The Muench Bunch

Another year of swim lessons with Liz, 8 days of lessons over 2 weeks time. We love our lessons at her home in her gorgeous peaceful backyard in a heated pool. This year was especially nice with several days in the 70's, two days of lessons in the rain, and every lesson the sky was overcast. I never had to bake in the sun, in fact I never even had to sunblock Luke. Liz likes the pool warm and keeps it at 90 degrees. I feel so bad for the kids taking lessons during this time in an unheated outdoor pool. We are a little spoiled and my kids don't know how good they have it. The boys took lessons one summer in Stratford's unheated pool on warm sunny days. I remember they had blue lips and would shiver the whole time. They hated getting in the water, therefore they got nothing out of those lessons.  Liz's heated pool is so inviting and nice. This year with Jake's drivers ed classes I did not sign him up, but Liz spent one half hour time period during Luke's lesson r

Niece Abby Anderlik had her wedding over the weekend to Kyle Payne. Jayden and the Ferrari girls were asked to be candle lighters. Abby had them all buy matching dresses that she picked out. The girls all had to do major alerting to make their dresses fit right. The alterations alone are more than I would ever pay for a dress.  Abby also requested a certain style of shoes and that they all wear their hair up. On Friday morning the girls all met to have a tea room lunch with Abby and to pay to have their nails done. That evening they had the dress rehearsal for the families. The grooms mother made all the sides, corn, beans, and mashed potatoes with all the vegetables from her garden! The meat was brought in and delicious, a smoked pork loin. We ended up being one of the last to sit down and were at a table of our own. We were kind of out of the loop the whole night.  Jayden spent the night with the Ferrari's and Saturday they helped each other with hair and make-up. Our families we

Sometimes in the middle of the busiest times, out of nowhere, you just stop and take a break. This week and the next are the two busiest weeks of my summer with the days being overbooked, drivers ed, swim lessons, guitar, taekwondo, wedding, 4H conference. After Jayden and Mark took the trip to Oklahoma, this was the week Dianna would deliver the two new horses and stay. She also brought along a friend to help with driving the 8 hours. I cleared some things off my agenda that I would have to make up later. On Wednesday Mark and I took turns running Jake into Dayton and back for driver's ed class and a later drive time. It was a crazy weather day. I had taken Luke to swim lessons and a tornado alert came across my phone. Listening to the radio it was all near home, Jefferson, Paton, Harcout. Luke and I hurried home before it was close by. Mark had to get his hired men out of the grain bin and was headed to drivers ed with Jake. He saw the funnel clouds and once in Dayton the sirens

My high school friend, Shawna was coming up to Ames and wanted a place to go to pass the time while her daughter was practicing for flags. I had the day open and nothing on the calendar. Mark and Jayden were still in OK. As we were talking we found out Jolene had the day off and Jessica was free. We turned it into a little mini reunion and I had them all come to my home for lunch. Shawna and Jess both live about 2 1/2 hours away. I took Jake to Driver's ed in the morning and the boys stayed with Grandma for the day. I rushed around my house cleaning and preparing all morning. The girls arrived close to noon. I smoked Hawaiian burgers on the Tragger and had potatoes and salad. Later we had chocolate covered strawberries and watermelon. We sat and visited all day and I gave them a brief tour of our animals outside. Later, Jess had to head home and I took Jolene and Shawna to 209 Main for dinner. We all had a great time and did lots of catching up. We all 3 have girls going off to col

6/13/18 Jayden had been searching for her next horse for some time. She had been in contact with a lady for a few months just waiting for the opportunity to make a trip to meet up and see her horse. The horse had not been listed for sale yet, she was given the information through Leanna from OK. Mark has been on board for this whole idea, where I have been dragging my feet. I just worry about college and too many horses. Mark and Jayden took off and were gone Wednesday through Friday. Mark got a migraine on the way and felt so poorly that he threw up. Jayden drove the whole trip. When they arrived at Dianna's home, they learned a lot about her. She is married to a pastor of a cowboy church that was putting on a kids rodeo camp all week. This week they hosted 30 little girls and the next week will be the boys. She told Jayden they teach them about Jesus and rodeo. I love that!! They really connected and spent a ton of time in the saddle with Dianna. She had three horses they tried

Iowa State University college orientation was Monday and Tuesday and I took Jayden. Luke went along for day one for Cy's Sibs day. Right after lunch, he got to enjoy a special afternoon of activities  He got a tour of the campus, went bowling, and rock climbing. He was so excited when he got back and told us he has it all figured out, he is going to ISU and major in Ag marketing. He also came home with a bag, t-shirt and sunglasses from his program. I am going to turn that kid into a Cyclone yet.  What a fun couple of days. I was reminiscing my college days living in the doors, going to class on campus, the whole atmosphere. I could give Jayden so many pointers and advice because I have been there done that. She will have a whole new experience and explore new areas, but I really think she will enjoy her time there. We started the morning getting her official student ID card. She was excited that her photo turned out so well. We also ran into my high school friend, Shanwa and her d

June 3rd and it has been 2 Weeks out and still dealing with my back. 2 massages, 3 chiro appt, one PT appt. I have used Ice and heat. I feel it and it isnt going away fast enough. I do ok when I am moving and walking. Lifting, bending, and getting in car, I tweek it and it hurts! The worst is at night when i am sleeping and I change postions in bed. Rolling from my back to my side or vice versa is the worst! I have heard it called cramping up or a back spasm. I dont know what you call it but it is ver bothersome and I pray it will go away completely and soon! On Firday we had specail visitors on our farm. Our church had lined of a youth group from Minnesota that wanted to do hard working jobs on the farm. Mark came up with the idea of lceaning out grain bins. I thought the job seemed a little harsh, but there wasnt much else for a group of 20+ kids. I brought tons of water bottles, a watermelon and had extra chips from graduation to give when the job was over. Mark was like a serious

In Janurary Jacob went to the county 4H interviews and was chosen to attend the 4H intermediate award trip in June. On June 5, I  took him to meet the charter bus in Willimas  full of kids 6th grade through 8th grade, none of whom he knew. I always worry about him making friends, but he always comes back with new friends and lots of stories. This time he also met a girl. He was very irritated with me as I did not allow him to take along any electronics other than his phone which he can only make calls or texts. He was so upset and I got messages all day telling me he was the only kid on the bus without some type of ipad, iphone, electronic device playing games and listening to music. He claims he sat in silence looking out the window. I don't doubt that, kids can't seem to do anything without being on some sort of device to constantly entertain them. Apparently they had Wfi on the bus. It wasnt long ago and none of the kids were allowed to take any devices. The 4H kids had thr

Jayden's graduation party went well. The party was from 4 until 7 in our shop. Some of the guests showed up early and my serving help showed up late. Ali and Blake were early and very helpful. My mom and Aunt Alice were there to do whatever was needed. It was a bit of panic for the initial setting out of food. After that, it went well. In the end we ran out of meat and cupcakes. The party was well attended! By Jayden's request we had walking tacos made with Doritos chips, mixed fruit, and cupcakes. We also had a few varieties of candies and mints. We had picture boards, awards, and photos galore. Grandma W. had decorated tables to fit the theme, pink and cute centerpieces. She has a knack for decorating and is very creative. She put a ton of time and work into making everything perfect. There was a steady flow of people that never seemed to end. There wasnt a moment that Jayden, Mark or I were not talking to someone. Guests came through and greeted Jayden, then I visited as th