new editions

here are a couple of our new fall purchases:) we have nothing on our walls, so we went to Pier 1 Imports for some fun little additions to our home. heres a little painting we got, and some fun green placemats for our table. the table runner is from ilene. oh and of course the November edition of Lucky Magazine.

Laughing is an important part of my little family's relationship:) so we got a nice "Laugh" painting. Love it:)

And our new bedspread:) we found in on sale with decorative pillows and euro shams included. We need to purchase the Euro pillows, but heres how it looks for now. I didn't put the bedskirt for this set on, just didn't feel like lifting the heavy mattress to put it on.

and new plates and stuff!:) for our guests to eat on at Thanksgiving. They look so cute with our new placemats.

Boys will be boys...

3rd and 4th grade soccer team pizza party

I can't say I have ever been to a party will all boys. Growing up with only sisters, our parties tended to be a little different. Needless to say, Ryan and i had a BLAST having the boys and their parents over for a pizza party in celebration of a great soccer season.

First we started our with pizza and the wii...lots of fun there.

then the boys decided they needed to go outside to play football.

football with them consisted of running around our backgrounds screaming, "DIE DIE DIE!" and then tackling each other to the ground. over. and over. and over agian. Ryan and i were very much entertained.

while they happily wrestled, tackled, and screamed, i got some fun fall pics of them rolling around the leaves.

after they were done wrestling and tackling, they came in, and used the spare room as a race track. Nikko was a hit with them.

"Lets try not to get hit by it!!!!! OOOOW!"

after the fun of football, the wii, wrestling, Nikko, and pizza, cookies, soda, chips, and everything that would make a kid hyperactive, the boys and their parents went home. The house looked like autumn had decided to come inside our home, because of them bringing in leaves, dirt, and sticks on their clothes and shoes, but everyone had a good time. Ryan and i decided more so after last night, that when we have kids, we definitely want some BOYS.:) so. much. fun.

and here's fall in storm lake!

we were having friends over for dinner....the main course isn't out, but i wanted to show mom the salad bowl i put to use and show ilene the table runner she gave me:)

we would like to introduce to you Beauna and Skyvie. Two of the kids that we get the privilege of being in their lives. We're praying that next summer we'll be able to take them and a few other kids to summer camp.

They also go to the school that I work with, so I get to see them each day. I see Beauna all the time because her class is in the same wing as my classes. They fill our times with them with lots of laughs...one of my favorite quotes from Beauna was, "The kids at school call me small....because I'm small!" :)

To worship

(top boys: Skyvie and Ehklmer. Bottom girls: Beauna, Helen, and Kpru.)

We thought the church might be encouraged to see our kids in front, to show their faces, and to worship the Lord. alot of the people at church don't know who exactly our young ones are, so we sang "Every Move I make" very proudly:) These five are our consistent Sunday morning kids, and throughout the week we can count on these five showing up:) None of them have a clear understanding of a saving faith in Christ Jesus, so each Sunday we go over the basic foundations of faith, and teach them Bible stories. They seem to enjoy it as they are eager to go to church each Sunday! Please keep these kids in prayer and us as well as we hope to expand the children and youth ministry in the Storm Lake area!:)

Favorite quote this week:

8 year old, Beauna:

"Kristine?"

"Yes, Beauna?"

"Why is Ryan a gentleman?"

*pause* smile.*

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he always opens the door for me! ALWAYS!"

toooo cute.:)

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Lately I'd been seeing all my Chicago friends' statuses about Pumpking spice lattes from Starbucks. *sigh.* being in Storm Lake means no starbucks, which has broken my addiction of special coffee drinks. But after seeing all those Pumpkin Spice Latte statuses, I'd been craving the taste of that yummy creamy "fall in a cup."

After a day of work, successful because of the progress the kids are making, I waited outside for my husband. It had been a cold snowy day, and as I held an empty coffee tumbler in my hands, I wished I had something warm in my cup.

When my husband drove up to school today, he uncovered a surprise that made my day. He found the one place in the Storm Lake that had pumpkin spice lattes!!!! no other place had the right ingredients for it, but he found it, and surprised me with my favorite fall drink.

Each day, he does little things that he goes out of his way for to please me, or serve me, or love me, and I can't help but feel in awe that God blessed me with this man as my husband.

My sweet man knows how to make me smile:).

Date night

Ever since we started dating, Ryan and I set aside one nite a week that we would designate as our "date night." We've stayed true to it, even now in marriage. We started out on Saturday nights 3 1/2 years ago, and have moved to Monday nights (because it is Ryan's day off:)). We have gotten into the habit of not scheduling anything on the night of our date night. Its the one nite a week that we are guaranteed time together, without any distractions or others:). I always look forward to it! Whether we are going outside to throw a football or baseball, or playing monopoly game, or watching a movie together, no matter what we do, it is always so special and enjoyable because it is with each other.

Date night has been a habit that we have enjoyed each week for as long as we've been together, and I'm so glad we established it that long ago!:) Each week, Ryan either takes me out for dinner or takes care of dinner, so that I don't need to cook. I love it!:) It seems like ever since we got married as well, whenever i come home from work, he surprises me with the house looking amazing, with dishes or laundry done, or beautiful flowers on the table. He surprises me each week. I can't help but wonder why God blessed me with such a wonderful man.

Happy 25th birthday to ilene!!!:) from Ryan and Kristine

For ilene's birthday, I flew out to Chicago to surprise her. What a fun time we had! I was sick for two days of it, but the rest of the time was very enjoyable!:) Here are some of my favorite moments with my sister:)

Dinner out with my sister and ryan on her birthday! my fave part was the olive oil (which is what I'm holding) and the parmesan cheese dip....yummy...

don't ya love how that "laugh" is right by his head?:)"

Georgia bull dog game:)
i love old town strolls:)

i miss the beautiful busy streets of chicago!

shopping with ilene is like nothing else in this world...i miss it! I love you ate:) happy birthday!