May running Totals

In May I ran 112 miles. Actually, this is one of my lowest numbers ever. But, I have been doing way more exercising. Just doing a lot of other things. It's kind of fun to mix it up more.

Only in the Ozarks

After we finished our trip we had to get picked up by a bus and taken to our car. First, the senior citizen on the bus smoked. The windows were open but still with 2 kids on the bus. Then when he dropped us off at the car, there was a strange dog. I told the kids that you don't pet strange dogs. And when this dog turned around, I noticed a number shaved into him. I asked the bus driver if the dog was someone's pet? I said even without a collar and he said yes. He said they have dog races against coyotes. What the heck! Go figure that one out but I had to get a picture. Go #14!

Overnight Float Trip

Over the weekend we went on a overnight Float Trip. This was Amelia's first. We did 10 miles on the Current River in the Ozark National Forest. We did about 9 miles the first day then did primitive camping on a gravel bar and finished the rest the second day. Pretty safe to say Baron and Amelia were the only kiddos on the river. We were blessed with wonderful weather and not too much traffic. The kids had a blast and really had a great time. They were even swimming and the water temperature was only in the high 60's. Nolan and I really enjoyed watching the kids have such a great time. And Baron was a great big brother. He was really showing his sister how to do everything and helping her. But, Nolan and I are really wore out. It was hard with both kids. They had missed naps and Baron was ok with this. But, Amelia had some minor fits about little things. It was a fun weekend but we are now ready for a good night sleep. We just brought our backpacking tent ( saving space ). It is a one person tent and I slept in the tent with both kids and Nolan slept outside the tent. It was cute when the kids woke up the wanted to go cuddle with Dad!

I almost forgot Nolan caught a nice Rainbow Trout fish.

(Not So) Incredible Pizza

I do not know what I was thinking..... I got this crazy idea that we should take the kids to incredible pizza. They have never been to any place like this no Chuckie Cheese or anything. Nolan says I am the only person that would expect it to be good and then leave disappointed because the food was not up to par. I read online that it has a huge buffet. We hate buffets and NEVER go to them. Too hard to navigate and get all the kids stuff. When we go out I don't want to wait on anybody (Heck I do that at home). But, online they were saying how they had a potato bar, salad bar complete with homemade dressings, taco bar, pizza, ect. Well the food was horrible and it just grossed me out! I guess the kids liked it. Then we got 60 minutes to play as many games as we wanted to. The kids loved it and so did the adults. We had to remember that it was for the kids. Baron even got to drive a go cart. Actually, he was not old enough to drive but I let him steer when he was with with. Needless to say we got last place which was hard for me to swallow. All in all it was fun. Just the food was not good.

What a day!

We are all so exhausted. We left the house today at 8am and did not get home till 3pm. Talk about pushing naps. I thought Amelia was going to lose it in the car on the way home. First I went to the gym and worked out for 2 hours. I am so sore I worked out twice everyday this week. I actually lost 2 lbs this week alone and I am definitely getting much stronger. And now I am watching my eating much more. After the gym we went to the St. Louis Mills. It's a shopping mall but it is quite far from us. We went to Cabella's and looked at the animals, then I bought the kids their forth of July outfits at Children's Place ( of course matching), then I got Baron a pair of Crocs ( they have a Croc store). We also visited theplay area. Which is pretty cool. It is like a big outside thing like you would find at a park. Then we walked across the mall parking lot to the out lot and had Sonic outside for lunch. The kids loved this since we were close to the airport they got to see lots of planes and the weather was perfect. Then after going back to the car we headed to Chill's in Clayton. This is were all the excitement started. My friends meet there this week for a playdate and I could not go. After looking at the pictures I thought it looked very cool so I decided to take the kids there. Clayton is not close to us and I don't go there often. I looked up directions ( no I don't have GPS) and thought I knew where it was. I used to drive around a lot when I worked so I know St. Louis pretty well. But, I got lost and thought I was going to go crazy in the car. But, thanks to one of my Friends who helped me we did make it there. It was so cool. Baron really loved the Dyson automatic hand dryer in the bathroom! It is frozen Yogurt and it is all self service you get the cup, fill it with whatever flavors you want, then you can do your own toppings. Then they just charge you per ounce. VERY COOL!!! And the kids loved it. We did have a really nice day and thank goodness the kids are napping now.
And I was very happy with myself ( since I am watching what I eat) I did not eat Sonic. I had brought myself a protien bar and banana)

Look at our visitor

As many of you know a few months ago Nolan got into watching birds. ( No we are not 80). Nolan has even got me and kids into it. The kids let me know when we have a new one and even know several names of birds. Nolan and the kids fill up the feeders. We put out a sock thing with food, fresh fruit, feeders, and suet cakes.

I am always up really early before 6am. I know this is weird as i don't work and the kids don't usually get up till after 7am. But, it is not natural for me and I like to get stuff done and have quiet time. So 2 days ago I walked in the kitchen as the sun was rising and saw a huge bird. I tried to take a picture but when I turned on my camera he flew away to never return that day. I explained to Nolan what i saw and he thought I was over reacting to the size, ect. Well the next day he came back and I was able to get a picture. It is not great as the kitchen was dark and the sun was just rising outside. It was a Pileated Woodpecker ( Woody Woodpecker) and they really are huge neat birds and I guess you can usually hear them on rivers, ect. But, they are hard to actually see.

" I want to be the frog's Mom"

Baron had a major meltdown over a frog yesterday. I caught the tailend on video. he caught a frog and just was so into him.Poor frog he carried him around all night. Took him on rides on his tractor. Then when we told him he needed to let him go home to his Mom he flipped out. He really wanted to take it inside. He then put in his bug box and was telling us her could be him Mommy. So now I have a frog on my kitchen counter in a box. I think I am going to release it before he wakes up. But, I don't think he will forget about "his frog" as he went to bed last night he was still going on about how much he likes his frog and that he can take care of it.


It feels like summer. It got really hot here quick. And we have been swimming everyday this week. It is great. Then it feels like we play outside all evening and it is staying dark so late. The only bad thing is Nolan and I are not getting much of a evening as the kids have been going to bed to late. We are excited we are plannning our first overnight canoe trip with both kids. We are going to go this weeked float 6 miles then camp on the gravel bar then float the rest the next day. Baron is a pro but we are hoping Amelia does good also. I'm excited but not excited about what will probably be a bad nights sleep. Sleeping on gravel is harder on you when you get older!

Megan's Grad Party

On Sunday we had Megan's graduation party. She is a neighbor and also she will babysit the kids if I need some help. She did so well in school was in a lot of activites and graduated one of the top in her class of over 500. I did not really get any good pictures. We were too busy making sure the kids were good. It was at a clobhouse the has a pond that is fed by a spring. So the kids enjoyed crossing the creek and the food. We are going to miss Megan as the kids really like her. And I like her because she is a older babysitter and her Mom and Dad are just across the street. Good luck in college Megan. Now I am off to find another babysitter. Not so easy. Looks like the older ones these days are not into that.

Drew's B-Day at Bounce U

Tonight we were lucky enough to be invited to our friends B-day party. Drew just turned 4 and his younger sister Leah is Amelia's age. It was such a great time. I have not been going to these places for awhile by myself since it it hard to keep track of my kids and I won't let Baron be out of my sight. Well tonight was great. I knew almost everyone at the party and Baron has several friends at the party. So he was able to go around the room by himself like a big kid. He did wonderful.It was really neat to see him do so well. He was great at helping, listening, taking turns, ect. It was exactly what all the teachers say about him at school. I just don't always get to see that.....as he really like to turn his BEST behavior on for me (HAHA). So I dot to spend the evening helping Amelia. She had such a fun time. She had not been to a jump place since last year. She did great and had a smile on her face the whole time. Look at the picture of her at the end. She was so tried she was just laying on the floor. What a fun evening. Thanks Mandi and Greg for the nice party!