The Final Countdown

31 days and counting until we leave for Disney World!

Yesterday, Avery and I made a countdown calendar so she could visualize how many more days we have to wait.



Each day she will put another smiley face sticker over the next number and when they run out she'll know that we are oh, so close.

I'm not sure who is more excited...Avery or her Mom!

Pumpkin Patch 2008

Over the weekend, Ty, Kelly, Mady & Morgan came to town and we spent the afternoon together at another Pumpkin Patch. The sun was shining, it was a beautiful day.


I love pictures this time of year...the beautiful fall colors always add such a nice backdrop. We rode on a hayride out to the middle of a cornfield. We were dropped off at an entrance to a corn maze. After the girls led us through the maze, we ended up in a field of pumpkins.


It took the kids awhile to pick the "perfect" pumpkin...all the while the hayride driver was waiting for us patiently. They really enjoyed stomping on the pumpkins that had already rotted.



Finally, they all found suitable pumpkins to take home.



Even the guys enjoyed themselves, a little!



There was a fun playground and petting zoo with sheep, pigs, a miniature horse, ducks, peacocks, rabbits, and goats.









We ended the day back at our house for dinner and more playtime for the kids. Thanks for the fun day, guys...hope it's not too long before we can get together again!

8 Things

I was tagged by Jamie and Susie to give 8 answers to the following questions...

8 Things that happened yesterday:
1. I had to wake my children up to get them off to day care (not fun getting someone dressed that wants to still be sleeping)
2. Had a discussion with my good friend on the presidential debate from the night before (and we don't agree on everything and that's okay)
3. Worked all day (could list hundreds of things that I did, but won't bore you)
4. Took Austin to the Dr. (thought he had an ear infection, but PTL he didn't)
5. Stopped at Target on the way home
6. Had dinner with the family
7. Gave my children a bath (and I ended up more wet than they were!)
8. Wathed too much TV (see below)

8 Favorite Places to Eat:
1. At home w/my family (much less stressful than eating out)
2. Mom's house ('cause I don't have to cook and the food is delish!)
3. Carolyn's house (same reason as #2)
4. Hacienda
5. Logan's Steakhouse
6. Carraba's
7. Chipotle
8. Panera Bread

8 TV Shows I love to watch:
1. Desperate Housewives
2. Dancing with the Stars
3. Jon & Kate Plus 8
4. Lipstick Jungle
5. Survivor
6. The Office
7. ER
8. anything on HGTV

8 Things I am looking forward to:
1. The weekend
2. Halloween
3. Our trip to DisneyWorld (not sure if I'm looking forward to the drive though)
4. The holidays
5. Seeing Kevin & Heather again soon
6. When Austin is finally potty trained
7. The Cubs winning a World Series someday(whenever that may be)
8. Retirement (someday in the very far future)!

8 Things on my wish list:
1. Happy, Healthy Family
2. Strong Economy
3. A Minivan(can you believe I just said that?)
4. The Cubs to win a World Series!
5. A New Digital Camera
6. Less work, more play
7. A New Vacuum
8. For someone in a loving home to relieve us of our Cat (seriously-does anyone want a cat?)

People I tag:
1. Anyone who's reading that hasn't already been tagged.

Hot, Hot, Hot!

Indian Summer always comes along about this time of year. The weather was cold just a few weeks ago, and this weekend felt like summer all over again. We played outside in shorts and t-shirts and enjoyed visiting with all the neighbors again before everyone retreats inside for the winter months.






We made a trip to a pumpkin farm on Saturday. We'll be going again this coming weekend with friends, but needed to get some decorations for the front of the house.

We Think the World of You!

A dventurous
V ibrant
E nergetic
R isk taker
Y outhful

M otherly
A ware
D arling
I ndependent
S ensitive
O ptimistic
N eat


A thletic
U nique
S queezable
T alkative
I nteresting
N utty

C opy cat
O bservant
O rnery
P olite
E asy going
R espectful

Love you, Mom & Dad

Changing of the Seasons

Are anyone else's kids having trouble with the changing of seasons and their clothing? After a summer of flip flops and crocs, it's hard to get socks and shoes on their feet. Austin doesn't seem to like the long sleeves and Avery would still like to wear shorts outside. I don't even want to think about Hats and Boots.

Because they grow so fast, the kids' closets get a makeover with each season. Wish I could get a new wardrobe each year.

We broke out sweaters this morning for church and I think it's finally time to get the shorts and tank tops put away.

Fall is here! I'm ready for comfort foods, apple picking, pumpkin carving, and hayrides.

Boiler Up!

For the second Saturday in a row, Jon and I had a date with the Purdue Football team. And for the second Saturday in a row, Purdue lost, but we won't dwell on that!

Last weekend we were at Notre Dame, but yesterday we made it back to West Lafayette to watch the Boilers at home.

I love being on the campus during the fall. It brings back such great memories. All the way back to childhood, when my parents (both alumni) took my brother (also an alum)and I to Slater Hill to watch the band play prior to the football game and as recently as last year when I met all of my former roomates for a pre-game tailgate in the parking lot at Purdue West.

It's hard to believe that we were students there 10-14 years ago. We parked the car and walked hand in hand through Chauncey towards the Union passing all of the breakfast clubbers and snickering a bit. We've come so far since those days!

We walked past the fountain and over to Slater Hill and watched the band march into the stadium. It was a beautiful day for a game and it was a wonderful day with my hubby!

Acting My Age

So I'm driving home from work today, by myself in the car.
It's a beautiful day, I have the windows down and the music cranked up.

I'm sitting at a stoplight in the left turn lane with a car to my immediate right that has a 20something girl in the driver's seat.

I look to my right...I smile and she smiles back.

Only then do I realize that I've been singing along and head bopping to:
(wait for it)

Hannah Montana!!

Of course, the 20something girl was smiling at the 30something Mom driving in the car by herself singing every word of the Disney Channel teenybopper!

I'm Nervous

If I could for a minute...I'm going to talk politics without getting political. Is that possible?

If there's one thing I've learned in all of my management classes it's this:
Don't get involved in conversations about politics and religion with co-workers.
I can't say that it's never happened, but I try to keep professional and personal issues separate. If you've ever watched The View, you know how nasty it can get.

I suppose you can say that I would consider myself a Republican that could be easily persuaded to side with the Democrats.

I'm undecided right now and I'm sure many of you would be willing to share your thoughts with me for one side or the other. I'm not neccesarily asking for that.

I wouldn't consider myself a feminist, but I was proud when Hillary Clinton was so close to the Democratic ticket. I'm not one to vote for a woman just because I'm a woman, I was just proud that a powerful woman is recognized by her peers.

This is where I want to talk about politics without being political. The following thoughts aren't based on what the person believes about foreign affairs, or the state of the economy, etc. Maybe it's more about equal rights.

I'm nervous for Sarah Palin on Thursday night! Boy-that woman has received some bad press! Some of it is probably deserved (did you see Katie Couric's interview?).

I'm proud that a mother "who works outside the home" is in a position to potentially become the Vice President of the United States. I think that sends an awesome message to every woman in America and all of our young daughters whose future is uncertain.

I know firsthand that a woman in corporate america is still looked at differently than a man. If we are soft spoken, we are timid and meak. If we are too outspoken, we get labeled as a B*&$%.

Qualified or not is yet to be determined, but I hope Sarah Palin is getting prepared for Thursday nights' debate. She will be critiqued harder, she will be looked at differently, be expected to know more than her counterpart, and still be expected to look beautiful w/the right color of lipstick!

Couch Potato

Alright, I admit it. I've been a complete couch potato every night this week and I'm not so proud of it.

All of my favorite shows started the fall season this week and I've gotten nothing else done.

So far, I'm pretty happy with what I saw.

Dancing With The Stars:
Way too many nights of this for the first week. 3 nights in a row, but of course I sat through and watched them all. I love Misty May Treanor---not the best or most elegant looking, but man can she play Volleyball! Her partner, Max is nice to watch as well. Also love Lance Bass and Warren Sapp!

Lipstick Jungle:
Does anyone else watch this? I really like it and am looking forward to a full season. Love to see women in charge of powerful companies!

Survivor Gabon:
Jon and I have watched every season of Survivor and it never gets old! This is number 17. When are these people going to figure out that they are getting dropped in a remote place for the next 39 days? Why don't they show up in more approprate attire, like a sports bra & tennis shoes rather than skimpy bras, dresses & business suits?

ER (Final season):
Was anyone else sobbing during this whole show? I won't ruin it for anyone that has it on TIVO and hasn't watched yet. I will be sad when this final season is over.

Now just looking forward to Desperate Housewives on Sunday night.

Little Climber

I've been lucky that neither of my kids learned to climb OUT of the crib.

However, lately Austin has been climbing INTO his crib. It delights him so much!

I'm sure we'll be introducing the toddler bed in the not too distant future.

What's Going On?

As you all know, I love to keep up to date with my celebrity news (gossip, I suppose).

I saw this picture today and I'm stumped.

What has happened to Katie Holmes?

I really do think she and Tom make a cute couple, their daughter is beautiful and I hate that people are always pickin' on them.

But lately, everytime I see a picture of her, her hair gets shorter and shorter. Now, it's got the same feathered look as Tom's hair. Or is that really Tom in the picture?

I'll give her the benefit of the doubt that it might just be a bad hair day, or bad photo angle or something.

When It Rains It Pours

I work with 16 hotels all throughout the Midwest.

Right now, the economy isn't so great...people aren't traveling as much...companies are cutting back on their spending...families aren't vacationing like they used to.

Three of my hotels are actually performing exceptionally well this year! They are on their way to record setting numbers, hotel of the year awards, etc.

Then it started raining:




And raining, and raining, and more raining. The river crested and now our parking lot looks a lot like Lake Michigan.

The city mandated that the hotels be evacuated, the power shut off, associates sent home. This is not good for Guest Satisfaction Scores or Revenue Generation.

Hopefully the sun will be shining brightly in the very near future!

**Update-many have asked about the whereabouts of these hotels. They are located in Hammond, IN (Northwest IN) and are in no better condition 3 days later-we're hoping to be able to get back in by early next week. What a mess**

40 Years and Counting

Happy Anniversary to my dear Mother and Father in-law!



40 years...what a milestone and a wonderful example to all of us.

Thanks for being wonderful parents and grandparents to our family.

Must See Movies

I don't get out much. To see movies, that is.

There are two coming out that I would love to see. *NOTE-probably don't watch these trailers with your kids within earshot*

I love George Clooney and Brad Pitt together!! Big Ocean's 11, 12, 13...fan.
This looks hilarious.
BURN AFTER READING


Let's say we get a bunch of us gals together and go see this chick flick. I love all the ladies in the film and the music is great too!

THE WOMEN


The next several weekends are shaping up to be pretty busy, so maybe I won't get to them until they are out on DVD. In any case, can't wait to watch them.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

Our baby is turning 5 today!

What a sweet big sister and loving little girl.

We can't wait to see what the next 5 years brings.

We love you!

BARBIE-Q

Over the weekend, we hosted a Barbie-Q in honor of Avery's 5th birthday.

Good food, Great friends & family, and Gorgeous weather.





We now have many more little tiny Barbie pieces to keep track of, and many more wonderful girly things! I think I'm just as excited about the girly toys as she is. I loved my Barbie's when I was little--I'm so glad she enjoys them too.



Don't all the kids look like they are having a ball? :) It's so hard to get everyone smiling at the same time.

Thanks to our family and friends that were able to come...we love and appreciate all of you!

I'm Ready...Are You?

I love this time of year!

I remember on fall Saturday mornings being awakened to the sound of the Boilermaker Special coming down Northwestern Avenue blowing it's horn.

I remember many tailgates on Slater Hill over the last 20 years listening to the band's pre-game show.

I can recite the "I AM AN AMERICAN" speech played in Ross Aide Stadium before every home football game.

I love the atmosphere surrounding College Football.

Team pride, fall weather, tailgating, fight songs, the band, the team running out onto the field...

Tomorrow, the Boilers kick off their first game of the season.

Our flag will be flying. BOILER UP!!

My Kind of Town...

Chicago-what a great city. We live so close, but just don't enjoy much that the city has to offer. Well, we checked a few more things off of our list over the past weekend. Enjoy some of the highlights:


The kids' first train ride on the South Shore


What an easy way to travel to Chicago


Hotel Shenanigans...you'd think I'd know better since I work in one!


The view of Lake Michigan from our hotel room.


Navy Pier. We had dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.


Look at that skyline!


The Runners...Nike+ Human Race 10K. Way to go guys!


The Grandkids w/their Grandpa and Grammie


The lost flip flop--found 3 blocks from the hotel 12 hours after it was first reported lost.

Happy 9th Anniversary Babe!

I wonder what God was thinking
When He created you
I wonder if He knew everything I would need
Because He made all my dreams come true
When God made you
He must have been thinking about me
-----words by Newsong featuring Natalie Grant