Geocaching..... on Christmas

Eric had a little trouble with this one. It required Riley's assistance to retrieve so Eric could sign the log. Rule one of geocaching: carry a step ladder or always take a kid with you. :)

Eric and Riley at the point where the earthquake struck in April. Yes, it's a geocache, called an Earth Cache. Had to do a few caches with Eric's new gps. Plus, he got a Signal the Frog toy. He's either been really good this year or somehow fooled Santa.

Birthday Fun

Yesterday was Nolen's birthday party. Here he is playing basketball with Grandpa. I'm not sure who had more fun.

In case anyone needs any last minute gift ideas, Riley and Alexis seem to really like playing with baby toys. They were playing with some of the toys that Nolen received.

Church Christmas Play

Today was the Christmas play at church. Brody had the honor of playing baby Jesus. Here he is with Mary (aka Sarah) and Joseph (aka Ray). The kids all did a wonderful job!!

Riley's Christmas Program

Riley is the kid with his hands over his eyes.

Riley is to the right of the girl in the yellow shirt.

Santa showed up after the kids had their program. This is as close to Santa as he would get. It's alot better than most years. Each year we take him to see Santa and he cries and won't even come near him. He even got a present, a book. As we were leaving, he asked me "where's the reindeer & sleigh at?" I'm thinking where'd this come from? So I tell him that they are out back hiding from everyone. We repeat this process and he finally accepts my answer.

Remembering the 80's

The boys are playing with construx this morning. Yes, the construx in the cooler are Eric's from back in the day. The two smaller boxes came in the mail this week. Guess someone wants to relive their childhood. :)

Motivational Posters

Thanks to my friend Heidi who posted this site on her blog today. So I went there and found a few that I really liked. I invite you all to go visit them and see what you find.

Pumpkin Cake

For those that are still looking for something to make for Thanksgiving.... This cake is delicious. I just made this yesterday for a church meal today. Here's the recipe:

2 c sugar
1 c vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
2 c flour
2 c pumpkin
1/2 c chopped nuts (optional)
Mix all ingredients together and pour into a 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until done.

Icing
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 stick butter, softened
1 lb powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Mix cream cheese, butter and vanilla together. Gradually add powdered sugar. Spread icing over cool cake.
Keep refrigerated.

Say What?

I was going to get supper last night on the way home. Riley wanted McD's. So we headed there and the drive thru was backed up to the road. Me, being the impatient type, didn't want to wait. Riley suggested we go to the "other McDonald's." I'm like what? There's not 2 McD's in Olney. I decided to go to BK and pick up supper. Riley informs me that this is the other McD's. Ohhhh I get it now!
He also said today that ice cream is "kind of cold." What will he come up with next?!

Bored....

Okay, I'm bored this afternoon. I took a few pics of the boys. Here is one of Brody. He's been rolling from his belly to his back. Hasn't figured out how to go back to his belly yet though!
Oh yeah, we are pet-less again.

Four Months

Brody loves his cartoons. He was watching TV this afternoon in his big brother's chair. I'm surprised Brody watches TV. Riley didn't like TV much when he was a baby.
Riley was out building a dog house with Dad this afternoon. We're having a hard time keeping Jack (the dog) at home. Jack keeps wandering off to the neighbors house. Once we get a collar that fits, we ought to be able to keep Jack at home.

Riley's dog

Riley is the proud owner of a dog. He promptly named it Jack. Not sure where that came from, but it's better than calling it dog. (Our cat is named Kitty.) It showed up at a neighbors house a while back. They didn't want to have 2 dogs and asked if we wanted it. Of course, Riley had to have him. So this is Riley and his dog Jack. We'll see how long he sticks around.

Halloween

Brody was a horse & Riley was a transformer.

Brody, Riley, Brandon the prison inmate (or escapee), Alexis the cheerleader & Nolen as Blue from Blue's Clues. Everyone had a good time trick or treating. I'm sure they all got way too much candy!

Cache Slash Fest 2008

Riley with Signal the Frog Travel Bug.

Eric with Signal the Frog Travel Bug. There were several cachers at this event today. Some from Kentucky, Wisconsin, Indiana and Missouri as well as Illinois, of course. It was Survivor themed. They had some interesting games. Audrey and Riley's team were eliminated after the first game. Eric's team lasted a little longer, but didn't make it to the final round. We all had a good time!

Our Trip

We left Riley and Brody with my grandparents. Here they are ready for bed. Grandma seemed to have more pictures of Brody. This is the only one she took of them together.

Eric is at where Moses struck the rock. Okay, this may not be the exact location, but it is a geocache with that name.
And to prove that I was really in Cape Girardeau, here I am in front of Fort D. We spent most of our time geocaching. Finally broke the 200 mark too!

Three Months Old

Brody is 3 months old. Everyone loves his dimples! He had fun at Family Fun Night too. He got to laugh at the Dr. that delivered him.

Family Fun Night

Tonight was Family Fun Night for the kids at Riley's preschool. Here he is painting a pumpkin.

They also had a petting zoo. He got to pet a pony & a rabbit. They also had chickens, dogs & a kitty.

Boys

Riley and Brody posed for a pic last Sunday. Riley really likes helping take care of Brody.

Two Months Old

Brody was two months old yesterday. No, this picture was not staged.

Future Farmer

Riley had fun driving the tractor this evening with Great-Grandpa Mewes. Thankfully this tractor is customized! Grandpa does the driving, while Riley thinks he's driving. :)

Moonshine, IL

The Moonshine Store. Come early if you want a Moonburger because Helen shuts the grill off at 12:30. There was a geocaching event and a motorcycle event going on. Oh yeah, and we shattered the old record of 712 burgers. There was 858 burgers sold today.

Check out these lovely pink ammo boxes. Eric was lucky enough to win a regular green ammo box. Riley won a prize too. He has even tore it up already.

Mug Tree

On the way to the Moonshine event today, we had to make a stop to get a picture. Riley and Eric posed with the Mug Tree.

Update

Hopefully I am doing this right. I guess we will see soon enough.

 

The family is doing good here. Donnie and Autumn are back to school. Autumn seems to be adjusting a bit better. She really loves her teacher! Donnie is still getting used to his class but is doing great. I think it is because Donnie's class size is bigger than Autumn's. Not to mention the fact that Autumn is in preschool 1/2 day and Donnie is all day first grade. Donnie has started soccer. He is so good at it and loves to play! Autumn will be able to play in the Spring. Donnie is in a more competitive group this year and they travel in the fall. I wasn't sure how it would work out with 2 kids in soccer since they would be in 2 different age groups. They don't travel in the Spring so it will be easier for me to have them both in soccer. I am still looking for an activity that Autumn absolutely loves. I may take her to the music store and she if she is more musical than athletic. She didn't want to do ballet again.

 

John is busy working as always. He is also taking classes so he can get his bachelors degree. I am so glad that the guard pays for that! Poor guy is always going. Whenever he gets free time he goes riding on his motorcycle with my Dad. I try not to nag him about all the unfinished projects he has at home. It's really hard at times.

 

I have been enjoying a bit of free time the last couple of days. I have 2 1/2 hours of peace and quiet while the kids are both at school. It makes it nice to get cleaning done in the house or to enjoy a good book. I love to read!! I have really been enjoying the Summer Olympics. I am still pretty behind in watching them but they are all recorded so I can fast forward thru anything I don't really want to watch. Well, I have probably bored you guys enough. Have a great day!! Amanda

Swimming Party

Riley went to a swimming party this evening. He liked playing in the big mushroom. He also found someone's noodle and had fun with it. Water was too cold to be swimming though.

Wii Party

Randy, Dale & Eric attempting to play Rock Band.

Randy & Eric playing Rock Band. Riley was having a good time.

We finally got Amy to sing with the band. Now she wants to get Rock Band. She loved singing.

Summer Fun

This is my photo for the 5 Minutes for Mom Summer Fun Photo Contest. Riley and Alexis had just got done swimming and had to take a ride in the gator. Still in their suits and wrapped up in their beach towels.

Redneck Tailgate Party

Driving home from church one Sunday, this is what we saw. Two guys eating their lunch on the tailgate of a truck. If you look closely, the truck is sitting on a trailer hooked up to another truck. Sorry for the bug splatters and antenna, but I took the photo from my van in the passenger seat. :)

One Month

Brody is one month old today. He has his airplane outfit on just for Grandpa.

SMART Cars

Here we were walking down a street in Paris and I saw this car. I told Brenda to take this picture to show the size of these cars. I have seen two here in Clarksville, TN. You can actually back this car into a parallel spot (Hood of the car facing the road).

In the Black Forest

Here Cory and Brenda try on some hats after we visited the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

Here we are in Paris...

Chad, Brenda, Cory & Brian