Go Cyclones!

Thursday night was PERFECT!  Well almost perfect, we were missing Michael (he was working hard on the road for us) but besides that it was a perfect fall night.  We headed to Ames for the Cyclone game against the "hook em' horns" as Finnean calls them.  We were set up for the night.  Tia took Hutchinson (Thanks, Tia!!) and dropped us off  at the stadium.  I had a free ticket (Thanks, Kate!) and the weather was amazing.  It kept threatening to storm but never did, so that left us to tailgate and enjoy the game.  Finnean LOVED it.  He really loves seeing Uncle Trav there and they tossed the football for most of the time we were tailgating.  We headed into the game and found a great spot on the hill.  Finnean was so excited to see the stadium and his face when we got to the top of the hill was priceless.  He spent a lot of the time making imaginary catches from the ISU players or doing touchdown dances.  He watched the game and clapped and cheered!  He didn't make one peep of grumpiness...it was glorious!  We has so much fun together.  The Cyclones were even playing well but ended up losing on a very controversial call or so we heard.  We didn't see the end of the game but left after we watched the band at halftime.  Our ride picked us up and we were in bed by 915!  I can't tell you how much I loved soaking up the time with just Finnean.  It doesn't get much better than soaking up a football game with your boy.
 

Tailgating with Uncle Trav is always FUN!  Finnean has that smile pretty much the whole time we were there.

This boy.  Oh my, he just tugs on my heart strings.  I don't even have the words to tell you how excited he was!

They have a "Flex Cam" at the stadium and Finnean was trying to get on the big screen :)
Cutest little muscles I have ever seen!

Uncle Trav surprised us at halftime and came to chat with Finnean.  As you can see from Finnean's smile, he thought that was pretty cool!

This is Finnean right when we headed up to find our seats.  He instantly started playing imaginary football.

According to Finnean this was his favorite part.  The players walk right underneath you when they were going back out from halftime.  I told Finnean to yell something to them and he said, "No Mom!  They are focused!"  HAHA! Where does he come up with this stuff?  He was pretty amazed by them.  He also said that he really liked the "hook em' horns" mascot.  My favorite part was when both of us were really paying attention and we got to see the Cyclone player rush into the end zone for a touchdown and we both started cheering and jumping.  The look on his face while he was yelling "touchdown!!!" was spectacular, just filled with pure excitement.  I can't get over how much fun it was to spend the evening with this sweet, almost five year old!

Finnean was pretending but Hutchinson was not.  He was out before we got on the interstate in Ames.  Tia said they had such a good time and Hutchinson spend most of the night giggling with Gabi.  What a fun night for everyone and thank you to everyone that made it possible!

Random fun.

Hutchinson looks a lot like me or so we are told very often.  I think so, most of the time BUT he doesn't always act like me...he gets is organizational skills from his Daddy!

Finnean has been REALLY into eating apples these days.  He is also really into getting his own snack.  For afternoon snack I usually tell him to pick something healthy and he usually comes back with an apple and a cheese stick.  He eats that thing to the core!  He is so proud when he finishes it!  When we went to the apple orchard the other day we picked up a bag of small apples-he has been loving that they are just his size!

Last weekend the boys made crowns at "church school" and they look pretty darn cute wearing them:)

We hopped in the car to head to school the other morning and I noticed this guy on the windshield wiper! He kind of freaked me out but Finnean thought he was super cool.  He made it all the way to school so I put him in a cup and kept him for Finnean to check him out.  We kept him all day and then released him when Michael got home.  We found out that they FLY!!!  The prayer mantis (as Finnean called it) made quite the exit by flying away very quickly!

On Monday we headed for the zoo.  I can't get over how long this guys legs are getting...

Can't beat an Iowa sunset.

I love fall. I love scarves.  I love the fall sunshine so I can wear scarves. 

  

"Air-pane!!!"
This little man just kills me in his cardigan.  Thanks Abby and Cory for that cute little cardi and thanks to Hutchinson for being a little guy he can still wear it from last year!  I am so proud of Hutchinson.  He is doing great in the nursery at a church that we don't go to (I am doing a bible study) and he acts like his owns the place.  I was worried that he would be nervous without Finnean but he is loving it!  I am so thankful because it makes it so much easier on me:)

  

Mr. Finnean cheesing it up at the zoo!

Last Sunday our church hosted a concert to benefit the Imagine No Malaria campaign.  I am on the committee for this group at our church, so I helped prepare and serve a potato bar for 100 people.  It was SO MUCH FUN!  We laughed a lot, got a lot done and I learned so much from the others on the committee.  The potatoes turned out really great and the concert was awesome.  The boys loved it and sat through the whole thing!!  Richard and Lisa came up, that was a bonus!

Check out Finnean's sweet fire truck!  Ms. Margaret (his teacher) said that she asked them to cut out a rectangle and make it into a fire truck.  He did just that!  Sorry the picture wouldn't come in the right way, so you kinda have to turn your head to see it.  He even added a ladder!  I just love his little imagination.

Last Friday night I had a girls night with my sweet friend, Michelle (HI MEL!!) and she taught me how to make her homemade pasta.  We had so much fun and stayed up WAY to late.  We will definitely be doing this again. 
PS-the pasta turned out really tasty.  We actually had it for dinner tonight and the boys ATE IT UP!!

Finnean

 

This kid.  He is something else.  He has my heart.  He makes me laugh out loud multiple times a day.  Just the stuff he comes up with, you never know what is going to come next.  He is full of energy and loves to play just about any kind of sport.  He would spend most of his time outside, all day everyday if we let him.  On the other hand, he loves to craft and draw and build Legos.  He has been coming up with some pretty cool Lego designs lately.  He loves to read and look at books.  He has been making "books" at preschool during writing time.  It is pretty cute to see what he creates, they are all about superheros!  He is into ninjas and being a spy lately.  His mind is always coming up with something fun for him and Hutchinson to do.  They are always teaming up on adventures.  Finnean gets so sad when Hutchinson doesn't want to play along.  He is still a pretty picky eater but does surprise us with tearing up a meal or two every now and then.  We are pretty sure that he is growing an inch a week.  I can't get over how long his legs are getting.  We really need to measure him!

 

 Preschool Update: Ms. Margaret said that he is doing really great and she thinks he knows how to read some words already.  She said that he is writing words by sounding them out but the best thing that she told me about school is that he is so kind to his friends.  I emailed her to make sure that he wasn't back talking and being disrespectful (like at home) and she said that he is far from it.  There is a little boy that is very trying and a lot of the friends get upset with him but Ms. Margaret said that Finnean is always so kind and sweet to him, even when everyone else is exhausted.  My heart just swelled up.  I am so thankful that he is kind.  That is probably one of my most important goals as a parent, to make sure that the boys are kind.  I am so glad that he is thriving at school.  He really loves his friends and it is so cute to hear about his day.

 

Finnean is in full force of trying to figure out what it means to be (almost) five.  We are learning about a lot these days.  Parenting is hard.  Being (almost) five is hard.  We will get it figured out, it just might take us a little while!  He can be so naughty and just a few minutes later he is just so full of love.  He gives the best hugs and loves to snuggle still (YES!!!).  I am so thankful that he still wants to snuggle up.  I can't believe that he will be FIVE in just a few months.  I am excited to see what the next year brings for this big guy but I am thankful that I get to soak him up right now.   And keep him little for just a little while longer. 

 

I love these shoes.  He just looks like an old kid here...see what I mean about his legs!?

Chucks and Trucks.
Finding and hot wheel of some sort is one of the first things he does when he gets home from school. 

A momma dog and a baby dog made by Finnean.

About two minutes before this, he was insisting that he "wasn't tired" and that he "couldn't sleep."  Then it got really quiet and I found him fast asleep.  Most days he doesn't take a nap but sometimes I just think it is too much for him.  I love that he looks so little here.  I know he is almost five but he is always going to be my sweet first born. 

Hutchinson

This boy has my heart.  He is so sweet and his tiny little voice is so darn cute.  He is getting a little feisty and is exploring what his personality should be like.  He LOVES to explore the world around him and loves to hang with his momma.  I feel like he is just a really fun age,  not too sassy and still really sweet!  I am just trying to soak up everything about him.   His long, crazy hair.  His sweet little cheeks that are still perfectly chubby.  His little hands that are always covered in dirt from driving Hotwheels around.  His tiny voice that kept saying "mo' leaf?" today on our walk, as he picked up every leaf we passed.   His little legs that are so tiny but prefect for his little frame.  His eyes, oh those eyes.  They are so brown and just have a way of melting my heart.   Or maybe it's the long lashes... those really get me.   I want to remember his sweet smile and his awesome grumpy face.  I can't keep a straight face when puts on the grumpy face.   I feel like it is my job to soak him up at this very age.  I just want him to stay little for a while longer.  

Today we set out on the trail for some exploring.  The weather is over the top beautiful right now.   The sun keeps your skin warm when the morning is chilly.   The leaves are just starting to fall.   Everything is about to get crazy beautiful, only like Iowa can do it.  Stay tuned for plenty of pictures from our fall adventures.   It just might be the most wonderful time of the year. For now, here is our little adventure from today or as I like to call it : today's work.

ISU fan fest

   At the end of August (we had a lot go on in August, thus the super slow blogging about it) we headed to Ames on a scorcher of a day for ISU Fan Fest.  It was SO FUN!  Finnean played softball, tennis, volleyball and basketball on the floor of Hilton Coliseum and even got to play with some of the ISU athletes!  He hit a round of mini golf before we headed outside to sweat it out! 

The highlight of the day was the obstacle course that the football team had set up.  Michael did a great job of capturing Finnean running through it.  The best part...he got to tackle REAL ISU football players at the end...

...before catching a touchdown pass from one of them.  Needless to say, they made this little Cyclone fan's day. 

This was the shot from my angle...I love his determination!  He looks so tiny but so mighty!

Hutchinson didn't do any tackling, he just played it cool. :) 
We will definitely be going back next year!!

Off to a good start!

We spent the weekend at Lake Okoboji (more on that later) and being away can wear us out, leaving the start of the week up in the air for how it is going to go.  We took it easy on Sunday evening, so I think that helped.  And the Packers won, that always helps!  Here is what we have been up to for the past couple of days.

Yesterday afternoon we headed to the zoo for a little exploring.  It was cool and everyone is back to school, so we had the place to ourselves.   Finnean kept saying...where are all the people!?  It was also about 3:45 when we got there and they close at five---it was perfect!  Finnean was so excited to see find this tiny wallaby eating his supper!

He really wanted to get on the wallaby's level!

Oh my goodness, he was SO cute!  We spent a solid ten minutes just checking this little guy out.

One of the best parts of being a member at the zoo is Member Monday and that equals FREE TRAIN RIDES!!  The boys were so excited because the black engine was working today and it is usually the red one.  Every time we ride, Finnean wishes it was the red engine that would take us on a ride.  So with a round of CHOOO CHOOOOS, we were off!

O my.  These boys have stolen my heart.  Look at those smiles!  We had so much fun exploring and just being together. 

Holy huge cat.  The lion, Deuce, was being super playful and running around his home, chasing the ball.  The boys thought it was so awesome but when he stopped to look at us, they were both kind of scared.  I was too!  It was kind of terrifying to look right into his eyes and also kind of sad at the same time that he isn't out in the wild.  He didn't look mean though, he looked really playful and excited.  He was panting from all his running around and kind of reminded me of a dog and looked like he was saying, "hey guys...wanna play!?"  He is only two years old, so it was fun to see him playing.  It was definitely a highlight of our zoo trip!  

My heart.  This boy is something else.  He loves nature and loves finding things in nature.  He was so proud of this cool, HUGE leaf that he found.  We had to take it home, of course! :)  A little preschool update on this little man...he is doing great!  He loves it and says that he "stays busy" while he is at school.  He is learning his friend's names and I found out today that some of his friends are struggling with listening at school.  I asked his teacher if Finnean was in that group and she said he is far from being in that group and is a really great listener!  YES! I am so thankful (that for now) he is a good listener at school.  He sometimes struggles with that at home...so it is nice to know that he listens to someone else! :)  I has started wearing his new jeans and tennis shoes to school with the weather change...ahhhhh!  I don't know if I can handle him looking so old.  He is something else. 

  

After all that exploring and a church meeting, I met up with a sweet friend (hey, Shelby!!) for a much needed mom's night out.  Dos Rios was the perfect spot for our date.  We sat on the patio and enjoyed the cool night while having some seriously delicious food!  Bacon and chorizo corn chowder, I mean come on!  It was so tasty and I wish that I knew how to make it.  I think that is going to be my fall cooking challenge!  The goal of Mom's night out is to talk about whatever we want to and recharge our batteries.  It was absolutely perfect. 

These boys!!  Please don't let their cuteness fool you, they are seriously up to no good.  A few minutes before they were being so cute at breakfast, Finnean got Hutchinson OUT OF HIS CRIB!  I am not sure how Finnean could even get him out.  Needless to say, I was very surprised when I heard TWO sets of feet pattering up the stairs this morning.  I am guessing this is just the beginning of their teamwork shenanigans. 

Today was glorious!  Rained off and on ALL day.  I can't remember the last time it was gloomy, so we soaked up some craft time this afternoon.  We had a kit from Kiwi Crate from a long time ago and finally got around to doing it.  It had all of the supplies to make a Space Mobile.  The boys thoughts it was SO cool to paint the stars, moons and planets.  It is now proudly hanging in our living room.  The boys just sat and looked at it for about 15 minutes after we finished it!  Hutchinson did a great job painting.  It is so cool to see his little fine motor skill developing and improving.  He did try to lick the paint brush a few times...silly boy!

While Hutchinson put any color, any where...Finnean was very deliberate about his painting.  It was neat to watch him decide which color he wants and then carefully paint it.  He would wait for that side to dry and then start over on the other side.  He loved that it kit came with glitter paint.  He added that to a lot of his work after the paint had dried.  Everyone needs a little sparkle, right?  We had a lot of fun and shared many giggles.  The fact that we have some new art in our living room is just a bonus!

I love the way the cool, fall air turns your cheeks pink when you are outside.  We went for a walk after dinner tonight and then spent the next hour playing football.  It is so cute to see Finnean make up plays or get excited when he makes an awesome catch.  Hutchinson even said "Hey Momma, play foo-ball?"  It was a perfect way to spend the evening.  Michael was on the road today and got back later than normal.  We were outside we he got home and it is so fun to hear the boys' squeals of excitement when he pulls in.  Michael added just another reason of why he is such a good daddy, he immediately put down his stuff and joined our football game-dress clothes and all. 

Hutchinson doesn't have quite as long of an attention span for football as Finnean, so he played with the dump truck, the "t ball" AKA tennis ball and spent some time being a cowboy.  His hat matched his track suit quite well! :)  It was a great way to wrap up our fun day.

  

PELLA!

We had an awesome weekend filled with family and friends. The weather here is absolutely perfection right now and we didn't have a lot planned...that always makes for some fun adventuring.  I will get that post up and going soon.  Here is a look back from a couple weekends ago when headed to Pella.

 

We try to meet up with Grandma and Poppa every once in a while in Pella.  We love George's Pizza and it is about half way in between.  We always seem to get there around Michael's birthday, this year we were a couple weeks late.  We had a great dinner and then went for our normal walk around the square.  Finnean chased squirrels and Hutchinson giggled.  We threw pennies and thanks to Grandma, we had some to throw.  The boys even pose for a picture, of course, Grandma and Poppa had Pella cookies for them...so that helped with getting them to stand still!  Finnean had a football and Hutchinson had a lion.  If you don't know what cookies I am talking about...drive to Pella and get yourself some! They are TASTY!

This picture cracks me up.  Finnean and Hutchinson have some interesting faces and Michael's shirt is covered in stickers BUT it was real life! :)

Bloomfield Fun!

Here is the run down on our Bloomfield Adventure in late August! 

Hutchinson was much more excited than his face suggests.  He LOVES going to Granma and Poppas but I can't get over that face.  He has been perfecting his grumpy face lately!  Soooo...I got a ladder out of a dumpster!  We went to Finnean's story time for preschool a few weeks ago and I noticed it in the trash on the way in.  Long story short, I texted Kelcee, she told me to DO IT and yada, yada, yada...we have a ladder in our living room.  It is freaking awesome and the perfect green.  Someone told me last night that they regularly see ladders like it for $100 at antique stores!  YES!  It is like I MADE money on digging in the dumpster.  Funny thing is, the first day of school Finnean tells Michael, "Hey Dad!  That is where Mommy got our ladder!"  We are going to be "that" family at school, hope he doesn't tell his friends!   After our awesome find, we headed to Bloomfield.  Michael was out of town for an extended period of time, so we packed up and headed for some Southern Iowa fun!  The boys spent most of their time reading books, playing Legos and of course, making laps around the living room with the dump trucks!  We also got to see Grandpa Stevie and the most awesome moon rise ever and we lunched with Grandpa Delbert, Aunt Mary and Sheridan.  It was so nice to get to visit with so many family members on our trip!



Friday morning we headed out for a little Amish Country adventure.  We hit the bakery and scored some yummy cinnamon rolls and stopped at the discount store to get some bulk goods.  I am attempting to make "healthy" granola bars for the boys! Then we headed to the Amish Auction.  Man, I wish I knew how they worked a little more.  They were sell sweet corn for 50 cents a DOZEN!!!  It is so neat to watch the process and this fall I am going to get me some mums there!  You in, Lisa?! The boys loved seeing the ponies and Finnean found some treasure (a super old ruler).  We ate fresh donuts and took inventory of all the yummy produce they had.  It is a neat environment and I can't wait to go back this fall!

 

All of that exploring made us hungry so we headed to "Grandma's restaurant" AKA Oasis in Bloomfield for lunch.  Finnean thinks that it is Grandma's, maybe because we only go their with Grandma?!  They boys actually ate their lunch so they got some ice cream! Crazy kids.



That evening we headed up to the square for Meet the Mustangs.  I did this when I was in high school, so it was fun to take the boys.  It is basically a  huge community pep rally for the fall sports.  We picnicked on the courthouse lawn and sang the fight song.  They got to play carnival games...thanks, Grandma!  Finnean loved seeing the football players and Hutchinson LOVED the band.  They preformed with the color guard and he was amazed by the flags!  They even had free sno cones, perfect for a warm, summer night!  And you just can't beat the sun setting on that beautiful courthouse.  We headed back to Ankeny late that night, as you can see the boys were PUMPED to go for a ride...

Thankfully they did go to sleep just outside of Ottumwa!  It made for a nice quiet ride home! They were so wound up because they just had a huge case of the giggles with Poppa.  I came out of the bathroom and the three of them were almost rolling on the floor because they were laughing so hard.  It was priceless!