The Summer Vacation That Wouldn't End!!!

Stick with me - this could get long!! (And Photo heavy!)

WAY BACK on June 6, Skyler and I packed up our car and left for Nebraska. We drove to Grandma and Grandpa's house, then loaded up their car and drove with them to Chicago the next day!

There we had a mini family reunion of sorts! In Skyler's words: "We had a party for Cousin Nick, I played with my Chicago Cousin Jacob. Then we went to a baseball game and waved at Cousin Nick. Lots of people cried."

(Cousin Nick graduated from high school and joined the Navy - so it was a party for both of those accomplishments and then he was sworn in at a White Sox game!) We also hung around the Chicago area for a few days, celebrating Skylers birthday with our family from Illinois, as well as my Aunt and Uncle who live in California!

That was a great mini-vacation, full of yummy food (Chicago Pizza, anyone??) and lots of great time with family that we don't see often enough.

On June 12, we headed back to Lincoln. The plan was to spend a few days with Ryan's parents, and celebrate Skyler's birthday with all of our family in Nebraska. Which went as planned, lots of good food (geez - is that what vacation is all about?) and lots of fun again!

On June 18, we headed for Colorado. We made it almost halfway, to North Platte Nebraska. Then, at 80 miles per hour, my car lost all power. By some miracle, I made it the side of the road! I called my husband, in tears. My car was dead. I was in the middle of nowhere. It wouldn't start, it wouldn't crank. (And if you know any of the backstory with my Jetta - you know that I was certain it was the end of the car. )

He calmed me down and told me not to do anything. HA HA! What was I going to do? Hitch Hike? He hung up, with promises to call me back. Within 5 minutes I got a phone call from a 308 area code (Western Nebraska) - it was Ryan's Aunt! By no small miracle, she LIVED at the very exit where my car died! And? Her husband is a mechanic. They were coming to get me!!!

We spent the night in North Platte, with much thanks to my husbands family. (They are life savers!!) But they dealt us some bad news - it was the timing belt, and the engine had no compression. My beloved Jetta had met her end.

My parents arranged to come pick me up, Ryans Aunt was kind enough to let us stay the night until my parents could get there. She also made arrangements for my little white car to be towed to a salvage yard. I just cannot thank her enough for all that she did for us!

So June 19 found us back in Lincoln. Only this time, I felt like I was 16 again. I was completely reliant on borrowing my parents car, and I was freaking out about how I would afford a car payment for the first time in NINE YEARS!!!

Throw in the fact that June 20 was Skyler's 5th Birthday - and I'd planned to be AT HOME for it. We were going to go to the Drive In. Have a birthday party with her friends. And then get ready for our next vacation at the start of July. All of that? Out the window!!

My dad suggested I invite her Nebraska Friends (Madi and Taylor) as well as my husbands family to an impromptu party at Chuck E Cheese - which turned out to be FABULOUS!!

Skyler got to celebrate turning 5 with both sets of Grandparents, Her Aunt Katie, Uncle Kevin and Her Nebraska Cousin Jacob (yes, she does ALWAYS call them Nebraska Jacob and Chicago Jacob!)

But, we were still car-less. I had 2 weeks to find a car (and a car loan) and get myself to Colorado to prepare for our Alaskan Adventure! After her birthday was out of the way? I was paranoid. I didn't know how it would all come together. I hate car shopping.

Luckily for Skyler? She got the chance to spend lots of time playing with her friends Madi and Taylor! (Their mom, Krystal, grew up across the street from me and was best friends with my little sister growing up - so it's fun that our families can still have such an awesome connection!)

So while Skyler was having fun with friends and grandparents? I was borrowing cars and driving from car lot to car lot, test driving. I had no idea what kind of car I wanted. (Ok - I did. I wanted a Ford Escape. With a Manual Transmission. Not white.)

June 27 I celebrated my 9th wedding anniversary by going out to dinner with my parents. (My husband was on the road - since he was headed home in a few days for vacation. No big deal - I had an extra margarita!)

FINALLY on July 1? I bought a car!!! A 2006 Hyundai Tucson! It's red, and I love it. LOVE IT. It's perfect. It's wonderful. Even though it's not a manual transmission, I love it. (And it even has the Ryan Seal of Approval!)

We loaded up on the 2nd to head home! We would be home for the 4th of July, join our friends on the River Walk and have a few days to relax before our Alaskan Vacation! It would be perfect. Right?

Of course, it's not that easy.

We made it to Kearney. (About 180 miles.) And we stopped to get some lunch, loaded up the car after lunch and I turned on the engine. There was this loud, grinding, vibrating, horrible noise. (And when I say loud? You could hear it across the street!!)

I shut the car off, called my Dad and cried. He thought I was joking at first - before he realized I was crying.

About a dozen calls later (between my dad, my husband and the dealership where I had just purchased the car.) I headed back to Lincoln - we'd discovered it was the Air Conditioner Compressor and they were going to fix it for me for free. Ryan, my mechanically inclined husband, assured me it was a quick fix and I'd be back home the next day.

WRONG AGAIN!!! They didn't have the part.

I was set to leave for vacation in a few days. I had a flight to catch. In Denver. I had no cool weather clothes, and it's not as hot in Alaska as it is in Nebraska. SERIOUSLY!!! Why can't things go my way??

It turns out, my car wouldn't actually be ready until July 9!! (When I was in Alaska...) So, we spent the 4th of July in Lincoln - where Skyler actually got to play with fireworks! And then rode with my in-laws to Denver to catch our flight.

(The Alaska trip will be another entry - once I edit my photos!!)

Long story short? Left home for a week long vacation on June 6. Finally FINALLY made it home on July 18th!

Turning 30... {Reflections}

All my life, I've heard a lot of people talk about how they struggled with turning 30. For me, it wasn't that way at all. I looked forward to 30. But, I've done a lot of things backwards, and my friends (and husband) are mostly older than me, and always have been. So I suppose it's just something I'd never really feared.

Well, on March 6? The day came and went without so much as a flinch from the universe.

Sure, my family and friends were fabulous! I got flowers, and cookies and wonderful gifts. And Skyler (who LOVES birthdays) was fantastic! (Ryan was on the road - but managed to make sure my day went well anyway! Besides, I'd had him home for Valentines day - which in this life? It's always one or the other for us!)

Skyler and I made a Snickerdoodle Trifle the day before and all the flavors had settled just perfectly by the time we got home from our Wednesday evening church activities! So she helped me light and blow out the candles. And all in all? My 30 birthday was fantastic.

I've spent the last two weeks thinking about my 20's, and all that I accomplished.

I got engaged. Married. Got my CDL and spend four years driving a truck - in which I was able to travel and see many parts of the United States! We went to a Red Sox game, and fishing in Canada (on a lake only accessible by Float Plane!)

As I was coming up on my 25th birthday, I took a pregnancy test in Bozeman MT. We were going to have a baby!! And on June 20? After a nightmare of not thinking Ryan would make it home on time? Skyler was born!

My 20's also brought a lot of self discovery.

I completed 2 "365 Projects" - meaning? My camera was attached to my hip and I took a photo each day. One was entirely self portraits. (Yep, 365 photos of me! EEEK!) And one was a day in my life.  (I will finish my third project in August 2013!)

I also completed a "Day Zero" project. A list of 101 items I hope to accomplish in 1001 days. (I'm now less than a year from completing my second project!)

I created a successful book blog. I became more involved in my local community. (Leading my MOPS group, participating in the Pueblo Newborn Hope luncheon.) I've found a church home that I love. And a group of fabulous friends who I wouldn't trade for anything. I learned to ride a motorcycle (although not very well...)

With all the wonderful things that have happened in the past decade? It hasn't been without it's share of trials.

At 22, a month before my 1st wedding anniversary in 2005, I got a call that my Dad was in the hospital. He'd been relatively healthy, but battling pneumonia that wouldn't go away. Turns out it wasn't pneumonia, but rather a massive heart attack and it was a miracle he was still with us. Ryan and I drove all night to get home to Nebraska, where I stayed for the next month while we awaited an LVAD surgery.

Five months later my world flipped upside down again. My new husband? He left his job of 10 years with Boston Market and was getting his CDL. He was going to drive a truck. A TRUCK?!?! OYE!!

In November he was nearly finished with Truck Driving school in Lincoln and I was visiting for Thanksgiving. The morning before the big day, I was at my parents house. My dad and I were going shopping to prepare for the meal... But the phone rang. They had a heart. Thus commencing an insane dash to gather my family (my mom was in a meeting and un-reachable. My sister was in high school, where they didn't want to let me - her sibling - pick her up without a parent.) Then, just before midnight on the eve of Thanksgiving? We got word that my Dad was out of surgery and had a new heart. Another miracle that I will forever be thankful for.

Just two months after Skyler was born, my Grandmother passed away after a battle with Cancer.

And again, with just a few years left in my 20's? Tragedy struck again. My other grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She wasn't yet 70. (She's 73 now, and still with us. But Alzheimer's is something I would not wish on my worst enemy.)

So with all the ups and downs of my 20's? I can honestly say I'm a stronger person than I ever could have imagined. I'm sure not where I thought I'd be at 30. But I'm happy with where I am and where I am going. I'm optimistic that my 30's are going to be even better than my 20's! And I can't wait to revisit this post in 10 years to brag about all my fabulous accomplishments of this coming decade!

August Recap

We had a really great (BUSY) month of August!

It started out with Ryan being home, and included a Campaign Rally with President Obama, A trip to Nebraska, Lots of time at the Splash Park, Football Practice  and the State Fair!

I've put together a quick collage of some of our favorite photos from the month to share with you guys! (Grandparents - if you want the full size image of any of them - or more - just let me know! I've got them all on my computer!)

 

Click the collage to see it bigger!

A Trip to the Family Farm

I'm very late in posting this, about six months to be exact... But I'm finally getting there; that's what counts. Right?

In March of 2010 we went to Crawford Nebraska (where my Grandpa John was from) to celebrate the 100th Birthday of my Great Grandma Alice. It was a great trip, and as you can tell from the picture on the left? She was in excellent health for being 100! (Photos from the whole trip are in this album.)

Unfortunately, on October 27, 2011 Grandma Alice passed away. So the whole family made the trip back to Crawford for her Funeral. It was a nice service and a nice chance to see many people from my mom's family (particularly those who live in California.)

We also took the chance to make a trip out to the old family farm - Homesteaded in Belmont Nebraska (just outside of Crawford) where my Grandfather had grown up. We also drove through Fort Robinson, and Smiley Canyon! So I thought I'd share some of our photos from the trip. You can view the full album, if you'd like.

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**

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.)

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 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!!

Viva Las Vegas!!!

That's what people heard on our plane from an almost 3 year old!! (Since she was pretty good at yelling it!)

I thought I'd give a few "spoiler" photos!! (Although our plane didn't land until 7pm Colorado time - thanks to an oil leak in the engine that lead to a delay!)

Skyler had a blast checking the window and watching them load baggage onto planes.

We had a pretty fabulous view!

Skyler LOVED watching the ground below.

Unfortunately? The Rockies were cloudy, so no photos from there.

After our flight, Skyler got to check out the cockpit and the pilot invited her to sit down for a photo! 

(After that, I think we could have gone home - trip complete and successful for Skyler!) 

Sunshine and Summertime!

One of Skyler's favorite thing in the world is to spend time with her cousin Jacob! (She talks about him constantly for WEEKS after we have a visit with him, she tells all her friends about him. It's adorable!)

So when Kevin invited us over for a BBQ, we jumped at the chance!

She's going through a phase, where she's slightly shy for the first few minutes she's around anyone. Miraculously, that phase disappeared with Jacob! She was excited from the moment we pulled up to their house! (I hadn't told her where we were going, only that I had a surprise.)

We quickly moved to the backyard where the kids jumped right into the pool! (Despite the fact that it was the first day in AGES where the sky wasn't full of sun all day so it wasn't exactly hot out! And the water? BRRR!)

After awhile in the pool we had ribs for dinner! Then the kids ran around some more! (Because that's what summer evenings are for!)

All in all, it was a great evening! (And Skyler fell asleep on the ride home!)

To Grandma's (& Grandpa's) House We Go....

While in Nebraska, a trip to Mazatlan is always a must for us! Skyler and I were able to join my parents and my Grandma at the Mexican Restaurant for a fun dinner!

Miss Skyler was also able to enjoy some fun in the sun! Earlier in the day we had a picnic lunch at Holmes Lake, followed by some time playing at the park!!

And when it was time to leave?? Well... it was not on Skyler's "To Do" list!

To be able to spend a lot of time with Grandma & Grandpa B on this most recent trip home has been absolutely wonderful!

A much overdue update!

I've been meaning to update for awhile, but I just keep forgetting!! I do have a 101 in 1001 project blog that was recently updated as well!

We had Aunt Katie out here for two weeks, and Daddy for six days! So we've kept pretty busy! (And now Skyler and I are spending Saturday in our jammies,as we both have colds!! )

With Katie and Ryan, we visited Pikes Peak, the State Capitol and a few other small adventures! (Ryan got a ride in a Lamborghini!)  So here are a few of the photos. You can find the rest of them here !

The Good Life

While we were in Lincoln this past month, I made the biggest mistake! I'd forgotten to take the charger for my camera! And even worse? When we left Colorado - my battery was already almost dead!! *gasp* So I was virtually without a camera while we were there. Thankfully my Mom let me use her Olympus point and shoot for a few things!

I wanted to share a few photos from our recent trip with you! A little of everything from just relaxing photos, to playing at the park and touring the state capitol! (Skyler really loves "The Capitol"!!)

(Please forgive me - this entry will be VERY graphic intense!! And I know what a pain it is - since I'm on a dial up connection at the house in Pueblo right now! I'm sorry; but I wanted to share!) 

 Skyler at Holmes Lake Park

Skyler and Grandpa Brian at the Capitol 

(looking at former Governors)

The ceiling near the elevator on the observation floor

 The ceiling on the 2nd floor - where you meet for the tour!

The view to the West of the Capitol

From the Observation Deck

Skyler on the Observation Deck

She LOVED it up there, looking out and running across!

I think for the first time in the 14 years that I've known my husband and his family - I didn't have my camera glued to me!! I feel a little bad that all the photos I took were while we were with my family, but never fear! His parents are on their way to Colorado soon, so we will take double the pictures! (And since I know you are reading this, you have been warned -- please see the smiley face below!)