It's Christmas Eve Eve Eve Everyone!!

This is a quick post.  No pictures.  Not today.

Because it's Christmas Eve Eve Eve.

And that means I need to be in high gear with not one minute to waste.

But while I'm finishing my shopping, and allowing CAA to finish his shopping (so I have something to open Christmas morning), baking, wrapping, exercising (so I can eat Christmas cookies) and cleaning, I'm trying to remember that this is all memory making.

This Christmas is important.  It's our first one in Nebraska.

And we will remember this one.



I love weddings

I love weddings. 

And I especially love weddings when I love the people in them.

This weekend, CAA and I went to our nephew Alex's wedding.

It was fun. We spent time with some of CAA's siblings. Chelsea, Alex's wife, looked beautiful.  It reminded me of my wedding to CAA, 16 years ago.  Back then, I was still getting to know the big Ames family.  Now, they are just people I love.

And that makes me happy.

Congratulations, Alex and Chelsea! 



Abby! Kind and True! We love you!!

The Ames family does not just sing one birthday song.  Oh, no.  We sing three.

First, the traditional Happy Birthday.

Then, "This is your birthday song, it isn't very long...HEY!".  We clap during this one.  

And finally, this little song.

"Abby (or insert name here) we love you!

Thanks for all the things you do!

Abby, kind and true!! 

We love you!"

It's nice to be loved. 

And for Abby's 13th Birthday, she and I really needed some girl time.  So I taught my daughter the best way to relax and spend some quality "me" time.

We got our nails done.

My friend, Jennie, from Kansas City would be so proud.  

Abby chose Pink Glitter with snowflakes painted on her thumbs.  She's getting Gel Polish so it will last longer.  That's my girl.  :)

Every girl needs a Christmas pedicure, and Abby's birthday comes at the perfect time to get one.

Happy Birthday, Abby!!

We love you more than you know.  

Today, I am reflective

Today is Abby's 13th Birthday.   She has opened her presents and has a pedicure scheduled for this afternoon.  I'm picking her up from school for her "appointment".  Shhhh.  Don't tell anyone.  :)  

And while I LOVE birthdays and celebrations, today I am reflective about them.

Not sad.  Just thoughtful.

I'm thinking of how 13 years ago, I was in labor for 15 hours, because Miss Abby just took her time.  Charlie took 6 hours, and I thought a second baby would come faster.   But, Miss Abby just showed me right then and there that she was in control.  Not bossy, she just knew what she wanted.  

She still has that quality.  And I love it about her.  It's a quality that will serve her well in life.  I'm so proud of the young woman she is becoming.

I know it is my job to prepare my children for the real world.  I know they need to make it out there on their own.  And they will. But for now, I'm going to hold on tight.  For now, they are mine.  Mine and CAA's.  :)

Thanks for letting me get my feelings out!  Tonight I will post pics of the birthday girl.  Tonight is a celebration of Abby.  And her cousin, Josh, who shares the same birthday.  Happy Birthday, Josh!!  I hope 14 is a great year for you!

But until tonight, here is a pic of my last "baby", Wally the dog.  He was just groomed and he looks great!  The groomer in Omaha lets the dogs play after their appointment.  When I went to pick him up, he was at the door with his tail wagging. 

Isn't he just adorable?  :)

Yesterday it rained in Kansas City

Yesterday it rained in Kansas City.

I know.  CAA and Abby were there.

But, in Omaha, this is what happened.

Now, only this week, I put this on my front door.

I just wasn't expecting that Nebraska was ready to take me seriously.

Welcome, Winter.  I hear you are now my friend.  :)

P.S.  Don't you love my front door?  And did you notice how our outdoor lights are different colors?  Our Gingerbread house is getting ready for it's first Ames Christmas!







KC, here I come! Or, Happy Thanksgiving. Take your pick.

Today has been a busy day.  Because we are returning to Kansas City.

For Thanksgiving.  Don't worry, Omaha. 

We'll be back.

But, before we return, I had some things to do.

Like see this cute 4th grader in the vocabulary parade at school.

The cutest hippie I've ever seen.

I was told by many a mom how impressed their kids were with George's costume.  He made it by himself with construction paper.  Look closely.  You'll see that he has long paper hair in the back stapled to his hippie headband.  That's right.  My kid purposely gave himself a paper mullet.

I ADORE THIS KID.

So until we return, Happy Thanksgiving!  I've decided this year that I'm mostly grateful that I get to live with my husband and all four of my kids.  It's only 3 1/2 years until 15 year old Charlie graduates from high school, and I'm determined to enjoy this time.  If they live in Omaha, then so do I.

 They're worth it. 



I am cold to the bone

Every January, I feel that "to the bone cold" that Kansas City throws my way.

I'm used to the bitterly cold wind that comes just after Christmas.

And guess what?

Today started out fabulously.

I wore sandals to show my pedicured toes. I got my hair done; touching up highlights always makes for a good day. The kids were at school.  My house was clean. 

I'm back to my running schedule and I've gotten in 12 miles so far this week.

About 5:00 I went to check the mail, just 4 houses down the street.

And I felt it.

That "to the bone cold".  It took my breath away.  Admittedly, I have asthma, so that's not hard to do.

But really, Nebraska, it's just too early.

This Kansas City girl is not ready for winter.



What does our new house look like?

I have been asked many times to PLEASE post some pictures of what our new home looks like.  I'm so sorry, Blog World, that I haven't done this.

Until now.

My Disclaimer about my new house.

The previous owners LOVED color.  I love color, but they LOVED it.  Some of the colors are really nice, like the buttercream hallway, the robin blue office, the soft gray of the master bedroom and the pumpkin spice kitchen; the pictures don't do those colors justice.

Other colors....well, life is to be learned from, right?

We are in no way done Ames-a-fying our new home. 

It's coming and we will post pics as we work on it.

I promise.

Now, on to our new home!!  Just think of this as your invitation to our housewarming party.  :)

And I didn't need to clean or serve refreshments.

This is our new home.  We think it looks like a Gingerbread House, and I can't wait to see it with Christmas lights!

We hear that Nebraska promises some snow with those lights.

The piano room.  The first thing you see on the right when you come in the front door.

The staircase when you first come in.

The office, which is on the left of the stairs. 

 If you look closely, you will see that I'm working on this blog.....

Living Room with a great action shot of my boys.





I LOVE my new kitchen!!! 

The green island though....I'm not sure about the color.  Some days I like it....others....no....

The Master....I have plans of black rod iron furniture and a black dresser. 

I just got my red curtains up....and I LOVE them.

This is one half of the Master Bath...I guess that would be my half. 

CAA's sink and the shower are on the other side. 

I apologize to your eyes for the mustard yellow bathroom.

Charlie's current room.  We are planning on finishing the basement ASAP with a bedroom and bathroom for Charlie downstairs and then this will be George's room.  Both boys think this is a great plan.  George says all that's missing from this room is the red for his KU inspired bedroom.

Danny's room.  He allows George to sleep there....for now.  :)

And this, is our Omaha home.

Thanks for stopping by!  I wish I had cookies to send home with you.  :)



Abby's Room

We really do like our new home here in Omaha, but we are in the process of making it Ames-a-fied. 

Abby and I decided to start in her room.  It started out like this.

Now, CAA did not see the problem with this room.  Abby's room in Missouri was also raspberry pink.  We (the girls in the family) let him know that it was time for the raspberry pink to GO! 

We were so over it. 

(If you look closely, you will see my diet soft drink with crushed ice and a foam cup on the dresser.  Nebraska cannot change me that much.)

This is what Abby's room started to become.

And this is the final product.

We think it turned out great! 

And what's our next project??

To get rid of this monstrocity.  The lime green bathroom.

It's just too much.

We have our first Omaha visitors ~ Welcome Hannah and James!!

Hello Blog World!  I'm slacking on this blog of mine and it's time to catch up. 

I'll start with very important news!!  We had a visitor!  In fact, we had two visitors; my sister, Hannah and her husband James.  They braved the closed I-29 and snaked their way through tiny towns and 25 mph speed limits to Omaha, then snaked their way back.  Ahh.  To be young again. 

So what did we do?  We did what all good Omaha-ians do this time of year and went to Vala's Pumpkin Patch.  What is Vala's?  It's only the best Pumpkin Patch I have ever been to.  We have always liked a good Pumpkin Patch in Missouri and had no complaints there. I'm sorry, Missouri.  Nebraska has outdone you.

Want to see the proof?  Here it is.

Us at the entrance of Vala's.

Hannah and Abby riding the go-carts.

Robbery is not tolerated in Nebraska.

Abby, George, Danny with the Gretna Dragon in all of Gretna's Gold and Green pride.

The Gretna Dragon is the Mascot for every school in Gretna.

James, Charlie, Abby and Hannah on the Jumping Pillows.

Danny on the Jumping Pillows.

George sliding off the Jumping Pillows.

It was a great day!  We had an awesome lunch of fresh cooked potatoes and roasted corn with vegetables.  We went through the Haunted house, watched the Pumpkin Catapult (a very interesting way to reseed your crop), slid down John Deere slides, played in the Corn Pit (see below), picked out pumpkins, and our favorite, jumped on the Jumping Pillows. 

A good time was had by all.  :)

Poor CAA had to work.  Not to worry, CAA.  We'll bring you next year....and anyone else that wants to come.  :)

Thanks for coming, Hannah and James!!  You made our day.  :)



For this is Halloween, BOO!

Happy Halloween!  My favorite non-religious holiday is here!!  I love passing out candy to children.  I love the costumes.  I love making chili on Halloween in the crock pot.  I love pumpkins and pumpkin patches.  I love Halloween lights; mine are purple this year.  I love Harry Potter, in part, because they really know the meaning of Halloween in the book; how I would love to host a Halloween party that rivals Hogwarts!  Maybe someday.  My dad, a CPA named Bob, loves Halloween and passed his love of this wonderful holiday on to his children.  Thanks, Dad.

CAA grew up in a family of performers and has a Finnish mother.  She was horrified at the thought of American children going door to door begging for candy.  Did CAA's family go to strange doors and beg for candy by simply saying "Trick or Treat?"

No.

They sang a song.  It goes like this.

Witches Flying Through the Sky

On their Broomsticks, way up high.

Ghosts and Goblins, everywhere

For this is Halloween

BOO!

I love the song.

And today, every one of my children has sung the song to me without my asking them to.

  Even 15 year old, Charlie.

I am one happy Mom.  :)

Just for your enjoyment, some pics of my favorite Trick or Treaters.

The Holidays have begun!!

Nebraskans love Corn

We are learning lots living in Omaha, and something we noticed right away, is that Nebraska loves its corn.  Here are a few examples of what we mean.

George and Danny in the Corn Pit at Vala's Pumpkin Patch.

This is Husker Nation, baby.  These people live it, love it and preach it from the pulpit. 

Last Sunday, we heard how great the Cornhuskers are right in Sacrament Meeting.

We like corn, so I think we'll fit right in.  As long as KU Basketball is still allowed.

Welcome to our little corner of the world....and that means Omaha.

Welcome, Internet and anyone else who may be reading my blog!  I've decided to give blogging a try.  My sister, Joy Bogart, is a famous blogger in our family and I have decided to copy her.  You see, we have recently moved to Omaha, NE from Kansas City, MO and we'd love to share our new adventures with our family and friends back home.  We plan on having lots of adventures, from big fun trips to simply painting a new room in our Omaha house.  And who are we?  We are the AMES family.  Harmony, Charlie, Abby, George, Danny, Wally the dog and CAA.  (CAA is more private than the rest of us and prefers to remain annonymous on this blog.  I will respect CAA's wishes to the best of my ability.  This is my disclaimer, CAA.)

Stay tuned world.  The Ames Omaha Adventures have just begun.