Adam was taking the lights off the roof today while I had both kids with me at Costco. I had forgotten one of the 3 things I was to going to Costco for until I saw it sitting in the cart of someone else. Got my receipt checked off and then I whipped back through the entrance when I got the phone call.
Adam: "Hey, where are you?"
Me: "I'm at Costco, why?"
Adam: "I either broke or dislocated my finger."
Me: "Okay, I'm on my way home."
As I pulled into the driveway, he was still puttering around trying to do as much as possible without that hand. When I actually saw his finger, I knew we were going to have to go to the ER because no urgent care was going to touch it and an x-ray was going to need to be done. I told him to go get a reusable ice pack on it so it wouldn't swell any more. Regrettably, we didn't get any pictures of his finger. Fortunately, it wasn't broken, but was dislocated at the middle joint of his left pinkie finger -- 45 degrees up and 45 degrees out! He said it didn't hurt and, frankly, he didn't even realized he had dislocated it until he went to grab something and realized his finger wasn't working properly. Before the doctor reduced (reset) the finger, he gave Adam the option of numbing medicine or not. Adam did opt for the numbing medicine but said he still felt and heard the pop of the finger going back to where it should be. When the numbing medicine wore off is when the finger started to throb. Nothing a little Advil doesn't take care of luckily.
One hour later and $150 co-pay he was back to taking the lights off the roof, getting ready for my cousin's sealing, and puttering around the house before we leave on our trip.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Joining the Rest of the Population
Sometime between Saturday late afternoon and today we did it. We knew that we would need to get a bigger car with this baby on the way. We weren't planning on doing anything about a new car until around end of April. We wanted to see what the economy was going to do (or not do) and save some more money. We also knew that we wanted to buy a used car and save on the depreciation and have a smaller payment (something neither one of us have ever had before - big or small). On the other hand, "Now's the time to do it!" was what I heard from just about everyone.
Saturday afternoon, Adam said "Honda is having 0% financing." My meager reply to him was let's just go take a look and see about the Odyssey. After dinner, we lugged the kids with us to the Honda dealer, looked at the Odyssey, got the information catalog, business card, etc., etc., etc., Next stop, the GM dealer. We wanted to compare the Odyssey to a Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon XL and see what was going to best fit our family. Both manufacturers had incentives to give, although GM's were HUGE -- $10,000 HUGE!!!!
We talked all night Saturday night. I woke up around 1:30 Sunday morning and was lying awake thinking about our options for the next 2 hours, finally falling back to sleep. I made some calls to a couple of dealerships in CA for them to check their inventory, knowing that we were going out for a short visit to my parents' house for New Year's. Adam called another dealer here, too to find out their inventory and their financing options. After looking at banks for a used car loan and seeing the difference in price in used vs. new, it was clear that a new car was going to be the way to go.
We decided to go back to the Honda dealer and drive the Odyssey. It drove like a dream. Automatic everything, or so it seemed. We didn't need to drive a Yukon because we had both driven those in the past. Hasn't changed that much I'm sure. We liked both of the vehicles, but one was definitely going to suit our family better.
After haggling and haggling for 3 hours (this time with just 1 child with us) at the dealership, we were $1,600 apart, which was the cost of the built-in DVD player. (We can buy 16 portables for for the price of a built-in, but thought it would be nice to have the built-in.) We weren't budging and neither was the dealer. We decided to walk out and go to a different one. By the the time we got home from picking Owen up from my brother's house (thanks Scott & Karina!), there was a message on the answering machine and the salesman (who was great) was calling on the phone. He was calling to tell us that they "found a car in the back" without the DVD player, in the color we wanted, leather, and they would honor the deal they wrote up on a different color car that we liked, but weren't crazy about. We fed the kids and then back to the dealership Adam went.
When Adam got home, he pulled into the driveway driving this:
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new car! I never ever thought I would drive a mini-van. I've always liked the Suburban-type vehicles better. But, after looking at all of the options this sucker had to offer, there was no question that this car was the best match for our family. So, it seems that I have joined the rest of the population in driving a mini-van. I am glad to be driving something other than our car. Not that I didn't love driving that, because I did. It's just that with the kids growing and myself growing, I knew we weren't going to fit into it for much longer. While driving I sit up higher, although it doesn't really look like it. It has so much room and so comfy.
Now I feel like a teenager who just got her license to drive because I have a great new car to drive around town!
Saturday afternoon, Adam said "Honda is having 0% financing." My meager reply to him was let's just go take a look and see about the Odyssey. After dinner, we lugged the kids with us to the Honda dealer, looked at the Odyssey, got the information catalog, business card, etc., etc., etc., Next stop, the GM dealer. We wanted to compare the Odyssey to a Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, Yukon XL and see what was going to best fit our family. Both manufacturers had incentives to give, although GM's were HUGE -- $10,000 HUGE!!!!
We talked all night Saturday night. I woke up around 1:30 Sunday morning and was lying awake thinking about our options for the next 2 hours, finally falling back to sleep. I made some calls to a couple of dealerships in CA for them to check their inventory, knowing that we were going out for a short visit to my parents' house for New Year's. Adam called another dealer here, too to find out their inventory and their financing options. After looking at banks for a used car loan and seeing the difference in price in used vs. new, it was clear that a new car was going to be the way to go.
We decided to go back to the Honda dealer and drive the Odyssey. It drove like a dream. Automatic everything, or so it seemed. We didn't need to drive a Yukon because we had both driven those in the past. Hasn't changed that much I'm sure. We liked both of the vehicles, but one was definitely going to suit our family better.
After haggling and haggling for 3 hours (this time with just 1 child with us) at the dealership, we were $1,600 apart, which was the cost of the built-in DVD player. (We can buy 16 portables for for the price of a built-in, but thought it would be nice to have the built-in.) We weren't budging and neither was the dealer. We decided to walk out and go to a different one. By the the time we got home from picking Owen up from my brother's house (thanks Scott & Karina!), there was a message on the answering machine and the salesman (who was great) was calling on the phone. He was calling to tell us that they "found a car in the back" without the DVD player, in the color we wanted, leather, and they would honor the deal they wrote up on a different color car that we liked, but weren't crazy about. We fed the kids and then back to the dealership Adam went.
When Adam got home, he pulled into the driveway driving this:
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new car! I never ever thought I would drive a mini-van. I've always liked the Suburban-type vehicles better. But, after looking at all of the options this sucker had to offer, there was no question that this car was the best match for our family. So, it seems that I have joined the rest of the population in driving a mini-van. I am glad to be driving something other than our car. Not that I didn't love driving that, because I did. It's just that with the kids growing and myself growing, I knew we weren't going to fit into it for much longer. While driving I sit up higher, although it doesn't really look like it. It has so much room and so comfy.
Now I feel like a teenager who just got her license to drive because I have a great new car to drive around town!
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Christmas Eve & Day
Christmas Eve we spent the evening down at my sister's house. Our brother came down with his family too. It was a lot of fun with 9 kids ranging in age from 14 to 20 months. After our traditional dinner of tamales, beans, and rice, we headed off to the Temple to watch our cousin, Jordan Bluth, perform and look at the lights. Jordan has a beautiful voice and the lights were great and wonderful too.
After the Temple and lights, we went back to my brother's house for a slice of this cake that is so amazing, it's taste is indescribable. The cake is a 4 layer chocolate cake with gnache and some other filing in between each layer and then a marshmallow frosting. My s-i-l, Karina, made it and I can hardly wait to have another thin slice of the cake again. This one cake feeds 30 people! Gives you a clue as to how big and rich this cake is.
We got the kids home and to bed not too terribly late or past their bedtime. Owen woke up around 6:45 and came into our room. I told him to go back to bed and we would come get him in a minute. One hour later, Adam and I rolled out of bed and got the kids. Owen asked me if the "tree was on", which I told him if Santa came he would leave the tree on. I dashed out to the living room and turned on the tree before he came out of his room. When we saw that the tree was on, he exclaimed, "Christmas!" It was cute, as this is the first year that he is starting to put it all together.
Owen ran straight for Caroline's baby doll stroller, then for her Cozy Coupe. As he was "driving" the car, he then saw the soccer goal, ball and cones for him. He hopped out of the car and wanted to play soccer. Once all of the gifts were exchanged and opened, tantrums were tossed, and trash put away, it was a pretty mellow and relaxing day.
After naps, we went to my brother's house for dinner. Again, really mellow and low stress. We ate, laughed, played games, laughed, and played more games and laughed a whole lot more. It was a wonderful Christmas Day with, once again, many memories made.
**I'll post pictures later when the craziness has calmed down a little bit....okay some.
After the Temple and lights, we went back to my brother's house for a slice of this cake that is so amazing, it's taste is indescribable. The cake is a 4 layer chocolate cake with gnache and some other filing in between each layer and then a marshmallow frosting. My s-i-l, Karina, made it and I can hardly wait to have another thin slice of the cake again. This one cake feeds 30 people! Gives you a clue as to how big and rich this cake is.
We got the kids home and to bed not too terribly late or past their bedtime. Owen woke up around 6:45 and came into our room. I told him to go back to bed and we would come get him in a minute. One hour later, Adam and I rolled out of bed and got the kids. Owen asked me if the "tree was on", which I told him if Santa came he would leave the tree on. I dashed out to the living room and turned on the tree before he came out of his room. When we saw that the tree was on, he exclaimed, "Christmas!" It was cute, as this is the first year that he is starting to put it all together.
Owen ran straight for Caroline's baby doll stroller, then for her Cozy Coupe. As he was "driving" the car, he then saw the soccer goal, ball and cones for him. He hopped out of the car and wanted to play soccer. Once all of the gifts were exchanged and opened, tantrums were tossed, and trash put away, it was a pretty mellow and relaxing day.
After naps, we went to my brother's house for dinner. Again, really mellow and low stress. We ate, laughed, played games, laughed, and played more games and laughed a whole lot more. It was a wonderful Christmas Day with, once again, many memories made.
**I'll post pictures later when the craziness has calmed down a little bit....okay some.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Babysitting Secret
Adam and I went out for a date last night and to finish last minute Christmas shopping for the kids. We only had to get the rest of their stocking stuff and a couple of "Santa" gifts for Owen. I arranged for a sitter to come to the house. (For those that live near me I am NOT giving this name up; you'll just have to figure it out on your own. I'm not even gonna tell you if you guess correctly either). The kids went with me to pick up the sitter. In the car ride back to the house, Owen refused to even acknowledge the sitter's presence but, shockingly, Caroline was jabbering away.
After giving the sitter the instructions, and fully expecting Caroline to melt down when we left, we walked out the door to 2 kids who were content and even quite happy when we did leave. Caroline didn't even notice we had left and Owen said good-bye like it was no big deal. I was also expecting and waiting for a phone call from the sitter telling me that she couldn't get Caroline to calm down since we left. After all, this kid still won't go into nursery at church and screams and cries whenever we try to take her to her class or even Owen's class for that matter.
As Adam and I were waiting for our movie to start, I got a picture message from the sitter. This was the picture the sitter sent me:
I know it's not the best quality of picture since it was taken with a cell phone. That's beside the point really. Does it look like these kids were having a tough time while their parents were out? When a babysitter can do this with the kids, is there really any reason to worry? I now know who I will be hiring from this point forward to watch my kids. Knowing my kids are like this when Adam and I are away is worth every penny we pay to have a sitter and, since we only go out once a month or so, it's really worth the money.
After giving the sitter the instructions, and fully expecting Caroline to melt down when we left, we walked out the door to 2 kids who were content and even quite happy when we did leave. Caroline didn't even notice we had left and Owen said good-bye like it was no big deal. I was also expecting and waiting for a phone call from the sitter telling me that she couldn't get Caroline to calm down since we left. After all, this kid still won't go into nursery at church and screams and cries whenever we try to take her to her class or even Owen's class for that matter.
As Adam and I were waiting for our movie to start, I got a picture message from the sitter. This was the picture the sitter sent me:
I know it's not the best quality of picture since it was taken with a cell phone. That's beside the point really. Does it look like these kids were having a tough time while their parents were out? When a babysitter can do this with the kids, is there really any reason to worry? I now know who I will be hiring from this point forward to watch my kids. Knowing my kids are like this when Adam and I are away is worth every penny we pay to have a sitter and, since we only go out once a month or so, it's really worth the money.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Is There An Echo in Here?
Kids really do say the darndest things. Adam and I crack up at both Owen and Caroline with the things they say. It can be the most innocent of situations and Owen usually throws his 2 cent peanut gallery comments into the mix. For example, this is how a conversation between Caroline and I went:
Mom: "Cari do you need your panties (diaper) changed?"
Cari: "Yes." (It was so quite even I barely heard the response)
Owen: (Who is in a completely different part of the house) "Yes! Cari's a peeball!"
Mom: dying with laughter.
Where does he get these things? Growing up, we use to call my younger sister's blanket the "peeball blankie". I've probably said the word "peeball" within Owen's ear shot but didn't think he could draw the connection. Seriously.
Another example, the other day after the vacuum had been cleaned, I was putting it back together - I hate this vacuum and am praying that Santa will deliver a brand new one for me. As I was struggling to put it back together, I said under my breath, "this piece of crap! Go back together already!"
The next thing I know, Owen comes into the kitchen and says, "Mom, the vaccum is a piece of crap?" I died. I didn't want to laugh and encourage that behavior so I tried laughing without looking at him. This obviously didn't work because later when Owen was talking to Adam on the phone, he ratted me out and told Adam that I said the vacuum was a piece of crap. Nice, huh?!
When we were out last night running a few errands, Adam told me that when he took just Owen in the car about a week or so ago, he came to a stop and Owen piped up from the back, "Dude, come on!" Don't have to wonder where he got that from, now do we Love?!
I guess I need to improve on not only my driving habits and comments, but also what I say around the kids. I think, and I'm not being biased I swear, I have done a great job at cleaning up my language around the kids. Guess I have a whole lot bigger of a job to do before it's where it should be. There's always room for improvement.
Mom: "Cari do you need your panties (diaper) changed?"
Cari: "Yes." (It was so quite even I barely heard the response)
Owen: (Who is in a completely different part of the house) "Yes! Cari's a peeball!"
Mom: dying with laughter.
Where does he get these things? Growing up, we use to call my younger sister's blanket the "peeball blankie". I've probably said the word "peeball" within Owen's ear shot but didn't think he could draw the connection. Seriously.
Another example, the other day after the vacuum had been cleaned, I was putting it back together - I hate this vacuum and am praying that Santa will deliver a brand new one for me. As I was struggling to put it back together, I said under my breath, "this piece of crap! Go back together already!"
The next thing I know, Owen comes into the kitchen and says, "Mom, the vaccum is a piece of crap?" I died. I didn't want to laugh and encourage that behavior so I tried laughing without looking at him. This obviously didn't work because later when Owen was talking to Adam on the phone, he ratted me out and told Adam that I said the vacuum was a piece of crap. Nice, huh?!
When we were out last night running a few errands, Adam told me that when he took just Owen in the car about a week or so ago, he came to a stop and Owen piped up from the back, "Dude, come on!" Don't have to wonder where he got that from, now do we Love?!
I guess I need to improve on not only my driving habits and comments, but also what I say around the kids. I think, and I'm not being biased I swear, I have done a great job at cleaning up my language around the kids. Guess I have a whole lot bigger of a job to do before it's where it should be. There's always room for improvement.
Monday, December 15, 2008
2 Years Ago Today.....
We moved into our house! I can't believe we have been here for 2 years already. The time has truly flown by. I was 5 months pregnant with Caroline, so my wonderful family helped Adam move all of our stuff into the house. (As I found out later, we even had a neighbor spying on us watching us move in!) Now, this is not to say that I sat on my laurels and did nothing. To the contrary.
Before we moved into the house, my mom (who's the bestest ever in the whole world) came out to help me paint. We painted the master bed and bath while she was here. It was a horrendous job. The previous owners had painted the ceiling and the owner before that had painted this nasty burnt umber color with a gold metallic faux finish on top. It was seriously the most hideous paint scheme I had ever seen. The owners before us did a crappy job of covering up the 1st owner's paint job. It was horrible! Nevertheless, there I was on the ladder painting away with this huge, and I mean huge, belly in front of me. My mom tried to get me off the ladder, but it didn't work. We worked really hard those few days that she was here and the result is (still) well worth it.
There are still a few more projects that I would like to do (or have done). Some of those will get done in the next year because this new baby will be booting a sibling out of the room. We're not in a rush to get them done, but I can't wait until they are done.
The days have passed and so have the years but Adam and I are still grateful we bought this house. We live in a great neighborhood with even better neighbors and friends.
Before we moved into the house, my mom (who's the bestest ever in the whole world) came out to help me paint. We painted the master bed and bath while she was here. It was a horrendous job. The previous owners had painted the ceiling and the owner before that had painted this nasty burnt umber color with a gold metallic faux finish on top. It was seriously the most hideous paint scheme I had ever seen. The owners before us did a crappy job of covering up the 1st owner's paint job. It was horrible! Nevertheless, there I was on the ladder painting away with this huge, and I mean huge, belly in front of me. My mom tried to get me off the ladder, but it didn't work. We worked really hard those few days that she was here and the result is (still) well worth it.
There are still a few more projects that I would like to do (or have done). Some of those will get done in the next year because this new baby will be booting a sibling out of the room. We're not in a rush to get them done, but I can't wait until they are done.
The days have passed and so have the years but Adam and I are still grateful we bought this house. We live in a great neighborhood with even better neighbors and friends.
Monday, December 08, 2008
Decking the Halls
Tonight for FHE, the kids helped decorate the tree. My visions of grandeur from last year actually materialized this year and I had 2 kids who were so excited to decorate the tree. They did a great job. (I'll have to post pics later see "note" in previous post). They did a great job and had so much fun doing it. Just think, next year there will be 3 of them decorating the tree....I can hardly wait.
The day after Christmas last year, I woke up early and went to Target to score on some great deals and specifically to look for a tree. I did both and scored on the price of the tree. It has sat in the garage for all this time just waiting to make its appearance in our home. Finally it did. There are some thinks about a fake tree that I haven't decided if I like or not. In no particular order, these are the things: I miss taking the kids to the tree farm and seeing their excitement as they get to help in the process of choosing the family tree; the smell of a real tree is no longer prevalent in this house (all of the fake smells just don't do it for me); the fluffing of the tree took forever and there are still branches towards the top that aren't to my liking, but got tired of fluffing after 1 1/2 hours; the tree was pre-lit so I didn't have to worry about Adam putting the lights on and then having to go back and redo it.
There are some positives to a fake tree: (again in no particular order) it's a one time expense and will last for years; I can put it up whenever I want; it won't die on me; I don't have to worry about watering it or the cats drinking the water for that matter; it wasn't taken from a farm only to end up as mulch after all is said and done; don't have to worry about finding a location to take the tree to that will mulch it; didn't get sap all over the car; don't have to clean up needles that have fallen off the tree (although one branch towards the top of this tree has broken...uggggh!) and so on.
The verdict is still out on this and we'll see how it goes when the time comes to take the tree down.
UPDATE: Here are the pictures from the night we decorated the tree. I also included a few outtakes from the pictures we took for our Christmas card this year. I didn't post the pictures we used for the card, that you'll have to wait and see for yourself.
The day after Christmas last year, I woke up early and went to Target to score on some great deals and specifically to look for a tree. I did both and scored on the price of the tree. It has sat in the garage for all this time just waiting to make its appearance in our home. Finally it did. There are some thinks about a fake tree that I haven't decided if I like or not. In no particular order, these are the things: I miss taking the kids to the tree farm and seeing their excitement as they get to help in the process of choosing the family tree; the smell of a real tree is no longer prevalent in this house (all of the fake smells just don't do it for me); the fluffing of the tree took forever and there are still branches towards the top that aren't to my liking, but got tired of fluffing after 1 1/2 hours; the tree was pre-lit so I didn't have to worry about Adam putting the lights on and then having to go back and redo it.
There are some positives to a fake tree: (again in no particular order) it's a one time expense and will last for years; I can put it up whenever I want; it won't die on me; I don't have to worry about watering it or the cats drinking the water for that matter; it wasn't taken from a farm only to end up as mulch after all is said and done; don't have to worry about finding a location to take the tree to that will mulch it; didn't get sap all over the car; don't have to clean up needles that have fallen off the tree (although one branch towards the top of this tree has broken...uggggh!) and so on.
The verdict is still out on this and we'll see how it goes when the time comes to take the tree down.
UPDATE: Here are the pictures from the night we decorated the tree. I also included a few outtakes from the pictures we took for our Christmas card this year. I didn't post the pictures we used for the card, that you'll have to wait and see for yourself.
 |
 |
| Make a Smilebox scrapbook |
Friday, November 28, 2008
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
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 |
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
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)
Lincoln (top) Chevy (bottom)
Saturday, November 01, 2008
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!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
