Julie and Julia....I love it!

Here it is...another wonderful Monday, but thank goodness I do not have school tonight. It's a holiday week again, which means work could possibly be hectic. All I can say is that I am looking forward to spending New Years Eve with the Logan family across town.

We had an awesome time at Mom's house over the weekend. It is always nice to head out for Mom's cooking. There's just nothing else like it :) Kieran pottied twice in the big toilet while we were visiting so I am extra proud of him! We had some bad news as well...Mom lost one of her managers at work. Very sad news, but I believe he is definately in a better place.

Last night, Jared and I handed Peanut over to Grandma and Grandpa who went down to Haysville for fun and festivities with the Lewis clan. Jared and I headed down to Old Town and watched The Blind Side. It was an awesome movie! I was very impressed and it was a good story. We had some ice cream afterwards and headed back to the house.

I went to the OB-GYN this morning for my meeting with the nurse...medical history, etc. Next week I actually meet with the doctor and we should get to hear the baby's heartbeat. Very excited. And that brings us to now...we're watching "Julie and Julia" and wishing we could be awesome chefs. And eventually we will be. I keep telling my hubby to keep the faith. He will be a chef soon enough!

Merry Christmas!

Here's Kieran jumping on the four wheeler before Jared could get it out of the packaging, LOL!

Well, another Christmas Day has come and nearly passed which means I head back to work tomorrow to finish out the work week. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve last night. I got home from work safely in the nasty weather and got in a nice afternoon nap. Jared and I made Grandma Schulze's awesome pizza meatloaves and mashed potatoes for dinner. By the time we were done with dinner, we were tired, and Peanut was in no mood to settle down! Little man finally went to bed around 10pm.

My internal clock had me up at 5:30am, so I came out to the living room, turned on the heater to warm things up a little extra and just cozied up on the couch and watched "A Christmas Story." I put our breakfast casserole in the oven for breakfast (which was very yummy!!) and waited for my boys to wake up. Jared was the first to awaken on Christmas Morning. Kieran wasn't too far behind him.

Little man had bed hair, majorly, and was quite excited to wake up and find Santa Claus had visited. He especially enjoyed the Plex doll from Yo Gabba Gabba! We opened presents while the casserole was still cooking. I think Kieran had more fun with the little broom and dust pan we got him than he did with the four wheeler. He eventually ditched the broom and hopped on the four wheeler for some driving before breakfast :)

Santa Claus was awesome and brought me something extra special this year (besides the Ipod!). Jared managed to get a hold of a Santa DVD from KWCH-12 here in Wichita which featured Henry Harvey as Santa Claus and my favorite holiday friend, TOY BOY!! I had to put the DVD in right away, LOL. Santa and Toy Boy are my favorite! Thank you, Jared.

We had Christmas Dinner with the LeFevre's/Lewis' at Grandma Marcella's house. We had lots of yummy food and had a great time!! We even made sure Larry got his "Turducken," LOL...It was too much for old prego me, but everyone else seemed to enjoy it! Tomorrow we are traveling out to Independence to spend some Christmas time with Collin and Cassie and the rest of the family after I get off work.

It's been a great Christmas Eve/Christmas Day and I am extremely grateful for all of my friends and family that have made it so awesome. I love you all! Next year is guaranteed to be exciting since we will have "Peanut Number Two" to enjoy the festivities!

Monday, Monday

Another week is starting up and another weekend is quickly fading with the day's sun. I know that sounds odd, but my weekends are Sunday and Monday :) Jared's officially on furlough which means no more kid-shuffling on Monday nights and during the rest of the week. I imagine Grandma Jeanne will enjoy a break. The last month or so has been so hectic, but we DEFINATELY appreciate all her help looking after Mr. Kieran. We've been very fortunate to have her help!

Kieran is dipping into the "terrible twos." We started throwing temper tantrums and our toys. The fits are kept to a minimum and he is slowly losing all his toys, LOL. He has also been fascinated with running around with his cowboy hat on and his t-shirts pulled up so his tummy is showing. It's real cute!

We got the tile done on the dining room yesterday. All that's left is the moulding and the wallpaper border. That's as close as I will EVER get to putting up wallpaper in my house, LOL. The tile did go down easily. I did it all myself. We are looking forward to doing that in the kitchen as well. It is going to look really sharp! Kieran loves to run around on the floor and look out the patio door. I think we got his approval!!

I am calling to make an appointment to get our Christmas pictures and Kieran's 18 month pictures taken over next weekend. It's hard to believe how time flies! I am so ready for the holiday festivities to begin!

Tomorrow I start new hours at work, too. It's going to be interesting. The last time I worked with the closers was last Christmas and it was less than fun. I was so grinched out by the time Christmas Eve got there, I could have cared less if Santa did squeeze his fat, wide butt down the chimney!! LOL..btw, for those who don't know it, that was a subtle tribute to the best holiday movie ever...Christmas Vacation. Viva la Griswolds!!

October-2009!

Hey there! Sorry it has been so long since I have written! October has been an exciting and crazy month and I'm afraid it is only going to get better. I will make more of an effort to take care of the blog through November since we're coming up on the best part of the year :)

We took Kieran through the pumpkin patch at Cox Farm in south Wichita. He had a good time! He loved the hayride to the patch. They had a petting zoo as well. He loved the horses (imagine that!) and the goats and sheep. A sheep licked his hand though and freaked him out a little bit. It was fun picking out a pumpkin. Kieran had to kick every pumpkin. Eventually Mommy and Daddy helped pick one out and we got back on the hayride and headed for the car.

Aunt Brea and Nini came to visit a couple of weeks ago on a Friday afternoon. They got to spend some quality time with Kieran while Mommy had to work late. Before we knew it was Halloween week and we were getting ready for the holiday. I made popcorn balls for the first time and they turned out awesome! We made some other goodies to take to Independence as well.

Before we knew it it was Halloween! We drove out to Independence and had lunch with Nini and Brea and family and a walk around the Neewollah festivities, which was nice! We had some chili for dinner and headed to Fredonia for trick-or-treating. Kieran seemed to have a good time and I think it will be better for im next year when he is more vocal and ready to run with the big kids!

Our First Day with the Babysitter

Today was Kieran's first day with the babysitter who is going to see us through this month. Her name is Barbara and is very nice. She has a little boy who seems to really enjoy playing with Kieran which is nice. This is the first time he has been with anyone who wasn't a member of the family or a family friend. Mommy was nervous and anxious to get her hands on Peanut. We got home and crashed hard, LOL and enjoyed some well-deserved naptime. Now we are waiting on Jared to get home so we can enjoy the evening! I am really liking this new schedule!!

The Rehearsal and Big Event!!

Saturday night, Laura's family invited the wedding party out to their house for wedding rehearsal with their pastor. They live in a very nice, secluded home near Ryan and Laura's house. It was very nice and quiet--definately some welcome peace before the festivities! Kieran was able to play with Cousin Jack again and his friends including two cute Puggles named Snuggles and Puggles. Laura's Dad Larry cooked a fantastic dinner for everyone and we all had a nice time.

More pics from the Pre-Wedding Action :)

K actually sported a hat during a walk!! Kieran driving the ice cream truck...yay!

K and Daddy lookin' at the fishies! "I didn't do it..."

I just wanna touch 'em, Daddy!!

You will all have to forgive me because I'm still learning the ropes of blogging....my pics are all jumbled. The wedding page will be a hoot, LOL!!

Wedding Pre-Game

Kisses from Jack

This last weekend Jared, Kieran, and I traveled up to the KC area for Ryan and Laura's wedding. We stopped off for lunch at Casa Ramos in Emporia (I totally recommend it to anyone who wants some bitchin' Mexican food!!). The three of us also stopped by Ottawa and visited Grandpa Frank and Grammy Elaine for a bit. It was nice to see them both!! We got to spend the evening on Friday with Laura, Ryan, and Stephen (Jared's cousin from Dallas). Kieran was reunited with his "cousin" Jack the Pug and had a blast with him as you can see from the pics I am posting. I don't know who was more excited--Kieran or Jack!!

Saturday morning Laura cooked an awesome breakfast for us all and we all kinda split ways for the morning to run different errands and such. Jared, Kieran and I did a little sightseeing and visited Bass Pro Shops and Independence Center Mall up in Independence, Mo. Kieran got to ride in an ice cream truck at the mall and did not freak out, which was slightly worrying since that was what he did when Grandma Jeanne tried it six months or so ago...

September 11, 2001

Eight years ago I was sleeping with the sunshine beating down on my face as I was working the night shift back then. My Mom came into my room and told me that I needed to get up. She said she thought it was the end of the world. "Someone flew a plane into the World Trade Center." Naturally I was in shock and disbelief and it honestly took a minute for what she said to sink in. I went downstairs, looking out at the blue sky through the window in the living room. On ABC they showed pictures of the smoke billowing from the first tower. Mom and I just watched and listened, trying to make sense of it. Not too much longer we were watching when the second plane hit. It was then that it really sunk in. We were under attack. It was unbelievable. More and more pictures and footage became available as time went on. It was all we could talk about. Later that night when I went to work, my friend Jennifer picked me up and we talked about it all the way to Springfield. They even locked us down in our building so we couldn't be hurt. Some people didn't even come to work. A couple of nights later, they instituted a strict dress code which didn't allow us to wear anything which showed an affiliation with anything like a sports team.

My patriotism ran deep before September 11, 2001 and it was made even deeper by the attacks on New York, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania. I am proud to be an American. I am proud of those who died before us so we can live in this world. I am proud of those fighting to keep us safe everyday. God willing, something like this will never happen again. I just pray for all the people affected by those attacks.

Love and Loss-Making the Most of the Time We Have

It's another Wednesday on this Earth of ours. Life at my house is as similar as ever. Kieran's doing his afternoon thing--playing and I am doing mine when I have the chance...I am going to try to work on my paper today as well.

A lot has happened over the past few days. I got over my illness...still have some trouble being in that stinky cooler/deep freeze at work. We also traveled to Nini's house. It was nice to visit. The kids had a great time together. Collin and Cassie are wonderful cousins. Kieran had his first ride on a carousel with Mommy and Daddy. He also had his first ride on a train...well, sort of. It was a nice little train that runs around the park there in Independence. It was very exciting. Daddy only had issues with leg room. Sunday we visited Joplin, Missouri. It was nice to be closer to Springfield. I can't wait till we can go on an official visit!!

Monday we experienced a bit of a damper on the end of the weekend. We lost a dear member of the family. Karen lost her Grandpa. Though he wasn't technically our Grandpa, he always treated Brea and I like we were granddaughters as well. He was a wonderful man who would have done anything for anyone. He will truly be missed by us all and Karen and the rest of her family is in our prayers. His passing is a reminder to us all to cherish the time we have on this Earth with our friends and loved ones.

C'mon get down with the sickness...

Yeck, I have been sick for the past few days...nasty cough, temp, lots of snot...I just wish I would hurry up and get rid of it...I can feel it in my lungs...goodness I hate getting older...I say things like I feel it in my lungs, or I can feel it in my bones, etc. I still creak when I squat down and get back up again, LOL. Getting old is so much fun. And, by the way, I am NOT that old. Just old enough to creak and squeak. Don't know if I am going back to work tomorrow or not...still feeling kind of puny after trying to get back into the swing of things today.

A Brand New Day

Another weekend is nearly passed and I have found myself sitting here in the living room with Jared while Kieran naps. We had a somewhat busy day today. Went and ran some errands earlier in the morning and cleaned house, yay. At least it's done now, LOL. The three of us joined up with Lucy this afternoon and ran out to Towne East so Jared and Kieran could get fitted for their tuxes. Kieran's going to end up having to buy a tux as the smallest they rent is a size four and there is no way my little chunky monkey is going to be THAT big by September, LOL. They did slip a jacket on him and he looked so sweet!!
After our jaunt to the mall we came home and grilled up some dinner and now we're just chilling. I need to be working on my paper for school, but it so doesn't sound like as much fun as doing nothing!! I think we don't have very many calm days ahead of us. They're dismantling Sam's and we've got a full social calendar on the way. Yikes!
I reckon we will see what the evening brings!

Christmas in August!

Another Thursday is nearly gone and we are rounding the turn to the weekend. It has been a semi-long week. Jared's been plugging away out in the field and I've been cleaning like crazy at work. Only three more days of rotisserie chickens, though, so life is about to get better...in that respect anyway.
Yesterday I was feeling sentimental so I played Nat'l Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. I am SO Clark Griswold. I would love to have a fun, old fashioned family Christmas (I guess I have had a semi-old fashioned family Christmas) with the family now that we have Kieran. I'm not digging up a giant evergreen tree by the roots to display in the house, but I could conceivably think of "off-ing" an elderly uncle if he burned down the "symbol of the spirit of the Nolen family Christmas," LOL!! And well, the cast of characters comes into place just naturally. I love Christmas!
I may have to watch another Christmas movie tonight or tomorrow just to satisfy my hunger for all things Yuletide. It's going to be so much fun since Kieran will be older this year!

Monday, Monday

It was a nice weekend at our house. Saturday was a workday for Mommy and by the time I got home I was exhausted. Jared and Kieran cleaned the house and worked on the laundry while Mommy took a nice little afternoon nap. After naptime, we braved the furnace known as the outdoors and went out for dinner. We went to the mall afterwards and walked around and found Kieran a couple of cute little outfits. Okay, they weren't so little, LOL, but they were cute!
Sunday morning we made breakfast and took Kieran over to see Grandma and Grandpa. He had a blast! Grandma watched the little man while Jared and I went to see a movie and enjoyed some time together. Thanks to the Warren we managed to see two movies for the price of one! Definately recommend them both...G-Force 3D and Julie&Julia. It was funny to see a movie about a blog when I had just started one myself. J&J did inspire me to maybe look into a few of Julia's recipes and give them a try! It was an awesome weekend! We're looking forward to the coming weekends...Ryan and his fiance Laura are getting married in September. Our dining room will eventually be finished as well. And in October we are planning a little weekend trip to Springfield and we're thinking about heading out to Independence to go trick-or-treating with Collin and Cassie. We're winding down the summer and heading for the Fall! Yay!!

Today Kieran and I had company! Cousins Noah and Eli came to visit for a few hours this afternoon while their Daddy helped out with things at church. It was quiet at first, since Kieran was napping. We had about an hour of quiet playtime before Jared joined us on his lunch break. Right after Jared stepped in the door, Kieran made his status known and thus the fun began.

It is very cute watching the boys interact now. Noah is very animated and talkative and Kieran is kind of "grab and go" right now. So, they make an interesting pair! The pic above of Noah and Kieran reminds me of Karen and I when we were little. They are so handsome! I hope they will grow up to be as good of friends as she and I are now. Noah did potty in the toilet btw! What a grown up little guy! I can't believe how big Eli is getting too! I have nicknamed him "Littlefoot." It will not be too long before he DOES give the big boys a run for their money! It's going to be interesting watching them growing up together! :)

T.H. came and got the boys a little bit ago and Kieran and I are sitting here having a snack (milk and graham cracker sticks) and watching a little Golden Girls, lol. I am glad the week is nearly finished. Work is really taking a toll on my old bones!

The Beginning

This is the first time I have ever done this, but I thought to myself, everyone else is blogging, so why shouldn't I? So, I have undoubtedly given into peer pressure. I am hoping this will be an exciting and interesting blog, and maybe a little easier to mess with than Facebook.
Kieran and I had an exciting day today. We visited Grandma's office and Mommy got an adjustment. We had an awesome nap this afternoon as well. I am wondering, though, if maybe we shouldn't get a potty chair for Kieran since he is starting to show some interest in the potty.

Perhaps I am a little premature in that, but I don't think it's going to hurt to introduce him so he at least won't be scared of the potty when the time does come! Kieran has also taken to spinning himself around in circles until he is almost ready to fall down. The spinning kind of resembles his dance moves, lol, which he is also busy perfecting.

Jared and I are in the processes of finishing assembling Kieran's swingset. It is functional, lol, but we do have to swap a leg in order to attach the teeter totter. It was very nice of the swingset company to label their parts--yeah, right! It will be nice when it's all done and it is a constant reminder of all the things we want to do with the backyard. Jared's going to order a kill on the backyard pretty soon so we can seed it in the fall. It'll eventually look as awesome as the front yard!

The color picture I posted really reminded me of a the Carter side of the family...I definately see all sides of all the families but in that pic with his short hair, he sure does look like a Carter. I thought everyone would like those.