Adventure

We were in Florida for 10 days over Spring Break enjoying family, sunshine and much more. I have some photos from Disney and Marco Island I will post later. We went boating to a secluded beach while in Marco Island. We THINK Conley stepped on something that punctured his foot and then came in contact with some sort of bacteria. The infection started to spread up his ankle and leg within 24 hours.

This is the punctured spot that originally became infected. Poor buddy. He was a trooper! We spent 4+ hours in a Marco Island quick care. They truly are on island time. Very laid back, slow moving and care free.

He was put on 2 antibiotics and a 1 time tablet for larva (?). The foot healed nicely and within 48 hours we saw huge improvement and he was able to walk on it.

But apparently that wasn't the end of his battle. We came home on Saturday from Florida and the kids returned to school on Monday...yeah!!! Conley came home from school on Monday with a high fever and a dry cough. He did not go to school the rest of the week!!! On Thursday/Friday the cough turned wet. Poor guy.

Sunday he woke up with the rash above all over his body. It got worse throughout the day, so we took him to the doctor. He tested positive for Influenza B. We had been to the doctor earlier in the week and they thought it was a virus. They believe the rash is a side effect of 1 of the antibiotics. We have stopped both antibiotics and are pushing fluids with lots of rest. He is pretty miserable and VERY self conscious of how he looks. The rash is still bad today and is definitely ALL OVER his body. They said it will start to fade after 48 hours. Fever is more low grade today. Hoping today is the day we turn the corner!!! Pray for Conley to get better fast!!!

On a brighter note...we have a new summer ride! For those who didn't get the pleasure of seeing or experience our previous ride...it was a stellar 3-wheel blue 1970's golf cart that most recently did not have a muffler. We would drive it to the ice cream store up the street and over to Mary and Tom's to the pool. Nate felt it was time to upgrade. Saturday they ventured out and upgraded to this beauty. Of course it came stock and then received a lift, knobby (?) tires and the back seat! It came with a radio and has lights...whoo whoo! It will be in the parades for Stuff Etc and will be used lots to carry the grandkids to the ice cream store, campsite playgrounds and just around our properties!!! Stop by anytime for a ride (haha)!

Still here!

We are still here!

I am going to try to get back to posting. I want to keep track of our lives, I am not good at taking pictures but know that this is important.

Since I've been gone...

• I am addicted to Pinterest. Many projects on the to-do list!
• I started working out. I bought myself a tv/dvd combo and watch tv series while I do at least 25-30 minutes on the elliptical. Slowly becoming addicted.
• Conley has completed the basketball program at North Dodge Athletic Club. He loved it and will start the next set of lessons at the end of this month.
• Shay is loving dance!
• We met with an architect last week and hope to start on the addition on our home this spring.
• Both my parents turned 60 and we celebrated in style...a trip to New York for mom and a big party for dad (he didn't get cheated, he loves parties ;)).
• Huge Christmas celebrations with all our families. Great food, fun and laughter!

I DID IT!!!

I DID IT!!! This year I walked all 60 miles. No, I didn't take 1 picture! My sister, however, took about 1000 (very true) and put up a great variety on here blog. Just click HERE to see our journey over 3 days/60 miles! We are excited to walk Chicago next August 2012. If you are interested in joining our team, either to walk or crew please let me know! It is an awesome experience and such great cause!!!

BIG changes!

The pond starting to fill up. The green stuff around the pond is.....grass!!!! Slowly but surely we will no longer have a house completely surrounded by mud!
The deer on the left is a common sight at our house. At times there have been up to 6-8 walking across the back or drinking in the pond. Ben...they are waiting for you :)

A close up! Ben...are you jealous?! :)

The pond looks about half full. There is an drain tube at the back center (hard to see in the picture) and that is about how high the water will get.

No rain was scheduled in the forecast on this day. My dad had serious words for the weather man! They quickly constructed this tent over their pour to keep it dry.

Another angle on the tent. Nate took about a dozen pictures of their construction. Very proud builders that day...but also very upset. You can see from this picture the mud we have been surrounded by waiting for our new driveway!

Day 1 the front stoop and parking pad were poured. Looks awesome now! You can see how we have been living amongst the construction. The front of the house has been exposed like that for awhile, the shed in the background covered with just plywood is going on a year or more. The new windows and siding will all be complete before winter hits...that is what I have been told. Those who know us well, know not to hold their breath :)

Everything poured!!!! Yeah!!!! My dad rocks!!! My dad, his crew and Nate did a sweet job on the driveway, walkway, front porch and parking pad. They brought in 2 loads of gravel to put down on the first half of the driveway coming in from the road. GOODBYE MUD!!!!

My new front porch. Landscaping is next years project! I'm planning on buying some rocking chairs and a small table to put out here. I just love it!!!!!!

Our nice big walk up to the front door. The siding is a sage green, white windows and a metal roof...the color on the roof I can't remember or we are still debating.

Tradition! My hand print and name are present at about 6 homes in Iowa City. We loved doing this as kids. Conley and Shay thought this was AWESOME!

They point it out to me every time we are outside. It is so funny!

My dad is the best. He believes in perfection and is the best at what he does. He knew how important it was for our house to be perfect. This is just a couple pieces to the huge puzzle, but very important pieces! We love our new cement out front and the kids love riding bikes with all the new space. We cleaned our house on Friday and kissed the mud goodbye!

Pre-K first day!

Conley and his best buddy Grant. They are both going 5 days a week to Heritage Christian Pre-K program. School is from 8:30-1:30. Conley will then stay on from 1:30-3:30 in his classroom and at 3:30 go into the after school program until I get off work.
They got to pick their seats today and of course Grant and Conley sat right down next to each other. While all the kids and parents were saying goodbyes and dropping off supplies they started right in on a project!

You can see Shay wanted to stay and "play with the toys". She was excited to go with us to drop Conley off this morning.

Working on writing their names.

In front of their lockers. They got lockers right next to each other. They are VERY excited to be in the same class together this year.

Ready for school with his new backpack on!

Of course Shay wanted to get her picture taken and of course had to cheese it up!!! I thought Nate was taking her to daycare, so last minute put on some clothes with no time to do her hair because she just HAD to help take Conley to school. So funny!

No words necessary!

First day of Pre-K. Super excited!!! Packed his bag and lunch first thing this morning. Nate and Conley packed his money bag so he could buy milk. They packed quarters and dimes and went over how to make $.35. Nate will be in charge of Conley every morning. They will pack their lunches together (Nate packs his own everyday) and Nate will drop him off.

I have the day off today so I was able to take him and can pick him up at 1:30. I can't wait to hear what he thinks about school!

The Red Carpet

2 weekends ago my parents, aunt, the kids and I went to Chicago to participate in a cheering station for the Susan G. Komen 3-day 60 mile walk. This guy was awesome. He was dressed in his pink shirt cheering on the walkers. Conley sporting his only pink shirt (Longaberger of course!).
My mom found a guy to donate a piece of red carpet. Shay lined the carpet up with pink boas and we cheered on the walkers. It was so much fun!!!!!!!!!

Shay gave out high fives to all the walkers and would beat her thunder sticks together. Hilarious!

The tent next to us was handing out freeze pops. These are the best treat when walking!

Some ladies were giving out ziploc baggies of ice to cool down the walkers. Many would put the bags on their neck and be holding them as they walked the "red carpet". Shay did the same with her water bottle. She is so observant...doesn't miss a thing!

The Mt. Prospect police department wears pink shirts and decorate their squad cars for the event. They ensure the walkers safety as they cross busy intersections.

Mom and I in front of our sign "You deserve a walk on the Red Carpet". Thanks to Debbie for making our sign and to Jim for donating the carpet!

The crowd at the cheering station. They had a great turnout. This helps us walkers get through the day. Usually there is a cheering station in the morning and one in the afternoon. It pumps you up to make it until your next pit stop. Thanks for all who came out in Phoenix and for those we will meet in Dallas in November. We can't do it without your support!!!

People have signs, thunder sticks, music, candy, ice, water, etc to make the walk just that much easier!

A close up of the sign, carpet and boas!

Thanks Debbie for the awesome sign!

This is the start of the cheering station...took some time for the supporters to all arrive and for the walkers to start to come in.

Goodbye Diggers!!!

The extra parking area...finally a little more room for guests. Currently the driveway is gravel, but we will pour concrete when the garage addition is complete.
Standing in the garage looking towards the end of the driveway to the road. The berm on the right gives us some privacy and keeps the kids safe to ride bikes.

Our new drive entry onto West Overlook Rd. We will worry about grass and landscaping next year.

Looking back toward the house. I had a helper taking pics with me :)

Nate working away. My dad dropped his bobcat here for Nate to use. Nate has been putting on some final touches. Notice Conley in the upper right hand corner. He always wants to help/watch.

Looking back at the house. This has already changed since I took this picture. The pop-up camper is now next to the shed on the far west of our property and the white shed you can see in this picture is up against the house. This gives more parking options...but soon there will be another garage there.

The very last brush pile to be burned!!!

The pond already has some water. The rain we have had has filled up a little bit. Nate puts a flag in the ground to track the progress. I'm sure he prays for rain everyday so the pond will fill.

The pond will have a "beach"/small sand area on the right side of this picture. This is taken from the backyard looking out to the pond.