Also?
We got to see Santa!! Skyler had been so looking forward to seeing him, and I think it lived up to her expectations!
A break from our regular Elf Insanity at Christmas Time!
We have been hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Korell the past few days, and Skyler got a chance to show off her crazy dance skills!!
Also?
We got to see Santa!! Skyler had been so looking forward to seeing him, and I think it lived up to her expectations!
Also?
We got to see Santa!! Skyler had been so looking forward to seeing him, and I think it lived up to her expectations!
Day 5: Gone Fishin!
It's already Day #5!!
This morning we had a bit of a crisis! Since we adopted our fishy buddy (Button) I've often worried about Persephone showing too much interest in the fish. Guess I was worried for nothing, because she hasn't shown any interest. But Chip-Chip? Apparently he thought it was time to go fishing!
Day 4: Decorating the Tree!
Yesterday, we decorated our Christmas Tree! So it was only natural that Chip-Chip was perched near the snowflake when we woke up this morning!
Day 3: Time for a soak!
Flying to the North Pole and back is exhausting, and when Chip-Chip returned this morning he thought it would be a great time to take a nice relaxing bubble bath! (He fits into this family well already!)
Day 2: Chip-Chip calls!
Chip-Chip brought a toy cell phone, along with a note:
"Dear Skyler,
I brought this phone for you,
Santa has one too!
When you think of a wish you'd like to make,
Just give him a call, speed dial #8!
Love, Chip-Chip"
Meet Chip-Chip
This afternoon, while Ryan and I were cooking Thanksgiving dinner (a few days late, since I bought a 25 lbs turkey that didn't want to thaw!) Skyler was watching her Barbie movie when the doorbell rang! She ran to answer it, but no one was there. After looking around, she found a package that had been wrapped and just laying on our front porch. In typical three year old fashion she ripped it open!
He sent one of his elves to our house! He's in training, to be one of Santa's Scout Elves. He's supposed to watch Skyler and report back to Santa at night, letting him know if she's naughty or nice! (And so far? Thanks to our new Elf? Skyler cleaned her room, without being asked! She wanted him to tell Santa how good she's been!)
Here's the catch, our elf? (Skyler has named him Chip-Chip) He's in training too, so he may cause a bit of mischief. Each morning, Skyler needs to find him to make sure he made it back safely from the North Pole. (He goes back to report to Santa while we sleep.)
And he's magical! So she can't touch him. If we touch him, he will lose his magic and won't be able to return to the North Pole!
As soon as we met our elf, Skyler wanted him to meet Button, our fish. So we set him on top of our book shelf to be able to watch around the room. (Santa's letter said it's ok for Mommy and Daddy to help move Chip-Chip to his special seat so he can keep an eye out.)
We would like to invite you to follow along, help us look out for Chip-Chip to make sure he stays out of trouble! (Just like Skyler!)
Happy Birthday Daddy!
Since Ryan was on the road for his birthday, we had a party tonight!
Skyler picked a pin the tail on the donkey and helped bake the cake.
Bionic Fingers? Rock On!
Once I caught myself staring at my friends son, thinking "Why does he look so strange?" and then I realized... *DUH* He has fingers!
Another time, a complete stranger asked "What's wrong with her?" and I stared at her in awe. There is absolutely nothing wrong with my little girl, why would you ask? Oh yeah. Her fingers. They're missing. (Yes, what a rude way to ask! But it's another example of how I forget... which had you told me that whens he was a baby? I'd have thought you were crazy!)
Anywho.... today I was lurking on Huffington Post, and I saw an article titled "Girl, 15, Gets Bionic Fingers."
So I clicked and read! While I am thankful on a daily basis that Skyler doesn't need a prosthetic, and probably never will, I think it is just awesome that these options are becoming available!
Although I do have to leave one warning: Reading through the comments has once again infuriated me... people can be such cruel idiots.
So I clicked and read! While I am thankful on a daily basis that Skyler doesn't need a prosthetic, and probably never will, I think it is just awesome that these options are becoming available!
Although I do have to leave one warning: Reading through the comments has once again infuriated me... people can be such cruel idiots.
On the road
Skyler and I are spending a few days on the truck with Daddy! She is having the time of her life sleeping in the bunk, and traveling way up high!
A day on the Lake
Last Saturday we got the chance to join Uncle Kevin, Cousin Jacob and Grandpa at the lake!
After our Vegas trip, Skyler has fallen in love with water - so this was a fun experience for her. She loved EVERY minute of it, but wore herself out so much so that she fell asleep within a few minutes of being buckled into the car!
We all got a ride in Kevin's boat! (He built it himself a few years ago, and it's pretty darn cool!) Which Skyler just loved. She kept asking to go faster. **Giggle**
After our Vegas trip, Skyler has fallen in love with water - so this was a fun experience for her. She loved EVERY minute of it, but wore herself out so much so that she fell asleep within a few minutes of being buckled into the car!
We all got a ride in Kevin's boat! (He built it himself a few years ago, and it's pretty darn cool!) Which Skyler just loved. She kept asking to go faster. **Giggle**
Random Rambles
Thunderstorms, clouds and rain seem to be a theme lately. (Although not so much rain in Pueblo... but dark clouds and thunder!) And Lincoln apparently is getting it's fair share too.
Skyler discovered tonight that she LOVES water colors. Six masterpieces later, it was time to crawl into bed... but only with the promise of being able to paint tomorrow as well.
This weekend is my 10 year high school reunion (photo above is from my original 365 photos - large here)... Sometimes I'm shocked it's been ten years, and others I wonder how it went so fast. Sadly, a lot of people I wanted to see aren't making it back to Lincoln for whatever reason. But it'll still be nice to see some old faces hopefully.
With a few exceptions, my camera hasn't received much love lately. I have hardly taken any photos (even while in Vegas) and I need to work on changing that this weekend! Hopefully I'll get some fun shots...
I have two new favorite websites this week... Pinterest.com (My Page Here) which is basically a glorified bookmarking site! But I've found some neat decorating and cooking ideas there! As well as Google+ which I hope picks up speed! I like the interface a lot more than facebook.
I suppose I have rambled on; I just felt like it was time to update this blog!
Seven Years Ago...
Seven years ago today, Ryan and I got married.
It's been an interesting seven years, (And 14 years since we first started "going out" in June 1997!) But I didn't want to let today go by without mention!!
We are celebrating tonight by grilling ribs at home! And just relaxing, since we're still in recovery mode from our Vegas Vacation!! (Ryan goes back to work on Wednesday.)
It's been an interesting seven years, (And 14 years since we first started "going out" in June 1997!) But I didn't want to let today go by without mention!!
We are celebrating tonight by grilling ribs at home! And just relaxing, since we're still in recovery mode from our Vegas Vacation!! (Ryan goes back to work on Wednesday.)
Vegas - Day 4
We were all so exhausted that we decided to stay at the hotel all day. (There was plenty to do there anyway!!)
After breakfast (cereal) Skyler and I went to play in the arcade! Then, we headed to the Kids Tyme again, at her insistence. They even let me go in with her for a bit so she could show me all the fun stuff!! She loved that place, so I didn't mind leaving her too much. (She got lunch of hot dogs and mac n cheese there...)
Ryan and I went to a Cajun Restaurant in our hotel, which the gumbo was delicious!! Then I went and played two slots, which I fell in love with! The Price is Right Punch-a-bunch! (I won $60!!!) and The Wizard of Oz (I lost the previously mentioned $60...)
We picked Skyler up about 2, and headed to the pool for more swimming!! Despite that it was 110*, we were actually freezing when we got out of the pool. (A nice breeze, I guess!)
After a bit, we picked up Skyler and had Mexican from the same restaurant as the first night, and watched "Little Fockers" in our room. (Skyler was too busy playing with her new toys to care what we did... LOL!)
We went to bed early, since we had to catch a 3:30am shuttle to the airport.
After breakfast (cereal) Skyler and I went to play in the arcade! Then, we headed to the Kids Tyme again, at her insistence. They even let me go in with her for a bit so she could show me all the fun stuff!! She loved that place, so I didn't mind leaving her too much. (She got lunch of hot dogs and mac n cheese there...)
Ryan and I went to a Cajun Restaurant in our hotel, which the gumbo was delicious!! Then I went and played two slots, which I fell in love with! The Price is Right Punch-a-bunch! (I won $60!!!) and The Wizard of Oz (I lost the previously mentioned $60...)
We picked Skyler up about 2, and headed to the pool for more swimming!! Despite that it was 110*, we were actually freezing when we got out of the pool. (A nice breeze, I guess!)
After a bit, we picked up Skyler and had Mexican from the same restaurant as the first night, and watched "Little Fockers" in our room. (Skyler was too busy playing with her new toys to care what we did... LOL!)
We went to bed early, since we had to catch a 3:30am shuttle to the airport.
After all was said and done, we had a FABULOUS trip to Vegas!! We did a lot of walking, saw most everything we wanted and had a great time!! I was nervous about the trip with Skyler, but I think it was a great choice in the end.
Vegas - Day 2 & 3
Day two in Vegas, we started out the morning early with some swim time! We hit the pool right as it opened at 9am; and we practically had the place to ourselves! Skyler hadn't been in an actual swimming pool that she could remember, so she started out a little scared. But she quickly warmed up and had a ton of fun! She especially loved jumping from the edge of the pool as I would catch her.
After our time at the pool, we had lunch at T.G.I.Friday's (in our hotel) and then took Skyler to the Kids Tyme center (she called it the playground) where she spent a few hours playing while we went and took our chances on the casino floor! We started out with video poker and blackjack. Then we both hit the blackjack tables, which wasn't very profitable for us... So back to the machines we went.
We picked up Skyler about 3, and headed out to the strip! We checked out the Luxor, NYNY and Excalibur (Skyler wanted to see the Castle!) Before we headed over to Treasure Island to have dinner (A pizza by the slice place, that was just so-so) and then we took our seats for Mystere!!
The show was FABULOUS!! Skyler was mesmerized the entire time, which I was glad about! (I had been nervous it might be too much for her!) She loved the Ballerina's and giggled at the baby.
After Mystere we got some ice cream at Ben & Jerry's and then headed outside to wait for the Pirate show to start. Skyler got a kick out of the explosions and fireworks with the pirate show.
Then it was time to head back to the hotel for bed. (Another midnight bedtime for all three of us... )
Day Three, We took it easy all morning and then had lunch at the hotel food court. (Fuddruckers!) Then up to the bowling alley in the Orleans for 3 games of bowling.
After that, it was back to our room to take a quick nap. Then Skyler wanted to go back to the playground, so we took her and Ryan and I went to relax between the room and playing slots again.
Then we had dinner at the hotel buffet, and headed downtown to see the Fremont Street Experience! We saw a quick show of "Queen" and then spent a few hours just roaming around watching all the buskers and live music. (Skyler was particularly fascinated by a Saxophone Player at the Golden Nugget.
On our way back we stopped in an attempt to see the Caesars Fountains again, and after waiting 30 minutes, they finally said the show was out of order again *sigh* (The one thing I didn't get to see while we were there that I wanted too! But not for lack of trying!)
After all was said and done, it was nearly 1am when we got back to the hotel - and Skyler was the only one not cranky!!
After our time at the pool, we had lunch at T.G.I.Friday's (in our hotel) and then took Skyler to the Kids Tyme center (she called it the playground) where she spent a few hours playing while we went and took our chances on the casino floor! We started out with video poker and blackjack. Then we both hit the blackjack tables, which wasn't very profitable for us... So back to the machines we went.
We picked up Skyler about 3, and headed out to the strip! We checked out the Luxor, NYNY and Excalibur (Skyler wanted to see the Castle!) Before we headed over to Treasure Island to have dinner (A pizza by the slice place, that was just so-so) and then we took our seats for Mystere!!
The show was FABULOUS!! Skyler was mesmerized the entire time, which I was glad about! (I had been nervous it might be too much for her!) She loved the Ballerina's and giggled at the baby.
After Mystere we got some ice cream at Ben & Jerry's and then headed outside to wait for the Pirate show to start. Skyler got a kick out of the explosions and fireworks with the pirate show.
Then it was time to head back to the hotel for bed. (Another midnight bedtime for all three of us... )
Day Three, We took it easy all morning and then had lunch at the hotel food court. (Fuddruckers!) Then up to the bowling alley in the Orleans for 3 games of bowling.
After that, it was back to our room to take a quick nap. Then Skyler wanted to go back to the playground, so we took her and Ryan and I went to relax between the room and playing slots again.
Then we had dinner at the hotel buffet, and headed downtown to see the Fremont Street Experience! We saw a quick show of "Queen" and then spent a few hours just roaming around watching all the buskers and live music. (Skyler was particularly fascinated by a Saxophone Player at the Golden Nugget.
On our way back we stopped in an attempt to see the Caesars Fountains again, and after waiting 30 minutes, they finally said the show was out of order again *sigh* (The one thing I didn't get to see while we were there that I wanted too! But not for lack of trying!)
After all was said and done, it was nearly 1am when we got back to the hotel - and Skyler was the only one not cranky!!
