Truman's 5th Birthday

I haven’t bloged much lately, there just seems to be so much going on and when I have an extra minute I just want to rest, not be on the computer. Also, I have “misplaced” my camera.

Yesterday was Truman’s 5th birthday!!! We went to Colton’s for dinner or as Truman calls it “the place where you throw peanuts on the floor.” The wait staff had Truman stand on his chair as they announced that it was his birthday. I thought he would be shy but oh no – he was THRILLED everyone was looking at him. They also gave him a HUGE ice cream shake, which he would NOT share with anyone. He had a great birthday.

I couldn't get the picture to turn...

I guess I should have explained a little more...

After much contemplating about the house next door we decided it was not our “dream” house. It was just too much money for us to spend with having so many doubts. So, our plans changed.

Our friend’s (Jason and Jamie) grandparents passed away earlier this year and their house has been setting vacant ever since. Long story short… Jason and Jamie want to move into her grandparents house. Their house is up for sale and as soon as it sales we have to move out so they can move in. Their house has been on the market since April and they have had no good leads. Once they sell their house and move in to the “Orchard” house (it is on Orchard Lane) they are going to renovate it.

We have decided to buy the empty lot on the other side of our house so we will still be across the street from Lois. We hope to start building ASAP however; we may not be able to start until this spring. Patrick plans on bring the contractor to help us save some money. If anyone has building talent let us know, we can use the help!!! Also, if you have time to help us look for a house plan that would be great! We don’t have internet at home anymore… I plan on going to the library to get some books but that takes time too… We want a 1 ½ story with 4 bedrooms. The master has to been on the main level. We could possibly have another bedroom on the main level and the other two upstairs, or three bedrooms upstairs. Other than that I am up for anything.

Update on the Move

This past Saturday was our big moving day. I am blessed that the weather was as nice as it was – if you can avoid it don’t move in December. Patrick and two of his friends moved the rest of the “big” stuff as I packed the “little” stuff. In the mist of packing, Claire had TWO birthday parties that day. I didn’t want her to miss them because we were moving so I made sure she got there.

We have been staying at the Orchard house since Saturday night. The kids have adjusted well so far. Claire and Truman are sharing a room and little Klein has his own room. The house is pretty nice for being an older house. It just smells like old people! I don’t think there is anything we can do about that unless we want to get new carpet and paint – that’s not going to happen.

The people who are moving into our house have been moving things in to the basement since last week. Today they are moving their furniture to the main floor. It has been very strange seeing other peoples stuff in MY HOUSE.

We plan to start looking at house plans after Christmas. It is just a crazy time for us right now, Patrick and his mom had birthdays this week, Truman’s birthday is next week, we are going to Springfield this weekend, I have to find time to do some Christmas shopping or I am going to have some very disappointed kids, oh I have to find time to unpack so we aren’t digging clothes out of boxes anymore!!

When I find my camera I will post a picture of the new place.

Wrapping Up for the Big Move

Need I say more...

The Best of Both Worlds...

On our obligatory trip to Sedalia for Thanksgiving, we noted the preceding pictures. In order to not "Pick On" anyone of the towns we are from (Sedalia usually receives the brunt of these endeavors) we published these two pictures.
Let's first focus on the sale at the cemetery. To me, this sounds like a good reason to "off" the loved one in your family that has the greatest amount of insurance lined up. Heck, on top of the insurance payout, you'll get a hell of a deal on the cremation! The icing on the cake is, you won't even have to bury them, you can dump their carbon in their cremation garden and everything turns out rosy!
If anyone goes missing on Route B, I'd investigate out of towners!
The guttering place deserves the most criticism. I consider the cemetery's attempt to drum up business, honorable. The guttering place can't make that claim. If you look close, this is a case of do what I say and not what I do. Look at the gutters on the business claiming to be a guttering business. "Half off" gutters in this case would have at least made them look like they've attempted to be good stewards of our storm water. Damn Jeffersoncitians.

M--I--Z--Z--O--U--!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Kiss

We started packing this weekend! We have rented two storage garages to put most of our stuff in. We are only going to be taking the essentials to the “Orchard House”. I call it the Orchard Hose because it is on Orchard St. and I just think it is a pretty cute name. It is really hard to decide what to take because we are clueless on knowing how long we are going to live there. Our basement is ¾ cleaned out. Now it is time to start working on the main floor. The “big moving day” isn’t until December 6 however, we are going to move as much as we can before then just to make it a little easier on everyone. Closing day on our house is December 12.

Packing is a lot of work with three kids. Claire decided she wanted to take a break and play “dress-up” this is what she came up with. I think she looks like she should be in the Kiss band. Klein was an extremely good baby this weekend so I was able to help out too. However, I must say Patrick did most of the work. Thanks Honey!

Welcome Home Daddy!

Patrick just got back from being in Florida for 4 nights. In between his meetings, he was able to watch the space shuttle launch. He brought home ice cream like they eat on the shuttle. It was “yummy and good and I wish I could have some more” said Claire.

The kids surprised daddy with a welcome home sign. Daddy- you better take us with you next time!

My Little Helpers

Claire and Truman were trying to help me give Klein a bath the other night and well, they were more trouble than help. They were trying to get in the bathtub and just were not listing to me (as usual). So, I told them if they wanted to play in the bath so bad they could just clean it. To my surprise, they left the bathroom and came back with dishtowels. I asked them what they were going to do with the towels and they said “clean the bathtub!” And they did.

Throwing in the Towel

I have been trying to scrapbook for the past seven years and well, I have finally given up. I am not the most creative person so putting together even one page can take me up to an hour. So, I have thrown in the towel!

I went to Target and bought a photo album for each kid. Claire has been very helpful in organizing all of the photos and putting them in the album. Claire’s is complete and we need to buy another one. Truman’s photos have been picked out but still not in the book. Klein’s is up-to-day. Now I just need to find the time to journal by each photo. Check back with me in seven more years, I should be done by then.

Falling into Fun!

Patrick and the kids raked leaves at the cabin while Klein and I sat inside by the fire. However; as you can see it wasn't all work and no play for the three big kids.

Salute to Daddy

Patrick LOVES to search online for funny saying on t-shirts. He has even come up with a few designs himself. Klein has several cute shirts so I thought I would post them to share with everyone.

Where's My Pumpkin!

Claire and Truman had a blast at their school Halloween parties! Unfortunately, Truman got sick with a stomach virus right before it was time to go trick –or-treating. So, Claire and I headed out to get some candy. She is the best big sister – she was trick-or-treating for Truman too.

As for Klein, he slept through all of the excitement.

The Last Day

After being home with Klein for the last six weeks, I have to go back to work tomorrow. Of course I don't want to go back to work however; I don't have a choice. The good news is is that grandma is going to be watching him. I know she will take very good care of him.

Today Klein and I are making the most of our day. Even though it is 30 degrees today we managed to go to the jewelry store, travel agency, wal-mart, fabric store, and TJ Max. The rest of the day I am just going to hold him:) He is such a blessing and boy and I going to have hard time leaving him tomorrow.

5 weeks

Money, Money, Money

I was watching Oprah yesterday and she was discussing money saving tips for families. Do you have some money saving tips you would like to share? I know that things are getting so expensive and we always seem to want more. I know I need help with this one…

No Training Wheels!

My four year old is riding with no training wheels!!! He learned how to do this with the help of his big sister.

1st Doctors Visit

Klein had his first visit to the doctors office on Tuesday. He now weights 8 pounds and 11 oz. and is 20 inches long. My little guy is growing too fast!!

No More Taco Bell!!!

Klein had his first get-a-way to the cabin this past weekend. On Saturday Claire, Klein, and I went shopping at the outlet mall. On our way back to the cabin we picked up Taco
Bell. I thought it was so good. However, my little guy disagreed. He fussed and fussed all night long! I have now learned my lesson…

Here are some picture of our weekend.

Yet Another Surprise

Oh the joys of having a boy… I was getting Klein ready for his first bath in the bathtub yesterday. I has holding my “unclothed” little guy about to put him into the bathtub and well… check out the pictures and see.

He was unsure of the bath at first and then he decided he did like it.

As Claire, Klein, and I were about to leave for gymnastics class I had to change Klein’s diaper. As I was changing him he decided that he wasn’t done with his dirty diaper. You guessed it, I got it again and it wasn’t liquid this time!

I need too start doing a better job covering up my boy!

SURPRISE!

As I walked into Target on Monday, I got a phone call from Mandy. As soon I noticed it was her I started to panic because I forgot she was going to visit me and Klein today. She said that she was running late – therefore I had time to shop. However, when I arrived at home she was already there! How did she beat me????

Lauren was playing on the back porch so I ran inside and opened the back door for them to come in. To my surprise my other best friend, Laura was here too!!!! She drove all the way from Illinois to meet Klein!!! Wow was I ever surprised!

Thank you Mandy and Laura for visiting. I really enjoyed seeing you guys! Also, I need to say thank you to Laura’s family for making the long trip so Laura could visit with me and Klein. You all are the best!!!

Karen and Abby – I’ll see you all next week right???

The First Day

Here are a few pictures of our new little guy.

The New(est) Bonnot

Bonnot, version 3.0, was released 9/16/2008. The new program otherwise known as Klein Patton Bonnot features 18.25 inches of ram, 7 lbs, 14 oz. of megahertz and an additional fuzzy head of hair for pure, unadulterated speed. Made for gaming, this packet of goods screams for goodness to let us know of his desire for clear performance. The producer, Lori, is hanging in there and awaiting a 6 week upgrade. After the release, the companion computer had this to say..."whew!"

Bonnot 3.0 will be released to the general public on 9/18/08 at which time the companion will post pictures made during and after production (not those kind you gutter heads!). Because of the early release (13 days before the doctor said it would be here) we will post plenty of pictures later.

La Visita de Missouri

The Tour of Missouri came to town yesterday and showed the midwest what it means to be free of the use of foreign oils. Well, sort of. For every rider there seemed to be a european station wagon and a full sized van. Maybe next year for as much as this thing costs the state of Missouri, they can bring solar cars.

Regardless, over a hundred racers from around the world entered Jefferson City from the East and did a couple of "circuits"...laps, downtown. Our city hosted the end of the hundred mile race, stage four. Needless to say, the racers were a little tired by the time they hit the Capital City. I'd always assumed that the riders would fly by you on level ground at 35 m.p.h. I think where they passed our positions, Claire could have passed them on a big wheel.

Watching these things is not nearly as productive as going here.

Baby Shower

My Fulton friends got together and had a baby shower for Sweet Pea. The kids had the option of going with me or going to the MU football game. Well, of course Truman wanted to go to the MU game and Claire wanted to go with me.

I got a lot of really nice things and Claire and I had a great time. It was nice seeing my friends since I don’t get to see them very often.

I am 37 weeks today and I don’t feel any different than I did last weekL

MIZZOU

For those of you who don’t know, we are huge Mizzou fans. We enjoy going to their games, hey we even named our child after their mascot. Well, Patrick has taken it a step further. We now have to decorate the yard for game day! I took this picture two days after the big MU vs. IL game, we did have our MU flag out on game day.

The Crib

We put Sweet Pea's crib up this weekend! When the boys were putting the crib together I looked at it and just cried. My emotions have been all over lately, just ask Patrick. I am very thankful that I have a loving family who just humors me when I get a little out of control.

I am 36 weeks today. I went to the doctor yesterday and everything is great. I gained 3 pounds in the last week thanks to my mother-in-law for sending 13, yes 13, candy bars to my house. I am ¾ of them!!! I am dilated to a 1. Only 9 more centimeters to go!