Overy Family's Grand Adventure

Earlier this month, I was contacted by a man named Chris.  He posed this question: If you were given $1500 for a vacation, where would you go and how would you use these funds to get the biggest bang for your buck?

Great question, and after a lot of consideration, we have decided that a "stay-cation" would be the way to have a grand adventure!

We recently moved to central Iowa, and haven't done much exploring of the local attractions.  And, I am more comfortable at home, in my own bed, than I ever am in a hotel.  Especially since "bed bugs" have become such a big issue.  Gross, that totally creeps me out.

Our first stop would be to the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad.  My oldest son LOVES trains, and would adore a train ride.  :)  The total cost for this excursion would be approximately $75 (includes food and train ride for our family of 5).

Next up, a night out for Mommy and Daddy at a local winery.  Fireside Winery offers a lovely concert each Friday night.  What could be better?  Music and wine!  Of course, hubs and I would stop for dinner as well. The total for this excursion would be approximately $150.

Wow, okay...we still have a lot more money to spend.  :)

Next up would be an over-night stay at the Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark in Dubuque, IA.  It is a bit of a drive, but a wonderful way to spend some time in the winter.  I don't know about you, but I always feel like doing things when I can't....swimming in the winter, Chick Fil-A on Sundays, etc.  Our kiddos would have so much fun!  Especially our Ady, she LOVES to swim.  :)  Total cost for the waterpark, hotel stay, food, gas, is approximately $500.

Our next stop would be to the Disney on Ice show at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.  My kids  love music, in fact they can sing most Disney songs word for word!  I couldn't imagine a better way to spend a night.  There little eyes lighting up as their favorite Disney characters skate across the room.  Priceless memories.  :) Total cost for this excursion is approximately $500 (which includes the ever so important Disney memorabilia)!

The final $275 would be used for a great dinner for our friends and family.  A few steaks, chicken, BBQ ribs, a few bottles of wine, and most importantly, good company.  After all, isn't the point of a vacation to relax and spend time with the people you love?  I enjoy entertaining, and love when people can enjoy our home as much as we do.

So, there you have it.  This is how the Overy's go on an epic "vacation".  How about you?  Do you have any upcoming vacation plans?  How would you spend $1500?

Family Breakfast

Remember the other day when I mentioned that I would love to have a family breakfast?

Well, I attempted our first real family breakfast (you know, one that does not include cereal).

By the time I was able to sit down this is what my table looked like:

Notice the lack of babies and a husband?  Obviously, it was not a success.

I had made most of the pancakes when I sat the kiddos down in their chairs.  I sat a few cheerios in front of them to give me a little extra time to finish up the pancakes, but they were not having it.  They wanted pancakes!  So, I gave in.

The thing is, they didn't eat hardly any of their pancakes....which is SO odd for them (especially Ady!).  Zach ate a couple (or half a dozen, but who is counting) pancakes while the kids were picking at their food, and I continued making pancakes.  By the time I was able to sit down and enjoy my breakfast, the other three were deeply enthralled with a Sid the Science Kid movie.  Joy.

At least it was a relatively peaceful breakfast for this Mom!

Anyway, maybe next Sunday will be better.  (We have pancakes each Sunday, just fyi.)  How was your Sunday breakfast?

Well, I have to get back to watching football *yawn*.  You know, because that is what you do when your hubby keeps track of ESPN Fantasy Football crap (thank goodness it was free!).  :(

Enjoy the day!

Chicago Bears

Remember the other day when I mentioned I was going to try and fit a "photo shoot" in with my kiddos?

Well, I was able to snap a few pictures.  Do you know how hard it is to get two babies.....21 months and 9 months, to sit still long enough to get a good picture?  I think that task is nearly impossible.  And, if you can do it (without using photoshop!) let me know and I will let you photograph my kids.   :)  They really are cute subjects, no?

Man.  I love my kids more and more every. single. day.  They are truly my world, and have brought so much joy and meaning to my life.  I hope you enjoy seeing their smiling faces as much as I do!  :)

PS - Sorry some of the photos are cut off.  I didn't want to go back in a adjust each one, so you will just have to deal with it.  :)  What can I say, I am lazy.  ;o)

SO BIG!

As many of you know, we have been trying to put Ady to bed in her own crib....in the kids' room. (Have no idea what I am talking about? You are missing out, follow me on Twitter @jenniferovery) But, it has not been going so well.

I was hesitant to even try because I would absolutely hate to have both kiddos up in the middle of the night, but Ady has been sleeping so well we thought we would give it a try Tuesday night.

Tuesday = HUGE FAILURE. Ady cried the whole time, and kept waking Jackers up. So, she got her way and slept in our bedroom (in a pack n' play).

Wednesday = A little better. We got both of the kids asleep, but Ms. Ady woke up around 11. We laid her down in her pack n' play, and she slept through the night.

Thursday = Perfect! Or so we thought. We got both of the kids asleep, with NO ISSUES! But, at 2:15am Ady woke up....for no reason. I rocked her, changed her diaper, gave her a bottle, and she drifted off to sleep around 3:30am. But, she was up again at 5:30am and 6:30am.

This Mama is tired.

I am not sure I have the energy to try it again tonight, but we will have to see. Do any of you have any tricks for getting a 5 month old to sleep through the night? She sleeps fabulously, by herself, in our bedroom...but, not in her bedroom.

Moving on.....

Jack is usually the shy, silent type. But, we have been trying to encourage his speech as much as possible. He will sign more (which also means please....be careful when you are teaching this to your kiddos :)) all day long, but rarely says anything other than "da". Well, he babbles....but, I have no clue as to what he is saying.

So, today. Instead of just giving him a goldfish cracker. I made him say cracker. He whined for about 20 minutes about not getting the cracker easily....but then he said it! YEAH! Go Jackers :). Cracker is a more difficult word than Mama, right? Hmm....stubborn, eh, sweet, little boy!

I am sorry about the video. It was shot with my phone, and I didn't even think to rotate the phone. Oh well...you get the idea. I am so proud of my little baby boy!

In other Jacker's news. He is officially off the bottle! It has been 9 days since his last bottle, and he seems to be doing fine.

I am a little concerned that he isn't getting enough calcium...because he really dislikes drinking milk from a sippy cup (or regular cup). But, I have been upping his cheese/yogurt intake to hopefully compensate for the decrease in milk consumption. It will all work out in the end, any maybe I will eventually get him to drink milk out of a sippy.

Well, that's what new in my life as a SAHM. What about you?

Prayer Request

Hey everyone.

I just wanted to ask for your help.

My aunt, Sheila, was recently diagnoised with breast cancer.

And I mean recently. We don't even know much information about it.

She had a biopsy, which confirmed the cancer. But, she still doesn't know what the next step is....at this point.

She has an appointment this week to get some more information.

Sheila is on my mind and heart, and I was hoping that you might say a quick prayer for her and her family.

She is pretty young (38), and has three young boys at home. Who are all pretty freaked about by this.

Thank you all very much for your prayers. I really appreciate your unending kindness.