Turkey Day :)

I am sorry...I didn't get pictures of the boys or family for Thanksgiving.  We traveled to Des Moines to hang out with my mom and her side of the family.  It was a lot of fun, but testing our sanehood on the drive there and back.  Kai has been great in the car, but Kade on the other hand...not the best.  It didn't help that one of the dual dvd players was broken (that will be taken care of before our next long car ride!).  We made it to Des Moines and had a great lunch with aunts, uncles, cousins and second cousins.  We had a lot of fun and a great ornament exchange.  Then we were able to stop and see my aunt on my dad's side and my grandparents.  We are so lucky it all worked out the way it did.  We made it home Thanksgiving night all in one piece.  PK has the day off with us tomorrow, so it should be a great day.  More tomorrow or this weekend :)  Much love!

Outside

Isn't it strange....it is 45 degrees here and it feels like a heatwave.  Well, not really, but if you live in Iowa you know what I mean.  We have had an interesting weekend, but a nice one.  We are starting to get over our colds.  I had a great plan yesterday...we all headed to Sam's club to try the thanksgiving foods.  It was very good, but everyone and their brother had the same idea.  We ending up buying some things...it all worked out.  Then we got home and everyone took a naps...so very nice.  That brings us to today....the heatwave of 45 degrees...we all went outside and played.  PK was doing leaves and the boys wanted to run around.  So, we all ran off some energy and then inside for baths.  Well, the bad thing is we now don't have power....At least I will still be able to save this blog.  It takes awhile to post this blog w/2 boys, a dog and a husband.  So, now we have restored power and all doing our own thing.  PK is having a potluck at work tomorrow, so I am trying to get food ready for that.  As of now daycare is in session, so the boys will be back to a schedule and then off to Des Moines for Thanksgiving.  Oh and our other fun news.....we got tickets to the Santa Express in Boone.  We are very excited.  We are going Wednesday December 3rd @ 6 pm.  The boys wear their jammies and they all eat cookies and drink hot coco while riding the train and listening the Polar Express.  Thank you Misty for telling me about this :)  I went out today and got the book and the movie, so the boys and us we start reading the book and watch the movie.  I hope to get some good pictures.  Oh and another fun thing our friends (the Goemann's) will be meeting us there.  You never know this might be a yearly thing.  What fun memories.  Ok...if I don't get to post before Thanksgiving.  Everyone have a great Thanksgiving and be thankful for all that you have and the people you love :)  

Travel Safe!!!!  Paul, Erica, Kai, Kade and Koda

Sick Days

Well, we are trying to survive the house of hacking and blowing noses all day. Not only do the boys feel like crap Paul and I went down in flames! Not only our family, but daycare was closed yesterday and today. Man, what a bunch of sickies!! We are all hanging tough....a lot of movies and laying around. Kai loves the new movie WallE. Kade on the other hand doesn't like to sit still one minute, so it is nice when he is napping. Very excited I made homemade chicken noodle soup, so I am hoping that will get us all better....and it doesn't kill anyone off.
On a side note about something other then our family. A family friend has gotten engaged and my engaged friend's sister-in-law just received a second bone marrow transplant. We are anxiously awaiting the news that she is good. Our problems seem minimal to what the Lee's are going through. Please send a quick prayer for Hanna Lee and her family.
Here are a couple of pics of me and the boys. The one of Kade on the floor of the kitchen...he got bored and dumped out brown rice. That is always fun to clean up.
Kade in a Santa hat just woke up for the day.
Kai just getting up. Gotta love his hair.
Then the one of me is the 1st picture Kai has taken. He gave the camera and said smile, so then I taught him which button to push.
Everyone have a great weekend and please stay heathly :) Much love....Kuempel Clan

Crazy!!!!

Ok....who did we make mad?  2 boys and 4 pink eyes (that is PKs saying).  We have been doing drops 4 times a day.  It is getting better, but I just want their eyes back to normal.  Life in theKuempel household has been great.  We are all keeping busy and the boys are active and learning new things everyday.  I am not sure what we will do this winter and activities, but I need to start thinking of stuff to do inside.  The weather is turning cold, so I am not looking for that.  PK is keeping busy at work, but still hanging tough with us at home.  I am staying super busy at work and taking care of the kids on the two days I don't work.  We are getting ready for the holiday and Kai turning 3.  My God!!!  Can you believe he is going to be 3!  Time really does go quick and I do need to remember that.  That is about all that is going on here.  We miss you all and we will see you all soon for the holidays.  Here are some random photos of the boys.  They are keeping me on my toes, but I am loving every minute of it.  Oh I have to add....one ofPK's coworkers just had a baby.  Ava Ann....we both got to visit her today and she is perfect and little.  Trust me it doesn't make me want another :)  Much love...the Kuempel Clan.

So Sorry

I know it has been awhile since I have posted.  Quick update on the family & I promise to post pictures later.  You know the sick season has begun when your oldest has double pink eye.  God help me....how the heck do you put drops in a 3 year old?  My mom told me to call them magic drops....and I am all about bribing :)  Now...we are trying to keep it away from us and Kade.  Wish us good luck.  I promise to come back tonight and post pictures of my little men!  Everyone have a great Sunday and I will talk to you soon :)

Iowa Game/Paul's Birthday

What a good time we had.  Paul and I went to the Iowa vs. Penn State game on Saturday.  We kinda do a whole weekend getaway.  We leave Friday after work and stay with our good friends Steve and Angie & then make it home on Sunday.  We are very lucky that Grandma's come and stay with the little guys.  We tailgate all day on Saturday, but the best part of all Iowa won and we got to see an awesome game.  What a birthday present for Paul.  It was a little chilly out there, but we love to support our team.  This will be the last IA game of the season for us, but we were very lucky to make it to 2 this year.

While we were away the Grandma's did a great job with the boys.  They boys got presents and good food and a lot of love and spoiling.  Not sure they wanted us to come home or not.  We are very blessed.  Our Mom's spoiled Paul with cookies and homemade apple pie...steaks & potatoes. 

Very excited that daycare is back in session.  We are excited to get back to a normal schedule...whatever that might be.   

Here are a couple pictures of the game and one of Kade...he kinda had an accident, but always good to look back at the tough boy that he is.   

1st Snow of the Year....Well, that stuck

Sorry...it has been awhile since I posted last.  I have a new found love for daycare.  It is a long day when I take care of the boys in the morning and then work all afternoon into the evening.  Again I have to thank everyone that helped us out.  We are so lucky to have great family.  Let's see what happened in the last couple of days.  The boys are way more active and they love to play and tackle each other. PK and I are going to the Iowa vs. Penn State game this weekend, so it is great that the grandmom's come to our house to watch the boys.  I have cooked for them to come.  Homemade chicken noodle soup and pot roast.  We will be celebrating PK's bday on Sunday, so it will be a great getaway for us to do.  This will be the last IA for us to go to.  Kinda sad, but we will get to more next year.  I knew it was coming, but still so sad to wake up and see snow on the ground.  So, everyone say a prayer that we will not be sitting in snow on Saturday.  Here are some randoms of the boys.  The one with Kade in the sink is funny because when he eats pancakes (most every morning) he has syrup in his hair, face and clothes, so thank god he can still sit in the sink.  Have a great weekend and stay warm!

Week 2 and Innocence

Well, week 2 of no daycare.  We are all hanging in there.  PK had to take a 1/2 day today and tomorrow and my dad is pitching in for a couple of hours and my mother-in-law (god bless her) is driving up to spend the afternoon with the boys on Wednesday.....all so I can work.  We are so very excited to get back to our normal routine, but that day will come.  

Now about innocence...we had such a great weather this weekend.  The boys played outside.  We raked a lot on Saturday and it just makes me laugh at how much fun a pile of leaves is for kids.  I would rake a pile and then one of them would jump or run though them and just laugh.....all I could do was laugh and keep raking.  I also have to remember cleaning isn't everything.  Some days are just good to hang and laugh with your kids.  My days with the boys I am constantly cleaning and I have to remember that life is way too short.  Please remember that with your own families.  I just love to see them smile and laugh.

Ok enough of my babbling...like you guys really care and you just want to see pictures of the boys.  Well, here are some random shots of the kids.  Please enjoy and have a good night.  More to come in a couple of days :)