The last few weeks of Summer...

We've been enjoying our last few official weeks of Summer. Even though school has already started - that doesn't really affect us yet.:) 

It looks like Noelle's and my business will be called Two Girlz Design. I like it. Kinda catchy.:) Speaking of Noelle, have I mentioned we're GLAD her and Clifton moved to Omaha? They've had us over twice for dinner (NOT the only reason we're glad they're here:) and my word! They are gourmet cooks! The first time we went over on 

Labor Day - and she had cooked amazing thick, juicy steaks with blue cheese on the top, an amazing salad, baked potato and smoked cheese casserole, fresh veggies, and hot apple-cobbler with vanilla ice-cream for dessert!! Wow. I think I should get on the elliptical now.

After Noelle moved into her new place, we had Joel's Grandparents come and stay with us for a night, and then his Aunt and Uncle and adorable baby cousin came to stay for Labor Day weekend. It was fun having them here. That Saturday they were visiting, we headed over to Iowa, and about 3 1/2 hours later, arrived at a cabin on the lake, to celebrate Joel's Great-Aunt/Uncle's 50th wedding anniversary. It was a fun day. And Preston caught his first fish!! Joel's Uncle Andy helped P catch it - and I'm glad Joel got a picture, because I didn't see it first hand, as I was locked in the upstairs bathroom. Don't ask. That's another post. :) 

Today has been a dreary and rainy day, but it's ok - because we took a nice long walk yesterday, enjoying this fabulous 'Fall-feeling' weather! We saw bugs outside of course, and P sure has been excited at them lately. He exclaims 'Crick-Crick!' when he sees what he thinks is a cricket. Cracks me up. That, and today when he called Joel's lunchbox 'Daddy's purse'...Ah, this kid keeps me most entertained.

Choices, Choices!!

Noelle and I have been brainstorming some more...I had been having 2nd (and 3rd) thoughts about the name we'd chosen for our graphic design business. Assuming some would think it to be too crude (even though those really ARE our last names.;)-we now have another name choice! Noelle has done two logos...My! She's fast!!:) Nifty website templates are in the works, for both! So, now it's time for you, dear blog reader friend, to cast your vote! YOU could determine the fate of our entire future. Ok, so not really-but you could help us decide on a business name. Thank you, and good luck.

Choice #1: Pee & Schmidt Creative

Choice #2: two girlz design

God is so good!

Last night, my college friend Noelle arrived from California. She made the entire trip in 2 days, just her and her kitty cat. We stayed up until after 2am talking, laughing, and making plans for our design business we want to run! It's called 'Pee and Schmidt Creative'. Those are our last names-really! I so am blessed by great family and friends, and excited that Noelle and Clifton are moving to Omaha! It will be great to have a friend in town...

I talked to Joel's Mom last night, and they are packing fast and furiously, to load the U-Haul Monday! On Tuesday morning, they'll leave to bring it here. We are excited to see what the Lord has for them-and Calvary! I think they'll be glad to get settled, and ready to start fresh. Holiday's will be soooo nice without making that long trip to Iowa. I think it will be great for Preston to really know both sets of Grandparents!

On a side note: last Friday I went to Lincoln to see my friend Tiffany. We spent some time shopping and most importantly, chatting.:) She is such an encouragement! Her son Nathaniel is 2 weeks younger than P, and he cracks me up!! He can't say 'Mrs. Schmidt', which Tiffany refers to me as-in front of her kiddos;), so he calls me 'SMART'. So funny!! Everytime he wanted to get my attention, I'd hear-'SMART, SMART!' I gotta tell you, that doesn't get old. So refreshing to have people recognize and proclaim your intelligence. Ha! Kids are funny.

Biggest cheese ever!!

Random thoughts...

Last night we went on a bikeride. It was super fun. I have to say that Joel's biking idea has been his best yet this Summer.:) I got a bug in my eye and mysteriously pooped on by a bird, but we still had a great time. We rode to a nearby park and found a bikepath close to it that led us over a neat little bridge. P did NOT want to leave the park, but was alas persuaded and we began our ride home. Uphill was not nearly as much fun for Joel, who was pulling P.

I could've sworn Preston was having a bad case of PMS this morning. I know it's not possible-because he's 2 and well, male of course-but man! He was crabby. He cried for various crises involving his juice cup being empty-and then because his juice glass was full-and also because I put away the bag of chicken nuggets we had just bought into the freezer and grabbed the already open one to make him lunch. His meltdown was a result of him thinking he was NOT going to get any chicken nuggets. Tragic. All of this makes me value naptime. He's still a really good napper-and when he's 7 or 8 and stops taking naps, I think I'll have a hard time with it. Ha!! I kid-really! 

The past couple nights P has been VERY affectionate. In church Wednesday night, he kept giving Grandma Sharon 'googly-eyes' and big cheesy grins. He loves her!! Then, last night-he began a hugging marathon-where he'd give Joel a big squeeze then me, then Joel, then me...This went on for about 10 minutes.:) I could say I got tired of it-but that would be a lie. I loved it!! I told Joel that when he's a teenager-he won't want anything to do with us. Basically, we need to enjoy this 'attention' while we can. After all-it makes up for the mornings he makes me endure the PMS!!

Here's my favorite pic from the hugging marathon! This is when he was playing 'My Daddy!' I like to egg him on by hugging Joel and saying 'MY Daddy'...

Monday Blues

The weekend was a blur. I hate it when Sunday night comes, and you wonder where in the world the weekend went! I'm hoping these Monday Blues are gone by tomorrow, but then again-it will be Tuesday, so that should be a definite. We had a great time with the In-Laws here, and Saturday was so fun, celebrating JoAnn's 30th Birthday!! We had a surprise-party for her, which she suspected!! Grrr! It was still fun though, and the kids all had fun playing together-as usual. My Mom made her famous double-decker, iced, chocolate-fudge cake. SO yummy!! That's the reason I was excited for the P-A-R-T-Y...oh yeah, and my sister's Birthday!!!:)

Preston with Aunt Annette:

Aunt Charity giving Preston a horsey ride!

Preston wanted to have a slumber party...didn't think that would work out!!

Vacation...so sad it's over.

It was great to get away...Nice to spend time just us again, see the sights, and enjoy being together. Our first night there was in a pretty nice hotel. We ate in the restaurant there, and then went for a drive. Pretty sure we saw a dead man...on the side of the road. A police officer was with him, shined a light in his eyes, and called it in. The man was either passed out drunk...or dead. Either way, he didn't move a bit. Didn't look good. We went for a swim in the cold hotel pool and called it a night.Friday we got up and checked out of our hotel, to drive to 'the strip'. Wow!! So much to see, we were overwhelmed with where to start. We've heard of things we should do in the area...places to go, etc. But there was SO much!! We parked our car in a casino garage and headed across the street to Ceasar's Palace. I'm convinced we could've spent the day there, seeing everything. The Forum shops were amazing (but over-priced.) We had fun looking around, and then met up with Leah and her boyfriend. We then checked into our hotel for the last 2 nights (the Sahara, what a dump!) After checking in, we went and ate at the Rainforest Cafe. What an amazing place!! Every half hour, it 'stormed' and you'd hear lightning and thunder...The ceiling looked like an amazing sky at night. That was by far my favorite place we ate!!

Saturday and Sunday were spent walking around...ALOT. I wonder how many miles we walked this weekend. Our legs were so sore! We got to go to the top of the Paris tower. What an amazing view at night!! I also enjoyed waking up in the mornings and heading out to swim and lounge by the pool. I could get used to that!!:)

Joel and I are already talking about next time we go...:) We want to go to the top of the Stratosphere, see a show, and drive out to Hoover Dam...(none of which we did this time.) I also never want to take a red-eye flight again. Just something about ending a vacation completely drained that puts a damper on the week ahead.

P had a great time with his Grandparents! We're so greatful he was in good hands. He keeps talking about Sharon going bye-bye...He really misses her! I think we're all sad vacation is over.:)

Vegas, baby!:)

Ok, Vegas-here we come! NWA adjusted our flight schedule so that we would arrive in Las Vegas 2 hours later than original, so Joel called and talked to them today, and now we get to fly out on the 4th (instead of the 5th) at no extra charge! VERY impressed with Northwest Airlines. They get 2 thumbs up. I'm busy doing laundry and trying to get things together for myself and P, who will be staying with Grandpa and Grandma Wiese! I'm nervous about being away from him for 4 nights!! But, I know he's in good hands. Mom said she bought a boys' potty-training book to read to him. Well, that's GREAT! If she can accomplish that while we're gone, she definitely gets extra credit!! Actually, maybe we should just stay away an extra week or two...

We're so excited to take a trip together! The last time Joel and I traveled was to Denver, Colorado and I was 6 months pregnant. It was a GREAT trip though, and we knew it would be our last for a while. I'm excited for Vegas, it seems like there is so much to do there! It looks like our hotel the first night will be close to Hoover Dam and there are SO many outlet malls in the area, deep breath, and there is the Las Vegas Speedway where you can eat lunch in the crew pit and DRIVE a racecar!! Ok, that part sounds so fun to me, but would probably cost a small fortune. Also a must is the M&M's store. A whole store, devoted to M&M's candy, gear, etc! Who knew?!

I'll post pictures and a trip "review" when we return. Thankfully, I'll be taking pictures in style, because Joel surprised me with a new digital camera of my very own!! I think he's glad I'll stop using his, ha! Here's the first picture I took with new said camera. Viva Las Vegas!