Little Apple

I was really looking forward to going from the Big Apple to the Little Apple last weekend. Since kids, we usually make it to one KSU football game a season and I was ready! It was just great to be back - I miss it (not just college, but Manhattan too).

It was Fort Riley Day -

Shortly after the game started, the craziest clouds I've seen appeared with lightning -

As luck would have it, Ed took the boys to the restroom right before they delayed the game . . . and my cell phone was dead. After time had passed and I realized they weren't coming back to the seats, I headed to the restroom and searched for a phone to use. By this time it was raining, but I found a nice guy in an entrance (phones weren't working within the restrooms) and I called Ed.

They were in Bramlage (along with Frank Martin and everyone else :) After about an hour hanging out there, everyone headed back to the football game and the sun came out.

After the game, we ate dinner with the Braxmeyers and Dedra, Owen & Miles met us at the KSU volleyball game. (Dedra, Brett asked me this morning when we were going back to play football with Owen & Miles. I told him we'd have to meet up SOON!)

On another note, what is up with Brady's closed mouth smile? He smiled like this in his class pictures and I couldn't believe it. I was so looking forward to that toothless smile -but now that he's a jack-o-lantern (he has lost 2 more teeth since this picture was taken last weekend!), I guess we're getting this. Unfortunate :)

Volleyball games are always a good chance to see Willie

After the game, we headed to the Union for drinks and to check out the bowling alley. Brett thought we ought to play a round. I think we're just going to have to head back another day!

Taste Tested

I was a little apprehensive about making fish tacos (#4 on the page), but they turned out pretty darn good. I loved the salad/avocado/lime juice topping.

However, when the boys and Ed came into the house after I had cooked the fish, they couldn't believe how bad it smelled.
Brett: "What is that SMELL??"
Brady: "It smells like dog poop."

Nice. Thanks boys.


Photo taken from Woman's Day.

Fair Time

We didn't make it last year, so I was really happy we were able to go to the KS state fair this year AND see my two nieces and nephew show horses. I was super impressed with their showing skills and really thought they did awesome (AND it brought back A LOT of great memories).

I don't remember caring about the carnival rides half as much as my boys do (but my parents might say differently). I DO remember finding out we were going to Disney World when we were at the State Fair and remember always having one of those "foil" helium balloons (no longer in existence there. I also remember getting out of the car in Lebo and seeing one of those balloons float away).

Pics from the weekend:

This pose was entirely Brady's idea. (We also ran into Emily Darbyshire and her family in this building - I always feel like I wish we had more time, but it was great to see them!)

Shearing a Sheep - something worth seeing

We thought the National Guard had the best exhibit - the boys played on their trucks (and Brady dueled) for about an hour and were left asking why we were leaving so fast!

Brett wasn't really big enough to duel, so it was a fun surprise to hear someone I know ask if Brady needed a partner. Lauren & Tish's son (from Osage), also in first grade, "dueled" with Brady.

This is "teacher" Becky asking Brady about first grade.

This is Brett & Brogan seeing how dirty they could get.

Bogey's - enough said :)

Taste Tested

We took Apple Pie Bars to Brady's class today (they are learning about apples). They eat lunch super early, so have heard that many of the kids are HUNGRY by the end of the day. I was happy to contribute a snack! Although don't be fooled - these aren't a quick and easy treat to make with your kiddos (at least after a long day's work on a Wednesday night :).

As always, Little britches was excited to help. He might just be a master chef some day!

Half is pretty, half is ugly. Oh well, you win some, you lose some.

Gourd Eggs

I ordered 2 kinds of gourds/pumpkins to plant this summer and due to space (I think) only one kind survived - gourd eggs. (And unfortunately they weren't as colorful as the website's.)



The boys enjoyed picking them, but it would be more fun to pick BIG pumpkins. We'll have to leave that for the pumpkin patches this year!

Labor Weekend

We spent Labor Day weekend around the house (laboring :) - doing some projects that have been on our list for awhile. Ed took care of the biggest project which was cleaning up the brush and cutting down a pretty big tree in the pasture behind our house.

The big brush pile has been back there the entire 8 years we've lived here and although we've (and our neighbors) have asked the city to make the property owner clean it up (and get rid of the poison ivy) nothing has ever happened. (Ed sprayed "the forest" about a month ago and killed everything, so it looks much better than it really was - now it was just sticks/wood)cleanup.

I didn't get a final picture, but it looks SO good now. (Thanks honey!!)

And now we are set for wood! Which is good, because we are loving our new fire pit (and just spending more time in our backyard).

(Bonus: I got these glow-stick swords on the Target dollar aisle and the boys LOVED them.)

OH, and we tried out this margarita recipe (but we used raspberries instead of blackberries) - quite tasty! Southern Living has the best recipes . . .

Night at the K

Royals tickets from Ed's coworker = Free

Parking = $10

Popcorn = $5

Seeing classmate (Anna) wearing the same shirt = priceless :)