New Years Weekend 2011

Jassen, Monica, Matt and I had a great weekend down at Patti's Settlement in Grand Rivers, KY.  We had a great dinner at Patti's, had old-tyme photos taken, played dice, did a little site-seeing, and visited Metropolis, IL.  There wasn't a moment when we weren't laughing at each other, or taking silly photos.  And of course the guys were constantly picking on Monica and I.  It was a much needed weekend away from the kiddos. But don't get too sad.  They had a blast with Nina and Pappaw!!



Christmas 2010

We had a nice and easy Christmas this year.  Get-togethers were nicely spaced and not rushed into two days.

My Sister's Wedding

Triana's Wedding

November 7, 2009

My sister Triana got married a couple of weeks ago. Dakota was the ringbearer and I was the Matron of Honor. It turned out to be a beautiful day. We couldn't have prayed for a better day. Despite all of the stress the week before everything went smoothly. Jassen is also glad to have the house back, free of wedding "stuff". Dakota did an awesome job. We were all soo proud of him.

Fall Weather is Great!

This fall has been soo nice. Jassen hates raking leaves... Dakota loves jumping in them. He got off of the bus one day and said, "Daddy you need to rake the leaves because I need to jump in them." :) One Saturday while I was at work they did just that. This year we let Dakota pick out his own costume, and we were in shock when he chose the "Cars" crew chief uniform! :) Many others were surprised too. Everyone in the neighborhood was talking about him as he drove from house to house to go trick-or-treating.

The Vineyard is one of our favorite stores. It is a Christian book store filled with tons of inspiritional home decor, gifts, you name it. They also have a corner just for the kiddos. Dakota calls The Vineyard the Veggietale Store. On the Saturday before Halloween "Larryboy" came to visit. Sooo we had to go see him.

Holiday World 2009

Thanks to my awesome sister we had free tickets to Holiday World. We finally made it. It was a georgous summer day to have a family outing. It started out kind of rough because Dakota decided to be in one of his sour moods. He had his moments throughout the day, but overall we had a great time.

Frog Follies 2009

Every September the Frog Follies fill the 4-H fair grounds. This year we decided to take Dakota out there and see what all they had. We went on a mission trying to find "Sheriff", "Doc", "Mater", "Lizzy", and "Stanley". We did find quite a few "Lizzy's". Dakota really enjoyed looking at all the different cars. He got really excited when we found Hot Rods with "flames" on them. Jassen and I just got a kick out of Dakota's reaction to them all.

Choir Mission Trip 2009

Although these pictures don't show us doing any charity/ spiritual work we had a GOD FILLED weekend. The places we went we weren't allowed to take our own cameras into. On Friday we sang at New Castle Correctional Facility. I'll tell you right now that that weekend was totally full of firsts, and something many others will probably never be able to do, and would normally be out of my comfort zone. We sang twice at the facility to about 300 inmates. It's soo cool to see how God works in such a dark place. Some had some stearn looks on their faces, but you would see their feet tapping. Some never budged, BUT there were some who took in every word we said. Some were even Crying!!!! The first service I was very nervous. I was expecting these guys to come in with shackles and cuffs. Neither were present! The second service was a little easier :) From there we drove to Carmel and sang at a sister church. A small group hosted us and fed us a spaghetti and salad dinner. Yum! Saturday our big project was to fix, serve, and visit with the homeless men at Lighthouse Ministries. OH, what an awesome day. I was a little uncomfortable knowing that I was going to have to sit down with these people and talk to them. I prayed that God would give me the courage and strength to have/ carry a conversation with these men. A couple of friends and I sat down with 3 men, and sat and talked until we had to sing. And there were no dull moments. These men could not believe that we had fixed this awesome meal just for them, and STAYED to talk to them. Most groups before us usually serve a meal and leave. They were in awe of what we had done for them that day. After we sang we handed out goody bags to them that included socks, shirts w/ a verse on them, bibl, etc. Such a great day. Sunday we were supposed to sing at the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincy, but we were rained out. The church had been singing there for quite some time now to give that extra little push to the runners as they were finishing the marathon, just like we do at the Race for a Cure here in Evansville.
Let me tell you something...the Devil was working on us the WHOLE time!!!! One bus broke down on the way up, and they had to pile into the other bus or other vehicles. We were 1 hr. late to the facility. The US had put a ban on any/ all visitors at the Correctional Facility and many other places, b/c of the swine fly spreading, THE DAY BEFORE we got there! We were still able to sing. When we were finished the choir had left to head to the church. The set-up crew got stuck in a mandatory lockdown/ head count and could not leave. This delayed their travel by about an hour and a half. We sang at the church right on time W/O sound checks. Saturday the forcast called for rain all day. As soon as we got to the shelter and starting cooking and setting up the skies OPENED UP!!!! What a beatiful day it turned out to be. :) Sunday, the rain came. We were all at peace with the previous 2 days that it was okay that we couldn't sing at the marathon.
This was my first mission trip ever. It's something I was always interested in, but hadn't had the opportunity. I learned soo much this weekend about myself, how God works in these situations, and that every human being is a child of God. Whether they are having troubled times, locked up for life or a few years, down on their luck, homeless, you name it. God loves them as much as he loves you!!

March of Dimes Walk 2009

We raised close to $1500 this year. This was our 5 year anniversary walking and raising money for the March of Dimes. Over the last 5 years we have donated $7300 to help save babies!! Thanks to all of you who have donated and WALKED over the few years.

Another clip

This is a better clip. He's going to be the next Roger Federer!

Kota playing tennis

Yay!!!! I finally figured out how to put a video on here! Enjoy!

Practicing for the egg hunts

Last week Monica and McKynley visited for a couple of days. McKynley has been practicing at home, and Monica bought more eggs so we could practice at our house. Dakota and McKynley rushed around the living room and foyer trying to find the 30+! eggs she had bought. McKynley had already learned to open them up and see what was inside. Once she found out there was nothing in them she would throw them to the ground. :)

Goodbye White Walls!!

Since I redecorated the kitchen with primitive/ country like things I wanted to paint. Bleach white walls just don't go with warm country decor.... So I finally sweet talked my husband into letting me get started. Wal-Mart has their brand of paint (which is the same as Sherwin Williams) for $12.97 a gallon!! Sooo cheap. So last night I started on a little bit of it, and then tonite tried to get the first coat on. Jassen will have to help me a little since God made me a tad bit short for some projects :) I am hoping that it is finished and put back together before the weekend is over.

OK, OK Here you go

Ok, soo I know have been a slacker for quite some time. I am going to play a little bit of catch-up :) I hope you have about 15-20 to see what we have been up to.

Winter Storm 2009

I just couldn't get over the fact that we just played tennis in near 70 degree weather a couple of weeks before. The weather man said it was coming, but who knew we could actually get everything he forcasted. Living where we do we either get it or we don't and this time We Got It! Dakota and Jassen played outside one day while I worked :(, and build Dakota's first snowman. I was very sad that I wasn't there to participate. But I am sure there will be more before he leaves home. :)

Jan. 23rd- temp.- High 60's!!

Dakota and I ran some errands early in the morning. As soon as I felt how warm it was I knew I was going to go home, wake Jassen up, and go play tennis. Jassen and I were a little rusty, but Dakota jumped right in. He is always easily discouraged at anything that comes his way (kinda like it Uncle!) They first ball Jassen threw he missed and threw a fit. We convinced him to try again and he hardly missed a beat or ball I should sy. We can only hope they he grows up and has the love of tennis like we do.

Thanksgiving in Kansas

Okay- so we sold yet another car. We were trying to sell the Honda Del Sol and couldn't get rid of it. Jassen was talking to his brother one day about the car. Justin was about to have a birthday and was able to get his permit. Jim said they would buy and pay our way down if we took it down to them. I was soo excited. Jassen was too, but not looking for to the 9 (turned into 12) hour drive. We made it down and enjoyed every minute of it. The boys played all weekend. I got a little tasted of doing vinyl, Jassen and Jim enjoyed shooting the bow, Ty enjoyed the company, and Justin was too busy cleaning his car and driving it to do anything else.
We miss you guys!!

In October we had family photos done for my mom who requested a photo purse for Christmas. We found this rock fountain that had been shut down for the winter to use as a prop. Pictured in the photos are us 3, Monica, Matt, McKynley, Triana, Daryl, Logan, and Casey.

Also in October while the temps were still warm we took a trip to our remodeled zoo. The small town zoo now looks like a big city zoo. We were amazed at the new entrance way. Before they just had this little shack to pay and walk through. They added the Amazonia had lots of amazing animals we were able to see up close and move around. Our favorite is always the giraffe. One of these days I am going to get that awesome picture of him and Dakota. We fed him some grass, and he just about licked Dakota's face off. We probably spent 30 min. just with the giraffe.

Well, I hope that catches you up on what we have been up to. Talk to you soon. And don't forget to check my Kota Box blog.

http://www.thekotabox.blogspot.com/

Fall is here!

Last Thursday Dakota's preschool took a field trip to a local orchard. We couldn't have asked for a better day. It was gorgeous outside with the sun shining, and the temp around 80. Everything went well until Dakota wanted his sunglasses. I didn't have them, and he just had a total meltdown. He started with the usual, "I'm tired.", "I wanna go home," bit. I wasn't going to hold him. I ended up leaving him with his teacher so that maybe he would calm down, and pay attention. The director ended up holding his hand, and staying with him because he kept throwing a fit. I ended up hiding behind parents so I could stay and try to get some pictures. By the end of the field trip the director told him if he sat nicely I would sit with him. So, as you see him drinking his fresh cider (aka- apple juice) he looks happy.

Being a stay-at-home mom is great when it comes to school activities because I am able ot go with them. But it is days like these that make me upset because I wonder if neither of us are going to get to enjoy if I am around...... We will see. There are many more to come. :)

You know I have to be different!!

Well, here goes. I have always thought that red hair with blonde highlites was gorgeous. I get tired of my hair looking the same, as I am in the process of letting it grow out. I had made an appointment for the 17th to get my hair done, and I just couldn't wait. I was getting way too anxious. So I went in this morning, and she had an opening at 12! Soo here ya go. This is the NEW me. A little crazy I know.... But I do like it. Jassen wouldn't care if I came home with it dyed jet black. He says it look just fine.

Yumm, those are good!

Dakota kept wanting to pull the bowl over tyring to the the rice krispies. Then I got distracted while counting my cups. Soo, I let him hop up on a stool and help. He kept playing while I mixed the butter and marshmallow creme. Then Jassen and Dakota mixed it all together. And of course he had to do a taste test. He loved them.

PS.. Never use tub butter. They won't harden. You have to use stick butter :)

Man, do my parents feel OLD!

DCHS Class of 1998

ME- 1998

Saturday we celebrated our 10 year reunion! Couldn't believe it. You can not believe what can happen in 10 Years! Pictured are two of my best friends from high school. At top is Janet Adkins- Ferrell. We met when I transferred from city schools in the 7th grade. We had Math together. Man she hated it. She never was a Math person, and I was. We later hung around different people, but stayed friends and still hung out. We still try to keep in touch.

Pictured at the bottom is my friend Erin Bruner-Tedford (soon-to-be). We met Freshman year in Photography. Throughout high school we had many art classes together . Crazy thing is after going to two different colleges she now lives about 1 1/2 miles from me here in Evansville. But it will be short lived. She is getting married in September, and will be moving to Charlotte, NC.

Goin' Boatin'

Last Wednesday night Dakota and I went down to Dad's camp and stayed the night. As soon as we got there we went for a boat ride before it got dark. I think Dakota is finally getting comfortable with the boat. He normally wants to sit in our lap, and hold on for dear life. I think Keiara helped him out a little this time. They had a really good on the beach: playing in the sand, looking for shells, and playing in the water with Pappaw.

When we got back to the camper Keiara and Kota went hunting for frogs. They found 7 of them in all different sizes. Dad fixed an awesome supper. We had filets, mac-n-cheese, fries, and "river" potatoes ( cut up potatoes, seasonings, dumped in foil, and cooked). No hot dogs and chips down there :) IT's crazy how well they eat down there.

Other than getting eat up with myself mosquitoes ( 10+ on my right leg, below my knee!) we had a great time.

WiLd & cRaZy!!!

Since we decided that we were going to stay and not move we wanted to start doing some things around the house.... like paint. We were at Home Depot and they had samples of themed rooms, Cars being one of them. We really liked the colors, and went with it. This is our version of a Cars room. Dakota calls it his "cool "car-car" room". We were pretty impressed with the way it turned out. Jassen and I joked that the day he gets tired of it he can paint it himself :)

Oh, so messy!

I have to admit that I try to stay clear of anything Dakota can make a mess out of. For instance... icecream cones. We have just started letting him eat them on his own. He does pretty good. Now if only we could teach him how to keep up with the drips. :)