October 30, 2011

Hannah had a huge "to do" list this weekend and I think after carving this pumpkin she's gotten it all done!  She free handed the carving--but I think a picture of the finished product will have to wait until tomorrow...

October 29, 2011

Joe continues to work on the yard this weekend.  Today he repaired a corner of the fence that had fallen apart.  Our fence is starting to show it's age--especially the areas where Ted charges on his patrols of the yard!

October 28, 2011

We had our Halloween parties at school today.  I went as Cookie Monster.  Hannah and I found the hat at Walmart and I sewed the cookies.  I wore a blue sweatshirt inside out (more furry that way) and jeans.  It was an easy costume and the kids liked it--a win/win!

October 27, 2011

I've been spending too much time here--the Liquor department at Bag'n Save.  Maybe if I was shopping here instead of working I wouldn't mind it so much!  :)

October 26, 2011

My DIY bangs--I'm not sure that it was a good idea to cut my own bangs this morning before work!

October 25, 2011

Becca bought a new hoodie in Nottingham and has gotten honked at three times in this outfit.  She thinks the Brits are "colour deprived."  I think it's because she's a cutie!

October 24, 2011

Joe has been working in the yard a lot the past couple of weeks.  Yesterday he triumphed over this stubborn stump.  He actually suggested it for pic of the day!

October 23, 2011

I'm driving Emma back to Grinnell today.  But before we left Hannah had to say "goodbye until Christmas" with a big "take our picture" hug!

October 22, 2011

Emma talked to Becca today on skype.  They miss spending time together over fall break but they will make up for it at Christmas in London!

October 21, 2011

Hannah ran at State today in Kearney!  Joe, Emma and I drove out to watch the race. The Burke girls had good runs, finishing 9th in the class A schools.  Hannah had her second fastest time, 17.18.  Her fastest time was on a flat course--which this one definitely is not!

October 20, 2011

Emma really loves this cat!  And Dexter misses her when she's gone.  Then he has to lavish his attention on poor Hannah who doesn't really appreciate it!  Too bad Em can't have a cat at school.

October 19, 2011

We had a work day at school today, so I took the afternoon off.  Emma and I went to lunch at Panara Bread.  It was very bright and windy when we took the picture--you can see part of the Panara sign in the background but after three tries, I was ready to go and eat.  Emmie was a good sport but couldn't keep her eyes open! 

October 18, 2011

It was Hannah's day to have the "chain" for the state cross country team.  Each girl's name is on the chain to remind them that they are all part of one team. It's a pretty heavy chain--good thing that they don't have to run with it!

October 17, 2011

Emma went shopping with her friend, Jessie, today.  They hit a bunch of goodwill and second hand stores looking for costumes for Halloween.  This is part of Emma's "Watson" costume. I'm not sure who is going to be Sherlock Holmes...

October 16, 2011

Emma and Hannah spent some of the day making bead animals, watching silly shows and playing Life.  I'm surprised that they didn't drag out the Nancy Drew computer games!

October 15, 2011

Joe went to pick up Emma in Grinnell for her fall break today.  They drove to Iowa City to go to the Iowa/Northwestern football game tonight.  The stadium was striped with black and gold sections, they used cards to help with two "stadium art" pictures and best of all--Iowa won!!  They headed home after the game--they got here at 3:00a.m.

October 14, 2011

It's Friday night and I'll bet Becca and her friends are doing some dancing at the flat!   



October 13, 2011

The Burke cross country teams ran at Districts in Fremont this afternoon.  Joe and I took the afternoon off to drive over and watch them run.  The course is pretty flat and most of the girls had great times.  Hannah had a good time but not great, so she was a little disappointed.  The teams both qualified for state though, so that's what really matters.  Here we were trying to get a group shot of the girls that ran--it was like herding cats!

October 12, 2011

Joe met Ariana Kukors at a UPRR sponsored USA swimming event today.  Ariana holds the world record in the 200 IM and just missed going to the olympics last time.  She is going to be in Omaha in July for the trials--hopefully she'll make the team this year.  I hope we are at the session when she swims.  Joe got a picture signed for Hannah.  He would have gotten Hannah out of school to go to the event, but she was taking her PSAT test today. 

October 11, 2011

Jessie is determined to play and has surrounded herself with a wide selection of toys.  Of course, I can't say no to that face!

October 10, 2011

Our hot water heater finally bit the dust today.  It's had a small leak for awhile, but this morning Joe discovered a rather large puddle in the basement. So our morning and most of Joe's day was occupied with clean up and arranging to get a new hot water heater.  I'm kind of bummed that my only picture for 10-10 is of the demise of our hot water heater. 

October 9, 2011

Suzi and Hannah went out for sushi last night.  Today they are having sushi leftovers for breakfast.  They offered to share it with me, but I didn't want to take any away from them--that's my story and I'm sticking with it!

October 8, 2011

Iowa played Penn State in their big ten opener today.  Unfortunately the Hawks came up a little short, losing by a touchdown.  It was a low scoring, long game.  I wouldn't have minded though if the score had been reversed.  Hopefully the Hawkeyes will have a better game next weekend.

October 7, 2011

Suzi and Charlie came to visit this weekend.  I was a little worried about how the dogs would react to having a puppy in the house, but they were all fine for the most part.  There were a couple "warnings" but nothing serious.   Jessie and Charlie had fun tugging and chasing the ball and all three dogs got the zoomies around 11:30pm--that's a lot of dog tearing around our house!

October 6, 2011

Hannah ran at Metros today for cross country.  She had a pretty good run considering the gale force winds we had today.  Her time was one of her fastest this season.  Hannah and eight teammates will go on to Districts next Thursday. 

October 5, 2011

Ok, it's supposed to be Taco Tuesday, but we had to have a Taco Wednesday today at work.  After five dirty diapers this morning, we felt like we deserved it!

October 4, 2011

I slept in this morning, until 6:36.  It still seems like it's too early and too dark to get up!

October 3, 2011

Hannah played her violin in the fall concert at Burke tonight.  She is first violin, second chair this year.  Her friend, Chris, is seated first.  The orchestra played two pieces at the concert.  They sounded really good!  I was disappointed in the quality of my pictures--too many were blurry.  Oh well, I'll get another try at the spring concert.

October 2, 2011

Talked to Emma tonight at Grinnell.  She's been hanging out with her friends and doing some shopping in IC and in Des Moines.  I love this bear hat, but it was too expensive, so she didn't get it.  Probably a good choice.  Em will be here in a couple of weeks for fall break.  She and Hannah are planning on looking for some bargains at the second hand shops in town. 

October 1, 2011

Joe, Hannah and I talked to Becca on skype for 2 1/2 hours today!  We learned a lot about whats going on with her in England.  It was so nice to talk without any time constraints.  Now they have to make a skype that you can walk around with!

September 30, 2011

Here we are outside Applebee's at 11:00 p.m.  We went over after I got off of work tonight for half price appetizers.  I had an excellent margarita too.  We let Hannah drive home! 

September 29, 2011

Joe isn't feeling very well today, so at supper he sat at the other end of the table--"to keep the germs away."  It seemed like he was even farther away in person!  He's looking pretty pathetic (maybe a little extra for the camera?)

September 28, 2011

Suz sent me a picture of Charlie in the sweater that "Teddy and Jessie" sent him.  He looks so cute!  Can't wait to actually meet him.

September 27, 2011

Sally sent me a text message this morning that she was sick and wouldn't be at work today...yikes!  That means it'll just be me and Jodi today with the kiddos.  Better get an extra cup of coffee this morning!

September 26, 2011

Hannah and Jessie after saying "Hi" after school today.  Hannah came home after xc practice and we all just hung out for the evening.  I enjoy these nights so much--they're pretty rare anymore.