Our Summer In Ames

I hope my kids will remember the 5+ months we spent in Ames. I know Justin and I have many fond memories.  I'm sure the last thing my parents expected was their 34 year old daughter moving back in (with her family of 5!), but all in all, I think we all had a good time.

Here are some of our favorite memories:

Tractor Rides

Roasting marshmallows on the campfire

Helping Papa with the garden and picking the produce:  blueberries, strawberries, green beans, potatoes, onions, corn, ground cherries...

Many trips to the pools in Nevada and Ames.

Trips to the Ledges.

Playing baseball in the yard.

Swinging on the tree swing.

Flying kites (and getting them stuck in trees).

Doing the monkey bars.

Eating lots of yummy baked goods from Papa.

Meals on the deck on the Dora table.

Doing chores:  Watering the flowers/garden, picking up sticks, dumping the garden bucket

Running through the sprinkler.

Chasing frogs.

Alena playing 7 Little Words with Grandma.

Caleb playing tractors with Papa.

The new red trailer made by Papa.

Picnics at Brookside Park.

Learning how to play Mexican Train, Chicken Foot, Kings on the Corner, and 7's.

T-ball through Ames Parks and Rec.

Riding down the ditches on the tricycles.

Early morning runs on the gravel under the moonlight.

Yoga in the park through Ames Park and Rec.

Summer fun with Kelsey and Addie.

Trips to the library; reading Junie B Jones books.

The mosquitos!

Creating crafts from Grandma's craft bucket.

Trips to Theisens, playing with tractors and eating popcorn.

We will be forever grateful for my parent's hospitality!  Not only did they open their home to us, they were so helpful with the kids, (and laundry, meals, watching sick kids, etc).  Thank you for these life long memories!

A few more pics:

NE Iowa Trip

I love weddings.  Years ago it seemed like we were going to multiple weddings a year, while our friends and cousins got married. Now, nearly everyone we know is married so weddings rarely happen.

This past weekend a friend of ours that we met in Iowa City got married.  We have known her nearly as long as we have been dating, as well as many of her family and friends. We knew we would have a lot of catching up to do with everyone so we decided to leave the kids behind with the grandparents and make the trip to NE Iowa alone.

Prior to Justin and I getting married, I loved going to weddings and getting ideas for our own wedding. Since being married, attending other marriages solidifies what we have.  I always get chills when I hear couples recite their vows. There is so much meaning behind those words and there is a reason that this part of the marriage ceremony hasn't changed. 

It was a beautiful day in a beautiful part of NE Iowa.  After the ceremony, we followed the party bus to a couple bars before heading to the reception in McGregor, Iowa. 

We have known these friends for over 10 years. They are the type of friends you see rarely but every time you do get together, it is memorable.  Our memories include countless trips on the gator with our path lit by the light of the moon.  Many cocktails.  Overnight stays in a cabin in the woods, where many games were played and lots of tears shed from laughter.  They always welcome us with open arms and were a little bummed we didn't bring the littlest Schaack's with us this trip.

Being with these friends is always a reminder of a friend we lost 6 years ago in a tragic work accident.  His widow has recently remarried and his little boy has grown up.  Although their lives have moved on, I'm sure Brent was on the minds of many people that evening.

We danced the night away, with a few trips across the street to the local pub to watch the Iowa game. The next morning we headed to Pike's Peak for a little sight seeing before starting the trek back home, picking up little ones along the way.

It was a much needed mini vacation, and as usual, great memories were made!

Twins-3rd Birthday

Wow, happy 3rd birthday to our little twins!  (I'm so sorry you spent nearly your entire second year of life living out of boxes and from home to home, but I'm SO glad you were able to spend your third birthday in our new home!).

We love the little people you are growing up to be.  I mention to many people how different you two are, but there are many similarities also.  You have learned so much over this last year and I love being able to sit and have a regular conversation with each of you.  One of my favorite parts of the day is laying beside your crib at night and having a deep conversation before you say it's OK for me to leave. 

Lauren: 

You are full of energy.  I keep saying we need to get you enrolled in gymnastics or dance to help expel some of that energy.  You have a huge personality and this shows whether you are sad or happy.  There are many tears shed by you daily but I'm hoping that will start to slow down.  Most of the time this is associated with being hungry or tired; or maybe it is because your brother is tormenting you. 

I have contemplated transitioning you to your little toddler bed but I'm just not ready to give up the crib yet.  I like knowing you are contained and can't walk out the room on your own in the middle of the night.  We have no baby gates and I don't plan on buying any. 

There are days where you eat so much and others where you hardly eat at all.  Pretty much a typical toddler diet.  You are, and always have been, my veggie eater.  Recently you've had a love for tomatoes and mashed potatoes.  There are some days you will eat steak and ham like it is going out of style and other days you don't care for it. 

You remain quite independent and want to do most things by yourself. You are a pro at getting dressed and putting your shoes and coat on.

You are Alena's little shadow and will do anything she does.  This includes being more daring that I would like.  It's amazing you haven't had more injuries than you have.  I'll never forget what happened a couple a months ago when you ran your forehead right into the picnic table at Papa's house.  I had to do hourly neuro checks on you because you hit your head so hard!  You and Alena play so well together and she often asks you to come with her to the neighbor's house to play with them. 

My heart melts the most when you and Caleb play together.  I love hearing you call each other by name and make up silly games to play.  I'll never forget one morning at Grandma and Papa's house when you two grabbed a couple flashlights and said you were looking for frogs.  You searched high and low in every room searching for those little creatures, (thankfully none were found). 

Your teachers say you are everybody's friend and a huge helper in the classroom.  You often want "uppies" when we are out and about and it's a good thing you are still pretty little.  You can still fit in all your 2T clothes and most of your 3T items are too big.  (Alena was wearing all 3T months before she turned 3). 

Your 3 year stats:  Height 38.8 inches (83%), weight 30 pounds, 10 oz (48%).  You grew over three inches in 1 year!

It's hard to believe you have been in our lives for 3 full years already. We love your huge smile, adorable dimples, and fun personality.  Happy 3rd birthday little one!


20 Birthday Questions:

What is your favorite color? Blue
What is your favorite toy?  Markers
What is your favorite fruit?  Watermelon
What is your favorite movie?  The Polar Express
What is your favorite TV show?  The "Teddy Show"  (I have no idea what this is)
What is your favorite thing to wear?  Dresses
What is your favorite animal?  Giraffe
What is your favorite song?  "Let It Go"
What is your favorite book?  The Cat Family
Who is your favorite friend?  Madison
What is your favorite snack?  Mac and Cheese
What is your favorite drink?  Ice cubes
What is your favorite breakfast food?  Donuts
What is your favorite dinner?  Mac and Cheese
What is your favorite place to go?  Theisens
What is your favorite game?  "I don't know"
What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Push my mower
What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas
What do you sleep with?  Zebe (Zebra)
What do you want to be when you grow up? A soccer player

Caleb:

Our little boy remains ALL boy!  I still love your excitement over anything with wheels, especially when we are driving and your eyes catch sight of a piece of construction equipment or trailer. 

You enjoy playing with your cars and tractors at home, "fixing things" and reading books.  Surprisingly, you would rather play inside than outside and you still haven't figured out how to ride your tricycle the correct way.  You'd much rather put your feet on the ground to get around rather than use the pedals.  I guess you are in no hurry to get a bicycle.  

Lately, you think it's pretty fun to torment your sister and will take something she had/wants and run away from her with it. This leads to her screaming, really loudly, and crying while she runs after you.  All we see is a little grin on your face during this whole escapade.

We've had to focus on nice touches lately, although you are doing much better (at school at least).  When you get excited or upset, you like to raise your little arm and hit.  I've caught you hitting random kids on the playground and even our grocery sacker!  I'm hoping this stage ends quickly. 

Your appetite seems to have disappeared. I was so worried for a while when you were little that you were going to be a little chunky, (even as I look back at pictures, I think "what a big boy you were!")  You are slimming down and are getting Justin's Ethiopian legs, which look adorable in your boxer briefs!

You remain our easy going, laid back little boy.  Your teachers say you are a great friend and always involved with any of their activities. 

You are still sleeping in your crib and have yet to make any escape plans.   You sleep well so we have no plans on making the transition to a big bed yet. 

Your 3 year stats:  Height 39 inches (81%), Weight 35 pounds, 13 oz (83%).  You also grew over 3 inches in 1 year!

You have the most adorable and contagious laugh and a huge heart.  You will hug anyone who is willing to hug you back and you always worry about your twin when she is sad.  Happy 3rd birthday Caleb William!


20 Birthday Questions:

What is your favorite color?  Red
What is your favorite toy?  Tractors
What is your favorite fruit?  Watermelon
What is your favorite movie?  Frozen
What is your favorite TV show?  Frozen
What is your favorite thing to wear?  Construction worker clothes
What is your favorite animal?  Cow
What is your favorite song?  Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
What is your favorite book?  Big Dig
Who is your favorite friend?  Hayden
What is your favorite snack?  Watermelon
What is your favorite drink?  Soda
What is your favorite breakfast food?  Donuts
What is your favorite dinner?  Pizza
What is your favorite place to go?  Grocery Store
What is your favorite game?  "I don't know"
What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Push my mower
What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas
What do you sleep with?  Tons of blankets
What do you want to be when you grow up? "I just want to be a boy"

We celebrated your birthday at Jester Park as I just wasn't ready to host a party at the house having only moved in a week before.  I am falling in love with this park and I know we will spend a lot of time there.  The temperature was perfect although I could have done without the wind. After cupcakes and ice cream, we spent the rest of the afternoon at the playground and dancing at the amphitheater.  It was a perfect little party!

What a Week!

Do you ever have one of those weeks where you look back and think "what in the hell just happened?"

Well this week is turning into that.  I have had every single emotion this week, and then some.  To say I need a couple cocktails, a large bowl of ice cream, and a vacation, would be a complete understatement!

The week started off with a bang as we sent our oldest to Kindergarten.  She did great and it was a tear free send off.  I'm glad I have 1,001 things on my mind this week to make it a little easier on me. The real bonus is she loves it!

(Add in the fact that we are commuting from Ames to drop her off at school and leaving work early to get her picked up.  Every evening we are coordinating this routine; it's amazing we haven't forgotten her at school yet!).

Early Tuesday morning, C woke up with a fever.  One twin down for the count!  Luckily Papa is retired and able to stay home to provide a little TLC.  Wednesday, Justin tackled taking A to school and getting C to the doctor, (in Des Moines!), where he was diagnosed with Strep throat.  Papa once again came to the rescue as he was in Des Moines and was able to take C back home for a little R and R.  Today marks the 3rd day he has been home sick and he still can't shake it.  I think this is the most sick any of our kids have ever been.  Stupid streptococcus!

Tuesday I also had to deal with a work issue:  I had to meet with the head honchos of a dialysis company due to allegations that were completely false.  Thankfully my manager and my physicians were behind me 100%, and I had all the documentation indicating I hadn't done anything wrong. (I've never been so thankful to have learned in nursing school the importance of good documentation).  You can believe I had a drink after this was all resolved!

This week, we also learned of another unexpected expense for the house.  Sometimes I feel like Justin and I have the worse luck.  What stinks is it is at the end of the project. We started off with an unexpected expense and now we are ending with one.  Regardless, this most recent expense is just going to have to wait.

Oh and did I mention that Alena started soccer this week?  In Urbandale!

I think with all of the above, Justin and I are just not experiencing the excitement we thought we would knowing we will be moving into our house tomorrow. Yesterday I stopped by after getting Alena and there were about 10 people in my house cleaning.  I wanted to scream "get out of my house" but instead I quietly shut the door behind me and left.  I'm really hoping when we move in, I will get that "this is OUR house feeling."  In my mind, I pictured that every little thing will be completed before we move but I know that is not realistic.  We have a short list for the builders that they promise will get done within the next month.  As I've mentioned before, we have been extremely happy with these builders and I have no doubt these things will be completed soon.

I'm assuming we will feel different tomorrow when they hand over the keys and we take our first real steps into our new home.

Let's hope for a smooth move, healthy kids and few tragedies, (aka broken items/dents in Sheetrock).  Once again we are so thankful for nearby grandparents who are available to help out. Three grandparents will be assisting with the kids while Justin and I help the movers.

(This is just my pity post as I know many other people have had a rough week also); a 3 day weekend cannot come soon enough for all of us.