Madi is 14!

Today is my baby, baby sister's birthday.  She's eight 14.  I swear, I feel like she should still be in third grade, but she'll be in high school this fall!  

Isn't she pretty?

She's a rockin' soccer player,

Justin Beiber fanatic,

Loves all things bright and colorful,

and is sort of hilarious. 

I love her.

Sometimes I feel like I don't know her very well, cause let's face it, she's a super cool teen, and I'm officially an old lady.  One thing I do know is that she'll always be my baby sister, and for that, I'm so proud.

Happy Birthday, Miss Madi!

Pumpkin Patch!!!

In case you didn't know, I LOVE going to the pumpkin patch!  Every year, my mom and sisters and I venture out to the Powell Pumpkin Patch near Louisburg, Kansas.  On the way we stop at the Louisburg Cider Mill for cider donuts.  Oh, they are sooooo good!  Weekend before last, we took advantage of a beautiful Sunday afternoon to go pumpkin hunting!  It's always funny, because there are all kinds of families with little kids picking out pumpkins, but I don't think anyone gets as excited as the four of us! 

Each of the girls picked out a pumpkin to carve, so that accounted for two pumpkins.  We brought home 15 plus some goards!  We love seeking out the unusual ones.  As Lydia put it, you just know when you've found the "one".  The light shines on it just right and its like it's just you and the pumpkin in the field....or in mom and my case, you and your many perfect pumpkins! 

The variety of pumpkins that they planted this year had rediculous stems on them.  I guess they must have got tired of people breaking the stems off! 

Things to remember next year:

Bring a knife to cut pumpkins from the vine.

Stay calm and walk to the back of the patch and work your way to the front.  {this would certainly save us from lugging all those pumkins further than neccessary}

Bring water.

 

I'm back!

Sorry I've been MIA for the last week!  For some reason, I could just not get myself organized.  I am determined to be more on the ball this week, in more ways than one. 

I am spending today getting ready for the week and enjoying some quiet time at home.  We just got back from the store, where I loaded up on healthy eats.  I'm determined to get back on track with my eating. Jon's getting ready to watch the Chiefs game, and I'm going to catch up on some blogs and prepare something new and exciting that this lady and I have up our sleeves! 

I leave you with a pic from yesterday.  Jon and I ran the Jared Coones Memorial Pumpkin Run.  My mom, stepdad and sisters all participated too.  It was freezing!  35 degrees at the start.  brrrrrrrrrrrr.  I finished in 34 min, 36 sec.  No world record, but I'm happy with that.  Especially considering I haven't ran for weeks, and I didn't walk at all!  Jon came in at 27 min, 15 sec.  He hurt his knee though.  I'm hoping it heals itself and doesn't give him many problems.  

happy birthday maddie!

the littlest of my sisters is having a birthday!  

this little lady is turning 12 today.  I can't believe how grown up she is.  it seems like just yesterday that she was this little girl with her crazy curly hair.  she has grown up to be a beautiful young lady with a sassy sense of humor and a knack for all things athletic. 

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADDIE!  I love you sweetie!