Memorial Weekend Memories

We started our Memorial weekend a little early this year. We headed out of Lincoln on Thursday after work with a trailer in tow...full of 4-wheelers. A family friend towed our camper for us and yet another family towed our boat. I think we ended up with enough toys for everyone! Our mission: 4 nights/3 days of camping at a new campsite for us, Harlan County by Alma, NE.

I lost track of how many families we met up with there...I will try to remember, but forgive me if I forget someone! From Lincoln, us, Branch's, Whitmore's, Guernsey's (my sister), Emily Wyatt, Cooper's and Whiting's (SIL); from Omaha, Sara Kelsey; from Gothenberg, the Wyatt's; from Ogallala, the Jones's; from KS, Cramer's (my sister.) And a friend of a friend from Denver. In all, there were over 20 kids, CRAZY!!!

I am not a "born camper" but my husband is and my kids love it too. I enjoy it for the most part, though at this stage in our lives (with such little kids AND being 7 months pregnant) it was a lot of work. The weather could have been worse, but I was wishing the water would have been a bit warmer. I spent the two 90+ degree with 25+ mph wind days under the shade of our new "Easy Up" constantly counting kids heads, catching up with my family and friends and working on a cross-stitch picture for the new baby. The third day was more bearable, in the low 80s :o)

The boys had plenty of recreational time, exploring the trails on their 4-wheelers, fishing and tubing. All in all it was a great trip, with plenty of new memories. Definitely the biggest group we've ever camped with and we would definitely recommend the campsite. It was the perfect meeting ground for all of our families.

Kennedy helping Daddy make some eggs for breakfast the first morning.

Trying out the new picnic table I found for them at a garage sale this spring!
Little Kennedy and Miss Ellie Wyatt....these two were so cute together!

We spent HOURS at the park in the camp. There was good shade and good fun. The kids took turns burying each other in the sand. Here it was Addison Wyatt's time. I'm still trying to get all the sand out of the girls' hair!

The water was a bitter 55 degrees, brrr! Too cold for my toes but it didn't faze the kids much!
Corbin, Kyndal and Tucker Wyatt playing on the beach.

Kennedy and Addison playing with the beach toys.

Kyndal, dumping a bucket of water on herself. Bet that was refreshing!

Kyndal and Tucker Wyatt teasing each other.

Kyndal and Addison exploring

Ashlynn, Corbin and Kennedy in the tubes; Kennedy is NOT a happy camper here!

Corbin trying to reel one in!

A nightly ritual of s'mores. My kids didn't make it long past this each night, they were begging to hit the sack every night. They never do that at home LOL!

More chocolate please!

Cowgirls Only!

Kennedy moved downstairs with Kyndal about a month ago when we found bunkbeds for them. I've been spending much of my free time this spring making things and shopping for deals to dress up their room....cowgirl style. It's hard to see the colors and detail in the pictures, but we love how it turned out. I have just a couple finishing touches left, but it's close enough to done to count!

I mixed the girls' favorite colors (pink for Kyndal and yellow for Kennedy) and it turned out pretty adorable. Now I need to turn my focus to the baby room and getting everything ready. Nesting?!

I found the pink paisley material at Hobby Lobby and made the curtain. I'm not handy with a sewing machine, so the fabric glue I've discovered came in handy! All the little wall hangings and picture frames on the dresser were from there too....I scored on a half price sale! You can't see them, but there are also little yellow stars on the dresser knobs.

The hats I found for a couple dollars each at Goodwill!
And the pencil cups were from HL. Kyndal especially loves the new horse border that wraps around the room.

I was hoping to run across some old horseshoes to use but didn't have any luck. So I bought some new ones from the Tractor Supply Company and painted them yellow and pink.

The stick horses were from the Dollar Tree!

My favorite part is how their wooden names turned out. Kyndal insisted that they be hung by their beds and it turned out to be the perfect spot. I was worried that they would mess around with them, but they've done a great job of keeping their hands off.


I stole the idea from my SIL of using some of the leftover paisley fabric to dress them up and ribbon to hang them. Definitely helped personalize the space. Thanks Erika!

Little Picassos

Last Friday evening Casey headed to Omaha to Rockfest and Kyndal was invited to a slumber/birthday party. So the two little ones and I picked up Subway and headed to Pioneers Park to eat (re: play). They never did eat their sandwiches! Note to self: let them eat in the restaurant where there aren't swingsets and sand calling their names!

I forgot my camera, but they had a blast playing and burning off built up energy; it was a perfect night!

I've been trying to squeeze in some time with some little projects to re-decorate the girls' room and the new baby's, so when we got home I broke out a craft. I use old birthday party plastic tablecloths whenever we do play-doh and paint (or anything messy) and it's so easy to clean up.

After the park and painting, the three of us crashed on the couch to watch Finding Nemo together. The free snuggles made my day complete!







While they had fun with water paints, I worked on some painting for the baby room. Here's a sneak peak at the theme. (More to come in a later post.)

Top 10 Reasons....

This post idea came to me while working out today. It's more for keeping me motivated more than anything...but maybe it will inspire you too!


Top 10 Reasons I Work Out (even when I don't want to!)

1. I'm scared not to. Literally, in my profession, I have read the obesity studies and stats and I don't want to go there.

2. I feel better afterwards. Not always right away, but I know it makes a difference.

3. For my kids. I want to be a good example and I want them to be healthy and active.

4. I have to. How can I be a Health and Wellness Director and NOT take care of myself in this capacity.

5. My pregnancies and labor's haven't been as difficult. True, I can't compare it since I've worked out up to and including the day of delivery with all 3 kids, but I'm going with my gut on this one. Now before you think I'm some fanatic, I'm talking moderately active, just getting my heart rate up and breaking a sweat...I have a baby to protect!

6. I enjoy it. Sometimes. I really enjoy sports...too bad they're so hard on my body!

7. For my health. Not just to avoid obesity, but heart disease, cancers, diabetes, etc.; and to be stronger if I am stricken with one.

8. Ice cream. Yep, I love it....and I don't feel AS guilty when I eat it every night.

9. Energy. It truly does create more energy. When I go a couple days without being active I feel like a major slug.

10. My kids. Oh, did I say that one already. It's that important...stats are bad these days and this generation is in trouble. I want to model good behaviors, and I want to be around to enjoy my grandkids.

Grab some shoes....let's go for a walk.

Baby "H4" Update

I haven't posted quite awhile on the little one that is growing by leaps and bounds inside me, so it's time for an update! I have just entered the final trimester and have some mixed emotions. Though I have moments when I look forward to shedding the baby weight and getting back into my "normal" clothes, I'm more often finding myself sad that I'm sure this will be the last baby I carry. You would think I'd have my fix after having four! Funny, I never imagined I would have more than two kids; in fact though I always figured I would have children I couldn't imagine me being a Mom. And now I know it's the greatest gift ever! I am not going to lie and say I love every moment of being pregnant; I have my share of complaints (that mainly only my husband hears.) But there's a connection, a bond there, that is just unexplainable. It just makes me honestly sad that it'll be the last time I will experience it...

This last month I have totally "popped out" and there is no mistaken the bump now. At least once or twice a day a Y member approaches and asks the due date. The little one is very active, I can feel it's head on my right side. It has been sweet to watch the excitement and anticipation on my kiddos faces when I tell them "Baby is moving!" They rush over with outstretched hands and beaming faces. Now they can also see when the little peanut punches and rolls around as my "bump" under my shirt goes crazy!

We still aren't sure what type of delivery looms in the future. Kyndal and Corbin were born with no complications and labor was pretty quick with both. Kennedy was lying sideways so she was a planned C-section. My doctor surprisingly to me has mentioned I am a good candidate for a VBAC. Though I would love the extra two weeks at home for cuddling, we will likely plan on the VBAC if this one is positioned right.....though I can tell so far that the head isn't down.

Finally, to answer the obvious questions that I hear daily:
What is your due date? August 5th
What are you having? We have chosen to wait to find out with all of our babies, only God knows!
Names? We have a list....I'll give you a hint though. It will start with a "C"!!!

Growing and Learing

Recently some of the first grade teachers at Kyndal's school put on a Math Night and a Literacy night for the kids. She was disappointed that she couldn't go to the Math Night---she had 4-H the same evening and it was her turn to present the lesson. So she was super anxious to get to the Literacy night!

When I walked outside to find her to let her know it was time to go, I was surprised to find the rest of my family busy planting some free seeds they'd gotten for Kids Club from our grocery store. They were sooooo excited! We have talked several times about having a little garden but never followed through. I have not just a brown thumb, but a brown hand :o) I have a hard time growing things! We'll have to see how these guys do at it!




After they finished "the planting" it was off to Roper for Kyndal and I! We had fun trying out many of the activities and deciding which ones she would like to have copies of for home. I know it won't last forever, but she loves doing homework and activities like this at home.

Bunkin' In

Kennedy has officially moved in with Kyndal. To make room for baby (in early August) we booted Kennedy from her upstairs room to share a room with Kyndal in the basement. We finally found some decent bunkbeds that were affordable and I painted the room a few weeks ago. I still have lots of decorating to do, they want a horse/cowgirl theme, but since we have all the furniture we made the big move. The sooner, the better, since we want her to get comfortable down there before she sees the baby taking over her old stomping ground!

I also moved all of her toys down to the toy room, and took the opportunity to purge some things that aren't used in there to give away to an upcoming church rummage sale.

They aren't really sleeping, just pretending!

The move wasn't the best timing as Kennedy got sick (fever/cold/sinus infection) the next day, so we're still trying to get her to stay in her own bed.This is where she still prefers to sleep....Mom and Dad's bed!