Happy New Year!

Sending 2018 out with a bang today as we PARTAY it up!

The Winterset Library Noon Year's Eve with friends was everything you'd imagine.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a photo of the balloon drop as I tightly held onto a scared Jay as his eyes welled up with tears watching kids push and shove each other closer to the balloons as they screamed 10... 9.... 8.... 7...... all while holding their hands above their heads in a dark room filled with disco lights and neon.

The poor kid must have thought we were entering the apocalypse.

So the extent of my New Years Eve 2018 consisted of finally wearing make-up and hair products after about 4 days without, a public Library party, reorganizing my toolbox, cleaning up puppy poop and replacing used pee pads in the garage, watching YouTube videos about an exciting organizational tool (coming soon to this blog- stay tuned!), and the night is still young!

 However, I have a funny feeling this is how we will all be feeling by 8:00-ish.

Happy New Year!

Bones, Skulls and Cremation

Poor Peter Rabbit has vacated the garage and all that remains is a partial jaw of a different victim lying sadly on the filthy, carpeted garage step.  

Fast forward as Mike taught Molly how to start a fire in the fireplace.  

Upon further inspection, I began to feel like a "Burb".  After the smoke alarm went off, an interesting odor emerged from the fireplace- like burnt hair.  Turns out a cremation for a deer skull left on the front porch earlier this week was taking place.  

Tomorrow I'll check for any dental remnants and keep ya posted.  

Meanwhile, if my body ever goes missing, check the fireplace first.

Mudroom Makeover

I finally had it with the mudroom.  

The chaos in this space was a complete buzz kill and I've been in desperate need of a buzz for several years now. 

Let me explain:

7 people stashing coats, jackets, boots, shoes, sandals, sports equipment, snow gear, swim gear, grow-into gear, and a large crate of various slime makings.

This is doesn't even touch dog supplies, random stuff that doesn't belong in a kitchen, bathroom or bedroom,  Plus we burn a lot of our trash which ends up in a pile on the mudroom rug in hopes of making it to the next fire.  

Friday night Mike got a burst of energy and took it out on the mudroom.  

I was tired...

This guy didn't feel like doing construction with me Saturday morning and farted something that smelled like a black snake firework.  On a positive note, it cleared the littles out of our workspace for a while.  

 Stay tuned for the finished product coming soon!

And if you're not aware of Osmo, Jay's Christmas gift has been a Godsend of a babysitter.  

Below, he and Maisie are working on Newtons Law.  Go figure.

The girls attended Neverland with Grandma at the Civic Center as their Christmas gift this year.  Aren't they fancy?

 And this was my gift from the dogs this afternoon. 
The poor thing was left gutted on the smoker in the garage. 

I love the way they remind me we'd never starve to death if worse came to worse...

Holiday Update

I know, I know.  I haven't posted in ages and haven't had the chance to share my deepest thoughts since...

Jay's new eye.  One of the weirdest experiences I've been through besides the Kansas City Ghost Hunt and childbirth. 

These 3 littles.  No explanation needed.

Our latest addition of an air fryer.  Because nothing screams healthy like air-fried Grands Biscuits?

My first born being himself.

Maisie completing her final performance of Scrooge...

And realizing her favorite thing was getting her hands on floral foam.  

Apparently, it's something she's always dreamed of playing with. 

My 3 Amigos trying Fried Ice Cream

One of my besties getting married... 

and attempting "The Dirty Dancing Lift" in her kitchen on their wedding night.

Ridiculous Cousin Living Room Dances

Christmas Eve anticipation

Christmas Day Buffets

As long as there are food photos, Gfunk lives.

And finally, the first meal I served when Ross had his girlfriend over for dinner.  Roast Beef Sundaes.  

She's 4-H and farm girl so this wasn't a new treat for her.

I was able to spend some really good one-on-one time with my first born today.  The roads were sketchy which meant we had lots of time together as we drove to Des Moines and back.  I love the fact he shares everything with me (appropriate or not).  I love the fact he trusts me with secrets.  I love that he asks me uncomfortable questions.  My gut knows he's 13 going on 31.  I pray he knows I will always be his home base... and I will always be his biggest fan.