A little behind....

morning. thought i should get in here and at least post some pictures of Halloween before it's Christmas! time is flying. thanksgiving is just 2 weeks away and 45 days or so before Christmas. what? the weather here has been so nice i've been tempted to hang some x-mas decor outside. it just seems too early but i know it 2 weeks the weather will be much cooler and i won't feel like standing outside to decorate! what to do what to do?
anyway....here are some pictures from our trip back to Missouri for Halloween! we had a great time! kati was a bit under the weather but came around in time to trick-or-treat. we really had a lot of fun seeing everyone. it brought back a lot of great memories and good times! we miss everyone a lot!!! it felt a bit odd sitting in mike and danielle's driveway looking over at our old house knowing we aren't walking home at the end of the night. a bit sad, actually. but things are good now too and we do really like being where we are. just haven't found or connected with friends like we had....i guess what we had was special! :) i think the girls and i will plan a trip back this summer some time, maybe a long weekend. if they'll have us....ha ha

Surprise!

so turning 40 wasn't so bad after all! Terry and my sister were in ka-hoots for months planning a surprise party for me. who knew so many people could keep a secret! the only part of the whole plan that i found to be somewhat strange was the fact that my dad and mom had not called to wish me a happy birthday. they're usually the first ones on the phone!
as far as i knew terry and the girls were taking me out to dinner. we get to the restaurant and my family (except for my brother and his family) were there to surprise me. what a great gift!






love you guys! thanks for everything! it will definitely be a birthday to remember and treasure.

11 Years Today!

yup, 11 years married....10 years dating = 21 years! yikes! wouldn't change a thing!
although, it would be nice to know a good babysitter right about now. we miss you allison. :)

had an early soccer game this morning. then back home to load up our bowflex. we sold it to a really nice couple. our ceilings were just too low in our basement and to be quite honest i didn't really want a huge contraption sitting out anyway. i really like having a multi purpose space w/o sweaty equipment. unfortunately our tred mill remains but it's a good reminder for me... i had better get my arss moving again!

terry came home with the girls shortly after we had the heavy stuff loaded (go figure) with a beautiful bouquet, ballon and cake! the girls were so cute and excited, they could hardly wait to give them to me! they shopped the night before with dad also. he's so good about including them and making them feel as though their pulling one off on me! :) they told me they were going to the grocery store w/ dad! it's great!
better spend time with the family. i think terry is done in the garage. have a great wk. end!
hugs...

Stuff...

just thought i'd pop in and post a few pictures. i said i would be better at posting so i had better follow through with that, huh!
not much is new....oh wait, we have a new addition to our home! fargo is back!

terry drove back to ND last weekend and picked him up from grandma and grandpas house. he was so excited to see us. i'm sure he was a bit confused at the changes but he has settled in. we have an underground fence that he isn't real fond of....it only took twice for him to figure out he shouldn't go past a certain point. although, when he saw the ups man the other day he bolted and didn't stop. ran right through it. i feel bad for him when he goes through it as it shakes him up pretty good. but he stays right next to me when we're outside. only bad thing is he can't quite reach the woods behind our house. when we lived in AK we taught him to poop in the woods, which he continued to do while living w/ g & g. so now he just poops in the bushes.
he looks so little in this picture but he's actually alittle over 90 lbs.
i had some requests for house pictures so here are a few of those. i haven't taken any indoors yet. i still feel like it's unfinished and still so many things i want to do....so you'll have to stay tuned for those.

a few friends that hang around. could do without the snake!
found a few raspberry sprigs amongst the flowers. they were yummy!

kati's first day back at gymnastics. i really like her coach. she takes class serious and it's not just play time for the girls. kati has really improved in just the 2 classes. i think she will start taking 2 classes a week or taking a dance class of some sort... rather than playing soccer. she isn't that interested in playing.
lauren in her second week of school....


lauren's first game! she started practice earlier this week and her first game was today. and she shoots & scores!

nancy...those were for you! :)

so that's it for now. need to get some things done around here! enjoy your weekend!

Long Over due Update!

greetings! wow, it's been a while since i've checked in. life has kept us busy!
we recently made a move to the chicago area, which consumed much of our summer. it's hard to believe it's almost september! we're getting settled in and are loving our house and neighborhood. the girls started school this week and are both very happy! they really like their teachers. lauren was excited to find out she was on the 2nd floor and had a locker! cool stuff. we've jumped right into our routine of activities....lauren started gymnastics last night and kati will start on monday. we're getting the soccer schedule lined up as well. so it's pretty much back to noraml for us.
the transition from st. louis to chicago went smoothly. terry is adjusting to his commute, he kind of liked working from home but does like the structure . the girls and i like having him home every night for dinner as well. he won't travel nearly as much as he did with his previous position either.
i have to run but will leave you with a few photos of the girls on the first day of school....
lauren started the 3rd grade and kati is in kindergarten.

Happy New Year

hard to believe another year has gone by. i know that sounds redundant but seriously, where does the time go?

our christmas was wonderful. my parents were here for 2 weeks. we celebrated laurens' birthday, christmas and new years together. i really miss being with our families during the holidays (or anytime for that matter) but to have my mom and dad here was a blessing. the girls had a great time with papa and nana.

so today is the 2nd day back from holiday break and the girls already have a day off. guess it started to rain in the middle of the night and with the temps dropping it turned into an ice rink on the roads. so we're home baking cookies...gee, just what we need after the holidays! ha ha

i was fortunate to have a few photo shoots over the holiday break as well. here are a few shots from them...both families were so much fun to work with. great personalities and so easy going.

i like black and white! :)

haven't made any new years resolutions yet but have lots of things that i would like to work on or accomplish! i turn 40 this year! yikes. i remember when i was little and 40 seemed soooo old! i don't feel old and i hope i don't look old. so i'm thinking i'll "embrace" 40 and make it a great year to remember, rather than dwell on the number! i have far too many things to be greatful and thankful for!