Even Mosquitoes??

 For Christmas Scribber got this awesome "Noah's Ark" Stained Glass kit from Melissa and Doug. (While I ADORE the Melissa and Doug line, the age on this kit was 6+ - an age that I thought was pretty accurate. There's a ton of SMALL pieces to be stuck to the "glass" and little fingers aren't the best at that kind of thing! So, I did what any sane mother would do... I hid it! 

Well, today she found it and begged and pleaded to do it. So, I gave in.

I was right, the small pieces were tough for her clumsy fingers!

But? It was an hour well spent - we had a blast. We talked about favorite animals (she really likes Bears - I think our recent trip to Alaska where we got to watch a Mama and her two cubs play may have had a hand in that answer! Where I'm more partial to cats, and Okapi's!) We talked about rain, which we both agreed would be fun to dance in! And we also came to the consensus that we don't get near enough of it here in Southern Colorado!

But we also talked a bit about the story of Noah's Ark. Sure, she's heard it before - in Sunday School and Awana's at church. And probably in a Veggie Tales episode. But we'd never really had a conversation - just she and I about it.

She got very serious, stopped what she was doing and looked at me.

"Mom, I wish Noah hadn't taken two mosquitoes. Then I wouldn't have gotten so many bites in Alaska. Or maybe he could've made a mistake. Maybe he should have taken two boys."

Man, I love this kid!!

(And I agree - he should have left the Mosquitoes off the Ark!!)

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!

December/January Recap!

It's been ages since I updated - I don't really have an excuse. I suppose for the most part, our lives are pretty routine and there's not a ton to share!  But, the more I think about it? December was a bit crazy! So, here's a photo recap of our last two months!!

DECEMBER 2012

My sister was the Queen of her Madrigal Dinners at Wayne State! I got to ride up with my parents to watch the dinner, and it was a lot of fun! (I even got in a few of the photos!!)

Three days later? I drove up with my parents again to see her Senior Honors Colloquium. (See, I know big words!! More importantly? People in Wayne Nebraska know big words!)

 

Then? A few more days later? My dad, Skyler and I drove up to help her move out of her dorm. (Yep - are you keeping track of our time on the road? There will be a tally! I promise.) 

Then we drove back to Wayne (2 days later) for her Graduation! (CONGRATS KID SISTER!!)

 

Total driving time (from Lincoln to Wayne in December) approx 30 hours! 

Total driving time total in December (up until now?) 35 hours! 

But, we're not done! See, Skyler and I drove back to Colorado! Where we got home just in time for a big snow storm, where a tree fell on our house! 

And then, Ryan got home and we turned around to head BACK to Nebraska for Christmas!

Total Drive time now? (December 21?) 55 hours! BUT WAIT!! We have a trip to Iowa, a trip back to Lincoln and a trip back to Colorado still to come!! (Are you tired of my car yet? I am!!)

So, I mentioned Iowa? We spent 2 days with Ryan's sister and her kids! (Which was an absolute blast, and now I understand how horrible it was for my parents to drag Kate and I away from our family on trips to Chicago!)

Then back to Lincoln where we did the whole Christmas thing - which included this awesome cake ball tree!! (Drive time now? 62 hours.)

Then, we had Katie's birthday! (Geez, she's 23... that's like... old!)

Then back to Colorado - Drive time total? 73 hours. Yep - more than 3 full days in the car. THREE FULL DAYS!! (Ok, that's not a huge deal - I did drive a truck. So, it was actually enjoyable. But wow... just now totalling that up? EEEK!)

JANUARY 2013

After a quiet NYE at home (where I was asleep before Midnight - thank you very much!) Ryan hit the road and life returned to normal in Colorado!!

There were trips to the Children's Museum

And the Nature Center

And the Children's Museum Again

And some bike riding and picnics at the park

And of course we stayed busy at home...
We baked

And made silly Finger Puppets

We crocheted - Ok, I crocheted... while Skyler slept.

We played Dress Up

A lot of dress up...

We went for walks (when it snowed again!)

And we colored. A lot. (Because it's our favorite thing to do!)

I think you're caught up on our life now!! (Hopefully my next few entries aren't as photo heavy!!)

Christmas Reading

 Yesterday we went to the library, we got a bunch of Christmas books, and the puppy puppet that Skyler is madly in love with!

She's named the puppet "Mr. Runaway" and is dead set on getting a dog just like him for Christmas. Unfortunately? This poor kid is going to be disappointed because we are NOT getting a dog for Christmas. But? She gets major points for the name - "Mr. Runaway" is the most AWESOME name for a dog I've ever heard! (Although I hope he doesn't actually runaway!)

This morning, we found Chip-Chip reading the Olivia book that she checked out yesterday! She thought it was hilarious!!

The Arrival of Chip-Chip

You may remember, in 2010 we had Elfred Jingle, visit us from the North Pole! He did such a good job visiting our house that he was promoted to head toy maker at Santa's Workship!) Last year, we had a new elf visit us, Skyler got to pick his name out and everything!

Well, this morning we were watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and they had an Elf on the Shelf Balloon!! Skyler was so excited, she asked if I thought our elf would be visiting us again this year. I told her that I hadn't yet heard from Santa, but he had promised us last year he would come back.

About halfway through the parade, we had to leave to take Ryan to the truck - he's gone until Christmas now. But on our way home Skyler said to me "Mommy, I miss Daddy, but I hope our elf comes while he's gone!"

Fast Forward to this afternoon, Skyler was watching a movie and I was cleaning the kitchen when the doorbell rang!! (We celebrated Thanksgiving last week, since we knew Ryan wouldn't be home today.) I told Skyler to go ahead and check it, and well... just watch the movie! 



4

We had to open the book to check for sure, but it's definitely Chip-Chip! He's back to spend another Advent season with us, and Skyler couldn't be more excited!!

**Be sure to check back soon for more Chip-Chip adventures!**
 (I've already posted the 11/23 entry - complete with Skyler's reaction this morning as she found what Chip-Chip was up to!)

Four More Years!!

I want to start with the disclaimer here! I try to avoid politics in my online life in general - I don't like to alienate people, and I am so thankful that there are many of us out there who have such diverse qualities. In real life? I'm more than happy to discuss politics with you. I don't always agree with you, nor do I expect you to agree with me. (Just ask my husband - whom I tend to occasionally disagree with when it comes to national politics!) I'm happy to have a discussion with you - maybe we can both learn something.

So for everyone who voted - no matter what direction? Thank you for doing your part.
For everyone who says they are moving to Canada? Please do - I'm tired of that threat!
For anyone who is offended by this post (or my beliefs)? Well, I'm sorry that you're offended so easily.

I also must ad this disclaimer: I do not speak for my entire household on this front. I know that we agreed this election on a lot of things - but that I am not putting words in my husbands mouth! 

Now... Let's get on to the fun stuff!! 

This election season Skyler and I have had some AWESOME opportunities! And tonight we were able to attend our local "Party" to support the Pueblo Democrats! And of course, the night went our way!!

(As a life-long Democrat? This has been a pretty exciting year to me, and I owe a HUGE amount of thanks to my friend Megan for Rally Tickets and the invite to tonight's party!)

When the evening was still "young" Skyler looked at me and said:
"Mommy, is Obama driving a Ferrari? Because they usually win the race."
Wrong race my dear, but I like your sentiment! 

Pueblo Union Depot

The sign we sat beneath

Skyler and her good friend, Mabel, played with Barbies for most of the night.

When they announced that President Obama had won enough Electoral Votes to be re-elected the room went nuts! Skyler and Mabel immediately climbed up on their chairs and started clapping, hollering and dancing!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Since Ryan started driving a truck back in 2005, there have been only a few birthday's he's been home for. (Since Skyler was born in 2008, even less! I believe this is his first birthday home since she was born!)

He usually opts to spend Halloween with us - but we were glad to have him home this year! (Even if it was just because his license expired this year, and he needed to renew...)

The day was great, we had Skyler's last football game! Then we went with the team to get pizza.

After all the football festivities were over it was birthday time!! We went to The Olive Garden for dinner, then home for cake and ice cream! (We had cake-brownies, of which Skyler had made a drawing and wanted me to transfer onto the cake - stick figures of our family! And our cat...)

We ended the evening with presents (enough audio books to keep him entertained for a month on the road and some movies!) and then it was time to watch Stephen Kings Bag of Bones after Skyler went to bed!

So all-in-all? I think Ryan had a nice birthday! But I wanted to share a few photos (from football and his birthday!) so that the Grandparents can see!