2010 Christmas Card

With Love Chartreuse Christmas Card

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Double Bubble

Every Friday night the Country Club in Elkader has double bubble (2 drinks for the price of one). Brandon, Payton and I have been spending time with family and friends on Friday nights. Here are some pictures of Payton with Grandpa Mike and her cousin Mary Ann Donlon.
We also had Holly Purman show up and it was her birthday. She used to babysit Brandon when he was little (I feel sorry for her). Brandon got her a birthday shot and shared it with her. Holly said she would take care of Brandon and tuck him in if he ever needed it :)

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Taco Night!

Last night I talked Brandon into going down to Osterdock for Taco night. We were excited that our friends Josh, Heather and there cute little girl Allison were going with us. They place was packed, but the tacos were excellent (the beer I had with my taco was amazing as well)! Payton and her friend, Allison (who was born in Nov.) played like champs on the table while the adults conversed and drank beverages. I forgot that I had my "new" digital camera with me I got for Mother's Day. I was digging in my purse and saw it. I thought, "these are great picture moments of Payton playing with a lifelong friend." Here they are:

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Monday Already...

I was not ready for it to be Monday by any means...

Mother's Day was great, but we ran all over. We had a lot of fun going to church with the whole family, then G & G Donlon's. The meal was excellent and everyone loved the "Bender's Salad" I slaved over to make.

Brandon, Payton and I went home to take a snooze before we headed off to Brandon's mom's house for a delicious dinner. Once again, it was an amazing time with good food and family. I even had my morals for the year :) Although it was a great time had by all, today I find myself thinking that I could have just stayed home and played with Payton. That would have been more than good enough for me on Mother's Day. I will have to do that one night this week. Just enjoy some alone time with Payton and Brandon.

Family time is great, but with our large families sometimes we get caught up in their traditions and don't have time for our own. We will have to work on the in the future.

I was surprised Friday night when I got home and Brandon, I mean Payton had a gift all wrapped. Payton told me Daddy took her to Wal-Mart on his day off with her and she got me a present. She got me a digital camera since the hand me down I had finally quit. Payton even wrote out the card in her beautiful scribbles!
So here are some pictures I took yesterday for Mother's Day 2010!

I used picnik.com to edit and make these photos interesting and fun!

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Single Mom

My husband got done planting corn last night and only has 120 acres of beans left. I can't wait until he is done and will be home more. Payton and I miss him dearly. There are two times a year when I am on my own. Planting and Harvest....They are a huge part of his job and I completely understand that, but that doesn't mean I always like it. Running errands, CCD, Master's Classes, school meetings, full-time job, etc. are much harder to accomplish on a daily basis since having Payton. With Brandon around to get Payton ready in the morning and help entertain her during supper is huge. It makes my life 50 x easier. Thank goodness he doesn't have a job that requires him to work those hours all year long! I would never make it.

I know it is really hard on Brandon too. He misses Payton terribly during those stressful and busy times as well, and I hope he misses me too! LOL...
He calls just to listen to Payton jabber on the other end. It is so funny, because Payton cries when I hang up the phone and put in on the receiver. She acts like she wasn't done and had more to say!

And Payton....is just like her father! She is full of energy, loving and a turd! When she wants something she will make sure she gets if from you one way or the other. She is demanding, but so damn cute I cave every time!
Payton is crawling all over our house. I have gates up and doors closed, but she still gets into trouble. Brandon forgot to close bathroom door and I came around the corner and she was reaching for the heater (which was on) and scared me half to death.
Last week she crawled off my bed and fell head first onto a plastic tub that was sticking out from under the bed, last month she crawled off our step down to the dining room and busted her lip open! I know this makes me sound like a terrible mom, but with everything she did, she only cried for seconds. I was the one a wreck for days...weeks....on wait..I still am!

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Mother/Daughter Banquet

Last night was the Mother/Daughter Banquet at the Country Club in Elkader. It was a lot of fun and the food was excellent! Payton was crawling all over the place and she was so happy to see all her grandma's and her aunts.
Here are some pictures. I had to crop Great Grandma Donlon out of one of them because she looked all blurry like a ghost (hummmmm...). LOL

After nights like these it reminds me how important family is no matter how crazy they are! Put aside the ups and downs life throws you and grab those that are close to you and cherish them with all you have. You never know what is around the corner of life and you don't want to regret anything....

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Barge Situation UPDATED

They are unloading the punctured barge full of corn into an empty barge that is anchored next to the barge. I hope they can get everything cleaned up before the weather comes!
-Jill

Barge Hits Lock and Dam 10 UPDATE...

Story at KWWL

Help has arrived....another tugboat and a crane! I asked the students how they think the crane will solve the problem... They said, "The crane will lift the whole barge out of the water and then they will drag it to the repair shop!" Hummm -Jill

Barge Hits Lock and Dam 10

On windy Thursday, April 29, 2010 a large barge hit the end of Lock and Dam #10 as it proceeded down river. The school heard a loud boom and everyone was buzzing with anticipation. "What caused the boom? Is everyone okay?" Come to find out....it was a barge! Classes progressed outside to watch the mayhem. Teachers taught their students about the Mississippi habitat and what would happen if the barge sunk. "What would happen to the river life if the barge was carrying coal?" and many more questions. The students had all types of answers and many of their own questions. It was a genuine "teachable moment" for Clayton Ridge. As a teacher, I have no idea what will happen to the barge. Another barge came and anchored the wrecked barge and slowed the sinking....
Update when I know more! -Jill

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