Two Puppies

Upon spilling her cereal and asking Everlee to pick it up she came up with doing it this way...asking Cooper to be a puppy with her. These two crack us up every Thursday!

Deadeye surprises

Today I surprised Tyler with a batch of Deadeye tshirts we had made for him and Micheal. Then he surprised me with this article in the Des Moines Register. 

Chillin'

Relaxin' watching Wild Kratts. 

We did play for a bit with this colored moldable sand. Even when Ev doesn't feel well she is still so sweet and adorable. 

Making Memories...

Camping for a week in subzero temps, snow, freezing drizzle all for this...

Rich's favorite

A still photo from Holly Rowes FB page of a video she did of the campers. It ended with Tyler. A friend sent this to me. 

To have Holly Rowe call your name out as the first in line, get major air time, pics with Jay Bilas and sit in the front row to see your team beat KU...all worth it! 

Replenishing their energy

After lots of running and playing downstairs it's time for a snack and cartoon. (The only way I can get a pic of them without it being a blur;)

Another 5 minutes of fame...

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa-state/cyclone-insider/2016/01/21/goal-hilton-coliseum-campers-great-seats-kansas-bout-and-not-die/79120894/

Des Moines Register article on #tent city. 

Night 3

Wednesday evening WHO news interviewed the now six tents camping out for Monday's night game vs Kansas. Not being shy in front of the camera, Tyler got his five minutes of fame. He has assured me and the newscaster that they are still attending class and work. 

Braving the elements

After last nights win vs Oklahoma, Tyler and some fellow Lemars friends celebrated by camping out for the next week until Monday's game vs Kansas. We went to visit him tonight (while it was snowing) and furnish him with an extra tank of propane. A third tent has joined them. He's got quite the set up and schedule going with his friends. Oh to be nineteen again!

New endeavor

After preschool we made our way to the playground to get the wiggles out before nap. Ev usually does her own thing but today she joined a group of kids and headed off into the bounce house room and jumped with them. She was jumping, laughing, and talking up a storm with the group. She eventually came out to tell me it was fun in there and to get a drink of water. Then it was bye bye Brigett and back in to jump. 

Terrific Twos

Everlee is in full swing of those Terrific Twos! After having a high energy play date with Cooper this is how she calmed down for nap...by tackling Cooper and giving him a 100 kisses. 

Play date

After preschool we were invited to the Fallon house for a play date. I appreciate that Hollie's group of moms has welcomed Ev and I with open arms. Ev was in heaven playing in the girls room with all the dolls and the dollhouse. 

World's Toughest Rodeo

Friday night we accepted an invitation by the Pluegers to join them in Chads work suite to watch the rodeo at Wells Fargo Arena. Never going to a rodeo before we didn't know what to expect. The short version is its a bunch of men trying to stay on a bucking horse or bull for 8 seconds, falling off, limping to the gate, and we assume taking 10 ibuprofen afterwards. My neck, back and hips were hurting just watching them.

Ying Yang

Everlee was in rare form today. Her mind must be growing so fast. She was non stop talking and moving all afternoon. We covered all the random topics. Fortunately, cousin Cooper, was laid back and just took it all in. He must know how red headed girls can be;)

Our entryway

...finally has a place to hang your coats. Thanks to my handy and handsome husband, Steve, made me a coat rack. The wood is recycled from our old fence, stain from a previous project, and hooks from Amazon and viola! 

Clothes on?!

Fortunately Everlee has a mom that loves structure and routine and that is exactly what this aunt likes(probably all three of her aunts like;) I was excited to be back at picking up Ev from preschool and hear all her stories. I get to have so many deep belly laughs. It is prince and princess heaven everywhere you look at the Kneifl residence! Everlee actually wanted to put dresses ON Elsa this time. Which was a first all afternoon. The rest of the time the dolls were unclothed and taking a bath. 

New Year's Eve and Day

For New Year's Eve I cashed in my date night coupon and we had an amazing time! We headed to Ames early afternoon and checked into the Holiday Inn. We ate a delicious supper at The Cafe. We started our meal with Truffle fries. Steve had the Ribeye and I chose the pizza margherita. We had no room left for dessert but will definitely need to go back for some. Thanks to Andrea for the recommendation:).  After supper we headed back to the hotel where one of our favorite local bands, Burnin' Sensations, was playing. We danced the night away and rang in the new year under a balloon drop. We enjoyed ourselves and time together so much. The next morning we ate breakfast and came home.

Then it was off to the Pluegers to watch the Rose Bowl. Steve and Jason decided to turn it into guys night and wasted no time turning up the fun dial. While the men had their fun in the dining room us ladies enjoyed wine and conversation in the family room. Happy New Year everyone! Can't wait to see what memories are made in 2016:)