NW Homecoming 2010

Last week was Homecoming/Spirit Week at NW. Now we all know that Max is always right there to participate in all activities...not matter what he has to wear...the boy is NOT shy! That is what makes Max...Max!


The first day was PJ day. Now one would think that the normal sleep pants would be good enough. Oh no...we had to get the Feet PJ's...you know the ones they wore when they were babies! Talk about impossible to find them big enough for them to wear now! Max's pj's were so tight he had to stretch it just to get it over the top of his shoulders. Thank goodness I snapped the photo before he left for school b/c I don't think they lasted long!

Erkel day/Nerd day was the next dress up day on the agenda. Now this wasn't the first time that Max has dressed up as Erkel. When he was in the 5th grade he watched that show Family Matters all the time and would walk around the house saying "did I do that"... so off to goodwill to find some suspenders..plaid pants and big glasses...As you can tell he pulled the NERD thing off! On a side note...when my mom and dad lived in Colby and my dad and his friend Rick would dress up as nerds for a Halloween party...they joked that my dad would just go to the closet and get his attire!

There was also a Breast Cancer Awareness Day (pretty cool I thought) and it was wear your pink day! We had to borrow the shorts and shirt thinking that was all pink but that wasn't enough for Max. We had to go in search of PINK TIGHTS....he wanted PINK SHOES also but couldn't find any. After XC practice that day he went to mow my mom's grass...still dress in pink minus the tights...and the neighbor asked...did he lose a bet? Love it! So glad he isn't afraid to get crazy and participate in those events...all a part of high school!

The final part of Homecoming was the dance. Max and Lauren looked so nice and they even made my day by coming by the house so I could take pictures. It was quick...but I am a happy camper that I got them! (Last year..no pictures..not a happy momma!) He looks so handsome if I do say so myself!

Goin...to STATE!!!

Run Max Run....

He must of been proud...look @ that smile...& with his sister!

Hard to see...but the Fan Club!!!

I know that most of everyone saw my post on Facebook that Maxwell Thomas is going to State in Cross Country. But I think it is worth a post on my Blog! He sure did pick a great time to kick it up a notch and as Uncle Darrell says....run like his britches were on fire! Sure he was a little disappointed that he didn't medal (only medaled top 10) but a 13th place finish a chance to lenghten your XC season another week is AWESOME! We are all very proud of him and to make it even more special...this Saturday when he is running in State...it would also be GD's birthday. I cannot think if GD were here today that he would rather be anywhere but watching that kid run on his birthday! Nana asked Max after his race if he heard the wings flapping while he was running b/c it was GD running right with him! Joe even said Saturday night when we were recapping the day...man I could just see your dad out there running back and forth cheering him on. Maxwell Thomas (along with Madison) always know that they have a guardian angel on their shoulders no matter what are doing!

GOOD LUCK AT STATE MAX!!! You will have the biggest cheering section that is for sure!

Maddie's 11th Birthday Celebrations

We give Mads a hard time about being Hilda the Hyppchondriac!

Deda & Brandon gave her a gift for that!

Mads...Max...Kaylsta....

First Bite!!!!!

One for you...One for you!

Maddie & her friends @ her 11th party!

Jumped in the bouncy house and on the trampoline!

(No injuries...thankfully!)

& of course..soccer in the empty lot...& a little football!

Where did the princess parties go??????

Maddie had quite a birthday. She had all her friends from school over and had a tailgate party. They wore their favorite team jersey and they played football in the empty field..jumped on the bouncy inflatable we rented...played soccer....and ATE! She got some really cool things from her friends and overall had a really good time! All the kids behaved very well and can't wait to have them around as they grow up! Besides family...I believe that friends are the most important thing in life!

After the "kid" party she had a party at school with cupcakes. Cannot believe this is the LAST party I will get to do at school for my kids. Sniff Sniff! Of course she got to take the ceremormial first bite and then got sernated Happy Birthday...cha cha cha style!

For her family birthday we all went to Red Robin...her choice! After a great meal we went back to the house for a cookie cake and ice cream. Although everyone was so full from dinner she decided to open packages first..yea had to twist her arm on that one. Again...lots of cool stuff was given to her and her big one was the Electric Scooter. I had told her that she wasn't going to get one b/c they were too expensive. When Max was unloading it from the car he says...do you know how much I wanted one of these when I was her age! OH BROTHER! She rides it to the mailbox everyday to get the mail...now if we can just keep her father off of it we will be fine!!!!

My baby turns 11....????

How did we get from this:

...to this?

Would someone please tell me how this happened? 11 years ago today our lives were changed for the oh so much better! Madison Elaine blessed our family and this world with her beautiful smile and her witty personality. She was such a shy little girl who would cling to my leg when anyone talked to her and we were so worried that she was never going to talk! OMG...were we ever wrong! Since the "shell" broke she is never at a loss for words but I guess the best part of my day IS the sound of her voice! When I look back at all the pictures I have taken of her I cannot believe how fast 11 years have passed and it scares me to death about how fast the next 11 will go.

So today I celebrate Miss Madison Elaine and thank god everyday that he picked me to be this beautiful young lady's mother! I don't know how I go so lucky but cherish every moment!

KABOOM!!!!!!

This was after my mom pulled some of the glass out...

Before.....

After...Norton Glass Company saved my life!!!!

BOOM! It sounded like a bomb went off. My mom and I were headed back to Wichita today from Norton. We were maybe 3 miles out of town when I met a semi. As we passed him he must of kicked up a rock (I guess) and sent it flying through the window behind me. A split second earlier it would of come through the driver's window. Scared the P**S out of me!

Got the car pulled over...got my bearings....quit shaking and turned around and headed back to Norton. Found the nicest people at Norton Glass Company. They removed the rest of the glass still hanging in the frame, vacuumed my car out and then taped a piece of cardboard over the window so we could get home. You cannot say enough about the people in a small town and what they will do! I owe them more than the $20 he finally let me pay him!

Of course me being the scrapper wanted to capture the moment despite how frightening it was and today was the day I left the house without ONE camera. Yes..it is true. I NEVER leave the house without one of them in my purse. My phone camera saved the day for just a bit...until it died. I did capture 2 pictures. My window gets busted..no camera to document it...not my day. Wait a minute...yes it was my day. My mom and I decided that my dad was looking out for me and made that rock hit a SPLIT second LATER...saving it from going through my window and lord only knows what would of happened. Thanks DAD! After driving a while I decided that maybe he was telling me that I was lucky so I bought a Powerball ticket...will let you know how that turns out! LAUGH OUT LOUD!!!!

Glad to be home in one piece and enjoyed my quality time with my mom!

Happy 1st Anniversary!!!

One year ago today!!! Congrats you two!

Daredevils!

Cancun 2008

First official picture together!

Wow....has it really been a year! One year ago today we were getting ready for Shelly & Brandon's wedding. Doesn't even seem possible! I will speak for them and say they have had a great year! We have had so much fun sharing in all the craziness that is for sure! There have been many nights when Shelly & I have fallen asleep in the living room while Joe and Brandon solve all the world's problems in the "man cave" till wee hours of the next day! :) I know that Joe feels so blessed to have had Shelly as a sister (in law) for all these years and now I get the chance to have a new brother (in law)! Brandon has fit right into our family like he has been here for 20 years instead of 2 years! Brandon may wonder what he walked into almost 3 years ago but we are sure glad he did. He loves my sister and that is the most important thing of all! I am so glad they found each other and get to go on the "crazy" ride called marriage and allow us to tag along! So here's too many more years you two!!! WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Anniversary!

Two years ago today Darrell and Erica said their "I do's" after a long courtship! Some might of thought it wasn't going to happen but I say good things come to those who wait....and the waiting was worth it! The wedding day was beautiful...the food was awesome....and the dance was down right a night to remember! I think we are still talking about it! So...Happy Anniversary D & E..it has been a fun ride and thanks so much for allowing us along. Here's to many more great years and lots more nieces and nephews!

This is one of my favorite pictures of the two of them. They look so young..not that you don't today...but just the innocense of young love! I also love this picture b/c it shows that once a long time ago Max was a little boy! (ok...sorry this isn't about that!)

With this hot dog...I thee wed! Darrell & Erica sharing a "footlong" at the Nuggets game. This picture also holds some memories of being snowed in in Denver in April. What a weekend!

Ok...since they didn't want to use the "hotdog" picture as their engagement picture I guess this one will do! Still young pups!

Aaawww...Mr. & Mrs. Surmeier....here's to many more years!