Busy Boys!

I have to say...being a mom of two BOYS is a lot of hard work. Ben and I have noticed that we rarely get to sit and relax...which of course is good and fun etc...but at times...exhausting! Above is the new picture one of my student's mom took of the boys two weekends ago. She did a really great job and we had a lot of fun taking them with her. I will post more soon!!!

That same weekend, Mary and Mary Rose came down for a shopping extravaganza. :) We went to Zona Rosa to celebrate Mary Rose's birthday a little early. Dillards had 70% off summer shoes. SERIOUSLY! Who can resist that? I couldn't. Mary couldn't... Mary Rose could...she found some fabulous new birthday shoes for full price. She hasn't bought into Mary and I's philosophy of always going with the intention to save more than you spend. We had lunch at Tom Fooleries and coffee at Latteland before heading home. A big thank you to Ben for taking the boys all day so I could have a little retail therapy. It was exactly what I needed and so much fun.

This weekend was much more low key. I have a pretty nasty little cough going on and I couldn't talk at all on Saturday. ROUGH for me...because I love to talk. Tate has it too...we went to the doctor today and luckily we just have a virus...so we will get better. He did have a little infection in the one ear, but because of the tubes, we will be able to treat it with no problems.

In other news, I am no longer blonde...I am a nice little shade of brown. My students were pretty shocked...I was pretty shocked...but I think it looks OK. No one has said it looks terrible, so hopefully they are telling me the truth. I actually feel a little smarter...OK maybe not...but it is a good change!!!

Have a super week!!!

Weekend photos

So, I am not great at uploading photos in the correct order... I also did not get any pictures of Grandma Mary! I am not the best photographer!!!

In the Jungle...

Tate, Joey and I after a long day at the zoo....

Peyton heading to the water...

Our Sandcastle!














Ben and Tate building, while Peyton ventures off to the water...

Ben and Tate at the aquarium

Ben and Peyton with the bears.

Labor Day Weekend Fun

We have had a busy and fun filled weekend! I have been wanting to go to the Omaha Zoo with the kids all summer. Unfortunately, it was way too hot for most of the summer for that idea to even sound fun. BUT, the weather cooled off, and since we had three days this weekend instead of two, I thought it would be a great idea. Ben was a little concerened about missing college football Saturday, but ended up agreeing to go! On the way there, we called Uncle Joey to see if he wanted to join us since he lives in Lincoln...and then called Mary to see if they would like to join us too! Mary Rose had to work and Roger was busy, but Mary was able to meet us. Meeting inside the zoo was a little crazy...but we ended up finding each other and having a great time. Our favorite exhibits were the tiger mom and her new baby, the aquarium with the sharks, and the bears. We were all very exhausted when we got home!!!

Yesterday started off kind of lazy, because we were all so tired from the zoo....I cleaned a lot of the house and started organizing closets. I think I might have a slight problem with organizing things. I start and then can't stop. Yesterday it was the boys' closets. I started taking the too small out and rearranging what was left. Then I started going through the tub in Peyton's room of too small to see if there was anything that Tate could wear this winter. Suddenly I found myself in tears because of some of Peyton's clothes. Peyton has gotten so big in the last 6 months...he is bigger physically and has grown a ton...but also mentally...he understands and talks like a big boy. Seeing his little gray sweatpants that used to be so big on him that he wore all of the time made me sad. I wish I could keep my boys little forever...I am not ready for the world to be mean to them and for them to experience life events that are less than perfect. So, when going through all of the too small clothes and the too big clothes, I made a promise to myself to really enjoy every moment we have with the kids when they are the age they are now. Soon Tate will be growing out of those same gray sweatpants...

SO...to enjoy the boys yesterday, we took them to the Mozingo Lake beach. I am SOOOOO glad I didn't try this adventure alone this summer.... They were both little sand monsters and were covered from head to toe with sand. We played in the water, built a fabulous sand castle and then rolled in the sand and buired Peyton's feet in the sand. It was a really fun afternoon...and also made me so THANKFUL that my own sandbox at home is filled with soybeans instead of sand! I can't imagine having that sand mess at our house!!!

Peyton was invited to his friend Derrick's house to play this morning. Derrick is 4, and they have the BEST time together. We had him over on Thursday night. So, this morning, Ben and I have been doing little odd jobs around the house...It is so much easier with one little boy instead of two! I really can't remember life before Tate...but no wonder I was able to keep everything together and clean so much easier!!! :)

Back to the Routine...

Well...summer is officially over. Last Monday, I started back to work with meetings and other busy teacher "stuff." Our nanny from last year, Natalie, stayed with us all week to watch the kids. Tate is a BIG TIME mommy's guy...so the transition was a little hard for him...but he did better and better each day and by Friday, wasn't really sad at all. Our new nanny Megan came on Saturday so I could teach her how to watch the boys. I am probably kind of over the top with orientation to babysit...but it helps my peace of mind to know the boys are doing the same kinds of things with their girls as they would with me. Megan is an education major and is really nice and fun. She will be great...I have a really good feeling about her!

My class is great...I switched rooms...and I have a nice little group.

So, year two in Maryville...let's pray for a winning year and a lot of learning for my students! :)

30!

This past weekend, I turned the big 3-0. For the record...I do not feel any different. I actually can't believe I am really this old. I truly still feel about 24. :) That is a good thing, I suppose!

I was very well remembered on my day. Ben and the boys got me a treadmill! I have wanted one for a long time because it is so difficult to exercise with two boys and a basketball coach for a husband. Having a treadmill at home means I can run/walk anytime...I am taking full advantage of nap time until I have to go back to work! I love it. Peyton does to....he tells me that he needs to "get in shape" too.

Peyton also picked out a ring for me...he is so sweet. He told Ben he wanted to give me a ring like Dad did...so he found a red one... I love it. :)

My parents decided to come down on the 24th and help me celebrate. They brought Tate's sandbox and a bag of soybeans to use as sand. We have had SO much fun scooping them and teaching Tate how to keep them IN the box and not throw them OUT! We had a great supper together! The next day, my dad and Peyton went to HyVee to pick out a birthday cake and get ice cream. It was very nice. Then Mom and I went to check out the sales at a couple stores and I found some great jeans and a sweater! Thanks Mom and Dad!

After Mom and Dad left, we were invited to go to the lake with our neighbors. We were probably on the lake for 5 hours, and enjoyed tubing, swimming, and hanging out. Peyton LOVES tubing and our friends pulled two tubes...one that had three seats and one normal tube. We had 6 people tubing at once! SO fun! Our neighbor Jackie and I even went out. Of course, we were screaming...."slow down!" as the boys were saying, "go faster!" Tate loves the water and loves the boat ride as well. He gets in complete relax mode and falls asleep so easily!

Overall, it was a super day. 30 is going to be a great year!

Carnival...bike...boating...

We had a very busy weekend at the McCollum house. ON Friday, we went to the Nodaway County Fair right here in downtown Maryville....we actually only went so Peyton and Tate could ride on some rides. They had a blast and poor Tate did NOT want to get off the boats...he was frantically signing more...and signing finished when I picked him up....it was like he just wanted to scream..."NO Mom! Put me back in there! I am finished with you...I want MORE boats!" Peyton got to go on a few more rides than his brother and had a very good time.

We stopped by my classroom on the way to the carnival so Ben and boys could check out all of the hard work i have been doing...I am switching rooms this year because I am one of the 5 first grade sections that they will always have. Last year, we had to have 6 sections because of the size of the class...this year, we will be back to 5 sections and thankfully one of the former first grade teachers is going to stay at home with her children so I get to take her spot. If she hadn't decided to stay home, I would have been teaching 4th grade. Last week, our nanny Natalie came for two afternoons and I went up to work. There was a lot of organizing to do and a lot of dust to clear...I am happy with my progress so far, but there is still a lot I would like to do. The good thing is that I have some time...and now I won't feel so overwhelmed when it is back to school time.

After the carnival, we decided to take Peyton to Wal-Mart to pick out his very first big boy bike. I will be posting pictures of it very soon. He looks so big on it! He has been riding very carefully around the driveway and a little on our road. We need to take it to the college and ride there because the sidewalks are better and he would actually have some room to ride! I sent a picture of Peyton on his bike from my phone to my parents and Mary and my dad says that he will continue to get bigger and time will continue to go faster and before I know it he will be driving a car. I am NOT ready for that!!!

On Saturday, our neighbor, Neil Elliott, and his boys were heading to Mozingo Lake with their boat and asked if we would like to join them. We did and had a wonderful time with them! Peyton went tubing for the first time and did very well! We anchored the boat and enjoyed a little swim time in the water. This could have been Peyton's favorite thing to do as he jumped into the water to Ben about a million times. Tate and I stayed in the boat...the ride put him right to sleep...and when he woke up, he was more interested in watching and having a few snacks. It was a fun afternoon!

I love our weekends and time we spend as a family. It is so fun to play together and enjoy whatever activity we are doing. I am very lucky to have such a great family...two awesome little boys and a wonderful husband. Life is good! :)

vacation pictures 2

Peyton and Joey at the parade













Tate during the first half of the parade...














Playing at the lake with Grandma and Mary Rose















Ben and the boys at the lake

vacation pictures

Peyton enjoying the boat ride!















Tate and I enjoying the ride!















Peyton riding the tractor in the shed at Grandpa's














Tate's turn!















Peyton helping Grandpa...

Vacation...

We just got back from Iowa yesterday. We left last Thursday and headed to Ben's family first. We got to see one of Mary Rose's games as we came into town! She is quite the softball player and has been hitting very well! The other night she went 4 for 4 and had a couple RBI's. We are so proud of her! Mary Rose was an absolute HIT with the boys. Tate loved her....he went to her with no problem... While we were at Ben's mom's, we helped organize her kitchen. It looks quite amazing and it was really fun to work together and help make it look like she wanted. We found some treasures, made some donations to charity, and enjoyed the final product quite a bit...(along with some Blue Moon's and wine....). We did not spend the entire time working though. We had a great time at the park, lake, and taking long walks. We were going to go to the new water park, but then decided that since the lines to the water slides were from the top to the bottom of the LONG steps, that going to the lake would be more fun...so we headed to Ben 's best high school friend, Josh's parents' house. Josh met us there and played in the water, mixed fabulous drinks, and took us out on the boat. This was the first time the kids had been on a boat ride and they both loved it. Josh also took Ben knee boarding....just like the "good old days." We had a great time!

On the 4th of July we went to church, then to the parade and the activities at the parks by the lake. It was a busy and fun day....my parents met us and we all walked to a park to watch the fireworks together. It wasn't the best...the mosquitos were out and in full force...they did not seem to respond to the gallons of Off I sprayed. Peyton thought they were "boring" and he and Ben left early. Shortly after they left, mom, Mary, Mary Rose and her friend, Tate and I left too. I always look forward to fireworks, but I am not sure they are worth it. However, it wouldn't be the 4th of July without them!

On Monday we went to my mom and dad's house. They are getting their house sided by one of our family friends, so it was fun to see him and his crew. Ben and I helped my dad clean out grain bins, and Peyton enjoyed rides on everything imaginable. Ben worked a lot harder than I did cleaning out bins....he is kind of a go getter. The time seemed to go by really quickly while we were there. Peyton got a new "johnny popper" tractor and wagon from Grandpa. He claimed that his "Model A" John Deere at home..."needed a friend." He was really excited to have his new tractor come home to his house to show it to the others. He is a funny little guy.

Overall, we had a wonderful and relaxing trip. We had a great time with both of our families and feel really lucky to have such great families to go visit. Ben and I also celebrated our 5th anniversary! These past 5 years have gone so quickly and so much has happened since we got married. I love Ben more every day and am so glad I am able to call him my husband.

More pictures...

The muscle men. LOL!






















Peyton getting ready for a forward roll...









Playing with our new sprinkler from Grandma and Grandpa Ackerman












Peyton riding on my brother's "Johnny Popper" with Grandpa...it was a little loud though....









My Grandpa Wessman and I....he is 95! He looks exactly the same as I remember him looking when I was little. I am excited about all of the good genes I have inherited! If he can still look this young at 95...maybe when I am 40 I will still look 25....wishful thinking?!?!

Summer fun pictures...

Peyton and Ben fishing at Colden Pond...aka...the "green lake"

















The boys helping me cook.


Peyton and Ben fishing at Mozingo Lake...aka..."the blue lake"

Slip and Slide time!!! (Before Ben went down and broke the bottom....)

The boys...ready for some sprinkler action!

Summer!

Well, summer is officially here. We have been busy! I haven't even had time to update this blog in almost a month! Since I last wrote, we celebrated my cousin Jessie's wedding in Storm Lake, had countless sprinkler/pool time in our yard, and played a lot of backyard baseball!

Last week, my mom came down while Ben was in Florida for our friend, Jesse Shaw's wedding. I was so happy to have the company and the help with boys. Mom and I did a lot while she was here... She brought 8 little trees for us to plant in the backyard. Although they are very small, we hope they will grow!!! She also brought two hosta plants to finish our landscaping...I had exactly two spots left on the one side of our house and now it is complete! Mom also bought Peyton his very own apple tree! He is so excited and of course, always wants to know if there are any apples growing yet. :) I hope that we are still here when the apples actually do start growing! It was nice to have all of mom's great help...it is always great to have your mom around...they just know what to do and how to help. My kitchen is probably the cleanest it has been since we moved here. Thanks Mom!!!

When Ben got back, we took the boys to Toy Story 3. It was a really cute movie and both boys watched intently the entire time. (Maybe it was the popcorn...they LOVE it!) We spent Father's Day here doing family play time....baseball, basketball, tennis...you name it. Ben had a great day! The boys are so lucky to have such a great dad....they love playing with him and spending time with him!

This week has been great so far. Although I think it is a little TOO hot and humid for my taste....Peyton has been going to basketball camp with Ben. The youngest kids are attending this week and Peyton is having a great time. They lower the hoops for the kids so Peyton can actually make some baskets and the word is that he is better than some of the bigger boys. As much as he practices, I am glad that is true.... This mom has had to play a lot of defense already in the past 3 years!!!

Tate and I have been enjoying some morning walks before it gets too hot. He FINALLY slept through the night last night...that is right....a full night of sleep for MOM!!! :) YIPPEE!! I am praying that it wasn't a one time thing and that he will continue to sleep all night. It has been over 14 months since I last had a full night's sleep. To say the least...I NEEDED IT!

We are hopefully going to have a few play dates to end this week. If it is not too hot. I am loving every minute of being home. I really wish the days would slow down!

Busy weekend!

This weekend, we had a lot of company! Ben's aunt and uncle, Pat and Judi, Grandma Mary and Roger, and Mary Rose were all here just for fun. Ben and I had a social event for my school at the country club so we had a lot of great baby-sitters! Ben and I had a great date night and have both decided that we need more dates... On Saturday, the guys went golfing...despite the 40 mile an hour wind and humidity. They looked tired and sunburnt when they got back! When they got home, we gave them the kids and all of us girls went to Zona Rosa for some shopping. Mary and I headed to our favorite stores while Mary Rose and Natalie went to theirs. I did feel a little "old" in some of the stores I used to shop at.... We ate dinner at Tom Fooleries before we came home. It was a really fun night.

On Sunday, we all went to church and then I made waffles...then said good-bye. Peyton and Tate love having all of the extra company. For Peyton it means there is always someone to play basketball, baseball, jump on the trampoline, or do anything else he wants to do... For Tate, it means that someone will be able to devote time to just him! Fun for all!!!

This is my last week of school with students. I have to come back next week for teacher inservice days on Tuesday and Wednesday. I am getting so excited to be finishing another year of school! I love summer!!!! :)

ENT check-up...and pictures!

On Friday, I took the boys to Liberty, MO so Tate could have a check up with his ENT. His hearing is perfect, the tubes look great, and we do not have to go visit the doctor again until next May. I am so happy we made the decision to get tubes in Tate's ears. He is truly a new little boy since the surgery.

While in KC, I thought it would be a good idea to have the boys' pictures taken at Portrait Innovations. They do a nice job in a short amount of time... Ben's cousin, Natalie is staying with us to be our nanny for the month of May. She went with me and was SO helpful at the studio and at the doctor! :)

We had a pretty relaxing weekend...the weather is so cold and rainy that I think all of us are tired.

Trip to Iowa

Last weekend, we went to Iowa so I could attend my mom's salad luncheon at her church. Every year, the ladies set a table using dishes from their homes. My mom has had three different tables and has used different dishes at all three...I actually think she could set many more tables because she has a very large collection of china and dishes!!! It is fun to see all of the different place settings and read about where each of the women got their dishes and the special stories that go along with them. This year, mom brought her collection of chickens to go along with her table decor. It was fun to see them all out on display. Mom invited Mary to go along, so it was extra fun. After we dined on the delicious variety of salads, we listened to a fabulous speaker...Kathy Peterson. She is one of the most positive and practical people I have ever listened to. I hope to one day invite her to Maryville to speak at something I am involved with! :)

We were hoping to get Peyton out into the fields with Grandpa Ackerman to plant...but it had been too wet prior to us coming. Peyton and I did get to ride on Saturday morning with Grandpa as he field cultivated. Peyton sat on Grandpa's lap the whole time and watched it all happen. When we got home, Peyton convinced Grandpa to let him play with almost all of the display toy tractors in his office. Peyton loves the "johnny poppers" and likes to hook things up and farm on the carpet... Peyton also had time outside with my dad riding on all of the farm equipment. I think if I remember correctly, there was a semi ride, Gator ride, tractor ride, lawn mower, four wheeler, and they sat in the combine. After all of the farming, Grandpa gave Peyton a new tractor. It is a special tractor...Peyton tells me...for just him. Peyton is convinced that we are going to see Grandpa this weekend and he will be getting a new Johnny Popper...we'll see about that...

Tate had a birthday party complete with a Thomas the Train birthday cake. My grandparents, family friends Darrel and Sue, and Mary and Mary Rose came to help celebrate. Tate got a new sandbox and some sand toys, pajamas and a tractor. He was delighted to be the center of attention and clapped and cheered as everyone watched him. He is still not a fan of cake or ice cream. Mom and Dad have to bring the sandbox to us because it was too large to put in the trunk. Our house is becoming a regular kid zone....trampoline, swing set, sandbox....I can see that we are in for a very fun summer!!! :)

I am exhausted from the busy weekend and then getting back to work right away on Monday. There are only three weeks left after this one and I am getting summer vacation fever!!!! As busy as each of the weeks are, I am sure the time will fly! I am always sad to lose one class and have to start over in the fall with a new group. The kids really do become a little family....

Don't hurt my brother!

Yesterday after school, I had to take Tate to his well-baby check up. He checked out great and the doctor saw his snazzy blue tubes in his ears. His ears looked the best they have ever looked.. I am so thankful that we had the tubes put in! Tate's weight (24 pounds) was in the 70th percentile...his height (30.5 inches) was in the 75th percentile and his head circumference (19.5 inches) was in the 90th percentile. (I think both of my boys have their Daddy's head). I was actually surprised that Tate had fallen out of the 90-95th percentiles for the weight/height...all of his moving has helped him slim down a little! :)

After our check up, Tate had to have shots. He had to have four...two in each leg. Poor Peyton watched it all and stood back, cried, and said, "Don't hurt my brother." I had to comfort both boys after the shots were over. The nurses were so kind...both boys got stickers, suckers, ice cream certificates, and they blew bubbles to help calm everyone down. Peyton will have to have shots in July...that is sure to be a fun day. :( Peyton continued to worry about Tate after we got home. He was worried about his bandaids and if his legs had holes in them. He asked me again this morning if Tate was going to be ok.

I love having two boys that can always be brothers. How sweet to have someone to always look over you and protect you. Peyton is a great big brother.

Thanks to Grandma Mary for sending pics from the weekend!

Uncle Joey and Tate just hanging out...


Uncle Joey letting Tate do just about anything...including pulling at his eyebrows!

Grandma Mary and Tate

Proud Tate after getting into the dishwasher....

Ben and I left Grandma and Uncle Joey in charge for about 30 minutes and here's what happened...a new way to bathe our children? LOL Tate was so proud of himself! He is all over the place!

Being a mom of two...

Tate is one! What a big year. I always thought that when people said things would be different for your second child than the first that they were crazy. I was sure I would be the same kind of mom for Tate as I was for Peyton. I was wrong. With Peyton I had time to do all sorts of things during nap time. I wrote in his baby book constantly about every little happening, had pictures developed as soon as they were taken, and read books to him and played with him constantly. I have to admit....as much as I have tried to be super mom...I am not! I have not written in Tate's baby book like I should have, I have not developed pictures since last June, and I have to admit, I have read far less books to Tate than Peyton. Does this make me a bad mom? I am not sure...however, I do know that both boys are very happy and very loved. On the flip side of the things I have not done for Tate, there is a list a lot longer of the things I have. I have breastfed him for a year! I have spent hours playing with both of my boys and teaching them how to interact nicely with eachother. I have tried to let go of my anal side and of the things that really don't matter and just enjoy the time we are spending in the moment. Maybe my guilt for not being the mom I wanted to be for Tate is making me feel I need to justify the mom I actually am....I am not totally sure. Looking back, I guess it is pretty amazing we made it through this year...


Tate's actual birthday was spent doing his regular routine at night. We had the assistant coaches and graduate assistants out to celebrate with us...they are all single and are really fun to have around. (Hopefully they will get wives at some point, so i will have a few girl friends to hang out with!) Being the mom of the year I am...(or not) I tried to make the delicious cupcakes I used to make with my highschool leadership group...however, in the hustle and rush to get them finished...I accidentally put too much salt in the filling. (YUCK). Thankfully, Ben tried one of them before I served them to the coaches. He picked up some Hy-Vee cupcakes and we were ready to roll. UNTIL Tate fell asleep at 6:00 and didn't wake up the rest of the night. I have to admit...I cried...no mom wants to ruin their child's first birthday.

We spent this weekend with mary and Joey and tried celebration II. This one went much better. Peyton helped open all of the presents and we found that Tate really doesn't like cake anyway... Tate got a new swing set from us and Grandma Mary, a bubble blower, clothes, and pajamas. The boys both have a Hawkeye jersey now, so maybe one day when I actually take the pictures off the camera, I will post them wearing them!

We are going to have one final birthday party this weekend at home with my side of the family. HOpefully, I will have a successful story to share...

In the end...being a mom of two is a wonderful, busy, crazy life...I wouldn't trade it for the world. :)

Tate is one tomorrow!

Where did the year go? I can't believe a year ago today, Ben and I were walking all over Emporia trying to enduce labor! After three miles, a short break, three more miles and two shots of castor oil...labor did start! I remember praying that Ben would be with me when I needed to go to the hospital...I am so glad he was! We arrived at the hospital at 10:30pm and Baby Tate arrived the following morning. We were so lucky to have had all of the support we had during this time. My mom was staying with us and we didn't have to worry about what to do with Peyton. Ben's mom came and stayed with me during Tate's first night at "home" and throughout our first week with Tate in Emporia. The events that happened right after having Tate were such a whirlwind...I would never have imagined I would be hauling my innocent little baby to Applebees when he was five days old so we could show our house. I never thought I would haul him to Maryville so I could interview for a new job or that I would pack up our entire house and move all of the contents to storage and live with my parents when he was less than two weeks old. I never thought I would have to live without my husband during the first two months of Tate's life...but somehow, we survived it all!

Despite all of the crazy...Tate has had a great first year...he is a very happy and loving little guy who has learned to go with the flow and be content wherever he is. He recently had tubes put in his ears and seems back to his happy little self. I am still in awe of the doctor who put the tubes in Tate's ears in less than six minutes. I worried and worried about the procedure and it was over before I knew it!

Overall, I am still feeling so blessed to have two beautiful little boys in my life. Peyton and Tate are two of the best things that have ever happened to me. I cannot wait to continue to watch them grow up and play together. This summer is sure to be a blast!

I've Been A Good Boy Mommy!

We had a wonderful Christmas and break from basketball and school...well at least a little break from basketball... We left for Iowa on the 22nd and did make it home safely...we had some slick roads and had to say a few quick prayers...but we made it. We spent the 22nd and 23rd at Grandma Mary's house and had Christmas with Mary, Roger and Mary Rose. Then on the 24th, we drove to my parent's house before the big snow hit... My brother and his family were not able to come on Christmas day as planned, so we opened presents on Christmas day with my mom and dad. Ben drove back to Maryville on the 26th and the boys and I stayed at my parent's house until the 28th when my dad and brother drove us back. I think we got 22 inches of snow all together...which was the most I have seen in such a long time. Our family is so blessed to have such wonderful families.

When we got back to Maryville, Peyton got to see what Santa brought! THe first thing he said was, "I've been a good boy Mommy!" He is a good boy...and loved his train table.

This weekend, we had our good friends Josh and Megan and their daughter Keatin come visit. Peyton and Tate loved having a friend to play with. She is technically closer in age to Tate...but I was quite impressed with how she held her own with my wild man Peyton. We had a great time with the Barbers and loved going to the game on Saturday to cheer on the Bearcats with them! The kids looked pretty cute all decked out in their Bearcat gear... I am so happy when friends come to visit...

I have to go to work tomorrow. I am so sad about having to go back. I love being at home with my boys. Hopefully the rest of this school year will fly by!!!

Happy New Year!!!