Hail storm

I am thinking of this again as we just finally got our gutters replaced from this fun storm.

This was the evening before I defended my final research for my masters, Sept. 15th, 2010. Mark was out of town, and my mom came over to help with dinner and watch Jaren so I could practice and prepair. We were going to watch my neice Matea for a bit this eveing too. My dad had called a bit before the hail got here asking if my mom had pulled her car in because he heard hail was coming. I said yes, I made her because I didn't want her to have to leave in the rain. Amy had called as well letting us know she was getting some pretty big hail at her house in town Goddard so we knew it wasn't far away.

Jeremy and Brandi were on their way into town to drop of Matea and they called and asked if they could just stay till the storm passed, by the time they got here we were deep in the big hail. In the end, Jay and Brandi's van in my driveway had both the front and back windshield busted out. We had one hole that went all the way though our roof and our ceiling in our garage, and about 22 other holes that went all the way through the roof and into the attic. Oh, don't forget that we had just paid to have our house repainted 3 yes, THREE days before all this happened.

My dad ended up taking off work to come help Amy and I, Marks Dad came over to help us and drive Jay and Brandi and their girls home. My uncle and cousin stopped by to see if we needed help, and my other uncle called and offered his services. Amy had many holes that led to water running down her ceiling and into her fire detecters shorting them out and causing them to go off constantly. Anyway it was a mess and they hail was HUGE!!!

Jeremy and Brandi's front window of their van. The back window was competely gone.

This is what our whole yard looks like, but since we didn't have property insurance ,or something like that, it still looks like this.

This is what our garage ceiling looks like. The hail came all the way through the roof and the ceiling and landed and shattered on our garage floor, thank goodness on the third car side so no car damage.

This is one of the many spots along our guttering that was distroyed.

This mainly shows how hard the hail was coming down the hail is completely buried in the yard.

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slow dance

I know I am WAY behind again, but we are having some MAJOR issues with our internet and have tried to make two posts and gotten kicked off before I was done and lost everything I was working on. So this one is going to be short and sweet.

I just had one of the best experiences of my life to date and want to note it. Today was my last day of school before Christmas for me, so I left school as soon as physically possible to go get Jaren and get home.

We got home and I got Jaren a snack and started dinner. Then came the best part....

Jaren asked for one of his favorite things. He wanted the music on. So I put on a Christmas CD, turned the house lights off and the tree lights on. Then for a half and hour Jaren and I danced. Some fast fun twirly songs and some slow songs which involved him cuddling on my shoulder and licking my shirt ;)

I wish I had a picture, but as we were the only people home I obviously don't, but let me tell you it was darn cute!!!

Enjoy the holidays!!!

Great Wolf Lodge

I know I'm VERY late. I'm trying to catch up. With no more home football games I'm sure I'll do better. I also just today figured out how to get the videos off my camcorder so there are some old and new videos coming too. Also, our audio is still not working so I hope the music on this slide show is not annoying.

Anyway, this is a slideshow from our family vacation to Great Wold Lodge this summer. My mom and dad took us all and we had a blast. For Easter my mom gave all the kids matching swim suits and towels with their names on them. It was adorable. They didn't have a suit small enough for Emma Kate so hers is differant.

Thanks mom and dad we had such a wonderful time!!!

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Amy & I's suprise Birthday party

A month ago Amy and I were told that we had to keep Sat. Oct. 16th open for a Birthday DAY. On Thursday the 14th, Amy and I's actual birthday we went out to eat at Gambinos to celebrate. There Mark gave us each a card that had directions we were not to open it unitl 8:00 ish on the morning of the 16th. So we followed directions and at 8:00 ish we each opened this card. (back up) on the night of the 14th or actually the morning of the 15th we ended up in the emergency room with Mark. He threw his back out laying Jaren down in the crib, he couldn't walk and was shaking and cold. Which if you know Mark, he is NEVER cold. So if Mark looks uncomfortable in these pictures he was still in a pretty good amount of pain, but he was a trooper and hung in there for all the festivities.

Inside the card was a note from Mark mine said " Happy Birthday Celebration Day! You must be sooooo eager to find out hte plans. Well I hope you're not too disappointed, but it's still a suprise!!! (I know... such a tease) I love you so much, and I hope this day measures up to your expectations. Have fund and enjoy, because you've earned it. Love Ya, Mark and Jarne" Amy, at her house with Mike and Kim and me at mine with Kelsey and Mark both seperatly got blindfolded and taken to our first destination. We went to the zoo with my entire family all the kids too. It was a ton of fun and perfect weather. I was oblivious to the clue on the card of the gorilla. And yes we got some looks driving around with me blindfolded in the front seat.

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While eating lunch at the zoo that Mark prepaired and packed for us Amy and I recieved this card. The card said " I hope you've both had fun at the zoo, but it's now time to leave. Kelsey is your escort, so follow her to her car. Once inside, key this address into the GPS. 2441 North Maize Road, Wichita, KS 67205 Have fun and enjoy! When you're done, someone will be there to pick you up. We will see you both later." So not realizing yet that the cards were a clue but my family members knowing this my mom asks what does the card say. We had just read what Mark wrote out loud so then I read the actual card phrase and got a major clue. It said " Studies show that pampering yourself can make you look and feel years younger. Hoping you find the time to pamper yourself on this special day! Have a happy Birthday! Because Mark was now taking narcotics with his back injury he came along. When we got to the salon Mark took us inside and checked us in then left. The lady says we will be right with you. Amy and I still have no idea what we are here for. The lady takes us back and says are you ready and we said sure but can you tell us what for. She laughed and said sure you are getting..... are you ready for this..

A one hour massage
a one hour facial
a manicure and
a pedicure

It was amazing and it was so much fun to share with everyone about our day and wonder what was still to come.

Kelsey and Mark returned four hours later to pick us up and took us back to Mark and I's house, where our outfits were selected for us and we were to get ready for..... We didn't know, then we got this card. (I shouldn't say we didn't know, we knew it was dinner time by this point and we were hungry) This card read "I'm sure you're wondering about the card... perhaps it will make sense after a bit. I hope you're hungry, cuz we're off to dinnr. I was tormented as to waht would be the best plans, and then I realized there was really only one option. Happy Birthday!!!" We then proceded to eat at Texas Roadhouse. It was mostly and adult event. Cheeks and Alyssa came along as the only people Mike and Kim know well enough to entrust their child with were at dinner so Blake got to come too, to be with Alyssa. Dinner was SOOO yummy, I love their rolls.
After we left the reasturant we were standing in the parking lot and we got this card. It read "If you've been paying attention to the cards, they each have had a clue as to the activity. Therefore, you're probably wondering where we're going. Trust me, you probably haven't danced like this in a long time!!! Happy Birthday!!" We were then driven to the Carousel skating rink to go roller skating. We had a such a good time and enjyed every min. of it.

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After roller skating everyone came back to Mark and I's house hang out and play some cards.

It was a PERFECT day and I'm so greatful for Mark that he would go to this much trouble for Amy and I. I couldn't ask for better, Mark - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Man he set the bar high for Amy and I to plan for his 30th huh???

Jaren was playing in the bathroom one morning while I was in the shower and found a "FUN" toy. I know gross, but they kept him busy for almost a half an hour. Put them in the box, take them out, repeat...


Jaren loves to be outside so we decided one day when we got home from work to have a picnic. He was very confused by the idea of eating on a blanket in the yard, but had not problems generlizing the skill of putting all the food in my mouth that I can at once, from the high chair inside to the front lawn.


I truley enjoyed our picnic. Although I was alone most of the time. Jaren would join me for a bite or two, then go play, then come back for food, then go play. It was perfect.


The boy would live outside if we'd let him.


Just having fun in the bath.

Lake of the Ozarks/Daddy

Sorry it has been so long.

Crazy times here. Mommy turned 30 on Thursday and that same night daddy took an ambulance ride. Daddy came to consule me at 2 a.m. and when he went to lay me back down he did something to his back. He was in severe pain and began shaking uncontrolably which woke mommy up. When mommy said that's it we are going to the hospital, daddy couldn't get out of bed by himself and while my mommy is a pretty tough cookie she couldn't carry daddy to the car. So grandma and grandpa came over. Grandma Cheryl stayed with me and Papa mike took mommy to the hospital. They really got NO answers as to what was wrong or what to do about it, gotta love ER's. Daddy did get a shot which made him giggle and feel no pain as well as a perscription for lortab. He is doing better, but is uncomfortable constantly and tries to do to much with me which makes mommy mad. Mommy says daddy just needs to rest.

Then Daddy planned an ALL DAY suprise day for mommy and aunt amy since they turned 30. It was such a FANTASTIC day I won't even put it on here, it deserves its own post. I know you are thinking great we won't see that till next year this time, but I'm working on mommy and she says she will be posting more regularly soon. :)

Enjoy the pics.

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I'm back!!!

I know it has been to long and this is the beginning of many more posts.

Mommy has no more excuses as she defended her masters last Thursday night and PASSED!!!

This post is about our most recent weekend. Mom says that after this she will back up and fill you in on all the things you are missed so far.

I hope you enjoy it and that the music is ok. The sound is broken on mommy's computer so she doesn't know what it sounds like.

FYI - posts to come: cousins wedding, misc, walking videos, more football, vacation photos from lake of the ozarks, hailstorm photos and more.

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