tool sets, trucks, and machinery!! CAN'T WAIT to get them outside to run around though!! It's getting TIME!!! =) Love the fenced in backyard, about as much as they do!! =)

2010-01-17T17:09:00.000-08:00

Well, here's to the first "normal", good week we've had in ages! Lots of sunshine, family time, and being able to get to work!!! =) The boys are obviously having a ball outside in the snow, and it's great to be able to take them out for an hour without worrying about frostbite!! =D My electric bill should hopefully be better this next month, December's bill was frightful. Anyone else? Not alot new to post, the pictures mostly speak for themselves. =)

Kids, Kids!!! =)

2010-01-10T20:15:00.001-08:00

In the midst of all the things in this world that make us sad, or unhappy, or guilty, or just plain bummed out--there are these wonderful, amazing, beautiful beyond words KIDS that just plain & simple make the world so much of a better place!

I have these 2 boys. Now, they are very rowdy! They run and jump and hollar and throw and dump and tip and break......and yet they love, and snuggle, and laugh, and hug, and give, and share, and smile, and talk, and learn, and make me such a proud happy momma. I have needed so very much lately the love of my children, and husband too of course. =) Today for Colby's nap, he wanted to rock with Momma, and so we did. And he fell asleep on me, which just doesn't happen often anymore!! Such a sweet moment, I just rocked him and basked in the glory of my baby boy snuggled up on me, sleeping so sweetly. And remembered again how GOOD God really is!! He gives us these little ones, and they keep us going! And I love them sooo sooo much.

They really are quite hilarious. They're new favorite game is "ghost-hunting"!! Where'd they get that? I dunno!! Ryan caught about 5 min of Ghostbusters on tv one day, and that's all it took!! They now come downstairs, turn the lights off, and start the ghost hunt! Ryan has his cowboy gun, and Colby has the flashlight! They're very serious about it, and when they find one they are sure to run upstairs & tell us!! =) And then back to the hunt!

Colbys' talking up a storm anymore, really hilarious to listen to him spout out all these new words, and even now some sentences! =) Such a follower of Ryan's, he has to be where brother is at all times, and if Ryan wants it--by gosh, so does Colby!

Their favorite movie right now is Alvin & The Chipmunks, and we end up watching....and reciting.....it quite often! They even sing The Christmas Song! =)

Ryan's gotten quite independent, and gets quite exasperated with his mother already!! haha! very funny kid. The other day, he dropped something...and said "Oops. My bad!" ?!?!?!? lol. the things they say. hilarious!

I just wanted to remind myself and others that no matter the circumstances, we always have something to be thankful for, and to smile and laugh at. Laughter really is a good medicine. Gramma & I were laughing alot at Colby eating his ice cream cone tonight! =) Making faces & a mess of his sundae cone was actually quite comical! Gramps would luv'd that one. =) Ice cream is also quite a good healer......

Memories.....

2010-01-10T19:58:00.000-08:00

Another post about my Gramps. =) He makes me smile, still. He loved us kids & our families so much. He loved my gramma & their kids so much. He loved his CAT maintainer. He loved his church. Most of all, he loves GOD. Such a good man. Such an amazing person. So loved and adored. So respected. I've always respected my Grandpa. He's lived right, he's taught right. He's made mistkakes & made them right. He put God & his family first. He took care of what needed done. He was so proud of his garden! Some more memories.....

I remember farm life with him. Planting potatoes, digging corn in the grain bins, feeding animals, watching baby pigs be born, watching them milk cows, riding in the tractor & combine, laying irrigation pipe & drinking the cold, clear water, getting in the henhouse to get eggs, even though i was kinda freaked out by those chickens! having hog roasts, hiding in the cellar during tornadoes.

I remember family life. Always cake & ice cream time for birthdays, Christmas day night at their house, having soup. Playing UNO until all hours of the night, Gramps getting so silly when we were all getting so tired. His wooden toy that was called the "Huey Stick"...a game only Gramps could play & make work!

I remember how he used to always grin. Happy all the time. Shook his finger--the crooked one!! Told jokes & stories, showed us ration tickets from the service, showed us old pictures and stories about my dad & the family. I remember him looking so handsome & being so proud at my wedding.

I remember being so proud to have my kids know my Grandparents. How special it was to have them around when my babies were born. How he got to know them, and hold them, and play with them. Gramps & Ryan bonded a bit over the CAT machines. He gave Ryan an official CAT hardhat from the company; my boys play in it all the time.

I remember being thrilled each time I got a new piece of furnishing from my Grampas hands. All of my treasured shelves and hope chests and toys and handmade love; he usually built them & Gramma stained/painted them.

Tonight was hard. Very emotional. We went up to see Gramma and my Mom & Dad. It was beyond good to see them; at the same time it was very bittersweet because we miss Grampa so much. To go to their house and not see him sittin in his chair, grinnin when we came in; or comin around the corner with his coffee; or putterin down the hallway; or showin us his latest! Gramma gave me a beautiful silk flower arrangement from the memorial, I will treasure it and always remember my Gramps when I look at it. She also gave us some little things he had picked out for our Christmas stockings, like sleep masks for all of us girls--each one picked for the specific girl. My thoughtful Gramps. I'm so glad that he's in heaven, with Jesus & in perfect health and with no worries; I just miss him so.

2010-01-04T07:41:00.001-08:00

Just a few hours after my last post, my life changed forever. I got a call from my mom on Christmas night that my gramps was having severe chest pains, and they were snowed in and the medics could not get out to them. Through the night, a tremendous effort by my grandparents, parents, neighbors, local EMTs, and family was put forth to keep my gramps alive and get him to the hospital. It took over 3 hours for the medics to be able to get out to him due to the blizzard and 12-20 foot snow drifts blocking the roads. Gramps was escorted all the way to the genoa hospital, by the new CAT maintainer he was so proud of. He did make it to the hospital, but not for much longer. Unfortunately for us, my Gramps went to meet Jesus early morning on Dec 26th. It has been an extrememly tough, emotional, and heartbreaking journey for us. Seems like every corner I turn, I see something....that reminds me or makes me think of Gramps. He's no longer in pain, no longer worrying about his heart, no longer dealing with earthly things--and praise God for this; but we sure miss him already. I can't yet bring myself to eat the last of the peanut brittle on my counter that he made, his little treat he was so excited to perfect over the last few years. I want to thank again all of our friends & family for their love & support over this unimaginable season. We could not get through without all of the hugs & words of encouragement. Gramma is doing pretty well, she's tough, and I'm proud of her. She's heartbroken, obviously as her and gramps have been married for 54 years this month, and inseperable for at least that long. She's a survivor, and she's got all of us to help. My dad & his siblings too. It's amazing how even in the heartbreak, Gramps still gives us lots of laughs. Some of the things he would say, even in the midst of trouble, make us smile through our tears. He was one of a kind, and is by far missed already by everyone who knew him. Thank you again, to all who have been there for us. We love & appreciate you all.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2009-12-25T19:39:00.001-08:00

OH! What a Christmas to remember!! For LOTS of reasons, but geez, this blizzard!! First time in my lifetime we've actually rescheduled our Christmas get-togethers because of weather--or anything for that matter! It all turned out to be a great Christmas after all, and of course, doesn't change what we are truly celebrating--Happy Birthday Jesus! Thank You So Much!! =) At any rate, we were able to have our Christmas celebration with my Mom & Dad last Sunday, so we got one in before the blizzard! That was so much fun, very relaxing and enjoyable! It's always so much fun to go home & hang out. =) So instead of having our traditional Christmas Eve at my Grandma Della's house & our Christmas evening at my Grandpa & Grandma Stone's house--we've just spent alot of time at home with the boys! Special times! =) We took the boys to the movies for the first time as a family on Christmas Eve; Went to see Alvin & The Chipmunks 2--how cute was that!! The boys loved it, and even COLBY sat for the entire movie!! =) Thought we'd be chasin him up & down the aisles, but he was just enthralled! It was amazingly fun; however after the movie we came out to a blizzard! Truly! Just never know in Nebraska! =) Actually can't believe it's not been on Christmas before! We did go over to Grandma Dellas & had some soup with a few family members that were around in town; we'll have our Christmas next week with everybody! =) But at least it got the boys out of the house & down the street for awhile, burned off alot of energy playing with Samuel & Joseph, my cousins. =) Came home Christmas Eve night & just relaxed; Nate's parents made it down in the afternoon, so they stayed with us for the night. After everyone went to bed, Nate & I opened our gifts to each other; what a fun sweet time. =) And the diamonds didn't hurt my feelings a bit! =) It was a special time! We got the kids' presents all set for morning, and then went to bed. Christmas morning, drifted in, we all got up and spent the morning enjoying watching the kids open & play with their presents. That's always such a neat time! We were able to get halfway across town to Nate's Grandma Emily's house and have Christmas dinner with the ones on his side of the family who were here in town & able to make it over! What a jot across downtown!! So many drifts & people stuck! Nate helped a couple of guys get a van unstuck, but I tell ya--if we'd have stopped everytime we saw someone stuck, we never would have made it for dinner!! If we hadn't had the Tahoe, there is NO WAY my van would have made it thru! What a whirlwind adventure! So we got home from dinner, put the kids down for a nap, and just relaxed the afternoon & evening away! The kids played nonstop all evening! Lovely! And looking forward so much to all of us just being drifted in together tomorrow. =) I will get some pictures uploaded, and will really try to get back on track with my blog and keeping up with the kids! They do such funny things and say such hilarious things anymore!! It's a hoot!! Until then; Merry Christmas to All, and to All A Good Night!! =)

Time flies!

2009-09-28T19:45:00.000-07:00

Seriously. Can't believe it's been so long since i've blogged. : ) Goes to show how busy we keep around here. Nate & I just got home this afternoon from a long overdue mini-vacation to KS City for a few days! We had a great time. We spent all Saturday riding roller coasters & laughing like kids at World's of Fun. I just never tire of that place, and as for my husband--well, I think we've created a monster. : ) He loves the coasters just as much as I do, and it's so much fun to laugh & scream & experience that stuff together!! We just had a ball! Completely pooped out at the end of the night, but well worth it! It was beautiful outside, and I must say that getting to wear jeans to WOF and not be hot was a major plus. : ) How awesome! Gotta luv goin in Sept vs July! LOL. They started their Halloween Haunt stuff this weekend, so it got a bit interesting after dark, lol. Lot's of interesting characters wandering around, lots of "fog" and strange noises in the night. : ) Oh well, good excuse to hold on tight to each other's hands. : ) We went back & crashed at our hotel and then on Sunday we slept in (who-hoo!) till 8:00 and then had breakfast, got ready, and headed out to a Royals' game!! How fun!! 82 degrees & beautiful! Seats straight up from 1st base, free t-shirts, a home run, and a win!! Not to mention ice-cream-in-a-helmet and "take me out to the ballgame"!! : ) Such fun. After the game, we just happened to find a shopping mall : ) and then ate a nice supper out and even went bowling! : ) just nice, fun, relaxing stuff. went back & took a dip in the pool & hot tub, and just chilled. Got up this am and had breakfast at our fav KS City diner-"The Waffle House" and then headed for home!! Stopped a few times along the way and were home by afternoon. SO GOOD TO SEE OUR BABIES!! : ) They were nappin when we got home, so we had the ultimate pleasure of goin up and getting them when they woke up! : ) So excited!! Such GOOD smooches & hugs!! They were glad to see Mommy & Daddy--however, they had SO much FUN with BooBoo & PaPaw for the last 3 days!! They didn't even miss us till we were already back. : ) The way it should be!! So fun!!
Other than our little getaway, things have been normal and good around here!! Crazy busy with the two little guys, who aren't so little anymore.
Colby is now 2 and weighs in at 35 lbs!! SO busy, we call him a little tornado! You don't believe it? Take him home--but just for a little while--and see!! haha!! Such a passionate little pistol, oooh! Love him sooo much!! He's hilarious, comin out with new words all the time & jabberin away. Doin everything brother does, and sometimes more. : ) Loves to run, jump, play ball, swing, slide, play in sand/dirt, play with his uncle & cousin, check out the cornfields, watch for firetrucks, chase the puppy, and about anything and everything else a 2 year old little boy does!! : ) Such a joy!! Perfect in every way!!
Ryan's almost 4 (Oct 18th!!) and weighs in at about 39 lbs! Strong & healthy, SMART & happy!! So meticulous and proper, yet all boy too. : ) Any type of construction machine, digger, tractor, combine, train, plane, or automobile gets his attention!! Transformers too!! Daddy's proud of that one!! You tell him somethin once, he'll know if for life!! Such a brilliant handsome and ornery boy, perfect in every way!! : )
Our little family is thriving and healthy, strong and happy. : ) We thank God every day for each other and our home, jobs, families, and friends. It feels good to actually have a chance to sit down & put all this on "paper"!! : ) I will try to get back in the blogging habit, i do enjoy it. : ) For now, here's a link to a bunch of adorable pictures!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=125940&id=597382119&l=130b8df113

2009-08-03T20:22:00.001-07:00

I'll have to write down some of the funny things the boys have done this last couple of weeks, but it's bed-time for now!! Here's my link to my facebook photo album, where you can see all the latest & greatest!! :)

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=112537&id=597382119&l=7309143fb3

My babies!

2009-08-03T19:48:00.000-07:00

So tonite has just been one of those nights when everytime I look at the boys, I just want to cry!! Happy tears, of course. I've been a mushy-mommy today. :) Some friends of ours had a baby yesterday, and as I was online looking at their new precious pictures, it just took me back to those amazing precious times in the delivery rooms when the boys were born. It made me get all weepy!! :) Like right after Ryan was born, after a long tough delivery--and Nate looked up at me with tears in his eyes, and said "It's a boy!!!" Almost with joyous disbelief! The most amazing moment. And when Colby was born, and my Mom looked at me, grinning through tears and said "He looks just like Ryan!!!" And he sure did--only difference, was Colby didn't have the little cone-head! :) But it was amazing how identical they looked at delivery. :) Same dark hair & skin, 9 pounders, lol. And when the nurse laid Colby in the warmer and Nate started talking to him-he turned his head to his daddy--and he was only seconds old. :) Oh! I'm crying again!! Just such neat moments, and I can't believe their baby-hoods are pretty much over. What an amazing adventure already so far. They are such amazing boys and we love them so much. :) They are the lights of our lives, and they are just perfect. Hilarious, Adorable, Ornery, Loving, Silly, Beautiful, Precious, ....and the list goes on and on. So tonite is just a tribute to our amazing babies. We thank God every day for the opportunity to be here with them. : )

Ryan Thomas Smolek Born 10/18/05

Colby Lee Smolek Born 09/08/07

2009-07-21T19:51:00.000-07:00

So what's happening in the Smolek world!?!? : ) Always something!! This is a busy crazy week, not unusual, just different! Last Friday our sweet nephew Noah had his tonsils & adenoids out, and so Mom & I went to Lincoln for that--he's doing GREAT, Praise God!! : ) Such a good boy, he'll feel so much better now. So glad!! Whew!! Then Saturday, Mom & I and Aunt Jeanie & Aunt Laurie loaded up and headed to KS City for some serious girl time!! : ) We spent all day Saturday shopping at a great outdoor mall in KS City, KS and bummin around! It was wonderful! Went back to our hotel and rested up for Sunday...our day at WORLD'S OF FUN!!! We were in the park the whole 12 hours they were open--can you say we were tired!?!? But oh my gosh! How fun. We rode the coasters about 25 times & just had a ball. It was awesome & much needed. Talk about crashin Sunday nite! Monday we got up and moseyed home..did a bit of shoppin along the way! So!! I had a wonderful amazing great time, but boy was I ready to get home and smooch on my babies--all 3 of them!! :D They did great, had a fun weekend with Daddy. Ryan said "No girls allowed, Mom"....but he sure hugged his momma when I got home!! : ) So good!! And Colby says.."Momma!!!" and so happy!! :D But as excited as they were about the stuff I brought them home, I don't think anything topped the big suckers BooBoo brought them!! : )

I worked today, and it was very very busy, which was good--it kept me awake!! : ) I get to be home tomorrow with my bebes, and then I work Thurs & Fri this week. Trying to decide what fun to do over the weekend with the boys, might take them to Lincoln to the Children's Museum...one of their FAV places!! :) We'll see!!

Colby has been jabbering away so much today--I think he's come out with a whole new set of words again!! "Joe" (blue's clues), "Mickey" (as in mouse..) "Diego" (...!) are just a few I've noticed since I got home! So funny to hear these little words just pop outta his mouth, plain as day!! : ) My little pistol, ornery as the day is long....and even cuter!! : ) Love him SO much!

Ryan's been "busy, Mom...working" with his construction equipment. He "made" me a pink house outside the other day (aw!!) and had to "level out the sand" on our new patio!! Such a big boy, So proud of him and how polite he is! Bought him a new Hot Wheels at HyVee tonite, and he says several times "Thank you, Mom! I like this alot!!" : ) Good boy!!

So I will get some new pics up, either tonite or tomorrow sometime!! Hope everyone is doing welL!!!

The longest post in history.......

2009-07-12T19:25:00.000-07:00

I really do mean to get back into my weekly posts, if only to keep myself up to date! ha! It's fun, we're busy, boys are good--it's summer! too blasted hot for my tastes--surprise surprise, huh! but still summer non-the-less! and that does mean some fun!! My boys were extra spoiled yesterday--My Mom & Dad, otherwise known as BooBoo & PaPaw, took the boys to the fair!! While I think Colby must've been havin a tired day cuz he didn't have much fun this time, Ryan had the time of his life!!! Literally, I think. He got to ride his very first roller coaster--with BooBoo--and LOVED IT!!! Even put his hands up and went "Who-hoo!!" Now that's my baby!! He just beams talking about it! And he rode the ChooChoo--drove, actually, in the engine! And on the carousol he named his horse "Paco" (???dunno!!!) and "he went really high up, Mom!!". Saw all the animals and tractors and trucks--climbed up on the tractors & skid steers with PaPaw. Talk about a happy, TIRED, happy boy!! : ) Colby did enjoy seeing the outside stuff, but was ready to go! He loved it all last year, but I guess it just wasn't his thing this year. Too much to do outside the stroller, ya know!! : ) So I've got pictures from that!

While they were at the fair, Nate & I were at a wedding of our dear friends, Heath & Michele! It was such a nice wedding, very relaxed & lots of fun. I had the honor of being her personal attendant, and so I got to be there to help her get ready and all the stuff that goes along with being the bride!! It was a very special honor, and we just enjoyed the day so much. : )

Here on the homefront, besides tryin to keep cool, we're workin on a little project out in the back yard. We've decided we want to have a small patio area where we can put a table & just hang out while the boys play outside. So that's what we've been workin on in our spare time! Can't wait till it's done--we're almost there! Takes awhile when it gets done in pieces between the boys' needs! : ) So once that's finished, it'll be onto the next project! Who knows which we'll pick...lol.

Oy!!

2009-07-01T19:32:00.000-07:00

I know, I know. I haven't posted for ages. It's just been so crazy busy around here, and to take more than a few minutes at a time to sit at the computer, just doesn't happen often!! :) Usually nap time would be my blog time....but I admit, I've been giving in and having a few of those lately too. : ) Time flies when you're havin fun. And that's what we've been doin!! Thank God for keepin these boys so happy & healthy. It's been a blast takin them outside & to the park, swimmin in the backyard kiddie pool, we even got to the water park one night last week. :) Otherwise, between normal day to day stuff, and pickin up some extra time at work--it's just crazy that it's July already!!
That means only about 8 wks till Colby turns 2!! My baby!! Yeah, my 34 lb almost 2 yr old!! Some baby!!! What a hoot, he's talkin all the time now and HAS to be by his brother. :) He's a hugger!! And Ryan will sometimes get enough and say "I don't want you right now Colby!! Stop hugging me!!" lol. And Colby just eggs him on....such a smartie pants!! Thinks that since he had a cookie for breakfast at Grandma's....that now he goes to the cupboard and says "oootie, oootie" and please!!! right away when he gets up!! ha! try to break that one! : ) We usually end up with an animal "cookie" or graham cracker to start with instead. :) He's hilarious. I've taken zillions of new pics, I'll post my link to my facebook photos so you can see them easier.
Ryan, too is a hoot. He'll be 4 in October, and the other day when we went to Walmart to pick up a gift, said as we pulled into the parking lot "We gonna get pictures taken today, Mom?" I told him no, not today--thinking he didn't want to. We haven't done any for almost a year anyway. But then he says "But please Mom. I want to sit up on that thing and hold the 4". Seriously?!?!! So in our monster truck t-shirt & shorts, we got the best picture of him, ever!! : ) Can't wait to get them back--only hope we can convince Colby to let us get some taken of him! ha!
Ryan's on a weekender at Grandpa Jack & Grandma Angie's house as of tonite, he could hardly wait to get out the door. Yeah, I still cry when they leave. :~)
He's got such an imagination--always "pretending, Mom" about one thing or another. Has decided that "bon-gars is my favorite store, Mom" and we have to stop in there quite often to check out the farm toys. :) He's all boy--and loves his machines!! :) Has been wearin his CAT hardhat that my grandpa leil gave him--all over the place. :) It's awesome.
These boys make our lives so wonderful. We are so happy to have them as our babies!! We've been married for 5 wonderful years now, but by far the best 3 1/2 have been the latest. Nate's comin up on a year of workin out at ADM already. He really does like it alot, and keeps so busy--very nice change of pace. I've been at Women's Health now for almost 5 years--hard to believe!! So we're just movin on day by day, blessed far beyond our imaginations could have guessed. : ) Feel free to check out my facebook photo albums, and look at all the fun we've been having!!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=103020&id=597382119&l=d3a0df7176

2009-05-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

Hello from Smolek-land!! We are doing fabulous, and having fun! It's sooo nice to finally have weather where we can just go outside any time of day!! We've already spent hours in the backyard over the last couple of weeks, and even a couple of trips to the park!! The boys were thrilled yesterday at the park, when we got to see a baby birdie hoppin around. It even let me pick it up, so they could pet it. Talk about excited!!

We took the boys to the circus last week, they had a BLAST!!! Just a nice small 1 ring circus in a real circus tent, complete with cotton candy!! Oh, and acrobats, horses, clowns, fire, and all sorts of fun stuff for the kids to watch!! Ryan was absolutely GLUED to it, belly laughing and loving every minute. Even Colby sat still almost the whole time, watching!! He would giggle and clap along with the rest!! The only part he didn't like was the blowing fire tricks. Kinda freaked him out, and it was hot!!! Otherwise, we did well and went home happy & exhausted. :) Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take flash pics in there, so the ones I tried just didn't turn out. But it was still great! Bought a couple of toys for souvineers, so the circus lives on!!

The boys are always up to new tricks, and make us laugh every day. Colby is coming out with new words all the time, new favorites are: cheese, apple, hat, shoe, booboo, and several others! He knows lots of his parts; nose, eyes, ears, mouth, tummy, butt, toes and the ever famous peepee!! He can point out about anything you ask him to look for in a book, and loves to make animal sounds. He did somethin kinda funy last weekend--was chasing his great grandma's little dog around, saying "Meow! Meow!"!!! I thought it was hilarious, he thought it was a little cat!!

Ryan's always up to something, expanding his vocabulary; "Totally awesome, Mom", and when I was making our bed: "Why are you folding the bed, Mom?" and when I asked him why he threw his banana peel on the floor: "Monkey's do that, Mom". Oh that kid is a hoot. Um, also--he was at the sitter's one day and told her he was goin potty. When she went in there, he said he'd pooped! So she got him down----looked in the pottty---and there was a handful of dirt outta the plant, in the toilet!?!?!?!? What!??!?! Silly boy!! Why he did that, I'll never know. :) He helped Daddy plant some shrubs out front, and has had to go "see if they're growing yet" every day since!! Helps me water them, too!!

Here are a few newer pictures, enjoy the cutest boys ever!! : )

2009-05-04T19:19:00.000-07:00

Can you believe I actually didn't really take any pictures this week?? Shocking, I know!!! Last weekend I had a continuing ed conference in Hastings, and then I worked Mon-Tues-Wed, and got ready for my garage sale Thurs-Fri and so I was busy busy girl!! : ) Of course, the boys did tons of adorable stuff, and I saw it & loved it just the same. :)

Colby is startin to really come out with new words, and ohmygosh, I just love hearing that sweet little boy talk!! How fun! And Ryan thinks it's just so funny!! :) We're now adding in the BEST one-- "Yuv You!!!" Oh!! To hear your baby say he loves you!! The very best!! Not to forget about such important words as "tractor (tack-uh!) !! It's so neat. He's just amazing!! Smart and handsome!! And even better, taking Loooooooong naps now!! He's in for 2-3 hrs now, sure beats those old 30 min naps, hahahah!!! :) Mommy gets stuff done again! yeah!! lol. We've been playing outside tons, and he's decided he's big enough to climb up the swingset and slide down the slide ALL BY HIMSELF!! Loves it!! Just giggles! I think he would live in the sandbox if I'd let him. :) He practically swims in the sand, lol. Silly boy. That's the one thing I've seen him do for more than 10 min at a time. He just loves it!! And everything Ryan does, Colby wants to do too!!!.....

Except for pottying! Ryan is totally, officially, completely, independently POTTY TRAINED!!!! He's been wearin undies all the time, even to bed and nap, without accidents!! He goes on the big potties at church, Menards, Walmart, Joy's house and everywhere!! So very exciting!! So very proud of him!!! All he had to do was decide, and it was done!! Good boy!! He's forever into his construction equipment, and blew my cousin Mitchell's mind the other day when he told him about an ARTICULATED DUMPTRUCK!!! Can you tell he's been watching and learning from the "All About John Deere for Kids" DVDs I have been renting him from the library? LOL. He's such a character. We took the boys out to the Powerhouse to look at the fast water the other day, and they had a ball throwing rocks down into there. Ryan told me when we left, that next time we went there he was gonna watch for the whales!! haha!! :) Such imaginations!!

So all that....and MORE happened this week. Isn't is wonderful to have a place to write down such fun stuff, so I can share it and not forget it myself!?!? :)

P.S. I just want to state again, for the record, that I have the best hubby ever. :P He's the sweetest, kindest, most helpful, loving husband and daddy--and I thank God for him everyday. :) He works hard to take care of us, and loves more than anything his special times with the boys, being it baths or bedtime snuggles or a trip to Menards. :) What a guy. Just feelin thankful for him again tonite!! LOVE YOU HUN!!!

To A Mommy's Eyes.....And Her Heart!!!

2009-04-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

My son brought me my first dandelion as a Mommy today. : ) We were outside playing & I was hanging clothes on the clothesline, and my sweet Ryan boy comes running over to me with this little yellow flower, and says "I brought this sunflower for you, Mommy!!" Oh, a dandelion never looked so beautiful or smelled so sweet. : ) What a love!!!