Ok.. so it ws cold and snowing.. but we braved it and went trick or treating on the William F BLack. Tanner thought it was fun and he got some more candy :) But he sure was tired in the end. then we came home and had hotdogs and carved our pumpkins!

Umm its snowing... what the Hell!!!!! Thas all i got to sat, We are suppossed to go trick or treating on the Tourist boat today at 4

Medline Trick or Treat was this past Friday. I forgot to mention it. But wanted to add a few pics of our celebration. Its usually a pretty big deal at work. We spend alot of time decorating and dressing up to make it fun for the couple hundred kids that come in. Ok for some reason this stupid blog is not allowing me to upload anymore pics. I have some pics of Tanner to pu on here.. but perhaps I will later.

Friday night we had some guests over :) Michele and Carri came over to visit. We had intended on doing some project... but ended up talking and having a cocktail. Hannah came over and kept Tanner busy. They played for a while and then ended up watching Nick Jr.. and some show called the Naked Brothers.. and Carly was on it.. and Tanner kept telling her to Kiss some guy... ummmm really weird.

Today I went to the Toy Outlet in Dyersville to pick up some toys for Tanners b-day. I also went Target and Kohl's. It was nice to shop at my leisure and not have to buy Tanner anything unless I wanted to. I did buy him a couple of long sleeve shirts as alot if his are to small.
Rick and Tanner went and bought 2 pumpkins so that we can carve them this week. Tanner is very excited for that.

Tonight I bought a new camcorder.. since ours took a bath. I still can not retrieve the info off the tape that was int he player. I hope to take it to Flicks and see if they can rescue it.. I hope so as it is our whole summer. I am still very sad about that.

Wow... what a cold day BRRRRRR. I don't think I am ready for that yet. Today at work we finished up our decorating. We carved a Santa pumpkin and hung stockings.. :) We are doing a Christmas theme for Halloween and dressing as Reindeer and elves. That way we do not have to decorate again! Sweet eh

Tonight was gymnastics for Tanner... he always gets so wound up and takes him awhile to "come down" He just has started to settle down now. We were done at 7! I thought it would help zap him of energy... apparently it works the opposite for him.. same thing with Cam also... must be the red hair!

He got picture info tonight for gymnastics... good thing he doesn't mind getting his pic taken as it has happened alot lately!

I hope that Thursday isn't to cold for football!

Funny Tanner

The picture has nothing to do with the story... I just think its funny...this was from when Tanner put mommy's lipstick on. He just does it to drive Rick crazy.. This time he wanted his photo taken with him... :)

Anyway ...OK so tonight at the dinner table we were talking about Medline. Tanner says "mom Renee is astracted to you because she lets you get up from your desk and do fun stuff." I was like "What? What is astracted" and he says "Renee loves you. She thinks your neat so she is astracted to you." Rick then says.. do you mean attracted. and Tanner says "yes". I am not sure where he got that word from.. and he partially is correct... Renee does love me (as I love her to ) but I don't think she is attracted to me :)

Kids they say the darnedest things eh :)

I am back

Ok so the show is over and I took a little R&R for myself, and am ready to blog again. I am not going to go over in detail of the past 2 weeks.. But I will say that the show was oddles of fun. It was good to hang out with some Grand folks again and make some new friends. We had lots of laughs backstage.. especially the last night with shaving cream, water and paint!


Tanner is sure glad the show is over as I think he was really missing his mom. On Family night he cried when it was over and he had to go home without mom :( But he really liked the show and talks about it.. I think it was the one he watched the most.






Yesterday we spent some family time together and went to the Pumpkin Patch, to Culvers and to Kohls. Tanner had fun at Bahls.. but was sad to learn the there will not be a Medline night this year. He loves to play in that corn. He will get to go again with his preschool buddies on Friday so that will be fun for him. The place was packed! We did the hay ride, bought some gourds, cheese popcorn and he went in the bounce house. We even got a free ride back to our car on a wagon!

Tanner also got his Preschool picture taken. And today we went and took some pics at the Arboretum for his 5 year old pics. He did pretty well... but he does get cranky after a bit and we have to leave.





Well that is all for now.... I am going to edit these pics so that I can get the printed and hung up at the house.. we have a couple of parties coming up :)

Ok.. so I am going to just let everyone know that for the next 2 weeks blogging will be sparse if any. I will be down at the Grand for the show and will either be tired or want to see the Tan Man after the show. So I will catch up with everyone 10/19. I know we are planning on POSSIBLY going to the pumpkin patch next Sat so I will post some pics then if we do.

Also .. say a prayer for Michele as she is going to babysit Tanner next Fri at the hockey game.. and wow has he been wild lately! :)

Well its been a quiet few days. Which for a change is nice. Especially when the next 2 weeks will be busy. I am excited to help at the Grand for Mom and Dads show.. but know it will be hectic around here and Tanner will miss his mama. he is such a mama's boy!

Tanner had a doc appt on Monday and that went well.. well until the told him he had to get a shot as he FREAKED out and told Doc Bagby that he didn't want a shot. He didn't want it in his leg and got it on the lower part of his arm. He did scream and turn as red as his hair and cry. And man was he sweating. We also found out he has to be tested for lead WHAT! and its done at the lab. Tim thinks it is a finger prick.. man I hope so because I don't see how they are going to get a vile a blood out of him. I don't plan on trying to hold him down for a whole vile.. he is a strong little dude!

He is also now into showers. He took his first shower on Sunday and decided it was pretty cool. It was so funny as he was singing away in there. I am sure our water bill will go up as he was in there 20 min. He then proclaimed that he wanted to take a shower ever night so he would be clean all the time. I guess that's good . Its cute tho they way he dances and sings in there. I turned the video camera on just so I could record his voice. I had no intention of opening the shower doors.. as thats rude. But I wanted to keep him singing forever as it was funny. Rick about freaked as he thought I was going to film him actually showering.. DURRR... I am not that dumb. He did peek out once while I was filming and wave!

Well Wednesday I will be headed to the Grand to check out the show.. Rick will be picking Tanner up from Gymnastics... so I will probably not be reporting in then. I will check in Thursday during the debate.. which I hope will be entertaining!

**"You know Katie.. I am going to have to do some research and get back to ya" :)

Busy Sunday

The day started out not so good as you woke up with an awful bloody nose... but we got it stopped and we were off to Soccer. It actually went pretty good since we only had 3 players. Grandma Di and Papa came to watch.

We then went home to clean the house and get ready for some of my GF's to come over to scrap. Tanner was very impatient waiting for Emma to get there. He finally fell asleep for over 2 hours.. so that helped. They played and played until 11:00 last night. they made forts, made food in the play kitchen, played chase and watched s few shows. They had a ball. I swear Tanner drank about 8 juice boxes. He was so sad when they had to leave. He cried.. (he always does) and I went to finish cleaning up the basement.. and of course Tanner came down and fell asleep on the floor. Well there was no way I was carrying him upstairs... and Rick (who had gone to a movie) was sleeping... so I put him on the futon and we slept downstairs.

Today we went to Czipars Apple Orchard and to Schusters Pumpkin Patch. We had only intended on going to Czipars.. but we saw the sign for the patch and Tanner heard someone talking about a corn maze.. and he really wanted to go. So we figured why not we are already out there and had nothing else planned for the day. Tanner and Emma played some games to gather and Tanner went in the bounce house. We bought some Apple bread and headed to the Corn maze.

Tanner had fun wandering around.... it was pretty big.. and they had a map to follow and there were clues where you found letters to spell a word... Well heck one of them was really hard and we could not find it. Tanner had had enough and wanted someone to carry him so we gave up and found the Exit. He said it was fun.. but LONG! We were in there about 50 min or so.. so I don't blame him. He was sad that they didn't have any animals to look at.

He took a snooze on the way home... and I might go do that now.. as I was up late last night.

Its been a busy week....again! Tuesday we hung out at home all day.. well after I went to the doc. I did ask about my elbow again. But really don't think there is much I can do boo hoo I hate it hurting all the time. Tanner took a nap at 330,... nice eh. We woke him up to eat and then we went to Ricks ball game. Michele and Stef Long also came and we hung out for a bit afterward. Then we came home and Tan took a bath.

Wednesday night we had Gymnastics. He is getting really good at his cartwheels. He does need to stop being so hyper in class and listen a bit better to the teachers. Wed at school they had a fire drill and Tanner answered one of Barbies questions... "stop drop and Roll" :)
We then went to Sam's to stock up on stuff.

Tonight was football and groceries. They dropped me off to get groceries while they went to football. I was all done by the time they were done.. which was good. We didn't waste any time.

I am going to go and stock the basement fridge with stuff since we are now spending more time down there then we used too. We got lots of groceries so hopefully next month it will be a little cheaper :) But prob not since it seems like everything is going up in price every month.

Catch up

Lets play catch up shall we.

Friday night we hung out at home.. Tanner loves to be in the basement .. he know has special channels that are only on down there. So sometimes he will play by himself down there. He also has been asking to camp out (like we did during bad storms) So we did that on Friday night. Grandma J and Grandpa Al stopped by to chat and see the new carpet.

We on Sat we slept to long and were almost late for Soccer. We woke up at 737 and needed to be there by 815.. that was the quickest I have ever gotten ready. Tanner had fun at soccer but gets tired out as there is 1 kid that will not play at all. so that means the boys/gal have to play alot with not many breaks. I am sure that wears him out.. and he gets a bit tired and cranky at the end. But here he is with his Buddy Will :) Love this pic!


We then came home and I created 2 photo books on Shutterfly. Wow that was fun. They are expensive so I would hate to get used to it.. but really fun! One was of his Buddies and one of family shots. Cant wait till they come n the mail.

Today we slept in a bit and then Tanner wanted to go fishing.. well we went and that lasted about 15 min and then he wanted to run around on the beach and throw stuff int he river. When we left he did ask if we were still in Dubuque, IA. When we said yes he said " we should not go to that lake again because it smells." LOL.. yes the Mississippi does smell.. and today was bad YUCK!


He also fishes like his dad... although he hooked his shirt.. and not his face!
We are now relaxing at home. :)

Ok.. so I am TIRED. I can not wait till I can sleep in (abit) on Sat.. and really sleep on Sunday! WOO HOO. From being gone most of the weekend and running alot this week.. its pooped me out.

Tanner had gymnastics last night. He really enjoys it. He is getting better at those cartwheels... well on one side anyway! The also climbed the ropes last night. I didnt stay.. I ran to the store and only caught the tail end of it.

Tonight was football. But we are not allowed to stay and watch.. and you know when asked what he did... he always comes back with I dont know!

We haev been spending alot of time in the basement know that it is nice and cleaned and new. Tanner thinks its the best! Maybe we should move all his toys down there :) :)

Firday night I promised to camp out down there with him. He has been asking to do that since Memorial day weekend when we did becuase of the storms that came thru.

I feel so bad for my Texas friends. Especially Kris who's house has been condemed. They live in Seabrook.. and they got hit Hard. Please scroll down and see the link (on the right)to her blog and read all about her horrible night and how Nick her husband barely made it out. He was at home putting things on the second level. They did save some of their things. HUGS KRIS!!! Glad you and Nick and Trey are OK. There is a light at the end of the tunnel! Jody and Suzzane are Ok as well. Jody and Suzanne seem to have little damage (thankfully)

On the home front....
Tanner had fun playing football last thursday. Here are a few pics of that...

Here are a couple pics from Scrapfest over the weekend. That is Michele hiding in the back! We also go to see the Oscar Meyer Weiner Car.. she was handing out Weiner whistles.. Too funny eh

We also got our carpet installed.. and it looks great. Can't wait to plan a party or a scrap night in the basement.

Carpet Tear up is finally done. So excited to get new.. but so tired from moving everything. So not looking forward to moving it back.

Scrapfest was fun. The lines were crazy. I liked most of my classes.. a couple were kind of crappy tho. Oh well... how do you know. Jamie and Michele both seemed to have fun. Jamie was even talking about next year :)

Thats all for now.. as I am tired!

We are headed out in a few minutes.. so no updates till Sunday... and Sunday we are doing carpet tear up.. so I *hope* to put a report up.

Tanner has football tonight.. Rick is taking the camera... hope to have pics :)

Last night Rick had a ball game.. well actually 2 of them. So Tanner and I hung out at home. We watched ICarly and he played on the computer a bit. I took a nice bath and we went to bed. I didn't realize that Rick put Tanner in his own bed when he got home... so I slept really bad all crunched up.. and hence My NECK IS KILLING ME.

Tonight we had gymnastics. I tired to take some pics but they didn't turn out really good because I didn't want to use the flash and disrupt the class. He did better on his straddle rolls and did some back bends. He love the trampoline and he also did some flips on the bars. tonight is my last night to spend with him as Thursday after work we leave for Minnesota.

Not a whole lot to report. We had a lazy Sunday... We did go to the hockey game.. it was a scrimmage... and poor Tanner did not understand where his Ian was. He was so sad. I hope to be able to introduce him to some of the other boys and he can get attached to them.

Today was a FAST Monday.. it flew by. Tanner had school and a happy meal.. and Tonight I was off to the Grand to help with tryouts. Tim, Holly and Ron all did really well. I will be anxious to hear from dad if they got parts.

We are eagerly awaiting our trip to Minnesota for Scrapfest. Tuesday night Tanner and I will hang out while Daddy plays ball. Wednesday night he has gymnastics!

Soccer fun

Tanner had lots of fun at soccer this AM. It was a bit chilly and he was cold at first. But as soon as he started to run around .. he had fun. He is the purple team. his favorite color. When they asked what they should name the team.. he of course jumped in and said the "thunderbirds" so that is the name of their team. he wanted to be first in line for everything, he also is kind of a ball hog. He was so excited when he scored some goals. The UD soccer team helped the kids out this week...

He is on a team with Will and Addy. Will seemed to have a great time.. but Addy.. not so much.. it was awfully chilly so maybe she will have better luck next time.

After soccer we went to MC sports to buy him his "gear" he got cleats, shin pads and socks. He looked so stinking cute when he put it all on to try on. I have to tell Rick to take the camera next weekend while I am in Minn.

She's Hot...

LOL... yes those words came out of my 4 years olds mouth last night. I was to tired to type up the story last night so here it is....

So for some reason he LOVES to watch the show ICarly, on Nickelodeon. He also likes Drake & Josh. But Carly is his fav.. so much that i have some episodes taped so he can watch it when he wants. So last night I was taping a new one and we were snuggling in the chair together .. the show was about one of the guys "liking" some gal. So they set up this dating game type of thing to get them set up on a date. So the little gal .. Shannon.. is asking a question and Tanner looks at me and says "she is hot". I said "what" and he repeats "she is hot" I was like.. umm OK.

So when Rick gets home I tell him the story and Rick asks Tanner if he knows what hot means.. and he says.. "it means that she is cool and cute" Ok.. so he does. It was so stinking funny. He was just so serious about it! Rick says.. "hmm should he be watching this show! "

Oh.. to funny..so that's my funny story for the day.!

So not a good day. So glad its over

So.. I woke up today to a lovely email from the pinhead of the Soccer program that Tanner is signed up for .. thats starts THIS SATURDAY. He was on a team with Will and Addy and I had told him. Well the "dude" emailed and said there were some changes made. Well after looking at it.. the only change that was made was that Tanner was pulled off that team and just randomly added to anther one .. with no one he knows. No he is crying and is upset. The kid that he traded him with has siblings in the program so is obviously friends with the him and thus the change was made. Well what a great way to welcome new families into your organization.. but screwing them over 3 days before we are to start.. and now I look like a liar to my kid. Oh I was hot and email him twice on it.. once right away and then once again when I realized that only 1 team was changed.. and he basically lied about it in the email as he stated that several changes needed to be made.. AHH whatever.

So Rick was home as we were getting our furnace today... well after reading my emails... the dude decides to call and see if he can fix the problem that HE created. Well after talking to Rick... he changes it back. But then doesn't change it back to what it was.. takes the other little girl off the team that Addy is friends with. I don't get it... I am still ticked off about it, and we will not be joining this soccer program again.

There were other minor things at work.. And Rick called to say that there was something else wrong with the furnace and it was going to cost an additional 200 bucks.. adding to the joy of my day.

Then on the way home I caught some grade schools girls trying to steal something out of my parents side flower brush. They put it back and took off running. I ran after them and yelled at them. Told them that i would tell their parents. I think on Thursday I may show up early and watch for them... they are only about 10... and they are stealing.. what is up with that.

Then Tanner had his first gymnastics class. I was so waiting for something bad to happen at that. As we were waiting.. and he was putting his shows away... we came out and saw.. Cameron Ackerman. One of his buddies from Young uns... in fact his twin at Young uns... they both have red hair and look alike! I talked to his mom and said she really made me day. Tanner and Cam were so excited to see each other. Tanner did GREAT. He had a lot of fun.. and did his cartwheels without the map....

Oh.. i hope Thursday is a better day!

Metal hurts!

Just doing some remodeling again at the old homestead, I thought I had a better before pic.. but this was all I could find.

Before......

Notice behind the sink... boring white/ivory wall.... Well after many cut and sliced fingers... here is the finished product. I like how it looks. Rick said he liked it. He came upstairs to me doing it. I may not have told him I was doing it. He doesn't like change.

After.....



Tanner is feeling better.. a few loose ones.. but definitely better. My back and legs are killing me from standing all day.. doing that.. but it was worth it.

I also steamed the living room carpet and also the couch. The water was DISGUSTING that I dumped out.

I cant wait to take a HOT bath!