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Well hello there! This is the place where I share my crafts, recipes, knitting and crochet projects, photos, and moments of family life in the Midwest.
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Friday, December 25, 2009

First Christmas


Christmas 2009 005
Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
This was Riley's first Christmas. We celebrated at my parent's house, and Riley mostly slept through the whole thing. Silent Night this year.

Brothers forever


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter

Love my Grandpa


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
Riley just loves his Grandpa. They really bonded this Christmas.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Christmas at the Dieter's


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
We had Christmas early at the Dieter's so that we could be all together. Riley and Sullivan wore the same outfit (not planned) but oh so cute! Sully is on the left and Riley is on the right. The day was complete chaos - but wonderful chaos like always. This was the year of the baby for us with three new babies in the Dieter family. We will never have another year like this one.

Present opening craziness


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Riley - One Month


Riley One Month 020
Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
Riley is one month old today! It's hard to believe that time has already passed so quickly. Riley is doing well, staying up more in the day and sleeping longer at night. He is eating all the time so we figure he must be at least 8 lbs by now. His next doctor's appointment isn't until January so we will have to wait until then.

Silly Boys


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
Max loves his brother!

Cutie Pie


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter

Friday, December 11, 2009

My Boys

Just so you know - the family is getting a copy of this one for Christmas.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

Christmas Cookies


Christmas 2009 cookies
Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
We made some gingerbread cookies for christmas, though they probably won't last until then. Max and Jered decorated them with M&Ms and frosting. It has been tough to do the "Christmas" traditions this year with a new baby in the house. We try to do some things while Riley naps. Next year hopefully we will be able to more things together.

Napping under the tree


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
Max was tired after putting up the tree so he took a nap.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!


Family Photo
Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
We went to Brynna and Jason's house for Thanksgiving this year. There was so much food! Jo, Brynna, and Clare did the cooking, and Jered and I brought some of our family favorites. We also took photos of us as a family since it's not very often we are all together.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Sullivan and Riley


Sully and Riley 007
Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
On Saturday we went up to visit Brynna and Jason and Sullivan. It was neat to get the cousins together. They look very different - but have the same lips. When they are sleeping they look more alike. Max did very well being quiet and got a star wars movie to watch upstairs.
Saturday was also my 34th birthday - which I would have completely forgot if my phone hadn't reminded me at midnight when I was feeding Riley. So I bought myself some cupcakes in celebration - chocolate of course.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Tanning already


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
We had to stay in the hospital for an extra day because he was a bit jaundice. The lights did their job well and he got a nice tan.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Riley Jackson Dieter


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
He is here! Born on 11-16-2009 at 3:36 pm - 7 lbs 9 oz - 21 inches tall, all boy! Labor was a short 5 hours and 3 pushes so you couldn't ask for better. I'm glad I listened to Jered when he said we had better get to the hospital. Riley is doing well - Mom and Dad are tired but figuring it out. Max is so happy - he loves his new brother. He can't stop kissing him. So cute. We will see how he feels when he starts taking his toys...

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Rockwell Baby Shower


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
My office had a baby shower for me and they went all out! They made this huge diaper cake and bought me all sorts of cute baby things and more diapers. So it seems like we have everything we need - except for Ryley to pick his birthday...

Mmm...Cake


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
And it's pumpkin!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Trick or Treating


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
This year we when trick or treating with a friend from school, Dylan. His mom is pregnant too - so Dylan's dad Tony (who is also Jered's boss at 126 restaurant) took the boys around the neighborhood. Emily and I sat and handed out candy and chatted. It was a lot of fun!
Happy Halloween everyone!

Our Costumes


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
Max was Anakin Skywalker (no mask needed) and Ryley was a pumpkin.

Pumpkin pizza?


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
For a quick meal we got a Papa Murphy's pumpkin shaped pizza. Delicious and cute! Max loved it.

Scary!


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter

Happy Halloween Night!


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
Jered and Max carved their pumpkin today. Max wanted a skeleton - which is Jered's speciality.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Halloween Party

Today Max had a Halloween party at Kinderfarm. He went as Anakin Skywalker - of course. They had a parade and sang for the parents. Here is a video of the parade. Max is embarrassed for this one kids costume malfunction.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Baby shower for Brynna and Sully

Last weekend Max and I went to Ames to go to a baby shower for Brynna and Baby Sullivan (who is due on the 22nd of November). It was great fun seeing everyone and Max enjoyed playing with his cousins. Jo made some awesome pumpkin muffins and soups. Enjoy the pictures!

How cute!


Opening gifts


Saturday, September 19, 2009

Day out with Thomas!


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
So on Saturday, Max, Grandma and Grandpa Pregitzer and I went to the "Day out with Thomas!" in Boone Iowa. Max isn't a Thomas fanatic like some of the kids we saw ( he still is a Star Wars fanatic!) but he really really liked the trains and how they worked. He also enjoyed all the fun activities they had available to the kids while you waited for your turn on the train. We had a great time - thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

Picture with Sr. Topumhat


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter

Jumping Fun


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
I think this guy and I are due at the same time! lol

Show us your ticket!


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter

WOW!


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
This is Max's face as the train took off!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Kid's Day at the farmer's market

So we headed down early to the farmer's market this morning since it was kid's day. They had all sorts of things set up for kids. They had a guy making ballon animals - he was kind enough to make Max a sword. There was also face painting and tattoos (temperary). The fire department and JCAS had their trucks set up so that the "kids" could climb inside and see them It was neat seeing what Jered works with when he is at school, and what he'll be driving later when he gets hired!

JCAS


Tie Dying

This is Max's first tie-dyed T-shirt. It turned out really well!

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

First Day of School!


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
Today was Max's first day of Kinderfarm for the 2009-2010 school year! I believe that this year was a lot easier on both Max and Daddy, since they had been through this before. No tears shed from either. Max likes his room and his teacher. All in all a pretty easy first day.
Yesterday was also a first for Max - he had his first Dentist appointment with Dr. Bender. He is offically part of the "No Cavities Club" (horrah!) and the doctor says he has very healthy teeth and gums. It also appears that he has a large mouth (I don't know where he got that from!) and there is a good chance that his adult teeth will have plenty of room - so no braces - hopefully!

At school - First day


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Kinderfarm


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
Max and I went to the ice cream social at Kinderfarm. We got to meet his teacher, Mrs. Loan, and see his room. This year he is a Green Roomer! Two of the children from his class last year are in his room this year, but there are many new friends to make.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Sand in the City


Sand in the City
Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
Today was "Sand in the City" which is the final summer of the arts festival in Iowa City. Different organizations make sand sculptures and the have a big sand pile for the kids to make their own castles. Max and I had fun playing in the sand and seeing all the people.

Max likes this one!


max likes this one!
Originally uploaded by shaunadieter

Boaters


Boaters
Originally uploaded by shaunadieter

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Zen and Cupcakes


Cupcakes
Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
Sometimes Max says things that are way beyond his years. We were at the store and he asked me if we could make cupcakes. I asked him why should we make cupcakes? Nobody's birthday is coming up and we don't have any reason to make them. He replied "Sometimes mama you make cupcakes just because, just because somedays you NEED one."
He is so right.

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Playing in Ames


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Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
So last weekend Max and I went to Ames to visit my family and see my grandfather, Max's Great-grandpa John. We went to the school that is sort of by Joanna's house. It has this amazing play area and Max loved it! I got some great pictures of him playing and climbing everywhere.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Johnson County Fair

Max and I went to the county fair where he got to try a funnel cake for the first time. Boy he liked that! What he really liked was all of the rides and games. We also went to see the animals, though since he goes to Kinderfarm - he wasn't that impressed. I thought the cows were great. Jered was working the fair for JCSO - so I snapped a photo of him in his uniform!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

The Bedroom Project


Closet project
Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
So my Mom asked to see the closet system we put in our master bedroom....so here it is! We aren't quite done - I still need to install the hanging clothes bars (two on Jered's side, one tall one on mine) and put in two shelves. But basicly this is how it's going to look. This saves us so much space and gives us much more organization than we had before. The last thing we need to do is hang the closet doors and we will be finished!

Monday, July 20, 2009

First Pictures


First Pictures
Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
So here is the baby's first photos and it's a boy! Max is super excited because he really wanted another boy in the family. We have decided to name him Ryley, but we are still unsure of a middle name. Ryley wouldn't give us a good side view face picture - but we got a couple good ones of his huge feet! (Just like his big brother!)He looks very healthy and is estimated at weighing a pound already. Now we just have to wait until November.

Friday, July 03, 2009

SCL Bar-B-Q


SCL Bar-B-Q
Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
We had a Bar-B-Q right before the 4th for my office. It was so much fun hanging out with all of my friends from work. They all have kids about Max's age and we got to play volleyball (Well - Jered and Max played!) The food was great, we have some really good cooks in my office. All around a great time!

Summer fun


SCL Bar-B-Q
Originally uploaded by shaunadieter
Max and Karla's niece caught "Light Bugs".
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