Getting Settled

Well, we are coming up on our 1 month anniversary in the new home.  It's safe to say we are still trying to figure out our routine, but we are getting closer.

In any house, whether you build it or you didn't, there will always be things you wish were different.  I'm sure after a few more months living here I'll have a short list of things I would have done different but thus far we love every part of it, (except maybe our master bathroom floor because I see the 100s of strands of hair I lose every day on it, but I still love it!).

We live in our kitchen, living room and toy/office area which I knew we would.  We've entertained a few times already and love this living space for entertaining.

We are thankful for the neighbor's pond and fountain which lights up at night and is quite peaceful from our front porch or Alena's bedroom :).

I've watched the sun rise every morning from my bed and our sunsets have been beautiful from our driveway.

There are no street lights in our neighborhood so star gazers could spend all night looking for constellations.  Caleb especially love looking at the stars.

I knew we would love our neighbors, and we haven't been disappointed.  The two older kids are over often playing and Alena rides the bus with their daughter.  A few neighbors have welcomed us with goodies and others we have met while strolling through the neighborhood.  (I'm looking forward to the get together this weekend where we will hopefully meet even more people).

One of our favorite places to visit is Jester Park. I can't believe I had no idea this was even here 6 months ago.  I love to run through the park, stop at the shore of Saylorville Lake for a little yoga, and then run home. It is incredibly beautiful and peaceful.  We finally checked out the outdoor play scape this past week and couldn't believe how close to the animals we could get.  I thought the kids would be itching to go to the "real" playground but they had a blast.  This park is beautiful and I can't wait to take the kid's pics in a couple weeks when the colors change a little more.

Justin and I both LOVE to organize.  In fact, if I wasn't an ARNP, maybe I would be a professional organizer. Not because I'm great at it, but because I love it.  Organizing an area is incredibly calming for me, similar to going out for a run.  We both like order and neatness and I would be lying if I said we haven't had mini arguments over who was going to organize what!  That being said, I haven't been able to organize EVERYTHING the way I want but at least things are getting into the correct spots and I can work on organizing later.  My next project:  A command center  in the office to organize Alena's school stuff and our master calendar.

It's very exciting to get in a new house but it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying new things for every room in the house.  I have really tried to back off from doing this.  There have been a few essential things we needed, like bar stools and place mats (I have messy kids!), but I have really limited many of the other purchases I'd love to pull the trigger on.  Our dining room table is beautiful and in excellent condition but just doesn't match our house any more.  However, that is one expense I will not be making for a long time so it will just have to do.  I do not plan to buy new furniture for our living room, mostly because we have 3 kids and although we limit food and drinks to the kitchen, messy hands can still make their way to my couch cushions!

I also told myself that I couldn't buy anything without selling some things. So back to the swap site I go and I've had pretty decent luck lately.  I've been using that money to buy little things I've wanted. Like a new rug (that will hopefully be in new week), new towels for the master bathroom, etc.

I still haven't made a single hole in a wall. I just can't bring myself to hang anything yet...

We are having family over for dinner tonight, celebrating A's birthday party at the house this weekend, and I am hosting BUNCO this month so I better get to decorating (or maybe I'll send out a warning to the ladies that my house is halfway put together?).

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!