The Dogs

 Brad and I have been going on walks at lunch for the past month or so. It's gotten to the point that starting about 12 the dogs get excited and run back and forth between Brad and  I until its time to go, which is about 30 minutes. They love it but wear themselves out. When we get back, they sleep the rest of the afternoon until the kids get home from school. 

Friday the Thirteenth

 

Every time there is a Friday the 13th Brad makes what we call skin cookies. It's just sugar cookies with frosting that had melted gummy candy mixed it. The texture is kind of weir but its a must every time. We watched Halloween from 2018, which was pretty lame, but the cookies were good. 

Super Bowl

Cam and Cailey came up for the Super Bowl. It was a fun weekend to go make cookies, play games and watch some of the 'big game'. We did our annual BINGO. Beck chose to work so his coworker, who loves one of the teams, could watch the game. The prizes for this year was gift cards. One $10 and one $15 each. It was a good plan but  by half time, only Cam had one BINGO. It was still fun, we just let them pick in the end. We know they don't really care about the game, but the time as a family is what matters. 

 

Cookie Decorating

 

Today we went to Twin to learn how to decorate cookies with the girls in the Barnes Family. Thursday Beck filled the car tires; it didn't seem to work so Brad took him later that night and filled them up. The next day Brad went out and the tire was down to 19 PSI. Weird but maybe the cold did something. We filled it up and then today I went to leave and it was down to 25 PSI again. I didn't feel comfortable taking that car, so we went back and got the kid's car. A few minutes after I left brad sent me a text, the tire had a screw in it. So good we didn't take it. On the freeway that could have been really bad. Brad took it in and they fixed it for free. 

I can now see why they charge so much for these cookies. It was fun to do, but a lot of work! You have to do them in layers or parts and getting good lines is hard to do. 

She did a good step by step and they all turned out at least semi cute. 

Theses are mine. Not too bad, I think. 

Emery and Cailey's. Not going to be my next hobby, but still fun to do. 

End of an Era

 We finally got a new hot glue gun. I think my mom got this as a wedding present? Noah brought it over on the ship?  No one knows how old this is, but this is the one I always used as a kid, and yes the basket is just as old. At some point I 'stole it' from mom or it was given to me when I was married. No matter how I got it, this thing is old.  You can see there is a chunk missing, it is broken off into the basket. That basket is FULL of hardened glue. You had to let the gun warm up before taking the gun off or it was stuck to the basket. The temperature  was cold or the deepest depts of hell hot. It served us well, but today we got a new one. This has caused many of heat blisters but had also aided in many projects too. Sad to see her go, but it was time. 

Photo Dump

Cam got glasses. Not having these did not aid in his wreck. Which for an update, he is doing well. Still doesn't like being in a car, little anxiety with that, but each day, his headaches get a little better and happen less. He has check up #2 soon.  Looking good and can actually see now. 

There was a random winter dance at Emery's school. Her friend group decided to wear dresses last minute. She had a lot of fun and they all looked amazing. 

They traditionally go to IHop afterwards, even though she actually hates IHop, but tradition. 

This past weekend I went to a party with my friend from work that was call "Favorites night". You brought something that you love or is your favorite thing. You bring three of them and leave the night with three different things that others loved. It was lots of food and talking. It was my first time and so I didn't know what to bring but no one just brought one thing, it was favorite few small things.  

This is what I brought...

What I took home. While I have a small big group limit, it was a lot of fun. It was a cool concept and just fun to try new products. I am very glad I did two items since no one just did one. I was told by my friend that I have to go next year, so I know better what to bring. 

A Call You Never Want

 

Last Wednesday about 3pm Cam called me. For one, other than Sunday's, he doesn't call, he will text. Two, it was mid day and usually he's in class so I was a little worried right off. Three, when the first thing your child says is 'I'm okay but...' you really worry; especially when they are four hours away. He told me he was in an accident and T-boned and wanted to know what to do. He did call the police and they were on the scene but he just didn't want to forget anything. Asked if he was okay then talked him through what to do and make sure he gets. He said he felt fine but I told him he needs to make sure a paramedic checks him out before leaving so something is on file incase it changes the next day. 

Thankfully it wasn't a very high speed hit, but the other car tired to go across all lanes of traffic and did not look and did not see Camden. It hit hard enough the air bags went off. He said he blacked out for a little bit and when he realized what happened he quickly got out the passenger side door. He did the EMT classes and I think some of that knowledge helped him in this situation. The police and EMTs were surprised he wasn't hurt more due to how and where he was hit. When he called and said he was hit but fine, I assumed it was the passenger side. It was a shock and scary an hour later when he sent us pictures to realize it was on the drivers side of the car. He had a lot of adrenalin going through him all that day and it wasn't until the next day he started to feel little things. His wrist hurt and Cailey was worried that he had a concussion. Cam did set up an appointment at the ISU health center and Cailey was right. He has a minor concussion and sprained wrist. They gave him some instructions and a follow up. He spent the weekend with on and off headaches, but his wrist started to feel better quickly. 

He did have to go to the tow yard to get a few things out of the car. I'm guessing the other drivers bumper was kind of hooked onto the car and the hole happened when they split the cars up. Were guessing it's a total loss but insurance has found her 100% liable. 

It sucks all around, especially right now he doesn't have a car, but thankfully Cailey does. Cars don't matter though, were just so grateful he walked away from this like he has; it really easily could have been much worse. The worst part is being four hours away and not being able to just do a quick drive to hug him and help him. Yes he's a very capable adult, but he's still my baby and I worry. He's okay and that's what matters the most. 

Smash Room

 

Mom and I needed a mother daughter weekend and so we did that a few weekends ago. There was something I wanted to do with mom was a smash room. It can be kind of weird if you haven't done them before, but it is so cathartic and helpful. A few swings were iffy, but there was a moment it clicked and she loved it. It helped a little with things she's going through. It was such a fun weekend of shopping, snack, smashing and just talking. 

Picture Dump

It's been a bit but not much has happened, but I have a few pictures on my phone. 

Luna likes to sleep like a human sometimes. Pretty cute when she does. 

Emery finished her Lego, took her a few days but it looks really cool hung up on the wall. 

Emery and her friends get together each year and pick a name, go to Build-a-Bear and they make one for their secret person. Then they show what they created. Its a cute way to do gifts for each other. They went to Scentsy afterwards for pictures.  She also went downtown on New Years to watch the potato drop. 

Cailey was in London for a few weeks visiting her family. She brought home so candy (love a Curly Wurly) and a cool skyscape. Cam was very excited when she got home. 

Christmas Day

 Before lunch we watched a few movies, then just had snack foods for lunch. After lunch all the kids crashed and took a nap. Cam Emery and Jacks tried to stay up all night. They didn't make it but were up late and tired. Beck was tired from waking up early. I guess that's what they get when they wake up at 6:30 in the morning. 

We finished the night off with homemade pizza and watching the next instalment of Stranger Things. It was pretty good, now only one episode left. 

Emery worked on her Lego on and off all day and got a little over half done. It's looking good however her fingers hurt a little.