Family Day at Koetsier's.

We spent a wonderful, sunny day at Koetsier's last Friday. We have a Perks card and with the promotion Koetsier's was running and the card the whole day was only $8 for the whole family. We had such a wonderful day. Here are the boys in front of a stack of pumpkins for the obligatory "in front of pumpkins to celebrate fall" picture. 

Reese was also planted in front of stalks and pumpkins for her obligatory photo.

The boys painted pumpkins. I think we will have to get some paints at home....have you seen my carpet? 

See that man? 

Yeah....completely whooped. 

That girl works her magic and he is smitten with that little angel face.

The boys love to "drive" anything with wheels. It is mildly annoying when they grab someone's wheeled walker or try to take a workers hand truck away from them. 

Cole

Logan

Off they go.....

round and round this empty lot they go. I could hear all these other kids screaming for their moms trying to get out. Not my kids. They loved "driving" away from me, off on their own with the wind through their hair!! "Boys, can you pick up some milk and paper plates while you are out?" 

More driving.....thanks, dad, for helping us. 

Nice job, Cole. You are a farmer. 

Way to go, Farmer Logan. You plow the back 40!

If you can tear your eyes away from the hot mess in the middle look up and you can see a metal, welded rooster. I. want. one. There is a hysterical website with a story and picture of a metal chicken. If you've seen it...Knock, Knock.......;)

There are 2 goats behind the fence and the boys were so cute "come here, goats! Stop eating and come here!" Yeah, not so much. You've seen mama when she's eating. Unless Bruce Willis is calling from the shower, I am gonna plow through what's on my plate.

One lucky mama! See the shadow/bulge on my neck---Hello, Goiter! 

We asked this girl to take a picture of us....ummmm.....thanks so much for the great picture. Is that us? Oh well, prolly better you can't see us. We were so hot and sweaty waiting for the hay ride.

Me and my girl. 

I know there will be times in the future where she rolls her eyes, lies to me and requires more money than I make in a month, but for this day, this one moment, her father and I are her everything. I like that moment.

The boys are showing off their voucher coins for a Culvers ice cream. 

My monkies. 

Sitting in front of more chickens. 

I swear, I can't get away from them. The birds, not the kids. 

Sometimes the kids. 

Sometimes the hubs too. 

We had a fabulous time and some great memories were made. 

mamma's bringing home some bacon!

I am finally back to work! It feels so good. I haven't worn a non-prego uniform or a polo to hide "the Jabba the hut flap" in a long time. It feels so good to wear a regular uniform. 

I love that you can see my belt buckle. In a non-rodeo sense of course. I haven't felt this good in a long time. I know it was a sacrifice financially but what I have gained can't be measured. The kids have a mom again and the DH has a wife again. I truly think that insurance should come up with some sort of policy to cover or partially cover helping reshape a woman's body after pregnancy. It's so much more than vanity for some of us. Thank you Dr Renucci!

Here it is!! The National Geographic Goiter! Yep, she's a beaute! Met with a specialist yesterday and he wants it out. So surgery number 4 will be very soon at Butterworth.  I swear I should have a punch card for these....4 surgeries equals gas for a year. 5 surgeries equals a trip to Traverse for a 2 nights....

Have you ever made cake mix cookies? 

A package of cake mix

2 eggs

3/4 stick of butter

add choc chips, nuts, sprinkles whatever

bake at 350 for 9-11 minutes. 

They are quick, easy and the variety is great.

More grilled pizza.....sausage and onion. 

Speaking of cookies and pizza-has anyone had any success with Weight Watchers Online?? 

What 8 bucks will get you......back!!

So.....I haven't posted in a while. Our card reader thingy broke and since it was not a basic need it got put to the bottom of the list. I didn't realize they were....8 bucks!! What? I never claimed to be smart! So, I'm back to blogging and posting pictures. Let's get caught up!!

Our sweetie pie Reese is 9 months old and just a doll. She is standing now, crawling all over and eating anything you put in front of her. Much to the uneasiness of her father! He's home with the kids when I go to work so he gets to see a bunch of her firsts!

The boys, as you can see, haven't changed their wardrobe at all. Undies all day long. They are fully potty trained and it's the best! 

They love to wear my flip flops and Andy's hats so I hit up the $1 bins at the craft stores for their own...it's a little more "Broadway Musical" than I thought (sequins and glitter, much?!)  but they are two....what do they know?

I love being back to work. It gives me people to make food for. This is a Banoffee pie. Toffee, bananas, whipped cream- so very delish. 

The boys love to vacuum- we must have just gotten back from somewhere because they are clothed.

My monkies! It looks a little bare in there....I am looking forward to sprucing up the place now that we have a great 2nd paycheck coming in. 

My Cozees are doing really well. I have had some great moms give me some real life practical feedback that I really appreciate and used it to make the product even better. I don't want just a good product, I want a great product. So that when your friend says "Guess what? I'm pregnant!" You say "Congratulations, I have the perfect gift for you!" 

Life is good right now. I am so happy to be back at work. Andy is doing great, the chickens are....chickeny ( i am so sorry there are no chicken pictures....just picture a chicken). The kids are healthy and happy and we are amazed everyday at them. Okay, maybe every other day....

I am looking forward a great fall! 

My website is up and running!

I am pleased to announce the launch of my new

 business and website. 

The CarSeat Cozee!!

"never drop their blanket again!"

www.carseatcozee.com

 

They fit perfectly in strollers, too!!

Come check my page out on Facebook and hit "Like" to become a fan and receive updates on what's new! 

Then head on over to the website and pick up a Cozee for a baby in your life!

"You won't find it on a registry but it will be the favorite gift!"

www.carseatcozee.com

No, no, don't get up.

Here are the boys waiting patiently while I cook them breakfast. They have their "phones" to call Miss Hope to let her know that mommy is making their breakfast of:

-hand grated hashbrowns soaked in salt water with a splash of white vinegar seasoned to their liking with finely minced onion, microplaned garlic, salt, pepper and parsley for color.

-"toad in the hole" with scrambled egg seasoned with salt, pepper, tabasco and a sprinkling of cheddar cheese

-perfectly crisped bacon

and 

-sippy cups filled with orange juice diluted to the perfect acidity with ice.

Anything else, sweet monkeys?

No? Oh, good because next I have to burn some hamburgers for your father. 

Because he can't say No.....

Hey, you uber stylish boys, whatcha lookin' at? Is the redneck circus in town? Logan James, where are your pants? What a hot mess....

Bert, what are you looking at?

OH! Well, looky looky. A cat in a tree. That's ironic....being as two firefighters live in the house in the yard where this tree lives. Why are we not laughing at the irony? Because that is OUR cat. Yeah, we got an indoor cat. We cat-sat these 2 cats for a buddy of Andy's and they decided to give us one....as a thank-you. (Next time I'll take the fruit basket.) No, one ran away and they didn't want just one so they asked if we wanted to have the other one. Sure.....sure. 

Thanks, Captain Obvious, we had no idea where it was. It was named Thunder (Lightning ran away...insert dumb, overused joke here.) and now it's named Tucker. 

Here, kitty, kitty. My brave firefighter husband decided to throw up a ladder and see if Tucker would like an escort down. Nope, higher and higher he went. *sigh*....

I decided to give it a whirl....

I know you prolly can't see Tucker but he's there at around the "11 o'clock" position...

Welcome back, Tucker....

We are super thrilled you are here. Next time, there will be no ladder. 

Don't try to be all cute and cuddle up to my sleeping, pantless children. (that sounds weird....)

Here's an update on the new baby chicks. They survived! They are growing and chirping and eating their own 50lb bag of special chick food. Super happy about that. 

Anyone want to buy a camper? 

We are gonna put it on the lot at General RV, they have a used section. We loved it but just don't have the time to invest in it right now. 

The boys love to use their tools to make random things. Andy and I are talking about redoing the deck and making it a wrap around and expanding it. Logan went and got his saw and started getting to work. Thanks, little monkey.

He's even got the saggy shorts thing going. At least he's wearing shorts!

Here's a quick pictoral update of the tummy tuck....I am in horizontal stripes! I went from a size 16 to a 10. Couldn't be happier with the results. 

Reese is obsessed with her jumperoo. She jumps and laughs for 30-45 minutes at a time. 

As some of you know, I am starting a new business. The CarSeat Cozee. I am in 3 stores here in town and so very excited about that. A very creative guy from church named Craig is making my website. He is doing a fabulous job. I can't wait to launch it in the next couple weeks. Here are a sampling of the Cozees that are in the stores. If you know someone who is pregnant keep this in mind! "It's not on any registry but it will be their favorite gift!" Sorry, couldn't help myself! 

The boys love to help with chores around the house, that's no secret. They love doing laundry. Here is Cole climbing up to pull the clothes out, wondering what Logan is doing. 

Yeah.....Logan is "talking" on the phone. That's Reese's baby monitor. He's "talking" to Miss Hope- our wonderful friend who is a very successful realtor. If you are looking to sell or buy Hope Kolker is the realtor you want! (Facebook her!) 

Notice they are back in their favorite outfits...just undies. We are potty training them and I have to say, I was so not looking forward to it but they really have far exceeded my expectations. I can count on one hand between the two of them how many accidents we have had. I am so proud of you boys!

Things are good here and nice and busy. I am hoping to start work this coming week doing what I have been doing for the past 11 years-Paramedic/911 dispatcher. I am so blessed to love going to work everyday. I know Andy is super looking forward to being home with the kids more as I get back into the workforce. Maybe this will be the pet form of birth control......it's either that or get used to climbing up ladders to get cats out of trees, Mr Fireman.