i love bargains

Next weekend is Scott and Erika's wedding. And since I have the important role of sister of the groom, I need to look my best!

Shopping is not always my "thing." I get easily frustrated. And pretty much every dress that I like is black.
But I was determined to NOT buy another little black dress (as much as I love them).
To add to my stress, I had two teenagers shopping with me. And shopping is definitely not their "thing." Especially when we're shopping for someone other than them.

After scouring every store in the mall that might possibly carry a dress, I found one I rather liked at Von Maur.
Until I saw the price tag.
$138.
Gasp. Moving right along!!

By this point I was getting desperate and so I broke down and went to Burlington Coat Factory. I haven't been there for years. Probably because I was traumatized by its trashiness at some point in my life. (Sorry if I offend anyone)
But desperate times call for desperate measures and so I sucked it up and marched myself right into the store.
And would you believe that I found the exact same Calvin Klein dress, in my size for a fraction of the cost?!
$39.99 to be exact!!


I love the color. The length. The weight of the fabric. The neckline. The sleeves.
It's just what I was looking for!!

And to complete my ensemble, I found these shoes for a mere $9.99 at Sears (another one of my least favorite stores).

So I guess the next time I'm out shopping, I just might have to give some of those old cruddy stores that I usually pass by another try.

swingin' with big brother

You all know now that Delaney's favorite past time is swinging.
She absolutely loves to go out back and swing.
But she was a little surprised when I took brother out to swing too.

Doesn't that look like a super comfy swing? Perfect weather. Perfect swing. Perfect kids!!

school spirit

Delaney absolutely loves to go on walks. If I even mention the word "walk," she heads to the door. She's a great rider and waves to people and sometimes even sings herself to sleep.

On Thursday, Allison was cheering at a football game. And since the stadium is within walking distance, we killed two birds with one stone.
We got in our exercise AND supported our favorite cheerleader.

Delaney was all kicked back and ready to go with her feet propped up and raisins in hand. She knows how to enjoy a good ride!

Delaney will be a great cheerleader someday (if her daddy doesn't turn her into a soccer star). She loved clapping for the team!

And she was very intrigued by the bluejay mascot.

Until she had an opportunity to get up close and personal.
I guess I'd be intimidated by a giant furry bird too!

a fun day at the kansas state fair

It's a tradition for us to go the state fair every year. Even when I was a little girl, my parents would take me to the fair. When I was a really little girl, I noticed all the people carrying around stuffed animals and my response: "Oh man, we forgot to bring OUR stuffed animals!"
If it were only that easy (and cheap)!

We are not fans of the rides. But we had a fabulous time seeing all the animals, walking around picking up free stuff at the booths (had to get a new yard stick), checking out the butter sculpture, making fun of all the trashy people that reside in our fabulous state, and EATING!!!












Here's my first ever state fair entry. Not a winner. Maybe I'll have better luck next year!

happy birthday, dear hubby

Today hubby is finally as old as I am. For the next 6 months, anyway.
Yes, I'm the oldest. That's why I'm THE BOSS!! Ha!

You've come a long way, baby!!!

I didn't buy Jeremy a present this year.

He bought himself a new set of golf clubs a few months ago. And he wanted to play in a few golf tournaments this month. And since anything I buy for him, is like he paid for it himself, he'd rather just have money in the bank.

And since I've been super busy, I obliged his wishes and bought him NOTHING!!

Except this wonderful ice cream cake.

Oh, how we love a good DQ ice cream cake!!

Last night, though, I let him open up an early "present." We were already in bed and I convinced him that he shouldn't wait til morning for this gift. When he pulled the tissue paper back, he found.....our cable remote. The one that's been duct taped together.

Not what he was expecting. Or really wanted. But he got a laugh out of it.

Here's the story:

We often fight over the remote in our bedroom. Well, not exactly fight. But we bicker a little. Because whoever has control, gets to choose what we watch. So sometimes we hide the remote from each other.

Last night, while Jeremy was in the shower, I took the remote, changed the channel to what I wanted to watch, and then hid it in one of his drawers so he could find it in the morning. Then I got the brilliant idea to wrap it like it was a birthday present that he could open in the morning. When he got out of the shower, he was irritated when he couldn't find the remote. And then I started feeling guilty about the whole thing, so I convinced him to open his present. So then he's thinking what a sweet wife I am because I bought him a gift after all. And now I'm really feeling bad!! But you know the rest of the story.

Jeremy, I hope you've had a wonderful birthday! You deserve only the best!

Maybe I'll even let you choose what we watch on tv before going to sleep! Love you!!

a few random post-bath pictures

After bathtime, Delaney likes to hang out with daddy before going to bed.

She's learning how to do the hand motions for "Itsy-Bitsy Spider".

I love baby nightgowns!!

Just being silly.

And since I'm usually the one behind the camera, I don't have too many pictures of me with my baby.

wild sunflowers

Just a few pictures of two of my girls with wild sunflowers.

hayden's 1st birthday

Hayden turned one on Saturday, so we traveled to McPherson to help him celebrate.

Delaney was not happy when she saw Papa holding Hayden. She held her arms out for him to hold her too. I'm not sure this was exactly what she had in mind! (She still has a lot to learn about sharing...toys, grandparents, food)

Delaney was terrified of Jason and Molly's german shepherd. She felt much more secure sitting next to her Papa!


Hayden liked his new rocking horse.

So did Delaney!

And Jason (Brokeback Mountain style...HA!!)

The party ended with a one year old covered in cake. What more could you want?
Happy Birthday, Hayden!
We love you!

fall pick-me-up

A few weeks ago, my friend Kristine blogged about her fall decorating. I've never been one to do much decorating (other than Christmas) because I HATE undecorating! But last weekend, I was in desperate need of a pick-me-up. And a little shopping at Hobby Lobby was just what I needed!

This is the dresser, turned buffet in my dining room. I haven't been thrilled with what I had setting on it, so maybe seasonal decor will do the trick.

I started with some fall leaf garland.

Then added two types of wire-edged ribbon.

And gold Christmas lights.

This is an old photo of the girls and me, put in a new frame.

Fall scented hand sanitzer, to ward off H1N1 this year!

New centerpiece bowl with pumpkins and gourds that were buried in my basement.

This is my pantry in the kitchen. I took down all the teacups and other items that were on top. I added more leaf garland and ribbon. And placed the ceramic pumpkin on a cake stand to give it some height.

It's amazing what a little fall decor and spicy candles will do for the soul.

Now, bring on the fall weather!!