American Girl Doll Trip

Great Grandma Budke bought the girls, myself, and mom Peoria Charter tickets to go to the American Girl Doll Store in Chicago on Good Friday. I had a hard time facing the fact that mom would not be going with us and knew that I would need to have someone who would thoroughly embrace the shopping day and so my BFF Sherry was there to rescue to me! Chris offered to go first, but with the great weather - he had to work and I don't think that really bothered him! Sherry wanted to check out the store for her little darling, Kali, who will one day, I'm sure, make the trip with us! We had a great time and couldn't believe the treatment these dolls get at the restaurant and the store - they even have a beauty shop and a hospital! The girls loved it and Sherry and I enjoyed everything except the bus trip (Sherry says we'll drive next time).

I couldn't make it through the day without crying or thinking about mom. When I took Ella to the bathroom, they had little holders for the dolls to sit in while you went to the bathroom. I knew mom would have thought they were ridiculous and she would have laughed at them. That got me! The waterworks turned on!

Thanks for checking in and I apologize for it being so long....it's hard writing knowing that mom isn't going to comment. You'll probably find that I'll use this as a form of "therapy" - hope you all don't mind:)

kj

Disney Was Great!!!!

The weather was not ideal but it didn't stop us. We conquered Disney through the rain and wind and even through a couple of sunny, 7 0 degree days! The girls all flew well - no throwing up this time - thank you, Dramadine(sp?)! We all enjoyed the trip and cannot wait to go again! Here are a few pictures of the girls with some of the characters they met. That is our game while we're there, to get as many autographs as we can! I'll try to post more this weekend - I only took 261 photos!

ki

Christmas Goes By So Fast!

I have to start by apologizing for not blogging during the last 2 months. Things have been hectic at school and with harvest being late, things at home have been hectic also. It was hard to believe that Christmas was already here and now it is over. The girls were so excited this morning to come down and see that Santa had come. These are the days that Chris and I will look back on and remember and because they will go by fast! As much as society promotes Santa, we try hard to put into our girls' heads and hearts that Jesus is the reason that we have Christmas and that it is His birthday that we are celebrating. I hope everyone who reads this had a wonderful Christmas! May God bless you in 2010!

Chris and Karen

Come On In!

Eric wanted to make sure I got his good side!

Eric, I think this is a very thinning pose for you - look how tiny your waist looks!

Yea, well, all I can say is that I'm sorry you have to lay on your side to look at this or you have to be drunk to see how it really looks. I didn't think of that when I clicked on it.

We are no longer ashamed to welcome people in our front door because we now have a new front door! Eric came down Saturday and put it in with a little help from Chris. Chris and I absolutely love it and are so glad we finally took the time to pick one out and order it! This week, Randy starts work on the west side of our house. He is blowing in insulation and putting in new windows and taking out a window for us. We'll try to keep you updated on that project.

Chris, Karen, and girls

New Doors

Maddie's hole she made bigger in the old door.

The new door - now we need to paint the trim!

This is Maddie, for those of you who have not yet met her.

Chris and I finally broke down and bought new garage doors and replaced Grandma's original doors. Maddie tried to subtly tell us that we needed new doors by carving a bigger hole than we already had in one of the doors. Next on the list - a new front door which should be in this weekend! Eric is going to put that in for us! Thanks for checking in!

Sorry It's Been So Long!!!!

Ella's first day at Pooh's Corner - Chris took her for orientation - the only dad there!

The girls at Glen Oak Zoo - it was the last thing to do on our summer list!

Ella's seven stitches - she was such a drama queen!

I know it has been over a month since I last posted, and I apologize for that! I finally this week, have felt like I have a handle on things at school and at home. I'm ahead on my grading and the girls have settled into an afterschool routine. Of course, Chris started harvesting this week so now our routine isn't as smooth as it was last week. I'm happy to say that the girls are doing great in school and are becoming better readers each day. I'm amazed at the things they are learning at school, especially the reading (hats off to you, Connie for the work you do)! Ella started Pooh's Corner after Labor Day and is loving it!!! I'm not sure that if she loves the activities of loves telling us what the boys did to get into trouble at school. She talks all the time and her language is much clearer so the tubes must be doing their job. Here are a few pictures from the last month. Enjoy!

"Mommy learned me how!"

Ready for School!

Our American Girl dolls - thank you, Great Grandma Budke!

Believe it or not, we are all ready for school to start. As much as the girls and I love the lazy days of summer, we all thrive on routine and schedules. So the chore chart is back up and the menu is up to date in our kitchen - we are ready for the next 180 days of school! I always find that I get more done in the 2 days before school starts than I do all summer vacation, I guess I work better under pressure! Thanks for checking in and sorry for it being so long since I've blogged last!

The James Gang