Bus Rider

Camden has faithfully ridden the bus to school since our move.  It comes early (for my sleepy head) at 7:14am.  She is the last stop going west on our road, so the bus driver turns around in our driveway.

One of the first days of riding she stayed inside until we saw it coming down the road, then she ran out the door, down our sidewalk and down our driveway.  She wiped out while running.  She was out of my sight by that point and I didn't see it.  The driver had her get on.  She had a pretty bad scrape on her palm and a nicely skinned knee.  The driver did give her some tissue and let her go inside the school immediately when they arrived so she could see the nurse.  But since that morning, we have been driving to the end of the driveway and waiting for the bus.  It gives us a few last moments of talking before the day begins and it protects her from the elements while she is waiting.

I also love watching her get on the bus.

I think it just makes her feel safer, too.

The Everlasting Stocking Stuffer

Kevin and I didn't have stockings at Christmas this year.  They were in storage (we did buy $1 replacement ones for Camden and Austin).  We didn't want the extra candy anyway!

But a few days after Christmas we were at Fresh Thyme in Lafayette.  We love their bulk candy section and usually end up getting a few different gummy candy since Camden and I both love it.  Especially their Albanese Factory gummy bears (best ever!).  After we put a few small scoops in a bag, I see a display nearby that has a 5 lb. bag of Albanese gummy bears for $7.  That is a steal!  I told Kevin it would have been the best stocking stuffer.

Despite the deal, I was content to just get my small selection, but Kevin MADE me get this.  All three of us have eaten handfuls at a time and we still have almost half a bag.  So yummy!

Pet Adoption Day

We were in Plainfield over the weekend and went into Pet Smart for some cat treats.  It happened to be pet adoption day.  They were closing down and had drastically reduced the adoption prices.  And we fell in love!

This great dane was so huge!  When he stood up he came to Camden's shoulders.  But he was so kind and gentle and loving!  We just had to!

Get a picture that is!

Recent Recipes

I got an Instant Pot for Christmas.  I have not taken the time to figure out what to make and then make in this pressure cooker.  Yesterday, I had some fresh green beans to make and thought that was a good, easy first test.

I decided to do more of a "country-style" cook - usually an hour plus on the stove.   In my IP it took 5 minutes (plus about 5 minutes to come up to pressure)!  They were perfect...well, under-seasoned, but that is an easy fix for next time.  Really can't wait to try something else.

Delicious dinner - Worcestershire/soy sauteed venison tenderloin and green beans!

Kevin saw a recipe on Facebook for taco pie.  Of course, when we went to make it we couldn't find it.  But we did our best and created a delicious take on tacos.  Fritos crunched on top really add a necessary crunch.

It reminded me of Pizza Hut's taco pizza so I added my favorite topping I add to it...poppyseed dressing (Kevin opted for French).  Believe me, it's delicious!  We will definitely make this again.

She Figured This Out

Lots of selfies are taken using the bathroom mirror.  Camden brought my phone to me to show me a picture (actually about 20 pictures) she had taken of Bandit.  This was her favorite (and most hip)!

Sunday Brunch

We love going out for brunch after church.

Get The Bounce Out

I really love taking Camden to Get Air in Lafayette.  It is an hour of pure energy release and movement.

Her favorite, of late, is Dodgeball.  She hangs in there with the (mainly) boys.

Our Deer

These guys are regular enough visitors that they really feel like "ours."  The first night in the house, we came home after dark and pulled into our driveway.  Three deer were at the end of our drive and ran away as our headlights hit them.

The next evening, Camden and Kevin pulled in to see these deer (7 in total) around our barn.

Most evenings as we are getting dinner ready, we watch them come in from the woods into our back field and then around our barn and into our east field.  They get so close to the house!

On this particular night, these two small button bucks were sparring with each other.

As Kevin says, "It never gets old."

Renovation

Our first (and biggest) change we wanted done to our new house was to remove a partial wall that separated the kitchen from the living area.  The kitchen is small and the wall made it feel even smaller.  It also limited our ability to use the space.

It also made it difficult to open our refrigerator door completely.

Our contractor, Steve, was already at work by the time I thought to get pictures.  The wall is successfully removed and the finishing touches can begin.

 

I snapped these pictures this morning.   We absolutely love the openness now. 

Notice the framing out of the wall, the transition strip he laid (and stain) to cover up the space where the wall was, and the box around the vent over the stove he built/painted.

We will add a small table/moveable island in the center to give us more counter space and eating options, but can't believe the difference this made.

"A" School Party

New Market Elementary earned an "A" grade from the state of Indiana.  This is a huge deal and hadn't been attained in 5 years.  The principal asked if the PTO would throw a party to celebrate on the first day back to school after break.  It was a surprise to the kids. 

We rented 4 huge inflatables and had them put in the gym.  We also bought 10 huge Costco cakes to be served at lunch.  

The kids came by grade and each grade had 40 minutes.  Because of the number of inflatables and the limited number of kids, it was actually a really long time to enjoy.  The kids were beside themselves!

Camden loved spending the time with her best friend, Macie.  These two are such fun together - they have similar energy and are so kind and supportive of each other.

Gramma Pat valiantly spent the day helping.  She was either monitoring lines on the gigantic slide or serving cake in the lunch room. 

The next day at our PTO meeting, our principal said it was her favorite day ever as a principal.  I do have to say, despite some frustrating organizational stuff, it was a special day of celebration and a perfect transition back to school.

Pie Face!

Camden was so excited to try this game.  We set it up, put on the whipped cream, and watched her barely able to turn the crank she was so worried it would splat her.  But even with 4 turns, she was "safe."

 

Gramma and Kevin bravely took turns.  Safe!

My turn, however, had no such luck.  I was the first pie face!

Camden's reactions are the best in these pics.

Sooner or later, everyone got the pie!

Camden wants to use the little water sponge instead of whipped cream next time.  I think she will still be a little chicken!

Gingerbread Pizza Parlor

We usually do our annual gingerbread house on Christmas Eve.  But it had to be put off until Christmas afternoon.  When Camden saw this one earlier in the month and we decided it was definitely the one to do.

This kit was exceptional.  There have been 2 really good ones over the years and this is one of them.  It stayed together well and was super adorable.

Gramma Pat was such a big help so that Camden could do all the "hard" stuff and I could take photos.

The candy went on easily and was even tasty!

We thought we were done and realized there were more decorations and TMNT figures to add.

Finished front. 

Camden and I thought that was perfect...but Gramma Pat wanted the back to be done too.