Daisypath Anniversary tickers

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

An Olde Fashioned Holiday

First annual holiday by Theatre in the Park. We had our choice of either Breakfast with Santa, a matinee luncheon, or a 5-course dinner music theatre. We decided on the breakfast for the girls. It was held at Mildale Farm which is operated by our JoCo Parks and Rec. Really neat place to have a wedding reception. May have to keep this in mind! Had a great buffet breakfast with fruit, eggs, bacon, pancakes, and danishes. The local Bell Choir performed and the girls got to make ornaments for the tree. What a fun Saturday morning activity!

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Monday, December 12, 2011

Ice Skating

Spur of the moment weekend activity to go ice skating at The Ice at Park Place. Had a great time! We were the only ones there for a little while. Girls had a total blast. Mike cut it short because of a blister but we definately plan on going back! Lunch right next door at in*gre*di*ent. It was pretty yummy. And being able to watch the other ice skaters while we ate lunch was fun. I love the outdoor shopping at Park Place in Leawood.

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Thanksgiving 2011

Oh so much yummy food! Decided we need a buffet table in our dining room. With a full table and 8 guests we ran out of room. Had good friends over for Thanksgiving dinner. Played the candy bar game afterwards. Then headed to AMC to see Breaking Dawn much to the excitement of our 12 year old.

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Centennial Celebration

Living by so many church history sites has its advantages. We were able to attend the Centennial Celebration of the Three Witnesses Monument in Richmond, MO. This is where Oliver Cowdery is buried. We then headed on over to Liberty MO where a new monument has been dedicated. It is a monument to the Eight Witnesses of the Book of Mormon. It is in a very nondescript place on someones farm that was researched by the church. What a great experience! We don't get the Church News anymore but I'm wondering if our picture was in it? Our 15 minutes of fame.

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Tuesday, November 15, 2011

First Choir Concert

Savannah decided that she wanted to give choir a try this year and she is loving it. Their fall concert was about a week ago. Her middle school does not combine the boys and girls. They have Women's Choir, Women's Chorale, and Men's Choir. Its not anything like GLEE but they did a great job. Reminds me of how much fun I had during all four years of high school choir (especially A'Cappella and Madrigals). What great memories!

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Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Mexican Riviera Disney Cruise

Family picture formal night on Disney Wonder.

This all started with my bucket list of going to Disneyland at Halloween, Christmas and doing a Disney Cruise. I can now cross all three items off. We had been planning this trip for quite some time and was a surprise for the girls. As far as they knew, we were going to Wichita for my birthday. We didn't even tell them what state we were going to. So we get to the airport Friday evening and they see we are flying to CA. However, they did not know what we were doing when we got there. Saturday morning we got up and spent the day at Disneyland and California Adventure. Our home away from home. I always LOVE how they decorate for Halloween. And I find it very redneck that we take a picture of a picture on the rides so we don't have to pay $20 for them. It was a very long day with the park being open from 8a to Midnight.
Then Saturday morning the girls got a call from Mickey Mouse welcoming them to the Disney Cruise Line. They were estatic! We were able to eat a liesurely breakfast because we couldn't get on the ship until 11:00. I always like getting on ships early so we have a chance to go around and take pictures before the crowds get there. I don't think we were the only ones with that idea though. While we waited in the port they had of course Disney cartoons showing on a big screen for the kids and there is always Nintendo. This trip cost us enough for 7 whole days so we weren't willing to fork out the extra buco bucks for an outside cabin. You're only there to sleep and there is really not a whole lot to see anyway in the dark. In the middle of the ocean. Our ship was the Disney Wonder. Not one of the biggest ships we've been on by far but one of the pools had a slide and the other had a huge movie screen. Ahoy mateys!
These are some of the photos we got our first day on board. The lobby where the staff introduces each family and welcomes them on board, Studio Sea where many a game were played and music into the night, Animaters Palate one of the main dining areas that turn from black and white to color as you progress through your meal, and Parrots Cay a more island themed dining area that was serving lunch when we got on.
Some activites going on around the ship. Each of the main shows at night were Disney themed (0f course). Haylie LOVED meeting Princess Tiana along with all the other princesses and characters. Breakfast was always a hit. Their ice sculpting team made this eagle out of a huge block of ice in just 15 minutes.
Had several celebrations while on board. Celebrated my 45th birthday on Monday the 24th. Our dining room staff sang Happy Birthday and I received this little treat after dinner. That rectangle birthday wish was entirely chocolate. And because it was a week before Halloween they hosted trick-or-treating for the kids around the ship (my girls filled their entire halloween baskets), a costume contest, and dancing way into the night. Mike's costume was a piece of cake. However the girls and I thought he should bring home some TRUE bloody scrubs from a heart case and wear those. I loved this mask I bought from Halloween Express but couldn't think up a costume to go with it in time. Maybe next year. Savannah went as Tinker Bell and Haylie was a glow in the dark bride. Don't you just love the zombie look on her face?
Our first stop was in Puerto Vallarta. It was chilly coming in that morning and I thought. Good grief this is Mexico, its always supposed to be warm! But warm up it did and we had a great time kayaking and snorkeling at the Marietas Islands. The caves were really cool but the islands are only open several months during the year as the rest of the time its covered by water. Our boat crew was a hoot. They had lunch and drinks prepared for us and also a show and music. Our tour left at 7:30a so Savannah and Haylie basically slept the entire ride out there.
Our next stop was Cabo San Lucas. This was a FUN port. If you have ever been to Mexico you know the shop keepers bug you to buy their wares. That can get a little old. However, we did snorkeling at Santa Maria Beach. This was probably not the best part of the year to go because the water was so murky that I couldn't see anything. I was a little disappointed in that. However, the catamaran ride over was a blast and we got soaking wet sitting in front on the mesh area.
Because of the strife in Mazatlan this port was cancelled so we spent another day in Cabo. The girls actually wanted to stay on the ship so Mike and I went in town again to shop and hit the local Hard Rock Cafe. We collect their hurricane glasses and now have #35 from all the HRC's we've been to. One night was Pirate Night on the ship complete with a pirate midnight buffet, show, and fireworks. I think the highlight was getting our picture with "Captain Jack". He wasn't Johnny Depp but absolutely a hit all the same (or is that hot)?
Other activities we had were a character breakfast where each one came to our table and we got their autographs. Spent plenty of time in the pool. Our surprise on the last day was to present the girls with pillow cases I had signed by all the characters. I purchased two pillow cases and a package of 12 colored sharpies before we left Kansas City. Took them to the Guest Services desk on the first day and asked them to have the characters sign them for the girls. It is such a fun souviner to bring back!
Over all this was a fabulous trip with my husband and girls. I just don't know if Disney would be my cruiseline of choice. We have been on Holland America, Norweigan, Carnival, Disney, and Royal Caribbean. Disney most definately caters to the children and I knew that going into it. However, by Thursday I was a little weary of the Disney theme. The food wasn't as good as we get on RC and they didn't have a casino, rock climbing wall, flowrider, library, mini putt putt, or an ice skating rink. They did have two other entertainment genres that featured a comedy team and a ventriliquist and they were hilarious. But overall as my choice I would stick with RC. Or maybe just not a 7 day cruise with Disney. I might feel a little better about a 3 or 4 day. Even Disneyland gets old for me after 4 days. The funny thing is Mike and I are going on another cruise in March with my sister and her husband on Carnival to Cabo San Lucas! Can't wait for a "true vacation" where I get a break from my stay home mom "job"!
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Thursday, October 6, 2011

Thought This Day Would Never Come

After 7 long months I am halfway to my goal weight. 40 pounds are gone for good but stay tuned for continued progress on the next 40.

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Saturday, September 24, 2011

Louisburg KS 1882

Louisburg KS; gotta love small-town America! Oh how I love going to the Louisburg Cider Mill during the fall. Ciderfest is such a fun community activity. They make their own cider on location and cider donuts. We have actually never been to the opening day of Ciderfest so this was a fun day for our family. Lots of craft booths set up, live music, food, shopping, corn maze, inflateables, and so much fun.

Happy Fall everyone!
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Friday, September 23, 2011

MT vs CST Drill Team Performance

Sorry this was so dark. Forgot our camcorder and had to use the camera. MT Drill Team performance during half-time. Savannah is the back row on the left in the middle.

MT vs CST

First night game of the season. Was loads of fun! Close game but we pulled it off by the end of the game. And did I mention I REALLY LIKE these 8 minute quarters in middle school football as opposed to the standard 15 minutes!!!

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Monday, September 19, 2011

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

This place is pretty spectacular. Free Open House yesterday that we went to.

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Saturday, September 17, 2011

Weight Loss

I just had to make a comment on My Fitness Pal tracker to your right. I really wish it said ** lbs gone. I have NO INTENTION of ever 'finding' these 'lost' pounds again!

Runnin' With the Wolves

It was supposed to be 72* today for this race. Not even. This is the first annual Runnin' With the Wolves 5K. Mike registered to run and Savannah and Drill Team volunteered throughout the route. We had to be there at 7am which was a little too early for little Haylie.

The race started at 8a with runners and walkers. Mike's time was 24:12. They rented some inflatables for the kids and then this place provided breakfast. They are pretty well-known around these parts. We had pancakes, sausage, and juice (and I brought bacon from home).
This design is being completed by the MT Art Department. Pretty cool timberwolf if you ask me!
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Saturday, September 10, 2011

Old Settlers Days 2011

The fam was up at 6am this morning to get ready for fun. Got to downtown Olathe early to nab our seats for the parade. MTMS drill team, band, and cheerleaders were one of the entries.

Parade started at 10am so we headed over to one of the parking lots to check out the car show. Oldest one there was a 1912 Ford. And of course we had to take a pic with Mater! We had such an awesome time! I can't believe in the entire 8 years we've been here that we've never gone to this shindig. We ran into our neighbors the Oberle's and hung out with them for lunch and checking out all the booths. The girls were allowed to bring $20 of their own money and they definately spent it!
Olathe Northwest High School is the one our girls will go to so I had to get a pic of them. Local funeral home had an awesome entry. One of our young men in our ward "CW" was an entry also. He is really into building robotics and I think won first place at some competition.
And then came our Timberwolves! Unfortunately we weren't at a place where the drill team did their routine so all I got was them marching. Savannah looked gorgeous and had a great time. Her friend Parker plays trumpet in the marching band. ;-)
Happy Birthday Kansas! 150 years old!
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Friday, September 9, 2011

8th Grade Football Game

First drill team performance at football game half-time! We didn't stay for the entire game but we were up 14 - 6 at the half. Go MT!

 
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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Labor Day Festivities

What an awesome holiday weekend! From my previous post Mike and I went to the Royals game Friday night. Saturday was a day of football. USU vs Auburn 42-38 but it was a GREAT game. BYU vs Ol' Miss hanging on by a thread 14-13. Sunday was church and Savannah had her friend Heather sleep over. Also had a spontaneous block party that night. Can anyone say hot dog? I bet we had about 50 people show up. This does not however take the place of our annual Halloween Block Party so stay tuned for more pictures later. Monday morning our ward had a 5K run and pancake breakfast. Mike's friend Ryan from grad school was actually out in the area on vacation from Utah and decided to run it with him. Mike came in #4 out of all 50 entries. Later that night we had our good friends the Whites over for a BBQ and back yard games. Just total loads of fun this weekend!

 
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Saturday, September 3, 2011

Date Nights

Two weekends, two sports. I LOVE living in a city where there are two major league teams! However, we did lose both games but thats ok. The fun is in just being there! Kansas City Chiefs vs St Louis Rams 14-10

Kansas City Royals vs Cleveland Indians 5-4
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Saturday, August 20, 2011

Haylie's Half

So Haylie, having a February birthday has never been able to do something outdoors for her birthday. She has always wanted a swim party. So this year we bagged a friend party in Feb and just went to Shogun as a family. So the year progresses and we still are aiming for a swim party. Well, August rolls around and she is now 9 1/2 and she decides she wants a party at this place. We could have done this indoor party during her actual birthday! Everyone had fun though. She had a couple of girls from church and then a bunch from school. We even ran into her 4th grade teacher on the way in! They got to play all over for an hour then it was pizza, root beer, cake and ice cream.

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Tuesday, August 16, 2011

First Day!

Haylie started 4th Grade on 8/15/11 and Savannah in 7th Grade 8/16/11. Have a great year ladies!

 
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Handyman

Because the girls had so much fun at the fair before the Nauvoo Pageant, they REALLY wanted some stilts. So a trip to Home Depot, $120, and 4 hours later this is the result....

They are really good at walking on them.
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