Havensville Visit

Sunday we ran up to an auction in Onaga and then on over to Great Grandpa and Grandma McDougal's for a visit.  The day was
DIS-GUST-ING-LY hot and humid.  After running an errand and a potty break on a back road, we happened upon our favorite street sign. 

Needless to say, we didn't last at the auction long and ran to the house to soak up some AC and grandma's cooking!  When we got there, she told us that she had a new little friend.  This poor cat got more attention than it ever dreamed of. 

And then, Bruce and Coop discovered this little baby bunny

 hiding in the grass. 

Isn't it so fun to be in the country?  We had an awesome supper of Bruce's favorite Grandma meal-beef and noodles, mashed potatoes and corn.  (He's a little spoiled!)  Then we spent a few hours listening to Bruce talk to the TV dish company about service and prices...Finally he got done and after reading books and playing with toys, we headed home.  I wish they lived closer to us!

Happy 5th Birthday!

I can't believe that Cooper is 5.  I can remember the day/week (since it took so long) that we had him and now he's a big boy!?!  This year's theme was cowboy, of course, and while we tried to make it an "easy" party, it was still a little hectic and crazy.  We had a wonderful time with our family and friends celebrating our sweet boy.  And for the first time in 5 years, we had a pretty nice day.  The humidity wasn't awful and the heat was ok, which by my standards says something because I become a bit of an inside AC girl in the summertime...



The awesome cake that Grandma Susie made him this year WITH trick candles!

Daddy helping to cut GIANT pieces of cake.  He was good to use because there wasn't much left for us to nibble on.

Grandma Jean got him the horse trailer that he has wanted and begged for FOREVER.  Seriously...FOREVER!

And then she got him even MORE of the horse stuff!  She won the gift award this year!!!

Loving his new hat from Grandpa and Grandma Reves and the mustache from the Vetsch's.

Our own little circus lady

It was our little buddy Kabe's first birthday that day, so we had to make sure he had a special cake with a candle.  His Uncle Brucie loves him so much!

Zoo

Last week the weather was AMAZING. I don't mean nice, but it was actually cold and I love that kind of weather (especially at the end of May)! I decided it would be a fantastic day to go to the zoo in Topeka and even more fun if we took our favorite neighbors.

They were SO excited to see the penguins!

They thought Bruce would like this one. :)

They weren't too into the apes after watching a gorilla throw up
into it's hand and then eat it 4 times...

Loving on the goats

What a ferocious little girl!

Such good buddies!

Pretty girls

Always the cowboy...

After the zoo, we ran across to the park and rode the train.  What kind of a mother would I be if I hadn't let them do that AND each eat a chocolate chip cookie?  I know how to stay in these kids' good graces!

So, we had a good day.  Watching 3 kids is way tougher than the one ornery boy I usually have though.  I don't think they ever were in the same place together for more than a few seconds.  Lunch was at McDonald's and then they played on the playset there too.  Let me tell you...nap time was awesome later on!

The Big 33

I can't remember the last time that Bruce's birthday was on a weekend that he didn't work and it didn't get overshadowed by Mother's Day.  Well, this time all those magical stars and planets were in place and he had a party!  Mom and Dad were here and made him his carrot cake, we had our friends over and we all got to celebrate Brucie.  He is the best daddy, husband and friend anyone could ever have.  He works so hard for us and we love him more than he will ever know!

That's a lot of candles! 
Notice the bandana around his neck Coop tied on so that he could be surprised?

The graduate!

Cooper has gone to preschool for the last two years and has become one smart cookie!  His school had wonderful facilities and teachers.  He had a gym, garden and bunnies!  He went to chapel once a week and had really become interested in religion.  Anyway, they had a little graduation ceremony for the kiddos heading to Kindergarten next year.  Mommy and daddy were very proud of our boy!

Getting his diploma from Miss Brenda

Getting a high-five from Pastor

Hugging his teacher, Miss Chris

My handsome boys

Can a kid get any cuter?

Our New Addition

We officially are the proud owners of a new turtle!  Well, he's actually an old turtle that had a run in with a car or lawnmower or something that broke his shell, but he's now been rescued by my boys and is living a life of luxury in his new home. I didn't know how I would do with an animal that doesn't have fur, but Sheldon and I are getting along fine.  He definitely beats a hamster or guinea pig.  (They're just big rats in my book!)

Can you see his cute little face?

You can see how his shell is messed up.  The other side is cracked all the way down. 

Best buddies

Finally Finished!!!

Until I was married, I lived in the same house.  We never moved.  I don't think we ever thought about moving, it just wasn't an option.  Besides, love grows best in little houses, right? 

Well, my married life has been very different.  Bruce and I lived in 4 houses, 4 towns in 5 years.  Each time we bought one, he fixed it up, I decorated it, we got it perfect and then moved on to the next project. 

The house we are in now was a different plan.  We had a baby and "pick up and go" didn't have quite the fun ring to it, nor did we have the time to invest like before.  This house got beat up before us and little by little we have made it our own.  Most of the problems here were cosmetic, new paint, carpet, tile...and the whole entire kitchen.  Every. Single. Part of it...I seriously don't know what the people were thinking when they built this kitchen.  It was not well planned out, but we took our time and finally we had the right ideas and the money to do it.  Surprisingly, Bruce and I were able to come to an agreement on everything and he picked the countertop out on his own.  What trust I have in that man!  I can finally have all my kitchen supplies in the kitchen, not the kitchen, laundry room, pantry and basement... I tried to do before pictures and after of the same angle, but it was a little tough.  I'm not bragging, but man, I think were really good at this!

A door before, but not after.  The dogs and I still get confused on that one. This whole part of the kitchen was wasted space before.  It is amazing to see the picture side by side!!!

We cut a huge opening in the wall between the kitchen and dining room.  I was a little scared, but it has changed EVERYTHING in a great, wonderful, amazing way!  (Missing a piece of trim here...Gonna have to talk to Bruce!)

This was the sad kitchen part.  A breakfast bar in the middle of the room and too little room on the other side of it for a table???  The next two pictures are of this whole wall.

I hated the cabinet colors and the fact that there were no handles.  Everything was yucky and falling apart.  I also am just realizing how much crap is all over the counters, the fridge, everywhere!