This is how we roll.

This is how we roll......Larry Frese style at the farm.

We spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the Frese Farm.

Of course, my Dad had a few jobs to be done.

He put all the grandkids to task of cleaning out the fish pond.

Matthew worked very hard to help Grandpa out.

Hannah?  Not so much.  She usually found a place to sit right where the work needed to be done.

Mallory helped Grandma make hamburger patties for lunch.

Dad relaxed and played his guitar for a bit.

The kids played and played.  

Dedric managed to squeeze onto the tractor and take it for a spin.

Cole chilled for a while in his chair.

Mallory soaked up some sun.

Amber videotaped all the happenings.

Brandy jammed on the guitar.

Hannah took the fire truck for a spin.

There is always Pepsi at Grandma's house.

Brogan showed off with his new bike riding skills.

Love these boys.

Maxton- 4 1/2 years old

Brogan- 2 years old

Cole- 2 1/2 years old

Dedric- 11 years old

Who is this man?

My parents take the whole family to the circus in Topeka every February.  I think my Dad is going a little crazy (but don't tell him that). 

He had his picture taken with the clowns (strange) so that he could ask people "How many clowns are in this picture?" as he chuckles to himself.

My reply "Three.  But I'm on the fence with the guy on the left."

Makes me want to sing "One of these things is not like the other, one of these things just doesn't belong".

My Dad is his own comedian.  He literally cracks himself up. 

Makes me laugh, which doesn't happen often enough.  (Maybe I'm the crazy one?) 
You don't have to answer that.  :)

It's been worth it.

Today, Todd & I celebrate 11 years of marriage. 

I have spent almost 14 years together with my best friend. 

Pretty amazing with today’s standard of marriage counted by days and weeks, not years.  It makes me question when society became so weak.  When did it become appropriate to want something so badly and then once it becomes hard to just turn away and give up? 

This was not the way I was raised. 

My parents have been married for nearly 36 years. 

Do they have the perfect cookie cutter marriage?  No. 

Have those 36 years been easy? No. 

But after 36 years, I do know that my parents enjoy each other. 

They prefer their time spent- Together.

A great model of how marriage can work, even when it’s not easy.

So what have I learned from watching my parents that has worked for my marriage?

1. They make time to be together.
2. They have fun.

3. They are on the same team.
4. Their top priority is family.

Marriage is not always easy but it is always worth it if you work for it.

Valentine Overload.

With three children in school, our Valentine's Day prep was extreme.  We prepared 70 valentines in one evening. 
Thank God all my children can write now.
We also had to prepare 22 take-home favors
for Mallory's class party.  I am always unsure of what to send as take-home favors.  I don't want them to be cheesy.
I wanted Mallory to take something that her peers would like.
I got my confirmation that morning when I dropped the goods off at school.  As I entered the office, I was stopped by five girls that went crazy over the stuff and promptly told me they wanted to be in Mallory's class because she had great Valentine's treats.
Felt great to be the "Cool Mom".

Valentine Grinch.

I have never been a fan of Valentine's Day. 
So many expectations are set of grand gifts,
surprise dinners, and beautiful flowers. 
And more often than not you see disappointment. 
Because the giver may not have had the same intention or thought. 
It just all seems so stressful.
It is nice to be thought of.  To be appreciated.  To be loved.
I guess in my score book, I'd rather realize that everyday by words and deeds than in a grand gesture once a year.

Exploring the Tracks.



The weather was absolutely gorgeous last weekend. 
Dot begged us to get outside and how could we resist. 
It's not often that you get days like this in the middle of winter.

We headed to Enterprise to go walk the RR tracks and explore.
We love doing this because your don't have to worry about traffic and the dog can just run.

Happy Face.  Beautiful Weather.  Loving this!

Matt ready to hit the rails and explore.

Mallory gave us little resistance when it came to getting outside.

Hannah talked, as she walked.  She did not stop.  At all.



Mallory lost interest when we got to the bridges.  So we hung back while Todd, Matt, and Hannah continued on.



I was pleased with how entertained Mallory was to sit and wait.
No begging to head back to the truck. No excuses.

She even entertained herself with the rocks along the tracks.
It was so fun to see her use her imagination.

So often, Mallory's play is so structured and technical.
I love to see her step out of that box and do something new.

She was so entertained.  She reminded me of my sister who use to sit and play with rocks.  She would name them and have her own little  "Rock World".  Mallory was doing the same thing. 
She named her rocks.  She sang to them.  They even fought.
Quite amusing.

Todd, Matt, Hannah, and Dot returned from exploring the river bridge.

Hannah hitched a ride most of the way back.

But then her dad set her down on the bridge and a look of fear spread across her sweet face.  She was terrified to walk the last 10 feet of the bridge.

With a little encouraging, she finally began to take some steps.

And finally a smile.