With the awesome fall weather today, we traveled to Keosauqua, Iowa to a local state park Lacey Keosauqua State Park for a hiking adventure. Randy WON the 10k race they held there last weekend for the Villages of Van Buren fall festival and while running he spotted some nice trails he thought the kds would like. We esitmated we missed prime fall colors by about a week, but it was still pretty.
The kids loved being "lost in the woods". The boys has some problems nagivating thru the heavy leaves on the floor of the woods, but all their falls didn't get them down.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Fairfield Ia, Population 9464...make that 9469
2 weeks down...and we are all seem to be adjusting to life away from the big city.
Leighton, I think is finally convince we are just here visiting and that this is actually our home. She does reference "her home" time and again. Her main vices are that there is no Wendy's here (not that we went there a lot but we passed it everyday) and she doesn't get to watch her shows in the car (by the time we get started we are already there really no commute here in Fairfield.) Daycare has gone much better than I anticipated it going for her which I am happy about.
The boys I will have to say love it here. The see Daddy ton more and they get to help him work on things. Their bed time most nights has been extended to 7:30. Their transition with daycare has been hard...they are pretty dramatic at drop off in the morning but we are assured they calm down soon after we leave.
Me...it is coming. The house is coming along and is taking some getting used to living in an old home -- the smell, the little problems, the creaking of doors and floors etc. The house isn't completely done yet so we are still living around contractors but they should be done by mid-next week. I have conquered about 98% of the boxes and things are finding their way into their new home. I am getting to know my way around. Fairfield is a pretty odd town for its size. The have a brand new Hy Vee and Wal Mart. A nice variety of restaurants -- 2 coffee shops, Mexican, Indian, vegan, Chinese even Japanese/sushi!! People are overly friendly and Randy seems to know everyone. My home office is still a work in progress but it is nice working from home again even though I seem to be in Des Moines at least once a week.
I think Randy seems to like us around. We do cramp his workout routine at times but I think he is adjusting.
We've survived our first guests -- Jean and her boys -- we kept all the kids busy all weekend. They seemed to like the new house and area.
Sorry no photos this week, my camera has taken a little hiatus with the move...just a quick post...to let you know I will be back to blogging soon.
Leighton, I think is finally convince we are just here visiting and that this is actually our home. She does reference "her home" time and again. Her main vices are that there is no Wendy's here (not that we went there a lot but we passed it everyday) and she doesn't get to watch her shows in the car (by the time we get started we are already there really no commute here in Fairfield.) Daycare has gone much better than I anticipated it going for her which I am happy about.
The boys I will have to say love it here. The see Daddy ton more and they get to help him work on things. Their bed time most nights has been extended to 7:30. Their transition with daycare has been hard...they are pretty dramatic at drop off in the morning but we are assured they calm down soon after we leave.
Me...it is coming. The house is coming along and is taking some getting used to living in an old home -- the smell, the little problems, the creaking of doors and floors etc. The house isn't completely done yet so we are still living around contractors but they should be done by mid-next week. I have conquered about 98% of the boxes and things are finding their way into their new home. I am getting to know my way around. Fairfield is a pretty odd town for its size. The have a brand new Hy Vee and Wal Mart. A nice variety of restaurants -- 2 coffee shops, Mexican, Indian, vegan, Chinese even Japanese/sushi!! People are overly friendly and Randy seems to know everyone. My home office is still a work in progress but it is nice working from home again even though I seem to be in Des Moines at least once a week.
I think Randy seems to like us around. We do cramp his workout routine at times but I think he is adjusting.
We've survived our first guests -- Jean and her boys -- we kept all the kids busy all weekend. They seemed to like the new house and area.
Sorry no photos this week, my camera has taken a little hiatus with the move...just a quick post...to let you know I will be back to blogging soon.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Ch-Ch-Changes
Lots of changes going on in the Stanford Household these days it could make a person's head spin.
The boys have been moved up to the "Toddler Room" at "school". Huge change for them...the move for them means they start off the morning in the 2 year old room with Leighton and her friends. Yesterday was their first morning all together. When picking them up I was told Leighton was ever such the "mother" figure the boys. She gave them the full tour of "her" room and consistently reminded her friends that these were "her" babies/bubbies. Not only do they start out the day with the big kids, now they get to go outside in the morning to play! Again, I was told they both just laughed and scream with joy they whole time they were outside, I can envision them thinking "we're free...we're free!" Last change for them...no more cribs at school...they sleep on little cots for nap!! It is hard to think of my babies growing up so fast! (On a side note, L has been spending more time in the 3 year old room in preparation for her move in the next month or so.)
The big news these days is that I have left my job at Allied Insurance. Big change. 8 years, great people and too many great experiences which made the decision to leave extremely hard and scary to make. To be honest, I am still questioning a little if I have had make the right move, but life is measured by the chances you take. I have taken a new opportunity with another insurance company as a Territory Sales Manager for Eastern Iowa. With this new role, it is going to afford us the opportunity to move the whole clan over to Eastern Iowa for the next few years while Randy finishes his stint in Fairfield. It appears as though Fairfield will be the Stanford's new home sometime here in the near future.
In the meantime, I am enjoying a full week off with no work...I think it is the first time in 8 years I haven't been checking emails or have gotten texts about work...it is kind of an odd feeling. I am getting the house cleaned top to bottom and am able to run about freely without time constraints or hauling kids. Life IS good. (shoot I am blogging while watching the Olympics!)
The final change which was most traumatic to the kids...we sold the van! My new job I will be getting a company car so we figured we would do a little downsizing of life in the process. We are also selling Randy's car (Lexus ES 350, if you know an interested buyer) In replacement of these 2 auto we will be getting a large SUV (something with a 3rd row) to haul the kids. Our van sold faster than we wanted/anticipated...only a few days on craigslist...went to an awesome family. To be honest, even though I was dreading driving the van, I was sad to see it go...the kids loved that car. When it was time for the new family to take the car, Leighton cried and cried and wouldn't get out of the van "This is my van" "No they can't take it" it made my heartbreak to see her so sad over this which doesn't make moving out of the only house she knows any easier. She is still a little mad at Mommy and Daddy for selling "her" van and will jab us with "I sure wish I had my van" or a "I just want to ride in my van".
That is all the change for now...last but not least photos of what we have been busy doing these days.
The boys have been moved up to the "Toddler Room" at "school". Huge change for them...the move for them means they start off the morning in the 2 year old room with Leighton and her friends. Yesterday was their first morning all together. When picking them up I was told Leighton was ever such the "mother" figure the boys. She gave them the full tour of "her" room and consistently reminded her friends that these were "her" babies/bubbies. Not only do they start out the day with the big kids, now they get to go outside in the morning to play! Again, I was told they both just laughed and scream with joy they whole time they were outside, I can envision them thinking "we're free...we're free!" Last change for them...no more cribs at school...they sleep on little cots for nap!! It is hard to think of my babies growing up so fast! (On a side note, L has been spending more time in the 3 year old room in preparation for her move in the next month or so.)
The big news these days is that I have left my job at Allied Insurance. Big change. 8 years, great people and too many great experiences which made the decision to leave extremely hard and scary to make. To be honest, I am still questioning a little if I have had make the right move, but life is measured by the chances you take. I have taken a new opportunity with another insurance company as a Territory Sales Manager for Eastern Iowa. With this new role, it is going to afford us the opportunity to move the whole clan over to Eastern Iowa for the next few years while Randy finishes his stint in Fairfield. It appears as though Fairfield will be the Stanford's new home sometime here in the near future.
In the meantime, I am enjoying a full week off with no work...I think it is the first time in 8 years I haven't been checking emails or have gotten texts about work...it is kind of an odd feeling. I am getting the house cleaned top to bottom and am able to run about freely without time constraints or hauling kids. Life IS good. (shoot I am blogging while watching the Olympics!)
The final change which was most traumatic to the kids...we sold the van! My new job I will be getting a company car so we figured we would do a little downsizing of life in the process. We are also selling Randy's car (Lexus ES 350, if you know an interested buyer) In replacement of these 2 auto we will be getting a large SUV (something with a 3rd row) to haul the kids. Our van sold faster than we wanted/anticipated...only a few days on craigslist...went to an awesome family. To be honest, even though I was dreading driving the van, I was sad to see it go...the kids loved that car. When it was time for the new family to take the car, Leighton cried and cried and wouldn't get out of the van "This is my van" "No they can't take it" it made my heartbreak to see her so sad over this which doesn't make moving out of the only house she knows any easier. She is still a little mad at Mommy and Daddy for selling "her" van and will jab us with "I sure wish I had my van" or a "I just want to ride in my van".
That is all the change for now...last but not least photos of what we have been busy doing these days.
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