Iowa- In a really BIG nutshell!

This post is not entirely in chronological order.

This trip was just way too fun to tell EVERYTHING!!!

And I don't think my kids will let me sit here long enough to detail it.

Uploading the pics alone was way too long of a task!

We are smiling here, but the flight from PHX. to Denver was nothing to smile about.

The cabin pressure and the turbulance were aweful! We both felt so nauseous and headachy.

It was YUCK!

Luckily the flight from Denver to Kansas City, Missouri was MUCH better.

It is a lot cheaper to fly into MO. than it is to Des Moines, Iowa.

Unfortunatley Kansas City is nearly 3 hours away from my sisters house and Des Moines is 5 minutes away.

So when we arrived we had a long drive ahead of us in the middle of the night.

These gas stations are all over the place.

Why don't we have CREATIVE names for our gas stations?!

We had good eats at Champps Bar and Grill,


but not before we took tons of pictures of ourselves.
I'll just share one and spare you the rest.

For those of you wondering, my sister-in-law, Kim, came along with me.
Us 3 do well together :)



We shopped a TON!!!


Are we HOT or what?!


Grandma Cook and Grandma Black.

I met a BUNCH of family I had never met before.

I had the most wonderful time being LOVED on by my sweet little Miss Kinley!!!

Seriously in hog heaven with this little girl!

Nothing like sharing some FISHY KISSES!!!

My sister's beautiful kids!!!

Kayleigh, Mason, Mckinley, Kyndall (not enjoying being squished)

PEACHES N' CREAM CORN

The yummiest corn ever!!!

We brought home a dozen and I so wish we would have had room for more!

On Saturday night we went to the Funny Bone Comedy Club.

I can't even described how freakin' hilarious it was!

We laughed so stinkin' hard!

This was one night I would love to relive over and over!

We were right up front!

We saw LOTS of spit FLY, but none landed on us thank goodness!
My very BEAUTIFUL sister!

and very BEAUTIFUL sister-in-law!

These 2 guys were AWESOME!!!

John T. Bush and John Pinnett

You may recognize John Pinnett from Revenge of the Nerds and Comedy Central.

Pauly Shore is coming to the Funny Bone on July 27th!

I am soooo sad that I won't be there! He's so cute!

But I don't know how clean his shows are.

GOODBYES SUCK!!!

Mason is my little man!

The last picture just before boarding the plane.

I had the most fabulous time!

I can't wait to go back!

Missy, it's your turn to come here now!

For a more detailed version click HERE

Leaving on a Jet Plane!

I am off to Iowa in a couple hours to visit my sister, Missy, in Iowa! I can't wait to get there and start enjoying my little vacation! I'll be back on here Monday to tell you all about my trip!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Welcome Blake Brian Banfield!!!

My sister in law, Melissa, gave birth to her 3rd baby at 3:43 this morning. He was 7 pounds 11 ounces and 21 inches long. He has 2 very excited sisters who can't wait to play mommy with him when he comes home!

A Match made in Heaven!

Peyton has been sporting this look for a little over a month now.

Caved, but just a little..

So we caved, but it was just a little. Only one episode last night and one this afternoon. We were going to wait until I got back from Iowa to start Season 3 of 24, BUT I just couldn't stand the thought of waiting a full week. No staying up past midnight! We have total and complete self control.

Unexpected Surprises...

For the 4th we headed up to Payson, Arizona to watch the fireworks in cooler weather. The drive was pleasant. Taylor had been sick and still not feeling that well, but we decided to go anyway.

On our way up...







Taylor slept.




Preston was excited.








Ellie made funny faces.

Peyton was happy.

When we got there we stopped at Chili's for dinner. When we got into the restaurant we gave them our name and told them for how many. We were with my brother in law and his family. Then Peyton promptly threw up all down the front of Chris. I stood there in shock and gave a little laugh.

We decided it was time to leave before we had anymore fun.

On our way home...

Preston through a fit since we couldn't stay.

Ellie made more funny faces.

Taylor and Peyton complained of not feeling good. Then Peyton barfed all over himself.




Then fell fast asleep.

Chris drove us safely home in his new shirt from Walmart.

sidenote: We have NEVER been able to drive thru Payson and NOT stop at Walmart and buy at least one item of clothing. When we go camping, we either forget to bring a sweater for someone or socks or shoes. It's an amazing thing that just happens to us.

When we got home I bathed Peyton, and of course Ellie had to jump in. Meanwhile, Chris got out some sparklers and other firworks that I don't know the names of.

The kids had a blast. Taylor and Peyton miraculously recovered and acted as though nothing ever happened. Motrin is a wonderful thing!

Ellie wanted NOTHING to do with it.

Our neighbors came out and joined our illegal fun and I actually thought to have them take a family photo!

THE END!

Jack's MY Man!

Chris and I just finished watching season 2 last night. (I know we are a little behind, but I've always been a late bloomer) We are so addicted and just can't get enough. I love Jack Bauer! I know the rest of the world who is into 24 loves him too, but I REALLY love him! Next week I go to Iowa so we are going to hold off on starting season 3 till I get back. We need a little break from going to bed after 2am. It's seriously taking it's toll, but worth it everytime!

Dumb Blonde?

On Monday night I had my FIRST outcall massage for someone I had never met. I was a little nervous. As I was driving to the guys house, I was chatting with Chris on my cell phone. When I got to his street I saw the guy in his front yard waiting for me. I quickly told Chris I LOVE him and said GOODBYE. I pull up in front of his house and parked. I jump out of my huge truck and go introduce myself. I tell him I need to get my table out. So I turn around and notice how I am totally not parked that close to the curb. I get my stuff out and put it on the sidewalk and tell him I need to fix my parking job. I get in and I am NERVOUS and feel DUMB I was having to repark. I hurry and back up so I can pull in closer to the curb right in front of his house. As I was backing up I HIT his neighbors black garbage can and knocked it OVER! (it was in the street!) I was SOOO EMBARASSED! Thankfully it was empty. I got out of the truck and apologized and he was laughing and said it's ok, as he was walking over to pick it up. "That's a big truck you are driving!" I wanted to tell him that I drive that thing everyday and have been for a year and a half! But if I said that he might wonder how on earth I managed to hit a garbage can. I said, "well, I've never hit a garbage can before! It was totally in my blind spot!" I felt like he must think I am the BIGGEST dumb blonde! Luckily there was no mishaps during his massage!

9 Wonderful Years!

Tonight we celebrated 9 years of marriage! It's amazing that time has past so quickly!

We went out to dinner where we go every year, Aznio Landing. We love the food and the atmosphere. It is so yummy and quiet there.

When we were done, we went home and watched a couple of episodes of 24. We are sooo addicted! We were planning on going and seeing a movie, but we decided to stay in the comfort of our own home and get a few more shows in so we didn't stay up till 2am like we have been doing lately.

I still feel so young with my 2 huge shiners on my forehead! Funny thing is, I had 2 huge zits on my forehead 9 years ago today. I was soooo mad! And I look pregnant, which I AM NOT! I really wish you could choose where your fat goes. I bet you can all guess where I'd put it!

My handsome husband!

I just saw this picture big and I've got food all over my tongue! Gross! Really I think it's funny more than gross.

This is our (but mostly mine) Anniversary gift. I have been wanting a cute and really sleek camera with a bigger screen. Thank you honey! I love it and most of all I love you!!!




When we got back to Chris' parents house, this is what we came back to.
Peyton was asleep on the couch hanging off! He just looks so stinkin' cute!





Everyone was so tired.
Grandma and Grandpa always take such good care of our kids!


Thank you for watching them so we could go out and celebrate!

Good Luck Leah!

Today my sister-in-law, Leah, is moving to Oklahoma for college! We are all so excited for her and know she is going to have a blast! So on Thursday night all the sisters and Chris' mom went out to dinner to Anzio Landing. I LOVE that place! Chris and I go there every year on our anniversary so I get to go there on Wednesday again! Leah, I just want to tell you that I love you, quirks and all! You are so beautiful! I am so happy for you and can't wait to hear about all the fun college things you get to do! So now that you have a blog you better keep us all posted!

Best Friends Forever!

This picture is just so CUTE!!! This is Ellie with her cousin Brooklyn. They are the best of friends and have a Love/Hate relationship. We went to Stapley pool the other day and when we were having a safety break they wrapped up in a towel together!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

I know I'm a day late, there was no time to blog yesterday, cuz I was too busy honoring my husband on his special and well deserved day! haha.

Anyway....

I just wanted to say to Chris, THANK YOU! You are such a wonderful father to our crazy kids! I love that you play with them and include them in home projects and can most of the time put up with whining and screaming longer than I can! You are such a great example to our kids and to me!

Besides being a great father, you are the most wonderful husband! I appreciate all your hard work you put forth each day to provide for our family. And how you come home and continue working hard by playing with the kids, doing home improvements and helping me with the chores of the house! You are so wonderful and amazing! I really am the luckiest girl! I want to thank your dad for his wise words that he told you long ago, "Instead of coming home and making your wife feel bad for having a messy house and ruining the evening, just jump right in and help!" Thank you for taking that to heart! It's a lot harder to be a mom than it looks! I know it's not always messy when you come home, but on the days that it is I really appriciate that you are still so kind and sweet to me! I love you so much! I'm so glad that we get to spend eternity together!

Cute Toes!

Last Friday night my friend, Melodie, called and said, "I'm going to get a fill, do you want to come and get a pedicure?" I said sure and she said, "K, hurry cuz I'm parked out front!" So I hurry and clear it through Chris and Taylor says she wants to come so she came. It was our first time going together! She loves being pampered! She just eats it up. One time she and Chris came down to my school to get a massage and it was really slow so they got asked to stay and get another one and Taylor was soooo excited! She got 2 back to back 50 minute massages! I asked her if she got bored and she said, "NO! It feels good!" She is always asking for massages! I'd be rich if she were a paying client!

Irrigation fun!

We don't have a pool so we make do with what we've got and play in the irrigation every 2 weeks. The kids have a blast playing in it. Don't worry, we go swimming in a real pool too. Here they are in our front yard cooling off. Everyone was having fun until Ellie announced, "Haha, I peed!" Then they just moved to the other side of the yard.

Liar, Liar

So on Saturday morning, Taylor calls her friend Bailey to see if she can play. Bailey says she has to do her chores first then she can and will call when she is done. Within 5 minutes, Chris' little sister who is 3 years older than Taylor calls to see if Taylor can play. I'm in the bathroom washing my face and Taylor comes in and says "mom I want to play with Lori instead and I'll play with Bailey another day." I said, "whatever it's your decision." ( I said this thinking, well Bailey doesn't always call back so that's fine. I wasn't in the mood to deal with tears if she didn't ever call back that day- I know, not the best choice on my part.) So Taylor walks away saying," yes Lori you can come over." A few minutes after that, Chris gets a phone call from Bailey's dad, who is our good friend, asking if everything is alright and if they need to watch our kids for the day. Chris says, "ummm yeah, everything is fine. Why would you need to watch our kids?" Nate says, "Taylor said, that she couldn't play because she had to go to her grandma and grandpas because someone DIED!"

Can you freakin' believe that?! We couldn't! Have we failed as parents?! I know I'm no where near perfect and I'm not always the nicest mom because I lose my patience sometimes, but I didn't think I was a horrible parent! I know our kids make their own choices and have to suffer the consequences, but sometimes I feel like it's my fault if they don't choose the right. Like I haven't done all that I could to teach them. It scares me for what is to come!

We had a good talk with her and asked her how she felt and she felt horrible. We had her call Lori back and tell her she can't play. And we told her that she would need to call Bailey and tell her that she lied. She didn't want to call Bailey cuz she felt so embarrassed and bad. So we let her wait till she saw her at church the next day. I'm sure this one will be one to remember and laugh about. In fact everyone we have told has totally cracked up. It's always funnier when it's not your kid. LOL

Taylor,
I love you so very much! You are a wonderful daughter and I am so grateful that you are in our family and I get to be your mom! You are so smart and funny and an awesome helper! You are a very talented artist and a great writer and story teller! Keep up the great work and remember to only use your talents for good! I love you!

Love,
Mom