MIZZOU-RAH

This weekend was a brand new experience for me. A couple of weeks ago Jeff asked if I wanted to go to Missouri to a football game. Sounds fun, SURE! Friday, we had a half day of work, packed up the car and Sherman and headed towards Missouri. Little did I know, this was going to be an interesting experience.

First off, there was a homecoming parade. A PARADE?!?! sheesh, Marian didn't have a parade for homecoming. Here is Jeff and Ellie getting ready to watch the floats go by. Isn't he going to be one the most handsome/best dad ever?! Everyone went! Here is the crew in their Mizzou gear.

As the parade started, I was a little freaked out, at a lack of a better term. So many people supporting MU and wearing gear. I was definitely shocked at the outcome of the crowd. I guess I did have to remember that Marian is a tad smaller than this huge state school! haha Also, if you look hard enough, you may see some guys sitting on top of that building on the right.

Towards the end of the parade we were getting tired. He is a cute cute picture of Ellie with Grandma and Grandpa.

side note: I can't believe how Ellie has changed from our little baby to a kid! I watched my 4 nieces and nephews growing but haven't witness such a change in between visits. She is talking, walking without falling and potty trained. WOW! I kept asking Jeff if he was amazed too, but it didn't seem to phase him. haha

On our way home from the parade, Christy dropped us off at Trops. This might be one of the greatest concepts in a college town. They have about 15 frozen slushi machines with alcoholic beverages in them. The line was 30min. We waited...waited...waited... but turns out, it was worth the wait!

Finally, off to the game! Our tickets said section: "The Hill." I was thinking maybe like a small hill at the Indians game. We get there and there is this HUGE hill with a tremendously steep incline where people are sitting. I was cracking up because our tarp we were sitting on keep creeping down the hill. I think it just added to the fun that was about to happen!

I guess on the news or whatever they told all the fans to wear yellow so the whole stadium would just be a sea of yellow. Christy brought her Pink Mizzou shirt. She stuck out, but it was nice because if we left to the bathroom, we knew exactly where the group was. I took a picture to show her how much she stood out. haha

We were all thinking we would leave at half time because the game wouldn't be too exciting. Boy were we wrong! The game ended up being one of the best games we would see. We were all having a great time, but towards the end Jack was getting a tad tired. He took a small snooze on our bags. =)

He actually was only there for about 7 min. He stood back up and kept cheering. He was a lot of fun to take to the game. He really got into it and was a trooper through the rain, walking and long game.

Turns out, Mizzou won! An announcer said about 2 min to go that it was breaking the law to rush the field etc. Yeah, that didn't last. They were running on the field before the last play was even over! I guess another tradition is to break the goal posts after a really significant game. So here we have the students carrying around part of the goal posts. I am telling you, these large schools are crazy! haha

All in all we had a super duper weekend! Sherman even behaved himself enough to where I think he may be invited back. hehe I thought I would give Shermy some love too and show you how to road most of the way this weekend.

Halloween Decisions

It's Halloween time! Most of you know, but I do NOT like Halloween. I probably should change my attitude before I have children. Anyway, having a dog is sometimes hilarious. Sherman came up to me about 3 weeks ago and said he wanted to dress up for Halloween (in a round about way). After much deliberation, I thought I would grant his request. The only problem is, we now have to choose between three costumes. He wants opinions to make sure he looks he best so he can get the best treats and belly rubs in Halloween night!

First we have a simple clown outfit. Sophisticated, but over done:

Sherman really liked it though!

Beni (Kyla's dog) came over to play and actually fell in love with the outfit, so that is probably what he is going to wear for Barking-or-Treat.

Next we have a Cowboy outfit. A little snug, but nothing that should keep him from looking cute!

Finally we have the Business Man. Sherman likes this the best, but he still wants to know what everyone else thinks!

Here he is making his first Business transaction:

All in all, I think Sherman made some great choices on costumes!
He probably doesn't even need to wear them, because Grandma Ruthie sent him his now FAVORITE toy! A candy corn, to go along with his food themed toys.

We are getting SCARY-ILY close to our goal!

As most of you know, Jeff has been collecting bottle caps since we have been dating. At first I thought it was cute. (Who am I kidding, I used to think EVERYTHING he did, said etc. was cute. haha) Also, since we had only been dating a month, I never imagined our relationship would last forever. (glad I was wrong about that!) I assumed the caps would leave my life at some point. I also never thought I would see the day when he had collected enough caps to make his beer pong table. That's right, my 28 year old fiance wants to re-live his college years and make a beer pong table of beer caps. We only do the classiest things around here. Thanks to all you savers out there *rolls eyes* we have almost reached the, what I thought was un-reachable, goal of 2,000 caps. Only 300 more to go.


Now as soon as I got the news from Jeff last night so many things ran into my head... 1. Where are we going to put this? 2. With what tools is he going to make it? 3. Will we ever play? I have been with Jeff over a year and have never witnessed him play a game of beer pong.


I thought you might all be entertained at how my Engineering man has calculated these caps. First Let me show you the picture.

As you can see there is a computer involved. First Jeff will separate the caps by brand. Sometimes they are then separated by flavor within the brand. ie: bud light, bud light lime. After he has done this, he puts them in groups of twelve. Once he has 96 of a certain type of cap they are put in an individual baggie. (You might observe those on the right.) After that, they are then added to an intense spreadsheet in excel. This way he know how many different types etc. he has of each cap. This process usually takes 2-3 hours depending on how many he has to sort.

All I can say is this has certainly kept him, and all his beer cap gathering friends, busy for over a year. Now to the part I have been dreading... we begin the build of the table... DUN DUN DUNNNN. Who knows, I will probably be surprised. Jeff has quite the imagination. It will probably be the talk of the neighborhood.

Sherman's Pen Pal

A couple of weeks ago, I was visiting my parents when I get a call from Jeff. Sherman got a package in the mail from Diesel!! Diesel is Joe and Amanda's Jack Russel Terrior. Jeff promised that he wouldn't open it until we got home on Sunday. We (Sherman and myself) were so excited to come home and see what he received! I think Sherman was more excited to ride in the car, but whatever... As soon as we got home, I presented the package to Shermy.

At first he just sniffed it and kind of walked away. Then Jeff had to step in and help. Somehow Diesel did a really GREAT job taping it. Amanda, I think you need to tell me how he did that!

As Jeff was getting the package open, Sherman and I waited on pins and needles!

Finally... the package was open! Diesel gave Sherman a copy of his absolute favorite toy and some of his treats. He also wrote him a note telling him it wasn't very nice to use the carpet as his personal restroom. (We need the dog whisperer) Sherman immediately demanded a treat. I must say, he LOOOOVES them. We save them for times when he is being annoying. It keeps him busy for about an hour, no joke.

I must admit. He wasn't too fond of the squeaky toy. Jeff has decided it was his mission to make him like it! We offer it to him all the time. He is slowly coming around to it. His favorite toy is still that silly hot dog. I can't believe that last min. $2 ugly hot dog is his favorite. haha

We had such a great time opening up his first gift from his pen pal! Diesel is awesome and Sherman told me that he is his best friend! Sorry Rusty and Cosmo, you come in a close second.

Well, Sherman is now demanding my attention, so I probably should go. I never thought I could love an aminal as much as Sherman William Mueller!

After two weeks of work...

They are finished! Done! Mailed! Forgotten! I have been working on my Save the Dates for a good 2.5 weeks. Without my mom close, I didn't get anyone's (except Jeff) opinion on how they looked. I just look a leap and assumed people would love them. I addressed them by hand. I have HORRIBLE hand writing, but mom said it adds a personal touch. Which it totally does! Anyone who has pretty hand writing apply within, because I need the invitations to look nicer. I never realized how taxing it would be to track down all 214 guests to get their addresses. I was at my whits end by Tuesday. After all the hustle to get them done and mailed, it is quite a relief!

The last one was addressed Monday at 6:00. Jeff was outside putting down grass seed. I RACE outside with my camera and demand a picture be taken of me mailing the silly things. I was too proud to not. My first real wedding thing.

The next day after the mail person (I haven't met them, I don't want to ASSUME it is a man =)) took them, I had a panic moment. This is real. I am actually getting married. 214 people now know and are saving this special day. WOAH! The feeling soon left, but it kind of took me back. I am pretty excited to become a Mueller, even though I will have two elle's to write in my name. Besides that, Jeff is beyond amazing, and I feel like I just fit right into the family.

Now, go off to your mailbox and find our cute little faces staring at you when you open the box!

Ok, I promise!

Hello readers!

I know I have said this before, but this time I promise. I am going to keep up with my blog! This is a fresh start! We have a dog now, people want to see pictures. TRUST ME. If you haven't met him, you will fall in love with Sherman. Lots of things go on in ours lives, and I realized the other day that many people I want to share it with, but there never seems to be enough time. Then I came back to the blog.

As far as Jeff and I, we are busy with wedding, updating the house and living the dream. I am sure we will get a ton of stuff finished in the house this winter when it is all chilly outside.

I am going to keep the blog short and simple today because I have a lot of editing to do with pictures etc. Have no fear, I will be back soon! I shall leave you with a picture of our current pride and joy.

Excuse me... Ms?!?!

How many times has this happened to you? You are in the dressing room and you get ridiculously stuck in an outfit. For a split second you think to yourself... Will I ever get out of this, or will I have to wear this awful, ill-fitting outfit for the rest of my life? This happens to me more than I care to share, but it was too funny not too.

The first time I got REALLY stuck was in a basement of a Sears. I was trying on dresses for a formal a couple of years ago. (ok... last year =\) haha I REALLY REALLY liked this dress. I was the only person in the dressing room. I am shopping by myself. (you get the picture)

*small side note* Why do manufacturers insist on putting zippers in the back? and also, when you get to the middle part of the dress, why is it impossible to zip even when you aren't in it?

I try this dress on. It fits me, but the zipper goes all the way up to my neck. I wiggle and shift until I finally get the zipper all the way up. As I am doing this I think... bad idea... but I keep going.

The dress is cute, I decide to buy it. Alright.. now to get out. PANIC! I can't get my hand to the zipper. I move in every possible direction. I am sweating. My body has turned to it's fight or flight mode and is shutting down. I am doomed. I remember the only person I saw in the whole section was an older lady who was not close at all. At this point I force myself to calm down. I sit down and think of a game plan. Somehow I wiggled my way out of the dress enough to get the thing off. My hair is in a tizzy, my face is all red, and I am out of breath as I am leaving the dressing room.

Most people at this point would throw the dress down and run out of the store. NOT ME! I totally bought the thing. It is actually one of my favorite dresses. I just always make sure I have someone present when putting it on.

This similar event happened last night. I was with my little sister. We decided to go to the mall and try on fun dresses. Here I am, again, not being able to get the zipper past the satin ribbon around the middle. I don't want this dress, why am I so determined to see what it looks like!?!? I keep going. I twist and pull and finally the zipper passes that impossible part and I am good to go. Everyone can guess what happens next. PANIC! I got that split second of, will I be stuck in this awful yellow ensemble for the rest of my life?!?! I thought about getting scissors, but then I would have to buy it. I calmed myself down and took a breath. The next few min. were a blur but I did get the thing off.

I decided this was too funny not to share. I know everyone has been there one time or another. I might panic more than most though. HA