Well for the last two weekends in a row, we have been family reunion-ing! We enjoyed Josh's family reunion 2 weeks ago, and now traveled to the Black Hills for the Kriege reunion last weekend! Our van is tired and so are we--but both trips were well worth it :)
Of course we can't go to the beautiful Black Hills of SD and not take in some touristy things as well! I actually was a nanny for all of my jr.high and high school years down in Spearfish, so it's fun to now take my kids back to experience all the fun things I used to do there!! We went to the City Park, which is now the home of a gorgeous wooden play area and the creek that Jess Brosz and I used to try and tube down, is still there and it was fun to watch my kids put their feet in and try and skip rocks across!
Friday night we hung out at the campground--good thing we were close to the pool as I don't think Anna came out of it except for meals ;) Friday night, the rest of the family members showed up and the evening was spent visiting, remembering, and of course laughing :)
Saturday we got up and headed over to Storybook Island in Rapid City--this is always a favorite in our family! Brother Paul then showed me where him and my parents used in live in Rapid, so that was neat to see!! Saturday evening brought firsts for a lot of our family---Mom, Dad, and Julie all got their first (and most of them say only) tattoo!! Brooke and I also 'got inked' on the top of our feet---OUCH did that hurt!!
Sunday we all gathered for breakfast and then everyone started packing up to head home! It was a great weekend!! It's fun to see the next generation of cousins meet and Anna has already started writing letters to her new friends :)
Next weekend another tradition continues as well---Lacee and I are making a treck down the Bowman for our '11 year reunion'!! We had so much fun at our 10 year with so many of our high school classmates, that we decided to have an 11 year :) Should be another fun time!!
OH! I forgot to mention that Josh DOES have full intentions on getting a tattoo as well, his design was just a little more detailed--so since Jymi(our talented tattoo artist in the family) will be in Sturgis, Josh and I plan on making a day trip down so Josh can get his done as well!!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
I HEART SUMMER!!!
So it has been a lot to long once again since this gal has blogged---I was honestly waiting to add some pictures--but those will just have to come later! A lot has happened in our little world so here's a recap!....
Josh and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary---it was perfect :) The kiddos were away at RuthAnn's(Josh's Mom), minus some pink eye I managed to get myself into, we got in a round of golf after Josh was done with work--I drove the cart and basked in the sun, Josh golfed....got all dolled up and had pictures taken by the amazing Amy, and went out for supper for the first time at the Bistro, then were blessed with company from one of our awesome couple friends for the rest of the night! Josh spoiled me with jewelry, 10 roses, and the most special poem a girl could ask for....
It's so amazing to me to look back and think-Wow!! 10 years....but at the same time it seems to have happened in the blink of an eye!
Summer is upon us and last weekend we headed up to Josh's family reunion---this family is something!!! Out of 6 children of which Josh's Mom is the oldest with 5 'little' brothers came 14 grand babies(Josh's generation) ranging from ages 35-24, of which from that came 23 GREAT grandbabies(our kids generation) with 2 new ones on their way the oldest of this generation being 15...all the way down to 1!!! I find this absolutly amazing and to see this gathering together is awesome!!! We gathered at Smishic(sp) Lake and the kids, as well as us adults have a blast!! There are bountiful amounts of life-jackets lying around for anyone brave enough to jump into the lake (of which we didn't see our eldest until we pulled her to the car on Monday when we had to go home....) along with tubing/paddle-boats/kayaks/fishing and more!!
The food was endless as was the laughs and stories told! Josh's Grandma Ruth (who will turn 80 next year) was more then willing to get out on the water (IN THE TUBE) with her Grandkids and I swear you could hear her laughter in the boat, over the motor, and probably across the lake :)
I feel so blessed to be apart of such an amazing group---the memories our kids will have from these gatherings are endless!! Josh's Mom had a special birthday celebration as she turned 60 this summer...Anna turns to me and says, she doesn't look a day over 50 Mom :)
We came home to our amazing friends who joined us for a 4th of July BBQ in our backyard, followed by fireworks in Mandan--the show gets better every year!
This weekend we head to the beautiful Black Hills to spend the weekend there with my family for the Kriege family reunion--the age group is a little different and there won't be as many in attendance, but the memories we will make together is what counts!! Plus one of the cousins coming is a tattoo artist and Josh is seriously considering getting 'inked up'...that alone is worth the blog ;) I too will get a tattoo---not sure what it will be exactly yet...more details to come on that later!
Summer is going to come and go...before you know it we will be back to complaining about snow, wind, and all the other stuff that isn't bad enough to ever make us leave this crazy state called ND!! But today I'm thankful for a little sunburn, wonderful friends, and an amazing family!!!
Josh and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary---it was perfect :) The kiddos were away at RuthAnn's(Josh's Mom), minus some pink eye I managed to get myself into, we got in a round of golf after Josh was done with work--I drove the cart and basked in the sun, Josh golfed....got all dolled up and had pictures taken by the amazing Amy, and went out for supper for the first time at the Bistro, then were blessed with company from one of our awesome couple friends for the rest of the night! Josh spoiled me with jewelry, 10 roses, and the most special poem a girl could ask for....
It's so amazing to me to look back and think-Wow!! 10 years....but at the same time it seems to have happened in the blink of an eye!
Summer is upon us and last weekend we headed up to Josh's family reunion---this family is something!!! Out of 6 children of which Josh's Mom is the oldest with 5 'little' brothers came 14 grand babies(Josh's generation) ranging from ages 35-24, of which from that came 23 GREAT grandbabies(our kids generation) with 2 new ones on their way the oldest of this generation being 15...all the way down to 1!!! I find this absolutly amazing and to see this gathering together is awesome!!! We gathered at Smishic(sp) Lake and the kids, as well as us adults have a blast!! There are bountiful amounts of life-jackets lying around for anyone brave enough to jump into the lake (of which we didn't see our eldest until we pulled her to the car on Monday when we had to go home....) along with tubing/paddle-boats/kayaks/fishing and more!!
The food was endless as was the laughs and stories told! Josh's Grandma Ruth (who will turn 80 next year) was more then willing to get out on the water (IN THE TUBE) with her Grandkids and I swear you could hear her laughter in the boat, over the motor, and probably across the lake :)
I feel so blessed to be apart of such an amazing group---the memories our kids will have from these gatherings are endless!! Josh's Mom had a special birthday celebration as she turned 60 this summer...Anna turns to me and says, she doesn't look a day over 50 Mom :)
We came home to our amazing friends who joined us for a 4th of July BBQ in our backyard, followed by fireworks in Mandan--the show gets better every year!
This weekend we head to the beautiful Black Hills to spend the weekend there with my family for the Kriege family reunion--the age group is a little different and there won't be as many in attendance, but the memories we will make together is what counts!! Plus one of the cousins coming is a tattoo artist and Josh is seriously considering getting 'inked up'...that alone is worth the blog ;) I too will get a tattoo---not sure what it will be exactly yet...more details to come on that later!
Summer is going to come and go...before you know it we will be back to complaining about snow, wind, and all the other stuff that isn't bad enough to ever make us leave this crazy state called ND!! But today I'm thankful for a little sunburn, wonderful friends, and an amazing family!!!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
**Fun Facts**
So Josh just got a new video game, the kids are finishing up a movie before bed and I have been wanting to do a new blog...I just didn't know on what!?! I was going to do one on our VEGAS trip...but really most of you have me as a friend on facebook and you can just go through the Vegas Album and see most of our trip :) I will say it was an amazing, relaxing, all around great time!! I love Vegas--there is just something about the lights, size, ahhhhh...when can we go back!?!
So for this blog--it's just some fun facts about me, us, our family that I find neat!...well see how this goes ;)
1. I love diet coke and mornings....but most of all, diet coke in the mornings :) It's how I start my day everyday and if I go to bed not 110% sure that there is at least 1 diet coke waiting in the fridge for me...I will get out of bed just to make sure!!!
2. My closet as well as my kids closets are pretty orginized...and by pretty I mean in color coordinated order with all the long sleeves together...then short sleeves...tanks and then dresses! It's weird, but it bothers me if they aren't all like that...
3. I'm not a big hugger---not sure why--I'm just not. I will give you the best high five ever though :)
4. Josh loves tacos. Seriously this man can eat chicken tacos for breakfast, lunch and supper...if it can be made and put in a shell...he loves it!
5. Between the 2 of us we sleep with 6-7 pillows on our bed....it's only a queen sized bed. I guess we heart pillows!
6. I LOVE sleeping with my bedroom window open! Now this is not only during the spring/summer months...poor Josh has probably woke up with frost bite more then once...if not at least a cold ;)
7. I love rummage sales...going to them and having ones with friends!! Josh just said on Sunday when I made him break quickly and swurve to the left, 'You should really get a bumper sticker that says I break randomly for rummage sales....!'
8. Josh's birthday and his Mom's birthday are exactly opposite--therefore super easy to remember...Josh's is 6/7 and his Mom's is 7/6!
9. Our kids were born in 3 different ND towns.(GF/Dickinson/Bismarck)...just kinda funny as we still lived in GF when we were pregnant with Zach we were just back visiting my parents in Dickinson when I was induced do to high blood pressure! We joked that we were just scoping out who had the best rooms in ND!
10. Josh hates scary movies...it actually makes the movie that much spookier when I look over and Josh is staring at me so he doesn't have to look at the TV!!!
11. I love the sunshine and being outdoors!!!
12. I would rather clean bathrooms then do the dishes...but I hate seeing dishes sit on my counter...so I guess I get to do both :s
13. Josh and I both love to watch documentry movies!
14. Anna is named after both of her Grandma's: RuthANN and Alyce MARIE...my middle name is Marie too :) Anna was originally a McKenzie for most of my pregnancy...but something changed pretty close to the end and now looking at her I can't see her as a McKenzie!?! Zach is Josh's choice...mainly from his favorite Zach Morris from our Saved by the Bell years....he actually wanted to name him his middle name Xavior...but I really liked Zach better....Addyson was Addyson from the time I found out I was pregnant--I loved that name the minute I heard it....but had she been a boy she would have been an Oakley!
And then came bedtime....hope you enjoyed our fun facts---ok ok...they were mostly my fun facts....but fun facts still the same :)
So for this blog--it's just some fun facts about me, us, our family that I find neat!...well see how this goes ;)
1. I love diet coke and mornings....but most of all, diet coke in the mornings :) It's how I start my day everyday and if I go to bed not 110% sure that there is at least 1 diet coke waiting in the fridge for me...I will get out of bed just to make sure!!!
2. My closet as well as my kids closets are pretty orginized...and by pretty I mean in color coordinated order with all the long sleeves together...then short sleeves...tanks and then dresses! It's weird, but it bothers me if they aren't all like that...
3. I'm not a big hugger---not sure why--I'm just not. I will give you the best high five ever though :)
4. Josh loves tacos. Seriously this man can eat chicken tacos for breakfast, lunch and supper...if it can be made and put in a shell...he loves it!
5. Between the 2 of us we sleep with 6-7 pillows on our bed....it's only a queen sized bed. I guess we heart pillows!
6. I LOVE sleeping with my bedroom window open! Now this is not only during the spring/summer months...poor Josh has probably woke up with frost bite more then once...if not at least a cold ;)
7. I love rummage sales...going to them and having ones with friends!! Josh just said on Sunday when I made him break quickly and swurve to the left, 'You should really get a bumper sticker that says I break randomly for rummage sales....!'
8. Josh's birthday and his Mom's birthday are exactly opposite--therefore super easy to remember...Josh's is 6/7 and his Mom's is 7/6!
9. Our kids were born in 3 different ND towns.(GF/Dickinson/Bismarck)...just kinda funny as we still lived in GF when we were pregnant with Zach we were just back visiting my parents in Dickinson when I was induced do to high blood pressure! We joked that we were just scoping out who had the best rooms in ND!
10. Josh hates scary movies...it actually makes the movie that much spookier when I look over and Josh is staring at me so he doesn't have to look at the TV!!!
11. I love the sunshine and being outdoors!!!
12. I would rather clean bathrooms then do the dishes...but I hate seeing dishes sit on my counter...so I guess I get to do both :s
13. Josh and I both love to watch documentry movies!
14. Anna is named after both of her Grandma's: RuthANN and Alyce MARIE...my middle name is Marie too :) Anna was originally a McKenzie for most of my pregnancy...but something changed pretty close to the end and now looking at her I can't see her as a McKenzie!?! Zach is Josh's choice...mainly from his favorite Zach Morris from our Saved by the Bell years....he actually wanted to name him his middle name Xavior...but I really liked Zach better....Addyson was Addyson from the time I found out I was pregnant--I loved that name the minute I heard it....but had she been a boy she would have been an Oakley!
And then came bedtime....hope you enjoyed our fun facts---ok ok...they were mostly my fun facts....but fun facts still the same :)
Monday, April 25, 2011
~Joshua~
I'm sure as most of you have heard by now, next weekend is a big one for us! Josh will be graduating with his MBA from the University of Mary!! HOORAY!!! When Josh first approached me with his idea to go back to school...I was well--not surprised! Eduacation is one of Josh's top priorities and as I'm typing this I will go on record by saying...I wouldn't be surprised if he's not yet done with his schooling :)
The last 16 months were interesting...it was hard to get used to the Tues/Thursday night schedule with Josh being gone....it's funny even now when the kids see him home on those nights they will say-'don't you have study group tonight Dad' Josh is a diligent worker and I am very proud to say he will be not only graduating with his masters degree--but he will earn his degree with a 4.0 GPA!
So this blogs for you Josh---I thought I would do a top 10 reasons why I heart my Joshy :)
10. Your funny--ok this is an understatement for anyone else who knows him...sarcasim runs thick in this family...so much our 3 year old has almost 'mastered' it!
9. Your Extensive Vocabulary---YEAH for you and big words!!!
8. Your ability to sleep--seriously I am a little jealous of this one!?! Josh can and will sleep through just about anything...it's an amazing talent!!
7. Your understanding---thank you for understanding that I don't mind if you golf...as long as I get to zumba too ;)
6. The fact that you are a die hard romantic...even if your only thinking about it! Some of my favorite memories are of you saying...well I just wanted to let you know I was going to do this...your right, it's the thought that counts :)
5. You always drive---I thought you would get a kick out of this one! tehe...
4. You are smart--how would our kids ever get passed 3rd grade math without you! No, but seriously...you are a very smart, well spoken, good looking guy :)
3. You are always right---oh wait!?! That one is just to boost your ego...hahahahha
2. You are an INCREDIBLE Dad--our children are truely blessed to have you as a Dad Josh! You are fun!! You make them laugh!! They will make the world a better place because they have had you in their lives!!
1. You are my best friend :)
We Love YOU!
The last 16 months were interesting...it was hard to get used to the Tues/Thursday night schedule with Josh being gone....it's funny even now when the kids see him home on those nights they will say-'don't you have study group tonight Dad' Josh is a diligent worker and I am very proud to say he will be not only graduating with his masters degree--but he will earn his degree with a 4.0 GPA!
So this blogs for you Josh---I thought I would do a top 10 reasons why I heart my Joshy :)
10. Your funny--ok this is an understatement for anyone else who knows him...sarcasim runs thick in this family...so much our 3 year old has almost 'mastered' it!
9. Your Extensive Vocabulary---YEAH for you and big words!!!
8. Your ability to sleep--seriously I am a little jealous of this one!?! Josh can and will sleep through just about anything...it's an amazing talent!!
7. Your understanding---thank you for understanding that I don't mind if you golf...as long as I get to zumba too ;)
6. The fact that you are a die hard romantic...even if your only thinking about it! Some of my favorite memories are of you saying...well I just wanted to let you know I was going to do this...your right, it's the thought that counts :)
5. You always drive---I thought you would get a kick out of this one! tehe...
4. You are smart--how would our kids ever get passed 3rd grade math without you! No, but seriously...you are a very smart, well spoken, good looking guy :)
3. You are always right---oh wait!?! That one is just to boost your ego...hahahahha
2. You are an INCREDIBLE Dad--our children are truely blessed to have you as a Dad Josh! You are fun!! You make them laugh!! They will make the world a better place because they have had you in their lives!!
1. You are my best friend :)
We Love YOU!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Lord, grant me the patience.....
Ok, for those of you who follow me on the facebook---today was a doozie! As I expressed earlier---my 3 year old was giving me a run for my money today!!! As she does most days! So Addy---this blogs for you :) Addyson Grace is our loving, wild hair, third child! Now by the time you get to number three...you pretty much figure you have seen and done it all! ....enter Addyson! There is never and has never been a dull moment with my free spirited child from the get go! She was born at 37 weeks and was 7lbs 4oz...I look back now and think--even then she couldn't wait to come out and get going :) She didn't really have a hard time eating, we nursed the first 6 months--but sleeping through the night--I honestly don't think happened until she was 2! Still, even once in awhile---she will get up in the middle of the night to go potty or demand a glass of milk.... She learned to crawl fast---then it went to walking by a year....kinda reminds me of Talladega Nights...'IM GONNA GO FAST MOMMA!!!!! Sitting her thinking about it now---she still doesn't want to 'walk' anywhere...catch a glimse of us coming/leaving from the YMCA and you'll see me being pulled by Addy!! She learned to crawl from her crib around 2 so we thought--ok, it's time to get the toddler bed!!! AHHHH!!! She HATED that---I'm fairly certain my stories of that transition could scare Frankenstien!!! It turned our bedtime routine upside down and went from taking 15 minutes to 2 hours....but when she finally moved from the toddler bed to a twin bed---all was well with the world again :) Silly girl! I suppose it was about 6 months ago she learned that she could lock the only door in our house---the bathroom door!!! We would hear the sink running the toilet flushing and have our worst fears concerned when the brand new roll of toilet paper is now empty :) Now if you come to visit, you will understand why our lock as a little piece of tape across it! Lets see what else---she talks up a storm one of the latest stories I had to enter in her baby book was from my nephew Casey's prom this year....we were sitting and each time a couple would come out we would oooohhh and ahhhhh over their dresses/shoes/hair/etc. Well this one couple comes out and lets just say she was bustier then the rest of the girls we had seen up to that point and her dress ENHANCED her feature....Addy looks and says---Oh, she has nice boobies Mamma! Thank goodness that was said when the couple was still being clapped for!!! Addyson ADORES Anna and Zach---well she and Zach have a love/hate realationship! She loves to pick on her big brother and get him in trouble and he hates that!!! :) She has told me that she wants holes in her ears like Anna so she can wear the puppy earings... Our toughest thing right now is she doesn't understand why all HER toys have to be shared with the daycare kiddos---which I do understand! So we may have to try seperating some 'special just Addy toys' and see how that goes.... It's those moments when she's sleeping, or just getting ready for bed that still melt my heart! She now says before bed...'Pick me up and let me sleep on your neck Mommy...'so I pick her and the 3 special blankets up that she uses for bed everynight...she tucks her little head in the crook of my neck and 'sleeps' the whole 15 steps into her bedroom. I love you we say and then as I bend down to kiss her she purposely turns her head and says, 'YOU MISSED' so we have to kiss and kiss again until we get it right :) Overall Addy, I know God gave me you to keep me young and my mind open! For you bend the rules and broke the mold! We love you so very much and thank you for making life interesting...sometimes stressful...but always interesting!!!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Nearly ONE YEAR LATER....
HELLO!!!!!!!! Long time no blog!! I know...I really need to get with the blogging program ;) I thought since I'm up and at em' this morning I would try this out again!....not really sure where one starts when recaping a full year, but I will do my best to fill you in! *Starting with the Mr. Jeffers---he is only a few weeks away from completing his MBA!!! I can't describe how proud I am of him!! I also can't tell you how excited I am to have a partner back in my life on Tuesday and Thursday nights again!! He is still working as the Program Coordinator at BSC and recently purchased from what I've been told--some pretty sweet new golf clubs! Even with golf on the horizon, I'm still READY FOR SPRING!!!! His special gift for Anna and Zach for Christmas were their own clubs---so they are as anxious as he is!! *Mrs. Jeffers--that's ME! I'm staying super busy with my home daycare! It was such a good move for me to come back home--Addy, well actually all of us--have been much healthier and less stressed this fall! Although I miss working with other adults, I have a super group of kiddos right now and it just feels right being at home! I still do the Uppercase Living--although it has taken a back seat to working out....it's amazing how much you CANT STAND the thought of working out until you do it!? I'm now addicted and feel gross if I can't get to the gym 4-5 times a week! Other then that I'm looking forward to our trip to VEGAS in 5 weeks! We are blessed with the company of two great couple friends and I'm sure with their help---it will be a trip to remember!! We are going to Vegas to celebrate Josh's completion of his Master's Program and also our 10 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!?! Isn't that amazing!!! Me and my Mister have come a lonnnnngggg way and although our road wasn't always smooth, it's our road that we are proud of :) Mamma also got a new set of wheels, which I love! It's another mini van--I know I know....why a van--cause I like it! That's why!! It has a built in DVD player which is the best invention ever and makes trips much more enjoyable! *Anna Marie---is a wonderful, fun loving, 3rd grader!! She is going to be our 'thinker'...always worried about something! When they talk about fires at school she is concerned that we should change the batteries in the smoke alarms more---or if someones parents are going through a divorce she assumes that could happen to her and her family! She has a heart the size of a watermelon and I am so very proud of her! She is still in Just For Kix dance here in town and we were able to watch her perform in the Civic Center this year!!! She has a BFF Rachel and together you can't hear anything but giggles---ahhhh to be young :) *Zachary Xavior---is our amazing 1st grader now! He loves to read and of course play video games! He always has something funny to say and is very impressive with school! Anna will get mad once in awhile when Zach will shout out the answers to her 3rd grade questions before she has a chance to answer :) He is definatly his Dad's son when it comes to the attention span as well--his teacher has said at both parent/teacher conferences 'Sometimes when I'm explaining directions I will look over and it just looks like he is not one bit interested or listening---so I wait to see when I'm done explaining what he will do---but the funny thing is he has heard everything I've said and does exactly what he should...' Like father like son! I think school is going to come very easy to Zach, just like Josh where poor Anna will have to work for her grades as I did... *Addyson Grace--our engergizer bunny! This girl keeps me on my toes all day everyday :) There is never a dull moment when Addy is awake! I do believe that God gave me Addy to keep me young forever! She is 3 now going on 11 and wants to do everything Anna does! This last year her brother decided he would try to be helpful and give her a first hair cut---it was VERY short and I was VERY mad! But the haircut started to grow on us all and now it fits her to a T as she as just as sassy as her hair :) But she can be the sweetest little love bunny and I treasure those snuggly moments as they are few and far between! If your little and love to play she will tell everyone that you are her bestest friend or buddy! Well I think that about covers it---I know one year in one blog--kinda sad, but it's a start!
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