fall festivities

Today I was able to join Casey and his classmates on a field trip to Jim's Pumpkin Farm. It was really muddy so we weren't able to take a wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch, but the kids still had a good time.


Tonight was family night in the Buntrock house. We had Casey's favorite dinner (ranch chicken and pasta), took a walk and played at the park. Then we came home and took baths and cuddled up with popcorn and apple cider to watch "The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown". What a fun night.

Large cokes and chicken nuggets

Matt and I have been saying that we stop at McDonald's way too often. Well on the way home from church yesterday I decided to pick up Casey's favorite meal from McDonald's, a chicken nugget kids meal with chocolate milk. As we pulled into the parking lot Casey noticed that this particular McDonald's didn't have the large yellow M. He went on to share with me how some have play lands and others don't. When I was finished ordering he let me know that I had forgotten to ask for ketchup. As I drove away I told myself...we definitely have had way too much McDonald's! So Matt and I have decided not to go to McDonald's for a month...not even for a large coke (our favorite)!

Casting Crowns

Casting Crowns is one of our favorite Christian bands. We saw them in concert a couple of years ago with a bunch of other couples from Spring Creek Church. When we saw they were going to be playing at Elmbrook Church the weekend of my birthday we had to get tickets. Leah and Nick decided to join us for a double date.

Unfortunately Matt came down with a nasty virus on Friday so he was not up for going. I asked my brother Andy if he wanted to be my date for the evening. I've never known him to turn down anything free...so of course he said yes.

We started the evening at Jose's Blue Sombrero for some yummy Mexican food. Then it was off to the concert. We got pretty descent seats considering it was general admission seating. The Crowns put a great concert and we all had a really nice time. I missed my hubby but it was nice to hang out with my siblings.

And yes I know...I look just like my brother, with hair of course!

Cousins

Here are some recent pictures of Casey and Caleb with their cousins Hannah, Hailey, Riley and Lucy (the cutest girls in town). Caleb has taken a real liking to Lucy...and her toes! Casey of course adores Hannah but is really starting to enjoy the twins as well. When he showed up at their place today he said..."hey, where is the other twin". I caught him talking to Lucy today as well. He was whispering baby talk to her, it was adorable. I believe he called her sweetie baby.

It is so fun to have family that live so close to us. I can't wait to see how their relationships grow as the get older.

birthday surpise

Yesterday was my 31st birthday...or was it my 21st??? Whose counting anyways?!

Caleb has been sick and started to run a fever on Wednesday afternoon. So I spent my day trying to entertain a very unhappy, miserable boy. We were able to get into the doctor to find out that my poor baby has the H1N1 virus. The doctor was very sure about her diagnosis so I didn't make her swab for confirmation. Really it doesn't matter because there is no treatment anyways!

Now Matt appears to be coming down with it so he is unable to go with me to the Casting Crowns concert this evening:( My brother is going to be my date which should be fun.

When we look past the fact they my baby was sick and the weather was cold and rainy yesterday...I still had some fun. Matt had left me a birthday card with some hints about where he hid my gifts. It was a lot of fun to hunt around the house to find some of my favorite treats. He got me a hot chocolate mix from Williams Sonoma that was so yummy. He even thought to get marshmallows and whip cream. What a guy!

I ended the day curled up on the couch with my hubby and some popcorn to watch The Proposal, cute movie by the way.

When your a mom even the day that is supposed to be all about you really isn't. That's ok...I wouldn't change my life for a million bucks!

15 months

I can't believe that Caleb is already 15 months! It seems like only yesterday he was cuddled up in my arms sleeping. Ah, I miss that stage (not enough to have another one yet).

Caleb is such a fun little guy. Here is a list of things Caleb is up to these days:

1. climbing on the couch and Casey's bed
2. jumping on the bed and couch (I know, what kind of mother am I?)
3. eating pickles and salsa (just like his daddy)
4. bowling
5. basketball
6. playing peek a boo with blankets
7. hiding things around the house (remotes are our favorite)
8. riding around on his fire truck
9. sliding down slides at the park
10. chasing Casey
11. swim lessons
12. loves books about animals
13. enjoys playing with other little ones
14. loves biting babies toes
15. gives really wet kisses

Here is a video of Caleb bowling...I love his laugh at the end.

Proud mommy

Casey got to be the leader at school yesterday. His teachers seemed very impressed by how well he was able to lead his classmates in letter recognition as well as counting. When he was finished counting to ten he let them all know that he can also count to ten in Spanish! Below is a video of him showing off his new ability.

I love my boys

This past couple of weeks I have really been missing my little girl. Not only do I miss her but I have started to mourn the idea that I may never have a little girl to to play dress up with or take shopping.

The Lord must have known that I needed a good day with my boys...a day to remind me how blessed I am to be the mom of two boys. It was all about trucks, trains and balls...and I loved every moment!

Al's Run 2009

Today was the second year that our family participated in the Al's run and walk for Children's Hospital. We were joined by my mom, my sister Leah and her family, and our good friends Bud and Jessica as well as two of their children.

This event is very dear to our hearts because we do it in memory of our daughter Madilynn Marie Buntrock (November 4, 2004). Thank you so much to the few who were able to join us and the many who supported our team, it meant a lot.

It is our hope that as the years go by our team continues to grow. Hope you can join us in 2010!

10 trips to the mall in 3 days

Do you ever have a weekend that doesn't go at all as you had thought it would. All of your plans change and you end up needing a vacation, or a dish of ice cream when it's over?

Here is what we originally had planned for the weekend:

Friday night Casey was going to sleep over at his cousin Hannah's house and Matt, Caleb and I were going to relax. Saturday Matt was going to go to a conference at church and I was going to take Caleb to the YMCA. Saturday night we were going to go to the Poelzer's for a bonfire. Then on Sunday we were going to go to church, relax in the afternoon and head to the YMCA for swim class.

Between misbehavior, illness, a credit card bill and car problems this is what our weekend looked like instead (watch for the 10 trips to the mall).

Friday night Matt stayed home with both boys while I worked at the mall from 5:30-11:00 (trip 1). Then on Saturday Matt stayed home with the boys and I attended the conference at church and went to the mall to work an 8 hour shift (trip 2). When I came out to my car at 9pm the battery was dead so my mom came to pick me up (trip 3). Sunday morning before church we drove to the mall to jump start the car...it didn't work (trip 4). After church we went back to the mall to get a new battery at Sears, it was too expensive (trip 5). We took the boys to McDonald's to get some lunch and went back to the mall to get the dead battery and Matt's Sam's club card which was in the glove compartment (trip 6). Then we went to Sam's and got our new battery and headed back to the mall to install it (trip 7). The new battery didn't solve our problem so we took the boys home so they could nap. Matt went back to the mall to check the fuses with some type of meter (trip 8). Then it was off to Ace to buy a new fuse and then back to the mall to replace it (trip 9). The car started this time! He drove the Van home so we could get to swim lessons which got cut short because both pools got pooped in (not by either of our kids...thank the Lord). Then it was off to the mall one last time to pick up our car (trip 10).

I am thinking of laying low tomorrow morning with the boys. But who knows what will really happen!