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! :)
Ben, Michelle, Peyton and Tate
Monday, July 19, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
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...
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
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!
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!
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