Polar Express 2008

The weekend before T-Day, we took the kids to the Polar Express again. It is turning into a great tradition for the next few years, until Owen is too big (in my opinion about the age of 7 give or take a year or so). We had a fabulous time and enjoyed the company we were with. This year, as opposed to last year, we went up the day before. We checked into our hotel, which I will absolutely stay there again. We let the kids run around for a little bit, then headed to dinner. All of the kids did a great job at dinner - it did help that a party of 7 canceled ahead of us and the "greeter" bumped us up to the head of the line with our party of 8. When we got back to the hotel and while Adam was bathing the kids, I realized I forgot to back Owen's pj's. Pregnant brain really is effecting me these days, I swear!) I had to make a quick trip to the local Target, thank heavens it was just down the street, and buy Onie some new pj's. Count that towards his Christmas presents. So, when all was said and done for the night, the kids slept really well that despite Cari not falling asleep 'til around 10:30.

We took our time getting up and ready on Saturday. Adam and I decided to take the kids to see Bolt at a matinee showing. They loved that movie and, frankly, so did I! Got the kids down for their nap. When Owen woke up from his nap, he had a horrible seal bark of a cough and was wheezing too. I honestly debated whether or not to even take him up to the train because I didn't want the cold air to make his cough worse. (I sympathized with the kids because of my asthma and the cold air just kills me.) I quick call to my Dad to see what I could give him to help with the cough and wheezing. A quick trip to the local Walgreens and we were on our way to dinner. Finished up with dinner then on to look at all of the lights while waiting for the Polar Express.

Both Owen and Caroline were awe struck with all of the lights. They loved to look at them and kept saying "more lights! More lights!" I love that my kids get so excited at the simplest of things. Although I do admit that I love the lights this time of year, just as much as they do.

Once we boarded the train, the story was read, the lights were gazed upon at the "North Pole" and then Santa boarded the train. That is when the drama for Owen began. He was okay with Santa being a few feet away from him. As soon as Santa went to hand Owen his bell, he freaked out. I mean freaked out - screaming, crying, curling into Adam, etc. Adam took the bell for Owen and after Santa was a few rows behind us, Owen was fine once again.

Saturday night when we got back to the hotel was night a fun experience. Owen woke up around 1:30 with a horrible coughing fit which, of course, meant that I was up. Finally, at 2:30 I brought him into bed with Adam and I so I could listen to his breathing. Somewhere around 3:30 I dozed off for about 2 hours. At 5:30 he (I) woke up again. I laid in bed listen there for another hour. Finally, I decided to get in the shower, run out to the car to fetch the medicine I had left in the car (pregnant brain...again!), and then back up to the hotel. Another call to my Dad to tell him about the night we just had. We hurried to eat breakfast, loaded the car and then were on our way. When we got home, fed the kids lunch and then I went with Owen to Urgent Care where we were for about 2 hours or so. One dose of Decadron, and a $50 co-pay later and we were finally home.

We had a fabulous time and can't wait to do it again next year. (Although, I think we might try and do a Friday night 6:30 train next year so we can go to the observatory on Saturday and look at all of the stars that are so clear and visible...we'll see.)

**Note: We've had to reformat the hard drive on the computer. Not everything has been reinstalled yet and it has to pass the muster of the "administrator" in order to get reloaded. No pictures will be posted, until the administrator has given his approval.

*****UPDATE: With the approval of the "administrator" here are the pictures from the Polar Express trip! Enjoy

Make a Smilebox slideshow

B-Y-WHO?!

Number 6 in the BCS, baby. Who's the real BCS buster this year...GO UTES!!!!!!

2 + 1 = 5

My first thoughts were "Are you kidding me?!" "Holy s@#%!" "I don't know if I can do this." But as those reactions went through my head, I quickly found myself giddy with excitement, fear of the unknown, wondering how I am going to handle it all, and mostly completely overwhelmed. I ran through all of these emotions because I had just found out I am pregnant....again. I'll admit, I am not the easiest pregnant person to be around, let alone live with. I get extremely sick, tired, and grumpy. Unfortunately, I tend to take this out on my family the most.

Now that I'm 14 weeks and counting, I still not able to comprehend that I am having baby number 3. Owen will turn 3 in January, Caroline will be 2 in April, and the new little one will arrive in May. It will be a whole lot of changes, but we're excited to welcome this new baby into our home.

2 Little Boys

Okay, so you all know that I got a new kitty for my birthday and as if the pictures previously posted weren't cute enough, I'm posting a couple of more pictures. Right now, it's easy to tell where one kitty starts and the other ends, because of their size. But when Chevy is full grown, it'll be a little more difficult to tell with all of the stripes, dots and patterns in their fur coat. Chevy is just too cute for words. He and Lincoln have gotten along fabulously and were playing, wrestling, running, and wreaking havoc 24 hours after being together. Baxter tolerates Chevy and the kids just adore him. Chevy, too, loves to play and play and play with the kids. It is a transition that really could not have gone smoother and is a gift that just keeps on giving. Thanks, Love, for this great birthday present that just keeps on giving. I love you!





Lincoln (top) Chevy (bottom)

Gentle Giant Breakfast

Having a zoo pass has it's benefits and privileges. One such privilege is to be able to be notified when special events are occurring. One of those event was to have breakfast with the giraffes at the zoo. I got Owen up extra early to go to the zoo to have breakfast. It was really nice to be able to go and spend time with just Owen. He said he had a lot of fun. Before going to see the giraffes, we did different crafts and activities that were all associated with giraffes. Owen had the most fun with making his tongue purple like a giraffe's tongue. (Who wouldn't when you dipped a stick into water, then into grape Kool-Aid and finally onto your tongue. He wanted to do this several times, but I put a halt to it at 3.)

We were allowed into the giraffe barn and ALL of the giraffes were in there. (We were told that is very unusual to have all of the giraffes still in the barn. Usually there's only 1 or 2 still in there.)We learned that giraffes are extreme creatures of habit, very timid and skittish. The barn has to be cleaned with the same cleaners and the same way each time. The giraffes have to be taken out of the barn in the same order everyday and then put back in the same order everyday. If even the slightest thing is amiss, they will refuse to go in the barn. Go figure!

Before the giraffes went out into their habitat, we got a chance to feed these amazing creatures pieces of apples. Owen was a little scared so I held up the apple and got slimed by the long purple tongues of Jamburu and Makope. These animals are absolutely gorgeous. They are so cute and are truly "gentle giants."

After the breakfast, we were able to go to the giraffe lookout and watch for them to come out of the barn. Next, we went for a carousel ride (which almost made me barf from going around and around and around!). Owen chose the tiger to ride on. Finally, we went and played in the treehouse. Owen had a great morning at the zoo. I had an even better time with just my little boy. That is definitely a memory I will cherish forever. Can't wait for the next time!

Making my tongue purple like a giraffe's!