Party Animals Deux

Jason and Stef took the train in to hang out tonight. Mom was sick and Tom was at rehersal so it was just us kids. We had a great time! Great food, great conversation and Jason had 3 deserts. 2 from Sal Marie's and 1 giant ice cream cone.

More fun with the boys!!!

Becky tried to convince me she was sooooo exhausted from watching the guys. I really don't understand why.

The fascination of the rolling coins.


We had lots of fun at the Nature Museum. It was interesting for Tom & I and very kid friendly! They had live snakes & soft shell turtles and turanchulas as well as lots of dead animals that were stuffed. There was a garfish there as big as a person. Don't know about Lake of the Ozarks anymore.


Cal swinging on vines in his new sporty outfit that Grandma Barb & Grandpa Steve bought him.


This was a beautiful butterfly arboritum that had hundreds of live butterflies fluttering all around, some of them even landing on people. Cal was a little freaked out after watching a girl with a butterfly on her shirt being jittery and decided that he really didn't want one to land on him. It was really spectacular and we all were in awe. Gotta love these boys! Are they adorable or what?!

Cal took the ring for the ring toss & used it as a head band (after seeing Ike do it 1st which I didn't get a picture of).



Then it was off to the beach 2 mornings. We went early when it was still quiet & as the morning wore on there were lots of kids for Cal & Ike to play with.


He doesn't look grumpy to me!


Ike loved the Barrel of Monkeys & found out he could make the barrel squeak.



Cal built this the night before. We had a really hard time keeping Ike from destroying it. Cal took these pics as I was trying to hold Ike back. Eventually the destroyer won out.



Cal very happy about his creation.


Our time ended by jammin' with Grandpa Stache. Or at least he let the kids use his headphones. He was too sick to jam. Poor Grandpa. :(


Thank you Leah & Eric for sharing your guys with us. We love them and love you and are grateful for the new memories we have!

Fun with The Boys!

Cal showing us his giblets.


Crazy Cal!


Adorable Isaac!





We got to the beach early on Friday. It was beautiful! And was knee deep until the sand bar. Cal could swim out really far and loved it.


It was fun watching Isaac do whatever his big brother did. Including drinking the lake water and fake coughing after Grandman Sally made Cal dunk and he choked on the water.













I like this picture of Cal. He just hopped in to hang out with some kids.


Grandma Sally made Ike walk up this slope every time he wanted to go on the slide. I told her it was dangerous, but she said its more imporant he learns balance.


Rock and Roll!


Grandma Sally bought this ball from the toy store and Isaac carried it home like this the entire way.

Dad's Memorial

Hey Leah, Great job on the invites! They look amazing and probably made a lot more people then me cry.

Ahem....

Tom was born in 1955.

He is only 53.

Thank you.*

*And no, I am not at all sensitive about that.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM!!!

Another year has gone by for Tom. 54 of them to be exact!

Tom you are the BEST!! You are an example of unconditional love to me. You have a tender heart for the Lord. You're forgiving, hardworking, dedicated, love people and love our family. Hanging out with you is one of my favorite past times. One thing is for sure, there is never a dull moment in my life because of you! I love you and wish a lazy, lovely day for you. And may this year be your best as you walk with our Lord, enjoying Him and the wonderful path He's laid out before you.

Your ever lovin' wife,
Sally

Thanksgiving

Sooo I might have had a genius idea.

This year for Thanksgiving maybe we should consider renting a house for a few days in Wisconsin Dells, or somewhere around there. April is getting married on the Saturday after Thanksgiving which means Cheryl and I won't be able to go to MN like we wanted and Leah will have to be here on Saturday. We could find a house for around $250 a night and stay mabye Wed-Friday, or everyone else could stay through the weekend. If we did three nights, that would under $200 a couple if 4 or 5 "family units" came.

What do you think??

For anyone that normally spends Thanksgiving with in-laws.... maybe this year you should reconsider. :)

My blogger is acting up. Here's a link to a house on vrbo.com http://www.vrbo.com/117450

We could also consider one of those giant resorts, but I think a house suits our family better.

My New Jewelry

Another Great Spinach Salad

Spinach Apple Salad

1 bunch spinach or baby spinach
1/8 c thinly sliced mild onion
3 or 4 oz walnuts, toasted
1 apple, chopped
4 oz goat cheese, crumbled

Layer in a bowl. Dish out & add dressing of choice. Use a lighter creamy dressing, nothing heavy, because of the goat cheese. Deeelish!!!

This salad was copied off of one I ate at Bank Lane in Lk Forest. If I only had their recipe for the dressing. :)

Eddie Vedder

Karin Labelle went to an Al Franken event in Seatle last night and met Eddie Vedder!

She said he's "as handsome in real life as he is in rock star life"

And about Al Franken:
"Al Franken (your sisters new senator come November) was really great as well. His speach was so moving. He's a good midwestern man and that comes across in his style. He is so good on education and the environment. And super smart and of course funny. I tried to crack a joke to him, but my delivery got all flubbed and it didn't go over. oh well."

The Swell Season

Eric and I went to The Swell Season (Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova) concert last night with Shae and Lisa and it was so great. I think it's one of the best concerts I've attended, except that we didn't have great seats. They played from 9:15ish to 11:30.

Just wanted to let you all know so that you can be jealous.

Changed His Life....

I'm posting for Jason, who found his ultimate stir-fry sauce: Soy Wasabiaki (green label, found at Jewel). He said he feels like he's in an Asian restaurant when he's eating it.

Mmmmm....

Somethin' to watch

American Idol Gives Back

Thoughts... anyone....

americanidol.com

Hair Olympics

Our church had a ladies night at a salon that a woman in the congregation owns. We had a hair olympics- teams of 3-4 had to do a person's hair with what was given them. I was the model, of course, but I think we could have done much better if given thought and time. Here is the outcome:

And here is the well-deserved winner:

Happy Birthday Mom!!

Though my mom won't see this I still want to celebrate her & display her birthday pictures. She is an awesome mom and I love her very much. We went to Chili's (her favorite margarita place :) ) for her birthday bash. Attendees included Grandma Becker, Becky, Jason, Stef, Tom & myself. Here are some pictures of us all with the birthday gal. She won't mind me saying that she is 78. I hope I look that good & have all that energy when I'm her age. Go get 'em mom!