Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Sophia's First Trip to the Indianapolis Children's Museum

Last Tuesday we had the wonderful opportunity to go to the Children's Museum with friends from church, Erin and her little sweet Julia!  Sophia has been excited about the Dora exhibit since we first saw the ad in a magazine!  We had the best time and Sophia really enjoyed herself!  Although I think she was overstimulated with everything around her.  Once she reached something to play with, she was looking onward to the next place she would run to!

Probably the best picture I got of her all morning!

In the Spaceship

Going down her favorite slide!

Putting the flower shapes in the correct slot!

Planting flowers and then watering them! :)

She was too excited to stand still next to Dora so I had to take a pic of Dora by herself!

Playing water at Playscape!

Sandbox at Playscape!

Riding the Carousel!

Wow, doesn't our camera take awesome night vision pics? Dino exhibit!

Transformer in the front of the Children's Museum!
Thanks again Erin and Julia for a morning full of "firsts" and fun!!

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Holy Mack! Butler's Back

GOTTA LOVE ME SOME GATOR-MEAT!! YUMMMMM!!!



Butler earns return trip to Final Four after beating Florida in OT




NEW ORLEANS -- Of course Butler erased a late deficit. Of course the Bulldogs hit a clutch 3-pointer late in overtime. Of course they're going back to the Final Four.
This is the Butler Way.
Shelvin Mack scored 27 points, including five in overtime, and Butler returned to the Final Four with a 74-71 victory over Florida on Saturday.
Matt Howard scored 14 and Khyle Marshall added 10 for the Bulldogs (27-9), who showed again they simply won't give in, climbing out of an 11-point hole in the second half.
Mack's 3-pointer with 1:21 left in overtime gave Butler the lead for good at 72-70.
Kenny Boynton missed a long 3 that could have given Florida (29-8) the lead with a little under 20 seconds left. Alex Tyus appeared to have the offensive rebound, but Howard tied him up and the possession arrow favored Butler.
Florida had to foul Mack with 10.6 seconds to go, and he hit both shots for the final margin.
Vernon Macklin had a career-high 25 points for second-seeded Florida, the third-straight higher seed from a major conference to be vanquished by the Bulldogs.
Boynton finished with 17 points and Tyus had his second-straight double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Butler had to overcome Florida's size advantage and a number of its own mistakes.
In regulation, the Bulldogs made 10 of 20 free throws and shot 39.6 percent (21 of 53), including 8 of 30 from 3-point range. Yet they somehow found a way to survive to overtime, when they hit all seven foul shots and three of their eight field goals.
Remarkably, Butler also outrebounded the Gators, 41-34.
Now the Bulldogs are one win away from a second straight appearance in the national championship game.
Florida appeared to be taking control when Tyus, the leading scorer and rebounder in Florida's overtime win over BYU, got loose for a pair of soaring dunks, then added two free throws and a driving floater during a 12-1 run that gave the Gators a 51-40 lead with 9:26 left.
Howard's basket inside as he was fouled snapped the run, then seldom-used reserve Chrishawn Hopkins, who'd just set up Howard's score, added a 3 as Butler slowly clawed its way back again, finally tying it at 57 with 3:03 to go on the second of consecutive driving layups by Mack.
Macklin, who'd been limited by foul trouble in the second half -- he committed his fourth with 9:02 left -- returned to hit a free throw and a layup on a strong move inside to make it 60-57. Mack's free throws cut it to one point and Howard had a chance to give Butler the lead after drawing a foul with 30.7 seconds left.
He missed his second free throw, then Florida's Irving Walker missed a long pull-up jumper -- his eighth straight miss to that point -- forcing overtime.
Butler initially took a 67-64 lead in the overtime on Ronald Nored's free throws, but Florida came back with a couple of clutch 3s. Boynton's tied it 67, then Walker finally hit his first field goal from 3 to put the Gators up 70-69.
That's when Mack responded with his big 3 that propelled Butler to its latest upset.
Butler had a couple of good omens early on. Mack hit his first 3 off the backboard, Chandler Parsons uncharacteristically missed a layup and Butler followed that by hustling for a long offensive rebound on the other end to set up Mack's second 3. After another jumper by Mack, Butler had an early 8-4 lead and the solid start they were looking for.
Soon after, though, the 6-foot-10 Macklin went to the one shot in his repertoire that Butler was bound to have trouble defending -- the jump hook.
Macklin made a six of them in the first half and added a strong, spinning baseline drive for a layup as he made seven of his first eight shots. One of his jump hooks over Howard gave Florida a 25-15 lead with about 7 minutes left in the first half.
Butler needed outside shots to start falling to stay in the game, and senior backup Zach Hahn was the answer. His first 3 ignited a 7-0 run and his second, an open look set up by Howard, pulled Butler to 27-25.
Florida maintained a small lead the remainder of the half, but Marshall's putback of a missed 3 in the final seconds got the Bulldogs to 33-32 at halftime.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Spring is ALMOST HERE!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hiltons of Branson for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

 

I am always partial to the Hilton!  We have always had a great experience, plus one of my favorite cousins is getting close to top management in the company!!  
 
Scenic Branson is the perfect spring break destination and what better place to stay than the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. Enjoy being in the midst of all the action by booking your stay at either hotel today!
 
Spring is the perfect time to bring the whole family to Silver Dollar City. And both the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel offer tempting packages that include two adult tickets and two children’s tickets (ages 4 to 11) for two full days of fun at Silvery Dollar City. It also includes a $25 food and beverage voucher for Level 2 Steakhouse located on the second floor of the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel. This two-night, three-day package starts at $455.00 plus tax. It’s just another way Hilton is making family fun even more affordable.
 
Besides the excitement of Silver Dollar City, Branson has ongoing events for everyone’s enjoyment this spring like the exciting Charlie Daniels Band, 3rd Annual Missouri Food and Wine Festival, Bluegrass and BBQ, shows galore and much more. You can start planning a special trip for Mother’s Day! Both hotels are within easy driving distance of Branson’s championship golf courses, lakes, museums, theme parks and 49 live entertainment theaters. With so much to offer, this exciting vacation community is the social scene for spring!
 
Also, if you are looking for fun things to do around Branson when visiting, the Branson Theatre District is only 5 miles away!  The Tanger Outlet Mall is only 3 miles away and who doesn’t love great deals at the outlets?  (I LOVE SHOPPING!)  Table Rock Lake is about 6 miles away!
 
If you choose to visit Branson in the summer, check out some of the main events happening:
 
-National Kid’s Fest                                         -Parrot Head Party
-Father’s Day Salute                                        -Forsyth Fun Day
-HHRitage Nationals Chevy HHR show            -Annual Downtown Clown Around
-Colgate Country Showdown                           -Rods & Relics Rod Run
 
I would love to take a trip to Branson sometime in the near future, although, I think I would like to wait till after this pregnancy so I can hit up the Silver Dollar City Attractions!   I would also make sure to hit up a few shows in the Theatre District and finish up with some good shopping!!  Ahhhhhh …. thoughts of vacation make me smile!

Visit Sponsor's Site

Friday, March 18, 2011

ARE YOU READY: GO GREEN CHAMP 2.0 COMING SOON!


Hey Go Long! Go Green! readers!!!  

Many of you are FB fans of GoGreen Pocket Diapers (if you aren't, you so should be!) and have been following her status updates!  Hopefully in a few weeks they will start production of the CHAMP 2.0!!  

If you don't remember my review of the Original CHAMP, click HERE.

The improvements for the CHAMP 2.0 ....

1) 3rd snap on waist tabs to prevent wing droop

2) Front pocket flap cover will be contoured to keep it from popping up over the top of the dipe AND made of PUL! (similar to BG flip)

3) Additional back pocket opening cover, contoured, and made of the lining material

4) Rise snaps will be reinforced with a 2nd layer of PUL

5) Inserts will have a second snap so that many can be snapped together!  (Woot Woot!)

Here is a picture Leah sent me ... she said it will be slightly different from this, but you can get the jist!!  


GOOD NEWS FOR GO LONG! GO GREEN! readers .... I will be one of the first to review it and host a giveaway .... so get pumped ... THE CHAMP 2.0 is COMING SOON!!

What improvement are you most excited about?

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Go Green on St Patty's Day

Yesterday I came across a great way to go green and decrease junk mail while reading my Natural Health Magazine.

"Remove yourself from junk mail lists:  Go to the Direct Marketing Association's website (dmachoice.com) and register your address.  You'll end up with less to recycle -- and less opportunity to get bogged down by clutter!"

Thanks Natural Health Mag, I already registered my address and am looking forward to less mail to shred and recycle!

Do you have any other ways you are going to try to "green?"

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Pelican Bib UPDATE -- Company Goes Under??

Back in November, I reviewed the Pelican Bib.  You might remember it?  


In January, my blog winner still had yet to receive her bib so I contacted the company and forwarded them her current address.   I never heard back from the company!  In Feb, the winner contacted me again, so I once again emailed the company and NEVER heard back.  Also, my bib actually cracked a few weeks ago.  I included pictures of my bib (which we use almost daily b/c it works so well) as well as requesting correspondence back regarding the winner's bib.

I tried to pull up their website and it is not currently up.  I looked on Amazon for the product and it said, "not in stock."   The last thing posted on their FB page was the link to my blog review/giveaway.  With the information I have, I am afraid to admit, but I think the company went under.  I am quite embarrassed and frustrated!  

They knew we had an active giveaway going on ... if they were going under, why wouldn't they save just ONE bib for the winner.  Or at least contact me and let me know the situation!!  

I am extremely DISAPPOINTED in this company and really would appreciate some sort of explanation.  How do you tell your winner ... um ... yes, you won fair and square, but there is no prize for your win!

Have any other bloggers had this same problem in the past?  If so, how did you handle it?  I would really appreciate suggestions!!








Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Sophia Meets Baby Hannah for the first time!


Last week Sophia had the chance to meet Baby Hannah for the first time!!  She absolutely LOVES her! She calls her "my baby Hannah!"  She gets quite upset when other people are holding her b/c she wants to do all the holding!!  So sweet!

After watching Sophia with Hannah, my heart just melted!  Sophia is going to make one awesome big sister!

My first time holding baby Hannah ... this is pretty neat!

Wow, this is so much fun!! A real-live baby!

I love touching her head!

Papa, Me, and Baby Hannah!  

Look she is touching my face! Ahhhhh!

Mimi, Me, and Baby Hannah!  

I am holding her all by my big-self!!  

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Sick Sunday


I wanted to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers.  Services went really well for my Grandpa Kiesel this past week.  The only problem was Sophia spiked a nasty fever (out of the blue) 2 hours before the visitation!  :(  I was in Ft. Branch (near Evansville) with no Tylenol or thermometer!  I had to go to a tiny grocery story pharmacy to buy some on the way to the funeral home.  Unfortunately, she has had a fever now for 4 days and I can't seem to figure out what is wrong.  I am going to have to call the doctor in the morning for her first sick visit of her life!  I guess we made it over 2 years, but I sure wanted to keep that streak going!!  I have a feeling we are looking at our first antibiotic too! :(  Boo Hoo! 

Anywho, today Nate stayed home with her so I could go to church since I had to miss last week for work.  I came home and they were playing "the dice game" as she calls it ... AKA Backgammon!  Nate is starting her young teaching her all his favorite games!  She is getting good at counting the spots after she rolls the dice!




Along with being sick always seems to hinder our potty time habits!  I was getting tired of waiting for her to pee so I left the bathroom for a few minutes and came back to this.  She stuck every single sticker on her leg ... 

Hummmm ... did I do that??

Oh the joys of sick kiddos!!


Thursday, March 3, 2011

A life well-lived


Last night, my Grandpa "Ed" Kiesel went home to be with the Lord.  Grandpa was a good man who lived a long, amazingly full life!  He was an avid dancer, card (euchre) player, and quite the comedian!  If you had 5 minutes, he always had a good, funny story for you!   He also was quite particular with his wardrobe, watches, and hair!  The man never left home without hairspray on his "do!"  He had thick, awesome hair!  Most men would die to have his hair!!  He retired from Allison Transmissions where he worked for years and years!  He had a HUGE metal belt buckle that had "Allison Transmissions" written on it.  As a child, I always pointed to it and said, "Grandpa, you work at ME!"  I thought Allyson = Allison!!  

He fell in LOVE with Sophia from the minute she was born!  He always called her a "him," but was always curious to know, "Where is the baby?"  He had a LOT of pictures of her in his room.  He told me that he talked to her every morning when he woke up and also at night before going to bed.  He said sometimes she would talk back!  Even though his Alzheimer's Disease got the best of his memory, he NEVER seemed to forget Sophia.  When he didn't recognize my face, he recognized Sophia's!  He said she brought so much joy to his life, especially during his final months here on Earth!!  I can't wait to share those memories with Sophia someday!

Oh, the WONDERFUL memories I have of this amazing man!  He will be truly missed, but is in a much better place!!

Enjoy some pictures!! 
Christmas 2009

Easter 2010 

Christmas 2010 -- The last time we were all together as a family!

We love you so much Grandpa Ed!!!  We will see you again on day when we meet Jesus face to face!!  Enjoy dancing on the streets that are golden!!!

WINNER!!!

Wow, another great CLOTH DIAPER review and giveaway ends!  817 entries this time around!!  Thanks to everyone who entered ....

Now for the big winner ... MIGHTY MUD BUTT POCKET DIAPER

HEIDI S.
Comment #42 out of #817
"Follow SGsMama on Twitter"


CONGRATS HEIDI!!  You have 48 hours to respond to my email or I will have to pick another winner!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Pregnant? Free BellyBag

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CryoCell International. All opinions are 100% mine.

It's Your Baby's Life Learn More.  Request Information Packet and Consult with Advisor at www.Cryo-Cell.com.  Get Free Belly Bag!  You can find lots more information at www.Cryo-Cell.net

Visit Sponsor's Site

Being GREEN is a state of mind ....

I have been trying to find ways that my readers over at Go Long! Go Green! can easily become more "green."  This might be slightly controversial and I know it isn't for everyone!!   So, I have a way that many of you might not have thought about before .....




....  GETTING PREGNANT!


Yes, I know ... it isn't for everyone but it SURE makes this mama feel "green" for a solid 20 weeks!!   Now that I am well into week 13, the "greenness" (if that is even a word) isn't any better and might be slightly worse!  I hope you all can understand and are forgiving for my lack of attentiveness to my blog!  Blogging during nap time is a thing of the past for me right now .... It has honestly turned into 3 hours of couch time feeling "green!"

If this pregnancy is anything like Sophia's, I will feel like a million bucks come week 20 ... so it might be a little slow around here, but PLEASE don't leave me!  Please hang around b/c I have some good products, reviews, and giveaways in the future planned, including a fantastic pocket diaper or TWO!

Here are a few pictures of Sophia sharing the news .... (I apologize for the horrible pictures.  Her nose was running and her eyes are watering b/c it was only about 46 outside and of course yesterday was a day she insisted upon NOT getting her picture taken.  I had to pretend I wasn't taking them ...)

Hummm .... wonder what my shirt says??

Can you see it?  BIG SISTER!!

The best smile a mom could get at 6pm!

Of course when daddy gets home, he can get a smile!

Well, the news is officially out on the blog ... time to make it FB official! :)  Ahhhh ... the world of modern technology!  Some people say it isn't real till it is facebook official!  HA!

Hanging in there, but VERY GREEN these days!!


Tuesday, March 1, 2011

More Baby Hannah Pics!!

Of course I am ONE PROUD AUNT .... So that means I have to share my new pictures of Hannah Elizabeth!

Sleepy Girl!

Wide Awake!

Mama Sarah finally sitting up in a chair!  I know it felt so good!

Is anyone else but me jealous of her PERFECT skin???
Lord-willing and doctor-willing, Sarah and Hannah will be coming home TODAY!  Can't wait to drive 5 minutes to their house and see them!!!

WINNERS ALL AROUND!

I apologize for not picking winners of these contests on time (except One Pink Duck which is due today).  Soon you will all find the reason for my slacking ... BUT ..... here we go!!  (I used random.org to pick all the winners, but did not copy and photoshop the pic of the winners' box -- there are too many winners and I don't have enough time today)!  You will have to trust me on that one!!

Roundabouts Cupcake Sleeves: 

Megan
Comment #17 out of #123
Like GLGG on FB

One Pink Duck:

Sarah
Comment #36 out of #219
I like the Initial Shirts

Crunchy N Yummy:

Karen
Comment #112 out of #182
Mango

Kid-e-cover:

Susan
Comment #41 out of #128
Email Subscriber

Yoyo Lip Gloss:

Denise
Comment #103 out of #112
Like to try Girly Green Apple, Big Bounce Bubblegum


All winners have been notified and have 48 hours to respond.  If they don't, I will pick new ones using random.org!

Congrats to everyone!

Stay tuned for a big big announcement in the coming days!!!