You Say It's Your Birthday....

We started dating when we were 27, & now he's (not me - quite yet)  37!

Happy, Happy birthday to my beyond-wonderful husband!

He just returned from a much deserved guys fishing trip in Wisconsin last night -- after 12.5 hours in the car -- so this 37-year old is exhausted!

It's nice how his shirt perfectly complements the wall & flower picture.

A Celebration of 95 Years

A couple of weekends ago we got to spend three-days in northwest (Storm Lake) and northern (Algona) Iowa.

On that Sunday we got to celebrate Steve's grandpa's 95th birthday! Steve's mom, Barb, and sister, Julie, organized an extremely nice open house for Grandpa Bartlett.

Steve's grandpa has had a very rewarding life and has given much back to his community and church.

Here's our awesome family...anyone that's been around them all together know there's no other family like the Seilers. They are hilarious with each other, and we have a good time together...

Josh, Jamie and I are very lucky to have become a part of this family.

I think this was the 10th picture taken so the kids were getting a little restless.
Front Row: Grandpa Bartlett, Luke, Ty
Second Row: Josh, Julie, Barb, Jamie, Cael, Beth, Andy
Back Row: Jerry, Steve


Uncle Steve and Luke on the pogo stick.

Ty was eating ice cream at the open house ever chance he got. He sat down by multiple people he didn't know and would just make himself at home. Doesn't he have the best smile?

Cael is funny and on-the-move. As much as they try to change it, he will only call his grandma, "Barb". "Hi Barb!" "What are you doing, Barb?" So funny...

May The Force Be With You

The last week of June we had two family birthdays. First was Julie's birthday, and the next day was Nate's!

Here are some photos from Nate's (amazing) Jedi 5th birthday.

Ditchin' the Last Name

I have not been much of a blogger lately. I need to get back into the blogging groove.

But we have really fabulous news...Steve's sister and my sister-in-law, Julie, is engaged to Josh!

It happened a couple of weekends ago - and Josh did a great job. As Josh was getting ready to propose, (which Jules obviously didn't know) she started singing, "You're The Inspiration" to him.

Only Julie (and that funny Seiler sense of humor)!

We are thrilled for them, and look forward to it all!

Charlotte Street Outing

Each year on Easter Eve, my brother and sister-in-law along with their neighbors have a Charlotte St. Easter Egg Hunt.

It's hilarious to watch them search through multiple yards searching for eggs.


The Charlotte Street clan. The big kids are always so helpful with helping the little kids find eggs.


Evan the Easter Bunny (missing a sock).



Nate and Evan enjoying the fruits of their labor.

36!

On March 16, my brother and I turned 36.

Enough said!

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Evan!

We love you so much!

Christmas in Iowa

Like many people, our Christmas centered around the weather.

We thankfully made it everywhere (slowly and sometimes white-nuckled in white out conditions) except to Steve's grandpa's in Algona.

It was a whirlwind trip, but we got to spend some time with both of our families.

And Steve got to skin a deer with his dad and brother. Now that's Christmas...

Family Beware

And that's not all of them.

I have no idea how after these presents are loaded in our small car; our luggage and us are going to fit for our "Tour De Iowa".

It may be a close to the dash board kind of ride.

3rd Wedding Anniversary

Steve and I had our 3rd wedding anniversary yesterday on 12/2. It's hard to believe it's been three years since our wedding.

We celebrated with my mom, Ann and the boys by Steve grilling steaks outside during a very chilly night and watching an animated Christmas special!

Parenting Sick

I don't know how parents "parent" when they are under the weather; especially solo.

I love watching my nephews. And I got to watch them Saturday night! Unfortunately I wasn't feeling 100%, and while they were a breeze (really, they were), it's hard work watching children while not feeling well...and Steve was there with me the majority of the time.

So as always, kudos to every parent out there!

Our Weekend

We had one of those quasi-quiet but busy weekends.

Friday night we enjoyed sushi at the sushi bar at Jun's in Prairie Village. Steve loves to sit there and watch them make sushi. It's kind of like a child (or Steve) watching cartoons.

On Saturday Steve did what seemed like a million things to the house both outside and inside. I would repeat them but I can't remember them all. I, on the other hand, looked for a dress for the upcoming Napa wedding.

Saturday night was spent with friends celebrating the couples baby shower for our friends Joe and Angie. It was a really fun night!

Sunday was more work for Steve. And I still looked for a dress... My parents are here watching the boys so we grilled out and watched cartoons (that, again, Steve enjoyed).

And that's all they wrote...

First Football Game

Last weekend we treked through a lot of traffic and construction to Iowa City for the Iowa/UNI football game with our family and friends.

Ann and baby Evan post-game!

Nate and Jack taking a rare break from playing.

Wendy and me.

Steve's amazing food...and then some.

Iowa State Fair: Friday Night

Steve and I were in Des Moines this weekend to see family and friends.

Here's our recap of Friday at the zoo!


Steve and I starting it off in front of Stockman's.

My food on a stick.

The biggest bull.

Joe and I looking for the guys in a sea of thousands and thousands of people.

Brooke and I doing the hand. Why? No idea...

The sister-in-laws at the Paul Wright concert.

The Teether at Aunt Beth & Uncle Steve's House...

Steve's Yard Birthday

We celebrated Steve's birthday Saturday night with Steve, Ann and the boys.


Their birthday theme was yard toys for our backyard (which means the gifts are really for me). He received Jarts (yard darts), a badmitton/volleyball set and a HUGE score stick).

And then there was Andre the Giant. Two loves of this four-year old and this 36-year old.

Uncle Steve and Nate playing Jarts.

The Steve's putting together the large scorer.

Nate decided it was time to play tackle football instead...

His Name is Nate, And He is Great...

On June 28, our nephew, Nate, turned four. Unbelievable.

He had a pool party. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and perfect.

The Festival of Testicles

Multiple years ago...Steve first heard about this festival called the Testicle Festival.

We didn't know where it was in Missouri but, my oh my, has Steve been talking about it since. It has been the one place he's wanted to experience.

As we were driving into the greater Ozarks region OOH billboards started popping up promoting the Testicle Festival the weekend we were there!

So on Saturday afternoon the (adult) boys jumped in the car and stood in line for well over an hour for testicles.

Sadly, the organizers didn't forecast the testicles correctly and they were gone before the boys could taste. But regardless, Steve got his wish, has some koozies and can truthfully tell anyone who asks that he has been to a testicle festival!

Babies on the Boat

On Friday of our Ozarks vaca, we rented a boat.

Nate was the keeper of all things maps at all times.

Look, I could totally take him home with me and pass him off for more than my nephew :)

Baby Evan spent 4-hours in this life jacket and was still happy.

Between the life jacket and grandpa's tummy, he had plenty of cushion :)

Nate wasn't a huge fan of the boat so a nap was a good thing.

That was until he was able to "drive it".

My god, little boys (and girls) are cute!

Why do I look so far away?