Well....It's OFFICIAL!!!

I, Julie Renee Weite, am a MINIVAN driving Momma!! And, I still can't believe how EXCITED I am!!! I'm excited for the EXTRA ROOM, I'm excited for the CONVENIENCE of AUTOMATIC SLIDING SIDE DOORS, and I'm EXCITED about getting better GAS MILEAGE. Who would have ever thought that I'd EVER be excited about driving, much less OWNING, a MINIVAN!!! I mean, this is coming from the girl who was NEVER, EVER, EVER going to own a MINIVAN. I was NEVER going to be caught dead in one and I was certainly NEVER going to expose my kids to a minivan....boy, have times changed!!!

Let me take you back about a decade and a half when I had my first experience with a minivan...a 1990 (I think that was the year) GM Safari...gray exterior with gray interior and the CUTEST gray curtains on each window. (Mom, in NO way am I complaining...that van was PERFECT for all of our softball road trips and had lots of room for our family...so don't take any part of this paragraph personally! That van was definitely good to us!!) BUT, driving a minivan in high school was NOT cool....not that I was caught up in the material world, because my siblings and I were definitely raised to appreciate things and to work hard and take care of what we had. (But, all the cool cars parked in good old Marquette High School parking lot were something that I was a little envious of ;) Anyway...that HOOP-T van toted around my friends and I on a many, many weekends and never let us down. I hyper-extended the passenger side door...(if that's even possible on a car) and once left a gallon of milk under the seat in the summer (after a grocery store run for my mom) for at least a good week in the hot, hot sun. I'll let you all guess how long it took to get that STENCH out!!! So, as much as I loved that ride, I swore to myself, back when I was 17, that I'd NEVER buy a minivan. I was definitely going to be a SUV kinda Momma!!

Well...not that there's anything wrong with SUV's, but with soon-to-be three little kids, it just doesn't seem practical...not to mention the gas mileage on the BIG ones I like!! Besides...my priorities have changed my ways and opinions of the good old minivan......

We're going with a 2008 Toyota Sienna XLE...not my dream minivan, but a definite great purchase...especially with EVERYTHING else we have going on at the moment!!! (It also helps that Trey & Tylee love it....and, that's what really counts!!!)

Now, Dad....I know you're never gong to forgive me for buying a foreign car, but really, it was the best deal, with the lowest mileage and the best options. Making a smart investment has to count for something, right!??! (On a side note, I did buy it from a local, hard-working, small-time dealer...thus supporting the American Dream :)

Let the minivan FUN begin..........

(And, yes....I realize I used the word "minivan" TEN times in this post, but isn't that the point?!? It's MINIVAN TIME!! Now, make that TWELVE TIMES!)

Someone's one year OLDER!!

And, his name is Jason Michael Weite!! Today is his 34th birthday and boy, does he have a lot to celebrate. I still can't believe my hubby is almost half way through his 30's and headed towards FORTY, but I am proud to say that this is the 13th birthday I've gotten to celebrate with him. It all started back in college, at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, in January of 1998...WOW, that sounds like a long time ago!! That's when I first fell in love with him and the rest, as they say, is history!! He'll always be the one known for wearing his "Sunglasses at Night" and leaving me a silly, little note that I still have to this day!! (Love you, baby!!) Thanks for walking into my life that night and thanks for everything the past 13 years has brought me...through thick and thin, we've managed to create one heck of a life together!! I Love You, ALWAYS & FOREVER!!! XXX's & OOO's......

Tonight's celebration was a little different than the surprise parties of the past, but it was still a good one. Nothing but a fun, family night celebrating not only the best hubby, but the best DADDY in the whole wide world!!! Trey & Tylee had fun singing him happy birthday and decorating his cards. They even snuck some icing from Jason's piece of birthday cake (he's not much of a sweets eater...and the cake usually ends up in my belly, where it definitely dosn't need to be...) before he got a chance to see it. Silly kids...can't resist a little icing!! Trey's proudest moment was writing "DAD" on Jason's card all by himself and jumping out yelling, "SURPRISE" as he walked through the door! Tylee Jean colored all over the card and, her favorite moment was DEFINITELY the cake!! She knows a good thing when she sees one....

So, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jason....hope it was a great one!! Never, ever forget how much the kids and I absolutely ADORE you!! Best wishes until we get to celebrate again......

Tylee Jean ready for Daddy to see his cards & goodies.....

Trey posing with the card he wrote on all by himself....before he sprinted off to find his hiding spot for the big surprise!!! (So proud of you & your letters, Trey J!!)

Daddy letting the kiddos help him blow out his candle...34 candles on that piece of cake DEFINITELY would have been a FIRE HAZARD! (XOXOX)

Can't you tell they're SO glad their Daddy had a great birthday!!! Here's to many, many more!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JASON!!!!

"EXTRA, EXTRA!!! Read All About It.....

Tylee wore big girl panties ALL DAY and had NO accidents...and I'm gonna SHOUT about it!!" (Okay, that was a little silly, but it takes me WAY BACK to my old softball cheering days! For those of you I played softball with for all those years, you know EXACTLY what cheering I'm talking about!!! Oh, the good old days!!!)

Back to the HOT NEWS of the day.....Miss Tylee wore big girl panties all day (Dora, of course) for the first time EVER and had NO accidents. After dropping her off at school today (along with 2 extra pairs of panties and two extra outfits) she gave me a BIG OLD HUG and KISS and told me she wouldn't get Dora wet and she'd tell her teachers when she had to go potty...."Pee-pee and poo-poo!" It was so stinkin' cute watching her hang up her coat and stroll into the room to announce to EVERYONE that she had BIG GIRL panties on with a grin that went beyond ear to ear. She cheesed them all up and gave everyone a hug and started playing with her friends.....she was on top of the world! I couldn't help but TEAR up as I stood outside her room and watched her beaming with pride! I blew kisses bye-bye to both her and Trey and hoped for the best. I knew she'd make a HUGE effort to keep Dora dry, but I also stayed in touch with reality and realized how the little ones get when they are busy wrapped up in an art activity or a fun game in the gym. I mean, who would want to stop having soooo much fun to go "potty?" Sure not me when I was 2 years old!!

When I picked the kiddos up, Tylee sprinted straight up to me with a HUGE grin and a big note in her hand with stickers and all. To my surprise, she also had the SAME outfit on that I dropped her off in....I knew right away that MY BIG GIRL had accomplished the biggest feat of her young little life!!! She jumped into my arms and told me all about her day and how she hadn't peed on Dora! She showed me and Trey her sticker and pride card 1,000 times as we headed out of the gym. Trey gave her FIVE hugs and FIVE high-fives and we all stopped dead in our tracks and did our CRAZY, HAPPY DANCE right then & there!!

Still...as we head up for bath time, she can't stop talking about it!!!

((I didn't want to post a pic of her in just her undies, but I thought I'd show you a cute pic of her with her "Potty Time!" treat jar....so proud!!!))

Dear Miss Tylee Jean,

We are sooooooo SUPER PROUD of you and your BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT!! You have been working so hard to get the whole potty thing down and we couldn't be happier for you! So, BIG GIRL, wear those adorable Dora BIG GIRL PANTIES around like you own this world, because.....YOU DO!!! Always remember, you can accomplish ANYTHING you set your mind to!! We love you bunches and bunches....

XXX's & OOO's,

Mommy, Daddy, and Trey Jacob

Friday Night Fun & Friendship....

What can I honestly say....true FRIENDSHIPS are so important in life!! Jason and I got the rare opportunity to go out on a "Date Night" last night with a group of amazing people. (Thanks, Lori, for watching the kiddos while we got a chance to dance and rock the night away...we TOTALLY appreciate it!)

A group called Hairball made an appearance last night in good old Ottumwa at Bridgview, our local convention center (which happens to be very new and an absolutely great place to host an event.) If you've never heard of Hairball, you'll have to do a little "Googling" to get the big picture, but I'll just sum them up as a Rock-N-Roll act that puts on a great show. They not only played great hits from Guns 'n Roses, Whitesnake, Bon-Jovi, Poison, Def Leopard, Motley Crue, Ozzy, AC/DC, Journey, Kiss and lots more, BUT they dressed and acted the part as well. (Stremy...you would have died and gone to heaven with the Van Halen part...I totally thought of you, girl!!) It was a total blast and I recommend seeing them if you ever have the opportunity. (They did announce that they were playing at the Iowa State Fair again this year...make some plans!!)

Anyway, it was a great 80's BLAST from the PAST and Jason couldn't enough of the music...he's a true fan of that type of music (amongst others) and SERIOUSLY knows EVERY WORD from Poison's song, "Nothing But A Good Time!!" It was soooo stinkin' fun and I absolutely LOVED watching him enjoy his solo moments. I didn't think it was possible to really know EVERY word to a song!! So fun!!

The point of this post isn't so much the actual Hairball event, but the fact that we got to spend our evening with some of the greatest friends a girl could have. Between the five us, we have 11, soon to be 12, kiddos and are all working moms. I've met all of these girls since moving to Ottumwa and, I can honestly say that, without them, Ottumwa would just NOT be the same. They have been there in good times & bad times and  genuinely are WONDERFUL people. We try to make it a habit of getting together every other Wednesday night for a little "Girls' Night Out," which happens to be more "Mom Style" now that all but one of us have entered our 30's....life is busy, exciting, fast-paced, stressful at times, and the one and only way we could imagine it!! These girls laugh with me, cry with me, celebrate with me, vent with me, and much, much more.

I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to you, girls! I'm excited to see what the future holds for each one of us and am looking forward to continuing this BEAUTIFUL, CRAZY journey called LIFE with each one of you. Here's to 30+ years from now, sitting around with each other doing nothing but giggling, laughing, reminiscing, and enjoying all the good times we've had together!!! I couldn't do it without you all!!!

Here's a pic from last night (which did include our better halves, by the way! Thank you hubby's for joining us and tolerating our silly-ness! We couldn't be who we are without your support & unconditional love!!) I've also included a few flash back shots from some of our times together....

THANKS GIRLS!!!

Getting ready for all the HAIRBALL action....

--Labor Day 2009--

Jill's Surprise 30th!!!

Girl's Night Out--Summer of 2006

Fireman's Ball--November of 2009

Nicki's Bachelorette Pub Crawl...Last Fling Before the Ring!!

Nicki's Wedding...great times!!!

Trey's 4th Birthday Party-May 2010

Those pics just sum up a few of our candid moments....looking forward to many, many more and here's to all the memories in the making!!!

"I can trust my friends. These people force me to examine, encourage me to grow." -Cher

SNOW much FUN!!

Oh, it is absolutely AMAZING & REFRESHING to be reminded of just how fun a snow day can be. Jason & I were both off work today, due to the white wonderland that popped up overnight, and have been spending all day hanging with the kiddos. (It's nap time, so I'm sneaking in a little blogging time!!) After rising extra early and eating breakfast together, we played around the house for a little bit and I was actually able to get some laundry done before 7:30 am...Woo-Hoo!! We got dressed and headed over to the YMCA for a little exercise time...kids then picked Quizznos for an early lunch and then we headed home for some fun in the snow. On the way home, we realized the kids didn't have a sled, so we stopped by HyVee Drugstore....no luck. We then hit Walgreens...guess what?!?!...no luck. Pit stopped by Dollar Tree just hoping to find cheap sleds stocked there (no reason to spend a small fortune on something that will get used a few times and then stored away for the rest of the year, right?!?!) Well...no luck at Dollar Tree either. So, finally we went to Target because we know Target has EVERYTHING! Jason ran in and looked around...while he was in the store, Trey, Tylee, and I all took turns guessing what color sled Daddy was going to pick....guess what...NO ONE was right!! Jason ended up picking the perfect sled....you'll have to see the pics below!! Way to go, Daddy-O!!!

We road-tripped home (all of three minutes because we live in the smallest town ever) and got all bundled up in our snow gear!! The kiddos were pumped and had a blast....(Tylee lasted all of 15 minutes outside...but, after TWO face plants, what would one expect?!?!)

Regardless of face plants and even Mommy falling down once or twice (my black, Old Navy, fake Uggs had absolutely NO traction....note to self and any other woman who is 8 months pregnant....NO TRACTION=MAJOR FALLING HAZARD...LOL!!!) the afternoon has been an absolute BLAST!!!

Hope all you snow bunnies out there are enjoying every second of this WONDERFUL snow day and let's remind ourselves of just how BEAUTIFUL & EXCITING the little things in life can be....

Jason and his little snow people heading out for some sledding fun!!!

Trey was in charge of finding the PERFECT sledding spot....

The CUTEST snow bunny EVER!!!

Someone was super excited, but oh so willing to pose for a couple quick snapshots....

Ready for the Ride?!?!

Definitely the PERFECT sled...the kids loved it!! Great find, Jason!!!

I totally have to agree with Trey....the trek back up is definitely the worst part of sledding....

Tylee's attempt at making a snowball to throw at Mommy....silly mittens!!

One of my favorites...enjoying the SNOW and giving me the perfect cheese!!!

Tylee's turn to go sledding....this pic cracks me up!!!

The ride got faster everytime he went down....Weeeeeeeee.....

Jason having fun with Trey (after a major wipe-out of his own!!)....Picture Perfect!!!

Tylee not digging her first face plant of the outing....AT ALL!! Poor girl....snow up the nose is NOT fun!!!

Posing in the backyard....(this pic sums up Tylee perfectly!!!)

No fun afternoon in the snow is complete without a SNOW ANGEL!!!

Hot Cocoa Time!!! Who's bringing the marshmallows???

I LOVE seeing my two favorite people sharing with each other!!! PRICELESS!!!

HAPPY TUESDAY, ALL!!!

It's....BIG GIRL BED time!!!

So, I had to take the morning off work for a good old Dr.'s appointment, which just happened to be at 8 am. (and, I was home by 8:15...so the rest of the morning was MINE)....paid a few bills and was able to be home for the delivery of Miss Tylee's BIG GIRL bed!! I've been waiting since before Christmas break for this thing to arrive and Slumberland finally decided that today was my lucky day..Woo-hoo!! The delivery and set-up guys came around 9:45 this morning...leaving me just enough time to get all the bedding on and sort of set up for Tylee. I was so pumped to surprise her after school ;) Below are a few pics....

I thought the piggy bank on the headboard shelf was a cute idea UNTIL my hubby offered to drop six pounds of gold dollar coins on my head just to see how it felt...I quickly got his point and REMOVED the piggy bank!! Good thing for better halves that are always thinking ;)

So, after picking up the kids from school...we headed home and quickly sprinted upstairs...Tylee and Trey were just as excited as I was. Below are a couple of Tylee checking out her new bed....she LOVED it!! (And, made sure to tell me that she wasn't going to cry in her "BIG GIRL BED" about 100 times! SO CUTE!)

After checking things out and letting them both jump on the bed for a few minutes (because we do that kind of stuff in our house) we headed downstairs for puzzles, coloring and dinner-making!! Tylee couldn't stop talking about her bed and kept asking for "night-night" time....

After dinner we headed upstairs for bath time and headed to her room to read books together....can't you tell she was pumped?!?! 

(YES...this is her "fake sleeping") but I am PROUD to say that she's been upstairs sleeping away since 7:30 pm (with NO BINKY)....and, I haven't heard a peep!!! She was definitely telling the truth....

SO PROUD OF YOU, my BIG girl in your own BIG GIRL bed! Way to go!! XOXOX

(((On a little side note...the pic below is one of the other things we are trying to master...she's doing well, but still sometimes makes Dora "sad" when she pees on her....Gotta love Pull-Ups with fun characters!!!

No Binky, No diapers, and Sleeping in the Big Girl bed were our goals for the first week of 2011...we are practically there!!! Now, if that's not reason to celebrate, I don't know what is!!!)))

Keep up the AWESOME work, BIG GIRL!! We are proud of you!! Love you Tylee Jean!!!

Total Flashback Tuesday....A Little Christmas 2010!!!

In light of starting this whole blogging thing AFTER Christmas, I've decided to dedicate today's post to a flashback of our 2010 HOLIDAY fun.

I must start by saying both Jason and I are BLESSED to have absolutely WONDERFUL families. Our families have offered us both nothing but SUPPORT and UNCONDITIONAL LOVE our entire lives and we absolutely CHERISH the time we get to spend with them. Our kids absolutely ADORE each and every family member....and LIVE to look at pictures of everyone. Tylee, on a daily basis, picks up every photo album and looks at EVERY picture, naming each person she sees. To prove my point....we got to spend time with my Mom's mom, Nana, and Mr. Fred. Tylee had not seen them for about a year BUT as soon as we walked into my mom's house, Tylee ran to Nana and gave her a big old hug....saying "Hi, Nana!!" She also "helped" Mr. Fred by leading down the hallway to see what Santa had left. Most kids at 2 years would be absolutely petrified after not seeing someone for so long. Thank goodness for fun photo albums and talks about family. We are TRULY BLESSED!!!

Anyway...we were able to spend the Holidays with both families...Jason's side a week earlier and my side Christmas Eve & Christmas, which meant lots of traveling, but it was oh, so worth it!!! The holidays are so special to us and we are so extremely thankful we got to see everyone....Enjoy the pics below!! We enjoyed every second and created memories to last a lifetime!!

Tylee opening presents at Grandma Marcia's (Jason's Mom)

Tylee showing off her new necklace from Aunt Lori (Jason's Sister)

Tylee & her Daddy...enjoying the early Christmas fun!!!

Trey super pumped about his Dino set from Jason's mom & dad....

Trey cheesin' it up with Jason's sister, Lori....

Jason back at home putting Tylee's kitchen together at 10 pm the night before Santa will make his early stop at The Weite House because we were going to be gone....Jason was Santa's best helper!! (And, the kitchen was in about a MILLION pieces!! That's what happens when Mommy finds it super cheap at Aldi...go figure!!)

Checking out what Santa and his reindeer left behind....yummy Teddy Grahams....lol! And, PLEASE notice both Tony and Elfie, our two Elves on the Shelf, that did a FANTASTIC job of reporting daily updates back to Santa at the North Pole each and every night!! Finding them hidden around the house each morning was what we looked forward to for an entire month. Tylee told Elfie EVERYTHING about her days...including going pee-pee on the potty!! Trey always updated Tony about his days at preschool the SECOND he got home each afternoon ;) We can't wait to see you both again towards the end of 2011....

Opening a few presents from us before hitting the road to St. Louie....

Miss Tylee enjoying her new kitchen set from Santa...(didn't I tell you that Jason was Santa's BEST helper!!)

Trey all geared up for the trip! Snuggie....check! Leapster2....check!

Finally in St. Louis at my grandparent's house....singing Christmas songs.....fun!

Trey sporting his red nose for Rudolph, of course. It's his favorite Christmas song....EVER!

Helping Great-Grandfather with his music...loving the accordian!! It's the best part of the singing....

Tylee popping balloons for the charade game...Grandma Jean & Grandfather did a FANTASTIC job of getting the kiddos involved in the Christmas game fun!! THANK YOU!!!

Tylee and her Daddy singing Jingle Bells...which just happens to by Tylee's all time favorite Christmas song. (In fact she's still singing it almost 2 weeks later....Hey!)

Jason and my sis, Calie Marie...

Back at Maw-Maw Cindy's...Being a HAMfor the CAM....

Helping Mr. Fred on Christmas morning...she thought he needed help finding the presents....big helper!!

Trey & Tylee with Maw-Maw Cindy...cute pic on such a perfect Christmas morning!!!

The kids excited about their animals from my brother, Aaron! (AKA...Unk Aaron)

Miss Tylee all snug as bug in her new Snuggie...now she has one just like Trey!

Trey pausing for a little picture with Gran-Nana & Mr. Fred...they were total troopers playing Kings in the Corner with a 4 year old :) THANK YOU!

My little Card Shark!!

Tylee having fun with my brother, Zac... (AKA....Unk Zac)

Tylee crashing as soon as we pulled out of the driveway to head back home to Iowa!! Princess Memory game in hand...all ready to play when we get home ;) She seriously slept almost the entire way....(which made for a relaxing trip home for Mommy & Daddy)

And...after that HUGE photo OVERLOAD...I have one more pic to share......

One of my favorites from the Holiday Hoopla....Trey and his Great-Grandfather posing for a quick pic between singing Christmas songs. (Which, happens to be a tradition at the Meier Christmas celebration!!) We sing EVERY year as my Grandfather plays the accordian...regardless of our actual singing abilities. I'm definitely not as blessed as the others....BUT, that still doesn't stop me from singing in shower!!

So, as we say farewell to 2010, we have nothing to complain about and EVERYTHING to be THANKFUL for...the gift of FAMILY is truly PRICELESS!!

LOVE YOU GUYS & THANKS for the WONDERFUL memories!

XOXOXOXOX