Saturday, June 27, 2009

Thanks Uncle Trevor for the fun time at the Stadium

Uncle Trevor invited us to attend the Saint Elizabeth Day at the University of Nebraska Stadium. It included a tour, lunch (Val's, salad, breadsticks, brownie), and fun times to play like the big boys play. It was our birthday party with friends...Lane and his parents, Heather and Eric came. It was all FREE!!! Awesome time was had by all.
In the NU football locker room.
Kenner touching the lucky horseshoe.
Patton touching the lucky horseshoe
The future of the program...Kenner Svitak throws for a touchdown.

Friday Fun

We had a mock camping trip at our house on Friday night. Bubbi, Kenner and I slept in the tent until midnight and then I made the executive decision to move our beds inside...too hot. Here is Patton enjoying the tent with his Puppy. Our makeshift campfire (aka the grill). We had yummy smores!

On Friday morning, we went to the Children's musuem. It was almost empty...which was a joy to get to actually play with everything. Kenner and I enjoyed delivering newspapers and being the mail men...due to excitement of the photographer (me), I didn't get any photos of him doing it.

Thomas was a hit as well!

Smoky Hills River Festival - Fun with Ain't Jane

Sold out in a matter of two days! Way to go Ain't Jane! Thanks to Elge's for watching the boys while I went down to play with my Aunt Jane! Just Ploob It

Look who got an award for best display! (or one of the best!!)

Free Fun

Did you know that the coin operated toys at the malls are even more fun when run on imagination and not coins?
Parks...yup FREE! We are attempting to do the Lincoln Safari. This time it brought us to the park by Kahoe Elementary.
We had to spot to anthropods...can you see them on the doors. A tree in the middle is where the landmark was.
We found it!

Minnesota Fun

I really couldn't decide on which pictures not to put up...so I put up about all of them:)

Thanks to the in car DVD. As Grandpa said, "You wouldn't even know we had two little travelers." Kenner showed Grandpa how to run the DVD system when I was driving. It is amazing how quickly kids learn things.A popscicle break. The popscicles were as big as their heads.
Patton learned a new skill...cutting. Note to self: It helps if your mouth opens and closes at the same rate as you move your fingers.
Bird Feeder filling 101: Instructions from Gpa
See something wrong with this hitter/catcher picture. Catcher will soon also fill the void of a tee:)
Patton and Grandma at A and W. Thanks Grandma for helping cater to the boys' needs with their 24/7 hunger. Grandpa and Kenner. Thanks Gpa for all the fun times on and off the land.
Searching for shells with our cousins from AZ.
Grandma and Kenner having a good time.
Daddy got to join us on the weekend and for Father's Day. Head butting with Daddy.
Bubbi and his kisses! Lovable Bubbi and Gpa
We were able to see many forms of wild life: turtles, fish, baby Loons, big loons, Herons, ducks, and many more.
Hanging with the brothers on the lake
Of course, no trip to the cabin is complete without a trip to the ice cream store. They even had Superman flavor!

Having Push Em's Schwan's style in Browerville, MN with our cousins from AZ. Thanks for letting us take a break. We will see you in a couple weeks.
The famous family photo op at the cabin.
The dad's and boys relaxing on a trip to lunch for Father's Day.
A little rubbing from Bubbi to Grandpa. Patton is into rubbing your hand or leg while he sucks his thumb. Yes, this is odd!
Thumbs up Dad!
Patton's version of a thumbs up. We have a little work to do!
A Father's Day Ice Cream cake from Dairy Queen. Love you both!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Meal Planning

I am trying to get back into the swing of things after coming home from an AWESOME week in Minnesota. I am also trying to spend as little as possible (therefore some of our meals might not be the most healthy:))

Tuesday
L- PB and J with fruit smoothies
D- Steak with mushrooms and potatoes

Wednesday
L- BBQ Pork sandwiches with peaches
D- Frozen Pizza with green beans (I have a PC party in Davenport)

Thursday
L- Easy Mac with hotdogs
D- Tacos with spanish rice

Friday
L- Leftovers
D- Maybe going CAMPING:)

Saturday
L- Spaghetti and green beans (making much much more for the freezer and for next week's lunches)
D- Homemade pizza (family tradition we have gotten away from)

Sunday
L-BBQ at church. I am making a Merry Cherry Dessert, because I have a plethora of cherries in my freeze. It is a chance to use my trifle bowl too!
D- Bertolli meal or Steaks (night off for mom:))

For those of you skeptical about couponing and meal planning and saving money. This meal plan took me about a 1/2 hour to come up with. The only things I NEED to buy this week are: bread, milk, angel food cake mix, and 3 oz Cherry Jello. This is after a week of being gone...so you can do it too!

I already have next week's meal plan done as well so I can look for sales tomorrow! Here is next's weeks grocery list I will need to get for groceries as well this week:

-lunch meat (only if on sale...if not we will have hot dogs)
-sliced cheese (again only if on sale...luxury item at our house)
- sour cream
- tortilla chips (for 4th celebration)
-zuchini
- fresh mushrooms
- hamburger buns

I will look for other things on sale to help me with meals in the coming weeks. I can't tell you how much fun it is to save money, serve my family, and feel like I am organized!
Minnesota pics to come. I have pink eye...so I have to make a trip to Linc Care.
Rhi

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Fun in Minnesota

We had a great day yesterday with our Cousins from Arizona/Minnesota. I will post pictures when I get home. Casey arrived at 5 am on Saturday morning (sleeping only 2 hours in Windom, MN). The boys and I have had a relaxing/rainy time at my grandparent's lake home/cabin. We have gotten to get out and see many new things for the boys. The only babies we have yet to see are baby fox and a baby bear. I think I will pass on both of those. We have seen plenty baby loons, unfortunately not the one that Grandpa cared for in his little cove. We have seen baby Canadian geese, odd weird looking sea gulls, turtles (both big and small), baby ducks, and more.

Yesterday was the first beautiful day on the lake and it was only fitting that the crew from AZ came from their farm in Minnesota or summer home. As we were preparing for their arrival, we were getting chairs and tables set up for lunch. Kenner, of course, was a work horse wiping tables, moving big chairs, and following all directions given from either me or dad. Bubbi on the other hand was taking his sweet time doing everything (aka Aunt Annie syndrome (AAS)). Sorry Aunt Annie...you did once say when we were little..."Dad, my batteries are run down, I can't pick up the toys." Meanwhile, big sister Rhiannon had all the toys picked up.

Back to the AAS, Bubbi was suppose to be putting the cushions on the chairs (only 6 of them). He had his puppy in tow as well. Casey asked him to put a cushion on the chair. He requested that he put his puppy down so he could use both hands of course to put the mini cushion on the chair. As he sat the puppy down, he also sat down on the chair. Casey asked, "Bubb you need to put the cushion on the chair." Bubbi responded, "I need to stay by my puppy so he doesn't run away." Hmmm...acting like Aunt Annie everyday!

So I don't leave Kenner out of any funny stories, here is one from the car ride up here.

I had just switched Grandpa seats in the van. He in the back seat with the two generals and I in the driver's seat. Grandpa hopped in the back and leaned over to Kenner and said, "Hey Brown Eyes." Kenner leaned over without missing a beat and said, "Hey Blue Eyes." Grandma and I were laughing at how quick Kenner was to respond. My next question was, "Does Grandpa really have blue eyes?" I had thought that Kenner just made it up...but he really does have blue eyes.

There is a little food for thought for the day. Happy Father's Day to all of you out there. I know I am blessed to be with two great Dad's this day!

Rhi in Minnesota

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Cinnamon Roll FUN and YUM!


Thanks to my friend from Mixed Blessings I was able to make bread machine cinnamon rolls. I have NEVER been successful on my mother in laws delicious cinnamon rolls, so I decided to try to have someone else mix the batter for me. They were delicious. This is what is left of them! Kenner feeding his tiger the yummy roll!




Bubbi feeding his beloved dog!


Getting ready for Aunt Becca's wedding...not so happy.
SO CHEESY!



Anyone that has little boys in weddings...I highly suggest shopping online versus renting a tux. These cost us $55 (plus shoes) and I can hopefully resell them at Once Upon a Child for a good price. Renting them would have cost us $100 and we would have had to give them back.