Jamboree

The Robinsons and my parents made a fantastic investment and purchased a 1984 Jamboree RV for Iowa Hawkeye tailgating (this photo looks similar to the actual thing).

This weekend Steve and I called the Jamboree home in the middle of a parking lot by Kinnick Stadium.

I called bed the cocoon area over the driving area. Steve slept in the back of the camper on a bed positioned directly next to the toilet and the stove. We loved it and slept great both nights!

It started solid Friday night around 11:30 p.m. when Steve asked some guy in an orange vest if the kybos in the parking lot were open all night. The orange vest guy replied, "Yes. And I highly recommend them." That comment in itself was a little concerning but nonetheless it was nice to know someone was so positive about a portable toilet.

Saturday morning about 6:00 a.m. Steve started his day by setting out the things for the tailgate and immediately making friends and being invited into "Phil's" RV next door for a bloody mary. After hearing AC DC songs for 90 minutes I made it down the ladder, got my hair wet with cold water and then realized the power wasn't on to dry my hair. I don't have hair that can naturally dry and look half-way right, so once the parents arrived, my mom and I headed over to Carver-Hawkeye Arena to dry and curl my hair in the restroom. That was a successful first for both of us.

Once the tailgate got into full force everyone kept asking how people make it without a Jamboree. It kept everyone warm in the morning, it was a place to change clothes once it got hot and it served as a napping place during the game for the little ones.


And on Saturday night after the bars, it got a laugh out of the cab driver when we asked him to take us to Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Thanks to my parents and Robinsons for letting us shack up in the Jamboree this weekend. That alone made it a fun weekend!

My First Bridal Shower.

My first bridal shower was a year ago today.

Now that I can look back at last year, I appreciate even more all of the planning, money, travel and time off work my friends and family sacrificed (although I know they don't see it that way)to be with us, and to make the experience leading up to and our wedding itself unbelievable. We have a lot of very good memories to remember over the next couple of months!

Plaza Art Fair

Tonight kicked off the Annual Plaza Art Fair. After work the Steve's, Nate and I headed down to the plaza. By the time we made it to the building my brother and I work in to park, Nate was saying "Daddy You're Crazy" in the cute way/language he talks. I egged him on a bit, but he was saying this for a reason. You would have thought we were some place like NYC.

We got to the plaza and we parked the stroller, got some food and beer and just watched the thousands of people (but yet, somehow, saw no art). The funniest thing was every time we let Nate out of his stroller, he started dancing like a mad man. Even when there was no music. He had the biggest smile on his face, and he was entertaining a lot of people. It was hilarious.

We then found my work friends. Nate was straight off an ice cream high, and like before, he was entertaining all of my friends. My friends thought he was the cutest thing. And he is!

Get 'em Willie!

This is what the guy behind us said after every song.

Somehow Steve and I ended up at a Willie Nelson concert last night. He was playing outside at Starlight. We even got free beer, chicken fingers and corn dogs! That alone made Steve a happy camper.

But then the concert began. It was unbelievable. Seeing him perform clearly showcases why he is an American icon. And the female catfight that almost blew up at the end of our row sealed the deal.

25 Skills Every Man Should Know.

Last week on the radio, the DJ's were talking about a new article in Popular Mechanics. Now normally something in Popular Mechanics would not pique my interest, however the article is "25 Skills Every Man Should Know".

So here it is.

The List: How to...

1. Patch a radiator hose
2. Protect your computer
3. Rescue a boater who has capsized
4. Frame a wall
5. Retouch digital photos
6. Back up a trailer
7. Build a campfire
8. Fix a dead outlet
9. Navigate with a map and compass
10. Use a torque wrench
11. Sharpen a knife
12. Perform CPR
13. Fillet a fish
14. Maneuver a car out of a skid
15. Get a car unstuck
16. Back up data
17. Paint a room
18. Mix concrete
19. Clean a bolt-action rifle
20. Change oil and filter
21. Hook up an HDTV
22. Bleed brakes
23. Paddle a canoe
24. Fix a bike flat
25. Extend your wireless network

I grew up with a dad who did pretty much everything himself. I don't have many memories of service people in our home. And then I somehow married a man who grew up in a similar type of household and now that we have our own home does everything.

Now the only one Steve may be little hazy on is retouching digital photos (that's my thing anyway). But since he has a major dislike for having his picture taken; it's probably a good thing or he would automatically cut himself out of every photo.

What Would You Do To Go Home?

It's an understatement to say we can't be too careful.

Ann and I spent our Thursday night at a women's self defense class. It was a free class (www.takedefense.org) sponsored by The Ali Kemp Foundation at the Chiefs practice field. This is obviously another woman in the photo, but Ann and I put some pretty intense moves on this "man".

Those in the KC area are all familiar with the terrible story of Ali Kemp. She was home the summer after her freshman year at K-State life guarding at a neighborhood pool when she was sexually assaulted and murdered. Her parents immediately decided to honor her memory by providing self defense skills to women around the country.

It was an amazing two hours full of hands-on-training (aka Ann and I unintentionally inflicting pain on each other), life saving tips and horrifying stories. And yet it was probably two of the most enjoyable hours for us both.

Quote Of The Week.

"Finn is such a neat little package."
- Vicky

Cousin Love

Nate loves his cousins! This is a sweet picture of Nate and Megan at the Royals game last weekend. She could do no wrong in his book that night!

We now know why one of Steve's majors was Political Science.

Barb didn't even know she had been written in until they called her the day of the election. Now that's the sign of true popularity!

This is an article from their local newspaper.

Write-in Seiler knocks Schultz off SL school board

Retired teacher defeats board president


Write-in candidate Barb Seiler and incumbent Ed McKenna were elected Tuesday to the Storm Lake School Board. Seiler, who retired at the end of last year as first grade teacher at South School, unseated incumbent and school board president Mark Schultz, who was unopposed on the ballot. Vote totals were: McKenna, 177; Seiler, 152; Schultz, 94.

Congratulations, Barb!

Good Times!

Surgery is on our family's mind today.

It made me think about last August when I had my myomectomy. The few days I was in the hospital I was very nauseous and medicine didn't seem to help. One night everyone had gone home except for my dad and Steve. It was getting late so they were preparing to leave. Although the lady on the other side of the curtain was moaning and I couldn't do anything but keep my eyes closed with tears running out of them and the (mean) nurse told them to leave, I was very nauseous, scared and I begged them not to leave me.

So for who knows how long, the two of them sat in the dark on two small, uncomfortable chairs in complete silence, and I guess just stared at each other until the medicine thankfully finally knocked me out. Good times!

Steve's Furry Friend.

Spiders or large insects of any kind don't bother me in the least. But this story makes me cringe to type.

Over the past two weekends Steve has gone fishing three times.
Although he went with friends, they fished in separate boats. It must be a guy thing.

Anyway, after fishing in this boat for two-hours in the middle of the pond, on two separate occasions... a little furry creature decided to come out from who-knows-where on the boat and greet Steve by running over his toes!

So twice Steve has been alone in the middle of a pond with a mouse. And the thing is he keeps going back for more! It's officially now a fact that opposites do attract.

A Shout Out For Barb's Birthday!

I wasn't able to get on my computer yesterday, but I want to wish Steve's mom and my mother-in-law the happiest birthday! I think everyone will agree there aren't many people in this world with a bigger and more sincere heart than Barb :)

A "Guy's" Guy

Last Sunday we grilled out at a co-worker's house. Yesterday I went to happy hour on the plaza with some of the same co-workers.

Who knows what we were talking about last night, but one of them suddenly said, "I really like Steve. He's a guy's guy." The other girls chimed in that they agreed and their husbands all thought Steve was a cool guy.

It's nice to know that a man can do all of the cooking, drive a huge car that is like his in-laws, go to estate sales, etc. and wait on his wife hand-and-foot and still be considered a guy's guy. Because while his quality of life may improve if he stopped doing these things, mine sure wouldn't!

I'll Say It Once & I'll Say It Again...Only Ted.

My parents and Steve & Ann went to Chicago for the Iowa/Northern Illinois football game at Soldier Field over Labor Day weekend. This makes perfect sense.

Last year Ted moved from KC to Denver (and is a huge Iowa State fan).

So why was I not surprised when I received a text and call from Ted telling me he is in Chicago for the game and is looking for my parents?!

Well, he found my family at their tailgate. Here they are enjoying and reminiscing about the memories of the 9+ years they've known each other and how Ted really is everywhere.

The answer is in the question.

This weekend I took the following quiz: Are you a good cook?
The results below will not be a surprise to anyone. In fact it probably could not be more right on.

What is more telling is that my brother just called to ask if we wanted to grill out tonight. Once Steve realized we were talking about dinner, he immediately took the phone from me and started planning the meal on the phone and creating a meal for at least 10 people.

My results:

You Are Not a Cook

You know cooking isn't for you, and you wouldn't even consider trying to make a homecooked meal.And this is a very good thing. You've saved all your friends and family from unintentional food poisoning!

Are'>http://www.blogthings.com/areyouagoodcookquiz/">Are You A Good Cook?

Steve's results:

You Are an Excellent Cook

You're a top cook, but you weren't born that way. It's taken a lot of practice, a lot of experimenting, and a lot of learning.It's likely that you have what it takes to be a top chef, should you have the desire...

Are'>http://www.blogthings.com/areyouagoodcookquiz/">Are You A Good Cook?

No Fear.

All summer our newly turned two-year old nephew has desperately wanted to jump off the diving board into the pool. Fear is not in his vocabulary. His favorite thing to do in the pool is go underwater and come up with a huge grin on his face.

I think we can safely assume he now has a new favorite thing to do at the pool.
Today he jumped off the diving board into his dad's arms what seemed like at least 15 times.
It didn't matter how much water went up in nose or into his mouth. Nate kept exclaiming, "I did it!" and then wanted to do it again and again and again.

That kid never ceases to amaze me!