Meet Murphy Brown....

here is our new friend and family member, Murphy!


Allison and Murphy bonding.

Chillaxin!

So it's been awhile since my last blog, I figured I'd better update since a lot has happened this month!

We started the beginning of the month with Allison being sick, as most of you have already been told, we took her to the ER with a high temperature on the 30th of January. They sent us home the same day, after 5 hours in the ER with medicine for an ear infection. Since it was a Friday, Chuck had to take off to Kansas City for work. Saturday morning came along and Allison was just plain sick, flu like sick. She just didn't feel good at all, you could tell. By the end of Saturday she looked a little better, but was a bit worried b/c she hadn't eaten a whole lot, however, she was still drinking fluids. Sunday Allison and I stayed home from church to keep her rested, especially since the past 2 nights had been long nights. Monday came along, Chuck was home and I headed to work. Chuck came in during the late morning to help me prepare the lunch for the day as we were a little short handed....and you could just tell something was wrong with Allison. So after I got home from work, we went straight back to Sioux Falls to the ER. We got there around 4 and they were going to let us go home after putting a little bit of fluids in her (they determined she was pretty dehydrated) Well after they started an antibiotic for her ears, the iv blew. so they had to try to get another iv in. they poke her about 6 more times to get one in!! at this time we were all a little frustrated and just ready to go home. so by the time all the fluids were going again, it was close to midnight and then they just decided to admit allison. We were thinking a night in the hospital would be ok, but it ended up turning into 3 nights!! we were happy to go home late morning on thursday. Felt good to just be home and you could tell allison was feeling a bit better. we thought we were going to end up back in the ER later that night as she started vomitting. But we kept pushing fluids and kept a fever from breaking through. She is now back to herself, took her awhile to get her energy back to 100%. we don't plan on going through that again any time soon!
So that was just the 1st and 2nd week of the month.

The next part is a fun happy part! The saturday after we got home, yes i know, i am crazy, a crazy animal lover.....we adopted a puppy from a local rescue group. he is now 12 weeks old, he is a lab/terrier mix but we think he's got a little bit of pitt in him too. His name is Murphy....Murphy Brown. I will post some pictures soon.

So now it's the end of the month, and we have been driving down to Sioux City everyday, since Tuesday. Chuck's grandpa Palmer "Gramps" isn't doing too great,they don't think he will have too much longer, unfortunately, so most of the family has been here during these past 3 days. we are praying hard that everything goes smoothly, whether that be with him making a recovery or with him making his way to heaven. He looks so peaceful right now, making him as comfortable as we are able to. we all love him so dearly, so please keep him in your prayers, and also for Nana, (grandma) as she struggles with possibly losing her life long friend, lover, and partner in crime =)

I'm going to leave it at that, as I'm now going to take my turn sitting with Gramps. We are looking forward to spring time here, which I'm sure everyone else is wishing for also! Take care!

Day in the Snow

So....we had an awesome/gorgeous/fabulously warm day last week and we took advantage of it. I got home from work and asked Allison if she wanted to play in the snow and go sledding...and of course...I got a big squeal! Which I'm assuming meant YES! So we bundled her up and headed on out! Now, this may not be a big deal to most of you, but....this was Allison's first actually day out in the snow playing! It's been so frigid cold here that we've kept her in most of the winter, plus she had been fighting off a bad cold and cough...lasted about 4 weeks!

So, we were pretty excited to get outside. Here are a few photos from our day in the snow.



Throwing a snowball...you can see it in the top left corner of the photo!


Laughing after she hit me with the snowball!


Getting a ride in HER sled!


Rascal, our outdoor cat, decided to enjoy the sun while he watched us play in the snow!

Surviving!

Yep, just doing it like everyone else, turning up a heat a bit, grabbing as many blankets as possible and staying inside! That's how we are managing the cold. We've had to manage staying warm a lot more than normal lately as our furnace has been on the fritz, won't stay lit, cold air just moving through the house. However, finally got it fixed today after dealing with it for over a week and a half. So I am extremely happy that it's fixed, even though we are suppose to have a warm up this next week. That'll be nice, it'll give us a break from using so much propane to heat the house.

Allison has finally gotten over her nasty cold and cough, lasted about 2 1/2 weeks!!! I was pretty sure she was going to have to visit the ER one night as she had a pretty high temperature, but managed to bring it down after staying up with her all night. So I'm glad that the sickness is gone from our home....at least for now! Seems almost everything has been through our house!

We are making some good progress with Allison and her potty training. As soon as the diapers run out it's onto the pull ups we purchased a few months back. So that will be a change for us and hopefully these go up and down easier for her! Oh yea, don't ya just love potty training talk!
Chuck has been working on ABC's and numbers with Allison. Still can't get her to do all the talking we would like her to do, but in part that's my fault for keeping that little thing called a "binky" around!!!

Not much else to update on. We survived the bitter cold and hoping that it doesn't return. Looking forward to maybe getting out into the snow with Allison the next few days....if there is anything left after our "heat wave".

Hope everyone survived the cold and is doing well!

Happy 50th Birthday!

Happy birthday to an awesome Dad and incredible Grandpa! We love you so much!!!

Merry Christmas from the Palmers!

This year I got a late start...well didn't start at all....on Christmas cards, so I'm doing a virtual Christmas Card this year! Thanks to technology these days! Don't ya love it?

The Palmer household has been quite busy this year, especially the last 2 to 3 months, as most of you know we purchased an acreage north of Akron, IA at the end of September. We've been busy making it our new home, lots of unpacking, but we finally got all settled in towards the end of October.

Chuck is still working for Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO. He works every weekend, leaves on a Friday and is normally home Sunday night. We miss him while he is gone during the weekend, but it is great to have him home for 5 days straight during the week. He has been keeping his eye out for the perfect job around the area, mainly looking in Sioux Falls and Sioux City. Pretty sure he enjoys being home with Allison during the week, he gets to spend a lot more time with her now since he is home during the week.

I'm now working at TJ's Country Store in Akron, yup, Dad and Mom's convenience store. Training to be a co-manager. This week the process sped up, as we had a few employees quit, so now I'm opening the store at 5:15 am....about 3 days a week. Quite the shock waking up at 4:15 every morning, but sure I'll get use to it. I enjoy serving the morning coffee club and being able to talk with people face to face. I'm looking into going back to school in the next year...would really like to get a degree in Photography, so we'll see how that goes.

And last but not least, Allison! She is quite the 2 year old. Just can't believe she is already 2! Allison recently has been enjoying going outside with Daddy to help do "outside work." Her newest favorite thing....Rascal....our cat. She received Rascal as an early birthday present, and he will double as a mouse/snake catcher. He is an outside cat, as Chuck is allergic to cats. She loves picking Rascal up and carrying him around outside, funny thing is, Rascal doesn't seem to mind. Allison also keeps busy chasing around Lucy, our corgi, and Kirby, our Aussie. With almost 11 acres to run around on....they take advantage of their time outside. Allison has also been enjoying being able to see Grandpa and Grandma almost everyday, as well as Aunt Katie!

That is really about all I have to write, don't want to keep everyone too long! We hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a great New Years! Hope to see most of you on or around Christmas Day!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Taking our turn at being elves!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Back Into The Groove....

So it's been a busy month or so. Getting all settled into the new place, finally! We have started with the Christmas decorations, Chuck put up the outdoor Christmas lights last week before taking off to Kansas City for the weekend. They are super bright....LEDs I guess. Can see the house a few miles away now! At least I won't miss my turn.

We had a great Thanksgiving, glad we were able to see everyone again. It's so great that our families can get together. Not many families can do this due to distance in between everyone. We only had 2 dinners this year, normally there were 4 dinners. So our travel was cut in half for the holiday. Plus it's easier to travel with us being so close now.

Allison is starting to talk a bit more. She's been working on I Love You and Bless You. She even babbles when we say grace before dinner, folds her hands too. We've babysat a few times for some friends, she loves helping me out with the babies. Quite the little helper.

I've started the Christmas shopping, actually started early November, to get a head start on things and spread it all out over the 2 months. We are hoping to set up the Christmas tree this week and start wrapping gifts.

I don't want to take up too much of everyone's time, just wanted to give a quick update. Our family is doing great. Can't wait to see everyone again at Christmas!

4th Picture in the 4th Folder

I've been tagged by cousin Jessica. The rule is to post the 4th picture in the 4th folder. Here is my picture, it's one of Allison's Christmas photos from last year. Boy has she changed!!! Especially the hair! I tag Jon Paul, Jason & Chrissy, and MacKenzie.

Backyardigans Concert

Allison enjoyed a trip to The Backyardigans Concert in Kansas City back on Sept. 28th, we had a blast dancing and watching the characters perform on stage! Allison also enjoyed humming the theme song and mimicking their actions. We weren't allowed to take photos during the show, but snuck a few in anyway!
Dancing to their theme song.


After the show we managed to get a picture of the two of us in front of the stage.

Look who turned 2!!!!

Believe it or not, our Little Boo is 2!!! We had a great time celebrating with the family and catching up with everyone. Dora the Explorer was the theme this year! and Boots the monkey too!

Allison had a blast opening the presents, however, needed a break in the middle of it all. Afternoon parties don't go well with only a 45 minute nap. Note that for next year :D
Allison really liked the Barbie Trike from friends Austin, Desirae, and Khallie

Grandpa helping Allison open a few gifts.

Blowing out the birthday candles.

Allison also took her turn at photographing our guests.

We are so happy our little girl is becoming such a big girl! Can't wait for this next year to come along and experience new things with you!

D-Days Parade

On this day we took a little drive to Vermillion, SD to enjoy the D-Days Parade put on by the University of South Dakota. Allison waited and waited for the parade to start and soon after it started she got to see her Grandpa and Grandma in the parade! They were in the parade b/c they got asked to drive their convertible for alumni from 1958. Anyways, so she was super excited to see Grandpa and Grandma.

It was a chilly day, but we were prepared. We got sprinkled on and eventually poured on! Don't you just love the rain...NOT! We saw lots of OLD cars and listened to about 15 marching bands. This parade was by far the longest parade I've ever been to, it took about 2 hours, start to finish!

This is by far my favorite picture of Allison from that day. It just really shows her personality, always smiling!!!

Professional Mouse Catcher---in training

Meet the newest member of our family, Rascal the cat. He is currently training to become a professional mouse catcher for the Palmer Residence. Allison sure has attached to the new member, carrying him around and spoiling him. Hopefully he learns quick that he is an OUTSIDE mouse catcher and not an indoors one. And I hope I don't ever have to make him become an indoor one, MICE = YUCK!!!

Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

Allison had her first visit to the pumpkin patch north of akron. She had a great time with her Grandma Bonnie. We ended up with about 8 pumpkins, big and small.
And in the wagon with all her pumpkins.

Here she is picking her first pumpkin out of the patch.


Allison also painted a little pumpkin....all blue. Scary huh?

Back In IOWA!!!

Yippee!!! Yes we are finally back in Iowa! It took us a 26 foot penske truck and a 6x12 U-Haul trailer, and maybe another trailer(we had to leave a few things behind, they wouldn't fit) to get us here! We closed on Tuesday and started moving everything in shortly after that. We had some great help on both ends to help us load and unload everything. We appreciate all the help we received, if we didnt have it, we would still be unloading the truck!

I have started the unpacking process. The kitchen is practically finished, along with Allison's room, our bedroom and the bedroom. Our main pieces of furniture are set up, the tv (although we have no Sat. Service yet), the computer is on its way of being complete and much more. I'm looking forward to putting nail holes in the walls to hang all our family photos up to really make it our HOME!!

It's been busy and tiring, but glad that we are finally up here! Allison seems to be enjoying being so close to Grandpa and Grandma and Aunt Katie! Katie has helped us out everyday since we've been here, keeping Allison entertained while we set up house. Maybe she'll become our permanent babysitter? HEHE.

I just wanted to give an update, so there it is. We are without internet at our home so I came over to mom and dad's this morning to get on the computer and check my million emails I received in 3 days and email to friends back in Missouri.

I'll post a link to some photos once the house is really our home. Lots ahead of us to do!

Our new address is:

10894 K18 North
Akron, IA, 51001

A phone number is being set up, so we'll update when we get that! Hope everyone is doing well and maybe we see a few of you on the 12th for Allison's birthday party!!!

Shake your groove thing....

Allison enjoyed watching the dance recital this past Saturday morning at the Raymore park for the Raymore Festival. I'm pretty sure she's going to be a dancer!

Cutest Curls in Raymore, MO

We entered Allison into the annual Raymore Festival Baby Contest again this year. This year her award was "Cutest Curls" She didn't place in the top 3, but that's okay b/c our baby girl has the cutest curls! Anyways, just thought I'd share.

This will probably be my last blog as a "Missourian" Not sure I'll have any time to blog after today. We will be packing up what's left of this place the rest of the week, plus we have a birthday party to attend on Wednesday. So busy busy busy!

For those of you wondering, our garage sale went great, couldn't have asked for better weather! Sold quite a bit, and whatever I didn't get sold is being donated to the Girl Scout Troop that my neighbors girls are involved with. They are having a garage sale the 1st weekend of October, so glad that I don't have to pack up that stuff!

We ended up aquiring a little pet during the garage sale. One of our customers found a baby bunny on the doorstep! So she gave it to me....it was so cute!!! Took me back to the days where we would raise the wild bunnies that we happened to find in our backyard....probably b/c dad ran over the others with the lawn mower...i know poor things. So we debated in keepnig it, but it looked old enough to be able to survive on it's own (mommy won't want it back b/c it's got our scent on it). So we released it back into the wild...there is a thick pasture behind our place, perfect spot. I just couldn't imagine keeping it, through out this move and all, and plus I didn't want it to die in my care!! I'd feel horrible. Anyways, here is a photo of our little friend.

The Grizzly Man Diaries....

So I've recently been watching "The Grizzly Man Diaries" on Animal Planet. It's a documentary of grizzly bear like in Katmai National Park in Alaska. I'm not sure exactly what brought me to push "record" on our DVR for this show, I guess I was just...curious. This guy, Timothy Treadwell, started studying the grizzly in Alaska in 1990. Unfortunately, his life ended in October of 2003 due to a bear attacking and killing him and his girlfriend. We are only on the 6th episode of this series, so I'm excited to watch what will be shown in the next episode and those after.

From what I'v read, Timothy Treadwell was an environmental activist and traveled throughout the US to educate children about grizzly bears. He also co wrote "Among Grizzlies: Living With Wild Bears in Alaska" and also created the documentary called "Grizzly Man" which was about his work with wildlife in Alaska (it aired on the Discovery Channel).

Anyways, just thought I'd entertain you all with whats been on our tv for the past month. Hope everyone is doing well.

Oh and I have now decided where our next vacation will be....not somewhere tropical but to Alaska. However, I need to do my research as in when is the best time to visit Alaska! If anyone has any tips/notes let me know!

What's been going on....

Well, it's been awhile since I really posted something, so I figured I'd give someone a little bit to read in their free time.

We've been busy packing away! That's the main event right now. My neighbor, who is now a great friend, came over Monday to help me pack up a few things. We ended up getting tons accomplished! We didn't pack too many boxes maybe 10 at the most? But we did find enough knick knacks, clothes...and well...junk...that we will put in a garage sale. I wasn't going to do one, but I just have so much stuff, it'd be nice to get a few bucks out of it all, instead of just tossing or donating it (whatever doesn't sell, will be donated to the girl scouts garage sale and then whatever is left will go to goodwill). We filled 6 bags of clothing, found a lot of...unused items, books, decor, and plenty more!

Today we are working on the garage, getting it in order, so we can start moving boxes down there, instead of just leaving them scattered around the house...and well...in my way! I filled 3 more boxes for the garage sale and 2 bags full of garbage. Now if I can just get Chuck to let go of some of his old computer stuff that has been boxed up for 3 years now!!! Oh well, he'll have plenty of space to spread it all in "HIS" machine shed! :D haha. I think he's more of a pack rat than me.

Allison has been busy helping of course, putting books in boxes and "folding" clothes. We are planning a birthday party for her down here in Raymore, for our friends and family here. So she'll get one party a month early! We are starting to get into the terrible twos....it's not HORRIBLE, but she has her tantrums here and there. I think a lot of it is frustration b/c she can't communicate to mommy and daddy what she wants. So I'm hoping that one day soon, she'll just start forming sentences and talk like she's been talking since she was born!

Chuck starts his weekend shifts this coming weekend. Which will be nice b/c he'll be able to help with boxing/sorting and all of that during the week when he is off.

Our moving day is the 29th, we are hoping all of our stuff will fit on a 26 foot truck and into the bed of the silverado and whatever else into the jeep. Chuck is a little worried, but I think we'll be able to cram it all in.

On the 28th we are doing our last "hoorays" down here. Chuck and his brother Brett will be going to the big Nascar race at the Kansas Speedway and Allison and I will be heading to "The Backyardigans Live" concert at the Midland Theatre here in KC.

Anyways, I've probably given you enough to read about for awhile. I'll try to update at least one more time before we move and then hopefully (if we have internet service) a blog will arrive shortly after we get all moved into the new house.

Hope everyone is doing well!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to the greatest Mother and Grandmother!!! We love you so much and hope you enjoyed your day! We miss you!