Summer Kick Off!

Bella and I had a fantastic start to the summer by heading out to the Topeka Zoo. We joined some of my teacher friends and their kids along with Auntie Tracy and Keegan for some animals, train riding action and a great picnic lunch. Here are our photo highlights!

Memorable Monday

Too much to do and too little time!

There has been so much going on between work and home that I truly wish I could clone myself. I don't think Eric would be too happy to have to deal with two of me, but I think it's worth the sacrafice.

Bella is getting cuter and smarter by the day. I LOVE this phase, because she can really communicate with us. She also has a will of iron and a stubborn streak but I'm sure that surprises no one.

Eric and I had the oppurtunity to go see The Odd Couple at the New Theater in KC. It was really fun, especially the set. Oscar was played by the guy who played Norm in Cheers, and he was excellent. The show was on a Wednesday night so our dear friends, Tracy and Sean had Bella over for a slumber party. A little odd on a school night but with free tickets and a great meal it's totally worth it. Bella LOVED playing with Keegan all night but ended the night snuggling with Tracy. In evening Bella apparently tried to play with stickers but Keegan was not up for it. Being older, and of course wiser, Keegan won. However, in the morning, Bella woke up at 5:30am turned to Tracy and had the following conversation.

Bella: (whispering) Auntie Tracy?
Tracy: Yes?
Bella: Dis your house?
Tracy: yep, you're still at my house.
Bella: We go play with stickers before Keegan gets here?

Seriosuly, that mind is sharp as a trap.

Thanks for the overnight Tracy and Sean!

~Trish

Blog Wars Winner!!

Mrs. Judge Neuty believes Kendall won for the Incredible Shenanigans of a Boy Named Grey. That's my vote! Sorry Seth, even though the video is the MVP of the game, overall Kendall is just funny, Really funny, and pregnant, and you can't let a pregnant woman lose in her delicate state.


Trish

Blog Wars Status

The Blog War between Especially Evey Herin known as EE and The Incredible Shenanigans of a Boy named Grey herein known as ISBNG are in full swing and as awesome as I thought they would be. So here's my total of points thus far.

Mrs. Judge Neuty Says:

Round 1:

EE calls out ISBNG---Nicely done

ESBNG Responds---Brilliantly

Round 1 Point goes to ISBNG= 1


Round 2:

EE films hilarious video of Evey choosing ISBNG over HER OWN BLOG

ISBNG Gloats.

Round 2 Point goes to EE! (the video was one of funnies things I've seen in a LONG time)


Total so far is EE=1 to ISBNG= 1

Here's what Mrs. Judge Neuty would like to see next ISBNG Calls out EE, Let's see an attack Kendall! Without Provication.

And Happy Happy Birthday Kendall!!!

Memorable Monday

Spring Breaks, and Blog Wars.

Okay, so I didn't deliver on my MIA promise. I failed, I will fully admit my responsibility in this matter. What can I say, "It's not you, It's me" "I just can't commit to a full time relationship right now" " I need to focus on my career"

Okay, all of that is partially true but I'm not going to let it stop me. There is too much fun in the blog world to let my few readers down. For one, there is currently a blog war going on between two of my very favorite blogs. Especially Evey, and The Incredible Shenanigans of a Boy named Grey (you can find both links on the left hand side of your screen) So far two posts are up, but I sense brilliance in the making.

And two, I have a cute kid, I mean a REALLY cute kid and I need to show and tell much more because she just gets smarter, cuter and funnier by the day.

For example: Bella's opinion on the following items.

Diapering: "Let Mommy do it Nana, It's her job"

Lunch Choices: " I want Chicken Nuggets... with Mustard... yea, that'd be delicious"

On the proper way to call for mommy: "Mommy!" (louder) "MOMMY" (at full volume) "Trish Neuteboom!"

On an unyielding Potty trip: "Maybe next time"


So you see, she's cute.

Okay, so although I have no pictures to Wow you with, I should give you an update.
We are having a really fun and productive Spring Break. Although it kicked off with Bella being sick for the first 3 or 4 days, we recovered and had a whole lot of fun. On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday Bella and I played to our hearts content, we went to the park, Nana and Poppies, took Eric lunch and worked on the house. Then Thursday and Friday she spent the night and days with my folks so I could work on the house (specifically the kitchen) And I am pleased to announce that we are now wallpaper free!! I will start posting before and after pictures as we continue to update and improve our humble abode.

so that's about it for now. This week I will again attempt to get back to our regularly scheduled programming, for now check out the Blog War!

Trish

MIA

Sorry we've been missing in action. It's been a pretty hectic and stressful time of year. Monday, is officially the end of third Quarter and I've had a lot of fun projects, papers and speeches in my classes this quarter which means quite a bit of grading. I'm busting my bottom to get it all graded this week and hope to come back up for air next week. That means you can expect some great posts starting next week again. We'll even get back to Memorable Mondays! So stick around folks, we have many more great adventures to report.

~Trish

Image found at fotr.mlblogs.com

Great Valentine's Day!

Bella and her Valentine. Yeah for Uncle Willie!

Happy Valentine's Day

Hope you are all enjoying the day. The most fun so far today is I had my English Students make valentine's day cards using quotes from Romeo and Juliet (which we are currently studying) We grabbed the books, construction paper and turned on cheesy love music. It was a blast.

Bella's going to have a good day too. Several Sunnyside and Educare families went in on a valentine's day present for the kids. Today the LHS orchestra will be going to serenade the little one's. I hope they take pictures!

And of course I have to give a shout-out to my Valentine. I love you Eric, you are my heart, my soul and my best friend. Life is just more fun with you around. Thank you for being an incredible husband, father, and friend.

Here are a few of my favorite pics of Eric and I.






























































And of course Bella says Happy Valentine's Day. Uncle Willie is coming over tonight to hang out with her and be her Valentine. Here's my favorite picture of those two! It's a bit old, looks like we better get a cute one of them tonight!














So Happy Valentine's Day from the Neutebooms!

Memorable Monday

December Mania Part VII: The Final Christmas

The funny part about The final Christmas is it didn't happen until January 8th. Mom and Dad spent the full two week break with Willie in England and since we missed them all so much we decided to recreate Christmas once they got home and the 8th was the first free Saturday. We only had a few events between Colorado and our second Christmas. We were very lucky to get Connie out to Kansas to celebrate New Years Eve with us and she was hear to enjoy our Second Christmas as well. We were also lucky to get Willie home as well. He's back in Lawrence for a while and we were so happy to get to spend Christmas with him again, the last time was the year Bella was born. She LOVES her Uncle Willie. Here we are enjoying the morning, we even had a fire going all day!









































Best Tea Towel EVER straight over from the UK.














Opening Presents






























































Bella's new Grill from Auntie Heidi so she can grill with Daddy.




































Eric's new scarf, he really does love it despite the first picture.



























"wasn't me, I didn't eat any chocolate!"














Daddy reading Bella's new baby animal book to her.











In the evening, Connie and J.P. came over for Christmas dinner. We had an amazing feast of lamb with carrots and parsnips, Yorkshire pudding and potatoes. It was a very English meal and absolutely divine. After dinner Nana wanted to show Mimi Bella's new favorite book Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus</span> by Mo Willems. by It was adorable seeing them all read it together.

































We had a fantastic evening and even spent the night at my folks so we could enjoy the night longer. It was a perfect end to a perfect series of Christmases.

December Mania Part VI: Christmas Day

We woke up ready to continue the Christmas festivities, and all of us were spoiled rotten. One of the highlights is our new copy of Shrek 4: The Final Chapter. It's a fantastic movie which is good because Bella requests to watch it EVERYDAY. Of course we don't let her watch it every time she asks but we have seen it quite a few times at this point. In addition, Bella got a new shopping cart.












Eric and I bought Robert and Molly Krause's new cookbook and she LOVED it.













Monster Bella attacking presents













And my amazing husband struck gold again with getting me a Kindle. I LOVE it.













After Presents and breakfast we heading out to go visit one of the Neuteboom's life long friends Shelly and Family. They have lived next door to each other for many years and Shelly has a daughter about Eric's age named Laura. The best part is that Laura has a daughter only a few months older than Bella named Tatum, and Bella was sooo excited to go play with Tatum.

Bella and I heading over to the Bishop House.
































New Mothers with their girls.















Bella's favorite part might have been playing with their dog Callie, She played catch with her for quite some time.





















Tatum and Bella were too cute.






































In the evening we headed over to the Wells house for Christmas Dinner. Bella finally got to hold Baby Paul again (her BFF) which is one of her favorite things to do. I love how careful and protective she is with him. It's soooo cute.






















































What an amazing Christmas. Sadly, we had to leave the next day but we had a great drive home and it was nice to have another week off before getting back to school. Bella and I went swimming, played with friends, and ran lots of errands.

Even with Christmas behind us we still had one more Christmas to go.......