~~ODNEAL FAMILY BLOG~~Port of Readlyn, Iowa

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and have a very Happy New Year!  I am so enjoying being off work for 10 days with Bruce.  We actually did spend yesterday afternoon (after a big breakfast with the boys) watching movies all day long.  We decided after the fact we should have traded off couches so we didn't feel "couch butt" on the same cheek.  If we would have moved around regularly we wouldn't have that.  We know now that if we are fortunate enough to get one of those days again this week we need to do that!  So anyway for the most part our Christmas was awesome.  All our kids and their significant others should feel like we gave them a great Christmas.  And I do know that most of them do for sure!  I know when I was their ages I didn't get anything near what they do.  Our family is both blessed and spoiled.  Most of us know that we are far too fortunate during the holidays!  I probably will not post again until the new...

So we had the O family Christmas last Saturday at the Ponderosa (aka Sharon & Bart's cool house) and had a wonderful prime rib prepared by Chef Bart. Everything was awesome as usual and I think noone went home hungry. If they did they didn't eat enough! Everyone had a good time and we got our "happy new year" cards done within about 3 minutes outside. Yep that is the way my boys like to do pictures. So anyone wondering where their Christmas card from us is (as we ALWAYS send one-hello photographer Sharon in the family!!!) it will be sent out next week before the New Year! Can't wait to see how many people weren't going to send us a card and then get ours and send a Christmas card afterwards. Yep good friend gauge for sure! So Bruce is already off after today until January 3rd and after tomorrow I am for the most part off until then too. I am going in a couple of times to check mail, emails, make sure V gets payroll done and pays bills, and just am on call...

This was the last regular Thursday for Grandma to pick up little Ava from daycare today. Here is just one picture I snapped of the big girl tonight. I will miss having her 2 afternoon/evenings per week, but man I cannot wait to get back to "my" schedule and going to Jazzercise 3 afternoons per week. Miss the class and all of my friends. So glad Ashley was able to finish her teaching certification and very proud of her! Now she starts her working full time and just maybe the PERFECT full time teaching job will show up for her so that she and Ava can enjoy the time off for holidays and summer together. Oh and maybe some little siblings for my favorite granddaughter! I think she will need a baby brother soon! No pressure or anything. Everyone have a great weekend. We have our O. family Christmas and I actually took the day off to get everything done and ready. Not used to having a baby anymore and sadly my stuff wasn't ready so I will be enjoying not having to wake up to th...

So my Chiefs coach got fired. Well at least I know that Bruce totally knew what he was talking about when he was yelling profanities and "Haley needs to be fired" at the TV on Sunday. I cannot even write all of the other words he was yelling at that 50" screen. Okay our Chiefs aren't doing so great and at one point we ended up leading our division this season. What happened? I don't know. But I think the biggest upset of the season will come this weekend when we kick the Packers ass. Yep I said it! This bad boy will be lit up in all his glory in my window once again and I will be Christmas shopping and not have to witness the ugliness if it turns out to be a very different outcome from what I above predicted. Hey one can always hope and have confidence, right? I always say how I never win anything and won an awesome giveaway on a blog I follow Friday so anything can happen. More on that when I get my loot! It is freakin' awesome. Have a great Wednesday and r...

Her Momma & Missy kept it from me that they were letting her have real snacky foods. So I've been hiding mine in the pantry from her Momma because it said they could have when they were having solid food. Well she isn't quite there yet but the girl likes to eat her baby jar food. So once I knew they were giving them to her I let her have her wafer things that I got and she LOVED them! Of course I tried them first to make sure they did disappear in the mouth like they claimed. I also wanted to make sure they didn't taste like crap. To me they tasted like communion wafers. But Ava liked them so much I am going to look for the vegetable flavored ones this weekend when I pick her up some more food. She was a good little girl tonight as usual but had about 35 minutes of screaming and yelling that Grandma couldn't help at all. She was pulling at her ears off and on and some baby tylenol seemed to make her feel better. And of course when her Momma got here to pick her up ...

Ava got a lot of love this past weekend as she always does and just had to share the fun pictures of her. She was a trooper putting up with her Momma and me baking each day until dark. Hope you have a great Wednesday. I have so much to get done around home just getting ready for the holidays that posts will probably be few and far between from now until the first of the year. My tree isn't even down from the attic although all of my baking is done. Do I do that backwards? Probably but oh well. My hubby still hasn't moved the dining room table and chairs for me so I really have no place to set the tree. Oh and he did deer hunt last Saturday, Sunday, and Monday so maybe he hasn't had time. I can deal with that. Well I woke up at 3 am Monday and couldn't fall back asleep so I think I will end this post. This chick is tired. Everyone have a good week and may you all get your shopping done without hurting anybody. My family is always grateful when I can do that as I am no...

This is what I did ALL WEEKEND. The guys go deer hunting the first weekend of December for first season shotgun and I bake and bake and bake. The best part was that I got to spend the days with with my DIL Ashley and granddaughter Ava. She will for sure be a good cook and baker by the time she doesn't want to hang out with Grandma in the kitchen anymore. However I am hoping that she never stops wanting to hang out there since that is my favorite place. So glad that I got all of my baking pretty much done and had a blast doing it. I will do a few more batches of stuff between now and Christmas but it is nice being able to share or send a plate with friends or relatives to enjoy! I didn't take enough pictures to do all of my work justice but you get the idea from these. Wish my deer hunters would have been as productive as me. They had a rough year unfortunately. Guess we won't be eating deer bacon every weekend next summer! Bummer. And our sausage is about gone I think. Oh w...

It is deer hunting season around our house and when coverall bibs and stuff gets layed out and tried on Gizmo decides to get comfy. She actually ended up crawling down the leg and checking it out. Yep she is a character. Enjoyed having Ava here Wednesday and Thursday but this Grandma is whooped and needs to hit the hay. Have my work Christmas party tomorrow night which we will make an early night since the deer hunters need to get up so early. And doing some of my fun Christmas baking on Saturday (possibly with Ashley and Ava!) so I'm looking forward to the weekend. Also looking forward to sleeping in a bit each day. And I'm hoping for some big deer to get shot by our group, but also will be praying that all hunters this weekend stay safe. I know my guys have their blazing orange ready! Everyone have a great weekend! Can't wait to share my baked goodies with family and friends! Gimme time in my kitchen cooking anything and I am a happy gal!

Had a very nice four day weekend even though it was also a lot of work. Made sure to enjoy it and do some of my "stuff". Wish I would have gotten my scrapbooking armoire cleaned out and straightened up but that just didn't happen. Here is a picture of Ava and Mommy on Thanksgiving. She got her first mashed potatoes with gravy and a taste of pumpkin pie. And she so loved sucking on the butter on Grandma's bun. This weekend made me reflect on how blessed we truly are to be surrounded with great family and friends. When we feel down about things going on in our lives, remember those that are so less fortunate. I am feeling blessed to have a nice home to lay our heads each night, plenty of food to eat, and heat to warm not only our home but also our shop that Bruce works in after work. When I think of what we do have throwing a dollar or more in that red kettle everytime I go into a store doesn't seem like enough. I guess we could probably all do more. And I worry ab...

Went with Bruce and Kyle to sight in their shotguns for deer hunting next weekend. It was a great day after Thanksgiving. Got to sleep in this morning, watch part of the Iowa game (switched to Lifetime when we were getting smoked), and made bean and ham soup with leftover ham from yesterday. And now sitting on the couch watching crap (Bruce is in charge of the controller at this point and picks stupid shows!), but having a GREAT long weekend. Going to my bro Bart and SIL Sharon's tomorrow morning to order some pictures of little Aviator and spend some time on the Ponderosa. Looking forward to it. I love that place. Also bringing Bart some leftover deviled eggs and pumpkin bars since I failed to send any of them with him when they left. Everyone enjoy the rest of your weekend. I need to now get online and try to score a cheap sewing machine at Wally World since Taylor didn't make it there today. Yep my mother in heaven is now clapping her hands wildly that I have decided that if...

Let me just say that this little girl has taken over our lives and we love it! We had her the night before we hosted Thanksgiving dinner for our family and all that I can say is she was an angel that doesn't like to sleep at Grandma and Grandpa's house! And you better look up the video I uploaded to U Tube (if it worked as it was taking forever) because this little girl is so fun to be around and enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving everyone and I hope you all enjoyed being with your family as much as we did. Looking forward to shooting shotguns with my hubby tomorrow. Yep I guess it is love when he isn't afraid that I will shoot him over the target. Wait.....maybe I should be worried???????

Wishing a very happy golden birthday to Taylor who turns 21 on the 21st. And since I know you won't be going out and partying for your celebration... here's wishing you a great birthday full of love, friends, and family. And presents of course. Presents are always good! We are so glad that you are and have been a part of our family for over five years. Thank you for being who you are and putting up with and loving us for who we are. You are a beautiful and special soul and I wish you the best that life has to offer. Have a great golden birthday sweet lady! Oh and little Ava loves you too and wishes you a happy day!

We had the football banquet tonight and we are pretty proud parents as always. Ty got several certificates as expected and had an exceptional year. My proudest one that he got is All District Academic Team. The other ones are awesome of course but to be a student athlete that also does well in school is so important. I can't believe we only have one more year to watch him play high school football but I know that he enjoyed it as much or more than we did every year and I cannot wait to watch him his senior year. Whatever he decides to do after high school we are very proud of him as we are all of our boys. Great job and season Tyler and I am so glad that Ms. Andrews and Coach Foster gave you a shout out for your cheering abilities that always get the crowd going. That is a very important part of each and every game you know!!!!

Baby Ava was baptized last Sunday and here is a picture of her with Grandpa & Grandma at the celebration party after. She was such a good girl for the ceremony. Grandpa Ross & Grandma Andi held the party at their house after and it was a great time. Always glad to get to know Ashley's family better since we hardly ever see each other. Uncle Kyle & Aunt Amanda are Ava's godparents that will watch over her all through her life. She is a lucky little girl to be in a family full of so much love all around. Everyone have a great weekend. I will be shopping and cleaning and getting ready for Thanksgiving since it is here this year. But I love hosting (or is it hostessing?) any family get togethers so it will all be worth it for sure. Happy Friday everyone!

Tyler went to the doctor Friday afternoon and found out he has strep throat after complaining of a sore throat for two weeks. Yep no mother of the year award here. He didn't have a fever though and I always thought that was part of strep. Anyway he is on antibiotics and hopefully on the mend. Had Ava's baptism Sunday and that went well and it was nice spending time with Ashley's side of the family. Her dad and stepmom had a great get together at their house afterwards. Finally got to meet my great niece Braelyn (not sure of spelling) and she is a sweet cabbage patch doll. I mean that with love! So I'm whipped and feel like my weekend went way too fast and need to switch out laundry so everyone have a great week. I get to pick Aviator up M, W, and Th this week so doubt I will get much done around here this week. Although if Grandpa isn't busy out in his shop he is a great babysitting partner and helper. And I've been better lately about not having EVERYTHING per...

I've got nothing but cuteness for this Friday's photo. Enjoy the pretty baby girl Ava enjoying "belly time" and playing with her chew toys. Yep that sounded bad. She is not a puppy. Just a little girl teething like CRAZY! And she has been with Gpa and Gma O. the last two days for 7 hours or so each day and can I just say she is more fun and happiness than I think we knew existed. How much fun to be grandparents to this delightful little girl. Anyway her baptism is this Sunday and Uncle Kyle and Aunt Amanda will be her godparents. I know that both of them will look out for her all of her life no matter what. It will be kind of fun to have Gpa Bruce and Gma Julie stand up for the baptism. Yep our family does nothing normal. But it works! Everyone have a great weekend. I will be sleeping in Saturday morning because I can and can't remember the last time I have done that. I'm thinking I am due and deserve it. Happy Friday.

Sunday Ashley fed Ava carrots for the first time. She loved them! She is getting so big and is so fun to be around. I love the weekends now that our houseboating season is done because we seem to get to spend most of it with Ava around at our house. She is precious. Anyone (all 5 or 10 of you that I know of) that visits my blog for the funny sleeping pictures or the home improvement pictures should just get used to the "Ava" pictures. Cuz she will be on here regular for a very long time. Like forever. Everyone have a great Thursday. And yep I will be picking up the little sweetie today from her awesome babysitter's. Lucky me!  She was a blast to have Wednesday and Grandpa and I spent a ton of time with her making her laugh.  We even took a small road trip a few blocks away.  She entertained everyone while we were there.  And I love her floor time and rolling over all the time.  Okay I'll quit.  I might attempt a Target trip and visit to Great Grandma ...

So you may have heard (well anyone with teenage boys that love Call of Duty) that MW 3 came out at midnight Monday.  Well Tyler and his friend Stoner were 2nd in line at the Waterloo Game Stop store.  Apparently they dropped back to 9th because of something (a competition in line maybe) but they were there plenty early to get their reserved games.  And they of course gamed all night after they got home.  Ty tells me that they didn't buy these shirts and  pants (his credit card statement will verify that I hope) but that a certain amount of the first people in line got them.  And they wore them to school today and a friend actually posted it to their FB so I had to steal it for a post.  I really have to laugh at this picture first because they actually wore them to school, and second because I am betting neither one of them had seen sleep since Sunday night.  And that is if they could sleep from the excitement of knowing MW3 was coming out the ne...

Or maybe not. Photo not showing up after I uploaded it. I've really got nothing. Seems every day and week gets busier than the last and still no time to accomplish all that I want to. Made up about 5 nights worth of dinner for Mom & Dad O. for when Joey gets to go home from the hospital. Simple meals that can be frozen and just heated up in the oven. I know they will truly appreciate it and that way Jr. won't feed Joey ice cream sandwiches for dinner! (inside joke-Jr. ate that for supper one night while Joey was in the hospital) Hopefully Joey will be back at home very soon. As always we have three million things to get done and only two days of the weekend to get them done. At least we gain an hour so maybe that will help. Or in my mind it is a really good reason to sleep in and cuddle since we get that extra hour. Never enough time in the day to get my list done. But I always am adding to that list so it is a never ending battle. Yes I have issues! Everyone have a great ...

Really no words needed. Grandbaby Ava's picture I stole from her Uncle Josh's FB profile. We are so blessed to be grandparents and have such a beautiful and sweet grandbaby. She is the best and her Momma (okay and Daddy) do a great job of making sure the WHOLE family gets to see her all the time. We might kidnap her in a couple days to visit Grandma Joey who just had knee replacement surgery and asked about Ava today when Bruce talked to her. She is such a sweetie. I'm sure she would help in Great Grandma's recovery! Have a great day everyone. And I am thankful my MIL Joey had a successful knee replacement surgery. May you recover quickly and feel good as new. You deserve it!

We actually had quite a few trick or treaters this year which is unusual. But I've heard that alot of out of town people came to Readlyn since ours was held tonight instead of on Halloween. Same in Fairbank where I know Taylor's family ran out of candy and not one person had been from Fairbank when that happened. That is a whole lot of trick or treaters! So here are a few shots from around home. The left three pictures are crafts my Momma made that I put out every year just because. And I made cupcakes for my favorite guys at work tomorrow morning so they can have a treat after their flu shots. Yep I don't bring treats for everyone too often but some holidays require cupcakes. Good luck to WV football boys. Play with your hearts like you have been and you will be fine. Looking forward to watching #39 run that ball. Happy Halloween!!!!!

Wapsie has the second round playoff game Monday night at Alburnett. We updated the sign for the yard today so that Ty's name and number is displayed. Been a few years since this has  been sported out front, but so glad to have it up in the yard! Haven't had it up since Kyle was a senior and he is now a junior in college! Bruce's side looks better than mine(his is on the right) but oh well! I was busy all weekend and had to go out there and quickly paint something. Got much accomplished this weekend and except for getting through the clothes in my closets I pretty much got everything on my much too long list done. Why I put that pressure on myself I will never know. Would have had almost everything done yesterday but had some distractions that were not expected. Like baby Ava showing up in the afternoon along with one of my best friends that stopped by. Great weekend and good luck Wapsie Valley. I know that you can do it! Looking forward to cheering on the Warriors tomorrow...

So when I got the mail Friday afternoon I had a box that had a return address from Right At Home and I thought that I had clicked by accident on something and ordered it.  I was so happy and surprised when I opened the box and it had a card with it that said "congratulations here's your Right At Home giveaway". I was so excited I had to go out and show Bruce on the roof.  Yes he is still working on the roof.  I sign up for every contest and free thing that I can on the web and have NEVER won anything.  And I actually have considered buying one of these for the houseboat or boys bathroom at home so it was a great prize to me!  So the bottom right picture isn't where it ended up as you have to have it within 5 feet of people walking by it.  Can I just say that it smells incredible and I will keep signing up to win free stuff all the time because WHY NOT?  So thank you Right At Home and SC Johnson for making me a winner.  I love the automatic freshe...

Almost done! Bruce has been climbing up there every day after work and trying to get it done before the dreaded snow flies! Yes I said snow. Why do I live in Iowa? I frickin hate snow. Anyway, our shop/garage roof is almost done. I think Bruce just has to get the rest of the metal flashing (I really don't know what I am talking about but I think that is right) up and adhere the rubber roofing on the flat carport roof. And a big THANK YOU to Brian K. (friend beer drinker and neighbor sort of) for bringing over your skid loader and trailer and helping Bruce out. Much appreciated. I believe I was told a bottle needs to come your way. Consider it done!  What that bottle will be is to be determined.   It will be so nice to have the roof done and be able to actually stand under the carport roof during a thunderstorm and not get soaked! WV won last night and we play the second playoff game Monday night at Alburnett. Great job Warriors! Everyone have a great weekend. ...

Last Friday night we (me, Bruce, Helen, and Louie), and the WV Warriors traveled to Arlington to take on the Starmont Stars.  And no we did not travel together.  Duh!  I thought it would be a close game but we dominated and it was a great night. Unfortunately for them they lost a couple of players (I believe from talk on the web) due to injuries, and have to travel to West Branch for their first playoff game.  Good luck to them.  They are a good team for sure.  So we will be doing this tonight on home field against Pekin, and as I said last Friday..... If we play like we can with heart our boys will do it. We have a very talented team that never gives up. Lets go Wapsie Valley against Pekin out in the middle of nowhere where you can and will be your best. Get this one done doing what you do great and move on to the next game. One game at a time and you will succeed. Best of luck to all of our players. Lets have another great game injury free on both sides ...

  This was a great and productive weekend as usual. Ava was cranky most of the day Saturday at Grandma & Grandpa's house but we think she is definitely teething. Her Momma lets her suck on an ice cube to soothe the pain and her lips turn almost purple! Ava loves sleeping on Grandma's comfy bed. Although her nap was only 35 minutes! Loved looking out into the LR and seeing all of my "boys" sitting together and watching TV. And then the photo of Taylor and Ava joining in the LR fun! Great game Friday night with WV winning and get to start the playoffs at home Wednesday night, Bruce and Cole got most of the roof done and should be able to finish it up this week (hopefully). So again a great weekend and I got a lot of what I wanted accomplished. With the weekends were longer because I could so use another day or two working around the house! Oh well. And happy birthday to my brother Rick today. He is the big 50 and still acts like a kid so I guess he is...

This is a picture from last Friday nights game where we had our first loss of the season. But it was a great hard fought game in the 4th quarter. This week will definitely be different. The one picture I snapped was Tyler protecting and getting ready to block for our quarterback. Not the greatest snapshot but at least I got one. Looking forward to the last regular season game against Starmont tonight. Should also be a very exciting game and hopefully this week we come out on top. I know that they can do it! Good luck Tyler and the Warriors. If you play your game you will win. I know it. Everyone have a great weekend. Glad that Louie & Helen are coming to finally watch Ty play. Thank goodness that kind of stuff doesn't bother this kid! I will take more pictures tonight. Well maybe. We will see how it goes!