Long Overdue Update

I am so far behind on the blog. UGH! I have lots to blog about though, which seems overwhelming. I think this is the longest I have gone without blogging. Wondering why....

I have gone back to work. Ryan is in school all day long and this ideal part-time job presented itself so I went for it. The company I now work for is a physical therapy consulting firm by the name of International Spine and Pain Institute. My boss travels around the US teaching continuing education courses to physical therapists. I stay back here in Story City and help in the office. I am an Adminstrative Assistant. I have flexible hours, I only work while Ryan is in school and the office is located 4 short miles from my house. It is a great situation. I am really liking it so far.

Ryan is enjoying Kindergarten. He has a great teacher, we are so lucky. I can't believe how much he is learning. He can read or sound out many words, it has only been 2 months since school started. Ryan wasn't really up to par one day, I tried to get him to stay home from school but he wouldn't hear it. He WASN'T going to miss school. He is still exhausted when he gets home. So bedtime is between 7 - 7:30. I was having trouble waking him up the morning so we bought an alarm clock. That did the trick, he gets up much better using the alarm clock.

Adoption Update: We got our court date!!!! Ben and I are headed over to Russia soon. We will go to court to officially adopt Veronika. After the court date there is a 10 business day waiting period before we can bring her home. So during the waiting period, Ben and I are coming home. I will go back after the waiting period to get her. I can't believe this is really going to happen! We are paying for her to have English lessons so hopefully that will help the language barrier a little bit. A family from Gilbert (8 miles away) are adopting a 9 year old from the same childrens home as Veronika. We have the same court date so we will be making this journey with that family.

A photo updated from the last 7 weeks

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

We went to Washington for the weekend. My cousin got married and we had two birthday parties for Ryan.

Katie and Isaac finally got married after being together for like 9 years or something

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Myles and Ryan had a birthday party with my dad's side of the family. Myles turned 6 and Ryan turned 5. It was a great party. As the boys get older they have more and more fun together.

Grandpa Randy and Grandma Mardi with all the grandkids (Ryan, Myles, Izzy and Chase)
My cute little niece is a tomboy

Chase enjoying birthday cake - grandpa allowed this to happen

Birthday party with my mom's side of the family - great grandma and great grandpa with 3 grandkids and 3 great grandsons

CENTER GROVE ORCHARD

I love fall. It is my favorite time of year. We normally go to WI to make the apple orchard rounds but it didn't work out this year. So we went to a local apple orchard. This was our first time going to Center Grove Orchard. It was a lot of fun. We will definitely be going back.

Ryan and Natalie petting goats
Can't really tell what is going on in this picture but I really like it so I posted it anyway.

Jumping in the corn pool

We found corn in all kinds of places (behind his ear)

In his ear

CORN MAZE - Ryan's favorite part of the day. We walked around 4 acres of corn searching for stamps to fill a maze search card. I am not sure who was more competitive, the kids or the adults.

Ryan and Mason

The boys following Lisa on search of stamps

FOUND THE PIG STAMP!!

He finished the card - all 10 stamps

Natalie, Mason and Ryan after the maze

Jumping on the gaint pillow

SURPRISE 30th BIRTHDAY PARTY for Jenn

Jenn's husband pulled off a surprise party for her. My job was to get Jenn out of the house so Correy could bring family in, make food and cake. I did it. We went to the mall for a couple hours. When we got back to the house, Jenn was surprised. She had no clue that this had been in the works! It was FUN!

PUMPKIN CROP

This was our first year growing pumpkins. It was successful. Our pumpkins are big and have a really nice shape. Very happy with them.

Yummy squash too

Had to think of something to do with all the pumpkins.....Ben's creative juices were flowing

LEDGES STATE PARK
We went to a playdate at Ledges. I love this place. I wish we could get over there more often. Water runs over the road in many places thoughout the park. The kids had a blast.

Mason, Jaden, Cainan, Treyton, Natalie, Ry, Aiden, Aubrey and Cole

Ryan and Mason up against a "ledge"

DYLAN FRANKLIN has arrived

Jenn and Correy were blessed with a third child. Dylan was born Oct 7 weighing 8lbs 13oz. Everyone is healthy and doing great. Dylan is a sweet baby.

Jack was so excited to meet his little brother
I love him already

H1N1

All I can say is YUCK! Dr's are not testing for H1N1 but pretty sure that is what Ryan had. He suffered all the symptoms. I felt so sorry for him. He was miserable. Starting to feel better now, gaining some strength and fever free. He still has the sore thoat and cough. We are hoping that Ben and I can avoid this illness since we are leaving for Russia soon.