Random Picture Challenge

It's time for another Random Picture Challenge hosted by 4 Little Men.

This weeks picture challenge: the 44th photo from November 2007.

Obvisously this picture is not from November 2007 as I don't have any pictures from then. I chose November 2008 instead.

This picture is from Layne's baptism. He was baptised on November 29, 2008 at my parents church. He was such a good boy. Layne loved hearing his voice echo in the church and didn't fuss at all during the service. His sponsors were Matt's brother Alex and my best friend Leah. After his baptism we went to eat at The Keg. ( It's a local fried chicken place. The chicken is AMAZING!)

The Weekend...

I'm so excited for the weekend!!! It's been a rough week this past week. I've got a busy weekend ahead but it will be relaxing at the same time. I'm so excited to take Layne on Saturday to get his 6 month pictures taken. Just wait till you see what he's wearing for them! Hopefully they turn out good. Maybe this time he will actually smile for the camera.

Bonding Time

Layne is absolutely in love with our dogs. He especially loves Tater. He loves to watch Tater play with dogs toys among other things. Tater is so good around Layne too. He will let Layne pull and tug on his ears and tail and won't even flinch. Tater is such a good big "brother"!!

Wordless Wednesday

Flashback...

I'm extremely sick of the cold weather and wish I could be somewhere nice and warm relaxing on a beach with a fruity drink or two. Well since that isn't going to happen anytime soon, I thought I would share some pictures of the trip that Matt and I went on last April. Last April, Matt's parents invited us to go with them to the Florida Keys. It was amazing. (I wish I could be there right now!) I had an amazing time. I would love to go back there someday. ( I could skip going to Key West though...That wasn't very exciting.)

Beautiful Hibiscus Flower!! I'm so in love with these!! There was yellow and orange ones growing all around the house that we stayed at along with pineapple.

The house we stayed at. This thing was amazing!! Matt and I didn't actually stay in this house. ( We stayed in the guest house a few hundred feet away. Matt's parents, and there friends stayed in this house)

Beautiful sunset on the Gulf Coast.

Me Six months pregnant by the really cool mail box! ( I was obsessed by this thing. I really have no clue why though!)



Someday I hope to go back there!

Layne's New Friend

In the middle of December, our daycare grew by the addition of another little baby. Her name is Jalyn and was born the begining of November. Layne has been very curious about her and loves to watch her intently. Jalyn likes to sleep alot which is the polar opposite of Layne. (He only sleeps at night but not during the day!) Anyways here is Layne and Jalyn "playing" together.

Menu Plan Monday

I'm trying something new this week. I'm planning my menu for 2 weeks stead of just one. Then I don't have to go grocery shopping hopefully EVERY week. ( I absolutely hate grocery shopping!!) This past week I found an amazing blog: A Year of Crockpotting!! The lady who did the blog made a resolution for the year 2008 to use her crockpot every day for a whole year and she did it! She has a whole bunch of recipes on there. I've found a few that I'm going to try out! Anyways here's my menu plan for the next two weeks:

Sunday-Catalina Chicken Stirfly with Rice

Monday- Crockpot Ribs and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Tuesday- Ravioli Lasagna and Garlic bread

Wednesday- Venison Roast

Thursday- Ham and Noodle Casserole

Friday- Salsa Goulash

Saturday- French Dips

Week 2

Sunday- Venison Fajitas

Monday- Crockpot Apricot Chicken

Tuesday- Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

Wednesday- Walking Tacos

Thursday- Crockpot A-1 and Dijion Mustard Steak and Onion Roasted Potatoes

Friday- Spaghetti and Meatballs

Surprise!!

The last couple of days Layne has been very busy working on standing. It's all he wants to do! He loves to stand on the outside of his exersaucer and play with the toys instead of actually being in the exersaucer. The following pictures are of him standing by the bathtub waiting for his bath last night.

Yay for bathtime!!

I'm still in shock over the fact that he's standing up. He surprises me everyday with all the new stuff he does.

Random Picture Challenge

It's time for a Random Picture Challenge again.

This weeks choice: August 2007 and the 30th picture

This is of my best friend Leah and I at the burnout in Larchwood, IA. This was so much fun! We had a blast. Matt still talks about the burnouts and how he wants to bring his pickup down there for it. I'm sure at some point he will because he loves anything to do with cars and trucks. Check out more Random Picture Challenge posts here.

Music

I love listening to music while I'm doing stuff around the house. My favorite kind of music is a toss up between rock and country. I like both. If anyone is looking for some new music to listen to check out these guys. They are awesome. They were a local band from Sioux Falls but have hit it big. (I went to high school with them. I didn't know them that well though. Kinda hard when my class alone had 530 some kids that graduated!) Anyways they are amazing!

I've got a problem...

Layne is a great baby. He sleeps through the night. (From about 7pm to 7am) And he's such a good eater. My problem is that he will NOT nap during the day. He gets crabby about 10am or so and I give him a bottle. He'll fall asleep while drinking it but as soon as he's done he's wide awake again. He does the same thing in the afternoon. I don't know what to do with him. I can tell he needs a nap during the day because by the time we leave my parents house he is crabbier then hell. I have no clue what to do. He's been doing this for a couple of months now. Does anyone have any ideas??

History in the Making

Today marks a significant event in history. The inaugeration of our 44th President. As well as the first African American President. I'm extremely excited to watch the days events unfold. Even if it is on TV. I think that Obama will do amazing things for this country and can get us out of the slump that we are currently in.

Menu Plan Monday

As I was going through my posts I realized I almost forgot to post my menu plan for the week. So Here it is:

Monday- Lasagna and Garlic Bread

Tuesday-Chicken Noodle Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Wednesday-Pennsylvania Dutch Ham and Noodle casserole

Thursday- Bacon Wrapped Venison Roast and Onion Potatoes

Friday- Ribs and Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Saturday- Beef Stroganoff

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I'm in somewhat of a rut for recipes. If anyone has any good ones please share. We are huge fans of anything mexican, chinese, or italian. We have lots of venison and beef as well.

Randomness Part 2

I'm seriously jealous of the weather that Rapid City gets to experience tomorrow. It's supposed to be in the 60's. So not fair!! I want the snow to go away. I'm so sick of it!! This past weekend it was nasty here with the roads looking like sheets of glass because it was so slippery.

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This past weekend our local mall had there Crazy Days Sales. I was bummed that I didn't find anything for myself. However I some cute clothes for Layne that he can wear this summer as well as some for next winter. I found him the cutest onesie at Old Navy for Valentines Day.

I think he's just going to look adorable in it.

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Besides going shopping this weekend, yesterday Matt and I went to the Outdoor Show that is held at the local fair grounds. They showcase RVs, 4-wheelers, hunting and fishing equipment, etc. I can only handle looking at so many RVs and boats before I start thinking that they are all the same. Matt is determined to get one of these. I'm not so keen on the idea because we really don't have any place to ride it except in town which isn't all that fun.

Relax

Last night before i put Layne down for bed, we were playing around in his room. He found it hilarious to be rocked back in forth in his glider chair in his room. He's very easily amused!

Laundry Basket Fun

While I was folding and putting away Layne's clothes today, he played in his laundry basket. He had a blast. He was extremely excited that he was "helping" me.

So Happy!!

Yay for Horsie!! (GGMA and Uncle Bob got Layne that for Christmas)

I just love his cute smile! So precious!

Date Night

Last Night Matt surprised me and took me to a movie. ( He hates going to movies so I was extremely surprised that he said he'd go to one without me even begging him.) Matt let me choose whatever movie I wanted to go to. It was a hard decision because there's so many movies out there that I want to see. I decided on Marley and Me. What a Movie!! It has lots of funny parts but at the end of the movie I was balling. And it wasn't just me balling either. Matt was balling too!! He never crys at a movie. It was an amazing movie. So well done. Marley reminded us alot of Tater since he's a yellow lab and is naughty just like Marley is in the movie. If you haven't seen it yet, It's a must see!!

Random Picture Challenge

4 little Men is hosting a Random Picture challenge this week. I thought I would join in because it looks a like alot of fun. Here's my 8th picture from January. It's of Layne being goofy at Daycare. He was trying to grab my camera.

Pet Peeves

I don 't know what's been going on lately with me. Maybe it's the fact that I've been couped up inside for far to long because of this nasty weather that I've been getting irritated easily by things. Here's some of the things that have been bothering me lately:

A Messy House: The fact that our house goes from being in perfect order to a complete disaster area in no time flat really bothers me. I am absolutely embarrassed if my mom or mother in law come to our house when it is a complete disaster. They keep such clean, tidy houses and then they walk into mine and it looks like an atomic bomb just dropped! It seriously bothers me and I just don't know what to do about it anymore!

The Snow: I was excited for snow to come back in November. I love to watch the snow fall and see how gorgeous the trees and everything look outside with the snow and frost on them. However I have had my fill. I'm ready for spring so I can take walks outside with Layne instead of being couped up inside and feeling like I'm trapped inside my house because the weather is either nasty out or it's way to fricken cold!!

Daycare Kids who can't keep their clothes on: Okay so this past week, one of our daycare kids seriously won't leave his clothes on! Yesterday He stripped completely out of his clothes and pooped in the playpen during naptime. Today he did the same thing! It is seriously driving me insane!

My Husbands Lack of Helping Around the House: I love my husband to death. He's a great guy and works long hours at two jobs so we can have enough money for everything we need. The one thing I wish is that he would help out around the house more. I cook, I clean, I do laundry, I do the grocery shopping, etc. He comes home, plays with Layne a little bit, watches TV and goes to bed. It's wishful thinking to think that he would help out a bit more but I doubt that will ever happen.

I'm Small but I Rock!

I just love his smiles! He's going to be a heartbreaker when he gets older! And this little rocker is working hard on a new milestone this week. He's getting up on his hands and knees!! At 6 months old he's already trying to get mobile. I think I'm going to have my hands full soon with a VERY busy little boy!!

Way to Cold!!

Right now in Lennox, the temperature is -29 degrees!! The sad thing is that school is still on at it's normal time! Those poor kids are just going to freeze! I'm hoping that it is going to warm up sooner than later. I don't want to even leave my house it's so cold but sadly I have to. At least we don't live in Aberdeen. With the wind chill and everything, It's a chilly -55 degrees there!! How I wish I could be somewhere warm like Florida...

100th Post...100 things about Me

In honor of my 100th post, I thought I would do a survey about me. I found this on Kaycee's blog. Here it goes!

RULES: There are 100 statements and you bold the ones you have done. Grab it and play for yourself!!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain.
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept in an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (solar)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten cavier.
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chicken pox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

I've done 36/100 things on this list. I don't think that's too bad. Yay for my 100th post. I'm sure there will be many more to follow!!

Menu Plan Monday

Last Week's menu plan didn't work out as well as I had hoped. So some of the recipes I had ready I'm going to use this week.

Monday- Mexicali Cornbread Casserole

Tuesday-Ribs with Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Wednesday-Eat at Matt's parents house

Thursday-Lasagna with Garlic Bread

Friday- Cheesy Chicken and Rice

It's been a rough week for us this week. Matt has worked every day this week either at Wilson's or at Sturdevants. ( He was only supposed to work 4 hours on Friday and 6 hours Saturday. However somehow his schedule got changed and he has worked 6 hours on Friday, 10 hours on Saturday, and he's working 8 hours today.) Hopefully he won't have to work this much very often. I feel like i haven't seen him hardly at all!

Such a BIG Boy!

Yesterday I took Layne in for his 6 month checkup. ( He'll be 6 months in a little less than a week.) Layne weighed 17 lbs 14oz and was 27 inches long. I'm still in shock at how long he is. He is going to be a TALL boy! Everything went well (except for the shots, he screamed bloody murder for them!) My little boy is growing up so fast!

Splish Splash

It's been awhile since I've posted any bathtime pictures of Layne. He absolutely LOVES bathtime. I have to literally pry him out of the tub and then he screams at me for taking him away from the water. He's going to be a little fish when he gets bigger I think.

So cute playing with his turtle and book!

"I'm going to get you turtle!"

Look at him go! This is his favorite part of bathtime. He loves to SPLASH!!

Making Baby Food

After I found out I was pregnant with Layne, I did some researching on breastfeeding versus formula as well as making my own baby food. I would of loved to have been able to breastfeed for a whole year but my milk supply wasn't what it should of been. Since I'm not breastfeeding anymore ( that only lasted 4 weeks) I've done plenty of research on making homemade baby food. I found this site to be really helpful. They have recipes and food charts and all sorts of other information on making baby food. Earlier tonight I made Green Beans and Sweet Potatoes which I'm super excited for Layne to try. I think this is going to save us alot of money in the long run and the baby food is SO much fun to make and REALLY easy!

Please Vote!

So I thought I would enter one of Layne's pictures in a photo contest. Here's the link for it so if anyone wants to you can vote for him.

https://www.greatamericanphotocontest.com/voter1/index.aspx?referid=EmailFriends&p=1011878&x=.jpg

Thanks!!

What a Goofball!

At daycare, we have a castle that Matt built out of wood and a plastic culvert for the kids. It is seriously the coolest thing that I have ever seen! He did such a good job on it. ( I will post pictures of it sometime soon.) Anyways I thought that it was time that Layne got a chance to play in the castle. He seriously loved it! (Even if he only got to play in one of the tunnels, he still had fun!) I had to take some pictures of him sitting in the tunnel. He is such a goofball!

Yucky Peas...

Today marked Layne's first time eating veggies. We thought we would try peas first. I wasn't sure at how he would react to this but they way he did was just too FUNNY. Here are some pictures of him eating his peas. (I'd be making the same faces though. I ONLY eat fresh peas straight out of the garden. No cooked peas for me!!)

I wonder if carrots will go over any better?? I doubt it!

Menu Plan Monday

Before I write out our menu plan for the week, I need to talk about what I'm going to do different this week. Matt is starting a second job tomorrow. He will be working from 6am-430pm at Wilson's and than he has to be at his new job at 53opm and he will work till 8pm. I'm going to be spending most of the day today preparing meals for the week and then freezing them so that all I have to do is put it in the oven and cook them. Hopefully this will save us time and money (Matt won't have to run to a fast food place between jobs) . I don't know what I'm going to do if it doesn't! Anyways here is our menu for the week:

Sunday- Ribs and Mexican Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Monday- Venison Fajita Bowls

Tuesday-Easy Beef Stroganoff

Wednesday-Mexicali Cornbread Casserole

Thursday- Lasagna and Garlic Bread

Friday-Sloppy Joes and Chips

Layne's #1 Fan

One of the little girls at daycare is truly obsessed with Layne. She draws him numerous pictures a day and about once a month "makes" him a present. (Usually she steals one of her sister's toys and wraps it up to give him! lol) She has even asked her mom and dad if they could make her a little brother just like Layne. (She wants them to name the baby that too!) Her parents told her absolutely not because she already has TWO younger sisters! (She is 5, her sister Kennedy is 2 1/2, and the youngest, Aubree is 1 1/2.) Here is a picture of Ellie with Layne. She was just dying to have her picture taken with him! I'm not so sure he was to excited about it by the expression on his face.

Rock a Bye, Baby

Recently at daycare, we have gotten another little baby. Her name is Jalyn and she is just a tiny little squirt. So cute! Layne is in awe by her. He just loves to watch her. A couple of weeks ago, Layne helped my mom bounce Jalyn in the bouncer. He loves "helping".

Getting Organized

As part of my New Years Resolutions, I want to get our whole house and our life in general more organized. While looking for ideas on how to get organized, I can across this site, http://organizedhome.com . On the site there's a section about a household notebook to keep everything organized. It looks like a good idea. Does anyone use this in their homes and if so does it work well? I'm spending this whole weekend cleaning and organizing everything in our house since I haven't had a chance to clean our house for 2 weeks because of all the holiday madness!