We've Moved!

We no longer live in Ames so amesrudens was not a good name for the website. We can now be found at:

rudenfam.blogspot.com

See you there!

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Going Out with a Bang (and a splash)

I awoke last night to the sound of our wind chime followed by some light rain. I saw light peaking through the shades so I thought it was morning. I figured I would hear Joey chattering in his crib since he is the first one up but it was very quiet. The gentle chiming outside started to turn more into a clanging and I could hear sheets of rain hitting the windows. I decided to get up and take a look. Since most of our things are packed up I do not have a clock in the bedroom. So it was quite a surprise to me that it was only 2:20am.

I peaked out the kitchen window to see that the light coming into the bedroom was our motion light which was turned on by the rain and wind. I watched as the rain and wind picked up very rapidly. Suddenly the kids' little bench swing went airborne and turned over. Since the wind was out of the north I was worried that water would seep into the basement like it usually does. It was dry the first time I checked but that didn't last long. The winds pushed water under our backdoor and their was a pool in the kitchen in no time. I ran around trying to find something to stop the water. Thankfully we had a tub of towels in the basement that I raided. Shortly after containing the kitchen mess I checked the basement again to find water running down the walls and dripping from the ceiling onto our furniture. As I started moving furniture out from under the water the power goes out. I managed to find our flashlight and continue the water containment project. Finally the storm passes, the water is contained, and the power is restored.

This morning I ventured out to clean up the debris. Our trash was strewn down our driveway and down the street. According to the news we had 75 mph wind.

Here's a shot of the wind tunnel.

Messed up swing set

The wind snapped the stakes that held the swingset in the ground.

I'm glad we still have a house to sell!

Last days in Ames

Moving day is approaching and we've been packing, packing, sweating, and packing some more. Now the kids and I are hanging out, living off of plasticware and paper plates. It's tough to keep kids occupied when most of their stuff is packed away so we are doing our best.

As we were finishing up the busiest packing day at dusk we spotted this owl perching atop a tree in our back yard.

One of the few play items the kids have is their little bench swing. We snapped this cute picture just before mommy had to leave.

SOLD!

Well...just when we were starting to sweat it out we received an offer on our house after having two showings in one day. We received the offer on our 10th anniversary so that was a nice gift.

Catching up with July...

While Ab was in Spencer working four 12s over the 4th of July the kids and I stayed in LeMars. We were able to spend a couple days with Gma & Papa and a couple days with Gramma Lola. While at Gma and Papa's the kids got to play and play with their cousins; one of their favorite activities. I didn't get any pictures because the kids were out of sight playing most of the time. I also got to get away briefly and check out the disc golf course in LeMars and managed to lose one of my discs in the creek.

While at Lola's the kids enjoyed sprinklers and bubbles...

...and popsicles...

...and ice cream...

...and chocolate...

...and sparklers...

Can we take the Mustang for a spin Gramma??

Waiting for the fireworks

Sylvia and Gramma Lola

Joey and Momma

Lake Weekend

We had a fun-filled weekend at Lake Shetek, or better known as "Ruden's Retreat". The girls could not be kept away from the sand, so many a castle were made.

There was also some time made for boating, raft lounging, tubing, storm watching, fishing-line casting, and birthday partying...most of which I didn't catch on my camera because we were too busy enjoying it all.

The girls are already asking when we are going back. Next trip they have fireworks to look forward to!

Family Fest

Olivia got the chance to perform her recital dances once again for Family Fest at the Bandshell Park in Ames on Saturday. Olivia really enjoyed it and can't wait for her next recital!

Snow Whites!

Tap dancing to "Heigh-Ho"

Having a snack after the performance.

Joe is gnawing on a prize that Olivia won for him.

Here's some video of both of her performances.

(Olivia is behind the mic stand)

Dance Expo 2010

Olivia danced ballet to "Someday My Prince Will Come" and tap to "Heigh Ho". As always, we thoroughly enjoyed watching her dance. She was part of the Enchanted Kingdom segment and her class were the little Snow Whites. It's always a little weird to see a bunch of little girls in heavily sprayed hair and stage make-up, but it's all part of the show:) Doesn't Olivia look a little strained with that goop all over her lips?

We've seen a huge improvement in Olivia's dancing since last year. She really enjoys it, which makes all the fuss over recital totally worth it. Since watching cousin Gracie's recital and dancing in her own, Olivia and little sissy have been "performing" in mini recitals of their own non-stop!

Look out next year when we'll have two little angel dancers.

Recital Weekend

We were back in LeMars last weekend to watch Grace's recital. All of the dances were great and it's always fun to watch.

We were greeted with my favorite pizza....Jerry's!! Yum!

Joe found a weapon toy and immediately began terrorizing playing.

The girls got the girly treatment from mommy.

Olivia in the best seat in the house, between grandma and great-grandma!

Backstage with Gracie before the show. (Sylvia was a bit spooked)

The fam (sans Joseph) with Gracie after the show.

Gracie and great-grandma Ruden

Great job Gracie!

Busy couple of days

After working in Spencer on Tuesday and Wednesday, I got right back into action here at home. Thursday morning brought grocery shopping, ice-cream sundaes with Olivia's pre-school class, and a picnic play date with friends at the park. Olivia received a bubble wand from her teacher, Miss Suzanne and entertained her brother and sister for a good while yesterday afternoon.

I was even able to catch some brief "Joey-babble". His words are coming slower than the girls' ever did, so we get super excited when he utters a new one:)

Today was Olivia's last day of pre-school, so she got out a little early. Instead of running back home, then back to pick her up in such a short time frame, the little kids and I went on an "adventure". We did some light shopping at Wally-world where we stocked up on bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and outdoor toys. Then Joey got a hair-cut, followed by a trip to the park. After picking big sister up from school, we came home and had lunch and a nap with Daddy, who was worn out from mowing the yard. As if the day wasn't hectic enough, we decided that a little swimming was in order. Gotta do it up right when we get "family day"! We ended up at the Nevada pool as the Ames one was only open 4-7pm this week. Now we're chilling out after an easy supper. It makes me giddy thinking about all the fun summer days we have ahead of us!

Memorial Day Weekend

Over Memorial Day Weekend we traveled up to LeMars to visit Gramma Lola. Ab had to work Saturday so bright and early Sunday morning we headed out. The first thing the girls saw when we arrived were the treasures that Gramma Lola brought back from Hawaii (see below). We were very busy eating lots of great food and playing outside. It was too short of a trip for sure!

Aloha! Aren't we cute?

Joey loves the bubbles!

Olivia knows how it's done!

Not sure what Sylvia is doing here.

Working hard on those bubbles!

Here are the rest of the pictures.

Goodbye Mingo

I left Mingo today for the last time. I often joked that I'd be dancing on my way out of the building but that wasn't the case. It was actually pretty hard to do. I've met some good people and worked with some awesome teachers in that building and I won't forget that.

The ol' school on the hill.

A brief moment before taking the road out of town behind me.

Here's a brief photo tour of the ol' building that I'll miss quite a bit.

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Over?

Well. Yesterday was my last day with Colfax-Mingo Middle School students. It was a bittersweet moment for sure. As a teacher I am in a unique position where I am able to meet and get to know so many people in a community. Over the last 5 years I have been a part of many families' lives. At the middle school we invest so much into the children of the community and to watch them literally grow up in front of you is something very special (It's a running joke for my 8th grade boys to say that they start the year shorter than me and end it taller than me!). I truly feel like I have helped raise over 300 teenagers (whoa, when you say it out loud it's no wonder I'm a little wacky!).

We always end the year at the middle school with a day of fun. In previous years we would go to Adventureland but with budget concerns we trimmed it down to a day of fun around the town of Colfax with swimming, golfing, bowling, disc golf, etc. This year we were even unable to do that much but knowing the middle school we ALWAYS find a way to have fun. We rented inflatables and a dunk tank and set them up outside the school and converted the grounds into a makeshift water park. I spent some time in the dunk tank and way too much time on the slip-n-slide (just ask my sore muscles). It was all in the name of fun, however. Pain will go away, but the memories of good times with young people will never go away.

The dunk tank (that's not me in it)

Me and my fellow teachers. (I am soaked from the dunk tank)

This is me showing the kids how it's done.

I don't think I won this one.

Last night was our annual 8th grade promotion night. This night is one of my favorite times of the year. Every year I get to spend the whole morning with the entire 8th grade class practicing for the ceremony. I love that time with them because it is so informal and we get to relax and have a little fun. I also get the opportunity to be with them just before the ceremony because they hang out in my classroom.

Me and (most of) my 8th Graders...

...or as I like to call them: my "crazy 8s"

I was also received the Educational Initiative Award and a check for $500 from the Mingo Economic Development Corporation for my work with the school discipline policy, my time spent volunteering for detentions, and for helping students with behavior problems.

It has been a great experience working at CMMS. I sometimes think that I learned much more than I taught. We are looking forward to forging new bonds and becoming a part of a new community in Spencer as we turn the page and begin a new season in our life. We are blessed.

More pics

Taking a Moment

Sylvia resorts to reading on her sister's bed under a blankie when Olivia is away at preschool.

There's never a dull moment when they're are here together and I think they really miss each other when they're apart. Today, Olivia told me that when she gets big, she wants to sleep with Sylvia in a big bed, like Mommy and Daddy's. Isn't that just the sweetest? Another fine example: when the girls are at Bible Study on Wednesday mornings with me, their little classes play outdoors when it's nice weather. Their teachers reported to me that when they see each other on the playground, they blow kisses at each other and pick flowers for one another! I think it's so cool that they have each other. They are quite the pair:)