Birthday day

Braden and his friends played army/indians

Braden, Ben, Gunyr, Levi, Callen, Tyler, and Colter

Here is their camping spot for the night

The girls (minus one) celebrating Becky's b-day at Sports Page

Momma girl came along also

I have survived the weekend! Friday was a little busy and I literally dropped into bed at 10:30 last night and didn't move until 7.

Mom, Chris, and I went to lunch w/ Becky for her birthday. I then drove to New Sharon to drop Braden's b-day treats off and pick up him and his friends. We had to stop at the sitters for Emma (I didn't think I would have enough room and made her ride the bus there, but ended up being short 2 boys so it worked). Emma was met by a series of groans and "oh no's" when she got in the car. She just laughed and tried to hit the boys in the back with her coat. I had an image of 8-10years from now and guessing the reaction won't be the same at that time!

After dropping the boys off at home I drove Emma's to my mom's house for a sleepover and then drove back to Osky to get the pizza. In the meantime I rec'd an SOS call from Jamie. Gee..I only left him alone for a little over an hour!

The boys played outside most of the time and then went to their "tent" around 10. Aww..the peace and quiet.

Finally had all of the boys picked up by 11 and now I am really enjoying the quiet. I now know why I only had 2 kids.....

10th b-day

Happy 10th Birthday Braden!!!
10 Years ago at 12:26 p.m Braden James Tyrrel was born. He weighed 9lbs even and was 21" long. What a day that changed my life forever!
After gaining 70lbs, being admitted to Mercy for a week to stop premature labor, being put on bed rest after released, having to be induced because he didn't want to come out after being told to stop 6 weeks earlier, going through back labor, and then being told I had to have a c-section due to him being breech! I knew that he was going to be a difficult child and he didn't disappoint me for the first 3 years. We went through colic, pneumonia, numerous ear infections and then finally tubes, and temper tantrums that could make a saint cry! Oh yeah..also that time he peed on his videos in his bedroom just because he thought it would be funny!!
Braden finally decided that he wanted to be my golden child and he has not disappointed me.
3 words for Braden- Compassionate, funny, and very sweet! I so look forward to watching him grow into a teenager, young adult and beyond.
I can't believe he will be able to get his permit in 4 years and he has already driven Jamie's truck from his Aunt's house to ours (around 6 miles) by himself! Jamie was driving the tractor in front of him.
Braden you are awesome and Dad and I love you more than anything in the world! I know deep down that Emma does also =)

Weekend in IOWA!

Hello all! Yes, another trip to Iowa. But this time it wasn't Pella! Brian and I headed off to Lone Tree to help Brian's aunt and uncle celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary. Brian's aunt has been fighting malignant melanoma for 6 years now, but it is spreading to her brain so we wanted to spend some time with them before it changes her too much. After a couple of brain surgeries she is doing fairly well, but she has troubles getting her thoughts out a lot of the time. I have always adored Aunt Marla, and am grateful to have been able to spend some time with her-especially with a special celebration.

We headed down Friday night, and met for dinner at the local casino. Then it was back to the house for some cards and wine-a usual tradition with this family. We headed off to bed before midnight- not a usual tradition. Usually it's much later, but we are all getting older:) Saturday morning we met Brian's cousins for an Easter egg hunt before heading off to Davenport to meet up with a college friend of mine, Shelby. We hadn't been in contact for many years. I guess FB does come in handy sometimes. We had a great time catching up, and meeting her family. By late afternoon we had to head back and meet the rest of the family for dinner at 3 Samurai. We sat at one of those tables where they cook in front of you. The kids loved it! Then it was back to the house for...yep, cards and wine! I actually skipped the wine, but did learn to play dirty rummy. I did really well the first two hands, but then got beat-severely. Then on Sunday we got up early because of the weather. We left Lone Tree by 7:30am, but hit the storm at Cedar Falls and continued until we got to I35. Glad we left when we did because I35 was closed later in the day North of Story City. All I could think was, "It's APRIL!!!" Can the snow PLEASE go away...