A camping we will go

I realized when I updated yesterday that I never put our 4th of July weekend up on line so here it is.

Thursday the 3rd we packed up the van & went tenting at the Adventureland Campgrounds. This was our 1st solo camping trip. After we pitched the tent & unloaded everything, we sat back & watched the kids play with some outdoor games we brought. Since Prairie Meadows fireworks were that evening (which we had a great spot to watch) my parents & our great friends Heather, Jake & their little on Zack came for dinner & watch.

Friday the 4th both kids hit a milestone they are both two wheeled bikers.

They both started out needing help getting started & by noon they didn't want us around touching their bike while they were riding. We hung out around the tent most of the day, we also visited the pool. the water was pretty chilly so I opted to sit out & just enjoy the sun (someone had to take the pictures), fished & played at the park. At the park the kids played on the same playground equipment that Matt played on 25 years ago when he came camping with his dad. Of course Emmersyn & Bryceton rode their bikes everywhere.

Saturday the 5th was another awesome weather day. We made our way to the pool for an hour along with playing around the campsite. We then dropped the kids off at my parents so they could go to a birthday party. Matt & I headed back to camp where we were board so we took a nap in the tent. It's pretty sad when the kids weren't around we didn't know what to do with ourselves at the campsite. We decided to go out for dinner at the "Big Steer" restaurant, my favorite in town. We went back to camp, but that was short lived, so we headed home (5 minutes away) & watched the Nascar race on TV. After the race back to camp since the kids wanted to camp out our last night & my parents were going to drop them off. They arrived at the tent around 10:45 pm just in time to go back to sleep, they did enjoy waking up in the tent & eating breakfast.

Sunday we packed everything up & headed home. What a wonderful weekend we had. I did figure one thing out. It takes a lot of energy to rough it these days. I also told Matt that if we are going to camp on a regular basic, when we can afford to... we want a camper that way I can leave some things packed when not in use. We can't wait until we camp again.

We'll see down the road if that happens, until then "a tenting we will go"

Happy 9th Birthday

Matthias we all want to wish you a very Happy 9th Birthday.

Matt & I were so excited to hear of your birth at our wedding &

how special are we to share this day with our 1st nephew.

As the years seem to fly past we watch as you grow up into such a young man.
We can't wait to see you this weekend!!

Love
Uncle Matt, Aunt Danette, Emmersyn & Bryceton

Happy 9 years!

Today Matt & I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary.


Like any other weekday Matt went to work & I home with the kids tackled house work & laundry. This evening we decided to go out to eat (with the kids). So we all dressed up & headed out to a restaurant , then Matt & I realized that we should have taken my mom up on the babysitting offer that she handed us.

Dinner was quite entertaining as usual, within 5 minutes of sitting down we had to visit the rest room, then the kids didn't want to eat so they played with the chopsticks & food that was in front of them. Then we headed to the restroom yet again. We all ended up having a wonderful time, with just a little craziness intermixed. The kids told us they enjoyed taking us out for our anniversary. How sweet, now if only they paid too. (just kidding)

While watching the news we started talking about .... 9 years ago at this time we were vacuuming saltine crackers out our bed thanks to some men in our wedding (not naming any names..a Mike R. from Albia, IA). Funny on the little things that you remember.

Well another year has flown by & I know the next will be just a good if not better. To another year. I Love you Matt

National Convention 08

This past week I left early on Thursday morning & headed off to Chicago,

for my Signature HomeStyles National Convention.

And what a time I had, I met a great friend Amanda on the way. Once we were there she & I had to check in & make our way to the Home office & warehouse tour. What a wonderful place, with many new ideas & great people.


Also at the end of the tour they draw two names to do either a 60 or a 90 second shopping spree. Pretty much you have that amount of time to grab anything & everything you can out of 3 isles in the warehouse. To my surprise my name was drawn for the 90 second spree. Since Amanda was there she pulled my cart ( I was supposed to aim for the cart). Once the clock started I started pulling, grabbing & knocking stuff of the shelves just to get it to the floor since that still counted. Boy does time go fast when your running around, but it was a lot of fun & I ended up getting over $2000 worth of merchandise.

Me with all my loot!!!!

My highlight on Friday was that I got to meet Frank Bielec from "Trading Spaces" he is such a friendly, down to earth person. It was a lot of fun getting decorating ideas from him & just shooting the breeze. I also got to spend some time with the founder/owner of the company, we feel like one big family & that's such a wonderful thing to be a part of. Friday night we also ended with a desert bar & dance so we rocked the night away until 2 am then we sat up & talked until 3. What wonderful friendships I made with friends from all over the US & Canada. Kayla is from Wisconsin.
Saturday much like Friday was filled with workshops, demos & training . I got many great ideas on how to get my business up to were I want it top be (round 8 shows a month[ 2 shows per week]) so if any one want to help me reach my goal please contact me I would love to get you shopping on my companies dime. Check the fall/holiday catalog out at www.signaturehomestyles.biz/danette

After a sardine ride home in a van with 5 other people, luggage, supplies & other free gift packages (for 4 people). I finally arrived home at 10:30pm Saturday. It was great to be home & see Matt & the kids. They also seemed glad I was home. But I still can't wait until November when I head to regionals & then again in June of 09 at convention.

"Oh I Wish I Were....."

You all know how that song goes & now Emmersyn & Bryceton have lived the dream of many. Last week while driving past Hy-Vee here in town we noticed that the Wienermoblie was parked out front along with the new "Mini". So we stopped by to take a closer look. They took pictures & gave us an web link to get them & then of course we all received the all favorite "Wienie whistle" to take home.

Emmersyn wanted her picture all by herself, Bryceton on the other hand wanted everyone in his. So I hope you enjoy the pictures.